The Leading Edge

Events

January 27

Is There a Need for a New, an Ecological, Justice? Monday, Jan. 27, 10:00 a.m,. in Milam 319.   Environmental philosophy candidate Robert Melchor Figueroa will discuss the differences and synergies between environmental and ecological justice theories.

All are cordially invited to presentations by finalists for the American lit/Latino/a literature search in the School of Writing, Literature, and Film: Cristina León (Ph.D. Emory, expected May 2014) – “Returning to the Source: Taíno Figurations in Ana Mendieta’s Caves” – Mon., Jan. 27, 4:00 p.m. Moreland 330.

We are pleased to invite you to presentations by finalists for the Public Economics/International Trade search in the School of Public Policy, upcoming: Stephan Lindner (The Urban Institute) – “Characteristics & Employment of Applicants for Social Security Disability Insurance over the Business Cycle”– Mon., Jan 27, 4:00-5:30 p.m., Bexell 412.

January 28

Healing Landscapes: Wellness and Place in Coastal Salish Religious Life:  Jan. 28, 7:00 p.m., MU Journey Room.   Suzanne Crawford O’Brian (Pacific Lutheran) will explore the way in which places serve as sources for healing within Coast Salish cultures, and how Coast Salish people are, in turn, working to heal landscapes, restore native plants and animals, and build spaces for health and wholeness within their communities.

January 29

All are cordially invited to presentations by finalists for the American lit/Latino/a literature search in the School of Writing, Literature, and Film: Rosa Angelica Martinez (Ph.D. Berkeley, expected May 2014) –“Passing and Passage: The Figure and Narrative of Spanish Masquerade” – Wed., Jan. 29, 4:00 p.m., Moreland 330.

January 31

Politically Engaged and Objective:  A How-to Guide for Philosophers and Scientists.   Jan. 31, 12:00 p.m., in Milam 301.   Join us for the inaugural School of History, Philosophy and Religion lunch bunch of 2014 with philosophy professor Sharyn Clough, co-director of the Phronesis Lab for Engaged Ethics.

Music à la Carte: Flutist Sue Gillespie and harpist Laura Zaerr perform beautiful music from Hawaii on Fri., Jan. 31 at 12:00 p.m. in the Memorial Union Lounge. Admission is free.

We are pleased to invite you to presentations by finalists for the public economics/international trade search in the School of Public Policy, upcoming: Yibei Liu (University of Colorado – Boulder) – “The Evolution of Global Value Chain: Theory and Evidence” Fri, Jan. 31, 4-530 pm Kelley Engineering Bldg Rm 1003.

News

New queer studies minors in the School of Language, Culture and Society  and the Women, Gender, & Sexuality Studies  program began this term at the undergraduate, Master’s and PhD levels.  For more information, contact Dr. Qwo-Li Driskill at: Qwo-Li.Driskill@oregonstate.edu.

PRI’s The World interviews OSU anthropology faculty Kenneth Maes on the issue of fair pay for community health workers in low-income countries.  The reporter, Amy Costello, provides a series of reports to PRI on “Tracking Charity: A Global Investigative Project.”  She contacted Dr. Maes after reading his research publications on unpaid community health workers in Ethiopia. On December 19, 2013, the story aired on PRI, and can be found on the web at: http://www.pri.org/stories/2013-12-19/thousands-health-workers-senegal-receive-no-pay-fair

“Transformation without Apocalypse: How to Live Well on an Altered Planet,” featuring Tim DeChristopher, Ursula K. LeGuin, Joanna Macy, Kim Stanley Robinson and other speakers, will explore tangible visions of new/old ways of human thriving that don’t exhaust the Earth. This free, public symposium takes place Friday – Saturday, February 14-15 at the LaSells Stewart Center, OSU. Registration for free workshops and detailed schedule information is available at: http://liberalarts.oregonstate.edu/centers-and-initiatives/spring-creek-project/

College of Liberal Arts scholarship applications are now available. Please direct interested CLA students to: http://liberalarts.oregonstate.edu/scholarships. The application deadline is Friday, March 21, 2014 at 5:00 p.m. Faculty and staff are encouraged to write letters of recommendation for students. Questions about scholarships can be emailed to: liberalarts@oregonstate.edu.

Hua-yu Li of political science was interviewed and quoted in the Wall Street Journal article entitled: China Spins New Lesson from the Soviet Union’s Fall. The article appeared on Dec. 11, 2013. WSJ does not give out links for their articles as a matter of their policy, but it can be found with a Google search.

Awards and Honors

Congratulations to senior instructor of Spanish and the Center for Latino/a Research and Engagement associate director of engagement Loren Chavarria for winning 2014’s Phyllis S. Lee Award, which recognizes a commitment to social justice and the teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Chavarria has made outstanding contributions to heritage speakers at OSU, as well as creating long and trusting relationships with Latino/a communities statewide.

Congratulations to philosophy adjunct professor Tony Vogt, who has been awarded the 2014 Frances Dancy Hooks Award by the MLK Planning Committee.  The award was presented at the 32nd Annual Peace Breakfast.

Congratulations to assistant professor of English Elena Passarello, whose book Let Me Clear My Throat was named an Oregon Book Award finalist.

Congratulations to Dana Reason, pianist, and director of popular music studies in the School of Arts and Communication. Her recent album, “Angle of Vision,” was reviewed and given four stars in the February issue of “Downbeat,” one of the most influential, internationally recognized magazines in the world of jazz.

Congratulations to music professor Tina Bull, who is completing her second year as president of the Oregon Music Education Association, and to several OSU faculty and ensembles who presented and/or performed at the OMEA conference in Eugene, Jan. 16-19: Jason Silviera; the Oregon State University Steel Band; the OSU Meistersingers, under the direction of Russ Christensen; and director of choral studies Steven Zielke.

Congratulations to the Chillán Study Abroad Program for celebrating ten years and going strong. Last term, Susan Shaw, director of the School of Language, Culture & Society, traveled to Chillán, Chile with the OSU Program Coordinator Lucía Robelo to meet with the President of the Universidad del Bío Bío to discuss moving forward.  Among the new endeavors are faculty exchanges with the UBB, as well as a student exchange program.

Current Research and Publications

Associate director of the Center for Latino/a Studies, ethnic studies associate professor and adjunct professor of international health Daniel Lopez-Cevallos’ paper, “Prevalence and Correlates of Food Insecurity Among Students Attending a Midsize Rural University in Oregon” was published in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior on Jan. 9, 2014.

Creative writing and composition instructor Kristin Griffin recently published a food/literary guide to Corvallis: http://www.eatthispoem.com/city-guides/corvallis/