- Under the Oaks photography
- View images from Cheryl Gerber
- Under the Oaks honors faculty, students
- Posted May 21, 2008
Department: Features
As the bell tolled signaling the start of Under the Oaks in Dixon Hall on May 16, the Newcomb College Institute upheld longtime Newcomb traditions while starting a new one: Honoring Newcomb College faculty members who had dedicated their lives to the college and Tulane University.
The honorees were Political Science Professor Jean Danielson, American History Professor Sylvia Frey, and Art History Professor Jessie Poesch.
"Today we have the pleasure of honoring three emeritus professors who are known, loved and highly respected by the Tulane Community, the New Orleans Community and the national and international academic communities," said Rebecca Mark, the Institute's Interim Executive Director. "These three women are my friends, my role models and, frankly, I would not be here today without their pioneering work."
Professor Danielson began working in Newcomb's political science department in 1965. In 1990, she became director of the Tulane Honors Program. She also helped to establish Newcomb's first women's colloquium, which became the basis for departmental courses on women, and ultimately the Women's Studies Program.
"Generations of students remember her courses in political theory as transformative - opening their minds to the great thinkers of the past, teaching them to appreciate great and important ideas of politics, and teaching them to read, write and think critically," American History Professor George Bernstein said while paying tribute to Danielson. "At the same time, she gave each student a kind of personal attention and showed for each a concern ... that has defined the gold standard for all of us who have followed in her footsteps."
Professor Frey joined the Newcomb faculty in 1969. She has written four books and has held prestigious visiting appointments all over the world, including the Pitt Professorship of American History at the University of Cambridge.
"But she always came home to us, where she has been a steadfast champion of Newcomb in all its incarnations and a mentor and role model for women faculty and students," said History Professor Emily Clark, who described Frey as being warm, generous, passionate and funny.
"Sylvia has always been more interested in the people around here than in herself," Clark added.
Professor Poesch's celebrated 45-year career at Newcomb included teaching the history of American and contemporary art as assistant, associate, and then as the Maxine and Ford Graham Chair Professor in Fine Arts until her retirement in 1992. During her productive career, Poesch published four major books, three exhibition catalogs, and too many articles to list.
"For many years now, Professor Emeritus Jessie Poesch has been the authority on Newcomb Pottery and the development of the Newcomb Art Department from its earliest days, a role she never envisioned when she arrived as assistant professor in 1963," Tulane Art Department Chair Jeremy Jernigan said during the ceremony. "I asked Jessie if she knew of Newcomb Pottery before she took the job, and she confessed that she hadn't - but she certainly made up for lost time.
"In her rigorous teaching and scholarship," he added, "Jessie Poesch has enlightened us about a cultural tradition that we have become a part of."
Current Tulane faculty members also were honored during Under the Oaks. Judith Maxwell, a Newcomb Fellow and anthropology professor, was named the Institute's Distinguished Fellow for 2008. Economics Professor Mary Olson received the Mortar Board Tenured Excellence in Teaching Award, and Italian Professor Michael Syrimis received the Mortar Board Non-tenured Excellence in Teaching Award. Visiting English Professor Elizabeth Oldman received the Josephine Louise Award, which is presented by Newcomb Senate to the woman faculty or staff member who has contributed to the growth and development of the Newcomb community.
In addition to honoring past and present faculty members, Under the Oaks also honored 53 scholars, 20 award recipients, female members of the Class of 2008, and members of Newcomb College Class of 1958. During the afternoon ceremony, 2008 graduates received their pins and mortarboards, Newcomb Scholars received graduation stoles, award recipients, Oak Wreath and Mortar Board members were recognized, and the members of the Class of 1958 received second diplomas.
In her remarks, Mark told the 2008 graduates how proud she was of them. "In the tradition of Under the Oaks, I will send you into the wild woods of life with a few words of advice," she said. "Las year I gave the Class of 2007 nine acorns to protect and guide them through the dark and light. This year, I ask you to see the sapling and oaks growing all around you, to recognize this grove as your community, your sisters, mothers and foremothers.
"You are the women of Newcomb," she continued, "and are still in my heart and on your diploma, graduates of Newcomb College. Always remember that wise women ... have worn smooth the path by which you came here - speak to them often. Newcomb graduates, all 23,000 of them will help you find jobs, survive tough times and welcome you to new cities."
And, she concluded, "Our doors are open to you at the Institute, don't be a stranger!"
