Claremont McKenna College

Martin Luther King, Jr. Remembrance

MYRLIE EVERS

THURSDAY, JANUARY 23, 1992

The Marian Miner Cook Athenaeum is pleased to welcome Myrlie Evers as the fifth annual Martin Luther King, Jr., birthday speaker. She and her late husband, Medgar Evers were active in Mississippi during the Civil Rights Movement, dedicating their lives to the cause of justice and freedom for all people.

Medgar Evers was field secretary for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People in Mississippi and in 1963 was struck down by an assassin's bullet. The first two trials were deadlocked by all-white juries. Myrlie's powerful devotion to see justice done in the third trial is a demonstration of her strong will and determination.

Ms. Evers graduated from Pomona College and then became director of planning and development for the Claremont Colleges. During this time she wrote For Us, The Living (1967), a book describing the civil rights struggle in Mississippi. The book was later made into a PBS presentation.

Since her days with the colleges, Ms. Evers has been an editor for Ladies Home Journal, covering the Vietnam peace talks; vice president of advertising and publicity for a New York firm; and the first African-American woman to head the Southern California Democratic Women's Division. She was also the first African- American woman to serve as commissioner of public works in Los Angeles, a post she held until 1991.

Be sure to join us to hear a woman who has worked to realize King's dreams of racial equality everywhere, from Mississippi, to New York, to Claremont. The evening will start with a reception at 5:30, dinner at 6:00, and the talk at 7:00. Return the enclosed slip to make your reservation.

A reminder that the Class of 1994 is sponsoring

AN EVENING IN ITALY

TUESDAY, JANUARY 24, 1992

Followed by an All-School Party in the Hub

Delectable Italian Cuisine

6:30 p.m. Reception
7:00 p.m. Dinner
9:00 p.m.- 1:00 a.m. Hub Party

SUNDAY BRUNCH
SUNDAY, JANUARY 26, 1992

The Sunday brunch extravaganza is back! The first Sunday brunch of the semester takes place January 26 at 11:00 a.m. Sunday brunch only comes once a month, is extremely popular, and fills up quickly. Return the enclosed coupon as early as possible so you don't miss Chef Dave's famous omelette bar. Sunday brunch is limited to CMC students and one guest per student. If your guest is from one of the other colleges, please fill out their name and meal card number. If your guest is from outside the Claremont colleges, please include $7.50 with your reservation. CMC faculty and staff are invited, of course, and encouraged to attend.

Hands Off! Let's Talk

BOB HALL

MONDAY, JANUARY 27, 1992

We all know that date rape and confused sexual agendas are one of the biggest sources of conflict between men and women in college, where we young people are often living alone for the first time. Finger- pointing is often the unproductive result. Bob Hall's approach, however, assigns responsibility to both men and women in dating, and opens up a forum to uncover conflicting assumptions and begin conflict-defusing discussion.

The Marian Miner Cook Athenaeum is proud to present Mr. Hall's ground-breaking presentation designed to bring men and women together in discussion over this universal issue. Hall is a nationally known rape prevention instructor and the founder and president of Learning To Live With Conflict, a company that provides education and training in conflict resolution.

Mr. Hall's presentation includes role-playing, a touch of humor, and a continuous dialogue with his audience. Hall creates a relaxed atmosphere, enabling people to talk about date rape, a topic difficult for many of us to discuss. Hall's presentation will begin at 7:00, preceded by a 5:30 reception and 6:00 dinner. Please return the enclosed slip to join us for an educational and enjoyable evening.

California's Gang Life

LEON BING

TUESDAY, JANUARY 28, 1992

The violence, disorder, and death caused by teenage gangs is one of the most serious social problems facing America's cities. Up until now, the American public has never had access or insight into the personal stories of the kids who make up these close-knit gangs, nor the opportunity to try to understand the reasons teenagers choose the gang lifestyle. Leon Bing, who recently published a book entitled Do or Die (1991), attempts to change society's perception and understanding of teenage gangs by letting gang members speak for themselves. She offers insight into the reality of gang life. Ms. Bing will be our first speaker in the series titled "California: The Next Ten Years."

Bing, who was a well known fashion model before becoming a journalist, first began writing about gang life in 1987. Through her determined efforts, she was able to penetrate the war-torn streets of South Central Los Angeles and meet many gang members. Bing interviewed them at length to learn their personal stories and to understand what it is that drives them to do what they do. Bing developed close relationships with several gang members and keeps in contact with them to this day.

Besides Do or Die, Bing has written stories on gang life for L.A. Weekly, Harper's and Rolling Stone magazines. The Marian Miner Cook Athenaeum wishes to invite you to this enlightening evening which will begin with a reception at 5:30 followed by dinner at 6:00 and the speech at 7:00.

The Last Word

SCHYLEEN QUALLS

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 29, 1992

The Marian Miner Cook Athenaeum is excited to welcome Schyleen Qualls. Through her dramatic presentation, titled "The Last Word," she aims to encourage students of all backgrounds to explore the richness and diversity of American culture and to become more knowledgeable and open-minded world citizens. The show includes a fun-filled collage of thought-provoking poetry and prose by celebrated African-American authors.

Ms. Qualls is an accomplished actress with an impressive list of credits in the arts. Her unique theatrical style has delighted audiences in hundreds of performances in the United States and abroad. She is co-founder of the Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble and for many years has performed her dramatic vignettes in concerts with the highly acclaimed dancers. This versatile actress has also appeared as a guest artist with jazz ensembles, symphony orchestras, and gospel choirs.

Ms. Quails has travelled extensively in Europe, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. In 1977 she was a member of the American delegation to the Second World Black and African Festival of Arts and Culture held in Lagos, Nigeria. She was also the scriptwriter for the powerful film, "Family Reunion, Americans at Festac," which documented the Nigerian festival and has been shown in 74 countries. Recently she produced a documentary film on legendary jazz artists Cannonball and Nat Adderley, and currently is working on other film projects.

Please join us for a fun evening of intellectual entertainment. Return the enclosed reservation slip for the 5:30 reception, 6:00 dinner, and 7:00 talk.

Musical Tea

JEFF LOKEY '93
DOUG MERLINO '94

THURSDAY, JANUARY 30, 1992 3:00 p.m.

Two young men from Appleby Hall are bringing the "mellow rock" sounds of accoustic guitar and vocals to the Athenaeum's first Musical Tea of the semester. The two performing musicians are Jeff Lokey, a junior literature major from El Torro, California, and Doug Merlino, a sophomore from Seattle Washington, who is majoring in government. This is an opportunity not to be missed-good music and good food shared with friends

Forbidden Journey: The Life of Alexandra David-Neel

BARBARA FOSTER

THURSDAY, JANUARY 30, 1992

The Marian Miner Cook Athenaeum is excited to welcome Barbara Foster to deliver a slide lecture on her biography of Alexandra David-Neel, whom Lawrence Durrell calls "The most astonishing French- woman of our time."

The New York Times has described Mme. David-Neel as "a compulsive traveler, an explorer, a feminist, a prolific and international writer and an acknowledged authority on Buddhist ritual." She was the first European woman to enter Lhasa, the forbidden spiritual and political capital of Tibet, by sneaking in disguised as the servant of her servant.

Mrs. Foster, a tenured assistant professor in the Hunter College library department, and her husband spent ten years following in the footsteps of this remarkable woman to write the highly acclaimed biography. The lecture includes both vintage and contemporary slides, bringing Tibetan culture and Buddhism to the Athenaeum in celebration of this "Year of Tibet."

Please join us for this fascinating presentation of Tibet and the astonishing Alexandra at 7:00, to be appropriately proceeded by a delicious authentic Tibetan meal at 6:00, and of course the reception at 5:30. Just return the enclosed slip to make your reservation.

AIDS: Its Implications Today

THERESA CRENSHAW P'94

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 1992

AIDS was introduced to the American people in the early eighties. In its short career it has become the most feared disease of our time. Our generation has grown up with the HIV virus on the news, in the papers, possibly even in our communities. It has infiltrated our culture. The Athenaeum would like to welcome back Dr. Theresa Crenshaw to discuss how deeply the HIV virus has affected the lives of our generation and our society.

As one of the most prominent sex therapists in the nation. Dr. Crenshaw has devoted most of her time to educating the public about this deadly disease. She is the first speaker in the Athenaeum series "AIDS: Its Implications Today." This series will address the medical, economic, and political aspects of AIDS.

Dr. Crenshaw graduated from Stanford University and the University of California at Irvine medical school. She then continued her specialty training at the Masters and Johnson Institute in St. Louis, Missouri. In July of 1987, President Reagan appointed her to his presidential commission on the Human lmmunodeficiency Virus (HIV). She is president and founder of the Ehrenborg Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to the prevention of HIV infection. The two AIDS Awareness Day programs Crenshaw developed won Golden Mike Awards and an International Gold Medal in New York.

In this day and age, you really can't afford to miss this speech entitled "AIDS: Its Implications Today." There is never too much information when it comes to AIDS. Please join us for a reception at 5:30, followed by dinner at 6:00. Dr. Crenshaw's remarks will begin at 7:00.

Adventures in the Application of Social Psychology

ELLIOT ARONSON

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 1992

Have you ever wondered why some people say one thing and do another? Or why college students will humiliate themselves just to get into a fraternity or sorority? Or why students learn more effectively in cooperative environments than in competitive ones? The man to ask is Eliot Aronson, the first speaker in our Academic Leaders series. Dr. Aronson was selected to speak by the psychology department, as he is one of the leading social psychologists of our time.

Dr. Aronson authored the popular social psychology textbook, The Social Animal (1972), now in its fourth edition, printed in eleven languages. He wrote the book as an "anti-textbook" to grab students' attention and draw them closer to the material. It's his colloquial style that draws students in and makes him a good teacher, through his writing as well as in the classroom. He is the only psychologist to have won both the distinguished teaching and the distinguished research award from the American Psychological Association. Currently he is a professor of psychology and director of the graduate program in psychology at the University of California at Santa Cruz. He has also taught at Harvard, the University of Minnesota, and the University of Texas in Austin.

It was in Austin that Dr. Aronson performed his experiments of jigsaw classrooms. He showed that school children in integrated classrooms learned better when put into small groups, each reflecting the racial make-up of the class. Each child was given a task that was integral to the lesson for the group. Dr. Aronson applied this cooperative method to adults through encounter groups. These groups stressed communication between intimate adults.

The main focus of his work of late has been energy conservation and public policy. Dr. Aronson is trying to help economists understand the way people will react within economists' models. He suggests that telling people what they are losing by not conserving will more effectively inspire conservation practices than telling people what they have to gain if they do conserve. In many public policy situations, social psychology is a crucial, yet overlooked, perspective.

Dr. Aronson's presentation entitled "Adventures in the Application of Social Psychology" really is the "in" thing to do. (He'll probably address peer-pressure, too.) Please join us for the reception at 5:30, followed by dinner at 6:00 by returning the enclosed reservation form. Remarks will begin at 7:00.

Perspectives on the Christopher Commission

FREDERICK MERKIN '67

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 1992

The Marian Miner Cook Athenaeum is pleased to welcome Frederick N. Merkin as the first speaker in the "Legal Eagles" series. Mr. Merkin is a senior assistant city attorney with the Los Angeles City Attorney's Office and heads that office's Employee Relations Division. Mr. Merkin received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Claremont McKenna College in 1967 and a Doctorate of Jurisprudence from Stanford University Law School in 1972. He joined the City Attorney's Office in the following year and, since 1980, has headed that office's Employee Relations Division.

During his time in the City Attorney's Office, Mr. Merkin has played a significant role in a number of the major controversies and legal problems that have arisen in Los Angels City Hall. In the late 1970s he represented the city in resolving a dispute with federal and state authorities over the discharge of wastewater into Santa Monica Bay. He represented the city in a case involving police "chokeholds"-Los Angeles v. Lyons-was ultimately decided on justiciability grounds in the city's favor by the United States Supreme Court. In 1985 he counseled city government on the adoption of its anti-apartheid divestment program. Most recently, he led the city's successful defense against litigation brought to block the city council's settlement of the lawsuit filed by Police Chief Daryl Gates concerning the police commission's decision in April, 1991, to place him on administrative leave. Mr. Merkin is currently the office's lead legal advisor to Los Angeles city government with regard to implementation of the recommendations made by the Independent Commission on the Los Angeles Police Department, known as the Christopher Commission.

Please join the Marian Miner Cook Athenaeum in welcoming Mr. Frederick Merkin for his speech entitled "Perspectives on the Christopher Commission." The reception is at 5:30, followed with dinner at 6:00. Mr. Merkin will speak at 7:00.

AIDS: Its Medical Aspects

ALEXANDRA LEVINE

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 1992

Ever since AIDS was introduced to the American people in the early eighties, we have been bombarded with a variety of "facts" about the disease, how it spreads, and how it kills. In some cases it is difficult to weed the truth from the myths. The Athenaeum would like to welcome Dr. Alexandra Levine to clear the air and set the record straight.

Dr. Levine specializes in hematology and diseases of the blood. Her major areas of research include AIDS and the malignancies associated with the disease. (Were you aware that you don't die from the AIDS virus, but from one of the rare diseases, such as PCP or KS, found almost exclusively in AIDS patients?) Her recent research of the virus includes a study of HIV-related lymphoma and the treatment of such lymphoma. She is also on the board of governors of AIDS Project Los Angeles.

A native of the Southern California area. Dr. Levine received her bachelor's degree from the University of California, Berkeley, and went on to medical school at the University of Southern California. She has taught at USC since 1977. In addition, she has lectured at the University of Toronto Medical School, University of Puerto Rico, and the Boston University School of Medicine. Currently she is chief of the Division of Hematology at USC.

AIDS has proven itself inescapable, and knowledge is our only defense. Please join us for Dr. Levine's remarks at 7:00, preceded by a reception at 5:30 and dinner at 6:00. Simply return the enclosed reservation form.

STUDENT FELLOW NOTE:

SCOTT PALMER '93

Do you want to sit at the "Head Table"? Here's how to do it:

Sign-ups are accepted only after that Fortnightly is out. Then it is "First-come, First-serve."
Write a note that includes your name, date, speaker name, and extention number.
Make note to Scott Palmer.
Drop note off at the Athenaeum office.
Telephone confirmation will follow.
Must arrive at 5:45 on the night of that speaker.