Past Issues

March 21, 2002
March 7, 2002
Feb. 21, 2002
Feb. 7, 2002
Jan. 24, 2002
Jan. 11, 2002
Dec. 13, 2001
Nov. 29, 2001
Nov. 8, 2001
Oct. 26, 2001
Oct.11, 2001
Sept. 27, 2001

Current Issue

April 4, 2002

1. Split decision for basketball coaches
2. Summit launches resource for older Minnesotans
3. U student wins Truman Scholarship
4. Return of the Centennial Showboat
5. Humanity the focus for Morris spring breakers
6. Vet college looks rescued horses in the mouth
7. U of M Happenings
8. Links

U IN THE NEWS
Women's basketball coach Brenda Oldfield will be the new head coach at Maryland.
Split decision for basketball coaches
In a day filled with emotional highs and lows, the University both won and lost. On Tuesday, April 2, University officials, student-athletes and fans waited as both women's basketball coach Brenda Oldfield and men's basketball coach Dan Monson, considered their futures. Ultimately, Monson decided to stay at Minnesota while Oldfield announced her departure.

"We are delighted that Coach Monson will remain here at Minnesota; he's had tremendous success and has really built a strong foundation for this program," said University of Minnesota President Mark Yudof, who personally encouraged both coaches to stay.

Oldfield announced her decision on Tuesday to accept the head coaching job at Maryland.

"We made every effort to keep Coach Oldfield at the University of Minnesota," said Yudof. "We put a great offer on the table and showed her how committed we are to women's basketball. Unfortunately, factors beyond our control were at play and Coach Oldfield made a decision that she felt was best for her. We wish her the best of luck."

According to Yudof and women's athletics director Chris Voelz, the University put a very competitive retention offer on the table.

"Coach Oldfield knew how much we valued her and wanted to keep her here," Yudof noted. "I truly believe that she made this decision for personal and professional reasons, not because of anything within the University's control."

Oldfield told her players of her decision on Tuesday. Responding to the media after hearing the news, players said that although they are disappointed to see their coach leave, they are excited and optimistic about the future. Yudof, who restated his commitment to a successful women's basketball program during the broadcast on Tuesday afternoon of "Beyond the U" on WCCO Radio, shared the players' enthusiasm.

"The University is very proud of the women's basketball team's accomplishments during the 2001-02 season," said Yudof. "We have a great core of returning players, and we will work quickly to find a new coach—one who can build on the new winning tradition at the University of Minnesota."

A search for a new women's basketball coach will begin immediately.

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Summit launches resource for older Minnesotans
With the flip of a switch, the Minnesota Vital Aging Summit ended—and a new resource for older adults was created. On Tuesday, March 26, an overflow crowd of 400 people watched the launching of the Vital Aging Network Web site, www.van.umn.edu.

Earlier in the day, the crowd gathered at the Earle Brown Center on the St. Paul campus to hear from doctors, advocates, and authors about how people can get the most out of their older years. Connie Goldman, a University alumnus and author of The Secrets of Becoming a Late Bloomer, urged attendees not to view getting older the way society does—as a negative. "Society only looks at what people lose when they get old," she said. "I prefer to look at what I've gained, and I've gained a lot."

Other speakers encouraged the audience to get involved in volunteerism, lifelong learning, and personal enrichment. Dr. Ed Creagan, a professor with the Mayo Medical School's Department of Oncology, shared the secrets of successful aging. "Take care of your body," he said. "Turn the odds of a long and healthy life in your favor by making healthy, positive choices."

According to Mary Nichols, dean of the College of Continuing Education, sponsor of the summit, the event was a success the University can build on. "The summit was an exhilarating experience for everyone involved," she said. "The next step is to channel that enthusiasm into the programming that we already do, such as the Elderhostel Program, the ElderLearning Institute, and the Split Rock Arts Program. We will look to expand our programs to continue to meet the needs of older adults."

The first part of that expansion took place at the end of the summit when the Web site was launched. Designed for adults in mid-life and beyond who are seeking personal direction or opportunities for productive activities, the site features tools for self-assessment; lists of classes throughout the state; suggested reading; information about volunteer and employment opportunities; and educational and planning tools for communities, service providers, employers, and public officials. It also will be updated frequently with local and national news about issues and initiatives related to aging.

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U student wins Truman Scholarship
A U of M student with a long list of public service achievements has been awarded a prestigious 2002 Harry S. Truman Scholarship—a national scholarship that recognizes commitment to careers in public service.

David Simon, a junior from Moorhead who is majoring in political science, Russian, and global studies, discovered the joy of public service when he volunteered as an assistant teacher in a kindergarten class during his junior year at Moorhead High School.

"When I first found out about winning the Truman, I was incredibly excited and felt a rare sense of accomplishment," Simon said. "In reflecting on this achievement, however, I find that winning was just the icing on the cake. The money is only a small part of the award. Those who make the commitment to go through the scholarship application process are ultimately forced to question themselves about what really matters to them, and how they intend to transform their aspirations into reality. Moreover, the true benefits of the Truman Scholarship are embedded in the knowledge each candidate has inked on his or her respective application."

Simon carried his passion for education to the University. He established the Parliamentary Debate Society as a freshman, served as its president for two years, raised $135,000 to hire a coach, and sent team members to competitions all over the country. He also established and presided over the Russian Club and is a student in the College of Liberal Arts Honors Program.

Outside the University, Simon interned for Minnesota Advocates for Human Rights, where he worked on issues relating to women, immigrants, and political asylum through various educational outreach programs.

Simon also worked as a researcher and speechwriter for a Member of Parliament in the British House of Commons in London during his freshman year. Last summer he interned at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York and wrote a virtual book on national missile defense.

This past year, Simon studied and traveled in Russia where he taught English and established a parliamentary debate society there as well. Simon is working to bring some Russian students to attend a debate at the University of Minnesota next year. He also lectured on American politics and culture at the Institute of American Studies in Voronezh.

In Moscow, Simon worked as an interpreter, cultural liaison, and researcher for KIDSAVE, an organization that helps parents from foreign countries adopt Russian children. He also landed a job as a researcher for the Moscow bureau chief of the New York Times.

Prior to working with the Times, the newspaper published two opinion pieces by Simon. This summer, Simon plans to either work for the Times in Washington, D.C., or return to the Council on Foreign Relations in New York.

Simon plans to pursue a master's degree in international affairs at either Columbia or Oxford University, then a law degree. He hopes to work as a specialist at the State Department in the Bureau of Arms Control or the Council on Foreign Relations, or as a foreign affairs columnist for an American newspaper. His eventual goal is to become U.S. National Security Adviser.

"Without scholarships, I'd have to spend time juggling part-time jobs to pay for classes," Simon says. "Scholarships allow me to devote myself to reading and research. If I didn't get these scholarships, I probably wouldn't have stayed at Minnesota."

The Truman Scholarship is awarded every year to 80 outstanding college students nationwide. Winners must demonstrate a commitment to careers in public service. Truman Scholars receive up to $3,000 to complete their undergraduate education and up to $27,000 for graduate study, along with advice, training, and placement assistance from the Truman Foundation.

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The new University of Minnesota Centennial Showboat is making its way up the Mississippi.
Return of the Centennial Showboat
Forty-four years to the month after the General John Newton paddlewheel boat made its way up the Mississippi River and became a token of the State of Minnesota's Centennial celebration, the brand new University of Minnesota Centennial Showboat will arrive at Harriet Island Regional Park in mid-April.
Similar to how the General John Newton traveled in 1958, the new showboat left Greenville, Mississippi, on Saturday, March 30, and began its journey upstream with a line of barges. The journey takes approximately 18 to 20 days and is largely dependent on the weather and current conditions.

The original showboat burned to its waterline in January 2000. After a debate over whether to rebuild or replace the boat, the University decided to build a new boat. To support the rebuilding and return of the showboat $1.3 million has been raised in private gifts.
Upon its arrival, the showboat will be taken to its new home on Harriet Island. The Showboat's interior will be completed over the next few months by University student workers and alumni.
A celebration is planned for the April arrival of the Minnesota Centennial Showboat at the new showboat landing, East Park grounds, next to the Covington Inn. After that, the theatre department will mark the boat's grand premiere season with its production of Doctor Jekyll and Mister Hyde, which will run from July 5 to August 25.

See cla.umn.edu/theatre/showboat.html for the latest information on the showboat's progress up the Mississippi River.

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Humanity the focus for Morris spring breakers
Contrary to what the media reports, not all college students head for sunny beaches and wild parties during spring break. Four University of Minnesota, Morris students—Sona Parker, Jackie Scheve, James Gekas, and Liz Anderson—participated in the Habitat for Humanity Collegiate Challenge in Jacksonville, Florida, during spring break this year.

At the challenge, the students were involved in several elements of construction, including roofing, chalking, measuring, and framing. With help from professional construction workers, students started with a simple concrete foundation and ended with "a great feeling to know that you are a part of creating a home for others," says Parker.

According to Parker, participating in Habitat for Humanity was a wonderful experience and extremely "fulfilling for students." She also "hopes for more trips in the upcoming years and more student involvement in creating a new UMM chapter of Habitat for Humanity."

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Vet college looks rescued horses in the mouth
The University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) has begun a partnership that will provide relief for animals in need. The CVM has joined forces with the Minnesota Hooved Animal Rescue Foundation, an organization that rescues, cares for, and finds adoptive homes for neglected, abused, and unwanted horses, to bring horses to the University's Veterinary Teaching Hospital for free dental care. In addition to helping the animals, the partnership provides a hands-on teaching opportunity for veterinary students.

"This partnership is a great collaboration," said veterinarian Julie Wilson. "It allows our College of Veterinary Medicine to give its students a great learning opportunity while providing a wonderful service. Many rescued horses have poor teeth, which impacts their ability to chew and digest food properly and can lead to secondary problems such as sinus infections and immune dysfunction."

Last week, two horses, Casper and Pride, arrived at the hospital from northern Minnesota. Both horses had such severe dental problems that they were undernourished from not eating properly. Students tended to the animals and even filed down a set of teeth that had grown so long they were described as 'tusks.' The prognosis is good for them; they've found permanent homes and are on their way toward reaching their ideal weight.

"It's great for us to work with the college," said Drew Fitzpatrick, who heads the Rescue Foundation. "We want to provide continuing education that benefits the lives of horses in Minnesota."

The Veterinary Teaching Hospital is one of the largest, most comprehensive veterinary hospitals in the country, with more than 33,000 patient visits annually and more than 50 board-certified veterinary specialists on staff.

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U OF M HAPPENINGS

The University of Minnesota, Crookston will host the regional Intercollegiate Horse Show Association championship. The competition begins Saturday, April 6 at 9 a.m. at the University Teaching and Outreach Center Arena on the north edge of the campus. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, call 218-281-8125.

Forums seeking public comment on a draft report to identify the U's strengths and opportunities in terms of the environment will be held Tuesday, April 9, 2-4 p.m. and Wednesday April 10, 9-11 a.m. in the Ski-U-Mah Room, McNamara Alumni Center on the Twin Cities campus, and April 12, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., 203 Montague Hall at the University of Minnesota Duluth. The Commission on Environmental Science and Policy is responsible for the report which will help shape the U's 2003-04 legislative request. To view the report, visit www.umn.edu/enviro. For more information, call 612-624-1234.

Don Wolf, senior scientist at the Oregon Regional Primate Research Center will present "The Revolution in Sexual and Asexual Reproduction: Does It Lead to Cloning?" on Wednesday, April 10 at 11:30 a.m., 25 Mondale Hall at the University of Minnesota Law School. The lecture, which is part of the Faegre and Benson Lecture Series on Law, Health and the Life Sciences, is free and open to the public. For more information, call 612-625-0055 or e-mail lawalue@umn.edu.

The third annual University of Minnesota, Morris Spring Ball fundraiser will be Friday, April 12 at 8 p.m. in the Historic Lakeside Ballroom on Lake Minnewaska in Glenwood. Tickets ($5-$100) are available at the door. Proceeds will go to the Imholte Scholarship Fund and the Humanities Phase III Performing Arts Center Project. For more information, contact Jim Gremmels at 320-589-6448 or gremmels@mrs.umn.edu.

Congressman Martin Olav Sabo will give the inaugural address in the Martin Olav Sabo Lecture Series Monday, April 15 at 11 a.m. in Cowles Auditorium on the Twin Cities campus. The lecture is free and open to the public. RSVPs are encouraged. For more information, contact Janice Young at 612-626-0347 or jyoung@hhh.umn.edu.

The University of Minnesota, Duluth will host the Baeumler-Kaplan Holocaust Commemoration April 15-18. The keynote address will be presented by Marion Blumenthal Lazan, a Holocaust survivor, on Wednesday, April 17 at 4 p.m. in the Kirby Student Center Ballroom. For more information, call 218-726-7528.

A gubernatorial forum, sponsored by the Student Legislative Coalition, will be Wednesday, April 17 at 7:30 p.m. in the Ted Mann Concert Hall on the Twin Cities campus. Candidates Tim Pawlenty, Brian Sullivan, Judi Dutcher, Roger Moe, and Becky Lourey will attend. The forum is free and open to the public, but tickets are required. Call 612-627-7689 or e-mail tickets@umnscl.com.

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LINKS

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University of Minnesota Alumni Association: Your membership makes a difference.

U of M Legislative Network: Read about the University's legislative request and how you can help.

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