Speaker to discuss ‘Black Hollywood: How African Americans Gain Agency and Empowerment in the Movie Industry’
The audience will have a front-row seat as Galveston College continues its 2021 virtual lecture series on Diversity, Inclusion and Empowerment with “Black Hollywood: How African Americans Gain Agency and Empowerment in the Movie Industry” featuring Dr. Kimberly Fain on Tuesday, April 27, at 6:30 p.m. via Zoom video conference.
Dr. Fain is a visiting professor at Texas Southern University, an author and a licensed attorney. She holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Technical Communication and Rhetoric from Texas Tech University, a Juris Doctor from Thurgood Marshall School of Law, a Master of Arts from Texas Southern University and a Bachelor of Arts from Texas A&M University at College Station.
A featured speaker on national radio shows and podcasts, Dr. Fain’s publications include books, reviews, essays, and chapters in various journals and presses, such as Buffalo Journal of Gender, Law & Social Policy, JSTOR Daily, McFarland, Modern Fiction Studies, National Book Review, Ploughshares, Scarecrow and Southern Studies.
She has served as associate editor of World Literary Review and has published three books: “African American Literature Anthology: Slavery, Liberation and Resistance,” “Black Hollywood: From Butlers to Superheroes, the Changing Role of African American Men in the Movies” and “Colson Whitehead: The Postracial Voice of Contemporary Literature.”
For her 2017 blog series in Ploughshares, “The Black Aesthetic,” she published essays on the musical revolution and the cultural rhetoric of Beyoncé, Jay-Z, Kendrick Lamar, Prince and SZA. Her series claims, “When poetry is set to music, harmonious beats relay liberating feelings that transcend history and culture.”
“We are very excited to have Dr. Fain present at our lecture series. The presentation will surely enrich our view on Diversity, Inclusion and Empowerment in American culture and the movie industry in the United States,” said Dr. Laimutis Bytautas, chair of the Faculty Professional Development Committee at Galveston College. “We would like to invite all of you to this exciting lecture and to share this invitation with your family and friends.”
To access the April 27 lecture, visit the following Zoom link on the internet:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84136870565?pwd=Y3N5QkdGT0lWeUhmRi9qRHFIS2ZGdz09
Meeting ID is 841 3687 0565. Passcode is Galveston.
For more information about the Galveston College lecture series, please contact Dr. Laimutis Bytautas, chair of the Faculty Professional Development Committee, at [email protected].
Food for Thought distribution is open to the general public
Galveston College’s free Food for Thought drive-through food distribution is now open to the general public in addition to Galveston College students.
The next drive-through distribution will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. (while supplies last) on Wednesday, April 21, at the college’s Charlie Thomas Family Applied Technology Center, 7626 Broadway St., Galveston.
The final distribution date for the spring 2021 semester will be Wednesday, May 5.
Food for Thought is a partnership between Galveston College, the Galveston County Food Bank and the Houston Food Bank through its Food for Change food scholarship initiative.
The Food for Thought distribution gives Galveston College students and the general public access to fresh produce, meats and other groceries on the Galveston College campus, enabling them to save money for other necessities.
Here are the steps to receive food:
–Bring ID card, client card or current student ID for the spring 2021 semester.
–Open trunk of automobile so that volunteers may place box/bag of food inside.
–Drive off safely after receiving food.
Galveston College adheres to the wearing of facial coverings/masks and COVID-19 protocols.
For more information, please contact Jose Martinez at [email protected] or (409) 944-1234.
Galveston College hosts ‘Meet a UTMB Scientist’ virtual panel April 13
Are you pursuing a career in science or a medical field? Are you interested in science as a hobby? Do you find science fascinating and fun?
The Galveston College Faculty Professional Development Committee will host a virtual lecture featuring a panel of six scientists who will discuss their disciplines and their latest research on Tuesday, April 13, at 3 p.m. via Zoom videoconference.
To access the meeting, please use the following link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89296791451?pwd=dHlzNXVrQTJ1UjQ5TjBwSGE3SzVUdz09
Meeting ID is 892 9679 1451. Passcode is Galveston.
Panelists include the following:
Scott Segura
Scott Segura is a third-year pathology student at the University of Texas Medical
Branch working on using Salmonella bacteria to shut off immune checkpoints that allow
Leishmania parasites to survive in hosts. He received his Bachelor of Science in biology
from the University of Texas at Dallas where he participated in research on cancer
and a protein from Y. pestis, the bacteria that causes plague. He also spent summers
doing internships at UTMB and Weill Cornell in New York City working on many pathogens
from Zika virus to malaria. His scientific career started in high school through a
partnership between Ball High and UTMB where he shadowed a graduate student working
on West Nile virus. After graduating, he plans to pursue a career in science communication
and community outreach to educate the public on the latest biomedical science and
the benefits of research. Scott was born in Galveston and enjoys working out, swimming,
and horticulture.
Clairissa Hansen
Clairissa Hansen is a third-year PhD student at UTMB studying experimental pathology
and public health. In the lab, she studies yellow fever virus and aims to uncover
how the vaccine against this virus is so effective at preventing disease. She started
gaining lab experience in a microbiology lab as an undergraduate, continued with a
summer fellowship at the Mayo Clinic, and came to UTMB to study viruses in 2018. However,
she is planning to move away from the lab bench in the future to focus on more translational
studies. She is interested in pursuing a career in science communication, public health,
and health policy and hopes to help the public better understand the science that
affects their lives. Clairissa grew up in Colorado and enjoys swimming, playing the
saxophone, traveling, and trying new recipes in the kitchen.
Linda Kenney, PhD
Dr. Linda J. Kenney is the Tom and Kaye Arnold Professor of Gastroenterology in the
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at UTMB. She was raised in Iowa,
attended the University of Iowa and then when to the University of Pennsylvania for
graduate school.
There she studied the Na,K-ATPase, an enzyme isolated from dog kidney and also from
human red blood cells. She moved to a post-doctoral fellowship at Yale University
and then changed fields to work on bacteria. At Princeton University, she began studying
how bacteria such as E. coli sense their environment and respond by changing gene
expression. She became an Assistant Professor at Oregon Health & Science University
in Portland, OR where she continued her work on signaling. In 2003, Dr. Kenney moved
to the University of Illinois-Chicago and began working on Salmonella, a bacterium
that causes food poisoning. From 2009-2019, she worked at the Mechanobiology Institute
in Singapore before moving to UTMB. Dr. Kenney is exploring novel models for studying
Salmonella, using Zebrafish, the nematode C. elegans and chick embryos. Most recently,
she has been working to develop Salmonella as an anti-tumor agent. In her spare time,
Dr. Kenney enjoys hiking in the mountains of New Mexico, plays tennis, is a keen birdwatcher
and participates in close-readings of Shakespeare.
Kyle Buchan, PhD
Dr. Kyle Buchan is a postdoctoral fellow and Zebrafish scientist working in the Kenney
lab in the department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at UTMB. Kyle received
his undergraduate in Microbiology from the University of Dundee, Scotland in 2014,
where he worked on bacterial pathogenesis and protein secretion. Afterwards, he crossed
the border and moved to Sheffield, England for his PhD, where he went from working
only on bacterial pathogens to working with a unique animal model, the Zebrafish.
During his PhD he created several unique strains of humanised Zebrafish and used them
to study the immune response to MRSA infection. In 2018 he moved to Singapore to work
with Dr. Kenney, using the Zebrafish to study Salmonella infection inside the gut
using cutting-edge microscopy, and explore Salmonella as an anti-tumour agent using
a Zebrafish that develops liver cancer. In 2020
Kyle moved to Galveston with the Kenney group to establish the university’s first
Zebrafish facility, which now holds over 200 fish. In his spare time Kyle enjoys listening
to music, playing guitar, cycling and reading.
Jennifer Hurtig
Jennifer Hurtig completed her undergraduate studies at the College of Wooster in Ohio.
She is currently a fourth-year graduate student at the University of Texas MD Anderson
UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, in the Microbiology and Infections
Disease program. Her project focuses on understanding RNA processing and its involvement
in a rare neuronal disease called pontocerebellar hyperplasia. Jennifer has made many
significant contributions to the scientific and academic community, and has held a
number of leadership roles as part of the Texas Medical Center Chapter of the American
Society for Microbiology. Most recently, her outstanding efforts were recognized when
she was selected as the most recent group of John Kopchick Fellows at the graduate
school.
Natalie Sirisaengtaksin, PhD
Natalie Sirisaengtaksin received degrees in Psychology and Biology from the University
of Texas at Austin and the University of Houston-Downtown. She completed her PhD in
Neuroscience at the University of Texas MD Anderson UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical
Sciences, where she studied how proteins affected the growth of neuroblastoma, the
most common pediatric solid tumor. For her postdoctoral studies, Natalie shifted to
microbiology, where she earned a fellowship from UTHealth and the Cancer Prevention
Research Institute of Texas to study and understand the strategies of bacterial defense
systems and to adapt them for use against diseases like cancer. In addition to research
positions, she has also worked as a communications/contract specialist for a local
biotech start-up company, interned in the Office of Technology Management for UTHealth,
and was a project manager for a number of consulting projects contracted by both large
and small pharmaceutical companies.
Currently, Natalie works for the graduate school and serves as an academic advisor
for entering graduate students.
For more information on the event, please contact Dr. Laimutis Bytautas, chair of the Faculty Professional Development Committee, at [email protected].
‘Lives Bound Together’ lecture available upon demand
The Galveston College Faculty Professional Development Committee hosted Executive Director of Historic Preservation and Collections and Robert H. Smith Senior Curator Dr. Susan P. Schoelwer of George Washington’s Mount Vernon for a virtual lecture titled “What Can We Learn from the Exhibit ‘Lives Bound Together: Slavery at George Washington’s Mount Vernon’?” on March 9 as part of its 2020-2021 series on Diversity, Inclusion and Empowerment.
Installation of the current, award-winning special exhibition “Lives Bound Together: Slavery at George Washington’s Mount Vernon” in 2016 marked a significant step in an ongoing process of recognizing and recovering the historical experiences of hundreds of enslaved people owned by George and Martha Washington in the 18th century.
In her presentation, Dr. Schoelwer presented an overview of the galleries and offered behind-the-scenes reflections on the development of the exhibition and related projects, lessons learned, and continuing efforts to offer a more inclusive interpretation of life on one of America’s best-known plantations and most-visited historic sites.
Dr. Schoelwer directs the architectural preservation, furnishing, and interpretation of George and Martha Washington’s house and surrounding plantation buildings and landscape, as well as the creation of museum exhibitions, including “Lives Bound Together.”
Prior to coming to Mount Vernon as curator in 2010, Dr. Schoelwer served for more than a decade as head of museum collections at the Connecticut Historical Society, where she authored “Connecticut Needlework: Women, Art and Family, 1740-1840,” winner of the 2011 Connecticut Book Award for Non-Fiction. She holds a Doctor of Philosophy in American studies from Yale University, a master’s degree from the Winterthur Program in Early American Culture at the University of Delaware and a Bachelor of Arts in history from the University of Notre Dame, where she participated in the historic transition to coeducation.
In addition to Mount Vernon and the Washingtons, Dr. Schoelwer has written and lectured on a variety of topics, including American art and decorative arts, needlework and women’s history. She is currently researching a book examining the creation and continuing re-creation of George Washington portraits.
To view the free lecture on-demand, click here.
Student Success Seminar to focus on communication skills
Galveston College Technical and Professional Education will present the third workshop in its spring Student Success Seminars series on Thursday, March 26, at 9 a.m. titled “Communication Skills for Success in School and Workplace” featuring Mae Francis of Lookin’ Up Consulting.
The seminar is free and open to all students, faculty, staff, and the general public. The Zoom link to the seminar is as follows:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84721336473?pwd=bnQ2SjVlK0VqUmxLSCtVbUhpMjhNZz09
The meeting ID is 847 2133 6473. The passcode is 954608.
The seminar will focus on the importance of developing good listening skills and problem-solving strategies that lead to negotiating a solution.
Francis, known best for inspiring and transferring positivity to whomever she comes in contact with, is currently the president and owner of Lookin’ Up Consulting, a training and development company that builds interactive programs, speeches and mentorships that educate and inspire professionals, as well as programs that support the emotional and social development of youth.
With more than 25 years in the field of teaching and training, Francis believes that her purpose on earth is to enhance the lives of others. She spent 19 years in the chemical industry, including five years selling plasticizers for Sterling Chemicals and 14 years as the training and development leader for Ashland Chemicals.
Francis has been certified as a trainer and coach by the Association of Training and Development and is a United States Army veteran. She studied Bible and Theology, as well as Business Administration, at St. Leo University and College of the Mainland.
Francis is an active member of the Texas City/La Marque, League City and Galveston chambers of commerce, the Association for Talent Development, and the advisory board for the College of the Mainland Petrochemical Process Technology program. She also is an active big sister for Gulf Coast Big Brothers Big Sisters. She is the mother of one, Whitnie, and is married to Merlin.
For more information about the Student Success Seminars series, please contact Martin Crichlow, student success advisor, at the Galveston College Charlie Thomas Family Applied Technology Center, at [email protected].
Lecture series to feature Mount Vernon’s executive director on Tuesday
Galveston College Theatre to bring back the Golden Age of Radio in ‘The Vintage Radio Hour’
Galveston College Theatre to present ‘The Vintage Radio Hour’
The talented cast of the Galveston College Theatre Department will bring back some of the most popular radio programs of the 1940s for its upcoming virtual production of “The Vintage Radio Hour.”
“Before the era of computers and television, radio provided entertainment by presenting programs of mystery, intrigue, comedy and romance,” said Liz Lacy, Galveston College program coordinator for the performing arts and director of the show. “Please join us for ‘The Vintage Radio Hour’ and enjoy these nostalgic programs.”
Show dates and times are Friday, Feb. 19, at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 20, at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, Feb. 21, at 2:30 p.m.
Company members include Dorion Alcantar, Eva Arita, Elijah Barrie, Daniel Bourque, Alyssa Gudz, Benji Shelton and Cricket Smith.
Please contact director Liz Lacy via email at [email protected] for the link to listen to one of the performances. A link to the performances will automatically be sent to all Galveston College faculty and staff.
Above: Galveston College Theatre students (clockwise, from top left) Benjamin Shelton, Eva Arita, Daniel Bourque, Alyssa Gudz and Elijah Barrie rehearse for the upcoming production of “The Vintage Radio Hour.”
Galveston College sets 2021 Programs and Careers Conference
How will you choose a career that’s right for you?
Galveston College wants to help you answer that question at the 2021 Programs and Careers Conference on Saturday, Feb. 13, at 8:15 a.m. via Zoom webinar.
High school and college students, as well as the general public, are invited to join Galveston College faculty, staff and administration for an informative free webinar on academic programs that can lead to rewarding careers.
Participants will gain insight on industry employment trends, choosing the right career and developing a career pathway. Galveston College staff also will present information on the STEM Honors Program, study-abroad opportunities, college admissions, financial aid and scholarship opportunities, as well as options for student housing.
Galveston College offers certificates, Associate of Applied Science degrees, bachelor’s degrees, and transfer degree options in high-demand fields.
For more information about the conference, please contact Priselda Perez at [email protected].
Click here to register for the free webinar: https://gc.edu/conference/
Galveston College Library celebrates Black History Month with library guide, display and more
Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing their central role in U.S. history.
Over the years timeless effort has gone into preserving Black history. There is an infinite number of resources and contributions that preserve and capture notable events and artifacts in Black history.
The Galveston College David Glenn Hunt Memorial Library Black History Month Library Guide captures some of the notable times in history through shared experiences, artifacts, primary sources and relentless work from Black revolutionaries who thrive to continue to educate society by continuing to keep the movement alive.
Join the library in celebrating Black History Month:
–Start Black History Month Research at GC Library–View the Black History Month Library Guide
–Stop by for a photo op with a life-size display featuring Frederick Douglass, Harriet
Tubman, Martin Luther King Jr., the 44th–President Barack Obama and Vice President
Kamala Harris
–Find print and eBooks
–Find streaming media and more…
–Take the Black History Month LibGuide Quiz to be entered into a drawing for a library swag item!
Stay tuned for additional announcements this month about Black History Month at the Galveston College Library.