Akron Update - October 23, 2002

The Online Newsletter for Faculty, Staff and Retirees of The University of Akron - October 23, 2002


NEWS CHANNEL 5 STOPS IN AKRON FOR ‘COLLEGE TOUR’ The University of Akron will be featured in “College Tour,” a TV special airing on News Channel 5, WEWS-TV, on Saturday, Oct. 27 at 12:30 p.m. The 30-minute program focuses on several local institutions of higher learning. President Luis M. Proenza speaks about aspects of the “Akron Advantage” during a segment about the University. Top SIGN THE BEAM THIS WEEK The last beam of the new Student Recreation Center will be put in place during a “Topping Off” ceremony on Oct. 31 at 11 a.m. Now through Oct. 30 at noon, students, faculty and staff can sign the beam, which is located at the intersection of Union and Carroll streets, across from Memorial Hall. The “Topping Off” ceremony follows a tradition that began more than 100 years ago in Norway. A small evergreen tree and an American flag will be attached the beam. The tree signifies a good job and good luck. Top CAMPUS TO HOST 2002 AMERICAN HEART WALK All faculty, staff, students, family members and friends are invited to participate in the 2002 American Heart Walk on The University of Akron campus on Nov. 2, starting at the James A. Rhodes Arena. The annual event, which benefits the American Heart Association, will begin with activities at 9 a.m. The walk, along a 2.5-mile course, will get under way at 10 a.m. This noncompetitive event is expected to draw more than 1,000 participants from area businesses and the community. Among its many sponsors are Summa Health Systems, the University, Infocision Management Corp., Children’s Hospital Medical Center of Akron and The Heart Group Inc. Funds raised will help support the American Heart Association’s research, local community services and public education programs. Participants will earn incentive prizes based on the amount of donations they receive for the association. Prizes range from T-shirts to electronics and gift certificates. The top money-raisers will win one of four prizes — $500 of gasoline from Holland Oil, a $500 shoe wardrobe from Lucky Shoes, a personal training package for five people from Masters in Motion, Inc., or a $250 gift certificate from The New Balance Shop. Currently, the association has committed $165,000 to fund three research projects in the departments of biology and chemistry at the University. The lead investigators on these projects are Daniel Ely and Amy Milsted, both professors of biology; and Wiley Youngs, professor of chemistry.Over the past 10 years, the American Heart Association has funded more than $500,000 for cardiovascular and stroke research at UA. University departments can form teams or faculty, staff and students can walk with family and friends. For information on how to get started, contact Alice Luse at 330-867-9987 or alice.luse@heart.org . Top TRUSTEES APPROVE NEW NURSING PROGRAMS Area nurses will be able to continue with graduate work in the field of anesthesia, thanks to two new College of Nursing programs recently approved by the University’s Board of Trustees. A new post-master’s certificate program will document the additional education that registered nurses who already hold a master’s degree get by completing the specialized study of nurse anesthesia. By completing the anesthetics courses offered by the University, those registered nurses become eligible to take the national certifying examination for nurse anesthetists. The 40-credit-hour certificate program can be accomplished in 27 months. The college also will offer a new graduate degree completion program to provide a pathway for certified registered nurse anesthetists to gain a master’s degree. Many certified registered nurse anesthetists have bachelor’s degrees and certificates for the anesthetic specialty. The new program gives those certified registered nurse anesthetists the opportunity to complete their graduate degrees. Typically, completing these graduate studies requires 36 credit hours of courses, which could be accomplished in a year. Top THE SPLENDORS OF ITALY WILL UNFOLD NEXT SPRING The College of Education Graduate Outreach Programs is sponsoring a Splendors of Italy for Educators and Students trip from March 20-28, 2003. Graduate, undergraduate or high school students age 17 or older may participate and/or register for either one or two undergraduate or graduate credits. The cost of the trip is $1,576 and includes everything (except four lunches, personal spending money and $85 in airline taxes). Tuition will be an additional cost for graduate credits. The trip itinerary includes Verona, Lake Garda, Padoa, Venice, Florence and Rome. Additional information is available at: http://www.uakron.edu/outreach (click on Italy 2003). The reservation form, with the deposit and the application for workshop credit(s), is due to Giannina D’Agruma in Zook Hall 222 by Nov. 30. For more information, call D’Agruma at ext. 6266. Top ENTERTAINMENT BOOKS AVAILABLE ON CAMPUS The Society of Women Engineers is again selling Akron, Canton and Cleveland Entertainment Books to raise money for the students to travel to the national convention. Akron and Canton books are $28. Cleveland books are $25 if ordered by Nov. 25, and $30 after that date. To order, contact Mary C. Verstraete, faculty adviser, at ext. 7691 or mary@biomed.uakron.edu . Top 15TH ANNUAL EMILE GRUNBERG LECTURE PLANNED James Heckman, the 2000 recipient of the Nobel Prize in Economics and Henry Schultz Distinguished Service Professor of Economics at the University of Chicago, will deliver the 15th Emile Grunberg Lecture on Nov. 12 in the Gardner Student Center Theatre at 2:30 p.m. “Fostering Skills and Abilities for the Modern Economy” is the title for Heckman’s talk, which is free and open to the campus community and the public. Free tickets are available at the Bierce Library Information Desk or by contacting Jeanette Quinn in the Department of Economics at ext. 7546 or jmcart@uakron.edu . Heckman received the Nobel Prize for developing theory and methods in the statistical analysis of individual and household behavior that are now widely used within economics and other social sciences. He is one of the foremost researchers into the impacts of social programs on the economy and society at large. Heckman’s work has given policy makers important new insights into such areas as education, job training programs, minimum wage legislation, antidiscrimination and civil rights laws. He also holds an appointment as director of social program evaluation at the Harris School of Public Policy at the University of Chicago and is a senior research fellow at the American Bar Association. This lecture series is sponsored by the Department of Economics and the Buchtel College of Arts and Sciences. Top MUSIC OF GILBERT AND SULLIVAN COMES TO CAMPUS Hower House will present a Fall Concert and Tea on Nov. 3 featuring selections from such Gilbert and Sullivan classics as “Pirates of Penzance,” “Mikado,” “Patience” and “H.M.S. Pinafore.”. Performers include Jamie Cordes, Ron Hazelett, James Mismas, Bruce Stebner and Susan Walllin. Tickets are $15. Checks can be made payable to Hower House Victorians and mailed to Hower House Victorians Concerts and Teas, 60 Fir Hill, The University of Akron, Akron, OH 44325-2401. Payment by VISA, MasterCard or Discover also will be accepted. Tickets will be mailed. Limited seating is available. Call ext. 6909 for more information. Top				DOCTORAL STUDENTS HONOR PROFESSOR The Doctoral Association of Arts and Sciences and Public Affairs, a University student organization, presented its first “Professor of the Year” award to Julia Beckett, assistant professor of public administration and urban studies at the organization’s fall reception. “Dr. Beckett has been a great supporter of all doctoral students and our efforts to present papers at conferences and secure publication of articles,” says Scott Gale, DAASPA president and a doctoral student in public administration and school finance. “The unanimous vote of the doctoral students from different disciplines demonstrates the strong commitment Professor Beckett has shown to the advancement of higher education.” Beckett earned a doctorate in public administration at the University of Colorado and a Juris Doctor at Washington University in St. Louis. Her areas of concentration are public law, budgeting, finance and local governments. “The doctoral students in the urban studies and public affairs program are a great group,” says Beckett. “I am really grateful for this recognition. DAASPA’s mission is to provide ongoing support, encouragement of high scholarship achievement and leadership development for all doctoral students in the Buchtel College of Arts and Sciences. The “Professor of the Year” award was created to recognize faculty who have demonstrated strong leadership and a commitment to helping doctoral students achieve scholastically beyond University requirements. Top ENHANCING CAMPUS DIVERSITY IS LUNCHEON TOPIC “Diversity as an Institutional Value and Indicator of Excellence” is the title for a talk to be presented by James A. Anderson, vice provost for undergraduate affairs and professor of counselor education at North Carolina State University, on Oct. 23. The event, sponsored by the Institute for Teaching and Learning and the Office of Multicultural Development, will be held from noon to 2 p.m. in the Martin University Center, Ballroom. Anderson will discuss how diversity is central to the mission and success of institutions of higher education. Anderson is responsible for undergraduate courses and curricula, academic program development and review, the general education experience and curriculum, program assessment and the First Year College. He is an American Council on Education Fellow and Danforth Fellow. Anderson has presented extensively on the infusion of diversity into the curriculum and institution, retention issues, enhancing faculty instructional competency, student outcomes assessment, and critical thinking for diverse populations. Contact Susan Fisher at ext. 8367 or mail to:fisher1@uakron.edu by Oct. 21 to make a reservation. Top RETIREES’ ASSOCIATION PLANS TWO EVENTS FOR NOVEMBER The Association of the University of Akron Retirees has a busy fall planned. On Nov. 8, all members and their friends are invited to a Potluck Super Soup Supper from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Goodyear Metro Park, West Room, on Newton Street between Route 91 and Goodyear Boulevard. Several varieties of soup will be served, along with crackers, coffee, tea and soft drinks. Those attending should bring a salad or dessert to share. Cost of the event is $5 per person. The deadline for reservations is Nov. 1. Call Tom or Diane Vukovich at 330-733-4608 or send e-mail to diane@uakron.edu . President Luis M. Proenza will be the guest speaker when the association meets for a luncheon on Nov. 13. The event will be held at Martin University Center, Knight Room from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Proenza will talk about his role on President George W. Bush’s President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology. He is one of two Ohioans to be named to the council that provides advice on science and technology policy to the president. Those attending may bring a lunch or order a box lunch for $6 from the Martin Center. Lunches must be ordered by Nov. 11 — contact Ellen Dietrick at ext.7243, or ellen1@uakron.edu . Payment is due upon arrival at the luncheon. Top GRANT-WRITING WORKSHOP PLANNED OCT. 23 Grant-writing consultants Lisa Camp and Chuck Urbancic will lead a Grant-writing Workshop on Oct. 23 from 9 a.m. to noon in Bierce Library 61. Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m. This hands-on, grant-writing workshop will cover sponsor identification, proposal writing and budget development. Seating is limited. R.S.V.P. to Mary Dingler at ext. 7774 or mdingler@uakron.edu . Top AVON CEO TO BE FEATURED AT GOODYEAR FORUM Andrea Jung, chair and CEO of Avon Products Inc., will discuss the transformation of the company as the keynote speaker for the 10th Goodyear Executive Leadership Forum at The University of Akron. The event will be held at 1 p.m. on Oct. 31 in the Goodyear Polymer Center auditorium. Her talk, titled “Leadership in Turbulent Times,” is part of the College of Business Administration’s “Women in Business Day,” which will be held in recognition of Jung being the first female keynote speaker for the Goodyear Executive Leadership Forum. Also being honored at the forum will be area business executives including Sallie Bailey and Leigh Anne Baker, The Timken Company; Donna Barton, Oak Associates; Stephanie Bergeron and Kathy Geier, The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company; Catherine Dindo, FirstEnergy Corp.; Beth Kartarius, FirstMerit Bank; Dr. Teresa Koenig, SummaCare Health Plan; Nancy Murray, Akron Hardware; Shelley Seifert, National City Corp.; Gayle Tomkinson, Advanced Elastomers Systems; and M. Catherine Vernon, Phillips Medical Systems Inc. The lecture is free and open to the public. For more information, call ext. 6195. Top WOMEN IN HIGHER EDUCATION TO MEET NOV. 13 “Leadership Development” will be the topic addressed by Sandra Auburn, vice president of workforce development for the Greater Akron Chamber, at the Women in Higher Education meeting on Nov. 13. The event will be held from noon to 1 p.m. in the College of Business Administration, Room 258. Membership in the University chapter of Women in Higher Education is open to all faculty, staff, administrators, graduate and undergraduate students who have a concern about women’s issues in higher education and who support the stated goals, objectives and purposes of the organization. The membership dues of $10 provide book scholarships to women students. Top NOBEL LAUREATE IN ECONOMICS TO SPEAK HERE James J. Heckman, 2000 Nobel Laureate in Economics, will present the 15th annual Emile Grunberg Lecture at 2:30 p.m. on Nov. 12 at Gardner Student Center Theatre. His presentation, “Fostering Skills and Abilities for the Modern Economy,” is sponsored by the Department of Economics and Buchtel College of Arts and Sciences. The lecture is free and open to the public, but a ticket is required. Tickets are available at Bierce Library or by calling the Department of Economics at ext. 7546. Currently the Henry Schultz Distinguished Service Professor of Economics at the University of Chicago, Heckman holds a parallel appointment as director of social program evaluation at the Harris School of Public Policy. He also is a senior research fellow at the American Bar Foundation. A foremost researcher on the impact of social programs on the economy and society at large, Heckman is credited with giving policymakers new insights into such areas as education, job training programs, minimum wage legislation, antidiscrimination and civil rights laws. He received the Nobel Prize for developing theory and methods in the statistical analysis of individual and household behavior that are now widely used within economics and other social sciences. The lecture series honors the late professor emeritus of economics, Emile Grunberg, who taught at the University from 1956 to 1972, and continued research at UA until 1988. Top SOUTH CAROLINA PIRATE TOPIC OF UA KNEPPER LECTURE The University of Akron’s annual George W. Knepper Lecture takes to the high seas on Nov. 12 as prominent historian Marcus Rediker discusses the story of “gentleman pirate” Stede Bonnet. Acclaimed historian of colonial America and the American Revolution, Rediker will present “The Pirate and the Gallows: A Tale of Terror” at Martin University Center at 7:30 p.m. The presentation and the reception that follows are free and open to the public. A professor of history at the University of Pittsburgh, Rediker has lectured throughout the United States and in London, Paris, Amsterdam, Milan, Moscow and Tokyo. He holds fellowships from the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation, the National Endowment of the Humanities and the Andrew P. Mellon Foundation. Rediker has written/co-written three books, “Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea,” Volume One of “Who Built America?” and “The Many-Headed Hydra.” Currently, he is working on “Villains of All Nations: Atlantic Pirates in the Golden Age, 1716-1726.” The lecture series was created in 1994 to honor George W. Knepper, a specialist of Ohio history and UA distinguished professor emeritus of history. For more information, call the Department of History at ext. 7006. Top