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Writing center puts age-old craft of literature on high-tech stage

November 4, 2009

By Julia Harris

Doug Dangler may well be Ohio State’s most well-kept secret. Not only is he the associate director of the university’s Center for the Study and Teaching of Writing, but he also has his own radio and television show about writing — complete with a Facebook page and more than 210 fans.

He’s also very funny and more than a little irreverent. “Those 200 fans are mostly paid, and let me tell you I lost a lot of money on that deal,” he said, looking furtively at the big blue microphone pointed at him across his desk.

His tongue-in-cheek comments belie a genuine passion for the craft and pursuit of writing. For more than a year now, he has been the creative force behind Writers Talk, broadcast on WCBE 90.5 FM and on the Ohio Channel.

The show features a different writer every week and examines issues related to writing, publishing and surviving in a literary world. Past guests have included Don Pollock, a recent creative writing graduate with a highly successful book, and award-winning novelist Julia Glass.

“OSU is such a magnet for talent, but it seemed to me that these people were simply passing through and no one was archiving these visits in ways that would allow us to gain knowledge from them,” Dangler said.

“I’d always wanted to bring these folks into the classroom, but that isn’t always possible. So instead, we take them into the studio and create a high-quality educational artifact that we can then spin off into any number of places.”

So far, Dangler estimates he’s done more than 70 interviews, 30 of them on video. He has produced over 50 five-minute radio segments for WCBE and is pleased to note that Writers Talk has never missed a week of airtime, even though the production end of the broadcast is pretty much a one-man show.

“We’ve had technical issues with mikes and sound, but we’ve gotten some better equipment as we’ve moved forward — by hook or by crook, or by me holding bake sales,” he said with a grin.

Even on his shoestring budget, Dangler takes pride in creating high-quality broadcasts that don’t adhere to the grainy, do-it-yourself aesthetic popular on video-sharing sites like YouTube. Drawing on the expertise and knowledge of faculty across the university, from English to creative writing to theatre, Dangler wants to create valuable resources that can be used by a wide range of people.

“I want to build this partnership and leverage it so that the highly talented faculty we have here on campus can be displayed to the world, to show that Ohio State is moving from excellence to eminence,” he said.

He has specific visions of enlisting faculty experts to do some of the on-camera interviews of visiting writers, since he’s the first to admit he doesn’t quite know everything about everything.

He’s also quick to admit that going in front of the camera is not a job for everyone. “It basically takes someone with no self-esteem, who’s willing to be degraded on camera,” he said.

Someone Dangler would like to see conduct an interview — and be interviewed herself — is Kathy Fagan, poet and professor of creative writing. He might have his work cut out for him, though, when it comes to convincing Fagan to appear on camera.

“Radio is bad enough,” she said with a laugh. “Middle-aged people, we’re a bit shy of the camera. The idea of being videotaped is just horrifying, but I suppose we’ll have to get used to it.”

Part of the reason she’s so game about change is her realization that Dangler’s doing the university — and literature — a major service in his attempt to capture some of the stories that have thus far been allowed to trickle into silence.

“We’ve had poet laureates, we’ve had Nobel laureates, and it’s just unbelievable to me that we have no archive of those readings,” Fagan said.

“It’s such important but quiet front-line work for the arts and the literary world at the university. I wish we could make him and people who do this kind of work as popular as the football team.”

For more info …

Writers Talk, giving the inside scoop on writers and artists at Ohio State, is broadcast Wednesdays at 8 p.m. on WCBE (90.5 FM), with podcasts at cstw.osu.edu/podcasts, on Facebook.com/writerstalk and on YouTube.

A clearer picture of war

November 4, 2009

Veterans Learning Community aims to provide military students a better way to share their experiences

By Adam King

Anna Rice found her time spent behind a .50-caliber truck-mounted machine gun protecting convoys in Iraq to be an incredible bonding experience with the 32 other soldiers in her platoon.

“It’s a great feeling of people who have your back and can relate to you and really know you,” said Rice, who as a member of the US Army Reserves was pulled just three quarters into her college studies for deployment in 2005.

After her 15-month tour of duty, Rice returned to Ohio State to continue pursuing her undergraduate degree in exercise science/pre-medicine. She’s now a 25-year-old undergraduate and has seen and experienced things no straight-from-high-school student would ever be privy to.

But that’s exactly why there was an interdisciplinary effort by the Department of Comparative Studies and Academic Program Coordinator Susan Hanson, the Center for Folklore Studies and Director Dorothy Noyes and the Mershon Center for International Security Studies to create the Veterans Learning Community (cfs.osu.edu/veteranslc), to give Rice and students like her a way to turn their unique experiences into academic learning, bond with one another and share what they know with the entire university.

Part of the VLC’s mission will be to oversee two military student-only classes, the first of which begins in winter quarter.

“The Experience of War,” limited to 45 veteran, active-duty, Coast Guard or National Guard students as well as international students who are or were members of their country of origin’s military, is an undergraduate comparative studies reading course that looks at representations of the war experience in art, literature and film. Hanson will teach the course and said it should foster greater discussions than the duplicate course she taught this past spring that was open to all students.

“It was a good class, but the vets and active-duty students were uncomfortable engaging with the material in front of other students,” Hanson said. “For many of them, their experiences are so extraordinary that they’re reluctant to describe the relationship of their experiences to the material in the course to students who have little to no knowledge either of current conflicts, military culture or life on the ground during a war. To some extent we tried to pull them out, but you needed to respect their reluctance.”

The students’ reticence was the driver for Hanson and Noyes to work with the Mershon Center for International Security Studies to develop the general education course and a follow-up spring quarter writing course, “Translating Military Experience,” which will be limited to 20 veterans and focus on student-developed projects based on their experience and interest.

“They might learn more than they might have because we’ll create a platform for them to communicate, and we expect a really effective forum,” Hanson said.

While there has been some criticism that the courses, which don’t cover the current conflicts, exclude the general student population from perhaps understanding war through their classmates’ first-hand experiences, Hanson points out that the courses are optional, and veterans can elect to take similar courses open to all. A vets-only course is no different than an honors course that has prerequisites, Hanson said, but in this case, the students also are partners in the learning process.

“With these students, you can take for granted their knowledge in that area of military experience and get to a higher level of discussion,” Noyes said. “But I would also emphasize that the point of a learning community is to encourage research and communication beyond the classroom. We’ll be creating opportunities for dialogue as the project develops.”

To that end, some students who are taking the courses will be asked to participate in a spring conference April 9-10 at the Mershon Center titled “Making Sense in Afghanistan: Interaction and Uncertainty in International Interventions” that will be open to the campus community.

With more than 1,200 veteran or active military students attending Ohio State, there is a large pool to choose from. This fall 127 new or transferred military students began at OSU, and those numbers are expected to grow over the next few years as the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan wind down.

Rice has had almost three years to make sense of her time in Iraq, but she’s looking forward to exploring why war happens with her fellow vets, especially those who are fresh from the battlefield.

“Everyone had questions when we deployed,” she said. “We didn’t know what we were going to do and how would our job directly affect the conflict and how would it help the citizens of Iraq. I had tons of questions, but you don’t always get them answered. You’re in the dark in some ways.

“I’ve been in the reserves for six years, and it’s not something you want to tuck in the corner, but it also doesn’t consume you as a person. You have to find the balance, and a lot of times the balance is you have to engage in it when you’re not performing military duty.”

For more information about the VLC or the new military-only courses, contact veteranslc@osu.edu or Susan Hanson at 247-6539.

Keeping an eye on the prize

November 4, 2009

Wexner Center symposium to explore the art and science of protecting works of art

By Julia Harris

In a locked closet in his narrow cinder-block office, Doug McGrew keeps a jar full of pale green pebbles of glass. On first inspection they look like crushed pieces of auto windows; a closer look, however, reveals a distinctly rose-tinged streak running through the glass.

Since McGrew’s office is tucked deep into the twisty bowels of the Wexner Center for the Arts, it makes sense to assume the jar of glass is some kind of art piece.

The assumption would only be partially right.

“When the ‘Groundswell’ exhibit was first installed, someone put some kind of white powder into it without anyone knowing,” McGrew explained, referring to the hilly heaped glass sculpture on permanent display outside the Wex.

“And then with the first rain, it turned red and stained the whole piece. It had to be scrubbed clean.”

McGrew, who has been the manager of security at the Wex since 2005, was not on staff at the time of the vandalism but says the story has become legend — and the piece continues to provide security challenges.

“We have people who have jumped in it and faked swimming motions, people who have made snow angels in it,” he said, smiling a bit faintly. “And then there’s the white grid work around the center, which people like to climb on to have their picture taken.”

The task of safeguarding these and other aesthetic objects — referred to by McGrew and his colleagues as cultural property — is a constantly evolving and complex challenge.

So far, McGrew says — while playfully knocking on his wood desk — the Wexner Center has not had major security problems with any of its exhibits, which means other institutions have been more than happy to lend their own art holdings for inclusion in shows, such as last year’s international Warhol exhibit.

Part of his successful track record comes from a refusal to become complacent with the policies and procedures he’s put in place.
“I have friends and colleagues in the field who come in and test something for me and let me know if it was effective or not,” he said. “In 20 years we’ve never had a systemic failure, but we know our emergency manuals and procedures are living and breathing documents that need to be constantly evaluated.”

Given the need to stay ahead of the curve, McGrew — a founding member of the Heartland Chapter of the International Foundation for Cultural Property Protection — is spearheading a symposium titled “Cultural Heritage at Risk: Art and Book Theft — Past, Present, Future” Nov. 10 at the Wexner Center, geared for people involved in the arts and law enforcement.

When planning this all-day conference, the first of its kind to be held at the Wex, McGrew cast a deliberately wide net when sending out invitations. Librarians, curators, registrars, private collectors, security professionals and police departments were all included on the guest list, in the hope that participants would begin to expand their traditional networks in how they approach cultural property protection.

“I want to get our experts together and look at this problem from all levels — local, regional and international — and share our experiences and how we can maybe change our strategies,” McGrew said.

“What we want to do with this conference is bring a different mindset and change what people think of as cultural property. With universities and colleges, there’s a lot of historical architecture and cultural property that I think can get overlooked, things we walk past 100 times a day and never even think about until it comes up missing.”

To help create and shape that broader mindset, McGrew invited a diverse roster of both arts experts and private collectors to the conference. The day’s events will include presentations on the history and extent of thefts in fine art and library resources, roundtable discussions and book signings featuring authors such as Travis McDade (The Book Thief: The True Crimes of Daniel Spiegelman) and Noah Charney (The Art Thief) and a screening of The Rape of Europa, a documentary about art theft in World War II.

Another one of the invited roundtable participants is Ohio State’s own Paul Denton, who has served as chief of the university’s police force for three years and was a Columbus police officer for almost 30 years before that. Denton is one of the Wex’s most faithful attenders of exhibit openings and shows — and it’s not just because he’s on the lookout for potential security problems.

“I like going to exhibits because I get to network with people I don’t normally have a chance to interact with, and it helps me understand what’s important to them so I can then communicate that to officers who respond to incidents,” Denton said.

“It’s a pretty awesome responsibility to think about guarding the university’s cultural legacy.”

It’s good to be a Buckeye

October 21, 2009

New fan appreciation program aims to enhance game-day atmosphere for everyone

By Adam King

Drawing more than 100,000 loyal football fans to Ohio Stadium is part of the Buckeyes’ inherent home-field advantage. That was not so much the case for the women’s volleyball team, which usually averaged about 150 fans per match — hardly intimidating to visiting teams. Continue reading ‘It’s good to be a Buckeye’

Top 3 on 2, 10/22/09

October 21, 2009

Why did you choose to work at Ohio State?
I applied for an accountant position and got the offer within two weeks of my job search.

What do you like about your job?
The diversity of various accounting responsibilities that I perform daily. I like the people I work with every day and the people I come in contact with, either from within the Research Foundation or across the campus.

What would you improve at Ohio State?
To encourage everyone to be more conscious about saving our environment through cutting waste and recycling more. If each one of us participates in this noble cause, imagine the impact it would have on the whole environment. I always try to be a good example around my family and friends by going the extra yards to recycle whenever possible.

If you weren’t working at Ohio State, what would you be doing?
Probably I would do the same things I am doing now. I like to work with details and numbers. I have been working in either financial or tax accounting since 1981.

What is your favorite activity outside of work?
I practice tai-chi, yoga, pilates, dancing, swimming, Sudoku and reading. Behind my back, my friends say: “If there is nobody to do any activity with you, ask Tina, she would sign up for that class and never miss a session.” I would do anything to keep my aging body parts moving.

What advice would you give a new employee?
Learn to do the right things; find a good mentor to help you grow; stay positive and be enthusiastic about everything you do, including work and working out.

Of what honor or recognition are you most proud?
I was on the cover of Columbus Monthly magazine in February 1993, 10 months after my husband and I opened the Saigon Palace restaurant in downtown Columbus. We worked together there for 11 years, four months and nine days. When we decided to get back to our professions, the Columbus City Council honored us with a resolution for contributing excellent services to the people of Columbus.

Who is your hero?
My mother. She was very wise and kind-hearted. She taught me to be humble, honest and diligent. I am still trying hard to be like her.

What are you going to do when you retire?
Continue to maintain all of my favorite activities for as long as possible.

If you were the university president for a day, what would you do?
I would definitely come to 1960 Kenny Road to visit the OSURF building since no president has been here for at least five years. I would spend the day talking to all my wonderful colleagues and pat them on their backs for their quiet dedication to support the OSU research community. I am very proud to be a member of this wonderful organization.

To nominate a staff member for an upcoming issue, e-mail oncampus@osu.edu.

President Gordon Gee thanks retirees Pearlie Glover, left, for 38 years of service (primary care, College of Dentistry) and Lewis Claman, right, for 35 years of service (Division of Periodontology, College of Dentistry) at the faculty and staff retirement dinner Oct. 8 at the Fawcett Center.

Columbus Landmarks Foundation presented its 2009 James B. Recchie Design Award to Ohio State’s Thompson Library renovation and expansion, during a ceremony held Oct. 9. The annual award recognizes quality urban design in central Ohio.

The library project, designed by Acock Associates Architects, Gund Partnership and MSI Design, was selected over four other finalists. Jurists selected the project for the impact it will have on thousands of people every year and applauded the skillful blending of the old and new, preserving the historic character while creating a dynamic 21st century library.

The library’s attention to detail also drew high praise. The “exquisite detailing” was singled out during the award presentation, including the library’s Ohio white oak shelving and paneling, the practical but beautiful metal mesh in the elevators and the dramatic cantilevered staircase on the west side. Jurists also noted the importance of reinforcing the axis of the Oval through the building to the west side of Neil Avenue putting the library physically and symbolically at the very center of the university; and they praised the way it opened up the space and made a complicated project look simple.

Reviews: TWP serves ‘vital, unique’ purpose

October 21, 2009

By Jeff McCallister

Clearly Deb Ballam is pleased about — and a little bit proud of — the institutional advances women have earned at Ohio State during her time as director of The Women’s Place.

But at the same time, she knows there’s still much to be done, and as she leaves her position there to return to full-time faculty in the Fisher College of Business, she knows TWP is in a strong position to affect even more positive change. Continue reading ‘Reviews: TWP serves ‘vital, unique’ purpose’

A new look at an old problem

October 21, 2009

The Department of Theatre’s fall drama — staged as part of a new Big Ten collaboration — tackles the thorny issue of race relations

By Julia Harris

Kayla Jackmon may not have been alive in the 1960s, but she knows a heck of a lot about that decade just the same — particularly about the year 1967, as experienced by one carefully integrated Detroit neighborhood.

As one of the 10 actors in the play Palmer Park, the first production of the year for the Department of Theatre, Jackmon has done enough in-depth research on this volatile period of American history to discuss it like an expert. Continue reading ‘A new look at an old problem’

Records fall at OSU as enrollment numbers climb

October 21, 2009

The Ohio State University has set new records this fall — in the size, quality and diversity of its student body.

There are new records in the number of students attending the Columbus campus and several regional campuses. New autumn quarter enrollment figures show a 2.7 percent increase in Ohio State enrollment, with a record 63,217 students on all campuses and a record 55,014 on the Columbus campus — a 2.4 percent increase.

Regional campus enrollment also set a new record with more than 8,200 students — up 4.5 percent. New enrollment records were set at Ohio State’s campuses in Lima, Mansfield, Marion and Newark. Across all campuses, a record 49,915 undergraduates including 9,510 new first-year students are attending Ohio State.

Ohio State President E. Gordon Gee says while many colleges have reduced the size of their freshman class, Ohio State has done the opposite, providing more students than ever access to higher education.

“Thanks to remarkably strong bi-partisan support for higher education at the state level, the university has been able to open its doors wider to greater numbers of well-prepared students, including 500 more Ohioans in our freshman class,” Gee said. “Assuring that talented young people can pursue their educational aspirations and improve their communities is very fully a part of our founding mission.”

On the Columbus campus, there are 6,607 first-year students — a 9.4 percent increase over last autumn. The class set records in average ACT (27.5) and SAT (1230) scores. It also set new records in out-of-state enrollment (up 3.7 percent to 906) and international students (up 15.8 percent to 271). Students of color accounted for 15 percent of the freshman class.

Other enrollment highlights:

• Ohio State students come from all 88 counties in Ohio, all 50 states and 118 countries. Approximately 81 percent (51,475) of students are from Ohio. Nearly 12 percent (7,504) are from other states or territories or are US students from foreign countries.

• Across all campuses, new records were set in the number of out-of-state undergraduate and graduate students. Out-of-state undergraduates increased 8.7 percent to 5,497 and out-of-state graduate and professional students increased by 3.3 percent to 4,984.

• Enrollment of international students increased 7 percent to 4,238, and international students comprise about 7 percent of the student body.

• Diversity across Ohio State increased, with students of color accounting for 14 percent of the total university enrollment. For the third consecutive year, there was a record high enrollment of Hispanic students (1,584).

There also were record high enrollments of Asian or Pacific Islander students (3,108). Enrollment of African American students increased 2.1 percent with 3,934 students, and enrollment of American Indian/Alaskan Native students remained nearly steady at 225.

New health plan to help low-income OSU employees

October 21, 2009

By Adam King

Some of the university’s lowest-earning employees will be getting a break on their health care costs with the introduction of Prime Care Connect to Ohio State’s medical plan offerings for 2010.

Targeted to help between 1 percent and 3 percent of OSU employees with the lowest household earnings, the new plan will help reduce out-of-pocket costs, with an estimated savings of more than $350 annually per enrolled member. Only full-time employees with a continuous year of service who are at or below 175 percent of the 2009 federal poverty level guidelines qualify. Continue reading ‘New health plan to help low-income OSU employees’

Lines of sight

October 21, 2009

Interactive virtual exhibit sheds light on ancient wisdom

By Julia Harris

In New Mexico’s desolate Chaco Canyon, a sprawl of crumbling ruins raises more questions than answers about the culture that once thrived there. Questions like, why build such elaborate structures in a harsh and inhospitable climate? How were those towering masonry buildings, honeycombed with dark and tiny rooms, constructed?

In other words, what did they know and how did they know it? Continue reading ‘Lines of sight’

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