CLASS Notes, Aug. 14, 2019
Dear alumni, donors, colleagues and friends,
A new school year is upon us, and we are busily preparing to welcome one of the College of Letters, Arts and Social Sciences’ largest incoming classes in years. It is thrilling to see so many students impassioned by the study of the liberal arts who are pursuing their interests here at the University of Idaho. Here they will explore the human condition – that is, what it is to think, create and act in the world - and learn the skills and knowledge that will carry them throughout their lives and careers. We’re honored that they’ve chosen to call themselves Vandals.
In the coming months, one of our top priorities is helping our students build meaningful communities and forge positive experiences at U of I – whether they are located on our residential campus, study at one of our statewide centers or are one of our rapidly-growing online students. Our students come from all backgrounds and every walk of life. We want every one of them to feel welcome, valued and proud to make U of I and CLASS their home. Belonging is one of our deepest needs, and we will work during these first few months to connect our students with mentors, clubs, advisors and organizations to ensure that they build their Vandal community.
CLASS prides itself on the depth and quality of the undergraduate experience we provide. I truly believe that the student opportunities for research, study abroad, career development and service learning make a liberal arts education at the University of Idaho an exemplary experience. Most of these opportunities are available because of the collaboration between our faculty, staff, alumni and stakeholders like you. Thank you for your ongoing commitment and partnership to promoting a liberal arts education. I look forward to working with you to continue this great work throughout the academic year.
Very truly yours,
Sean M. Quinlan
Dean
Around the College
- CLASS is excited to welcome three new leaders to its departments and schools this fall. Benjamin Barton has been named the chair of the Department of Psychology and Communication Studies, Robert Caisley will be serving as chair of the Department of Theatre Arts and Vanessa Sielert has been hired permanently as the director of the Lionel Hampton School of Music.
- Senior film and television studies major Wylie Keele participated in UCLAs Film Production Summer Institute, a six week program working with professors at one of the top film schools in the nation and receiving feedback from industry professionals. Keele said, “This is a great addition to my years at the University of Idaho, as I now know how I can take the skills I've learned to Hollywood and begin my professional career.”
- Share your job announcements, achievements and other news with CLASS! Submit a news item to see it featured in a future CLASS Notes, on CLASS social media or on the CLASS Alumni News page.
Catch up on all the latest news from our CLASSy faculty, students and staff on the CLASS News page.
Ramon Juarez wanted to get more out of his study abroad experience than just studying Spanish in the classroom.
The University of Idaho senior from Burley majoring in international studies and Spanish knew he wanted to take part in the traditional study abroad – all such students majoring in his fields complete a semester in a foreign country – but he didn’t know how far in depth his studies would take him at the Universidad Rey Juan Carlos in Madrid, Spain.
In addition to taking traditional courses about the Spanish language and the European Union, Juarez chose to take a class that took his education into the local Madrid community - Modern Spanish Culture Through Service Learning. Juarez volunteered for a local soup kitchen and food bank as part of the class to better learn the local language.
1 of 5: Dan Bukvich leads a student ensemble at the Lionel Hampton Music Camp
2 of 5: Vern Sielert works with students at the Lionel Hampton Music Camp
3 of 5: 2019 Lionel Hampton Music Camp attendees
4 of 5: Summer Drama Camp participants perform in “The Tempest”
5 of 5: The full Summer Drama Camp company in “The Tempest”
While college students left Moscow this summer, campus remained full of activity thanks to two summer camps held by CLASS units – the Lionel Hampton Music Camp hosted by the Lionel Hampton School of Music and the Summer Drama Camp hosted by the Department of Theatre Arts.
The Lionel Hampton Music Camp provided attendees a weeklong, overnight camp experience filled with specialized instruction and general music courses led by U of I faculty members, fun evening activities and various concentrations and ensembles. This year’s camp had 65 student campers and five continuing education teachers participate. The camp concluded with a final concert featuring performances by the camp’s different ensembles.
The Summer Drama Camp – a three-weeklong day camp – gave participants the opportunity to explore different areas of the theatre arts, including acting, making costumes, constructing sets and building props. Nearly 300 people attended the camp’s performance of William Shakespeare’s “The Tempest” at East City Park in Moscow. The play was adapted by Craig Miller, camp director and assistant professor of acting and directing.
Irina Kappler-Crookston Awarded USAC Emeritus Faculty
The University Studies Abroad Consortium (USAC) board of directors recently awarded Irina Kappler-Crookston USAC Emeritus Faculty status. The honor is granted to exceptional individuals who have contributed to USAC's evolution as a premier study abroad organization. USAC cited Kappler-Crookston's commitment to promoting international education and cross-cultural understanding.
"Of all the faculty on our campus, Irina Kappler-Crookston has made the greatest contribution to USAC," said Bob Neuenschwander, director of international grants and initiatives in U of I's International Programs Office.
The Gift of an International Experience
Eating local foods. Immersing herself in a foreign language. Making friends from around the world. Visiting volcanoes, beaches and cloud forests. Kaylee Nye’s experience studying abroad in Costa Rica during spring 2019 was about more than just taking classes in another country.
The Weiser native wanted to experience something completely new. And, she was able to thanks to the financial aid she received, including the Tricia McCullough Memorial Study Abroad Scholarship.
“Receiving scholarships like the Tricia McCullough Memorial Study Abroad Scholarship gave me the option to even consider visiting another country for a semester,” she said. “It allowed me to explore many hidden gems in South America while diving deeper into the language, culture and religion. None of those things would be possible without this.”
Dates & Deadlines
- Aug. 26 – First day of fall semester
- Aug. 23 – Vandal Night with the Spokane Indians, Spokane, Washington
- Aug. 31 – Auditions: Fall Season, open to the community, Hartung Theater, Moscow
- Sept. 4 – Lewiston Alumni Chapter Spaghetti Feed, Lewiston
- Sept. 5 – Applegate, Kovalcheck & Skinner – Faculty/Guest Jazz Recital, 7:30 p.m., Haddock Performance Hall or live streamed on the LHSOM Facebook page.
- Sept. 9 – Science Diplomacy by Bill Colglazier, former Science and Technology Advisor to the U.S. Secretary of State, 4 p.m., Bruce M. Pitman Center, International Ballroom
See the complete list of upcoming events, alumni events and academic deadlines.
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Dates & Deadlines
See the complete list of upcoming events, alumni events and academic deadlines.
Get CLASS events sent directly to your inbox by subscribing to the “Events in CLASS” email.
Feedback or suggestions? Please send them to class-notes@uidaho.edu.