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Lamar University announces new faculty for 2010

Aug

29th

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More than 30 faculty members began teaching assignments at Lamar University with the 2010-2011 academic year. New faculty and staff were introduced Aug. 16 at Lamar’s annual back-to-school convocation. Fall classes began Aug. 23.
Lamar officials announced several new directors and chairs, including Todd Pourciau, director of the Center for Teaching and Learning Enhancement and the Active and Collaborative Engagement for Students (ACES) project; Johnny Jarrell, director of the Center for Distance Education; and Paul Bernazzani, chair of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry.
Others are Terri Davis, interim chair of the Department of Political Science; Mary Kelley Scheer, interim chair of the Department of History; and George Irwin, interim program director in physics.
In addition, Oney Fitzpatrick has assumed duties as interim associate provost for student retention, while Victor Zaloom is the interim dean of graduate studies, as well as associate dean of the College of Engineering.
These are the other new full-time faculty members and their positions:
Arts and Sciences – Erin Burke, instructor of chemistry; Gregory Friesz, instructor of nursing; Rachel Kilgore, assistant professor of nursing; Terry Price, instructor of physics; Meghan Ruggles, instructor of chemistry; Yasuko Sato, assistant professor of history; and Jason Sides, assistant professor of political science.
Business – William Galose, visiting assistant professor of economics and finance, and Christopher Scott, assistant professor of information systems and analysis.
Education and Human Development – Sheryl Abshire, assistant professor of educational leadership; Kathy Attaway, assistant professor of educational leadership; Mihae Bae, assistant professor of health and kinesiology; Roy Benavides, assistant professor of educational leadership; Jimmy Creel, associate professor of educational leadership; Ordene Edwards, assistant professor of professional pedagogy; Janice Kimmons, assistant professor of family and consumer sciences; Gary Martin, professor of educational leadership; Diane Mason, assistant professor of educational leadership; and Julia Yoo, assistant professor of professional pedagogy.
Fine Arts and Communication – Kimberly Holley, Lakeysha Jones and Dawn Katz, instructors of communication; Jessica Dandona, assistant professor of art and director of the Dishman Art Museum; Crispin Prebys, assistant professor of art; Ryan Smith, instructor of music and assistant director of bands; and Ronald Zank, visiting instructor of theatre and dance.
Library Services – Helena Arthur-Okor and Michael Saar, assistant professors of reference.
The group includes faculty members who began their Lamar careers after the start of the 2009-2010 academic year.

Contacts:
Dr. Stephen Doblin, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs (409) 880-8398
Louise Wood, Media Specialist, (409) 880-8415

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Announcement, Press Release

Football Season Events Schedule, Fall 2010

Aug

28th

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lufootballlogo Home football game weekends: Sept. 11, Oct. 2, Oct. 9, Oct. 16, Nov. 13, Nov. 20
GET YOUR RED ON
Individuals are asked to wear red on Friday and Saturday of home game weekends
Businesses are asked to decorate inside and out with Lamar University gear
Prizes will be awarded for the groups and businesses that show the most Cardinal Spirit
Visit: www.lamar.edu/alumni and follow the GET YOUR RED ON link for updates and to locate vendors who carry Lamar University gear.

Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2010
Lamar University delegation, including university officials, representatives of the football program, alumni, local business owners and students athletes, visits Beaumont City Council to promote Get Your Red On and receive a proclamation.
1:30 p.m., Council Chambers at Beaumont City Hall.

Saturday, Sept. 11, 2010
Football: Lamar Cardinals vs. Webber International Warriors
6 p.m., Provost Umphrey Stadium

Saturday, Oct. 2, 2010
Former football players’ reunion *
Football: Lamar Cardinals vs. Sam Houston State Bearkats
6 p.m., Provost Umphrey Stadium.

Monday, Oct. 4, 2010
Red, White & You Celebration*
5:30 -7:30 p.m., Bistro LeMonde, 3199 N. Dowlen Road, Beaumont (complimentary appetizers and cash bar)
Reservations: 409-880-7984 OR rsvpalumni@Lamar.edu

Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2010
Lamar University delegation, including alumni, officials and students (members of marching band, Cheer Squad, Dance Team, Big Red mascot) visits Beaumont City Council to promote Red, White & You-Homecoming 2010 and receive a proclamation.
1:30 p.m., Council Chambers at Beaumont City Hall.

Friday, Oct. 8, and Saturday, Oct. 9, 2010: Homecoming
Friday, Oct. 8, 2010
Cards and Techsans welcome party *
6:30 p.m., University Reception Center, eighth floor of Mary and John Gray Library
Reservations: Reunion registration information at advancement.lamar.edu/reunion-2010

Saturday, Oct. 9, 2010
Cards and Techsans self-guided tours of campus *
All day
Marching band reunion cookout, John Gray Center *
12:30 p.m., John Gray Center, 855 Jim Gilligan Way
Reservations: Reunion registration information at advancement.lamar.edu/reunion-2010

Pre-game tailgate parties for Cards, Techsans and marching band alumni *
4 p.m. Cardinal Club/Alumni Tent, Provost Umphrey Stadium parking lot
Football: Lamar Cardinals vs. Langston University Lions
6 p.m., Provost Umphrey Stadium

Saturday, Oct. 16, 2010
Football: Lamar Cardinals vs. South Alabama Jaguars
6 p.m., Provost Umphrey Stadium

Saturday, Nov. 13, 2010
Football: Lamar Cardinals vs. South Dakota Coyotes

Friday, Nov. 19, and Saturday, Nov. 20, 2010
50th Anniversary Reunion of Class of 1960 *

Friday, Nov. 19, 2010
Class of 1960 welcome party *
6:30 p.m., Dishman Art Museum
Reservations: Reunion registration information at advancement.lamar.edu/reunion-2010

Saturday, Nov. 20, 2010
Luncheon hosted by President and Mrs. James Simmons to honor Class of 1960 *
11:30 a.m., University Reception Center, eighth floor, Mary and John Gray Library
Reservations: 409-880-7984 OR rsvpalumni@Lamar.edu

Pre-game tailgate party for Class of 1960 (weather permitting) *
4 p.m. Cardinal Club/Alumni Tent, Provost Umphrey Stadium parking lot

Football: Lamar Cardinals vs. Oklahoma Panhandle Aggies,
6 p.m., Provost Umphrey Stadium

* Reservations required, (409) 880-8921 or www.lamar.edu (Open to news media)

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Announcement, Event Info, Press Release

Fans to “get their red on” in celebration of Cardinal spirit

Aug

27th

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lufootballlogo “Get Your Red On” activities at Lamar University and across Southeast Texas will begin the week of Sept. 6, with Lamar encouraging individuals, organizations and businesses to don their Cardinal colors to celebrate the return of football to the university. In addition, a Lamar delegation with visit Beaumont City Council at 1:30 p.m. Sept. 7 to promote “Get Your Red On” and receive a proclamation. To spur school spirit, Lamar is asking supporters to wear red to work on the Friday and all day Saturday before each home football game and for businesses and organizations to decorate with Lamar merchandise, logos and signs. The home games are Sept. 11, Oct. 2, Oct. 9 (Homecoming), Oct. 16, Nov. 13 and Nov. 20, all beginning at 6 p.m. in Provost Umphrey Stadium. Lamar also is staging a “Get Your Red On” contest to select the most spirited Cardinal fans, with winners to be announced at football games Oct. 9 and Nov. 20.For additional information or to enter or vote in the spirit contest, visit the “Get Your Red On” web site at www.lamar.edu/alumni.

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Announcement, Event Info, Press Release

Stark Museum Closing Blooms Exhibition on September 4

Aug

27th

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Art and flower lovers will have a few more days to see the Stark Museum of Art’s special exhibition Blooms: Floral Art in the Stark Collections, before it closes September 4, 2010.

Blooms focuses on the flower as an inspiration for the visual arts in printed rare books, decorative arts and twentieth-century still life paintings. The exhibition includes an educational area for children and families with interactive learning elements such as a matching game, reading area and flower drawing station.

“This will be the last opportunity to see together the Stark Museum’s important collection of Joseph Henry Sharp’s floral paintings. Sharp’s work has gained attention through a new publication, In Poetic Silence: The Floral Paintings of Joseph Henry Sharp by Thomas Minckler, which explores Sharp’s artistry and includes many reproductions from the Stark collection,” said Sarah E. Boehme, Director.

When Blooms ends, the Museum will close its Gallery 5 for remodeling. “We are planning some upgrades to the Museum including new lighting. Our intention is to proceed by working in one gallery at a time, so that four galleries remain open and our major masterworks are always on view. In the near future, we will install some small exhibits, but Blooms will be the last major special exhibition until the remodeling is concluded,” explained Boehme.

Located at 712 Green Avenue in Orange, Texas, the Stark Museum of Art is open to the public Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Admission is free. Group tours are available by appointment. For more information call 409.886.ARTS (2787) or visit www.starkmuseum.org.

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Announcement, Event Info, Press Release

Nutty Jerry’s: What is It?

Aug

26th

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The question that has been on Beaumont area billboards for the last two months
is about to be answered. Nutty Jerry’s: What is it?
Nutty Jerry’s is a 60,000 square foot multi-purpose entertainment complex, currently under construction at the
corner of Englin Road and Highway 73 in Winnie Texas. Jerry Nelson is Nutty Jerry, and he has big plans for his new club.

“For years I wanted to have a facility in this area, where we could rodeo, bull ride, have concerts,
And make it affordable to the General Public” said Nelson. “After years of playing with this
idea, I finally pulled the trigger…. Nutty Jerry’s will offer Southeast Texas more variety of music
and entertainment, as well as a dining environment, never before seen here.”

The original concept for Nutty Jerry’s started out as the Double J Rodeo Palace in 1993. Jerry hosted PRCA Rodeos and Professional Bull Rider events in the semi-enclosed arena. As the popularity of his rodeos grew, Nelson started to book major concert acts in conjunction with his rodeos. In the early and mid 90’s people came from all over Texas to see acts as diverse as Paul Rogers and Bad Company, Johnny Winter and Ray Price. After building a successful national touring rodeo and bull riding business, Nelson acquired the SETX Mavericks professional basketball team in 2008. After two successful basketball seasons, including winning the 2010 ABA Championship, Jerry started to envision a new venue to showcase basketball…but why stop at basketball? What about concerts? What about rodeo and bull riding? What about anything to show people a good time…Nutty Jerry’s is unlike any club in the Golden Triangle area! The fully air-conditioned Nutty Jerry’s will have 8 acres of parking for easy access. The main distinction that will separate Nutty Jerry’s from other venues is the 60,000 square foot main floor which will provides ample space for any type of event. There is virtually not a bad seat in the
house! Customers will be able to take in shows from an upper level VIP seating section, bleacher seating and VIP floor seating. Nutty Jerry’s will have the largest sound and light show of any club between Houston and New Orleans and customers will be able to watch the show via many large-screen video monitors.
Nutty Jerry’s is also the new home of the ABA Champion Southeast Texas Mavericks. Nutty Jerry’s acquired the original basketball floor form the Philadelphia Spectrum for the Mavericks’ home games. The legendary ABA star Julius Erving first played on the floor that will be installed at Nutty Jerry’s.
In addition to top notch entertainment, Nutty Jerry’s will feature 3 full service bars serving beer wine and frozen drinks. Nutty Jerry will also feature a full service restaurant serving a mix of Seafood, Steaks, Chicken and Barbeque dishes. Weekly specials will be offered.
A full slate of concerts and sporting events is scheduled for Nutty Jerry’s with more events to be announced:
9/18 GRAND OPENING – Dwight Yoakam with Stoney LaRue & Whiskey Myers
9/23 Jamie Talbert with Allen Duhon & the Gulf Coast Cowboys
9/24 Asleep at the Wheel with Jamie Talbert
9/25 Travis Matte & the Kingpins with Mike Trahan & the Highstreet Band
9/30 Doug Stone
10/1 Don Gay’s Championship Bull Ride featuring Pat Green in concert
10/2 Don Gay’s Championship Bull Ride featuring Pat Wade Bowen in concert
10/8 Lou Gramm from Foreigner
10/9 Lee Ann Womack
10/15 Daryle Singletary
10/16 John Conlee & Bobby Bare
10/21 EXILE Reunion Tour featuring all original members
10/22 Get off the Pain Tour featuring Gary Allan & Jerrod Neimann
10/23 Marshall Tucker Band
10/29 Jamie Bergeron & the Kickin Cajuns
10/30 George Jones & Jason Meadows
115-7 World’s Largest Yearling Bucking Bull Sale
11/6 David Ball
11/11 SETX Mavericks Basketball – Exhibition w/ Jarrod Birmingham concert
11/12 Jake Hooker and the Outsiders
11/13 Moe Bandy
11/20 Grand Funk Railroad
11/26-28 THANK GOD FOR TEXAS WEEKEND
11/26 Alan Duhon / Roger Creager / Jack Ingram
11/27 Alan Duhon / Rio Grande / Brandon Jenkins / Johnny Cooper / Reckless Kelly / Randy Rogers
11/28 Willie Nelson
12/2 SETX Mavericks Basketball
12/3 Kansas
12/4 SETX Mavericks Basketball vs. Dallas
12/10 A night at Galveston with GLEN CAMPBELL
12/11 SETX Mavericks Basketball
12/11 T Graham Brown
12/16 SETX Mavericks Basketball vs. Houston
12/17 The Bellamy Brothers
12/23 SETX Mavericks Basketball vs. Mobile Bay
12/28-30 SETX Mavericks Basketball Holiday shootout
12/31 New Years Eve with Wayne Toupes
Tickets for the listed events are available by calling 877-643-7508. General admission tickets are available at all participating Fastlane convenience stores. Tickets will also be available at Nutty Jerry’s during regular business hours.
As Nutty Jerry’s is truly a multipurpose entertainment complex, it is also available for private parties and corporate functions. Nutty Jerry’s staff can help plan and book entertainment for any type of event. For facility tours and private booking information contact the Nutty Jerry’s at 877-643-7508
Nutty Jerry’s regular business hours will be Thursday through Saturday from 6pm – 2 am. Nutty Jerry’s kitchen will be open from 6-10 pm. Nutty Jerry will be open for special occasions outside regular business hours. Nutty Jerry’s is located at 18291 Englin Road, Winnie TX 77665. For More information call 877-643-7508.

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Breast Cancer Survivor Sallye Keith and “Gift of Life” Provide Free Mammograms

Aug

26th

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Through the generous support of philanthropist and breast cancer survivor, Sallye Keith, 34 medically underserved women received free Julie Rogers “Gift of Life” Program clinical breast exams at Cristo Rey Catholic Church in Beaumont on Monday, August 23. (With Keith’s sponsorship, clients will also be provided free mammograms at the Dauphin Cancer Screening & Prevention Center at a later date.)

“Gift of Life” Vice President, Linda Domino, and Executive Committee

“Gift of Life” Board Vice President, Linda Domino, and Executive Committee members, Sallye Keith and Connie Szuch, celebrate Keith’s ninth year of sponsoring free “Gift of Life” mammograms.

members, Connie Szuch and Keith, attended the screening site to celebrate Keith’s ninth year of sponsorship and to greet grateful clients.
“It is a great pleasure for me to sponsor free mammograms each year,” Keith said. “As a breast cancer survivor, I know this is saving lives, and anything I can do to save lives is so important to me.”

Instilled with a love of community and a desire to help those in need, Keith, an Illinois native, came to Beaumont in 1957 to work for the Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA). During her career with the YWCA, she held roles as the young adult director, interim executive director, board member and volunteer, touching the lives of thousands of young people. Recognizing Keith’s tremendous impact on the organization, the YWCA named the Sallye Keith Annex in her honor.

A legendary humanitarian and civic leader, Keith has received recognition from countless organizations, including the Honorary Doctor of humane letters from Lamar University, the Boy Scouts of America Three Rivers Council’s Distinguished Citizen of 2008, the American Heart Association Golden Triangle Chapter’s “Woman with Heart,” and the “Gift of Life’s” Julie Rogers “Spirit of Love” Award in 2004. She has also been a member or patron of the Art Museum of Southeast Texas, Beaumont Civic Opera Buffs, Beaumont Heritage Society, Jefferson Theatre Preservation Society, Mental Health Association, South East Texas Arts Council and Triangle AIDS Network, among others.

A “Gift of Life” supporter since 1996, Keith has made available nearly 350 free mammograms and helped extend the lives of women whose cancer was detected at “Gift of Life” screenings. Since inception, the “Gift of Life” has helped extend the lives of over 100 women who were diagnosed with breast cancer following “Gift of Life” screenings and provided access to treatment through its efforts.

“I very much appreciate being able to receive a free mammogram,” said a “Gift of Life” client at the screening. “My aunt had breast cancer, and it’s hard to keep checked when you don’t have insurance. God bless this program for helping so many women.”
The “Gift of Life” is currently accepting free mammogram client applications for medically underserved women in Beaumont, Port Arthur and Orange. To find out if you qualify, please call the program at (409) 860-3369 or toll-free at (877) 720-GIFT (4438).

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Announcement, Press Release

23 graduate with honors Aug. 14 at Lamar University

Aug

26th

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Twenty-three Lamar University students graduated with honors during summer commencement ceremonies Aug. 14 in the Montagne Center.

Eleven graduated summa cum laude, with grade-point averages ranging from 3.8 to 4.0:

Avon, Conn.: Sendi Gardner.

Beaumont: Catherine LaDay-Freeman.

Groves: Anthony Comeaux.

Hamshire: Deanna Frisby.

Kirbyville: Lisa Wolfford.

Lake Charles, La.: Mary Webb.

Mont Belvieu: Brian Perdue.

Port Neches: Shea George, Bethany Tanner.

Sour Lake: Jon Price II.

University Place, Wash.: Rachelle Barry.

Among the summa cum laude graduates are Plummer Award recipients Tanner, Webb and Perdue, who graduated at the top of their class.

Five students graduated magna cum laude, with GPAs of 3.65 to 3.79:

Bridge City: Leslie Sherwood.

Orange: Kami Jenkins.

Vidor: Linda Corley.

Warren: Serge’ Lewicki.

Woodville: Lucas Brown.

Seven students graduated cum laude, with GPAs of 3.5 to 3.64:

Anahuac: Tiffany Baker.

Bridge City: Shelly Carpenter.

Kountze: Thomas Tanner.

Lumberton: Carrie Conner, Christy Norsworthy.

Nederland: Amy Revia.

Silsbee: Kenya Wilson.

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Announcement

AMSET seeks Southeast Texas art created from 1925-1965 for January 2011 exhibition

Aug

24th

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The Art Museum of Southeast Texas (AMSET) requests the assistance of local art collectors and artists in its search for artwork created by Southeast Texas artists from 1925 to 1965 for an exhibition scheduled to open in January 2011 titled Southeast Texas Art: Cross-Currents and Influences. The deadline for loaning artwork is Nov. 1, 2010.

“There was such an abundance of talented artists working in Southeast Texas during this time period that this exhibition has great potential,” said AMSET Curator of Exhibitions and Collections Sarah Hamilton. “We are trying to bring that artwork together into a cohesive exhibition to share with the community that represents its history.”

Southeast Texas Art: Cross-Currents and Influences will feature a wide array of paintings, drawings and sculptures. The exhibition will examine and address the strong artistic, stylistic, and geographic connections and influences that prevailed between artists’ work produced in Southeast Texas (particularly Beaumont and Port Arthur) and the important early Texas artists working around the state during a span of 40 years from 1925 to 1965. Many of these highly influential Texas artists include, among others, Otis Dozier and DeForrest Judd of Dallas and Robert Preusser of Houston, who traveled to Beaumont during the middle of the 20th century to serve as jurors in various local fine art competitions. Their impact was pivotal to the local art scene of Southeast Texas.

Some of the significant Southeast Texas artists working during the mid-20th century whose work will be featured in AMSET’s exhibition include: Lorene David, Maudee Carron, Lillian Hayes, Katherine Green Baker, Lynn Sweat, Dennis McCarthy, Jack Shofner, Clarice Holloway, Eva Hogeland, Watson Neyland, Naiman Woodland, Merle Cox, Herman Hugg, Erin O’Brien, Will-Amelia Sterns Price, Richard Stout, Jerry Newman, John Alexander, David and Patricia Cargill, Robert Rogan, Robert Madden, George Hampton, Waifie Hoffman and Vallie Fletcher, among others.

Collectors are asked to loan pieces fitting this description to the museum for the exhibition, and they will be returned once the show closes in April. Hamilton adds that pulling artwork from private collections throughout the community adds to the intrigue of exhibitions like this one.

If you can be of assistance in our search for these artworks, please contact Sarah Hamilton at (409) 832-3432 or by e-mail at shamilton@amset.org by Nov. 1, 2010.

Through unique collections, exhibitions, public programs and outreach in the visual arts, the mission of the Art Museum of Southeast Texas is to provide education, inspiration and creative vision throughout Southeast Texas.

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LU’s Matthis contemplates beautiful, sublime and grotesque in new book

Aug

24th

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Contacts: Michael Matthis, associate professor of philosophy, English and Modern Languages, (409) 880-8524

Louise Wood, media specialist, (409) 880-8415

When Cambridge Scholars Publishing approached Lamar University faculty member Michael Matthis about authoring a book, the title practically wrote itself. The publishing company had reviewed the titles of papers presented by Matthis and others at the South Central Society for 18^thCentury Studies’ annual conference and was intrigued by their panel discussions.

The finished product, “The Beautiful, The Sublime, and the Grotesque: The Subjective Turn in Aesthetics from the Enlightenment to the Present,” released in June 2010, explores the tension between subjectivity and objectivity in the philosophy of art as it relates to the aesthetic theories of David Hume, Immanuel Kant and subsequent philosophers.

The book focuses on the Enlightenment period when thinkers began to turn toward the human subject as the source of knowledge, although they were hesitant to reduce beauty, as is commonly done, merely to what meets the “eye of the beholder.” Kant argued that standards for judging art should exist in a contemplative activity that “intellectually and cognitively expands our horizons” by combining personal sensuous experiences with those of others to participate in a larger sensuous experience called universal subjectivity.

“This is why people enjoy great works of art or poetry or music,” said Matthis, associate professor of philosophy, “because it takes us beyond our own senses and we are able to experience other peoples’ lives and feelings. In this way, we come to learn about ourselves and other human beings.”

The first topic in the book’s title, the beautiful, suggests this compatibility between the senses and the world.

The sublime suggests the incongruity of the vastness of nature and the finiteness of humanity. “This is the feeling we get from watching tornadoes or lightning. These normally threatening images fill us with a peculiar pleasure when we realize the power of such phenomena,” said Matthis.

The grotesque suggests a willingness to contemplate with disinterest, and yet pleasure, the morally degrading or repulsive. One essay, said Matthis, takes a slightly humorous look at the moral issue of listening to blues music. The voyeuristic experience seemingly draws pleasure from the suffering of the singer, but the essay explores counter- arguments against that claim.

Other essays, like “Going to the Devil: Lewis’ Science Fiction and Academic Postmodernism,” question the role of postmodernism in aesthetic theory. Matthis is author of three of the book’s essays, and the book also includes an essay by Kevin Dodson, professor of philosophy and director of Lamar’s Honors Program.

Matthis, originally from Canyon and now residing in Beaumont, selected and organized the essays, extensively rewrote his own, and wrote the introductions and sub-introductions while on departmental leave. The leave also enabled him to travel to Europe to explore the role of museums in relation to the formation of the public’s perception of art. “The leave,” he said, “helped me immensely in that it gave me time to write and travel to complete the book.”

Steven Zani, chair of the Department of English and Modern Languages, said departmental leaves are valuable for the production of texts and “demonstrate the strength of our faculty and the contemporary relevance of the work we do at Lamar.”