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Show lH The off orD(dl a..legend: Pirofessoir Campus mourns loss of friend, poet, teacher would consider coming for 5 years, but ended up staying for 13 department is going to be missed. Following spring quarter, Strand will move to Baltimore to teach at taught creative writing classes to BY JENNIFER TOOMER Chronicle Feature Writer Mark Strand calls himself a house husband who loves to cook Italian cuisine. He also secretly wishes he could be a writer for movies like his Hollywood daughter. In reality, however. Strand is a renowned former United States Poet Laureate and a professor of graduate-leve- l cre- ative writing at the University of Utah. "But please don't call me doc- tor I only have a BA just like anybody else," Strand said. Actually, his official title at the U. is Distinguished Professor, but don't call him that either. To Strand, the title denotes little more than his entitlement to a complimentary "A" parking sticker. "I never use the title), except on letters of recommendation where it might assist a student." he said. "It's silly." Whatever his title, Strand's dedication to the U. English 13-ye- ar Johns Hopkins University and continue writing poetry. At age 59, Strand has a substan- tial list of achievements. Although he has a bachelor of fine arts in painting, he abandoned this prospective career to become a poet. Inspired large ly by literature and sometimes works of art. he has written nine books of poetry, one book of short stones and several chil- numerous book introductions and countless letters of recommendation. Strand said. Strand was appointed to the U. in 1981 by former College of Humanities Dean Norman Council, who is currently a professor of English Renaissance literature at the U. "Strand) said he the prestigious MacArthur Foundation Fellowship, was named U.S. Poet Laureate, and eager students who sometimes traveled long distances to study under his expertise. Strand is a distinguished poet and professor highly regarded throughout the world, said David Iannucci. associate dean of the College of Humanities. "It's not easy to replace the best poet in the country," he added. Nevertheless, Strand's prolifi- cacy and celebrity reputation has hardly phased him, according to Council. "He is not an unap- proachable man. There was no change in his character (due to fame." Strand's decision to leave the U. was a difficult one. "I had a great time here and I love my colleagues," he said, "but my affection stops there." He needs a change of scenery, and wants to return to the diversity and rush of the east coast, Strand said. He also he desires proximity to the great art museums in New York, students create campaigns to educate others on binge drinking U. BY AMY MIDDLETON Chronicle Feature Writer Although the prevalence of binge drinking is reported to be smaller on the University of Utah campus than nationwide, U. students have designed campaigns to educate others about alcohol misuse. The U. Alcohol and Drug Education Center (ADEC) spon- sored a competition winter quarter for the Marketing 385 class to create a campaign to increase awareness about binge drinking. "Binge drinking" is defined as consuming five or more drinks in a row, according to a pamphlet put out by ADEC. In a 1991 survey of 1,565 U. undergraduates conducted by ADEC, it was. discovered that 30 percent binge drink. Of the 46.5 percent of students who are considered regular drinkers, 65 percent of them are also binge drinkers. Although the U. has fewer regular drinkers than colleges nationwide, there is a higher percentage of regular drinkers who binge drink, Beth Schwenzfeier. ADEC coordinator said. Many problems can be associated with binge drinking such as poor grades, drop outs, violence, rape, sexually transmitted disease and DUI arrests Stand to leave years." said Council. While at the U.. Strand received "It's not easy to replace the best poet in the country," David Iannucci said. dren's books. He has also translated poetry from Portuguese, Spanish and Italian, written lb . and fatalities, Because of this, Schwenzfeier and coordinator Valorie Powell believe the student campaigns will be effective in educating about the dangers of binge drinking. They hope the campaigns will help separate binge drinking from moderate drinking and emphasize control and she-gdded- a healthier, safer lifestyle. There are many myths about alcohol cdnsumption, according to Powell. "There is a myth that intoxication brings out your true self." . However, alcohol can cloud decisions and impair perception and motor coordination. She hopes these campaigns will show people they can still have 1 Take a last look at the smile. Mark Strand is leaving the U. after spring quarter. Strand to resist. Washington and Baltimore. Strand was further enticed by educational opportunities for his son, Tom. Johns to pay for Tom's offered Hopkins secondary and college education in any chosen school or university, which was too much for Unfortunately, there were times that Strand was discouraged with the U. "If Norman Council were dean of humanities, he might have figured out how to keep me here," Strand said. "The current dean (Pat Hannah never spoke to me about the issue of my leaving. I assumed she didn't care." There is not much concern t for fun and popularity without the humanities in the state of Utah, and the Us College of binge drinking.. While wanting to draw attention to the problem of heavy and unsafe drinking, Powell said they are not trying to limit freedom. "We are not pushing abstinence for people who are legal and for whom drinking is Humanities lacks support for the English department, according to Strand. Council agreed with Strand, but added the English department . safe." The winning campaign by U. students Andy Tong, Kristen Spencer, and Aaron Davis was based on the slogan "You Call the Shots." This campaign shows the importance of being in control of yourself and the should compete with its peers at other universities, not across campus with the sciences. In comparison to other universities, the U.'s English department successfully competes on a national level for students and faculty, Council said. However, the English department's competitive edge relies different dangers of binge heavily on Strand's influence, Iannucci said. Strand is a drinking, Powell said. One ad reads, "You Drank Too Much At The Party Last "tremendous magnet for prospec- tive graduate students nation- And You Can't Night Remember What You Did, Don't Worry. Everyone Else Knows." Another shows a picture of a sports car and reads, "Living Life in the Fast Lane? see "slogans" on page nine wide." . When Strand leaves the U. he will leave behind a legacy of excellence and some big shoes to fill. His loss will be felt 13-ye- throughout ar the College Humanities by the students, ulty and administrators. -- Jfcao Journal - i I 1 y 1 - .". ."" . . W Win JWH fa . TfrXXHT ff WAS ASHfr UWTiL HE 1 1 . . . yiY FAfJ E . iL of fac- . by Jim . J "" r rfcWfcpftf . |