Home >
- Faculty & Staff >
  - News and Events >
  - The Harbinger

The Harbinger

October 22, 2007

Linda Rea will be installed as Bissell Chair holder

Linda Rea

Professor of Communication Linda Rea will be installed as the second holder of the Howard S. Bissell of Liberal Arts during a ceremony in Hayden Auditorium on Tuesday, October 23, at 12 p.m.

The Bissell Chair, which was established in 1998 by George and Robert Bissell to recognize their father’s broad range of academic interests and his dedication to Hiram College, has been held by Professor Emeritus of Classics Robert Sawyer. Professor Sawyer will introduce Professor Rea during the installation.

Professor Rea will give an address. The title of her presentation is “In the Tradition of Liberal Learning: Good Reasons.”

President Thomas V. Chema and Acting Dean Sandy Madar will install Professor Rea as holder of the Bissell Chair. President Chema said: “The Bissell Chair symbolizes our long-term commitment to the importance of the classical liberal arts.”

In addition to chairing the communication department of which she has been a part since 1970, Professor Rea has become well known for her travels with students to Mexico and Central American. Many students have regarded these trips as life-changing experiences. She was honored in March by the Kevin Coleman Foundation as College Educator of the Year. The foundation recognizes exceptional educators in Portage County.

Among Professor Rea’s new responsibilities will be selection of a topic for the annual Bissell Symposium and implementation of that topic. Previous symposia have recognized the broad range of interests held by Howard S. Bissell, who was a longtime Board of Trustees member. Through the continued support of the Bissell family, the symposium will be held each year.

Garfield Society inducts new members

On Friday, October 19, Eric D. Fingerhut, Chancellor of the Ohio Board of Regents, presented his address "Private Colleges with a Public Purpose" at the Garfield Society Reception Dinner. Inducted into the 2007 Garfield Society and pictured below from left to right are: Ronald B. Richard, president and CEO of the Cleveland Foundation; Eric D. Fingerhut, Chancellor, Ohio Board of Regents; Professor of Music Randall J. Fusco; Joan Jagow, generous supporter of Hiram programs; Martin C. Clague, trustee; G.A. Sywassink, trustee; and Fox News anchor Edith Hill (not present).

Photo by: DAVID SHOENFELT - www.shoenfelt.com

To see other photographs of the Garfield Society induction click here.

Jo Ann Barefoot speaks about microlending

Jo Ann Barefoot

On Friday, October 19th, Jo Ann Barefoot spoke with Ugur Aker’s and Jason Bricker-Thompson’s combined colloquia classes. She shared with the class her volunteer work with Rising Star Outreach, a microlending organization working with lepers in India. The organization provides educational and entrepreneurial opportunities to some of the least fortunate in India. Ms. Barefoot, chair of Hiram College’s Board of Trustees, brings to that work a significant background in finance and entrepreneurship. She currently runs her own financial consulting firm working with major financial institutions to manage risks and opportunities relating to consumer protection issues. In addition to her prior private sector experience as a director of KPMG, she has extensive public sector experience including being the first female Deputy Comptroller of the Currency.

Tina Bergmann and Bryan Thomas to perform at Hiram College

On Friday, October 26, at 7:30 p.m., at the Frohring Music Recital Hall, the Hiram College Department of Music and the Hiram Community Trust will present Tina Bergmann and Bryan Thomas - Folk Duo: Hammered Dulcimer and Bass.

Tina Bergmann and Bryan Thomas

Tina Bergmann is a virtuoso hammered dulcimer player known for her driving energy, syncopated rhythms and fine musicality. Described by Pete Seeger as “the best hammered dulcimer player I’ve heard in my life,” she’s also been promoted as the “diva of the dulcimer” by Apollo’s Fire, Cleveland’s Baroque Orchestra. Bryan Thomas, an accomplished and versatile double bassist, joins Tina, creating a surprising and wonderful musical experience that has enthralled audiences

throughout the United States.

Tina and Bryan’s joy in their music is readily apparent. A quote from their newest release, All Roads Lead Home, says it all “.... Like most people, we are exposed to music and stories from all over the world. The common thread of the music here is how we’ve chosen to own what we’ve found. We travel many roads in our lives, and when we encounter something that rings true, we take it home.”

To listen to some of their music go to: www.AllRoadsLeadHome.com.

Graduate School Fair to be held in Kennedy Center

A Graduate School Fair will be held in the main lounge of the Kennedy Center on Thursday, October 25, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The list of graduate programs whose representatives are attending can be found at the Career Center’s Website at www.hiram.edu/career under ‘Graduate/Professional School’. All students and faulty are welcome to attend, meet the recruiters, and receive information from the graduate school programs.

Alumnus Brian Watkins ’06 wins Cosmopolitan national Bachelor of the Year title

Cosmopolitan magazine has named Hiram College alumnus Brian Watkins’06 of Kent its Bachelor of the Year. The Ohio Bachelor of the Year was chosen over bachelors

Brian Watkins

from the 49 other states. The announcement came Thursday evening, October 18, at a private party in New York City. Readers voted online for their favorites. Cosmo editors reviewed the top vote-getters to select the winner.

Watkins is a manga cum laude biochemistry graduate and swam on the Terriers swim team. He was nominated by his sister who told Cosmo: "Brian is intelligent and has a big heart. He’s there for me when I need him.”

Watkins, 23, now has a fatter wallet. A graduate student in biotechnology and business administration, his title comes with a $10,000 prize.

Colloquium presents fair-trade entrepreneurship

Associate Chaplain Jason Bricker-Thompson is studying fair-trade through entrepreneurship as part of his colloquium. On Thursday, October 25, at 12:30 p.m. in the All Faith Chapel, Jason's colloquium will be pitching its Fair Trade social entrepreneurship enterprise. Jason says, "I encourage feedback and support from the community. The consumption of ethically produced foods and goods is something that affects us all in today's global economy. "

Volunteers needed for the Make-a-Difference Day Food Drive

Associate Chaplain Jason Bricker-Thompson is looking for volunteers to assist in Make-a-Difference Day, a Portage County-wide food drive. Vans will leave the Kennedy Center on Saturday, October 27, at 9 a.m. and at 11 a.m. to collect food at the Giant Eagle in Garrettsville. Volunteers may also assist in food collection at the United Way food collection site in Ravenna. Vans leave the Kennedy Center for the Ravenna location at both 8 a.m. and noon. If you are interested in volunteering, contact Jason Bricker-Thompson at 330.569.6094.

United Way of Portage County plans tailgate party at Hiram

United Way of Tail Gate Party.jpg Portage County will kick off this year's campaign with a tailgate party at the Coleman Sports Center today, October 22, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. A $10 donation per person will provide BBQ ribs, pizza, quesadilla, mini reuben sandwiches, and other refreshments plus musical entertainment and a silent auction. Reservations are required - call Mary at United Way of Portage County: 330.297.1424, ext. 110.