AR12: Our pursuits

A look at the arts, culture, entertainment, and sport found within the UI community

Links in this article are preserved for historical purposes, but the destination sources may have changed.

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Written by: University Communication and Marketing

Obama appoints Merrill to National Council on the Humanities

Chris Merrill — Christopher Merrill outside the Shambaugh House, home of the University of Iowa International Writing Program. Photo by Tim Schoon.

President Barack Obama has appointed Christopher Merrill, director of the University of Iowa International Writing Program, to the National Council on the Humanities. Merrill replaces Iris Love, whose term has expired. Merrill's appointment expires Jan. 26, 2016.

The council is the 26-member advisory body of the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). Created in 1965 as an independent federal agency, the NEH supports learning in history, literature, philosophy, and other areas of the humanities.

UI offers MFA in Spanish creative writing

The University of Iowa has built upon its superior reputation in creative writing by establishing a new graduate degree in Spanish creative writing. The Board of Regents approved the Master of Fine Arts program; the UI enrolled students to start in spring 2012.

UI administrators say the program will cater to a rapidly growing Hispanic audience and will serve as a beacon for students who wish to pursue creative writing opportunities in their first language.

sean lewis in iowa city — Playwright and University of Iowa theatre arts graduate Sean Lewis is the artistic director of Iowa City's Working Group Theatre, a 10-member company that focuses on local issues. Photo by Tom Jorgensen.

Breaking down barriers: Theatre arts alum tackles issues of race and class in Iowa City

The Hancher-commissioned theater production Mayberry, which explores issues of race and class in Iowa City, quickly sold out its April run and prompted the addition of two performances. The play is the brainchild of UI graduate Sean Lewis, who was first inspired to write it while in Tanzania.

**Hill helps bring Invisible Man project to life**

There are also series of fortunate events. And one such series, involving Lena Hill, assistant professor of English and African-American Studies in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, has given rise to “Iowa and Invisible Man: Making Blackness Visible,” a multimedia and multidisciplinary project examined the black experience at the University of Iowa and culminated in a staged reading of a theatrical version of Ralph Ellison’s novel in Shambaugh Auditorium at the UI Main Library. The reading was in preparation for the first-ever stage adaptation of Invisible Man, which opened in Chicago in early 2012.

Read an interview with Hill: fyi.uiowa.edu/11/28/hill-invisible-man

dance gala rehearsals — Photo by Tim Schoon.

Dance Gala features work of legendary choreographer

Dance Gala 2012, the University of Iowa dance department's major annual event, will feature the early signature piece by legendary choreographer Jennifer Muller, as well as new and reimagined works by dance faculty Charlotte Adams, Eloy Barragán, Deanna Carter, Armando Duarte, Jennifer Kayle, and Alan Sener.

See the photo gallery: now.uiowa.edu/2012/10/dance-gala-2012-takes-stage-tonight

IWP welcomes writers from 28 countries

The University of Iowa International Writing Program (IWP) is welcoming 31 writers from 28 countries to its fall residency. The unique program connects writers from throughout the world, bringing international literature into classrooms, introducing American writers to other cultures through reading tours, and serving as a clearinghouse for literary news and a wealth of archival materials.

The 2012 IWP community includes book publishers, recorded musicians, film editors, slam poets, librettists, playwrights, human rights workers, BBC journalists, and art curators. They include a winner of the Arabic Booker Prize, one of Granta’s Best Young Spanish-Language Novelists, and one of Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in the World.

52 weeks of Whitman

In October, the International Writing Program (IWP) launched Whitman Web, an innovative web gallery that, over the course of the next year, will publish Walt Whitman’s most celebrated poem, Song of Myself, in 52 short weekly installments. Each installment will present one section of the 52-part poem in English alongside translations in eight other languages, including the first-ever translation into Persian, accompanied by photographs, commentary, discussion questions, and recordings.

“If you think you know Walt Whitman, think again," IWP Director Christopher Merrill says of the new web gallery.

University bringing nationally recognized string quartets for extended residencies

young dancers performing — Sponsored by the UI Youth Ballet and School of Dance, Summer Intensive classes are kept small to offer individualized attention. Photo by Tom Jorgensen.

This summer, young dancers from across Iowa are discovering a unique University of Iowa program that's steadily earning a name for itself.

The UI Youth Ballet and School of Dance—the community outreach arm of the Department of Dance in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences—sponsors a five-day Summer Intensive every summer.

See the photo gallery: now.uiowa.edu/2012/07/young-dancers-lifted-new-levels

All this fuss over a few facts

Who could have imagined that a book about fact-checking in literary nonfiction would become one of the most discussed books of the year—the subject of a cover story in The New York Times Book Review and the focus of both praise and condemnation? But it happened.

In the wake of About a Mountain, UI Nonfiction Writing Program faculty member John D'Agata's book prompted by controversial plans to store nuclear waste at Nevada's Yucca Mountain, he and fact-checker Jim Fingal collaborated on The Lifespan of a Fact, which documents their sometimes testy and convoluted correspondence about how fastidiously factual a nonfiction book must be.

This one time, bronze is acceptable for Gable

gable with statue — Dan Gable poses with a statue of him at Carver Hawkeye Arena. Photo by Darren Miller.

As a competitor and coach, bronze wasn't acceptable for Dan Gable. On April 18 that metal fit fine in the form of a statue that was unveiled outside the entrance to Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

Known more for stockpiling gold medals and trophies during an unprecedented wrestling career, Gable was honored with a life-sized bronze sculpture bearing his likeness during a 40-minute ceremony that included comments from University of Iowa President Sally Mason, director of athletics Gary Barta, and head wrestling coach Tom Brands.

The Blowout is back!

Flames, fireworks, and fans—the Oct. 19 Black and Gold Blowout at Carver-Hawkeye Arena delivered an explosive launch for the upcoming men's and women's basketball season.

It was the first Blowout since 2007, and nearly 6,000 fans turned out to meet players and coaches. The players took to the court for three-point shot and dunk contests, ball-handling tricks, scrimmages, and more.

See the photo feature: now.uiowa.edu/2012/10/black-and-gold-blowout

Roy who? Devyn Marble creating his own Hawkeye legacy

don nelson in cap and gown — Don Nelson at commencement. Photo by Bill Adams.

The backdrop for the highs of Don Nelson’s life is a constellation of basketball arenas crisscrossing the country and spanning the globe. Add one more venue to the list, one more life-changing event, one more time “Nellie” brought everyone together to celebrate.

On May 12, Nelson received his undergraduate degree in physical education during the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences commencement ceremony at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. In doing so, the 72-year-old (today is his birthday) fulfilled a wish of his late mother, won a bet with his late father-in-law, and inspired the thousands in attendance, including his entourage of 45 family members and close friends who turned the event into a weekend-long reunion in Iowa City.

Read more/see the photo gallery: now.uiowa.edu/2012/05/a-hawkeye-once-more

Iowa assistant wrestling coach Mike Zadick competed in this weekend's Olympic Trials at Carver Hawkeye Arena.

A world-class atmosphere in Iowa City

Carver-Hawkeye Arena had some 54,000 spectators pass through its doors during the weekend of April 21-22 for the U.S. Olympic Wrestling Trials. The atmosphere was nothing short of electric as the nation's best wrestlers squared off on the four mats inside the arena. Several wrestlers with University of Iowa ties competed in the trials. Brent Metcalf's Olympic dream fell just short, finishing in second place at 66 kg, while Steve Mocco placed third at 120 kg.

See the photo galleries: now.uiowa.edu/2012/04/world-class-atmosphere-iowa-city and now.uiowa.edu/2012/04/two-days-triumph-trials

McDonough claims second national wrestling title; Hawks third overall

Junior Matt McDonough's second career national title highlighted the University of Iowa wrestling team's third-place finish at the NCAA Championships March 15-17 in St. Louis.

McDonough prevailed with a 4-1 decision over Penn State's Nico Megaludis in the 125-pound NCAA finals. McDonough won the championship as a freshman in 2010 and finished runner-up last season.

See the photo feature: now.uiowa.edu/2012/03/mcdonough-1-125

Building confidence: Cardwell wins professional golf event

Kristi Cardwell wanted to spend her summer building confidence on the golf course as she enters her senior year on the University of Iowa women's golf team. Winning a professional event as an amateur is exactly the type of confidence boost she had in mind.

Cardwell, a native of Kokomo, Ind., won the Pepsi Indiana PGA Women's Open at Hickory Stick Golf Club by one stroke on July 3, besting the field of 100 players, including a handful of professional players. After a first round score of 73 (+2), Cardwell fired a 68 (-3) in the final round to claim the biggest win of her career.

Coming home again

Twenty-five years ago, the Iowa men's basketball team started the season with 18 straight wins and rose to No. 1 in the national rankings. The group, which included eight future NBA draft picks, has achieved great success in life after basketball.

Hawks earn first postseason victory under McCaffery

The rush of excitement that flooded the Hawkeye community after receiving the first men's basketball postseason berth since 2006 carried over to the team’s first-round National Invitational Tournament game.

The University of Iowa took the court inside an electric Carver-Hawkeye Arena and played one of its most complete games of the season, defeating Dayton, 84-75.

See the photo gallery: now.uiowa.edu/2012/03/grounding-flyers

Distance drought is history

women running — McKenzie Melander (bib 443), a senior from Apple Valley, Minn., won the Big Ten Conference 5K crown in Madison, Wis., with a time of 16:14.03. The runner-up was teammate Betsy Flood (bib 435) in 16:21.21. Photos by Darren Miller.

A tactical gem orchestrated by University of Iowa senior McKenzie Melander over the course of 5,000 meters on May 13 helped ease the frustration experienced by the Hawkeye women's distance corps at the past three league championships.

Melander, a senior from Apple Valley, Minn., won the Big Ten Conference 5K crown in Madison, Wis., with a time of 16:14.03. The runner-up was teammate Betsy Flood in 16:21.21. It marked the first Big Ten 5K outdoor title for a Hawkeye since Diane Nukuri in 2008, the same meet that the UI's Meghan Armstrong won the 10K. Armstrong also collected the 3K championship at the 2008 Big Ten Indoor Championships.

Wrestling coach knows routine, embraces role

No matter the period, no matter the match, no matter the date on the calendar, if you wrestle at the University of Iowa, you compete with your greatest effort.

That's the message Luke Lofthouse carries into his first season as Iowa's strength and conditioning coach. If it sounds similar to Iowa's philosophy of "anyone, anytime, anywhere," it's because Lofthouse has spent the better part of the last nine years weaving his body and mind into the fabric of Iowa wrestling.

Winslow sets lofty goals

Much like he expected to when he committed to the University of Iowa, sophomore Joseph Winslow made a big rise to success in the collegiate golf world. It just happened a lot faster than he, or anybody, could have predicted.

Winslow became the sixth Hawkeye in program history to earn All-America honors after tying for 13th at the NCAA Championships last season, and after a strong performance at the Golfweek Conference Challenge this fall, Winslow's future is a success story in the making.

New rowing head coach Pritzker eager to get Iowa in national conversation

When talking about the Big Ten Conference, teams across the board competing at a high level on the national scene usually dominate conversation. Women's rowing in the Big Ten is no exception, with the seven teams that compete in the sport collecting a total of 42 NCAA Championships appearances since 2000.

Steve Pritzker was hired to get the University of Iowa women's rowing team back in that conversation.

Pritzker was hired July 19 as just the second coach in the 18-year history of the Iowa women's rowing program, and brings a championship pedigree to Iowa City.

A world of experience for field hockey’s Johansen

Karli Johansen returned to Iowa City for the 2012 University of Iowa field hockey season after traveling the world competing for the Canadian National Team, completing a season's worth of hockey over the summer.

UI well-represented on Academic All-Big Ten winter team

Fifty-nine University of Iowa student athletes were named to the 2012 Big Ten Winter Academic All-Conference team. The list includes student athletes from men's basketball (three), women's basketball (eight), men's gymnastics (six), women's gymnastics (six), men's swimming and diving (eight), women's swimming and diving (16), and wrestling (12).

Diving coach Rydze retires

University of Iowa diving coach Bob Rydze, a member of the Hawkeyes swimming and diving program for the past 37 years, has announced his retirement, which will become effective June 30.

"It has been an honor to be the diving coach at the University of Iowa for 37 years," Rydze says. "But after being in the sport for 51 years, 10 as an athlete and 41 as a coach, I've decided it is time to move on to a new phase of my life."

Five Hawkeyes named to 2012 Hall of Fame Class

The National Iowa Varsity Club and the University of Iowa Department of Athletics announced June 29 the names of five individuals—Jim Craig, Bill Frazier, Royce Alger, Liz Tchou, Bashir Yamini—who make up the 2012 Athletics Hall of Fame Class.