Volume 5
Number 2
November 2012
Contents:
2
campus news
5
GSC update
8
La Flâneuse: the
Claremont Wanderer
10 research & awards
12 events calendar and
more
Think a fancy degree is enough
to land a job? Think again. Find
out how to do a job hunt right
(page six).
They don’t call it a ”thinking
man’s game” for nothing. CGU
students and America’s favorite
pastime (page four).
the pedant
\’PE-dant\: A scholar; one prone to ostentatious displays of learning; a learned academic; a nit-picker.
Claremont Graduate University
Editor’s Note
Each year, the first issue of the Pedant tends to be about “back to
school”: what happened over the summer, things to be mindful
of as the semester begins, and tips specifically for the first-year
graduate student. But by the time fall rolls around, we take off
the training wheels. By now you have (hopefully) settled into your
routine, and although finals are right around the bend, there’s
no better time than the present to really immerse yourself into
graduate life.
This issue of the Pedant is chock full of ways to more deeply
enhance your life as a graduate student (and your C.V., as well).
The CGU Women in Leadership Association (page three) is a
fantastic way to connect with students across the disciplines, gain
professional development, and give back to the community. And
our feature story, “Dude, Where’s My Job?”(page six) highlights
common pitfalls of those looking to start their careers and
resources that can help ensure that you are well positioned to
begin your job search when the time comes.
We’ve also kept a close eye on the Graduate Student Council: In
“Everything you want to know about the GSC”(page five) we have
highlighted all their projects, big and small, and how you can
get involved. And when you truly need to disengage, this month’s
installment of “La Flânuese”
takes you off campus and into the hills, guiding you through the
best—and the weirdest—of the Claremont hiking scene (page 10).
While the semester’s end marks the culmination of classes, it
can also be a time to renew your committment to academic life.
Whether you join a new club (softball, anyone? Check out the
Flames on page three); revise your c.v. with an expert career
counselor; or start applying for funding (Research & Awards, page
10), when it comes to being a grad student, classes ending is just
the beginning.
Cheers,
Rachel Tie
Editor, the Pedant
the Pedant
Volume 5, Number 2 November 2012
Many thanks to the Graduate Student Council, Ale McGrew,
Casandra Rusti, the Women in Leadership Association, JP Dulay,
Paul Hardister, Shamini Dias, Alana Olschwang, Julia Wendt,
Danielle Rose Batol, Benjamin Rosenberg, Sheila Lefor, and
Kelsey Kimmel. Go Flames!
The Pedant is . . .
Rachel Tie
Emily Schuck
Editor
Writer
Brendan Babish
Sharone Williams
Editor Emeritus/Writer
Contributor
2 Otium cum dignitate
Cashing in on the home field advantage
While miring ourselves in the life of the mind sounds like a
perfectly adequate way to maximize our grad school years,
the fact of the matter is that the intellectual pursuit must be
augmented by active participation in the scholarly community
(i.e. lines on a C.V.). To that end, CGU’s 14th annual Student
Research Conference is a great opportunity to boost both your
intellect and your career prospects.
This conference is great practice for presenting to a group of
peers, and dissipating the anxiety inherent in exposing your work
for scrutiny. This year’s theme, “I am in the world to change the
world: A Symposium for Advanced Graduate Research and Social
Entrepreneurship,” is open to all disciplines, and is an experience
that will prime you for your future, potentially more difficult,
conference panels.
Moreover, if you submit to present at the conference, your work
will also be considered for publication in LUX: A journal of
transdisciplinary writing and research. If you presented at last
year’s conference and were accepted for publication, you can see
your name proudly in pixels when the journal gets published
online later this month.
The conference will be on January 25, and proposals are due
November 30. So, if you have a paper you’d like some feedback
on, think is publishable, or just want to give presenting the ol’
college try, submit your 250-word proposal. Plus, there’s a keynote
speaker that promises to be stellar, and a catered lunch. Don’t
miss this opportunity to dress in your best business casual, and
get a taste of the good (academic) life.
For more information about the student research conference, visit
cgu.edu/mmpconference. To submit your proposal, visit www.
tinyurl.com/2013mmp.
Claremont Graduate University
campus news
Women in Leadership at CGU
Some assert that the glass ceiling no longer exists, that women
have achieved both personal and professional equality with men.
But instances like congress’ non-unilateral support of the Lilly
Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, or the fact that women still make roughly
75 percent of what men make are both reminders that while
equality has been achieved in many ways, women still face an
uphill battle in the career world.
The Women in Leadership Association (WILA) gives CGU women
a forum for dealing with that battle by providing a community
for the exchange of ideas, professionalization opportunities, and
service opportunities for its members and the community.
Currently led by arts management MA student Ale McGrew and
financial engineering MA student Casandra Rusti, the group
is open to all CGU students (yes, men, too). The club revolves
primarily around its “dinner and discussion” program, a monthly
meeting with female leaders from various industries.
“Even if you can’t give a big time commitment, we encourage
everyone to join,” said McGrew. “It’s a phenomenal way to get
questions answered in a no-pressure, intimate environment
about what it’s really like to be a professional woman.”
In addition to “dinner and discussion,” the club is now going on
its second year of leading “empowerment workshops” for young
women in the community. Based off of Peter Drucker’s “Five
Questions,” the workshops help at-risk young women identify
and begin to pursue their goals.
“WILA is a community of like-minded women who want to
support each other in personal and professional development,”
said Rusti. “In addition, we are currently in the process of
becoming a chapter of Women International, which will
drastically expand our networking and career opportunities.”
To find out more about joining WILA, e-mail ale.m.mcgrew@
gmail.com or casandra.rusti23@gmail.com or contact the
group through their facebook page, www.facebook.com/
womeninleadershipassociation.
Preparing Future Faculty prepares its
return
The Preparing Future Faculty (PFF) program is making a
triumphant return to CGU this spring, this time with an updated
curriculum to reflect the most current developments in pedagogy.
In the competitive academic job market, applicants need to be
well rounded both as researchers and as teachers. At CGU, where
teaching-assistant experience can be difficult to come by, PFF can
give students much-needed theoretical background employers are
increasingly demanding.
“There is a myth about teaching, that one learns to teach
primarily by watching professors; but there really is a pedagogy,”
said Shamini Dias, School of Educational Studies PhD student
and PFF director. “Universities are becoming increasingly student
focused, emphasizing student-learning outcomes and how to
engage different learners in different ways. PFF is a highlyregarded national movement, and demonstrating that you have
been through the PFF program shows employers that you have an
understanding of college-level teaching at the theoretical level.”
While the new PFF program is still being designed and the
program is not set in stone, one component of the program may
include separate learning modules that zero in on specific aspects
of teaching, such as technology.
In the past, seminars have been bi-weekly, spanning the course
of two semesters. For more information, including the exact
curriculum, class meeting times, and to register visit, www.cgu.
edu/pff.
Qualtrics available free to CGU
students
Qualtrics, the cloud-based,
cutting-edge, surveysoftware tool, is now
available for use for free
by CGU students, faculty,
and staff (see Qualtrics in
action in “GSC”—page
five).
Students are encouraged to use Qualtrics for research and other
student-life endeavors, such as running a club. In other words,
this is an open university resource with surprisingly few hoops to
jump through. However, if students plan to conduct research that
draws upon the CGU population of students, staff, faculty, alumni,
or related constituents, the student must contact the Office of
Institutional Effectiveness and complete a survey form.
The Office of Information Technology hopes to have the website
up and running by mid-November. Qualtrics support, including
survey tips, survey policy, reports, and other resources can be
found there when it launches at www.cgu.edu/OIE.
Leisure with dignity 3
Claremont Graduate University
sports page
Ready for some softball?
Okay, so your dream of playing shortstop for the New York Yankees hasn’t panned
out (yet). Or maybe softball’s removal from the Summer Olympics has left you
without an outlet for that wicked underhand fastball. Take heart: Claremont
Graduate University’s softball team, the CGU Flames, is gearing up for another
season and is scouting for new talent.
The co-ed Flames are managed by J.P. Dulay and Phil DelVecchio, both positive
psychology students in the School of Behavioral and Organizational Sciences.
Fittingly, their approach to the game is serious but allows plenty of room for levity.
“Our philosophy is: Have fun. Be safe. Compete. Continue to improve. Laugh a lot,”
said Dulay.
Here is what you need to know if you are thinking about lacing up those cleats:
Team dues are $55 per person for a full season (which is 10 regular season games,
plus playoffs and the championship game). The Flames require a commitment
of approximately six hours per week: three on Friday for practice and three on
Sunday for warm-ups and the game itself.
The team plays at Cahuilla Park in Claremont; even if you don’t join, you are more
than welcome to come cheer on your fellow students as they run up the score on
their heated rivals, Pizza n’ Such.
Currently there is both the long-running co-ed team (which fell just short in the
championship game last year) and a new men’s team. The men’s team was formed
as a result of an overabundance of men wanting to play, though there is still plenty
of interest in recruiting female players.
“We’re looking for anyone to join up, as long as they are not afraid of the ball,”
says DelVecchio.
Those interested in signing up, or looking for more information, should contact
SBOS student Shelly Sloper at michelle.sloper@cgu.edu.
Go Flames!
From top: Danielle Rose Batol hits a homer (we assume); players anxiously watch their teammates from the dugout; the 2011-2012 Flames take their
edict to “have fun “ very seriously; whatever the outcome, team bonding over a brewski is essential.
4 Otium cum dignitate
Claremont Graduate University
campus news
Everything you always wanted to know
about the GSC (but were afraid to ask)
The Graduate Student Council (GSC) is
popularly known for its social events: the
Halloween party in the fall, the farewell
BBQ in the spring, and all those little
excuses to mingle in between. But this
year, they plan to take their presence in
student life to the next level, both in terms
of student life and student advocacy.
Part of this thrust includes helping
students financially. The travel and
material awards, for example, help
reimburse students for expenses incurred
from going to a conference, presenting at
one of the 5Cs, or other academic-related
expenses. And this year, unlike other
years, they’ve streamlined the process
to be 100 percent online; and they don’t
require that you compile your receipts
until after the awardees have been chosen. The next deadline will come
around this spring, so check your weekly CGU Bugle e-mail for updates.
The GSC is also keeping the GSC house open for students during the day.
The hours at the house are currently 11:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m., and you can
use the space for meetings, hangouts, study sessions, or anything else
that might call for such a space. Even better: they have snacks and drinks
available for sustenance to keep your creative juices flowing.
“Best in Show” Halloween costumes, and students
at the GSC s’mores event. Things got pretty
kumbayah, but the night was all the better for it.
Want more? The GSC wants you.
The council wants you to go to their meetings and provide feedback and
input on new initiatives. They are still actively recruiting delegates from all
schools as well as representatives from the Center for Information Systems
and Technology and the School of Politics and Economics (heads up:
representatives get voting rights, so make sure your own school is heard!)
Fall Town Hall Meeting
Another big project of the GSC is the new GSC student portal, currently still
in testing. The new portal provides students with direct access to e-mail,
Sakai, Qualtrics (“What’s Qualtrics,” you ask? See page three), the Honnold
library, the bookstore, as well as the university-wide student portal.
What sets the GSC’s portal apart is that it includes community space in
which student organizations can share information. To check it out, visit
“myCGU” and click the link to “Try my campus portal now” (It’s big. It’s red.
It can’t be missed).
Currently, the GSC is working with administration to plan the next town
hall agenda, and wants to get a better idea of what issues and concerns
students would like to see discussed.
Friend the GSC on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GSCCGU, e-mail them at
gsc@cgu.edu, or check out their website (that has all of the important forms
and information about everything that matters): www.cgu.edu/gsc.
Check your weekly CGU Bugle e-mail for town hall meeting date and
time.
Every fall semester, the GSC hosts a student-led town hall meeting in
which the CGU administration and student body are invited to discuss
iniatives, programs, and concerns affecting the students.
As such, the GSC has designed a survey for students to fill out to ensure
that their concerns are addressed. For your answers to be reviewed, the
survey must be completed by 5:00 p.m. on November 26. The survey can
be found at: www.tinyurl.com/cgugscsurvey.
Leisure with dignity 5
Claremont Graduate University
Dude,
Where’s my job?
Your CV is five pages long. You have experience in your field. You have a graduate degree (for Pedant’s sake!). You are the most
interesting person in the world. So why can’t you get a job?
Blame the economy. Blame hiring biases. Blame a surplus of people with your skill set combined with a shortage of jobs. While all these may be
true, there may also be other factors—interviewing faux pas, an unfocused resume, even applying for the wrong types of jobs—that are standing
between you and a paycheck. The Pedant met up with Office of Career Management career advisor Paul Hardister to find out where conventional
job-hunting wisdom has failed, what most people don’t know about the market, and the most common pitfalls plaguing graduate students on the
job hunt.
Networking
“Spend as much time off line as you spend online,” said Hardister. “While
many students are pros at marketing themselves on things like LinkedIn,
Twitter, Academia.edu, and the like, they can overlook the importance of
face-to-face interaction with people in their fields.”
For many, hobnobbing at a wine and cheese meet-up of professionals in
their field sounds like a fun Friday night out. For others, it is their vision of
the seventh circle of hell. But the value of creating an authentic connection
with someone is immeasurable: sometimes someone having shaken your
hand is enough for him or her to open a door for you.
Hardister suggests joining one—or several—professional associations in
your field and going to some of their local events. While some people have
no problem working a room of 50, you can even benefit from this type of
contact if by setting a modest goal of meeting 2-3 people (this may even
work favorably for you, as professional “hob-nobbers” can risk looking
disingenuous).
But equal to the networking advantages gained from participating in
professional associations is the knowledge acquired from taking part in
the conversation. Whether you’re still a student or have already made your
entrée into the professional world, these meetings are full of individuals
in your field discussing the most current topics (whether research,
management strategies, or gossip) that can ensure you are always up-todate.
Professionalization
The process of “professionalization” is two pronged: On one hand,
professionalization means gaining experience in your field; on the other, it
means looking and acting the part of a professional, experience or not.
“One of the most common pitfalls I see is people taking a ‘trick-or-treat’
approach to the job hunt, in terms of both their cover letters and their
actions at career fairs,” said Hardister. “In terms of the former, it is
essential to take the time to tailor the letter for each job you are applying
for, otherwise it reads to potential employers like junk mail. If you’re
applying to 30 jobs and don’t have the time to devote to 30 personalized
cover letters, then budget more time to the jobs you really want.”
6 Otium cum dignitate
A CGU student works a career fair the right way: engaged, professional looking, and absolutely not in flip-flops.
“Often, people get masters degrees as a way to enter their career field at a higher level. But the truth
of the matter, especially in this economy, is that you can no longer assume that an MA entitles you to
bypass entry-level positions.”
The same idea holds true for career fairs: Rather than going
from table to table asking recruiters if they’re hiring before
snagging a free pencil and skipping off to the next table (Ooh!
highlighters!), prepare in advance and spend quality time with
those companies you are most interested in working for. “By
finding out which companies will be at the fair ahead of time
and finding out what they’re looking for, you can avoid looking
not only unfocused, but avoid having the air of a telemarketer,
asking anyone and everyone, ‘Got any jobs?’” said Hardister.
And don’t wear flip-flops.
may still have to start at the bottom, that degree will help you
advance more quickly.”
Just because you’re still in school doesn’t mean you have to put
off adding experience to your resume.
Long gone are the days of filling out job applications in the
Barnes and Noble café. As highly educated individuals striving to
build life-long careers, getting the right job can require months
of planning.
“If you can’t work in your field, volunteer or intern,” said
Hardister. “But you can also find more creative ways to show
experience and know-how. For instance, the Graduate Student
Council and your school governance are great places to exercise
your skills: pitch and oversee a project idea, highlighting
marketable skills like ‘project management’ and ‘publicity”
on your resume. If you have a blog with 300 followers, don’t
write that off as a hobby, use it to show your finesse with social
media.”
Reality check
Essentially, a fancy degree from a fantastic school such as CGU
isn’t enough on its own to land graduates six-figure jobs (alas!).
Constantly augment your classroom learning with skills useful
in your field, such as technology, second (and third) languages,
and leadership experience.
Nuts and bolts
“One of the first steps in developing a plan is to talk to
individuals in your field to get a feel for the types of jobs out
there and the type of skills they are looking for,” said Hardister,
who encourages students to come to him for help in developing
a plan. “Not only can we help you brainstorm a plan of action,
but can help you with your resume—currently our most utilized
service—and can even set up a mock interview—our least utilized
but perhaps most beneficial service.”
There is little doubt the economy is in a period of extended
stagnation, and as such, job hunters need to adjust their
expectations to reflect that reality. Still, Hardister noted some
patterns that graduate students on the job hunt fall into.
With student loans looming (and let’s face it: we’re not getting
any younger), getting the perfect job right away can seem like
the only thing standing between you and the American Dream.
But with a skewed job-opening-to-qualified-candidate ratio,
coupled with a bad economy, the only thing to do is to keep your
finger to the pulse of your field, plan ahead, and remain flexible.
“Often, people get masters degrees as a way to enter their career
field at a higher level. But the truth of the matter, especially
in this economy, is that you can no longer assume that an MA
entitles you to bypass entry-level positions,” said Hardister. “But
the good news—and this is backed by studies—is that while you
“The average person changes careers at least three times in their
life,” said Hardister. “So don’t worry about getting ‘stuck’ in the
wrong job: It may just be the one you’ve been looking for.”
Leisure with dignity 7
up at the trailhead. It turns out I spent so much time planning my
hiking outfit that I forgot some essentials. Like a bag to carry all the
essentials I didn’t forget: water, sunglasses, sunblock, fake nose and
mustache, camera, chapstick. Thank goodness for Rachel, who actually
seems to know what she’s doing.
11:23 a.m. Distance: .25 miles; elevation climb: 79 feet. It’s a beautiful
day for a hike. The sun’s out, it’s mostly clear, my water’s cold,
everything’s perfect.
11:28 a.m. Distance: .47 miles; elevation climb: 149 feet. Wow, that sun’s
really bright. Hey, who’s in charge of the air conditioning around here?
heh heh
11:49 a.m. Distance: 1.3 miles; elevation climb: 419 feet. Man. This
is . . . this is some hike. I just told Rachel I reckoned we had to be
nearing halfway done (uh, wrong). I reckon hiking makes me say things
like “reckon.”
La Flâneuse
by Sharone Williams — writer, editor, loafer, PhD
candidate in English
Flâneuse, French: 1) a city wanderer; 2) one who
strolls about aimlessly; 3) a shopper with no intent
to buy; an intellectual parasite.
As part of the Pedant’s mission to enhance student life, La Flâneuse
(the wanderer) was developed to feature goings-on about town.
Things to do, people to see, and places to go are recorded for your
reading pleasure by the charming, the effete, the ever-hungry
flâneuse. This installement: Take a hike, Claremont.
On your map, it might be called the Claremont Wilderness Trail, but
all the cool kids know it as the Mills Loop, a moderate hike just over
five miles long that winds into the mountains behind our hallowed
halls of learning. It’s about a 950-foot climb in elevation, and rumor
has it that on a clear day you can see all the way to Catalina Island
from the summit. One bright fall day, Intrepid Editor Rachel and I
set out to conquer it in the name of journalism.
12:14 p.m. Distance: 2.4 miles; elevation climb: 760 feet. Hey look, you
can almost see all the way to Glendora! It’s the kind of view that makes
me want to go striding through some chaparral.
12:29 p.m. Distance: 3.0 miles; elevation climb: 951 feet. We made it
to the covered benches at the summit! You know what would be an
amazing reward for this accomplishment? A helicopter ride to my car.
12:36 p.m. Distance: 3.3 miles; elevation climb: 879 feet. I would elbow
my mother in the face for some cold water right now.
12: 46 p.m. Distance: 3.7 miles; elevation climb: 618 feet. Is this the end?
It feels like we’re getting clo— (interrupted by GPS lady announcing our
actual distance).
12:53 p.m. Distance: 3.99 miles; elevation climb: 480 feet. Has anyone
ever walked this long in their entire lives? What if we’ve actually died
and we’re being punished in some kind of afterlife?
12:58 p.m. Distance: 4.2 miles; elevation climb: 380 feet. Rachel just
turned to me and said dreamily, “What are you going to do first if we
ever get home again?” What are the symptoms of heatstroke again?
1:00 p.m. Distance: 4.3 miles; elevation climb: 333 feet. Shade. SHADE.
The Mills Loop is just what it sounds like, an out and back trail that
starts and ends in the same place, the Claremont Wilderness Park at
the top of Mills Avenue. You have two choices: you can go up the left
side (the Burbank Canyon Trail), which is a longer but more gradual
climb (three miles up and two miles down) and provides no shade
until the home stretch; or you can go up the right side (the Cobal
Trail), which has a steeper but shorter incline and plentiful shade
during the first leg of the hike. We chose the Burbank Canyon side
on the theory that we’d reward ourselves for our exertion with the
shorter downhill walk.
Below are some excerpts from my expedition journal.
11:17 a.m. Distance: 0.0 miles; elevation climb: 0 feet. We’re meeting
Doe!
8 Otium cum dignitate
On a clear day, the peak of Mills Loop boasts panoramic views of the San Bernardino and San Gabriel valleys and mountains, Downtown LA, and Catalina Island.
There has never been anything so glorious in all the world.
1:18 p.m. Distance: 5.0 miles; elevation climb: 0 feet. We lived. We will
see civilization and Vons and pancakes and showers again.
On a nice day, the Mills Loop attracts quite a crowd. Some people show
up clutching Starbucks cups and gloating over their superiority for
remembering there’s such a thing as outside. Don’t be that guy. Others
come kitted out in full hiking regalia with packs of water strapped to
the backs of their hapless golden retrievers; don’t be that guy either. It’s
not Machu Picchu. Carry your own water. Some people come in running
shorts and t-shirts and sprint past you up 6% grades with the grace of
gazelles. It’s ok to be that guy, as long as you don’t mind me hating you.
But most people are just like you and me: they want to be outside and
get in some exercise at the same time. They bring their mountain bikes,
their kids, their dogs, their friends; they tell stories, they say hi to
strangers, they sweat, huff and puff, and feel good and stuff when they
finally reach the end.
Still feeling iffy about it? I’ve created a helpful quiz.
Please review the following statements and answer using a 5-point
Likert scale where 1=strongly disagree and 5=strongly agree.
1. I’m in decent shape (none-to-moderate huffing and puffing after one
flight of stairs).
2. The temperature outside is reasonable and the chances of heatstroke,
hypothermia, or mudslide are minimal.
3. I have two hours to kill.
4. Hey, look! I’m wearing comfortable, breathable clothing and walking
shoes that are nice and roomy around the toes because I’m going to be
walking a lot and I understand that foot swelling is NOT A JOKE.
5. Sometimes I like to remember that there are things in the world
besides books and libraries and computer labs and dissertations.
6. I like mountains and trees and gorgeous views and the occasional
deer, and I’m willing to get sweaty to see them up close and in person.
If your average score is 3 or higher, congratulations! The Mills Loop just
might be for you.
If you’re a more/less accomplished hiker, Mt. Baldy has some options
you might like.
If the Mills Loop seems like too much: try San Antonio Falls, an easy
1.4-mile trip. See www.alltrails.com and seach “San Antonio Falls.”
If you can do the Mills Loop backwards on your hands in the dark: Can
I watch? Also, try the Three Tees Trail via Icehouse Canyon, a 14.1-mile
full-day expedition that requires an adventure permit from the visitor
center. Visit www.everytrail.com and search “three tees Trail.”
Leisure with dignity 9
research +
awards
student achievements
Kevin Fleming
PhD, Education
Kevin was promoted to dean of instruction at
Norco College. In addition, his presentation,
“Supplying the Workforce Needs: Creating the
National Center for Supply Chain Technology
Education,” was accepted to the National
Science Foundation and the American
Association of Community Colleges jointconference.
Jennings Randolph Peace
Scholarship Dissertation Program
This dissertation scholarship is for students at US universities
who are writing on topics related to peace, conflict, and
international security in any discipline. Citizens of any country
can apply, as long as they are enrolled in a doctoral program at an
accredited US university. The award is $20,000 for 10 months, and
the recipient can do research at their university or another site
suited to their work. The application consists of a proposal and
three letters of reference, with a December 14 deadline. For more
information, visit www.usip.org.
The Applegate-Jackson-Parks
Future Teacher Scholarship
This scholarship of $1,000 is awarded annually to a student
studying education. The application process consists of an
application, a transcript, and an essay of 500 words. The essay
should demonstrate an understanding and an interest in the
principles of voluntary and compulsory unionism in relation
to education. Applicants must demonstrate their potential to
complete their program and the desire for a teaching license after
graduation. The application is available for online submission
or hard copy, and all materials must be submitted or posted by
December 31. For more information and to apply, visit www.nilrr.
org.
Lloyd G. Balfour Fellowships
Ever wonder what you got out of your fraternity or sorority aside
from the epithet you can’t seem to shake, “Frank the Tank” or
“Susie the floo—” nevermind. Turns out, everything they say
about Greek life and lifelong networks is true. The Lloyd G.
Balfour Fellowship program awards 10 fellowships in the amount
of $1,000-$2,000 to former NIC, NPC, NPHC, and PFA members
currently enrolled in graduate programs (if you don’t know any of
the above acronyms, this one probably isn’t for you.)
Applicants must have at least a 3.7 GPA, and must have
demonstrated campus and community involvement, and
leadership within their fraternity/sorority.
Applications must be postmarked by March 31, 2012, and must
include all transcripts, an acceptance letter from CGU, and the
fellowship application. For the application and details, visit
www.nif-inc.net/scholarships/lloyd_balfour.
10 Otium cum dignitate
Nancy Guarneros
PhD, Education
The crit, a critical legal studies journal at
The University of Idaho College of Law has
accepted Guarneros’ paper to present at their
annual conference and for publication.
Jessica L.A. Jackson
MA, Behavior Research & Evaluation; MPH, Applied Biostatistics &
Epidemiology
This summer, Jackson completed an internship with the Office on
Women’s Health at the US Department of Health and Human Services.
She is involved in several projects, including coordinating content
development, staffing, and process of two OWH sponsored seminars
at the US Conference on AIDS. She also served as an objective grant
reviewer for various requests for proposals on gender-specific
interventions and programs. Finally, she completed research for a
presidential working group on the intersection between intimate
partner violence and HIV.
Aye Aye Khaine
PhD, Public Policy and Health Policy
This past summer, Khaine worked with Seattle-based international
development organization, PATH. PATH promotes Ultra Rice in
Myanmar (formerly known as Burma). Ultra Rice is a fortified food
that can help address micronutrient deficiencies or malnutrition
in resource-constrained countries. Her work involved identifying
local business partners, especially rice millers, who would commit to
investing in equipment required to make fortified rice and would likely
to be trained for fortification techniques in the future. She conducted
a series of consultative meetings and discussions with relevant
stakeholders.
Lei Lei
PhD, Information Systems and Technology
Lei’s paper was accepted by the 2012 IEEE Global Humanitarian
Technology Conference. Lei designed a spatial intelligent framework to
improve the effectiveness of public participation in the Environmental
Impact Assessment process.
Bruce Paolozzi
Randal Stepp
PhD, Philosophy of Religion and Theology
Paolozzi’s article, “Caputo through the Cloud: Answering Questions
Raised by John Caputo through a Recovery of The Cloud of Unknowing”
was published in the peer-reviewed academic journal Medieval Mystical
Theology in August 2012.
PhD, Higher Ed
Stepp’s paper “Native Hawaiian educational access: Consequences of a
conquest” was published in the Journal of the World University Forum.
Sharon Pittman
PhD, Cultural Studies
Pittman’s article “James Cuno and the
Question of Whose Culture” was published in
the summer edition of the scholarly journal
Interdisciplinary Humanities.
Patrick Williams
PhD, Applied Cognitive Psychology
Williams received a research-assistant position studying the
neuroscience of wisdom at the Center for Cognitive and Social
Neuroscience in the Department of Psychology at the University of
Chicago. He also became the father of a 6 pound, 8 ounce baby girl on
August 22, 2012.
Theresa Yugar
Paul Rodriguez
PhD, Philosophy of Religion and Theology
Rodriguez was recently hired to teach at Cal State University,
Dominguez Hills.
PhD, Women’s Studies in Religion
Theresa Yugar and Professor Rosemary Radford Ruether were
among 20 Catholic feminists nation-wide to attend a “Catholic Feminist
Movement Building Conference,” in Baltimore, Maryland in July.
Participants gathered to discuss the future of Catholic feminism,
alternative ways of being Catholic, and women’s relationships to the
institutional Roman Catholic Church.
Courtenay Stallings
PhD, History
Stallings is a recipient of the Ida Lloyd Crotty Endowed Fellowship.
This endowed fellowship supports an outstanding female scholar in the
arts or humanities in memory of Howard and Ida Crotty. The Claremont
Graduate University faculty in the School of Arts & Humanities selects
the recipients of this fellowship.
Did you publish a paper? Present at a conference? Land a job? Do something else
noteworthy in your academic or professional career? Send your achievements to
pedant@cgu.edu. Be sure to include whether you are an MA or PhD student and
the degree you are seeking. You may also send a high-res, professional headshot.
Leisure with dignity 11
Claremont Graduate University
e v ent i n f o cus
calendar
November 21 CGU Concerts at CST: Beethoven: An die ferne Geliebte,
Opus 98 and Schumann: Liederkreis, Opus 39, featuring Chun Han Chang
on baritone. Concert begins at 4:15 p.m. at Kresge Chapel at the Claremont
School of Theology.
November 22-23 Thanksgiving Break, no classes. Get outta town!
November 20 Dissertation Workshop hosted by the Writing Center. Join
this bi-weekly dissertation group from 4:00–6:00 p.m. for encouragement,
feedback, and even a shoulder to cry on if you need it at the Institute of
Antiquity and Christianity. The workshop is open to all CGU students. Mark
your calendars for the other workshops (same time, same place) on December
4 and 18.
November 29 The School of Arts, Humanities, and Religion is pleased to
have Robert Folkenflik lecture on “Sexuality, Literature, and Culture in the
Restoration and Eighteenth Century.” Lecture will be held in the Institute
for Antiquity and Christianity Library (831 N. Dartmouth) at 4:00 p.m.
Refreshments will be served.
November 30 Join Gabriel Cook of Claremont McKenna College for this
Cognitive Psychology Brown Bag Lunch talk on Metacognition and Emotion.
The talk will take place from noon to 1:30 p.m. in the Academic Computing
Building room 214. Bring your lunch!
December 6 Join your Graduate Student Council for their meeting in the
Board of Trustees Room in Harper Hall at 7:00 p.m. Get the inside scoop
about what’s happening on campus. RSVP to gsc@cgu.edu, and get dinner
just for showing up.
December 6 Always wanted to be a rock star? Pine no more, and put those
pipes to work at the GSC and KGI Karaoke/Variety Show, from 8:00–11:00
p.m. For more information, visit www.cgu.edu/gsc.
December 17 Due date for dissertation/critique/thesis.
December 17-21 Final exams week. Keep your eyes peeled for information
about the GSC’s study break event.
December 19 CGU Concerts at CST: Works by Bach, Beethoven, and
Tchaikovsky, featuring Chiaochun Chang on piano. Concert starts at 4:15
p.m. and will be held in the Mudd Theatre, Seeling G. Mudd Building at the
Claremont School fo Theology.
December 22 Last day of semester; degrees conferred. Happy Holidays!
January 22 First day of spring semester.
12 Otium cum dignitate
School of Politics and
Economics Tuesday Talks
This speaker series, brought to you by the School of Politics
and Economics, features a variety of speakers on topics split
roughly between (you guessed it) politics and economics.
The talks aim to bring additional scholarship to the school,
and are a way of both sharing new ideas and bringing the
community together. Even if you aren’t an economist or
politician—figuratively speaking of course—the talks are
interesting, like CGU Professor Jean Schroedel’s talk on
foster care, or journalist Alexander Heffner’s talk on this
year’s election. What’s more is that lunch is provided,
satisfying that Tuesday craving for brain food and regular
food.
For more information on the Tuesday talks, or to view videos
of talks you missed, visit http://www.cgu.edu/tuesdaytalks.
graduate tips
CGU Professors Paul Gray and David
E. Drew, authors of What they Didn’t
Teach You in Graduate School: 199
Helpful Hints for Success in Your
Academic Career, have been kind
enough to allow us to publish one
helpful hint from their book in each
issue. This is so that one day you
don’t raise your fist in the air and
curse CGU for not teaching you
that . . .
41. Teaching is a learned art
As such it follows a learning curve.
Your first effort will not be as good as your second, and your
second, in turn, will not be as good as your third. However,
there is a limit on how good you will get. In other words, your
teaching ratings will peak and then remain essentially constant.
Eventually, you will be bored by the course and your ratings will
go down. Don’t despair. It is a natural phenomenon. Often it is a
result of ageing; faculty over 40 relate less and less each year to
18-year-old freshmen if they don’t have kids at home. Decreasing
teaching ratings are a sign that it is time for you to teach a
different course or students at a different level. You may need to
strong-arm your department chair, but change you must.