Academe welcomes news from WSU faculty and staff about research, teaching and service activities. This column recognizes grants, honors, awards, presentations and publications, new appointments, new faculty, sabbaticals, retirements and deaths of our current and former colleagues.

Albert Goldbarth, Adele B. Davis Distinguished Professor of Humanities, published his newest poetry collection, "Everyday People," with Graywolf Press. For a Wichita Eagle review of the work, go to http://www.wichita.edu/j/?1382.

Darron Smith

Darron T. Smith, assistant professor, physician assistant, was interviewed by KMUW 89.1 reporter Fletcher Powell about the recently published book "White Parents, Black Children: Experiencing Transracial Adoption." Smith is co-author of the book with Cardell K. Jacobson, Brigham Young University, and Brenda G. Juarez, University of Massachusetts Amherst. The interview can be heard at http://www.wichita.edu/j/?1385.

Debbie Wadman, Fairmount lecturer, German, was elected president of the Kansas Association of Teachers of German in September 2011.

IN MEMORIAM
Richard M. "Dick" Cottam, 81, retired Spokane Police Department spokesman and television journalist who formerly worked for KAKE-TV and taught journalism at Wichita State, died Dec. 23 in Wichita. He is survived by his wife, JoyLyn Updike Cottam, who moved back to Wichita with him after his retirement; daughter, Christine Susan Cottam; and sister, Susan Hayman. Services have been held. A memorial has been established in his name with the University of Missouri School of Journalism, 103 Neff Hall, Columbia, MO 65211.

Ernest W. Crow, 91, cardiologist and co-founder, University of Kansas School of Medicine-Wichita, adjunct WSU professor, health education, died Dec. 26. He was preceded in death by his wife of 67 years, Bertie Sullivan Crow. He is survived by daughters Barbara Biersmith (Ed) and Marilyn Waller (Dan); sons John Crow (Claudia) and Rick Crow (Karen); 13 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren; and brother James F. Crow. Services have been held. Memorial contributions may be sent to the Ernest W. and Bertha M. Crow Scholarship Fund at the KU School of Medicine-Wichita, attention Heather Clay, 1010 N. Kansas, Wichita, KS 67214, or the Circle of Friends Fund at Larksfield Place, 7373 E. 29th St. North, Wichita, KS 67226.

Robert Meyers, professor emeritus, English, founding minister of University Congregational Church, died Jan. 8 in Bellingham, Wash. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Billie; daughter Karen of Bellingham; sons Robin of Oklahoma City and Devon of Malibu; seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Condolences may be sent to 600 S. State Street, No. 115, Bellingham, WA 98225 or Robert_Meyers@comcast.net. Memorial service to be announced at a later date.