Veritas, Vol. 21, No. 03, September 22, 1980

              For the Faculty, Staff and Friends of the University of Miami
Voi. 21, No. 3 September 22, 1980
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At 8 p.m. Wednesday, October 1, David Eugene Becker will mount the podium to make his debut as UM conductor-inresidence at Gusman Concert Hall.
For the next two hours he will lead the UM Symphony Orchestra in a program that includes Beethoven’s Overture to "Egmont;” Charles Ives/William Schuman’s Variations on 'America,” Symphony #4 in F Minor, Opus 36, by Tschai-kowsky and Bach’s Double Concerto in D Minor for two violins and orchestra. Soloists will be Thomas Moore, professor of violin, and Claudia Fountain, graduate assistant.
Admission is free and the public is welcome.
You won’t be able to miss the new conductor He’s 6 feet, ôVz inches tall and weighs 235 pounds—big enough to be a football player—which he was. He sports a Brahms-style beard and the young musicians he has worked w'ith call him 'Teddy Bear.”
He succeeds Dr Frederick Fennell who retired after 15 years at the UM. Becker, 35, will also teach conducting, viola and chamber music here.
Evciyoiic’s invited to a
UM’s Hispanic Fiesta will include craft displays, foods which will be sold by international students at the University and displays from the Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical School-Hispanic Affairs, th^ Koubek Center, Continuing Studies and Admissions. SAGA, which is responsible for UM food services, will serve a Hispanic lunch in the Ibis Cafeteria.
Entertainment includes performances by the dance troupe Los Viejos Utiles, flamenco dances performed by University students under the direction of UM dance instructor Diane Pruett, and a presentation demonstrating "The Evolution of Cuban Dance” as conceived by Lupe Barroso and Juana Isa Santiago.
A puppet show and clowns are sure to charm the children who will also be temp-
ted by helium-filled balloons.
At Veritas deadline, Wendy Boulton, assistant director of public affairs, was working to confirm appearances by other musical groups .
The UM Office of Public Affairs is coordinating the event in cooperation with several University departments and organizations. It was planned to promote intercultural understanding at the University and in the community .
Also during Hispanic Heritage Week, Beaumont Cinema will show a series of films that, in various ways, pay tribute to Hispanic people. They w ill be shown Oct. 4 and 5, and again from Oct. 9-12. For times, call 284-2173.
Cuban novelist Reinaldo Arenas will speak on Thursday, Oct. 9, at 8 p.m. in the
144 new faculty members welcomed at general meeting
Faculty from the three campuses gathered in Gusman Concert Hall September 7 for the first General Faculty Meeting of the University’s 55th academic year. UM President Henry King Stanford received a warm ovation from the assembly when he called the session to order quipping, "Well, here I am again.”
Several hundred faculty and administrators were present for the introduction of their 144 new colleagues and to hear President Stanford’s comments on the state of the University. He suggested that the Spanish phrase sternpre arriba (translated always upward), the theme of his Annual Report to the Board of Trustees, described the development of the University from its founding in 1926 to the present
Dr. Sidney Besvinick, interim vice president for academic affairs and dean of faculties, presided as the deans profiled the appointees, highlighting the academic achievements and professional distinction each had attained before coming to UM Dr. Arthur Brown presented 38 Arts and Sciences faculty : Dr Gary Walton. 19 for the School of Business Administration and Dr. Lou Kieinman. four in the School of Education and Allied Professions In Engineering and Architecture Dr Norman Einspruch introduced 11 colleagues for his School and one for the
Rosenstiel School, while the School of Music’s Dr William Lee recognized four associates. Dr Evelyn Barritt, dean of the School of Nursing, cited seven appointees, two of whom hold the doctoral degree in addition to professional licensure in nursing.
Joining Dr Soia Mentschikoff and her colleagues at the School of Law are 12 eminent legal scholars and educators. Frank Rodgers, director of the Library: presented two associates and Dr M. Robert Allen, dean of the School of Continuing Studies, introduced two new colleagues.
Also participating on the program were vice presidents Dr. William R Butler, David Lieberman and Oliver Bonnert. Dr. Ted Nichols, director of the Office of Affirmative Action Programs, greeted the assembly' and University treasurer Stephen Ashman provided an overview of the newly' adopted Faculty' Retirement Program. Faculty Senate Chairman Dr. Eugene Clasby addressed the faculty on their role in the institution.
Immediately' following the meeting President Stanford hosted the faculty' and administration at a reception in the Rathskellac
The entire text of the address given by Faculty' Senate Chairman Eugene Clasby is on page 3-
Ibis Cafeteria. His lecture is sponsored by the department of foreign languages.
Pre-Colombian Art from Mesoamerica and Ecuador and paintings of Manabu Mabe, a Brazilian of Japanese heritage, will be exhibited at the Low e Art Museum from Oct. 9 through Nov. 30.
All events are listed on the official Dade County calendar for Hispanic Heritage Week.
On Saturday, Oct. 4, the Whitten Student Union patio will be filled w'ith the sounds of castanets, the aroma of saffron-flavored foods, bright twirling costumes, clowns, balloons and "Miami’s largest” pinata.
The occasion is Hispanic Heritage Week which the University will celebrate from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. that day. The event is open to the public. There is no charge except for food and goods that guests might buy.
Hispanic Heritage Week is an annual event coordinated by the Dade County Division of Latin Affairs. It began in 1973 and will be commemorated on a countywide basis this year from Oct. 3-12.
Becker has under his direction approximately 50 strings, 15 woodwinds, 15 brass, and 5 percussion instruments. "It’s a young orchestra,” he said, "with a lot of new freshmen and new students in strings/ So we are in a building situation. The overall attitude and morale of the orchestra are extremely high. We practice an average of one hour four times a week. In the near future this group should develop into a most respectable ensemble of which this university and the students can be proud.
"If we maintain a high level of professional quality and program intelligently, we ll build a new group of orchestra supporters. We run it as a professional orchestra, with elected positions. Decisions are made by an orchestra committee of eight, with a managerial staff of foug a publicity director and a c*ommit tee of principal players. They have a major say in the functioning of the orchestra. The conductor is an advisor who makes all musical decisions and communicates closely with the School of Music applied faculty.”
Becker grew up in an environment w here classical professional musicians were stereoty ped fellows who were short, anemic, and wore thick glasses. But Becker’s size knocked out the stereotyping. At 15, he played viola in the professional Allentown (Pa.) Symphony under Dr Donald Voorhies who simultaneously conducted the Bell Telephone Hour Orchestra on television.
Becker also played football and basketball.
"In junior and senior high you can play both sports and music. But later on, the professors at Ithaca College Conservatory told me, 'You have to make a choice— either athletics or professional performing.’ ”
Becker chose music.
"Music is 100 percent of my life and it takes 100 percent of my time. I don’t regret the decision in any way,” he said.
Becker’s late father; Merlin Becker, was a restaurant chef in Allentown who also was a part-time disc jockey at radio station WSAN and a blue-grass musician— playing guitar and violin.
He’d play night clubs Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights,” said Becker, "and the family went along, So I grew up in night
Continued on page 2.
Lowe Art Museum Director Ira Licht. left, welcomed Pop Artist Andy Warhol to the Lowe for the world premiere of Warhol s newest work “Ten Portraits of Jews of the 20th Century." More than 2.000 people visited the museum on Saturday and Sunday. Sept. 6 and 7, for the preview reception and autograph party. The works will remain on exhibit through Sept. 28. Shown with Licht and Warhol is Toby Ansin. chairman of the Fine Arts of Beth David. The exhibit was arranged through Temple Beth David in cooperation with Barbara Gillman Gallery and the Lowe.