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July 22, 2013

Dennis Yasutomo, professor of government, was invited in May to give a public lecture at the Eminent Speakers’ Forum at the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in Manila, Philippines. Yasutomo addressed bank officials and staff members in a session, “Past, Present, Future: Lessons from ADB’s Founding for Our Future,” sharing his insights about the founding years of ADB, including the bank’s creation and early history. Yasutomo, has written extensively on Japan and the Asian Development Bank. The forum is intended to facilitate exchange of ideas among ADB staff and expand understanding of the history of the ADB.

 

John Davis, Alice Pratt Brown Professor of Art, was selected to be among the featured speakers at the 2013 New Orleans Antiques Forum, hosted by the Historic New Orleans Collection August 1 through 4. The four-day forum, themed “Opulence and Intrigue: Exoticism in the 19th Century,” will examine the proliferation of non-Western styles in decorative arts and architecture. The forum will feature talks by nearly a dozen art experts. Davis’ talk, on August 3, will examine the American artists who traveled to Palestine, Syria and Egypt in search of history and exoticism, beginning with the earliest panorama painters who created massive, cinema-like experiences of the Holy Land. The Historic New Orleans Collection created the New Orleans Antique Forum to further knowledge and appreciation of decorative arts and to promote cultural tourism following Hurricane Katrina.

Janine Olthuis ‘08, who is near completion of her doctorate in clinical psychology at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, recently received the Brian Dufton Memorial Prize for Outstanding Graduate Achievement in Psychology, presented by the Association of Psychologists of Nova Scotia (APNS). Olthuis, who has a distinguished record of achievement in her young academic career, was one of two winners of the prestigious award this year in a particularly strong field of candidates, noted Susan Marsh, executive director of APNS, in the award letter. “The decision-making process was particularly difficult,” she said. “You were selected as one of the winners on the basis of your excellent academic record and demonstrated commitment to a career as a psychologist.” Olthuis was presented with the award, which includes a $500 prize and one-year membership to APNS, during the association’s annual meeting on May 31.

Nina Antonetti, assistant professor of landscape studies, was recently elected to the Board of Trustees for the Conway School, a graduate program in sustainable landscape planning and design. Antonetti also serves on the Conway faculty as a Distinguished Visiting Historian of the Landscape.

May 28, 2013

Anne Angen Gershon ’60, professor of pediatrics and director of the Division of Pediatric Infectious Disease at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, was recently presented with the Albert B. Sabin Gold Medal Award from the Sabin Vaccine Institute honoring her outstanding research on vaccines against the varicella zoster virus (shingles) and her public health work. “Dr. Gershon’s research was critical to the widespread adoption of the varicella vaccine, which prevents chickenpox,” according to the award press release. Ten years after the varicella vaccine was recommended in the United States, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported as much as a 90 percent drop in chickenpox cases, and a varicella-related hospital admission decline of 71 percent. The Sabin Gold Medal Award, now in its 20th year, annually honors public health professionals who have made extraordinary contributions to the field of vaccinology or a complementary field. The award commemorates Dr. Albert B. Sabin, who developed the oral live virus polio vaccine. Gershon was honored and presented with the award during the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases annual conference on April 23.

Barbara Wallace Grossman ’69, professor of drama at Tufts University, and her husband, Steve Grossman, Treasurer of the State of Massachusetts, will be presented with the Community Service Award by the Synagogue Council of Massachusetts (SCM) on June 11, in recognition of their public service. Barbara Grossman “understands and has a tremendous sense of responsibility to give back to academia,” notes the award announcement on the SCM blog. “Barbara strives to make a difference for members of our society who have been forgotten or marginalized. Her leadership in Holocaust remembrance and advocacy for GLBT rights and respect are well-documented.” The SCM brings together the Jewish community for learning, dialogue and collaborative action. The Grossmans will be honored, alongside Steffi Karp, founder of LimmudBoston, during “A Tree of Life: One Community, Many Branches,” at Temple Emanuel, Newton, Mass.

Sarah E. Thomas '70, the first woman and non-British citizen in four centuries to lead Oxford University's Bodleian Libraries, was recently appointed vice president for the Harvard Library. Thomas, a member of the Oxford faculty, previously served as university librarian at Cornell. "Sarah Thomas is a leader in her field with an exceptional record of success running major academic libraries," said Harvard University Provost Alan M. Garber in a press release announcing Thomas' appointment. "She is uniquely capable of building on the progress we have made thus far in responding to the evolving expectations of the 21st century scholar." After graduating from Smith, Thomas earned a master's degree in library science from Simmons College and a doctorate in German literature from Johns Hopkins University.

Lucy Lippard '58, a leading voice in contemporary art and ethical activism, delivered the commencement address and received an honorary doctorate at Otis College of Art and Design (Los Angeles) during its commencement ceremonies on May 11. Lippard began her career as an art critic, and gained early notoriety as an advocate for underserved groups, eventually working with artists' groups such as the Artworkers' Coalition, Ad Hoc Women Artists, Artists Meeting for Cultural Change, The Alliance for Cultural Democracy and WAC (Women's Action Coalition). Lippard is the author of 20 books on contemporary art and cultural criticism, and a novel.

About People News

People News is a column for publicizing the achievements, distinctions and notable activities of people in the Smith community, PeopleNews welcomes your submissions. If you -- or someone you know in the Smith community -- have recently received an award, participated in an interesting event, or are involved in an important endeavor, please let us know.

 

 
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