Word: ackerman
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Labeling Harvard's traditional resistance to arts-for-credit "medieval," James S. Ackerman, professor of Fine Arts, believes Brustein is "pretty powerful and persuasive and might change the concept that art is something you do with your hands and not your brain." Ackerman cites inconsistences in the arts policy: While Carpenter Center provides several studio courses for credit, other rigorous, programs given by the Arts Council or other arts groups which are very similar to VES courses do not receive official sanction. "Theres no philosophical justification for this," Ackerman says...
...John F. Leavitt is named after a maritime writer whose book Wake of the Coasters first inspired Ackerman's notion that the era of the wooden sailing ship might again be at hand. Ackerman gave up the pursuit of a doctorate in Middle English, Anglo-Saxon and Anglo-Norman French at the University of Pennsylvania to build his ship. There is enough romance in the hard-nosed seaman that he sought out John Leavitt's widow, Virginia, and invited her to break the obligatory bottle of champagne over the ship's prow at the christening...
Once aboard, not even Ackerman could remain dour. Lovingly fingering one of the telephone polelike masts, which will carry 6,441 sq. ft. of sail, he allowed his eyes to drink in the full magnificence of the vessel. An understandable pride began to creep into his voice: "I'm personally responsible for every penny in this schooner. I've put everything I own into her. It's quite an investment. I've got to get it back." How much? "That's my secret." The Leavitt will use cotton sails, partly because they are cheaper, partly...
...Ackerman expects to work the ship with a small crew, two professional deck hands, a cook and one or two apprentices, plus himself as captain. She has no engine, but will carry a 15-ft. boat with a diesel that can serve to nose her up to a dock or through a narrow channel. Because of the Leavitt's shallow draft (6½ ft.), she has a big advantage in direct loading and unloading of cargo that originates near the water. Ackerman's first load will be 150 tons of lumber and building materials being shipped from Quincy...
...South Thomaston, who has been in the business for 29 years, is also optimistic. Said he: "I'd like to see more of the same kind of boats. Maybe then the Arabs would drown in their own oil." Not likely. But one thing is certain: when Ned Ackerman takes the Leavitt on her maiden voyage, whether they sail north or south, skipper and ship will be moving in the right direction.-Hays Gorey