May 8, 2003

Vol. 13, No. 41

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.

2001 Editions are available online.

2002 Editions are available online.

Previous editions are available online.

Carnegie Mellon's Entertainment Technology Center (ETC) and the Art Institute of Pittsburgh are co-sponsoring the second International Conference on Entertainment Computing (ICEC), May 8 - 10, at the University Center.

—A special session, "Transformations in Hollywood: How Technology has Changed the Face of Film, Television, Music, and Sports Entertainment," will be held at 7:45 p.m., Friday, May 9, in the Carnegie Museum of Art screening room.

—During the conference keynote speakers and breakout sessions will cover topics including computers and home/arcade games, virtual worlds and interactive environments, entertainment robots and physical systems, music informatics, and the social and psychological aspects of entertainment.

—The panel features Carnegie Mellon alumni Barry Frank (A'54), president of the sports management firm International Management Group; Gary Smith (A'56), Emmy Award-winning producer and director of four Democratic National Conventions and six Tony Award telecasts; Robert Summer (PM'55), chairman of the board of World Theatre; and Bud Yorkin (E'48), former partner with producer Norman Lear on "All in the Family" and "Sanford and Son," who is producing a follow-up to the film "Blade Runner." Further info: official.cmu-news, May 6.

ROBOT SOCCER PLAYERS MOVED "VERY FAST, KICKING VERY WELL"

Carnegie Mellon's CMDragons03 and CMPack03 took first place in the Small-Size Robot League and the AIBO Robot League, respectively, in the first American Open in robot soccer, held at the university May 2 - 4. The Dragons beat BigRed of Cornell University by a score of 10 - 0, while CMPack03 defeated the Georgia Institute of Technology Yellow Jackets 2 - 0. Third place in the Small-Size League went to the Eagle Knights of the Instituto Tecnologico Autonomode de Mexico (ITAM), and third place in the AIBO League went to the Huskies of the University of Washington.

—"We're moving very fast, kicking very well," said Manuela M. Veloso, Carnegie Mellon computer science professor and general chair of the American Open. The exciting thing to see is that all of the competing teams, even the new ones, have gotten to a level where the robot behaviors and the hardware were working. So we could all work on advancing in our research discussions."

—Further information: http://www.cmu.edu/cmnews/extra/030505_robocup.html

NEW SYSTEM TO EXPEDITE AIRPORT SECURITY SCREENING

A Carnegie Mellon research team has designed a new airport screening system that has been praised by federal Transportation Security Administration officials for its potential to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of screening procedures while reducing traveler delays. Developed by graduate students in a systems synthesis project course at the Heinz School, the Short-Wait Integrated Flight Travel (SWIFT) system employs a combination of processing enhancements, policy changes and technological innovations to improve airport security screening and reduce the time travelers spend in security clearance procedures.

GESLING STADIUM TO CLOSE FOR COMMENCEMENT PREPARATIONS

Gesling Stadium will be closed from Monday, May 12 through Friday, May 23 for commencement preparations. Because of the potential danger resulting from movement of vehicles and the installation of large pieces of heavy equipment, the track as well as the field will be closed to all users. The sidewalks near the stadium ramp next to Resnik Hall will be closed periodically for access by smaller delivery vehicles.

NEWS BRIEFS

—The Offices of Alumni Relations and Computing Services have announced the extension of Andrew services to this year's graduates. The Class of 2003 will be able to keep and use their Andrew user ID for certain services through May 2004. For a summary of available services, graduates should read "Computing Beyond Carnegie Mellon" at http://www.cmu.edu/computing/documentation/grad_senior/gradsenior.html

—This spring the Hunt Institute for Botanical Documentation is offering a selection of address books, guest books, journals and wedding planning items at 50 percent off the regular price. The institute is on the fifth floor of the Hunt Library. Further information is posted on official.cmu-news, May 5.

—The University Libraries invite nominations for their 2003 Outstanding Achievement Awards. The nomination deadline is Friday, May 9. Award winners will receive campus recognition as well as a cash award. Further information: http://www.library.cmu.edu/Libraries/LibraryAwardsPro.html

PERSONAL MENTION

—Elizabeth Bradley, head of the School of Drama and chair of the International Society for the Performing Arts, has been awarded the Commemorative Medal for the Golden Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II. The medal, which is awarded to Canadians who have made a significant contribution to their fellow citizens, their community or to Canada, commemorates the 50th anniversary of Elizabeth's reign as Queen of Canada. Further information: http://www.ispa.org/features/bradley_medal.html/

—Three outstanding Carnegie Mellon seniors have received $850 merit awards from the Carnegie Mellon Women's Association. Tiffany Chang, Computer Science, Kristin Schaffner, Music, and Adelena Shee, Computational Finance, were recommended by their deans for the awards.

—Each year, the College of Humanities and Social Sciences gives the Gretchen Lankford Award to seniors who plan to go on to graduate school to pursue a career in education. This year's winners are Stephanie Hepner, a major in international relations and Russian studies, and Christina Strellec, who is majoring in anthropology and history. The award is named after Gretchen Goldsmith Lankford (MM'43, HNZ'90). Several members of Lankford's family are also Carnegie Mellon alumni. Her son, John (HS'76) is director of Executive Education at the Graduate School of Industrial Administration.

—Eric Sloss, associate director of media relations for the College of Fine Arts, will receive the Thomas Merton Center annual New Person Award on May 10. He is recognized for his solo exhibit titled, "Exhibition Sweatshop," addressing issues of globalization and the international protest movement and his work with local arts organizations by providing other opportunities for local artists. The award honors local art activists with a commitment to peace and justice in Southwestern Pennsylvania. The ceremony will take place, 7 - 10 p.m., at the Brew House Gallery and Performance Space on the South Side.

—Mel Rosso-Llopart and Gil Taran, senior lecturers, Institute for Software Research International, traveled to Moscow during spring break to conduct the first Software Engineering Seminar by a leading American university. The seminar was very successful and had about 50 students from more than 18 companies in Russia and Belarus. Their Russian hosts were former Carnegie Mellon Computer Science students Ilya Antipov and Dmitry Dakhnovsky ('97). Further information: http://www.russee.com/about/trainers/

—Dan J. Martin, associate professor of drama and director of the Master of Arts Management Program, presented a public lecture on May 5 for the Department of Business and Economics at the University of Bologna (Italy), entitled "Sponsorship? Philanthropy? The Philosophy behind Corporate Giving to the Arts in the United States." Martin has been a guest faculty member in Bologna since April 21, teaching a course in fund raising for the University of Bologna's new program in cultural management.

CALENDAR HIGHLIGHTS

—Wednesday, May 21: The university's annual Staff Picnic, hosted by President Jared Cohon and Provost Mark Kamlet, will take place 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. on the College of Fine Arts lawn. (Rain locations: Wiegand Gym and Rangos Ballroom.) The event is free, but picnic-goers must present a valid Carnegie Mellon ID.

—Friday, June 27: The Pittsburgh International Lesbian and Gay Film Festival presents, "An Evening with Rob Marshall." Marshall, whose feature film directorial debut, "Chicago," earned the 2002 Academy Award for Best Picture, is a 1982 School of Drama alumnus. 7:30 p.m., The City Theatre on the South Side. Ticket information is posted on official.cmu-news, May 7.

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