Robert F. Curl and Richard E. Smalley, professors of chemistry at Rice University and recipients of the 1996 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, will be recognized as Distinguished Texas Scientists for 1997.
Curl and Smalley, who shared the Nobel Prize with Harold W. Kroto for their discovery of spherical carbon compounds called fullerenes, or bucky balls, will speak at 10:30 a.m. Saturday in the Lowman Student Center Theater. Curl's topic is "The Discovery of the Fullerenes: An Adventure in Chemistry." Smalley will speak on "The Future of Fullerenes."
Another outstanding scientist who will speak is Lynn Margulis, distinguished professor of biology at the University of Massachusetts. Margulis will speak at 1:30 p.m. Friday in the LSC Theater on her research on the origin of cells of higher organisms.
Andrew DeWees, who chairs the Department of Biological Sciences at SHSU, also chairs the local arrangements committee for the meeting. Biology faculty members James Long and Harold Foerster are assisting DeWees in preparations for the events.
Foerster said that about 400 scientists and students are expected from throughout Texas, with about 230 presentations and papers on a variety of topics. Contact 294-1540 for more information.
Marquart will be collaborating with Professor Sean McConville, a noted British prison scholar and former Beto Chair Professor, at the University of London, Queen Mary and Westfield College (College of Laws). They will conduct research and compare their findings to American prison gangs, management's response to violence, and how the gangs have spread into to the free community.
Marquart has been recognized in criminal justice for his research on prison gangs and prison violence in the United States.
"This leave and the associated research and scholarly activity in England will enhance Professor Marquart's teaching effectiveness, as it will provide a comparative dimension to his understanding of justice systems," said Timothy Flanagan, dean of the College of Criminal Justice. "Our students need exposure to cross-cultural examinations of justice policy and practice."
Marquart plans to disseminate the findings from his research at professional meetings, in academic and practitioner-oriented journals, and other key policy forums, as well as in the classroom. A book-length manuscript will also be prepared.
Performances are in the University Theatre Center Showcase Theatre at 8 p.m. with a 2 p.m. Saturday matinee.
The play opens with Cathy (Stephanie Schnitzius) and her son Eric (Nathan Wernig) leaving New York for Cathy's hometown in Colorado to live with her parents, Evelyn (Allison Shopbell) and Jim (William Walker) in order to recover from her recent divorce.
The script focuses on the relationships between family and friends and the alienation which occurs. It includes adult language and situations.
Also cast are Shona Strauser, Mark Jeter and Buddy Stevens. All of the designers for the production are theater majors and it is directed by senior theater major Jeremy Shouldis.
Patrick Pearson is the lighting designer and Keith Pitts designed the costumes. The set and sound design is by David Ferguson. The stage manager is Michelle Weinman.
Tickets are $5. Reservations may be made by calling the University Theatre Center box office at 294-1339.
On Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. in the Walker Education Center the Sam Houston Trio will perform a single work with a heart-touching history--"Quartet for the End of Time"-- written by French composer Olivier Messiaen.
The work was written by Messiaen while he was imprisoned in the German prison camp Stalag VIII A in 1941. Its first performance, on the poor-quality instruments available in the camp, was given on Jan. 15, 1941, for about 5,000 prisoners.
The trio consists of Charlotte Tull, piano; Luba Velickovic, violin; and Peter Kempter, cello. Tamara Raatz will also join the group on clarinet. All are SHSU faculty members.
"There is much symbolism inherent in the music," said Tull. "In order to better understand and appreciate the beauties of the work there will be a short commentary to begin the evening's program. This is a rare opportunity to enhance the meaning of this holy season with music conceived and performed in celebration of the life of Jesus Christ."
On Sunday, March 23, the group will perform the program at the First Presbyterian Church in Bryan, and at a Holocaust conference at Texas A&M April 3. Plans are being finalized for a concert at the Holocaust Museum in Washington, D. C., next fall.
The Symphonic Band, under the direction of Donald Ryder, will perform a program of dances, "capers" and a march at 7:30 p.m. Thursday in the Beto Criminal Justice Center Killinger Auditorium.
The 48-member group will perform Cenotaph (Fanfare for Band), Epinicion, Courtly Airs and Dances, Charleston Capers (with Doug Rosener as guest soloist), Night Dances, and the Billboard March.
A reception in honor of the performers will be hosted by Tau Beta Sigma in the Music Building atrium after the concert.
The Symphony Orchestra Concert is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Saturday, also in Killinger Auditorium. Admission to the three programs is $5, with students and friends of music free.
Student recitals during the week include Rebecca Hicks, vocal, at 8 p.m. Wednesday, and Christie Allen, flute, at 8 p.m. Friday, both in the Recital Hall. Admission to student recitals is free. Call 294-1360 for information on music events.
Sessions are scheduled to answer the questions: How Do I Design Writing Assignments That Work?; How Do I Sustain Student Discussion?; Writing Enhancement: What's in It for Me?; and, How Do I Make Large Classes Interactive?
The program is sponsored by the Across-the-University Writing Program and the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs.
Presentations are scheduled from 8 a.m. until 3:15 p.m. in Room 312 of the Lowman Student Center. Contact Patricia Williams at 294-1143 for registration information.
Dunning's work includes direction for five committees who are working to organize 20 professional workshops and presentations for the organization's annual conference in November.
At the Southern Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers conference in mid-February, Dunning was selected as a nominee to serve on the organization's 1997-'98 Nominating and Election Committee.
The national college honor scholarship society will hold its spring banquet and initiation Monday in the Lowman Student Center Ballroom. President Bobby K. Marks will be the guest speaker.
Williams said that the SHSU chapter of Alpha Chi has been named the outstanding chapter in the southwest region, and members are preparing their entry for national honors competition at the national convention.
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