Veritas, Vol. 31, No. 11, March 1, 1991

              For the Faculty and Staff of the University of Miami
March 1,1991 Volume 31 Number 11
A dream comes true as Knight Physics Building is dedicated
Marjorie Crane, daughter of James L. Knight, cuts the ribbon dedicating the building named after her father. Looking on, along with President Edward T. Foote II, are faculty, guests, and relatives of the Knight and Gautier families.
A plaza for the University of Miami’s Coral Gables campus was planned many years ago as a common area where students, faculty, staff, and community members could gather to meet and enjoy the South Florida weather.
On a breezy February day, that vision became a reality when the plaza was filled for the first time with close to 300 people who had come to dedicate it as well as the building that it opens onto. And to honor the people who made them both possible.
The James L. Knight Physics Building—named for one of UM’s foremost benefactors, who died on February 5—completes the science-engineering complex envisioned in the University’s master plan.
The R. Bunn Gautier Plaza is named after the former UM trustee and Florida senator whose sponsorship of the legislation that created the first medical school in the state earned him the unofficial title of “Father of the University of Miami School of Medicine.
The physics building’s Wilder Auditorium, made possible by the Wilder Foundation, will be dedicated later this year.
“This is one of the happiest times in the life of the University," said President Edward T. Foote II to the audience of relatives, friends, and colleagues of Knight and Gautier, as well as members of the University community. “We have waited for this event for a long time. These two men can only be described as true giants of this community. ”
George Alexandra kis, chairperson of the physics department, introduced Nobel Laureate Val Logsdon Fitch, who spoke about the contributions physics has made to society. David Wilson, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, gave thanks for the building’s contribution to the future of physics in Miami as generations of students “live, learn, and explore here.”
What would Knight have said if he could have been there?
Marjorie Crane, one of his four daughters, offered some insight into her father’s personality.
“If my father could be here today, I’m sure you would recognize a special sparkle in his eye,” she said. “It would reflect the love
and enthusiasm and high regard he had for the University of Miami. And if he could say a few words today, I’d almost bet he’d say in his quiet, unassuming way, ‘Aw shucks, I’m just glad I could help.’”
Women’s History Month to highlight women in the arts
This year’s March celebration of Women’s History Month on the Coral Gables campus will focus on women in the arts, offering a lineup of presentations on music, theater, and film.
“Our goal is to increase awareness of the variety of women’s roles in society,” says Cheryl Go wing, co-chairperson of Women’s History Month for the Women’s Advisory Committee on Academic Affairs, which is sponsoring the events along with The Women’s Commission.
Internationally acclaimed folksinger Odetta will kick-off the month of activities with a concert on March 7 at 8 p.m. at Gusman Concert Hall.
The rest of the month will be filled with lectures by faculty members and women in the community. All will be held at noon in the University Center and are free and open to the public.
Perri Lee Roberts, assistant professor in the Department of Art and Art History, will present “The Role of Women Artists in Society,” on March 6 in room 245; graduate student Maria Nardis will discuss “Women in Landscape Architecture,” on March 7 in room 241; and independent filmmaker Kitty Morgan will present a screening of films by UM students, on March 19 in room 241.
Dramatic readings from works of selected women writers will be
presented by Robert Ankrom, chairperson of the theatre department, and read by theatre students on March 20 in room 241; a presentation on “Images of Women in Popular Song—from Pop to Rock,” will be given by Rita Deutsch of the English department and Paul Feehan of the Richter Library on March 25 in room 241; and a panel discussion on women producers, including Mary Luft of Tigertail Productions, will take place on March 26, in room 241.
The University community and the public are invited to a breakfast celebrating the 20th anniversary of The Women’s Commission, to be held at 8 a.m. on March 27, at the Faculty Club.in Brockway
Hall in the Richter Library. The cost is $7. University of Miami President Emeritus Henry King Stanford will speak on “Confessions of a Male Chauvinist Pig Called ‘Porky’ by his Wife.” For reservations call Rhonda Dubord, 284-3253 or Pat Haden 284-6666.
“We’re offering most of the events during lunchtime to encourage faculty, staff, and students to attend,” says Gowing, assistant professor at Richter Library. “This is a service to the Miami community that we hope will bring recognition to women in the arts.”
For more information about these and other celebratory events on the Coral Gables campus, call Cheryl Gowing at 284-2429-
Lenny Cohen