August 28, 2003

Vol. 14, No. 8

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 ranks 23rd overall, and its undergraduate programs in engineering and business rank among the 10 best in the country, according to U.S. News & World Report magazine's annual survey of "America's Best Colleges." The 2004 edition hit newsstands last Friday, Aug. 22.

—"Surveys are just one measure of the overall excellence of our educational programs and confirm something we know—that Carnegie Mellon and its many graduate and undergraduate programs rank among the best in the nation," said President Jared L. Cohon.

—The overall rankings were determined by several measures including peer assessment, graduation and retention rates, faculty resources, student selectivity, financial resources (spending per student), graduation rate performance and alumni giving rates, which the magazine describes as an indirect measure of satisfaction.

—The university was also named one of 12 "Hot Schools" in Kaplan/Newsweek's "How to Get Into College" Guide. The Kaplan/Newsweek Hot Colleges List is based on admissions trends and interviews with teachers and students. Carnegie Mellon appears on the list as "Most Tech Savvy."

UNIVERSITY SURPASSES GOAL, RAISES $49.4 MILLION IN 2003

Carnegie Mellon surpassed its fundraising goal by more than $2 million in fiscal year 2003, closing its books with $49.4 million in gifts and commitments. This year's overall effort marked an increase of more than $12 million over fiscal year 2002's total of $37.3 million.

—The success is the result of strong corporate, foundation and individual giving. A record $4.84 million was raised through the annual giving appeal, and $22.3 million was raised in the leadership gift category (contributions between $1 million and $4.9 million). The level of leadership gifts nearly doubled the highest level set in the last campaign—$12.4 million in 2000.

—"As the university plans a new campaign to fund strategic objectives, we are very pleased with these results and the momentum they help to build, particularly in a challenging economic climate," said Robbee Baker Kosak, vice president for University Advancement.

ST. CLAIR NAMED DEAN OF UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES

Gloriana St. Clair, university librarian since 1998, has been named dean of University Libraries. President Cohon said that the new title "more aptly reflects the importance of the libraries in the university's academic life."

—Under St. Clair's leadership, the University Libraries have led initiatives that are critical to enhancing the value of education globally through the use of information and communication technology. One of those initiatives is the Million Book Project, which is intended to enhance educational opportunities worldwide.

—"By working to create a Librarian/Archivist track, working to improve the undergraduate book collections and focusing on much-needed space issues, Gloriana has also placed an emphasis on meeting the broader needs of the libraries," said Provost Mark Kamlet.

NREC SELECTED TO DEVELOP NAVIGATION TECHNOLOGY FOR ARMY

The National Robotics Engineering Consortium (NREC), part of the Robotics Institute in the School of Computer Science, has been selected to be part of a team formed by General Dynamics Robotics Systems (GDRS) to negotiate toward a contract to develop an Autonomous Navigation System (ANS) for unmanned and manned ground vehicles. The GDRS team will design, develop, integrate, test and manufacture a system capable of autonomously controlling several vehicles designated by the Army. The ANS will provide navigational, perception, path-planning and vehicle-following algorithms, as well as the requisite on-board sensor package for autonomous mobility. The NREC will be a major subcontractor to GDRS and will lead the development of perception and path planning within the ANS.

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIETY INSTITUTE NAMES NEW DIRECTOR

Ronald Gdovic, executive director of 3 Rivers Connect, has been named executive director of the Institute for the Study of Information Technology and Society (InSITeS) at the Heinz School.

—Under Gdovic's leadership, 3 Rivers Connect helped to accelerate economic, social and educational development in southwestern Pennsylvania through applications of information technology. He's also taught a course on information technology and economic development at Carnegie Mellon.

—InSITeS is dedicated to teaching, research and public outreach with regard to the social, economic, political and legal impacts of information technology. The institute combines Carnegie Mellon's expertise in social science with its leadership in science and technology.

NEWS BRIEFS

Staff Council will host a book fair from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 2, and Wednesday, Sept. 3, in the Mellon Institute Lobby (4th floor of Mellon Institute). It will feature a wide variety of new books, including best sellers, children's books, cookbooks and special interest books at discounted prices. Cash, checks, MasterCard/Visa, Discover and American Express will be accepted.

The 2004 International Symposium on Generative CAD Systems (G-CADs) will be held at the School of Architecture July 12 - 14, 2004. The conference is designed to provide a retrospective review of research and development of generative models and systems in computer-aided architectural design over the last 35 years, and to discuss the future of CAD systems. Deadline for abstract submissions is Sept. 1. For more information visit www.cmu.edu/architecture/graduate/G-CAD/

PERSONAL MENTION

Artwork by graphic designer Kelly Young (A'91) will be featured in the University Center Art Gallery Sept. 8 - 21. The exhibit, "Images and Words," is a combination of Young's first calligraphy project, which featured only words, and second gallery showing of self-portraits. A reception will be held in the gallery 4 - 6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 10.

A new book co-edited by Kiron K. Skinner, assistant professor of history and political science and director of the International Relations program, reveals that former President Ronald Reagan was a more complex man than people realized. "Reagan: A Life In Letters," is a collection of letters Reagan wrote over 70 years, as a young boy, movie star, governor of California, president and elder statesmen. She will speak during a book signing at 2 p.m. Sept. 27, at Barnes & Noble Booksellers in Squirrel Hill.

Faculty members Jeanne VanBriesen, Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE), Christos Faloutsos, Computer Science, Anastassia Ailamaki, Computer Science, Mitch Small, CEE and Engineering and Public Policy, and Paul Fischbeck, Social and Decision Sciences, have received a National Science Foundation grant of $1.5 million for a new project called "SENSORS: Placement and Operation of an Environmental Sensor Network to Facilitate Decision Making Regarding Drinking Water Quality and Security."

Norman Sadeh, a faculty member in the Institute for Software Research International, will serve as general chair for the Fifth International Conference on Electronic Commerce to be held in Pittsburgh Sept. 20 - Oct. 3. The conference will feature activities aimed at taking stock of E-business today and uncovering future opportunities and challenges. For more information, visit www.icec03.org/

CALENDAR HIGHLIGHTS

Sept. 24 - 26: Science2003: Improving the Human Condition. The University of Pittsburgh's third annual showcase of science and technology will highlight significant local research in biotechnology, health sciences, engineering and its impact on the regional economy. Admission is free and open to the public, but advance registration is required. For more information, or to register, visit www.science2003.pitt.edu/

Sept 17: Carnegie Mellon Women's Association Fall Member Reception, hosted by Maureen Cohon. 4:30 - 6 p.m. at the president's residence. RSVP to Gloria Claus at gc2v@andrew.cmu.edu by Monday, Sept. 8. Visit www.cmu.edu/CMWA for details.

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