University Faculty Committee-Senator
Doug Antczak
Professor, Baker Institute for Animal Health and Department of Microbiology and Immunology
Biography:
Doug Antczak has been a faculty member at Cornell since 1978, with an appointment in the Baker Institute for Animal Health and the department of Microbiology and Immunology in the College of Veterinary Medicine. Antczak earned a BA in biology at Cornell, a degree in veterinary medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, and a PhD at the University of Cambridge. During his career, he has taught undergraduate, graduate, and professional students, and mentored trainees in laboratory research from all those groups. In 1993 he was appointed as the inaugural Dorothy Havemeyer McConville Professor of Equine Medicine. Dr. Antczak’s primary research interest is in mammalian pregnancy, and in particular in deciphering the mechanisms by which the placenta supports the developing fetus and protects it from potential destruction by the mother’s immune system. Antczak’s scholarly contributions to this interdisciplinary topic have been recognized internationally in the fields of immunology, reproduction, and genetics. From 1994 to 2009 Dr. Antczak served as Director of the Baker Institute. This position involved recruitment, mentoring and review of faculty, management of Baker Institute core staff members, and oversight of maintenance, repair, and construction of facilities on the Baker Institute campus. The position also included extensive interactions with the public for fundraising from foundations and private individuals, and stewardship of donors. Over the past decade Antczak has been involved in research and academic administration abroad, in the Middle East in association with colleagues at Weill-Cornell Medicine Qatar, and in Hong Kong with the Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Antczak is a University Senator from the Microbiology and Immunology department, and this spring he will end his service as a member of the Financial Policies Committee.
Candidate Statement:
Through my recent service as Senator from Microbiology and Immunology and as a member of the Financial Policies Committee, I have gained a deeper appreciation of the complexities of Cornell’s budget and expenditures, and the challenges of maintaining good communication between the University administration and the faculty. Engagement and reasoned dialogue with the University administration are essential if the Faculty are to have a meaningful role in University governance and in helping to determine Cornell’s future. Cornell’s dynamic Ithaca-based programs and rapidly expanding initiatives in New York City and abroad offer tremendous opportunities for our faculty to participate more fully in teaching, research, and service activities that can have a positive influence on society and the global environment. At the same time these initiatives present a challenge for the Ithaca based campus to remain relevant in an increasingly urbanized world, and in a fiercely competitive environment in higher education. Cornell must respond to the changing curricular preferences of its students, but at the same time we have an obligation to mentor and guide our students towards a lifetime of continuing self-education in preparation for ever-changing conditions that cannot be foreseen. As a member of the University Faculty Committee, I would bring long-standing institutional memory to the position, and a commitment to serve as a conduit for exchange of information and views between the Faculty and the Administration. It would be an honor to serve the Faculty and Cornell in this position.
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Tara Holm
Chair and Professor, Department of Mathematics
Biography:
Tara Holm is Professor and Chair of the Department of Mathematics. She earned a BA in mathematics from Dartmouth College and a PhD in mathematics from MIT. After an NSF Postdoc at University of California, Berkeley and a year at the University of Connecticut, Holm has spent her career at Cornell. She has been Simons Fellow and a von Neuman Fellow at the Institute for Advanced Study, the Oliver Smithies Fellow at Balliol College, Oxford UK, and a Visiting Fellow at Clare Hall, Cambridge UK. Holm’s leadership in mathematics and mathematics education is prominent on the national stage, as she has chaired the American Mathematical Society’s Committee on Education, serves on the Scientific Advisory Board for arXiv, is a member of the Board of Governors for Transforming Post-Secondary Education in Mathematics, and is currently the President/CEO of Pro Mathematica Arte, a non-profit which connects mathematics students to Study Abroad opportunities in Budapest, Hungary.
Holm is an expert in symplectic geometry, the mathematical framework for classical and quantum mechanics. This field has blossomed since the 1980s. Broadly speaking, there are two tools in every symplectic geometer’s toolbox: the momentum map and holomorphic curves. Holm uses these tools to build bridges between symplectic geometry and other fields of mathematics and mathematical physics. She works to identify and quantify the essential features of a symplectic structure and of the symmetries that preserve such a structure.
At Cornell, Holm has led an Active Learning Initiative project in Mathematics. Her work with students was recognized through a Morgan ChiaWen Sze and Bobbi Josephine Hernandez Distinguished Teaching Prize in 2019 and a Constance E. Cook and Alice H. Cook Award in 2017. Holm is a Fellow of the American Mathematical Society (inducted 2013).
Holm is an expert in symplectic geometry, the mathematical framework for classical and quantum mechanics. This field has blossomed since the 1980s. Broadly speaking, there are two tools in every symplectic geometer’s toolbox: the momentum map and holomorphic curves. Holm uses these tools to build bridges between symplectic geometry and other fields of mathematics and mathematical physics. She works to identify and quantify the essential features of a symplectic structure and of the symmetries that preserve such a structure.
At Cornell, Holm has led an Active Learning Initiative project in Mathematics. Her work with students was recognized through a Morgan ChiaWen Sze and Bobbi Josephine Hernandez Distinguished Teaching Prize in 2019 and a Constance E. Cook and Alice H. Cook Award in 2017. Holm is a Fellow of the American Mathematical Society (inducted 2013).
Candidate Statement:
I am honored to stand for election for the University Faculty Committee. As Chair of a large Department that serves the whole university, I bring first-hand knowledge of the challenges we face in pursuing Cornell’s broad and complex missions in research, education, and outreach. I am keenly aware of the differences that make individual disciplines unique and recognize the value in fostering these differences to enrich the research we produce and the experiences that we offer our students. If elected, I will work hard to represent the university faculty with the university administration and to support the work of the Faculty Senate to bolster our shared governance.
Beth Milles
Associate Professor, Department of Performing and Media Arts
Biography:
Beth Milles is a Director and Associate Professor in the Department of Performing and Media Arts at Cornell University. Recent directing work includes HEADING INTO NIGHT a clown play about …forgetting (Cherry Arts), TIMEBOMB by Carson Kreitzer FELT SAD, POSTED A FROG (international pandemic collaboration) FAREWELL CHRIS YEE (NYC). AUGUST OSAGE COUNTY (Hangar Theatre) the world premiere of Iva Brdar’s RULE OF THUMB at the Cherry Arts (Ithaca, NYC) collaborations with award winning poet/playwright/performer Ruth Margraff TEMPTATIONS OF THE FRESH VOLUPTUOUS (a virtual/aural performance evocation (Iowa and Chicago/digital) and LOCKET ARIAS in Chicago (RED TAPE, ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO) Judy Tate’s FAST BLOOD (Civic Ensemble/broadcast nationally/hosted by American Slavery Project). Other work includes the world premiere of Judy Tate’s IN THE PARLOUR (Civic Ensemble) SERIAL BLACK FACE by Janine Nabors (Long Wharf Theatre) and THE DRILL by Sierra Blanco (Cherry Lane, Young Playwrights Inc.) Beth developed and directed the world premiere of IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT (an adaptation of Charlie Chaplin 1916 Mutual film short One Am) Nano Performances (13 site-specific multi media installation created in collaboration with visual artist/animator Lynn Tomlinson) Lauren Feldman’s play A PEOPLE, THE CHERRY ORCHARD (a site specific installation production (both at Cornell University)), DEAD MAN’S CELL PHONE (Trinity Repertory Company), THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST (Trinity Repertory Company) and LAZARUS DISPOSED (Perishable Theatre) Tim Robbins and Adam Simon's CARNAGE for The Actor's Gang 20th anniversary season in Los Angeles, a new adaptation of Moliere’s THE BOURGEOIS with composer Lewis Flinn, Carson Kreitzer’s FLESH AND THE DESERT for the Summer Play Festival in New York City. Beth directed the world premiere of NERO: ANOTHER GOLDEN ROME at the Magic Theatre in San Francisco developed in collaboration with playwright Steven Sater and composer Duncan Sheik (workshopped initially with her students at Cornell). She directed the West Coast premiere of Carson Kreitzer’s SELF DEFENSE at The Actor’s Gang Theatre in Los Angeles (3 LA Weekly Awards), Julia Sweeney's "GOD SAID HA” on Broadway at the Lyceum Theatre, SHE STOOPS TO CONQUER at Shakespeare Santa Cruz, A CERTAIN LABOR DAY, written by and starring Carroll O' Connor at The Union Square Theatre in San Francisco. Beth adapted and directed THE IMAGINARY INVALID at the Actors Gang Theater in LA which toured at The Rushmore Festival (4 LA Ovation Awards including Best Adaptation) She specializes in the instigation of the physical impulse, as well as an examination of theouter edges of farce and the development of new and devised work. She has directed and developed an adaptation of Carlo Gozzi’s THE LOVE OF THREE ORANGES, and an adaptation of SERVANT OF TWO MASTERS which premiered in Los Angeles (3 LA Ovation Nominations) inaugurating the outdoor performance space at Bergamot Station. Other work includes the world premiere of PRIVATE BATTLE; Lynn Manning's adaptation of Woyzeck with The Actor's Gang and the Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs (3 LA Weekly Nominations) Lisa Loomer's MARIA MARIA MARIA, MARIA for the Mark Taper Forum’s New Works Festival in Los Angeles.For 2 seasons at the HBO New Writers Project, Beth directed over 10 new works. For LA Theatreworks and National Public Radio, Beth has directed the radio versions of AN AMERICAN DAUGHTER with Mary McDonnell, THE YOUNG MAN FROM ATLANTA with Shirley Knight, and her own adaptation of THE IMAGINARY INVALID with The Actor's Gang. She was the recipient of the Walt Disney Television Fellowship in Directing. She has developed new work at many theatres including Playwrights Horizons, The Juilliard School, The Sundance Theatre Institute, American Repertory Theatre, Young Playwrights, Inc., New York Stage and Film, The Mark Taper Forum, New York Shakespeare Festival, ASK Theater Projects and South Coast Repertory Theater. Other work includes The Guthrie Theater, The Classical Theatre Lab, The Two River Theater, The Kitchen Theater, and Williamstown Theatre Festival. A graduate of Cornell University, Beth joined the faculty in 2001. She has guest lectured at Harvard University, Brown University, The University of Texas, Austin, Southern Connecticut State University. While on leave from Cornell she served as Head of the Directing MFA at Brown University and as an Associate Director at Trinity Repertory and as the Director of Education at Long Wharf Theatre. Beth is also a graduate of the ART Institute for Advanced Theater Training at Harvard University.
Candidate Statement:
Candidate Statement:
I have valued the opportunity, while on Faculty Senate, to engage in the complex issues we face as colleagues and educators, mutually emerging from the initial stages of the pandemic, heading into our post 2020 lives. These times have necessitated simultaneous reckonings with our values and our responsibilities- as we have engaged in difficult conversations around institutional priorities.
This past year. I have served on The University Assembly, and on the Executive Board, as Vice Chair of Operations. I have found this task rewarding- working across the roles and the tasks we face- listening to one another, sharing concerns while remaining open to curiosity- about the things we do not know. We have tackled ongoing conversations regarding the escalation of burn-out across the University (for our Staff, Employees and Students- in addition to Faculty) investigating allocations of resources, towards future and sustained support.
I respect and am grateful to engage in shared governance – more so- as a Cornell Alum. I find the missions of service at the University level to be amongst the most important aspect of my work. I have served on the Educational Policy Committee (for two terms), on The Faculty Senate, and now on University Assembly. I would welcome the opportunity to work as a Faculty liaison to the University Administration, articulating and sharing concerns and challenge we face as we strive to work successfully as a community, continually balancing our work goals with our humanity.
This past year. I have served on The University Assembly, and on the Executive Board, as Vice Chair of Operations. I have found this task rewarding- working across the roles and the tasks we face- listening to one another, sharing concerns while remaining open to curiosity- about the things we do not know. We have tackled ongoing conversations regarding the escalation of burn-out across the University (for our Staff, Employees and Students- in addition to Faculty) investigating allocations of resources, towards future and sustained support.
I respect and am grateful to engage in shared governance – more so- as a Cornell Alum. I find the missions of service at the University level to be amongst the most important aspect of my work. I have served on the Educational Policy Committee (for two terms), on The Faculty Senate, and now on University Assembly. I would welcome the opportunity to work as a Faculty liaison to the University Administration, articulating and sharing concerns and challenge we face as we strive to work successfully as a community, continually balancing our work goals with our humanity.
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Charles Wolcott
Professor Emeritus, Department of Neurobiology and Behavior
Biography:
Charles Walcott is Professor Emeritus of Neurobiology and Behavior at Cornell University. Dr. Walcott received his AB from Harvard and his PhD from Cornell. He served on the faculties of Harvard, Tufts and The State University of New York at Stony Brook before coming to Cornell as Director of the Laboratory of Ornithology in 1981. He retired as the Louis Aggasiz Fuertes Director in June of 1995 to return to teaching and research. He taught the Introductory Biology Course for majors for five years and served 8 years as Associate and then Dean of the University Faculty. He then served ten years as University Ombudsman and University Marshal.
In addition to research on the hearing of spiders, the navigational ability of homing pigeons, magnetoreception in bees and vocal communication in Loons, Dr. Walcott has taught undergraduate courses in animal behavior, human physiology and evolution. He has also participated in projects designed to interest the public in science. These have included a television series for in-school use, Exploring Nature, The Elementary Science Curriculum Study, NOVA and 3-2-1 Contact.
Candidate Statement:
I am a strong believer in shared governance, and I’ve been involved in it in many different capacities over my 42 years at Cornell. I am currently a member of the UFC as well as the University Faculty Senate and have been speaker in years past. I’ve chaired the University Assembly and the University Hearing Board and have been a member of the Financial Policy Committee and the ROTC committee. I have served a full term as Dean of the University Faculty, and as the former University Ombudsman, I have tried to help faculty, students and staff with a wide variety of problems and that experience would help me bring general issues to the University Faculty Committee.