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April 20, 2022

A note from the Dean Dear Faculty and Staff Colleagues, This Friday, April 22, will be an exhilarating day on campus. As you know, the Oxford library will host A Day of Celebration of Scholarship and Creative Expression (CSCE). This year’s CSCE—now in its 16th year—has expanded to include a variety of presentations, showcases, and exhibitions from all corners of our community.  The event will run from 9:30 a.m.–3:00 p.m., followed by a reception in the library for faculty and staff from 4:00–6:00 p.m. Our Board of Counselors will be here for their spring meeting and a 50th anniversary celebration, so they will join us for the reception. For a full schedule of the day’s activities, including a list of presenters, visit the CSCE webpage. I’m also pleased that Emory Provost Bellamkonda will be on campus for the day. I am excited for him to visit CSCE to see all the excellent scholarship and creativity coming out of Oxford. He will join us for the 4:00 p.m. reception as well.  I look forward to seeing you on Friday. Best, Doug

Oxford in the news

Molly McGehee was invited to present on her chapter titled "'It's a State of Mind': The Online Merch-ing of Whiteness" from the edited collection Remediating Region: New Media and the U.S. South (LSU Press, 2021) at the twenty-eighth Oxford Conference for the Book at the University of Mississippi, which took place March 30-April 1.

Faculty updates Congratulations to the tenured and promoted faculty members below:

Bill Shapiro Retirement Celebration

After more than 40 years of teaching at Oxford, Bill Shapiro, Professor of Political Science, will be retiring at the end of this academic year. The Advancement and Alumni Engagement Office is hosting a retirement celebration on April 30, 5:00 p.m. at Phi Gamma Plaza. Alumni, emeriti, faculty, staff, students, family, and friends are invited to attend. RSVP to Tammy Camfield at [email protected] by April 28.

A note from the chairs of the Oxford Class Gift Committee

At Oxford College, two years constitutes a uniquely rigorous and exciting learning experience. To assure that the Oxford experience continues to thrive and grow, and to allow students to express their commitment to the college, each year the sophomore class conducts a Class Gift Campaign. This class gift is still undecided, but it was unanimous that the gift honor Dr. William Shapiro as he retires.    On behalf of the Oxford Class of 2022, we ask that you share in our sincere appreciation for the Oxford experience and all that it encompasses by contributing to our class gift and legacy. We invite you to join in supporting our class gift and Oxford, as we need your help to secure the funds needed. Your participation is vital to a successful campaign.  If you have any further questions, please contact Tammy Camfield at 770.784.8314 or [email protected].   Consider making your gift in honor of someone, perhaps a student or colleague. Thank you in advance for your support!  Sincerely, Anya Kasubhi 22Ox and Wes Yamada 22Ox 2022 Oxford Class Gift Committee Co-chairs

Web story: Students visit prison, present to legislature on college courses in prison

Oxford students Dyson Stallworth and Niels Armbruster were part of a team led by English professor Sarah Higinbotham that brought a policy brief on college courses in prisons to the Georgia State Legislature. Stallworth and Armbruster also reflected on their experience attending a graduation at Burruss State Prison and speaking with the incarcerated students. Read the story here.

Emory Explores: Food Justice and Sustainability

Join the Emory Alumni Association on April 21 from 12:00–1:00 p.m. for an impactful conversation about food justice, food insecurity, and sustainability with Emory alumni Yaza Sarieh 18Ox 20C and Jamie Constantine 20Ox 22C. The discussion will touch on their work within the Global Growers Network. This is a virtual event. Register today here.

Emory Cares: National Volunteer Week

April 23 - Park Cleanup at Arabia Mountain - Stonecrest, Georgia 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. As Emory Cares participates in National Volunteer Week, come celebrate a belated Earth Day at Arabia Mountain! Just 20 minutes from Oxford, Arabia is home to unique and rare ecology on its granite outcrops. Help protect the native plants and wildlife by picking up trash in the preserve while taking in the beautiful views. Register here.

Dean's Gambit Chess Tournament

OxChess is holding the Dean's Gambit Chess Tournament on Saturday, April 23 in the Greer Forum from 1:00–5:00 p.m. They would love to see more staff and faculty join in the fun with Dean Hicks.  Please RSVP via this link.

This week's Oxford Studies events

The Oxford Dance Company's spring performance, directed by Alejandro Abarca, will be on Friday, April 22 at 7:30 p.m. in Williams Hall. Encourage your students to attend this Oxford Studies event.

Also hosted by Oxford Studies, the Southern Circuit Film Series returns with Lily Topples the World. The film will be available from April 24-27, and you can register to watch here. Synopsis: Lily Topples the World follows 20-year-old sensation Lily Hevesh—the world’s most acclaimed domino toppler and the only girl in her field—as she rises as an artist, role model, and young woman. Filmed for over 3 years across countless cities and featuring appearances by Jimmy Fallon, Katy Perry, Will Smith, YouTuber Casey Neistat, and a steady stream of Gen-Z creators, Lily Topples the World is a coming-of-age story cloaked within a unique portrait of an artist, a story of how passion and artistry can make dreams come true, and an unlikely American tale of a quiet Chinese adoptee who transforms into a global artistic force with over 1 billion YouTube views.

Oxford Continuee Graduation Reception

Help celebrate the Oxford seniors who will graduate and transition to Emory's young alumni status at the Continuee Graduation Reception on May 5 from 3:00–5:00 p.m. This is always a fun event and students enjoy reconnecting with faculty and staff. If you have any questions, please contact Tammy Camfield at [email protected] or 770.784.8314. Register here today!

Criminal Justice for the New Millennium

Last week, alum Judge Clint Rucker returned to Oxford as the Distinguished Lyceum speaker for a talk titled "Criminal Justice for the New Millennium" held at the Student Center. Before that, he met and dined with members of the Black Student Alliance and Pre-Law Club. Enjoy these pictures of the event, courtesy of Sarah Higinbotham:

APRIL

Emory Explores: Food Justice and Sustainability Virtual, register here | 12:00–1:00 p.m.

A Day of Celebration of Scholarship and Creative Expression (CSCE) Oxford Library | 9:30 a.m.–3:00 p.m., view full schedule here

A talk by Yasmin Nair: "Queer Fires: War, Sexual Identity, and the Search for Modernity as the Planet Burns"  Via Zoom | 3:00–4:30 p.m.

Oxford Dance Company spring performance Williams Hall | 7:30 p.m.

Park Cleanup at Arabia Mountain Arabia Mountain | 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.

Dean's Gambit Chess Tournament OSC Greer Forum | 1:00–5:00 p.m.

Southern Circuit Film Series: Lily Topples the World Watch here | Available through April 27

Take a Break Tuesday Office of Religious and Spiritual Life Oxford Student Center Front Plaza | 1:15–2:45 p.m.

To submit a news item for the next Campus Update, please email Daniel Christian. The newsletter is distributed weekly on Wednesday. Please submit items by Monday afternoon.