AU in the Neighborhood

October 2022

Contact Us

202-885-2146

communityrelations@american.edu

Community Relations 4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW Washington, DC 20016-8033 United States

In This Issue

Full Moon Tour of the AU Arboretum
A Colorful Spring Starts in the Fall
Join AU Neighborhood Partnership
Farmers’ Market Returns to AU Every Wednesday
Kogod School of Business Recognized for Entrepreneurship and Teaching by Bloomberg Businessweek
Supporting Communities for a Sustainable World
Helen and Daniel Sonenshine Lecture by Pnina Lahav
American University October Art Events
American University Events

Full Moon Tour of the AU Arboretum

October tickets for the full moon tour of the AU Arboretum are SOLD OUT please join us in November!!! More information to come...

Did you know that the American University campus is an accredited Arboretum with over 4000 trees and more than 500 different species and varieties of woody plants? Please join us for a guided walking tour, under the light of the Harvest Moon, of the AU Arboretum and Gardens. Stroll with us through campus and learn about the history of the university along with learning about the trees and gardens and the sustainable features throughout campus. This is a family friendly event and pets are welcome.

A Colorful Spring Starts in the Fall

Did you know that American University’s entire 84-acre campus is an award winning, accredited Arboretum? With over 4000 trees, more than 500 species and varieties of woody plants and a diverse display of perennials, ornamental grasses, annuls and bulbs, there is something in bloom every month of the year.

Everyone loves the arrival of Spring when we can shed our winter coats and watch the beautiful spring blossoms unfold before our eyes. Here in the AU Arboretum, planning for the anticipated beautiful spring starts now in the Fall. We are in the process of ordering and planting our seasonal bulbs over the next month. The plan is to add about 8,000 more bulbs to our garden beds this fall. Over the years we have shied away from planting Tulips as they tend to be a favorite of our growing deer population. Instead, we have turned to daffodils and Allium as our primary bulbs but also mix in some others like Fritillaria, Crocus, Hyacinth, Camassia and Chionodoxa.

Alliums are a campus favorite due to their bold appearance and their bloom time typically coinciding with our Spring commencement ceremonies. We enjoy seeing our AU neighbors visiting campus with their children and pets. Please feel free to come and enjoy our Arboretum next Spring when all these amazing bulbs will be in bloom.

Join AU Neighborhood Partnership

Please consider joining the AU Neighborhood Partnership which works to provide a consensus-based forum to resolve issues affecting the communities near American University. Interested members of the community may join one of the Partnership’s five standing working groups, comprising community stakeholders and AU leadership.

If you would like to become a member of a working group, please email communityrelations@american.edu. As always, visit American.edu/communityrelations for more information.

Farmers’ Market Returns to AU Every Wednesday

American University’s Farmers’ Market has returned to the Quad after a two-year hiatus. Each Wednesday, from now through November 2 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Farmer’s Market will feature vendors including RavenHook Bakehouse, offering fresh-baked breads and treats and Mesisam the Ethiopian Eatery, serving a variety of authentic Ethiopian vegetarian and non-vegetarian meals.

Also new this year, AU’s own Airlie Berkshire Farm will offer a variety of meats, produce, and honey. Each week, you can expect to see a variety of farm-raised beef, pork, produce, and honey. Produce in the coming weeks will include broccoli, brussels sprouts, green and purple cabbage, cauliflower, kale, kohlrabi, turnips, watercress, and several types of lettuce. Available meats include various cuts of pork, Angus beef, and steaks.

Airlie staff from the Airlie Hotel and Conference Center also will be present to offer specials, giveaways, and chances to win hotel stays. The staff also will be available to answer questions about activities and functions across the Airlie property.

The Farmers’ Market accepts cash and credit cards for payment. You can also stop by to pre-order for pick-ups later in the semester.

Kogod School of Business Recognized for Entrepreneurship and Teaching by Bloomberg Businessweek

American University’s Kogod School of Business ranks 47th in Bloomberg Businessweek’s Best Business School national rankings.

The ranking recognizes the top business schools across the United States and is based on a survey of graduating students, recent alumni, and companies who recruit MBAs. This placement reflects Kogod’s unique experiential education, student and faculty engagement, and focus on entrepreneurship and successful career outcomes.

“This distinction from alumni, students and employers recognizes the hard work and investments made by the university to provide robust business programs and opportunities for our students,” said Kogod School of Business Dean David Marchick. “The improvement in Kogod’s rankings reflects the incredible work of faculty and staff not only in our core disciplines but also in key areas of innovation, such as sustainability management, analytics and cybersecurity.”

Kogod also ranked 12th in teaching. The school’s strategically designed cohort aids in keeping class size small and providing students with a boutique-style experience where professors can engage directly with each student. Whether it is a professor investing their own funds for a venture capital investing course, assigning projects that allow students to interact with leaders at major global companies, or unique personal touches such as baking cookies for students on exam days, Kogod’s faculty is dedicated to creating unique experiences and opportunities for their students.

“The recognition from our students and alumni is both heartening and a charge to continue Kogod’s groundbreaking scholarship and teaching,” said Provost Peter Starr. “American University’s experiential learning opportunities—central to Kogod’s world-class academic programs and supported by our dedicated faculty—prepare students to be the next generation of changemakers.”

As the first business school in Washington, D.C. to teach entrepreneurship, Kogod ranked 30th in Entrepreneurship, which is central to Kogod’s priorities. Centers like the nationally ranked AU Center for Innovation act as an incubator for profit and nonprofit/social entrepreneurial ventures led by students and alumni. Kogod also ranked 55th in compensation and 46th in networking.

“The significant increase in the ranking exemplifies the dedication of Kogod’s faculty and staff to the success of the students,” said Ayman Omar, associate dean of graduate studies at the Kogod School of Business. “The rigorous STEM-focused programs and impactful experiential learning opportunities are key to Kogod’s progress and continued success.”

Bloomberg Businessweek’s ranking methodology includes surveying major stakeholders—students, alumni, and recruiters—and ranking schools based on five fundamental indexes that capture key elements of business school education: compensation, diversity, learning, networking, and entrepreneurship.

Supporting Communities for a Sustainable World

Kogod School of Business professor of management Danielle Vogel utilizes years of advocacy and entrepreneurial experience to promote environmental mindfulness to future business leaders.

Sustainability and climate action have always been at the heart of Kogod professor of management Danielle Vogel’s work. With experience fighting for climate legislation on Capitol Hill and establishing an environmentally friendly business in DC, she utilizes her entrepreneurial know-how to benefit her community and, in turn, the world. Through her new roles as a Kogod professor and the assistant director of American University’s Center for Innovation (AUCI), Vogel wants to ensure that students turn their talents into meaningful work.

“I graduated from American University’s Washington College of Law in 2007. I chose to study at AU specifically because of the school’s focus on preparing students to maximize their social impact,” Professor Vogel said. “When the opportunity arose to return and teach classes at the intersection of entrepreneurship and sustainability, it seemed like the world’s most perfect fit.”

Vogel has been pursuing impactful climate protection since earning her master’s degree from Tufts University in Massachusetts. She worked in government for ten years as a policy advisor and environmental litigator. In the latter role, she supported the Department of Justice in enforcing the Clean Air Act while pushing for further efforts to protect the planet.

After nearly a decade without real, comprehensive action from Congress on climate change, however, Vogel became disheartened and wondered if her efforts were better utilized elsewhere.

Carrying on the knowledge of the many grocers in her family, Professor Vogel opened Glen’s Garden Market—now Dawson’s Market—in 2013. The store’s aim was clear: to prioritize sustainability in every aspect of its operation.

“Our mission permeated every choice from the energy we consumed to the water we used to our packaging and the bags we offered at checkout—all reusable, of course,” Vogel said. “We partnered with producers who treated their land, animals, ingredients, and workforce with respect. Glen’s Garden Market was an intentional climate change agent parading around as a very pretty grocery store.”

The business was established with clear sustainability goals, but Vogel and her associates opted for a subtle public approach. At the time, the climate legislation she had worked to pass had just been defeated in the Senate, so Vogel wanted to approach advertising for Glen’s Garden Market carefully. “Even though my business was conceived and meticulously engineered to make climate progress, we didn’t discuss our mission. Instead, we worked to win the trust and loyalty of our community through our quality and a differentiated experience that was positive, engaging, and delicious,” she explained. “Over time, we felt more comfortable being clear about our intentions.”

The change in public perception between then and now is tremendous, and Professor Vogel is optimistic about the shift. As consumers care more about the sustainability efforts of the places they spend their money, businesses have taken note and adjusted accordingly.

Local food services in DC, such as Founding Farmers and Windows Catering, prioritize responsible sourcing, waste reduction, and community engagement to ensure their mission goes beyond their walls. Companies of all sizes, ranging from hotels to sports arenas, have touted their Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certifications; in fact, Washington was named the world’s first LEED Platinum City in 2017. Meanwhile, climate-focused organizations such as the Chesapeake Climate Action Network have leveraged their proximity to the federal government and made strides in outreach and activism. Kogod students interested in getting involved with climate initiatives have many options, from volunteering to interning to supporting local businesses with values they care about.

Professor Vogel encourages students with sustainability interests to pursue experiences on campus and beyond to gain valuable lessons and experiences. “We have so many brilliant professors here teaching, researching, and making progress on sustainability issues—take their classes!” she advises. “You can intern for a climate champion on the Hill or with one of the environmentally focused federal agencies. There’s no one path, but our geographic location is a huge advantage students should be sure to use.” She also recommends keeping an ear out for speakers, events, and programs on and off campus that can pave the way for a further understanding of climate initiatives.

In her current roles, Vogel hopes to support future business professionals in ensuring that progress keeps moving in the right direction. This year, she teaches Social Purpose Innovation and Entrepreneurship (MGMT-360) and Entrepreneurship and Innovation (MGMT-382) to Kogod students interested in combining their social impact goals with their business endeavors. As AUCI’s new assistant director, Vogel will also support the center in launching events and resources to support future entrepreneurs across the university community. Professor Vogel brings her expertise in policy planning, litigation, and business to the university’s halls, where students can learn directly from her on how to pursue their endeavors while keeping their impact on the world in mind.

Most importantly, Professor Vogel wants Kogod students to remember that the push for meaningful environmental protection isn’t something they have to pursue alone.

As she’s seen through her years of work in the field, looking out for our planet sometimes means working with the people around us to make the change in our backyard.

Helen and Daniel Sonenshine Lecture by Pnina Lahav The Only Woman in the Room

Wednesday, October 20, 2022 7:00 PM - HYBRID event

RSVP to attend in person at AU's East Campus Constitution Hall: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-only-woman-in-the-room-sonenshine-lecture-with-pnina-lahav-tickets-415409158977

RSVP to attend VIRTUALLY: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-only-woman-in-the-room-virtual-sonenshine-lecture-by-pnina-lahav-tickets-422765792867

Please join the SPA Women & Politics Institute and the Center for Israel Studies in person or virtually for the 2022 Helen and Daniel Sonenshine Lecture as Pnina Lahav, author of The Only Woman in the Room: Golda Meir and Her Path to Power discusses Golda Meir's legacy. Golda Meir was Israel’s fourth prime minister and so far, the only woman to ever hold this position. Lahav discusses Meir's legacy through a feminist lens: how Golda's gender affected her decisions as Israel’s leader and how her sex affected the public perception of her and her performance.

Introduction by Michael Brenner, Seymour and Lillian Abensohn Chair in Israel Studies at American University. Discussion moderators: Pamela Nadell, Patrick Clendenen Chair in Women's and Gender History and director of the Jewish Studies Program at American University; and AU history professor Laura Beers.

Logistics and parking information (for in person registration) and ZOOM link (for virtual registration) will be sent to those who register. Questions: cutler@american.edu, 202-885-3780

You may also want to feature this exciting event co-sponsored by the Jewish Studies Program and Department of History. I am copying Professor Pamela Nadell, the organizer, who can provide you with any additional information: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/meet-the-team-behind-ken-burnss-documentary-the-us-and-the-holocaust-tickets-425213955387

American University October Art Events

Everybody

By Branden Jacobs-JenkinsDirected by Christopher Michael RichardsonHarold and Sylvia Greenberg TheatreOctober 20–21, 8 p.m., October 22, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Branden Jacobs-Jenkins brilliantly reimagines the fifteenth-century play Everyman for our times. When Death summons Everybody to go on one final journey, they scramble to find someone to accompany them. Everybody is like an onstage lottery—you'll never see the same show twice. With a lively cast of characters like “Friendship” and “Stuff,” this irreverent play full of heart asks us what really matters in the end.

Cabaret

Book by Joe MasteroffBased on the play by John Van Druten and Stories by Christopher Isherwood Music by John Kander Lyrics by Fred EbbDirected by Carl Menninger, Music Direction by Nathan Beary Blustein, Choreographed by Cate GinsbergStudio Theatre, Katzen Arts CenterOctober 28 and November 4, 8 p.m. October 29 and November 5, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Daring, provocative and exuberantly entertaining, Cabaret explores the dark and heady life of Bohemian Berlin as Germany slowly yields to the emerging Third Reich. Descend into the Kit Kat Club for a raucous experience that captures the societal complexities of its time.“Leave your troubles outside! Life is disappointing? Forget it! In here, life is beautiful, the girls are beautiful, even the orchestra is beautiful!”

American University Events

AU Katzen Museum

The Arts Return to American University this Fall

Fall lineup features events in the performing and visual arts, free tickets for AU students.

Tickets for DPA events are on sale. Free for AU students with ID, $10 for alumni, staff, faculty, and senior citizens (55 and older), $15 general admission. Students are encouraged to reserve their free tickets in advance. Are you an AU student, and want to get involved in the performing arts? Visit AU's Performing Arts online.

October 2022 Neighborhood Newsletter