Category: news

Latino writer to read essays about his life with cancer

As part of the Antioch College fireside reading series, writer and teacher Rafael Torch will read from his recent creative nonfiction work on Sunday, Feb. 20, at 2 p.m. at the Coretta Scott King Center. His collection of raw personal essays about the realities of cancer treatment is titled Pacific Coast Time: A Recurrence of Days.

Torch, who graduated from Antioch in 2002, is a writer and high school literature teacher in California. His work, part of the rapidly growing body of Latino literature in America, has been published in the Antioch Review, the Indiana Review, the North American Review, and the Crab Apple Review, among other places. His story, “The Naming of Frank Torch,” won the Grand Prize from the online journal Memoir (and). Torch’s MA thesis from the University of Chicago, The Garcia Boy: A Memoir, received numerous awards, including the Catherine Ham Memorial Award for Excellence in graduate work.

Rafael’s Torch’s gripping blog detailing his ongoing experiences with cancer is called “pacific coast time: cancer, las vegas, god, illumination, and a hint of existential dread.” The following is an excerpt from a February entry:

since i began this blog a year ago i’ve had cancer four times and i’ve beat it thus far. how much luck does a person have? is it even a matter of luck? i used to ask if it was fair, but now i know better — fair and luck have nothing to do with it. those are meaningless words…

jonah, i knew, was going to be a good student. i don’t quite remember his exact score, but i know he earned a high B on the test we had the first or second day of school. i never got to read his first essay. after he was diagnosed with cancer and i had gone to his house to see him before he flew to houston for treatment, he said he had his essay for me to grade. i told him that he didn’t need to worry about it, that he had other things much more important than salinger or holden’s dilemma to worry about now. but he was adamant. he had heard that those first essays were dismal, that i had graded hard. he wanted to see where he stood. i told him to email it to me if he wanted. i never got the email.

The fireside readings are sponsored by Antioch College Morgan Fellows Anne Bohlen and Jean Gregorek. The events highlight both established and emerging multi-ethnic writers, poets and memoirists who offer a variety of voices and fresh perspectives on contemporary life in North America. The events all take place at the Coretta Scott King Center for Cultural and Intellectual Freedom.

Inspiring better education

About 50 people came to hear Deborah Meier and Shadia Alvarez, both progressive educators and Antioch alumni, speak at the Herndon Gallery on Antioch College campus last weekend. Their talks about how to educate children to build a strong democracy were the second in the Future of Education lecture series sponsored by the village schools and the Antioch Morgan Fellows.

Meier has a long list of awards and honorary degrees from dozens of schools, including Yale, Harvard and Brown Universities, for her leadership in helping to change the public schools. She told many stories about her observations as a teacher in the Chicago public school system and later in public schools in New York City, Philadelphia and Boston. Her points included:

• If a classroom is boring to us, adults, it has to be boring to students.

• An environment that is disrespectful of teachers encourages teachers to disrespect their students.

• Public education is intended to prepare citizens to participate in a democracy, but instead of fostering the critical thinking and active debate necessary for a healthy democracy, the system relies on testing to meet its goals.

• Democracy is complicated and does not come naturally, but we can learn to be democratic if we stop teaching to the test and start teaching kids to love learning.

Alvarez was a student at Central Park East, the New York City school where Meier served as principal and which provided secondary school, or CPESS, a model for alternative public educational institutions across the country. Prior to coming to CPESS, Alvarez had been slow-tracked to the remedial classes in the NYC school system, where she was in danger of languishing for the next 12 years. But at CPESS, instead of labeling her, the school assessed her strengths and weaknesses and worked effectively to address her needs.

To honor that legacy which she benefited from, Alvarez went into education and is now an assistant principal in the New York City school system. She struggles daily to be a “courageous leader” and to overcome the limitations of the system to do what’s right for her students.

For Alumni, Work Projects Are a Labor of Love

Mac PalmerYELLOW SPRINGS, Ohio – February 10, 2011  The Volunteers for Antioch Maintenance Projects (VAMP) might seem new, but it has Antioch roots that stretch back to the 1950s.

In a report written by VAMP member Jon Baker, E. Macdougall “Mac” Palmer ‘61 recalls his early Antioch College experience, participating in a freshman orientation work project. Those first-year students constructed the Cedar Center in Glen Helen.

Palmer was so struck by this experience that, during the 1985 reunion, he had a “bull session” with other alumni to discuss having a work project as part of the annual Reunion. The next year, 1986, kicked off the first alumni work project, with Rice Hall in Birch repainted, repaired, and patched.

The alumni work project took a new turn, however, after the October 2009 Reunion. It was the first Reunion for an independent Antioch College, and volunteers mainly concentrated on the Library. Alumni and friends repaired ceilings and walls, scrubbed floors, and rewired lights, amongst other tasks.

It became painfully clear during that work project, however, how much maintenance had been deferred by the university. Julian Sharp, the manager of volunteer work, had alumni work on projects around campus in December 2009, the 2010 Reunion, and in November 2010.

It was during this last project—cleaning and painting Pennell’s porch railings and lattice work—that the volunteers had another “bull session,” similar to the one that launched the annual alumni work project. This session led to the Volunteers for Antioch Maintenance Projects (VAMP).

VAMP recruits alumni and friends to work on building maintenance projects on campus. Work is set up on a scheduled basis to aid with trip planning. The VAMP crew first took on turning the old Maples Fire Station garage into a functioning workshop.

The crew, along with the Antioch College facilities staff, found saws, a drill press, welders, and other equipment around campus and moved it to the new workshop. The new workshop features four saws, a drill press, a sander, a welder, a bench grinder, air compressor, and plentiful work tables. It also features lockers for personal tools, as well as the original Maples Fire Department sign.

VAMP seeks volunteers of all skill levels and abilities. Upcoming VAMP projects are scheduled for:

  • February 14-19
  • March 21-26
  • April 18-23
  • May 16-27
  • June 10-17

For more information on the history of volunteerism at Antioch College, read the report here. For information on volunteering with VAMP, contact Julian Sharp at jsharp@antiochcollege.org.

Reporting by Christian Feuerstein '94

MEDIA CONTACT:
Gariot P. Louima ?
Director of Communications
Office: 937-319-6131
Mobile: 937-581-8201
glouima@antiochcollege.org

For Alumni, Work Projects Are a Labor of Love

Mac PalmerYELLOW SPRINGS, Ohio – February 10, 2011  The Volunteers for Antioch Maintenance Projects (VAMP) might seem new, but it has Antioch roots that stretch back to the 1950s.

In a report written by VAMP member Jon Baker, E. Macdougall “Mac” Palmer ‘61 recalls his early Antioch College experience, participating in a freshman orientation work project. Those first-year students constructed the Cedar Center in Glen Helen.

Palmer was so struck by this experience that, during the 1985 reunion, he had a “bull session” with other alumni to discuss having a work project as part of the annual Reunion. The next year, 1986, kicked off the first alumni work project, with Rice Hall in Birch repainted, repaired, and patched.

The alumni work project took a new turn, however, after the October 2009 Reunion. It was the first Reunion for an independent Antioch College, and volunteers mainly concentrated on the Library. Alumni and friends repaired ceilings and walls, scrubbed floors, and rewired lights, amongst other tasks.

It became painfully clear during that work project, however, how much maintenance had been deferred by the university. Julian Sharp, the manager of volunteer work, had alumni work on projects around campus in December 2009, the 2010 Reunion, and in November 2010.

It was during this last project—cleaning and painting Pennell’s porch railings and lattice work—that the volunteers had another “bull session,” similar to the one that launched the annual alumni work project. This session led to the Volunteers for Antioch Maintenance Projects (VAMP).

VAMP recruits alumni and friends to work on building maintenance projects on campus. Work is set up on a scheduled basis to aid with trip planning. The VAMP crew first took on turning the old Maples Fire Station garage into a functioning workshop.

The crew, along with the Antioch College facilities staff, found saws, a drill press, welders, and other equipment around campus and moved it to the new workshop. The new workshop features four saws, a drill press, a sander, a welder, a bench grinder, air compressor, and plentiful work tables. It also features lockers for personal tools, as well as the original Maples Fire Department sign.

VAMP seeks volunteers of all skill levels and abilities. Upcoming VAMP projects are scheduled for:

  • February 14-19
  • March 21-26
  • April 18-23
  • May 16-27
  • June 10-17

For more information on the history of volunteerism at Antioch College, read the report here. For information on volunteering with VAMP, contact Julian Sharp at jsharp@antiochcollege.org.

Reporting by Christian Feuerstein '94

MEDIA CONTACT:
Gariot P. Louima ?
Director of Communications
Office: 937-319-6131
Mobile: 937-581-8201
glouima@antiochcollege.org

Education Reformer Deborah Meier, Shadia Alvarez to Present on Progressive Education

Deborah MeierYELLOW SPRINGS, Ohio – February 10, 2011 –  MacArthur Genius Award winner Deborah Meier, a graduate of Antioch College, will join fellow alumna Shadia Alvarez for a discussion about progressive K-12 education at 3:00 p.m., Saturday, February 12, at Antioch College's South Hall Herndon Gallery.

Meier, a member of the class of 1966, has authored six influential books on progressive education. A 40-year veteran teacher, she is a 1987 MacArthur Genius Award winner and the recipient of innumerable honors. Although “retired,” she continues to write, blog and lecture about schooling and democracy.

Alvarez, class of 1996, is the assistant principal at the Collegiate Institute for Math and Science in the Bronx. She has plans to launch an Antioch-influenced high school in New York City in 2013.

Their visit is part of a series titled "The Future of Education," a partnership between the Morgan Fellows at Antioch College and the Yellow Springs schools to stimulate new and innovative thinking about the future of education in Yellow Springs. The series is a major component of the Class of 2020 Initiative, a process to create a strategic plan for the public schools.

Antioch College President Mark Roosevelt, the former superintendent of the Pittsburg Public Schools, will discuss his experiences in K-12 education on March 5.

Below is the schedule of remaining events.

Saturday, February 12, 3:00-5:00 p.m. – Deborah Meier and Shadia Alvarez
Antioch alumna Deborah Meier (’52) has authored six influential books on progressive education. A 40-year veteran teacher, Meier is a 1987 MacArthur Genius Award winner and the recipient of innumerable honors. Although “retired,” she continues to write, blog and lecture about schooling and democracy. Antioch alumna Shadia Alvarez (’96) is currently the Assistant Principal at the Collegiate Institute for Math and Science in the Bronx. Alvarez is planning to launch an Antioch influenced NYC high school in 2013.
Location: Herndon Gallery, South Hall, Antioch College

Tuesday, February 22, 7:00-9:00 p.m. – Michael E. Dantley
Michael E. Dantley is the associate provost, associate vice president for academic affairs, and professor of educational leadership at Miami University. When not serving in his administrative capacity. He is currently exploring new ways to conduct qualitative research on spirituality and leadership and the link between principals’ moral development and the ways principals define and demonstrate their commitment to social justice and critical instructional leadership. Dantley has been a teacher, principal and central office administrator in the Cincinnati Public Schools.
Location: Herndon Gallery, South Hall, Antioch College

Saturday, March 5, 3:00-5:00 p.m. – Mark Roosevelt
Antioch College President Mark Roosevelt has focused on politics, public policy, and education for decades. As a Massachusetts state representative he guided passage of the 1993 Education Reform Act. He directed the Gordon Public Policy Center at Brandeis University and taught courses on U.S. History and public policy at Brandeis and Carnegie Mellon. While Superintendent of the Pittsburgh Schools Roosevelt created the innovative Pittsburgh Promise program.
Location: Herndon Gallery, South Hall, Antioch College

Saturday, March 12, 3:00-5:00 p.m. –  Adam Howard
An associate professor of education at Colby College, Howard focuses his research on the educational impact of class and privilege, and on the concerns of gay and lesbian youth. His books include Educating Elites: Class Privilege and Educational Advantage, and Learning Privilege: Lessons of Power and Identity in Affluent Schooling. His articles have appeared in the journals Education Leadership, Democracy and Education, High School Journal, and the Journal of Curriculum and Pedagogy.
Location: Herndon Gallery, South Hall, Antioch College

Tuesday, March 22, 7:00-9:00 p.m. – Matt Fischer
Matt Fischer spent the first 21 years of his career creating award-winning campaigns for blue chip brands like AT&T, Amtrak, Time Magazine, Starbucks, Kraft and General Foods. Six years ago, persuaded by long-time friend, Greg Livingston, he decided to join WonderGroup in Cincinnati, where he and Livingston worked closely together to grow WonderGroup in size and stature with clients like Cincinnati Bell, Perfetti Van Melle's Airheads and Mentos, Kellogg's, Luxottica, Walt Disney Resorts, Topps, Evenflo, Heifer International, Dean Foods and more.
Location: Herndon Gallery, South Hall, Antioch College

MEDIA CONTACT:
Gariot P. Louima ?
Director of Communications
Office: 937-319-6131
Mobile: 937-581-8201
glouima@antiochcollege.org