Computer Sciences Head Subhash Kak, Ph.D. Beginnings The computing and information sciences department formed in 1969 under the administration of the vice president for academic affairs and research. In 1970, the department moved to arts and sciences. The department was unique for having a master’s program before it had a department or bachelor’s degree. The regents approved the master’s in 1968, the bachelor’s in 1977 and the doctorate in 1981. News The department recently introduced new courses on computer games and robotics. It also entered into an alliance with Central Rural Electric Cooperative of Stillwater to design new kinds of social computing networks to help revitalize rural America. The department plans to strengthen its offerings in gaming, multimedia, security and social computing in the coming years. Website: http://www.cs.okstate.edu English Head Carol Moder, Ph.D. Beginnings An English professor has had a presence on the campus since as early as 1894. News The department, already the editorial home of two nationally-known scholarly publications, Milton Quarterly and Cimarron Review, recently began an online journal dedicated to theoretical approaches to film and media, World/ Picture. In association with the journal, the screen studies program also sponsors an annual conference of film and media scholars, the World/Picture Conference. The department, in cooperation with the OSU library and the history department, is establishing a new research initiative, the Center for Oklahoma Studies, which will focus on research and creative initiatives that reflect and celebrate the diversity of the state. Beginning in summer 2008, the department will offer a four-course TESOL Certificate program, which will provide public school teachers with instruction in teaching limited English proficiency students and will train individuals who wish to teach English abroad. Website: http://english.okstate.edu Geography Head Dale Lightfoot, Ph.D. Beginnings Geography formed as a department in the school of commerce in 1942 because the specialization was useful for the military training schools. By 1946, the school of commerce and arts and sciences jointly administered the geography department, which made the complete transition to arts and sciences in 1951. News The department graduated its first group of doctoral students in 2007. Three of the four graduates are now tenure-track professors. In 2007, the department, working with the management information systems program in OSU’s William S. Spears School of Business, introduced a new degree in business geographics. The degree analyzes business and public information for marketing location analysis, systems development and socio-demographic research. The department’s funding comes from several institutes including the National Science Foundation, U.S. Agency for International Development, National Academy of Science and NASA. Website: http://www.geog.okstate.edu Foreign Languages and Literatures Head Perry Gethner, Ph.D. Beginnings The German and Latin Department was the department’s name in 1909. In 1914, introducing both Spanish and French, the department formally became the foreign languages department. News The department’s thriving research efforts include many projects focusing on women’s cultural contributions. Over the next five years, scholars and classrooms in both Europe and the U.S. will use a five-part anthology showcasing the works of French female playwrights. A book about Mexican feminist author Elena Garro is now available in Spanish. Soon to be published is a study about German writers and their works in Africa. The department also manages a website that focuses on foreign films. To learn more visit http://fllcourses.okstate.edu/Medialab.php. Website: http://fllcourses.okstate.edu/index.php College of Arts and Sciences department heads are, from bottom left, Sallie McCorkle, Perry Gethner, Randolph Deal; second row from left, Elizabeth Williams, Neil Purdie, James P. Wickstead, James Scott; third from left, Jay Gregg, Judith Cronk, Julia Combs, Maureen Sullivan, Bill Warde, Kenneth Konicki; and, back from left, Peter M.A. Sherwood, Dale Alspach, William J. Henley, Subhash Kak and Dale Lightfoot. continues next page Gary Lawson Oklahoma State University 23
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