January 24, 2002

Vol. 12, No. 28

The "8 1/2 x 11 News" is published each week by the Department of Public Relations. News of campus interest should be sent to
Ed Delaney, 412-268-1609 (ed47@andrew.cmu.edu) or Bruce Gerson, 412-268-1613 (bg02@andrew.cmu.edu). The newsletter is available on the official.cmu-news and cmu.misc.news bulletin boards.

Last year's editions are available online.

Previous editions are available online.

JOEL SMITH APPOINTED VICE PROVOST FOR COMPUTING SERVICES

Joel Smith, director of the Office of Technology for Education, has been named vice provost for computing services and chief information officer, effective Feb. 15. Smith replaces Tracy Futhey, who will be leaving Carnegie Mellon to become vice president for information technology at Duke University.

—Smith came to Carnegie Mellon in January 2000 to strengthen and coordinate the university's educational computing initiatives and to support the university's strategic focus on information and communication technology.

—Under his leadership the Office of Technology for Education (OTE) has deployed and supported "Blackboard," a campus-wide course information system now used in about 330 courses, and has provided internal seed funding and consulting for a number of faculty technology-enhanced learning projects. The OTE, working in collaboration with Computing Services, University Advancement and the Eberly Center for Teaching Excellence, has helped faculty raise about $1.5 million in external funding for such projects and has co-sponsored seminars on teaching and technology.

—"Joel Smith has demonstrated great leadership as director of the office of Technology for Education," said Provost Mark Kamlet. "As we look to the future, there will be increasing convergence of our outstanding computing services activities, the growing role of technology in the classroom, and our various new Web initiatives. With his strong working relationship with the faculty and his experience in all of these areas, we look forward under Joel's direction to continuing our world-class standing in computing infrastructure and services."

REMEMBERING AKRAM MIDANI

A memorial service for the late Akram Midani, former dean of the College of Fine Arts, will be held at 4:30 p.m., Monday, Jan. 28, in Kresge Theatre, College of Fine Arts, followed by a reception in the Alumni Concert Hall. The service is open to the university community and the public. RSVP by Friday, Jan. 25 to Martha Harris at 8-2349 or mh3k@andrew.cmu.edu. Further information is posted on official.cmu-news for Jan. 16.

NOMINATIONS REQUESTED FOR CFA STAFF AWARDS

The College of Fine Arts (CFA) Staff Recognition Committee is accepting nominations for the CFA staff recognition awards. The deadline for nominations is Feb. 1. Honorees will be recognized at the staff awards ceremony in Kresge Recital Hall at noon on Tuesday, Feb. 26. To receive a nomination packet, contact Patricia Pavlus, CFA assistant dean of business affairs at 8-7173 or pp0x@andrew.cmu.edu. Any Carnegie Mellon employee or student may submit nominations for the awards.

CAREER ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE FOR CARNEGIE MELLON EMPLOYEES

Jill Diskin, director, Human Resources Services, reminds Carnegie Mellon employees that they are welcome to discuss their jobs, career plans and job opportunities with a Human Resources (HR) representative. The HR person will offer confidential assistance to you on resume preparation and effective interview techniques. Call 8-2047 for an appointment so that sufficient time can be reserved to discuss your interests. Appointments can be scheduled before 8:30 a.m., during the lunch hour and after 5 p.m., as well as during regular working hours.

NEWS BRIEFS

—The Carnegie Mellon Credit Union will hold its annual meeting at noon on Jan. 31 in the University Center's (UC) Connan Room. The meeting is open to all Credit Union members. There will be door prizes and light refreshments.

—Carnegie Mellon's annual "Take Our Daughters to Work" day will be held on Thursday, April 25, followed by a separate day for boys on April 26. Girls and boys should be between the ages of 9 and 15. A planning meeting for these events will be held at noon, Monday, Jan. 28, in the Caffee Room, UC. Volunteers are welcome. Further information: Brenda Graham, brenda@andrew.cmu.edu.

—The biannual President's Party for faculty and staff will take place from 8 - 11:30 p.m., Saturday, March 9, in the UC. The event will feature food, live entertainment and an interactive mystery game. The cost is $19.50 per person. Invitations will be mailed in early February.

—The Cancer Support Group will meet on Wednesday, Feb.6, for a brown bag lunch from noon ­ 1 p.m. in the Caffee Room, UC. All cancer survivors are invited to attend. For further information, contact Margie Hinebaugh (8-2161), Anne Humphreys (8-3420), Mari Alice McShane (8-7834) or Linda Plazinski (8-5290).

PERSONAL MENTION

—Stephen Cross has been reappointed to a second five-year term as director and chief executive officer of Carnegie Mellon's Software Engineering Institute (SEI), a federally funded research and development center sponsored by the U.S. Department of Defense. "Steve Cross has done a tremendous job during the five years in which he has served as SEI director," said Provost Mark Kamlet. "I commend Steve for his accomplishments, and I am very grateful that he has been willing to serve in this dean's-level position for five more years." Kamlet called the SEI one of the "crown jewels" of the Carnegie Mellon community. Further information: official.cmu-news, Jan. 21.

—Scott Farrow recently stepped down as director of Carnegie Mellon's Center for the Study and Improvement of Regulation (CSIR) to become chief economist for the General Accounting Office of the U.S. Congress. He will be replaced as CSIR director by Paul Fischbeck, associate professor, Social and Decision Sciences.

—Gregg B. Franklin, professor of physics, is the new associate dean of faculty and graduate affairs for the Mellon College of Science. He succeeds Mathematical Sciences Professor David Owen, who returns to teaching and research. Franklin came to Carnegie Mellon as a research associate in 1981 and joined the faculty in 1984. He is the principal investigator for the Medium Energy Experimental Physics group.

—School of Architecture student Adam Bowland ('05) has received the Tile Contractors' Association of America (TCAA) award for excellence in architectural design. The TCAA is a nationwide professional organization of more than 100 contracting companies. Bowland received a scholarship for his winning architectural plan.

—Vivian Loftness, head of the Department of Architecture, recently received the National Educator Honor Award from the American Institute of Architecture Students. This is the most prestigious award that the institute confers upon an educator.

—Clayton Merrell, assistant professor of art, is part of the annual "Young Painters" exhibition at Miami University of Ohio. His work will be featured in the forthcoming issue of New American Paintings (vol. 39).

—This year's Staff Recognition Award winners in the Carnegie Institute of Technology are Vicki Massimino, graduate program coordinator in the Engineering and Public Policy Department, and Matt Cline, lab technician in the Chemical Engineering Department. They were chosen based on their job performance, dedication, positive attitude and contributions as a team player. Rhonda Moyer, administrative and financial manager for the Institute for Complex Engineered Systems, was named the first recipient of the Burritt Education Award. This award, founded in memory of the late Timothy J. Burritt, former undergraduate advisor for the College of Engineering, recognizes staff members who successfully maintain their work schedule and productivity while pursuing further education. Moyer earned her master's degree in public management from the Heinz School in May 2001.

CALENDAR HIGHLIGHTS

—Monday, Jan. 28: ALCOA Foundation Speaker Series. "Industrialization and the Erosion of Tradition." Dr. Hilary Inyang, Duke Energy Distinguished Professor and director, Global Institute for Energy and Environmental Systems, University of North Carolina-Charlotte. 4:30-6 p.m., Adamson Wing, Baker Hall. A reception will follow.

—Thursday, Jan. 31: SCS Distinguished Lecture. "The Design of Design." Frederick P. Brooks Jr., Kenan Professor of Computer Science, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. 4 p.m., Wean Hall 7500.

—Monday, Feb. 4: The School of Music presents Schubert's "Winterreise," performed by tenor Douglas Ahlsted and pianist Irene Schreier. 8 p.m., Kresge Recital Hall, College of Fine Arts. Free admission.

—Thursday, Feb. 7: Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering Seminar Series. "Migratory TCP and Smart Messages: Two Lightweight Migration Architectures for High-Availability." Liviu Iftode, assistant professor, Department of Computer Science, University of Maryland. 4 - 5 p.m., Scaife Hall Auditorium, Rm. 125. Refreshments at 3:30 p.m. For more information, see http://amp.ece.cmu.edu

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