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TIME TO SAY THANKS
A reception is planned on May 29 to give members of the campus community the opportunity to thank Terry Hickey, senior vice president and provost, and Marlesa Roney, vice president of student affairs, for their exceptional service to The University of Akron.
The reception will be held in the Student Union, Ballrooms B-E, from 3 to 5 p.m.
Hickey will become provost at the University of Central Florida, effective July 1. Roney has been named vice provost for student success at Kansas University. Both joined The University of Akron in 2000.
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SCHOOL OF MUSIC’S GUEGOLD HAS ANOTHER OLYMPIC MOMENT
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| John Williams, left, and William Guegold. |
When internationally acclaimed composer John Williams was presented with the Olympic Order on May 1 in Los Angeles, UA’s own William Guegold was there.
Guegold, director of the School of Music, helped to present the honor, which is awarded by the International Olympic Committee. The award recognizes individuals who have illustrated the Olympic ideal through their actions, achieved remarkable merit in the sports world, or rendered outstanding services to the Olympic cause, either through their own personal achievements or their contributions to the development of sport.
Guegold received the award in 2000 during the Summer Games in Sydney, Australia, in recognition of his scholarly work on the history of Olympic music. Guegold led the effort for Williams’ consideration through the United States and International Olympic Committees. James Easton, IOC member and vice president, and Anita DeFrantz, U.S. IOC member, made the award presentation.
A Grammy and Oscar winner, Williams is noted for not only composing scores for more than 90 movies and numerous other concert pieces, but also the themes for four Olympics, including “Call of the Champions” for the 2002 Games in Salt Lake City.
“Williams’ music,” notes Guegold, “has become as much a symbol of the Olympic Games as the Olympic torch and five-ringed flag.”
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VOTING FOR SEAC MEMBERS UNDER WAY
Eligible, non-bargaining unit staff members have until 5 p.m. on May 27 to cast votes to elect two new members to the Staff Employee Advisory Committee to the President.
Online voting is available here.
Questions about the election may be sent to Dan Stefancik, SEAC chair, at stefancik@uakron.edu , and any problems with login or voting may be sent to Holly Mothes at hm1@uakron.edu .
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PAN AFRICAN CENTER SPONSORS EXHIBIT
Downtown Akron’s vibrant history is now showcased at the Pan African Center for Community Studies in the Buckingham Center.
“Life on Howard Street: 1825-2002” is the title for the exhibit, which will run through fall semester 2004 at the Dr. Shirla R. McClain Gallery for Akron’s Black History and Culture.
For the exhibit, the Pan African Center collected pictures, letters, articles and other memorabilia to trace the life of Howard Street and the African-American presence in downtown Akron.
“ ‘Life on Howard Street’ features vignettes on the restaurants and nightclubs, hotels and boarding houses, retail establishments and professional offices that made Howard Street Akron’s main economic thoroughfare,” says Lathardus Goggins II, associate director of the Pan African Center.
Gallery hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, and Saturday by appointment. For more information, call ext. 6447.
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UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY REMEMBERS
The University dedicated the Donald L. Bowles Memorial Garden on May 16. Located just east of the Goodyear Polymer Center, the garden was created in Bowles’ memory by family members, friends, classmates and former colleagues.
Bowles was a 30-year administrator at The University of Akron. After serving in the U.S. Air Force for four years during the Korean War, he came to UA and earned bachelor’s degrees in industrial management and history, in 1958 and 1959, respectively. Bowles retired in 1990 as vice president emeritus for administrative services and associate dean emeritus for the College of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering. He passed away in 2001.
The garden was funded by donations to the Donald L. Bowles Memorial Fund.
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REVISED NSF GUIDE AVAILABLE
The National Science Foundation has published a revision to the NSF Grant Proposal Guide (NSF 03-041) that is effective for proposals submitted on or after June 1, 2003.
The guide has been revised to ensure consistency with current NSF policies, practices and procedures. A summary of significant changes is provided to assist users in navigating through these changes. The guide is available electronically on the NSF Web site here.
For questions or comments about the guide, contact the Policy Office, Division of Grants & Agreements at 703-292-8243 or policy@nsf.gov , or contact Mary Dingler Office of Research Services, at ext. 7774 or mdingler@uakron.edu .
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FULBRIGHT SCHOLAR HEADED TO GERMANY
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| Tracey Jean Boisseau |
Tracey Jean Boisseau, assistant professor of history, will share her expertise on women’s studies at the Universitat Bayreuth in Germany as a Fulbright Scholar for the 2003-2004 academic year.
During her stay, Boisseau will teach courses in American popular cultural history, including those she has offered at UA, such as “Pop Culture in a Post-modern World,” “African-American Women’s Autobiography” and a course on gender and film titled “American Female Spectatorship.”
Boisseau, who joined the University in 1999, says she is excited by the prospect of sharing her analysis of American culture with German students. She anticipates bringing back new perspectives on the politics of popular culture to her UA students.
“So much has changed in terms of national identity and foreign relations since 9/11,” says Boisseau, “that most cultural studies scholars haven’t had the opportunity to explore and think through how the diffusion of American popular culture abroad will be affected by the international politics issuing from the Bush administration’s ‘war on terrorism’ as well as the recent war on Iraq. I’m looking forward to having the opportunity to get a firsthand sense of how American popular culture is perceived abroad in these opening years of the 21st century.”
The U.S. Fulbright Scholar Program sends 800 scholars and professionals each year to more than 140 countries, where they lecture or conduct research in a wide variety of academic and professional fields. The U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs sponsors the program.
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WOMEN’S STUDIES COUNCIL SEEKS MEMBERS
The Women’s Studies Program is seeking nominations and/or applications for the Women’s Studies Coordinating Council, the advisory body for the Women’s Studies program.
To apply or to nominate an individual for council membership, send a letter of nomination and/or a letter of interest to: E. Sue Wamsley, WSCC, Polsky 315B, +6218, or wamsley@uakron.edu . The deadline for applications is June 6.
For more information, contact Wamsley at ext. 7008.
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‘EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR’ AT UA
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| Janet Litzel |
The Ohio Middle School Association has selected Janet Litzel, clinical instructor and co-director of extended educational experiences at the University, as its “Educator of the Year.”
Litzel accepted the award at the organization’s annual state conference, held at the John S. Knight Center in Akron. The award is presented to an exemplary OMSA teacher, administrator or parent who promotes the middle school concept.
Elizabeth Stroble, dean of the College of Education, says this award mirrors Litzel’s many achievements.
“Just as Dr. Litzel has made noteworthy contributions as a middle school educator, she provides significant leadership in teacher education and professional development in partnerships between the College of Education and area schools,” Stroble says. “We are proud of her accomplishments.”
Litzel, who earned her master’s and doctoral degrees at UA, was recently honored her with a College of Education Distinguished Alumni Award. Prior to joining UA, Litzel was a teacher and administrator in the Copley-Fairlawn City Schools for 24 years, followed by two years as a middle school principal for Chagrin Falls Exempted Village Schools.
Her career at UA began in 1991 as a part-time instructor in graduate education. In addition to her other responsibilities, Litzel is a liaison and professional development coordinator for Coventry Local Schools. She is faculty adviser to the Akron Council of Education Students on campus and received the excellence award from Omicron Delta Kappa for outstanding service to University of Akron students.
Litzel’s other professional activities include serving as the education director for the Akron Aeros Baseball Association, an OhioReads volunteer tutor for Akron Public Schools and a member of the Ohio Middle School Association advisory board, which has twice honored her as an Outstanding Middle Level Educator.
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SUPPORT GROUPS AVAILABLE
The Clinic for Child Study and Family Therapy is now accepting registrations for support groups that will begin in June. All groups are held in the Department of Counseling, which is part of the College of Education. The cost is $5 per session, per group. For more information, or to sign up for groups, call ext. 6822.
Anger Management for Adults — Tuesdays, 7 to 8:30 p.m., June 24 to July 29.
Anger Management for Adolescents — Saturdays, 10:30 a.m. to noon, June 21 to Aug. 2 (no group on July 5).
Kids Coping with ADHD — Saturdays, 9 to 10:30 a.m., June 21 to Aug. 2 (no group on July 5).
Stress/Anxiety Management — Thursdays, 7 to 8:30 p.m., June 26 to July 31.
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MEDINA COUNTY CENTER PARTNERS WITH UA
Students pursuing identified career majors at the Medina County Career Center are now able to seamlessly transfer credits for associated coursework to programs at the University, thanks to a new agreement signed early in May.
The agreement on transferring credits applies to coursework specific to the public safety, carpentry and building trades programs offered at the center. Students who successfully complete these courses will earn college credit related to baccalaureate or associate degree programs at the University.
“We are happy that the University and the Medina County Career Center have been able to develop this relationship that will help students,” says Terry Hickey, senior vice president and provost. “This is evidence of the University’s goal of reaching out to students and proof that the Medina County Career Center is proactive in identifying partnerships to assist students in expanding their horizons.”
“One of the goals of the Medina County Career Center is to ensure that the future needs of the community and local employers are met,” says Linda Bowers, principal at the center. “This agreement with The University of Akron takes us closer to the realization of that goal by supporting students pursuing postsecondary educational opportunities.”
In a separate agreement, selected courses in the center’s adult education Police Academy program will transfer into the Criminal Justice Associate Degree Program at the University.
Additionally, the College of Education announced it would award two $1,000 scholarships to students from the center’s newly established Teacher Education Academy, an endorsed program of the Ohio Department of Education, so they can pursue baccalaureate degrees in education.
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NURSING PROFESSOR NAMED TO INSTITUTE
Donna Felber Neff, an assistant professor of nursing, has been named a scholar in the 2003 Geriatric Nursing Research Scholars and Fellows Program by The John A. Hartford Foundation Institute for Geriatric Nursing, part of the New York University Division of Nursing.
Neff’s significant research in gerontologic nursing and strong leadership potential led to her selection. She is one of 12 nurses from the Midwest region chosen for the program, now in its sixth year.
The scholars will attend a week-long summer seminar in July and meet with nationally recognized experts in geriatric nursing, address issues and obstacles in undertaking high-quality research, and receive individual mentoring and critiquing.
“My work as a nurse is in caring for older adults and my research focus concerns access to health care for vulnerable elderly,” says Neff, who joined the University in 2001. “This is an opportunity for me to consult with leading expert nurse researchers in gerontology to advance my program of research.”
Cynthia Capers, dean of the College of Nursing, says Neff is building a solid track record of success in making contributions in nursing science pertaining to care of vulnerable elderly. Neff has incorporated Web technology into her teaching and published on topics in the field.
“Dr. Neff has participated in funded nursing practice projects through the UA Center for Nursing,” says Capers. “Now, as a research scholar and fellow of The John A. Hartford Foundation Institute for Geriatric Nursing, she will continue to develop her expertise. As a faculty member involved in the College of Nursing’s Center for Gerontological Health Nursing and Advocacy, Dr. Neff will be able to directly use her expertise in the services to elders in the Northeast Ohio region.”
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LEADERS IN GERONTOLOGY FIELD HONORED
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| Judy Casey, Harvey Sterns and Evelyn Sutton, seated. |
The Institute for Life-Span Development and Gerontology recognized the accomplishments of two leaders in the field of aging at the institute’s annual retreat in May.
Evelyn Sutton, an adjunct professor and life fellow for the Institute for Life-Span Development and Gerontology of Akron, is the recipient of the Outstanding Gerontologist Award. The award is presented to a University of Akron graduate who has made outstanding contributions to the field of aging.
Judy Casey is the recipient of the Media Award, which honors an individual or organization for outstanding contributions in the field of aging and media.
Sutton, a nationally renowned figure in the field of aging, received the first Graduate Certificate in Life-Span Development: Adulthood and Aging at the University in 1980. She earned bachelor’s degrees in sociology and secondary education at the University of Cincinnati in 1970 and a master’s degree in home economics and family ecology in 1979 at UA.
Sutton, along with colleagues, has written or edited five books and curriculum focused on aging and developmental disabilities and one curriculum on validation therapy. She is active in several professional organizations, including the Gerontological Society of America and the American Association for Mental Retardation.
Judy Casey has published a monthly newspaper targeted to adults and older adults — “FOCUS on Boomers and Beyond” in Northeast Ohio for the past 17 years. She is a board member of several organizations, and chairs Akron’s Senior Citizens Commission to the Mayor and City Council.
Harvey Sterns, institute director, says both women are commendable advocates for aging.
“Our curriculum — Person-centered Life Planning for Adults and Older Adults with Mental Retardation — has been used all over the United States and has been translated into Dutch, German, Hebrew and Japanese. Evelyn was a major force in this significant work.
“Judy makes it possible for adults and older adults to have a monthly source of information on social events, lectures, news, policy issues, health and finances, and provocative articles to stimulate,” adds Sterns.
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ENGINEERING STUDENTS TRIUMPH AGAIN
The success of University of Akron American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) students keeps going and going.
ASME students won the recent Region V Ingersoll-Rand Contest, which recognizes student sections that show outstanding achievement in a diverse range of activities. This marks the 14th time in the last 15 years of regional competition that UA has won or tied for first place. Jerry Drummond, associate professor of mechanical engineering, is the group’s faculty adviser.
Ohio, Michigan, West Virginia, Western Pennsylvania and Ontario make up Region V.
Adding to the student section’s overall success are individual recognitions.
Senior Isaac Kirbawy won the Old Guard Oral Presentation Competition in a field of 21 other students. The presentation is judged on content, organization, delivery and effectiveness, and discussion. Kirbawy’s topic was “Effect of Hardness on Fracture Toughness of 4140 Alloy Steel.” As a regional winner, he will compete at the national level during the ASME International Engineering Congress and Exposition in Washington, D.C., in November.
David Damm, also a senior and president of the ASME student section, won second place in the regional Charles T. Main Award competition. This honor recognizes student leadership and service qualities to the program and operation of a student section of the Society.
On a national level, Damm is the first-prize winner of the ASME Williston Award contest, which is presented to a student engineer or recent graduate who authors the best paper in the area of civic service. An abstract of his paper, “Risk, Human Error and the Engineer’s Response,” will be published in “ASME News” or “Mechanical Advantage.” He will receive the award, along with an honorarium, at the organization's November International Engineering Congress and Exposition.
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NURSING GRADUATES EXCEL
College of Nursing graduates continue to excel in superior performance on the National Council of State Boards of Nursing licensure examination for registered nurses. According to figures recently announced by NCSBN, UA graduates had an 89.36 percent pass rate for the 2002 exam, surpassing the national mean of 81.9 percent.
“After graduation BSN recipients must pass the licensure examination in order to practice nursing,” says Elaine Nichols, associate dean for academic affairs in the College of Nursing. “These high pass rates reflect a program that has a long tradition of preparing exemplary professional nurses who serve the region in hospitals and homes, clinics, long-term care and community health.”
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