CORNERSTONEA N e w s l e t t e r f o r f r i e N d s A N d A l u m N i o f u N d ’ s C o l l e g e o f A r t s A N d s C i e N C e s

the Voice of denver sportsPage 6

uNd’s digital revolutionPage 10

Denver Sports Director Mark Johnson ’92 is photographed with Bronco’s starting guard and former UND student Chris Kuper.

2 J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 2

3 outstANdiNg studeNts & fACultY

6 degrees iN ACtioN

feAtures 8 A Life Remembered Through Song 10 UND’s Digital Revolution

12 ArouNd CAmPus

13 A&s iN tHe CommuNitY

15 gift iNformAtioN

New Program Stimulates Research (5)

Alumni Reads (7)

Study Abroad:Brazil (9)

Homecoming Recap (13)

CORNERSTONE 2012Dr. Robert O. Kelley, President, University of North DakotaDr. Kathleen Tiemann, Dean, College of Arts & SciencesMichael Meyer, Director of Advancement & Alumni Relations, College of Arts & SciencesAimee Abentroth, Editor and Alumni Relations Assistant, College of Arts & SciencesTom Rand, Associate Dean, Proofreader credit

CORNERSTONE is published by the College of Arts & Sciences at the University of North Dakota. Please send comments and address changes to Aimee Abentroth at aimee.abentroth@as.und.edu or (701) 777-6268. All articles published in CORNERSTONE (except photos) may be reproduced without prior permission from the editor.

UND College of Arts & SciencesMontgomery Hall, Room 125290 Centennial Dr. Stop 8038Grand Forks, ND 58202

aimee.abentroth@as.und.eduund.edu/arts-sciencesfacebook.com – search UND Arts & Sciences @UNDArtSci

FROM THE DEANDean Kathleen Tiemann

Greetings from the College of Arts & Sciences, the academic cornerstone of the University of North Dakota. I hope you all had a joyous holiday

season and that you are ready to embrace whatever 2012 may bring.

The College and its departments have had a very busy year and we are plan-ning several activities, many of which are free, that should appeal to everyone. They include the Writers Conference, Time Out, the Global Visions Film Series, musical concerts, theater performances, special lectures and a host of other activities too numerous to mention here. I encourage you to visit our webpage so that you don’t miss out on these fantastic events when you are in Grand Forks.

As always, this issue of Cornerstone highlights some of the many exceptional activities of our students, faculty and alumni. Many of these successes are made possible by the support of generous alumni and friends who know the importance of giving back to UND. Your financial support provides resources that allow us to better serve a new generation of students and to support initia-tives that might otherwise go unfunded. If you are a North Dakota taxpayer, make sure to check out Mike’s news on page 15 to learn about a giving oppor-tunity with tax advantages that allows you to make a larger gift than you may have thought possible.

Your financial gifts are greatly appreciated and there are other ways that you can support the College and UND. Some examples include: speaking to classes about your profession, hosting alumni events in your community, cre-ating internship opportunities for students, and donating your time or talents to assist us with special projects. I can assure you that we will be good stewards of your support no matter what form it takes. For more details on some of our campaign objectives, please visit our website at und.edu/arts-sciences.

I look forward to meeting you, hearing your stories, and sharing with you the exceptional accomplishments and stories of our College and University.

Cordially,Kathleen (Kathy) Tiemann

INSIDE

Jerome Delhommelle, Assistant Professor in Chemistry, received a CAREER Award from the National Science Foundation (NSF). This award is the NSF’s most pres-tigious award in support of junior faculty who exemplify the role of teacher-scholars. Delhommelle, a native of France, was awarded $425,000 over five years to study the crystallization process in semiconductor, metal and molecular systems.

The North Valley Arts Council has named Dr. Michael Wittgraf as their 2011 Artist of the Year. Wittgraf is the Chair of the Univer-sity of North Dakota’s Department of Music where he has been a professor since 1998. He specializes in composition theory, technol-ogy and bassoon and was recognized for his extraordinary artistic achievement.

Journalism professor, Dr. Richard Shafer, received an Open Society Institute – Europe Foundation fellowship for the 2011 aca-demic year. Shafer will revise the journalism curriculum and train journalism faculty in course development at American University in Central Asia in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.

Dr. Kimberly Porter of the History Depart-ment has been named the first recipient of the Bard and Nicki Baukol History Fellow-ship. The Fellowship was established through the generosity of Nicki and Bard Baukol to support the professional development of the UND Department of History. Dr. Porter is an expert in rural and agricultural history and will continue examining the life and career of Iowa businessman Henry Field.

Four faculty members from the Department of Biology have been named National Academies Educa-tion Fellows in the Life Sciences for the 2011-2012 academic year: Brett Goodwin, Associate Profes-sor, Kathryn Yurkonis, Assistant Professor, Robert Newman, Associate Professor, Becky Simmons, Associate Professor. This honor is the result of their participation and selection at the 2011 National Academies Northstar Summer Institute on Undergradu-ate Education in Biology, held at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities.

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FACULTY ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Professor Michael Meyer awarded for Criminal Justice Studies in South AfricaMichael Meyer, Professor in the Crimi-nal Justice Studies Program, has been appointed as Professor Extraordinaire for Tshwane University, Mpumalanga, South Africa. Meyer was presented this educational award at the 3rd Annual In-ternational African Postgraduate Course of Victimology, Victim Assistance and Criminal Justice in Johannesburg, South Africa, which he was invited to attend in October 2011. The course is presented by the World Society of Victimology (WSV).

Meyer began his relationship with Tsh-wane University in 2003 when he was the recipient of a Fulbright Scholarship, allowing him to live and work in Mpual-

anga, South Africa. He spent a year teaching and doing research in the Safety and Security Management depart-ment at Tshwane University.

In 2011, Meyer has also been chosen as a member of the Editorial Board for the Crimi-nological and Victimological Society of Southern Africa’s (CRIMSA) Journal, ACTA CRIMINOLOGICA. He is also a recipient of the Long-term Leader-ship and Involvement Award from the Midwestern Criminal Justice Association (MCJA), which he helped start in 1986.

Meyer visits South Africa at least one time per year and is currently the Gradu-ate Director for the Criminal Justice Studies Program.

Robert Newman, Brett Goodwin, Kathryn Yurkonis, Rebecca Simmons

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OUTSTANDING STUDENTS

The Denver, Colorado based Daniels Fund announced that UND sophomore student Stepfanie Thompson is a recipient of the 2011-12 Daniels Scholarship. Thompson is a Graphic Design Technology student from Lovell, Wyoming who was recognized by entrepreneur and philanthropist Bill Daniels, who has a passion for investing in deserving students to help them obtain a strong college education.

Jared Lennon, a senior triple majoring in Norwegian, International Studies and Political Science was selected to be a part of the historic Den Norske Studentersangforeing Choir, or ‘Norwegian Student Choir,’ while studying abroad at the University of Oslo in 2010-11. The choir is the oldest male choir in Norway, dating back to 1845. Lennon is a Grand Forks native and son of former UND Head Football coach, Dale Lennon. “It was an incredible experience. Last fall, we sang for the Norwegian Minister of Defense at Akershus Slott (Akershus Castle) and performed in the nation-wide television broadcast of the Norwegian Constitution Day, May 17.”

Science undergrad students were recognized for their research accomplishments at the 9th Annual American Indian Health Research Conference and North Dakota INBRE Annual Symposium for Undergraduate Research. Recipients include: Bethany Davis, senior biology major and psychology/deaf studies minor, Sarita Eastman, senior psychology major,

Melissa Wheeler, senior psychology major, Erin Holman, senior medical laboratory science major, and Joshua Maliske, senior biology major.

Two UND Geography graduate students were recognized for their outstanding research: Matthew Dinger won first place in the student research poster competition of the North Dakota Geographic Information Systems Users Conference, held in Grand Forks on Oct. 11-13, for “Identifying Locations of Highly Eroded Areas using GIS Terrain Analysis, Devils Lake, ND.” For that same research, Dinger also won second place in the student oral presentation competition at the 2011 meeting of the West Lakes Division of the Association of American Geographers, held Nov. 10-12 at DePaul University in Chicago. Rhonda Fietzek-DeVries won second place in the student research poster competition at the Great Plains/Rocky Mountains Division of the Association of American Geographers, Oct. 6-8 at the University of Colorado-Denver, for “Climatic Changes: Is Theodore Roosevelt National Park At Risk? Analyzing Historical Climate Data, 1895-2010.” Fietzek-DeVries also won third place in the Geography Awareness Week professional poster competition sponsored by the St. Louis Region of the American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing and Northwest Missouri State University.

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) published Patent No. 8,076,504 for a UND invention titled “Method to Produce Short Chain Carboxylic Acids and Esters from Biomass”. The co-inventors are Alena Kubatova, associate professor of chemistry,

Wayne Seames, professor of chemical engineering, and Brian Tande, assistant professor of chemical engineering. This technology was developed under the Sustainable Energy Research Initiative and Supporting Education (SUNRISE) program.

The invention, an innovative chemical process, will revolutionize the production of several key industrial chemicals that are currently used in thmaking polymers for applications in the food industry, in agriculture, and in coatings and lubricants. This UND invention will green up the production of several vital industrial chemicals and could significantly reduce the country’s dependence on fossil fuels used in the chemical industry. “This patent is an example where collaboration between a scientific specialist, in this case, an analytical chemist, with engineers can lead to technologies that are directly and immediately useful to society,” said Kubatova. “Often in chemistry, the impact of our research is less direct. It’s very satisfying to be a part of this development.”

About ND SUNRISE (Sustainable Energy Research Initiative and Supporting Education)ND SUNRISE is a student-centered, faculty-organized supercluster consisting of 31 faculty in 13 academic departments at the University of North Dakota, North Dakota State University, and Mayville State University. For more information, visit und.edu/org/sunrise/index.html.

UND Receives Patent for Revolutionary Renewable Chemical Invention

C O R N E R S T O N E 5

More University of North Dakota undergraduates will have the opportunity to get involved early in environmental research, thanks to a scholarship program funded by the National

Science Foundation (NSF). The US MASTER (Undergraduate Scholarships with Mathematics, and Science Training in Environmental Research) is the brainchild of Alena Kubatova, associate professor in the UND Department of Chemistry. Collaborating with her to develop the program are Rebecca Simmons and Brett Goodwin, biology, Gregory Vandeburg,

geography, and Ryan Zerr, mathematics.

The six-year NSF grant provides students with four years of support for up to $10,000 a year. Kubatova saw a need for the program because many undergrads don’t have the opportunity for involvement in research until they are juniors or seniors. The US MASTER program gives incoming freshman two semesters of orientation to scientific research, time they can use to help decide the direction they want to take.

The Government of Canada,

through the Research and Academic Relations Office of the Canadian Embassy in Washington D.C., along with the Consulate General of Canada in Minneapolis, MN, has awarded the UND Program in Canadian, Quebec, and North American Francophone Studies a grant totaling CAD $16,000. This grant will enhance UND’s ability to maintain and develop a wide spectrum of course offerings and outreach activities in the Canadian Studies minor on campus. Dr. Timothy Pasch, assistant professor in the Communication Program, wrote the grant.

New Program Stimulates Interest in Environmental Research

A&S Receives a Grant for Canadian Studies Program

Music Therapy Recognized by Governor Dalrymple and American Music Therapy Association

COLLEGE UPDATESUND Music Therapy faculty Meganne Masko, Andrew Knight (assistant

professors), Emily Wangen, and Natasha Thomas (lecturers) were commended by President Ronna Kaplan of the American Music Therapy Association for their work in leading the effort to establish the nation’s first licensure law for music therapy. In April, 2011, Governor Jack Dalrymple signed SB 2271, which established the North Dakota Board of Integrative Health to regulate the licensure law and provided state recognition of the professional credential for music therapy, MT-BC (Music Therapist-Board Certified).

Kaplan, on behalf of the AMTA Board of Directors, expressed sincere congratulations and gratitude “in recognition of the high quality advocacy work related to the passage of legislation for music therapy and licensure.”

“We felt strongly for the past few years that there was no reason North Dakota couldn’t lead the nation in this effort,” said Knight. “It’s been exciting for us to learn the legislative process, work with Rep. Lois Delmore who was an invaluable resource for us, and for the UND music therapy majors who will benefit from this legislation as more of our alumni start their professional careers in North Dakota.”

The UND Music Therapy students commemorated the groundbreaking legislation with a flurry of advocacy events, concerts, and fundraising activities that raised money for children with blindness or vision impairment in Minot, ND. These children are in need of special assistive devices and instruments for music therapy due to spring flooding. “Music for Minot” funds will be augmented by a significant donation from Poppler’s Music in Grand Forks to purchase these assistive devices and instruments. Due to UND Music’s giving spirit, November was proclaimed “Music Therapy Month” in North Dakota by Governor Dalrymple.

A native of the Czech republic, Alena Kubatova came to uNd from Belgium to work in the laboratory of internationally known scientist steven Hawthorne, a research manager at the eerC. she originally planned to stay at the eerC half a year, but she has been at uNd five years. “when i started to teach, i realized that i liked the interaction with students,” said Kubatova. “in the lab you feel you like you can make an impact.”

This season, everyone is talking about the Denver Broncos. UND Communication grad, Mark Johnson, is discussing every last detail live with

the Broncos Radio Network. “This season has been crazy!” said Johnson, Sports Director for Newsradio 850 KOA Denver. “I visit the guys in the locker room a few times a week. It has been really fun.”

Mark works for monster-signal radio station 850 KOA Denver. “We broadcast in three countries and are heard around the world,” said Johnson. KOA is the exclusive station of the Denver Broncos, Colorado Rockies and Colorado University Buffalos, where he is the play-by-play announcer for football and men’s basketball.

As Sports Director, Johnson oversees one of the largest radio sports departments in the nation. He helps to manage all three team accounts, hosts shows and news reports on various KOA radio shows, and will frequently drop in on the Broncos and Rockies live broadcasts. He has transitioned into television work, where he does interviews and news reports for Altitude Sports Entertainment, a regional cable network shown throughout the Rocky Mountain Region.

It All Started At UND

Exciting games isn’t something new for Johnson, who began his college career playing basketball for Minot State in Minot, ND. His love for sports continued at UND, where he transferred his junior year. As a student, Mark worked at local radio station Magic 96 where he developed a love for broadcasting. “My favorite memories from UND are being a spectator. I grew up a fan, going to basketball games at Hyslop Arena and listening to Jim Bollman call the games.”

Mark’s broadcast dream became a post-graduation reality when he was offered a job at KNOX radio Grand Forks. He was a UND broadcaster for basketball and football from 1993-1994. “I went full circle. Growing up in Grand Forks, being a big sports fan, attending UND, and then getting the

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The Voice of the Denver Broncos

Sports Director Mark Johnson ‘92 poses with Denver Broncos starting guard and team captain Chris Kuper. Kuper was a UND student athlete who has been with the Broncos for six years.

Johnson photographed broadcasting a Colorado Buffalos spring football game last April.

DEGREES IN ACTION

opportunity to be a voice of the Fighting Sioux.”

History In Sports

Since his work with UND Athletics, Mark has traveled all over the country calling games over the radio. Johnson was the play-by-play announcer for four years at Illinois State University and earned three Silver Dome Awards for best play-by-play broadcast in the state of Illinois. His career highlight and the gig that landed him the position with the Bronco’s Radio Network started at Syracuse University.

Mark was the proud ‘Voice of the Orange’ from 2002 -2004 and had the opportunity to broadcast the NCAA national championship basketball game in 2003. Johnson said, “That was a chance of a lifetime. It was the highlight of my career, being heard around the country, broadcasting the Final Four, and the excitement of Syracuse and Carmelo Anthony.”

Syracuse University is known for a strong broadcast program and has a tight alumni network. Mark beat out a large pool of Orange grads for that memorable role. “It feels good to say I came from the UND

Communication Program, and made it all the way to the Final Four championship game. It is possible to make it in this business!”

To listen live, visit 850koa.com.

A Life in Denver

It is safe to assume that Mark has made his way into the Denver spotlight. Off the radio, he is a family man, raising three children with his wife of 20 years, Susan. The couple met at UND, where Susan ‘Jacobson’ was also a Communication grad ’92 and named Miss Potato Bowl!

C O R N E R S T O N E 7

Murder in Primary ColorsBy: alumna Jackie McElroy-Edwards under pseudonym, Nora Barker.

I-29By: Minot native and UND graduate Matthew Rothchild.

Retired Biology professor, Bob Seabloom, authored ‘Mammals of North Dakota, with contributions from Bill Jensen and John Hoganson.

Alumni Reads

Dean Kathleen Tiemann photographed with alumna, author and artist Jackie McElroy-Edwards in front of her artwork displayed in the Dean’s office, Montgomery Hall.

Author and alumnus Vernon Keel visited the UND Bookstore on Wednesday,

September 12 to discuss his book, The Murdered Family.

Are you an author? let us know! e-mail Aimee at aimee.abentroth@as.und.edu

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Mark was a UND student with a passion for music. He sang with the Grand Cities Children’s choir, Keep the Faith musical, and continued through the years with high school choirs. Mark was in his fourth year at the University of North Dakota majoring in Rehabilitation and Human Services and minoring in Music when he passed away May 2, 2011. At UND he participated in Concert choir, Jazz choir, and Varsity Bards. He also enjoyed singing many solos and in ensembles, as well as karaoke at Rhombus Guys Pizza.

Diagnosed with Duchennes Muscular Dystrophy at age four, Mark had challenges to overcome, but did so with a smile on his face. His courageous and positive attitude is celebrated through the Mark Solberg Memorial Endowment.

Remember My Song attracted nearly 1,400 guests to the Chester Fritz Auditorium and raised $10,976 for the endowment. Participating musical groups included the Grand Cities Children’s Choir, Central High School Choirs, UND Concert Choirs, Allegro

A Life Remembered Through SongOctober 9, 2011 marked a day of celebration, music and passion

honoring the life of UND student Mark Solberg. Remember My Song, a benefit concert supported by UND and the Grand Forks community was held at the Chester Fritz Auditorium in celebration of the Mark Solberg Memorial Endowment.

Josh BronfmanMark Solberg’s family was honored on stage at the Chester Fritz Auditorium by UND Music Associate Professor and event organizer, Josh Bronfman.

‘remember my life, and always be strong. remember my love, and remember my song.’- remember my song, written by sally K. Albrecht and Jay Althouse

Dean Kathleen Tiemann addresses the concert audience.

C O R N E R S T O N E 9

Study Abroad: BrazilThe University of North Dakota is partnering with the

Global Citizens Network (GCN) and UND International Programs to offer students an opportunity to study abroad in Brazil. While traveling, students will gain in-depth knowledge and understanding of the country’s indigenous Xukuru people (pronounced “Shookooroo ”) while attending a field school.

In Spring 2012, seven UND students will travel to Pesquiera, Pernambuco, Brazil with Marcia Mikulak, Associate Professor of Anthropology. Students will live and work alongside the Xukuru in northeastern Brazil. “We are excited about this multifaceted learning experience for students at UND,” said Mikulak. “We’ll be working to increase student understanding and respect for Xukuru culture and community life while cultivating and promoting the values of peace, justice, respect and cross-cultural understanding within a global perspective.”

To sponsor a student attending this trip, please contact Marcia Mikulak at: Marcia.milulak@und.nodak.edu or 701.777.4718.

to support the university of North dakota endowment, please make checks out to the uNd foundation and designate it for the mark solberg endowment. gifts may be sent to 3100 university Ave. stop 8157, grand forks, Nd 58202. online donations will be accepted at undalumni.org. for more information, please contact michael meyer at michael.meyer@as.und.edu or 701.777.3669.

Grand Cities Children’s Choirs permforming at the Chester Fritz Auditorium, October 9.

and Varsity Bards and Grand Harmony Chorus.

The program opened with Dean Kathleen Tiemann’s presentation of a new director’s podium that was donated to the UND Music Department by Mark’s parents, Bonnie and Dave Solberg. “The event was awesome,” said Bonnie. “It was everything we hoped it would be and more. Mark would have been so honored and we are proud to have his name associated with the endowment.”

Gifts to the endowment total over $25,000 and will go to support the Mark Solberg Scholarship for a UND student in Concert Choir. Additional funds will go to support UND Choir needs.

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The ancient Mayan calendar predicts that we’re about 12 months from the end of the world. The fatalists say the

apocalyptic return of Quetzalcoatl, the feathered serpent deity of Mesoamerica, is just over the horizon.

Paul Worley, who teaches Spanish at the University of North Dakota and also is an expert in Mesoamerican literatures, including Yukatek Mayan, is not among those seers.

“We’re not here to mystify the Maya,” said Worley. He is part of the UND Working Group on Digital and New Media, which operates a high-tech media lab on campus. “The Maya themselves will tell you what’s going on. It’s a living culture; it’s not some archaeological artifact.”

Worley is digitizing video of Yukatek Maya storytellers. This project involves collaboration with faculty colleague Joel Jonientz, a time-based media and animation expert in the Department of Art and Design; UND undergrad Everette Johnson; leading Yukatek Maya writer and storyteller Mariano Bonilla Caamal; and author Felipe Jesús Castilo Tzec. The product of this effort is being loaded onto a Web site designed by Johnson, and made available within the Mayan villages in the Yucatan where the recordings were made.

Change and fast-paced adaptation are among the reasons for the Working Group on Digital and New Media, a non-traditional cohort of experts from several academic disciplines and the students traveling with them along the new information highway. The Working Group is melding the traditional academic pursuits

of teaching and research in novel and instructive ways, and UND students are active partners in this digital revolution.

Under the umbrella of the Working Group, Jonientz also initiated an experiential learning project that has students building a video game under the guidance of Tom Stokke, assistant professor of computer science. This project has brought together undergraduate and graduate students from art, music and computer science to create a game for the Windows and Xbox platforms.

“The ability to integrate students and faculty into collaborative research projects is one of our great strengths and a cornerstone of the Working Group’s methodology,” Jonientz said.

All of this work is part of a new technology wave in higher education, according to UND history faculty member and self-proclaimed “techie” William “Bill” Caraher. Academic culture, he observes, must also change or be made irrelevant.

Revolutionizing academics

“Digital technologies are revolutionizing contemporary academia,” said Caraher, who this summer will again be the digital and tech guru on an ongoing archaeological project in Cyprus. Among his digital skills are database management and geographic information systems, or GIS.

Michael Wittgraf, professor of music, has become an important

UND’s Digital Revolution By: Juan Pedraza

The Working Group on Digital and New Media. Seated from left are Michael Wittgraf, Chrystal Alberts, Travis Jurgens, Tim Pasch, Paul Worley, Bill Caraher, Aaron Bergstrom and Joel Jonientz. Standing from left are Wilbur Stolt, Brett Ommen, Kyle Conway and Tom Stokke.

C O R N E R S T O N E 11

Travis Jurgens (left) and Joel Jonientz look on as President Robert Kelley explores a video game being developed by students as a multidisciplinary learning project.

the 6th Annual uNd moving making Camp for Youth took place in August 2011. At the camp, sixteen kids were asked to create their own superhero films, writing, casting, filming, editing – all in less than two weeks.

part of the Working Group’s projects when it comes to the creation of original sounds.

“I was always keen on the new art media aspects,” he said. “That’s where artists and other scholars create a multidisciplinary artistic product. For, example, if you’re creating a video that requires audio, you might have a videographer working with a musician.” Wittgraf focuses on “interactive computer music,” in which a live performer interacts in real time with a computer that picks up the performer’s signals and interprets them.

“This is really exciting for me as a composer of electronic music,” he said.

Others on campus have embraced the Working Group as a means to teach, research and create in a whole new way.

“At this point, I’ve used the Media Lab for the UND Moviemaking Camps, and I anticipate using it for my own creative work this summer,” said Kathleen Coudle-King, a senior lecturer in UND’s Department of English and Women Studies program.

“I have also used the lab to teach a script writing class through the English Department, and hope to teach another in spring 2012,” she said.

Coudle-King also is working on a documentary/dramatic play about North Dakota’s smallest communities titled “Off the Map.”

“This project takes me to the four corners of the state as I visit with people in towns with populations under 1,000,” she said. “I am particularly focused on towns that are no longer on the North Dakota map, and have shot video in Tarsus and Little Fargo. I anticipate many hours of editing this summer in the Media Lab and look forward to using this wonderful facility.”

Another important project on campus teams Crystal Alberts, a campus pioneer in the digital humanities, with Director of Libraries Wilbur Stolt to preserve and digitize

audio/video footage of the celebrated UND Writers Conference, from 1970 to present, and make it available to the public online.

From preserving art to preserving history, Timothy Pasch, assistant professor of communication, also is excited about how the Working Group has aided his research on endangered Canadian First Nations’ Languages. He is collaborating with Working Group partners Worley and Jonientz on a

National Science Foundation proposal to preserve those Native languages.

“I am extremely positive in regards to the future potential and development of the Working Group,” he said. “I’m looking forward to future initiatives with grant-writing, research, creative production, and peer-reviewed publishing that will emerge from this cutting-edge think tank for the Digital Humanities on campus.”

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AROUND CAMPUS

Why? Radio

Over the last couple of years, Why? Radio, a live, unscripted, call-in philosophy radio show, has become a staple in the

National Public Radio’s lineup for Prairie Public Radio North Dakota. Host Jack Russell Weinstein is a professor in the Department of Philosophy and Religion, and over time, the show has garnered a large audience.

“It’s much larger than anyone would think,” said Weinstein. “We’ve really managed to balance the cosmopolitan with the North Dakota ethos. Rural north Dakota requires a different rhetorical strategy than, say, Los Angeles, but people’s interests are almost always the same wherever they live. On the show, we don’t stereotype, we find common ground.”

In essence, the radio program is a philosophical dialogue. It hosts different, increasingly famous, philosophers and intellects in order to “celebrate research” in a way that is accessible to everyone. Weinstein says that all philosophy needs a “translator” between the academic and the everyday. Why? Radio strives to be just this. The show invites all listeners to call or write in with questions or comments before, during and after each program.

The show is affiliated with the Institute for Philosophy in the Public Life, a UND institute founded by Weinstein that makes philosophy more accessible and less daunting (a major goal of Why? Radio). It is supported by the UND College of Arts & Sciences and the UND Office of Research and Economic Development.

By: Evan Boucher

why? radio is broadcast throughout North dakota and is simulcast online around the world at whyradioshow.org.

Cyprus Research Fund Lecture Featured Dr. Kostis Kourelis

Cyprus Research Fund, the Department of History and the International Studies Program were

pleased to welcome Professor Kostis Kourelis of Franklin and Marshall College, Art and Art History, to campus November 14. Dr. Kourelis discussed the unlikely story of how the excavation of the Byzantine remains at Corinth, Greece, influenced avant garde movements in mid-20th century America. As he explains, “In the 1920s and 1930s, members of the American School of Classical Studies at Athens engaged in a dialogue with the avant-garde through the shared discovery of Byzantine civilization (600 AD - 1500 AD). This extraordinary experiment took place in excavations at Corinth, where American archaeologists invented the systematic discipline of medieval archaeology, and facilitated an inclusive identity for the American School.

the Cyprus research fund works to bring up-and-coming academic stars to the university of North dakota. Professor Kourelis is perhaps the most dynamic of a generation of young Byzantine archaeologists. to support the uNd department of History and the Cyprus research fund, please contact Bill Caraher, Associate Professor, History, at billcaraher@gmail.com.

C O R N E R S T O N E 13

Artists Peter Kuper, Seth Tobocman, Pulitzer Prize winning editorial cartoonist Clay Bennet and

fellow World War 3 Illustrated veteran Sabrina Jones were welcomed to UND last October as part of the 2011 Art & Culture Conference. The Conference featured ‘Graphic Radicals: 30 Years of World War 3 Illustrated’, an art exhibition featuring political paintings, comics, film, animation and drawings from over 40 artists. The exhibition was hosted in two galleries: the Colonel Eugene E. Myers Gallery at the Hughes Fine Arts Center on the UND campus and the Third Street Gallery, downtown Grand Forks.

“Graphic Radicals” features highlights from the independent political cartooning magazine, which was launched by artistic activists and lifelong friends Peter Kuper and Seth Tobocman in 1979 – 1980 as an anti-establishment response to social problems of the day. The exhibit included original artwork about global and hyper-local events that artists have scrutinized, documented and participated in such as the Iran-Contra affair, the Gulf War, genocide in Balkans, 9/11, the War on Terrorism and Hurricane Katrina recovery efforts.

The exhibit was previously shown in New York City and was brought to Grand Forks after Peter Kuper was a featured artist at the UND Writers Conference in 2008. At the end of the conference, Kuper agreed to produce artwork in a UND classroom. Kim Fink of the UND Art & Design department said “ Kuper’s presence in our department provided students with an invaluable art experience.”

If you are interested in supporting the 2012 University of North Dakota Arts & Culture Conference, please contact Kim Fink, Professor Art & Design at 701.777.2257.

The Artists of World War 3 Illustrated put Comics in the Spotlight in Grand Forks

Artist Peter Kuper (left) and Cartoonist Clay Bennet (middle) visited the University of North Dakota and Third Street Gallery October 22-24 as part of the 2011 Arts & Culture Conference. Photographed with Art & Design chair, Art Jones (right) at the artists; reception, downtown Grand Forks.

Kuper visited campus in 2008 and has since developed a working relationship with the Department of Art & Design.

Kuper’s artwork, which was created on campus, is currently displayed in the lobby of UND’s newest building, The College

of Education and Human Development, which opened this fall.

Arts & Sciences alumna Madelyn Camrud garnered the NVAC Indi-vidual Supporter of the Arts Award in recognition of her extraordinary sup-port of area arts and culture.

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HOMECOMING RECAP

Arts & Sciences Celebrated Homecoming on October 21-22 and welcomed many alumni back to campus!

CHEMISTRY:The Department of Chemistry celebrated with a special presentation by UND alumnus Professor Peter A. Beal (B.S. Chemistry, 1989) of the University of California Davis. Professor Beal spoke about his far-ranging and cutting-edge work in nucleic acid chemistry and chemical biology, an area that has captured his interest since his undergraduate research at UND under Professor Donald Bergstrom. During his visit, Professor Beal was able to meet with current chemistry students and faculty and catch up with the many outstanding changes that have taken place in Abbott Hall since the late eighties. Following Professor Beal’s presentation, faculty and students attended a banquet to honor the Department’s scholarship winners for 2011.

GEOGRAPHY:The UND Department of Geography awarded Dr. Thomas Mote (B.S., Class of 1988) the department’s Distinguished Alumni Award. Dr. Mote is currently the head of the Department of Geography at the University of Georgia. Ms. Andrea Laraway, a UND senior majoring in Geography, was awarded the B.L. Wills Memorial Scholarship, presented each semester to an outstanding undergraduate Geography major.

Ms. Andrea Laraway receives the B.L. Wills Memorial Scholarship from Dr. Brad Rundquist, Professor and Chair of the Geography Department.

Dr. Thomas Mote is presented with the Geography Department’s Distinguished Alumni Award by Ms. Amber Boll, a UND junior majoring in Geography and president of the UND Chapter of Gamma Theta Upsilon, which is the International Honor Society for Geography.

2011 Chemistry Homecoming Alumni Speaker and Scholarship awardees. From left: Eric Nagel, Kali Shephard, Professor Peter Beal (UND Alumnus, B.S. Chemistry, 1989), Jessica Lamb, John Persson, and Tsvetan Alexandrov. Not pictured are Daniel Black, Anastasia Lindahl, and Luke Van Ells.

(from left) Jody and Rick Burgum, Bard and Nicki Baukol, with Provost Paul LeBel and President Robert Kelley photographed at the Burgum and Baukol Celebration Event at the Alerus Center Grand Forks, December 9.

C O R N E R S T O N E 15

When including the University of North Dakota Foundation in your will, consider the following language to ensure your gift is appropriately designated.

“I give, devise and bequeath to the University of North Dakota Foundation, 3100 University Ave., Stop 8157, Grand Forks, North Dakota 58202-8157, a non-profit charitable corporation under the laws of the State of North Dakota, (Tax ID #45-0348296) the sum of $ _____ or ______ percent of the value of my estate used for the College of Arts & Sciences.”

Students and faculty were greeted with

40 degree weather and “Spirit Week” upon returning to campus this January for spring semester. Although the spring-like weather

didn’t last long, the Spirit Week activities lasted all week.

Spirit Week was launched to share with our campus community the success (so far!) of the North Dakota Spirit Campaign. The campaign has raised over $245 million towards a goal of $300 million. The campaign runs through the end of June of 2013. In addition to sharing the stories of the 485 new funds that have been established, including 282 endowments, Spirit week was about educating the students about philanthropy and giving them a chance to say “Thank You” to our supporters.

The highlight of this effort was two days of letting our students fill out cards of appreciation that we will be mailing to many of our supporters in the very near future. It was a great way for us to connect with our students and to hear their stories, such as the student being the fourth generation to come to UND, only because of a scholarship they received. Or, the students that because of a travel abroad endowment that provides support for student travel, was able to experience Europe and developed a new passion for learning. These students and many others took time out of a busy schedule and were happy to sign heartfelt thank you notes, and they spoke about looking forward to the day when they can be donors and be on the receiving end of a note from a student. You as alumni and supporters of UND can be proud of our students.

Two more great examples of the type of students UND and the College of Arts & Sciences are developing were recognized during Spirit Week. Chelsie Bickel, a junior from Kindred who is studying communication and sociology, and Adam Swigost, a sophomore from Bismarck who is majoring in biology as a pre-medicine student, were named the first recipients of the 2012

UND Student Spirit Award. Each received $500 for tuition and $500 to be gifted to the UND program of their choice.

There are many great ways for you to make a gift to support UND and to help us support outstanding students like Chelsie and Adam. The Dean, in her letter in the front of this issue, mentioned the North Dakota taxpayers credit for gifts to endowments. North Dakota is one of the few states that offer tax credits of this kind and it is a great way to support the University of North Dakota and at the same time ease your tax burden. Here is an example:

An individual may receive a 40 percent tax credit for contributions of $5,000 or more (lump sum or aggregate in one year) to a qualified North Dakota endowment. If a donor is in a 28 percent federal tax bracket, the tax benefit may look like this:

Gift amount $5,000 $25,000 $50,000 Federal tax deduction $-1,400 -$7,000 -$14,000 N.D. state income tax credit -$2,000 -$10,000 -$20,000 Net cost $1,600 $8,000 $16,000

This information is provided for educational purposes only. Please consult your own attorney, accountant or financial advisor for advice on your situation.

If you have any questions about how you can support Arts & Sciences or UND in general, please contact me at michael.meyer@und.edu or 701-777-3669. Again, thank you for all of your support, and remember to look for a thank you note from one of our students in your mail box soon.

Take care,Mike Meyer, Director of Advancement & Alumni Relations

UND Celebrates Spirit Week

mike meyerMontgomery Hall Room 125290 Centennial Drive Stop 8038Grand Forks, ND 58202-8038(701) 777-3669michael.meyer@as.und.edu

Remember UND in Your Will

Montgomery Hall, Rm 125290 Centennial Drive Stop 8038Grand Forks, ND 58202-8038

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43rd AnnuAl und Writers ConferenCe ‘HumAnimAl’ mArCH 27-31, 2012