[InFocus] In Focus

[su-infocus at southwestern.edu]

 IN FOCUS: March 14, 2008
 
* TOP NEWS *
	  	*CALENDAR*
APRIL 3-4 SYMPOSIUM AT SOUTHWESTERN WILL EXPLORE THE SELF-WORLDS OF 
ANIMALS 	  	*CAMPUS CALENDAR *

To view upcoming events at Southwestern by day, week or month, click 
here <http://www.southwestern.edu/sucalendar/main.php>.

"What's in your umwelt?"

Those who attend the April 3-4 Brown Symposium at Southwestern will be 
able to answer this question.

Symposium organizer Jesse Purdy, a professor of psychology at 
Southwestern, explains that "umwelt" comes from an influential 1934 
paper by German researcher Jakob von Uexkull (Yewks-kill), who argued 
that to truly understand animal behavior, one must appreciate the 
animal's "umwelt," (oom-velt) or self-world. This self-world is 
determined in part by the animal's sensory and motor systems.

Purdy will introduce the community to the self-worlds of animals in a 
symposium he has titled "Umwelt: Exploring the Self-Worlds of Human and 
Non-human Animals." Topics to be addressed at the symposium, Purdy says, 
include "How can we understand the self-worlds of non-human animals?" 
and, "If we can, what will we learn and how will that learning influence 
our treatment of non-human animals?"

To read the rest of the story, click here 
<http://www.southwestern.edu/cgi-bin/newsroom/article.cgi?id=72>.

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FAYEZ SAROFIM RECEIVES PRESIDENT'S PHILANTHROPY AWARD FROM SOUTHWESTERN

Houston investment manager Fayez Sarofim has received the President's 
Philanthropy Award from Southwestern. The award was presented March 7.

Sarofim has given more than $15 million to Southwestern since he first 
became involved with the university in 1968. Most of his contributions 
have supported the university's school of fine arts, which now bears his 
name.

In 1995, Sarofim gave an anonymous $3.5 million donation to fund a new 
visual arts wing on Southwestern's Alma Thomas Fine Arts Center. This 
gave the university its first fine arts gallery, as well as additional 
music studios and classrooms, and much-needed studios for painting and 
drawing.

In 1999, Sarofim pledged $8 million for a major renovation to the Fine 
Arts Center. In recognition of this gift, the Southwestern Board of 
Trustees voted to name the school of fine arts The Fayez Sarofim School 
of Fine Arts. The renovation project -- which included a complete 
overhaul of the 720-seat Alma Thomas Theater, began in 2005 and was 
completed in late 2007. It gives Southwestern University as fine a 
performing arts facility as any liberal arts college in the country. 
When costs of the renovation project rose unexpectedly, Sarofim later 
gave an additional $1.5 million for the project.

In addition to supporting the arts, Sarofim has made regular 
contributions to Southwestern's annual fund (now called The Southwestern 
Fund), which supports priority needs on campus such as scholarships, 
faculty development, library resources, and technology improvements.

"Few persons in Southwestern's storied history have had the impact Fayez 
Sarofim has had," said President Jake B. Schrum. "Through his management 
of much of Southwestern's endowment as well as his philanthropy, he has 
played a major part in Southwestern's transformation from a good 
regional liberal arts college to a peer of many of the best national 
liberal arts colleges in America."

To read the rest of the story, click here 
<http://www.southwestern.edu/cgi-bin/newsroom/article.cgi?id=71>.

EVENTS
SOUTHWESTERN TO HOST TEXAS UNITED METHODIST HISTORICAL SOCIETY ANNUAL 
MEETING MARCH 28-29

The Texas United Methodist Historical Society will hold its annual 
meeting at Southwestern University March 28 and 29. The theme of the 
meeting is "The 40th Anniversary of the Abolition of the Central 
Jurisdiction: The Church Deals with Institutional Racism."

Three papers on the subject of Methodism and race will be delivered on 
Friday, March 28. William Montgomery will address the group on "No 
Galleries in Heaven: African Americans and the United Methodist Church 
in Texas." William B. Jones will speak on "Southwestern History as Seen 
in Reference to the Old and the New South." Terry Bilhartz will speak on 
"Conscience and Compromise: Racial Politics within Early American 
Methodism."

On Saturday, March 29, attendees are invited to come with prepared 
statements of memories, anecdotes, etc. related to their participation 
in the desegregation of Methodism in Texas. The Saturday session will 
also feature the Kate Warnick Awards for best local church histories 
published in the last year and the business meeting of the Society.

Other highlights of the program will include the celebration of the 
100th anniversary of the founding of the Texas Methodist Historical 
Association at Southwestern University in 1908 and recognition of Dr. 
William B. Jones for his "To Survive and Excel: The Story of 
Southwestern University 1840-2000" published in 2005. An initiative by 
the Rev. and Mrs. Oscar Garza to preserve the history of 
Spanish-speaking Methodists in Texas will also be lifted up.

All persons interested in the history of Methodism in Texas are welcome. 
Registration for the meeting is $25 and should be mailed to the Rev. 
John C. Johnson, 6766 Silver Saddle Rd., Fort Worth, Texas 76126. A more 
detailed schedule and a list of lodging in Georgetown can be found at 
here <http://txmethhistory.blogspot.com>.

MEDIA COVERAGE

. The /Williamson County Sun/ ran an article about the dedication 
ceremony for the renovated Alma Thomas Fine Arts Center.

. The /Williamson County Sun/ ran an article about the high school 
environmental summit sponsored by Southwestern.

. The /Williamson County Sun /ran an article about students who will be 
doing service trips over spring break.

NOTABLES

Senior *Alison Kuo* received the first Fayez Sarofim Passion for the 
Arts Award. The award was created to honor graduating seniors who 
exhibit the same passion for the arts that Sarofim has. The award comes 
with a $500 cash prize and, beginning next year, will be presented 
annually at the Honors Convocation.

*Frank Guziek*, Dishman Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry, *Lynn 
Guziek*, assistant professor of chemistry and honors student *Kyle 
Marshall* have had their article titled "The structure-based design, 
synthesis and biological evaluation of DNA-binding bisintercalating 
bisanthrapyrazole anticancer compounds" accepted for publication in 
/Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry/.

Three student ecologists, *Sarah Hensley*, *Colin Kyle* and *James 
McDonough*, presented their research on invasive applesnails at the 
Texas Academy of Sciences meeting in Corpus Christi on Friday, March 
7th. Hensley's presentation titled "Small snails grow up fast" received 
an Honorable Mention award in the undergraduate competition for oral 
presentations. Professor Romi Burks served as Section Chair for the 
Freshwater and Marine Section of the Academy.

 

/Have a submission for "Notables"? Send it to infocus at southwestern.edu. /

-- 
Katy Boose
Editorial Coordinator
Southwestern University
1001 E. University Ave.
Georgetown, TX 78626
512-863-1487
boosek at southwestern.edu
www.southwestern.edu

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