DeBrief - April 20, 2022

DePauw’s source for staff and faculty news and announcements.

The Office

Julia Bruggemann, professor of history

What's in your office?

1. Several photos with friends and family including one with my parents on the day of my Ph.D. graduation and one with my dissertation adviser and my graduate cohort.

2. A tiny Playmobil Martin Luther figure who was released to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation in 2017. That fall, I taught an upper level seminar on the history of the Reformation and on Oct. 31, the exact anniversary of Luther’s 95 Theses, the students drew up a list of ideas for improvements at DePauw and we posted them on then VPAA Harris’ door.

3. An historical map of 19th century Hamburg. It’s the city where I was born and also the subject of my dissertation, so it has both personal and professional meaning.

4. A set of bills from various moments in German history including two from the period of hyperinflation in the 1920s that I bought at various flea markets in Germany over the years. Students are often fascinated by handling these historical objects in class and it helps us to empathize with folks who went through such a disorienting experience.

5. A pile of recent books that I’m working through in preparation for a new course on Afro-German history including the amazing and award-winning book by my colleague (at Michigan) Kira Thurman, “Singing Like Germans; Black Musicians in Land of Bach, Beethoven, and Brahms” (Cornell, 2021).

Faculty and Staff News Roundup

Kevin Howley, professor of communication and theatre, was quoted April 18 by a columnist in the Columbia Journalism Review in “Let’s make journalism work for those not born into an elite class.”

News

DePauw names its first vice president for institutional equity

Dionne Jackson, who has spent her career focused on supporting and ensuring equity in education and the community, has been named DePauw University’s first vice president for institutional equity.

Jackson, who starts at DePauw June 15, will have faculty status with the rank of part-time associate professor of education studies.

Announcements

There are several upcoming events to recognize and celebrate our students and faculty and staff colleagues for their scholarship, leadership and service.

Academic and Student Affairs Awards Convocation, April 25, 7:30 p.m., Green Center for the Performing Arts, Kresge Auditorium.
Staff Appreciation Reception, April 27, 3:30 p.m., Inn at DePauw.
Faculty Recognition Reception, May 13, 4 p.m., Inn at DePauw.

Students walking around Hoover Dining Hall

DePauw University Libraries

As we prepare for the last month of the semester, DePauw Libraries would like to offer a reminder to use the Faculty Achievements, Publications, and Creative Work submission form as you complete scholarly publications. Upon submission, the libraries will examine your work and help you post the allowable version in the DePauw Institutional Repository, which will increase your readership and contribute to this collection of DePauw scholarship. A recent piece in Inside Higher Ed, “Humanities Scholars Can Make Their Papers Open Access Now,” highlights the issues of paywalls and the importance of seeking publisher permissions for posting your research in repositories or other online platforms.

Campus Events

Earth Day Keynote Speaker Ian Daniel ’04 presents “Environmental Justice means Racial Justice: Grassroots Movements, Indigenous Solutions, and Storytelling for Social Change”

Tonight, 7:30 p.m., Peeler Art Center, Auditorium or via Zoom. Passcode: earthday.

Learn more.

Green Guest Artist Concert: Eighth Blackbird

April 22, 7:30 p.m., Green Center for the Performing Arts, Kresge Auditorium.

Purchase tickets.

For a complete listing of events, visit Campus Labs.