Dear Friends of the Pub Quiz,
Oscar Wilde said “There is only one thing worse than being talked about and that is NOT being talked about,” while P.T. Barnum and others have purportedly said something along the lines of “I don’t care what the newspapers say about me as long as they spell my name right.” I know someone who might question these precepts this week, and her name is spelled K-A-T-E-H-I. Saturday my wife Kate happened to be sitting behind the Chancellor during the Picnic Day Parade, across the street from where I was announcing, using my favorite Quizmaster inflections to enthuse the audience in yesterday’s student-run showcase of the best of UC Davis and the City of Davis. She took a picture of student protesters hoisting their “FIRE KATEHI” signs in which the well-coiffed hair of the Chancellor could be seen in the foreground. One wonders what the UC Davis Chancellor is thinking behind those dark sunglasses.
If it were me, in my head I would be replaying the objections to my decisions, and to my tenure, especially the concerns expressed by students. One can’t deny that in some ways the university has prospered in the years since Chancellor Katehi has come to power. Our endowment has surpassed a billion dollars, our Agriculture, Forestry, Biological Science, and especially Veterinary Medicine programs are ranked among the top in the world. And U.S. News and World Report repeatedly ranks the University Writing Program of UC Davis as “stellar,” the only UC to earn that distinction.
But in recent days, as we know, one can’t find mention of these accomplishments. It has even been hard to find articles celebrating last week’s terrific and relatively violence- and scandal-free Picnic Day (with credit going to the excellent team of students in charge, headed by my friend and former student, Grace Scott). By contrast, yesterday the BBC called us “Pepper Spray University.”
For the record, I agree with the approach of crowding out bad news with good. It makes sense that administrators in Mrak Hall would want to change the subject from the way that peaceful protesters were treated in 2011. But now people are asking, “At what cost?”
Those of us associated with UC Davis have accomplished much, and have much to be proud of. I look forward to seeing what steps the university will take to address the concerns that are now being voiced nationwide and even worldwide (UC Davis is the top trending topic on Facebook as I write this). If the university’s approach embraces accountability, transparency, and student-centeredness, it will most likely be more effective than what we have tried thus far.
Speaking of effective, tonight’s pub qui will feature questions on a variety of topics that you should know something about. This week they will include fast cars, antique firearms, catcher backups, big budget films, Australian intrigues, the River Lethe, baby animals, years the international celebrities were born, big countries, Irish poets, overcoming the chimerical, laws of the jungle, recognizable characters, voicework for pinball machines and video games, shopping in Pennsylvania, Simon and Garfunkel lyrics, actresses with the last name of Kudrow, Herbert Hoover, unwanted fluid, remarks that cradle, trophy supermarkets, that which modulates, the number 538, birds that mesmerize, San Diego, viral inquisitiveness, Bugle and Boysenberry, movies, and Shakespeare.
It’s KDVS Fundraiser Week! My KDVS fundraiser show takes place Wednesday, April 20th, at 5. Please set an alarm on your smartphone now to call 530 752-2777 at that time so you can make a pledge. Many premiums will be available as thank-you gifts, and you can help my cohost and me raise $1,000 during that time. Thanks!
See you tonight.
Your Quizmaster
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Here are three questions from last week’s quiz:
- Food and Drink. Jams are made from fruit while jellies are made from what five-letter word?
- Pop Culture – Music. The acronym BOB refers to what Rolling Stones’ song?
- Science. Some Louisiana alligators have learned how to balance sticks on their snouts during what particular season for egrets and herons? The answer is a seven-letter word.
P.S. The poet, essayist and really successful musician Nick Jaina will feature at Poetry Night on Thursday night at 8 at the John Natsoulas Gallery. Google Jaina to discover why you should join us.