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Vol. XXXVIII No. 41; December 17, 2008
Editor: Adam Overland, brief@umn.edu
Inside This Issue
--The Board of Regents met Dec. 11 and 12.
--U of M receives a $40 million pledge for type 1 diabetes
research.
--UMD Bulldogs win NCAA Division II National Football
Championship.
--People: UMM's Sarah Buchanan has been invited to join the
National Screening Committee for the Fulbright English Teaching
Assistantship Scholarships; and more.
Campus Announcements and Events
University-wide | Crookston |
Duluth | Morris | Rochester | Twin Cities
THE BOARD OF REGENTS MEETING DECEMBER 11 AND 12 addressed a number of issues, including the U's response to the economy. Additionally, vice president Tim Mulcahy provided the board with the annual report on the state of University research. For more information, see meeting highlights.
U OF M RECEIVES $40 MILLION FOR TYPE 1 DIABETES RESEARCH. The U received the pledge from the Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation. The gift is the second largest in the history of the University and the second largest by an individual or family foundation to diabetes research in the United States. In recognition of the gift and the future of diabetes research, the University will rename its Diabetes Institute for Immunology and Transplantation the Schulze Diabetes Institute. For more information, see Diabetes Research.
THE UMD BULLDOGS WON THE 2008 NCAA DIVISION II NATIONAL FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP, defeating Northwest Missouri State 21-14 in Florence, Ala., on Dec. 13. This is the first national title ever for the Bulldogs. The team went undefeated (15-0) for the season. UMD held a celebration rally Dec. 16, in the Romano Gymnasium, with a welcome by chancellor Kathryn Martin and coach Bob Nielson. It included video highlights of the game. For more information, see UMD National Champions.
PEOPLE: UMM's Sarah Buchanan has been invited to join the National Screening Committee for the Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship Scholarships; a film based on an interpretation of the music of James Dillon was one of 10 recipients to receive a 2008 German Record Critics' Award; Paul Rosenblatt has been honored by the National Council on Family Relations as a new fellow; Neal Gault Jr., former dean and alumnus of the Medical School, died Dec. 11; Jim Rothenberger, longtime School of Public Health faculty member, died Dec. 8; former Department of Microbiology department head Dennis Watson passed away on Nov. 30; U in the News features a selection of U faculty cited in the media. Read about these topics and more in People.
CAMPUS ANNOUNCEMENTS AND EVENTS
BUILDINGS AFIRE, PANDEMONIUM, BROWN JUGS, and the point-a-minute squad: an intriguing set of words for a book about the history of Minnesota Gophers football. When University Relations writer Rick Moore sat down to research and write it he didn't know all the details, but the more he learned the more he burned to tell the tale. It's a history that spans from the leather helmets of old to the rigid plastic present, with a thousand touchdowns and a few tears in between. Take a look into the University of Minnesota Football Vault: Golden Gophers (Whitman Publishing, 2008), by Rick Moore, and read stories that--like sports at their ideal--not only entertain but inspire. For Moore information, read Rick Moore's Golden Gophers .
PERSONAL STRATEGIES TO RIDE OUT THE ECONOMIC DOWNTURN. The Sand Creek Group, an employee assistance counseling service, is offering a free Web seminar for all U employees, Jan. 7, 12-1 p.m. The seminar will provide an opportunity for employees to assess their fears regarding the financial downturn, modify or align personal and family finances, and strategize for short- and long-term financial security. To register, see Employee Benefits. Those unable to participate but who would like to view a recorded version of the seminar at a later date should call Lisa Dau at 1-888-243-5744.
FORMER BOSE CORP. PRESIDENT SHERWIN GREENBLATT WILL HEADLINE THE THIRD ANNUAL QUALITY FAIR, Feb 5, 9:45 a.m.-3 p.m., McNamara Alumni Center. Greenblatt, who will give the keynote address, is a past interim executive vice president at MIT and currently heads the MIT Venture Mentoring Service. This year's Quality Fair theme is "Working Smarter." Sessions will highlight tools to use for improvement projects. All U employees are invited to submit Working Smarter ideas for $25 and $75 prizes, with a chance for a department to win $500 if an idea is implemented. Application forms are available on the registration site.
2009 BUSINESS MILEAGE RATE CHANGE: The IRS has announced changes in the standard business mileage rates. Beginning Jan. 1, the standard business mileage reimbursement rate for personal vehicle use on approved University business will decrease from 58.5 to 55 cents per mile. The standard mileage rate for moving expenses decreases from 27 to 24 cents per mile. For more information, see the rates section at Appendix D, U of M policy, Traveling on University Business.
UMC IMPLEMENTED TWO NEW ACADEMIC AGREEMENTS with community and technical colleges in the state. UMC's Agriculture Department signed articulation agreements with Minnesota State Community and Technical College, Fergus Falls, and Minnesota West Community and Technical College, Worthington. For more information, see agreements.
THE AFRICAN WORLD AIDS DAY PLANNING COMMITTEE hosted its fifth annual African World AIDS Day. The conference, held at South High School in Minneapolis, was themed "United in the Fight Against AIDS." UMC's Alvin Killough gave the keynote address, "Being Black in the United States With HIV/AIDS." The commemoration of African World AIDS Day is part of a national observance that began in 1988, marking Dec. 1 as World AIDS Day. For more information, see World AIDS Day.
GLENSHEEN HISTORIC CONGDON ESTATE is holding its annual holiday brunch and tour, Dec. 20 and 21. Tours begin at 10 a.m., with a holiday brunch in the mansion's winter garden at 11 a.m. For tickets and more information, call 218-726-8910 or see holiday brunch.
GLENSHEEN'S "Living Literature" series features a night with Truman Capote with the reading of his classic tale, A Christmas Story, on Dec. 18, 19, and 20, 7 p.m. For tickets and information, call 218-726-8910 or see Glensheen.
MARSHAL W. ALWORTH PLANETARIUM PRESENTS ITS FINAL TWO SHOWS OF 2008. "The Star of Bethlehem" is set for Dec. 20, 7 p.m. "The Astronomical Year in Review" will take place Dec. 31, 7 p.m. For more information, see year-end shows.
THE UMM ALUMNI ASSOCIATION SPONSORED the third annual Senior Banquet, Dec. 12. The event is a special occasion for the Senior Legacy Committee to announce the Class of 2009's gift to UMM. It also honors seniors who will graduate in December 2008 and May 2009.
UMR CHANCELLOR RECEIVES MAYOR'S MEDAL OF HONOR. On Dec. 9, UMR chancellor Stephen Lehmkuhle was one of eight recipients of the Mayor's Medal of Honor for 2008. The chancellor received his medal at a luncheon honoring those who have made a significant contribution to the city of Rochester.
THE UNIVERSITY IS OFFERING A HOME BUYING INCENTIVE PROGRAM. The University District Home Buyer Incentive Program is designed for U employees seeking to purchase a home in one of the University District neighborhoods, including Cedar Riverside/West Bank, Marcy Holmes, Prospect Park East River Road, and Southeast Como. The program was developed through a partnership among the U, the City of Minneapolis, and the West Bank, Marcy Holmes, South East Como, and Prospect Park East River Road neighborhood associations. The incentive program provides down payment or closing cost assistance through a $10,000, 2 percent interest loan that requires no monthly payments and is forgivable over five years. The program will launch Jan. 1. For more information, see employee home buying incentive.
GOPHER FOOTBALL TICKETS ARE ON SALE FOR THE INSIGHT BOWL. Minnesota (7-5) will take on Kansas (7-5) on Dec. 31, 5 p.m., Tempe, Ariz., Sun Devil Stadium. Affordable bus packages for fans start at $325 per person. Additionally, University athletics and the Alumni Association are sponsoring the official fan bowl tour with Creative Charters. The tour includes airfare, hotel, and related transportation. For more information, see Insight Bowl.
THE INTERDISCIPLINARY CENTER FOR THE STUDY OF GLOBAL CHANGE (ICGC) sponsors fellowship competitions to support graduate students at UMTC committed to the study of global change, especially as seen in the global south (particularly Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Latin America, and the Middle East) and in communities of color within North America. The center is seeking nominations of students by departments. Applications are due by Jan. 30. Awards will be announced in March. Fellowship competition materials are available from the ICGC office, 537 Heller Hall; at the ICGC Web site; or by e-mail request.
THE INSTITUTE FOR MATHEMATICS AND ITS APPLICATIONS will hold a public lecture entitled "Making Sense of Sensors," Jan. 22, 7 p.m., 125 Willey Hall. The lecture features Robert Ghrist of the University of Pennsylvania, and is part of the Math Matters series, which features distinguished mathematicians and scientists and is aimed at a broad audience. For more information, see Math Matters.
SCHOOL OF DENTISTRY CLINICS ARE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC and include a full range of dental services. Faculty-supervised student dentists, hygienists, and dental residents provide professional care. General and specialty dental services for children and adults are available, including checkups and braces. All clinic fees are reduced to reflect the student status of the caregiver. East Bank clinic hours are M-F, 8:15 a.m.-noon, and 1:15-4 p.m. For more information, call 612-625-2495.
MORE EVENTS include "Children of the Haskalah--the Emergence of New Jewish Culture in Germany" (Dec. 18); Tin Box Art Show: Graphic Design Senior Show (Dec. 20); Men's Basketball v. Southeastern Louisiana (Dec. 23); Men's Basketball v. High Point (Dec. 28); Winter Discovery Day Camps (Dec. 29-30); Men's Basketball v. Michigan State (Dec. 31). SEE THESE AND MORE TWIN CITIES CAMPUS EVENTS.
Published by Internal Communications in the Office of University Relations at the University of Minnesota. Please send comments, questions, or submissions to the editor at brief@umn.edu. The deadline for submissions is noon on the Friday before publication. All Twin Cities event submissions are handled through the events calendar at http://events.tc.umn.edu.
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