Exhibit: The Last Minstrel

Sir Walter Scott  & The Minstrelsy of the Scottish Borders. Opening reception December 2, 5-8 pm, in Posner Center.  The exhibit by Sheila Liming (PhD candidate in English, Literary and Cultural Studies) is the latest in a series of exhibits curated by Posner Center interns and funded by the Posner Fine Arts Foundation. Through April 30.

ABSTRACT: He had failed as a playwright, and garnered only mediocre esteem in his career as a legal scholar, yet Walter Scott was determined to achieve success. In 1802, he convinced James Ballantyne, a publisher in whose Edinburgh operations Scott had invested a hefty sum, to publish The Minstrelsy of the Scottish Borders. The work was meant to be a “slim volume” consisting of traditional Scottish folk ballads collected firsthand by Scott. The published product, however, was a massive, three-volume set, containing everything from war epics, to romantic sagas, to new works designed to emulate the style and diction of Scottish folk balladry. The Minstrelsy of the Scottish Borders was a hit, and granted Scott wealth and prestige. This exhibit showcases the Posner Collection’s beautiful, 1810 edition of Scott’s epic Minstrelsy, and explores the vast literary network of the early nineteenth century and Scott’s rise to unprecedented, international literary fame. — Sheila Liming

Apply for Spring 2012 Posner Center internship

Internship applications are being taken through Friday, Nov. 28 at 5 pm. The Posner Fine Arts Foundation funds  one $3,000 internship per semester for a Carnegie Mellon University student to do individual research in the Posner Memorial Collection and prepare an exhibit.

Naming of the Engineering and Science Library

From provost Mark Kamlet:  I am very pleased to announce that the Engineering and Science Library has a new name—The Roger Sorrells Engineering and Science Library.

No doubt, many of you knew Roger Sorrells, the longtime partner of our Dean of Universities Libraries, Gloriana  St. Clair.  But, for those of you who did not get to know Roger, let me tell you a bit about this quiet, renaissance man from Louisiana who became a steadfast supporter of Carnegie Mellon.

Roger received his B.S. in physics and M.S. in mathematics from the University of Texas.  He served on the mathematics faculty at both San Antonio College and Southwest Texas State University (now Texas State University).  His love of computing was sparked while he was at San Antonio College, which led him to become a computer scientist and work toward a Ph.D. in this area at Texas A&M University.  Ultimately leading the Help Desk there, Roger was renowned for his ability to troubleshoot computer programs.  In 1991, he received the President’s Meritorious Service Award from A&M before retiring the following year.  His intellectual curiosity and commitment to helping others flourished throughout his life as evidenced by his work with the World Shakespeare Bibliography, the Chautauqua Institute, Mothers Against Drunk Drivers, Compassionate Friends, and the Lions Club.  Roger’s adventurous nature was also reflected in his array of outdoor activities where he loved to bike, hike, spelunk, and snorkel.  After retiring and relocating to Pittsburgh, he became deeply involved in activities at Carnegie Mellon, including the Million Book project.  He was also founding member of the Highlands Circle donor society at CMU.

Roger lost his courageous battle with Parkinson’s disease in September of this year.  In memory of his never-ending thirst for learning and love of computation, Gloriana made a gift of $900,000 to name our engineering and science library for him.

A formal ceremony to commemorate the renaming of the library will take place later this year.  In the meantime, I hope you will join me in both thanking Gloriana for her incredible generosity and to take a few minutes to quietly reflect on the life of a man who became a proud Pittsburgher and member of the CMU community.

Death of Ruedi Ruegg

We were sorry to learn that Ruedi Ruegg, our benefactor for CMU’s notable  Swiss Poster Collection, passed away last week. Since 1985, Mr. Ruegg donated almost 500 posters that are regularly used in design classes and have been digitized for online access. We are grateful for his generosity in providing such a great collection to the university community and beyond.

Andy Award nominee: Ann Marie Mesco

Ann Marie Mesco (HS’01), University Libraries Nominated by: Jon McIntire Ann Marie is a conscientious worker of the highest degree. She consistently tackles each and every task with thoroughness, precision and positivity. Her problem-solving skills are unmatched. Her service to … Continue reading →

Book Display: Disability Employment Awareness Month

Hunt Library, first floor, across from the reference desk, through October. Courtesy of the University Libraries’ Diversity Committee. Titles range from architecture and universal design to drama and autobiography. Enjoy!

Exhibit: Botany and History Entwined: Rachel Hunt’s Legacy

Hunt Institute exhibition: “Botany and History Entwined: Rachel Hunt’s Legacy,” September 16-December 15. To celebrate our 50th anniversary, Hunt Institute presents rare gems from the original collection of our founder Rachel McMasters Miller Hunt (1882-1963). Hours  are Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-noon and 1-5 p.m.; Sunday, 1-4 p.m. (except November 20 and 24-27).

Several talks and tours will expand upon different aspects of the exhibition.  Assistant Curator of Art Catherine Hammond gives a gallery tour on Saturday, 29 October, and Publication and Marketing Manager Scarlett Townsend gives a tour of the Reading Room on Sunday, 30 October. Curator of Art Lugene Bruno’s talk, “Pierre-Joseph Redoute and his collaboration with botanists,” is on Sunday, 6 November. Librarian Charlotte Tancin’s talk, “At the center of the network: Dutch botanist Carolus Clusius (1526-1609),” is on Sunday, 4 December. All talks and tours will take place at 2 p.m.

Exhibit: Pedals, Pittsburgh, and Planning

Opening reception September 30, 5-7:30 pm, in Posner Center. The exhibit by Prisca Ohito (CFA and HSS 2013) is the latest in a series of exhibits curated by Posner Center interns and funded by the Posner Fine Arts Foundation. Through November 30.

Big day for the university

William S. Dietrich II, a Pittsburgh industrialist and longtime trustee of Carnegie Mellon University, has announced a plan to provide a record-breaking gift of a $265 million fund to support CMU.

This is the largest gift in the university’s history and it will have real impact across CMU for years to come.

The gift furthers the university’s ability to educate students in strong interdisciplinary problem-solving and supports the unique recipe for education offered by Carnegie Mellon’s seven schools and colleges, all of which are leaders in their fields.

• The site providing an overview of the story is at: www.cmu.edu/dietrich
• The webcast will be at: www.cmu.edu/event/sept7
• Two emails from the President were sent out early this morning to the university community on campus: www.cmu.edu/homepage/images/extras/emails/2011events/sept7_cohon_campus.html; and off-campus: www.cmu.edu/homepage/images/extras/emails/2011events/sept7_cohon.html
• Additional items will be posted throughout the day on social media, www.cmu.edu/social-media/index.shtml

Death of Roger Sorrells

With great sadness, we report that Roger Sorrells died on Friday, September 2, 2011, from Advanced Parkinson’s disease. As many know, Roger was the beloved partner of Gloriana St. Clair, dean of University Libraries. With Gloriana, he was a founding member of the Highlands Circle,  CMU’s distinguished giving society. Most recently, he and Gloriana endowed the Sorrells & St. Clair Group Study Room at the Engineering and Science Library.

Gloriana, Roger & Charlotte the koala

Roger’s Big Brain, a remembrance by Gloriana St. Clair. This essay was read at a celebration of Roger’s life on October 2, 2011, in Pittsburgh.

In Memorium: Roger Sorrells, a short bio

Obituary (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, September 4, 2011)