February 17, 2005

Vol. 15, No. 30

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.

2004 Editions are available online.

Previous editions are available online.

Watts S. Humphrey, a fellow of the Software Engineering Institute, has been awarded the 2003 National Medal of Technology, the highest honor awarded by the President of the United States to America's leading innovators. A formal ceremony will take place March 14 at the White House. The medal is given to individuals, teams and/or companies for their outstanding contributions to the nation's economic, environmental and social well-being through the development and commercialization of technology products, processes and concepts; technological innovation; and development of the nation's technological expertise.

—Paul D. Nielsen, SEI director, attributes much of the SEI's success and its international reputation to Humphrey. "Watts has provided leadership, inspiration and dedication to software engineers and software development organizations worldwide. He has been the visionary for the quality software movement and for improving the processes used to develop software. The National Medal of Technology recognizes the broad impact Watts has had on the software industry." Further information: http://www.cmu.edu/PR/releases05/050215_humphrey.html

CARNEGIE MELLON HELPS DEVELOP UNMANNED VEHICLES FOR MARINES

Carnegie Mellon's National Robotics Engineering Consortium (NREC), part of the Robotics Institute in the School of Computer Science, and United Defense Industries, Inc. (UDI) have been awarded a $26.4 million system development and demonstration contract from the U.S. Department of Defense to design, develop and produce tactical unmanned ground vehicles for the U.S. Marines.

—NREC scientists and several partners have been conducting research on unmanned ground vehicles since 2002 through the Office of Naval Research's Future Naval Capability Program. They recently completed a highly successful prototype called the Gladiator Tactical Unmanned Ground Vehicle. The Gladiator prototype will be produced by UDI to provide the Marines' Air-Ground Task Force with a tele-operated, semi-autonomous vehicle specially designed to increase human survival by neutralizing threats and reducing risk to Marines on the ground. The unit will be equipped with remote, unmanned scout, reconnaissance and surveillance capabilities.

—Further information: http://www.cmu.edu/PR/releases05/050210_marines.html/

ENGINEERING THE FAMILY CAR OF THE FUTURE

Carnegie Mellon researchers are developing technology that will make it possible for cars to communicate with their drivers, giving them critical information about road conditions, traffic and, ultimately, where the best parking spot can be found. Through a new peer-to-peer networking system called GrooveNet, researchers are turning the family car into a mobile sensor capable of detecting traffic snarls and icy roads.

—"There is simply no limit to what we can achieve as the technology improves," says Ed Schlesinger, head of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) Department and founding director of the General Motors Collaborative Lab. "Cars will become nodes in a worldwide network delivering information to that network and getting information from it. You won't have to search for a place to stop for lunch; for example, the car will make recommendations based on your likes and dislikes."

— Members of the GrooveNet project team are ECE Professor Dan Stancil, Suchit Mishra, a master's degree student in the Information Networking Institute, and ECE students Jacob Meyers, Dan Weller and Rahul Mangharam. Further information: http://www.cmu.edu/cmnews/extra/050210_traffic.html

NEWS BRIEFS

—Practices for the Sweepstakes Race held during Spring Carnival will begin Feb. 26. The Sweepstakes Committee has secured permits from the City of Pittsburgh to use Tech Street, Frew Street and Schenley Drive on the following weekends: Feb. 26 and 27; March 5 and 6; March 12 and 13; March 19 and 20; March 26 and 27; April 2 and 3; and April 9 and 10. Practices will be held from 6 to 9 a.m. Cars that remain parked on the designated streets after 5 a.m. on these mornings will be towed by the city at the owner's expense.

—The American Cancer Society's "Daffodil Days" are March 14 - 20. Proceeds from Daffodil Days benefit American Cancer Society research, education, advocacy and patient services. Orders and payment must be received by Monday, Feb. 28. A description of the offerings and information on how to order are posted on official.cmu-news, Feb. 15. Orders will be available for pick-up on Tuesday, March 15.

PERSONAL MENTION

—Michael Croland, a senior professional writing major, has won the Student Genesis Award from the Humane Society of the United States Hollywood Office and the Student Animal Rights Alliance. The award honors individuals in the news and entertainment media whose creativity and/or journalistic integrity have increased the public's understanding of animal protection issues. Croland won the award for five articles he wrote--three in the Tartan, one in Newsday and one in The Jewish Chronicle of Pittsburgh. He will receive the award March 19 in Los Angeles. Croland was a runner-up for the award last year.

—Brooke Feeney, an assistant professor of psychology, received the Early Career Award from the Relationship Researchers Interest Group of the Society for Personality and Social Psychology at the Close Relationships Pre-Conference in New Orleans in January. The award honored her work on care and support giving among dating and married couples.

—As part of Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar's commitment to providing its students access to top quality learning and academic development, the university has embarked on a series of faculty visits. Professor and Mathematical Sciences Department Head Roy Nicolaides is the first department head to travel to Qatar on an academic visit from Feb.16 to 19. During his visit Nicolaides interacted with students and lectured on "Great Islamic Mathematicians of History and Their Work."

—Carnegie Mellon in Qatar has recruited Eddie Szeto, a junior in business administration and history, to be an undergraduate teaching assistant and peer tutor. His duties include tutoring for the Principles of Economics course and two math classes. He will help as a consultant to the Education City dorm system by starting a business club. Szeto was chosen for his academic record, community involvement and outgoing personality.

CALENDAR HIGHLIGHTS

—Friday, Feb. 18: "An Evening of German Lieder" will feature voice majors from the School of Music performing German art songs under the direction of Mark Carver. 7:30 p.m, Alumni Concert Hall, College of Fine Arts. A reception will follow in the CFA lobby.

—Saturday, Feb. 19: School of Art Lecture Series. Robert Breer, animation artist. 2 p.m., Carnegie Museum of Art Lecture Hall.

—Sunday, Feb. 20: Activist and writer Gloria Steinem will deliver the keynote address at the MOSAIC Conference on Women's Issues. Steinem will speak on "Feminism 101" at 10:30 a.m. in McConomy Auditorium. Following her talk, several Carnegie Mellon faculty and staff members will lead conference sessions. For a complete listing of the day's events and/or to register for MOSAIC, visit http://www.studentaffairs.cmu.edu/mosaic/index.html.

—Monday, Feb. 21: Graduate Support Programs Inter-University Graduate Students of Color Dinner. "Pittsburgh: A City of Neighborhoods." Speaker: Dr. Joe Trotter, Mellon Bank Professor of History. 6 p.m., William Pitt Union. Lunch will be served. To register, go to http://gposerver.as.cmu.edu/registration/multiregis.html

—Thursday, Feb. 24: Kiltie Band Midwinter Concert. 7 p.m. Connan Room, University Center (UC). Free.

—Thursday, Feb. 24: "Benefits of Diversity in Education." Black History Month panel discussion. 4:30 p.m., Connan Room, UC.

—Friday, Feb. 25: Carnegie Mellon will close its salute to Black History Month with "Exalted Praise: A Gospel Celebration" at 6 p.m. in Rangos Ballroom, UC. Eight gospel choirs will perform followed by a reception. Sponsored by Student Affairs, CAUSE, Graduate Student Assembly, Student Dormitory Council, Carnegie Mellon Action Project, Student Senate, Black Business Association, and the Black Faculty and Staff Association.

—Monday, Feb. 28: The Heinz School and the International Policy Club invite you to attend a lunchtime presentation featuring current Heinz School students who are members of the Peace Corps Fellows/USA program. These Returned Peace Corps Volunteers will share their experiences from around the world. Noon - 1:30 p.m., Hamburg Hall, Room 1000.

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