2023 Promotion and Tenure Bookplate Selections

Gerlando Agusto Sampaio Franco de Lima (Accountancy)

Summa de arithmetica, geometria, proportioni et proportionalita by Luca Pacioli

Summa de Arithmetica holds profound significance in Accountancy for introducing the enduring debit and credit system, foundational to the discipline. This work is the cornerstone of accountancy, endowing it with a universal business language. Engaging with this esteemed tome, once remote, now fills me with pride at my university’s possession of this pReqious artifact.

Sumiti Vinayak Alam (Pathobiology)

Molecular Biology of the Cell 7th ed. by Bruce Alberts et al.

This is a fantastic book that I read during my college days. A classic for students and budding scientists aspiring to become a molecular/cell biologist.

Rummana Alam (Law)

Black’s Law Dictionary by Henry Campbell Black

For every academic milestone, I have been awarded a dictionary. I thought it was fitting to celebrate my work as a legal scholar with a book that is not only widely used by those in my discipline, but a book that celebrates the terms and phrases widely used in the language of the law.

Flavia Andrade (Social Work)

Oscar Niemeyer by Michael Kimmelman

Oscar Niemeyer, the renowned Brazilian architect celebrated for his groundbreaking contributions to modern architecture, crafted masterpieces in Belo Horizonte, notably at Pampulha, evoking cherished memories of my joyful childhood. His iconic designs, marked by graceful curves and bold aesthetics, continue to captivate and inspire generations.

Arijit Banerjee (Electrical and Computer Engineering)

The Brain: The Story of You by David Eagleman

Maya (literally meaning illusion) has several meanings in ancient Indian philosophies. According to my interpretation, this book explains the concept of Maya using a scientific approach. Reading this book gave me a lot of perspective on life and created an inward journey to seek its purpose.

Teresa Barnes (History)

The Cultural and Artistic Legacy of Oliver Mtukudzi: Using Language for Social Justice by Munyardzi Nyakudya and Bridget Chinouriri

I learned a love of African history when teaching in Zimbabwe in the 1980s and this book represents the best of Zimbabwean academic scholarship and the profoundly generative link between African histories and social life.

Wes Baumgartner (Veterninary Clinical Medicine)

Cells, Tissues, and Disease: Principles of General Pathology by Guido Majno and Isabelle Joris

This book is structurally good, filled with art, humor, philosophy, history and a knack for imparting not only knowledge, but an introduction to wisdom. In short, a great book and certainly the very best textbook I have ever read. This book inspired me. Read it and be better for it.

Elisabeth Bigsby (Communication)

Public Communication Campaigns edited by Ronald E. Rice and Charles K. Atkin

I have been fortunate to call several great scholars and human beings mentors. This book contains chapters written by some of them. An earlier edition was the textbook for one of my undergraduate courses. It solidified my interest in persuasive health communication and is the foundation for my current work.

Subhonmesh Bose (Electrical and Computer Engineering)

Calculus I by Tom M. Apostol

I initially learned calculus by memorizing formulae and did not understand motivations behind the definitions until I was introduced to this book. Years later, walking down the halls at Caltech, I saw my childhood hero Apostol typing away at a computer. The book inspired me to always seek the story behind math.

Pasquale Bottalico (Speech and Hearing Science)

Principles of Voice Production by Ingo R. Titze

Ingo Titze’s groundbreaking work on voice production has had a profound impact on my life. His research is the foundation for my studies, and the opportunity to learn from his team was the driving force behind my journey to the USA. This book shaped my understanding of vocal health and performance.

Jacob Bowers (Political Science)

Design of Observational Studies by Paul Rosenbaum

“Design of Observational Studies” by Paul Rosenbaum delves deep into understanding cause and effect through intentional observation. By focusing on how we organize our observations, Rosenbaum provides clarity on making robust causal inferences. An essential read for those keen on refining theoretical foundations and enhancing public policy.

Barry Bradlyn (Physics)

Eurekas and Euphorias: The Oxford Book of Scientific Anecdotes by Walter Gratzer

Reading this book in high school humanized the practice of science for me. It played a large role in showing me the joy that could be found in a scientific career.

Lelys Bravo de Guenni (Statistics)

Random Functions in Hydrology by Rafal L. Bras and Ignacio Rodriguez-Iturbe

This book defined my career and showed me the new path where randomness meets nature. I practically had this book by my bedside during my graduate studies. One of the co-authors, Prof. Ignacio Rodriguez-Iturbe, was my professor and role model. He passed away in 2023 at the age of 80, and his memory will remain in many of his students.

Marcelo Bucheli (Business Administration)

El Amanecer del Capitalismo y la Conquista de America by Volodia Teitelboim

Written by a poet, this book started my enthusiasm for the study of the history of capitalism in my undergraduate years.  I was not aware of it at the moment, but it marked my long-term academic career.

Jason Chambers (Advertising)

Aunt Jemima, Uncle Ben, and Rastus: Blacks in Advertising, Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow by Marilyn Kern Foxworth

As a Ph.D. student, this book set me on the trajectory that I’ve followed throughout my academic career. Dr. Kern-Foxworth taught me about the connection between African Americans and the advertising industry. Her work gave me the crucial push I needed to gather my thoughts about race and advertising and craft my own research path.

 

Liqing Chen (Plant Biology)

Mulan by Jian Li

It is a legendary tale of a brave girl who displays courage and love for her family and country. It teaches us, especially kids, about being brave and doing the right thing. The illustrations in this book, in both Chinese and English, are lovely.

Xu Chen (Electrical & Computer Engineering)

Theory and Computation of Electromagnetic Fields, 2nd ed. by Jian-Ming Jin

This is the textbook for the first graduate course in engineering electromagnetics.

Teri Chettiar (History)

ADHD 2.0 by Edward M. Hallowell and John J. Ratey

In 2020, I learned that I have ADHD. With the help of books like this, I have since un-shamed the ways that my brain deviates from “neurotypical” norms related to productivity, consistency, and emotional expression. This book shows how embracing neurodiversity can make education and knowledge production not only more humane but also more transformative.

Jaewon Choi (Finance)

천룡팔부 by 김용

This author (김용, who passed away in 2018, was the most influential one in my generation of Koreans. This particular novel is his masterpiece. In my previous promotion, I have selected another novel of his.

Barrington Coleman (Music)

The Audacity of Hope by Barack Obama

I have firmly believed and adopted hope as a central, foundational element for all aspects of survival, sustainability, change, and influence in the cycle of humanity, and most significantly as a beacon of purpose in my life’s journey. Barack’s reflections, anecdotes, and perspectives of countless contributors to societal and individual progress through the struggles have offered an invaluable parallel of appreciation for those whose mentorship, models, and selfless guidance defined my life principles. In this manner, I hope that my contributions may empower, strengthen, and illuminate new possibilities for those whose lives I have encountered and inspire future generations.

 

Sara Connolly (Veterinary Clinical Medicine)

Togo and Leonhard by Pam Flowers

My love of sled dogs started at the University of Illinois. Leonhard Seppala and Togo are arguably the most famous musher and sled dog pair. The Leonhard Seppala Award recognizes an Iditarod musher for exceptional dog team care by the race veterinary team. This book highlights my love of the sled dog and veterinary medicine.

Yulanda Curtis (Law)

The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien

This book is a powerful collection of war stories, exploring the burdens soldiers carry both physical and emotional. Each item they carry reveals the complexities of war and the weight of memory.

Peter Darch (Information Sciences)

Who Dares Wins: Britain, 1979-1982 by Dominic Sandbrook

A brilliant evocation of the ideological struggles and cultural currents that profoundly shaped not only the country in which I grew up, but the world we live in today.

Jennifer Delaney (Education Policy, Organization and Leadership)

Volatility in State Spending for Higher Education by Jennifer A. Delaney

This book is dedicated to my children, Ann and Rose. I also want to thank my parents, Janet and James Delaney, for their support in completing this volume. In addition, I am grateful to all of the authors, reviewers, discussants, policy respondents, and editors who made this work possible.

Angela Di Fulvio (Nuclear, Plasma, and Radiological Engineering)

Passive Nondestructive Assay of Nuclear Materials edited by Doug Reilly, Norbert Ensslh, and Hastings Smith Jr.

For years, the PANDA manual has been the primary technical reference for verifying nonproliferation treaties, crucially contributing to nuclear safeguards and disarmament. Authored by pioneers in the field, the book is regularly updated with the latest methods and offers guidance to students and scientists for developing new ones.

Karen Tabb Dina (Social Work)

The Art of Gathering by Priya Parker

Art of Gathering provides steps for a tandem dance between researcher partners and communities to dance together in harmony.

Nora El-Gohary (Civil and Environmental Engineering)

What Do You Do with an Idea? by Kobi Yamada

If you cultivate ideas with passion, patience, and persistence, they may grow and change the world. It is an inspiring message for parents and children, faculty and students, and everyone! I loved reading this book with my sons and playfully explore how ideas can transform into reality.

Wade Fagen-Ulmschneider (Computer Science)

The Visual Display of Quantitative Information by Edward Tufte

Edward Tufte’s work transformed visualization from a form of art into a tool for presenting highly technical information in a way that is easily understood by all. Tufte’s work influenced my initial interest in data visualization and continues to inspire me today.

Zsuzsanna Fagyal (French & Italian)

Language in the Inner City by William Labov

“Language in the Inner City” firmly establishes African American Vernacular English not simply as slang but as a well-formed set of rules of pronunciation and grammar capable of conveying complex logic and reasoning and confirms the Black vernacular as a separate and independent variety of English.Upon reading this book, I decided to dedicate my research to non-standard varieties of language, especially French.

Rachel Fein-Smolinski (Art & Design)

Sex Lives of Animals Without Backbones by Haig Hagop Najarian

This book cracked open my love for the visual languages of biology and medicine and the (dys)functions of (dis)embodied metaphors like spinelessness.

Eli Fieldsteel (Music)

The Curry-Howard Isomorphism by Philippe De Groote (editor)

In the summer of 2010, I took an audio programming course taught by James Lipton and Ron Kuivila at Wesleyan University. Lipton, one of the authors featured in this volume, had a teaching style that was exceptionally clear and engaging, and which filled so many gaps in my understanding of the subject.

Kelly Findley (Statistics)

The Having of Wonderful Ideas and Other Essays on Teaching and Learning by Eleanor Duckworth

My advisor gave me this book when I began working on my dissertation. It has inspired both my research and teaching through its reminders that students will almost always surprise you when you provide them space to think.

Kari Foss (Veterinary Clinical Medicine)

Oh, the Places You’ll Go! by Dr. Suess

I received this book from my grandmother upon my high school graduation. She viewed it a guide for the next steps in my life. This book reminds to keep pushing and I know that my grandmother is proud of the places I’ve been (and will go).

Rachel Garthe (Social Work)

No Visible Bruises by Rachel Louise Snyder

This book gives voice to victims and survivors of intimate partner violence, while also providing research and education. This book solidified my passion for wanting to envision and work toward a world without violence.

Lawrence Gray (Music)

Free Play – The Power of Improvisation in Life and the Arts by Stephen Nachmanovitch

I was both delighted and inspired to discover this wonderful little book! It not only summarizes and affirms what creative artists do in general, it also provides a wealth of inspiration for future projects and for the process in general. The ideas in this book can be applied most anywhere.

Andrew Greenlee (Urban and Regional Planning)

Family Properties by Beryl Satter

This book artfully captures a social history that surrounds my initial motivation for becoming an academic – the use of housing as a tool for parceling out economic and social fortunes.

Ryan Griffis (Art + Design)

A Short History of the Blockade by Leanne Betasamosake Simpson

I have learned so much from the work of Michi Saagiig Nishnaabeg artist/scholar Leanne Betasamosake Simpson. A Short History of the Blockade pushes us to consider how important storytelling is for understanding our collective relations with a living world and actively creating and maintaining a world that supports just relations.

Benjamin Grosser (Art + Design)

Extinction Internet by Geert Lovink

Geert’s creative approach to internet criticism always inspires me, demonstrating how scholarship can be art and art can be scholarship. His unwavering analyses of tech culture’s political impacts remind me to always stay radical, to never settle for the growth-obsessed engagement-focused tech mess we have—no matter how neatly packaged it might be.

William Guenthner (Earth Science and Environmental Change)

The Big Rock Candy Mountain by Wallace Stegner

As a Midwesterner that moved West for graduate school, Stegner’s semi-autobiographical novel resonated with me when I first read it in my early 20s. I remain fascinated by the American West in all facets: its geology, tragic history, mythology, and stark reality. This book contains all of it.

Aaron Hager (Crop Sciences)

With the Old Breed: At Peleliu and Okinawa by Eugene Sledge

This book describes the sometimes horrific sacrifices made by service members during World War II that preserved the freedoms and liberties of our nation. To all service members of the United States past, present, and future, I thank you for your service and sacrifices.

Jing Rui He (Information Sciences)

Sophie’s World: A Novel About the History of Philosophy by Jostein Gaarder (Author), Paulette Moller (Translator)

This is a book that brings back lots of memories, dating all the way back to my high school years.

Pia Hunter (Law)

Conversations With Sterling Plumpp by John Zheng

I selected this title because Sterling D. Plump was once my professor and remains my mentor for blues, jazz, poetry, and life. Conversations with him are prolific. He once analogized the cadence of Milton to the moves of best basketball player of all time. Our continued debate is about who holds that title.

Shelby Hutchens (Mechanical Science and Engineering)

The Old-Fashioned Raggedy Ann & Andy ABC Book by Robert Kraus (Author), Pam Kraus (Editor), Johnny Gruelle (Illustrator)

Published the same year I was born, this book holds cherished memories. My sister and I recited it, including our parents’ personal “edits”. It inspired birthday themes and lives on as my own daughters begin to memorize the stanzas. I dedicate it to my deceased mother; she would have been proud.

Sarah Janzen (Agricultural and Consumer Economics)

The Economics of Poverty: History, Measurement, and Policy by Martin Ravallion

Global poverty and food security are two of our world’s most critical challenges. The historical context carefully explained in Ravallion’s book has helped frame my own understanding of poverty and development policies today.

Maryam Kashani (Gender & Women Studies)

The Chicago Symphonies by Wadada Leo Smith´s Great Lakes Quartet

Wadada Leo Smith continues to teach me how to be human, as a creative, spiritual, and intellectual being. This specific set of compositions celebrate Chicago and the Midwest, its histories, cultures, and landscapes.

Haci Kilicoglu (Information Sciences)

Ontological Semantics by Sergei Nirenburg and Victor Raskin

This book inspired my journey from a software engineer to a professor. It introduced me to a comprehensive theory and computational approach to language semantics. Its “microtheory” approach, covering linguistic phenomena, knowledge representation, and processing heuristics, resonated with me. While it may seem quaint in our era of large language models, it expanded my horizons.

Christopher Kinson (Statistics)

Boondock Kollage: Stories from the Hip Hop South by Regina N. Bradley

I chose this because of Albany, Georgia. I’m from there. The author is from there. Boondock and Kollage are from there. These stories are a reminder of those who I love who are no longer here, but never forgotten.

Kay Kirkpatrick (Mathematics)

The Milky Way: An Autobiography of Our Galaxy by Moiya McTier

I got into this business because of the wonder of the cosmos, and this book captures the wonder of our cosmic neighborhood beautifully. It recounts the history and future of the Milky Way scientifically and accessibly–the author, Dr Moiya McTier, has expertise in both folklore and astrophysics.

Tomasz Kozlowski (Nuclear, Plasma, and Radiological Engineering)

Two-Fluid Model Stability, Simulation and Chaos by Martín López de Bertodano, William Fullmer, Alejandro Clausse, Victor H. Ransom

The intricate dance where two-phase structures and turbulence intertwine, separating the chaotic from the stable, this book made me understand two-phase flow stability, and transformed this formidable challenge into stepping stones towards discovery of the chaos, order, and beauty of two-phase flow.

Eric C. Larson (Business Administration)

Colorado Then and Now by Grant Collier and John Collier

Colorado Then and Now inspires in so many ways. It reflects for me the importance of family, the joy of home, and the majesty of the outdoors. And in that context captures how time has the power to both change and preserve the world around us.

Xin Li (Cell and Developmental Biology)

Principles of Development by Lewis Wolpert, Cheryll Tickle, and Alfonso Martinez Arias

This textbook beautifully summarizes scientific discoveries illustrating the conserved principles underlying the fascinating developmental process of a complete organism from a single cell.

Leon Liebenberg (Mechanical Science & Engineering)

The Quark and the Jaguar. Adventures in the Simple and the Complex by Murray Gell-Mann

Murray Gell-Mann’s book eloquently traverses the intricacies of the universe, forging connections between the world of quarks and the realm of ecosystems. It articulates a vision of sustainability through interconnected transitions, not as a rigid blueprint, but as an ever-flowing wellspring of imaginative inspiration for the future.

Janet Liechty (Social Work)

Handbook of Positive Body Image and Embodiment: Constructs, Protective Factors, and Interventions by Tracy Tylka and Niva Piran

This pioneering text is the first handbook on positive body image and embodiment. It signals the shift from focus on body image deficit and disorder to focus on embodied resilience: resistance against hegemonic norms, expansive definitions of beauty, body sovereignty, embodied mindfulness, body acceptance and joy, and human flourishing.

Avital Livny (Political Science)

Family and Community in the Kibbutz by Yonina Talmon-Garber

A collection of essays written by my late grandmother — published after her death when my mother was but a child — reveals the many ways that identities shape policies and societies, and vice versa.

Franklin Lombardo (Civil and Environmental Engineering)

The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Trees: Eastern Region by Elbert Little

I was in seventh grade and needed to do a “leaf project” for school. It was my first exposure to science I was really interested in. I learned so much from this book and think it was instrumental in my career path as a scientist.

Andrew Margenot (Crop Sciences)

Darwinian Agriculture: How Understanding Evolution Can Improve Agriculture by Ford Denison

Agriculture is not simple. There are no solutions, only trade-offs. This book opened my mind to this reality and exemplifies rigor of thought of cutting through assumptions of “natural” in agricultural sciences. A must-read for any agricultural scientist.

Nicolas Martin (Crop Sciences)

Cuentos del futbol Argentino by Roberto Fontanarrosa

This is a beautiful tale that blends the worlds of agronomy, geography, and sports in a relatable way. It explores how quantitative agronomy and spatial analytics can be applied creatively in other fields, like soccer, making it highly relevant and inspiring for professionals like me.

Kathryn Matlack (Mechanical Science and Engineering)

The Sound Book: The Science of the Sonic Wonders of the World by Trevor Cox

Sound and music can be beautiful and fascinating, and can transport us to different times and places; the physics behind sound propagation can be applied to solve critical engineering problems. This juxtaposition inspired me to study acoustics, and this book highlights some phenomena that piqued my interest in waves and acoustics beyond the musical domain.

Mary Maurer (Social Work)

Think Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don’t Know by Adam Grant

This book inspired me to rethink and question many aspects of my life, both personally and professionally.

Hellen McDonald (Social Work)

My Grandmother’s Hands by Resmaa Menakem

Resmaa Menakem is a social worker and therapist who gives ownership back to each one of us to explore our own racist ways through the healing of the body.

Lisa Mercer (Art + Design)

Racism Untaught by Lisa Elzey Mercer and Terresa Moses

Bob, Brenden, Issy, Caroline. Love you more

Santiago Mideros Mora (Crop Sciences)

Compendium of Corn Diseases edited by Munkvold and White

One of the first sources I ever used about plant pathology was a Spanish translation of the Compendium of Corn Diseases. Little did I know I would end up working under the same roof as the minds behind this book. Always at hand, it’s my trusty companion for teaching, research, and yes even exploration!

Thom Miller (Theatre)

Three Days of Rain and Other Plays: Three Days of Rain; The American Plan; The Author’s Voice; Hurrah at Last by Richard Greenberg

Three Days of Rain was a fun and challenging play to act in but also gave me great appreciation for how to creatively structure a play and has continued to inspire me as a writer.

Brian Monson (Speech and Hearing Science)

The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ Translated by Joseph Smith, Jr.

This is the most powerful book I’ve ever read. So much so, I choose to continue to read from it daily. It draws me to God, reminds me of my relationship with Him, and teaches me how to be a better, more loving human. I believe it is the word of God.

Raksha Mudar (Speech and Hearing Science)

Aging Brain: Communication in the Elderly by Hanna Ulatowska

This book was crucial in igniting my passion to pursue research in aging and age-associated neurodegenerative diseases.

Julie Munoz-Najar (Social Work)

Happy Birthday Moon by Frank Asch

I remember being on car rides as a child and believing that the moon was following me. Now as a mother and cuddling my own little bears, Sebastián and Mariana, and reading my tattered childhood copy, together we are all transported to our own magical thinking through Moonbear’s curiosity and love for nature.

Justine Murison (English)

A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens

I first discovered literary language when my high school English teacher, Mrs. Gavin, read aloud the first two pages of Charles Dickens’s A Tale of Two Cities. I could suddenly hear Dickens’s language, its vitality and complexity. In my writing and teaching, I strive to match that moment of literary revelation and delight.

Somashekarappa Nanjappa (Pathobiology)

Sri Sankara Bhagavatpada Vrttanta Sara Sarvasva (Life of Sri Sankaracarya in Essence)-by Sri Swami Satchidanandendra Saraswati

The reason for choosing this book is to rekindle one’s living purpose and self-realization through the thoughts of Sankara, who rejuvenated the basic concepts of Vedanta. The author is well-versed in the Vedanta and has written over 200 books in English, Kannada, and Sanskrit.

Jacquelyn Noronha-Hostler (Physics)

Relativistic Kinetic Theory: Principles and Applications by Sybren Ruurds De Groot

This book is foundational for my work on relativistic fluids. However, it is very hard to access because it is out of print so I would like a copy available to my students.

Brian Ogolsky (Human Development and Family Studies)

Born to Run by Christopher MacDougall

Running is the medicine that helps me produce my best work. This book is the ultimate tribute to the world’s best sport and to the revolution in back-to-the-basics running.

Jennifer Pahre (Law)

The Rule of Law by Tom Bingham

The Rule of Law is not an arid legal doctrine, but the cornerstone of a just society. This book explains why that is true. It has been an important teaching tool for me through the years.

Nicola Perry (Materials Science and Engineering)

God in the Lab: How Science Enhances Faith by Ruth Bancewicz

This unconventional entry into the sometimes-polarized discourse on science and faith introduces the day-to-day work and perspectives of 7 scientists of faith in academia. Through personal narrative and broader scholarship, it explores the complementarity of scientific practice and Christian belief, as well as the place of creativity, imagination, and beauty in research.

Huanyu Qiao (Comparative Biosciences)

The Great Treatise On The Stages Of The Path To Enlightenment by Tsong-Kha-Pa

This book serves as a profound guide towards enlightenment, encompassing a wealth of ancient wisdom from India and Tibet.

Shaloo Rakheja (Electrical and Computer Engineering)

Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland (Alice in Wonderland) by Lewis Carroll

” Who in the world am I?” Like Alice, I often wonder about my identity but have come to appreciate that I might never find an answer. And, yes, The Cheshire Cat is very wise: “Only a few find the way, some don’t recognize it when they do – some… don’t ever want to.”

Prabhakara Reddi (Comparative Biosciences)

On the Origin of Species by Means Of Natural Selection by Charles Darwin

Charles Darwin’s belief in his theory of evolution by natural selection, in the context of early 19th century, is inspirational. Great example of thinking outside the box and scientific pursuit!

Deena Rymhs (American Indian Studies)

Pots and Other Living Beings by Annie Ross

Annie ross’s multi-modal creations (her weaving, poetry, and installations) have inspired what I consider to be the most thoughtful and meaningful scholarship that I’ve written.

Celestina Savonius-Wroth (University Library)

Happiness and Holiness: Selected Writings of Thomas Traherne by Denise Inge

Traherne is a wonderful 17th-century mystic whose writings are suffused with love of nature as a revelation of God. He was almost completely unknown until his unpublished works were discovered accidentally in the 20th century. New manuscripts are still being discovered. I would love to write about him someday!

Simrun Sethi (Art & Design)

The Aesthetics Of The Japanese LunchBox by Kenji Ekuan

In exploring Kenji Ekuan’s vision of the bento box as a design masterpiece, I’m inspired by its call for simplicity and grace, and deepen my connection to Japanese tradition. Design in Asia seamlessly intertwines with daily life, celebrating diversity and embracing aesthetics rooted in culture.

Carol Symes (History)

Life in the Early Middle Ages in 36 Chapters by Stiftsarchiv St Gallen and Peter Erhart

My own work revolves around medieval manuscript cultures and what they reveal about the materiality of writing and the lived experiences of everyday existence. This splendid volume reproduces charters from the archive of St Gall which testify to many aspects of daily live in centuries before the year 1000 CE.

Rafael Omar Tinoco Lopez (Civil and Environmental Engineering)

A Voyage Through Turbulence by Peter Alan Davidson

Reynolds, Kolmogorov, von Karman, Richardson, names intrinsically linked to most turbulence discussions, yet we rarely think about the person behind the name. This book provides insight into their lives, background, challenges, and motivations as they faced a subject that remains as baffling as fascinating up to this day.

Michael Tissenbaum (Curriculum and Instruction)

No Coins Please by Gordon Korman

This book is the perfect encapsulation of the ideal of youthful ingenuity and entrepreneurial spirit. Joyful and delightfully silly, it’s a book that taught me to think creatively and to understand that the best way to get people to engage with your ideas is to create experiences filled with wonder.

Julie Turnock (Media and Cinema Studies)

Film History As Media Archaeology : Tracking Digital Cinema by Thomas Elsaesser

Thomas was an early mentor in my cinema studies education in my MA at the University of Amsterdam. His approach to popular cinema has been formative to how I approach my own work. He died recently and I wanted to honor him and his more recent scholarship.

Chrysafis Vogiatzis (Industrial & Enterprise Systems Engineering)

The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams

This is a wildly imaginative book that I have revisited many times since first reading it as a kid. I look forward to revisiting the book and its world again with our child.

Jialan Wang (Finance)

Debt: The First 5,000 Years,Updated and Expanded by David Graeber

Debt: The First 5,000 Years is both outside my field and deeply intertwined with the subject of my work. While some of its facts are disputed, I admire Graeber’s ambition, style, and his intellectual courage and conviction. I gave a signed copy to my hero and mentor Norb Schedler. May they both rest in peace.

Leyi Wang (Veterninary Clinical Medicine)

Phantoms in the Brain: Probing the Mysteries of the Human Mind by V.S. Ramachandran and Sandra Blakeslee

This book has influenced my creativity and has broadened my perspective in different situations. This book is a good read and has a wide variety of short stories. It talks about the unconscious part of the brain and how this can influence conscious thinking.

Russell Weinstein (Labor and Employment Relations)

Beethoven Klaviersonaten Band I

Playing music, and particularly Beethoven’s piano sonatas, has been such an enriching part of my life. I have gained so much from playing these powerful pieces, and they have been a source of inspiration during the busy days of college, graduate school, as an assistant professor, and a parent.

Sarah Williams (University Library)

Life in Prairie Land by Eliza Farnham

My first professional position was in Illinois, and I have lived in this state ever since, so I chose Life in Prairie Land. I discovered this book during a research project for a literary garden, and the author’s descriptions of the central Illinois prairie in the 1830s captured my imagination.

Carol Wilson Smith (Social Work)

Disability Visibility: First-Person Stories from the Twenty-First Century by Alice Wong

Alice Wong’s Disability Visibility has allowed individuals with visible and invisible disabilities to be seen and heard. This book has helped to increase awareness and understanding of the Disability community in my classrooms, fostering discussions of stigma and under/misrepresentation in the media.

Liliane Windsor (Social Work)

The Wiley Handbook of Paulo Freire by Carlos Alberto Torres

My scholarship is grounded in Freire’s. Critical consciousness theory, developed decades ago, remains incredibly relevant to the world today. It offers a framework to understand privilege and oppression but more importantly, how to dismantle them. Torres outlines Freire’s journey and contributions from diverse perspectives and brings it all together in the context of contemporary issues.

Chi-Fang Wu (Social Work)

$2.00 A Day: Living on Almost Nothing in America by Kathryn J. Edin and Luke Shaefer

“$2.00 a Day” offers a powerful and thought-provoking examination of extreme poverty in the United States. This book fuels my dedication to dismantling systemic barriers and promoting equitable opportunities for low-income individuals, families, and communities. It prompts a critical reflection on the systemic issues perpetuating poverty and advocates for policy changes.

Jaya Yodh (Biomedical and Translational Sciences)

The Exceptions: Nancy Hopkins and the Fight for Women in Science by Kate Zernike

I chose this book as a tribute to all the women in science who have persisted and still persist.

Wei Zhu (Accountancy)

Market Liquidity: Theory, Evidence, and Policy by Thierry Foucault, Marco Pagano, and Ailsa Röell

Analysis of how accounting information affects liquidity and price discovery has been a focus of my research. In this endeavor, I have greatly benefited from the valuable insights provided by authors in this book. It offers readers a wealth of theoretical perspectives on the process by which fundamental information reaches the security markets.

 

Reception Photos