Newsletter Volume 12 Issue 5 - December 2025 | | |
A reminder that our next annual direct mail campaign will move from the usual end of year time-frame to March 2026. This is necessary due to the implementation of the new university-wide records software program.
If you prefer to donate before the end of this year, you may use the university general donation link (https://together.emory.edu/give/to/general-university) and designate it to the Emory University Emeritus College.
Thank you for supporting the Emeritus College!!
| | Lunch Colloquium -- BookFest -- December 1, 2025 | | |
BookFest
MONDAY, December 1, 2025
The Luce Center
825 Houston Mill Road -- Room 130
11:30am-1:00pm
Wondering what to read next?
We have a line-up of Emeritus members ready to share recommendations and information about books they have enjoyed. Please join us for this always popular special lunch colloquium session.
Attend via Zoom or in-person (with optional lunch) and be prepared to add to your "To Be Read" list!!!
Presenters scheduled for the program:
Len Carlson
Rick Doner
Linda Grabbe
Kristy Martyn
Marilynne McKay
Lee Pasackow
Vernon Robbins
Roger Rochat
Ann Rogers
| | Lunch Colloquium -- Holiday Party -- December 15, 2025 | | |
Emeritus College Holiday Party
MONDAY, December 15, 2025
The Luce Center
825 Houston Mill Road -- Room 130
11:30am-1:00pm
Please join us for a special holiday version of our lunch colloquium. No lecture/speaker, just food, music, and spending time with friends before the holiday break.
We know many of you are excellent chefs and bakers, so please feel free to bring some home-made cookies or dessert goodies to share with everyone!
NOTE: This will be an in-person only event.
In Person Registration
| | Preview of Spring Semester 2026 Lunch Colloquiums | | |
Our Mind Matters Committee has been hard at work recruiting and scheduling speakers for our upcoming lunch colloquiums. The line-up includes something a little different in February -- a panel discussion on Emory University current affairs, which should be extremely interesting. We've provided details for our first 2026 session below and will share additional information for following sessions soon.
January 12, 2026
Steve Batterson, Professor Emeritus of Mathematics and Computer Science
“The Enabling of McCarthyism by the University of Michigan”
We currently see articles and hear discussion about a new
McCarthyism on university campuses. But the machinations of the actual
McCarthy era were long ago, at a time when most of us were unaware of what was
taking place behind the scenes at colleges. In this talk I will use archival
records to reveal how the University of Michigan served as an enforcer
for McCarthyism, sabotaging the careers of its far-left faculty and students.
January 20, 2026 -- Ellen Idler
February 9, 2026 -- David Payne
February 23 -- Panel Discussion on Emory University Current Affairs
March 16 -- HobbyFest
April 13 -- Craig Hill
April 27 -- TravelFest
| | University Senate and Faculty Council News | | |
Faculty Council of October 21, 2025 Meeting update:
On faculty salaries: During Interim Provost Lanny Liebeskind’s report and Q&A, we had a discussion about faculty salaries and how they have barely kept up with inflation. We raised questions to his team about the university’s model for setting the raise pool which, given continuing salary compression, seems simply not to be working. The faculty council will continue to press this issue. Provost Liebeskind ended with good suggestions about how to pursue the matter further as he returns to his previous role and new Provost Badia Ahad takes office on November 1.
On the compact: Faculty Council Chair McAfee recounted an exchange with Interim President Sears about our worry that Emory might agree to the Trump administration’s ‘compact.’ In response she said that Chancellor Fenves and the VP for government affairs were considering what to do. Subsequently, Professor McAfee heard from some members of Interim President Sears’ leadership team that, following a meeting that morning, the compact “was not being considered”, apparently laying the matter to rest for now. Nonetheless, the faculty council took up and unanimously passed a motion to urge Emory leadership to reject the compact entirely.
On the firing of SOM Professor Anna Kenney: The University Senate’s Committee for Open Expression has issued its final report on the matter, finding that, in terminating Anna Kenney’s position as Associate Professor of Pediatrics, the School of Medicine violated Emory’s open expression policy. Following upon this, the University Faculty Council unanimously approved the following motion: “Whereas the Emory University Senate’s Committee for Open Expression has found that the School of Medicine has violated Emory’s Open Expression Policy 8.14 on at least three different occasions, the University Faculty Council calls on Interim President Sears and the leadership of all units, including the School of Medicine, to follow university policies, namely open expression policy 8.14, and to reconsider in light of the policy recent disciplinary actions against faculty and students.”
On The University Research Committee’s request for proposals: The University Research Committee (URC)—with support from the Office of the Provost, the Office of the Senior Vice President for Research (SVPR), and in collaboration with the Halle Institute for Global Research and Learning and the Fox Center for Humanistic Inquiry—has announced the annual Request for Proposals (RFP) for funding to be used during the 2026-2027 cycle: The Call is open to all “full-time faculty” as defined within each school of the Emory University. Direct link to the URC Request for Proposals: https://urc.emory.edu/_includes/documents/
URC RFP 2026-2027 Cycle.pdf
--Jeffrey Lichtman, Emeritus College representative to the Emory Senate and Faculty Council
| | Holiday Program of Interest | | |
Emeritus College member, Jan Pratt, Professor Emerita of Law, will be part of the choir for the Christmas on Clairemont program sponsored by the First Baptist Church of Decatur.
The event is on December 21, 2025, 6:00-7:30pm at 308 Clairmont Avenue, Decatur, GA 30030.
If you are interested in listening to some wonderful holiday music, please click here for more information.
| | MedShare Volunteer Opportunity | | |
If you’d like to join this group, we are volunteering the second Thursday afternoon of each month. Upcoming sessions: December 11, 2025 and January 8, 2026 . Registration on the MedShare web site is required.
To register:
Visit the MedShare event registration page at: https://www.cervistech.com/acts/console.php?console_id=0319&console_type=event&ht=1&res_code=EmoryEmeritus
Click the "Sign Up" button for your event and enter your email and first name. If you don't have a MedShare volunteer account, you'll be prompted to create one.
Select the listed event and click “Register."
For registration issues, questions or information about carpooling, please contact Marianne Skeen, marskeen@comcast.net.
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Carol Newsom
Charles Howard Candler Professor Emerita of Old Testament
Carol Newsom Awarded British Academy's Burkitt Medal
Charles Howard Candler Professor Emerita of Old Testament Carol A. Newsom has received the 2025 Burkitt Medal for Biblical Studies from the British Academy, the United Kingdom’s national academy for the humanities and social sciences. Cited for her distinguished contributions to the study of the Dead Sea Scrolls, to ancient Hebrew wisdom literature, and to Apocalyptic, Newsom was presented with the medal on October 16 at the British Academy’s annual awards ceremony in London.
Founded by Professor Francis Burkitt in 1923, the Burkitt Medal is presented annually by the British Academy to a scholar in recognition of special service to biblical studies, for Hebrew Bible in odd years and for New Testament in even years. Long renowned as a groundbreaking scholar, Newsom garnered the Burkitt Medal Committee’s praise for her innovative approach involving insights from psychology, the social sciences, and philosopher and literary theorist-critic Mikhail Bakhtin.
Newsom taught at Candler and Emory University’s Graduate Division of Religion from 1980 until her retirement in 2019. Only the second woman to hold a tenure-track position at Candler, she was named in 2005 as a Charles Howard Candler Professor, a university-based endowed chair. Across her career she directed 30 dissertations, and her former students now teach in universities, colleges, and seminaries throughout the country. She has written and edited 13 books and scores of articles, book chapters, translations, encyclopedia articles and reviews. In addition to her extensive work in Hebrew Bible, she co-edited the acclaimed Women’s Bible Commentary (Westminster John Knox, 3rd ed., 2012), now in its third edition, which explores and challenges long-held assumptions about the Bible’s portrayal of women and other marginalized groups. Newsom holds three honorary doctorates, has received numerous fellowships and awards for scholarship and teaching, and served as president of the Society of Biblical Literature. In 2016, she was elected a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, among the oldest and most revered learned societies in the United States.
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New members are the lifeblood of any organization.
Please make a special effort to welcome them to the EUEC!
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Thomas Olson
Professor Emeritus of Pediatrics
Childrens Healthcare of Atlanta
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Marian Heilbrun
Marian died on September 19, 2025 in Austin, Texas, where she and her husband Al (1924-2022) moved for their retirement after living in Atlanta for 43 years.
The Heilbrun family is prominently connected to Emory University with the Heilbrun Felllowship established in honor of Alfred Heilburn, and the Marian K. Heilbrun Music and Media Library established in Marian Heilburn's honor.
Emeritus member, Brenda Bynum, shared this: "She died in Austin, TX where she and husband Al moved some years ago. The Heilbrun Fellowship was established in his honor and the Music and Media Library at Woodruff was named in her honor. I was a Heilbrun Fellow some years ago and Marian became a friend. With family members they attended the lecture I gave at the Ransome Library at UT on the work I did under the fellowship. A very special family."
To view an obituary please click here.
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Karl Saxe
Associate Professor in Cell Biology
Charles "Karl" Lee Saxe III, a beloved husband, father of two, grandfather of three, scientist, mentor, and friend died October 16, 2025 in Australia while exploring the Great Barrier Reef. He was 73 years old.
Born in Hagerstown, Maryland and raised in Yuma Arizona, Karl's early life was notable for his creativity. His love of jazz and his gift for the trombone provided him with the opportunity to play with Stan Kenton and his Orchestra before turning his creativity towards science.
From studying cell development and movement in Dictyostelium to broadening the audience of cancer research, Karl's distinguished career spanned academia, federal service, and non-profit leadership – bringing integrity, joy, and curiosity to each new step on his path.
Once discovering his love of science, Karl earned his Ph.D. in Genetics at the University of Arizona, where he met his beloved wife, Debra Saxe. After completing post-doctoral training at the University of Pittsburgh and University of San Diego, Karl advanced research through his service at the National Institutes of Health in Washington, D.C. He then joined the faculty at Emory University Department of Cell Biology, which he made his scientific home for 17 years (1990-2007). At Emory, Karl discovered new proteins and earned awards for his dedication to teaching and mentoring the next generation of researchers and physicians at the School of Medicine. Later, as a Senior Scientific Director at the American Cancer Society, Karl transitioned his career from conducting his own research to championing the research of others – acting on his deeply held beliefs that elevating the achievements of the scientific community advances knowledge and health for all. Karl Saxe embodied the human elements of science, delighting in the stories behind discoveries as much as the findings themselves.
In addition to being a brilliant and dedicated scientist, Karl was a kind and warm husband, father, and grandfather. He supported two generations of science fair projects, musical instrument practicing, bedtime story reading, stargazing, and general adventuring. In addition to his professional pursuits, Karl loved American history and government, training to be a poll observer and election worker in his retirement. Colleagues, students, mentees, and family remember Karl as generous with his time, unpretentious in his manner, patient, kind, and creative.
Karl is survived by his beloved wife, Debra Saxe; his two daughters, Tamar Robinson (Brian Robinson) and Lauryn Walker (James "Rusty" Walker); and three grandchildren, Noah Robinson (13), Elise Robinson (10), and Romi Walker (4); as well as 2 cousins, Elaine Wilkinson and Kenji Johnson and their families; and a full tree of friends, mentees and colleagues.
A celebration of Karl's life will was held on Sunday, November 16, 2025, from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at the Miller-Ward Alumni House, 815 Houston Mill Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30329.
In lieu of flowers, consider honoring Karl by donating to the Southern Poverty Law Center, American Cancer Society, or The Parkinson's Foundation.
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/atlanta/name/charles-saxe-obituary?id=59974413
| | Some Upcoming Events at Emory in December 2025 | |
A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols
Glenn Auditorium at Glenn Memorial UMC | 1634 N Decatur Rd, Atlanta, GA 30307
Friday, December 5, 2025, 8pm EST
Saturday, December 6, 2025, 4pm EST
Saturday, December 6, 2025, pm EST
$20 | Tickets are available ONLINE, in person, or by calling 404.727.5050 during Box Office Hours
Emory Student $10 Tickets are available by visiting or calling the Schwartz Center Box Office (student ID required for entry).
Heralding the beginning of the Christmas season, and based on the traditional service at King’s College Chapel, Cambridge, England, this candlelit choral concert program was drawn from sources ancient and modern by E. W. Benson, Bishop of Truro in 1880, and has been observed at Emory University since 1935.
Join us as the tradition continues under the direction of Dr. Eric Nelson, with choral music from the Emory Concert Choir and University Chorus, and scripture readings by special guests from the Emory community.
*Please note: This concert takes place at Glenn Memorial United Methodist Church*
Recommended parking for this event is the Fishburne Parking Deck (free for events after 6 p.m. and on weekends).
Additional Emory Visitor Parking Information Here
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Sunday Public Tours at the Michael C. Carlos Museum
Rotunda
Sunday, December 7, 2025, 2 – 3pm EST
Sunday, December 14, 2025, 2 – 3pm EST
Sunday, December 21, 2025, 2 – 3pm EST
Explore the Carlos Museum with a drop-in docent-led tour! Sunday Public Tours are free with museum admission and no prior registration is required. Public Tours do have a limited capacity, and are first come, first served.
To join, simply meet your docent in the Rotunda on Level One at 2 p.m.
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Lawless Family Concert: Santa's Favorite Chamber Music
Ackerman Hall - Michael C. Carlos Museum
Sunday, December 14, 2025, 4 – 6pm EST
We welcome back Old Saint Nick himself to introduce some of his favorite classical works! Join in a sing-along of favorite holiday songs with Helen Kim, violin; Charae Krueger, cello; and pianists Julie Coucheron & William Ransom.
This program is free and open to the public.
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Details and other information, as well as additional campus events, can be found on the Emory Events Calendar.
If you'd like to share an event/program of interest before the next newsletter
please contact Dianne Becht Dianne.becht@emory.edu
| | Exploring the Campus with Dianne | |
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The futuristic lights from our previous exploration are located along the walkways at the Student Center, 605 Asbury Circle, in the heart of the Emory campus.
The lights illuminate the outer walkways of the Student Center, as well as the upper and lower patio areas of the building (as seen in the top right photo below).
The Emory Student Center, a prominent destination on Emory’s campus overlooking McDonough Field, offers unparalleled versatility and convenience for students. Accessible 24 hours a day to Emory students with their EmoryCard, the center features a dining hall, numerous gathering spaces, and meeting rooms for recognized student organizations to host events.
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No more guessing this year -- just a photo to get us in the holiday mood (if you're not already there).
I wish everyone a safe, happy and fun holiday season, and look forward to resuming our exploration of the Emory campus in 2026.
--Dianne
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Emory University Emeritus College
The Luce Center
825 Houston Mill Road NE Room 206
Atlanta, GA 30329
http://www.emory.edu/emeritus
Emory is an equal opportunity employer, and qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by state or federal law. Inquiries should be directed to the Department of Equity and Civil Rights Compliance, 201 Dowman Drive, Administration Bldg, Atlanta, GA 30322.
Telephone: 404-727-9867 (V) | 404-712-2049 (TDD).
Should you need this document in an alternate format, or require a reasonable accommodation, please contact the Department of Accessibility Services at 404-727-9877 (V) | 404-712-2049 (TDD).
Please note that one week's advance notice is preferred.
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