Admission is free, but donations will be accepted to benefit the Creating Landscapes Scholarship Fund.

Now celebrating its 20th year with the Allegheny College dance program, Creating Landscapes is an interdisciplinary exploration of active learning through the arts and sciences offered to children and teens. The theme for this year’s program, which will be held July 6-24, is “bugs.”

A box-office success released by Disney Pixar in 1998, “A Bug’s Life,” received an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Musical or Comedy Score; the Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Composition; and four ASIFA-Hollywood Annie Awards for Outstanding Feature, Directing, Writing and Production Design.

For more information about Creating Landscapes, visit www.creatinglandscapes.org. For more information about The Movies at Meadville, visit www.themoviesat.com.

“This project not only serves the city well, promising to make Meadville the first municipality in the region to have a professionally developed greenhouse gas inventory and climate action plan, but it will also provide students with real-world, hands-on experience, a major component of Allegheny’s well-regarded environmental science department pedagogy,” said DeHart.

“Beyond that, by participating in such a meaningful community-based research and service learning project, these students will undoubtedly develop a stronger connection to the Meadville community.”

“The city is fortunate to have an institution like Allegheny located here,” said Meadville city manager Joe Chriest. “We can build upon the expertise Jennifer DeHart has gained on similar projects and use it to our benefit. We have also joined the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives to provide the tools necessary to complete the inventory and to see what other cities around the world are doing.”

DeHart has collaborated and directed similar projects on a variety of scales including institutions (Allegheny College), multiple counties (the Global Change in Local Places NASA research project) and states (North Carolina). In her past work she has collaborated with the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives support staff and used the council’s software for inventorying, projections and modeling mitigation strategies. Since 2001, DeHart has been an active member of the Pennsylvania Environmental Resource Consortium (PERC) energy and climate committee.

What will happen

Part one of the project, which began this month, involves completing a greenhouse gas inventory, including the development of emissions projections for the city. In part two, DeHart will work with stakeholders in the community to develop a climate action plan, which will help the city move toward a mutually agreed upon emission reduction target.

Andrew Pfeifer, a senior from Wyckoff, N.J., with a major in environmental science and minor in German; Brendan O’Leary, a junior from Birmingham, Mich., with a double major in environmental science and environmental geology and a minor in religious studies; and Sam Elliot, a junior from Henrietta, N.Y. with an environmental science major and English minor, will work with Chriest and DeHart to complete a baseline inventory of such contributors to greenhouse gas emissions as vehicle emissions, waste water, solid waste, natural gas, electricity and refrigerants.

“Our intention is to create an inventory that is comprehensive, covering to the greatest extent possible, all of the energy expended by the City of Meadville,” said Pfeifer.

The second part of the project, developing an emissions reduction target and climate action plan, will take place in concert with the inventory work.

“As we begin to see some of numbers and get a sense of where the most easily achieved energy savings can occur, both at the municipal level and community wide, we’ll work with area stakeholders to start to create consensus with respect to goals and strategies,” DeHart said. “Putting it all together, from inventory data and goals to strategies and tactics, into a climate action plan that engages our citizens in creating effective solutions is the ultimate objective of the project.”

Individuals or organizations who would like to become involved in developing Meadville’s climate action plan should contact DeHart at jennifer.dehart@allegheny.edu.

As a member of the Pennsylvania Environmental Research Consortium (PERC), Allegheny College will collaborate with PERC and the International Council on Local Environmental Initiatives to complete this project.

“Allegheny’s campus was already one of the most beautiful in the country,” said Vice President for Enrollment and Communications Scott Friedhoff. “Now, thanks to this stunning new welcome center, we can offer prospective students and their families a level of gracious hospitality that is more in keeping with the prestigious traditions of Allegheny’s nearly 200-year history.”

The project, which began last fall, included a complete renovation and 6,600-square foot expansion of the building at 454 North Main Street—the corner of West John Street and North Main. It involved preserving and restoring historically important attributes of the original 1913 mission-style building – both exterior and interior – and enhancing them with critically important modern environmental features.

Among the sustainable features are geo-exchange heating and cooling, high-output compact fluorescent lighting, waterless urinals, recycled-content building materials, Forest Stewardship Council-certified wood, pervious parking spaces and rain gardens to handle storm-water runoff.

The project was supported with generous gifts from alumni and friends of the college including Bob Woodworth, Allegheny class of 1969, and Joyce Woodworth; Gary Brost and Willow (Wilcox) Brost, both Allegheny class of 1974; and an estate gift from Margaret L. Barkley.

Allegheny will host a public celebration of the new Admissions Office at the 454 House on Saturday, September 12.

The Alumni Medal, Allegheny’s oldest and most prestigious alumni award, honors those whose devotion and service to the College far exceed the norm.

Palmiero served as coordinator for Allegheny’s recent presidential search, as a volunteer, which involved organizing the complex process, communicating with scores of persons and serving as the College liaison to the executive search firm.

“Linda was a godsend,” said presidential search committee chair Tom Slonaker, “smoothly facilitating the introduction of candidates for consideration into the Allegheny community and always sensitive to the inclusiveness of our College’s community.”

In 1992, Palmiero retired as assistant dean of the College and registrar, but returned to work in the admissions office and later served as interim director of alumni affairs.

Among her many volunteer roles at Allegheny, Palmeiro has hosted regional alumni events, served on reunion committees, presided over Alumni Council, worked with sorority Kappa Alpha Theta, assisted the admissions and career services offices, and mentored students. She also played a pivotal role in leading the initiative for 100 percent participation by council members in the College’s Tradition and Transformation capital campaign.

Nearly 150 musicians—from 21 states, Canada and Australia—have registered to attend the camp. While most of the band’s sections are filled, players of woodwind, brass or percussion instruments who are college age or beyond and interested in one of the remaining spots should contact the Allegheny College Office of Conference and Events Services at (814) 332-3101.

All of the camp’s rehearsals and performances are free and open to the public. The band will rehearse each weekday morning in Shafer Auditorium on the Allegheny campus from 9 to 11:30 a.m. It will also rehearse Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 7 to 9 p.m., although this schedule may vary. There are master classes on the instruments as well as small ensemble rehearsals during the afternoons in the Henderson Campus Center.

One of the most anticipated activities during the Band Camp weeks will occur on Thursday at 7 p.m., when the small ensembles hold a recital. The ensembles range from woodwind quintets and brass quintets to a Dixieland band and a stage band.

Each week will end with a gala concert on Friday at 7:30 pm. in Shafer Auditorium. All the soloists for this year’s concerts are campers. They include trumpeter Michael Hébert of Elizabethtown, N.C., and John Johnson of Little Neck, N.Y., on the euphonium for Week I. For the Week II concert, the soloists will be trombonist Paul Heffner of Antioch, Ill., and Wendy Schmehl of Fleetwood, Pa., on the piccolo.

The conductor of the Week I concert band will again be retired Air Force Col. Jere W. Fridy. Currently the assistant conductor of the Virginia Grand Military Band, Fridy was the commander and conductor of the 553 Air Force Band (also known as the Pennsylvania Air National Guard Band) stationed at Middletown, Pa., for many years.

Retired Marine Corps Col. Timothy Foley will return as the conductor of the Week II concert band after his debut at Band Camp in 2005. Foley retired in July 2004 as director of the U.S. Marine Band (also known as “The President’s Own”) in Washington, D.C. In March, Foley served as guest conductor for the Pennsylvania Intercollegiate Band at Allegheny College.

Each section of the Band is led by a principal musician who is a professional musician on his or her instrument. Several of the musicians, including Lowell and Julie Hepler and Ronald Stitt, are Allegheny College faculty members, while others come from across the U.S. to participate. Most of the principal musicians are veterans of the camps, giving continuity to the teaching style of the principals.

The music to be performed includes overtures, transcriptions from the orchestral literature, original works for band, lighter works and many marches. The composers range from Johann Sebastian Bach and Felix Mendelssohn to Alfred Reed and Frank Ticheli. The composer most likely to have a work in each week’s concert is John Philip Sousa.
Fore more information on registering for Band Camp or attending rehearsals and performances, please contact the Allegheny College Office of Conference and Events at (814) 332-3101.

MEADVILLE, Pa. – May 18, 2009 – Using recent advances in transplant surgeries as a focal point, distinguished professionals involved in this quickly changing field will explore how we communicate about identity – through medicine, books, art, films and journalism – in a public discussion presented by Allegheny College and held at the Carnegie Science Center at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 21.

“It is difficult to imagine issues more timely, more complex or, frankly, more fundamentally human than those raised by the powerful advances in reconstructive transplant surgeries,” said Allegheny College President James H. Mullen Jr. “We are thrilled to be able to conclude Allegheny’s Year of Health programming—a campus-wide effort during the 2008-2009 academic year to explore health across the disciplines—with such a fascinating conversation.”

Beyond bringing the voices of internationally known experts together, “Transplant Surgery and Identity” represents an unusual opportunity for members of the public to participate in this discussion. Aside from Internet-based activities, it may be the first such opportunity.

Moderated by Pittsburgh Post-Gazette health and science reporter David Templeton, the discussion will include five experts.

• Carla Bluhm, visiting assistant professor of psychology at Allegheny College and author of “Someone Else’s Face in the Mirror: Identity and the New Science of Face Transplants,” which she co-wrote with Nathan Clendenin, Allegheny class of 2007.

• John Broughton, associate professor of psychology and education, Teachers College, Columbia University.

• Allen Furr, department chair and professor of sociology, University of Louisville.

• Mark Roth, senior staff writer, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

• Dr. Stefan Schneeberger, president, American Society for Reconstructive Transplantation.

In addition, guests will be invited to respond to excerpts from “Facing the Future: the First Face Transplant,” a documentary film directed by Michael Hughes about the first face transplant, which was conducted by French surgeons in 2005 on Isabelle Dinoire.

This event is free, but seating is limited. For more information, call (814) 332-6755. To reserve seating online, visit www.allegheny.edu/forms/689. For directions and visitor information, visit the Carnegie Science Center Web site, www.carnegiesciencecenter.org.

Directed by Sally Hanley, Allegheny College director of annual and reunion giving, working with Pacesetter Enterprises, “The Allegheny College Young Alumni Challenge” took first-place honors in the categories of Multi-Channel Personalized Marketing and Variable Data Printing Powerhouse.

“The goal of our young alumni campaign was to increase dollars and donors by a more individualized and focused solicitation,” said Hanley.

“This campaign was specialized so that young alumni each received an appeal that highlighted their college interests, academic major and class picture. Although it is too early to assess the overall success of this campaign, we are pleased with the initial results and anticipate doing similar appeals next year.”

The Digital Imaging Customer Exchange, based in Mesa, Ariz., is an independent users group for owners of high-end digital color presses.

About Allegheny College

Allegheny College is a national liberal arts college where 2,100 students with unusual combinations of interests, skills and talents excel. The 32nd oldest college in the nation, Allegheny will celebrate its bicentennial in 2015. Counted among the nation’s top-performing colleges, Allegheny’s reputation is based upon assessments of student achievement, program quality, graduation rates and the post-graduate success of its alumni.

About Pacesetter Enterprises, Inc.

Started in 1986, Pacesetter Enterprises, Inc. is a full-service printing company based in Allentown, Pa., which specializes in high quality color digital offset printing. Services include: cross channel marketing programs, web to print digital printing programs, CD/DVD duplication, graphic design, kitting, warehousing and fulfillment and e-fulfillment.

The Reunion Choir will present a program of 11 sacred and secular works for unaccompanied choir, featuring four works by Morten J. Luvaas, founder of the Allegheny choral program and faculty member from 1928-1965. The concert will also commemorate W. S. Wright North, who taught at Allegheny from 1949 until his death in 1979.
Soloists include baritone Howard Sprout, class of 1969, of Bloomfield, Conn., and tenor David Gilson, class of 1987, of Cleveland Heights, Ohio.

Works to be performed include “Grant Us to do with Zeal,” by Bach; “Cantate Domino” by Pitoni; “Bethlehem Down” by Warlock; “The Turtle Dove” by Vaughan Williams; “Bourree” by Bach as arranged by Swingle; “Wondrous Cool, Thou Woodland Quiet” by Brahms; “Ezekiel Saw De Wheel” by Dawson; and Morten Luvaas’s “King of Peace and Glory,” “The Pines of Home,” “Nunc dimittis” and his arrangement of the Allegheny Alma Mater.

Ward Jamison, director of choral activities, will conduct the choir. Call the Alumni Affairs Office at (814) 332-5384 with questions or for more information.

The project, which is featured in the New York Times and on FOX News this week, seeks to build on the remarkable interest in “The Story of Stuff,” a 20-minute film that looks at the underside of society’s production and consumption patterns and how they affect communities in the U.S. and abroad. Written and narrated by international sustainability and environmental health expert Annie Leonard, “The Story of Stuff” has generated more than six million views since its launch in December 2007 at www.storyofstuff.org. The film also is being used for educational and outreach projects in thousands of schools, faith-based organizations and private-sector companies.

“Michael Maniates’ work has had an enormous impact on my own thinking about consumption issues,” said Leonard. “His rigorous analysis and clear articulation of the systemic—rather than the individual—nature of the consumption problem is like a breath of fresh air after reading hundreds of uninspiring articles urging minor lifestyle changes to save the planet. I am delighted that Michael has joined the Story of Stuff board. Along with the other members who are equally accomplished in their fields, we have a fantastic mix of perspectives and expertise to guide the Story of Stuff Project in the years ahead.”

The Story of Stuff advisory board will work to provide guidance to and encourage collaboration among people interested in civic engagement and environmental sustainability issues.

“Annie Leonard and “The Story of Stuff’ is one of the most potent combinations to hit the U.S. environmental movement in quite some time,” said Maniates, a professor of environmental science and political science. “I’m humbled by her invitation to serve on the Story of Stuff’s advisory board. The board is an active strategy group rather than a figurehead board common to many non-profit organizations—and I’ve already been able to involve my political science and environmental science students into the real-world work of strategizing for the organization.”

Maniates—who Miller-McCune Magazine said in its September 2008 issue “may be the nation’s leading authority on the politics of consumption”—has committed his career to studying and writing about global patterns of consumption, overconsumption and consumerism; low consumption/high prosperity paths to development; and underexplored routes of citizen involvement in contemporary environmental struggles.

Maniates founded and coordinates the Project on Teaching Global Environmental Politics, an electronic network of more than 300 scholars, educators and activists focused on global environmental affairs. He is the co-founder and a member of the Advisory Board of the Pacific Institute for Studies in Development, Environment and Security, now celebrating its 20th year of interdisciplinary policy analysis and advocacy.

He holds a B.S. (Phi Beta Kappa) in conservation and resource studies and an M.A. and Ph.D. in energy and resources, all from the University of California at Berkeley. He was a Fulbright scholar to India, a recipient (with Tom Princen and Ken Conca) of the Sprout Award for the best book in international environmental politics for “Confronting Consumption” (MIT Press, 2002) and academic dean of the spring 2007 Semester at Sea program. In 2000 Maniates received Allegheny College’s Thoburn Teaching Award for Innovation and Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching.

Maniates’ best known publications include “Environmental Studies: The Sky Is Not Falling,” published in BioScience; “Individualization: Plant a Tree, Ride a Bike, Save the World” and “In Search of Consumptive Resistance: The Voluntary Simplicity Movement” in “Confronting Consumption” and “Of Knowledge and Power” in his volume “Encountering Global Environmental Politics” (Rowman & Littlefield, 2003).

He is currently writing two books about the politics of sacrifice within today’s environmental movement: an edited academic volume tentatively titled “The Environmental Politics of Sacrifice,” to be published by MIT Press, and a book aimed at a popular audience with the working title of “Selling Us Short: Grown Up Ways of Saving the Planet.”

Presiding over his first Commencement ceremony as president of Allegheny College, James H. Mullen Jr. called on the class of 2009 to lead lives of achievement, courage and conviction, to find joy, laughter and beauty, and finally, to be leaders.

“I charge you to love this place that has been your home for the last four years and, as it approaches its third century, help it as it sets the standard of excellence for liberal arts learning in America,” Mullen said.

In her Commencement address, Bush—whose own career has been marked by numerous firsts—drew on the charge of President Obama’s inauguration address and encouraged Allegheny’s graduates to take hold of the responsibilities required of this era and give their all to the work ahead.

“My challenge, your challenge, our challenge is to seize gladly our personal power, to own it, to embrace it, and to hold it up to the light; to know our ability to direct the course of our own lives and to help improve the lives of others; and to appreciate and be ever mindful of the responsibilities that each of us has to one another and to ourselves,” Bush said.

Bush became involved in the Urban League movement in 1980 when she accepted the position of assistant director of the Labor Education Advancement Program for the National Urban League in New York City. From there she served first as director of the New York Urban League Staten Island Branch, then as director of its Manhattan Branch. Before returning to her hometown of Pittsburgh in 1994, Bush was president and CEO of the Urban League of Greater Hartford. She is the first female to serve in each of her last four positions in the Urban League movement.

During the ceremonies, honorary doctorates of humane letters were conferred upon Bush, Anthony D. Cortese, co-founder and president of Second Nature in Boston, Mass., and Myra Janco Daniels, founder, chairman and CEO of the Philharmonic Center for the Arts in Naples, Fla.

The 32nd oldest college in the nation, Allegheny will celebrate its bicentennial in 2015. Counted among the nation’s top-performing colleges, Allegheny is a national liberal arts college where 2,100 students with unusual combinations of interests, skills and talents excel.

Allegheny is one of 40 colleges recognized in Loren Pope’s book Colleges That Change Lives, where he writes that the college “has a long and distinguished record of producing … future scientists and scholars.”

Allegheny ranks in the top 5 percent of schools whose graduates go on to earn Ph.D.s in all fields, in the top 4 percent in the science disciplines, and in the top 2 percent for producing chemistry Ph.D.s., according to recent data from the Higher Education Data Sharing (HEDS) Consortium Study of the Doctorate Records File.