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April 30, 2008
University of Tampa: Management Professor Wins UT's Highest Honor
Dr. Mary Anne Watson, professor of management at The University of Tampa, was awarded the Louise Loy Hunter Award at UT’s Academic Awards Ceremony on April 23. The Louise Loy Hunter Award is bestowed annually upon a UT faculty member for cumulative contributions in teaching, service and scholarship. It is the highest official honor that can be awarded to a faculty member at The University of Tampa. The award is unique in that it is bestowed by faculty members who have received the award in prior years. Watson, who served as associate dean of the John H. Sykes College of Business for the last five and a half years and chair of the management department for three and a half years, focuses on organizational behavior, and specializes in leadership development and team building. She has published more than 40 cases and articles and has made numerous presentations. She co-authored the book “Learning Theory in the Practice of Management Development” (Greenwood, 1998). Additionally, Watson has led efforts to internationalize the curriculum and faculty at the Sykes College of Business. She wrote and directed two internationalization grants from the U.S. Department of Education that led to the introduction of the international business major. She also has developed and conducted cross-cultural training programs for international student exchange and language organizations such as the American Language Academy and Youth for Understanding. Watson directs the MBA Leadership Coaching Program, which brings to campus more than 120 area business leaders who voluntarily mentor first-year MBA students. She is also a member of The University of Tampa Coalition for an Alcohol Responsible Environment (CARE).
Source: University of Tampa, Florida
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April 30, 2008
University of Washington-Seattle: Foster MBAs Place Second in World at International Venture Capital Investment Competition
A team of MBA students at the University of Washington's Michael G. Foster School of Business took second place in the International Venture Capital Investment Competition (VCIC) April 17-19 at the University of North Carolina's Kenan-Flagler School of Business. The Foster MBA team beat rivals from University of Pennsylvania (Wharton), University of California Los Angeles (Anderson) and Manchester Business School, while mounting a strong challenge to the first-place team from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Sloan). In the VCIC contest, student teams play the role of venture capital investors, assessing real companies in a high-stakes competitive environment. They defend their allocation decisions before an exacting panel of venture capitalists. The Foster team was comprised of first-year MBA student Topher Sabella and second-year MBA students Ashita Achuthan, Kien Ha, Paul Meighan and Stuart Young, who proved their mettle by winning the Silicon Valley regional VCIC competition in February. "With the support of local venture capital gurus and coaches, we came to the finals with a better understanding of important terms and key levers to push and pull when negotiating with an entrepreneur," said team member Kien Ha. "We also tried to differentiate ourselves by being transparent in our analysis." That strong analysis led the Foster team to select the judges' preferred company for investment: a cardiac medical device start-up. Ha said "We were up against tough competition in MIT, which had a team with an M.D., a Ph.D. and two MBA students who had worked at venture capital firms." VCIC judge and UW MBA alumna Rebecca Lovell of Alliance of Angels reported, "The UW team exhibited the best dynamic, breadth and time management of any competitor. [It] turns out there's no substitute for having a cardiac surgeon on the team when you're investing in a cardiac medical device, but the UW team was an absolutely clear second." Lovell competed on the second UW MBA team to win the VCIC competition in 2006 and will return to the UW to teach the Venture Capital Investment course next year. The Foster team received considerable backing from the UW Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, which introduced the students to its vast network of venture capitalists, angel investors, attorneys and other experts from the Northwest entrepreneurial community. "We have a huge advantage being in Seattle," said Connie Bourassa-Shaw, director of the UW's Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. "There is a very supportive venture capital community and a strong entrepreneurial culture," she explained. "Local venture capital professionals contributed many hours to coach students, showing them how to analyze a balance sheet and including them in actual company pitch sessions." Students also received substantial knowledge transfer from Emer Dooley, a lecturer in entrepreneurship, and Susan Sigl, general partner at SeaPoint Ventures, who taught the Center's VCIC course and provided heavy preparation. Several venture capital professionals provided invaluable feedback and expert advice, including Rebecca Lovell (MBA 2006) of Alliance of Angels, Geoff Entress of Madrona Venture Group, Margaret McCormick of Integra Ventures, Kirsten Nelson of Fluke Venture Partners, Jon Roberts and Chris Howard (MBA 2007) of Ignition Partners and Enrique Godreau of Voyager Capital. The international VCIC competition included finalists from seven regions of the United States and one covering Europe. Foster School of Business MBAs won the international VCIC in 2004 and 2006.
Source: University of Washington-Seattle
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April 30, 2008
University of Tennessee at Knoxville: UT Full-time MBA Students Win ORNL's Global Venture Competition and $32,500 to Invest in Their Businesses
Jim Clayton, founder of Clayton Homes. Sandy Beall, founder of Ruby Tuesday. Jim Haslam, founder of Pilot. Michael Strickland, founder of Bandit Lites. John Jansheski, founder of DenTek Oral Care. What do all of these Tennessee entrepreneurial giants have in common? All were under 30 years old when they started their first business. So are Brad Russell, president of Volantis LLC, and Bryan Moore, president of Airflow Systems LLC -- two of East Tennessee's newest award-winning technology entrepreneurs. Although their daylight hours are spent as students in the Innovation and Entrepreneurship concentration in the full-time MBA program at the University of Tennessee's College of Business Administration, their evenings and weekends are spent building their technology-based businesses with fellow students. Volantis and Airflow Systems recently showcased their innovations in Oak Ridge National Laboratory's Global Venture Challenge, Idea to Product (I2P) competition. Competing against teams worldwide, Volantis won first place, and $25,000, while Airflow Systems tied for first runner-up, earning $7,500. "This is such a validation of our MBA's Innovation and Entrepreneurship curriculum, which is designed to create the next generation of entrepreneurial leaders," said Sarah Gardial, associate dean of academic programs in UT's College of Business Administration. Volantis is building a business to supply a super-hydrophobic coating for ship hulls that will greatly reduce fuel costs for the container shipping industry. The product is based on an ORNL material with a special nanostructure that repels water more efficiently than traditional surface coatings. Team members were Russell of Charlotte, N.C.; and William Ambrose, Danny Norman and Ned Morgan, all of Knoxville. With Airflow Systems' heat pump hot water heater, consumers will be able to save 20 percent on their electric bills every month. The product is based on an ORNL invention that transforms a low-efficiency system into one that is ultra-resource-efficient. Joining Moore, of Chattanooga, on the team were students Jyotirmoy Dwivedi of Mumbai, India; Jim Bell of Kingsport, Tenn.; and Joel Riddle of Morristown, Tenn. "Our intention is to develop skills of our MBA students to be value creators, either in corporate, social cause organizations or new ventures," said Glenn Swift, faculty member in the Innovation and Entrepreneurship program. "We help students develop their skills through applied, out-of-the-classroom learning experiences and encourage them to start new ventures while in the program. The Global Venture Competition was particularly important because it provided students with the opportunity to tell investors about their ideas. Collectively, the teams raised $32,500 for their new ventures and demonstrated to the entrepreneurial community that the collaborative model does work." Both teams are investing their monetary awards into their businesses: "The seed capital we raised will allow us to develop a proof of concept prototype to field test," said Moore. "It is great learning how to apply what we learned in school to a real start-up business." According to Swift and Pat Richardson, faculty advisers for the winning teams, the Innovation and Entrepreneurship concentration integrates the four components of successful entrepreneurship for growing new businesses and developing business leaders -- providing access to cutting-edge research, which is available through both UT and ORNL; access to business incubation, which is provided by the Center for Entrepreneurial Growth through Technology 2020; access to funding, which the students explore through exposure to entrepreneurs and venture capitalists; and the students' own business leadership skills. Area entrepreneurs contributed significantly to the teams' successes, meeting with them and asking them critical questions about their plans. "Our 2½ hours with (DenTek founder) Jansheski was incredible," Russell said. "He gave us a failing grade on our first approach, but provided invaluable direction and a promising perspective on the path Volantis should be pursuing." Two weeks later, Volantis won the Global Venture Challenge. Jansheski said that he found the students "incredibly talented, innovative and open-minded. "Collaborations involving students, entrepreneurs and researchers in the region are the wave of the future. They will enhance East Tennessee's ability to retain talented young entrepreneurs and maintain our country as a world thought-leader and job provider. I am honored to be involved with the school."
Source: University of Tennessee at Knoxville
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April 28, 2008
University of California: J. Fred Weston Receives 2008 Dickson Emeritus Professorship Award
J. Fred Weston, professor emeritus at UCLA Anderson School of Management, is one of five recipients of the 2008 Dickson Emeritus Professorship Award. The award was created in 2006 by an endowment from the late Edward A. Dickson, Regent of the University of California from 1913 to 1946. The award honors outstanding research, scholarly work, teaching, and/or educational service to the university and the profession. The award includes a cash prize. Professor Weston is widely known for his research in mergers and acquisitions, along with such related topics as industry restructuring, the cost of capital, and antitrust policy, publishing several books and dozens of articles since his retirement in 1986. Before and after retirement, his acute intellect has attracted leading scholars to UCLA Anderson, resulting in one of the top finance faculties in the world. He continues to serve as a key member of the finance group and directs its research program on takeovers, restructuring, and corporate governance, which he founded. Since retirement, he has been named a fellow of the American Finance Association, the National Association of Business Economists, and the Financial Management Association. His writing received a remarkable five Abramson scroll awards for his exceptional contributions to Business Economics. Always highly regarded as a teacher and mentor, Professor Weston has set a stellar scholarly example, with his passionate quest to understand the world of finance and his relentless pursuit of knowledge. Not only the 66 or so doctoral students whose committees he chaired during his career, but literally hundreds of students and faculty have benefited from his support, encouragement, and fundamental kindness.
Source: University of California, Los Angeles
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April 28, 2008
George Washington University: Timothy Tong, Dean of GW's School of Engineering and Applied Science, Appointed President of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Timothy W. Tong, dean of the School of Engineering and Applied Science at The George Washington University, has been named president of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. A Hong Kong native,Tong will assume his new duties on Jan. 1, 2009. "I am very grateful for having had the opportunity to serve as dean of the School of Engineering and Applied Science at GW for the past eight years," said Tong. "I have enjoyed working with and learning from the students, faculty, staff, and alumni at the school. The things I have been able to accomplish here were a big factor in my being able to get this appointment at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, and I appreciate the support that I have received from the School of Engineering and Applied Science community throughout these years." Under Tong's leadership, the School of Engineering and Applied Science has grown to 230 full-time and part-time faculty members and approximately 2,500 students -- 80 percent of whom are graduate students. The school's annual external research funding has increased by approximately 40 percent, and it has built a number of important research and educational partnerships, both nationally and internationally. Its partners include U.S. government agencies, foreign governments and universities, and corporations such as Lockheed Martin, SAIC, and Rolls Royce North America. The School of Engineering and Applied Science also has expanded its off-campus programs to 24 cities, including four locations in California and Hawaii, and has raised more than $50 million for the continued growth and development of the school. Donald R. Lehman, executive vice president for academic affairs, said, "Dean Tong's commitment to research and teaching has propelled the school to academic excellence in the areas of biomedical engineering, information technology and telecommunications, and transportation safety and security. I appreciate his dedication and leadership and congratulate him on his new role as president of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University." Tong, who conducts theoretical and experimental research in heat transfer, joined GW in 2000. He previously held positions at the National Science Foundation, Colorado State University, Arizona State University, and the University of Kentucky. Tong has published more than 80 technical articles and edited seven conference proceedings. He is a fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and an associate fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. In 1991, he received a presidential appointment to serve on the Board of Trustees of the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation. Tong received a B.S. in mechanical engineering from Oregon State University and a M.S. and Ph.D. in the same discipline from the University of California at Berkeley.
Source: George Washington University, Washington, D.C.
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April 25, 2008
University of Washington–Seattle: Foster MBAs Win Second-Straight CIBER International Case Competition
Even a freak Midwestern earthquake couldn't prevent a team of first-year MBA students at the University of Washington's Michael G. Foster School of Business from winning the CIBER International Case Competition – for the second-consecutive year. The annual competition took place at the University of Wisconsin-Madison April 16-18. The Foster School team of Lauren Darnielle, Fran Lalas, Craig Wiley and Paul Zitarelli illuminated the field of domestic and international schools. The competition's challenge was deceptively simple: pick a site for Disney's next international theme park. Approximately 21 hours into the 24-hour marathon of analysis and preparation, the Foster students learned firsthand that North American seismic activity is not limited to the Pacific Rim. Unfazed by the rumblings of the 5.2 quake centered in south-central Illinois, the team polished its winning presentation and delivered a most compelling case for Disneyland India. The Foster team's edge in analysis perhaps came from their assertion that the new park should serve as a brand center instead of a profit center, introducing Disney to a densely populated part of the world that has barely heard of Mickey Mouse. But their presentation was peerless. The Foster MBAs used a method of storyboarding the presentation introduced by Dan Turner, associate dean for masters programs and executive education, and passed down from second-year MBA Kevin Kirn, a multiple case competition winner. The result was a clear victory over the competition, which included Bocconi University (Italy), Chulalongkorn University (Thailand), Copenhagen Business School (Denmark), Hong Kong University of Science & Technology (Hong Kong), Tecnológico de Monterrey (Mexico), the Ohio State University, University of Connecticut, University of Kansas, University of Maryland and University of Wisconsin. "One of the final round judges told us that the decision was easy and unanimous," Zitarelli says. "She praised the rigor of our analysis, the style of our slide deck, and the skill of our presentation. She emphasized how we presented a cohesive story, and behaved as a team that seemed to genuinely like each other." An academy of Foster School faculty and staff helped prepare the MBAs for the CIBER competition, including Turner; Judith Kalitzki, director of the MBA Leadership Program; Kathy Dewenter, the Joshua Green Family Endowed Professor of finance; Elizabeth Stearns, senior lecturer in marketing; and team advisor Gordon Neumiller, director of the MBA field study program. The Foster team was supported by the UW Global Business Center, one of 30 federally funded Centers for International Business Education and Research (CIBER) in the country, and the only one in the Pacific Northwest.
Source: University of Washington-Seattle
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April 24, 2008
University of Minnesota: Arthur B. Schultz Foundation Establishes MBA Fellowships at the U of M Carlson School of Management
U of M Carlson School of Management alum and global philanthropist Arthur B. Schultz (BSB '51) has established- through his foundation-Carlson School MBA fellowships for full-time MBA students to study micro-finance and micro-enterprises. The Arthur B. Schultz Foundation (ABSF) will provide full-tuition fellowships (approximately $100,000 annually) for full-time MBA students interested in micro-finance and micro-enterprise, with a particular focus on international students who are committed to returning to their native countries to direct or manage a micro-enterprise. "We hope that students will take the knowledge they gain here back to their own countries," said Erik Schultz, ABSF director. "We want this to come full circle from where it all began."Approximately 30 percent of the Carlson School's full-time MBA students come from other counties to study at the school, where they engage in rich, hands-on learning opportunities and interaction with global and entrepreneurial companies. "These fellowships will fit perfectly with our growing global and experiential learning opportunities and the increasing interest in social enterprises in our current and prospective students," said Carlson School Dean Alison Davis-Blake. "We couldn't be more pleased."
Source: University of Minnesota
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April 24, 2008
Rice University: NSF Gives $1.5M For Next-Gen Wireless Networks, Phones, Health Sensors
The National Science Foundation has awarded $1.5 million to a Rice-led research team for the expansion of a wireless research network and the design and testing of experimental mobile systems and health-monitoring devices in East Houston's working-class Pecan Park neighborhood. The five-year project is a collaboration of researchers from Rice, The Methodist Hospital Research Institute and nonprofit Technology For All (TFA). The researchers will examine how patients with chronic diseases can use next-generation wireless networks, cell phones and health sensors to participate in their own medical treatment. The project brings together Rice experts in wireless network and mobile computing, community experts from TFA and health-care experts from Methodist and the University of Houston's Abramson Center for the Future of Health. Part of the grant will pay for the expansion of TFA-Wireless, an experimental wireless network that was designed and built by the research group of the project lead and principal investigator Edward Knightly, professor in electrical and computer engineering at Rice. The network uses new technology that's more efficient and less costly to operate than the WiFi gear used in Internet cafes, airports and coffeehouses. "Our network is a first-of-its-kind research platform," said Knightly. "We are supporting more than 4,000 users in three square kilometers with a fully programmable custom wireless network. This allows us to demonstrate our research advances at an operational scale." Co-principal investigator Lin Zhong, assistant professor in electrical and computer engineering, said the new grant will also fund the construction of experimental mobile devices that lay the foundation for long-term field studies in the community. "My group is interested in how mobile devices like cell phones can provide IT access to underserved communities, particularly when they are coupled with low-cost wireless broadband networks like the one Ed's group has developed," Zhong said. Under the new grant, the Abramson Center will develop wireless sensors for chronic-illness care in collaboration with the Rice team. Using the sensors, patients with congestive heart failure, asthma or metabolic syndrome will be able to painlessly and noninvasively take stock of several key aspects of their health status on a daily basis. For example, an early design, called Blue Box, can compare current readings with a patient's history and provide immediate, user-friendly feedback. By taking medical readings every day, rather than only during physician visits or crises, researchers hope to manage chronic conditions more effectively. Principal investigator Clifford Dacso, chair of internal medicine at The Methodist Hospital said, "Combining the Blue Box technology with an existing wireless network is designed to allow people with chronic illnesses to fine-tune their health, thus avoiding preventable deterioration that may result in emergency care. It's much easier on the patient and provides them with higher quality, very personal care." Dacso is also executive director of the Abramson Center, which is a collaboration between The Methodist Hospital Research Institute and the University of Houston's College of Technology. Construction on TFA-Wireless began in 2003. Knightly's graduate student Joseph Camp led the effort to design and build the network, which is a model for how broadband wireless Internet may one day be provided to whole cities. "When we started this project with Dr. Knightly, we had no idea that it would lead medical researchers, anthropologists and others scientists to take such a keen interest in Pecan Park," said TFA President and CEO Will Reed. "Our community isn't the typical well-to-do neighborhood where this kind of technology would typically be rolled out. As a result, people are knocking down our door to find out how our residents are using the network, what they think of it and how it's affecting them." The networking technology that makes this possible is the multitier, multihop, wireless "mesh" networking technology used by TFA-Wireless. The network has dozens of interconnected wireless transmitters throughout the neighborhood that allow anyone with a wireless-enabled computer or a cell phone access the Internet. When TFA-Wireless users log in, they connect to one of the wireless transmitters in the neighborhood. These transmitters, which are called "nodes," pass information between one another, relaying all data to and from a central hub. The term "mesh" refers to the fact that data sometimes uses multiple wireless relays, hopping from node to node before finding its way to the wired hub.
Source: Rice University, Texas
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April 24, 2008
Hampton University Receives $1.2 Million to Enhance Biology Program
Hampton University was recently awarded a $1.2 million grant from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI). The grant will be used to enhance the biology program at HU to fit the recommendations made in Bio2010, a set of changes recommended for biology programs as described by the National Research Council. The grant will provide HU with faculty development opportunities, an updated biology curriculum, a renovated laboratory and the development of a modern student research and training laboratory. The laboratories will allow students to focus on areas of emerging biology like genomics, proteomics, bioinformatics, systems biology, molecular evolution and metagenomics. Dr. Edison R. Fowlks, HU professor of biology and HHMI program director at HU, designed the biology initiative to be an inquiry-based, research-driven, interdisciplinary experience. The goal of the initiative is to develop the relationship between biology, computer sciences and mathematics disciplines in hopes of creating research teams that not only understand biology better but are able to solve biological and biomedical problems from a perspective of diverse disciplines. "Combining these three disciplines is a brand new paradigm in biology," stated Fowlks. "HU is becoming a leader in bringing these three disciplines together. We are on the forefront in developing a genome-inspired biology curriculum."
Source: Hampton University, Virginia
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April 24, 2008
University of Miami: Entrepreneurs Take Home $34,000 in UM Business Plan Competition
From a technology-driven laundry service to a sustainable aquaculture company that will produce “goggle eye,” the winning entries in the annual entrepreneurship competition sponsored by the University of Miami’s School of Business represent entrepreneurship at its best. The student entrepreneurs were awarded six cash prizes totaling $34,000 April 18 in the business school’s 6th Annual Leigh Rothschild Entrepreneurship Competition, which began last fall with nearly 100 entries. In the High-Potential Ventures category, Ronald Hoenig and Aaron Welch, both Masters students at UM’s Rosenstiel School of Marine & Atmospheric Science, won first place and $8,000 for Bait King LLC. The venture is a sustainable aquaculture company that will produce and sell a valuable bait fish, known locally as the “goggle eye,” to bait retailers throughout the state of Florida. The runner-up and winner of $4,000 was 2007 MBA graduate Rodolfo Saccoman, who presented a plan for MyTherapyJournal.com (www.mytherapyjournal.com), which intends to revolutionize the health industry by creating innovative online therapy services and tools. The company currently has more than 2,000 members who are journaling and tracking their life's progress online. In the Small Business category, business school senior Matt Sinnreich took first place and $8,000 for his business plan for We Wash LLC (www.wewash.com). The company is an innovative laundry pick-up, delivery, wash, and fold service that uses an online registration process and RFID (radio frequency identification) technology for tracking the laundry from start to finish. We Wash will first be implemented at universities, then office buildings, with drop boxes eventually placed on street corners. Business school seniors Nick Gavronsky and Brett Brown won $4,000 as runner-up for CorpSpeak LLC, an enterprise software company that will enable corporations to better manage feedback in ways that increase stakeholder satisfaction and solidify ethical standards. “Entrepreneurship will continue to be one of the most important drivers of business in the 21st century, which is why fostering entrepreneurship at the student level is a priority for us,” said Barbara Kahn, dean of the University of Miami School of Business. “We heard remarkable business ideas and plans behind them in this year’s competition and I know we will be hearing much more about these entrepreneurs and their ventures in the future.” Established in 2003 by UM alumnus and successful entrepreneur Leigh M. Rothschild, the competition is open to all University of Miami students. Individuals or teams of students must first submit a concept synopsis, outlining a novel idea for a product, service, or business in one of the two categories. This year, 91 entries were submitted, from which 22 went on to the second stage to be formalized into detailed business plans. Sixteen finalists were then chosen to present to a panel of judges comprising local business executives and venture capitalists from across the country. “The real value of the competition is not the money,” said Rothschild at the awards ceremony. “The simulation of the real-world experience that these students get by presenting their ideas to the judges is the ultimate dividend.” In addition to the top prizes, the Cynthia R. Cohen Entrepreneurial Woman of the Year Award and $1,500 was presented to business school senior Christina Villegas and the Paul K. Sugrue Entrepreneurial Spirit Award and $2,500 was presented to sophomore Alexander Timlin. Twelve other finalist concepts were each awarded a $500 Honorable Mention prize. Past winners in the Entrepreneurship Competition have gone on to build their ventures into successful businesses. They include Omar Soliman, a 2004 graduate of the UM School of Business and first place winner in the 2004 competition. Soliman launched his idea as College Hunks Hauling Junk (http://1800junkusa.com) in the greater Washington, D.C., area. The company, which removes trash that trash collectors will not take from residential and commercial property, now has 20 employees and is expanding with franchises.
Source: University of Miami, Florida
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April 24, 2008
University of Nevada: Mackay School Receives $1.25 Million Pledge From Goldcorp
Goldcorp Inc., one of the world’s largest mining companies, has partnered with the Mackay School of Earth Sciences and Engineering to establish the Goldcorp Endowed Chair in Minerals Engineering, Mackay School director James Taranik announced on Thursday. The news comes on the heels of the Mackay School’s 100th anniversary celebration this week. Combined with a prior commitment, Goldcorp’s pledge amounts to $1.25 million. Taranik said that the endowed chair comes at an important point in Mackay’s history, symbolizing the school’s rich history and its bright future. This week the Mackay School celebrated its 100-year history with a series of events on the University campus. The endowed chair is also recognition that the Mackay School continues to meet a critical industry need for minerals engineers and earth scientists. “We felt a responsibility to support the development and retention of highly qualified minerals educators at the Mackay School of Earth Sciences and Engineering,” said Kevin McArthur, president and CEO of Goldcorp, Inc. McArthur is also a Mackay School graduate. “We are confident the Goldcorp Chair is a good start and that further corporate giving will continue to support the teaching and research programs that will attract more top engineering students to the mining field.” Taranik agreed: “This generous gift will help our school attract the best faculty, in order to produce the best graduates, for the very important field of minerals engineering. We are very thankful that an industry leader such as Goldcorp continues to be so supportive of our school. It’s been quite a week for us with our centennial celebration ... and what a great way to cap it, with this important investment in our future.” Goldcorp is the world’s lowest cost and fastest growing senior gold producer with mines and development projects in Canada, the United States, Mexico and South America. Its Marigold Mine in Humboldt County has enjoyed continuous operations for nearly 25 years. The Mackay School of Earth Sciences and Engineering was founded as the Mackay School of Mines in 1908. The Mackay School, which is part of the University’s College of Science, is considered one of the world’s top academic and research leaders in earth sciences and engineering.
Source: University of Nevada Reno
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April 24, 2008
University of Central Missouri: American Idol Watch Party Continues for UCM Alumnus Cook
The University of Central Missouri and Union Station in Kansas City are hosting an American Idol Watch Party from 6 to 9 p.m., every Tuesday, in support of UCM alumnus and Blue Springs resident David Cook, a finalist this season on the hit Fox TV show. The party is being held in the Bistro located inside the station’s Grand Hall. Admission is free to the public. Offering food and drink specials, the Bistro provides an atmosphere that is fun for families with younger members as well as for adults. Weekly watch parties will continue there as long as Cook remains a contestant. Cook, a 2006 Central Missouri graphic arts technology management graduate, is grabbing the nation’s attention for his bold rock music. His performances are getting rave reviews and millions of votes every week. Drawing inspiration from his two brothers, Andrew, a current UCM student, and Adam, an attorney in Indiana, Cook says his proudest moment to date is “graduating from college.”Central Missouri has offices at Union Station. Together, the two organizations wanted to provide an opportunity for alumni and friends in the Kansas City metro area to come together and support Cook. Union Station is also exploring the possibility of bringing a concert series to the station this fall that might feature former and current American Idol contestants.
Source: University of Central Missouri
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April 22, 2008
Rice University: Rice, Lockheed Martin Partner on Nanotech Research
Lockheed Martin and Rice University announced April 22 the creation of an innovative, strategic partnership to develop new technologies for a broad range of applications in electronics, energy and security. The Lockheed Martin Advanced Nanotechnology Center of Excellence at Rice University, or LANCER, will pair researchers from Lockheed Martin with Rice experts in carbon nanotechnology, photonics, plasmonics and more. LANCER will be based at Rice's Richard E. Smalley Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology. "Nanotechnology promises to impact everything from the clothes people wear to the energy they consume, and it will also revolutionize the systems and services Lockheed Martin delivers to its government customers," said Sharon Smith, director of Advanced Technology, Lockheed Martin. "We are excited to partner with Rice, a recognized leader in nanotechnology research, to collaborate on those breakthroughs leading us to next generation products and services for our nation.” LANCER grew out of a series of technology exchange events between the Smalley Institute and Lockheed Martin scientists in recent years, led by Rice faculty and designed to keep Lockheed Martin researchers apprised of the latest nanotechnology discoveries. "LANCER formed from the bottom-up, and that sets it apart from other ambitious university-industry research partnerships," said Wade Adams, director of Rice's Richard E. Smalley Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology. "The folks in the labs are the ones who came to us and said, 'Make it easier for us to work together.'" When Lockheed Martin researchers visited Rice in March, for instance, the Smalley Institute and the Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship sponsored a round-robin session that initiated dozens of conversations between Lockheed Martin project managers and Rice faculty on promising areas of collaborative research. LANCER officials are evaluating a number of specific proposals that grew out of those meetings. The kinds of technologies discussed include: nanomaterials that could double the efficiency of Lithium-ion batteries, airport scanners that can "see" through the soles of shoes, solar energy collectors that are twice as efficient as today's best, nanomaterials that can extract energy from waste heat, "neuromorphic" computers that are structured like mammalian brains, stealthy materials that are stronger and lighter than existing products, space-based sensors that can closely monitor climate change LANCER officials expect to fund up to a half-dozen projects per year. Priority will be given to projects that can either be brought to market quickly or dramatically improve upon existing technology. Nanotechnology refers to devices and specks of matter that are measured in the billionths of a meter. Nanoscale objects can be thousands of times smaller than living cells and include both organic molecules like DNA and inorganic metals and semiconductors. In many instances, scientists can create nanoparticles with great precision -- even controlling the placement of individual atoms. With this precision, scientists worldwide are racing to find new materials and processes that can revolutionize everything from healthcare and electronics to energy production and environmental science. More than a quarter of the science and engineering faculty hired at Rice in the past two decades are nanotechnology experts who are affiliated with the Smalley Institute, which is named for Rice chemist and nanotechnology pioneer Richard Smalley.
Source: Rice University, Texas
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April 22, 2008
Arkansas State University: Dr. Jennifer Bouldin Receives James Bailey Memorial Educator of the Year Award
Arkansas State University’s Dr. Jennifer Bouldin, director of ASU’s Ecotoxicology Research Facility, is this year’s recipient of the James Bailey Memorial Educator of the Year Award. As Dr. Aldemaro Romero, chair and professor of biology in the Department of Biological Sciences at ASU remarks, “This is a very significant accolade that honors not only Dr. Bouldin but our institution as well.” Dr. Bouldin has served as director of the Ecotoxicology Research Facility since 2006, and she has the distinction of being the first woman to receive a Ph.D. from ASU. As a doctoral student, she was the recipient of the Environmental Sciences Doctoral Research Award. A native of Paragould, Dr. Bouldin received her Ph.D. in Environmental Sciences, with a subdiscipline in ecotoxicology, in 2004. She holds a B.S. in Medical Technology from the University of Arkansas School for Medical Sciences (UAMS). She has also worked as a blood bank specialist and has been certified by the College of American Pathologists. Courses Dr. Bouldin has taught include wetland delineation, wetland evaluation, principles of ecology, and global water issues. She has team-taught aquatic ecotoxicology, agriculture and the environment, and phytoremediation, among others. She has also served as a guest lecturer in many additional courses and currently is among the affiliated faculty in ASU’s Environmental Sciences graduate program. She regularly holds workshops for wastewater treatment managers at the Ecotoxicology Research Facility. These workshops are designed to introduce professionals to the concepts of aquatic toxicity testing as it relates to wastewater treatment. The James Bailey Memorial Educator of the Year Award was established by the Arkansas Water Environment Association in memory of James Bailey in recognition of his many years of devoted service to the people of the state of Arkansas, the Water Environment Federation, the Arkansas Water Environment Association, and the Arkansas Environmental Academy. James Bailey’s professionalism and passion for the protection of the Natural State and the advancement of environmental education in the State of Arkansas set the standard for all other educators in the state. This honor is awarded to an Arkansan who strives to inspire fellow Arkansans, young and old, with an enthusiasm and desire to protect the state’s water environment, understand environmental issues, and further environmental education. Award criteria require that the recipient teaches in an accredited Arkansas high school or a two- or four-year college or university, and/or that he or she accepts a leadership role in guiding students and adults in water environment activities, and/or that he or she conducts public outreach activities with Arkansas leaders and with the public to further understanding of the state’s water environment and environmental issues. "Dr. Bouldin has been an excellent teacher, receiving very high marks in her student evaluations. Her preparation and pedagogical delivery are outstanding. This is a highly deserved honor for her,” said Dr. Aldemaro Romero. James W. Bailey was the director of the Arkansas Environmental Academy for 22 years. His main goal as director of the Arkansas Environmental Academy was to make sure that each wastewater operator, solid waste operator, and water operator was educated and trained for the job. The Arkansas Environmental Academy is a training division of Southern Arkansas University Tech in Camden, mandated by state and federal agencies to provide environmental education for the licensing and certification of wastewater, water, and solid waste management operators of municipal or industrial facilities in Arkansas. The Environmental Academy also develops and delivers specialized environmental training courses to meet the needs of industrial, commercial, or municipal facilities. Bailey began working as an adjunct faculty instructor for the academy, teaching wastewater courses. He became director in 1983. During his tenure, the academy increased wastewater training and became more involved in solid waste and water training as well. The academy then began cross connection backflow certification training. Bailey served on the Arkansas Water Environment Association board for years, in various committee chair slots, and he served as the board’s secretary and treasurer. He retired from the Arkansas Environmental Academy in December of 2005 and died in May of 2006.
Source: Arkansas State University
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April 22, 2008
Rice University Breaks Ground For a New Multipurpose Recreation and Wellness Center
Rice University broke ground today for a $41 million Recreation and Wellness Center that will offer students, faculty and staff state-of-the-art workout and health facilities for everything from competitive swimming and billiards to nutritional counseling and meditative classroom space. The two-story, 103,000-square-foot building will house two indoor basketball courts, four racquetball courts, two squash courts, a 50-meter outdoor competition pool, a 2,500-square-foot recreation pool, cardio-fitness equipment, weights, a dance studio, billiards, table tennis, two outdoor lighted basketball courts, locker rooms and a “wellness” courtyard. Scheduled to open in August 2009, it will also serve as the new home of the Rice Wellness Center. "Rice students have always studied hard, and now they will have a wonderful new facility where they can play just as hard," President David Leebron said. "We know that a healthy mind and a healthy body go hand in hand, and this facility can accommodate almost everyone's needs and interests. It will become yet another place, along with our new Brochstein Pavilion, where we can come together for informal activities and interaction." Rice will hold a grand opening later this week for the pavilion, a glassed-in café located on the west side of Fondren Library in the university’s Central Quadrangle. Both facilities are part of a major construction initiative at Rice as the university prepares to increase its student body and raise its profile as a premier international research university under Leebron’s 10-point Vision for the Second Century. The Recreation and Wellness Center will be funded solely through philanthropy. "We are particularly grateful to David and Barbara Gibbs for making the lead gift for this historic project," Leebron said. "We also want to thank Ralph O'Connor and Carl Isgren for their generous gifts." David and Barbara Gibbs are both alumni of Rice. David received bachelor's and master's degrees in chemical engineering -- both in 1971. Barbara received a B.A. in Spanish in 1973. She went on to earn an M.D. from the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston in 1977. David is now president of David K. Gibbs Associates, a real estate agency that he established in 1978. Ralph O'Connor served as a term governor at Rice from 1967 to 1976 and then as a trustee from 1976 to 1988. He returned as a trustee from 1994 until 1996, when he became a trustee emeritus. He received a B.A. in biology from Johns Hopkins University in 1951 and completed Harvard Business School's Advanced Management Program in 1967. He is founder and CEO of the investment firm Ralph S. O'Connor & Associates, which he established in 1987. Carl Isgren is a Rice alum and a trustee. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in accounting and economics from Rice in 1961. He was elected to the board in 2004. Isgren retired in 1997 as president and CEO of Owen Healthcare Inc. after negotiating the merger of Owen and Cardinal Healthcare. Under his leadership, Owen became the leading provider of hospital pharmacy management services in the U.S. The new rec center will be located at the northwest corner of Alumni Drive and Laboratory Road, kitty-corner from the Student Center and adjacent to the north campus recreational fields. As it did with other major construction projects on campus, Rice relocated several mature elm and oak trees to make room for the building without reducing the campus's famous tree population. The Athletics Department will manage the center. "Nearly every Rice student participates in sports of some kind, and there's no doubt in my mind that they will be thrilled with all of the options available in the new Recreation and Wellness Center," Del Conte said. "This facility will add another great dimension to the total Rice experience for students, as well as for faculty and staff." Project manager Joe Buchanan said the building will feature several distinctive design elements: Translucent insulated wall panels will allow exterior light to enter the structure's interior, which will reduce the building's electrical energy consumption; A “wellness courtyard” will provide a quiet space in which classes and other gatherings can be held; The basketball courts will be on the second floor, which allowed for the use of smaller roof trusses. The Wellness Center, currently located next to the Brown College master's house, will relocate to the new Recreation Center. The Wellness Center provides programs to improve health and well-being, among them substance abuse prevention, nutrition counseling and stress management. Rice’s recreation programs and facilities are currently housed in Autry Court, the basketball gymnasium that itself is undergoing a major renovation. F&S Partners is the executive architect for the new center, and Lake/Flato Architects is the design architect. The contractor is Tellepsen Builders.
Source: Rice University, Texas
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April 22, 2008
The University of Nevada: Three Graduate Programs in Top 50 in National Rankings
For the first time, U.S. News & World Report magazine ranked three University of Nevada, Reno graduate programs in the top 50 of public institutions in the nation in their recent 2008 report. Civil and Environmental Engineering made the rankings for the second time in three years and came in at the 44th spot. Geologic Sciences, which was also previously ranked, came in 45th, and speech pathology and audiology in the University’s School of Medicine ranked 46th. It’s the first time speech pathology and audiology made the list in the 15-year history of the report. “The fact that three of our graduate programs ranked in the top 100 for all colleges and universities, both public and private, and in the top 50 ranking of public institutions speaks to the overall quality of graduate education at the University of Nevada, Reno,” Marsha Read, the associate vice president for research and associate dean of the Graduate School said. “The University grants more than 600 advanced degrees a year from over 60 different graduate programs, ranging from fine arts to the humanities, social sciences, and the physical and life sciences. We are proud of all of our graduates and know they are integral to Nevada’s future. For instance, workforce projections for the state of Nevada (2004- 2014) indicate that there will be a 55.4 percent increase in the demand for master’s prepared individuals.” Started in 1956, the Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology is internationally recognized for excellence in communication disorders and sciences. As the Medical School’s first clinical department, faculty members treat about 4,000 patients per year. The department offers three degree programs, including bachelor of science, master of science and doctor of philosophy. “I am pleased to learn, but not at all surprised, that our program is considered one of the top speech pathology and audiology programs in the nation,” Thomas Watterson, Ph.D., and chair of the Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology at the University of Nevada School of Medicine said. “This distinction is a credit to the quality of our faculty and the accomplishments of our students. We have an excellent, dedicated faculty and a bright, hard-working student body, so it is no surprise that we have achieved this recognition from our peers.” Manos Maragakis has been the chair of the civil engineering department for 14 years, and he believes the College of Engineering and its programs will continue to rise in both national and international esteem. “Our department experienced record highs in terms of research funding and scholarly activities and recognitions,” Maragakis said. “It is certainly very rewarding to see the recognition of our peers across the nation. All this is primarily due to the hard work of our faculty and technical and classified personnel and I want to express my thanks and congratulations for a job so well done.” The Department of Geological Sciences and Engineering, located in the Mackay School of Earth Sciences and Engineering, which encompasses a wide range of research disciplines. It is closely associated with the offices of the United States Geological Survey, the Nevada Seismological Laboratory, the Desert Research Institute and with the Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology. “I would attribute our ranking to our diversity of degree programs, proximity to areas of geological interest, like the Sierra, Great Basin, and Death Valley, and the larger geosciences community that we work with,” said Gina Tempel, associate professor and chair of geological sciences. “This larger community provides students with abundant opportunities to conduct interdisciplinary research. So the sum of all the parts makes for a great opportunity for graduate students to conduct thesis and dissertation research in this department.” According to their Web site, U.S. News ranks professional school programs in business, education, engineering, law and medicine every year. The rankings are based on two types of data: expert opinion about program quality and statistical indicators that measure the quality of a school's faculty, research and students. The data comes from surveys of more than 1,200 programs and some 14,000 academics and professionals that were conducted in fall 2007. The magazine also ranks programs in the sciences, social sciences, humanities and many other areas, including selected health specialties. These rankings are based solely on the ratings of academic experts and this year the magazine staff produced new rankings of graduate health programs in audiology, clinical psychology, occupational therapy, pharmacy, physical therapy, social work and speech-language pathology.
Source: University of Nevada Reno
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April 21, 2008
Colorado School of Mines: New Center to Research Ways to Convert Sunshine into Clean, Low-Cost Electricity and Fuels
The newest research center of the Colorado Renewable Energy Collaboratory aims to find ways to directly convert the sun's energy to low-cost electricity and fuels. The Center for Revolutionary Solar Photoconversion (CRSP), announced today by Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter, U.S. Sen. Ken Salazar and the Collaboratory at the Capitol, will be dedicated to basic and applied research at the Collaboratory's four member institutions, the U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), the Colorado School of Mines (CSM), Colorado State University (CSU) and the University of Colorado at Boulder (CU-Boulder). "It's exciting to see the Collaboratory move forward so quickly. With this second research center, Mines continues a longtime, multidisciplinary collaboration with NREL on solar energy research projects, and looks forward to working with CU, CSU and our many industry partners to develop further solar technologies. Together we will find innovative, marketable solutions to the challenges of this promising energy source," said Mines President M.W. "Bill" Scoggins. Twelve companies also have joined CRSP as founding members, Applied Materials, Ascent Solar Technologies, DuPont, Evident Technologies, Konarka, Lockheed Martin, Motech Industries, QuantumSphere, Sharp, Solasta, Sub-One Technology and SunEdison. NREL Senior Research Fellow Arthur Nozik will serve as scientific director of CRSP. Co-directors are CU's David Jonas, CSU's Mike Elliott and CSM's Craig Taylor. "The creation of CRSP is the culmination of a two-year effort to form such a visionary R&D center devoted to revolutionary solar energy science and technology in Colorado," Nozik said. "It brings together many researchers at NREL, CU, CSU, and CSM in public-private partnership between state and federally funded institutions and private corporations." Initial shared research projects will be selected by CRSP members and funded through membership fees and the Colorado Renewable Energy Authority. Decisions about which projects to fund are expected in the summer, with research beginning in the fall. In addition to shared research, CRSP's sponsored research program will allow any company member to contract with one or more of the research institutions directly. This is the second center created by the Collaboratory, after the Colorado Center for Biorefining and Biofuels. The Collaboratory expects to announce additional centers in wind energy, carbon management and energy efficiency.
Source: Colorado School of Mines
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April 21, 2008
National University of Health Sciences Gets Nod for Candidacy in Naturopathic Accreditation Process
National University of Health Sciences (NUHS) recently crossed a major milestone in accreditation for its new naturopathic medicine degree program (ND), which accepted its first student in Fall 2006. The Council on Naturopathic Medical Education (CNME) granted NUHS’ Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine Degree Program candidacy on March 9, 2008. Candidacy is not accreditation and does not ensure eventual accreditation, but it is a status of affiliation with the Council that indicates the naturopathic medicine program is progressing toward accreditation. (For information on this process, contact: CNME, 342 Main Street, P.O. Box 178, Great Barrington, MA 01230 or call 413-528-8877). "This not only puts NUHS right on schedule for meeting important milestones in the accreditation process, but it will also allow our first ND graduates to sit for the NPLEX examinations which are the gateway to practice in licensed states,” says Dr. Fraser Smith, assistant dean for naturopathic medicine at NUHS. Prior to kicking off the professional degree program in the fall of 2006, NUHS had received permission to grant the ND degree from the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. However, accreditation from the profession's own governing body, the CNME is a multi-faceted and multi-year process. National University of Health Sciences is one of only two campuses in the country to combine programs in naturopathic medicine, chiropractic medicine, oriental medicine, and acupuncture on the same campus. Adding the fact that NUHS has the only naturopathic medicine program in the Midwest, the university is fast becoming a premier destination for students seeking careers in natural integrative medicine.
Source: National University of Health Sciences, Illinois
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April 17, 2008
Florida International University College of Business Administration Achieves Reaffirmation of The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business Accreditation
Executive Dean Joyce J. Elam announced today that the College of Business Administration has achieved reaffirmation of accreditation of its bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs in business administration and accounting by action earlier this month by the Board of Directors of AACSB International—The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. The official announcement was made April 7, 2008. To achieve accreditation, business programs must satisfy the expectations of a wide range of quality standards relating to strategic management of resources, interactions of faculty and students in the educational process, and achievement of learning goals in degree programs. These standards are mission-linked. During the reaffirmation of accreditation process, the College of Business Administration was visited and evaluated by business school deans and accounting educators with detailed knowledge of management education, applying accreditation standards that are widely accepted in the educational community. Review team members who visited the college in late January, 2008, included: School of Business Administration: M. Moshe Porat (Chair); School of Accounting: Robert M. Brown (Accounting Chair); Dean: Fox School of Business; Department of Accounting & Information Systems; Pamplin College of Business; Virginia Polytechnic Institute and StateUniversity; Kenneth Bernhardt (Member); Regents Professor & Assistant Dean; Robinson College of Business; Georgia State University; Paul A. Copley (Accounting Member); Director, School of Accounting; College of Business; James Madison University.
“The review process is rigorous and intensive,” Elam said. “I’m delighted that the leadership and hard work of our faculty, staff, students, alumni, and friends has enabled us to achieve this reaffirmation of our accreditation, as we did seven years ago, by enhancing and enacting the standards of excellence set forth by AACSB International.”
Source: Florida International University
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April 17, 2008
Lamar University: MBA Open House Set for April 28
The Lamar University MBA program invites students to explore its dynamic program at the MBA open house on April 28 at 6 p.m. in the Landes Auditorium of the Galloway Business Building. In addition to learning about admission requirements, students will discover all that Lamar’s MBA program has to offer in academics, curriculum and scholarship opportunities. The program provides small class sizes, distinguished faculty, internship opportunities and international study trips. Enrique Venta, dean of the College of Business, and Bradley Mayer, associate dean, each will say a few words about the program. Several faculty members and department chairs also will be available to answer questions. “We really want to increase the awareness of the MBA program here at Lamar,” Mayer said. “A message that we are trying to send to the public is that our program offers flexibility. The program takes between 16-24 months to complete and does not require a bachelor’s degree in business to participate.” With concentrations in accounting, experimental business and entrepreneurship, financial management, healthcare administration, management information systems and service marketing and management, the Lamar MBA program delivers an integrated management education to a variety of student groups.
Source: Lamar University, Texas
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April 17, 2008
Salem State College: Bertolon School of Business and North Shore Community College to Collaborate
Effective May 19, Salem State's Bertolon School of Business will begin offering graduate business courses at the Danvers campus of North Shore Community College (NSCC). The first class being offering is MKT 790 (Marketing Decision Making). The class will run Tuesdays and Thursday evenings from 6:30 - 9:30 p.m. as part of Salem State's Summer Session I, with the possibility of a second course being offered during Summer Session II. The course will be held in one of North Shore Community College's ‘smart' classrooms. According to Dr. K. Brewer Doran, dean of the Bertolon School of Business, the school's hope is to offer one or two classes each term going forward. so as to increase better accessibility for existing and potential students living and working along the 128 and I-95 corridors. "The Bertolon School of Business and its faculty are excited to be able to offer MBA courses at North Shore Community College," she said recently. "This partnership is an important way for us to extend our reach and provide better accessibility for our students. NSCC has a wonderful location and has been extremely helpful in helping us find facilities to expand our program.
Source: Salem State College, Massachusetts
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April 16, 2008
Shenandoah University Hosts 10th Annual Nursing Research Day, April 18
The Sigma Theta Tau International (STTI) Honor Society of Nursing and the Rho Pi Chapter, Shenandoah University’s nursing honor society, will host its 10th Annual Nursing Research and Scholarship Day on Friday, April 18, at the university’s Health Professions Building on the campus of the Winchester Medical Center. All interested nurses are invited to attend. Dr. Karin Morin, president-elect of STTI and keynote speaker, will speak on "Evidence Based Practice: Yes, You Can Do It." Dr. Morin is a professor of nursing and director of graduate programs at the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee. She has served in many positions within Sigma Theta Tau International, most recently being elected to president-elect and Virginia Henderson and Billye Brown Fellow. Morin holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, and a master’s from the University of Central Arkansas. She completed her doctor of science in nursing at the University of Alabama in Birmingham. Sister Rosemary Donley will speak in the afternoon on “Using Evidence to Rekindle the Fire of Scholarship and Practice.” Sr. Donley has served as executive vice president and dean of nursing at The Catholic University of America. She was also a Robert Wood Johnson Health Policy Fellow. She was past president of the National League of Nursing and STTI. Donley sits on numerous boards of civic as well as health-oriented organizations. She is on the editorial boards of several health-related journals as well as a consultant to the Army and Navy Medical Commands. She received the Nell J. Watts Lifetime Achievement in Nursing Award. Her expertise is in public health, health policy and nursing education and ethics. Most recently, Donley was recognized by the American Academy of Nursing as a 2006 Living Legend honoree. The living legend designation recognizes extraordinary fellows who serve as reminders of the proud history of the nursing profession and as extraordinary role models. The annual symposium is designed to empower nurses and to encourage scholarship, research and leadership. Over 150 nurses and students are expected to attend the event. This event is also a time for the honor society to recognize the achievements of its members. During nursing research day, the following awards will be presented: Excellence in Nursing Leadership: Diana Foley; Excellence in Student Performance: Brenda Johnston; Excellence in Education: Kathleen Crettier; Research Grant for $1,000 awarded to: Martha Morrow (Grant provided by Valley Health). In addition to these awards, Shenandoah University President James A. Davis will be honored for his 26 years of service to the university and the Division of Nursing. Nursing Research Day will also include the induction of 13 new honor society members and the installation of new officers for 2008-2008.
Source: Shenandoah University, Virginia
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April 15, 2008
Shenandoah University's Northern Virginia Campus Will Move to New Location in Leesburg
Shenandoah University’s Northern Virginia Campus in Leesburg, Va., will move approximately five miles east, from its current location on Trailview Boulevard to Scholar Plaza – where a new building is under construction and slated for completion in December 2008. “The new facility will enable the university to expand professional programs and classroom space and enhance nursing labs and technology infrastructure,” said Dr. James A. Davis, president. “In our current facility, the need for space currently outstrips capacity.” According to Dr. Davis, the new location will also give the university more visibility in the Northern Virginia community. William A. Hazel, Inc. & The Pruitt Corporation, owners of both buildings, have agreed to transfer Shenandoah’s lease from Trailview Boulevard to Scholar Plaza. The Northern Virginia Campus offers programs in nursing, respiratory care, business, teaching, educational administration and organizational leadership. Professionals can take advantage of teacher licensure and certification programs as well as tracks leading to bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees. Dr. Tracy Fitzsimmons, senior vice president and president-elect, said the move will double the square footage of the university’s Northern Virginia Campus, better positioning it to serve the expanding higher educational needs of Loudoun County and the surrounding area. “The region needs more nurses, more teachers and more business professionals,” she said. “Shenandoah University is well equipped to educate these future leaders.”
Source: Shenandoah University, Virginia
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April 14, 2008
Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott to Inspire Prairie View A&M University 2008 Spring Graduating Class
Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott will address members of the class of 2008 during Prairie View A&M University’s 127th commencement exercises to be held Saturday, May 10 in the William “Billy” J. Nicks, Sr. Health & Physical Education Building. This year the university is preparing to confer degrees on nearly 900 candidates from its nine colleges and schools during two commencement exercises. University officials are preparing for the largest graduating class in the university’s history, which will include doctoral degree candidates from the university’s juvenile justice and educational leadership programs. Attorney General Abbott is scheduled to deliver the commencement address during the university’s 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. commencement ceremonies. Both ceremonies will be held in the William “Billy” J. Nicks, Sr. Health & Physical Education Building. “We are pleased to have Attorney General Abbott share words of wisdom with our spring graduates. His pioneering work in law and public service are testaments to his commitment to justice. I am confident he will deliver true inspiration to our graduates, that will greatly impact their lives and future goals,” states President George C. Wright. The commencement ceremony for the College of Arts & Sciences, College of Business, the Whitlowe R. Green College of Education and College of Engineering will be held Saturday, May 10 at 9:00 a.m. The second ceremony for the Graduate School, College of Agriculture and Human Sciences, School of Architecture, College of Juvenile Justice and Psychology and the College of Nursing will be held Saturday, May 10 at 1:00 p.m. During both commencement ceremonies, the university will present its annual Humanitarian Award to a PVAMU student and non-student. The awardees will be announced and presented during both ceremonies. Since 2005, the PVAMU Humanitarian Award has honored individuals whose lives reflect their dedication to high humanitarian principles and whose lives exemplify a spirit of love and helpfulness to others.
Source: Prairie View A&M University, Texas
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April 11, 2008
Arkansas State University: Assisi Foundation Makes Gift to ASU College of Nursing and Health Professions
Arkansas State University’s College of Nursing and Health Professions has received a gift that will support the registered nursing programs it conducts at Mid-South Community College in West Memphis, Ark. The $200,000 gift, received from the Assisi Foundation of Memphis, Tenn., Inc., will be used in support of an endowed professorship in nursing, according to Dr. Susan Hanrahan, ASU dean of the College of Nursing and Health Professions. “The Assisi Foundation has recognized, through its gift, what can be accomplished through partnerships like this one between Arkansas State University and Mid-South Community College,” said Dr. Les Wyatt, ASU System president. “The ASU System and eastern Arkansas will see positive results from this collaboration."
“We began a nursing program at MSCC three years ago at the college’s request,” Hanrahan noted. “MSCC had received funds from the Assisi Foundation to support an associate degree in nursing in West Memphis and asked ASU to provide the program through a partnership agreement."
“I am delighted to see further investment by the Assisi Foundation on behalf of our partnership,” said Dr. Barbara Baxter, MSCC executive vice president. “Nursing is one of our more popular programs and it is certainly changing lives—through improved employment opportunities and through improved healthcare resources in our area.”
“Nursing and health-related careers are in high demand as the baby boomer generation ages,” said Dr. Robert Potts, ASU-Jonesboro chancellor. “The Assisi Foundation recognized this growing need and responded by supporting what we are trying to accomplish at Arkansas State. We are thankful for their investment in Arkansas healthcare and in Arkansas higher education.” Hanrahan said there is a national shortage of healthcare professionals, which includes nurses. She said eastern Arkansas is a part of the state that is not only medically underserved, but is also designated as a healthcare professionals-shortage area. “One of our college goals has been to increase the number of nursing and health professional graduates each year to assist in reducing this shortage,” Hanrahan explained. “The College of Nursing and Health Professions has increased program enrollment by 78 percent since 2002, and it graduates almost 500 nurses and healthcare professionals each year.”
“Our work is paying off in West Memphis. Three years ago, our program admitted 16 students at MSCC,” she said. “Currently the program is admitting 32 students each year. This gift from the Assisi Foundation will give our West Memphis nursing program a significant boost in our ability to continue to grow its operation. We are thankful the Assisi Foundation recognizes the existing need for quality healthcare workers.”
“This gift from the Assisi Foundation will help ASU meet the growing demand for our nursing programs in West Memphis,” said Dr. Sue McLarry, chair of the ASU Department of Nursing. “The Assisi Foundation’s gift will provide the opportunity to advance toward our long-term goals and better serve the nursing program, our faculty and students, and the region,” said Renee Miller, director of ASU’s Associate of Applied Science in Nursing degree. “We are very grateful.” Since its inception in 1994, the Assisi Foundation of Memphis has awarded more than $100 million to non-profit organizations serving people in the Mid-South region surrounding Memphis, as well as the people of Memphis, Tenn.
Source: Arkansas State University
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April 10, 2008
Adler School Receives "Innovative Practices in Graduate Education in Psychology" Award
The Adler School of Professional Psychology has been awarded the 2007 American Psychological Association, Board of Educational Affairs (BEA) Award for Innovative Practices in Graduate Education in Psychology for its commitment to educating and training socially responsible psychologists through innovative programs. "We pride ourselves on our unique and innovative programs that prepare students to make real change in their communities, "said Raymond Crossman, Ph.D, president of Adler School. "It is gratifying to be recognized for that innovation by an organization such as the American Psychological Association." The BEA sponsors the annual award in conjunction with the Council of Graduate Departments of Psychology (COGDOP). Each year the award recognizes creative approaches to the education and training of psychology graduate students. Over the last two years, the Adler School has restructured its curricula in a way that is unlike any other psychology doctorate or master's program in the country. The change reflects a distinctive and discerning commitment to social responsibility. That commitment can be seen in every aspect of the School's curriculum and work. "A new sense of energy and excitement has emerged since we made social responsibility our primary focus and began aligning our programs and work with society's needs, a concept Alfred Adler championed decades ago," said Crossman. "We are pioneering new programs and new ways to apply psychology to community problems." In addition to recharting its Vision and Mission, the Adler School has launched other organizational innovations. The School has introduced a Community Service Practicum, one of the first nonclinical service-learning practicums to be offered as part of a graduate psychology curriculum. All first-year students must complete 150 hours of service within a community organization. They gain real-life experience in legislative initiatives, grant writing, advocacy, fund-raising, education program development and other activities. The Adler School has also created the Master of Arts in Police Psychology Program, the only program of its kind in the nation designed specifically for officers within the law enforcement community. Another innovation includes the establishment of the Adler Institute on Social Exclusion, which uses applied research, community outreach, and public awareness to impact social change.
Source: Adler School of Professional Psychology, Chicago (USA) & Vancouver (Canada)
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April 8, 2008
Argosy University Appoints William Brown, Psy.D. President of the Washington, DC Campus
Argosy University President Craig Swenson, Ph.D. announced the appointment of William Brown, Psy.D. as President of Argosy University, Washington, D.C. Campus.He has served as Acting Campus President and as Vice President of Academic Affairs at the Washington, D.C. Campus. In addition, he has served as Chair of the Forensic Psychology program, and as an Associate Professor of Psychology, where he taught courses in the Forensic Psychology, Counseling, and Clinical Psychology programs. Prior to joining Argosy University, Dr. Brown worked as a clinical and forensic psychologist in inpatient, outpatient, and private practice settings. “Dr. Brown has a rich history with Argosy University and this promotion reflects his numerous contributions to the Washington, D.C. Campus and our faith in his work and vision to take us to the next level,” Dr. Swenson said. In addition to his doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology from the Florida Institute of Technology and a B.S. degree in Psychology from the University of Florida, he is licensed by the Virginia Board of Psychology as a Clinical Psychologist. “Argosy University is a fine institution that is on the cutting edge of new growth and development in higher education. I am proud to be at the forefront of leading the Washington, D.C. Campus to a higher level of academic excellence,” said Dr. Brown.
Source: Argosy University
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April 7, 2008
Duquesne University Among First Endorsers of UN-backed Business Education Standards
The Palumbo Donahue School of Business at Duquesne University is among the first 100 endorsers of a United Nations-backed initiative to promote corporate responsibility in business education. By signing the voluntary initiative, known as the Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME), Duquesne and the other endorsing institutions agree to align their mission and core competencies with a set of six principles related to sustainability and social responsibility. The six principles were developed under the coordination of the UN Global Compact, a framework for corporations and managers committed to operating their businesses by accepted principles for environmental practices, human rights, fair trade and other issues. "Stressing ethics and social justice is something we've always done at Duquesne University," says Business School Dean Alan Miciak, "and our recent eighth-place ranking among business schools worldwide by the Aspen Institute's Beyond Gray Pinstripes survey is evidence that social responsibility, environmental concerns and ethics are important components of the business school curriculum too." Duquesne University launched its top-ranked Sustainable MBA program in 2007. The 1-year, full-time MBA is anchored by global study trips and live corporate projects. Business school accrediting organizations, including the Association for the Advancement of Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), which drew up the first set of standards for business schools in 1919, are stressing the importance of PRME for educating business leaders to meet the challenges of the 21st century. Duquesne University has been accredited by the AACSB since 1962.
Source: Duquesne University, Pennsylvania
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April 4, 2008
Arkansas State University: Groundbreaking Conducted for New Student Recreation and Wellness Center
Arkansas State University is set to begin construction on the Student Recreation and Wellness Center. The groundbreaking ceremony for the $18 million building was held today at 11 a.m. The construction site is located on Aggie Road, west of Arkansas Hall. Participants in the ceremony included Dr. Robert L. Potts, Chancellor, ASU-Jonesboro, Dr. Rick Stripling, vice chancellor, Student Affairs, Student Government Association president Morgan Pippin, Mike Gibson, Chair of the ASU Board of Trustees, and Tiffny Frazier, former president of ASU’s Student Government Association, who led the initial effort to get approval for the center. Dr. Robert L. Potts, Chancellor, ASU-Jonesboro, said, “While students come to ASU-Jonesboro for a university education, they also need to sustain and develop themselves physically. The Student Recreation and Wellness Center will quickly become an effective and popular venue for promoting healthy lifestyles. In addition, the Student Recreation and Wellness Center should enhance ASU-Jonesboro’s ability to recruit talented students in the years to come, because this center will also become an important center for social interaction.” The Student Recreation and Wellness Center is designed as a 74,000-square-foot structure that will house multiple amenities for students. The fitness club that is currently located in the Student Union will be moved to the Student Recreation and Wellness Center. The Student Recreation and Wellness Center will also house all indoor intramural sports programs currently conducted in the Health, Physical Education, and Sports Sciences building (HPESS). Participation in intramural sports programs has almost doubled at ASU since the fall semester of 2004. Almost 10 per cent of students participated in intramural sports programs as of fall semester, 2004, and in spring semester, 2008, that figure has risen to between 18-20 per cent. This new recreation facility will have two levels and will be equipped to outfit an aquatics center in the future. The lower level will house approximately 17,000 square feet of cardiovascular and strength training equipment, three basketball/volleyball courts, one multipurpose activity court, office space, locker rooms, and wellness assessment rooms. The upper level will house a three-lane walking/running track, as well as meeting rooms and exercise classroom space. The Student Recreation and Wellness Center will be able to increase the number of fitness classes currently offered, as well as adding additional wellness and nutritional programming options. The construction of the Student Recreation and Wellness Center will give the Arkansas State University campus approximately 60,000 additional square feet of recreation space than is currently available. “The University is excited to see the addition of this much-needed space and to be able to offer students a state-of-the-art recreation facility,” said Morgan Pippin, 2007-2008 Student Government president. “There has been an amazing amount of time, thought, and labor put into every single step of planning for this facility—seeing it come to life is an honor for me.” Dr. Rick Stripling, vice chancellor for Student Affairs, said, “The Student Government Association has long provided leadership through various initiatives. The development of a Student Recreation and Wellness Center is great example of a dream becoming reality. Recreation and wellness has become a growing interest and demand on the ASU-Jonesboro campus. Our recreation program in the past few years has doubled in the level of student participation. The current fitness facility in the Student Union quickly outgrew its space due to demand. The millennial students of today place significant value on developing healthy lifestyles by integrating exercise into their daily activities.” Mike Gibson, Chair, ASU Board of Trustees, says of the project, “Members of the Board of Trustees were favorably impressed with the initiative shown by students who value the opportunities that would be created by a recreation and wellness center. The Board voted to endorse the project based on the enthusiasm from students and because we see this as a positive development for the university. We commend those who are turning their dreams into reality through construction of this center.” All ASU-Jonesboro students will be able to use the facility by presenting a valid ASU ID. Faculty and staff members will be welcome to purchase memberships to the facility, and those memberships will allow them access to all areas and programs that are offered. Construction will begin on the facility this summer and is expected to be completed by the beginning of the spring 2010 semester. Hastings & Chivetta Architects from St. Louis, Mo., as well as the Jonesboro firm of Brackett-Krennerich and Associates, are the facility’s architects. CDI Contractors of Little Rock is general contractor for the project.
Source: Arkansas State University
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April 1, 2008
Baruch College to Launch Executive Master's Degree in Financial Statement Analysis and Securities Valuation
Baruch College’s Zicklin School of Business is introducing a new Executive Master’s Degree with a specialization in Financial Statement Analysis and Securities Assessment. (EMS-FSA). The program, aimed at working professionals, will provide students with a thorough knowledge of financial statements, internal operations, and risk assessment. According to academic director Al Ghosh, a professor in Baruch’s Stan Ross Department of Accountancy, the program is designed to prepare executives looking for career advancing opportunities in commercial banks, insurance companies, hedge funds, brokerage firms, and rating agencies. "Considering the current turbulence in financial markets, the need for highly trained individuals in the analyses of financial statements and the valuation of securities is acute. This program has been planned to help working professionals gain a deeper understanding of financial disclosures while demystifying the numbers,” Ghosh said. The EMS-FSA program will provide an interdisciplinary approach to the study of financial markets and the valuation of assets by combining subject matter included in financial reporting and analysis, corporate finance, portfolio management, investments, risk management, statistics, and economics. Individuals with a wide variety of academic backgrounds are eligible and invited to apply. Classes will be held on Saturdays, plus one evening a week, to accommodate the busy lives of working professionals. A total of 32 to 33 credits is required in a curriculum Ghosh describes as “rigorous and fast-paced.”
Source: Baruch College, New York
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