Welcome back informational note from the Director
Pericleans,
I hope that by the time you read this you have arrived on campus, are beginning to settle in, and are ready for an exciting semester. Please take the time to read the items below and let me know if you have any questions, comments or concerns as we begin the year.
Some items of note below include action points, so read carefully.
- The “Periclean Corner” has been moved from Lindner 209 to Carlton building first floor in the space previously occupied by the Cannon Centre for International Studies. This space can be used, as before, for meetings related to all Periclean Class business and for casual gatherings. There will be two computers put in place as well. We will still use the cabinet space for storage, and the shelves for display, etc.
- Our program also has first priority use of conference room 202 in the new Global Commons building, and we can begin to populate this space with posters, photos, etc. The wall on the north side of the room (with the screen) is a “white board” on which dry erase markers can be used.
The paint has not yet cured, but in a couple weeks we can decorate this wall as we wish using colored dry erase markers and my hope is that each Class will make its mark (literally as well as figuratively J). - My office has moved from Lindner to 210 Global Commons. Please come visit! Also, please let me know if you and some Classmates want to have lunch (or breakfast) on me any time this year that is mutually workable. I’d love to hear your thoughts about the program, your Class efforts and just get to know each other better.
- Action point We need high-resolution photographs for display in the Periclean Corner space and in the Global Commons room. Each Class is asked to provide several iconic photos of their Class and/or partners and/or work in progress so that we can make use of some high quality frames that have been in storage. Please email those to me ASAP
- Several of you have mentioned that you are reading Letters Left Unsent I am interested in your thoughts and questions about what J has to say and will be organizing a discussion of the issues raised in the book near the end of September. Action point If you would like to contribute to a study guide for this work (write a review of the entire book or specific chapters, offer some thought questions, etc.) please contact me ASAP.
- As you may have read on our blog, last spring our program was awarded a $5,000 grant “Writing to Become a Scholar in the Periclean Scholars Program” to work on enhancing and deepening the overall program especially regarding the wide range of writing you all doing as Pericleans. Your Mentor and I will keep you updated as work proceeds. Action point If you are interested in being a direct part of this process, please contact me or your Mentor ASAP.
- The Periclean Scholars Steering Committee will begin meeting the second week of Classes. The first meeting is at 4:00PM in GC 202 Thursday, September 4th. Action point Each Class should elect/select at least two representatives. This body will be charged with some important tasks this year and will meet every other week for about an hour. See here for more information.
- Action point Each Class should provide a weekly update on their Class activities on the blog. Cumulatively these posts provide the content for your Class “resume” to be published at the end of each semester.
- I want to work closely with a Periclean Scholar this year who would like to learn more about the administering of the entire program. Read the job description below, and if you are interested please contact Program Assistant Catherine Parsons ASAP.
All the best!
Tom Arcaro, Director
Director’s Assistant
This student in this 10 hour per week position will work closely with the Director in both day to day operations of the program and on “bigger picture” projects like alumni contact, the Periclean Foundation, and grant writing. The hours will be flexible and the student will work from the Global Commons Periclean room (GC 202).
The skill set useful for this position includes exceptional technical (computer) expertise, a proactive approach to tasks, a very detail oriented mentality, and very good communication and interpersonal interaction abilities.
This position can be filled immediately.
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