The announcement of the Luce Fellowship this past week is a major coup for the Oberlin arts community. This prestigious fellowship, given to only one other college this year, awards Oberlin up to one million dollars over the next six years to fund the Henry R. Luce Professorship in the Emerging Arts. The Luce Fellowship was founded in 1969 to further the development of academic creativity and innovation in interdiciplinary approaches to teaching and research in American private education. This professorship will provide the College with means to combine the merits of the Oberlin Conservatory and arts programs.

Whomever is chosen to become the Luce professor will become the catalyst that propels Oberlin arts into the twenty-first century. It is obvious that the lines delineating different artistic media are constantly being erased and redrawn. Through emphasis on the virtues of interdisciplinary curriculum in the art venue, Oberlin will become a prominent leader of the artistic community of the twenty-first century.

This distinction, in conjunction with the emergence of computer technology in the arts, was a major focus of Oberlin's proposal to the Luce Foundation. The committee responsible for procuring the grant shows immense foresight in their estimation. This co-appointment between the Conservatory and College is a position with immense potential to bridge the chasm between the Conservatory and College. By acknowledging the current shift toward mixed media and advanced technology, the committee illustrates that it is of paramount importance that the College and Conservatory combine efforts in order to stay ahead of the curve.

Oberlin has always had a strong commitment to the arts, as evidenced by the excellent Allen Art Museum, our strong art history, studio art, theater and creative writing programs. Few colleges or universities in the world can compare to the rich artistic tapestry exhibited in Oberlin. In recognizing this, the Luce Foundation now enables Oberlin to assume a leadership role in the evolution of the art community.

The Luce Fellowship presents many outstanding opportunities for Oberlin's art scene. However, it is important that these opportunities not be squandered. The selection committee must carefully evaluate applicants to the professorship, and Oberlin artists must step up to the challenge in order to make the most of this gift. The Luce Foundation has recognized Oberlin's history and potential, and it is now our responsibility to elevate our creative output to utilize the potential presented by the fellowship.

Collaboration between all elements of art is an exciting development to look forward to. Cooperation is an Oberlin ethos, and when practiced by the dynamic artists on campus, it is inevitable that there will be some great art produced. This is a product that bodes well for the entire Oberlin community.

Give 'em a break

It is a beautiful fall afternoon. As a team of pumped-up, dedicated Oberlin athletes takes the field for a game, somewhere else on campus it is happening. In an offhand comment someone is deriding the Oberlin Athlete. Maybe it feels good, for that second, to be better than someone else. Maybe you have never really taken the time to understand the fine points of soccer, football or field hockey. Or maybe you just think that at Oberlin corporeal genius is for some reason less laudable than mental strength, political activity or creative powers.

The truth is that most of us would look pretty dumb out there chasing a ball around. There is no way we could manage a full schedule, a job and a varsity sport. And most of us don't have the brains to really comprehend what's happening out there on the playing field.

This week six Oberlin teams won games. Many of the games weren't even close. The women's lacrosse team has taken the conference title two years in a row. Women's soccer is having a fine season, killing some teams with eight point spreads. Other teams are doing a splendid job of staying competitive while representing a school that offers almost negative support for its teams.

This argument, however, is less about respect than it is owed to teams who are successful. Rather it is an argument that respect is owed to everyone who cares enough to give her best to an activity or cause. Our football players are struggling this year, but they still jog onto the gridiron with a particular honor. How are they supposed to beat 80 man squads with strong traditions, student support and school pride behind them?

So the next time you think you're being funny railing against Oberlin athletics, think of how you are not laughing at a tradition or an idea, but at really hard-working and dedicated students who only want to play and who deserve our respect.