A message to alumni from Dean Hartwell: February 2022
On Jan. 31, the university welcomed students, faculty, and staff back to campus after a period of precautionary measures. Ever-resilient, CLAS Warriors continue to hit the ground running. I use that expression figuratively, but quite literally as well: The entire university community including alumni are invited to join me for a "Run with the Dean" 5-mile jog later this month. Keep an eye on CLAS social media for confirmation and details.
February is Black History Month, and the university will host many programs in celebration. More than 78% of Detroit's population is African American, and one of my major priorities as dean is to further elevate the community that calls this city home, far beyond just a single month. CLAS is proud to feature alumni who are part of Black History including research chemist Bettye Washington Greene, Ph.D. '65 and Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, '86.
Additionally, I am delighted that two CLAS alumni recently received the Wayne State University Alumni Association's most prestigious awards. In these inspiring videos, they explain what Wayne State means to them.
History alumnus Christopher Wilson '07 received the 2021 Distinguished Alumni Award.
The director of experience design and the African American history program at the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History, Wilson was also keynote speaker at WSU's annual celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr last month.
Mathematics and Statistics alumnus Ron Wood '75, '80 received the 2020 Homer D. Strong 2020 Alumni Award. A member of the WSU Organization of Black Alumni, Wood recalls starting college intimidated by the size of the university. I was particularly pleased by his endorsement of mentoring as a strategy to help alleviate that feeling for new generations.
"I felt it was very important to expose students to careers that are STEM-related, particularly in the health industry," Wood said. "They may not have it on their radar screen, but these students need to know that if you're a math major, there are all kinds of jobs out there for you."
Such inspiring awardees are perfect examples of the kind of people who received a broad and rigorous education in the liberal arts and sciences that stayed with them long after they graduated. If I have my way, I fully expect to see many more CLAS alumni recognized in the future. They are out there, all around the world, making a difference. Our students will be following in their example, choosing to spend their spring break volunteering.
As dean, I am continuously trying to become more and more involved with local organizations. I have begun serving on the Heidelberg Project Board of Directors and love how the organization aims to improve lives and neighborhoods through art. In October, a group of students joined me there to paint a picnic table as part of Heidelberg's "Have a Seat" fundraiser.
This month, I hope you'll "have a seat" and join me at virtual events showcasing the brilliance of CLAS alumni and faculty.
Anthropology alumnus Alex B. Hill '16 will be giving a Q&A discussion (February 24) of his new book Detroit in 50 Maps which was named a New York Times top book of 2021. As the owner of two dogs, one of my favorite maps featured in the book is most popular dog names in Detroit.
Throughout the pandemic, Jerry Dunifer, emeritus professor of physics and astronomy, has been wowing audiences through interactive journeys to exotic locations through his slideshow series, Journeys with Jerry. The upcoming 10th journey (February 17) is a visit to two of the largest machines in the world, (LIGO and the LHC) which both have dimensions measured in miles.
Lastly, one of the best parts of CLAS is that we are home to museums, exhibits, and community engagement programs that make an indelible impact in the community of Detroit and around the globe.
I hope you can join Museum Director Megan McCullen, Ph.D. on March 3 for a live tour of Wayne State's Gordon L. Grosscup Museum of Anthropology and its new exhibit highlighting a selection of African objects gathered by recently retired professor and WSU icon, Dr. Guerin Montilus.
Sincerely,
Steffi
Stephanie Hartwell, Ph.D.
Dean, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Professor of sociology, adjunct professor of psychiatry