College of Arts and Sciences Becomes the
FOCAS of Campus Events

A new chapter has begun in the history of the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Oklahoma. Beginning Monday, Feb. 17 and continuing through Friday, Feb. 21, the college will celebrate its fifth annual FOCAS (Friends Of the College of Arts and Sciences) on Arts and Sciences Week, hosting special events, showcasing the college's new facility in Ellison Hall and honoring this year's distinguished alumni. This year, many of the events will take place in the college's newly renovated home.

All week, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., visitors are invited to an open house in Ellison Hall, 633 Elm Ave. Thanks to the generous support of many of the college's alumni and friends, the building is more inviting than ever. Each day during FOCAS Week refreshments will be available in the main lobby on the first floor, where visitors will have the opportunity to view the displays of Native American art, African and African American art, a mammoth tusk on temporary loan from the college's Archeological Survey and a stately grandfather clock, a gift from OU President David L. Boren.

At noon Tuesday, the African and African American Studies program will hold a brown bag lunch seminar titled "African American History: Past, Present and Future," featuring George Henderson, Regents Professor, in Ellison Hall 132. The college will host its Faculty Authors Reception from 4:30 to 6 p.m., Tuesday, also in Ellison Hall 132.

Events will continue across campus throughout the week, including a brown bag talk at noon Wednesday, offered through the Department of Anthropology. "Surviving Neoliberal Reforms in Guerrero, Mexico," featuring William Yaworsky, will be held in Dale Hall Tower, 511, 455 W. Lindsey.

At 4 p.m. Thursday, the Department of Physics and Astronomy will sponsor a public lecture titled "Black Holes and String Theory," presented by Danny Birmingham from the University College, Dublin, in A102, Neilsen Hall, 440 W. Brooks. Guests are invited for tea and cookies from 3:30 to 4 p.m.

Also beginning Thursday, members of the public are invited to attend any of the four FOCAS Forums, presented by the college's 2003 distinguished alumni.

Doris Eaton Travis, representing the social sciences, will give a talk titled "One History in the 20th Century" at 2 p.m. in the Scholars Room of the Oklahoma Memorial Union, 900 Asp Ave. Travis, a former Ziegfeld Follies girl, earned a bachelor of arts degree in history in 1992, and is a longtime OU supporter.

Also at 2 p.m., Ingrid H. Shafer, representing the professional schools, will speak in the Frontier Room of the union on "Healing the World With Compassion and Kindness: Harnessing the Gentle Power of Love." Shafer earned a master of arts degree in German in 1967, master of arts degree in human relations in 1975, and doctorate in philosophy in 1984, all from OU. She currently is a professor of religion and the Mary Jo Ragan Professor of Interdisciplinary Studies at the University of Sciences and Arts in Chickasha.

Rubye M. Hall, representing the humanities, will give a presentation at 3:30 p.m. in the Heritage Room of the union titled "One Nation Indivisible?" Hall, who was one of the first 14 African American students enrolled in OU's Graduate College, earned a master of arts degree in English and master of arts in speech pathology in 1959, both from OU. She is a former member of the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education and founder and executive director of the National Grandparents' Academy.

On Friday, Edward Harlow will conduct the final forum at 2 p.m. with "Harvard and the Revolution in Biomedical Research" in the union's Scholars Room. Harlow earned a bachelor of science degree in 1974 and a master of science degree in 1978, both in molecular biology. He currently serves as chair and professor of biological chemistry and molecular pharmacology at Harvard Medical School and scientific director of the Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center.

The week's events conclude on Friday at 6 p.m. with the Kaleidoscope Evening annual fund raiser in the Oklahoma Memorial Union Ballroom. Tickets are $100 each; a donation of $1,200 will sponsor a Leadership Scholars scholarship in the name of the donor's choosing and provide the donor with two dinner tickets.

To purchase tickets, make a donation or for accommodations on the basis of disability, contact Vivian Russell at (405) 325-2347.