September 7, 2006

Vol. 17, No. 9

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.

2005 Editions are available online.

Previous editions are available online.

Several events on campus next week will be held in recognition of the fifth anniversary of the tragic events of Sept. 11, 2001. On Monday, Sept. 11, "Moments of Reflection" will be held at the Fence at 8:46, 9:02, 9:37 and 10:03 a.m. marking the exact times of the terrorist attacks. Later that day students, faculty and staff can sign up for a day of service as a way to honor the victims, heroes and volunteers of 9/11 at the "My Good Deed Drive" at the Fence. From 7 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 12, the university community is invited to participate in an open forum in the Peter-Wright Room in the University Center. The forum is titled "How has your world view been shaped by the events since Sept. 11, 2001?"

—Carnegie Mellon will host a memorial service at 4:30 p.m., Friday, Sept. 15 in the College of Fine Arts' Kresge Theatre to remember alumni, family and friends lost in the 9/11 tragedy. The service will include performances by alumnus Billy Porter (A'91) and Gary Kline, an associate teaching professor of voice in the School of Drama. Also participating will be Drama School students, and faculty members Don Wadsworth and Tony McKay. A 5:30 p.m. program at the 9/11 Memorial Tree near the tennis courts will follow the service. All community members are encouraged to participate by bringing a memory to share.

ELIZABETH BRADLEY APPOINTED TO SECOND TERM AS HEAD OF DRAMA

Carnegie Mellon has appointed Elizabeth Bradley to a second five-year term as head of the School of Drama in its College of Fine Arts. "Liz's progressive vision has moved the school and the university to a higher level of academic excellence," said Carnegie Mellon Provost and Senior Vice President Mark Kamlet. A committee that included faculty and staff from the School of Drama unanimously recommended Bradley's reappointment. The committee, headed by Susanne Slavick, former head of the School of Art, praised Bradley for her impact on the mission, program and reputation of the drama school.

—"Liz Bradley has won recognition and respect for many admirable qualities and accomplishments as head of the School of Drama. Liz's vision has led to more varied and bolder theater seasons of high artistic and production values," the committee wrote in its report. "The works featured often offered more challenge and intellectual substance than previous years before her headship. There is an 'edgier' approach to the theater season, diversifying beyond typical theater conventions. This vision is compelling and welcomed."

—Further information: http://www.cmu.edu/PR/releases06/060905_bradley.html

CYLAB RESEARCHERS CREATE NEW SYSTEM TO ADDRESS PHISHING FRAUD

Carnegie Mellon CyLab researchers have developed a new anti-phishing tool to protect users from online transactions at fraudulent Web sites. A research team led by Electrical and Computer Engineering Professor Adrian Perrig has created the Phoolproof Phishing Prevention system that protects users against all network-based attacks, even when they make mistakes. The innovative security system provides strong mutual authentication between the Web server and the user by leveraging a mobile device, such as the user's cell phone or PDA. The system is also designed to be easy for businesses to implement.

—Further information: http://www.cmu.edu/PR/releases06/060831_phishing.html

ALUMNI AWARD WINNERS ANNOUNCED

The Alumni Association Board has announced the recipients of the 2006 Alumni Association Awards. Winners and their awards are as follows. Distinguished Achievement: Frederick H. Dill (S'54, '56, E'58) and Lawrence R. Sulak (S'66). Distinguished Service: Virginia Wright Schatz (A'43). Achievement: Iris Rainer Dart (A'66), Raymond Gindroz (A'63, '65), Aaronel deRoy Gruber (MM'40) and Wilbur C. Thomas (E'44). Service: Ivan M. Faigen (E'48) and Sema Moskovitz Faigen (MM'49). Honorary Alumnus: Arthur C. Schwotzer (HA'06). Student Service: Menna Mulugetta (TPR'07) and Ramzi Ramsey (TPR'07). Faculty Service: Cindy Limauro, School of Drama, and Susanne Slavik, School of Art.

—During Homecoming and Reunion Weekend (Oct. 12-15), the university will celebrate the accomplishments of these honorees at the Alumni Award Ceremony at 7:30 p.m., Friday, Oct.13 in Rangos Ballroom. All alumni, students, faculty and staff are invited to attend. Questions can be referred to Lynn DeFabio at defabio@cmu.edu. For the Homecoming schedule, go to http://alumni.cmu.edu/homecoming/schedule.html.

NEWS BRIEFS

—President Cohon will hold an open student office hour at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 12. Students interested in meeting with President Cohon should contact Jennifer Church, Dean of Student Affairs, jcdg@andrew.cmu.edu.

—Ravikant Pathak, a researcher in the Chemical Engineering Department, is organizing a "March for Sustainability," beginning at 2 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 7 at the First Unitarian Church at 605 Morewood Ave. The march to promote a healthy, energy-efficient and sustainable environment will culminate at Flagstaff Hill in Schenley Park. Sponsors include the Pittsburgh Chapter of the Association of India's Development, the First Unitarian Church of Pittsburgh and several nonprofit organizations. Further information: http://www.geocities.com/sustainability_march/ or contact Pathak at rpp@andrew.cmu.edu.

—The Entertainment Technology Center's (ETC) 2006 "Once Upon a Toon Project" has won two Bronze Telly Awards and marks the ETC's creative and professional presence in broadcast-quality television production. Further information: http://www.etc.cmu.edu/Global/news/news.php?newsID=903550.

PERSONAL MENTION

—Gary K. Fedder has been named the Howard M. Wilkoff Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE). A professor in ECE and Robotics, Fedder is the founding co-director of the Microelectromechanical Systems (MEMS) Laboratory and was recently appointed to direct the Institute for Complex Engineered Systems. Wilkoff (E '30) founded the New England Tape Company and was a pioneer in the manufacture of plastics.

—Hilary Masters, a professor of English and creative writing, has written his ninth novel, "Elegy for Sam Emerson," published by Southern Methodist University Press. The book was reviewed Sept. 3 in the New York Times Sunday Book Review.

CALENDAR HIGHLIGHTS

—Friday, Sept. 8: The College of Engineering and the Steinbrenner Institute for Environmental Education and Research will host four journalists at a special media panel. 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Singleton Room, Roberts Hall. The program is designed to help faculty and researchers better understand the needs of reporters covering science and the environment. Panel participants are Cheryl Hogue, senior editor of the Chemical & Engineering News; David Templeton, science reporter of The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette; Allison Heinrichs, environmental reporter of The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review; and Kevin Gavin, news director of WDUQ Radio.

—Monday, Sept. 11: The Fall Session of the Free Staff Faculty Fitness program starts today. Further information: http://www.andrew.cmu.edu/org/StaffFacultyFitness/.

—Tuesday, Sept. 12: Graduate Support Program's Professional Development seminar, "Professional Skill-Sets: What are They? How Do I Get Them?" Noon - 2:30 p.m., Connan Room, UC. Register at: http://www.cmu.edu/adm/gpo/.

—Wednesday, Sept. 13: The Center for the Arts in Society presents its first installation this semester of its BYO Brain Brown Bag Series. Noon, Dowd Room, UC. Nathan Martin will present MapHub, a Web-based, multi-user, group map that explores the introduction of a geographic and historical data sharing application in an urban landscape. Bring your lunch; beverages and dessert will be provided.

—Saturday, Sept. 16: Carnegie Mellon Football vs. Westminster College. Noon, Gesling Stadium. Free with Carnegie Mellon ID.

—Sept. 17 - 21: Carnegie Mellon's Language Technologies Institute (LTI) and the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) host Interspeech 2006, the Ninth International Conference on Spoken Language Processing, at the Westin Convention Center. Between 900 and 1,000 speech scientists are expected at the conference, which encompasses a broad array of fields related to both human-to-human and human-machine speech communication. Plenary speakers include Raj Reddy, the Mozah Bint Nasser University Professor of Computer Science and Robotics, who will discuss the key issues and opportunities for extending the benefits of language technologies to the entire world. Fifteen language technologies under development at Carnegie Mellon and the University of Pittsburgh, as well as products offered by at least five local speech technology companies, will be featured in demonstrations at 5:30 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 17.

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