The Daughters of Ataturk organization chose the recipients for “giving their talents to the Turkish-American community” and demonstrating “vision, leadership, innovation and professionalism.”

The Center for Arts and Culture in Washington, D.C., has awarded recipients of its Research Policy Grant Program. Among those who received awards are Chicago graduate students Cora Sol Goldstein and Michael Wakeford, both of whom received $3,000.

Goldstein, a Ph.D. candidate in Political Science, received a grant for her proposal, “The Control of Visual Representation: American Government Policies in Occupied Germany, 1945-1949.” She studies American art policy in occupied Germany (1945-1949) in the context of re-education and denazification campaigns.

A graduate student in history, Wakeford is studying how art education advocates along with the scientific, psychological, business and philanthropic communities, promoted artistic creativity and influenced cultural policy in general. “Art Education and the Cult of Creativity in Post-WWII America,” is the title of his research project.

Created to support original research on the issues that affect relationships among artists, cultural organizations, the creative sector and society at large, the Center for Arts and Culture grant program provides support for independent research on issues involving culture and public policies.

Randi Von Ellefson, Senior Lecturer in Music and Director of Choral Activities, was elected president of the central division of the American Choral Directors Association.

He will serve as president-elect for two years and then as president beginning in June 2003. During this time, Von Ellefson will serve on the national board of the 20,000-member organization and work for the state and regional conventions of the central division, which has 2,700 members.