The Flame
Spring 2020
THE MAGAZINE OF CLAREMONT GRADAUATE UNIVERSITY
The Contender Drew Phelps (MA, Politics & Policy, ’17) plans to make history with his run for an Assembly Seat in California’s Central Valley
COVID COVERAGE: CGU RISES ABOVE VIRUS
Can You Dig It? Stunning New Videos on Archeological Site in Akko, Israel
Ariana Reines, Tiana Clark Announced as Latest Tufts Poetry Award Winners
Would You Pay to Get There Faster? One Way to Speed Up the Freeways
Small Gifts Keep the University Nimble. That Means You Can Help, Too
Spring 2020
The Magazine of Claremont Graduate University cgu.edu
Carry the Flame Forward There are many ways you can join us in building the future of Claremont Graduate University
Claremont Graduate University PRESIDENT
Len Jessup EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT AND PROVOST
Patricia Easton VICE PRESIDENT OF FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION / TREASURER
Leslie Negritto VICE PRESIDENT FOR ACADEMIC INNOVATION, STUDENT SUCCESS & STRATEGIC INITIATIVES
Diane Chase VICE PRESIDENT, DEVELOPMENT & EXTERNAL RELATIONS
Kristen Andersen-Daley VICE PRESIDENT, MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS
Cynthia Baker DIRECTOR, ALUMNI ENGAGEMENT & ANNUAL GIVING
Rachel Jimenez | alumni@cgu.edu
Magazine EDITOR
Nick Owchar MANAGING EDITOR
Gerard Babb ART DIRECTOR / DESIGNER
Gina Pirtle PHOTOGRAPHERS
Planned Gifts
CREATE
a charitable plan that allows you to provide for your family and impact CGU.
Fellowships
MEMORIALIZE
loved ones and provide tuition relief or research stipends for students.
Endowed Gifts your giving and see your gifts in action or leave a legacy.
PLAN Research
PLEDGE
funding that supports faculty research needs and program initiatives.
Online Gifts a one-time or recurring gift using our easy and secure online form.
MAKE
As we approach 100 years of excellence in graduate education, make a gift that will provide inspiration and encouragement, create positive change, and … carry the flame forward.
cgu.edu/give | give@cgu.edu | 909-621-8027
Kurt Miller, William Vasta, Tom Zasadzinski CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Jeremy Byrum, Megan Castro, Megan Elledge, Tom Johnson, Tim Lynch COPY EDITORS
Megan Elledge, Eugene Song ADVERTISING
Mary Romo | mary.romo@cgu.edu The Flame is published by Claremont Graduate University’s Office of Marketing & Communications. flame@cgu.edu Send address changes to: Office of Alumni Engagement Claremont Graduate University 150 E. 10th Street, Claremont, CA 91711 alumni@cgu.edu Claremont Graduate University, founded in 1925, focuses exclusively on graduate-level study. It is a member of The Claremont Colleges, a consortium of seven independent educational institutions. © 2020 Claremont Graduate University
In This Issue
20
Cover Story CGU faculty and alumni have a long history in American politics. Most recently, alumnus Drew Phelps becomes the youngest person ever to run for a California state senate seat.
16 4
Beating the Pandemic How the university was able to transition so quickly and so deftly, and how so many of our faculty and students are heroes in the face of COVID-19.
12
Considering a ‘Not-So-Free-way’ Sitting still on the 405 in your car? Would you pay to get there faster? CGU’s Institute of Mathematical Sciences’ Henry Schellhorn offers a solution.
34
Relying on a Large Number of Small Gifts Alumna Nancy Lee Ruyter is one of many who give generously and frequently to the university. She carries the flame proudly.
12 DEPARTMENTS
FEATURES
20
2 President’s Message 4 In the News 36 Bookshelf
Recent book publications from our faculty, students, and alumni.
40 Alumni Engagement
Staying connected during a pandemic and hailing our inaugural Alumni Summit.
42 Class Notes 45 In Memoriam
Celebrating the life of Paul Darrow, his artistic style, and his sense of humor.
48 End Paper
Graduate students in organ performance practice and perform on the one-of-a-kind instrument at Claremont United Church of Christ.
Touching History New and fascinating videos are released about CGU’s ten-year history at the Israeli archeological dig in Akko.
THE FLAME Spring 2020
| 1
First Word | President’s Message
A Time for Leaders O≈cial Ones and Uno≈cial Ones, Too
W The global pandemic has shown us there are many “uno≈cial” leaders out there working alongside the o≈cial ones.
hen I was 25, I was still figuring out what I wanted to do with my life. I had just wrapped up my MBA at Cal State Chico and had another significant path in front of me: the beginning of my doctoral studies at the University of Arizona in Tucson. I could never have imagined running for public office at that age—not like CGU alumnus Drew Phelps, who is the subject of the cover story in this issue of The Flame magazine. My hat’s off to Drew! During this election season, we hope you enjoy reading this issue of the magazine, which is a reminder that CGU has always been the home of leadership and public service. Because of our university’s unique mission and culture, many of our alumni have gone on to hold vital and essential roles in government at various levels. Along with these “official” leaders who are serving the public good, the COVID-19 global pandemic has also shown us that there are many “unofficial” leaders out there, too. Many have suddenly found themselves tasked with crucial jobs helping people in locations around the world. That is especially true for many in our CGU community— faculty, staff, alumni—who have courageously harnessed their expertise and desire to respond to the pandemic and make a positive difference in the world. This issue of the magazine highlights some of the people we like to call our “CGU Heroes.” You can also read more stories about them at cgu.edu/news/cgu-heroes. This issue’s inspiring stories are perfect examples of what it means to carry the flame forward. Best wishes, and keep safe.
Len Jessup President Claremont Graduate University 2 | Claremont Graduate University
by the Numbers
$110,000
200+
Number of alumni attendees at this year’s inaugural Alumni Summit See page 41
25
The age of the youngest candidate ever for a California State Assembly seat, Drew Phelps. See page 22
4
Cash prizes given every year to the winners of the Kingsley & Kate Tufts Poetry Awards. See page 10
and that’s a lot
The number of CGU degrees earned by alumna Tamara Roust, recently appointed chief data officer for the Illinois Department of Innovation & Technology. See page 43
11
Our Financial Engineering program moved up a notch this spring in the TFE Times’ annual rankings … surpassing USC and UCLA in the process! See page 17
from CGU Social Media CGU is home. Every time I walk on campus, I feel a sense of accomplishment and well-being. While there were challenging times, there was also mindful support that inspired me to keep While life did it’s best to CGU is a highly diverse my eye on the goal. CGU is a keep me from reaching my goal, in the and inclusive educational institution community for life. end, I came out victorious! It was at CGU composed of highly dedicated and I found my voice and confidence to passionate staff and world-class faculty. achieve my dreams! Jaye Houston Plus, the campus itself is gorgeous, (PhD, Religion, ’06) peaceful, and very conducive on LinkedIn about the to learning. Alumni Summit Susan Christensen (MA, Applied Women’s Studies, ’18) on LinkedIn about the Alumni Summit
Jun Kabigting DBOS student, on Facebook CGU review
THE FLAME Spring 2020
| 3
In the News | COVID-19
O A Whole New World CGU and the COVID-19 Pandemic CGU’s swift online transition is providing a ‘business as usual’ alternative during unusual times.
4 | Claremont Graduate University
n a chilly weekday morning in late March, CGU President Len Jessup was the only figure who could be seen walking around the university’s deserted campus. Usually, this is a busy time of year, and CGU is typically buzzing with activity as the end of the academic year approaches—but this year is far from normal. Since mid-March, the campus—like other companies, organizations, businesses, and educational institutions across the nation and world—has been shut down in response to the COVID-19 global pandemic. The entire CGU community of faculty, students, and staff is working remotely from home in observance of state and federal social distancing measures. Though campus security has stepped up patrols of CGU and the other Claremont Colleges, Jessup says he still likes to come by. “I try to get over here every few days just to check on the place. I’m not far away,” said Jessup, whose home is one block away on Harvard Avenue. “In all my years in higher education, I’ve never experienced anything like this. It’s unprecedented. It’s a whole new world.” As of this magazine’s publication, a federal social distancing guideline was in place across the country. Jessup said his leadership team was working hard to create continuity and some semblance of normalcy despite a constantly changing situation. That effort includes Jessup’s participation in a variety of meetings via Zoom and other social media platforms, including a recent Graduate Student Council Town Hall organized to address the pandemic’s impact on the university. In this time of social distancing, Jessup also has been forced to replace his typical accessibility and approachability with a regular weekly email to the CGU community to stay connected with them. Sometimes these messages contain practical information related to online learning; at other times, they offer encouragement and express thanks. “I want you all to know how proud I am of all of you,” he wrote in one message with the simple subject line, “We’ll get through this….” “I’ve always said that this university is nimble and entrepreneurial and that this is a place where we care deeply about students and their success. All of that is truer now more than ever. I’m amazed by all of you, and I’m lucky to be here with you.” ONLINE TRANSITION With the arrival of spring break the week of March 16, the university’s Office of Information Technology prepped faculty to
Professor Robert Klitgaard talks to students in his Policy Design & Implementation course.
Javad S. Fadardi
move to a fully online instructional format for the rest of the semester. In an email to the community, Jessup expressed his thanks to faculty for their flexibility and responsiveness to the quickly changing situation. During spring break, the university’s staff—like students and faculty--also transitioned to a work-from-home setup with the help of the university’s OIT team. EVENTS All in-person events for the rest of the spring semester were canceled or postponed. In April, Jessup and Provost Patricia Easton announced news about the 2020 commencement ceremony. In an email message, he and Easton said that the annual in-person event “will be postponed until a time when health regulations determine it is once again safe to gather in public.” In its place, the university planned a special online commencement event for May 30. Jessup also recorded a video message to this year’s graduates about the changes, thanking them for their patience and understanding in these unprecedented times. l
For the latest CGU updates and information about the pandemic, visit info.cgu.edu/emergency Listen to our new pandemic podcast, Sharing Air, and other CGU podcasts at cgu.edu/news/podcasts
CGU Heroes Responding to a Crisis JAVAD FADARDI ON THE FRONT LINES IN IRAN Javad S. Fadardi, who is a research associate professor in the university’s School of Community & Global Health, was at Ferdowsi University of Mashhad when the pandemic reached Iran. Fadardi is working on numerous fronts in the battle against the novel coronavirus: He is serving on an Iranian national committee for mental health issues and is helping to develop an app for use in Iran and the U.S. that will instill healthy habits to prevent contracting COVID-19. Fadardi joins more than 5,000 psychologists and psychiatrists on a national hotline to help those who have been affected directly or indirectly by the disease. And he is preparing short video clips to help people respond more effectively and less harmfully to the outbreak. Fadardi is reluctant to call himself a hero, but he says he is inspired by the heroism and selflessness of others in a nation with one of the most severe outbreaks of COVID-19. “Many of the medical staff have not been able to go home for almost 40 days. They are working 24/7, and sometimes they pass out from the hard work,” Fadardi says. “And many infectious disease specialists and nurses have lost their lives here. They are even greater heroes than those killed in battle.” He also shares accounts of young children who have sent their masks to medical staff because they need them more, of volunteers who are screening millions over the phone, and of scientists who are working nonstop to make a vaccine or medication to save lives. Amid the suffering, Fadardi remains an optimist. —Tim Lynch
“ Many infectious disease specialists and nurses have lost their lives here. They are even greater heroes than those killed in battle.”
THE FLAME Spring 2020
| 5
CGU HEROES
»
In the News | COVID-19
IN FIGHT AGAINST VIRUS, YAGISAWA FINDS A USE FOR COMPANY’S IMMUNE-BOOSTING PRODUCT All too often, stress can lead to poor dietary choices. “This is a time to remind ourselves to keep healthy,” says Tomomasa Yagisawa (MBA, ’04), a senior manager of the health science department at Kirin Holdings, a beverage, food, and pharmaceuticals company based in Japan. For years, Yagisawa and his team have been working on a food ingredient, LC– Plasma, that has shown to have benefits in boosting the immune system. Kirin has launched numerous products made with LC–Plasma, including beverages, yogurt, and dietary supplements throughout Japan and Vietnam.
and the Japanese Society for Infection Prevention and Control. With strong recommendations from the authorities, Kirin donated 3,000 bottles of a beverage-type LC-Plasma to the ship’s passengers and 400 to its crew. LC-Plasma, though not a COVID-19 treatment, definitely had an effect: A thank-you letter from the cruise ship management company stressed that the donation not only supported the overall health of those on board but also eased the minds of those on the COVID-19 front lines. His team is now donating LC-Plasma products to hospitals in Japan, with hopes of getting products to the United States soon. “We know it’s not a cure, but we’ve been working hard to contribute in any way we can to the worst situation that the world is facing,” Yagisawa says. — Tim Lynch
“ This is a time to remind ourselves to keep healthy.” With news of the COVID-19 outbreak in China, the team immediately sought to translate the existing scientific research on LC–Plasma written in its original Japanese into the Chinese language. A Chinese website was launched within weeks, and within two months, a commerce agreement was reached to get an LC-Plasma product line to China. In February, the virus hit closer to home. The Diamond Princess cruise ship docked at the port of Yokohama, Japan— and was immediately quarantined. Yagisawa’s team engaged with the Japanese Association for Infectious Diseases 6 | Claremont Graduate University
ABDULLAH ALISMAIL IS GIVING THE BREATH OF LIFE Ventilators are desperately needed to support patients with severe COVID-19 infections. It’s the job of Loma Linda respiratory therapist and SES doctoral student Abdullah Alismail to keep a running inventory for the patients in greatest need. Ventilator management is an intense, time-sensitive process that can change minute to minute based on the patient’s condition, increasing the demand for skilled and educated respiratory therapists.
“We are the first responders to be called on when someone is having a life-threatening event where their breathing or heart is faltering or has stopped,” says Abdullah Alismail, a respiratory therapist himself. “Saving lives and helping you breathe better is what we do.” A doctoral student in the School of Educational Studies, Alismail has done his best to respond to demand at Loma Linda University Medical Center, tracking inventory at the university in case the main hospital ICU needs ventilators.
“ Saving lives and helping you breathe better is what we do.” As a faculty member training future respiratory therapists and as the director of clinical education, Alismail is ensuring that students can still graduate on time by developing a virtual curriculum that gives them the experience of working with ventilators and shaping treatment regimens. He credits this emphasis on innovation, in part, to his time at CGU. “CGU sharpened my view of learning and research skills to find a solution,” he said. “Interpreting research and studies in peer-reviewed journals significantly helped me at the bedside to understand how to provide the best care to my patients.” As a member of the clinical practice committee at the California Thoracic Society, he is working on a platform for ICU physicians statewide to track COVID-19 cases and ventilator inventory, hoping to identify ICUs in greatest need. These are hyper-stressful times, but Alismail, who recently assisted in preparing transport of 6 ventilators to Loma Linda’s sister hospital in Glendale, CA, says it is well worth it. “That moment,” he said, “when you provide the medical treatment that allows a breath of life to occur for someone short of breath means everything.” — Jeremy Byrum
CGU HEROES
»
ones about productivity to more qualitative ones exploring how the global pandemic has affected everyone’s work overall. Participants also are prompted to respond weekly via email over six weeks.
“ Thriving in life requires thriving at work.”
CAN PEOPLE THRIVE AT WORK IN UNCERTAIN TIMES? “My purpose for doing research is to make people’s lives better at work,” says organizational behavior doctoral student Jessica Diaz. “Thriving in life requires thriving at work—and that starts from the top.” Diaz, who has more than a decade of leadership development experience in education, initially wanted to explore manager-employee relationships that focus on individual consideration and follower engagement for her thesis work. Everything—including the focus of her study—changed with the COVID-19 pandemic. “I was partnering with a healthcare company at first, and of course, their work shifted accordingly,” Diaz says. “So, I got to thinking, how can I use my knowledge and expertise to make an impact?” She petitioned for a topic change, and with help from Becky Reichard, her faculty advisor and an associate professor in the Division of Behavioral and Organizational Sciences, Diaz designed a study aimed at better understanding worker experiences during times of crisis. The goal of Diaz’s study is twofold: Disseminate concrete data that, first, support executives in guiding their employees for the foreseeable future, and that will also help in designing leadership development for the long term. “Obviously, this won’t be the last-ever crisis,” Diaz says of the pandemic. “We need to be prepared.” Diaz’s longitudinal study includes questions that range from the quantitative
Diaz couldn’t have chosen a more appropriate focus for her study, which is sure to help many people when it’s finished. But she remains modest about her work. “I hardly consider my efforts right now heroic,” she says, “but they’re certainly my attempt to use my expertise to help people weather this storm. It’s my humble endeavor to extract a bit of positive from this pandemic.” — Jeremy Byrum
CREATING PROTECTION Beyond transitioning to remote learning, many in the CGU community have been focused on another aspect of the pandemic: helping others. SCGH alumnae Bree Hemingway and Kimberly Morones (pictured) used materials and the nearby Umakers space, both provided by Drucker alum Rob Perhamus, to create protective masks for healthcare workers at local hospitals. To highlight these and other inspiring examples, the university launched the online story series, “CGU Heroes.” l
IN THE MEDIA: FACULTY PERSPECTIVES ON QUARANTINE Many CGU faculty are lending their expertise to provide much-needed perspectives on the crisis. In separate pieces in the Washington Post, DPE’s Paul Zak and SAH’s Daniel Ramírez addressed the positive side of social distancing and one religious group’s defiance of CDC guidelines. For Zak, it’s essential to realize the upside of using social media and technology right now. A professor of economic sciences, Zak told the Post “that social media and especially video are processed in the brain similarly to in-person interactions. They are reasonably good substitutes and should be utilized as much as possible. I’m reaching more deeply into my list of contacts to say hi to more people more often. And without the commuteto-work time and postponed travel, I’m spending more time connecting with others and ensuring they know I love them.” For Ramírez, who is an associate professor of religion, publishing a commentary piece about a Christian Pentecostal group in Louisiana defying social-distancing guidelines was a chance to provide much-needed context. “It certainly is not the first time that religious communities have found themselves at such crossroads. It seemed important to offer this particular religious movement resources from its history and remind readers that extremists are just that, extremists,” he said. “The majority consensus, in this case, is quite different and flexible. To be sure, the present moment may be a watershed in religious history, but folks need to get to where they can take the long view; in other words, past this pandemic.” l
THE FLAME Spring 2020
| 7
In the News
AMONG SCHOOLCHILDREN: Master’s of positive health psychology student Margo Welsh in a Ugandan classroom last summer.
Lessons from Uganda Ditch the Playbook and Listen By Tom Johnson
8 | Claremont Graduate University
S
ometimes even the best-laid plans require last-minute modifications. That was one of the most important lessons that Margo Welsh, a master’s student in positive health psychology, learned when she arrived in Uganda last summer for a two-month stint as part of the Uganda Village Project (UVP). “I expected to be in the front rank of the first educational effort there with UVP,” Welsh says. “But having already had a team go out there, the people knew a lot more than I expected them to know.” Welsh, who is due to graduate this May, was part of a small team that assisted the villagers of Kinu in the Iganga district of Uganda with educational outreach about such health issues as birth control, HIV, and ways to mitigate malaria, which is endemic in the region. Education is often a two-way street between teachers and those being taught, a lesson that Welsh says she learned during her time in Uganda. “It’s more about listening to their needs and just responding to what they need,” she says. “We went into Kinu thinking we were going to educate the villagers on X, Y, and Z, and, when we got there, we found that they knew so many things because of the inroads from the first-year team. So, it was about sitting down with them and figuring out what they still needed to know, answering questions they had, and just being responsive to their needs—not going by the playbook we had.” For Welsh, the biggest challenge after hitting the ground in Uganda was simple communication.
»
“I didn’t speak the language [Swahili],” she says, “so we were always using interpreters, which is problematic; just making sure that you’re understood and that you’re on the same page with everybody. ... It made life a little bit harder, harder to fit into the village. You couldn’t go around and talk to anyone on your own.” Answering questions about various birth control methods and also trying to dispel a few stubborn superstitions about how malaria is contracted (eating fruit; working around cattle) was the focus for part of Welsh’s stay. Access to potable water is possibly the biggest stumbling block to a healthier populace in Uganda. “The trip changed me for sure,” she says. “I think that the trip has made me more patient with people and more accepting of differences of opinion that are divergent from mine. Just being willing to talk through differences and look at things from a different perspective.” Her university experience has taught her the same lesson. “CGU is really good at helping us be mindful of different cultural perspectives,” she continues, “and I think this experience was just a way to personify that and kind of bring that to the forefront—living that experience instead of just talking about it.” For Welsh, one of the biggest takeaways from her time in Uganda is that, in the best sense, education can be reciprocal. l Johnson is a freelance writer who has written for publications, including People magazine and TVLand.com.
“ I think that the trip has made me more patient with people and more accepting of differences of opinion that are divergent from mine.”
DANIEL SOLÓRZANO: EDUCATOR, ADVOCATE, ALUMNUS “WE NEED TO AFFIRM THE DIGNITY AND HUMANITY of one another as a response to everyday racism,” Daniel Solórzano (Education, MA, ’83; PhD, ’86) recently encouraged a group of students in a presentation at the Gevirtz Graduate School of Education at UC Santa Barbara. The author of over one hundred articles and books on critical race theory in education, Solórzano travels the nation, challenging his collegiate audiences to examine racial microaggressions and engaging them in a dialogue about improving the learning environment for an increasingly diverse community. He leads the charge for improving the educational experience of the underrepresented. Solórzano is a professor of Social Science and Comparative Education and the inaugural Associate Dean for Equity and Diversity in the Graduate School of Education and Information Studies at the University of California, Los Angeles. The Chicano/ Latino Student Association (CLSA) of The Claremont Colleges lauded him in February with CLSA’s 50th anniversary distinguished alumni award. Dean of CGU’s School of Educational Studies DeLacy Ganley is proud to count him among her school’s alumni. “We believe that educators should be champions for the marginalized,” she said, discussing the CLSA award. “We believe that they should use their voices to speak for those who can’t. No one better epitomizes that ideal than Daniel Solórzano.” In his particular area of study, Solórzano focuses on racial microaggressions that students face within universities. He writes that many students of color encounter daily cultural disrespect as peers and faculty continuously mispronounce their names. Simply learning a name can make a difference. Solórzano explains, “It’s important to honor the power that teachers carry to influence a student’s sense of self and worldview.” A champion for minorities, Solórzano has been awarded numerous accolades throughout his career, including UCLA’s Distinguished Teacher Award. Daniel Solórzano is a bright light among CGU alumni who carry the flame forward. l — Megan Elledge
THE FLAME Spring 2020
| 9
In the News
I
ARIANA REINES
TIANA CLARK
Ravished by Words Ariana Reines and Tiana Clark win the 2020 Kingsley & Kate Tufts Poetry Awards. Director Lori Anne Ferrell explains why it’s important to return every phone call. by Elizabeth Hoover
10 | Claremont Graduate University
n late February, a group of literary professionals, professors, and poetry lovers gathered at CGU President Len Jessup’s house to make two very special phone calls. They were there to notify the winners of the Kingsley Tufts Poetry Award and the Kate Tufts Discovery Award, two of the most prestigious annual prizes awarded to U.S. poets. The calls were made, and as the cheers subsided, Jessup turned to the prizes’ director, Lori Anne Ferrell, and remarked, “This is the best thing we do at CGU.” “I love being part of that electric feeling in that room,” said Ferrell, the John D. and Lillian Maguire Distinguished Professor in the Humanities and Dean of the School of Arts and Humanities. “I love that I work for a place where 40 people will crowd into a room to toast someone who just won a poetry prize.” This sensation is all the more remarkable given that CGU doesn’t have a creative writing program. So how did such a vital writing prize end up here? “Simply put, we returned the call,” Ferrell explained. In 1991, Kate Tufts was looking for an institution to house a poetry prize in honor of her late husband, Kingsley, a successful business executive in Los Angeles and a poet with publications in a smattering of national journals. John Maguire, who was CGU’s president at the time, was the only person who got back to Tufts. Despite the lack of a creative writing program, Ferrell sees good reason for the prize being housed here. “Poetry is about attention,” Ferrell explained. “At Claremont, we’re about attending to people, and we’re small enough that we can do that.” Tufts established the prizes to, in her words, “give a poet a little breathing room and a little recognition.” The Kingsley award bestows $100,000 for the work of a poet in mid-career, while the Discovery award recognizes the work of a newly-published poet with $10,000. Intervening at these points in a writer’s career gives them crucial support to continue their work. Past winner Tom Sleigh told the award committee: “It’s a stepping stone; not a tombstone.” The prize means more than financial support. Because of its size, it brings attention to the work of all the finalists. It raises the visibility of poetry in general—something that Ferrell sees as particularly important at this contemporary moment. “Poetry is a carefully crafted mode of communication,” she said. “It reminds us that words matter.” Though Tufts provided guidelines for the judging panel—it had to include one editor of a national publication, for example—she was adamant that poets of every style and background
»
should be considered. The screeners, who often include former winners, read some 500 books over two months and choose five finalists for each prize. The process results in a slate of winners and finalists of extraordinary diversity in terms of identity, style, and subject. “It’s a quality of human existence that we are capable of being ravished by words,” Ferrell said. “This year’s winners clearly demonstrate that.” Kingsley Tufts Award winner Ariana Reines is a divinity student at Harvard University. Her nearly 400-page A Sand Book is a spiritually engaged, post-apocalyptic travelogue that meditates on gun violence, climate change, and police brutality, among other topics. “It just claims a kind of space,” Ferrell remarked. “More than one judge said it helped them get over a dry spell and start writing again, so it’s an inspiring book.” In her debut I Can’t Talk About Trees Without Blood, Discovery Award winner Tiana Clark uncovers historical and personal trauma embedded in the landscape of the American South. “Her work has a beautiful urgency,” Ferrell said. “The directness and the beauty make my throat close up when I think about what she’s saying.” At an awards ceremony, each winner will receive a crystal award depicting the cover of her book. For Ferrell, this is especially meaningful this year since Clark’s cover features a painting by past Tufts award recipient Terrance Hayes. “These awards are about passing torches,” Ferrell reflected. “They are talking about a body of literature that is larger than any particular poet.” l
“ It’s a QUALITY OF HUMAN EXISTENCE that we are capable of being RAVISHED BY WORDS.” Lori Anne Ferrell
Hoover is a poet, book critic, and editor of A Wild Perfection: The Selected Letters of James Wright.
THE FLAME Spring 2020
| 11
In the News
Touching History ‘Excavation at Akko’
H
ave you heard about CGU’s involvement with an archeological dig in Akko, Israel? Since 2010, access to the site has offered an amazing opportunity for our students and faculty (including me) to encounter history every summer— with pickaxes, shovels, trowels, and bare hands! Akko, Israel, is a rich archeological ground that was trod by many of history’s most significant figures—Richard the Lionheart and Saladin among them. Our annual summer dig provides students from CGU—anyone interested can go—and other universities with a rare chance to encounter history up close. In March, we were thrilled to present a beautiful video—filmed by religion doctoral student Genie Deez and produced and edited by Anthony Penta, the university’s director of video production—that showcases this exciting work during a livestream on CGU’s Facebook channel. If you missed the livestream, you can still catch the video. Visit CGU’s YouTube channel or go to research.cgu.edu/akko to view this perfect example of CGU’s transdisciplinary academic approach in action! l —Lori Anne Ferrell, Dean, School of Arts & Humanities
12 | Claremont Graduate University
News | Giving
»
DIGGING IT: Clockwise from top left: The excavation site. Lori Anne Ferrell discovers a ceramic horse’s head, part of a larger sculpture. Photography is used to create a 3D model of the excavation. 70% of the shards uncovered are from storage jars, documenting much of the story of Akko.
N
• CGU S
TS•
TUDEN
IO
IN AC T
THE FLAME Spring 2020
| 13
In the News
Drucker’s Darroch Headed to Ohio
A
s a grad student in New Zealand, Jenny Darroch knew Peter Drucker’s philosophy well—she came across his aphoristic quotes everywhere in her marketing textbooks. But that was the closest she ever expected to get to him—she never dreamed she’d actually get to know the father of modern management. That changed in 2003 when she visited Claremont to interview for a faculty post at the university. Moments before Drucker was to hold one of his last public lectures, Darroch was ushered into the auditorium to meet him. There he was: The father of modern management sitting on stage in a large leather chair, eating a donut, waiting for the attendees to come in. “Apparently, it was a bit of a ritual for him to do that,” she said. “I sat in awe just like the rest of the audience and listened to him tell a wide range of stories that seemed disparate at first, and then bring all of them together at the end. That was his style.” Encountering Drucker is one of the memories Darroch will take with her when she leaves the university at the end of the spring semester. Darroch is heading to Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, where she will take on the role of dean of the Farmer
School of Business. Darroch’s departure was announced in a campus-wide message sent by Provost Patricia Easton. “Her commitment and enthusiasm to best support the students, faculty, and staff of the Drucker School of Management will be missed,” Easton said in the announcement. The author of the highly regarded books, Why Marketing to Women Doesn’t Work and Marketing Through Turbulent Times, Darroch most recently served as the university’s Drucker School of Management dean for nearly four years. During her tenure, the school launched the Global Family Business Institute, expanded membership of its advisory board, and made substantive changes to the MBA program, including the creation of the Drucker Signature Platform. “I am so proud of the team we have created and the results we have achieved,” she said. “I want to thank the thousands of people who have contributed to my success at the Drucker School: colleagues, students, alumni, friends, and family. Moving from a place that has been my home for 16 years is bittersweet. But it is time.” l
Three Questions for Jenny Darroch
Q A
When you told your father that you were moving to the United States to teach at the Drucker School, what did he do? He gave me his entire Drucker book collection! People such as my father, who is now in his 80s, firmly believed that treating people well and leveraging individual strengths were central to the success of any organization. He and his peer group have often attributed much of their career success to Drucker’s work. After all, there were few other books on management written at the time my father was establishing his career.
Q A
It sounds like your father’s generation knew Drucker’s work well. How about your generation? We grew up knowing mostly Drucker quotes (as opposed to entire works). As a student of marketing, there were many
14 | Claremont Graduate University
Drucker quotes scattered throughout our textbooks. One that had a profound impact on me was a famous Drucker quote: “The aim of marketing is to make selling superfluous.” I remember when I was in New Zealand completing my first year as a marketing professor, I set an essay question in the final exam for the large freshmen undergraduate class: “The aim of marketing is to make selling superfluous. Discuss.” I quickly realized just how rich Drucker’s work was and how multilayered the interpretation of it is.
Q A
During your tenure as a professor and as a dean, what are some of your proudest achievements? I am immensely proud of the special issue of The Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science I co-edited with Professors George Day and Stan Slater. This ended up
being a nice mix of papers that examined the field of marketing, Drucker’s contributions to it, and included some papers that updated several areas Peter covered in his work. As a faculty member, I wrote two books: Marketing Through Turbulent Times and Why Marketing to Women Doesn’t Work. Many business schools discourage book writing. At the Drucker School, we encourage intellectual curiosity and value work that impacts practice. I doubt I would have written these books had I worked elsewhere. As dean, I am proudest of the team we have created and the results we have achieved in so many areas, including enrollment and substantive changes to the MBA by decreasing the number of units and adding a Drucker Signature Platform; we are seeing impressive results. l
»
•CG
• ENTS
U STUD
Mapping Out GIS Careers Guiding the Marginalized
N
IN
AC T I O
By Megan Castro
CISAT doctoral student Whitney Kotlewski and her team at Black Girls MAPP are opening minds and creating new possibilities for Southland students.
G
lobal mapping leader Esri explains that Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is “the science of where,” with endless possibilities on how to use this technology to gather and analyze geographic data. The world of GIS is projected to grow in coming years: The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has classified GIS as a “new and emerging field,” and predicts it will become increasingly essential in solving many of today’s challenges. Whitney Kotlewski, a CISAT PhD student, has been working in the GIS world for five years, and it didn’t take long before she noticed the workforce was lacking women of color. “I was walking around, looking for others who looked like me, and I didn’t really see that representation,” she recently told us. Job openings in GIS are projected to rise, and Kotlewski is seeking to build diversity in the GIS workforce by partnering with an Esri colleague. Together they founded “Black Girls Mapping Action to Pioneer Progress” (MAPP) to connect and empower women of color working in GIS, and to encourage others to explore the field. Kotlewski’s first quest with Black Girls MAPP was to identify black women in the U.S. who work in GIS by using the very software she helped design. From there, it was all about getting everyone connected and figuring out how to inspire a younger generation to pursue a career in GIS. It’s no secret the job market is a shifting landscape and that
newcomers may lean toward careers in technology. This rising number of technology careers could provide a significant opportunity for students of color if they are guided early on to pursue these careers. Data from Arizona State University show that of the people working in computer and information science, only 35% are women. More significantly, of the relatively few women in this field, only 12% are Black or Latinx. Kotlewski and Black Girls MAPP are focusing on increasing those numbers by sharing their passion for GIS with students in the region. “Most people who get involved in a field like GIS have done so because they’ve had a mentor tell them they should take a computer science class. They never grew up thinking, ‘I want to work as a UX Manager,’ ” she explains. “That’s why it’s so important for Black Girls MAPP to visit schools to teach—not just black girls, but other kids of color—about GIS and the type of problems they can solve with it.” Black Girls MAPP goes a step further in its efforts to help marginalized communities and the issues they face. Members take a unique approach to address community problems by utilizing the power of GIS. Kotlewski hopes that these efforts will empower marginalized communities to visualize social issues by using GIS to create solutions. Kotlewski is an innovator, musician, mother, college Hall of Fame athlete, graphic designer, and PhD student. Is there anything she won’t take on? Absolutely not. l
“ ...it’s so important for Black Girls MAPP to visit schools to teach–not just black girls, but other kids of color—about GIS and the type of problems they can solve with it.”
THE FLAME Spring 2020
| 15
In the News
Changing Lanes The Free Market Freeway Sometimes innovation is born in the laboratory. Sometimes it dawns during a walk in the woods. For Professor Henry Schellhorn, it came gradually, in a car, stuck somewhere between Santa Monica and Claremont. by Tim Lynch
When you’re in traffic for two hours over the course of 15 years, you start understanding it pretty well,” said Henry Schellhorn, director of CGU’s Institute of Mathematical Sciences and academic director of the university’s financial engineering program. “You ask yourself, ‘Are there better ways of doing this?’ ” Yes, there are, and Schellhorn’s concept is disarmingly simple: Some people on the freeway want to get to their destinations faster and would be willing to pay for the opportunity. Others are not as time-sensitive and would be happy to assist by letting the hurried and the harried cut in front of them—for a price. Implementing such a system involves orchestrating countless moving parts, but it starts with what is called “Level 5 automation”—fully autonomous vehicles that can operate under any conditions. These vehicles, mass-produced perhaps a decade from now, would be programmed with the mathematical secret sauce that Schellhorn has patented, allowing a seamless monetary transaction in which one vehicle yields to another. He’s also developing an app that he says works without Level 5 automation, and without that automation to make lane changes, the user obviously will play a much bigger role at the moments when the vehicle is supposed to change lanes.
16 | Claremont Graduate University
“Suppose you want to move from Lane A to Lane B. You pay the price of B, minus the price of A,” Schellhorn said. “The cost change depends on location and current traffic conditions. It also works if you want to move to a slower lane to exit.” But who determines the lane price? That’s where financial engineering comes in. “Financial engineering won’t tell you the price. It tells you the price where buyers and sellers should meet,” Schellhorn said. “Mike Bloomberg built his company to provide exactly this type of service to the finance industry. Having an indicative price helps transactions greatly.” Based on calculations, the total freeway drive time would not change. Still, lane buyers would get to their destinations faster, and the number of impulsive lane-changers would likely decline, thus making the road safer for everyone. The next step, Schellhorn said, is to secure research funding for agent-based modeling, which, in layman’s terms, means building out mathematical models and refining them in a controlled setting—a video game of sorts. Google and Waze already have skin in the game with digital traffic mapping, and automakers such as Tesla could make lane-buying technology a standard feature in their 2030 models. “It could be a wise investment.” Schellhorn said, “We’ll see.” l
TO KNOW OR NOT TO KNOW, THAT IS THE QUESTION “ There are things known and there are things unknown, and in between are the doors of perception” Aldous Huxley The British writer was describing something altogether different—a psychedelic experience—but his observation neatly summarizes the basis for one of the most critical math concepts, the partial differential equation (PDE). The idea is the framework for Professor Henry Schellhorn’s lane-buying research. PDEs address the known, the unknown, and the area in between. They are the formulas for the fundamental laws of nature. Newton’s second law of motion, for example, states that the acceleration of an object depends on two variables: the net force acting upon an object and the mass of the object, expressed as f(t) = m a(t). Schellhorn’s PDEs, more complex by several orders of magnitude, involve the concept of change (cars entering and leaving a lane) over time and the rate of change—otherwise known as known unknowns. Now you know. l
||
GRAMMY AWARD WINNER
Q Nadia Shpachenko
RANKINGS RISE The Financial Engineering program, which is jointly offered by Drucker School of Management and Institute of Mathematical Sciences, has made its best showing ever on the annual rankings report compiled by TFE Times. The program moved up from 12 to 11, passing two Southern California powerhouses, USC at No. 14 and UCLA at No. 12. The program is co-directed by Professors Henry Schellhorn and Michael Imerman. The TFE Times announcement came on the heels of the news from QuantNet rankings that CGU’s Financial Engineering program also climbed three spots this year from 27 to 24. l
For her collection of contemporary classical pieces, The Poetry of Places, Nadia Shpachenko won a 2020 Grammy Award in the category of Best Classical Compendium. She received her award at this year’s ceremony held in January in downtown Los Angeles. A CGU Music Department studio professor and faculty member at nearby Cal Poly Pomona, pianist Shpachenko’s album brings together classical pieces that were inspired by a particular building or architectural structure. Shpachenko had been previously nominated for three Grammys in 2015. l
NEW PARTNERSHIP CREATES ‘ADVANCED LEARNING ENVIRONMENT’ Active-learning classroom spaces bring together cutting-edge technology with nontraditional learning pedagogies. As these spaces take hold across the country, CGU leads this trend with a new “advanced learning environment” thanks to support from global tech giants ViewSonic and Acer. With top executives from both companies on hand last fall for a special ribbon-cutting ceremony, CGU unveiled its new space, which incorporates ViewSonic and Acer equipment and is located on the first floor of the university’s Academic Computing Building. “The old model of classroom learning is about the teacher as the ‘sage on the stage,’ but that changes in a space like this,” CGU President Len Jessup told attendees. “Instead, the teacher is ‘a guide on the side’ helping students in an active-learning environment.” l
MARKETING WINS SILVER CASE AWARD CGU’s marketing team created an award-winning entry for the category “Student Recruitment Publications: Viewbooks, Prospectuses, and Publications” and received a silver award in this year’s judging by the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), District VII. The CGU team designed a sleek, streamlined “viewbook system” composed of modular parts that function together and separately, depending on the needs of the Office of Admissions. The award-winning entry includes the main overview viewbook, smaller inserts designed around areas of study, a lightweight at-a-glance brochure, and program-specific bookmarks. l
Ceremony dignitaries included (from left) ViewSonic Chief Technology Officer Craig Scott and founder James Chu; CGU President Len Jessup; Acer’s Maverick Shih; CGU Trustee Board Chair Tim Kirley and CGU Trustee Wen Chang. Acer founder Stan Shih attended the event via Skype.
THE FLAME Spring 2020
| 17
The Big Picture Thank You, Miss Sugg The lovely house at the corner of Harvard and 7th serves as the home of President Len Jessup and his wife, Kristi Staab, and is an ideal venue for some of the university’s most elegant events. Designed by Helen Rolfe Wren and completed in 1929, the 7,500-square-foot house has five fireplaces, two upstairs bedroom suites, a downstairs guest suite, and a library. Wren’s design blends Old California low-roof lines with Georgian architectural details. The house was given to the university in 1971 by Miss Ela C. Sugg, an alumna of Pomona College (class of 1912). At just a few blocks from campus, it’s an ideal spot that has served CGU’s presidents for 49 years … and is a perfect example of some thoughtful estate planning on Ms. Sugg’s part. Photo by William Vasta
18 | Claremont Graduate University
THE FLAME Spring 2020
| 19
20 | Claremont Graduate University
in the contemporary world, understanding politics and policy is one key to a successful, peaceful, and prosperous national and global civil society. thanks to the department of politics & government’s rigorous academic tradition, cgu’s faculty and alumni can be found in myriad political roles. our guide offers selected highlights.
THE FLAME Spring 2020
| 21
22 | Claremont Graduate University
on the campaign trail with drew phelps The state’s youngest candidate ever for an assembly seat has a simple strategy in the Central Valley: stick to the issues µ by Scott Timberg µ
T
alk to Drew Phelps (MA, Politics & Policy, ’17) about politics, and you don’t get what you’d expect. No sweeping rhetoric or stinging indictments of his political opponents. Not even a mention of this year’s impeachment hearings—he won’t even volunteer which side he was on. That’s a little surprising because Phelps is—or is poised to become—a politician during a particularly inflamed era. Phelps, who graduated from CGU and returned to his hometown of Tulare, a city about midway between Fresno and Bakersfield, announced plans to run for California State Assembly in June’s race. (His opponent is 37-year-old incumbent Republican Devon Mathis, who has represented California’s 26th Assembly District since 2014.) Instead of politics, Phelps would much rather talk about temperatures in the Central Valley’s river delta, restoring water to aquifers, and a recent Brookings report about jobs and automation. With Phelps, you get the sometimes-unglamorous steps for solving problems in his corner of the world—known for its farming, a dairy industry, and an agricultural expo that attracts more than 100,000 people
“ My top issue is water: That everybody has clean, daily water, and that we make sure we have enough water for agriculture.”
a year—a place that to him is the most significant in the universe. “I see myself as somebody who wants to represent everyone in my district,” he says by phone on a day complicated by unexpected car trouble. “My top issue is water: That everybody has clean, daily water, and that we make sure we have enough water for agriculture.” Despite his youth—he’s just 25—Phelps seems to be a throwback, an old-fashioned consensus politician who emphasizes community, pragmatism, and good government. “I’m a Democrat,” he says, “but I’m in a pretty conservative area.” (The state’s 26th district includes part of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, parts of the Central Valley, and a large portion of the Owens Valley; its voter registration is predominantly Republican.) Phelps is also uninterested in wedge issues—concerns that appeal to a specific part of the electorate and that can help define a politician against his rivals. “At the end of the day, I’m a policy guy,” he says. “I like getting in the weeds with legislation.” In any case, Phelps does not seem like a creature of today’s polarized environment. Whether there’s room for a politician like him in the current landscape
THE FLAME Spring 2020
| 23
remains to be seen—any election is an uphill climb for a Democrat in that part of the world. But his idealism and drive have already stirred up enough interest to generate numerous endorsements and break local fundraising records. Last August, the Our Valley Voice website wrote that Phelps had become “the most well-financed and competitive Democratic challenger in the history of the district.”
a page from his grandfather’s playbook Phelps, who works full-time as a project manager for a Central Valley real-estate developer, is an unusual mix of new and old: He’s just getting started in his political career, but his family has been in Tulare for four generations. So far, much of the local press on Phelps has focused on his youth; many of his generational peers have not yet graduated from sleeping on their parents’ couches, much less mapped out a political campaign. But Phelps sees his youth as beside the point. “To be honest,” he says, “I’d prefer that we never talk about that.” He wants to be clear that he’s not leading a youth movement. “Hey, I’m in a unique position, and I can represent that point of view well. But it’s not my campaign platform.” There’s no way around it, though: He’s young. His early jump into politics makes some sense if you consider Phelps’s origins: He was a pretty typical kid who attended high school sporting events. But he also enjoyed community service during high school, and he interned for local politicians in college. His mother, Patricia Drilling, remembers that, as early as middle school, her son was learning the lessons of history and saying, “Let’s try and improve the world.” Phelps’s key political inspiration as a kid was Franklin D. Roosevelt. “I appreciated that time of crisis he had to manage,” Phelps says. “How he helped the economy rebound.” But an equally important figure, and one he thinks about now that he’s returned home, is his grandfather, Tom Drilling, who in the early 1950s was elected Tulare’s mayor while still in his 20s. “I had a very close relationship with him growing up,” Phelps says. “He was known in this community for his trustworthiness.” Phelps explains that his grandfather retained some status in town even after he retired from politics to become a dentist. “People in the political world would come and consult with him,” he says, “about decisions they had to make.” “Drew’s a compassionate warrior,” his mom says. “He inherited that from my dad.” 24 | Claremont Graduate University
DREW PHELPS (above and on previous page), candidate for California’s 26th Assembly District, marches in the 2019 Veteran’s Day parade in Porterville, California.
“ At the end of the day, I’m a policy guy, I like getting in the weeds with legislation.”
cgu’s uhlmann and schroedel offer inspiration When Phelps began classwork at CGU in 2015, he had nearly completed an undergraduate politics degree at Pitzer College: He’d studied African and early-modern European politics but did not have much of a handle on how government functioned in the United States. CGU’s accelerated degree program—a smooth way to transition from a bachelor’s to a master’s degree— allowed him to move into an intensive study of American political science. Phelps found the university “collegial and laid-back, but we were working hard.” He had two important mentors here, the first of whom was Professor of Political Science Michael Uhlmann, a legendary, CGU-educated, political scientist who passed away in October. “I would not be in this position, running for office, if it wasn’t for him,” Phelps says. “I was inspired by what I learned from him about how leadership looks different in different people.” Phelps had considered himself a behind-thescenes wonk, but Uhlmann told him he could be effective in electoral politics. Uhlmann was vital in at least one other way: A special assistant to the
DREW PHELPS (second from left) is interviewed on the Central Valley’s NBC affiliate news program, Sunday Morning Matters.
keeping It local
president during Ronald Reagan’s first term, he was one of several political conservatives with whom Phelps has had strong intellectual relationships despite being center-left himself. Phelps’ second mentor, Professor of Political Science Jean Schroedel, served as both his academic advisor and helped focus his thinking on rural California: She oversaw his thesis on the Populist Party in late-19thcentury Tulare County. She remembers him as a hard worker: “He did a lot of digging into primary sources that I don’t think anybody had ever looked at.” His study of the Populists taught him something relevant to his own career: “Party structure has always been a bit weaker in California.” The state’s broad diversity—as seen in the variety of its crops, the many religions practiced, as well as its diverse racial picture—gives California politics a different tone than is found in other parts of the country. “He stood out,” Schroedel says of Phelps’s time at CGU. “He was serious, very serious about what he wanted to accomplish. From the beginning, he wanted to go back home to Tulare to make the community better. A lot of sharp young people from those kinds of communities go away and don’t come back.”
“ I’m not running to give speeches and have people clap for me, I want to make some change.”
When he’s out in his district—whether he’s attending an event on water policy or visiting the donut shop—Phelps keeps his ears open. “It’s about being a listener, about being able to engage,” he says. “It comes down to what we all agree on. There’s so much here in the Valley that’s been neglected by people in Sacramento. I want to work on the basic, necessary issues that affect all of us, especially the most vulnerable.” One of the things of which he’s most proud is fighting, as part of a grass-roots movement, to save a local hospital that he saw as gripped with corruption. It’s hard not to notice that, even if you talk to Phelps about his political vision and his ambitions, nowhere does he mention Washington DC. When asked about his plans, he talks about policy—water, healthcare, and lots of details. One of his hopes is to start programs that keep young people in Tulare; he’s clearly seen too much brain drain and wants to slow it as best he can. The old line that “all politics is local” has fallen out of favor in the age of the internet. But there may still be something to it. Especially for politicians trying to make tangible improvements. “I’m not running to give speeches and have people clap for me,” he says. “I want to make some change.” l
Timberg’s publications include the book Culture Crash: The Killing of the Creative Class.
THE FLAME Spring 2020
| 25
Michael Uhlmann and family at his U.S. Department of Justice swearing-in ceremony.
26 | Claremont Graduate University
a man for all seasons A former student of Michael Uhlmann pays tribute to his late friend and mentor µ
by Matthew Peterson, PhD, Politics & Policy, ’13 µ
Editor’s note: The following by CGU alumnus Matthew Peterson has been adapted from his remarks at a memorial service for Michael Uhlmann, longtime government professor at the university, alumnus, and presidential adviser, who passed away last October at 79.
I
am just one among many, many people throughout the nation who can say this about Michael Uhlmann: He never stopped helping place people in positions connected with the political life of America. If it weren’t for him, I wouldn’t have my job today as Vice President of Education for the Claremont Institute. As a Senior Fellow at the Claremont Institute for many years—as our colleague and mentor—Uhlmann gave us much-needed, wise counsel as well as warm friendship right up until he was hospitalized last year. He taught in our fellowship programs for promising national leaders—intense, educational programs that leaned heavily on his presence and guidance—and we were planning on having him teach even more for us this year. His death is an enormous loss to all of us at the Claremont Institute, professionally as well as personally. Uhlmann was educated here, at Claremont Graduate University, and ultimately returned here, to Claremont Graduate University, to educate others. His life represents the best of what a graduate school can hope to do—produce graduates who achieve great success and wield influence in the public and private sectors, who are adept in theory and practice as both thinkers and doers. A devoted Irish Catholic, he studied at Yale and the University of Virginia Law School. He was a significant scholar who played important legislative roles in Washington DC; he headed the Justice Department’s transition under President Ford
“ His life represents the best of what a graduate school can hope to do—produce graduates who achieve great success and wield influence in the public and private sectors.”
and was afterward appointed Assistant Attorney General for Legislative Affairs; in the 1980s, he became a senior policy adviser to President Reagan and was part of President Bush’s transition team. Outside of government, he practiced antitrust and administrative law and served as senior vicepresident at the Lynde & Harry Bradley Foundation. Along the way, he made many connections and friends that would last a lifetime, among them another young lawyer on the Hill named Antonin Scalia. That hardly scratches the surface, but it gives you some idea of the level of his accomplishments. They were many, but they never kept him at a distance from us. You might agree or disagree with him on any given matter, but you knew that he held his position and acted on it honestly—for the right reasons—because he thought it true and good. And you assumed without thinking about it that this was also why he took on the professional roles he did. Above all, he was a leader who cared more about the public good or getting the job done than about building his own brand or getting along to go along. He led with ideas and action, but he often ghost wrote, continuously conspired with many behind the scenes throughout his life, and consistently and purposely preferred to achieve what needed doing rather than becoming the sort of self-serving careerist we are so used to seeing in the media today—and even, dare I say it, sometimes in academia as well. But I wish to focus on the inspiring fact that he returned here, to teaching, giving back to the institution where his journey began, and assisting so many of us in beginning our own. Higher education today is in trouble—everyone knows this—and educational institutions are struggling to figure out how to survive in a rapidly changing environment. Teachers and the art of teaching are routinely disparaged these days.
THE FLAME Spring 2020
| 27
Michael Uhlmann (right) stands atop the Opus Dei house in Rome's Vatican City with longtime friend, Father John Wauck.
But their influence, for good or bad, never changes. Educational institutions, good or bad, form us far more than we often realize. And at the heart of those institutions, whether they are disparaged or dismissed or not, are teachers. However it came to pass, the fact that Michael Uhlmann came back to Claremont to teach at all is remarkable if you consider his resume up until that time. To teach full time for 20 years after that sort of full professional and political career is not what one would expect these days, to put it mildly. It isn’t necessarily the best financial decision someone in his position might have made, for instance. But it was in part a noble decision, and the joy with which he taught revealed, I think, that teaching was ultimately a central part of his vocation, or calling—work ordered towards a higher purpose, helping individuals and the country alike. It also represents the best a graduate institution can do: assemble a mix of research and teaching, doers and thinkers, to assist a new generation who will lead the way forward. The politics program at the university has always been like this: It involves studying great works of political philosophy and American government and scholarship alike, and it has produced a long line of students who work in government and outside the academy as well as within it. This is not a mere matter of theory, but of practice. It is not a mere matter of practice, either: We must, throughout our lives, seek with our intellects to understand what’s true. It is above all a matter of leadership addressing reality: of serving the common good of America by doing what needs doing both inside and outside of education.
claremont graduate university plans to raise funds to honor the legacy of michael uhlmann.
If you are interested in joining this effort, please contact Vice President for Development & External Relations Kristen Andersen-Daley at 909-607-8252 or kristen.andersen-daley@cgu.edu.
28 | Claremont Graduate University
“ He taught us about the vital importance of learning and teaching by means of the intelligence, dignity, grace, and honor he brought to the job.”
Mike Uhlmann taught us about all this not only directly, in the form of a lecture or direct exhortations, but by allowing us to enter into how he thought about politics, and thus how to think about politics and political life ourselves. His soul was capacious. He was not small-minded. He would listen to you seriously and tell you what he thought with an open mind and open heart. This included criticism—he did not suffer foolishness or fools gladly. But there is no one from whom I was more willing to take advice, because you knew the spirit from which his admonishment was given: with your best interest and fullest potential good in mind. Ultimately, he taught us by how he himself lived his life and his chosen profession. He taught us about the vital importance of learning and teaching by means of the intelligence, dignity, grace, and honor he brought to the job. We are all here today because we were extremely lucky and blessed to have had him in our lives. He successfully passed on what he had learned to an ensuing generation facing new and trying political circumstances, challenging them to keep thinking and doing as he had done throughout his life—and as he never stopped doing. Michael Uhlmann represents CGU at its best; he was a model of how to learn, think, and act politically, prudently. We are here today to express our gratitude. l Peterson serves as Vice President of Education for the Claremont Institute and is the founding editor of The American Mind.
cgu in politics A brief overview of some of our alumni who have gone on to careers in public service
crunching the numbers
for strategic communications on the United States National Security Council. Since departing the White House, Anton has shared his insights on the current political situation before various audiences, including a recent Pacific Research Institute talk on “Trump and His Critics: How the President Has Shaped Domestic and Foreign Policy.” Despite the political partisanship that currently divides the country, Anton might concur with another sage Roman, Seneca, who said about tumultuous times: “Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end.”
President Donald Trump’s 2017 appointee as director of the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS), Jeffrey Anderson (PhD, Politics and Policy, ’01), had something on his resume that his competition didn’t: college football rankings. He happens to be the “Anderson” of the well-known Anderson & Hester rankings system used in determining the college football national champion. He and Chris Hester created the system in 1992, and it was later used in the old Bowl Championship Series that seeded Division I college football championship games from 1998 to 2014. Anderson and Hester once told an interviewer that they created their system because they were sick and tired of having their beloved Huskies snubbed by most rankings systems at the time. If you don’t like the system, they figured, create a better one yourself.
rumsfeld, cybersecurity, and more
he came. he saw. he wrote. Like his pseudonym, Publius Decius Mus (a Roman consul who ritually sacrificed himself in battle), Michael Anton (MA, Politics & Policy, ’09) wrote during the run-up to the 2016 U.S. presidential election that a risk of self-sacrifice was necessary to save the nation from progressive initiatives. Anton is a lecturer and research fellow at Hillsdale College, a senior fellow at the Claremont Institute, and former deputy assistant to the president
Michael Anton
Alumnus Stephen Cambone (PhD, Government, ’82) holds the distinction of serving as the very first undersecretary of defense for intelligence during Donald Rumsfeld’s tenure as U.S. secretary of defense. Cambone held the post for five years before moving on to his current home, Texas A&M University, where he is associate vice chancellor for cybersecurity initiatives and professor of practice. In 2017, the university tapped him to lead a systemwide initiative on cybersecurity education, research, and outreach. With Cambone’s selection, said Texas A&M’s Chancellor John Sharp, the initiative benefited from having someone with “breadth across multiple disciplines and enterprises [who could] elevate our cybersecurity initiatives to the next level.”
THE FLAME Spring 2020
| 29
staying flexible That’s the philosophy that has guided Deborah Castleman (MA, Politics & Policy, ’90) in her professional journey. Her openness to new challenges has resulted in a diverse range of experiences, from her service as deputy assistant secretary of defense for command, control, and communications in the first Clinton administration, to her roles as a space and defense policy analyst at RAND, a satellite system engineer at the Hughes Space and Communications Group, and vice president of the startup company Rosen Motors. As she explains in a recent CGU YouTube interview on the occasion of receiving a distinguished alumni award from the university: “In today’s world, you have to be flexible. I prefer doing different things, and I think the most important thing is to write down what you want. You don’t have to hold to it, but have an end goal in mind.” Words to live by. A video worth watching.
Tom Cotton
garnering support
no time to waste Since 2015, Tom Cotton (Politics & Policy) has been serving as the junior U.S. senator from Arkansas. He began his political career in congress as the second Republican since the Reconstruction Era to represent the 4th district of Arkansas. As a freshman congressman from Arkansas, Cotton was considered a rising star in the Republican Party, so much so that Politico named him “most likely to succeed.” While serving in Iraq, he was awarded the Bronze Star for combat with the 506 Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division (the same unit immortalized in Band of Brothers). Elected to the senate at the age of 37, having defeated two-term Democratic incumbent Mark Pryor, Cotton said, “Some people say I’m a young man in a hurry. Well, guess what, they’re right!” A lifelong Republican, Cotton has earned a 90.3% lifetime score from the American Conservative Union.
David Dreier
way of the warrior Having represented Los Angeles in the U.S. Congress from 1980 to 2013, and recently appointed as chairman of Tribune Publishing, David Dreier (MA, Government, ’76) has always fought the good fight. “Journalism is under attack across the globe, and we have an unwavering commitment to delivering a first-rate news product,” he declared at the time. In Congress, Dreier was a passionate proponent of First Amendment rights and has been a steadfast champion of a vigorous and free press (which is why 30 | Claremont Graduate University
his nomination as chairman of Tribune Publishing seems a perfect fit). Dreier was the first Californian and one of the youngest and longest-serving chairs of the powerful Rules Committee, structuring the debate for virtually every piece of legislation considered in Congress. A member of the Council on Foreign Relations, he was the founding chairman of the House Democracy Partnership, a congressional commission that has worked to strengthen legislative bodies in 21 new and re-emerging democracies across the globe. Additionally, he launched the bipartisan Congressional Trade Working Group that has built support for free trade agreements for more than three decades.
Dallas Harris
Last year, attorney Dallas Harris (MA, Public Policy, ’12) joined the Nevada legislature as a state senator after having been appointed by the Clark County Commission to fill a senate seat vacated by Aaron Ford, who left the senate to become Nevada’s attorney general. “One of the things that I have always noticed,” she told a reporter at the time, “is that there aren’t very many female, African-American, millennial lawyers in the legislature across the country. … I felt that this is a perspective that needs to be brought to the legislature, and I hope that my youth is an asset.”
The LGBTQ community values Harris’s role, too. Earlier this year the LGBTQ Victory Fund announced its endorsement of 15 candidates—including Harris— running in key races this year. Candidates like Harris are “running in some of the most consequential races of 2020, and we’re not wasting any time in supporting these deserving leaders,” said former Houston mayor Annise Parker, the fund’s president and CEO.
maker of maps Having passed away in 2018 at the age of 75, Thomas B. Hofeller (PhD, Government, ’80) celebrated a career marked by many achievements, but two feats stand out as enduring legacies: Hofeller’s co-founding of Claremont McKenna College’s Rose Institute of State and Local Government and his expert grasp of state redistricting. At the Rose Institute, Hofeller led the design and development of California’s first computerized geo-political database. In doing so, he expanded the institute’s involvement with the college’s students and hundreds of the institute’s alumni. His work in Washington DC on modern redistricting led to Republican victories that swept across many states in 2010 and led the New York Times to dub Hofeller as the “Republican master of political maps.” The Times described him as a consultant “whose mastery of redistricting strategy helped propel the Republican Party from underdog to the dominant force in state legislatures and the House of Representatives.”
“ There aren’t very many female, AfricanAmerican, millennial lawyers in the legislature … I felt that this is a perspective that needs to be brought to the legislature, and I hope that my youth is an asset.” Dallas Harris
political punditry When it comes to providing political play-by-play, it doesn’t get more front and center in Southern California than it does with Sherry Bebitch Jeffe (PhD, Government, ’80). A senior fellow at the Sol Price School of Public Policy at USC, Jeffe is the go-to political analyst for NBC in Los Angeles. A familiar face on local news over the years, she’s offered expert commentary on everything from school-board races to electing presidents. During the 2000 election cycle, Jeffe outdid even herself when she served as political analyst for NBC4 in Washington DC, BBC Scotland, and BBC Wales. She continues to serve as the American political analyst for the latter two news outlets. In addition, she can be seen on the BBC London and BBC World Service programs and on Al Jazeera English, as well as on NBC and MSNBC. In 2006, Jeffe was nominated for the Los Angeles Area Emmy Award for her NBC4 news feature,
Born in Tennessee and raised in California, Hart Cunningham (MBA, ’99) says his political vision has been shaped by red-andblue experiences in both states. He ran as a 2020 Democratic presidential candidate with a goal of ending poverty, helping the environment, and bridging the divide between the country’s parties and people. Cunningham is 100% a product of The Claremont Colleges: Before completing his MBA while Peter Drucker was still an active faculty member, Cunningham studied business as an undergrad at Pitzer College. He would go on to found three companies and be nominated three times as a finalist for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year in Technology. He’s currently the CEO and co-founder of Integrate, an innovative advertising technology company.
THERE IS NO RED OR BLUE, SOUTH OR NORTH IN 2020. We are simply the United States of America, the land of the free. … WE ARE ALL AMERICANS and must collaborate for a brighter future. Sherry Bebitch Jeffe
THE FLAME Spring 2020
| 31
“Decision 2005: A Voter’s Guide.” She has taught political science at CGU and Pitzer College.
the power of three For Ambassador Ronald F. Lehman II (PhD, Government, ’75), good things come in threes. In a diplomatic career festooned with laurels, he has served three U.S. presidents (Reagan, Bush, and Clinton), three secretaries of state, three secretaries of defense, and three national security advisors in a variety of senior executive and advisory positions to promote peace through international disarmament and nonproliferation policymaking. For many years Ambassador Lehman worked closely with President Reagan, and he continues to honor his memory by working to stabilize national conflict and aiding in the protection of the U.S. Currently, Lehman directs the Center for Global Security Research at the United States Department of Energy's Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and in 1988 received the CGU Distinguished Alumni Award.
call to duty In 2018, then-California Governor Jerry Brown named Richard Leib (MA, Politics & Policy, ’88) to the 26-member UC Board of Regents, according to the Times of San Diego, a web-based news outlet. In 2008, he was elected to the Solana Beach school board and ran unopposed for reelection in 2016. Leib recently announced his decision to resign from the Solana Beach board due to the demands of his new post with the UC Regents.
Debbie Mucarsel-Powell
Politically, Leib cut his teeth working on the staff of state Senators Gary Hart and Herschel Rosenthal. He also worked for Congressmen Henry Waxman and Mel Levine. Leib has served in several other board positions, including the North Coast Repertory Theatre, Temple Solel, and the California Community College System.
success story DPE alumna Debbie Mucarsel-Powell (MA, International Political Economy, ’96) won her 2018 bid for a seat in Congress, unseating Republican Rep. Carlos Curbelo in Florida’s 26th district. It was the culmination of a long journey. A genuine immigrant success story, Mucarsel-Powell came to the U.S. from here native Ecuador when she was 14 with her mother and three older sisters. Soon after, she began working in a doughnut shop to help support her family, who shared a one-bedroom apartment. Mucarsel-Powell is a former associate dean at Florida International University and has also worked at nonprofits. Her candidacy got a boost when former President Barack Obama endorsed her.
honoring a career Following in the footsteps of Alexander Hamilton, Paul O’Neill, who studied economics at CGU in the 1960s and passed away in April, served as the 72nd U.S. secretary of the treasury for part of President George W. Bush’s first term. He left in 2002 for making public his disagreement with the administration about U.S. entry into the Iraq War. Among other high-profile posts, O’Neill served as chair of the RAND Corporation and famously transformed the company culture of aluminum manufacturer Alcoa when he took the helm in 1987. 32 | Claremont Graduate University
“ What I have accomplished and what I still hope to accomplish in education is the reason I work 100-hour weeks. It is the reason I believe this is a life commitment.” Penny Schwinn
Last year, the 84-year-old Pittsburgh resident was honored by the Ford Foundation for his commitment and dedication as a public servant. The foundation awarded him the Gerald R. Ford Medal for Distinguished Public Service.
Along with his CGU degree, Stanford holds a bachelor’s from Harvey Mudd in mathematics as well as a PhD in statistics from the University of Washington. Why do a significant number of scientists like Stanford find their way into public service? Because their training as problem-solvers often makes them adept for the kinds of challenges presented in the policy-making process.
mission-driven A rising star in education reform circles, Penny Schwinn (PhD, Education, ’17) was tapped last year by Governor Bill Lee to serve as the commissioner of Tennessee’s Department of Education, one of the most significant posts in Lee’s cabinet. In her new capacity, Schwinn was tasked with crafting the governor’s K-12 education initiatives. “What I have accomplished and what I still hope to accomplish in education is the reason I work 100hour weeks,” she said. “It is the reason I believe this is a life commitment.” For Schwinn, a career educator who before coming to Tennessee was the Texas education agency chief deputy commissioner of academics, education is literally a family prerogative: She comes from a family of teachers.
Diane Watson
To learn about the impact of the late Michael Uhlmann (PhD, Government, ’78), read a tribute by the Claremont Institute’s Matthew Peterson (PhD, Politics & Policy, ’13) in this issue of the magazine.
rising through the ranks
facts and figures A data scientist in Washington state, Derek Stanford (MS, Mathematics, ’93) has served as a representative in the legislature there since 2011. Last summer he was appointed to fill a state senate seat vacated by another senator who left to work for Amazon. On the very first day of 2020, Stanford was officially sworn in to represent the 1st legislative district in that state’s senate.
scholar, mentor, inspiration
Cathy Weber
When you look at the public service career of Diane Watson (PhD, Education, ’87), you find that she steadily climbed to higher and higher positions before reaching the top as a U.S. ambassador and, subsequently, a member of Congress. Watson started out as a psychologist and professor before becoming a member of the board of the Los Angeles Unified School District in 1975. Three years later, Watson made history as the first African American woman to win a state seat in the California Senate, a position she held for some 20 years. She would go on to serve as U.S. Ambassador to Micronesia in the western Pacific Ocean during the second Clinton Administration and serve another 10 years representing Southern California’s 32nd and 33rd districts as a member of Congress.
stunning upset
Penny Schwinn
She might be a “political newbie” according to her local press, but Cathy Weber (MBA, ’83) is also something else: a victor. Running as an independent candidate last fall for the Holmdel Township Committee in Central New Jersey, she took on what the local press characterized as the “powerful, deep-pocketed Monmouth County Republican Party” and won. What was a key to her success? In the run-up to her bid for a seat, Weber immersed herself in Holmdel’s issues by attending township committee meetings and speaking out regularly on taxes, recreation, and open space preservation. A senior associate director of annual giving at Princeton University, Weber is a 25-year resident of Holmdel and the mother of three children who are graduates of local schools. And so, for her, truly, there is no place like Holmdel. l
THE FLAME Spring 2020
| 33
Making a Case Philanthropy With a Small ‘p’ by Nick Owchar
N
ancy Lee Ruyter (PhD, History, ’70) may not have Elon Musk’s or Bill Gates’s billions, but it doesn’t matter. She still considers herself a philanthropist. “It’s a term I never really use, but I definitely do consider myself one,” said Ruyter, who spent 32 years as a professor of dance history at the University of California, Irvine (UCI). “And I think anybody else who donates to good causes can be considered one, too.” While large donations typically receive the most attention and grab philanthropy headlines, Nonprofit Quarterly notes that many charities today actually “rely on a large number of ‘small’ gifts” to keep their operations flowing. Large donations are always welcome, of course, but “virtually all charities try to raise funds across the entire spectrum of donors and gift sizes.”
34 | Claremont Graduate University
That approach is also true at CGU, explains Associate Vice President for Development Anthony Todarello. Besides cultivating major gifts, Todarello says the university has been fortunate over the years to have donors such as Ruyter. Many of our donors have been loyal, steady supporters with smaller-dollar gifts. “We’ve been fortunate to have people like Nancy in our community, and we want to nurture even more like her,” he says. “It’s important to recognize that gifts of all sizes matter. They’re an essential part of doing business.” A recent Chronicle of Philanthropy report says that many U.S. higher ed institutions are still far behind other organizations in recognizing the power of numbers over single mega-gifts. That includes the campaigns for some of the candidates in this year’s U.S. presidential race. Various reports show that
presumed Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden raised more than $6 million in just 24 hours from online contributions that were mostly $200 or less, while President Trump’s re-election campaign reported more than $30 million also coming from donations of $200 and less. While these organizations have benefited from the appeal or messaging of their candidates, an institution like CGU is drawing on something else to appeal to donors: a positive graduate experience. GOLDEN MEMORIES OF CGU For Ruyter, her memories of CGU (then known as Claremont Graduate School) are golden ones. After getting her undergraduate degree at UC Riverside, Ruyter determined to pursue a doctorate in dance history. She said she found that CGU provided her with the flexibility within a traditional history doctoral program to focus on her
ALUMNI VOICES INCREASE ON BOARD OF TRUSTEES interest in dance, particularly in the context of American history from the late 18th century to the 20th century. The result of her research was her doctoral dissertation, “Reformers and Visionaries: The Americanization of the Art of Dance.” “My professors were very conscientious about helping us and improving our writing and research skills,” she said. “I really appreciated that. It had a big impact on my own scholarship." After completing her doctorate, Ruyter and her husband Hans would stay in Claremont, where she taught in Pomona College’s Theater Department for another two years. She went on to teaching posts at UC Riverside, UCLA, Orange Coast College, Tufts, and Cal State Northridge, before finding her dream job as a professor at UC Irvine. Though she retired in 2014, she has kept up a busy scholarly life—for more about her latest book about the pioneering dancer and choreographer La Meri, see page 36—and she has kept up her philanthropy, too. “I’m grateful as a retired person that I have enough income to live comfortably and donate to groups I consider important,” she said. “I’m not a wealthy person, but I have enough to support CGU and other organizations I care about. I think it’s important to support the kinds of things that help people with whatever you can afford.” Todarello said CGU is reaching out to older alumni with a message similar to Ruyter’s. “Nancy’s attitude should resonate with a lot of people in our community,” he said. “For any institution of higher education to survive, it’s important to create a culture of loyalty and dedication among supporters.” Do you want to support the future of CGU? Learn more about your giving options at cgu.edu/give. l
“ Studies show that giving patterns that are steady and involve smallersized gifts have a significant impact on political campaigns and higher ed institutions.”
ACCORDING TO THE HARVARD BUSINESS REVIEW, the best boards thrive and succeed because they have a mix of high-powered insiders and outsiders. Insiders have a special relationship with the organization they steward. This is true of the two newest additions to CGU’s Board of Trustees: Rudolph I. Estrada, founder and chief executive officer of Estradagy Business Advisors; and Jeffrey J. Sherman, who is deputy chief investment officer of DoubleLine. Both are alumni of the university, and Board Chair Tim Kirley has said their insider knowledge will be helpful in the months and years ahead. “Rudy and Jeff not only bring to our board their considerable experience as leaders in investment and banking circles, but they’re also part of the CGU family,” he said. “They understand our university’s culture from the inside, and that’s an invaluable perspective to have.” Q Estrada, who received his bachelor’s in business from Cal State LA and a master’s in management from USC, is an alumnus of the Executive Management program at the Drucker School of Management; his son, Mark, is a 2013 Drucker MBA graduate. He founded his firm in 1987 to provide a full spectrum of banking support, ranging from asset allocation, budgetary planning and analysis, to corporate governance counsel, debt placement, and much more. Q Sherman holds a bachelor’s in applied mathematics from the University of the Pacific and a master’s in financial engineering from CGU. He is a CFA charter holder and was named in 2018 by Money Management Executive as one of “10 Fund Managers to Watch.” He’s a familiar face on business broadcasts on CNBC, Yahoo Finance, and other media outlets, and can be heard regularly on his podcast, The Sherman Show (@ShermanShowPod). With the addition of Estrada and Sherman, the roster of active members on the university’s board increases to 24. Nearly half—ten members—are university alumni, including Mukesh Aghi ’85, Alfred Balitzer ’72, Jeanne Holm ’01, Tom Hsieh ’04, Mark Chapin Johnson ’12, Deron Marquez ’16, Carolyn Stephens ’12, and Larry Taylor ’93. “We have some truly outstanding members on our governing board,” Kirley said, “and it’s important to have members who have a special stake in the organization that they’re helping lead.” l
THE FLAME Spring 2020
| 35
Bookshelf | New & Recent Releases
The World of Dance, a Pop Culture Visionary, and Volumes More by Jeremy Byrum
La Meri and Her Life in Dance: Performing the World (University Press of Florida) After 30 years of experience as a professor of dance history at the University of California, Irvine, Nancy Lee Ruyter (PhD, History, ’70) chronicles the fascinating life of American dancer, teacher, and writer, La Meri (1899-1988) in this new biography. From humble beginnings in Texas as Russell Meriwether Hughes, La Meri toured around the globe, exploring dance styles in Latin America, Asia, Europe, and the Pacific in the 1920s and 30s. Ruyter, who studied with La Meri in the 1950s, discusses the dancer’s impact on the concept of cross-cultural dance as expression, her founding of the Ethno36 | Claremont Graduate University
logic Dance Center in New York City, and her innovative choreography based on techniques of international dance genres. It is noted that La Meri also enjoyed many other accolades in her lifetime. “Ruyter brings a specialist’s knowledge and sensitivity to a subject that demands closer study” says Norton Owen, director of preservation, Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival. Jim Shaw (Contemporary Painters Series, Lund Humphries) A vibrant response to Jim Shaw’s significant works, this book highlights the idiosyncratic nature of the works of a Midwesterner-turned-Angeleno and American pop culture savant. Chair of CGU’s Art
Department and professor of art theory and history, David Pagel gives us a compelling book that is the first to analyze all of Shaw’s most notable projects—My Mirage, Dream Drawings, Oist pieces, Left Behind pieces, and even the artist’s recent political works. It also synthesizes how the disparate strokes form an intricate portrait of modern America. Acclaimed novelist Jonathan Lethem calls the book “a splendid rabbit-hole into one of the great dissident Wonderlands ever to erupt from 20th-century middle-American discontent.” Leading from Where You Are: 7 Themes to Make a Meaningful Impact in Your Work (SACG) David Coffaro (MBA, ’90) affirms that all choices humans make significantly affect our lives, from the seemingly mundane to questions of higher purpose. Taking Columbia University researcher Sheena Iyengar’s findings—that the average American makes about 70 conscious decisions a day out of thousands faced— Coffaro anchors Leading from Where You Are: 7 Themes to Make a Meaningful
»
Impact in Your Work on the premise that real leadership is a set of these conscious choices, not a career position or job title. Aptly named, the book offers perspectives that one reviewer, Ronald E. Riggio of the Kravis Leadership Institute at Claremont McKenna College, claims “will improve your leadership regardless of your role or the organization that you are in.” From Critical Race Theory to Critical Religion Theory (Lambert Academic Publishing) Diana Labisch (PhD, Cultural Studies, ’19) addresses the importance of global-local policies in various areas to support multiculturalism in local immigrant communities. Societally, prejudices occur not just between immigrants and non-immigrants, but in homogenous groups as well. To combat this, Labisch demands recognition of intercultural belonging, as it is critical for societal synergy. In turn, not one single theoretical framework exists, but instead, her book serves as a roadmap for increasing awareness of these struggles at the regional and international
levels. As Labisch explains, considerations that are both local and global—or glocal—are critical: “The better societies and politics educate, integrate, and value non-locals, the more societies will benefit culturally, socially, politically, and economically from the glocal population.” A timely and timeless message. Maestrapeace: San Francisco’s Monumental Feminist Mural (Heyday) With her six co-authors, Meera Desai (MFA, ’96) has published the beautiful Maestrapeace: San Francisco’s Monumental Feminist Mural, in celebration of the title mural’s 25th anniversary. One of San Francisco’s largest and most wellknown murals, Maestrapeace—which means “woman teacher of peace”— stands five stories tall and adorns two sides of the Mission District’s Women’s Building. The authors, with years of collective mural expertise, have been serving diverse communities and arts organizations across the globe. By no coincidence, the book’s seven authors, including Desai, are also the muralists who created this powerful piece. Read
their reflections accumulated over the 25 years since they created this magnificent monument—a testament to the courage and contributions of women throughout world history. The Intercession of God: A Novel (Archway Publishing) Bruce J. Bonafide (EMBA, ’81) spins the story of Gabriel Bonachi, a man who had it all—good looks, athleticism, and intelligence—all leading to his becoming a decorated U.S. Marine. Renowned for his bravery in Iraq and Afghanistan, he returned home, met success in law school, and was pursued by the top law firms from coast to coast upon graduating. Wealth and fame were in his grasp, yet war changed his life forever. Several instances of angelic sightings occur worldwide, seeming to signal the dawn of the apocalypse. Peculiar global phenomena arise, and Gabriel’s sister Theresa, a Carmelite nun in Wisconsin, appears to be at the center of them. Caught in the heart of this uncanny situation, Gabriel must learn his life’s purpose at the end of days.
THE FLAME Spring 2020
| 37
Bookshelf | New & Recent Releases
The Seven Secrets of a Stress Free Life (Amazon) From where does stress come, and how do we respond to it? For religion doctoral student Randal Johnson, the answers to both questions are found in the mind. Johnson is no stranger to the damage inflicted by stress. For many years he was a highly successful Wall Street investor, but he nearly lost everything and struggled to rebuild his life. That struggle included a journey to understand purpose and meaning in religion, philosophy, science, and a variety of self-help and improvement programs. The culmination of 20-plus years of research, personal experience, and academic studies, The Seven Secrets of a Stress Free Life, reveals the practical steps that Johnson uncovered to live stress-free…permanently.
examines women in survival communities, particularly how their voices are suppressed due to the principles in religious theology. Youssef observes that these principles reinforce women’s subordination as a survival condition. In focusing on examples within Black liberation, the Jewish holocaust, and diasporic Coptic theologies, Youssef reflects on each community’s approach to issues of gender as well as the phenomenon of religious discrimination in tandem (in other words, internal and external problems). CGU Professor of Religion Tammi Schneider calls it an “insightful volume” that showcases Youssef’s adept ability to “recognize the trauma of the group, the desire of the women to support the community, and yet provide an intelligent critique with a pathway for future strategies.”
Gendered Paradigms in Theologies of Survival: Silenced to Survive (Lexington Books) Revisiting her doctoral dissertation in her recent publication, Mariam Youssef (MA, Applied Women’s Studies, ’15; PhD, Religion, ’17)
Cultural Diplomacy and the Heritage of Empire: Negotiating Post-Colonial Returns (Routledge) In an expansion of her dissertation, Cynthia Scott (MA, Cultural Studies, ’06; PhD, History, ’14) brings us Cultural Diplomacy and
38 | Claremont Graduate University
the Heritage of Empire in which she analyzes competing post-colonial sentiments between the Netherlands and Indonesia in the 1970s. Using this case as precedent, Scott expands the study to the Greek “Elgin (Parthenon) Marbles,” the pre-Nigerian “Benin Bronzes,” and recent French-Dutch controversies to assert that post-colonial cultural property disputes (particularly those with museum items) throughout European history stem from former colonial-power officials’ attitudes on decolonization—all while culturally re-writing the history of their respective nations. The Drucker School Self-Management Course: Transform Your Results (President) CGU Drucker School of Management Associate Professor of Practice Jeremy Hunter recently celebrated a new achievement—landing on the Amazon Top 1000 in preorders for his new book available for Japanese audiences. The Drucker School Self-Management Course: Transform Your Results keenly focuses on “human capital” through acts such as mindfulness and self-man-
||
agement. This new book is aimed at Japanese readers with that subject in mind. We live in a stress-filled world where we often get unwanted results for our efforts—and self-management, Hunter shows, is the key to changing that. Hunter also is the founding director of the school’s Executive Mind Leadership Institute, which is dedicated to helping leaders thrive by enhancing their capacity for effective action.
direction holds the energies of a sacred element and also correlates to a stage in the life cycle”—as well as a response to the legacy of colonization and the ongoing challenges that many ancestral traditions still face today. Mindfulness and holistic living are certainly ideas that have quickly moved into mainstream culture, but this book pointedly reminds us that many other healing traditions embrace these principles as well.
Voices from the Ancestors: Xicanx and Latinx Spiritual Expressions and Healing Practices (University Arizona Press) Cal State Northridge Chicana/o studies professor Lara Medina (PhD, History, ’98) and her co-editor Martha Gonzales have created a vibrant, new anthology of wisdom writings about spiritual healing and practices found within many indigenous, ancestral traditions. Drawing on the writings and art of Xicanx, Latinx, and Afro-Latinx artists, the book is at once a fascinating collection of practices and insights into the natural world—“I was taught,” Medina writes of the four compass points, “that each
The Galactic Adventures of Hazel: Gurecoa (Austin Macauley Publishers) Starlight (MBA, ’10) taps into her diverse experiences and knowledge in many fields—from computer science and software engineering to management—to tell a story that explores how life could be changed by technology, especially artificial intelligence and space travel, in her young adult novel The Galactic Adventures of Hazel: Gurecoa. The first in the series, the novel centers on the characters of Hazel, Richie, and their alien best friend, Dmitri. Set in 4519 AD, the story follows these three heroes on their journeys through the
planetary worlds of Mars, Enceladus, Gly, and Drethna, encountering all sorts of shenanigans along the way. Adults and children alike can adventure through new worlds and galaxies in a story sure to keep readers on the edge of their seats. Plutonium & People Don’t Mix: Rocky Flats: Colorado’s Defunct Nuclear Bomb Factory (Rocky Mountain Peace & Justice Center) LeRoy Moore (PhD, Religion, ’66), a co-founder of the Rocky Mountain Peace & Justice Center, looks at the benighted history of the 176-acre nuclear manufacturing complex known as the Rocky Flats Plant in his intriguing chronicle, Plutonium & People Don’t Mix: Rocky Flats: Colorado’s Defunct Nuclear Bomb Factory. Moore left full-time teaching at the University of Denver to investigate the flats, co-founding the center in 1983. The volume provides a concise history of the flats, focusing on plutonium contamination as well as its immediate and lasting effects on those in the area. l
THE FLAME Spring 2020
| 39
Alumni Engagement
Multa Lumina Lux Una
A
s many of you know, the Office of Alumni Engagement has long been a resource to keep our alumni community connected through a variety of events, networking receptions, and opportunities for lifelong learning. We also want you to realize that we are still here for you during these challenging—even dark—times. Our university has developed several ways to connect with you virtually. We hope the following list of CGU resources will assist or inspire you in the weeks and months ahead. Although we cannot meet face-to-face in the short term, please remember: We are just an email or phone call away. ONLINE ENGAGEMENT If you haven’t already, we invite you to join us to learn, connect, and grow. There are many ways to do this, including: > Webinars
We are committed to offering lifelong learning opportunities to our alumni regardless of the difficult circumstances. Check your email and the alumni calendar for updates. > Podcasts
Challenging Times Supporting Our Alumni Rachel Jimenez, Director of Alumni Engagement & Annual Giving, shares some ways to stay in touch
40 | Claremont Graduate University
Our founding president, James Blaisdell, wrote that “the center of a college is in great conversation.” We believe this rings true today, and we’re committed to keeping the flame burning through podcasts that showcase the university’s diverse community of scholars, their innovative research, and the great conversations taking place on campus. For the newest podcasts produced by our students, faculty, and staff, check out our current listings at cgu.edu/news/podcasts and be sure to subscribe on iTunes, Spotify, or your podcasting platform of choice. CONNECT VIRTUALLY > Live Calls
Just because we can’t get together in person doesn’t mean we can’t get together for virtual networking. From industry-based chats and open discussions to more general and broad-based networking events, these virtual meetups will be something you won’t want to miss. Keep an eye on your email and check the alumni calendar for updates. > Facebook Group
We have a private Facebook group where alumni can connect, as well as share updates and resources. If you aren’t already a member, join by searching “Claremont Graduate University Alumni” on Facebook and click on the group to follow us. l
»
CATCHING UP: (From left) DPE Emeritus Professor Dale Berger and Kevin Williams (PhD, Information Systems & Technology, ’16) chat with CISAT professors Lorne Olfman and Yan Li.
A Time to Flourish High Turnout Marks First Summit
S
everal hundred alumni interested in flourishing in their private and professional lives visited campus in February for the inaugural Alumni Summit. The event—which will be held annually—brings together alumni for a day’s worth of TED-like talks conducted by members of the university’s community. “We’re here because we want to help you flourish in your lives and careers. All of you realize that you didn’t stop learning when you graduated. Learning continues for a lifetime,” said Drucker alumna and Division of Politics & Economics doctoral student Whitney Martinez, who served as the event’s emcee. “Flourishing” is a term heard with increasing frequency in professional, personal, and academic circles. The concept grows out of positive psychology and takes a more holistic view of the nature of meaning and self-fulfillment in life. As CGU President Len Jessup explained in his welcome remarks, the summit’s theme was intended to help attendees understand “better ways to thrive and feel successful” having listened to this year’s speakers. The day’s schedule consisted of a series of breakout sessions and lectures focusing on flourishing in daily life. One session
focused on the impact of purpose and meaning on human motivations, while another examined the impact of technology on health and well-being. There was a breakout session on the reasons that sleep is essential to thriving, and another on the need to create candor in organizations to promote flourishing. One speaker even looked at how to “hack the happiness molecule” to lead a more fulfilled life. The event was full of vibrant addresses and conversations. Alumni also had opportunities to network throughout the day, including a VIP reception held in the late afternoon at the home of Jessup and First Lady Kristi Staab. During the reception, Founding Alumni Board President Mustafa Mirza (MA, Government, ’78; MBA, ’80) and current Board President Michael Spicer (MBA ’11) both addressed their fellow alumni. Also, the alumni association presented Drucker MBA alumnus Tomo Yagisawa (MBA ’04) with a service award. Organizers say that this year’s robust turnout was an encouraging sign of the commitment of CGU alumni to their alma mater. Carry the flame! l
ALUMNI POWER: CGU Alumni Board President Michael Spicer addresses attendees during an afternoon cocktail reception at the president’s house.
THE FLAME Spring 2020
| 41
Class Notes | Alumni Achievements
Alumni Achievements
’62
Loran Anderson (PhD, Botany), who taught for many years at Florida State University and served as director and curator of the university’s R.K. Godfrey Herbarium, had her botanical work profiled by the Tallahassee Democrat.
’77
Sandy Lerner (MA, Government) was highlighted by Fox News in a super video featuring her career as Cisco Systems co-founder, and as someone who’s continuing to create interesting new companies and run the successful Ayrshire Farm in Northern Virginia.
’78|’79
Major General William Cohen (MA, PhD, Executive Management) published an article, “Why Peter Drucker Is Still Relevant In 2020 (And Beyond),” on the Process Excellence Network about his experiences as one of Peter Drucker’s students.
’78
Sylvia Whitlock (PhD, Education) described her experiences as the Rotary Club’s first female president, during a talk as part of a Coos Bay-North Bend Rotary Club meeting at the Mill-Casino Hotel in North Bend. She is a former elementary school principal in Duarte.
’85
Mukesh Aghi (PhD, Government), a member of CGU’s Board of Trustees, was profiled recently by India West in a piece looking at his leadership and efforts as leader of the U.S.-India Strategic Partnership to boost relations between the two countries.
’85
Robert Marbut (MA, Criminal Justice) took the opportunity to study with Peter Drucker when he was getting his master’s at CGU. He told reporters about his experience learning from Drucker during a recent visit with public service representatives in San Bernardino County. Marbut serves in the Trump Administration as executive director of the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness.
’85
Reza Rahgozar (PhD, Economics) was profiled by the website RiverTowns.net. Rahgozar came to the United States to complete his master’s in
42 | Claremont Graduate University
business before receiving his doctorate in economics from Claremont Graduate University. He had expected to return to Iran, but “then the revolution took place.”
’86
Daniel Solorzano (PhD, Education), a professor of education at UCLA, was honored in March at The Claremont Colleges’ annual Chicano/Latino Student Association (CLSA) dinner and celebration. Solorzano was designated CLSA’s distinguished alumnus on the occasion of the organization’s 50th anniversary. His work on educational equity and access has been recognized nationally.
’86
Bryan Taylor (PhD, Economics) published a piece looking at COVID-19’s impact on financial markets in Global Trade. Taylor is president and chief economist for Global Financial Data. He received his degree writing about the economics of the arts. He has taught both economics and finance at numerous universities in Southern California and in Switzerland.
’88
Richard Leib (MA, Politics & Policy) was honored by the Solana Beach School Board as he prepared to leave and take a seat on the UC Board of Regents.
’91
Michael Shermer’s (PhD, History) new book, Giving the Devil His Due, was reported on by the International Press Agency. Shermer is a New York Times bestselling author and founder of The Skeptic Society.
’93-’94
Robert Bunker (PhD, Political Science) has kept up a prolific schedule. In addition to his participation in Mesmerize, a workshop in Spain focusing on internal and external contraband and weaponry scanning, he co-authored a piece with John P. Sullivan about the transnational gang Mara Salvatrucha. He is also writing a book, The Islamic State English-Language Online Magazine Rumiyah (Rome): Research Guide, Narrative & Threat Analysis and U.S. Policy Response, with Pamela Ligouri Bunker (MA, Political Science).
’95
Milton C. Moreland (PhD, Religion), provost and vice president of academic affairs at Rhodes College, has been selected to serve as the 21st president of Kentucky’s private liberal arts institute, Centre College. A respected scholar of religion and an accomplished archaeologist, Moreland will begin his term on July 1.
’96
Justus Schlichting (PhD, Information Systems) was highlighted by Irvine Community News for his role as a commissioner of music and his connections with two of this year’s Grammy nominations: Nathalie Joachim’s Best World Music Album, Fanm d’Ayiti, and Philip Glass’s Best Chamber Music/Small Ensemble Performances Album, Perpetulum. Both were privately commissioned by Schlichting and his wife Elizabeth.
’96-’85
Gloria WillinghamToure (PhD, Education) was recently named by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) to be among the recipients of the Lillie V. Grigsby Community Service Award. Alumnus Felton Williams (PhD, Education) was also honored for his work in Civil Rights and Education. He currently serves as the president of the Long Beach Unified School District Board of Education. Both honorees were recognized at the NAACP Gala hosted by the Long Beach Branch of NAACP.
’97
Christa Cronan Maldonado (MA, Teacher Education) received an Educator of Excellence award from San Bernardino County. Maldonado is currently a high school history teacher for Valley View High School.
’01
Heidi Riggio (PhD, Psychology) was recognized by Cal State LA for excellence in the classroom and service to the community at its 2019 Fall Convocation. She was one of four professors honored for their teaching and scholarship.
’02
Lupe Holguin Buell (PhD, Education) was inducted into the San Diego County Women’s Hall of Fame. Buell was celebrated for her services as a lifelong educator who currently serves at San
PROVIDING WATER BY PUTTING HER PEOPLE FIRST HEATHER DYER (EMBA ’19) EXPLAINS that there’s no need to load up on water when you’re making that harried trip to the grocery store to stock up during the global pandemic. What you get from the tap is typically purer than the bottled variety, she says, and the supply is virtually endless. Her job is to make sure that this situation never changes. Dyer was promoted from staff biologist to general manager of the San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District on New Year’s Eve—the first female and one of just two non-engineers to lead the agency, which supplies water to retail providers serving 800,000 customers. Though water districts are accustomed to projects with lifecycles that can exceed 50 years, Dyer realized early on that she needed to
Diego State University as a lecturer, supervisor, and coordinator of the single-subject bilingual credential program.
’02|’03|’04|’08
Tamara Roust has been appointed as the new chief data officer for the Illinois Department of Innovation & Technology. There’s no doubt she’ll be an asset thanks to her professional experience and four (yes, FOUR) degrees from CGU: MA, Management; MS, Information Science; MS, Financial Engineering; and PhD, Information Science.
’03
Bryan K. Brandes (MBA) was appointed as Flexivan’s Vice President of Pacific Southwest Region Operations. Based in the Carson, CA service center office, he will lead and coordinate the management of FlexiVan’s regional operations including vendor management, service center operations, maintenance and repair, and chassis pool operations.
think in the short term, and quickly. With family in Seattle—near the nation’s first COVID-19 case—and expertise in pathogens, Dyer began preparing for the worst. She gathered her staff to create a response plan for a pandemic and was ready by March 16. “I thought we had another week,” she says, “but by the next day, we had to implement it.” The administration could work remotely, but they still needed someone at the pumping station to ensure that water flowed 24 hours a day. She implemented a strategy to have pairs of people working 12-hour shifts—one at the station and another in the field to handle maintenance, with the rest of the nine-person team rotating in or waiting on standby in case anyone fell ill. To date, everything is going as planned, and staff members and their families remain healthy. Dyer credits Jeremy Hunter, founding director of the Drucker School’s Executive Mind Leadership Institute, with helping prepare her to manage through a crisis. “I’ve developed what he calls ‘the zone of resilience,’ which has helped me focus on taking care of myself and my people,” Dyer says. “Peter Drucker always talked about the people being the business. From the outset, I’ve focused on keeping the staff safe and valued, and I’ve let them know that we’re going to get through this. I care about you, and you care about me. We’ve actually grown closer as a team. It’s been an amazing silver lining.” l
’03
Bomani Jones (MA, Politics & Economics) has created a highly successful career as an ESPN host and commentator in the nearly 20 years since he received his degree at CGU. Jones is spotlighted in a recent issue of the New Yorker in a discussion about the NBA, race, and more, and CGU is identified in the opening paragraph. (We’ll take it!)
’03
Triphon Phumiwasana (PhD, International Finance) was interviewed by the website Hubbis on his professional journey and the philosophy of Bangkok’s Kasikorn Bank, where he serves as managing director and private banking business head.
’03
Mark Wolfmeyer (MA, Teacher Education) has received the Kutztown University 2019 Chambliss Faulty Award. He’s an assistant professor in the Department of Secondary Education at the Pennsylvania institution.
’04
Loretta Adrian (PhD, Education) is the president of Coastline College in Orange County, CA. She was recently honored with the Outstanding President award from the California Community College Council for Staff and Organizational Development.
’04
Sophia Blankson (MA, Teacher Education) was chosen to participate in this year’s Los Angeles Times Festival of Books for her children’s book My Sister, My Friend: Growing Up With My Sister in West Africa.
’06-’07
Monica Williams (MBA), VP of digital products and operations for NBCUniversal, participated in a Drucker Breakfast Club and talked about her professional journey with moderator Kristine Kawamura (PhD, Management), founder and CEO of Yoomi Consulting Group, Inc., and an adjunct clinical professor at the Drucker School.
THE FLAME Spring 2020
| 43
Class Notes | Alumni Achievements
’08
Sehel Bawaney (MA, Teacher Education) has been named the National Association of Biology Teachers (NABT) 2019 Outstanding Biology Teacher in California. Bawaney teaches AP biology and anatomy as well as physiology at Sonora High School in La Habra, CA, where she serves as the science department chair.
’08
Kara Unger (MA, Teacher Education) started a nonprofit organization called Gable Farms in Riverside, CA. Gable Farms is dedicated to providing work opportunities for adults with cognitive and developmental disabilities.
’09
Leena Bakshi (MA, Teacher Education) currently runs the nonprofit organization STEM4REAL. The company trains teachers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, combined with principles of equity and social justice.
’09
Cynthia Olivo (PhD, Education), who is currently the Vice President of Student Services at Pasadena Community College, was selected to be the Grand Marshal of the Pasadena Latino Heritage Parade.
’10
Danielle Blaylock (PhD, Psychology) and her team have been recognized with a Queen’s Anniversary Prize, presented during a ceremony at Buckingham Palace. Her team has been lauded for their work at Northern Ireland’s Queen’s University on “shared education” as it relates to segregated schools in conflict and post-conflict societies.
’11
Jennifer Peiratt (PhD, Education) has followed up her first book publication, Keep It Real With PBL (Elementary), with a second book, Keep It Real with PBL (Secondary),” released in January.
’11
Hollis Phelps (PhD, Religion), assistant professor of religion, was elected vice president-elect of the American Academy of Religion Southeast Region (AAR-SE) during its recent Southeastern Commission for the Study of Religion Conference.
’11
Elizabeth Romero (MA, Politics, Economics & Business) is one of several candidates running for an open state senate seat in Indio County. Romero
44 | Claremont Graduate University
is assistant vice chancellor of government and community relations at UC Riverside. For more on CGU alumni in public office, see page 32.
’11
Anne-Elizabeth Sobieski’s (MFA) artwork was featured in a frontpage story in a January edition of the South Pasadena Review. The article describes her journey from the Art Institute of Chicago, to Disney Interactive, to CGU, as well as the main exhibits featuring her work.
’14-’15
Yolanda ClevelandFriday (PhD, Education), Matt Witenstein (PhD, Education), and colleagues have just published “Invoking Fear, Hope, and Action: A Reflective Response to Navigating the Climate for Immigrants at Three Inland Empire, California Community Colleges” in About Campus. The publications is a bimonthly publication for educators examining contemporary issues, policies, and practices that influence student learning in higher education.
’14
Michael Knecht (MBA) was selected as the president of AdventHealth Shawnee Mission, a 504-bed hospital facility located in Johnson County, Kansas.
programs at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.
’16
Ted Gover (PhD, Politics & Policy) recently published the commentary, “As non-Jews, it’s our job to combat anti-Semitism” on The Hill website. Gover also met with members of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Command and Staff College in the fall and recently published the commentary piece, “Value of Alliance,” in the Korean Times.
’16
Kristen K. White (PhD, Education), chair and assistant professor of Belhaven University’s Intercultural Studies Department, was given the 2020 MHC Teacher Award on Dec. 16 by the Mississippi Humanities Council. The award recognizes humanities faculty members at each of Mississippi’s colleges and universities.
’17
Luis-Genaro Garcia (PhD, Education) recently was hired as assistant professor of art education at California State University, Sacramento. Garcia had a recent body of work that was featured in the Los Angeles Times: He re-created the front page of newspapers to talk about L.A. history through car culture.
’15
’18-’18
’15
Angel Perez (PhD, Education) was featured in a New York Times article entitled “What College Admissions Offices Really Want.”
’18
’15
Matt Witenstein (PhD, Education), assistant professor in the School of Education and Health Sciences at the University of Dayton, became associate editor for the journal, Diaspora, Indigenous, and Minority Education. He was also selected to be section chair for international higher education for the upcoming Association for the Study of Higher Education conference in November 2020.
’18
Christopher Brownell (PhD, Education) released a book with Sunil Singh entitled Math Recess: Playful Learning in an Age of Disruption, published by IMPress.
’16
Sydney Bueno (PhD, Education) was awarded the Outstanding Teacher Educator award last spring at the University of Wisconsin and was appointed Director of Graduate and Innovative
Sean Hauze (PhD, Education) and Helina Hoyt (PhD, Education) have been nominated for the Best Paper Award in the American Educational Research Association’s Instructional Technology SIG. Danielle Jarvie (PhD, Education) has been appointed Senior Research Analyst reporting to the LAUSD’s Board of Education. Kiera Peacock (MA, Cultural Studies) was featured in the fall in a CGU video and a Claremont Courier article about her role as the curator of the university’s Paul Gray PC Museum.
’18
Meg Warren (PhD, Psychology) has been selected for the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology Dissertation Award on the heels of a similar recognition at the IPPA World Congress of Positive Psychology in Melbourne, Australia. Warren is now an assistant professor on track for early tenure in the business school at Western Washington University. l
Class Notes | In Memoriam
»
In Memoriam CHRIS DARROW Singer, songwriter, country-rock pioneer, and member of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Chris Darrow died in January of complications from a stroke. He was 75. A much-beloved figure in Claremont and beyond, Darrow was born in 1944 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and grew up in Claremont. He attended Pitzer College (where he studied folk and bluegrass music) before studying art at CGU. His father Paul, an influential artist and educator in Claremont, predeceased him last fall. See adjacent obituary. Darrow was a gifted multi-instrumentalist and co-founder of the group Kaleidoscope in 1966 with fellow Claremonter David Lindley. He would go on to play with the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band before forming the Corvettes, which Linda Ronstadt recruited to be her backing band. In the 1960s and 1970s, Darrow played alongside and knew many of the era’s most celebrated musicians. He recorded with dozens of artists throughout the 1970s—including James Taylor and Leonard Cohen—and released ten solo records. For many young musicians, Darrow served as a mentor, supporter, and friend. He was working on a memoir at the time of his death, according to the Claremont Courier. Countless musician tributes appeared in the days after the news of his death. “Chris Darrow died this morning,” wrote The Monkees’s Michael Nesmith. “Hard to explain his life, and harder to express my sense of loss. He was an artist, and he had a vision… like almost no other.” Ben Harper, another fellow Claremonter, tweeted the lyrics of a Darrow song. At the end of the tweet, Harper wrote, “I didn’t go to [school emoji]. I went to Chris Darrow.”
REMEMBERING PAUL DARROW Gifting the world with his artistic eye and sense of humor Acclaimed multi-media artist, cartoonist, professor, and mentor Paul Darrow passed away last fall at the age of 98. Darrow was a key player in distinguishing Claremont as an essential center of mid-twentieth century post-war modernism in Southern California. In addition, Darrow was wellknown in the Claremont community for nearly 50 years for his art and educational contributions to the Claremont Colleges and the Claremont Courier. After serving in World War II, Darrow studied art at Claremont Graduate School from 1945 – 1949. Shortly after completing his master’s degree, he started gaining recognition as an artist when his well-known cartoons began appearing in the Courier (and continued for the next 50 years). Most of Darrow’s beloved cartoons depicted his interpretation of the social and political atmosphere of the decades. Throughout his time in Claremont, Darrow’s popularity continued to grow after 37 years of teaching at Scripps College, Claremont Graduate School, Otis Parsons, and the California Institute of Technology. Darrow, along with Millard Sheets, Betty Davenport Ford, and others, were celebrated in the documentary “Design for Modern Living: Millard Sheets and the Claremont Art Community 1935-1975.” For longtime CGU professor and artist Roland Reiss, Darrow was “…an outstanding key professor in the Scripps College art program and with many students at Claremont Graduate University.” Darrow’s art extended far beyond city lines, appearing in multiple galleries across California, and his cartoons have appeared in the New York Times and New York Magazine. His talents and passion for the arts had no limits; he gifted the world with hundreds of pieces of ceramics, collages, book illustrations, photography, painting, and writing. “He brought to every situation a sense of humor that was amusing, bantering, playful, and challenging on a very subtle level. Everyone loved being around him because he brought such a good spirit to everything, including the creative enterprise,” said Reiss. Darrow is survived by his children Joan Darrow and her husband, David Lindley; Elizabeth Darrow Jones; and Eric Darrow and his wife Rochelle Darrow. He is also survived by his grandchildren Steven Darrow, Roseanne Lindley, Eric Cartwright, Mahlea Jones-Bergmann, Lauren Jones, and Bryce Darrow; and great-grandchildren Brennen, Vivienne, Desmond, and Ciel. l
THE FLAME Spring 2020
| 45
Class Notes | In Memoriam
LAMONT HEMPEL | PhD, ’83 Lamont “Monty” Hempel, University of Redlands Hedco chairman of environmental studies and the director of the Center for Environmental Studies, died in December after a brief illness. He was 69. Before moving to Redlands, Hempel had lived in Claremont for more than 20 years and had served as a professor at Pitzer College and at Claremont Graduate University, where he also administered the Center for Public Policy. Hempel joined the University of Redlands College of Arts and Sciences faculty in 1999 and, as the Hedco chairman, directed the growth of environmental programs at the university, including creating the Department of Environmental Studies, as well as developing curriculum in the former Whitehead College and the Redlands Institute. Hempel also chaired the Sustainability Council at the university. Each year he took students to the tiny island nation of Palau to study sustainability in action in a place known for its beautiful and fragile coral reefs and traditional culture, both trying to withstand the ravages of modern society. He was devoted to young people and believed they were the promise for the future. Hempel also was a documentary filmmaker and made more than 25 films,
46 | Claremont Graduate University
Quilt Series Study No. 32, Fred Schoellkopf
specializing in works about coral ecosystems, sustainability, wilderness preservation, and biodiversity. His film Spirit of Place won the John Muir Award for excellence. Hempel is survived by his wife, CGU alumna Marilyn; sons Julian and Peadar; and grandsons Riley, Declan, Torin, Callen, and Michael. J. FRED SCHOELLKOPF III | MFA, ’68 A widely exhibited painter known for his geometric abstract art and use of colors, J. Fred Schoellkopf III died last December at the age of 88. Born in Dallas, Texas, in 1931, he studied geology at Princeton University before beginning his professional life as a financial adviser in Dallas. Seven years later, he moved to California to pursue his MFA at CGU, completing his degree in 1968. "The nature of my designs forces maximum interaction from the colors," he told an interviewer about his approach to his art. With Eileen, his wife of 46 years, Schoellkopf traveled the world and collected art and inspiration for his paintings. Schoellkopf worked in a studio loft in downtown Pasadena where he created his large-scale artwork and exhibited throughout Southern California and the United States. His paintings have been shown by the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Pomona Public Library, Mt.
San Antonio College, Eastern New Mexico University, and the Pasadena Arts Council, as well as appearing in many private collections. His artwork was awarded first prize in the Pasadena Art Council's annual show in both 1980 and 1981. His final exhibit was in 2014 at the Towns Burr Gallery, where the Pasadena Society of Artists named him a Distinguished Artist and celebrated his lifetime of work. He is survived by his daughter Sarah Anne Schoellkopf, son-in-law Richard William Neil, granddaughter Anna Jessica Schoellkopf Neil, step-grandchildren Alexandra and Robert Neil, brother George Schoellkopf and his husband Gerald Incandela, and sister Anne Coke, along with nieces, nephews, and many beloved cousins. KERMIT STAGGERS | PhD, History, ’86 A longtime crusader against high taxes and excessive government spending in South Dakota, Kermit Staggers died last fall. He was 72. Born in 1947, Staggers graduated from the University of Idaho and went on to serve as an intelligence officer in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War. He later studied American history at CGU and became a professor at the University of Sioux Falls, where he taught for more than 30 years. Though his full-time occupation was teaching, Staggers developed a political career that extended over 20 years and included serving eight years in the South Dakota Senate and 12 years on the Sioux Falls City Council. He was distinguished for his fiscal conservatism and applauded by many in the state’s Republican Party. The Argus Leader, the Sioux Falls daily newspaper, described Staggers as “a soft-spoken, gentlemanly college professor whose antipathy for government spending earned him the nickname ‘Dr. No.’ ” He was a tireless campaigner, the newspaper reported, who walked door-to-door to visit voters and developed a strong following in the city; despite that following,
||
adjunct professor of art at Cal Poly Pomona and taught music, art, and English as a second language in the city’s public schools. Tanega also returned her attention to her art, and Claremont Heritage held a recent exhibit of her landscape and abstract paintings.
Norma Tanega
he still fell short in a run-off election for the office of Sioux Falls mayor in 2010. Staggers is survived by wife June Staggers and their two children, Kyle and Ayn. NORMA TANEGA | MFA, ’62 Singer-songwriter Norma Tanega, known for her hit 1966 single “Walkin’ My Cat Named Dog,” died in December in Claremont after a battle with colon cancer, according to news reports. She was 80. Born in 1938 in Vallejo, Calif., Tanega grew up in Long Beach, the daughter of a Navy bandmaster/musician and a homemaker. Tanega pursued her love of the arts—as a teen, she gave classical piano recitals and taught herself the guitar—at Scripps College before receiving her MFA from CGU and moving to Manhattan to join the folk music scene. As a young musician, Tanega faced the economic challenges affecting many up-and-coming artists, and this inadvertently led to her hit song. “I had always wanted a dog,” she explained on her website, “but because of my living situation, I could only have a cat. I named my cat Dog and wrote a song about my dilemma.” That song—which celebrated freedom as well as her musical talents with guitar and harmonica—would eventually reach No. 22 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and led to new career opportunities for Tanega.
Tanega joined a nationwide tour with Gene Pitney, Chad & Jeremy, and many other artists. In 1966, she performed in England and met British pop star Dusty Springfield, with whom she wrote or cowrote numerous songs, including “No Stranger Am I” and “The Color of Your Eyes.” Although Tanega never had another hit single, she would return to Claremont and continue to perform with several bands, including Hybrid Vigor and the Latin Lizards. She also served as an
Joann Taylor
JOANN TAYLOR | PhD, Education, ’76 A tireless supporter of education and social causes, JoAnn Taylor passed away January 29 after having battled cancer. Born in 1937 in Detroit, Michigan, Taylor earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education from Wayne State University before completing her doctorate at CGU (then Claremont Graduate School) in 1975. For daughter Rahdi, Taylor was a pioneering figure who was one of “few women and fewer women of African American heritage” to pursue a doctoral degree at that time. That same year she joined the faculty at Pepperdine University and served with distinction for 25 years until her retirement in 2000. Pepperdine honored Taylor for her service with the distinction of professor emerita. During Taylor’s academic career, she served with many educational organizations, including the California Council on Education of Teachers and the Advisory Panel for the California Commission of Teacher Credentialing, which awarded her a certificate of appreciation for outstanding service. She also served on the executive and editorial boards of the California Reading Association, the California Association of Colleges of Teacher Education, and the Santa Monica Bay Area Reading Association, for which she served as president. A devoted Quaker and volunteer with numerous state and non-profit organizations, including the state’s prison system, Taylor is predeceased by her mother Davieree Headings, husband Sean Masterson, and by her daughter Shelley Zinzi Taylor. She is survived by sister Lorraine Isaac and family, brother David Headings and family, and by her daughter Rahdi Taylor, and granddaughter Hailey Taylor Maynard. l
THE FLAME Spring 2020
| 47
End Paper
Powerful Pipes Photo by William Vasta When music master’s student Tyler Zimmerman offered a public performance of organ pieces by Bach and others last fall, there was one obvious venue for the performance: Claremont United Church of Christ (CUCC) on Harrison Avenue. The church is home to a glorious organ jointly created in 1998 by the German firm Glatter-Götz Orgelbau and L.A.-based Rosales Organ Builders. From its console to its swell box and pipes, the CUCC organ is a soaring instrument that serves the performance needs of musicians such as Zimmerman or PhD student in organ performance Lynnette McGee, who is pictured here during a rehearsal this spring. To watch her session, visit CGU’s YouTube channel at cgu.edu/youtube. “It’s been said that the CUCC organ ‘draws the music out of the performer’ with its sensitive tracker action via extremely
48 | Claremont Graduate University
thin spruce trackers,” says Zimmerman, who juggles his master’s program with his day job as a research engineer (He already has a doctorate in analytical chemistry!) and as an organist for nearby Trinity United Methodist Church in Pomona. “Having been a freelance church organist in places like Beverly Hills, Rancho Cucamonga, and Pasadena,” he says, “I can say that the CUCC organ has this unique effect on the performer, which I have never experienced with any other organ.” CUCC also provides a performance space for recitals by keyboardists, vocalists, violinists, choruses, and other students in CGU’s music programs. Zimmerman says the CUCC venue “attracts some of today’s most famous organists, and their well-attended recitals provide CGU students with invaluable networking opportunities in the organ performance community at large.” “Ye soft pipes, play on!” l
Join the Claremont Graduate University Alumni Facebook Group to connect with the campus— and each other!
Group Membership Benefits n n
Network with colleagues Post job openings
n n
Share resources Ask questions of fellow alumni
To Join Go to facebook.com/alumnicgu, click the “Groups” tab on the left-hand side, and then click the “+Join Group” button to the right of “Claremont Graduate University Alumni.” Once you are approved, feel free to share your personal and professional updates, interesting articles, and employment opportunities. Also, invite other alumni! If you are interested in helping moderate this group or being part of our team of advisors, or if you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please email Rachel Jimenez at rachel.jimenez@cgu.edu.
LET CGU PUT SOME ART IN YOUR LIFE DISCOVER the saturated colors and rich textures that suggest deep space in Tyler Floren’s oil paintings. EXPERIENCE Lynnette McGee playing from Louis Vierne’s Symphonie III on a breathtaking pipe organ. EXPLORE placemaking, constructed borders, and belonging in William Camargo’s photo-based art. RELISH Concordia Clarimontis as they rehearse surrounded by Jessica Csanky's beautiful artworks. EXAMINE the ancient story of Gilgamesh, its concepts of religion, masculinity, and gender, in the recently acquired works of Syrian artist Saad Yagan. Other schools talk about creating impact. CGU delivers. See for yourself, subscribe now at cgu.edu/youtube
Detail: Tyler Floren Luster | 2019 Oil on Canvas | 48" x 72"