In Review

A new institute to provide students with instruction and experiences that prepare them for writing, producing, and performing music for film and contemporary media is the vision of Emmy-winning composer Jeff Beal ’85E and vocalist Joan Beal ’84E.

The Eastman School will launch the Beal Institute for Film Music and Contemporary Media, thanks to a $2 million commitment from the couple. Jeff Beal—who wrote the theme music for the Netflix series House of Cards, among many other film and television productions—will serve as artistic director. Joan Beal has sung on more than 100 film scores and provided the operatic vocals on House of Cards.

The institute will provide support for student internships, scholarships, and projects; instruction; visiting artist residencies; and technology and infrastructure. Students will have opportunities to work with professionals writing for film and other contemporary media and will be encouraged to collaborate on cross-disciplinary and multimedia projects.

Physician Leads CDC Committee

Nancy Bennett, director of the Center for Community Health, has been appointed chair of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices for the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

The advisory group’s medical and public health experts provide advice and guidance to the director of the CDC and develop recommendations for the use of vaccines to control diseases in the U.S. civilian population.

Once approved by the CDC director, the committee’s recommendations are published as official public health policy in an effort to reduce the incidence of vaccine-preventable diseases and increase the safe use of vaccines.

Bennett served for four years as a voting member of the group. Such members are selected by the secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Vision Expert Recognized

David Williams, an expert on human vision, has been named the 2015 recipient of the Beckman-Argyros Award in Vision Research.

Williams, who pioneered the use of adaptive optics technologies for vision applications, is the William G. Allyn Professor of Medical Optics, director of the Center for Visual Science, and dean for research in Arts, Sciences & Engineering.

The award, given by the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation, recognizes a person who has made transformative breakthroughs in vision research. Williams will receive a total of $500,000, plus a commemorative gold medal.

This year, Williams was also selected to receive the Sigma Xi Procter Prize and a $100,000 Alcon Research Institute Award for his research in vision science.

Astronomers developed adaptive optics so that telescopes could see more clearly through the Earth’s atmosphere.

In his research Williams has applied the techniques of adaptive optics to the human eye, modifying light leaving the eye to obtain better pictures of the retina, and modifying light entering the eye to produce better vision.

Goergen Awards Recognize Teachers

TOP TEACHERS: The College presented three faculty members with Goergen Awards for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching in recognition of their contributions to undergraduate education.

An annual award established by University Trustee Robert Goergen ’60 and his wife, Pamela, the awards recognize, reward, and encourage exceptional and innovative undergraduate teaching. This year’s recipients are John Kessler, associate professor of earth and environmental sciences, Deborah Rossen-Knill, associate professor from the Writing, Speaking, and Argument Program, and Andrew Elliot, professor of psychology. During a ceremony this fall, a former or current student recognized each recipient for the influence the teachers had on their academic careers. Kessler was recognized by Eleanor Arrington ’14 (above, left to right), Rossen-Knill by Allison Goldstein ’08, and Elliot by Jeffry Magloire ’16.

What Does Sue B Say?

Much is known about Susan B. Anthony’s stance on social equality and slavery, but she had a lot to say on a variety of issues that also still resonate. That’s why the Susan B. Anthony Center has launched a Twitter campaign to connect social media users with the famed suffragist’s stance on an array of topics, under the hashtag #SueBSays. The 10-month Twitter campaign coincides with the 95th anniversary of the signing of the 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote. Twice-weekly tweets will share excerpts from her correspondence with family, friends, and other suffrage leaders. The Center’s Twitter handle is @UofR_SBAC. The posts will also appear on the center’s Facebook page.