UC San Diego Arts and Humanities Moments May 2021
Dear Colleagues and Friends,

The letter at the end of the academic year is usually a difficult one to write. This year, I believe we will struggle to summarize our experiences, as it will take time and thoughtful reflection. What I do know is, the year was not lost. We have overcome difficult situations, discovered joy in places we never thought, and have much to celebrate for the division.
 
In honesty, I don’t want us to return to normal. The lessons we’ve learned and the social justice movements that continue to empower the BIPOC community should be sustained until there is full equality. Society’s success is contingent on this, and I know our disciplines will remain at the forefront of both ensuring an understanding of the pain felt in the past and present, and creating a future based on empathy and compassion.
 
Institutionally, we are finally ready to complete our move into the North Torrey Pines Living and Learning Neighborhood. I can think of no greater way to return to campus than by returning, safely, with all of you to our new location — one that centers Arts and Humanities on campus in a way we’ve never experienced before. I cannot stress how symbolic this is: we are taking our rightful seat at the table.
 
We also celebrate our alumni, two in particular this year: Anna Thorvaldsdottir ’11 of Music and Lauren Yee ’12 of Theatre and Dance. It was an honor to attend the university-wide Alumni Awards, as our esteemed alumni receive the accolades they so duly deserve.
 
It is fitting to end the academic year with celebrating alumni. The graduating students in Arts and Humanities who will don their caps and gowns at commencement join a diverse and dynamic community who push for change, and elevate all of us to create a future they know they deserve. Our faculty have prepared them well. I thank you all for your dedication and care.



Dean Cristina Della Coletta
UC San Diego Division of Arts and Humanities
Commitment from alumnus Chiu-Shan Chen Ph.D. ’69 is one of the largest to Arts and Humanities. The new center will be under the leadership of Literature professor Ping-hui Liao.
The African American Studies Program within the Institute of Arts and Humanities will administer the new degree, while continuing to offer the established minor.
Nearing the end of her service as Department of Visual Arts chair, Adler is one of two UC San Diego professors in the new fellowship cohort.
Asian American and Pacific Islander Studies Program director Simeon Man of History comments on ways to support the community. Man is associate director of the Institute of Arts and Humanities.
The grant helps launch Music’s outreach to both regional audiences, and the international music community.
Richard Robichaux brings the lessons of TV acting to Theatre and Dance students. MFA actor Anthony Adu graduates, joining several alumni with successful careers on the small screen, including "Black-ish" star Liz Jenkins '08.
Visit the Kamil Gallery online to see the 25 works submitted by Visual Arts undergraduate students for the 11th annual Adam D. Kamil Media Awards, held May 21.
June 3: Ethics in the Public Sphere Exploring the ethical challenges facing contemporary society, Philosophy brings relevant and timely topics to the forefront for greater understanding and discussion. In June, guest Jeff McMahan discusses “How Can Procreation be Permissible?”
San Diego Union-Tribune: Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Anthony Davis of Music was inducted May 19 into the American Academy of Arts and Letters. Additional 2021 new members include emeritus professor Faith Ringgold (Visual Arts) and alum Lorna Simpson MFA ‘86 (Visual Arts).
Beginning June 7: Wagner New Play Festival The annual Theatre and Dance festival features new works by MFA playwrights, in collaboration with MFA and Ph.D. directors, actors, designers, stage managers and dramaturges. This year, the festival will be presented virtually and include four audio plays and one animated work.
International Science Council: Craig Callender of Philosophy is co-director of the Institute for Practical Ethics, and a member of the UN International Science Council’s Committee for Freedom and Responsibility in Science. Callender's work with the committee is a valuable opportunity to stand up for detained and missing scientists.