Hillary Joy Pitoniak in the Jewett Hall Greenhouse

Biology's precious exhibits are top concern
of Museum Practicum students

Under the roof of Jewett Hall are three unique campus treasures that many people on campus do not know of, or have never visited (at least not yet). We're referring to the Biology Department's Greenhouse, Herbarium and Willard F. Stanley Museum. Thanks to Professor Jonathan Titus's museum practicum students, all are receiving extensive makeovers.
 
For example, the greenhouse, which can be seen extending from the south side of the building, is getting ready for a unique desert display, featuring botanicals which are the focus of Dr. Titus's research in the Southwest. The Stanley Museum in Jewett is being polished, display case by display case. All cases are being cleaned and reorganized. Some exhibits in the museum have been there since the 1940's, when department chairperson Dr. Stanley founded the collection of biology artifacts. With some of their items dating back to 100 years, the students are researching the preservation liquids so they can safely clean and preserve them to last far into the future.
 
Dr. Titus is just as excited about the projects as his students. "People should come on by and see the Museum!" he said. "It has animals that have been stuffed -- many more than 75 years old--including a passenger pigeon and duck-billed platypus. There's an egg collection which has eggs more than 100 years old."
 
One very interesting part of the practicum involves the biology department's herbarium, its collection of plants that have been dried, pressed and mounted for identification and research. The students have begun a project to preserve and organize specimens that were collected and mounted between the 1940's and the 1980's. Most importantly, they are adding new specimens. "I had been making my own herbarium specimens without knowing that there were so many here right at my fingertips," said senior Hillary Joy Pitoniak (philosophy). "I am honored to be a part of rejuvenating something that I think is so valuable."
 
As they learn the methods and responsibilities of collecting and preserving nature's treasures, the students have followed Dr. Titus to field locations where the work begins, including Bonita Swamp, a wetlands area on southern Chautauqua Lake. Contact Dr. Titus for more information on the course, or the Biology Department's unique facilities.

Ethos Presents "NuSound 6: American Masters"

Howard Pollack

Vivian Perlis

Leonard Bernstein

Each year, the NuSound festival by Ethos gives a huge boost to the artistic climate at Fredonia," says School of Music Director Dr. Karl Boelter. "We get to explore in depth the music of great figures of recent times. It impresses me that the students are able to organize the event, engage many other students, motivate a broad range of faculty, and create something that is consistently profound."
 
This year, Ethos New Music Society presents "NuSound 6: American Masters", a two-week symposium celebrating composers Samuel Barber, Leonard Bernstein, Aaron Copland and George Gershwin, running February 26 - March 11. Click here for a detailed schedule of events.
 
Performances will be given by faculty and students, student ensembles, and the Western New York Chamber Orchestra. Guest lecturers for this event include Vivian Perlis of Yale University and Howard Pollack from the University of Houston.

Fine dining for business etiquette
will be a learning experience

"There have been many employers that I have spoken to that have not hired students based solely on their lack of business etiquette knowledge." stated Dr. Franklin Krohn (business). "It is essential to have business etiquette knowledge, if you plan on landing your dream job."
 
The School of Business is hosting its annual Business Etiquette Dinner, the 16th in campus history, at The White Inn on Sunday, Feb. 26, from 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. The presenter will be Robert "Mr. Manners" Contigulia, Innkeeper. To follow up the day's events, each attendee will take with them the annual Business Etiquette Dinner Guidebook and a copy of the book "My First Book of Business Etiquette." All Fredonia students, along with campus and community members, are welcome to attend.
 
With the support of SA funding, the price for students is only $15 with a limited number of tickets available. For non-students the price is $40. Tickets may still be available at the School of Business offices in E336 Thompson Hall.

John Staples (history) wrote the article, "The Crimean War, the Emancipation of the Serfs, and the Mennonite Landlessness Crisis," published in German in Mennonitische Geschichtsblaetter 62.

Leonard E. Faulk (political science), former associate vice president for academic affairs, will talk about the importance of student service and outside experience in a formal address at his retirement celebration Thursday, Feb. 23, at 4 p.m. in the Williams Center. The talk is entitled, "Making A Difference: The University and Civic Engagement." Admission is free and open to the public. Dr. Faulk is retiring after serving the campus for 24 years.