May 28, 2004 Announcements
Gift
Launches Religious Studies Program at Utah State University
Utah State University scholars are developing a religious studies
program that draws on existing courses in history, anthropology,
sociology, philosophy and art in the College of Humanities,
Arts and Social Sciences.
The religious studies program was launched by a $1.5-million
gift from the Charles and Annaley Redd Foundation, which is
establishing the university's first chair in religious studies.
"Utah State University is the ideal place for a religious
studies program," said Gary Kiger, dean of the College
of HASS. "We have the credibility, the resources and the
reputation. We not only have many of the courses in our curriculum
already, we have the library collections to support this type
of scholarship."
By religious studies, Kiger does not mean promoting one belief
system over another.
"We are a non-sectarian secular university," said
history department head and professor Norm Jones. "We do
not teach religion. We teach about religion — the way
it shapes our culture and the way our culture shapes religion.
We do not talk about issues of truth. We talk about what people
do in the name of the truth in which they believe. The world
today is convulsed by religious conflicts. We really need to
understand how all these belief systems work."
Charles Redd's offspring, who are trustees of the foundation,
named the chair in the newly created religious studies program
in honor of their father, a cowboy intellectual who built a
ranching empire in southeastern Utah and southwestern Colorado.
"My father was a well-read, free-thinking Mormon who regarded
his religion with affection but who subjected its practice and
theology to rigorous examination just like he did with the rest
of his life," said son Hardy Redd, a 1961 graduate of Utah
State.
Hardy Redd's sister Maraley also graduated from Utah State,
as did six grandchildren, all of whom are said to follow in
Charles Redd's footsteps. Among Utah State faculty, the Redds
are known for their inquisitive minds.
When it comes to religion, many Utah State students are curious.
Norm Jones' history of Christianity class, like other religious
studies courses in the curriculum, always has a long waiting
list.
"Students can't get enough of this stuff," he said.
Neither can Hardy Redd, who recently returned from a trip to
India, the birthplace of Buddhism and Hinduism.
"A well-educated person ought to have a basic understanding
of each of the world's great religions," said Redd. "Historically,
the religious impulse to believe in a supernatural or divine
being and to construct a purpose for human existence is found
in all peoples throughout all of recorded history. This impulse
is deeply felt by many today, both for good and ill. A religious
studies program will begin the process of asking why we believe
and act as we do."
May
Swenson Symposium
Utah State University hosts the first-ever May Swenson Symposium
June 10-12. The event will be of interest to teachers, students
and residents of the Intermountain West who want to learn more
about Utah's most famous poet.
Swenson, a native of Logan, published 11 volumes of poetry,
won numerous writing awards, including the Bollingen Prize and
a MacArthur Fellowship, and is widely regarded as a major American
poet.
The symposium features internationally known scholars and prominent
poets, including Alicia Ostriker and Mark Doty, who will discuss
Swenson's achievement and dedicate public readings in her honor.
Teachers attending the symposium will learn ways to present
poetry, including information on Swenson, in the classroom.
Swenson's place in the community of 20th century American poets
will be discussed.
University credit is available for the symposium. To register
or to receive more information, visit the symposium Web site
(www.usu.edu/mayswenson)
or call Conference Services at (435) 797-0423.
The May Swenson Symposium, Celebrating a Poet's Life and Work,
is presented by Conference Services, the department of English
and USU Press. It is supported by the Utah Humanities Council
and the Mountain West Center for Regional Studies.
Summer
Issue of Utah State Magazine now Online
The summer 2004 issue of award-winning Utah State
magazine is now online at www.utahstate.usu.edu.
Here's an overview of what readers can find.
 Nelson
Cronyn ('94MS) is heading up the return of the Peace Corps to
Chad, Africa. In less than a year, he's grown accustomed to
heat and rain and insects on a biblical scale. But those are
just minor inconveniences compared to the hunger and disease
endured by the people he serves.
The current issue also looks at climate change.
"Utahns have great cause for concern," said Fred
Waggoner, the Utah State scientist who led the regional assessment
of global climate change.
And there's a new religious studies program on campus. A program
that creates conversation where conflict too often prevails.
The editor solicits feedback on the magazine's look, the navigation
and the articles. Contact her at mageditor@usu.edu.
Dates
Announced For Visit Of A.D. Candidates To Utah State
The public is invited to meet three candidates for athletic
director at Utah State University in early June.
In keeping with Utah State President Kermit L. Hall’s
request that the athletic director search involve community
members, two public meetings have been scheduled.
On June 5, candidate Randall Spetman will be in the Champ Room
of the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum from 9:30–11:30 a.m. Later
in the day, at the same location, candidate Greg Byrne will
be available from 2:30–4:30 p.m.
On June 8, candidate Chris Ritrievi will meet the public from
2:30–4:30 p.m. also at the same location.
Bringing candidates to campus is an important step in the search
process that permits all parties to fully understand the responsibilities
and opportunities associated with the position, said Ken White,
faculty member and faculty athletic representative, who chairs
the seven-member search committee.
Spetman, who was with the Air Force in Colorado Springs as
athletic director from 1995 until the fall of 2003, earned a
bachelor's degree in civil engineering from the Air Force Academy
and a master's degree in management and supervision from Central
Michigan University.
Ritrievi has been associate athletic director and director
of Development from 1999 at Michigan State University. He earned
a bachelor's degree in economics from Princeton University and
an MBA from Lehigh University. He was director of athletics
at University of Northern Iowa from 1992-1999. Prior to that,
he was associate AD at Stanford University.
Byrne has been associate AD, Development and Fund Raising,
since 2002 at the University of Kentucky. He worked as associate
AD, Development at Oregon State University from 1998-2002. He
was director of Development at the University of Oregon from
1995-1998.
Other committee members include Dan Cox, Utah State Big Blue
Club president; Jimi Jorgensen, Associated Students of Utah
State University athletic vice president; Raegan Pebley, Utah
State women's basketball coach; Phil Olsen, Utah State graduate,
businessman and former NFL player; Jodi Bailey, Utah State director
of internal audits; and Randy Talbot, Utah State vice president
for Advancement.
The position, which is expected to be filled before July, has
been open since early April when Rance Pugmire resigned. On
Feb. 19, Pugmire was placed on an administrative leave of absence
for up to 60 days in connection with his arrest on suspicion
of driving under the influence of alcohol.
Fred Hunsaker, retired vice president of Administrative Services,
has been serving as interim athletic director since April.
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