Editor's Note: Pitzer Press is published every other Monday during the academic year by the office of public information, located in Avery 105. We welcome suggestions for feature, news and calendar items. Deadline for the May 1 edition is noon on April 27. To contact Pitzer Press, send e-mail to ninae@pitzer.edu or call x18219. Current and archived issues of Pitzer Press can be found on the Web at Archive
Feature - Science Praises Alumna's Project
The Campaign Trail - Extending Pitzer's Reach
Faculty/Staff News
Comings and Goings
Opportunities and Announcements
Coming Up
Archive
FEATURE: Science Magazine Praises Alumna’s Project
Susan Celniker ’71 has been co-directing the Berkeley Drosophila Genome Project at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. The group had already sequenced 20% of the Drosphila Melanogaster fly genome when biotechnology firm Celera and the BDGP teamed up in 1998. The importance of the fruit fly genome sequence is in its similarity to the human genes implicated in cancer, kidney, blood and neurological diseases.
According to Roger Hoskins, leader of the BDGP mapping project, "the underlying biochemistry of fruit flies and humans is remarkably similar…."
Celniker points out the practicality of the fruit fly as a subject: "We can find human tumor-suppressing genes in flies easier than we can in the mouse." She goes on to describe how the study of fly genes help to determine how networks of genes interact with disease genes and their associated metabolic pathways.
The March 24, 2000 issue of Science called the work of Celniker and the BDGP a milestone in the history of genetic research and a doorway to understanding how the genome sequence controls biology.
Last week, Carol Brandt and I visited our external studies program in Turkey. I met with many wonderful faculty members and was immensely impressed with the quality of the program. I had a chance to spend time with our students there, as well as a couple of young alumni, including Ben Ball, who is beginning a Ph.D. program there, and Zach Gordon, who is doing research in connection with a Fulbright Fellowship. We also had a spectacular event with many Pitzer friends at the home of Nazar Altun’s ’00 parents in Istanbul.
As you can tell, it was a very productive and eventful trip. We left with many new friendships and developed even stronger bonds with people who truly care about Pitzer and the great work we do. --Marilyn Chapin Massey
Faculty and Staff News
The study of the tiny fruit fly has long been part of science curricula. Now, deciphering the genome of the Drosophila Melanogaster has become the spearhead in the race to discover the human genome sequence.
THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL: Extending Pitzer's Reach
In my last column, I discussed how important it is to build a culture of philanthropy among the various constituents that make up the Pitzer community. Since then, I have been halfway around the world and back. Hisham Nazer, a trustee and parent, opened his home in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, to a group of Pitzer emissaries that included myself; trustee Gene Stein and his wife, Mindy; Carol Brandt; Tom Manley; and my daughter, Sarah. Mr. Nazer is a gracious and generous host and we all had a wonderful time (despite the debilitating heat), learning a great deal about Saudi culture in the process.
The Luce Faculty Seminar on “Fine Arts, Brain and Medicine,” concludes today with a lecture on “Attendance at Cultural Events is Good for Your Health: An Epidemiological Perspective from Sweden” by Dr. Lars Olov Bygren, head of the Department of Social Medicine at the University of Umea, Sweden. For details, contact Heather Gillespie at ext. 73061 or visit the Luce Faculty Seminar web site.
Comings and Goings
After 17 years at Pitzer, most of that time in the financial aid office, Lynne Spear will be leaving to pursue other interests. In her honor, a farewell party is scheduled on Thursday, May 11, from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. poolside at the Gold Student Center. FMI: Abby Parsons at ext. 18208 or Abby_Parsons@pitzer.edu.
Gailyn Miranda, back from maternity leave, and Lina Lopez, previously of the admission office, will be splitting time in filling the IT office administrative assistant position. Lina and Gailyn will each work 20 hours a week, allowing themselves more time with their families. Lina will work Monday and Tuesday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and WEdnesday from 8 a.m. to noon. Gailyn will work Wednesday from 1 to 5 p.m. and Thursday and Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. “We are very pleased to have them in our office and at Pitzer,” said Mark Ingalls, director of information technology. “Please feel free to stopy by and welcome Gailyn back (be prepared to see lots of Estee photos) and congratulate Lina on her new role in the information technology office.”
Jamie Francis has joined the Center for Intercultural and Language Education, replacing Shirley Hawkins as receptionist. Shirley will now provide support for the external relations office, while continuing her work in special programs and room scheduling. Jamie comes to Pitzer from Blomberg and Benson, a law office in Rancho Cucamonga. A 1998 graduate of the University of Montana, Jamie is fluent in Spanish and has had both study-abroad and service-learning experiences.
Sasaki Associates return to campus this Wednesday and Thurday to provide the community with thoughts, comments and perspectives on common themes that they heard during their first campus visit focus groups. For a schedule of events and meetings, contact the dean of students office.
Pitzer holds an Evacuation Drill on Thursday at 2:20 p.m. When the fire alarm rings, please report to your designated initial evacuation site.
The Claremont Colleges Kosher for Passover kitchen will be available for those who wish to eat Passover food. Two seders will be held: Wednesday and Thursday at 7:15 p.m. in Oldenborg Dining Hall, Pomona. All other lunch and dinners will be at Walton Commons, Pomona. Meals are free for students with meal cards. FMI: Hillel at ext. 72096.
Pitzer faculty members and guest speakers will address the question “Do the Social & Behavioral Sciences Need (Their) Histories?” at a two-day conference to be held April 28 and 29 in the Performance Space of Broad Center. The conference begins next Friday with opening remarks at 1 p.m. by Professor Dan Segal, then continues with a presentation titled “Mr Smith Goes to Olympus (Alone): How Economics Lost Touch with Broader Social Inquiry” by Ken Pomeranz of UC Irvine at 1:15 p.m. A response by Professor Linus Yamane and an open discussion will follow. Other topics and speakers include “From Monomania to Attention Deficit Disorder: Why Psychiatry Would Do Well to Ponder its History” by Jan Goldstein of the University of Chicago (Friday, 3:30 p.m.); “Savage Bodies & Primitive Minds: Fin-de-Siecle Cultural Politics of Race” by Lee Baker of Columbia University (Saturday, 9:30 a.m.); "The Human/Social/Behavioral Sciences in Europe & the U.S.: Enlarging the Historical Lens" Dorothy Ross of Johns Hopkins University (Saturday, 12:45 p.m.); and a panel discussion with Julie Liss and Dion Scott-Kakuras of Scripps College and Jacqueline Stevens of Pomona College (Saturday, 3 p.m.). FMI: ext. 73645.
The Webb Schools will host its inaugural Fiction Writers’ Conference July 9 to 14. Webb’s Voices and Visions program includes professional instruction in the techniques of fiction writing, manuscript preparation and presentation, individual consultation and evening author readings. For details, contact Jim Kingstone at (909) 626-3587 or jkingstone@webb.org.
MONDAY
McAlister Center holds a Community/Student Penance Service at 6:30 p.m. FMI: Normelena Rios at ext. 72938.
TUESDAY
“Social Services of the APA Community” is the topic of discussion from 4 to 5:30 p.m. in the Founders Room, Bauer Center, CMC. FMI: Joe_Parker@pitzer.edu.
Ben Caldwell, director of the Chaos Network at Leimert Park, discusses how to integrate video into community networks at 4:15 p.m. in the Broad Center Performance Space. Chaos Network integrates video culture, hip-hop culture and computer technologies into spaces of communication across racial, ethnic, class and gender barriers.
WEDNESDAY
Passover begins.
Emily Rizzo’s senior art show, “Three Elizabethan Dresses,” opens in Nichols Gallery in Broad Center. The show ends April 21. An opening reception will be held on Friday from 7 to 10 p.m.
It’s Asian/Asian American Student Union Open Mic Night at the Motley, Scripps College, starting at 9 p.m. FMI: ellee@scrippscol.edu.
THURSDAY
International Place Lunch & Conversation presents “International Affairs and the Election of 200” with Jack Pitney, professor of government at CMC, in McKenna Auditorium. International food is served from 11:45 a.m. The program begins at 12:15 p.m. Admission is a meal card or $4 at the door.
McAlister Center holds a Holy Thursday recreation of the Lord’s Supper at 7:30 p.m. FMI: ext. 18825.
The Department of Theatre & Dance for The Claremont Colleges presents “The Ladies of the Camellias,” a hilarious farce by Lillian Garrett-Groag, at 8 p.m. in the Virginia Princehouse Allen Studio Theatre of the Seaver Theatre complex at Pomona. Tickets are $4 for students, faculty and staff and $8 general admission. Tickets may be reserved through the box office at ext. 74375.
FRIDAY
Good Friday.
McAlister Center holds a Good Friday service at noon.
The Friday Noon Concert Series presents “Organ Music on Good Friday” at 12:15 p.m. in Lyman Hall, Thatcher Music Building, Pomona.
The Department of Theatre & Dance for The Claremont Colleges presents “The Ladies of the Camellias,” a hilarious farce by Lillian Garrett-Groag, at 8 p.m. in the Virginia Princehouse Allen Studio Theatre of the Seaver Theatre complex at Pomona. Tickets are $4 for students, faculty and staff and $8 general admission. Tickets may be reserved through the box office at ext. 74375.
SATURDAY
The Department of Theatre & Dance for The Claremont Colleges presents “The Ladies of the Camellias,” a hilarious farce by Lillian Garrett-Groag, at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. in the Virginia Princehouse Allen Studio Theatre of the Seaver Theatre complex at Pomona. Tickets are $4 for students, faculty and staff and $8 general admission. Tickets may be reserved through the box office at ext. 74375.
McAlister Center holds an Easter Vigil at 7 p.m.
SUNDAY
Easter Sunday.
McAlister Center holds an Easter Service at 9:30 a.m.
The Department of Theatre & Dance for The Claremont Colleges presents “The Ladies of the Camellias,” a hilarious farce by Lillian Garrett-Groag, at 2 p.m. in the Virginia Princehouse Allen Studio Theatre of the Seaver Theatre complex at Pomona. Tickets are $4 for students, faculty and staff and $8 general admission. Tickets may be reserved through the box office at ext. 74375.
Week of April 24
TUESDAY
Seniors from The Claremont Colleges present their research on issues relevant to the APA community from 4:45 to 6:30 p.m. in Room 101 of the Hahn Building, Pomona. FMI: rcarter@cmcvax.mckenna.edu.
WEDNESDAY
“The Hierarchy of Colorism in Ethnic Communities” is the topic of discussion at 5:30 p.m. in the McConnell Living Room. FMI: Micki_Clowney@pitzer.edu.
AARC and the Asian Pacific Islander AIDS Intervention Team present a stress management, massage, yoga and exercise workshop for women titled “Mental Health: Free Your Mind” from 7 to 8:45 p.m. in Suite 240 of the Smith Campus Center, Pomona. FMI: ext. 18639.
Enjoy talent night at the AAMP Candlelight Cafe (Oldenborg Dining Hall, Pomona) at 8:30 p.m. FMI: Sophia_Lee@pomona.edu.
FRIDAY
Pitzer celebrates Alumni Weekend! A schedule of activities and other information about the festivities can be found on the Pitzer web site.
The Friday Noon Concert Series presents “A Slice of American Pie” by the Chamber Choir of Claremont at 12:15 p.m. in Balch Auditorium, Scripps.
AARC holds an open house for Alumni Weekend from 3 to 4:30 p.m. in Suite 240 of Smith Campus Center, Pomona. FMI: ext. 18630 or dmooko@pomona.edu.
SATURDAY
Pitzer celebrates Alumni Weekend! A schedule of activities and other information about the festivities can be found on the Pitzer web site.
Hui Laule’a holds a Lu’au starting at 5:30 p.m. in Badgely Gardens, CMC. FMI: rtamura@cmcvax.mckenna.edu.
SUNDAY
Pitzer celebrates Alumni Weekend! A schedule of activities and other information about the festivities can be found on the Pitzer web site.