Akron Update - April 28, 2003

The Online Newsletter for Faculty, Staff and Retirees of The University of Akron - April 28, 2003


NCA TEAM VISITS CAMPUS The team of consultant-evaluators from the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools will be on campus this week. Team members will conduct interviews with campus constituencies and hold open sessions for faculty, staff and students. Here is the schedule for sessions. On April 28, there will be an Open Faculty Meeting from 3:20 to 4:20 p.m., in the Student Union, Theatre with team members Lin Holder, Kathleen Rountree and Gail Scukanec. An Open Staff Meeting will be held at the same time in Student Union 306 with team members Donald Bennion, Sandra Marie Flake and John Ory. On April 29, an Open Student Meeting will be held from 10:50 to 11:50 a.m., in Student Union, Ballroom B, with Phillip Jones, chair of the team. The University of Akron Self-Study and other information is available at http://www.uakron.edu/provost/nca . Top ENTREPRENEURIAL EDUCATION RANKS HIGH The College of Business Administration has been ranked in the top 25 of business schools with an emphasis in entrepreneurship education in Entrepreneur magazine’s 2003 rankings. The ranking in the April 2003 issue places the CBA in the top 15 percent of 200 universities nationwide with an entrepreneurship emphasis in their programs, and alongside such schools as Yale University, Boston College, Georgetown University, Purdue University and Texas A&M University. More than 700 universities were surveyed during the rankings process. “We are delighted to receive this recognition,” says Todd Finkle, associate professor of management and a fellow in the Fitzgerald Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies. “This is a great reward for the work we have put into building a top-notch program for our students.” The Fitzgerald Institute was launched in 1996 with a $2.5 million grant from William Fitzgerald, the former president and chief operating officer of Cooper Tire & Rubber Co., and a UA alumnus. Through the institute, students learn about taking risks, how to limit those risks and how to address the challenges of launching a new business. “Entrepreneurial studies are relatively new to business education, and this recognition from the leading publication in the field is an outright acknowledgement that The University of Akron’s College of Business Administration is in the forefront of education for this up-and-coming discipline,” says James Barnett, interim CBA dean and director of the Institute for Global Business. Top BOARD APPROVES UNIQUE PLAN FOR RESIDENCE BUILDING At its April 23 meeting, Akron’s Board of Trustees approved the design and financial package for the building of a 118,000-square-foot, $20.8 million building that will combine space for housing and academic courses for students in the University Honors Program. Tentatively called the Honors Student Housing building, the new structure will comprise two wings joined in an “L” shape. It will be built at the southwestern corner of College Street and East Buchtel Avenue. A six-story residential wing will front on College Street, across the street from the Buchtel College of Arts & Sciences building. This residential wing will house approximately 300 students. A two-story academic programs wing will front on East Buchtel Avenue. Construction is expected to begin in June 2003 and, following a rapid construction schedule, the building is expected to ready for occupancy by August 2004. “This building will have state-of-the-art accommodations for our students, and will provide a beautiful new gateway to the center of our campus,” said Ted Curtis, vice president for capital planning and facilities management. The design for the building includes incorporating Orr Residence Hall as an adjunct wing, and establishing a courtyard adjacent to it. The new residence hall is to be built in a unique financial arrangement with Signet Development Ltd. Signet will act as project manager, and will hold title to the building. It will lease the building to the University for 25 years then will sell the building to the University for $1. Top 2003 SPRING COMMENCEMENT SCHEDULE ANNOUNCED The University of Akron Board of Trustees approved approximately 2,096 undergraduate and graduate degree candidates for spring commencement ceremonies at its April 23 meeting. Commencement ceremonies will be held at E.J. Thomas Performing Arts Hall on May 10 at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., and May 11 at 2 p.m. University President Luis Proenza will be the guest speaker. The School of Law commencement will be held on May 18 at Thomas Hall at 2 p.m. for 113 graduates. Judge John R. Adams of the U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio, will speak and receive an Honorary Doctor of Laws Degree. On May 10, the morning ceremony will be for graduates in the Buchtel College of Arts and Sciences, College of Education and Wayne College. Afterward, the ROTC Commissioning will be hosted in the Goodyear Polymer Center, Goodyear Auditorium. The afternoon ceremony will include graduates in the College of Business Administration, College of Nursing and the Community and Technical College. Gradfest a celebration for graduates of the morning and afternoon ceremonies, as well as their families and friends, will begin about noon. The ceremony on May 12 is for graduates of the College of Engineering, College of Fine and Applied Arts and the College of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering. Gradfest will follow. Top PSYCHOLOGY PROFESSOR NAMED TO NIH COMMITTEE Philip Allen, a professor of psychology and senior fellow for the Institute for Life-Span Development and Gerontology, has been named to a National Institutes of Health (NIH) study section on biobehavioral and behavioral processes. Allen will serve as a member of the Biobehavioral and Behavioral Processes 5 Study Section in NIH's Center for Scientific Review from July 2003 through June 2007. NIH study sections review grant applications to the NIH, make recommendations on these applications to the appropriate national advisory council or board and survey the status of research in their fields of science. Group members are selected on the basis of demonstrated competence and achievement in their scientific discipline as shown by the quality of their research accomplishments, publications in scientific journals, and other significant activities, achievements and honors. Allen, who joined UA in 2000, is noted for his research in perception, memory, attention, visual word recognition and mental arithmetic, and how such processing is affected by increased adult age. After receiving NIH funding for almost a decade, Allen says his committee service is an opportunity to give something back to the system. He’s also looking forward to seeing “scientists test general theories more globally rather than testing many little ‘snapshots' and concluding that they have solved the ‘big picture.' Certain multivariate statistical techniques and more attention to individual differences might allow scientists to better examine the big picture, and I hope to help convince scientists to include these techniques in their NIH proposals. “I also hope to learn more about dementia and mild cognitive impairment from this experience,” adds Allen. “In participating in this study section, perhaps I can also help others at UA to write NIH proposals that are more likely to be funded.” Dr. Linda Subich, psychology department chair, says Allen is deserving of this professional honor. “Phil has a long and distinguished record of externally funded research and has contributed many significant publications to the field of cognitive psychology,” says Subich. “His expertise enriches both the undergraduate and graduate courses he teaches here at UA.” “We are thrilled that Phil Allen has been chosen to represent The University of Akron as a participant in a National Institutes of Health study section,” adds George Newkome, vice president for research and dean of the graduate school. “Phil’s participation will ensure the quality of this NIH peer review process, as well as help to bring UA’s psychology program into national prominence.” Top DAY SET ASIDE FOR SPRING CLEANING Organizations from The University of Akron will join with the University Park Development Corporation and businesses on May 3 in a spring-cleaning effort in neighborhoods surrounding UA. Under the direction of the University Park Development Corporation, volunteers from Associated Student Government, National Residence Hall Honorary, the Office of Student Development, Residence Hall Council and the Residence Hall Program Board will unite with Circle K, The Chapel, Keep Akron Beautiful, the University Park Alliance and Summa Health System in a day-long clean-up effort. Funding for the effort is provided by The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. In addition, BW-3 Buffalo Wild Wings, Blimpie Subs & Salads and Krispy Kreme Doughnut Shops will provide donations that include picnic lunches for volunteers when their clean-up work is done. Crews will concentrate on the neighborhoods that comprise the University Park Alliance, an approximate 40-block area that stretches from Wolf Ledges Parkway and Broadway Street on the west, Arlington Road on the east, West Market and Forge Streets on the north and Wheeler, Power and Exchange Streets on the south. “We are looking forward to bringing many members of the campus community and the surrounding neighborhoods together to give our area a thorough cleaning for spring,” says Ken Stapleton, director of the University Park Alliance. Volunteers will meet at 8:30 a.m. at Schrank Hall South to form crews and receive assignments. Any organization or individual who wants to volunteer for the cleaning can meet at Schrank Hall. Following the lunch for volunteers, drawings will be held for various “rewards.” For more information contact Stapleton at ext. 8804. Top UA HAS NEW DEAN OF STUDENT LIFE Sharon L. Johnson has joined the University as associate vice president and dean of student life. Johnson is responsible for student resident life and resident housing programs, the University’s counseling, testing and career management centers, Student Union, Office of Accessibility, student organizations and Greek affairs, and student development and student judicial affairs. Previously, Johnson was the associate director of the Institute for Higher Education Management, and senior lecturer in the School of Education at the University of Pittsburgh, where she taught administrative and policy studies. Her courses included “Student Campus and Society,” “Assessment in Student Affairs” and “Student Services Management.” Johnson’s extensive administrative experience also includes being vice provost and dean of students at the University of Pittsburgh, vice president for student affairs and dean of students for Slippery Rock University and assistant vice president for student affairs for Wichita State University. She is a member of numerous professional and civic organizations. Top				ARTS AND SCIENCES HONORS FIVE Here with Roger Creel, dean of the Buchtel College of Arts and Sciences are honorees, left to right, Yingcai “Tom” Xiao, Ethel Wheland, Michael Bolus and Richard Londraville. Roger Creel, dean of the Buchtel College of Arts and Sciences, presented five faculty members with awards on April 23 during an afternoon ceremony at Martin University Center. Begun in the 1995-96 academic year, the annual award recognizes excellence in teaching, research and service. Nominations of candidates are considered and approved by a committee of past award recipients. Each award carries two monetary gifts: one for its recipient and another for his/her academic department, along with a plaque engraved with the honoree’s name. The 2003 award recipients are Shelley Baranowski, professor of history, Research Award; Michael Bolus, senior lecturer in theoretical and applied mathematics, Part-time Teaching Award; Richard Londraville, associate professor of biology, Teaching Award; Ethel Wheland, associate professor of mathematics, Service Award; and Yingcai “Tom” Xiao, associate professor of computer science, Early Career Research Award. Top HICKEY TO ASSUME NEW POST Terry L. Hickey, senior vice president and provost, has been named the new provost of the University of Central Florida, effective July 1. His new position will take him closer to family in the south. Hickey’s three years at The University of Akron have been marked by a number of significant accomplishments, including the designation in early March of UA as one of only 12 cluster leaders in the U.S. for the Carnegie Campus Program. (See related story on this page.) He also was involved in the establishment of the Medina County University Center and a number of new collaborative agreements with community colleges and technical schools throughout the region. In addition, Hickey was responsible for the revision of the process the University uses for the retention and granting of tenure and promotions to faculty, the implementation of a productivity-based, internal budgeting program and the enhancement of the University Honors Program. “Terry’s energies, abilities and sense of humor have been invaluable during some very difficult yet productive times during the last three years,” says Luis M. Proenza, University president. “I greatly appreciate Terry’s dedication and fine efforts, and I congratulate him on his new opportunity. He will be missed.” Top LADIES GOLF LEAGUE TO START SEASON The University’s Ladies Golf League is looking for 12 to 15 women to play in this noncompetitive league. The season begins on May 8 and continues every Thursday through Aug. 14 at Turkeyfoot Golf Course at Portage Lakes. League play begins at 6 p.m. This fun league is open to UA faculty and staff, students and friends. Participants pay as they play — $12 per nine holes — carts are extra. There are no league fees — just a commitment to play. Top SCHOLARSHIP NAMED FOR SLAIN MASSILLON OFFICER The memory of a local law enforcement hero and alumnus has been honored by the University’s Police Academy. The Eric B. Taylor Memorial Scholarship was inaugurated recently at UA’s Law Enforcement Training Center. Taylor, who was killed in the line of duty in August 2002, graduated from the academy in 1995. Students receiving full scholarships are Michael Caynon, a 1992 graduate of Firestone High School, and Sabrena Thompson, who earned an associate degree in criminal justice technology at UA. Receiving a partial scholarship is Erik R. Wright, who is employed as a dispatcher with the Geauga County Sheriff’s Office. The scholarship recipients were chosen based on financial need, academic achievement and an essay focusing on the significance of police work. Giant Eagle is funding the initial year of the scholarship, and UA’s Police Academy will continue to fund and award the annual scholarship, according to Dick Ledbetter, the academy commander. “The spirit of Eric Taylor will live on in these outstanding cadets, as they head into police careers where they can make a real difference in their communities,” Ledbetter says. Top WELCOME FEST PLANNING UNDER WAY The Office of New Student Orientation is in the planning stages for the fourth annual Akron Traditions Welcome Fest. The event will be held on Aug. 24 from 3:30 to 5 p.m. in E.J. Thomas Performing Arts Hall, immediately following the Akron Traditions Convocation. Welcome Fest is designed to help new students make a connection to the University and learn about the services provided by various organizations and departments on campus. Organizations and departments interested in participating should contact Bryan Shamp, graduate assistant, or Lori Bowen, director, at ext. 5347. Top SURVEYING TEAM ‘DISCOVERS’ VICTORY A team of surveying and mapping students has discovered its top national ranking last year was no fluke. The UA team took first-place honors in the National Society of Professional Surveyors’ 2003 Surveying Student Competition, which was held April 1 as part of the American Congress on Surveying and Mapping's annual meeting in Phoenix. UA’s winning team — based on the 1803 Lewis and Clark expedition — included Jared Akins, Dan Engle, Mike Jones, Joel Metzger, Joe Paulin and Heather Pierce. Assisting the team were Denny Hale, John Heintel and A.J. Miano. The team members are all students in the surveying and mapping technology program in the Community and Technical College. In preparation for the contest, the students researched the methods and equipment used by Lewis and Clark to survey and map their route to the Pacific Ocean. The students built reproductions of a sextant, two-pole chain, compass, and other equipment and accessories. Final standings were based on the team’s research paper, equipment, latitude observation and a map based on its fieldwork. The team members were even dressed for the part, says Mike Besch, associate professor and program director. The UA students came as Lewis and Clark as well as military officers, woodsmen and Native Americans. Besch says the team is already looking for a “three-peat” in 2004, where the theme will be “Distance Measurement in the United States from 1776 to 2004.” Top