2013 Alumni Weekend is coming!

We’re seeing the white tents going up. In mid May, this can only mean one thing: Reunion Weekend.  Alumni from the graduating classes of 1943, 1948, 1953, 1958, 1963, 1968, 1973, 1983, 1988, 1993, 1998, 2003 and 2008 will return to South Mountain tomorrow for a number of activities and celebrations. Many will visit local businesses, restaurants and public spaces they came to know through their time as Lehigh Students. To have so many hundreds of people return to Lehigh’s campus is a great opportunity for us to reconnect.  Each and every alumni developed their own special relationship with South Bethlehem; the memories of life changing moments in this very special city.

This year, the alumni have a chance to share their stories in a new digital archive project. How neat is it that alumni will become storytellers on the same weekend as Zoellner is finishing up their 2012-13 guest artist series with one of our nation’s best storytellers, Garrison Keillor?

If you know of any alumni returning to campus this weekend, please share this information and encourage them to share their stories. 

Tell Your Lehigh Story: An Alumni Oral History Project

Friday, 10:00 a.m. – Noon, and 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.  and
Saturday, 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Digital Media Studio, Fairchild-Martindale Library Breezeway

We all have great Lehigh stories–-passionate, quirky, or touching memories of our experiences. Help make Lehigh history (literally!) by participating in a casual “StoryCorps”-style interview with a volunteer or student. Interviews, with your permission, will be preserved for future generations in the institution’s archive. Contact Janet Norwood at jwn2@lehigh.edu or (610) 758-5350 for info or to register. Space is limited.

A special note to our campus community:

On Friday May 17th, Zoellner Arts Center will be hosting the 2013 Reunion Weekend Mountain Talks; the topics may be of interest to our readers. After the LUAA Board of Directors briefly introduce their newest members and pass the gavel; Lehigh faculty and administrators will present updates on the following thought-provoking sessions:

3:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Baker Hall
Sharing a Unified Town-Gown Vision: Lehigh and South Bethlehem Partnerships

4:15 – 5:00 p.m.
Baker Hall
Myths vs. Science of Climate Change, presented by Professor Ben Felzer

Diamond Theater
Lehigh Athletics on the National Stage, presented by Dean of Athletics Joe Sterrett.

Click here for full reunion weekend schedule

 

 

 

 

Three-peat!

Last night, the Arts@Lehigh blog won the “Art” category title of  the My Choice Voice – Best of the Lehigh Valley Blog contest. I’m thrilled that our readers and friends gave the support by their votes. The significance of this award is in a few areas:

1. Blogging isn’t something you need permission to do. You just do it. If there is something important that needs to be said, shared or discussed, you don’t have to wait for someone else to say it, share it, or start the discussion. Blogs are a readily available tool that anyone can do. In addition to writing blogs, feel free to expand your understanding of the universe by reading other blogs. Last night was another reminder of the breadth and depth of local bloggers. I have come to know many of these people through their blogs; a few of them I would call good friends. Only one other person on the list of bloggers last night works at Lehigh. He is such a supportive friend in Arts@Lehigh’s communications efforts. Thanks, Prof. Twitter.

2. The arts are all around us. While “arts” might not be the identity many of us boldly wear on our sleeves, the instrument that is displaying these words, the chair you may be sitting on while you are reading this sentence, or if you happen to glance away from the screen – you will see something that is informed by art. Art is not merely entertainment. It is discovery and communication. To be able to write about art, to share information about art, or to simply be artful – is why we blog about it. As Alec Baldwin said, “Art is all around me. So maybe I should introduce myself.”

3. The Lehigh Valley is full of creative, passionate and dedicated people who also support many things. Last night, all of the people at the event shared the “blogger” identity; but also have multiple talents and dreams. While some may just want people to “lighten up and find fun in your own back yard,” others are dedicated to sharing their passion for vegan cooking, Lehigh Valley sports, or the humor they see in their daily lives.

I’d like to thank again, the Morning Call for their support of local blogging. I also need to personally thank all of the readers who voted in the contest. Here’s a slide show of images taken by the Morning Call. See the entire album here.

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FIRST FRIDAY! Two Senior Design students show at Home & Planet

 

 

 

AAD Senior Design Student, Amy Mazius – Jewelry Company
Friday, May 3rd – 6:00 p.m.
Home & Planet, Bethlehem

Eleanor Kalle is a jewelry company for the Modern Woman. This Modern Woman pairs bed-head with a blazer & a bright lip with ballet flats. She’s a risk-taking trendsetter. Her worn-in T-shirt drapes effortlessly with a metal neck piece. Design duo Amy Mazius & Randi Tutelman created the lifestyle brand for Her–the woman who wants a little more adventure, a little more edge, a little more sparkle.

 

Amy & Randi will be taking Eleanor Kalle to NYC in May to launch their first collection.

Product Design Presentations Friday – May 3rd @ 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. STEPS Building

 

Professor Kazakia - Product Design Presentations
Friday – May 3rd @ 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
STEPS Building

Redefining What it Means to Lead: Perspective

We encourage you to watch a 2 minute video produced by Lehigh University’s Office of Communications. The arts are strongly featured. Enjoy:

Department of Theatre- Graduating Seniors

Lehigh University’s Department of Theatre wishes these graduating students hearty congratulations and well wishes! They have been highly active in multiple productions, both on stage and behind the scenes. We thank them for their contributions to the arts at Lehigh University, and look forward to seeing them again. They have delighted, inspired and shared their passions. We are truly moved by their dedication. Some of them may still be here for a fifth year – we support and thank them all!

Connor Marr

Casey Dutt

Brittany Geeta Johnson

Jon Hoffman

Luke Ingram

Andrew William Chupa

Rebecca Osborne

Erin Jenkins

Wonú Owo

Lorentz Aberg

Esperanza Pacheco

Lauren Christman

Emily Koehler

Sam Hodges

The 2013 Great Move Out Sale – Collecting Donations NOW!

Arts@Lehigh would like to remind our readers that the university’s annual Move Out Collection Drive has started this week, and will run through Friday, May 24th.

Students who will be packing up at the end of the semester are encouraged to donate unwanted clothing, linens, electronics, school supplies, household items, furniture, and unopened food at designated locations within each residence hall or at Windish Hall (across from Rauch Business Center on East Packer Avenue).

Students, staff and faculty are also welcome to participate by volunteering to help by picking up donations and/or sorting them at Windish Hall in any shift from today through May 24^th. Volunteers also needed to support the incredibly large, and amazingly heart warming Great South Side Sale coming up on Saturday, June 1st, at St. John’s Windish Church (corner of Fourth and Buchanan streets).

To volunteer in any capacity, please to go to http://www.lehigh.edu/~inserve/moveout.shtml

Proceeds from this sale will fund Lehigh University’s Afterschool Homework Clubs for South Bethlehem children; an important piece of our community school partnerships, and support for education in our community.

In addition to benefiting this worthwhile cause, the sale also helps recycle much-needed items back into the community, at extremely affordable prices. We really don’t want to see shameful waste in the dumpsters.

Unwanted items can be taken directly to Windish Hall from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m – Monday through Friday until May 24th, or at approved locations in Residence Halls.

More information can be found at http://www.lehigh.edu/moveout or by calling 610-758-6674 or emailing inmove@lehigh.edu. To read more about the Move Out Sale, please read this news article by Lehigh Communications writer, Bill Doherty (2010).

Remember that great family feeling we had at the Lehigh MOOV-in last August? This is another way to know you’re doing good in the world.

2013 Music Department Awards

On Monday, April 29th at 4pm, the 2013 Annual Music Department Awards were announced. In a future blog post, we will share the story behind many of the names of these awards. For today – let’s celebrate the achievement and recognition of the many talented Lehigh University students.

Freshman Award – Lauren Mentzer
Sophomore Award – DeVaughn Roberts
Junior Award – Kim Hetrick
Senior Award – Geoff Groman

 

Henderson Braddick Composition Awards

• Bryan Lun
• Geoff Groman
• Lumin Hao
• Chris Covney
• Liz Zeffiro
• Andrey Stolynarov

Ensemble Awards

Jazz and Combos

• Brian Lin
• Chris Covney
• Dan Canistracci

LU Philharmonic

• Service – Geoff Groman
• Musicianship -Taylor Bond and Meghan Brisson

Band and Wind Ensemble:

• Schempf Award – Joshua Hubert
• Elkus Award – Lauren Mentzer and Sheila Strong
• Gold-Hansen Award – Andrew Pope
• Senior Band Award – Alexis Lundy
• Burr-Kirkpatrick Award – Anne Smolko and Hannah Hoganson
• Shields Award – Goeffrey Groman

Choral Arts

• Debra Field Dolce Award – Amanda Curry
• Michael “Bear” Sebastian Award – Connor Tench and Damiano DiFlorio
• Cutler Award – Emily Koehler
• T. Edgar Shields Award – Brian Rodriquez
• Stoz-Rickert Award – Hilary Hla

Memorial Awards

Melissa Rodriguez Award (to a wind player) – Anne Smolko and Geoff Groman
Kenton Lerch Award (for participation in Band and other ensembles) – Erin Barrick
Robert Thompson Award (For Joyous music Making) – Bryan Lin

 

National Endowment for the Arts Grants in Bethlehem, PA

The National Endowment for the Arts just announced their 2013 Spring Grant Awards. The number of grants for the commonwealth of PA: 30 with a total dollar amount of: $975,000. Of that, $75,000 of federal tax dollars are coming to Bethlehem next year to support our vibrant arts scene.

Citizens should know that these dollars are pennies per capita spending. They are HUGE investments in our youth. Each grant supports the work of notable arts organizations who provide arts education programming in a time when schools are cutting arts and music programs and teachers to balance state budgets. Activities that support arts IN the schools for each organization are highlighted below. However, these grants don’t cover the total budget needed to make this activities happen. The NEA grant requires a $1-$1 match for each proposal. The match usually comes from corporate sponsorship, or organizational revenue (like ticket sales). And that still doesn’t cover all the expenses. That’s why we all should support the arts and cultural organizations that keep our community spirit alive.

The NEA grant is not a gift. It’s an investment in our community. If we like our community to have a high quality of life, support the creative development of our future work force, and be that part of economic development, then celebrate the hard work it took the grant writers who achieved this success. Winning an NEA grant is not easy. Judgement by artistic and arts administrative peers is fierce. These organizations got the support because they meet a national standard of excellence.

Happy Tuesday, indeed.

ArtsQuest $50,000 
To support RiverJazz. The year-long celebration will feature activities such as jazz concerts, a high school jazz band competition, documentary screenings, visual art gallery exhibits, a site-specific dance piece, workshops, lectures, and a month-long jazz festival.

Bach Choir of Bethlehem $15,000 Bethlehem, PA
To support educational programs for adults, children, and intergenerational groups including the commissioning and premiere of a new children’s opera. The project will include Bach to School assembly programs for elementary through high school students, Family Concerts incorporating student and professional guest artists and featuring the new work by composer Chuck Holdeman titled Young Meister Bach, and the free Bach at Noon concert series of Bach cantatas.

Touchstone  Theatre $10,000 
To support the Young Playwrights’ Lab, an after-school theater arts program. Professional theater artists guide students at schools in the Bethlehem and Allentown School Districts of Pennsylvania through the process of creating an original, one-act play.

Chinese Harmony Pavillion Dedication

As if Saturday doesn’t offer enough to pull students off campus – there’s a MONUMENTAL event planned for the early afternoon. It’s the dedication ceremony of the Chinese Harmony Pavillion – the second structural project built by the Chinese-Bridge Project investigations. Write this down: Saturday, 1:30pm, South Bethlehem Greenway, between Webster and Taylor. Get there by 1:00pm

The Chinese Bridge Project was a joint creation. Many people were involved with the creation and implementation of the project including Chinese Professor and Director of the Lehigh in Shanghai Internship Program Connie Cook, Religion Professor Norman Girardot, Architecture Professor Tony Viscardi, and Visiting Post-Doctorate Research Fellow Dongning Wang. The project recognizes the increasingly prominent role China plays in world affairs today and also emphasizes Lehigh’s historical relationship with China. Lehigh University and China have a 130-year history that continues today with many Chinese students choosing to study at Lehigh University.

One of the primary aims of the Chinese Bridge Project is to attract a broader spectrum of students studying science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) into Chinese studies than would traditionally be the case. The goal is to have students from a variety of academic backgrounds collaborate in a design project that involves creating a more modern interpretation of the traditional Chinese Rainbow Bridge for the Lehigh community.

Read more about the Lehigh University Chinese Bridge project here.

The first structure is the wooden bridge, just off the upper Sayre Sayre Park Rd drive, near the gate to Mountain Drive north. If you ride the Brown & White Bus to Iaccoca Campus, look into the words on the right side of the road. There, perhaps by a few deer, you’ll see the wooden Chinese Rainbow bridge. But to really get a full understanding of the rigor, the multi-disciplinary explorations through this project, give yourself a gift of watching this 12 minute video – beautifully produced by Steve Lichak in LTS.

Linda Harbrecht, of Lehigh University’s Communications office, write a full article about the dedication ceremony here. If Lehigh University staff are pulling in this much time to tell you about this event, and to document the work of the Chinese Bridge Project – you might realize how monumental this effort is. And while I believe in the value of documentation, I’m constantly reminded of the value of one of the most basic concepts – and yet understandably, one of the greatest challenges for  students and other super busy people – JUST SHOWING UP!

If you’ve never witnessed an event led by Professor Norman Girardot (Religion Studies), you’ve missed something truly remarkable, spectacular, even epic. I’ve had the pleasure of working with Prof. Girardot on a number of “weird” events and I can say with all honesty; there’s nothing else like them.

Truth be told, these events are so epic that future generations of Lehigh faculty, staff and alumni will speak of these ceremonies as witnesses to something so special; they defy category. Professor Girardot has been teaching and leading students for a few decades. He’s about to exit into what he calls, “the halls of Valhalla.” Before he retires from teaching, I beg of you to see his last ceremony so what some day in the future you can say with all honesty as you tell your grandchildren, “What I tell you is the truth – for I was there.”

Sponsors of the Pavilion Dedication
The Henry Luce Foundation
Lehigh University: Advancement, Academic Diversity, Art, Architecture & Design Department, ArtsLehigh, Asian Studies, Center for Dialogue, Ethics & Spirituality, Chaplain’s Office, College of Arts and Sciences, Community & Regional Affairs, Digital Media Studio, Facilities Services, Global Studies, Greenway Native Planting Group, Humanities Center, Integrated Degree in Engineering, Arts & Sciences, Lehigh University Art Galleries, Lehigh University Core Competencies Grant, Modern Languages & Literatures Department, Office of Interdisciplinary Programs, Office of International Affairs, Office of the Provost, P.C. Rossin College of Engineering & Applied Science, Religion Studies Department, Research & Graduate Studies, Risk Management, Science, Technology & Society, South Mountain College, South Side Initiative, Student Affairs
City of Bethlehem: Bethlehem Fine Arts Commission, City Planning Commission, Parks & Recreation
Our South Side Neighbors: Artefact Inc., Hank’s Auto Service, Holy Infancy School, Litzenberger House