January 2023 Newsletter

GRANT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Inaugural Grant Chair in the American Jewish Experience   
Michael Cohen, Jewish Studies   
President Michael A. Fitts & Stuart and Suzanne Grant honored the investiture of Professor Cohen, PhD, as the Stuart and Suzanne Grant Chair in the American Jewish Experience, at an event also honoring the establishment of the Stuart and Suzanne Grant Center for the American Jewish Experience—the largest gift ever to the Department of Jewish Studies.

Scialog: Molecular Basis of Cognition Initiative Funding Award   
Daniel Burnston, Philosophy   
Created in 2010, the Scialog (“science + dialog”) format aims to accelerate research breakthroughs by stimulating interdisciplinary conversation and community-building around a scientific theme of global importance. Associate Professor Burnston, PhD, is a member of one of only six teams awarded $50K in the inaugural year of the new initiative.

FACULTY IN THE NEWS

Ilana Horwitz, Jewish Studies — The Washington Post   
Horwitz, Assistant Professor of Jewish Studies & the Fields-Rayant Chair in Contemporary Jewish Life, addresses new Anti-Defamation League research showing a national rise in antisemitism. Horwitz suggests that technology and social media spurred a culture shift where, after a decline among young people in the ‘90s and 2000s, both older and younger adults now harbor antisemitic views.

Karissa Haugeberg, History — NPR’s Thoroughline Podcast   
Haugeberg, Associate Professor of History & Director of Undergraduate Studies, joined NPR ahead of the 50th anniversary of Roe v. Wade to discuss the history of abortion—which wasn’t always controversial. Haugeberg’s book, Women against Abortion, charted the experience of the women who shaped the U.S. anti-abortion movement.

David Smilde, Sociology — Foreign Policy   
Smilde, Charles A. and Leo M. Favrot Professor of Human Relations, shares his expert perspective on the U.S.-Venezuelan oil deal. While the demise of Venezuela’s “interim government” provides new opportunities for a return to democracy, everyone should assume that Nicolas Maduro will do what he can to stay in power.