Harpur College of Arts & Sciences : September 7, 2001 HOTLINE

Binghamton Again Ranked Among Top 50 Schools by U.S. News & World Report

Binghamton University has again remained among the Top 50 public universities in the nation in the ranking by U.S. News & World Report. The magazine's 14th annual "America's Best Colleges" issue and guidebook ranks Binghamton 28th in its list of top public universities. U.S. News also listed Binghamton 14th among the schools whose students graduate with the least amount of debt.

"Binghamton's commitment to excellence continues to garner positive public recognition through national rankings, including this most recent one from U.S. News & World Report," said President Lois B. DeFleur.

Complete ranking information is available on the magazine's website at http://www.usnews.com. The magazine's "America's Best College" issue and guidebook and its "Best College Values" magazine special issue will be available on newsstands on Monday, September 10.

Welcome Back, Students!

Another academic year is underway at Harpur College. Campus is alive with the largest, most diverse class in history.

"We couldn't be more pleased with the new freshmen and transfer students. They were selected from the largest applicant pool in the history of the college; they continue our trend toward greater geographical, racial and ethnic diversity; and they participated in the July summer orientation events in the greatest numbers ever," said a very proud Don Blake, Harpur College's associate dean for academic affairs. "The academic year opened smoothly which is an indication that this new class hasÊset high academic and extracurricular goals. Faculty and administratorsÊalike are most encouraged by the promise we see in this next cohort of students."

We invite you to take a trip down memory lane and enjoy some photos of your alma mater in the first few days of the 2001 - 2002 academic year.

Congratulations, Dr. Rosmarie Morewedge, Award of Excellence Winner

As Harpur College’s student body has grown more multicultural, so has its curriculum. Dr. Rosmarie Morewedge has seen to that personally. As associate professor and chair of German, Russian, and East Asian Languages, she has succeeded at offering students a more global education and been recognized for her efforts with an award of excellence for International Education.

Morewedge was an easy choice for the the newest category, International Education. She has taught German in Harpur College since 1968, chaired GREAL since 1988, directed the Graz and Leipzig study abroad programs for over 10 years, and led the Fullbright committee since 1984. She has been active in several foreign language teaching organizations and published extensively. Under her direction, GREAL offers not only 5 languages and their literature, but also instruction for future teachers of them.

Her zeal is in spreading a global perspective. Morewedge works hard to bring international students to Binghamton’s campus and send our students to other countries. She believes learning other languages and studying other cultures creates a better understanding of one’s own. "I’ve told every one of my students they should learn at least two languages," she said.

Her persuasion has paid off: interest in foreign languages and study abroad has increased steadily. Morewedge credits her colleagues, the administration, and students for the success. "This is really one of the culturally richest campuses and I’m delighted to see my department as an example of that." Morewedge wom SUNY's Chancellor's Award in 1984.

Morewedge is also interested in medieval studies and serves on the editorial board of Mediaevalia, the journal of Harpur College’s Center for Medieval and Renaissance Studies (CEMERS). She is currently writing a book about fairy tales and their function in societies. When away from the classroom, she travels frequently.

"I love teaching. I love our students. They are so curious and inquisitive. I love the interaction. We deal with many different topics." Morewedge describes Harpur College students as "cream of the crop" and believes the alumni remember how special Harpur College has been in their lives.

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Harpur College Remembers Professor Paul Smith as Classroom Innovator

by Marty Doorey

When David Cingranelli thinks of Paul A. L. Smith, he recalls him as an innovator in the classroom and as a passionate advocate for improved undergraduate teaching. Smith, professor emeritus of political science, died Wednesday, August 8, at James G. Johnston nursing home in Johnson City. He was 73.

Paul Smith, 1928 - 2001

Cingranelli, a professor of political science and colleague of Smith’s for 20 years, said, "Paul was always experimenting with educational techniques in his class." He credited Smith as being the first in the department, and perhaps the first on the campus to use student role-playing techniques in class during the 1970s.

Cingranelli also credited Smith with the practice of sending his students out into the community, to municipal government and agency meetings, so they could observe proceedings and write about them.

A passionate environmentalist, Smith developed the environmental policy curriculum and added it to the department, and was one of the leaders in developing the inter-departmental environmental studies course, Cingranelli said.

Smith was also instrumental in the creation of the Public Administration program. He also directed the department’s legislative internship program in Albany and Washington, D.C.

Smith was predeceased by his wife Joyce. He is survived by his children, Schyler and Mary Smith of Naperville, Ill., Stacy Smith of Denver Colo., Todd Smith of Westport, CT., and Conant and Nancy Adams Smith of Binghamton.

Smith was a member and past chair of the political science department from 1965 until his retirement in 1997. He was Master of Dickinson College.

During his years at the University, Smith was active in the American Association of University Professors and served as president of the organization’s New York Conference. He was a founding member of the Environmental Management Council, and served as its chair from 1974-76. He was active in the Democratic Party and the League of Women Voters.

Smith, born in Chicago, earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin and his master’s and doctoral degrees from Princeton University. He taught at Columbia University before coming to Binghamton.

A memorial service was held Sunday, August 19, at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Binghamton. 13902-1766.

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University Fest Features Harpur College
"What? You mean these books are free?" has always been heard around campus each fall when the new semester begins and students come back to Binghamton. University Fest, which took place August 25, 2001, is an annual party to which the entire community is invited. A big tent full of free books is always the main event, but Harpur College's table of information, photos, and giveaways was also a big draw to the estimated 6,000 attendees.

Please take a moment and enjoy some photos from the 2001 University Fest.

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Share A Memory On-Line

Be sure to visit the Harpur College Memory Book - and leave your mark. Share a favorite memory of your Harpur experience, whether as a student or as a faculty or staff member. Or, maybe you just want to wish Harpur a Happy Anniversary. Memories will be listed and updated on a regular basis. Put those thinking caps on and tell us about your favorite Harpur moment.

Shop Harpur Online!

Announcing a new way for you to buy Harpur merchandise.
Shop the campus bookstore from the comfort of your PC or Mac. Want to pick up a copy of the new Harpur history book The Cornerstone?
Visit...
Binghamton University Harpur College Shopping Online

Check out the Harpur mugs, the cool notecards and bumper stickers.