Tim O'Brien, Acclaimed Author of "The Things They Carried," to Read at the College Oct.18

CHESTERTOWN, MD—National Book Award winner Tim O’Brien will read from his acclaimed works of fiction on Thursday, October 18 at Washington College. The reading will be held at 4 p.m. in Decker Theatre, the Daniel Z. Gibson Center for the Arts,  and is free and open to the public.

         O’Brien’s successful literary career spans decades; in 1979 his novel Going After Cacciato was named the National Book Award winner in fiction, and in 1994 his In the Lake of the Woods was Time magazine’s pick for best novel of the year.

         Perhaps his most celebrated work is The Things They Carried (1990), a mélange of fiction and memoir on the Vietnam War. It was a finalist for both the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Critics Circle Award, and was the winner of one of France’s top literary prizes, the Prix du Meilleur Livre Étranger. In a Washington Times review of the 20th anniversary reissue of the book, John Greenya wrote, “Many people think [The Things They Carried] is the best work of fiction ever written about Vietnam. Some even think it is the best work of fiction ever written about war. Both are right.”

         The American Academy of Arts and Letters presented O’Brien the Katherine Anne Porter Award for a distinguished lifetime body of work in 2010. His short fiction has been published in The New Yorker, the Atlantic, Esquire, and many editions of The O. Henry Prize Stories and The Best American Short Stories, and his books have been translated into more than 20 languages. He currently lives, teaches, and writes in central Texas.

         The October 18 reading is sponsored by the Sophie Kerr Lecture Series and the Douglas Cater Society of Junior Fellows. This will be a second visit to Washington College for O’Brien, who in 2003 was the featured speaker for Sophie Kerr Weekend.

         The Gibson Center for the Arts is located on the main College campus, 300 Washington Avenue, Chestertown.

Jim Schelberg and Stephan Jordan Earn Double Honors As College Bestows Annual Awards

Gold Pentagon Award winners Stephan Jordan and Jim Schelberg with
President Reiss. Each would soon return for another major award.

CHESTERTOWN, MD—Two graduating seniors were doubly honored for their achievements and service as Washington College awarded its most important medals and prizes during 2012 Commencement on May 20. Stephan Anthony Jordan and James Hoitsma Schelberg shared the Gold Pentagon Award, which recognizes meritorious service to the College, and each also received solo recognition.

Schelberg, who graduated summa cum laude, took home the prestigious George Washington Medal as “the senior who shows the greatest promise of understanding and realizing in life and work the ideals of a liberal education.” Washington himself (as portrayed by actor Dean Malissa) strode to the podium to present the Medal, then briefly addressed the crowd, continuing a Commencement tradition.

To the delight of visitors, General George Washington strides to the
 podium to personally award his namesake Medal to Jim Schelberg.

A double major in philosophy and humanities, Jim Schelberg came to Washington College on a Hodson Trust Star Scholarship after serving with the U.S. Marines in Iraq. He interrupted his studies to serve a second tour of duty with the Marines, this time in Afghanistan. While on campus, the Towson native has been a member of the Douglass Cater Society of Junior Fellows; conducted research at the University of Oxford as part of the College’s summer Oxford Research Seminar on Religion, Politics and Culture; taught boxing as founder of the Washington College Mixed Martial Arts Club; and conducted important archival research for the C.V. Starr Center for the Study of the American Experience and the Maryland State Archives. At the Senior Awards Luncheon held the Friday before Commencement, Schelberg received the Norman James Humanities Award for Excellence and the Department of Philosophy and Religion Award.

 Washington salutes Schelberg.

Last summer he launched a prison outreach program called Partners in Philosophy, which offers courses in philosophy, logic and ethics to inmates of Maryland’s Jessup Correctional Institution. Washington College professors joined him to lead several of the classes, which ranged from ethical choices in Art History to the teachings of Plato, Buddha and Frederick Douglass. He will continue the program this summer. Schelberg earned national recognition as one of only 20 students nationwide to be selected for the 2011 USA Today All-USA College Academic Team.

Stephan Jordan was the faculty’s choice for the Henry W. Catlin 1894 Medal, awarded to “a senior man voted by the faculty to be outstanding in the qualities of scholarship, character, leadership and campus citizenship.” A political science major and drama minor from Frederick, Md., who graduated cum laude, Jordan served as a Peer Mentor, sang with WACappella and served on both the Student Government Association and the Honor Board. As a Hansard Scholar, he spent a semester in London, studying parliamentary government and British public policy at the London School of Economics and Politics and interning in the House of Commons. Last fall, Governor Martin O’Malley appointed him to be the student representative on the Maryland Higher Education Commission.

Virginia Long was awarded for her science
achievements and her appreciation of the arts.

Virginia Agnes Long of Silver Spring, Md., received the Jane Huston Goodfellow Memorial Prize, which recognizes an especially well- rounded science major “who has an abiding appreciation of the arts and humanities and has shown scholastic excellence.” She graduated magna cum laude and also earned a Department of Biology Research Award. A member of Phi Beta Kappa and the Douglass Cater Society of Junior Fellows, she was active in drama and dance productions during her four years on campus.  

Jesse James Schaefer won the Eugene B. Casey Medal, as “a senior woman voted by the faculty to be outstanding in the qualities of scholarship, character, leadership and campus citizenship.” A summa cum laude graduate who majored in sociology and human development, Schaefer was active in numerous organizations, including the Douglass Cater Society of Junior Fellows, the Peer Mentors, Equestrian Club, the Pi Lambda Theta education honor society and the Service Council. Schaefer, who hails from Bridgeton, N.J., also was awarded the Education Department Award, the Margaret Horsley Award (for “the clearest understanding of human social behavior”), the Sociology Service Award, the Karen Kaitz Emerick Award (recognizing strong character, leadership and service), and an Outstanding Community Service Recognition.

Jesse Schaefer steps forward for the Eugene B. Casey Medal.

Clark-Porter winner Antonio 

The Clark-Porter Medal went to student-government leader Andrew Francis John Antonio, who led the SGA for three years. The Medal recognizes “the student whose character and personal integrity, in the opinion of the faculty, have most clearly enhanced the quality of campus life.” Antonio, who grew up in Middletown, Del., also received the Schottland Business Leadership Award and the W. Dennis Berry ’87 Leadership Award. 

Goldstein winner Kimberly Pittman

Kimberly Nicole Pittman of Bel Air, Md., received the Louis L. Goldstein ’35 Award as the senior who “has demonstrated unusual interest, enthusiasm and potential in the field of public affairs.”  The International Studies major concentrated her studies on issues of peace and conflict and was the first Washington College student to take part in an exclusive internship program with NATO’s U.S. Mission in Brussels. She also was a member of the Douglass Cater Society of Junior Fellows and studied abroad in South Africa. A summa cum laude graduate, Pittman also took home Gender Studies and International Studies awards.

Medal winners Schaefer and Schelberg were among the four 2012 graduates who shared First Honors distinction for boasting the highest cumulative grade point average in the class. The other two top scholars were Michael Ryan Vanaskie, who also took home the Economics Department Award, and Courtney Rebecca Burton, who received the Psychology Department Outstanding Achievement Award and an Outstanding Community Service Recognition.

The 2012 Sophie Kerr Prize for literary promise was officially awarded to Kathryn J. Manion in the form of a check for $58,274. She had been announced as the winner May 15 at a special program in New York City where she and four other Prize finalists—Natalie L. Butz, Douglas S. Carter, Maria N. Queen and Erica A. Walburg—read from their portfolios.

Professor Christine Wade reacts to being named this year's recipient of
the Alumni Association's Distinguished Teaching Award.

Two professors were singled out for recognition during the Commencement. The Alumni Association’s Distinguished Teaching Award, based on input from both faculty and students, went to Christine J. Wade, associate professor of political science and international studies. A specialist in Latin American politics who joined the Washington College faculty in 2003, she is faculty advisor for students concentrating on Peace and Conflict Studies or Latin American Studies.

President Reiss congratulates the faculty recipient of
the Gold Pentagon Award, Mindy Reynolds-Walsh.

And Omicron Delta Kappa chose biology professor Mindy Reynolds-Walsh to receive a Gold Pentagon Award. Each year, the leadership honor society selects both a student winner or winners (this year, Schelberg and Jordan), and an alumnus, faculty member or friend of the College to recognize for their service to Washington College. A cell biologist who joined the faculty in 2008, Reynolds-Walsh researches the effects of chronic exposure to metal compounds.

Below is a full listing of the awards announced at the Senior Luncheon. For photos, visit the Campus Gallery page about the event.

Class of 2012 Senior Awards
 Given at the Senior Luncheon, May 18, 2012.

The American Studies Program Senior Capstone Experience Award, awarded to a graduating American studies major with the most outstanding senior research project: Amanda Lyn Whitaker

The Lynette Nielsen Art Award,  to acknowledge excellence in art: Alexandra Allerton Harlow Woodworth

The Art History Award,  to acknowledge excellence in the field of art history: Sean Michael Meade and Douglas Stewart Carter, Jr.

The Department of Biology Allied Health Professional Award, to the graduating biology major who has demonstrated academic excellence, who is pursuing an allied health degree, and who has a strong potential for success in an allied health field: Bethany Jordan Ackerman and Brittany Nicole Palasik

The Department of Biology Medical Professional Award, to the graduating biology major who has demonstrated academic excellence, who is pursuing a medical or veterinary degree, and who has a strong potential for success in the medical or veterinary fields: Katelyn Rose Laury and Benjamin David Longwell

The Department of Biology Research Award, to the graduating biology major who has demonstrated excellence in academics and undergraduate biological research: Virginia Agnes Long and Benjamin David Longwell

The Department of Biology Award of Special Recognition, awarded on special occasion to the graduating biology major who has demonstrated outstanding academic achievement and an exceptional depth of understanding in the field of biology: John Matthews Eglseder II

The Department of Biology Teaching Award, awarded on special occasion to the graduating biology major who has demonstrated academic excellence and exceptional dedication to science education: Alyssa Jacqueline Forget and Hannah Elizabeth O’Malley

The Department of Business Management Award, given to a graduating business major who has demonstrated outstanding qualities of scholarship, character and leadership: Allyson Leigh Yawman 

The Department of Business Management Senior Capstone Experience Award,  to a graduating business major with the most outstanding senior research project demonstrating high scholarship and analytical skills: Chelsea Caitlin Simpson

Schottland Business Leadership Award, awarded to the graduating business major who shows outstanding academic ability and leadership potential: Andrew Francis John Antonio

The Joseph H. McLain ’37 Prize, awarded to the graduating senior who, in the opinion of the Department of Chemistry, shows the greatest promise for making a future contribution to human understanding of chemistry. Endowed in 1982 by members of the American Pyrotechnics Association: Sean Andrew Harrison

The James R. Miller ’51 Award for Excellence in Chemistry, to an outstanding senior majoring in chemistry or a premedical student who has demonstrated special interest and high academic achievement in chemistry: Kelsie Elizabeth Jensen

The Stewart Drama Award, to a senior who has made outstanding contributions to the College through
dramatic and speaking ability. Endowed by Pearl Griffin Stewart ’05: Margaret Anne Matthews

The Economics Department Award, awarded to a graduating senior for outstanding academic performance and the potential for high achievement in the field of economics: Michael Ryan Vanaskie and Meghan Elyse Lepley

The Dr. Davy H. McCall Prize in Economics, to a graduating senior majoring in economics who has demonstrated special interest and high academic achievement and superior oral and written abilities in international economics: Leah Rae Sbriscia

The Maureen Jacoby Prize, to the graduating senior who has demonstrated dedication to student publications at Washington College, and has a strong potential for a future in the field of publications: Olivia Hamilton Mott

The Emil J. C. Hildenbrand Memorial Medal, to the senior who attains the highest average in English during the four years of study. Given by the Washington, D.C. chapter of the Alumni Association: Marta Lee Wesenberg

The Writers’ Union Award, for outstanding service to the Writers’ Union.  A gift of Robert L. Chamberlin, Jr. ’48 in memory of Mary Lou Chamberlin ’49: Kathryn Jeanne Manion


The Environmental Studies Award, to the graduating environmental studies major who, through academic accomplishment and extracurricular involvement, shows the greatest potential for making significant lifetime contributions to helping solve the world’s environmental problems: Amanda Anne-Marie Pruzinsky

The Gender Studies Award, to a graduating senior who has displayed unusual interest and/or scholarship
in the field of gender studies: Kimberly Nicole Pittman and Sarah Janney Hartge

The Arthur A. Knapp ’39 Memorial Prize in History, to the graduating history major who, in the opinion of the Department, has displayed unusual interest, enthusiasm and ability in the field of history: Alyssa Lynne Wagner and Charles August Weisenberger III

The Phi Alpha Theta Award, to a graduating history major for excellent historical scholarship: Alyssa Lynne Wagner

The Norman James Humanities Award for Excellence, given by the James family to the senior majoring in humanities who has shown academic distinction and represents the ideals of humanistic society: James Hoitsma Schelberg

The Daniel L. Premo Award, to the graduating senior in political science or international studies
who shows the most promise in the field of public diplomacy: Antoine Michael Jordan

The International Studies Award, to a graduating major who, in the opinion of the Department, demonstrates an exceptional understanding and interest in international affairs: Kimberly Nicole Pittman

The Tai Sung An Memorial Prize,  to the graduating international student who, in the opinion of the faculty of the international studies interdisciplinary major, has exemplified in an exceptional manner the benefits of inter-cultural education on our campus: Tokikake Ii

The Erika and Henry Salloch Prize, given by the Department of Foreign Languages, Literatures and Cultures in memory of Erika and Henry Salloch, to the student whose achievement and personal commitment have contributed to the understanding of other cultures: Morgan Lail Phillips

The German Studies Alumni Award, to the senior who, in the opinion of the faculty of Modern Languages, has demonstrated outstanding academic achievement and a depth of understanding in the field of German studies: Melissa Gaye Erdman

The William Gover Duvall ’30 Prize, to a graduating senior who, in the judgment of the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, has demonstrated outstanding achievement and shows great promise in the field of mathematics: Amanda Anne-Marie Pruzinsky

The Alpha Chi Omega Music Award, to a senior in recognition of excellence in music: Brian Patrick Bucher and Veronica Noël Spolarich

The Department of Philosophy and Religion Award, to a graduating senior or seniors majoring in philosophy, recognizing outstanding ability in, and engagement with, the field of philosophy and religion: James Hoitsma Schelberg and Patrick Thomas Cannon

The Political Science Award, to a graduating major who in the opinion of the Department, demonstrates a superior theoretical and practical understanding of political life: Lindsay Ann Dodd

The Psychology Department Award, to the senior psychology major who shows outstanding promise in the field of psychology: Isabel Diane Derera and Catherine Teves Petrick

The Virginia M. Conner ’85 Psychology Award, to the graduating senior or seniors majoring in psychology who, in the opinion of the Department, have demonstrated outstanding ability and achievement in the biobehavioral sciences: Melanie Lynn McCabe

The Psychology Department Outstanding Achievement Award, to senior psychology majors in recognition of exceptionally high levels of performance in the field of psychology: Courtney Rebecca Burton

Anthropology Award, to the graduating major or majors who, in the opinion of the faculty and students of the Department of Sociology and Anthropology, have shown in his or her work exceptional understanding of anthropology and other cultures, past or present: Sarah Janney Hartge and Jamie Skylar Frees

Anthropology Service Award, to the graduating major who demonstrates the greatest dedication to public service in anthropology at Washington College: Alyssa Marie Velazquez

The Margaret Horsley Award, to the graduating major or majors who, in the opinion of the faculty and students of the Department of Sociology and Anthropology, have shown in his or her work the clearest understanding of human social behavior: Jesse James Schaefer and Brittany Lyn McWilliams

Sociology Service Award, to the graduating senior who, in the opinion of the Department and its students, has made, through service, the greatest contribution to the sociology program and to Washington College: Jesse James Schaefer

The Holstein Prize for Ethics, to the graduating senior whose senior thesis, in the opinion of the selection committee, best demonstrates an interest in ethics and the application of ethics to his or her area of interest: Beverly Obenewaa Frimpong

The W. Dennis Berry ’87 Leadership Award, to the senior or seniors who most clearly exhibit those characteristics of charismatic leadership that distinguished Mr. Berry’s service to Washington College: Andrew Francis John Antonio

The Karen Kaitz Emerick Award, to one or more senior students, chosen by the Executive Committee of the Student Government Association, who have demonstrated strong character and good academic standing, and who have been leaders in community and volunteer service: Jesse James Schaefer

The Penny J. Fall Award, given annually by the Washington College Student Government Association to the female athlete who most successfully continues, through service to the College, the tradition and legacy set by Professor Fall. The recipient is chosen for her leadership on campus and her ability to conceive, organize and execute academic and extracurricular activities that have benefited the entire Washington College community: Sally Ann O’Donnell

The Jonathan A. Taylor, Jr. Leadership Award,  to the member of the Washington College Student Government Association who diligently and effectively incorporates progressive thought when addressing the needs and demands of the modern collegiate environment: Brittany Alexandra Marshall

The Outstanding Community Service Recognition, awarded to senior students who have committed themselves to community service: Courtney Rebecca Burton,  Stephen Samuel Cook, Daniel James Danko, Jamie Skylar Frees, Sarah Janney Hartge, Laura Kebler Kennedy, Melanie Lynn McCabe, Priyanka Deepak Parikh, Leah Rae Sbriscia, Jesse James Schaefer,  Alyssa Marie Velazquez, Amanda Lyn Whitaker.

Photography Exhibition by Karly Kolaja Examines Modern Culture in the Sacred Valley, Peru

CHESTERTOWN, MD—An exhibition opening May 20 at the Kohl Gallery will showcase the Senior Capstone Experience of Karly Kolaja, a Crumpton resident who will graduate from Washington College this Sunday, May 22, with a double major in Photojournalism and English, and a minor in Art and Art History.
The exhibition, which continues through June 18, features some 30 photographs with captions and Kolaja's essay, " 'The Essential Impulse of the Andes:' Visual Literacy and the Culture of the Sacred Valley, Peru." It is the culmination of more than three years of work.
Transferring to Washington College in the second semester of her first year, Kolaja wanted to combine her dual interests in photography and social justice and to follow in the footsteps of female photographers such as Dorothea Lange, Carol Guzy, and Washington College's own Constance Stuart Larrabee. To accomplish her goal, she created a Self-Designed Major in photojournalism under the direction of Professor Donald McColl in the Department of Art and Art History. She also complemented the classes required by her English major with a wide array of classes across several disciplines, including Introduction to Western Art, Photography, American Pictures, Global Ethics, Social Inequalities, American Government and Politics, Nonfiction Writing, and Creative Nonfiction. She completed independent studies with photographer Denise Campbell, an adjunct Lecturer of Art.
With the help of a grant from the College's Douglass Cater Society of Junior Fellows, Kolaja eventually went to Peru to document in photos the tension between tourism and traditional ways of life. "The area I explored once encompassed the Sacred Valley—the religious, political and military seat of the Inca Empire," she writes. "Now, it is recognized as the country's tourism capital, with some 800,000 visitors passing through its largest city, Cuzco, each year. I wondered if any vestiges of traditional Andean ways of life have survived this vacationing onslaught."
"Ever since my childhood," she continues, "my cinematographer father has instilled a belief in me that photography is all about telling stories. I have come to agree with him.... [Photography] has the power to arouse sincere feelings. And it can effect real change."
While completing her degree at Washington College, Kolaja consistently made the Dean's List, in addition to receiving the Hugh McGuire Award and Academic Scholarship and the 2010 Undergraduate Studio Award for Most Promising Undergraduate Artist. She was also made a member of Omicron Delta Kappa (the National Leadership Honor Society), Sigma Tau Delta (the National English Honor Society), and Phi Beta Kappa.
Kolaja photographed countless events on campus through her work in such organizations as the College's Office of College Relations and Marketing, the WACapella singing group and the Pegasus yearbook. She worked as a reporter for The Chestertown Spy and completed two internships: At Baltimore's Urbanite magazine, she worked under the direction of Alex Castro, an artist, architect and designer who serves as Designer in Residence at Washington College. And as an intern with BuildaBridge (a Philadelphia-based nonprofit that uses the transformative power of the arts to bring hope and healing to children, families, and communities) she documented an exhibition of young people's art at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
An Opening Reception in honor of the artist will be held Friday, May 20 at 6 p.m. The gallery show and reception are free and open to the public. The Gibson Center for the Arts is located on the Washington College campus, 300 Washington Avenue. Kohl Gallery hours are Wednesday and Thursday, 1 to 5 p.m., Friday noon to 6 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday noon to 5 p.m. Closed Monday and Tuesday.

Dr. John Girvin Presents 'Artificial Vision,' March 29

Chestertown, MD, March 22, 2007 — Is there new hope for the blind? The emerging technology of artificial vision will be explored when distinguished neurosurgeon Dr. John P. Girvin presents "Artificial Vision: Fact or Fiction?" at Washington College's Casey Academic Center Forum on Thursday, March 29, at 4:30 p.m.

Dr. Girvin recently served as Chair of the Department of Neurosciences at King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Center in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. He is the former Chair of the Division of Neurosurgery in the Department of Neurological Sciences at the University of Western Ontario.

Renowned for his work on epilepsy and brain aneurysms, Dr. Girwin also has been involved in the extraordinary advances made over the past two decades in the area of artificial vision, which his lecture here will describe.

"Artificial Vision: Fact or Fiction?" is presented by the Douglass Cater Society of Junior Fellows, the Department of Art, the Daniel Z. Gibson/John A. Wagner Psychology Visitors Fund, the Premedical Committee and the Sigma Xi Chapter of Washington College. Admission is free and open to the public.

Hovering Nuns, Flying Witches: Carlos Eire on Writing the History of the Miraculous, Talk April 4

Chestertown, MD, March 29, 2006 — Washington College's Douglass Cater Society of Junior Fellows and Department of Art present "Hovering Nuns, Flying Witches: On Writing a History of the Impossible," a slide-illustrated lecture by Carlos M. N. Eire, Riggs Professor of History and Religious Studies, Yale University, Tuesday, April 4, at 4:30 p.m. in the Casey Academic Center Forum. The event is free and the public is encouraged to attend.

Professor Eire specializes in the social, intellectual, religious, and cultural history of late medieval and early modern Europe, with a strong focus on both the Protestant and Catholic Reformations; the history of popular piety; and the history of death. He is the author of War Against the Idols: The Reformation of Worship from Erasmus to Calvin (1986); From Madrid to Purgatory: The Art and Craft of Dying in Sixteenth Century Spain (1995); and co-author of Jews, Christians, Muslims: An Introduction to Monotheistic Religions (1997).

Professor Eire has also ventured into twentieth century history and the Cuban Revolution inWaiting for Snow in Havana (2003), which won the National Book Award in Non-fiction in 2003. He is currently writing a survey history of the Reformation and researching attitudes toward miracles in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.

Society Of Junior Fellows Celebrates 10th Anniversary

Society Supports Self-Directed Undergraduate Research and Scholarship

Chestertown, MD, March 20, 2002 — Washington College's Society of Junior Fellows (SJF) will celebrate its first decade with an Anniversary Symposium on Wednesday, March 27, 2002, from 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. in the College's Casey Academic Center. The symposium will feature presentations of undergraduate research and scholarship sponsored and funded by the Society.

Founded in 1992 and modeled after Harvard University's Society of Fellows, Washington College's SJF gives undergraduates a taste of academic freedom through the opportunity to pursue their own self-designed and self-directed studies. Membership is open to all upperclassmen that have attained Dean's List status, have a cumulative GPA of 3.4, and have demonstrated leadership qualities through extra-curricular activities and community outreach.

"The Society extends a privilege and an obligation normally reserved for graduate students and faculty," says J. David Newell, chair of the philosophy department and curator of Washington College's SJF program. "Grants are given to SJF members who submit proposals to fund projects that will extend their learning beyond the classroom and the textbook into the realm of the experiential. In turn, these students return to campus and contribute to the intellectual life of the College. It gives undergraduates a taste of the 'real world' of academic research and scholarship."

The average size of a grant is about $3,300, says Newell, and the SJF gives out almost $95,000 per year in total grant money.

The ultimate object of the SJF is to motivate students beyond the classroom, with the goal to empower and to build self-confidence, personal maturity, and competency in undergraduates. Representing about 10 percent of the College's student body, the SJF has created a collegium of students dedicated to the exchange of ideas, motivated to enrich their educational experiences, and setting standards of excellence for the entire student body.

"I like to refer to these students in Platonic terms," says Newell. "They are 'the brightest and the best.'"

The SJF has admitted just over 200 students since its inception. Competition for grants is intense—only about one-third of SJF members receive them each year. It has funded hundreds of projects and internships since its inception and financed travel for students to conduct research in over 18 countries. Recent projects have taken students to Cuba, the Czech Republic, Ecuador, Finland and South Africa.

For more information about Washington College's Society of Junior Fellows, visithttp://sjf.washcoll.edu.

Ciulla Explores 'The Heart of Leadership'

Chestertown, MD, March 26, 2001 — Dr. Joanne Ciulla, expert on leadership and business ethics, will address the topic "The Heart of Leadership" on Thursday, March 29, 2001, at 4 p.m. in Washington College's Casey Academic Center Forum. The talk is sponsored by the Office of Leadership Development and the Society of Junior Fellows. The public is invited to attend.

Dr. Ciulla holds a Ph.D. in philosophy and the Coston Family Chair in Leadership and Ethics at the Jepson School of Leadership Studies at the University of Richmond. She is a founding faculty member of the Jepson School, the only school in the nation to offer an undergraduate degree in leadership studies. Dr. Ciulla is also the first person to hold the UNESCO Chair in leadership studies at the United Nations University International Leadership Academy in Amman, Jordan.

Dr. Ciulla serves on the editorial boards of The Business Ethics Quarterly and The Journal of Business Ethics, and publishes in the areas of business ethics, leadership studies and the philosophy of work. Her most recent books are The Working Life: The Promise and Betrayal of Modern Work (Times Books, 2000) and Ethics: The Heart of Leadership (Praeger, 1998). She is working on a new book titled The Ethics of Leadership and serves on a number of boards, including the seminars advisory board of the Aspen Institute and the Desmond Tutu Peace Trust.

Green Party Candidate Ralph Nader Speaks at WC April 30

Chestertown, April 20—Ralph Nader will speak at Washington College on Sunday, April 30, at 7:30 p.m. Ranked third in polls on presidential candidates, Nader will talk about how government, corporations, and free trade will affect the global environment in the 21st century. His appearance in the Casey Academic Center Forum on campus is free and open to the public.

Nader is a noted lecturer whose simple message of being an active citizen touches a chord in his audiences. Years after they graduate, college students tell him how his lecture evening changed their lives.

Honored by "Time" magazine as one of the 100 most influential Americans of the 20th century, Nader has devoted his life to giving ordinary people the tools to defend themselves against corporate negligence and government indifference. After publication of his 1965 book "Unsafe at Any Speed," about potentially fatal mechanical defects in some cars, and the Senate hearings that resulted from it, Nader was catapulted into the public sphere. Seat belts and air bags in automobiles resulted from Nader's expose.

Nader was instrumental in the creation of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, OSHA; the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA; and the Consumer Product Safety Commission. He helped draft and pass the Safe Water Drinking Act, the Meat and Poultry Inspection rules, and the Freedom of Information Act. Nader has formed numerous citizen groups, including the Center for Auto Safety, Public Citizen, Pension Rights Center, the Coalition for University in the Public Interest, and the student public interest research groups that operate in more than 20 states. He is now also working with alumni classes, including his own at Princeton University and Harvard Law School, to redirect their efforts from parties and reunions to volunteerism and community projects.

This William James Forum lecture is also sponsored by the Louis Goldstein Program in Public Affairs, The Society of Junior Fellows and the Campus Events and Visitors Committee.

Author/Environmentalist Myron Arms speaks at Washington College Oct. 13

Chestertown, MD — Myron Arms, author of Riddle of the Ice and Cathedral of the World, will discuss his sea experiences and global warming at 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 13, at Washington College in Chestertown, Maryland.

In Cathedral of the World, published in 1999, Arms writes, "The ocean's wounds can cause a sailor to weep, not for what humanity may have lost in terms of natural beauty or raw materials or food production but for the ocean itself complete and alone . . . " He suggests, "We need the forests and the oceans as they are if we are to have a planet that is habitable, not only for fish and birds and monkeys and spiders, but for human beings as well."

Arms has voyaged more than 100,000 sea miles and has led seven sail-training expeditions to northern Canada, Greenland, and the Arctic. His writing about the sea has been likened to that of naturalist John Muir, who wrote about America's forests, and writer Edward Abbey, who lived in and wrote about the western deserts.

Arms and his wife, Kay, live on a farm overlooking the Sassafras River. The free slide presentation and lecture will take place in Hynson Lounge and is open to the public. Arms' appearance is sponsored by Washington College's Society of Junior Fellows.