August 31, 2006

Vol. 17, 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)
  Bruce Gerson, 412-268-1613 (bg02@andrew.cmu.edu)
  Susan Cribbs, 412-268-7521 (cribbs@andrew.cmu.edu)

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Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell on Monday announced a $4 million state grant to support construction of the Collaborative Innovation Center II, a new 180,000-square-foot facility for Pittsburgh that is similar in mission to the Collaborative Innovation Center (CIC).

—Developed in collaboration with the Carnegie Museums through the Panther Hollow Development Corporation in the heart of the Greater Oakland Keystone Innovation Zone, this facility will aim to attract nanotechnology companies to Pittsburgh much in the same way the CIC has become a nexus for software companies. Preliminary plans call for the new facility to be connected to the CIC by a walkway across Panther Hollow.

—A keystone of the new facility will be Carnegie Mellon's Nanotechnology Commercialization Center, which focuses on nanoscale research that enables the design of innovative systems for sensing and on future energy generation and storage.

—"We desperately need this facility to do cutting-edge research in nanotechnology," said Carnegie Mellon President Jared L. Cohon during the press event at Roberts Hall. "The CIC has become the premier technology address in the world. It's the only place that has Intel, Apple, Google and a Microsoft-supported robotics lab under one roof." Cohon said the new endeavor "represents Carnegie Mellon's deep and abiding commitment to the community."

INI REPORTS 100% CAREER PLACEMENT RATE FOR ITS 2006 GRADS

The Information Networking Institute (INI) has achieved a 100 percent placement rate this year for students graduating from its Master of Science in Information Networking (MSIN) and Master of Science in Information Security Technology and Management (MSISTM) programs, said INI Director Dena Haritos Tsamitis. The INI also experienced an 82 percent increase in the number of corporate recruiters hiring its graduates, from 22 employers in 2005 to 40 employers in 2006. Salaries for INI graduates are up more than 5 percent this year, averaging $78,330 in 2006. That compares with $74,000 in 2005, according to the INI. "These numbers," said Tsamitis, "are a testament to the fact that our programs equip students with a rare blend of technical, managerial and policy expertise that makes them very attractive to employers."

—"Our students are not only getting jobs in a wide variety of fields like technology development, consulting, financial services and research, but they are getting multiple job offers too, and that's extremely exciting," said Lynn Carroll, assistant director for program development at the INI.

—Further information: http://www.cmu.edu/PR/releases06/060824_ini.html

CARNEGIE MELLON SCIENTISTS HONORED FOR "OUTSTANDING INNOVATION"

Hagen Schempf, a principal systems scientist, and his seven-member team at the National Robotics Engineering Center (NREC) in the Robotics Institute are among 100 inventors this year who will receive R&D Magazine's prestigious "100 Award" for outstanding innovation. Schempf and his team are being recognized for designing, building and deploying Explorer TM, the first remote-controlled, untethered, wireless, crawling robot that inspects underground natural gas distribution pipelines. Explorer can inspect hundreds to thousands of feet of pipe from one excavation point, which can significantly reduce costs per foot of pipe inspected. Other camera systems currently require new excavations every 100 to 200 feet. Explorer is featured in the September issue of R&D along with the other winning innovations. Schempf's teammates include NREC Research Engineer William Crowley, Electronic Technician Robert Engel, Principal Research Engineer Alan Gavaert, Commercialization Specialist Todd Graham, Mechanical Technician III Joe Martin, Senior Research Engineer Edward Mutschler and Senior Software Engineer George Skoptsov.

—Further information: http://www.cmu.edu/PR/releases06/060830_rd100.html

NEWS BRIEFS

—Any faculty, staff or student who joins the Credit Union before Sept. 15 will be entered into a drawing for an APPLE/iPod store gift certificate valued at $300. The Credit Union is also offering a new low loan rate for new computer purchases. Further information: http://www.andrew.cmu.edu/org/cmu-cu/

—Carnegie Mellon's chapter of the Phi Beta Kappa Society (Upsilon of Pennsylvania) is updating its roster of members. Carnegie Mellon faculty, staff and students who have been elected to Phi Beta Kappa (at Carnegie Mellon or elsewhere) are eligible for membership and participation in the Carnegie Mellon chapter. Send your name, email address, position/job title, Carnegie Mellon department, the college or university where you were elected to Phi Beta Kappa, the title of that institution's Phi Beta Kappa chapter, and the year of your election to Joseph Devine, chapter secretary, jd0x@andrew.cmu.edu. Submitting this information carries no automatic added obligation, though the chapter welcomes any expression of interest in chapter activities.

—Carnegie Mellon has been named one of the 100 Best Campuses for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) students in "The Advocate College Guide for LGBT Students," the first comprehensive campus guide to highlight the most LGBT-friendly campuses in the United States. The guide, published Aug. 1, cited Carnegie Mellon's positive environment, programs and services, and LGBT student coalitions as cause for the distinction. "We are extremely honored that our campus was selected and recognized as LGBT friendly," said Emmeline Altschul, president of Allies, Carnegie Mellon's LGBT rights advocacy group. "At a school this diverse, making each student feel accepted and providing support for them is of the utmost importance. We are grateful to our students, faculty and staff for their continuing support to meet all student needs."

PERSONAL MENTION

—Barbara Freed's film, "A Model for Matisse: The Story of the Vence Chapel," will be screened at 7 p.m., Sept. 20 at the Carnegie Museum of Art in Oakland. Freed is a professor of French studies and applied linguistics. Her film tells the story of Henri Matisse's friendship with the nun who inspired him to design the Chapel of the Rosary in Vence, France. The event is free and open to the public.

—Robyn Dawes, the Charles J. Queenan University Professor of Psychology, has been named a fellow of the American Statistical Association for his creative research on statistics and rational decision-making, contributions to the application of cognitive psychology to survey research, and promotion of careful statistical thinking in psychology and behavioral research.

—The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and Pittsburgh Magazine have nominated Lilly Abreu (A' 98), an adjunct faculty member in the School of Music, as one of Pittsburgh's "50 Finest in 2006." These outstanding single professionals were selected on the basis of their activity in the community, success in their careers, commitment to others through their support of charitable causes and determination by the steering committee to be the best representatives of Pittsburgh's single professionals.

—Electrical and Computer Engineering Professor Vijayakumar Bhagavatula has been elected a fellow of the International Association for Pattern Recognition for contributions to frequency-domain pattern recognition methods. He was honored at the International Conference on Pattern Recognition in Hong Kong.

—Kelvin Gregory has joined the faculty of civil and environmental engineering as an assistant professor. He graduated in 2002 from the University of Iowa and held a post-doctoral position at the University of Massachusetts until joining Carnegie Mellon. He works in the area of environmental microbiology and specializes in microbial energy generation and environmental restoration.

CALENDAR HIGHLIGHTS

—Tuesday, Sept. 5: "Speak Your Mind," a series of discussions and dinners that focus on issues of diversity set in a comfortable and casual environment. 5 - 6:30 p.m., Connan Room, University Center. Topic: "Affirmative Action: The Intentional Creation of a Diverse Carnegie Mellon." Facilitator: Mary Jo Dively, vice president and general counsel. Dinner will be served. To reserve your place for this free discussion/dinner, respond to Emily Half at ehalf@andrew.cmu.edu or 412-268-2075. Sponsored by the Office of the Dean of Student Affairs.

—Friday, Sept. 8: Mechanical Engineering Seminar. "Mechanical Machining and Metrology at Micro/Nano Scale." Presented by Steven Y. Liang, the Morris M. Bryan Jr. Professor in Mechanical Engineering for Advanced Manufacturing Systems, Georgia Institute of Technology. 11 a.m., Scaife Hall 125.

—Thursday, Sept. 21: The Carnegie Mellon Women's Association (CMWA) invites all eligible women to its annual Fall Reception. The event will be hosted by Honorary President Maureen Cohon at the president's residence from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. RSVP by Sept. 8 to Heather Andring at handring@andrew.cmu.edu or 412- 268-9510; or Jamie Rossi at jrossi@andrew.cmu.edu or 412-268-2142. The CMWA is open to all women faculty, staff and trustees and to women spouses, partners or widows of faculty, staff and trustees.

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