A NEW SCHOOL AND LIAISON FOR INTERDISCIPLINARITY IN LIBERAL ARTS

Interdisciplinary Ventures
Discussion of interdisciplinary ventures and interdisciplinarity specifically, has been around academia since the 1930s. Actually, searching for different and intellectually effective ways of approaching learning and research, the interdisciplinary impulse has been active since it was broached as a serious topic of discussion in the 1960s in American academic circles. Often conflated with multidisciplinary activities, interdisciplinary programs have gained traction in American institutions of higher learning.* For some time now, interest in and concern for interdisciplinary teaching, learning and research have gained traction at Purdue University, as well as other institutions, so much so that such programs as Gerontology, Interdepartmental Nutrition Program and Interdisciplinary Biomedical Sciences, etc. are a reflection of Purdue’s willingness and support for interdisciplinarity. Recently, Purdue’s commitment to interdisciplinary ventures has taken on a new look — the Board of Trustees approved a School of Interdisciplinary Studies within the College of Liberal Arts. Befitting existing interdisciplinary programs, this new school, promises to invigorate and shepherd interdisciplinary programming, enriching existing degree granting programs as well as collaborative research in the liberal arts.

A New School at Purdue
Although seemingly new to campus, there have been interdisciplinary programs at Purdue since the American Studies program was founded in 1964, as others have joined the College of Liberal Arts over the years, these programs now include: African American Studies, American Studies, Asian Studies, Asian American Studies, Comparative Literature, Film & Video Studies, Global Studies, Jewish Studies, Latin American & Latino Studies, Linguistics, Medieval & Renaissance Studies, Peace Studies, Philosophy & Literature Ph.D. Program, Religious Studies, and Women, Gender & Sexuality Studies. Currently there are approximately 442 undergraduate majors and minors as well as 119 graduate students currently pursuing their degree objectives in these programs. Of these, American Studies, Comparative Literature, and Linguistics offer B.A., M.A. and Ph.D. with other majors and minors. Additionally, there exists a minor in Native American and Indigenous Studies. The school is unique in that it consists of its own faculty, cross-appointments, as well as operating with its own budget and resources.

Liaison to the School
Since September, 2014 I have the honor and privilege of assuming the role of liaison to the School of Interdisciplinary Studies in the College of Liberal Arts at Purdue University. In this role, I will be the primary contact for the school at large working with and apprising my colleagues in HSSE who are liaisons to respective interdisciplinary programs. With this new and emerging opportunity, my own existing efforts and liaison responsibility for the following interdisciplinary programs — Religious Studies; Medieval Studies; Jewish Studies; Film Studies; and Culture of Science, will complement my activities as the liaison for the school. Among some of my liaisonship duties will be attending school meetings, seeking out teaching opportunities, especially where interdisciplinary or multidisciplinary interests lie, as well as seek and collaborate on research opportunities in interdisciplinary ventures, and seek out collaboration in scholarly communication, including data, or repository initiatives. For the Purdue University Libraries and for Purdue University’s School of Interdisciplinary Studies, these are exciting times.

*See Jean-Pierre V.M. Hérubel. “Disciplinary Morphologies, Interdisciplinarities: Conceptualizations and Implications for Academic Libraries,” In Daniel C. Mack and Craig Gibson, Interdisciplinarity and Academic Libraries: ACRL Publications in Librarianship No. 66 (Chicago: ACRL, 2012): 17-53.

EXHIBIT HONORS NEIL ARMSTRONG AND EUGENE CERNAN

Where did Neil Armstrong and Eugene Cernan take their first steps on their paths to the moon? Were those steps taken in elementary school? Were they taken in junior high band, a Purdue classroom, as editor of a yearbook, director of a play, or during Naval flight training? The current Archives and Special Collections exhibit, “Steps to the Moon: Selections from the Neil A. Armstrong Papers and the Eugene A. Cernan Papers” examines aspects of the individual paths Neil Armstrong took to become the first human to step on the Moon and Eugene Cernan took to become the most recent human to walk on the Moon.

The exhibit draws from a combined 200 linear feet of Armstrong and Cernan papers held by the Barron Hilton Flight and Space Exploration Archives. Limiting the exhibit scope to the specific theme of steps to the Moon provides visitors with the opportunity to examine aspects of Armstrong’s and Cernan’s early education, involvement in extracurricular activities, their Purdue years, Navy experiences, and in Neil Armstrong’s case, his seven years of experimental aircraft test pilot work. Additionally, because Armstrong and Cernan were assigned to missions which were themselves critical stepping stones to the U. S. Space Program’s plan to land a human on the moon, the exhibit allows viewers to learn about the objectives and accomplishments of Gemini 8, Gemini 9, Apollo 10, Apollo 11 and Apollo 17 through the personal experiences and contributions of these two astronauts.

The exhibit will be on display until February 27, 2015. Special Saturday exhibit open houses are being planned for later this year or early 2015. The open houses will include activities for grade school children.

LIBRARIES CONSTITUTION DAY EXHIBIT

Purdue University Libraries has participated in the University’s celebration of Constitution Day since 2008. This year events were held on September17 in the Purdue Memorial Union and included videos, exhibits and quiz shows aimed at educating visitors about the freedoms they enjoy as American citizens. The Libraries' display included a continuous slide show of books that have been censored throughout history.

Sharon Sturgeon was one of many volunteers who helped at the event. Other volunteers included: Pat Whalen, Dianna Deputy, Emily Heitman, Danielle Schiewer and Amanda Gill. Many thanks to those who donated time from their busy day.

RESEARCH GRANT AWARDED TO LIBRARIES FACULTY

The most recent research proposal was reviewed by Research Council and approved for research support.

Marianne Stowell Bracke was awarded a Research and Scholarship Support Grant to serve on the CSEES Data Standards Committee in Long Beach, CA on November 2-5. The ACSESS group is part of the Tri-Societies national association (agronomy, crop sciences, and soil sciences).

LIBRARY HISTORY: HICKS UNDERGRADUATE LIBRARY

Editor's note: Most of you know I've been around Libraries several years and as a part of my time here I have managed to collect a lot of "stuff" about our libraries. While planning to take photos at last month's "Welcome Back Students" event in the Hicks Undergraduate Library I came across my notes about the library. I shared a few interesting tidbits with Jim and he suggested that I share them in INSIDe.

John W. Hicks Undergraduate Library – did you know?

• In January 1982, a Phone-a-thon was held to raise $120,000 to buy books. Brad Redman was the team leader and with the help of 375 students and Libraries staff $100,000 was raised. The Parent’s Executive Committee, chaired by Bob and Peggy Ann Kiesel, donated $100,00 and Esther Ellis Norton, a 1927 Purdue graduate, contributed $150,000 and the “Norton Reference Center” was dedicated in honor of her generosity.
• The library opened officially in June 1982 with 24 staff members including staff for the Film Library, Independent Study Center and Storage. (Including Dot Lanzalotto and Teresa Brown).
• The move into Hicks started in March with the official change date of July 1. Moving materials from the North 9th Street warehouse into Storage started the last week of May and was completed in late July.
• At the dedication on October 2, 1982, Acting President, John W. Hicks declared the week of October 2-8 to be Purdue Library Week.
• Total construction cost was $9.4 million. Included 10,000 yards of poured cement, enough to build a sidewalk extending 90 miles, and 883 tons of steel.
• During Gala Week, on April 23, 1983 the Class of 1933 presented two murals, commissioned by the Class and executed by Professor Al Pounders, to the University and the Libraries.
• In 1982, Libraries Director, Joseph Dagnese referred to the 24-hour Lounge (now UnderGrounds) area as the "Coke and smoke room."
• The Storage (Hicks Repository) included 20 linear miles of compact, movable shelving, which cost $1.5 million dollars.
• In 1990, the board of trustees named the library for John W. Hicks to honor his many contributions to the establishment of the library and his support of undergraduate students.
• In 2000-2001 the Film Library and Instructional Media collections were integrated into the circulating collection and that space was converted into the Digital Learning Collaboratory, a joint adventure with the Information Technology department (ITaP). Since then that space has been converted into an IMPACT classroom, B853
• The Libraries hosted a 21-year birthday celebration on September 5, 2003 with Swiftie Hicks serving as the guest of honor.
• On September 13, 2013, the library celebrated its renovation of part of the main floor and creation of IMPACT classrooms.
• On September 26, 2014, the final renovation of the first floor was celebrated with a “Welcome Back Students” event.

If you have any history or photos about your library or work area that you'd like to share please let me know. I believe our history leads us to new and exciting futures. tmabrown@purdue.edu.

MAKING WAY FOR THE ALC

Demolition continues on the old Heating and Power Plant-North.

When the Purdue University power plant was completed in 1925, the Board of Trustees hired Charles Pillsbury to evaluate the quality of its construction. In a lengthy and detailed letter to the Board, Pillsbury proclaimed the power plant to be “splendidly designed” and “decidedly modern in every respect.” Its enormous smokestack radically altered the physical landscape, but it did so in such a way that was consistent with the emerging modernity of the university and West Lafayette.