1,001 SMILES
Share the joy of the holiday season with others. Allen LaPan
is once again collecting contributions for his annual "1,001 Smiles"
toy drive to benefit local youngsters. New toys may be brought to the
Cotter Union Post Office through today, Dec. 18. Toys for all age
groups are appreciated. This year marks the third annual drive, and
Allen is hoping for the largest turnout ever. Over the past two years
the Post Office has collected a total of 1,150 toys for children in the
surrounding area. Help reach this season's goal of 1,001 toys and bring
holiday happiness to many!
ONGALO-OBOTE FOR PARLIAMENT
Many will remember Kenneth Ongalo-Obote ’93, who has
declared his candidacy for a seat in the Uganda Parliament. He will run
as an opposition candidate in general elections being held in the
spring. Kenneth has written Colby mentor Jill Gordon to say
that he is seeking campaign funds and that his decision to run is based
upon his opposition to "an educational system that prepares young
people for unemployment," oppressive tax and health care systems that
penalize the poor, an unfair poll tax, high unemployment and
illiteracy. He currently lives at 23 Gray Lane in Falmouth, MA 02540,
where he works as an attorney. In his letter to Jill he notes that
"America will not be any worse for losing one lawyer" and that he must
use his "education and diverse cultural experience to benefit my own
people." He will return to Uganda in late January.
FOR WANT OF A "C"
A typographical error (heaven knows we never make them in this
newsletter) in December's faculty meeting agenda proposed allowing
committee nominees to post informal statements on "the Dean of Faulty
Web page." The Dean of Faulty Web Pages would be right next door to the
Ministry of Silly Walks, according to one Eustis wag.
THE MULE BEFORE JAKARTA
As if our political scientists haven't been busy on the home front, Sandy Maisel
did a live videocast to Jakarta, Indonesia, on election night. Speaking
from Augusta, Sandy provided commentary while the Indonesian Ambassador
to the U.S. joined from Washington and a GOP consultant chimed in from
Denver. The audience was about 500 people organized by the Chamber of
Commerce and the U.S. Embassy in Jakarta, where Bob Gelbard '64 (and P '03) is our ambassador. Research assistant Alexandra Gelbard
'03 was clearly visible in the video feed. The timing was such that
Sandy predicted a Gore victory. "I wonder if they ever found out!" he
mused.
FAST COMPANY
The cover of the Autumn 2000 edition of Politique Internationale, the French equivalent of our Foreign Affairs
magazine, lists 19 contributors including two presidents (Tunisia and
Croatia), two prime ministers (Ukraine and Hungary), France's foreign
minister, German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder, Dick Cheney and Joseph
Leiberman. And among the heavyweights from think tanks and academe
there's Guilain Denoeux (government). Guilain has a 25-page
article titled "La Face Cachée du Miracle Tunisien,"-- The Hidden Face
of the Tunisian Miracle.
MAINE SPEAKOUT
It's too late to bid, but note that Margaret Libby
(libraries) was one of the artists with works in the Maine Speakout
Project Internet art auction, held on ebay Nov. 27-Dec. 6. The project
and the America Speaks Out National Institute promote respect and
understanding among persons of differing sexual orientations, and
proceeds from the auction will support the 2nd America Speaks Out
National Institute, in South Portland in July. See www.mainespeakout.org for details. Maggie had good company--67 artists including Alex Katz, Dahlov Ipcar and John Marin were represented.
Patrice Franko (economics and international studies) was quoted in the Spanish-language Miami Herald in November about Washington's reticence to push for ALCA (Area de Libre Comercio de las Américas)--a free-trade agreement for all the Americas. Patrice, identified as a Colby College economist and author of a book about the implications of ALCA, says the political cost of campaigning for ALCA is too high here since most Americans associate it with NAFTA and associate NAFTA with jobs lost to Mexico. She questions the prediction of the "Casa Blanca" (White House) that ALCA will come to pass by 2003.
FEEDING STUDENTS
The Dining Services crew turned out to feed hungry studying students for the usual "midnight munchies" event when finals began. Let’s salute them and Kirsten Hayden, Angie Cannon ’99, Michelle Hicks, Janice Kassman, Tom Berger, Ron Morrell, Tom Longstaff and Jeri Roseboro, who also sacrificed sleep to help.
APUZZO’S ENTERPRISE
When local police nabbed five men from New Bedford, Mass., on charges including armed robbery last month, it was a perfect story for Echo editor emeritus Matt Apuzzo '00. Now a reporter for the New Bedford Standard-Times, Matt has good sources in Waterville from his days at the Morning Sentinel. The intrepid scribe, working on his own time, produced a poignant portrait of the alleged perpetrators with great quotes from the law-enforcement community that nabbed them, and it ran on page one of his paper last Sunday. Read it at www.s-t.com/daily/12-00/12-10-00/a01lo005.htm
ACCENT ON TRAVEL
Colby will soon have a new Accent Travel agent, replacing the magnificent Jen Kadnar. Jackie Coffey has been working for Accent for 14 years and will take up her new Colby post after Christmas. She will be looking for new ways to meet the business travel needs of Colby people, especially by using the Web. We welcome her.
SKI FOR KIDS
Rusty Atwood (development) is a charter member of the Board of Directors of Ski Maine for Kids, a non-profit organization dedicated to the development and enhancement of winter outdoor fitness programs for Maine children and families. Ski Maine for Kids’ flagship program, the 5th Grade Passport, gives every Maine 5th grader the chance to enjoy free skiing and snowboarding at Maine ski areas all winter long. The 6th Grade SnowPass and Winter Sport Fitness Curriculum Guide, aligned with the State of Maine Learning Results, further expand the opportunities for children, their families and teachers to enjoy safe, educational and healthful winter activities. Rusty’s extensive experience in both education and development, coupled with his lifelong interest in skiing and Maine winter outdoor life, make him a valuable addition to the board.
RECEIVE TRAVEL GRANTS
Candice Parent, the American Volleyball Coaches Association in Richmond … Mark Serdjenian, the National Soccer Coaches Association of America in Indianapolis … Otto Bretscher, the Joint Mathematics Meeting of the American Mathematics Society in New Orleans …
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
Assistant Baseball Coach, part time.
Athletics
Inquire Personnel Services x3180
MOOSCELLANEOUS
You may have noticed that the President’s delightful holiday card and open house invitation was designed by Bro’s and Cathy’s son, Sean, age 11 ... Randy Helm has been recognized as a "faculty star" by the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), a recognition resulting from student evaluations following his teaching at the Council’s Summer Institute in Education Fund Raising held at Dartmouth last summer … Biology Department members have decided to give goods and money to the Waterville Homeless Shelter as a charitable activity in the Christmas season .. are there other departments with similar holiday projects? … Canisius College has reinstated its men's hockey coach after he served a five-day suspension for striking one of his players on the helmet with a hockey stick .. the father of the player called the college's decision "disturbing" … Can someone tell us where the saying "since Hector was a pup" came from? .. as many know, it means "for a very long time."