Simmons College - Microcosm Yearbook (Boston, MA)

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1 Diana Abbott, Nutrition 2 Mae Beck, Chemistry 3 jerry Bell, Chemistry 4 Martha Berliner, Biology WW

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rt 8 Music THOMAS WALLACE, Chairperson A.B. and M.A., Brown University B.F.A., Rhode Island School of Design After his one good working year on sabbatical from Simmons two years ago, Thomas Wallace returned to find himself chairperson of the Art and Music Department. During his leave, Mr. Wallace painted until he saw new direction in his work which meant a fundamental change in emphasis. He maintained a constant level of pressure on himself, enabling him to recognize the substance of thought in his art. His concentration was not easily achieved. In 1970, Mr. Wallace bought some property in Newton which had a delapidated warehouse on it. Envisioning a working studio, he began a two-year project of fixing and installing heat, water, lights and ceilings. The work absorbed all his time but it has rewarded him with a comfortable chamber for painting. A Simmons professor for nine years, Mr. Wallace has combined his dual interests in art and teaching. He is quick to admit, There are very few people in this country who can live off their painting. Most of the people l know who are successful enough to live on their own teach. The Simmons community with its broad liberal arts orientation offers professors an experience lacking in art schools, Mr. Wallace said. I like the situation because there is more flexibility in relation to what student concerns are. He explained that most art students are non-majors who bring their own set of values into his courses. ln this society, he said, Development of a visual intelligence is probably the weakest part of our education. Reality seems to be more statistical than perceptual. l'd like to see the value and contribution that the art department can make to a liberal education become a stronger part of the student experience.

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R. liiulugw ANNE COGHLAN, Chairperson B.S., Simmons College M.Ed., Boston University M.S., University of Vermont Ph.D., University of Rhode Island Ms. Coghlan graduated from Simmons in 1948 and began her graduate studies in Education and then later in Biology. During that time, she taught at Colby junior College in New Hampshire. She returned to Simmons as a teacher in 1959 and became chairperson of the department in 1972. Bacteriology, particularly bacteria physiology is Ms. Coghlan's main research interest. She has done some of her research on chromobacteria here at Simmons with students. Her research was funded by the College. However, Ms. Coghlan prefers teaching to research. Teaching gives me more of a chance to work with people. Ms. Coghlan is active in her home community of Milton. A member of Milton's Warrant Committee for five years, she is the first woman to be chairperson of the Committee in the town's history. The Committee meets in the evenings to plan for Milton's Town Meeting. Each fall and early spring the meetings become more frequent as the Town Meeting approaches. Ms. Coghlan said that as the evening meetings become longer and longer, you'll often see me yawning. Ms. Coghlan feels that Simmons has a good reputation in this area as far as jobs in research are concerned. Our students have a good lab background that prepares them for a variety of research situations. She encourages students to look into developing facets in the field of Biology. Areas such as Environmental Biology and Genetic Counseling are growing rapidly. Ms. Coghlan also sees Public Health as an exciting and varied field, one she would have explored had she not decided to teach. But, Ms. Coghlan decided to teach and she seems to find working with students an enjoyable experience.