On the Hill

Allegheny Students Again Take Top Prize at Model NATO

For the second year in a row, Allegheny students won the prestigious Best Delegation title at Model NATO, held in late February in Washington, D.C.

Allegheny students won other noteworthy awards as well. International studies major Nick Rossmann ’04 was selected to serve as secretary-general for next year’s conference, and Allegheny students representing Ukraine won the Most Authentic Delegation award. Ukraine is not a NATO country but is a member of NATO’s twenty-seven-member Partnership for Peace.

Model NATO is a simulation of the proceedings of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and provides a unique opportunity for university and college students, allowing them to study NATO’s role, structure, and activities.

According to Assistant Professor of Political Science Andrey Meleshevich, who also serves as a Model NATO advisor, the experience allows for active learning that reaches far beyond the classroom setting. “Collective learning and team participation, social and political skills, and interactions with a tremendously diverse group of people make this a learning experience that will have lasting value for our students,” says Meleshevich.

Participation in Model NATO is the culminating experience of the College’s European Security and NATO course. This year the course was taught by Meleshevich and Professor of Modern Languages Courtenay Dodge.

“Through this course,” observes Model NATO participant Christopher DeSante ’05, “fourteen Allegheny students—and two professors—became close friends, as we all learned how the others worked. The bonds reached past the individual committee assignments. The way our class acted was always as a team, more so than any of the larger universities. This element was what gave us the advantage going into the conference.”

Allegheny College students who participated in the 18th Annual Model NATO Conference included: Justin Abbott ’05, Heather Andersen ’04, Scott Drakeley ’05, Christopher DeSante ’05, Michael DiSantis ’05, Sarah Jones ’06, Christopher Lockman ’04, Charles Myers ’05, Luke Pelger ’03, Christopher Romasco ’03, Nicholas Rossmann ’04, Jennifer Wecksler ’05, Shateela Winters ’05 and Pamela Zulick ’03. Only Rossmann and Romasco had previously participated in Model NATO.

Allegheny’s participation in Model NATO is made possible through the Professor Louis Jefferson Long Student-Faculty Research Fund, which has been endowed by Harry Shepard ’42 and his wife, Patricia Peck Shepard.

Dickey, Meleshevich Earn Teaching Awards

Assistant Professor of Psychology Deborah Dickey and Assistant Professor of Political Science and International Studies Andrey Meleshevich received Allegheny’s highest teaching awards at the College’s annual Honors Convocation in May. Dickey received the 2003 Julian Ross Award for Excellence in Teaching, and Meleshevich the 2003 Thoburn Foundation Award for Innovative Teaching.

The Julian Ross Award, established by the Allegheny Alumni Association, is presented annually to a faculty member who, in the opinion of faculty, students, and alumni, demonstrates excellence in teaching. The award honors the memory of Julian Ross ’23, who served as a professor of English at the College for forty-three years.

Since she joined the College in 1988, Dickey has become well known for having high expectations—engaging students in active learning experiences that support intellectual and personal development. “She has very high standards, and yet her classes are always full,” observes Associate Professor of Psychology Joshua Searle-White. “Students know they will get a challenge when they take one of her courses, and they seek her out for that.”

The Thoburn Foundation Award, which Meleshevich received, recognizes an Allegheny faculty member for creative course development, innovative instruction, and general excellence as a teacher. Members of the Thoburn family, through the Thoburn Foundation for Education, established the honor in 1994. More than fifty members of the Thoburn family have attended Allegheny, making it the College’s largest family.

In addition to his teaching duties, Meleshevich serves as the director of the College’s international studies program. “He’s the only professor I’ve had who uses hand puppets to explain political history,” noted one student. “Mel has invited musicians to play in class to expose his students to other cultures through music. In his NATO class he fed us cheese from France and caviar from Ukraine so we could have a ‘taste’ of their cultures. In short, he appeals to the minds and senses of his students.”

Washington Post Writer Counts Allegheny Among “Hidden Gems”

Alumni in the Beltway—and other alumni readers of the Washington Post—were pleased to see that Allegheny College is No. 29 on a list of one hundred colleges and universities, labeled “hidden gems,” compiled by Jay Mathews in the April 1st issue of that newspaper.

Mathews created the list based on responses from his readers. “I asked you to help me compile a list of colleges and universities that deserve bigger reputations,” Mathews recalled in the Post. “I called them the hidden gems, the lesser known jewels, the wallflower colleges that students fall in love with only after they get to know them.”

The rankings—whether a school is listed as No. 1 or as No. 100—were based on how often guidance counselors and teachers mentioned the schools. “A complete account of this survey, with longer descriptions of each school,” Mathews adds, “can be found in the appendix of my book, Harvard Schmarvard: Getting Beyond the Ivy League to the College That Is Best for You.”

Women’s Center Opens In Walker Hall Annex

In March, during Women’s History Month, the College officially inaugurated a Women’s Center in Walker Hall Annex. “The Women's Center will serve as a resource on the campus, providing materials for research on gender issues and women's history, a comfortable meeting place for various student activities, and a place to relax and interact with other students,” says Professor Judith Rose, director of the women’s studies program.

An interdisciplinary liberal arts program, women’s studies explores the diverse realities of women’s lives and examines the reasons for and consequences of the social distinctions between men and women. It draws upon the disciplines of art, dance, communication arts, economics, English, environmental studies, history, modern languages, philosophy, political science, psychology, religious studies, and sociology and anthropology.

Alumni Roundtable Focuses on Neuroscience

The Allegheny College neuroscience department hosted an alumni roundtable, “Perspectives on Neuroscience,” in April. During the two-day symposium, four alumni—two of them current members of Allegheny’s neuroscience faculty—discussed questions about neuroscience and research opportunities in the field.

Roundtable participants included moderator Jeffrey Cross ’73, professor of psychology at the College, who discussed aspects of the Neuroscience Humanities interdisciplinary curriculum at Allegheny, and Jeffrey Hollerman ’83, assistant professor of psychology at the College, who focused on the development of the Keck Foundation–funded Neurohumanities Institute and curriculum at Allegheny.

Richard Saunders ’77, a scientist at the National Institutes of Mental Health (NIMH), discussed his research on memory systems and mental illness and research opportunities at the National Institutes of Health and NIMH. Benjamin Walker ’91, assistant professor of psychology at Georgetown University, spoke about his basic and applied research on epilepsy and autism, as well as graduate programs in neuroscience and psychology at Georgetown.

Richard Kogan, a psychiatrist at New York Presbyterian Hospital and a master pianist, joined the roundtable as a special guest to speak about the influences of mental health problems on creative processes. Kogan also performed in a public concert and lecture presentation titled “Schumann, Bipolar Disorder and the Creative Process.” First-prize winner in the international Chopin Competition, Kogan performs in the Harvard Trio with Yo Yo Ma and Lynn Chang.

Student Wins National Humanitarian Award
By Erin Brady '04

Karen Hoerst ’04 was one of five students in the nation honored in July with Campus Compact’s Howard H. Swearer Student Humanitarian Award, which recognizes students for their outstanding public service and provides financial support toward their continued efforts to address societal needs. Campus Compact is a national coalition of more than 860 college and university presidents committed to promoting the values of public and community service within higher education.

Hoerst—who at Allegheny has designed her own major in values, ethics, and social action—was one of 127 nominees for the award. President Richard Cook, who nominated her, wrote, “Karen is one of the most well rounded students ever to be involved in the Community Service program.” David Roncolato, director of the Office of Community Service, also cites Hoerst’s breadth of experience and leadership as an advocate for civic engagement and her commitment to various service and social justice causes.

“ Karen has a balance between conviction, commitment, and openness to other diverse commitments,” Roncolato says. “Karen is the kind of student who will not just impact those at Allegheny, but she will leave a legacy by her level of commitment to service, to justice, to empowering others to make a difference.”

At a time when many college students are worried about graduate school or future employment, Hoerst is concerned with changing the world. “We must be engaged and active in our community,” she says, “because so many people are disempowered, and we must give them a chance to have their voices heard.”

Oboeist Reprises National Band Performance

History major Melissa McCrimmon ’03, who minored in music performance and Russian language, was one of sixty-four students who performed this spring in the National Small College Intercollegiate Band, a prestigious honor rarely achieved by non-music majors. Even more remarkable, she earned the right to play co-principal oboe for the band.

This was the second time McCrimmon was chosen for the band, which is held in conjunction with the College Band Directors National Association conference. Participants are chosen based on ability, involvement in music organizations, prior musical accomplishments, and faculty recommendations.

“Going to nationals provided me with a chance to play music with some of the best student musicians in our country as well as work with many phenomenal conductors and teachers,” McCrimmon says. “Most importantly, this experience has shown me that students don't have to attend a conservatory to receive excellent musical training and opportunities.”

While at Allegheny, McCrimmon played with the Allegheny College Civic Symphony, under the direction of Jonathan Graber, and the Wind Symphony and Wind Ensemble, directed by Lowell Hepler.

“Melissa is a terrific example of students who flourish at Allegheny: well rounded with skills and background to unite various disciplines,” Hepler observes. “She will make a positive influence on the musical world, whether or not she actively makes her living with it.”

Former Allegheny Prof Named to Top Post at Macalester College

Brian C. Rosenberg, a professor of English at Allegheny from 1983 to 1998, has been named president of Macalester College. Before his appointment to the helm of Macalester, he served as dean of the faculty at Lawrence University.

“I am honored and delighted to have been selected as Macalester’s 16th president,” Rosenberg said. “The private, residential liberal arts college is in my view the jewel of the American education system.”

Allegheny College President Richard J. Cook notes that he is delighted to see a former Allegheny colleague assume the leadership of the Minnesota college. “Macalester is an institution with a rich history and a reputation for innovative approaches and academic excellence,” he says. “Brian brings skills and expertise to this position that can only enhance Macalester’s standing in the academic world.”

Rosenberg has been the dean of the faculty and an English professor at Lawrence University since 1998. A scholar on Charles Dickens, Rosenberg has written numerous articles on the Victorian author and other subjects as well as two books: Mary Lee Settle’s Beulah Quintet: The Price of Freedom and Little Dorrit’s Shadows: Character and Contradiction in Dickens.

Miles for Minds Raises Funds For Civic Engagement Scholarship
By Erin Brady '04

Associate Professor of Psychology Elizabeth Weiss Ozorak and other members of the Allegheny community walked fifty-five miles over three days in May to raise funds for a scholarship—but even with all those miles behind them, they admit there’s a long road ahead. Supporters have so far donated almost $5,000, but $50,000 is needed to get the scholarship up and running.

Ozorak was joined on her trek, dubbed Miles for Minds, by Melissa Spas ’03; colleagues Jim Fitch, associate director of career services for internships, and Tricha Gregor, student activities office manager; and Clark Peterson; a Meadville Area Senior High ninth-grader. Together the group walked from Youngsville, Pennsylvania, to the Allegheny campus to raise money for the Thorssen Community Scholar Fund, targeted at high-need, high-ability students who demonstrate an interest in civic engagement.

The team walked about nine hours a day for the first two days and four hours on the third, mainly on back roads. Cool, sunny days kept everyone’s spirits high, and aching joints and muscles were eased by the support of friends and family who joined the walkers for the last eleven miles. Local businesses gave the team donations of food, water, and supplies.

Why walk for a scholarship fund? Ozorak points out that the Miles for Minds walk was symbolic, representing the long, hard road for students from towns like Youngsville to reach Allegheny College. “It takes not only the money a scholarship provides, but also a lot of courage and perseverance,” she says. “We walked to embody that.”

Project Pericles Conference an Opportunity to Share What Works
By Erin Brady ’04

“ A citizen … is preferred to the public service, not as a matter of privilege, but as the reward of merit … A man may benefit his country whatever the obscurity of his condition.” These words, spoken in the fifth century B.C. by Pericles, an Athenian statesman, were radical at the time but are now a fundamental tenet of the democratic system and a beacon guiding higher education. They also inform the mission of the Lang Foundation’s Project Pericles, which fosters collaboration among leaders in higher education to prepare students for productive citizenship and public service.

In April a delegation from the Allegheny community gathered with delegations from other Project Pericles institutions for a two-day conference in New York City for the project’s public launch. Allegheny is one of ten founding institutions in Project Pericles.

Representing the College at the conference were President Richard Cook; trustee Robert Marchman ’80; Professor of English Lloyd Michaels, who was dean of the College at the time of the conference; Don Goldstein, associate professor of economics; Dan Shea, associate professor of political science and director of the Center for Political Participation; Judith Lynch ’59, coordinator of civic engagement and community outreach programs; David Roncolato ’79, director of the Office of Community Service; Brian Hill ’81, director of the French Creek Project; and students Sarah Falkowski ’03, Anne Shoup ’03, Karen Hoerst ’04, and John Simon ’04.

Allegheny has a well-established interdisciplinary approach to civic engagement, including programs like the Center for Economic and Environmental Development, the Values, Ethics and Social Action minor, and the recently founded Center for Political Participation. In an article on Project Pericles in the April 11th Chronicle of Higher Education, President Cook is quoted on the project’s value to Allegheny. “We anticipate we can make our efforts even stronger if we have the benefit of a national organization,” Cook says. “I see a real opportunity for cross-fertilization of ideas and of sharing what works.”

Lloyd Michaels says he was extremely impressed at the conference by Allegheny students’ ability to articulately and passionately describe the need for civic engagement, but he notes that the conference was not the only place where ideas were exchanged. The Allegheny delegation shared many ideas as they drove in two minivans to New York. Knowing that they would arrive just as quickly in vans as they would if they used an airline, Michaels had urged the use of the vans, trusting that a long drive would foster conversation.

Insiders in higher education are not the only ones to note the potential of Project Pericles. The New York Times wrote about the project in its April 7th edition, where it quoted Anne Shoup. “One thing we have to do is expand people our age’s idea of participation,” Shoup says in the article.

Michaels says he left the conference knowing that Allegheny is “a leader among leaders,” with a vision of a liberal arts education and a commitment to Project Pericles that make the College distinctive. “Civic engagement is part of Allegheny College’s identity,” he adds. “It’s part of who we are, and a point of pride for students.”