The Arts and Science alumni blog has moved!

You should be automatically redirected in 2 seconds. If not, please visit
http://blogs.nyu.edu/as/alumni/
and update your bookmarks.

Wednesday, July 30, 2008

American Morning correspondent, Lola Ogunnaike (GSAS '99)


Lola Ogunnaike (GSAS '99) is the entertainment correspondent for CNN's morning news program, American Morning. Click here to read more about Ms. Ogunnaike.

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Glenn Morrow (WSC '78) and the Individuals



Glenn Morrow (WSC '78) is a former member of the Individuals, a Hoboken, New Jersey band that in the early 1980s was part of a movement called the Hoboken Sound; he sang lead vocals and played guitar, saxophone, and keyboards. The band's two albums, Fields and Aquamarine, were named by a New York Times critic as among the 10 best albums in 1981 and 1982. Mr. Morrow is currently a partner in Bar None, a Weehawken, New Jersey-based independent record label. The band recently played a reunion concert at Maxwell's, the club where the Hoboken Sound started and flourished. Click here to read a recent interview with Mr. Morrow. here to visit their MySpace page.


On a completely different note, be sure to tune in to The Food Network tonight at 9:00pm EST to see Food Detectives starring Ted Allen! Here's a synopsis of tonight's show:

The 5-Second Rule
Can I really eat something off the floor if I pick it up in less than 5 seconds? How do I stop my mouth from burning after I've eaten spicy food? Is the baking soda in my fridge doing anything? Ted Allen and his culinary sleuths set out to prove the answers to these questions, once and for all!

Monday, July 28, 2008

Anne Slowey (GSAS '94) in Stylista


Anne Slowey (GSAS '94), Elle's Fashion News Director and former Project Runway judge has a new show, Stylista, which will air in the fall on the CW network. The CW website states:

If "The Devil Wears Prada" were a reality show, it would be Stylista. Eleven aspiring fashion enthusiasts vie for a much-coveted editorial job with Elle magazine, working as assistants to Elle's Fashion News Director, Anne Slowey, a demanding but well-respected fashion icon.

Here's a clip from the show:

Friday, July 25, 2008

Join Our Social Networks!

As you may know, we have many online social networks for you to join. This is a great way for you to stay in touch with other alumni and with our office to find out about programs, events and other exciting information.

Facebook Group: CAS Alumni Association

Linkedin (Search for the following groups):
NYU CAS Alumni
NYU GSAS Alumni


Flickr: NYU CAS Alumni

Thursday, July 24, 2008

NYU Hosts "Simone de Beauvoir Week" Sept. 15-20



Commemorating the 100th anniversary of Simone de Beauvoir’s birth, New York University’s Center for French Civilization and Culture will host “Simone de Beauvoir Week” from September 15 to 20, featuring documentary films about Beauvoir, a theatrical presentation, and a major international conference entitled “All Said and Done/Tout Compte Fait.”

Toril Moi from Duke University will deliver the keynote address on Thursday, September 18, at 7:30 p.m. Other conference participants include Deidre Bair, Beauvoir’s biographer; Annie Cohen-Solal, author of the acclaimed Sartre: A Life; and Hazel Rowley, who wrote the controversial book Téte-à-Téte: The Tumultuous Lives and Loves of Simone de Beauvoir and Jean-Paul Sartre.

Most sessions of the conference and the theatrical presentation take place at NYU’s Maison Française, 16 Washington Mews. The films are screened at NYU’s Cantor Film Center, 36 E. 8th Street. For specific information, call 212.998.8750 or log on to: http://french.as.nyu.edu/object/beauvoir.html

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Take An Amazing Trip To China


It's time for our NYU Alumni Trip of The Week. This week we are heading to China. This is one of the most popular trips and we encourage you to reserve your spot today. The dates are October 15-27, 2008 and below are just a few highlights of this trip:

* See legendary wonders not easily accessible independently on a comprehensive program with included excursions priced at an exceptional value.
* Marvel at Beijing's Imperial Palaces and Great Wall, Xi'an's Terra Cotta Warriors, and the Bund in Shanghai.
* Experience Chinese culture with a Hutong Pedicab Tour and traditional Peking Opera performance in Beijing and a show by The Shanghai Acrobatic Theater.
* Cruise the scenic Yangtze River aboard the MV Yangtze President and marvel at the Three Gorges. All shore excursions are included.
* China's best, new Western-style hotels ensure your comfort.
* Travel at ease! Your experienced AHI Travel Director is always present to offer assistance and regional insight.

For more information or to be added to the travel program mailing list, please contact Marian Newsom at (212) 998-6940 or via email at marian.newsom@nyu.edu. We hope you will travel the world with us!

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

The Good Thief, Hannah Tinti's ( GSAS '97) Debut Novel



Hannah Tinti's (GSAS '97) debut novel, The Good Thief, will be released in the United States on August 26, 2008; it is published by The Dial Press, a division of Random House, and was just released in Great Britain. The novel, set in 19th-century New England, is a fast-paced adventure story that features a one-handed orphan boy, seedy characters, and a journey through fishing ports and early industrial towns, according to Ms. Tinti. Previously, she worked for magazines, published a collection of short stories in 2004 called Animal Crackers, and is editor of a literary magazine, One Story. Click here for a recent article on Ms. Tinti.

Be sure to visit Ms. Tinti's website by clicking here. On September 10, 2008 at 7pm at the Happy Ending Bar (302 Broome St, NY, NY, Ms. Tinti will be doing a reading with NYU alumnus, Darin Strauss.

Monday, July 21, 2008

Giving To NYU Is Just A Click Away


Last week we had mentioned that Bob Balaban (WSC '77) was nominated for two Emmy awards and we are pleased to announce that another alumnus, Chris Wilcha (WSC '93) has also been nominated for an Emmy for his brilliant work as Director for Showtime's This American Life. Chris is extremely talented and be sure to check out the first season of This American Life which is now available on DVD. We are scheduling a time to interview Chris for this blog and look forward to posting that interview for you. If you have a specific question for Chris please email it to us.

Are you looking to make a gift to NYU? If so, I want to direct your attention to the new Giving Site. It's so easy to do so why not make your gift today?

Friday, July 18, 2008

Bob Balaban (WSC '77) Receives Two Emmy Nominations



Congratulations to NYU alumnus Bob Balaban on his two Emmy nominations:

1) Outstanding Director For a Miniseries, Movie, or a Dramatic Special, Bernard and Doris
.
2) Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Miniseries Or A Movie, Recount.

Thursday, July 17, 2008

John Friedman (GSAS, '74) Explores Lightning In His Most Recent Book



NYU Alumnus John Friedman recently published a new book that explores the phenomenon of lightning. I encourage you to read it and send in your reviews and comments.

In this marvelous blend of science, history, and astonishing storytelling, an acclaimed journalist explores lightning from its meteorological origins to its profound influences on human beings across the globe.

OUT OF THE BLUE
John S. Friedman

Lightning has provoked fear and fascination in mankind for millennia. In OUT OF THE BLUE, John S. Friedman delivers an informative, entertaining scientific and cultural history of this spectacular and dangerous force of nature.

Since the earliest civilizations, people have tried to make sense of what Herman Melville called “God's burning finger.” Friedman traces beliefs about lightning throughout history, and explores the famous experiments of scientists from Ben Franklin to Charles Steinmetz, who produced lightning in a lab. And Friedman rides with modern-day storm chasers, probing the roots of their risk-taking and the evolution of storm-tracking technology.

Friedman also talks with dozens of people who have been hit by lightning and lived to tell the tale. Sharing their fascinating, hair-raising stories, he reveals the life-altering medical, emotional, and often spiritual effect the experience has on survivors. Being struck by lightning almost invariably raises questions in their minds of destiny and divine retribution. And extraordinary coincidences are not uncommon. One man in Virginia has been struck seven times.

Combining captivating fact with thrilling personal stories, OUT OF THE BLUE is perfect for outdoor adventurers, nature lovers, science and weather buffs, and anyone who has ever been awed by the sight of a lightning bolt.

The Oscar-winning producer of the documentary “Hotel Terminus,” JOHN S. FRIEDMAN has written for the New York Times and other publications, and contributes regularly to The Nation. The editor of The Secret Histories, he lives in Connecticut.


To purchase a copy of Out of the Blue, click here.

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Gwendolyn Chabrier (WSC '71, GSAS '72) Publishes New Novel

American writer and NYU alumna Gwendolyn Chabrier was recently in Bangkok promoting her new novel Norman Mailer: The Self-appointed Messiah which was published in Thailand. Click here to read an article about the book and here to read a profile on Ms. Chabrier.

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Explore the Italian Riviera in September with NYU Alumni


I have been promoting the NYU Alumni Travel Program every now and then on this blog and this trip really looks great. Here are just some of the highlights:

* Delight in stunning views of the coastal and mountain scenery from your room at the first-class Hotel Vis à Vis, overlooking the charming town of Sestri Levante.
* Visit the beautiful villages of the famous Five Lands, the coastal Cinque Terre.
* Discover Portofino, nestled in a picturesque harbor, and the seaside resort of Santa Margherita.
* Explore Genoa, the affluent medieval city-state and maritime republic credited as the birthplace of Christopher Columbus.
* See the magic of a sculptor at work in Carrara and marvel at the transformation of the famous snow-white marble into art.
* Journey to the Tuscan town of Lucca to see its magnificent medieval monuments.

If you have been on any of the recent trips and I know many of you have, please be sure to send your photos our way so they can be posted on this blog and shared with the alumni community. If you'd like to sign up for this trip and secure a spot, click here. If you have any questions feel free to contact Marian Newsom at (212) 998-6940 and be sure to let Marian know you saw the trip mentioned on this blog.

Monday, July 14, 2008

David Oshinsky's Book Review

David Oshinsky is a distinguished scholar in residence at NYU and is a leading historian of modern American politics and culture, his books include A Conspiracy So Immense: The World of Joe McCarthy, which won the Hardeman Prize for the best work on the U.S. Congress and was a New York Times “Notable Book of the Year”; Worse Than Slavery, which won the Robert F. Kennedy Book Award for its “distinguished contribution to human rights” and was also a New York Times “Notable Book of the Year”; and Polio: An American Story, which won both the Pulitzer Prize for History and the Hoover Presidential Book Award in 2006. Dr. Oshinsky is a co-editor of the Oxford Companion to United States History and a co-author of American Passages: A History of the United States. His essays and reviews appear regularly in the New York Times and other national publications.

This past weekend, his review of the book by Ted Widmer, Ark of the Liberties appeared in the New York Times. Click here to read the review.

Friday, July 11, 2008

Pizza for the Hungry: A Smile brings Hope


Obaid Kadwani(WSC '94) is the Business Manager of eyeBLINK, a non-profit arts organization that uses theater, dance and special events to promote social change. Obaid started a philanthropic effort in 2007 called eyeBLINK’s “Pizza for the Hungry: A Smile brings Hope,” where eyeBLINk donated 5000 slices in 5 days to 5 NYC homeless shelters. In 2008, the project expanded to 13 pizza parties in 4 states in 5 days. The organization's goal is to bring a moment of joy to the shelter’s guests. It is also a celebration of the best in humanity as the donors come together in a coalition of many religions, nationalities and races to help those in need. “Pizza for the Hungry” hopes to expand to 20 states next year. Be part of the sea-change at www.eyeblink.org.

It is our pleasure to introduce our first guest blog entry sent in by Obaid Kadwani. Thanks Obaid!

When NYU asked me to blog about my experiences while organizing “Pizza for the Hungry: A Smile brings Hope,” my first thought was “I don’t know how to blog!” My second thought was “I don’t know to blog!” My third thought was, “I blame NYU!” NYU’s Journalism dept. taught me how to write news articles, features, broadcast writing and press releases, but not a thing about blogs! By now, you’ve guessed that I was journalism major.

I put together “Pizza for the Hungry” for the first time last summer, after a continuing education course about fundraising in the spring, taught by Mrs. Naomi Levine (whom I love, one of my best teachers ever…not sucking up here, just the absolute, cross-my-blog, truth), at the NYU Heymann Center. Last year's battle-cry was: 5 Days, 5 NYC homeless shelters, 5,000 Pizza Slices. So as we planned this year's pizza project, I said, “Let’s do more.” I wanted to help more people and wanted to grow the project because there was such a favorable response last year.

It was a challenge as my background is in entertainment, not fundraising. My goal was to double the project's scope to 10 shelters. Last year, it was hard to find the shelters to participate and to convince them that we just wanted to throw a pizza party. This year, lining up the shelters probably took me about 5 minutes. They’d either heard about us, or we could give them a reference from last year’s shelters as well as press articles and pictures from our site.

Happily, we ended up exceeding our 10-shelter target, which, of course, also made it harder putting all the coordination and sufficient funding together. From June 16th – June 20th, eyeBLINK would donate 15,000 slices to 13 shelters in 4 states.

I attended all the NYC pizza parties. At the Bowery Mission, there were some volunteers who had come from Australia. The musician, Ken, was playing the conga drums. Guests were bobbing to the beat while enjoying the pizza. In the Love Kitchen, there were all these children who were clamoring for the pizza. In Love Gospel Kitchen in the Bronx, guests were cheering before the party even began. And we ordered 35 more pizzas as the guests kept coming. And we ordered 40 more pizzas after that. From Tulsa, we heard that 70 guests ate 80 pizzas! When a guest asks me to eat with them, or grabs my hand to thank me, or asks when we’re coming back, or just smiles…it’s totally worth it! It is!

Our donors were very excited, and in fact, many donated, because we had people of different religions, nationalities and races helping people in need. One generous Jewish doctor sponsored pizzas for 2 shelters. 2 Muslim groups took care of pizzas for 2 New Jersey shelters and raised money for a third shelter. A Hindu business sponsored another New Jersey shelter and helped raise money for other shelters. And the shelters/mission/kitchens were all faith-based Christian organizations and they were eager to work with this broad coalition.

We gave an opportunity to our donors to make a person happy for just $1, which bought 2 slices. With Domino's sponsoring discounted pizzas, many donors were able to join the project and be part of the sea-change.

As I look back, what sticks with me is, we made thousands of people smile. We gave them a happy moment, a simple pleasure, a moment that was created specifically to express the fact that others cared….and a smile brings HOPE!

Thursday, July 10, 2008

Maricel Presilla (GSAS '79), Culinary Historian, Chef, and Author.


Maricel Presilla is the chef and co-owner owner of Cucharamama and Zafra, her pan-Latin restaurants in Hoboken, New Jersey. She is the president of Gran Cacao Company, a Latin American food research and marketing company that specializes in the sale of premium cacao beans from Latin America. Her book The New Taste of Chocolate covers the cultural history of chocolate

For more information on Maricel Presilla please click here to go directly to her website. If you find yourself in Hoboken, be sure to stop by Zafra or Cucharamama and then send us your reviews!

Wednesday, July 9, 2008

Tony Tesoriero (WSC '79) Knows Service and Value




There was a very nice writeup in the NY Daily News last weekend about Tony Tesoriero (WSC '79), owner/president of eba Wholesale Corp., the place to go in Flatbush for all your electronics, appliance, and bedding needs. Click here to read the article written by Clem Richardson.

Tuesday, July 8, 2008

Chance Kelly (WSC '90) In Generation Kill


Actor and NYU Alumnus Chance Kelly will appear as Lt. Col. Stephen Ferrando in Generation Kill, an HBO miniseries premiering July 13, 2008. To learn more about Chance, click here.