ireland illuminated: baylor travels to the emerald isle · 7 rapoport paintings upcoming events...
TRANSCRIPT
Volume 7, Number 1, Winter 2006
Ireland Illuminated:
Baylor Travels to the Emerald Isle
INSIDE2 Dean’s Message
3 Schumacher Grant
Venable Gift for Crouch Fine Arts Library
4 Lynne Truss at Ferguson-Clark Series
6 Blue Tape to Glass Vault
7 Rapoport Paintings
Upcoming Events
Baylor University Library Advancement News
(See Ireland Illuminated on Page 2)
The Baylor Libraries is providing a unique opportunity
to illuminate the Emerald Isle for the participants of
an 11-day tour through the cities and country sides
of Ireland. This inclusive trip will highlight the rich cul-
ture, history and thriving modern identity of this spe-
cial place.
Dr. Sarah-Jane Murray, assistant professor of medieval
literature and French, is acting as a special guide for
the tour. One can tell that Dr. Murray loves her native
home by the passionate way she describes “her.”
“My favorite image of Ireland is of a large mountain,
rising up from the sea. You can’t see the top of it
because a blanket of mist is hiding it, yet sunbeams
pierce their way down through the clouds,“ Dr. Mur-
ray said. “We chose to make the theme of our trip
‘Ireland Illuminated’ because light has always played
an important part in Celtic culture. Not only will we
visit some of the most famous and beautiful monastic
sites, we will also see some of Ireland’s most famous
illuminated (i.e., decorated) manuscripts.”
Left: The spectacular Cliffs of Moher, located in County Clare, Ireland, will be just one of many stops on the 11-day “Ireland Illuminated” tour. (Photo from www.wikipedia.com)
Ireland Illuminated (Continued from Page 1)
Connect@BULibraries
2
One such manuscript is the
famous Book of Kells, which
is located at Trinity College
in Dublin.
“A medieval visitor to Ire-
land claimed that the Book
of Kells was so beautiful
that it could not have been
the work of a man... it must
have been created by an
angel,” Dr. Murray said.
Dr. Murray is excited about sharing
her homeland with the group, show-
ing people around and chatting infor-
mally about Ireland, her people and
her traditions. Dr. Murray was actually
born just a few minutes away from the
Giant’s Causeway, which visitors will
see on day six of the tour.
“Over the years, Ireland has become a
large part of my research and teach-
ing,” Dr. Murray said. “I look forward to
sharing some ancient tales and more
modern, personal experiences with
everyone.”
John Wilson, director of library ad-
vancement, had a unique reason for
creating this tour.
“I was having a conversation with Pro-
fessor Beth Willingham about the use-
fulness of facsimiles in courses here at
Baylor. She seriously got me thinking
about this trip and thus, drawing at-
tention to the need for purchasing this
type of material for classroom use,”
Wilson said. “I have also seen how our
students come alive and learn when
they can see and touch this mate-
rial. It is an amazing transformation for
them in their scholarly endeavors.”
Happy New Year!
Thanks to all of you fo r your suppor t fo r your suppor t this past year. You this past year. You p r o v i d e d t h e p r o v i d e d t h e financial means for financial means for creating exceptional resources and facilities, such as the newly renovated Crouch Fine Arts Library Media Center. This renovation was made possible by a generous lead gift from the Schumacher Foundation of Dover, Mass., and funds from the Ferguson-Clark lectures and the Library Fellows.
Please drop by the Baylor Libraries the next t ime you are on the campus. You will be delighted to see our students actively engaged in collaborative research and study along with individual scholarly exploration.
— Reagan RamsowerDean of Libraries
Located at Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland, the Long Room is the main chamber of the Old Library, which houses the Book of Kells. (Photo from www.paddi.net)
Babs Baugh, president of the Alumni
Association and owner of Indepen-
dent Traveler in San Antonio, arranged
the trip.
“Traveling always stretches your life,
your view of the world, your ability
to deal with different circumstances.
You become more alert, more inter-
esting and more alive,” Baugh said.
“And traveling with friends is the best
because you can share the joy at
the moment --- and remember the
beauty, the discovery and even the
misadventures together when you get
home.”
Dr. Murray agrees with Baugh.
“You’re going to have the time of your
life. There’s nothing like it, and you
get to discover Ireland with a group
of Baylor friends,” she said. She also
adds, “You haven’t really lived until
you’ve heard someone play the tin
whistle!”
-Mary Goolsby
Library Advancement
Ireland Illuminated Details
Dates: May 22-June 1, 2006Cost: $2,733 double occupancy
$395 single supplement$1,867 land only
Deposit: $350 by Feb. 10Final payment: Due March 17
For detailed interary and registration information, visit
www.baylor.edu/lib/gifts/ireland.
Questions? Call Babs BaughIndependent Traveler
1.800.638.9896
3
Schumacher Foundation Awards Renovation GrantIn early Sept. 2005, the Libraries
received a $30,000 lead gift from the
Schumacher Foundation of Dover,
Mass. The check enabled the Libraries
to move forward with the renovation
and refurbishment of the Crouch Fine
Arts Library, located on the third fl oor
of Moody Memorial Library.
Along with this grant, additional gifts
from Library Fellows and other donors
provided for new vinyl fl ooring, paint
for the walls, materials to update
the service desk and the addition
of 12 Herman Miller work stations for
listening and viewing. These “pods”
are ergonomically correct for users
and provide a modern and inviting
atmosphere.
The final phase of the renovation
project will be the additon of a new
group study area for students. This will
be completed by the end of the spring
2006 semester.
Our students and the Libraries are
grateful to the Schumacher Foundation
and to all of the generous donors
who helped make this project a
success. Last year, over 35,000 patrons
utilized the Fine Arts Library for study
or interactive learning. No doubt, the
updated facility will only increase the
usage of this high-traffi c area.
- John WilsonLibrary Advancement
Right: Renovations to the Crouch Fine Arts Library were made possible in part by a gift from the Schumacher Foundation of Dover, Mass. The project will be completed in the spring of 2006. (Photo by Mary Goolsby)
Dr. and Mrs. John R. Venable of Temple,
both Baylor graduates, have doubled
their charitable gift annuity to the
Baylor University Libraries, specifi cally
for the Crouch Fine Arts Library.
“We both have a unique appreciation
for the value of the library as part of the
learning process,” Dr. Venable said.
Known as the Ethel P. Venable Fund,
this annuity will allow the library to
signifi cantly broaden the holdings of
the fi ne arts collection by providing
funds to purchase additional fi ne arts
materials.
Mrs. Venable, who received her
Bachelor of Science degree in 1945,
began her love of music and art at an
early age, and this sizable expansion of
Venables Double Gift for Crouch Fine Arts LibraryThe collection, which resides within
the fi ne arts library, will focus on the
acquisition and maintenance of
holdings in the areas of music, the
visual arts, artisan pieces and literature,
as well as the performing arts.
“To anyone considering a donation
[to the Baylor Libraries], I would say
‘Congratulations, just do it.’ I would tell
them there is no place to contribute
that would benefit Baylor and the
learning process more,” Dr. Venable
adds.
- Jonathan LudwigLibrary Advancement
support refl ects the Venables’ desire to
encourage students to prize and learn
from the arts.
The annuity guarantees both the
univers i ty and the Venables a
percentage of interest from the funds,
and also ensures income from the gift
for the life of Mrs. Venable.
“This contribution allows the Crouch
Fine Arts Library to be excellent instead
of simply adequate,” said John Wilson,
director of library advancement. “It not
only gives the library an overwhelming
vote of confi dence as to what the
Baylor Libraries are accomplishing, but
also provides the fl exibility needed in
purchasing unique and rare materials
essential for a growing, first-class
library.”
Lynne Truss Wows Waco Hall Audience
4
Approximately 1,000 people attended the fourth annual Ferguson-Clark lecture on Nov. 3 in Waco Hall. British author Lynne Truss was this year’s featured speaker. She is the author of the international best-seller, Eats, Shoots & Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation.
The event raised approximately $10,000, which was used to help complete the renovation of the Crouch Fine Arts Media Center at Moody Library.
(All photos by Baylor Photography)
Above: Truss (right) autographs a copy of her book for Lynn Wood-ward, coordinator of campus advocacy.
Below: Truss reads an excerpt from Eats, Shoots & Leaves, at the lecture.
Above: Truss poses with student assistants following the patron reception
At right: Dr. Amanda Sturgill (left), assistant professor of journalism, and Kerrville senior Brice Crozier (right) meet Truss after the sponsor dinner at the Armstrong Browning Library.
5
Lynne Truss Wows Waco Hall Audience
Above: Truss models an Apostrophe Protection Society T-shirt presented to her by the event mascot at the author lecture.
Below: Dr. Bob Collmer, retired Baylor professor, visits with Carliss Hyde and Dr. Truell Hyde, II, professor of physics and vice provost for research, in the Foyer of Meditation, Armstrong Browning Library.
Above: Truss hands an autographed book to Tyler freshman Ben Carter, who attended along with his mother, Milly Schneider (right), and grandmoth-er, Nona Hicks (not pic-tured).
At right: Stan Ward (left) and Ben Lauderdale of Tyler (right) receive a copy of Truss’ new book, Talk to the Hand.
Above: Carla Sue Ferguson Garrett (center) attends the patron reception with family friend, Karen Wright, of Bedford (left), daughter, Melinda Mallory, of Hurst and son and daughter-in-law, Parker and Terri Clark, of Tyler.
books, but funds are still needed in
order to purchase these units.
The Standing Committee supports the
library by providing funds for special
projects. Fowler West, acting chairman
of the Standing Committee, hopes
that others will join the committee so
that these resources can be secured
and the project will be fi nished.
“The Standing Committee is not just a
once-a-year minor fundraiser. We are
a hands-on group that is dedicated to
help bring history to anyone interested
in history,” West said. “Our committee
is working on a project that goes to the
heart of our library and its resources...
What more important mission could
we have? “
West believes the Glass Vault will also
“attract other valuable materials to
our collection.”
6
For almost 30 years, the Baylor
Collections of Political Materials
(BCPM) has sought to collect historical
materials so future generations might
have the opportunity to learn about
the past from the past. In an effort
to ensure the preservation of these
items, plans are underway to construct
a special collections room to house
them securely while allowing access to
those who wish to study and research
them.
The room, which is to be built in the
W.R. Poage Reading Room, will be
called “The Glass Vault” and will
securely store numerous rare books
and special needs items currently
located in Poage Library. The initial
planning was referred to as the “Blue
Tape Project” because of the blue
painter’s tape used to demonstrate
the layout of the room.
Construction of the glass wall and
installation of the granite floor is
scheduled to begin in Feb. The plans
also include shelving for up to 3,000
The Future of History Evolves From Blue Tape to a Glass Vault
Jack Hightower (left) and Fowler West have been instrumental in the development of the the Glass Vault. (Photo by John Wilson)
Below: The Glass Vault will house special needs materials in the W.R. Poage Reading Room. (Photo by Ben Rogers)
“Potential donors of papers and
artifacts want to be satisfied their
donations wil l be preserved for
the researchers and students for
generations to come,” West said. “I
envision the Poage Library and its
related collections will be known as a
place where treasures of the past are
available to all who visit.”
One such donor is former Texas
Supreme Court justice Jack Hightower.
He is donating his collection of over
2,500 books, some signed by former
U.S. presidents, and hopes “that they
will be used by the public—especially
students working on their master’s or
higher degrees who will have access
to these historical works.”
“I am delighted with the design (of
the room). I think it will be a real
credit to the library,” Hightower said.
“A high standard was set with the
Armstrong Browning Library, and the
room will continue the tradition of
excellence found at all Baylor special
collections.”
Anyone interested in joining the
Standing Committee or contributing
funds to help complete the project
is welcome to contact Ben Rogers,
director of BCPM, at 254-710-3540
or e-mail him at Ben_Rogers@baylor.
edu. Friends of Jack Hightower might
consider contributing to the project in
honor of his 80th birthday in Sept.
-Tina LibhartLibrary Advancement
7
Gifts & Opportunities
Connect! is published twice a year by the Baylor University Libraries to highlight contributions to library collections and endowments.
Reagan M. RamsowerDean of Libraries
John S. WilsonDirector, Library Advancement
and Special Projects
Tina Libhart, Mary GoolsbyCo-editors
Comments or questions:John S. Wilson
Baylor University LibrariesOne Bear Place #97148
Waco, TX 76798254.710.3457
[email protected]/library
The Bernard and Audre Rapoport
Foundation, a Waco-area supporter of
the arts and civic initiatives, donated
several paintings to the Baylor University
Libraries. The collection of originals,
prints and one-of-a-kind paintings
includes a watercolor drawing by an
elephant, a print of “Moses and the
Burning Bush” by Arnold Friberg and a
tissue paper collage by the Rapoports’
daughter-in-law.
“I think frequently young people
graduate from universities without
being exposed to art or to the idea
that a picture can sometimes be more
educationally rewarding than a book
of 400 or 500 pages,” said Bernard
Rapoport, founder and chairman of
the foundation.
The paintings “have found a home in
several areas of the Central Libraries
where students and library staff can
enjoy them,” said John Wilson, director
of library advancement.
Rapoport, the son of a Jewish
Russian immigrant, grew up during
the Great Depress ion and an
era of widespread racial bigotry.
Because of the intolerance and
social injustice he experienced
and witnessed during his formative
years, Rapoport grew passionate
for the aid of the disadvantaged.
Today, the foundation supports
initiatives in education, arts and
culture, healthcare, and community-
building in the Waco area and across
McLennan County. The donation to
Baylor represents Rapoport’s belief
that a focus on the fi ne arts is crucial
to a well-rounded education.
Rapoport says his work with the new
Blanton Museum of Art at UT furthers
his desire to promote the benefi ts of
exposing students to the fi ne arts.
“Having been through many art
museums, seldom do I walk out of a
museum without feeling enriched,”
he said. “I think every university should
have a growing library.”
- Jonathan LudwigLibrary Advancement
Rapoport Foundation Donates Paintings
Upcoming Events 2006
Feb. 23-24: - Board of Advisors’ Meeting
March 1-Apr. 28: Tenth annual Creations@Baylor exhibit highlighting the scholarship and creative works of Baylor ‘s faculty and staff
March 3-6: Armstrong Browning Library International Conference– “This Is Living Art: Elizabeth Barrett Browning in the Twenty-First Century,” A Bi-Centenary Celebration
March 7: Creations@Baylor reception, 3-5 p.m. in Moody Allbritton Foyer
March 25: A Day at Histor ic Independence- 11 a.m.-5 p.m. with the dedication of Baylor Park on Windmill Hill at 2 p.m.
Apr. 21: Browning Day and Unveiling of Two Texas Historical Markers at Armstrong Browning Library
May 22-Jun. 1: Ireland Illuminated-
Libraries trip to Ireland
This painting of a mother and child, dontated by the Bernard and Audre Rapoport Foundation, is located in the corridor between Moody and Jones Libraries. (Photo by Mary Goolsby)
Baylor University LibrariesOne Bear Place #97148Waco, TX 76798-7148
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