Rose O'Neill Literary House Launches New Series of Community Meetings

Chestertown, MD — Washington College's Rose O'Neill Literary House will hold its first-ever open community meeting on Sunday, October 28, at 6 p.m. All are invited to participate in the cultivation of an active atmosphere of networking, event planning, conversation—and above all, a love for language, stories and the creative life.

While many student, faculty and community groups use the Rose O'Neill Literary House, they rarely have an opportunity to interact. Nor is there any advisory group that shapes policies and programs at the House. The open meetings, which will be held monthly, will help instill a greater sense of interrelatedness among the various users of the facility.

"Anyone with an interest in overseeing, imagining and inhabiting the House is welcome" to Sunday's meeting, said Joshua Wolf Shenk, Director of the Rose O'Neill Literary House. "The House itself is a gathering place and resource for anyone interested in creative life and especially those interested in the writing arts."

Writers on campus have a range of interests—from fiction and poetry to editing, journalism, screenwriting and publishing. The community meetings will bring these creative talents together to imagine and oversee the programs of the Rose O'Neill Literary House and to share writing and reading-related resources and opportunities.

Agenda items for the first meeting include the Literary House refurbishment, spring programs, ground rules for booking events, and more.

The contents of each meeting will be shaped largely by participants. "Come to one meeting, come to every meeting," said Shenk. "We want your input on programs, the House and your ideas for the future."

Pizza and soft drinks will be served at the inaugural meeting.

October 25, 2007

Cold War History from the Soviet Side: 'Failed Empire' Author Zubok Visits Washington College

Chestertown, MD — Washington College's Conrad Wingate Memorial Lecture Series presents "The Soviet Union: America's Worst Enemy?"—a talk by Vladislav Zubok, Associate Professor of History at Temple University, in the Litrenta Lecture Hall on Tuesday, November 6, at 5:30 p.m. A booksigning will follow.

Dr. Zubok is the author of the newly published A Failed Empire: The Soviet Union in the Cold War From Stalin to Gorbachev; he also is co-author of Anti-Americanism in Russia: From Stalin to Putin and the prize-winning Inside the Kremlin's Cold War: From Stalin to Khrushchev.

O.A. Wested, author of The Global Cold War, hailed Dr. Zubok's new book as "an excellent overview of Soviet foreign policy and a forceful explanation of why Communism collapsed, centering on Gorbachev's mistakes and misjudgments."

The first work in English to cover the entire Cold War from the Soviet side, A Failed Empireprovides a history different from those written by the Western victors.

Dr. Zubok argues that Western interpretations of the Cold War have erred by exaggerating either the Kremlin's pragmatism or its aggressiveness. Explaining the interests, aspirations, illusions, fears and misperceptions of the Kremlin leaders and Soviet elites, Dr. Zubok offers a Soviet perspective on the greatest standoff of the 20th century.

Using recently declassified Politburo records, ciphered telegrams, diaries, taped conversations and other sources, Dr. Zubok explores the origins of the superpowers' confrontation under Stalin, Khrushchev's contradictory and counterproductive attempts to ease tensions, the surprising story of Brezhnev's passion for détente, and Gorbachev's destruction of the Soviet superpower as the by-product of his hasty steps to end the Cold War and to reform the Soviet Union.

In reviewing A Failed Empire, the History Book Club enthused, "Zubok has taken on a huge challenge in attempting to narrate the entire evolution of the Cold War from the perspective of the apex of power in Moscow. He succeeds admirably. ... This is a book that can be read by the specialist and generalist alike. ... The book should reignite serious discussion about the causes of the disintegration of the Soviet Union, which is the subject of his interesting conclusion."

The Conrad M. Wingate Memorial Lecture in History is held in honor of the late Conrad Meade Wingate '23, brother of late Washington College Visitor Emeritus Phillip J. Wingate '33 and the late Carolyn Wingate Todd. He was principal of Henderson (MD) High School at the time of his death from cerebrospinal meningitis at age 27. At Washington College, he was president of the Dramatic Association, president of the Adelphia Literary Society and vice president of the Student Council in 1922-23.

Litrenta Lecture Hall is located in the John S. Toll Science Center. Admission to "The Soviet Union: America's Worst Enemy?" is free and open to the public.

October 24, 2007

Senatorial Colloquy Continues at Washington College with Sens. Bayh, Bumpers

Chestertown, MD — The Senatorial Colloquy on American History and Politics, led by former Senator Birch Bayh (D-Ind., 1963-81) and hosted by Washington College's C.V. Starr Center for the Study of the American Experience, continues with a public conversation between Senator Bayh and Senator Dale Bumpers (D-Ark., 1975-99) at Washington College's Hynson Lounge, Hodson Hall, on Monday, November 5, at 5 p.m.

Senator Bayh is a senior fellow of the C.V. Starr Center. Throughout a career spanning more than half a century, he won renown as a tireless and effective champion of civil rights and education, and as a highly respected authority on the U.S. Constitution. The only person since the 18th century to write more than one successful amendment to the Constitution, he has been called "a latter-day Founding Father," as well as a master of the art of congressional leadership, often across party lines.

Senator Bumpers represented Arkansas from 1975 until 1999, and has been acclaimed as one of the Senate's most eloquent orators in recent times. Less than three weeks after he retired from the Senate, he was called back to deliver the closing argument in defense of his friend President Bill Clinton, in only the second presidential impeachment trial in the history of the country. "Mr. Bumpers summoned forth the dignity of an earlier form of public discussion, the kind prized by the Founding Fathers," wrote one commentator in the New York Times.

The 2007 Senatorial Colloquy will continue with Senator Bayh and Senator Richard Lugar (R-IN) in Hynson Lounge on Monday, November 12, at 5 p.m.

Founded in 1782 under the personal patronage of George Washington, Washington College has hosted numerous national leaders throughout its long history—beginning with the institution's namesake himself, who attended the 1784 Commencement.

Later visitors included Franklin D. Roosevelt, Harry Truman, Dwight Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, and George H.W. Bush. The College's alumni have included several members of the U.S. Senate.

The 2007 Senatorial Colloquy is part of Washington College's celebration of its 225th anniversary year, and it draws inspiration from the institution's founders, who believed that the future of American democracy depended on education, civil discourse, and an informed understanding of history.

Admission to the Colloquy sessions is free and open to the public; admission will be on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information on attending, please call the C.V. Starr Center at

410/810-7161. For more background on the Senatorial Colloquy and the participating Senators, please visit the Center's website at http://starrcenter.washcoll.edu.

October 24, 2007

Guitar Virtuoso Alex de Grassi to Perform at Washington College

Chestertown, MD — The Washington College Concert Series continues its 2007-2008 season with a performance by Grammy-nominated guitarist Alex de Grassi at the Norman James Theatre on Saturday, October 27, at 8 p.m.

Often cited as one of the world's top finger-style steel-string guitarists, Alex de Grassi brings a unique voice to the art of acoustic guitar with his evocative compositions and arrangements, a richly layered sound and sheer virtuosity. The Wall Street Journal has called his playing "flawless" and Billboard hails his "intricate finger-picking technique with an uncanny gift for melodic invention."

De Grassi's trademark is an ability to create a highly orchestrated sound in his solo guitar music. His playing weaves together melody, counter-melody, bass, harmony, rhythm and cross-rhythms, creating a canvas of sound unheard of in a solo guitar performance.

His career has drawn acclaim for numerous recordings released by Windham Hill, RCA Novus, Tropo Records, 33rd Street and other labels, as well as for his live performances as a soloist and within ensemble settings. He has toured extensively on the concert circuit, performing in Europe, Japan and throughout North America, including such venues as Carnegie Hall, the Interlochen Festival, the Montreux Jazz Festival and the Belfast International Festival.

De Grassi was the subject for a PBS concert/television show, "Alex de Grassi: The Artist's Profile."

Now in its 56th season, the Washington College Concert Series will continue with performances by the flute/piano due "2" on February 2, 2008; the Cambodian Classics Ensemble on March 2, 2008; and harpist Elizabeth Hainen on April 26, 2008. Single tickets can be purchased at the door, $15 for adults and $5 for youth and students. Season tickets are available. For more ticket information and a 2007-2008 season brochure, call 410/778-7839.

October 19, 2007

Beauty in the Wood: Von Voss Presents 'Tree-Talk'

Chestertown, MD — Vicco von Voss '91 returns to Washington College to present "Tree-Talk: The Scientific and Spiritual Understanding of Trees" at Litrenta Lecture Hall on Thursday, October 18, at 7:30 p.m.

"Tree Talk" is being presented as part of the McLain Lecture Series in Environmental Studies.

Vicco von Voss was a double major at Washington College, completing majors in both art and chemistry. He has used his combined scientific and artistic abilities well. After graduation from Washington College he apprenticed with cabinetmaker Heinrich Meyerfeldt in Hamburg, Germany. Von Voss is the recipient of several awards, among them being a Niche Award finalist, an honorary Top Graduate award in Germany, and the Lynette Nielson Award acknowledging excellence in Art from Washington College.

He also is the author of several articles in regional publications; most recently, he penned a main feature in the October 2007 issue of Chesapeake Life magazine.

Von Voss said he believes that a tree is an "ever-changing and organic being," and he uses this concept in creating masterpieces of functional furniture that "serve to celebrate the beauty of the wood and also give the tree a second life."

Litrenta Lecture Hall is in the John S. Toll Science Center. Admission to "Tree-Talk" is free and open to the public.

October 16, 2007

Senatorial Colloquy Continues at Washington College with Sens. Bayh, Laxalt

Chestertown, MD — The Senatorial Colloquy on American History and Politics, led by former Senator Birch Bayh (D-Ind., 1963-81) and hosted by Washington College's C.V. Starr Center for the Study of the American Experience, continues with a public conversation between Senator Bayh and Senator Paul Laxalt (R-Nev., 1974-87) at Washington College's Hynson Lounge, Hodson Hall, on Monday, October 22, at 5 p.m.

Senator Bayh is a senior fellow of the C.V. Starr Center. Throughout a career spanning more than half a century, he won renown as a tireless and effective champion of civil rights and education, and as a highly respected authority on the U.S. Constitution. The only person since the 18th century to write more than one successful amendment to the Constitution, he has been called "a latter-day Founding Father," as well as a master of the art of congressional leadership, often across party lines.

Senator Laxalt, who represented Nevada between 1974 and 1987, was often referred to as "The First Friend" due to his closeness to President Ronald Reagan. He was national chairman of President Reagan's three presidential campaigns (in 1976, 1980, and 1984).

At President Reagan's behest, Senator Laxalt traveled to the Philippines in 1986 to urge then-President Ferdinand Marcos to undertake political and military reforms, and eventually convinced the Philippine leader to step down peacefully, helping to avert a bloody civil war.

Founded in 1782 under the personal patronage of George Washington, Washington College has hosted numerous national leaders throughout its long history—beginning with the institution's namesake himself, who attended the 1784 Commencement.

Later visitors included Franklin D. Roosevelt, Harry Truman, Dwight Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, and George H.W. Bush. The College's alumni have included several members of the U.S. Senate.

The 2007 Senatorial Colloquy is part of Washington College's celebration of its 225th anniversary year, and it draws inspiration from the institution's founders, who believed that the future of American democracy depended on education, civil discourse, and an informed understanding of history.

Admission to Monday's Colloquy session is free and open to the public; admission will be on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information on attending, please call the C.V. Starr Center at 410/810-7161. For more background on the Senatorial Colloquy and the five participating Senators, please visit the Center's website at http://starrcenter.washcoll.edu.

October 11, 2007

Underwater Filmmakers Present 'Sharkwater' Screening at Washington College

Chestertown, MD — An exclusive viewing of "Sharkwater," a film by experienced diver and underwater photographer Rob Stewart, will be shown at Washington College's Litrenta Lecture Hall on Friday, October 19, at 7:30 p.m.

"Sharkwater" has not been released nationally yet, so this screening will provide the College and local community a unique opportunity to get a first look at the film in this area, followed by a question-and-answer session with the film crew.

The event is being hosted by Washington College's Center for Environment & Society in celebration of the College's Fall Family Weekend and the Chestertown Wildlife Show.

Stewart, who has had a lifelong fascination with sharks, said he made the film in an attempt to debunk historical stereotypes and media depictions of sharks as dangerous creatures; he reveals them as pillars in the evolution of the seas and shows how these magnificent creatures have gone from predator to prey.

A native of Toronto, Stewart joined conservationist Paul Watson of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society on a four-month expedition in some of the most shark-rich waters in the world, including Cocos Island, Costa Rica, the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador and Guatemala, to deter poachers.

"Sharkwater" documents their journey in Guatemala, where they encountered shark poachers and found themselves in a series of life-and-death situations, including pirate boat rammings, gunboat chases, arrests, run-ins with organized crime, corrupt court systems and attempted murder charges that forced them to flee for their lives.

John Seidel, Director of the Center for Environment & Society, said that there were two different themes running throughout the film.

"The film seems to have two tracks," said Seidel. "The first is simply the story of how sharks, which we always think of as endangering us, are endangered by human predation, including long-line fishing, over-exploitation solely for their fins, and through a misplaced fear. The second story line is the human drama of making a film that many people did not want to see made—these included poachers and their business partners, including organized crime, and governments.

"At its heart, however, the film explores the threats to an apex predator, an animal that is the culmination of millions of years of evolution but is now severely threatened by humans," he added.

Seidel said that sharks play an extremely important role in the ecosystem of the ocean and that they are "far more threatened by us than we are by them—somewhere between 50 and 100 million sharks are killed each year, just for their fins.

"What we have been slow to understand is that sharks have a very important place in the world's ocean ecosystems. Their loss would have profound impacts on other species, and this over-fishing is symptomatic of a much larger problem. Oceans cover about 70 percent of our planet, and we can't ignore them just because they're for the most part out of sight. I hope that the people who see this film will appreciate both that threat to sharks and other ocean species, as well as the important role they play in nature, despite our fears. The world would be a much poorer place without them."

Litrenta Lecture Hall is located in the John S. Toll Science Center. The screening is free and open to the public.

October 10, 2007