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College of Liberal Arts
cla@umn.edu
612-624-9839
cla@umn.edu
612-624-9839
CLA in words and images
"Rats" of '31 reunite
Standing, left-right: Ruth Drake, Olive Swinney, Ann Lindstrom, Dorothy Thomas, Margaret Atwood. Seated: Louise Cragun
They call themselves the "rats." Why? No one seems to know why this friendly group of women, Class of '31, should identify with the rodents most people love to hate.
“It's a great mystery,” says Louise Cragun. Meanwhile, Olive Swinney speculates that Louise's husband, then her boyfriend, coined the term. In any event, the official name of the group was (and still is) the Minnesota Rat Association, says Margaret Atwood. And the boyfriends, later the husbands, are the Rat Auxiliary.
The group's founding mothers met in their first year at the U through their involvement in YWCA, Minnesota Government Association, and Big Sisters. Once their group was formed, Dorothy and Olive began taking newcomers into their unofficial sorority. They even threw rush parties for new members, complete with initiation rites that, by today's standards, seem mighty tame: one initiate, for example, was required to ascend a flight of stairs—backward.
“There was never any beer at our parties,” says Margaret, "but there was always plenty of cheese"—and cabbage, pineapple, and marshmallow salad, a mainstay of the group's many shared feasts.
Since they graduated, the women have remained friends, some traveling great distances to attend regular reunions-this year their 70th. Aside from their shared history, the women are united in their love of the University. Says Cragun, "We should all be thankful for the opportunity to be graduates of this university." Adds Thomas, to enthusiastic nods all around, "It's really been thrilling to see all the developments at the U over the years.”
Distinguished psychologists come home to be honored
During this year's homecoming celebration, the Department of Psychology—long one of the nation's top departments-welcomed home four of its most distinguished alumni and emeriti faculty to receive two of the University's most prestigious awards.
left to right: James Jenkins, Harrison Gough, John Holland, and Paul Meehl
Photo by Diana Watters
John Holland (B.A. '47, Ph.D. '52, psychology) and Regents Professor Emeritus Paul Meehl (B.A. '41, Ph.D. '45, psychology) were awarded the honorary doctor of science degree.
In nominating Holland, psychology faculty member Jo-Ida Hansen wrote, "As a scientist, Holland has… influenced some of psychology's most productive and innovative researchers. The list of those who have built on, incorporated, or been influenced by his work is long.
“One cannot read a journal in the field of vocational psychology or career development without finding numerous references to Holland's Theory.”
Of Meehl, colleague Matt McGue said, "When the history of psychology in the 20th century is written, an individual who was born and raised and lived every day of his adult life in Minnesota will be featured prominently. There is no major area of academic psychology that has gone untouched by Meehl's scholarship.”
Crediting Meehl for transforming the field of clinical psychology, McGue notes that Meehl was a student or faculty member in the department for all but 19 years in the department's history.
The University of Minnesota Alumni Association Outstanding Achievement Award went to Harrison Gough (B.A. '42, sociology; M.A. '47, Ph.D. '49, psychology) and James Jenkins (M.A. '48, Ph.D. '50, psychology).
Perhaps most notable among Gough's many achievements is his development of the California Psychological Inventory (CPI). Developed nearly 50 years ago, the CPI remains one of the most widely used personality inventories in the world, a fitting tribute to the enduring impact of Gough's contributions to psychology.
One of the founders of the now flourishing interdisciplinary field of cognitive science, Jenkins founded the University's Center for Research in Human Learning (now the Center for Cognitive Science). His basic research on language production and speech perception helped establish psycholinguistics as a fundamental aspect of the cognitive sciences.
While his scholarly achievements alone are enough to distinguish Jenkins from his peers, perhaps his most remarkable contribution to the field has been the role he has played in fostering the careers of students and colleagues over the past 50 years.
CLA family honors Gerhard Weiss
On August 10, College of Liberal Arts (CLA) deans, students, and faculty gathered in Johnston Hall to celebrate the retirement and 45-year career of their friend and colleague, Gerhard Weiss, and to announce the establishment of the Gerhard Weiss Fellowship in German Studies, to which most in the room had contributed.
Gerhard Weiss and CLA Dean Steven J. Rosenstone
Photo by Tim Rummelhoff
Weiss, who has "retired" several times only to be tapped again and again for encores, was hailed as a great scholar, teacher, and loyal friend of the college. In a room overflowing with people and good will, voice after voice rose in glowing and affectionate tribute to a man whose long and dedicated service to the college and to the Department of German, Scandinavian, and Dutch has made him one of CLA's most beloved and esteemed faculty elders.
As Weiss wiped away tears and soaked up the accolades and good wishes, associate dean and professor of German James Parente repeatedly whispered in his ear, "More coming." And indeed, the tributes kept coming. When he finally was able to speak, here's what Weiss said:
“I am deeply humbled by the endowment of this fellowship, and I am deeply moved by the love expressed by my departmental colleagues, and by all my friends in CLA. I know that the motto 'CLA is People' is not just a hollow advertising slogan but a true reflection of the caring and warmth that exists. My experience is that CLA is family. And I am immensely grateful that I've been permitted to be part of that family for 45 years.”
Faculty website goes live
Wondering what your favorite CLA professors are up to? Now you can look up any of CLA's 500-plus faculty on our new "faculty experts" website.
Check out the new site at:
http://www2.cla.umn.edu/faculty/
Simply enter a key word or click on one of the "current topics" and see how many faculty names pop up on your screen!
Clicking on a faculty name will take you to a summary of that person's creative and scholarly work, areas of interest and expertise, and awards for teaching, research, and public service. Clicking on "For additional information" will deliver you to that faculty member's departmental and personal Web page.
