Series Editorship Latest for Film Studies Director

By Kim Hachiya, Public Relations

It's hard to fathom how Wheeler Dixon has time to watch a movie. With a personal library of well over 3,000 films on videotape, Dixon, professor of English and chair of the Film Studies program, is immersed in the world of cinema.

But Dixon is also a proficient scholar of film. He has written 11 books (with one in production for 1999) and more than 50 journal articles and is on the editorial board of five journals. He is increasingly pounding the lecture circuit. And in 1995, he was named editor of the State University of New York Press Cultural Studies in Cinema/ Video Series to create a new group of books on cinema/video theory and practice.

Eight volumes of a projected 20-volume series have been published, including two written by Dixon himself.

Dixon said he believes the series is "the most visible series on film in the late 1990s."

For scholarly publications, books are selling well, he said. They have made the shelves of museum bookstores in New York and he even saw copies at Barnes and Noble in New York (not in Lincoln, however, he said.) And they have been well-reviewed in the scholarly and cinematic press.

Dixon said the goal for the series is to "embrace moving image technology."

"Not just film, not just directors, not just men, not just Europeans, not just popular film, but to really embrace new theories and practitioners of film and moving images."

For instance, PostNegritude Visual and Literary Culture, a 1997 book by Mark Reid, looks at the fringes and cutting edge of black filmmaking and film theory. Dixon described the author as a "hot" young scholar. So far, the series as explored Italian commercial cinema, women in recent German films, the works of Jean Luc Godard and American experimental cinema.

Volumes on cinema production in Hollywood, women filmmakers in the Third World, digital imaging, Arab cinema, new African cinema and British cinema are in forthcoming.

The authors are top-drawer, Dixon said. They include the former head of the British Film Institute, the head of the UCLA film studies program, the head of the Modern Language Association section on film studies and a number of scholars of world cinema.

Dixon said film studies at Nebraska is in its ascendancy.

The NU Regents recently approved the formation of a Film Studies Program which could offer a major. The issue is awaiting approval by the state's coordinating commission on post-secondary education.

Dixon said the proposal brings together all existing components into one cohesive unit. Students could earn a major in film history, production, theory or criticism.

"We have an enormously wide range of courses in five or six departments," Dixon said.

Nebraska's program is well-respected for a number of reasons, Dixon said. While many film schools, usually located at prestigious private universities are production-centered, Nebraska's is more comprehensive, he said.

"Not everyone wants to be a director. Some want to be archivists, sound or lighting designers, special effects people. There are also jobs for attorneys, agents and editors.

"Because we are involved with the theater department, our students learn to work with actors, with scriptwriting, with content."

Dixon said classes also see films on film, not on video, which makes a difference in quality. The program has about 500 films archived at the Mary Riepma Ross Film Theater and the existence of the archive collection means students interested in film librarian work have a place to learn this craft.

"We also have a very aggressive film internship program," Dixon said. Students have been placed with studios and other facilities, and most land jobs post-graduation. Graduates include a producer on Seinfeld, a producer at Warner Bros. and a director at Entertainment Tonight.

"The industry doesn't care where your B.A. is from, they want you to be able to do the work.

"Our philosophy is that at many programs, the typical tuition is $20,000 a semester and that doesn't include room and board, books, whatever. Students are graduating in massive debt, like more than $200,000, because they are encouraged to make these enormously expensive student films," he said.

"A 30-minute film could cost $60,000 to $100,000 and the tragedy is, most of them get shelved and they won't get these kids jobs. We teach the skills and get them into internships in the industry, which gives them practical experience and a foot in the door.

"My aim is to have them graduate and owe nothing because we press them into searching for grants and fellowships, and then to mainstream them into the industry."

Dixon said the industry is wide open and hiring because there's so much demand for product to be placed on cable, DVD and the Internet.

One result of new technology, he said, is that the use of actual film is diminishing. "I think we seeing the end of the film age. Video that looks like film is overtaking us."

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Notice of Repatriation Sent to National Park Service

University Completes Inventory of Native American Remains, in Compliance with Sept. 1 Agreement

By Robert Sheldon, Public Relations

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln kept its commitment to Native American tribes as promised on Sept. 1, submitting the federal regulatory paperwork necessary to release for repatriation the Native American remains in the university inventory.

Priscilla Grew, vice chancellor for research and NU's Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act coordinator, said all the required formal Notices of Inventory Completion were sent Sept. 30 to the National Park Service, which is the federal agency responsible for NAGPRA implementation, for publication in the Federal Register.

The Park Service is now responsible for processing and publishing the notices in the Federal Register. Repatriation to the tribes can take place immediately following the federal 30-day waiting period that starts once the notices are published in the register.

"We kept our promise, we did our homework, we kept our commitment," Grew said. "Our staff worked very hard to complete all the research, cross-checking and updating our 1995 NAGPRA inventory within the 30-day time limit we agreed to at the tribal meeting on Sept. 1."

An unprecedented feature of the repatriation is the notice for repatriation of the partial remains of 492 individuals from the state of Nebraska. These were reported in 1995 as unaffiliated with any particular single tribe. On Sept. 1, signatory tribes agreed that the remains have shared affiliation with a large group of tribes.

Grew said that documents sent to the Park Service include a special request to the national NAGPRA Review Committee to recommend repatriation of remains for which no information at all is available.

The research in September resulted in the finding that some individual remains originally reported in the university inventory in 1995 are actually under federal control because they were taken from federal lands. These inventories have been forwarded to the Corps of Engineers and the Bureau of Reclamation. The university is urging each of those entities to expedite repatriation to the tribes.

The repatriation agreement was reached at a Tribal Meeting on Repatriation called into session Sept. 1 and 2 on the NU campus. As part of the agreement, the university said it would support the participating Native American tribes in their claim to remains of uncertain origin, so that they also could be released for re-interment.

Tribal representatives met at NU on Sept. 10-11 and Sept. 24-25 to work with university personnel to help facilitate completion of the university's submittal of the release to the National Park Service.

"We could not have accomplished this task without their help," Grew said.

Master's Week Features Five From Business, Government, Industry

By Karen Underwood, Public Relations

Five distinguished alumni will return to campus Oct. 28-30 for Master's Week, an annual event that honors successful NU graduates.

This year's Masters are Arthur H. Hughes, director general of the Multinational Force and Observers, Rome; Debra Miller, owner, director and practicing veterinarian at Animal Health Services, Sommers Point, N.J.; Scott Stevens, co-director, Entertainment Technology Center and senior systems scientist, Information Technology Center at Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh; Bob Thacker, vice president of marketing for full-line stores at Sears, Roebuck & Co., Hoffman Estates, Ill.; and Patricia Wirth, network design and performance analysis director of AT&T Labs' Advanced Technologies Organization in Holmdel, N.J.

Hughes earned a B.A. in history in 1961 from Nebraska. Hughes is a career diplomat whose current work focuses on peacekeeping. The Multinational Force and Observers, an independent peacekeeping organization, was established under the 1979 peace treaty between Egypt and Israel and a 1981 protocol to the treaty. It is responsible for observing and reporting treaty violations. A number of countries, including the United States, provide financial and troop assistance to this effort. Before assuming this post in August, Hughes was the deputy assistant secretary of state, Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, from 1994 to 1997. He was deputy assistant secretary of defense from 1989 to 1991 and was heavily involved in Desert Shield and Desert Storm. He also held a number of foreign service positions all over the world, including a stint as ambassador to the Republic of Yemen from 1991 to 1994. He has received a number of awards including the Presidential Distinguished Service Award, the State Department Career Achievement Award, the USIA Director's Award for Superior Achievement and the Secretary of Defense Meritorious Civilian Service Medal. From 1962 to 1964 he was a lieutenant in the U.S. Army, serving in Germany. He is a Lincoln native.

Miller earned a B.S. in animal science in 1979. She established Animal Health Services, a full-service veterinary clinic open 24 hours every day in 1993. In addition to herself, she employs two full-time veterinarians, more than 12 technicians and additional support staff serving more than 4,000 clients. Before starting her own business, Miller practiced at a number of veterinary clinics in Hawaii, Nevada and New Jersey. Her interest in helping critically ill animals led her to specializing in emergency care, and ultimately, to starting Animal Health Services. She earned her doctor of veterinary medicine degree from Iowa State University (1983). She is an Omaha native.

Stevens earned a Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction in 1984. He is a pioneer in the use of interactive technology for educational purposes, and has been involved with multimedia research and development for more than 20 years. He recently attracted national attention for his use of speech recognition software in a synthetic interview program featuring a virtual Albert Einstein. He is also a principal investigator for Carnegie Mellon's Informedia Digital Video Library Project, which develops new technologies for creating full-content search and retrieval digital video libraries by integrating speech, image and natural language understanding research. Partners in the project include WQED Pittsburgh, the British Open University, Digital Equipment Corp., Microsoft, Intel and Bell Atlantic. Stevens earned his bachelor's (1973) and master's (1975) degrees in physics from Northern Illinois University. He is a Chicago native.

Thacker earned a B.A. in advertising in 1970. Thacker is leading new marketing initiatives at Sears, Roebuck & Co. including an effort to provide clothing to a million children in crisis situations. Before joining Sears in January, he was vice president of marketing for Target Co., where he created the character of the Target brand, built special marketing programs to enhance it and brought Target stores into major new markets. He also created cause-related activities and developed promotional tie-in programs with Disney, Warner Bros., Universal Studios and major TV networks. In addition, he was instrumental in leading the efforts to restore the Washington Monument. He is considered one of the country's most noted retail advertising authorities and creative minds. He was recognized twice by Advertising Age magazine as one of the top 100 marketers in the nation; he has received five Clios, one Emmy, and he is a member of the Retail Hall of Fame. He is a pioneer and a champion of featuring people with disabilities in advertising. Thacker is a Lincoln native.

Wirth earned her B.S. in mathematics in 1971. Her work ensures AT&T's customers can get service, even when natural disasters or high-calling volumes cause unpredictable demand surges on the network. She began her career as a high school math teacher in Gresham, Neb., then went to Washington University in St. Louis as a statistical research assistant, and later, instructor. When she joined AT&T in 1981, she was the second woman hired by her department. Today, she manages a department of 50 engineers and oversees 50 projects. She has received a number of awards and honors including being named the first female AT&T Fellow in 1997. She was given the Management/Executive Award by the Women of AT&T in 1996, and she has appeared in Who's Who of American Women from 1995 to the present. Wirth earned her master of science (1978) and doctor of science (1980) degrees in system science and mathematics from Washington University. She is a Nebraska City native.

Masters Week brings successful alumni in contact with students through class visitations, campus tours and meetings with clubs and organizations. It is sponsored by the chancellor's office, the Student Alumni Association, Innocents Society and the Black Masque chapter of Mortar Board. More than 170 alumni have returned to campus as Masters since the program was founded by then-Chancellor Clifford Hardin in 1964. NU faculty nominate alumni each winter for the next year's program. Masters are then selected by a committee appointed by the chancellor.

Homecoming Promotes Past, Present

By Karen Underwood, Public Relations

"Cherish the Past, Continue the Excellence" is the theme for homecoming Oct. 11-17.

Contests and events include the fun run, office display contest, banner contest, Husker Howl, royalty elections, all-campus pep rally, "Come On Home" reception and carnival.

Homecoming week begins with a 5K fun run and walk on East Campus at 1 p.m. Oct. 11. The event is open to the public. Entry forms are available at the student government office, 115 Nebraska Union. The deadline is 4 p.m . Oct. 5.

Other public events include a presentation by Howard T. Rainer, program administrator for the Native American Educational Outreach Programs at Brigham Young University, at 7 p.m. Oct. 12 in the Coliseum, the all campus pep rally on Oct. 15, the "Come on Home" reception on Oct. 16, and the carnival on Oct. 16.

Rainer is a motivational speaker whose message will focus on promoting educational opportunities, personal enhancement and spiritual growth. He believes in perpetuating individual success, nurturing spiritual values, and encouraging tribal advancement and positive change among Indian people. The all campus pep rally will include a fireworks display at sundown. The carnival will feature several activities suitable for families including carnival games, food vendors and music by KFRX radio.

Students compete in Homecoming contests and activities in teams organized by residence hall floor, Greek chapter or student organization divisions. The homecoming steering committee will award divisional homecoming championship trophies to the groups that score the most points during the week through event participation in their division. Contest results will be announced at the tailgate party and division champion winners will be announced during halftime of the Nebraska vs. Kansas game on Oct. 17.

Homecoming is organized by the Association of Students of the University of Nebraska student government, the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources Student Advisory Board, University Ambassadors, Interfraternity Council, Panhellenic Association, the Residence Hall Association, the Student Foundation, the Student Alumni Association and the University Program Council. Corporate sponsors are the University Bookstore, the University of Nebraska Athletics Department, Pepsi, the Chancellor's Office, the Lincoln Journal Star, Gallup, Travel & Transport, The Buckle, the University of Nebraska Student Foundation, Sprint, Alphagraphics Printshop, the University of Nebraska Parking and Transit Services, University of Nebraska Printing Services, University of Nebraska Mail and Distribution Services, Fairbury Brand Hot Dogs, Old Home Buns, Nebraska State Fairgrounds, P.O. Pears, Natural High Recreational Sports, Russ's Market Floral Department, Settels Printing and Duplicating and Rock 'n Roll Runza.

The homecoming schedule is:

• Oct. 11 - 1 p.m., 5K fun run and walk, East Union; Husker Howl preliminaries 5-8 p.m., Nebraska Union (room posted).
• Oct. 12 - 1 p.m., banner judging, Nebraska Union; 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Herbie Husker and Li'l Red, Memorial Plaza; 3 p.m., office displays judged; 7 p.m. Howard T. Rainer, Coliseum.
• Oct. 13 - all day, banner display, Nebraska Union; 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Herbie Husker and Li'l Red, Memorial Plaza; 6:30 p.m.-8 p.m., karaoke, Coliseum; 4 p.m.-6 p.m. Husker Howl preliminaries, Nebraska Union (room posted).
• Oct. 14 - 8 a.m.-8 p.m. royalty elections (students must show ID), Nebraska Union, East Union and Campus Recreation Center; 7 p.m. Husker Howl finals and Harley Newman (comedian), Nebraska Union centennial room.
• Oct. 15 - 6:30 p.m. All campus pep rally and fireworks, East Campus softball fields.
• Oct. 16 - all day, "Go Big Red Day," wear red to show Husker spirit; noon, lawn displays completed; 4:30-6:30 p.m. "Come on Home" reception, Wick Alumni Center; 5:30 p.m.-7 p.m. carnival, Memorial Plaza; 10 p.m.-1 a.m. homecoming dance (NU students only), State Fair Park.
• Oct. 17 - tailgate party, Memorial Plaza (time TBA); 12:30 p.m., Nebraska vs Kansas, Memorial Stadium; halftime, coronation of homecoming king and queen, spirit trophies announced, Memorial Stadium.

ALUMNI ASSOCIATION DIRECTOR ED PAQUETTE doffs his hat in front of the new historical display cases at the Wick Alumni Center.

Association Dedicates New Historical Display

By Lee Denker, NU ALumni association

Members of the Nebraska Alumni Association's Board of Directors, along with former football coach Tom Osborne and Alumni Association Executive Director Ed Paquette officially opened a new historical display in the Wick Alumni Center's west lobby on Sept. 25.

Following the ribbon cutting ceremony, alumni and guests could view many items from the university's past. Items from the Nebraska Alumni Association's permanent collection have taken up temporary residence in the cabinets. Other pieces and paraphernalia have been borrowed from various departments and colleges throughout campus.

Currently on display are items such as a key to New York City that was presented to the university in 1962 when the football team played in the Gotham Bowl at Yankee Stadium; a freshman beanie from 1953; a costume worn by the Scarlet and Cream Singers during their 1973 performance season; and the famed headphones worn by coach Tom Osborne during his days on the Husker sidelines. The cases also contain an old-time letterman's sweater with an embroidered N, a set of dishes featuring prominent campus buildings and landmarks, a typewriter used by Joe Baldwin, a theatre professor and playwright, and a set of black bloomers, which were worn by women athletes around 1912.

Osborne assisted with the dedication by personally placing his headphones in the cabinet for all to see. The headphones and other items will not be on view permanently since the display will be changed seasonally to reflect alumni and campus activities.

Alumni and friends are encouraged to stop by the Wick Alumni Center between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, to view the display. The center is also open for pregame Husker Huddles before home football games.

The Alumni Association accepts donations of memorabilia and other university-related items and would also be interested in displaying items lent to it by departments or individuals. Call 472-4225 for more information on the display.