Study of farm families brings honor to Elder

A study of the human consequences of agricultural crises in middle America has brought recognition to Dr. Glen H. Elder Jr., Howard W. Odum Distinguished Professor of Sociology and research professor of psychology at UNC. Elder and a University of California, Davis colleague recently won the 2003 Award for Distinguished Service to Rural Life from the Rural Sociological Society. The award recognizes outstanding contributions to the enhancement of rural life and rural people.

Elder and colleague Rand Conger traced lives of individuals in four generations of Iowa farm families, beginning with 451 families. The study has produced three books, two co-written by Elder: "Families in Troubled Times" (Aldine-DeGruyter Press, 1994) and "Children of the Land" (University of Chicago Press, 2000).

"These researchers have served rural people and rural places well by showing wider society the inherent strengths and values of rural communities," said Cruz Torres, society secretary, in presenting the award. Previous winners have included Sen. Patrick Leahy, former U.S. Rep. Thomas Foley and publisher Robert Rodale.

Elder was elected in 1988 to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Other honors include a Guggenheim Fellowship and the highest-level a research award given by the National Institute of Mental Health, in 1990. His books include "Family Structure and Socialization," "Adolescent Socialization and Personality" and "Children of the Great Depression." The latter, first published in 1974 by the University of Chicago Press, was re-issued in 1998 by Westview Press.

Elder first joined UNC in 1967, then resigned in 1978 to take a position at the Boys Town Research Center in Nebraska. He returned to Carolina in 1984. He also has taught at the University of California, Berkeley, and Cornell University.

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Top U.S. deans to discuss information schools movement

Deans from top information and library science schools across the country will discuss new developments in their field in a free public panel at UNC Sept. 15.

The UNC School of Information and Library Science will host the event, "The Information Schools Movement: A Panel Discussion by the Deans," from 9 to 10:30 a.m. in the Pleasants Family Assembly Room of Wilson Library.

"Schools of information and library science are leading the way in the creation of more broadly-based educational programs for the information professionals of the future," said Dr. Joanne Gard Marshall, school dean. "Such professionals are working in many different kinds of information-intensive organizations, including libraries."

The deans will discuss how their schools are contributing to this movement through rapidly growing educational and research programs. Marshall will moderate the panel consisting of:

• John King, University of Michigan School of Information;
• Mike Eisenberg, University of Washington Information School;
• David Fenske, Drexel University College of Information Science and Technology;
• Ron Larson, University of Pittsburgh School of Library and Information Science;
• Jane Robbins, Florida State University School of Information Studies;
• John Unsworth, University of Illinois Graduate School of Library and Information Science; and
• Ray Von Dran, Syracuse University School of Information Studies.

For more information, call the school at 962-8363.

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Wing, music colleagues, to perform ‘A Tenor’s Delight’

UNC faculty tenor Stafford Wing, accompanied by some of his music department colleagues, will perform works of classical music in a free public concert Sept. 21 in Hill Hall.

"A Tenor’s Delight" will include works by Handel and Schubert (1797-1828). Also performing will be Kevin Bartig on harpsichord; Brent Wissick, cello; David McChesney, trumpet; Richard Luby, violin; Michael Schultz, oboe; Brooks de Wetter-Smith, flute; and Thomas Otten, piano.

Paid parking will be available in the Swain Lot off Cameron Avenue. For more information call (919) 962-1039.

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Contacts: News Services, 962-2091; L.J. Toler, 962-8589, laura_toler@unc.edu