October 7, 2004

Vol. 15, No. 14

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)
  Bruce Gerson, 412-268-1613 (bg02@andrew.cmu.edu)
  Susan Cribbs, 412-268-7521 (cribbs@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.

2003 Editions are available online.

Previous editions are available online.

The National Science Foundation has awarded Carnegie Mellon and the University of Pittsburgh a five-year, $25 million grant to establish the Pittsburgh Science of Learning Center (PSLC), which will sponsor rigorous research into how people learn and, based on what they find, develop technologies and approaches to teaching that will foster consistently high achievement in the nation's classrooms.

—The core of the PSLC will be a research facility called "LearnLab," where researchers can create, run and analyze experiments on how people learn. LearnLab scientists will initially use seven high school and college-level courses as a basis for their research--two high school mathematics courses; two college science courses; and three college language courses, including Chinese, French and English as a second language. The PSLC will invite schools in the Pittsburgh area and across the country to participate as "research schools"—much as research hospitals do for medical research.

—The PSLC codirectors are Kenneth R. Koedinger, Carnegie Mellon associate professor of human-computer interaction and psychology, and Pitt Computer Science Professor Kurt VanLehn, senior scientist in Pitt's Learning Research and Development Center. Further information: http://www.cmu.edu/PR/releases04/041004_nsf.html

ROBOT HALL OF FAME INDUCTION KICKS OFF 25TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

The second annual induction ceremony into Carnegie Mellon's Robot Hall of Fame will kick off the Robotics Institute's 25th anniversary celebration, Oct. 11-14. Five distinguished robots--Honda's ASIMO robot, Astro Boy, C-3PO, Robby the Robot and Shakey--will be inducted into the hall of fame Oct. 11 at the Carnegie Science Center. The Robot Hall of Fame honors both real and fictional robots and their creators in recognition of the increasing benefits robots are bringing to society.

—More than 40 experts in robotics will participate in the world-famous Robotics Institute's celebration, a four-day series of events that includes a symposium on the Grand Challenge of robotics, demonstrations of leading-edge robotics projects and seminars on the commercialization of robotics research. For more, visit http://www.cmu.edu/PR/releases04/041005_ri25.html

"THE DA VINCI EFFECT" TO PREMIERE ON CAMPUS

The university community is invited to the campus premiere of The Da Vinci Effect, a multi-sensory, theatrical presentation demonstrating how Carnegie Mellon's powerful combination of disciplines ranging from the arts to technology produces innovations that can change our world. Free admission with Carnegie Mellon ID. Guests will receive a souvenir t-shirt. All shows in Rangos Ballroom, University Center. Twilight Show: Wednesday, Oct. 13, 5:30-6:30 p.m. (snacks and beverages provided). Brown Bag Lunch Show: Thursday, Oct. 14, Noon - 1 p.m. (bring your lunch; beverages and dessert provided). Matinee Show: Thursday, Oct. 14, 4:30-5:30 p.m. (snacks and beverages provided). Seats are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. RSVP at http://cmupgh.show-invite.com

UNIVERSITY WELCOMES ALUMNI TO CAMPUS FOR HOMECOMING OCT. 15-17

Carnegie Mellon will welcome alumni back to campus during its annual Homecoming celebration, Friday, Oct. 15 -Sunday, Oct. 17. Weekend activities include reunions, campus tours, college receptions, seminars and information sessions, President Jared L. Cohon's address to alumni, Scotch 'n' Soda's performance of "Bat Boy," the annual Carnegie Mellon Philharmonic Homecoming concert and the football game versus the University of Chicago. Alumni Awards will be presented at 7:30 p.m., Friday, Oct. 15, to Sylvester Damianos (A'56), W.J. O'Donnell (E'57), Erroll B. Davis (E'65), Keith A. Lockhart (A'83), Francois Clemmons (A'69), Anthony M. DiGioia Jr., M.D. (E'56, E'57, E'60), Barbara Samardzich (E'85), Marilyn Posner (HS'68), and Manu Kumar (E'95, CS'97, IA'99). Friday's events will also include the opening of "Dialogue in a Landscape: The Kraus Campo, a Garden for Carnegie Mellon," by acclaimed artist Mel Bochner (A'62) and landscape architect Michael Van Valkenburgh in the Regina Gouger Miller Gallery. Information: http://www.cmu.edu/alumni/news-evts/homecoming/index.html

NEWS BRIEFS

—President Cohon will hold an open student office hour from 5 to 6 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 14. Students interested in meeting with the president should contact Dean of Student Affairs Michael Murphy at mm1v@andrew.cmu.edu.

—The university community is invited to nominate members of the faculty, staff and administration for Carnegie Mellon's three major educational awards: The Academic Advising Award, The Robert E. Doherty Award for Sustained Contributions to Excellence in Education and The William H. and Frances S. Ryan Award for Meritorious Teaching. Nominations must be received by Associate Provost for Education Susan Ambrose, Cyert Hall 125, by Monday, Nov. 1. Further information: official.cmu-news, Oct. 4.

—The Information Security Office (ISO) within Computing Services in collaboration with Carnegie Mellon's Cylab and the Information Networking Institute (INI) invites the campus community to celebrate National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM) throughout October. Sponsored by the National Cyber Security Alliance, NCSAM aims to raise awareness of cybersecurity. ISO and Cylab/INI will offer information-sharing sessions throughout the month along with prizes and giveaways. Visit http://www.staysafeonline.info for more information.

PERSONAL MENTION

—Plextronics, Inc., a Carnegie Mellon spin-off company co-founded by Richard McCullough, dean of the Mellon College of Science, was selected by InnovationWORLD as one of the top 21 companies poised for growth in the 21st century. According to McCullough, Plextronics produces Plexcore, a plastic that conducts electricity a million times faster than anything comparable. Plexcore may be used for miniaturized electronic devices, flexible flat panel displays and non-static, non-corrosive coatings.

—Naoko Taguchi, who will be joining Carnegie Mellon in the spring as assistant professor of Japanese & Second Language Acquisition, will receive in November the Emma Birkmaier Award for the Outstanding Dissertation in the field of foreign language education. The award is conferred annually by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages.

CALENDAR HIGHLIGHTS

—Friday, Oct. 8: Information-Sharing Session in recognition of National Cybersecurity Awareness Month. 3:30 - 5 p.m., McConomy Auditorium, UC. Learn about phishing and identity theft, spyware/adware, bandwidth, and copyright and top 10 security tips. Co-sponsored by Cylab/INI and ISO. Refreshments and door prizes provided.

—Friday, Oct. 8: Malaysian Food Festival. 4 - 8 p.m., Merson Courtyard, UC. This annual event features exotic cuisine from the Southeast Asian country in a true Malaysian-style night market atmosphere. Presented by Carnegie Mellon Budaya (Malaysian Students Association).

—Friday, Oct. 8: The Japanese Film Festival, in collaboration with the Department of Modern Languages, presents "Sharaku," a film about a mysterious kabuki stuntman-turned-woodblock-artist. 7 p.m., McConomy Auditorium.

—Sunday, Oct. 10: Carnegie Mellon Jazz Ensemble. 7 p.m., Alumni Concert Hall.

—Monday, Oct. 11: Phi Beta Kappa Visiting Scholar Public Lecture. "Probabilities in Physics: From Quantum Entanglement to Classical Ignorance." Wojciech Zurek, Los Alamos Mellon University. 4:30 p.m., Wean Hall 7500.

—Tuesday, Oct. 12: Speak Your Mind: Diversity Discussion and Dinner. Topic: "Spanglish: a broken or new language?" 5 - 6:30 p.m., New House Lounge. Dinner will be served. Facilitator: Mariana Achugar, Modern Languages Department. To reserve your place for this free discussion/dinner, respond to Emily Half, ehalf@andrew.cmu.edu, 412-268-2075. Space is limited. Sponsored by the Office of the Dean of Student Affairs.

—Tuesday, Oct. 12: Carnegie Mellon Concert Choir. 8 p.m, Kresge Recital Hall.

—Wednesday, Oct. 13: Kathleen Newman, an associate professor of English, will read from her book, "Radio Active," at 7 p.m. at the Barnes and Noble at the Waterfront in Homestead. The book chronicles the early influence of commercial radio.

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