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Fall 2020

Investing in the Future

December 16, 2020 by Tori Miller

Jason Lamin, a 2020 Pro Bene Meritis award recipient, shares what he values in this moment and where he finds inspiration.

Celebrating a Lifetime of Achievement

December 16, 2020 by Caroline Barta

Kaleidoscope pattern with symbols representing gender, health and relationships.

The American Sociological Association honors Jennifer Glass, Debra Umberson and Gloria González-López for their contributions to the field.

Stepping into the Wild

December 10, 2020 by Tori Miller

Stuart Stedman at Faith Ranch.

Stuart Stedman, a 2020 Pro Bene Meritis award recipient, uses his liberal arts education to gain perspective.

Liberal Arts Alumnus Receives Prestigious Schwarzman Scholarship

December 8, 2020 by Emily Nielsen

A portrait of Turan Vural smiling slightly and standing in front of a beige backdrop.

Turan Vural, a 2019 German and electrical and computer engineering alumnus from The University of Texas at Austin, has been awarded a Schwarzman scholarship to study in Beijing.

A Psychologist’s Award-Winning Word Play

December 4, 2020 by Rachel White

Jamie Pennebaker stands in a field at sunset with cityscape in background.

Before his research helped discover the healing powers of writing and the Secret Life of Pronouns, Jamie Pennebaker’s curiosity killed the crab.

Landscapes: Latino Studies’ Journey to 50th Anniversary

December 3, 2020 by Mallory Laurel

Illustration of a silhouette with a dimensional archway leading to landscape and eye with a heart at the center.

Celebrating this milestone may look and feel different this year, but it is in the act of remembering that we preserve our future.

Teaching, Learning and Living

November 30, 2020 by Alex Reshanov

Mary and Randy Diehl with Yellowstone Park in background.

Randy and Mary Diehl, 2020 Pro Bene Meritis award recipients, share a dedication for championing education and a joy for lifelong learning.

Election Polling Needs More Transparency, Better Reporting of Results

November 18, 2020 by Jim Henson and Joshua Blank

I voted sticker

Although it may be weeks until we have verified vote counts for the U.S. presidential election, the error in the polls is undeniable, with state-level polling consistently underestimating support for President Donald Trump. As in 2016, the polling profession is scrambling to understand what went wrong, but clearly, something needs to change. The most likely […]

Capturing Culture

November 17, 2020 by Rachel White

Red bench sign at carriage ride, "A Place to Park Your," with outline of donkey.

When people travel to the United States, they might be shocked at how large our portion sizes are, how friendly strangers may seem or how informal and direct conversations tend to be. These types of surprises can cause cultural shock, a common feeling that many people experience when traveling abroad or connecting with new cultures. […]

Writing to Beauvoir

November 12, 2020 by Amy Vidor

Simone de Beauvoir in foreground with a stack of letters tied with string in background.

In her new book, Sex, Love, and Letters, Judith Coffin reveals the private lives and intimate bond found in Simone de Beauvoir’s letters with her fans.

2020 Vision: Examining Some of the Country’s Big Issues

October 30, 2020 by Rachel White

Political themed collage with Statue of Liberty, U.S. Capitol Building, mail-in ballots, unemployment chart, coronavirus, and protest viewed through magnifying glass with American flag background.

Experts from UT Austin’s College of Liberal Arts weigh in on some of the major issues facing our country and the president-elect over the next four years.

Understanding Your Past

October 29, 2020 by Alex Reshanov

Michael Stoff sits at desk with an open book.

Michael Stoff, a 2020 Pro Bene Meritis award recipient, teaches his students to approach history with respect, empathy and context.

Giving Voice to History

October 23, 2020 by Alex Reshanov

Jacqueline Jones with Garrison Hall in background.

Jacqueline Jones, a 2020 Pro Bene Meritis award recipient, discusses why it’s essential to learn the history behind today’s headlines.

Ticket to Read

October 20, 2020 by Michelle Bryant

Young woman pulling suitcase in the shape of a book with pink background.

Fall 2020 books from our college community.

How Bias Sneaks into Big-Data Policing

October 19, 2020 by Alex Reshanov

Collage with surveillance camera, police car, code and communications tower.

Like all human endeavors, technology is at its core still social, argues Sarah Brayne in her new book Predict and Surveil: Data, Discretion, and the Future of Policing.

The College of Liberal Arts at The University of Texas at Austin
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