November 28, 2007
20 YEARS—20 WEEKS OF SERVICE
BENNION CENTER CELEBRATES TWO DECADES
The Bennion Center teaches its students to ask “What?” “So What?” and “Now What?” as they consider taking on a new service project, but the questions could be posed to the Bennion Center itself. Now celebrating 20 years of community engagement, the Bennion Center is a solid campus anchor and has integrated service learning into the curriculum of nearly all 16 colleges.
To commemorate this milestone, the Bennion Center is inviting everyone to perform one or more acts of service each week between now and April 11, 2008. Some ideas include donating bedding for homeless families at the Road Home Shelter (328-8756); being a foster grandparent to a child with special needs through Salt Lake County Aging Services (468-2855); or calling BINGO games at a senior living facility at the Multi-Ethnic Senior Citizen Highrise (328-2090 ext. 13).
In addition to the service projects, a new publication produced by the Bennion Center to celebrate the anniversary, The Service Handbook: A Pocket Guide to Civic Engagement, takes the reader through a step-by-step process of researching, planning, implementing, and reflecting on a service project. It is meant to encourage those engaged in service to learn about the root social issues behind the need addressed by the project.
For more information on the service handbook, contact Gina Lee at 581-4811 or glee@sa.utah.edu. For more information on the 20th anniversary, see www.bennioncenter.org.
RAY GESTELAND TO STEP DOWN AS VP FOR RESEARCH
After seven years of service, Vice President for Research Raymond F. Gesteland will step down from his administrative position at the end of December. He’ll be spending more time in his lab in the Department of Human Genetics figuring out the various clever ways that evolution has led to mechanisms of gene expression. Under Gesteland’s leadership, research funding steadily increased, The Brain Institute was organized, and most of those reporting to the VP for research who were once scattered around campus have been brought together under one roof in the Research Administration Building near Fort Douglas. We wish Ray the best.
A FEW QUESTIONS FOR...RAY GESTELAND, VICE PRESIDENT FOR RESEARCH
1. What book should every person read and why?
April 1865—The Month That Saved America, by Jay Winik—to understand the perilous state of our nation in 1865 and how a real leader dealt with it.
2. If you could meet any legendary person, who would it be?
Warren Buffet—to learn more about his commitment to invest only in things that he can understand. This sounds like a good life lesson.
3. Name a favorite place to eat.
At home, on the deck, looking out at the mountains illuminated with soft, low sunlight.
4. Will a liberal arts education remain relevant to students in our increasingly technological society?
Yes—more than ever—to bring science and technology back to center and to deal with ethical, legal and social issues raised by new science and technology.
5. What reading material is on your bedside table?
Which stack of unread books? The Defining Moment—FDR’s Hundred Days and the Triumph of Hope by Jonathon Alter. Blood Lure by Nevada Barr.
6. If politicians had to pass an exam before they were allowed to serve in public office, what question would you add to the test?
Are you willing to think beyond your term of office?
7. What is one thing you would like to ask people to do to change the world for the better?
Learn to listen with an open mind.
8. Among the complex moral and political issues that affect humanity, which do you believe will never be resolved?
Man’s inhumanity to man.
9. What building on campus do you think is the most interesting architecturally?
The Eccles Institute of Human Genetics—but I am prejudiced..
10. List two of your favorite Websites.
Google Earth: http://earth.google.com
Google Sky: http://earth.google.com/sky/skyedu.html
11. What’s the best advice you ever got?
When going to a restaurant, pick out your dessert first, then order a dinner to go with it (from mom).
FOUNDERS DAY 2008: DISTINGUISHED AND HONORARY ALUMNI AWARD RECIPIENTS NAMED
Mario R. Capecchi has been named the recipient of the 2008 Honorary Alumnus Award. His distinguished career and recent Nobel Prize put him squarely in the spotlight. Capecchi BS’61 (Antioch College) PhD’67 (Harvard University) is a distinguished professor of human genetics and biology at the U and a Howard Hughes Medical Institute investigator. He received the 2007 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, which he shared with two other researchers.
Four others will receive Distinguished Alumni Awards including David M. Grant BS’54 PhD’57 (Chemistry), a pioneer in the use of powerful magnetic devices and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometry; J. Brett Harvey BS’77 (Mining & Earth Sciences), president and CEO of CONSOL Energy, the nation’s largest underground coal mining company; Ann Weaver Hart BS’70 MA’81 PhD’83 (Education), installed in March 2007 as Temple University’s first female president; and Charles “Charlie” Monfort BS’82 (Business), former president of ConAgra Refrigerated Foods International and chairman and CEO of the Colorado Rockies, which made it to the World Series for the first time this fall.
The awardees will be honored at a dinner in February. For more information on Founders Day, visit www.alumni.utah.edu/foundersday.
HOLIDAY GIFT IDEAS FROM CAMPUS
• RED BUTTE GARDEN OPEN HOUSE AND ART FAIR
Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 1-2
10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Escape the hustle and bustle of the crowded malls and shopping centers this holiday season and help support the local art community by purchasing your holiday gifts from local artists. Take a stroll through the Richard K. Hemmingway Orangerie where Utah’s finest artists and craftsmen will present their original work for sale, just in time for holiday gift giving. Items include glasswork, paintings, jewelry, and garden décor. It’s a Garden Gift Day so that means free Garden admission for all! For more information, visit www.redbuttegarden.org.
• DEPARTMENT OF ART & ART HISTORY
Tuesday, Dec. 4, 12-6 p.m.
Wednesday & Thursday, Dec. 5-6, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Art Building, Gittins Gallery
Purchase student work including ceramics, paintings, original mini-prints, photographs, and new and used art history books at the annual holiday sale. Proceeds will support out-of-state trips for students to conferences, museums and galleries. For more information call 581-8677 or send e-mail to info@art.utah.edu.
• ANNUAL FACULTY/STAFF APPRECIATION NIGHT AT THE CAMPUS STORE
Dec. 5, 5-8 p.m.
Plan to save big on holiday gifts at the Campus Store’s annual sale with a 30 percent discount on your entire purchase (excludes electronics, textbooks, computer items, best sellers, and special services). Enjoy free food and drinks, gift wrapping, and child care. Have your photo taken with Santa and enjoy author signings with Pat Bagely, Brandon Sanderson, and Sara Zarr. There will be special buy items, prize drawings, and entertainment. Apple computers and iPods sell for the academic price with discounts on video games. Bring a pay stub or your UCard for admittance. For more information, visit www.bookstore.utah.edu.
• UTAH MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY
Dec. 10-24
The Museum Store offers a 20 percent discount Dec. 10-24 to all faculty and staff with a UCard on its entire line of items including maps, jewelry, replica artifacts, educational tools, games, and toys for all ages—gifts that give us an appreciation for our natural world. Open Monday through Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Sunday, 12 noon to 5 p.m. Happy Holidays from the Utah Museum of Natural History! For more information, visit www.umnh.utah.edu.
• DEPARTMENT OF GEOGRAPHY
T-shirts, sweatshirts, and water bottles are offered at discounted prices. Call 581-8218 for more information.
• CAMPUS RECREATION SERVICES
Gift certificates from Campus Recreation Services are available at the Field House and HPER Complex for any amount. They never expire and can be redeemed for memberships, personal training, fitness classes, outdoor equipment rental, or golf course passes. Call 581-3760 for more information.
• THE RED PLANET
U-inspired merchandise (gift cards, lapel pins, etc.) is available from THE RED PLANET (selling to campus entities only—not individuals). Still in stock—Block U tins are very popular and make a wonderful gift. You can buy them pre-filled with a variety of nuts or purchase empty tins and fill them yourself. (Minimum order of 20). For more information, contact Fran Olson at 581-7190 or fran@ucomm.utah.edu.
• UNIVERSITY GUEST HOUSE
Enjoy a special holiday rate of $65 (regularly $76) per night for single or double occupancy for all U employees and your immediate family now through Jan. 4. This offer (based on availability) includes complimentary continental breakfast, Internet, and parking. The Guest House is conveniently located near the Fort Douglas TRAX station. For reservations, call 587-1000 or visit www.guesthouse.utah.edu.
• UNIVERSITY GOLF COURSE
Golf lessons make a great gift and are offered at 10 to 25 percent off, and many items are on sale, including name-brand golf clubs, caps, balls, and gloves—the perfect gift for your favorite golfer. For more information, call 581-6511.
• U PRINT AND COPY SERVICES
You can purchase calendars ($15), mouse pads ($6), T-shirts (starting at $9.50), and holiday cards—all custom made! Visit www.printing.utah.edu to view and order cards, or contact the Copy Center in the Union at 587-7928 or unioncc@printing.utah.edu; or in the Turpin University Services Building at 581-6171 or uprint@printing.utah.edu.
• UTAH MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS
Watch for your postcard to arrive from UMFA. It’s your ticket for a 15 percent discount in the museum gift shop any one time between now and Dec. 25.
• MUSIC FROM THE U OF U SINGERS
The internationally acclaimed University of Utah Singers have a new two-disc CD available for purchase. If Music Be the Food of Love ($25) features music from their 2006 European concert tour during which they won the European Grand Prix for Choral Singing in Tolosa, Spain. Christmastide ($15) from 2005 and Christmas Morn ($15, 2004) include original arrangements of traditional holiday favorites and were recorded in Libby Gardner Concert Hall. For more information, see www.uofusingers.org or call 587-9377.
• VIRGINIA TANNER DANCE PROGRAM
The hardcover Making Magic cook book, compiled from the Virginia Tanner Dance Program community, has a wide variety of recipes for the whole family. Contact the Tanner Dance Studio at 581-7370 or tannerdance@utah.edu for more information. ($15; add $5 if shipped.)
FYI Mystery Photo Contest
Photo by Ann Floor
Where is this on campus? Send your answer (be specific) to FYI@ucomm.utah.edu by noon on Monday, Dec. 3 for a chance to win two tickets to the first-ever Ski and Shred Red Day on Friday, Dec. 14 at Snowbird.
The winner will be randomly selected from the pool of those submitting the correct answer. The winner will be listed in the Jan. 9 FYI News.
Thanks to Campus Recreation Services for providing the prize!
This contest is open to U of U faculty and staff only.
Last Issue’s FYI Mystery Photo Contest Answer
The Nov. 14 FYI Mystery Photo shows the sitting area on the plaza between the Languages & Communication Building (LNCO) and Orson Spencer Hall (OSH). Margaret received a pass for two to the Utah vs. New Mexico football game. Thanks to all who entered and thanks to Utah Athletics for donating the passes. |
WINNING THE RIGHT WAR
Middle East Lecture Series features U.S. foreign policy expert
The 2007-2008 Middle East Lecture Series kicks off this week with Philip Gordon, senior fellow for U.S. foreign policy at the Brookings Institution. Gordon will present a lecture from his new book Winning the Right War: The Path to Security for America and the World. The event will take place Thursday, Nov. 29 at 4 p.m. in the Hinckley Caucus Room, Orson Spencer Hall 255.
Senior fellow for U.S. Foreign Policy at the Brookings Institution in Washington D.C., Gordon also served on the National Security Council under President Clinton and held teaching and research positions with the International Institute for Strategic Studies, Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced and International Studies.
“Gordon embodies depth and decency with ease,” notes Ibrahim Karawan, director of the Middle East Center. Having worked with Gordon at the International Institute for Strategic Studies in London, Karawan recalls Gordon’s strong command over politics and policy-making.
“His ability to capture the complex dimensions of European and Middle Eastern politics is bewildering. His last visit to the University of Utah remains memorable by many of our students and faculty,” says Karawan.
Gordon is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, the Board of the U.S. Committee on NATO, and the International Institute for Strategic Studies. For more information on the lecture series, contact Shari Lindsey at 581-6181 or shari.lindsey@hum.utah.edu.
NEW FROM PODCASTING FROM THE U
Lee Hamilton and American Foreign Policy
Check out the new podcast of Lee Hamilton’s presentation at the Hinckley Institute of Politics on “The Future of American Foreign Policy.” Hamilton is vice-chairman of the 9/11 Commission and a member of the President’s Homeland Security Advisory Council. In addition, he is president and director of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in Washington D.C. and director for The Center on Congress at Indiana University. He was a U.S. Representative from Indiana for 34 years (1965-1999). Most recently, he served with James Baker as co-chairman of the Iraq Study Group and is a member of the President’s Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board. Lee Hamilton’s presentation is sponsored by the Sam Rich Program in International Politics.
Download or listen to the podcast here. Note: The recording of Lee Hamilton’s presentation is a bit distorted, but we decided to post it anyway because of the excellent content.
CALLS FOR APPLICATIONS
- 2008 MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. YOUTH LEADERSHIP AWARDS
Due Monday, Dec. 3, 2007
Each year, the U honors outstanding students, grades 7 - 12, from across the state for their dedication to social action, positive change, and building bridges among cultures and communities. The Martin Luther King, Jr. Youth Leadership Award Selection Committee again looks forward to selecting students who aptly demonstrate this important aspect of community service among Utah communities. The
selection committee is interested in receiving nominations for all students, regardless of race or national origin. Your nomination letter is integral to the selection process of this special recognition and should reflect the student’s accomplishments in three specific areas: (1) social action, (2) positive change, and (3) building bridges among cultures and communities.
Each Youth Leadership Award recipient will be honored with a plaque and monetary award at the Martin Luther King. Jr. Celebration Cultural Performance at Libby Gardner Hall on Jan. 15, 2008. To download the form, go to www.diversity.utah.edu/vp/yla-2008-form.pdf. For more information, contact Daryl Dowdell at 581-7569.
• BENNION CENTER GRANTS
The Bennion Center provides financial and technical support through annual grants to faculty, departments, and colleges interested in pursuing civically-engaged scholarship to develop, implement, and evaluate service-learning courses; and to conduct community-based research. For more information, contact Katie Olson at 585-9100 or kolson@sa.utah.edu.
Lowell Bennion Public Service Professorship
Due Jan. 31, 2008
An award of $10,000 will help a faculty member strengthen learning experiences and opportunities tied to civic engagement and foster stronger partnerships with the local community.
Civically Engaged Scholarship Initiative Grants
Due Feb. 28, 2008
Grants of up to $5,000 are offered to enable academic units to integrate civic engagement into academic programs.
BULLETIN BOARD
• Final candidates for University Press director to present
The finalists in the search for a new director for the University of Utah Press will be making campus presentations in December. All faculty, staff, and students are invited to attend the presentations.
Will Bagley, Historian, Writer, and President of The Prairie Dog Press
Tuesday, Dec. 4, 1:30 – 2:30 p.m.
Olpin Union East Ballroom
Malcolm Litchfield, Director, The Ohio State University Press
Friday, Dec. 7, 2:30 – 3:30
FAMB (Madsen), Mark Green Hall, room 103
Joseph B. Herring, Senior Program Officer, Division of Preservation and Access, National Endowment for the Humanities
Tuesday, Dec. 18, 1:30 – 2:30 p.m.
FAMB (Madsen), Mark Green Hall, room 103
• Bus route dhanges
Utah Transit Authority (UTA) is implementing some changes to bus routes effective Dec. 16, 2007. A list of the changes can be found at: http://www.rideuta.com/ridingUTA/routeChanges/default.aspx.
• Festivus!
Join staff, faculty, and friends for holiday food and fun at the Union’s annual Festivus Celebration in the Union main lobby on Friday, Dec. 21 from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m.
• Ski and Shred Red Day
Celebrate the end of fall semester at the first-ever Ski & Shred Red Day on Friday, Dec. 14 at Snowbird Ski Resort. Tickets are only $37 for the full day for tram and chairs and are available at the Outdoor Recreation Program, Field House, HPER E214, Union Services Desk, Hospital Gift Shop and the Heritage Center. For more information, call 581-6936 or visit www.utah.edu/campusrec. Let’s show our school spirit and turn the mountain red!
• Luke Garrott wins election to Salt Lake City Council
Luke Garrott, assistant professor of political science, has been elected to the Salt Lake City Council. Garrott teaches service learning courses on neighborhood democracy and communitarianism. You can listen to an interview with him recorded December 2006 at www.utah.edu/podcast, in the archives under the Politics & Society tab.
• Capecchi to give Commencement address
President Young recently announced that Distinguished Professor and Nobel recipient Mario Capecchi has agreed to give the 2008 Commencement address in May. “Our university is honored to have this wonderful person, great scientist, and Nobel laureate on our faculty,” said Young. “His achievements serve as an outstanding example for our graduating students.”
• New tool for diagnosing dementia
A PET scan (positron emission tomography) that measures the uptake of sugar in the brain significantly improves the accuracy of diagnosing a type of dementia often mistaken for Alzheimer’s disease, according to a study led by the U’s Norman L. Foster, professor of neurology and director of the Center for Alzheimer’s Care, Imaging and Research. The scan, FDG-PET, helped six doctors from three national Alzheimer’s disease centers correctly diagnose frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and Alzheimer’s in almost 90 percent of cases in the study—an improvement of as much as 14 percent from usual diagnostic methods. FTD is a common cause of early onset dementia among people 45-64 years old and is marked by behavioral changes and language difficulties. While PET scans are an important diagnostic tool, careful consideration of the medical history and examination continues to be essential to dementia evaluation. The study was funded by NIH’s National Institute on Aging.
• Salt Lake City Reads Together
The next selections for Mayor Rocky Anderson’s city-wide book club will be announced in early December. The U of U has been a partner in the project since its inception in 2004. After the public announcement, you can check for details at www.slcreads.com.
U SAVING ENERGY
Since the university’s energy-saving program began in July 2003 the U has saved the CO2 equivalent of 11,023 passenger cars and light trucks not driven for one year.
TIP: Did you know if every person in America were to replace four 100-watt incandescent light bulbs with four 23-watt fluorescent bulbs for three years, we would save the amount of energy that is consumed by some seven million cars in a year? Purchase energy-efficient lighting products, operate them efficiently, and incorporate more day lighting into your offices/classrooms by using natural light from windows.
Source: U of U Energy Management. For more information contact Bianca Shama at 585-1171 or Bianca.Shama@fm.utah.edu.
