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May 4, 2006 Vol. 16, No. 41
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. 2004 Editions are available online. 2005 Editions are available online. Previous editions are available online.
RICHARD McCULLOUGH REAPPOINTED DEAN OF MELLON COLLEGE OF SCIENCE Chemistry Professor Richard McCullough has been reappointed to a second five-year term as dean of the Mellon College of Science. "The unanimous . . . opinion of the people [interviewed] is that Rick McCullough is an extremely effective dean," stated the Evaluation Committee in its executive report. "He acts strategically and is supportive of the programs and faculty in the college. He has an impressive grasp of the science in the college and is an effective spokesperson for the whole college." —In a memo to the MCS community, Senior Vice President and Provost Mark Kamlet noted that each of the departments in MCS has done well during McCullough's first five-year term. He pointed out the hiring of excellent new faculty and the rising number of undergraduate applications to MCS. He also said research in the college has steadily risen in all areas during McCullough's tenure. "Rick has been an outstanding dean and I am delighted he is willing to serve for another five-year term," Kamlet said. REPORT EVALUATES ALLEGHENY COUNTY'S ECOLOGICAL HEALTH The university's STUDIO for Creative Inquiry, an interdisciplinary arts research center, presented a report titled "Ecology and Recovery Allegheny County" on May 3 in the College of Fine Arts Great Hall. The report evaluates the ecological health and vitality of Allegheny County and is the first study by an arts institution to suggest strategies for improving the ecological health of a region. The report is a culmination of five years of work from 3 Rivers 2nd Nature, a team of artists directed by STUDIO fellows Tim Collins and Reiko Goto. During that time, the team collaborated with scientists, architects and engineers to present techniques for preserving, conserving and restoring the region's environmental assets. —The report says uncontrolled development and the downstream impact of upstream development means Allegheny County may have to contend with a century or more of flooding from its rivers, streams and creeks. It also warns that recent development activity--such as steep slope housing, residential development downwind of a coke plant and a proposed riverfront highway--will be detrimental to the county's health. The report provides recommendations for preserving river corridors. —Further information: http://www.cmu.edu/PR/releases06/060502_ecology.html. CFA APPOINTS NEW HEAD OF THE SCHOOL OF ART The College of Fine Arts has announced the appointment of John Carson as the Regina Gouger Miller Department Head of the School of Art. Carson succeeds Susanne Slavick, who will take a year sabbatical and return to the school's faculty. "John Carson comes to us from one of the great London art schools and brings with him extensive experience in leading one of the top UK programs," said Hilary Robinson, dean of the College of Fine Arts. "He is a wonderful communicator about the role of art in broader communities and a believer in artists as agents for change. It will be a great pleasure to see his sensibilities at work in the university and in the city of Pittsburgh." Carson joins Carnegie Mellon from Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design in London. —Further information: http://www.cmu.edu/PR/releases06/060502_carson.html. ROBOTICS ENGINEERING CENTER UNVEILS UNMANNED COMBAT VEHICLES The National Robotics Engineering Center (NREC) in the School of Computer Science's Robotics Institute recently unveiled a unique unmanned ground vehicle that offers new strength, mobility and autonomy features for the Army's effort to keep its troops out of harm's way. The 6.5-ton "Crusher" combines the strength and mobility of a predecessor known as "Spinner" with NREC-developed autonomy capabilities to create an extremely robust, unmanned vehicle that can function on its own in challenging off-road terrain. Since Crusher and its predecessor do not have to accommodate human crews, their novel designs offer unequaled ruggedness, mobility and payload-carrying capacity compared to manned vehicles in their weight class. —Crusher's hull is made from high-strength aluminum tubes and titanium nodes protected by a steel skid plate that can absorb shocks from impacts with rocks or tree stumps. Its unique suspension enables it to move smoothly over extremely rough terrain and overcome obstacles like large ditches, man-made barriers or piles of boulders. It can carry more than 8,000 pounds of payload and armor. —Further information, including a short video: http://www.cmu.edu/cmnews/extra/060428_crusher.html. NEWS BRIEFS —The Department of Athletics has announced that FieldTurf will be installed in Gesling Stadium this summer. FieldTurf uses silica sand, cryogenic rubber and a patented layering process to emulate natural grass. FieldTurf has been installed at many colleges and universities, and is used by many National Football League franchises. —The STUDIO for Creative Inquiry's MapHub project has launched Trailposts.com, a Web site where long-distance hikers on the Appalachian Trail can share their comments, location and journals with other hikers, family and friends. The significance of Trailposts is that it allows hikers who spend months on the Appalachian Trail to keep track of water supplies, clean shelters and where they can find their friends or other hikers. As the project develops, the creators plan on using Trailposts for state parks and river trails. For more information, visit http://www.cmu.edu/PR/releases06/060427_trailposts.html. PERSONAL MENTION —The Edward and Rose Berman Hillel Jewish University Center (JUC) of Pittsburgh will honor President Jared L. Cohon and University of Pittsburgh Chancellor Mark Nordenberg at 6 p.m., Sunday, May 7 at the Hillel JUC's Joseph Stern Building at 4607 Forbes Avenue. The Hillel JUC is honoring Cohon and Nordenberg for fostering a mutually beneficial relationship between the Hillel JUC and the universities they serve. Further information: http://www.cmu.edu/cmnews/extra/060502_hillel.html. —Marta Sanchez, Emerita Professor of Music, died on April 15. She was the founder of the Dalcroze Eurythmics program. On Friday, May 12, campus friends, colleagues and students are invited to an informal gathering from 5 to 6 p.m. in Schatz Dining Hall, UC, to share memories. A memorial celebration to honor Sanchez will be held on campus July 14. Information will be posted at http://www.cmu.edu/music. —The Mellon College of Science's awards for education and research were presented May 2 during the college's Annual Faculty Meeting. Curtis Meyer, professor of physics, received the Julius Ashkin Award for Excellence in Teaching for unusual devotion and effectiveness in teaching undergraduate students. William Hrusa, professor of mathematical sciences, received the Richard Moore Award, which recognizes faculty members who have made substantial and sustained contributions to MCS' educational mission. Michael Picollelli, a graduate student in Mathematical Sciences, and Delia Laura-Popescu, a graduate student in Chemistry, received the Hugh D. Young Graduate Teaching Award. The Guy C. Berry Graduate Research Award, which recognizes excellence in research by MCS graduate students, was presented to Mike Williams, a fifth year graduate student in the Department of Physics. Jennifer Jocz and Monisha Mandalaywala each received the Dr. J. Paul Fugassi and Linda E. Monteverde Award, an endowed grant awarded to students conducting research. CALENDAR HIGHLIGHTS —Friday, May 5: "Open Conversation with President Cohon." An informal Q&A session with the President. Beverages will be served. Noon - 1 p.m., Rangos III, UC. Sponsored by the President's Office and Staff Council. —Friday, May 5: Premiere of the student-produced feature film "The Routes of Wild Flowers." 8 p.m., McConomy Auditorium. To see a trailer, visit http://artscool.cfa.cmu.edu/~asakura/wildflowersite/trailer.htm. —May 5 - 21: Carnegie Mellon's Regina Gouger Miller Gallery presents the 2006 Senior Exhibition, "ARTSCOOL." Opening reception: 6 - 8 p.m., Friday, May 5. The reception is free and open to the public. The gallery is open from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday. Further information: http://www.cmu.edu/PR/releases06/060502_bfa.html.
—Thursday, May 11: Design Exposition. "Assistive Devices for Disabilities and Geriatrics." 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., University Center Commons. Graduating Mechanical Engineering students will show their capstone design projects. Further information: http://www.cmu.edu/me/ddl/jmichalek/CMU-ME-DesignExpoPoster.pdf.
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