Program fosters understanding of great books and concepts To understand the challenges we face as Americans and to use the extraordinary freedom and responsibility we have inherited, students must first understand the philosophy, literature, religion and science that shaped our society. That basic notion provides the foundation for the new Thomas Jefferson Center for the […]
Fall 2009
“Provincial Texan” tells the stories of her state
Frances Vick was a prospective college freshman applying to The University of Texas at Austin in 1954, when her father dropped her off on “the Drag,” pointed her toward the Tower and said, “Go up there. They can tell you how to register.” That was the beginning of her time in the College of Liberal […]
Plan II gave philanthropist an exceptional start
Leslie Blanton gets excited every time she makes the drive from her adopted hometown of Houston into Austin. After all, it’s where she met her husband, Jack Blanton, Jr., and began her studies in the Plan II Honors program. “I knew I was getting into something that was exceptional,” Blanton, a 1976 Plan II Honors […]
English alum supports teaching, writing scholarships
Anticipating the future needs of a university the size of The University of Texas at Austin is no easy task, but Maureen Decherd is forging ahead, helping to shape that future. “While this may seem simplistic, I have a very deep belief in the university and its purposes,” says Decherd, a 1973 English graduate and […]
Former POW taught generations of students
When Sidney Monas was taken in as a German prisoner of war during World War II, he remembers being huddled in boxcars — cold, hungry and dehydrated — as he was transported all over the German railroad network to Nuremberg. During the 10-day long train ride, Monas was exposed to strafing attacks from U.S. aircrafts. […]
Graduation Caps Years of Courage
Monika Merola overcomes brain injury and reaches academic goals Monika Merola was struck by an epiphany eight years ago while walking her 6-year-old daughter, Cecilia, home from kindergarten. “Mommy, why don’t you have a degree?” asked Cecilia. Merola stopped in her tracks and suddenly felt tears well up in her eyes. “I thought, how could […]
Retiring Faculty
Laura Lein (Anthropology) Lein, professor in the Department of Anthropology and the School of Social Work, taught at the university for 24 years. Lein directed the Women’s Studies Program at the university for two terms, from 1987 to 1991, where she coordinated interdisciplinary curriculum, fund development and new programs. She served on boards of many organizations, […]
Books: Fall 2009
Fall 2009 titles from our college community.
In Memoriam: Fall 2009
Pablo Beltrán de Heredia, emeritus professor of Spanish and Portuguese, died Aug. 21 at the age of 92. He taught at the university for 25 years. He was a noted scholar of Spanish art and literature. Recognized as a key figure of cultural and political life in Santander, Spain, Beltrán de Heredia was named the […]
News & Notes: Fall 2009
Debate and Individual Event alumni looking to reconnect The university’s debate and individual events (IE) teams have an illustrious history on campus. Both groups have won numerous championships and both feature outstanding alumni. Still, there has not been an alumni association for these successful teams… until now. Are you a former debate team member? Did […]
Cultural Memories of Rome
Professor uses prize money to explore ancient civilization Staring down the challenge of a research project that spans 12 centuries of Roman civilization, Karl Galinsky’s expression is that of a confident gladiator. And who better to lead the charge than Galinsky, who admits he’s “not afraid to rattle some cages and have some fun” while […]
Taking on the Space Crunch
New Liberal Arts building will bring together students and faculty When College of Liberal Arts senior Mykel Estes needs a place to hang out and study between classes, he often heads to the atrium in the Red McCombs School of Business. It’s not that Estes isn’t committed to the liberal arts or his school. The […]
10 Tips to Land a Career in Today’s Job Market
Liberal Arts career coach discusses what matters most in job hunt Job hunting is tough these days, and in a recession it can feel hopeless. But according to Liberal Arts Career Services Director Kate Brooks, there is hope and there are jobs to be had. The key to finding and keeping a career in tough […]
From Pre-K to Graduation Day
Sociologist separates truth from rhetoric in studies of educational experience Eighteen years ago, the federal government enlisted leading researchers to study the effects of childcare on early development. What the researchers couldn’t have anticipated was that this monumental research would still be going on today. What began as a 10-site study of 1,300 children, all […]
Crime on the Rise?
Public perception of crime remains out of sync with reality, criminologist contends A jarring statistic you’re not likely to hear on the evening news: the homicide rate has been declining since the 1300s. Sociology professor Mark Warr, who has studied social reaction to crime for three decades, offers that up as a reality that doesn’t […]
Lessons of the Immigrant Experience in Texas
Museum exhibit highlights Galveston as America’s Forgotten Gateway While riding a ferry to America’s most famous port of entry, Ellis Island, with a group of Texas high school students on a Jewish heritage tour, Suzanne Seriff began to wonder about the lesser-known gateways to America. Her curiosity about Galveston’s largely forgotten history as a major […]
Teaching the Bible in Public School
Professors guide high school instructors on approaching Scripture as an academic subject What is the latest event in Second Kings?” No response. Professor L. Michael White, the Ronald Nelson Smith Chair in Classics and Christian Origins, had momentarily stumped 21 Texas high school teachers gathered in a second floor Waggener Hall classroom. “You’re becoming biblical […]
The Many Voices of Feminism
Scholars discuss the most important challenges facing women in the 21st century In the post-feminist era of the 21st century, are the aims and goals of feminism still relevant? Will feminism survive the rush to globalization? What universal lessons can we learn from the unique ways women around the world have advanced their concerns? These […]
Barbecue State of Mind
Stories of Texas barbecue with heaping servings of places, people and tall tales In Texas, barbecue is serious business. Be it ribs, brisket, sausage or something more exotic, barbecue to Texans is not just food — it’s a frame of mind. So what is it about barbecue that Texans hold so near and dear to […]