July 8, 2009

NEW LEADERS NAMED FOR SOCIAL AND BEHAVIORAL SCIENCE, SUSTAINABILITY, AND ARCHITECTURE

• RUDD NAMED NEW DEAN FOR SOCIAL & BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES

M. David Rudd took over July 1 as new dean of the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences. He replaces Steve Ott, who will divide his time between teaching and academic research, and directing the Institute of Public and International Affairs and the Center for Public Policy and Administration. Rudd comes to the U from Texas Tech University where he was professor and chair of the Department of Psychology. Educated at Princeton and the University of Texas-Austin, he completed a post-doctoral fellowship in cognitive therapy at the Beck Institute in Philadelphia. Rudd’s research focuses on clinical suicidology, cognitive therapy, as well as ethics and regulatory issues in psychology. “David Rudd is extraordinarily prepared to serve as dean of the College of Social and Behavioral Science,” says Steve Ott. “He has broad leadership experience at research universities and in the military, has compiled a superb record of teaching and research in several sub-fields of psychology, and will bring an endless supply of energy and enthusiasm. We could not have found an individual who is better prepared for and a better fit for the position.”

You may read more about David Rudd’s appointment online (http://unews.utah.edu/p/?r=060909-1).

 

• WILLSON TAPPED TO LEAD OFFICE OF SUSTAINABILITY
  

Myron Willson has accepted the position as director of the Office of Sustainability beginning July 8, 2009. Willson is a registered architect and has experience in sustainability principles and green design. He earned a B.S. in City and Regional Planning from California Polytechnic State University (with an emphasis in communications and environmental planning), and a Master of Architecture from the U of U. He has been a LEED-Accredited Professional since 2002 and has developed sustainable design policies, collaborated with National Renewable Energy Laboratories (NREL), and served as adjunct faculty in the U’s College of Architecture + Planning. “The shoes left by the untimely death of Craig Forster will be difficult to fill,” said Michael G. Perez, associate vice president for facilities management, “but I am confident Myron possesses the leadership, enthusiasm, intelligence, and passion to advance the amazing efforts of such a new sustainability office.”

Read more about Myron Willson’s new appointment online (http://www.sustainability.utah.edu).

 

• PRESCOTT MUIR TAKES REINS OF SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE
  

Salt Lake City architect Prescott Muir has been selected as the new director of the School of Architecture in the College of Architecture + Planning, home to 180 students. He has served as an adjunct professor in the school since 1993. “Utah is a living laboratory for smart design,” says Muir. “There is no better place than the University of Utah to train students for the challenges of explosive growth in a way that balances innovative design of our building and our built environment with the most stunning natural landscape in the nation.” Designing for more than 30 years, Muir’s projects in Salt Lake City include the Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center and Artspace’s Bridge Project, and in Ogden, the Ethel Wattis Kimball Visual Arts Center and the Pleasant Valley Library. On campus, he designed the Utah Museum of Fine Arts and the new Sorensen USTAR building currently under construction on the former golf course. He serves on the board of governors of the Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce and is board chair of the Downtown Alliance. In addition, he is past president of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Utah, and led the scenarios committee of Envision Utah. In 2008, he oversaw AIA Utah’s first annual carbon footprint competition for architects. Muir succeeds Patrick Tripeny, an architecture professor who directed the school through a recent transition.

Read more about Prescott Muir online (http://unews.utah.edu/p/?r=063009-1).

PARK BUILDING RENOVATION COMMEMORATED

On Tuesday afternoon, June 30, a small group of University administrators, faculty, and staff gathered at the front steps of the Park Building to eat cake and hear speeches commemorating the completion of the building’s year-long renovation. Named for the University’s first president, John Rockey Park, the building has served a variety of functions since its original construction in 1914. Today it houses the University administration. In fact, the facility has always been home to University administration, but the fourth floor of the building served as the U’s library from 1914-1935 and as the headquarters for the psychology, anthropology, and law departments from 1935 to 1949. The Hudnut and Hatch art collections occupied the fourth floor from 1949 until 1971—at which time the building underwent its first renovation.

During this past year, renovation of the building’s exterior required extensive restoration of the 95-year-old structure’s architectural elements. Historic materials were carefully cleaned, repaired, or replaced. Severely-deteriorated limestone, which was originally quarried in Sanpete County, was patched with matching repair mortars and a more durable limestone from Wisconsin. The decorative parapet was rebuilt using a stainless steel support system with copper cladding. Along with seismic upgrades to the building’s roof, pillars, and attic, many elements were anchored to the structure to minimize seismic risk. A new roof was installed using copper sheet metal flashings, which will protect more surfaces, help the building shed water, and preserve the refurbished limestone. Fire protection systems were installed in a majority of interior spaces. Restored granite stair treads and new granite pavers beneath the portico of the front entry were installed. Finally, the bronze statue of John R. Park was fully restored and reinstalled on a new terra cotta pedestal.

The renovation of the Park Building was designed by MUSA Architects, and completed by Big-D Construction in May 2009.

A PEEK AT THE PAST
Six U of U coeds officially opened Zion Park

Six young U of U sorority sisters made national and international headlines based on their adventures in Zion National Park in 1920 as the first “official” visitors as part of a promotional tour. They posed perched on logs, huddled around the campfire, and engaged in antics and pranks as they explored places long since off-limits to modern park visitors. One woman, daring Dora Montague, dangled on a swing over the ground hundreds of feet below while she sketched a picture. There was “nothing under me but a big cavity in the mountain’s wisdom tooth,” she recounted in her journal. A year later, the photo appeared in a London newspaper.

But it wasn’t long after that that their story dropped into obscurity, forgotten in the history books, neglected by storytellers. Then, last year, a chance discovery of one of the women’s scrapbooks offered on e-Bay launched the pictorial project, “Opening Zion: Scrapbook of the National Park’s First Official Tourists.” The journal, purchased by John and Melissa Clark, led to other journals and interviews with descendants of some of the women, all of whom have since died.

John Clark, a graphic designer at the Deseret News, said the students’ ventures at Zion mark the beginning of “modern tourism” to Utah’s oldest and most popular national park. Of course, visitors caught its grandeur before 1920, but the railway-promoted tour was designed to capture international attention with the help of some pretty faces. It worked. In 1920, visitors to the park numbered 3,600 and within 10 years later had climbed to 55,000. Railway access and road improvements helped to lay Utah’s geologic treasure at the footsteps of ordinary travelers. But headlines in New York, Los Angeles, and London papers about the six sexy girls didn’t hurt.

Opening Zion, by the Clarks, is slated to be published by University of Utah Press. Zion National Park celebrates 100 years in 2009.

—Amy Joi O’Donoghue (amyjoi@desnews.com), published June 6, 2009. Reprinted with permission from the Deseret News Publishing Company.

THREE JOIN THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES

The Board of Trustees is pleased to welcome three new members: Scott Anderson, president and CEO of Zions First National Bank; Lisa Eccles, president of the George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation; and Joyce P. Valdez, community liaison with Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker’s office. At the June meeting of the board, outgoing trustees Scott Parker, Lorena Riffo-Jenson, and Hope Eccles, whose terms of office have expired, were thanked for their service to the University. There are 10 members on the Board of Trustees, eight of whom are appointed by the governor with confirmation by the Utah State Senate. The president of the U’s Alumni Association board of directors and the ASUU president serve as the ninth and tenth members of the board. Additional information about the Board of Trustees is online (http://www.admin.utah.edu/bot/index.html).

NEWS ABOUT SOME OF OUR OWN

• PRESIDENT YOUNG JOINS SKY WEST BOARD

President Young has joined the board of Sky West. He replaces BYU accounting professor W. Steve Albrecht who resigned June 25. The St. George based company is the parent company of SkyWest Airlines and Atlantic Southeast Airlines.

 

• HOSPITAL CEO CONTINUES RECOVERY FROM ACCIDENT
  

University Hospital CEO David Entwistle, who was injured in a bicycle accident Memorial Day weekend, has been released from the hospital and is recuperating at home. His recovery is going well enough that he is looking forward to returning to work in the near future. “I sincerely want to thank the nurses, therapists, and physicians who’ve cared for me along the way,” he says. “The care I’ve received has been exceptional.” Entwistle suffered a head injury after being thrown from his bicycle.

 

• U ALUM TO LEAD NATIONAL COLLEGE REPUBLICANS
  

U of U alum Zach Howell has been elected chairman of the College Republican National Committee (http://www.crnc.org) (CRNC). He will run the organization, located in Washington, D.C., for the next two years. “I'm the second U of U and Hinckley alumnus to hold the position, as Karl Rove did the job from 1973 to 1975,” says Howell, who was a Hinckley intern in 2006. Howell looks forward to having Hinckley interns placed with the CRNC. “Although the internships are unpaid, I can promise you that we take a lot of pride in giving the interns the opportunity to do work that many other organizations would be hesitant to allow interns to perform.” For more information on the internship possibilities with the CRNC, contact the Hinckley Institute of Politics (http://www.hinckley.utah.edu) or call (801) 581-8501.

FACULTY FACETIME

The U of U has taken the plunge into the world of social media and now has a presence on Facebook, Twitter, and You Tube.  In this issue of FYI News, we feature Faculty FaceTime—one of several U of U features on Facebook. Check out Faculty FaceTime (http://www.facebook.com/universityofutah#/universityofutah?v=app_4949752878&viewas=0) and watch your favorite faculty as they share their expertise:

Andrew Pavia (http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=1097880420603) (infectious diseases) discusses the H1N1 flu virus.

Andrea Brunelle (http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=1096030774363) (geography and environmental studies) talks about climate change.

Marita Tewes-Tyrolt (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Salt-Lake-City-UT/The-University-of-Utah/7576735635?v=app_4949752878&viewas=0), (chief horticultural specialist at Red Butte Garden) comments on small patio vegetable gardening.

Rob Jones (http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=544904275591), (Outdoor Recreation Program) gives tips for hiking with dogs.

Hiram Chodosh (http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=545291669251), (dean of the Quinney College of Law) discusses the law school’s global justice project in Iraq.

FYI News will continue to bring you more of these mini interviews featuring our great faculty.

NEXTSTOPDESIGN LAUNCHES ONLINE BUS STOP DESIGN CONTEST

Picture this: A bus stop in the shape of a mushroom that lights up with LED lights when a bus approaches. Or a bus “lounge”—with free wi-fi, temperature controlled seating, power outlets for phone and laptop charging, and a coffee bar—all powered by solar panels. It could be more of a reality than you think. NextStopDesign (http://www.NextStopDesign.com), a community partnership that includes the Department of City & Metropolitan Planning in the College of Architecture + Planning, recently launched an experiment to design a bus stop—collaboratively on the Web—using an innovative process called “crowdsourcing” (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/ae/Crowdsourcing_process2.jpg/750px-Crowdsourcing_process2.jpg) where the process used is as innovative as the designs produced. The term “crowdsourcing” was coined in 2006 by a writer at Wired magazine and here’s how it works: Those interested in participating submit designs and ideas about their ideal bus stop. Visitors to the Web site then rate and comment on the designs submitted, and the design is tweaked accordingly. The highest rated designs eventually may be built as real bus stops in Utah. The contest runs through the summer and the highest rated designer(s) will be recognized on a plaque as inspiration for the new bus stop on the U’s business loop. Next Stop Design researchers want to develop innovative ways to increase public participation in transit planning. Using the Web to harness the collective intelligence of online communities and the “wisdom of crowds,” they hope to generate higher quality bus stop designs in a way that complements traditional public participation methods. Additional information is available online (http://www.NextStopDesign.com/press), or contact Annie Maxfield (NextStopDesign@gmail.com), or call (206) 788-6418.

U OF U SINGERS WIN FIRST PRIZE AT INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION IN GERMANY

The anticipation yesterday was about killing us. We sat in the hall and held hands and clapped and cried and had so much nervous energy that I think we almost exploded. The whole hall was electric with it, with hundreds of singers awaiting the results of a whole lot of hard work.
            —From the Singers’ blog

Well, they did it! The University of Utah Singers took first prize at the 11th annual International Chamber Choir Competition in Marktoberdorf, Germany. The only U.S. choir invited to compete in the prestigious biennial festival, the Singers also earned third prize for youth choirs (choirs composed of 18-21 year-olds) and received a special award for “best interpretation of choral work being premiered at the competition.”

The Singers’ win followed a three-week concert tour of Eastern Europe in which they logged over 1,500 miles, performing in Prague, Budapest, Ljubljana, Salzburg, and other cities in six countries. In Munich they recorded a CD in the Himmelfahrtskirche, a small church with exceptional acoustics.

Read more on the Singers’ blog (www.universityofutahsingers.blogspot.com) or Redthread (www.redthread.utah.edu); and watch the Singers on You Tube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLXXsZ7nRBo&feature=channel_page). Additional information is available online (http://www.uofusingers.org) or by calling (801) 587-9377.

POTPOURRI

• NEW TURF FOR RICE-ECCLES STADIUM
  After seven years of wear and tear, new FieldTurf has been installed at Rice-Eccles Stadium, featuring red end zones and a red block "U" at the 50-yard line. The numbers are inlaid in the turf and the color of the end zone is now solid red “so our opponents are truly entering the red zone,” says Mark Burk, director of stadium and arena event services, “especially the team from down south.” The price tag for the new turf is $770,000, about half of which will be paid by Real Salt Lake. The Campus Store offered 350 pieces of turf—now souvenirs—for sale on July 1 and they sold out within 24 hours. “Fans loved it,” says Campus Store marketing director Mike Cherry. “We even had interest from universities out of state!”

• TEXTING WHILE DRIVING
  There’s an interesting poll on the online Daily Utah Chronicle asking, Now that it is illegal to text on the road, have you stopped? Check it out online (http://www.dailyutahchronicle.com/) (scroll down the right side).

• BOOKMARK AT THE U—THE CAMPUS STORE’S BOOK-OF-THE MONTH CLUB
  July selection: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, by Stieg Larsson
  This book combines murder mystery, family saga, love story, and financial intrigue into one satisfyingly complex and entreatingly atmospheric novel. Harriet Vanger, a scion of one of Sweden's wealthiest families disappeared over forty years ago. All these years later, her aged uncle continues to seek the truth. He hires Mikael Blomkvist, a crusading journalist recently trapped by a libel conviction, to investigate. He is aided by the pieced and tattooed punk prodigy Lisbeth Salander. Together they tap into a vein of unfathomable iniquity and astonishing corruption.
              —From the Random House Web site

   

  For more information, contact Drew Goodman (hotlink to dgoodman@bookstore.utah.edu).
  

• BODY & SOUL
  Take baby steps. The idea of 30 minutes of activity may feel overwhelming when your energy is low, so do just a few minutes of something. Chances are, you’ll start to feel more energetic and will keep going.

            —Brought to you by Peak Academy (http://www.health.utah.edu/peak)

• WALK OF THE WEEK—EDITOR’S PICK
  Enjoy a walk through campus early in the day before it gets hot. If you haven’t already, stroll over to the Cowles Math Building on Presidents Circle to see the installation by noted artist Anna Campbell Bliss. It’s located along the hallways on all three levels. Extended Vision is a fascinating series of 18-inch-square anodized aluminum plates that explores the connections between math and art through perspectives ranging from architecture and nature to outer space and early navigation. You’ll wish for a bench to sit on since—like a mandala—there’s a lot to take in. And it’s only fair to warn you that the lighting is less than adequate—but don’t let that deter you. Bring a flashlight.

BULLETIN BOARD

•  SUPER SERVICES AT THE CAMPUS STORE
Did you know the Campus Store has the only U.S. Post Office on campus? And, it’s the second busiest in the state! It’s the most convenient way to mail your letters and packages while on campus. The Campus Store also is an authorized Money Gram store—you can get money orders, send and receive money transfers, and pay bills at the customer service desk adjacent to the post office—just one more way the Campus Store makes your life as convenient as possible.

 

•  LIBRARIES ADD SCIENCEDIRECT/ELSEVIER AND SCOPUS
Nearly all of Elsevier’s 2,100 scholarly journals are now available online to the U of U community, with archival access going back to 1995. (Elsevier publishes primarily in the sciences, health sciences, and technology. Use the libraries’ online journal list (http://sfx7.exlibrisgroup.com/uutah/az) for access to individual titles or just browse ScienceDirect (http://www.sciencedirect.com). Scopus (http://www.scopus.com) also is now available. Like Web of Science, which will be available through December but will not be renewed, Scopus searches scholarly papers in most disciplines and tracks articles which cite a known reference. It indexes 15,000 journals compared to Web of Science’s 11,000 and covers more years. The libraries arranged exceptionally attractive terms for Elsevier and Scopus through 2012 and will monitor use and users’ comments during the next three years.

 

•  IMS OFFERS NEW ONLINE RESERVATIONS
Instructional Media Services (IMS) has implemented a new online reservation system called Webcheckout that allows faculty, staff and students to browse pictures; descriptions and availability of equipment; schedule reservations; and view the status of existing reservations. University patrons can access Webcheckout through IMS (http://www.ims.utah.edu) by clicking on the “Reserve AV Equipment” link. Users will need to enter their U of U ID and password to login to the system. IMS provides portable presentation equipment, delivery, and technical support free of charge to credited courses. These services are also available to non-course events for a nominal rental fee. For more information please contact Brian Gelsinger (brian.gelsinger@utah.edu) or call (801) 581-6112.

UPCOMING ON CAMPUS

All campus events are listed in the U’s online events calendar (http://www.events.utah.edu)—are yours? If not, contact Lisa Westlind (calendar@ucomm.utah.edu) or call (801) 581-5819.

 

•  MAKING THE RIVER
Monday, July 20, 7:00 p.m.
City Library, free
As a follow up to PBS’s We Shall Remain documentaries of U.S. history told through the experience of America’s Indians, screenings of several native films are being held at the City Library. Directed by Navajo filmmaker Sarah Del Seronde, the award-winning documentary, Making the River, is about “tragedy transformed” and tells the story of Jimi and George Simmons who were accused of murdering a guard in the Washington State Penitentiary in Walla Walla and their ensuing trial.

 

•  RED BUTTE GARDEN OUTDOOR CONCERT SCHEDULE FOR JULY AND AUGUST
Now through Tuesday, August 25
Red Butte Garden Amphitheatre
Tuesday, July 7: Indigo Girls
Monday, July 13: Death Cab for Cutie and Andrew Bird (SOLD OUT)
Sunday, July 19: The Wallflowers
Friday, July 31: Diana Krall

Tuesday, Aug. 4: Chicago
Friday, Aug. 14: Chris Isaak
Wednesday, Aug. 19: Los Lobos and Los Lonely Boys
Sunday, Aug. 23 (JUST ADDED): The Pretenders with guests Cat Power and Juliet Lewis and the Licks
Tuesday, Aug. 25: The Avett Brothers

Ticket information is online (http://www.redbuttegarden.org/concerts).

 

•  FREE DAY AT RED BUTTE GARDEN
Friday, July 24
Red Butte Garden
Thanks to you—the voters—and the Zoo Arts & Parks Fund, admission to the garden is free on this day. For more information on other activities offered throughout the summer at Red Butte Garden, check online (http://www.redbutte.utah.edu).

 

•  STAR PARTY
Every clear Wednesday evening after sundown (July 8, 15, 22, 29; August 5, 12, 19, 26)
Roof of the South Physics Building
Park in Presidents Circle or east of the physics building
The observatory has six telescopes and a 10-foot radiotelescope to check out planets, galaxies, and star clusters. Free and open to all, additional information is online (http://web.utah.edu/astro)or call (801) 792-5013.

FYI Mystery Photo Contest

FYI Mystery Photo

Where is this on campus? Send your answer (be specific) to FYI@ucomm.utah.edu by 5 p.m. on Monday, July 13 for a chance to win two tickets to see Tap Dogs on Tuesday, Oct. 6 courtesy of Kingsbury Hall. The winner will be randomly selected from the pool of those submitting the correct answer and will be listed in the Aug. 12 FYI News.

Thanks to Kingsbury Hall for providing the prize!

Note: This contest is open to U of U faculty and staff only.

Last issue’s FYI Mystery Photo Contest answer June 3 Mystery Photo Click on photo for larger image The June 3 FYI Mystery Photo shows the south steps leading up to the courtyard between the Park Building and the Student Services Building.. Congratulations to Karl Gill winner of the June 3, 2009 FYI Mystery Photo Contest! Karl was randomly selected from the pool of 106 contestants who sent in the correct answer. He is the supervisor of the Veteran Affairs department on campus. “I certify students’ class schedules so they can receive VA educational benefits from the GI Bill,” says Karl. “Last year, our students received over $3.3 million from the VA.” Karl has been working in the Registrar’s office for almost two years and the people in his office “are the best I’ve ever worked with!” Karl received a pass for two to Red Butte Garden. A big thanks to Red Butte Garden for providing the prize. And thanks to everyone who participated in the contest. We invite you to try your luck again with the Aug. 12 FYI News.