Occidental College - La Encina Yearbook (Los Angeles, CA)

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Chairman Joseph Birman, William Morris GEOLOGY The Geology Department has been involved in many research proiects above and beyond the call of duty. Dr. Birman's sabbatical leave last year took him to some parts of Europe, and to the Moiave Desert for an investigation of the precise temperature of the earth. One of his proiects this year was to write papers on glacial geology. Dr. Morris has been writing a textbook and has received a research grant from the American Chemical Society for the study of marine ecology. HISTORY Several faculty members of the History Department were kept quite busy this year with research and writings relevant to their field: Dr. Rodes's book regarding Germany, Dr. Stonehouse's JOHN WESLEY NORTH. Dr. Rolle, on sabbati cal leave for the year, traveled in Italy and did research at the Huntington Library under a grant from the American Council of Learned Societies. Dr. Kroeber was chairman of Occidental's History of Civilization program and Mr. Zacek from Columbia University, was initiated as a new member of the department. Phi Alpha Theta, the history fraternity, offered opportunities for interested students to learn more about this field through lectures and dinners with noted historians. Chairman Poon-Kan Mok, John Rodes, Joseph Zacek, Clifton Kroeber, Merlin Stonehouse. Chairman James Bickley, Porfirio Sanchez, Erich Frey, Max Treuscorff, Winston Hewitt, Leland Babcock, Gabriele Benton. A I r - i , i Kam FOREIGN LANGUAGE The Foreign Language Department boasts of three professors who are working late hours on dissertations for their doctorates: Mr. Alkire, Mr. Sanchez, and Mr- Treuscorff. Mr. Sanchez is also kept busy as sponsor of Alpha Mu Gamma, an honorary language fraternity. The organization members have enioyed slides and talks from students returning from Europe, as well as dinner at the Hofbrau and an,occasional foreign movie. Mr. Alkire, the Russian professor, attended a meeting last spring in Seattle of the American Association of the Teachers of Slavic and East European Languages. ,gr-

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Laurence deRycke, Chairman Joseph Haring, Robert Holland, John Elliott. ECONOMICS The Economics Department has kept busy with many important activities on and off campus. Dr. Haring, who took over the Chair- manship of the department this year, returned from traveling around the world, working on a Brookings Institution research professorship, and has done extensive studies for a Southern Cali- fornia Research Council report. Dr. deRycke, who had been ahead of the department since 1950, gave an Award Lecture in the early spring- The department sponsored many interesting activities such as guest speakers and the annual Economics Day, which provided opportunities for students to become better acquainted with this field. EDUCATION One of the finest teacher training programs in the state is offered by our Department of Education, headed by Dr. Roy G. Petrie. Teacher observations and student teaching provide opportunities of practical experience for the education ma- iors. The Student-California Teachers Associ- ation chapter, a professional organization, this year sponsored a regional conference, speakers, and various field trips. I H H H W' -fs .- ,m I I .K E I E e -uw lu Kenneth Kurtz, Lewis Owen, Chairman Kenneth Oliver, Evelyn Kieffer, Basil Busacca, Robert Ryf, Donald Adams, James Ferguson, John Pearce. ENGLISH AND COMPARATIVE LITERATURE This year, with- out a single professor away on leave of absence, this department carried on its activities in full force. Dr. Pearce, formerly with the staff of USC, ioined the faculty to teach in the field of Comparative Literature. Students and faculty alike welcomed the return of Dr. Adams from Pakistan and enioyed hearing about his interesting teaching ex- periences there. Dr. Owen served not only as Assistant Professor of English but also as Chairman of Occidental's Honors Council. Underway in the department was the formation of a maiors' organization, intended to stimulate interest and scholarship among the students. Jo Stanchfield, Chairman Roy Petrie, David Ferris

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Chairman Charles Seekins, Mabel Barnes, Thomas Robertson, Lawrence Arnold. MATHEMATICS A new look in math was heralded this year un- der the auspices of Dr. Seekins and Dr- Barnes, who initiated a Civ-approach to lower division mathematics by introducing large lectures combined with small problem-solving classes. The year was also marked by the arrival of Mr. Arnold from LA State, a modern algebra teacher, not soon to be forgotten by his studentsp by student and faculty lectures to the members of KME math frater- rlityf the traditional Math Field Day, and participation by inter- ested students in a national math competition. Through it all, Mr. Robertson, recipient of an NSF scholarship last summer, found time to sponsor a chess club. Lauris Jones, Clarence Mader, James McKelvy, Cora Lauridsen, Robert Gross, Alyce Schoenfeld, Olaf Frodsham, Felix McKernan, Llewellyn Roberts. MUSIC This year Mr. Gross was acting chairman of the Music Department while Dr. Swan took his sabbatical leave studying in the United States the first semester under a Ford Foundation Grant, and studying in Europe the second semester. Dr. McKelvy from Sacramento and Mr. Key of Glendale High School replaced Dr. Swan for this year. This department contributed its fine talents to campus and off-campus audiences through concerts presented by the Choir, Glee Clubs, Orchestra ana Band, the Senior Recitals and Ensembles. The Music Library and practice rooms available to students provided many hours of pleasurable listening and playing.