April 30, 2008
COMMENCEMENT 2008
Privilege and obligation
Luciano Pesci, 2008 Student Speaker
Of the 7,331 students graduating from the U of U on May 2, Luciano Pesci has been selected to represent them as the student speaker at Commencement.
At the age of six, Pesci’s paternal grandmother was an indentured servant working alone as a shepherdess in the mountains in Italy to protect a wealthy family’s flock from wolves. At the age of 16, she was “purchased” out of this service by her brothers who had worked in America to save the necessary money. “My grandparents were not ignorant people,” says Pesci, “they just didn’t have access to an education and as a result, educating their children became their primary concern.” When Pesci’s father was accepted to college and later received scholarships to Notre Dame and Marquette, Pesci’s grandfather wept. His years of working 18-hour shifts in New York restaurants had succeeded in creating privilege in his son’s life.
“I am the product of privilege, and it is that obligation that motivated me to be unrelenting in my studies,” says Pesci. When he came to the U, he thought he had a firm understanding of himself and his capacities as a student (he graduated from high school with a 2.1 GPA and considered himself inherently limited by many subjects, not the least of which was mathematics). His experience at the U allowed him to develop passions and strengths he otherwise would not have gained. “I found that I was actually quite good at math, and that with dedication to the subject I was able to master whatever was placed before me.”
What Pesci learned at the U has made the rest of his life more meaningful. “I recognize references to materials I have studied in daily interactions; I see historical patterns still at play in the world around me; and I feel prepared to enter the world with the capacity to uniquely contribute.”
Using his family’s dictum, Sempre Avantei (always forward), Pesci reminds his fellow graduates, “We are all privileged and with privilege comes an obligation to...improve both our own life and the lives of others.”
Pesci graduates with degrees in political science and history. This fall he will attend graduate school at George Mason University—but first, he will spend time in the Utah mountains with his wife, his son, and their dog, Livia, (named after the wife of Caesar Augustus, of course).
Check here (hotlink: http://www.sa.utah.edu/commencement/) for details on commencement.
Graduating Class Profile Bachelor’s Degree Statistics Graduate Degree Statistics Counties, States, & Countries Selected Ethnicity Gender |
KNOW YOUR U: HISTORY 101
With the Lowell Bennion Community Service Center celebrating 20 years—a significant accomplishment—we should take a moment to look at student involvement in community service earlier in the U’s history.
In July 1929 Theron Parmelee was appointed the first-ever supervisor of student activities. As he began to define his position, he spoke of the importance of students serving in the community as good citizens. With its founding in 1936, the School of Social Work enrolled students to take part in community service as part of their curriculum. The Greek organizations have had a community service focus since the 1950s and U professor Lowell Bennion himself helped to establish the Utah Food Bank in 1972, providing a way for students to get directly involved with helping others. The University’s commitment to service is demonstrated in its three-pronged mission to promote teaching, research, and service.
—Paul Mogren, Librarian
FYI Mystery Photo Contest
Where is this on campus? Send your answer (be specific) to FYI@ucomm.utah.edu by noon on Monday, May. 5 for a chance to win a weekend family camping package, courtesy of Campus Recreation Services.
The winner will be randomly selected from the pool of those submitting the correct answer and then listed in the Aug. 27 FYI News.
Thanks to Campus Recreation for providing the prize!
This contest is open to U of U faculty and staff only. This is our last FYI of the academic year so we invite you to try your luck again when FYI News is published Aug. 27.
Last Issue’s FYI Mystery Photo Contest Answer
The Apr. 16 FYI Mystery Photo shows the golf shop at the University Golf Course. From the 124 correct responses we randomly chose Sandra McCathy as the winner of the Apr. 16 FYI Mystery Photo Contest. “Wow! I finally won!!!” she says. Sandra is the adviser to undergraduate students for the anthropology and behavioral science and health majors. She also does the anthropology class schedule and helps out in the office Sandra wins a pass for two to Red Butte Garden, courtesy of the garden. Thanks to all who entered and thanks to Red Butte Garden for donating the prize. |
CALLS FOR NOMINATIONS
Honorary Doctorate Degree 2009
The Board of Trustees seeks nominations for recipients of the institution’s highest honor—the honorary doctorate degree. Nominations for the 2009 Honorary Degree will be accepted through May 30, 2008. Nomination forms will not be mailed out as in the past. More information and nomination forms are available here (hotlink: www.admin.utah.edu/bot/honorarydegreehome.html).
Alumni Association seeks Distinguished Alumni Award nominations
Each year, the Alumni Association presents four Distinguished Alumni Awards to former students in recognition of their professional achievements, public service, and support of the University and its mission. The award represents the highest honor the Alumni Association bestows on its alumni. In addition, the annual celebration provides the campus community the opportunity to acknowledge the success of the honorees and to commemorate their accomplishments. The deadline for nominating the 2009 recipients is Friday, Aug. 1. Nominate (hotlink: www.alumni.utah.edu/awards) an alum for the award, or call 581-6995 for more information.
U TOONS
CARING FOR YOUR PARENTS
Due to the overwhelming response to KUED’s broadcast of Caring for Your Parents, the program will be rebroadcast on Wednesday, June 4, at 11:00 p.m. The program brings attention to the widespread reality of adult children grappling with an unprecedented social, cultural, economic, and personal revolution as they become the primary caregivers for their aging parents. Through an intimate look at five American families, the film underscores today’s struggle to keep parents at home, the tensions between siblings, and the complexity of shifting caregiver roles.
KUED will rebroadcast its half-hour discussion with local experts immediately following the program. Hand in Hand: Utah Caregiving offers concrete advice and guidance on how to start the conversation—often the most difficult step in caregiving. The discussion features community and government leaders, and health-care industry leaders who talk about the resources available in Utah. View both productions online (hotlink: www.kued.org/caregiving) or visit KUED (hotlink: www.kued.org) for local resources.
To request a free caregiver packet, contact KUED at 585-5465 and leave a message with name, address, and phone number.
Caregiver Conference |
FINDINGS: ALONE IN THE IVORY TOWER
New study shows fewer kids for women in academia.
A new study from the U of U shows that women in academia have fewer children compared to other professional women—primarily because it takes longer to achieve the job security of tenure—and concludes that gender equality in the “ivory tower” has come at a cost.
The study was presented by Nicholas Wolfinger at the 2008 annual meeting of the Population Association of America. Wolfinger is co-author of the study and associate professor of family and consumer studies.
By analyzing data from the 2000 U.S. Census, Wolfinger and colleagues have shown that the number of babies in professional families varies widely by discipline and gender. The data shows that professors have fewer children than either doctors or lawyers, but more surprising is that female professors have the lowest number of babies of all. Although male faculty are 21 percent less likely than male doctors to have a baby in their households, female faculty are 41 percent less likely than are their female physician counterparts.
“For female professors, the lower birth rate compared to women in other professions is not a product of differences in income or marriage. They truly are more likely to be alone in the ivory tower,” said Wolfinger. “We also found that female faculty are the most likely (13 percent) of the three professions to be separated, widowed or divorced.”
The complete news release is available at UNews (hotlink: http://unews.utah.edu). Scroll down to April 17, 2008.
NEW ADVANCE DIRECTIVE LAWS IN UTAH
A new Utah law has changed the way health care decisions are made for people who lack the ability to make decisions for themselves. Beginning Jan. 1, 2008, the Advance Health Care Directive Act repealed Utah’s living will and power of attorney health-care forms, replacing them with a single advance health care directive form. The new form allows people to appoint an agent and to choose among end-of-life care options. A lawyer is not necessary to complete the forms.
Living wills and related forms completed before January 2, 2008 are valid, but the law changed because these forms were not effective. Those who wish to update and clarify their wishes should complete the new form (hotlink: http://aging.utah.edu/utah_coa/directives/index.html). For more information, contact Shawna Rees at shawna.reese@nurs.utah.edu.
NEW FROM PODCASTING FROM THE U
Hear presentations recorded at the recent interdisciplinary conference on migration presented by the Barbara L. and Norman C. Tanner Center for Nonviolent Human Rights Advocacy. Also new is the Women’s Week keynote address in early March by Dolores Huerta, co-founder of the United Farm Workers. You’ll also find new podcasts under the Business & Entrepreneurship section including Alternative Funding Strategies for Life Science Companies with Lauren Silverman, managing director of Novartis Ventures; and Innovation and Implementation with Pratap Khanwilkar, one of the world’s leaders in implantable blood pumps. He discusses how he took his idea from concept to clinical use and commercial success. Access the podcasts here (hotlink: www.utah.edu/podcast).
UPCOMING ON CAMPUS
• JANE’S WALK 2008
The Artspace District: Artists as City Builders
Saturday, May 3, 1 p.m.
325 West Pierpont Ave.
Students in the College of Architecture + Planning, along with the general public, have an opportunity to participate in an activity to help increase their urban literacy and understanding of how a city lives and develops through time. Jane’s Walk is a series of free neighborhood walking tours given by locals who care passionately about where they live, work, and play. Jane’s Walk is about raising urban literacy by offering a pedestrian-focused event that combines insights into urban history, planning, design, and civic engagement with the simple act of walking and observing. The walks celebrate the legacy and ideas of urban activist and writer Jane Jacobs who championed a community-based approach to city building. More information is available at Jane’s Walk (hotlink: www.janeswalk.net).
• 14TH ANNUAL HONORS FOR NURSING
Tuesday, May 6, 6:00 p.m.
Little America Hotel
Nearly 700 nurses are nominated to receive awards at the annual Honors for Nursing event that is held each year during National Nurses Week in conjunction with Florence Nightingale’s birthday on May 12. For more information contact Dinny Trabert at 587-9126 or dinny.trabert@nurs.utah.edu.
• SEEDS OF REMEMBRANCE
Tuesday, May 13, 7:00-8:30 p.m.
College of Nursing
The annual Seeds of Remembrance program is an opportunity for those who have had a friend or family member die to gather for a presentation about grief, and to reflect on and commemorate the memory of loved ones. This year’s program will feature Gloria Horsley, author, therapist, and host of the syndicated radio show, “Healing the Grieving Heart.” For more information contact Kathie Supiano at 585-9522. Free and open to all.
• CLOTHING DRIVE COMING UP
Friday, May 16, 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
University Student Apartments (1945 E. Sunnyside Ave.)
Donations for the U’s annual “Dress for Success” clothing drive can be dropped off curb-side at University Student Apartments. Clothes for men, women, children, plus-sizes, and maternity are needed. Shoes, ties, belts, jewelry, handbags, socks, and coats are also appreciated. For more information, contact Rebecca Dowdell at 581-5621. Donations will benefit the U’s Women to Women Clothing Closet, The Road Home, Crossroads Urban Center, and Alliance House.
• MONET TO PICASSO
June 23 - Sept. 21
UMFA
An exhibition from the Cleveland Museum of Art features 100 years of European masterworks including those by Renoir, Degas, Monet, van Gogh, Dali, Picasso, and Matisse. More information is available at the Utah Museum of Fine Art (hotlink: www.umfa.utah.edu).
BULLETIN BOARD
• FYI ON HIATUS
This is the last FYI News for Faculty & Staff until we resume publishing on Aug. 27. Information items for that issue are due to fyi@ucomm.utah.edu by Aug. 18.
• BE IN THE KNOW—SIGN UP FOR CAMPUS STORE INFO ONLINE
In an effort go “go green,” the Campus Store, in the near future, will no longer send printed notices of sales, promotions, or events via campus mail. If you would like to receive the information, send an email to: subscribe@bookstore.utah.edu and type your University department in the subject line. You will be notified in advance of all the savings and events going on at the Campus Store.
And don’t forget the 20 percent storewide sale in honor of graduation—one day only—Friday, May 2 (some items excluded).
• 10 DIGIT DIALING—LONGER NUMBERS
COMING SOON
Effective June 1, Qwest will add a new 385 area code to the existing 801 area code region which will require 10-digit dialing whenever you place a local call from the 801 area code. If you forget and dial 7 digits, your call will still go through until the grace period ends on March 1, 2009. After that date, you will be required to use the new 10-digit dialing procedure. Please note that while the effective date is June 1, the U’s Office of Information Technology (OIT) may not have every phone system on campus programmed and ready by that date. Please be patient. OIT will provide more information as we get closer to June 1. More information is available here (hotlink: www.it.utah.edu/services/phones/dialing.html).
• CORRECTION
In the April 16, 2008 hard copy of FYI News, the article titled, Earth Day 2008 should have stated that the new co-generation plant will produce five to 10 percent of our electricity needs. By providing the University with both hot water and electricity from a single generating plant, the U eliminates more than 28 tons of carbon dioxide that would otherwise be released into the atmosphere. The article stated otherwise
U SAVING ENERGY
Since the U’s behavioral energy-saving program began in July 2003 the U has saved the equivalent of CO2 from 1,111 tanker trucks’ worth of gasoline.
TIP: As we move into the hotter months, start thinking about setting the thermostat as high as possible. For every degree you raise the thermostat setting on the air conditioner, your energy use will be reduced from three to five percent. The recommended energy efficient summer temperature is about 78 degrees Fahrenheit. Dress in layers so if you get too warm you can shed a layer to make yourself more comfortable.
Source: U of U Energy Management. For questions, suggestions, or more information contact Bianca Shama at 585-1171 or Bianca.Shama@fm.utah.edu.
