June 2000: Vol. 79, No. 3

Faculty in the news BATTLE FOR THE SOUTH The South—once solidly Democratic, then a Republican stronghold of late—may not be so solid any more, says political science professor Charles Bullock. In an AP story, Bullock predicted the South will be the most Republican region in the country in the November elections. "But that doesn't mean the Democrats can't pick off some states," said Bullock. A sweep of the South would provide more than 140 electoral votes—more than half the number needed to win the presidency. SAVING CORAL REEFS In a Miami Herald article, ecologist James Porter, who has done extensive research on coral reefs for the EPA, said a new government plan to rescue the reefs may not be enough. The proposed plan calls for banning fishing in at least 20 percent of the country's coral areas by the end of the decade and for increasing spending on reef conservation from $11 million to $25 million a year—with most of the money used for mapping and monitoring endangered reefs. "We need to watch, but we also need to do," said Porter. "We need both research and implementation." HILL OF BEENZ HAS WORTH The Internet has transformed commerce, but it hasn't really changed money itself, according to the Wall Street Journal. But after years of hype about "digital cash" and other schemes, some new ways of moving money are emerging—including beenz, which are earned and spent only on the Web. Sites can dispense beenz to reward visitors for shopping or surfing. Consumers, in turn, can redeem them for products and services at participating Web merchants. But beenz are still a long way from a true currency, according to economics professor George Selgin, who studies private currencies and related issues. "These are still dollars," he told the WSJ, "Apart from the technology of moving the dollars around, the medium of exchange is still the same." INTERPRETING GENETICS The study of genetics is one of the most active arenas in academe today—not just in the natural sciences, but in the humanities and social sciences. But where scientists envision new medical treatments and more-productive agriculture, humanists and social scientists see eugenics and environmental devastation. Genetic knowledge will surely bring social changes, wrote speech communications professor Celeste Condit, in an opinion piece in the Chronicle of Higher Education, but it is a "serious failure of imagination" to assume the changes will inevitably be good or oppressive. Condit further tackles the topic in her latest book, The Meanings of the Gene: Public Debates About Human Heredity. 100-YEAR CLUB GROWS A USA Today cover story on a Florida centenarian notes that she is part of the fastest-growing segment of the U.S. population, according to census data. Next year, an estimated 72,000 Americans will have reached the century mark, many in surprisingly good health. The article quotes Leonard Poon, director of UGA's Gerontology Center, who leads broad studies of centenarians in Georgia. He has found that up to one-third of 100-year-olds remain physically independent and mentally sharp. "Contrary to the popular image of very frail centenarians," he said, "there is a portion that is vibrant and hardy."

Digital 'Tempest' redefines live action

UGA's Interactive Performance Laboratory pushed the boundaries of live theater with this spring's production of Shakespeare's "The Tempest," which used motion-capture technology to combine actors with digitally created characters.

"Up to now, technology has been used in the theater to create flashy effects that ultimately serve to distract the audience from the drama and from the vitality of live performances," says David Z. Saltz, the play's director and the drama professor spearheading the Interactive Performance Laboratory. "We propose a new way to use technology that enhances the text, broadens the expressive range of actors, and redefines what it means for a performance to be live."

In "The Tempest," the spirit Ariel appeared on stage as a large-scale computer-animated figure whose movements and voice were controlled by a live actor. The actor was trapped in a small cage in full view of the audience, with sensors strapped to her head, wrist, elbows, hands, waist, knees, and ankles. The actor's movements turned the animated figure into a virtual puppet.

The digital technology enabled Ariel to disappear in a sparkle of light—and to fly, grow, shrink, stretch, and twirl. Ariel was able to transform herself into a monstrous harpy and a raging storm at sea. In one scene, she created a spectacular wedding celebration that vanished with the snap of a finger.

Buchanan named leader of year

Gale Buchanan, dean of the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, was named a 1999 Leader of the Year by Progressive Farmer.

The editors of the magazine have been choosing agricultural leaders since 1943. In Buchanan's commendation, they cite him for "leading the charge in ensuring that land-grant agricultural colleges survive and endure in our society. As ag colleges face challenges in the form of immediate budget concerns and questions over their long-term viability, Gale Buchanan can be counted upon as a solid champion of their cause."

The editors of Progressive Farmer also applaud Buchanan for confronting critics who say that only 20 land-grant agriculture colleges will be needed by 2020.

Symposium honors the late Lois Miller

When Lois Miller was dying last fall, she asked that there be no funeral or memorial service. Friends asked the noted UGA scientist and member of the National Academy of Sciences if she would at least sanction a research symposium in her honor. Miller agreed, and a world-wide conference was held at UGA in May—organized, in part, by Miller's husband, entomology professor Karl Espelie.

"She was an amazing person," says genetics professor Jan Westpheling of Miller, who died Nov. 9. "She was unpretentious, self-effacing, and very soft-spoken. But when it came to science, she could be tough as nails. She was one of the most rigorous thinkers I've ever met."

Miller, who joined the UGA faculty in 1986, conducted ground-breaking research on the molecular genetics of insect viruses. One of the most beneficial results of her research was the development of genetically improved viruses for pesticides that control harmful pests with minimal effects on beneficial insects.

University creates new diversity post

The University is seeking candidates for a new senior administrative position that was created to foster diversity and increase recruitment and retention of minority students and faculty.

Karen Holbrook, senior vice president for academic affairs and provost, notes that UGA already ranks 11th among 125 major research universities in total tenured or tenure-track African-American faculty.

"But we are unequivocally committed," she says, "to increasing the diversity of our student body and our work force."

Course treats opera as imitator of life

The young woman is a prostitute dying of tuberculosis. Worse, her lover's father has shown up at her country house to tell her that she and his son have no future. She falls to pieces—but never stops singing.

Violetta is a character in "La Traviata" and a UGA English class has been watching a videotape of one of the scenes.

"So, what is your reaction to what you just saw?" asks English department head Anne Williams, who teaches "Literature and Music: Opera Heroines on Page and Stage."

"I have a hard time feeling that the father is just a jerk," says one female student. "His arguments aren't very good, but his motive is his love for his family." Others disagree, and they begin arguing about the father's motives, Violetta's powerlessness, and the general issue of fathers and daughters.

Williams' course is one of an increasing number of UGA courses that cross traditional academic boundaries. Eddie Dunlap, a senior English major from Peachtree City, says the course was a real eye-opener.

"Opera has a reputation for decadence and haughtiness—baggage not easy to overcome," he says. "Dr. Williams' class patiently held my hand through the rough periods of opera appreciation, giving me just enough knowledge to continue the pursuit on my own. Now I use opera to remind myself I'm human. It unites intellect and emotion in a uniquely contrived but positive way."

"When I walked into that opera class, I had no idea what to expect," says senior English and French major Tiffany Satterfield of Provo, Utah. "Today, I love opera and introduce my 'clueless' twenty-something friends to it on a regular basis. Dr. Williams is bridging a cultural age gap and offering an introduction to a beautiful and substantial art form."

Williams' interest in opera stems from her childhood in Comanche, Texas, where she listened to Metropolitan Opera broadcasts on the radio. Many of her students have never been exposed to feminist theory or opera, so it's a new world in many ways. But judging by the intensity of class discussions, they're having a good time arguing and studying how opera reflects life—or doesn't.

—Phil Williams (ABJ '72)

Need a speaker? Call Roger Thomas

The Franklin College Outreach Program sent ecologist John Pickering to speak to the Athens Audubon Society.

Bradley Taylor was so pleased with the presentation made by UGA anthropology professor Peter Brosius that he wrote a thank-you letter to Roger Thomas.

"Last month, you afforded me and the Georgia Wilderness Society the luxury of hearing one of your faculty speak on threatened rainforests," wrote Taylor. "Dr. Peter Brosius came down on short notice and did an excellent job. . . . I was enthralled with both his studies and his passion. . . . This is truly a public service, and I hope it continues. Honestly, how often can I request a speaker without wearing out my welcome?"

Roger Thomas gets a real kick out of letters like that. A professor and former head of UGA's department of psychology, Thomas is in charge of the Franklin College Outreach Program, which provides speakers to Georgia schools, civic clubs, and other groups free of charge.

Growth in the speakers program has been dramatic. In its first year, 1993-94, 25 presentations were made. As evidence of its popularity, that number has increased tenfold.

"We've been able to meet more than 95 percent of the requests since the program began," says Thomas, who received the following words of praise from Cary Knapp of the Brunswick-Glynn Public Library in regard to comparative literature prof Lioba Moshi:

"Moshi is very personable, and the audience really enjoyed her (they stayed for two and a half hours!). She brought slides of Tanzania, which was a nice touch. Boy, does UGA have great teachers!"

Some speakers are available on a closed-circuit TV system called GSAMS. Requests for a list of speakers, artists, and musicians available from the Franklin College Outreach Program should be made by mail to:

Roger Thomas (FCOP, Psychology Building, UGA, Athens, GA 30602) or by sending Roger an e-mail mesage at fcop@uga.edu.

—Phil Williams (ABJ '72)

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