12.07.2015 Views

International Archive of Women in Architecture - Special Collections

International Archive of Women in Architecture - Special Collections

International Archive of Women in Architecture - Special Collections

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.

the IAWA.Mitzi Vernon presented her paper, “Education is a Non-FlatTh<strong>in</strong>k<strong>in</strong>g Venture,” at the 2002 WEPAN conference <strong>in</strong> San Juan, PuertoRico, June 8-11. WEPAN, <strong>Women</strong> <strong>in</strong> Eng<strong>in</strong>eer<strong>in</strong>g Programs & AdvocatesNetwork, is a national non-pr<strong>of</strong>it educational organization founded <strong>in</strong>1990 to be a catalyst for change and to enhance the success <strong>of</strong> women<strong>in</strong> the eng<strong>in</strong>eer<strong>in</strong>g pr<strong>of</strong>essions. The paper discussed the design, test<strong>in</strong>gand future <strong>of</strong> a project called <strong>in</strong>terCONNECTIONS®, a new k<strong>in</strong>d <strong>of</strong> bookseries designed for middle school girls. The series expla<strong>in</strong>s abstractconcepts such as magnetic fields and the Pythagorean Theorem, threedimensionally,through metaphor and imagery that is more familiar tochildren. The work and the company that produces the books, OFF-THE-PAGE works®, Inc., are grounded <strong>in</strong> the belief that education is a‘non-flat’ th<strong>in</strong>k<strong>in</strong>g adventure, particularly for girls. Off-the-page is amultidimensional concept that challenges traditional ways <strong>of</strong> learn<strong>in</strong>g.It suggests that there are more appropriate ways <strong>of</strong> expla<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>tangibleideas. Research cont<strong>in</strong>ues to show that girls tend to ignore or drop out<strong>of</strong> science and eng<strong>in</strong>eer<strong>in</strong>g studies at the college level. Off-the-pagewas developed to help girls connect to abstract phenomena at an earlyage, thus allow<strong>in</strong>g them more accessibility and comfort <strong>in</strong> scientific andeng<strong>in</strong>eer<strong>in</strong>g fields as high school and college students. More <strong>in</strong>formationis available at http://www.<strong>of</strong>f-the-pageworks.com.First three books <strong>of</strong> <strong>in</strong>terCONNECTIONS®Message from Chair, cont<strong>in</strong>ued from page 4Virg<strong>in</strong>ia Tech architecture students: Mary Ellen Cooper, MeganCunn<strong>in</strong>gham, Bridget Baker, Emily Mammen, Ryan Snyder, JenniferByl and Joshua Grochowski for their assistance with the annualmeet<strong>in</strong>g. Last but certa<strong>in</strong>ly not least, Milka Bliznakov receives mythanks and respect for her unwaver<strong>in</strong>g determ<strong>in</strong>ation and devotion.The annual exhibition, which has become a traditional part <strong>of</strong>the annual meet<strong>in</strong>g, was mounted <strong>in</strong> Cowgill Lobby. It featured anexhibit on women architects practic<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> South Asia which was conceivedby IAWA Advisor Br<strong>in</strong>da Somaya. (see article on page 6) The exhibitalso <strong>in</strong>cluded donations by Japanese architects attend<strong>in</strong>g the UIFAconference <strong>in</strong> Japan. The third component <strong>of</strong> the exhibit was a collection<strong>of</strong> posters derived from slides, photographs, and documents with<strong>in</strong> theIAWA collection document<strong>in</strong>g Asia based architectural projects andpractices. Dawn Bushnaq, our Graduate Assistant, who also coeditedIAWA Newsletter 13, and assisted <strong>in</strong> fund<strong>in</strong>g and program proposals,was the curator and designer <strong>of</strong> the exhibit. Graduate Teach<strong>in</strong>gAssistant, Laura Boletti de Castro documented and assisted Dawnwith the exhibit. Laura and Susan Conway, <strong>Special</strong> <strong>Collections</strong>Graduate Assistant, have been catalog<strong>in</strong>g and organiz<strong>in</strong>g IAWAcollections under the supervision <strong>of</strong> Jennifer Gunther, Coord<strong>in</strong>ator<strong>of</strong> Virg<strong>in</strong>ia Tech’s Department <strong>of</strong> <strong>Special</strong> <strong>Collections</strong>.The Board <strong>of</strong> Advisors is review<strong>in</strong>g its funds and donations<strong>in</strong> order to prepare for upcom<strong>in</strong>g events and special programs. Themost significant monetary donations were achieved through a match<strong>in</strong>gfund drive <strong>in</strong>itiated by Milka Bliznakov. We have f<strong>in</strong>ally established an<strong>in</strong>terest bear<strong>in</strong>g Endowment Fund, which will support the ongo<strong>in</strong>gMilka Bliznakov Prize. The Second Milka Bliznakov Prize forResearch brought an <strong>in</strong>ternational response from scholars, academics,designers, and students. Sarah Newbill, Tech’s College PublicInformation Officer managed much <strong>of</strong> the publicity and Advisors BertRodriguez, Wenche F<strong>in</strong>dal, and Desp<strong>in</strong>a Stratigakos reviewedproposals. (please see announcement)We cont<strong>in</strong>ue to seek significant contributions to supportother ongo<strong>in</strong>g and new educational <strong>in</strong>itiatives. The most urgent, yetstill unfunded project is the IAWA’s 20 th year travel<strong>in</strong>g exhibition(2005). At this time, we are explor<strong>in</strong>g a number <strong>of</strong> venues <strong>in</strong>Wash<strong>in</strong>gton, D.C. as well as <strong>in</strong> Europe. The first component <strong>of</strong> thisthree-year project will be exhibited at the upcom<strong>in</strong>g annual meet<strong>in</strong>g.The three years <strong>of</strong> preparation for the exhibit as well as other ongo<strong>in</strong>g<strong>in</strong>itiatives will only occur if we cont<strong>in</strong>ue to have f<strong>in</strong>ancial support fromyou. Your support not only helps us ma<strong>in</strong>ta<strong>in</strong> the already establishedand cont<strong>in</strong>u<strong>in</strong>g programs, but it also shows grant<strong>in</strong>g and fund<strong>in</strong>ggroups that we have the support <strong>of</strong> a large body <strong>of</strong> friends. In fact,many grants and awards require match<strong>in</strong>g funds, which we areunable to supply unless our endowment <strong>in</strong>creases and special funddrives are successful. Your donations will contribute to these match<strong>in</strong>gfunds as well as to the cont<strong>in</strong>ued growth <strong>of</strong> the endowment.The Board <strong>of</strong> Advisors as well as <strong>Special</strong> <strong>Collections</strong> isdevelop<strong>in</strong>g a plan to guide the protection, use and expansion <strong>of</strong> ourcollections and programs. We stand at a threshold, project<strong>in</strong>g theIAWA beyond Virg<strong>in</strong>ia Tech while rema<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g close to home, posedneatly with<strong>in</strong> the overall goal <strong>of</strong> the University: to become one <strong>of</strong> thetop 30 Research Universities <strong>in</strong> the Country as well as expandresearch and facilities for the arts. The University must become morefully aware that what it seeks is already present. Before we look awayto search for new <strong>in</strong>ternational research resources, we must rem<strong>in</strong>dourselves that the IAWA, a strong, respected, and grow<strong>in</strong>g researchcenter, is just a few steps across the ‘drill field’. We are poised to stepfully forward <strong>in</strong>to the <strong>in</strong>ternational play<strong>in</strong>g field with you, our patrons.Marcia F. Feuerste<strong>in</strong>, Chair, IAWA5

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!