Category Archives: Greener Stories

Can Humanity Think Its Way to a Better Future?

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ONE BIG BRAIN: Can humanity think its way to a better future?

On February 21, 2014, Evergreen will host a film screening and panel discussion to explore the existence of a “noosphere” (pronounced “No-a-sphere”), a planetary field of unified consciousness that forms a layer around planet Earth, just as does our atmosphere. The event will highlight the Noosphere Endowment at Evergreen that supports faculty-student collaborative projects unifying artistic, scientific, and spiritual elements that promote the advent of a worldwide culture of peace. Adam Leveen Sher ’02 and his parents Gerson and Marjorie Sher established this endowed award to assist future generations of Evergreen students.

Here is a preview of the film that will be shown prior to the panel discussion:

Following the screening, a panel of faculty members and alumni will consider the concept of a noosphere that can act in specified ways upon our biosphere.

One of the sources of research on the noosphere is The Global Consciousness Project, an international, multidisciplinary collaboration of scientists and engineers. This organization, operating under the auspices of Princeton University, collects and examines data “to discover subtle correlations that reflect the presence and activity of consciousness in the world . . .When human consciousness becomes coherent and synchronized, the behavior of random systems may change.” 

Event information:

One Big Brain: Can Humanity Think Its Way to a Better Future?
Date:        Friday, February 21, 2014
Time:       1:00 to 3:00 pm
Location: On campus in the Longhouse Education and Culture Center

There is no charge for this event and it is open to the public.Contributions to the Noosphere Endowment are gratefully received.

Seating is limited. Faculty members who wish to bring their students should reserve seats by contacting R.J. Burt in the Office of Alumni Programs by February 15.

Paul Stamets ’80 on How Mushrooms Can Save the World

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Paul Stamets, ’79, scientist, author, world-renown mycology expert.

In an article in Discover Magazine (May 31, 2013), writer Kenneth Miller follows mycologist Paul Stamets ‘79 into the woods to learn more about how fungi can clean up everything from oil spills to nuclear meltdowns, read: How Mushrooms Can Save the World.

Also Check out Paul’s website Fungi Perfecti and Facebook Page as well as his highly reviewed TED talk and TEDMED talks: Paul Stamets: 6 ways mushrooms can save the world and TEDMED 2011.

 

Delbert Miller ’96 Awarded Artist Trust Fellowship

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Skokomish Tribal elder Delbert Sm3tcoom Miller ’96, winner of a 2013 Artist Trust Fellowship

Congratulations to Delbert Sm3tcoom Miller ’96, one of three Native American artists in Washington State to receive a 2013 Fellowship from Artist Trust.  Delbert will present his work, “stuxWa?scH3la, Keep the Knowledge and Memories of Our Ancestors Alive,” on January 31st in the Longhouse. The award was in the category of emerging fields & cross-disciplinary arts.

Cross-disciplinary is an excellent description of Delbert Miller. As an Evergreen student, his academic work focused on Sociology and Native American Studies. His resume lists expertise as a chemical dependency professional, a cultural resource specialist, and a Skokomish Tribal Historic Preservation Officer.  Tina Kuckkahn-Miller, Director of Evergreen’s Longhouse Cultural and Educational Center and Delbert’s wife, describes her husband’s many contributions and gifts:

Delbert and his family have been involved with the concept of the Longhouse from the beginning. Delbert was at the Longhouse’s ground breaking, opening, naming, 10-year anniversary and 2009 expansion. He is a frequent lecturer in Evergreen programs, although to date he has not lectured on his art, which is  why this fellowship is special – It allows him to talk about himself as an “artist”: a carver, jewelry-maker, composer, drummer, singer.

It is Delbert’s artistry that this award celebrates – his work as a carver, a maker of traditional objects that sing their own songs within a rich cultural context. Delbert writes:

I carve to maintain the usage and understanding of what our old cultural, traditional and spiritual items are. I carve paddles, canoes, root and clam digging sticks, cedar bark pounding tools, combs, house posts and many other items that are used in traditional Native societies in the Northwest. To have a house post is actually saying “I’m obeying the ancient law, remembering all that I can about the ancient history, songs, village sites, etc. It announces to the world who I am and that I have earned the right to have a shoylus, or house post.

Around campus, we know Delbert as a soft-spoken man with a big smile and a warm, enveloping presence, a singer of prayers and blessings at Evergreen’s most important occasions, a sharer of wisdom, and acreator of sacred space in the midst of a busy world. We look forward to learning more from Delbert, starting with a public presentation in January 2014. Watch this blog for updates.

Wayne Au, ’96 MiT to Chair UW Bothell Diversity Council

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Wayne Au, ’96 MiT, Ph.D

The University of Washington Bothell announced that MiT alumnus Wayne Au has been appointed to chair the University of Washington Bothell Diversity Council.

This is just the latest recognition of Wayne’s outstanding work in education. Read the full news release.

Congratulations Wayne!

Faculty Member Naima Lowe Publishes “Thirty-Nine (39) Questions for White People”

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Naima Lowe’s limited edition publication “Thirty-nine (39) Questions for White People.”

Evergreen faculty member Naima Lowe has a new publication that is getting some important attention. The title is “Thirty-Nine (39) Questions for White People,” and those questions can really make a person stop and think.

An artist and filmmaker, Naima recently gave an interview to Salon.com about her latest work and it’s focus on race, privilege, perspective and social context. In a preface to the interview, Salon.com offers this characterization:

Naima Lowe’s “Thirty-Nine (39) Questions for White People,” a book born from observations about her class of predominantly white students, has been generating buzz for the potentially uncomfortable questions it forces its viewers to consider. The project presents 39 simple questions — questions that are all-too-relatable for anyone who identifies as a racial minority — but flips the perspective from the minority back to the majority. Questions like “How do you know you’re white?” and “Do you notice when the last white person leaves the room?” become surprising and almost jarring, forcing white people to think more critically about the experience (and inherent privilege) of being white.

Publisher DangerDot Publishing applauds the work as “a stunning art piece and rare book that insists that readers reflect on the complexity of race, and the privilege to not have to notice it.” The first edition consists of 40 hand letter-pressed copies that sold out quickly. In response to the interest, Naima back at work on a larger run, 2nd Edition, in an alternate format.

In any social context, this is an important conversation. Brava to Naima for asking the questions.

Diversity Note: As of this fall, twenty-five percent (25% -1,085 students) of Evergreen’s student body self identify as students of color. Of that total enrollment number, about 100 students of color attend Evergreen’s Tacoma Program.

Tim Girvin ’75: On the Nature of Work

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The Search for Treasure, from Tim Girvin’s Strategic Branding Blog.

For anyone working in the field of strategic communication, Tim Girvin ’75 is an inspiration. Next time you’re sitting in front of your computer, drained of creative juice, click over to Tim’s Strategic Branding Blog and be inspired.

Here is an excerpt from In the Quest for Light,Being Beauty and the Bearing of Story:

But in the quest for our work –
everything that we do,
it’s a kind of quest for light,
and bearing that light forward.

At the very best, a team of people shines in their work, in the telling of their story –
it’s an uplifting experience;
everyone rises to the wave of momentum in
the team that seeks the upscale rendering of beauty,
truth and the profundity of enhanced experience.

 Each of us looks for betterment;
and many of us
look for beauty.
A moment of light –
the cracking open of discovery
is our own personal treasure finding.
Perhaps, that is the
nature of the work.

Finding treasure.
Magic.
Truth.
Wonder.

That’s where I go,
that’s where I come from.

 TIM

The Evergreen Mind Creates a Space for Teachers

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MPA Grad photoEvery June, the Master in Teaching Program at Evergreen graduates a new class of passionate, creative, innovative teachers. The program has gained a reputation for excellence, and every year, MiT alumni win more awards and accolades. They are close cohorts and like to stay in touch with each other, and with their graduate program.

In celebration of the public service Evergreen MiT alumni provide – as teachers, administrators, education innovators and advocates –  we’ve created this space to share, with permission, “MiTeachers”  vignettes and updates: classroom wit and wisdom, awards and honors, “a-ha” moments, cheers and tears – the meaningful elements that comprise a teaching life.

Of course, you can stay in touch with Sherri, Loren and Maggie directly as always. Now, you can also post directly in the “Leave a Reply” comments section, below.

Kathleen Hanna ’91: She’s Still Magic

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Poet, Singer, Feminist Icon – Kathleen Hanna, ’91

In the Seattle Times: a review of the new documentary film about Evergreen’s own Kathleen Hanna, ’91. 

(Excerpt)
Director Sini Anderson’s inspiring documentary, “The Punk Singer,” opens with a spoken-word performance at The Evergreen State College in Olympia by Kathleen Hanna, in which the riot-grrrl pioneer speaks publicly about dealing with abuse in her life. “I am your worst nightmare come to life / I’m the girl you can’t shut up / There’s not a guy big enough to handle this mouth.” It’s a powerful scene that shows just how valiant and determined Hanna is to speak her mind in order to effect change. Read the full review.