Take a walk through the new College of Liberal Arts Building, and the building feels as fresh and modern as it feels warm and lived-in—an impressive feat for a place that just opened in January. “This is our shot at greatness,” says Randy Diehl, dean of the College of Liberal Arts. “This building ensures that […]
Features
Life Lessons from the Great Books
Students explore themes that have shaped modern civilization For any of life’s challenges, there is a Great Book to offer valuable insight. From Homer’s “Odyssey” to Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” to George Orwell’s “Animal Farm,” the world’s greatest tomes have touched on themes that are as relevant today as when they were written. Tracing the ideas, stories […]
A New World Pope
2013 marks a historic year for the Catholic Church. In an unexpected move, Pope Benedict XVI announced his resignation, becoming the first pontiff to step down in nearly 600 years. Now–for the first time ever–a Jesuit from Latin America will lead more than one billion Catholics worldwide. In light of these monumental changes, we caught […]
Undergraduate Writing Center Celebrates 20 Years of Service
In 1993 the Undergraduate Writing Center opened its doors to students of all majors in need of help on various writing-intensive projects—from research papers to résumés to scholarship application statements. To celebrate its 20-year anniversary, the writing center hosted its first large-scale symposium titled “The Future of Writing Centers” on Feb. 22-24. The event featured […]
Home Sweet Home?
Take a look at your bedroom. Is it scattered with laundry? Adorned with photos? Are you only leaving a sliver of space in the closet for your partner’s clothes? These seemingly mundane domestic scenarios may reveal a surprising amount of information about a couple’s relationship, according to a forthcoming study led by Lindsay Graham, a […]
2013 Pro Bene Meritis Award Recipients
The College of Liberal Arts is proud to announce the 2013 Pro Bene Meritis Award recipients. The Honorable Ben Barnes, Toyin Falola, Jeanne and Michael Klein, and Marion Mark were chosen for their outstanding service to the college. The Honorable Ben Barnes is a graduate of The University of Texas Law School and was elected […]
A New Building for a New Era
Just in time for the spring semester, the new College of Liberal Arts Building will make its debut. The 200,000 square-foot, glass and limestone structure will give more than 10,000 liberal arts students a place to call home for the first time in decades. Not only is the building the newest landmark for the campus, […]
Q&A: Is the Texas Twang Dying Out?
Go to any small Texas town and you’re likely to get an earful of “y’alls,” “might-coulds” and “fixin tos.” But in big cities like Austin, Dallas and Houston, Texans are sounding a lot less like cowpokes and more like other Americans. With a surge of newcomers, rapid urbanization and new technology, the Lone Star State’s […]
Do You Speak Texan?
Despite drastic changes to the iconic accent, most Texans will continue to use their twang in the right situation Since this story was featured in Life & Letters last spring, English Professor Lars Hinrichs’ research on the evolution of the iconic Texas twang has been featured in several national media outlets, including TIME, NPR and […]
Q&A: Beauty and Social Justice
A staunch defender of beauty, Harvard University professor and award-winning author Elaine Scarry shows how appreciating aesthetic pleasures can press us toward a greater concern for social justice in her book “On Beauty and Being Just.” Drawing inspiration from writers and philosophers – as well as her own personal experiences – Scarry shares some provocative […]
Fate of the Book
Public forum series examines the uncertain future of the book The Harry Ransom Center’s Gutenberg Bible is among the world’s most valuable books. Printed more than 550 years ago, it is one of only 21 complete copies known to exist. To discover an intact copy today would be a rare find, but not as rare […]
Silver Tsunami
Psychology researchers target vascular disease to prevent the coming flood of Alzheimer’s patients It’s called the “Silver Tsunami” – the swelling number of baby boomers surpassing age 65. As medical advancements extend their lives, they’re expected to live well into their 80s and 90s – outlasting any generation in American history. But among Americans over […]
Words with Friends
Pro Bene Meritis 2012 The Pro Bene Meritis Award is the highest honor bestowed by the College of Liberal Arts. It is given each spring to alumni, faculty and friends of the college who are committed to the liberal arts, who have made outstanding contributions in professional or philanthropic pursuits, or who have participated in service […]
Pioneering Heart
Pro Bene Meritis 2012 The Pro Bene Meritis Award is the highest honor bestowed by the College of Liberal Arts. It is given each spring to alumni, faculty and friends of the college who are committed to the liberal arts, who have made outstanding contributions in professional or philanthropic pursuits, or who have participated in service […]
From History to Haiku
Pro Bene Meritis 2012 The Pro Bene Meritis Award is the highest honor bestowed by the College of Liberal Arts. It is given each spring to alumni, faculty and friends of the college who are committed to the liberal arts, who have made outstanding contributions in professional or philanthropic pursuits, or who have participated in service […]
On the Record
Pro Bene Meritis 2012 The Pro Bene Meritis Award is the highest honor bestowed by the College of Liberal Arts. It is given each spring to alumni, faculty and friends of the college who are committed to the liberal arts, who have made outstanding contributions in professional or philanthropic pursuits, or who have participated in service […]
Whatever Happened to the American Dream?
International historian Jeremi Suri looks back at America’s greatest visionaries to show how our nation can achieve greatness again Some of America’s greatest triumphs were built on dreams. Without dreamers, Neil Armstrong wouldn’t have walked on the moon, proving the sky isn’t the limit. Steve Jobs wouldn’t have transformed the way we work, play and communicate through […]
The Word on Texas
Project gets Texans in the game with free online textbooks, political polling and more It launched with a modest mission: Providing students at The University of Texas at Austin a free online textbook for a state-required government class. It didn’t take long for the Texas Politics project to make its mark far beyond the university. […]
It’s Not the End of the World…
Doomsday scenarios make better fiction than science, says researcher Karl Butzer For more than 50 years Karl Butzer, a renowned environmental archaeologist at The University of Texas at Austin, has trekked across continents, sifted through countless excavations and pored over collections in some of the world’s greatest libraries and museums in a quest to better […]
Balancing Act
Presidential scholar discusses war power and accountability Many Americans believe that the growth of presidential war power relative to Congress is irreversible. Bruce Buchanan, government professor at The University of Texas at Austin and one of the nation’s leading presidential scholars, contests that view. In his latest book, “Presidential Power and Accountability: Toward a Presidential […]
Humanities and the Military
Sgt. Jeremy Couch and two fellow Texas Army National Guard soldiers enter the home of an Afghan family looking for information about escaped prisoners. In one corner, they see a Quran and a prayer rug. In another, a pair of rifles. Almost as soon as the soldiers sit down, they are besieged by demands for […]
The Skinny on Memory Loss
Psychology researcher Andreana Haley examines the link between dementia and obesity and aims to improve your brain’s health through diet and exercise Step off the scale and let’s have a talk. You’re 30 pounds overweight and at risk for type 2 diabetes, hypertension, stroke, certain types of cancer and coronary heart disease. More than 30 […]
A Place to Remember
New Officer’s Room Honors A Hero When the new Liberal Arts building opens in January 2013, thousands of students, faculty and staff will flood its pristine new hallways, and marvel at the architecture and amenities. But a building of this undertaking is much more than bricks and mortar. For the family and friends of Captain John […]
Friend and Champion of Education
Bernard Rapoport, Economics Alumnus, Dies at 94 Bernard Rapoport, a Waco businessman who was active in higher education, politics, human rights and philanthropy, died Thursday, April 5. “The University of Texas and our state have lost a great friend who was relentless in his support of education, democracy, the arts and creating opportunity for the […]
History Cracked Open
Unearthed Time Capsule Fills Gaps in ROTC History After World War II A glimpse of life at The University of Texas at Austin’s Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) during the 1940s and ’50s was sealed within the building blocks of the former ROTC building for more than half a century. Last fall, a crew of […]