 | ||||
|
|
August 26, 2004 Vol. 15, No. 8
The "8 1/2 x 11 News" is published each week by the University Advancement Division. News of campus interest should be sent to one of the following editors:
Ed Delaney, 412-268-1609
(ed47@andrew.cmu.edu) 2001 Editions are available online. 2002 Editions are available online. 2003 Editions are available online. Previous editions are available online.
"WONDERFULLY DIVERSE" CLASS OF 2008 COMES TO CAMPUS Carnegie Mellon welcomed the Class of 2008 to campus on Tuesday, Aug. 24. The 1,394 students represent 32 foreign countries, 47 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Alabama, Idaho and Kansas are the only states missing from the distribution. Sixty-three percent of the students are male and 37 percent are female. More than half of incoming first-year students hail from the Mid-Atlantic region and 19 percent are from Pennsylvania. —In his address to first-year students and their parents, President Jared L. Cohon called the Class of 2008 a "wonderfully diverse class. Your education and this university will be better because of it," he said. He also highlighted Carnegie Mellon's defining characteristics: its focus on problem solving, collaboration and teamwork; its innovative nature and desire to continuously change; and the combination of an arts conservatory and research university. Cohon advised students to "take charge of your time at Carnegie Mellon" and urged them to explore the world around them. —Orientation for the Class of 2008 continues through Sunday, Aug. 29. Classes begin on Monday, Aug. 30. UNIVERSITY MAINTAINS TOP 25 STANDING IN "AMERICA'S BEST COLLEGES" Carnegie Mellon ranked 22nd and its undergraduate programs in engineering and business ranked among the 10 best in the country in U.S. News & World Report magazine's annual survey of "America's Best Colleges." —The university ranked sixth and eighth, respectively, in undergraduate business and engineering programs. In business specialty offerings, it ranked second in management information systems and quantitative analysis, and third in production and operations management. In engineering specialties, it ranked fifth in computer engineering. —Carnegie Mellon was also included in the "Programs to Look For" in undergraduate research and creative projects, which the magazine lists but does not rank. Carnegie Mellon has been on the list since its inception three years ago. —The overall rankings were determined by peer assessment, graduation and retention rates, faculty resources, student selectivity, financial resources (or spending per student), graduation rate performance (described as the difference between actual and predicted graduation rates) and alumni giving rates. —The complete list of rankings is posted at http://www.usnews.com SCIENTISTS REVEAL WAYS TO RESOLVE PCB CONTAMINATION IN U.S. RIVERS A multidisciplinary team of Carnegie Mellon biologists and engineers has discovered key aspects of processes that govern the fate of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in river sediment. At a recent America Chemical Society symposium organized by Carnegie Mellon faculty, "PCBs in Freshwater and Marine Sediments: Transport, Transformation and Treatment," team members presented methods to monitor, measure, track and contain these synthetic compounds that threaten scarce water supplies, ecosystems, tourism and the world's fishing industry. —Christine Wang, a graduate student in biological sciences, presented a process whereby scientists use DNA fingerprinting to discover bacteria populations that decompose PCBs differently. Jeanne VanBriesen, assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering (CEE), demonstrated research that shows for the first time that PCBs undergo no biological breakdown in river sediments with low but detectable dissolved oxygen levels. Sandra Karcher, a CEE graduate student, presented Carnegie Mellon's research into identifying true shifts in the distribution of PCB varieties ("cogeners") over time in river sediments. CEE graduate student Kathleen McDonough shared research that indicates changes in river water (and sediment) temperature are a major driver of PCB release from sediments. Paul Murphy, CEE grad student, demonstrated a capping mat developed by Carnegie Mellon engineers that soaks up PCBs and could prevent their long-term release into waterways. —Further information: http://www.cmu.edu/PR/releases04/040823_pcbbreakdown.html ROBOTICS INSTITUTE PREPARES FOR 25th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION The university will celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Robotics Institute Oct. 11 - 14. The celebration, built around the theme "Robots and Thought," will begin with the second annual induction ceremony to Carnegie Mellon's Robot Hall of Fame, in which five robots and their creators will be honored. —On Oct. 12, a series of seminars will focus on how robotics intersects with, and enhances, business, education and arts. On Oct. 13, a symposium on the challenges facing the field of robotics will feature experts from around the world. Oct. 14 will be filled with tours and demonstrations of leading-edge robots developed by Carnegie Mellon researchers. The celebration will culminate Oct. 14 with a concert by multimedia artist Laurie Anderson, NASA's first artist-in-residence, who incorporates robotics and leading-edge technology into her art and concerts. Further information: http://www.ri25.org NEWS BRIEFS —Carnegie Mellon staff are forming a team to participate in "America's Walk for Diabetes," a fund-raising event for the American Diabetes Association, on Sunday, Sept. 26. Join your coworkers on a stroll through the Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium and help make a difference for more than 18 million Americans affected by diabetes and another 20 million at risk for developing the disease. To join the "Tartan Trekkers" or sponsor one of the team members, visit http://www.diabetes.org/walk. For further information, contact reneep@andrew.cmu.edu. PERSONAL MENTION —School of Design students Catherine Schaberg (senior) and Carin Rogoff (junior) designed the Anna L. and Irene V. Kaplan Israel Café, which also includes the Sheila and Alex Cohen Israel Marketplace, for the Hillel Jewish University Center (JUC) of Pittsburgh. Located in the Joseph Stern building at the corner of Forbes Avenue and Craig Street in Oakland, the Hillel JUC will open the café from 5 to 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 8. The project was completed under the direction of Mark Baskinger, assistant professor in the School of Design. Further information: http://www.cmu.edu/PR/releases04/040824_juc.html —Mechanical Engineering faculty Fred Higgs and Philip LeDuc were recently made members of the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation's Minority Ph.D. network. As members, they can recruit minority students to become Sloan Scholars under their direction. The Sloan Foundation Ph.D. Program offers $30,000 scholarships to minority students starting their doctoral work in engineering, natural science or mathematics. The Sloan Ph.D. network is composed of faculty members and departments from 49 universities that recruit students for the scholarships. CALENDAR HIGHLIGHTS —Thursday, Sept. 2: "Biosensors for Clinical and Environmental Analyses." The Katayanagi Distinguished Visitor Lecture, a School of Computer Science Distinguished Lecture. 4 p.m., Wean Hall 7500. Isao Karube, dean of the School of Bionics, Tokyo University of Technology. —Friday, Sept. 3: The Steinbrenner Institute for Environmental Education and Research, the Green Design Institute and the Carnegie Bosch Institute present: "The Future of the Automobile: An Industry Perspective on Alternative Fuels, Controls and Engines," a symposium featuring senior management of Bosch North America. 10 a.m. - noon, Mellon Auditorium, Posner Hall. Free and open to the campus community. —Friday, Sept. 17 - Saturday, Sept. 18: The American Cancer Society's Relay for Life. Gesling Stadium. This 24-hour event raises funds for the fight against cancer while promoting cancer awareness and celebrating survivorship. Individuals of all ages and backgrounds are invited to form walking/running teams. The team registration fee is discounted to $75 until Sept. 10 and covers the cost of each team member. (8 -15 individuals form a Relay for Life team.) Additional information: 1-888-227-5445. There is no fee for a cancer survivor and one caregiver or loved one to attend the celebration.
—Wednesday, Sept. 22: The Carnegie Mellon Women's Association's (CMWA) annual Fall Reception at the President's Residence, 4:30 - 6 p.m. Hosted by honorary CMWA President Maureen Cohon. RSVP to Gloria Claus, gc2v@andrew.cmu.edu, or x8-8430 no later than Sept. 7. Check the CMWA Web site at http://www.cmu.edu/CMWA
|
||
|
Other Carnegie Mellon News || Carnegie Mellon Home |
||||