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Arts and Science Week to host Jazz Master, Vanguard Jazz Orchestra

NEA Jazz Master to unveil world premiere of new composition as part of MU's Arts and Science Week

Feb. 13, 2009

Story Contact:  Jeffrey Beeson, 573-882-9144, BeesonJ@missouri.edu

COLUMBIA, Mo. – The spotlight will be on mid-Missouri Feb. 18th when the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra (VJO) and Jazz Master Bob Brookmeyer perform the world premiere of their latest composition. As part of this year’s University of Missouri Arts and Science Week, Feb. 16-20, the VJO and two National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Masters, Brookmeyer and Dan Morgenstern, will perform and offer two free educational panels.

 “We are very pleased to be hosting the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra and Bob Brookmeyer as part of the ‘We Always Swing’ Jazz Series during Arts and Science Week,” said Ted Tarkow, associate dean of A&S. “I think that the educational panels with the NEA Jazz Masters will provide the MU community with a rare glimpse inside the world of jazz performance.”

A&S Week provides a unique opportunity for the college to recognize its best alumni. The banquet on Friday will honor alumni of the college who exemplify the ideals of the college. The Distinguished Alumni Awards will be presented to three A&S alumni who graduated from the departments of philosophy, math and chemistry (names and biographies attached).

“These distinguished alumni represent the best of the Arts and Science community,” said Michael J. O’Brien, dean of the college. “This week serves as reminder to students, faculty and staff of the importance of the arts and sciences.”

The Purple, Blue and Green Chalk Awards will be presented to faculty, advisers, and teaching assistants respectively. A&S Student Council presents the award to commend those who have made students’ educational experiences better (full list of recipients attached).

Other events during the week include an “Undecided Fair” and etiquette dinner on Wednesday night in the Reynolds Alumni Center. Hosted by the A&S Student Council, the dinner will provide students with an opportunity to network and socialize with students, alumni and faculty over a three-course meal. The “Undecided Fair” will feature faculty and staff who can advise undecided students on various topics (full schedule of events attached).
 

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2009 Arts and Science Week Schedule of Events

Monday, Feb. 16
• Talent Show
• 7 p.m., Jesse Wrench Auditorium, Memorial Union
• Free and open to the public

Tuesday, Feb. 17
• Jazz Forums with Jazz Masters Bob Brookmeyer and Dan Morgenstern
• 2 p.m., Whitmore Recital Hall
• Forums are free to the public
• Scholarships & Awards Reception
• 3:30 p.m., Stotler Lounge, Memorial Union

Wednesday, Feb. 18
• Etiquette Dinner
• 5:30 p.m, Reynolds Alumni Center
• Registration is required (artsandsciencestudentcouncil@missouri.edu)
• Vanguard Jazz Orchestra with Jazz Master Bob Brookmeyer
• 7 p.m., Missouri Theatre Center for the Arts
• Open to the public, tickets are available at www.wealwaysswing.org, 573-449-3009
• A&S students receive a $5 discount when they mention affiliation with the college

Thursday, Feb. 19
• A&S Spirit
• Wear your free A&S shirt today
• For more information write to artsandsciencestudentcouncil@missouri.edu

Friday, Feb. 20
• “Undecided Fair”
• 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Stotler Lounge, Memorial Union
• A&S Banquet
• 6 p.m., Reynolds Alumni Center
• Invitation Only.  Contact Amanda Schlink at schlinka@missouri.edu


2009 Arts and Science Week Distinguished Alumni Awards Recipients

The Distinguished Alumni Awards recognize several alumni whose professional contributions have enhanced their respective disciplines and the lives of others, while also reflecting well on the College of Arts and Science.

Walter Bargen received his bachelor’s degree in philosophy from MU in 1970 and a master’s degree in education in 1990. He has been employed by the MU College of Education’s Assessment Resource Center for 18 years as a senior coordinator working with primary and secondary schools concerning their assessments. He was the recipient of the National Endowment for the Arts poetry fellowship in 1991. Most recently he was appointed by Matt Blunt as the first Poet Laureate of Missouri.

Steve Ellebracht received a bachelor’s degree from MU in 1974 and a master’s degree in 1977 in chemistry. He worked for the Dow Chemical Company until Spring 2008. He retired as the senior global director. He holds 11 individual patents and supervised a development group at Dow that holds more than 1200 patents world-wide.

James F. Hoffmester received a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from MU in 1967. He recently retired from Anheuser-Busch after 39 years of service. He has been the co-CEO of Wehrenberg, Inc, which is the oldest family owned and operated theatre circuit in the country. He is known for his ability to appropriate resources to deal with key issues and managed a $4 billion budget at Anheuser-Busch.

Chalk Award Recipients

Purple Chalk Teaching Award Recipients:
• Lori Eggert, assistant professor, biological sciences
• William Horner, assistant teaching professor, political science
• Phillip Robbins, associate professor, philosophy

Blue Chalk Advising Award Recipients:
• John Adams, professor, chemistry
• Helen Atkinson, advisor, communication

Green Chalk Teaching Award Recipients:
• Wendy Castenell, graduate student, art history and archaeology
• Mita Das, graduate student, mathematics
• Tim Peterson, graduate student, political science
• Mariana Morales Quinones, graduate student, biological sciences