The Danube by River Ship

BudapestThe Danube by River Ship (Prague/Nuremberg to Budapest)
June 14-25

Join Professor of Music Virginia Hancock ’62 in this exclusive exploration of the music, architecture, and culture of European cities from Prague to Budapest. Orbridge Travel has organized this tour and is offering exclusive slots to Reed for a limited period.

Program Highlights:
• Spend two days in Prague prior to your cruise, with sightseeing to Old Town Square to see the medieval Astronomical Clock, St. Vitus Cathedral, Hradcany Castle, and more; plus Orbridge-included excursions to Schönbrunn Palace and to explore an historic district of Prague.
• Cruise in comfort on the Avalon Vista, with onboard lectures, activities, entertainment, expert crew, and added guidance of an Orbridge travel director throughout.
• View Kaiserburg Imperial Castle in Nuremberg, its quaint town center, and local WWII sites. In Regensburg, visit Dom St. Peter, and explore one of Europe’s best-preserved medieval cities.
• Visit spectacular Melk Abbey and Fisherman’s Bastion in Budapest.
• Relax and enjoy the comforts of your ship, including onboard cuisine, with ten breakfasts, six lunches, and seven dinners served with complimentary regional wine and beer.

Program Itinerary:
• Day 1-2: En Route / Arrive in Prague
Day 3-4: Prague
Day 5: Prague / Nuremberg (embarkation)
Day 6: Nuremberg
Day 7: Regensburg
Day 8: Passau / Linz
Day 9: Melk / Vienna
Day 10: Vienna / Schönbrunn Palace
Day 11: Budapest
Day 12: Budapest (disembarkation) / Depart for U.S.
Optional Extension: Days 12-14 in Budapest

Vienna

What’s Included:
• Three nights at the Hilton Prague Hotel & Conference Venue prior to embarkation and seven nights aboard the Avalon Vista
• Full guiding services of a dedicated Orbridge travel director throughout your journey, as well as expert local guides
• Onboard lectures, activities, and nightly entertainment
• Ten breakfasts, six lunches, and seven dinners served with wine and beer—including a welcome banquet and farewell dinner
• Orbridge-included excursions to Schönbrunn Palace and to explore an historic district of Prague
• Guided sightseeing in Prague, Nuremberg, Regensburg, Passau, Melk, Vienna, and Budapest
• Visits to the Astronomical Clock and Hradcany Castle grounds in Prague, the Benedictine Abbey in Melk, and Budapest’s Fishermen’s Bastion
• All gratuities for included excursions
• All port charges, excursion transportation, and entrance fees to included sites
• Airport transfers for guests arriving and departing on the suggested flights

RegensburgActivity Level: Easy
Activities are generally not very strenuous, but a fair amount of walking can be expected. Different paces are available for each excursion, including a basic orientation of the must-sees with time to explore on your own, the traditional sightseeing following a guide at an average pace, or leisurely exploring, where all the same sites will be visited for a shorter amount of time or from a distance. All activities, included and non-included, are optional.

It is our expectation that guests on this program are able to follow a guide through cobblestone streets at an average pace for two hours and walk up and down stairs without assistance. Historic city centers are usually more accessible by foot than vehicle, and sometimes it is not possible for your motor coach to drop you off at the entrances of hotels and sites. Due to the structure of some buildings, handrails may not be present, and facilities for the disabled may be limited.

This program organized and managed by Orbridge Travel in partnership with the Reed College office of alumni & parent relations.

For additional information or to register, visit the Orbridge overview.

Reduced alumni rate:
From $3,395*

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The Path to Power: LBJ and the Texas Hill Country

The Path to Power: LBJ and the Texas Hill Country
April 3-7

enchanted_rockThis long weekend is back by popular demand (we had a great trip in 2013!). Join in this examination of the part of the Texas Hill Country that LBJ called home. Using selected reading from Robert Caro’s impressive biography as the main subject text (along with some other suggested readings), we will explore the LBJ Library, Johnson City, the Texas White House, and areas in between. Lest you think this extended weekend is all about LBJ, April is prime wildflower season, so we will also visit the Wildflower Research Center (one of Ladybird’s legacies) along with experiencing some Austin (and Luckenbach) music and dining on Texas barbeque.

ladybird_center

Highlights include:
• Behind the scenes visit to Selah, the acclaimed conservation ranch of David Bamberger
• Conversation with Hill Country natives who were friends with LBJ and his family
• Special guided tours of Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center, the LBJ Ranch, and the LBJ Library

Itinerary:
• Thursday, April 3: opening reception, program overview
• Friday, April 4: Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center, BBQ Lunch, Bamberger Ranch tour; evening visit to the world’s largest bat cave south of Austin
• Saturday, April 5: Sauer-Beckman farm tour, LBJ Ranch tour, boyhood home, Weinheimer family visit-Luckenbach
• Sunday, April 6: Morning tour of Enchanted Rock and Willow City Loop; LBJ Library; afternoon departures

Cost: $595 per person (based on 10 travelers) includes ground transportation to and from Austin airport, opening reception, breakfast each day, two lunches, lodging, and all entrance fees.

For additional information or to register, contact alumni@reed.edu.

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Raymond Chandler’s Los Angeles

Big SleepRaymond Chandler’s LA: a Noir Weekend of Sights, Sounds, and Intrigue
March 7-9

Bungalows. Crime. Hollywood. Blondes. Vets. Smog. Death. We’ll spend an entertaining, eclectic weekend designed to accommodate locals and visitors alike. Bring a friend along as we examine and explore the Los Angeles of the 1930s and 40s including the genre of detective fiction, film noir, architecture of the era, and criminology. Join us on this shadowy excursion led by Esoutouric, famous for “bus adventures into the secret heart of Los Angeles.” The inspiration for the weekend came from Toni DeVito ’77; she has enjoyed their tours in the past and can speak to their unique perspective.

Highlights include:

  • Custom tour of Raymond Chandler’s Los Angeles
  • Special viewing of a classic noir film in a distinctive and appropriate setting
  • Visit to a crime lab where we will look at the available evidence and work to solve an actual crime.

Itinerary (Chandler’s LA itinerary, pdf version)

Friday, March 7:

  • 7 p.m.  Reception and introduction (no-host dinner), Les Noces du Figaro, 618 S Broadway Ave, Los Angeles
  • 7:45-9:30 p.m.  Screening of The Big Sleep.  Les Noces du Figaro
  • Post-film discussion

Saturday, March 8:

  • 10 a.m.  Discussion of The Big Sleep (film & book), Los Angeles Athletic Club, 431 W 7th St, Los Angeles
  • 11:30 a.m.  Tour: Raymond Chandler’s Los Angeles
  • 5 p.m. Happy hour and discussion, Ace Hotel, 929 S Broadway, Los Angeles
  • Dinner on your own

LAcrime_lab

Sunday, March 9:

  • 8:30 a.m.  Brunch (no host) and film: Double Indemnity, Les Noces du Figaro, 618 S Broadway Ave, Los Angeles
  • 11 a.m. Departure for crime lab, Cal State Los Angeles (carpool or public transit)
  • 12-5 p.m. Crime lab experience and discussion

Note: Locations subject to change depending on the number of registrants, both for the full program and for à la carte options.

Pricing:

$150 full program
$75 Chandler’s Los Angeles Tour & Happy Hour
$75 Crime Lab & Discussion
$35 Big Sleep Film Screening & Discussion
$35 Double Indemnity Film Screening & Discussion

Optional pre- and post extensions, aka “The Full Marlowe”

Thursday, March 6:

7:30 p.m.  John Banville/Benjamin Black on Philip Marlowe, Sundance Cinemas

If you are under the impression that Raymond Chandler is dead, you are wrong. Dead wrong. Philip Marlowe copycats abound. Raymond Chandler imitators hide in every beer joint in LA. But we finally have a new Marlowe, one who is worthy of the original’s creator. Our recent and best incarnation of Philip Marlowe is by none other than Dublin writer Benjamin Black, author of the Quirke series of postwar mysteries set in Dublin. The Quirke novels are wonderful, inducing withdrawal from readers when we finish that last page. Of course they’re wonderful—Benjamin Black is the nom de plume for The Man Booker Prize winner John Banville, considered to be one of the best writers in Ireland. In Black’s most capable hands, our newly restored Marlowe lives and breathes as if Raymond Chandler himself willed him to life. Philip Marlowe has finally met his doppelganger.

Sunday, March 9:

5 p.m.  SoCal Book Group Discussion of The Big Sleep

In loose coordination with this Chandler Noir weekend, the Los Angeles-area alumni reading group will meet at 5 p.m. on Sunday, March 9 to discuss The Big Sleep at the home of Wayne Clayton ’82, in Carthay Circle (near Miracle Mile and LACMA). The group invites all participants in the Reed tour to join them to discuss Chandler’s novel and then enjoy dinner and further conversation. In addition, the book group also encourages any locals who may be interested in joining them for their monthly book discussions to contact Wayne at wdclayton2@aol.com for further information.

For additional information or to register, contact alumni@reed.edu.

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Alumni College: Religion in Contemporary America

god_book_coverAlumni College
Religion in Contemporary America: It’s Not Just About God
June 4-6

In a pluralistic society, where there is no religious profession held by a majority of the people (much less an official state religion), the role of religion is larger than belief and comprehends social forces as well. In this course, we will look at three aspects of our topic in lecture/discussion sessions:

• The first considers what it means to believe and how philosophers of religion approach that concept.
• The second examines, from the perspective of people who are engaged in this endeavor, how religious institutions actively promote societal wellbeing.
• The third acknowledges our pluralistic religiosity and looks at what spirituality means from a diverse set of viewpoints, many of which are too often seriously misunderstood.

The three lecture and discussion sessions will be followed by a parallel conference session, where participants have the opportunity to bring their own experience to bear. A final plenary session will compare the points made in the conferences.

Reed faculty include:
Mark Burford (Music)
Michael Foat ’86 (Religion)
Kambiz GhaneaBisshiri (Religion)
William Peck (Philosophy)
Peter Steinberger (Political Science)

Alumni presenters include:
Sarah Movius Shurr ‘80
David Kominsky ‘93
Elena Rose Vera ‘05
Jessica Gerhardt ‘11

Price: $300 per person. Free lodging available on campus for those who register prior to February 1, 2014 (look for registration online after the first of the year).

For additional information or to register, contact alumni@reed.edu.

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Travel to Russia and the Ukraine (postponed)

This trip has been postponed; please see new dates and info.

river_boats-Buss copy

The Reed Russian department and the alumni office are pleased to announce our 11th-annual East European tour, scheduled for April 26-May 11, 2014. This year we will include both Russia and Ukraine in our investigation, visiting the three great capitals of Kiev, Moscow, and St. Petersburg as we review East Slavic history and culture from the tenth century through the modern era. Besides devoting unhurried time ahead of the summer crush to the spectacular world-heritage architectural sites and extraordinary museums and performance halls of the three capitals, we will visit the ancient museum town of Pereslav near Kiev and the splendid summer palace and park in Gatchina south of St. Petersburg. Along with a carefully devised program of exceptional interest and richness, the tour will include presentations by the tour organizer and leader, Russian scholar and former Reed professor Judson Rosengrant, as well as by local English-speaking guides.

gold_dome-Hall copy

The tour requires no knowledge of foreign languages and is open to anyone who would like to learn about Russia and Ukraine and their vital place in the world. For more information, including a detailed itinerary, please write to Dr. Rosengrant at jrosengrant@alumni.stanford.edu or call him at 503/880-9521.

Read this dispatch from Brad ’61 and Rozelle Wright ’61, who enjoyed the trip in May 2012, in Reed magazine.

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Career event: 20s Looking at 30s with Don Asher ’83

asher_2012Regrettably, this event has been canceled. Alumni are welcome to attend Don’s earlier program, “Cracking the Hidden Job Market,” at 10 a.m. in Psy 102.

We are pleased to offer an exclusive opportunity to Portland area alumni: a free one-hour session with Don Asher ’83, on Saturday, November 23, 4:30-6 p.m. in Psy 108.

20s Looking at 30s
You’ve already had your first and second job. Now what? This session will help you get from where you currently are to where you want to be.

  • Why timing is more important than talent
  • How corporations really make promotion decisions
  • Hitting “restart” to get out of a dead-end job
  • Work-life balance and how you envision your future

Asher is a consultant to top MBA programs and undergraduate institutions nationwide. He contributes to the online editions of the Wall Street Journal, CareerJournal.com, US Airways Magazine, CollegeJournal.com, and MSN Encarta. His book titles include, Who Gets Promoted, Who Doesn’t, and Why; Asher’s Bible of Executive Resumes; and The Overnight Resume.

This event is brought to you by the Center for Life Beyond Reed (formerly Career Services) and Alumni & Parent Relations. Don will be on campus for a session, “Cracking the Hidden Job Market for Students and Recent Grads,” and he would like to offer this to those of you further down the road. We would like to have a group of at least 15. Tell your friends!

RSVP to alumni@reed.edu.

If you have any questions, please contact Julie Kern Smith, associate director of the Center for Life Beyond Reed, at 503/777-7291 or julie.kern.smith@reed.edu.

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Focus group: beyond Reed

Leadership Summit Focus Group Report: Supporting Student Transitions/Life Beyond Reed

In order to provide feedback to the ad hoc committee on strategic planning, a series of topical focus groups were conducted with alumni and parents who participated in the Leadership Summit Weekend. Approximately 80 individuals dedicated the morning on Saturday, September 21 to learning about the overall goals of the strategic planning process and then participating in a series of hour-long focus groups. The Student transitions group was reviewed by Robin Tovey ’97.

The group was large for both sessions (25-30 for each session). Each session demonstrated alumni interest in supporting graduates and their transitions post Reed.

Many agreed that there has been a presumption among grads that jobs in academia await, thus there is a need for pragmatism and prep for alternatives to being a prof. The college needs to show students the career possibilities and show employers our education prepares us for so much; Reed rigor and focus imparts flexibility and adaptive strength. There was a concern that we talk about creating leaders but don’t provide instruction about what leadership entails or provide opportunities to develop these skills. Some wished that advisors had been clearer in providing reality check re: expectations in both academic and non-academic worlds. High-level takeaway: a Reed education prepares you for whatever you want to do, but better guidance on the practical tactics and social norms required for success would help a great deal.

For those desiring additional information:

The group received an advance copy of a white paper entitled “Bridging Reed and the world: enriching student experiences outside the classroom and providing paths to careers“: Bridge Whitepaper_Final_MT

Here are the full notes and facilitator review for the sessions as a PDF: Leadership Summit-bridge

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Focus group: student success

Leadership Summit Focus Group Report: Supporting Student Success

In order to provide feedback to the ad hoc committee on strategic planning, a series of topical focus groups were conducted with alumni and parents who participated in the Leadership Summit Weekend. Approximately 80 individuals dedicated the morning on Saturday, September 21 to learning about the overall goals of the strategic planning process and then participating in a series of hour-long focus groups. The student-support group was reviewed by Mela Kunitz ’87.

This was a smaller group each session (15 or so participants), but there was a great deal of passion about the broad range of issues related to supporting students.

A major discussion occurred about problems with mental health and lack of support from H&C (health and counseling) back at Olde Reed. Alumni were quite frustrated by not getting the services that they needed during their time at Reed and were happy to learn that a stronger network of support from Student Services exists now to keep students from slipping through the cracks. Here are a few of the ideas that came out of this discussion:

–More SEEDS exposure during Orientation
–More external community service, a whole day out in the community
–Alumni writing letters for students in the sophomore slump
–Alumni cheerleaders to provide support and act as big sisters/brothers. The idea being that there could be a kiosk with letters that alumni write, students grab one and then it is their choice if they want to initiate a conversation with the alumna/us, as kind of a pen pal/mentoring relationship that might develop.

The notes don’t capture the true love of Reed that came out in the discussion. Through the complaints that folks aired, it is evident that there is a strong desire to help students at Reed today to have a better experience, and alumni want to help with that process.

For those desiring additional information:

The group received an advance copy of a white paper entitled “Filling the table: supporting student, well-being, and learning“: Table Whitepaper_Final_MT

Here are the full notes and facilitator review for the sessions as a PDF: Leadership Summit-table

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Focus group: financial aid

Leadership Summit Focus Group Report: Financial Aid

In order to provide feedback to the ad hoc committee on strategic planning, a series of topical focus groups were conducted with alumni and parents who participated in the Leadership Summit Weekend.  Approximately 80 individuals dedicated the morning on Saturday, September 21 to learning about the overall goals of the strategic planning process and then participating in a series of hour-long focus groups.  The financial aid group was reviewed by Robin Tovey ’97:

This was a lively and passionate group.  More than 35 people attended the sessions.

All agreed that Reed should expand its financial aid program, but there were many questions raised about how and to whom.  The issue of preference for providing domestic aid over international informs the potential decisions around “who do we want to educate.”  Acknowledging that Reed’s selectivity is rising as the applicant pool is dropping, thus financial aid is huge point of competition, they discussed concerns about the “donut hole in the middle,” students who get least aid are middle class, as a thorny problem of access.  Also, consideration must be given to the reality that sticker shock deters some working-class families who are not aware of opportunities for aid; this is a troublesome information gap.  Finally, struggling with ethical dilemmas like “do we deal with lower-class need above the middle-class donut hole?” could lead to a process of prioritizing that depends upon asking: do we want a student body built on a continuum or a divide?  High-level takeaway: top concerns are about maintaining access, reducing costs, and how to make impact with our giving.

For those desiring additional information:

The group received an advance copy of a white paper entitled “Opening the door: exploring ways to expand financial aid“: Door Whitepaper_Final_MT

Here are the full notes and facilitator review for the sessions as a PDF: Leadership Summit-door

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Reed’s recipe for strategic planning

SF_callig13What do we want the college to be in 20 years?” In this thoughtful spirit, Reed is looking toward the future and working on a strategic plan for its trajectory. Staff, faculty, trustees, alumni, students, parents, and friends are working collectively to formulate the answers, with the goal of identifying priorities by summer 2014 and designing a plan to implement them by July 2015.

The first conversations began in the spring at events in alumni chapter cities; see a summary of collected comments. Over the summer the ad hoc strategic priorities committee* on strategic planning solicited input from faculty, students, staff, and trustees, and it held two public meetings. Working groups of ten each were created consider a nexus of topics and they’ll be consulting with members of the community who have requested an opportunity to provide input. Learn more in Reed magazine or on the strategic-planning homepage.

In order to provide additional information, volunteers at Leadership Summit heard a strategic-planning overview that provided background and the framework for continuing discussions. Also, there were several focus-group sessions on the following topics.

1. Financial Aid

2. Supporting student success through community, well-being, and learning

3. Enriching student experiences outside the classroom and providing paths to careers

To review highlights of our live tweeting from a couple of these sessions, search for the “reedstratplan” hashtag on Twitter.

*The ad hoc strategic priorities planning committee includes: John Kroger, chair. Faculty: Mark Burford, Noelwah Netusil, Nigel Nicholson, Kathy Oleson, Sonia Sabnis, Janis Shampay, Paul Silverstein. Staff: Hugh Porter. Student: Ari Galper. Trustee: Peggy Noto ‘75. Administrative Support: Dawn Thompson
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