PULLMAN, Wash. — The College of Liberal Arts at Washington State University celebrated faculty achievement this week with the fall Authors’ Recognition Reception. Started as a biannual tradition in 2001, the gathering recognizes a broad range of recent achievement by liberal arts faculty.
It is the tradition of the reception that honorees provide a brief introduction of their work, which is followed by the perspective of a faculty member from another department who speaks to the work’s relevance and importance. Professor Debbie Lee, English, author of “Slavery and the Romantic Imagination” (U Penn Press, 2002), was among the honorees. Professor David Leonard, comparative ethnic studies, discussed the book and gave his peers a “Top Ten List” of reasons to read the book. “This book clearly goes beyond its goals and fulfills them,” he said.
Professor Amy Mazur, political science, author of “Theorizing Feminist Policy” (Oxford UP, 2002), provided context regarding her research on feminist public policy. “I really hope this book will encourage new and different ways to strengthen the feminist research community,” she said. Professor Heather Streets, history, also discussed the book. “I really think this book is going to make a big difference in the field as a whole,” Streets said.
Professor David Pietz, history, author of “Engineering the State: The Huai River and Reconstruction in Nationalist China, 1927–1937” (Routledge, 2002), told his fellow faculty members the original topic of his thesis had nothing to do with this book. However, when Pietz went to do research in China on his original topic, he found no relevant documentation of the issue and period he had hoped to research. Instead, Pietz discovered volumes of materials on state water projects. That resulted in his thesis topic and eventually the book. Professor Greg Hooks, chair of the Department of Sociology, called Pietz’s book “rich in historical detail.”
Professor Gregory Yasinitsky, music, was honored for his composition “Sleight of Hand” for flute and piano. The piece was performed by Ann Yasinitsky on the flute and Sheila Zilar on the piano. Elwood Hartman, professor of foreign languages and cultures, provided the commentary.
Theater students Allison Harding, Patrick Ryan and Kelsey Gunn and theatre arts instructor Stan Brown performed three scenes from “Equus” by Peter Shaffer. Laurilyn Harris, director of the theatre program, provided a discussion of the scenes. WSU’s performance of “Equus,” directed by Terry Converse, will open Nov. 6 and run Thursday through Saturday evenings for the first two weeks in November. The box office will open Monday, Nov. 3, and daily that week from 1:30–4 p.m. To make reservations in advance, call 335-7236. This play contains adult language and nudity, theater officials note.
Cutline for photo: Debbie Lee, assistant professor of English, discusses her book “Slavery and the Romantic Imagination” at the College of Liberal Arts’ fall Authors’ Recognition Reception Oct. 29.
