What's Inside

Eye on immigration
(Nov. 10, 2006) Immigration remains a hot topic among policy makers, as well as the average citizen. Recently, the U's Center for the Study of Politics and Governance invited some immigration experts and three Minnesota mayors to offer insights on U.S. immigration.

Saving young hearts
(Nov. 10, 2006) As CEHD's Donald Dengel researches ways to help overweight children avoid serious health problems, he urges changes in the school system.

University physicians join with doctors in India
(From eNews, Nov. 9, 2006) University of Minnesota physicians have performed more than 4,000 blood and marrow transplants (BMT) since undertaking the world's first successful BMT in 1968. Recently, they established a research and clinical care partnership with the Manipal Hospital in India to share their expertise in this field.

Services industries and global warming
(From eNews, Nov. 9, 2006) Sangwon Suh's research contradicts assumptions about global warming often preferred by some economists and national policy experts. The University professor has found that the shift toward services industries won't reduce global warming.

Father and daughter face off on basketball court
(Nov. 7, 2006) The final score of the Golden Gophers-Golden Eagles basketball game Sunday was only a part of the drama of the game. University of Minnesota player Kelly Roysland's father, Mike Roysland, is the first-year head coach of the Crookston team.

Use of diet pills by teen girls nearly doubles
(Nov. 7, 2006; also published in M, winter 2007) The use of diet pills by high school-aged females has nearly doubled over a five-year period from 7.5 percent to 14.2 percent, according to a recent study by the University's "Project EAT" (Eating Among Teens).

UMM honored for campus-community collaboration
(Nov. 7, 2006) The Center for Small Towns at the University of Minnesota, Morris (UMM), and the City of Morris have been named recipients of the Carter Partnership Award for Campus-Community Collaboration. The award was presented by former Senator John Glenn during ceremonies held Oct. 30 at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul.

Lucky 13th anniversary for the Motorist Assistance Program
(From Brief, Nov. 8, 2006) Superheroes are on campus every day

CAPA encourages involvement in classification and compensation study
(From Brief, Nov. 8, 2006) A study is underway at the U to evaluate the benefits of being in the U¿s P&A employee category.

DWI Task Force implements change beyond the University
(Brief, Nov. 8, 2006) Minnesota's DWI legal process, including blood-alcohol testing results and vehicle plate impoundment, has undergone a number of changes thanks to Law School professor Steve Simon.

Fuel in a flash
(Nov. 3, 2006 ) Biomass has huge potential as an energy source, but converting it into a manageable fuel is slow and expensive. That could change now that a team led by Regents Professor Lanny Schmidt has found a way to transcend some of the difficulties and convert vegetable oil and sugar directly into hydrogen.

Between science and society
(Nov. 3, 2006) Mark Borrello explores the fields of biology, history and philosophy to weigh in on the cultural dispute over teaching evolution versus intelligent design.

Out of a phone call, an unlikely friendship
(Oct. 31, 2006) For Jamie Johnson, a spontaneous idea turned into a phone call. And that phone call has led to a unique friendship that has changed two lives and helped to lighten a dark memory.

U researchers advance narrow commuter vehicle
(Oct. 31, 2006) For almost half a decade, a University research team has been developing and refining a prototype narrow commuter vehicle. Their current edition is a three-wheeled model with a driver-protective roll cage that seats one.

Mile 853: Mississippi meets the U
(Oct. 31. 2006) When the U commissioned alum Barbra Nei to create a public art for its historic Jones Hall, the artist envisioned a river of information that pays tribute to University research and to the river that snakes through the Twin Cities campus.

The key word is choice
(Brief, Nov. 1, 2006) Two staff members in Employee Benefits share their own processes for weighing health benefits options and making choices by the Nov. 30 open enrollment deadline.

U survey shows broad alumni impact
(Oct. 30, 2006) The results are in: A recent survey shows that as entrepreneurs, employers, public servants and volunteers, U alumni are making a difference in their communities.

Crookston continues online leadership
(Oct. 27, 2006) Thanks to the recent blanket accreditation for offering current degree programs online, the U's Crookston campus is making its presence felt across the state and nation.

Trick-or-treat safety
(From eNews, Oct. 26, 2006) University of Minnesota Extension Service educator Kia Harries has some tips to make Halloween safe and healthy for children who plan to go trick-or-treating.

Partnering with hospitals on safety training
(From eNews, Oct. 26, 2006) A team from the University of Minnesota, Fairview Health Services and the Federal Aviation Administration is developing and implementing on-site simulation drills to improve the ability of health care individuals to function as a team.

Bruininks tours north central Minnesota
(Oct. 24, 2006) President Bob Bruininks spent two days last week in north central Minnesota touring University facilities, meeting with citizens and community leaders and outlining his vision for the future of the University of Minnesota. He was also the recipient of an interesting honor.

Alternative voices spark debate
(Oct. 24, 2006) A speaker series and course on "The Middle East and U.S. Foreign Policy: Alternative Voices" has garnered enthusiasm from Vinay Gidwani's students--and criticism from other quarters.

Allen Levine named dean of CFANS
(Brief, Oct. 25, 2006) A Q&A with Levine, whose appointment follows an extensive national search and will begin Nov. 13 upon approval by the regents.

Loving the commute
(Brief, Oct. 25, 2006) If you think you might be moving or even buying a house, neighborhoods next to the Twin Cities campus in Minneapolis and St. Paul want you.

A way to grow
(Brief, Oct. 25, 2006) Each year, the CSC has $2,000 available to support civil service staff members professional development needs. Apply now.

Mapping the way to food security
(Brief, Oct. 25, 2006) Department of Rhetoric associate professor Bernadette Longo is tackling the social justice issue of food security and its health implications in the Northside community of Minneapolis, an example of the University's public engagement.

Walking history
(Oct. 20, 2006) In 1943, Merrilyn Dawson's heart surgery was considered highly experimental, but 63 years later she came back to the University of Minnesota Medical Center and underwent a now-standard, much less painful heart procedure.

New grant opens imaging opportunities
(Oct. 20, 2006 ) After reeling in a big grant from the National Institutes of Health, the University's Center for Magnetic Resonance Research will be able to open its state-of-the-art imaging technology to many more neuroscience researchers.

Technology and collaboration to advance Crookston campus vision
(Brief, Oct. 18, 2006) Online degree programs, international partnerships, innovation and leadership development could define the next stage in the evolution of the University of Minnesota, Crookston. UMC hosted a forum on U strategic positioning Oct. 11.

Class of 2010 shows great promise
(Oct. 17, 2006) The University of Minnesota reports an increase of 4 percent in freshman enrollment--plus a rise in student preparedness and on-time degree completion.

Transformational Leadership Program heads north
(Brief, Oct. 18, 2006) In October, 23 UMD employees began a training program to improve processes, from admissions to facilities management. The program helps participants to see their work from the perspective of those served.

Engaged and engaging
(Oct. 17, 2006) If they can't go to the big city, Morris students make sure they get the best of arts, culture and politics by bringing the talent to them.

Walk for wellness
(Brief, Oct. 18, 2006) The new 10,000 Steps program invites U employees statewide to boost their physical activity while enjoying the fall weather.

Of fire, felling and selling: Northern forests tell their tale
( ) The fifth episode of the public TV series 'Minnesota: History of the Land,' produced by the University's Bell Museum of Natural History, focuses on northern forests.

Bell debuts TV production unit
(From eNews, Oct. 12, 2006) This month the U's Bell Museum of Natural History debuts its film production company, Bell Museum Productions, and its inaugural documentary, "The Northern Forest," on Twin Cities Public Television Wednesday, Oct. 18. The show traces the forest's role in Minnesota's quality of life and economy.

Bloodthirsty travelers: Bedbugs are biting again
(From eNews, Oct. 12, 2006) Several factors have combined to encourage the recent resurgence of bedbugs, including the banning of long-acting pesticides like DDT and the prevalence of international travel. U entomologist Stephen Kells hopes his research will contribute to our efforts to keep bedbugs at bay.

An exceptional drive continues
(Oct. 11, 2006) The U's historic fund-raising drive for student support reaches significant milestones, but creating more educational opportunities remains a top University priority.

Goodbye crows, hello fall
(Oct. 11, 2006) The University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum celebrates autumn and the harvest season with its first scarecrow exhibit. "Scarecrows on Parade," featuring more than 30 unique garden folk, runs through Oct. 31.

A new vision for Minnesota preK-12 education
(Brief, Oct. 11, 2006) The U's Consortium for Postsecondary Academic Success convened with superintendents and others Oct. 6. The goal is to strengthen and broaden the pipeline to higher education across the state.

U student named top-10 college woman
(Oct. 10, 2006) Glamour magazine has named Rebecca Mitchell one of its top 10 college women in the nation for 2006. She's featured in the magazine's October issue in an article titled "Brilliant, brave and under 25!"

Stories that need telling
(Brief, Oct. 11, 2006) Scribes for Human Rights, a partnership between the University of Minnesota's programs in human rights and creative writing, allows graduate students to delve deeper into critical issues and share their writing with the public.

Great balls of fire
(Oct. 24, 2006) NASA's twin STEREO spacecraft will keep an eye--actually two eyes--on the sun. Aboard are University-built instruments to gather clues to why the sun sometimes erupts in gigantic explosions that can knock out power grids, interfere with communications and weather satellites and even threaten astronauts.

What everybody should do
(Brief, Oct. 11, 2006) Four years ago, professor Yoji Shimizu recognized through the University's annual Community Fund Drive that he could help beyond a financial contribution.

Curbing fallout and acid rain
( Oct. 10, 2006) University researcher Eville Gorham's studies of how radioactive fallout and acid rain distribute themselves in the environment drove the movements for nuclear test bans and rules requiring power plants to install scrubbers.

Growing strong
(Oct. 6, 2006) The University of Minnesota Extension Service awarded its prestigious Dean and Director Award to the Minnesota Soybean Growers Association in September in recognition of the associations strong support of research, programming and education.

Splendor in the grass
( ) Nature photography is at its best in the Bell Museum exhibit "Touch the Sky: Prairie Photographs by Jim Brandenburg." Brandenburg, a National Geographic photographer considered one of the world's top wildlife photographers, unveils the beauty of the prairie that once covered most of Minnesota.

Colin Powell looks at leadership
(Oct. 4, 2006) Colin Powell gave the Humphrey Institute's Distinguished Carlson Lecture Series talk on the Twin Cities campus earlier this month and spoke about leadership, responsibility and America's place in the world.

U breaks ground for new stadium
(Oct. 2, 2006) Hundreds of U supporters and fans came to campus on Saturday, Sept. 30, for a relay to symbolically bring football back to campus and for the groundbreaking of the new TCF Bank Stadium.

A play on the lawn
(Oct. 3, 2006) More than 30 University theatre arts and dance students will tell the story of Satan and his band of supernatural tricksters who have arrived to wreck havoc on atheistic Moscow during the outdoor run of The Master and Margarita Oct. 5-14.

Public jobs, private data
(Brief, Oct. 4, 2006) The University of Minnesota and Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU) have partnered to develop Public Jobs, Private Data, an easy, Web-based program to give all employees the data security training they need to be responsible stewards of public data and public trust. This month, the Academic Health Center completes training and it rolls out to the rest of the U.

Finding satisfying work
(Brief, Oct. 4, 2006) A new one-day workshop combines several specialized workshops that help give a renewed sense of career direction.

Weighing in
(From M, fall 2006) The ways alumni are making a difference in our world are as varied as the graduates themselves. Read how some are putting their University experience to good use.

Hot air bassoon ride
(From M, fall 2006) A Berneking Fellowship puts music student in the driver's seat

Profit Sharing
(From M, fall 2006) Entrepreneurship in Action students presented a check for student scholarships to then-interim Carlson School dean Jim Campbell.

Doing it his way
(From M, fall 2006) As the U's second longest-serving faculty member, Wayland Noland has found good chemistry between professor and students.

Closing the wealth divide
(From M, fall 2006) In her new book, The Color of Wealth: The Story Behind the U.S. Racial Wealth Divide, Rose Brewer and her coauthors examine race and wealth and how the government has played a role in influencing a racial wealth disparity.

Stargazing
(From M, fall 2006) The astronomy departments on the Twin Cities and Morris campuses hold public viewings of the night sky throughout the year.

Surveying the alumni landscape
(From M, fall 2006) Data collected from the first comprehensive survey of grads from all University campuses reveal that U graduates play a major role in the economic vibrancy of their communities.

Get connected, fall 2006
(From M, fall 2006) A listing of ways to stay connected to the University of Minnesota through the U of M Alumni Association.

Major league student
(From M, fall 2006) After more than a decade playing for the Seattle Mariners, Dan Wilson has retired from baseball. He's traded his shin guards and mask for treasured summers in the Pacific Northwest with his wife and four children. The 37-year-old also has picked up where he left off as a U of M student. He's working to complete the undergraduate degree that he set aside 16 years ago for a career in the pros.

Walking proud
(From M, fall 2006) The Scholars Walk heads west from the McNamara Alumni Center toward Northrop Mall and ends 2,000 feet later at the front door of Appleby Hall on the bluff above the Mississippi River. Lined with trees, shrubs, and benches, the walk includes lighted glass-and-limestone monuments honoring the University's creative and academic stars.

Rising star
(From M, fall 2006) In October, Darlyne Bailey will become the dean of the U's new College of Education and Human Development and the U's first African-American female dean. She is leaving Teachers College at Columbia University, where she served as vice president for academic affairs and dean of Teachers College and as acting president in spring 2003.

Seaside Station
(M, fall 2006) From 1901 to 1906, the U maintained a biological research station on the coast of British Columbia.

Fall yard care tips
(From eNews, Sept. 28, 2006) Ah, fall. The season of beautiful foliage colors and of raking leaves. University of Minnesota Extension Service horticulturist Bob Mugaas has some tips on lawn care, including mowing those leaves.

No. 6 for commercializing biotech research
(From eNews, Sept. 28, 2006) A new study from the Milken Institute ranks the University of Minnesota sixth in North America for its ability to transform knowledge into commercially viable products and companies.

Freebies at the Arts Quarter
(M, fall 2006) The School of Music offers free concerts throughout the year.

Book reviews fall 2006
(M, fall 2006) Three books with connections to the U: a study of what it means to share a bed, a vintage postcard perspective of historic Duluth, and an energetic exploration of the origins of English words.

Leader of the band
(Sept. 26, 2006) Every time the University of Minnesota Marching Band hits the field this 2006-07 school year, it's making the history books. Molly Watters is the band's first female drum major in more than 100 years.

Let it slide
(Sept. 26, 2006) Low-tech devices still rule the hearts of University of Minnesota alumni three decades after the pocket calculator made them obsolete.

The sun in stereo
(From M, fall 2006) Twin spacecraft carrying University-designed instruments will send back a 3-D view of the sun--and the occasional fireballs it hurls our way.

Small and intimate
(From M, fall 2006) Freshman and honors seminars transform the nearly 50,000-student University into smaller communities.

Driven to Discover
(Brief, Sept. 27, 2006) The University has developed a new way to communicate--and to "brand"--the spirit of inquiry that lies at the heart of its research. Beginning September 24, the phrase "Driven to Discover," and the intent it conveys, is being woven through University communications, from student recruiting material to President Bruininks's speeches.

ACT/SAT prep course helps students bridge the achievement gap
(Brief, Sept. 27, 2006; updated Oct. 4, 2006) For 11 Saturdays each winter, high school students come to the U for a free ACT/SAT review course that includes information about college admissions and personal college experiences from volunteer students, staff, and faculty. Ernest Davenport, an educational psychology faculty member, has a passion for public engagement that is a key to the program's success.

Where you can shape debate
(Brief, Sept. 27, 2006) Fourteen civil service staff members serve on committees of the University Senate. A few seats are still open.

Online mentoring program branches out
(Sept. 25, 2006) Since its inception almost three years ago, the U's Online Mentoring for Writers program has served more than 200 writers nationwide. With the addition of Spanish author and literary translator Pablo Medina to the staff, the program is furthering both its reach and its relevance to the global community.

U gears up for big weekend of events
( Sept. 22, 2006) If you have a soft spot in your heart for the University of Minnesota, you'll want to turn your attention to the Twin Cities campus on the weekend of Sept. 29 and 30. That's when the University will be celebrating a number of big events--events years in the making--surrounded by fans and fanfare, pomp and pom-poms.

Changing your mind
(Sept. 22, 2006) Experts gathered last week to discuss how the brain grows, learns and adapts to all kinds of situations. Two facts leaped from the statistics: The brain is capable of truly wondrous feats, and plenty of work remains before the human brain truly understands itself.

Right on time
(Sept. 22, 2006) Chalk timelines of historic and geologic events marked the start of the Institute for Advanced Study's two-year University Symposium on time.

Borealis III shines overseas
(Sept. 20, 2006) The University of Minnesota solar car team was the top U.S. finisher--and took fourth place overall--at the World Solar Rally in Taiwan this week.

A planet by any other name
(Sept. 19, 2006) Last month the International Astronomical Union stripped Pluto of its status as the ninth planet. University astrophysicist Terry Jones recently spoke about the history of the forlorn ball of rock and ice and what lay behind the decision to demote it to the new category of dwarf planet.

Seed money key to cancer research
(Oct. 4, 2006) Patricia Fairbanks wanted to make a difference for cancer victims like her son. A modest annual donation helps to fund research ¿ and helps a mother feel empowered.

Surviving melanoma
(Oct. 6, 2006) After two failed treatments, melanoma patient Donna Kuhlmann was referred to the University of Minnesota to participate in a clinical trial for an experimental vaccine. The drug did not cure Kuhlmann but did bring her disease under control.

Hybrids: in or out?
(Sept. 18, 2006) Are hybrid vehicles worth the hype? Sales of hybrid cars have been soaring in recent years, as gas prices reach all-time highs and tax credits promise discounts of almost $3,500 for new owners. But U professor Alfred Marcus says hybrids cannot solve the problems brought on by oil dependence without changes in behavior, markets and government policies.

Fish tales and zebrafish
(Sept. 18, 2006) Stephen Ekker can tell a fish tale or two. The University of Minnesota cancer researcher uses zebrafish to explore ways to starve a tumor and stop it from growing.

Gift receipts
(Sept. 15, 2006; updated Sept. 27) The University of Minnesota announced recently that an impressive $181 million in private gifts was raised in fiscal year 2006, continuing an upward trend that began a decade ago.

Force and flow
(Sept. 13, 2006) In her latest dance venture, U associate professor Ananya Chatterjea uses the force and flow of water to tell the stories and dreams of women. "Duurbaar," which runs Sept. 14-17 at the Southern Theater, is part of an international U-sponsored conference on women's studies.

UMAA names national volunteer president
(From eNews, Sept. 14, 2006) Retired U.S. Air Force brigadier general and former Minneapolis City Council member Denny Schulstad was recently elected national volunteer president of the 57,000-member University of Minnesota Alumni Association for 2006-07.

Preparing for a design economy
(Brief, Sept. 13, 2006) College of Design dean Tom Fisher presented a broad vision of design and its implications to the Board of Regents.

Learning the write way
(Sept. 12, 2006) The University's writing initiative aims to make great writing the order of the day for students

No slowing down for Borlaug
(Sept. 12, 2006) Alumnus Norman Borlaug and author Leon Hesser will discuss the new Borlaug biography on Sept. 18. Borlaug also will present the Stakman Award to alumnus John Gibler.

A super computing chemist
(Sept. 12, 2006) Forget money; it's chemical reactions that make the world go 'round. The rates at which they occur have profound effects on everything from drug interactions to global climate change, and no one is better at calculating them than new Regents Professor Donald Truhlar.

CAPA begins 2006-07
(Brief, Sept. 13, 2006) The Council of Academic Professionals and Administrators (CAPA) set its 2006-07 agenda at a retreat Aug. 23.

Rethinking September 11
(Sept. 11, 2006) This fall, one American studies professor is placing the U at the forefront in an area of study few universities are tackling. Roderick Ferguson's new course, "The United States Since September 11," has students talking--and thinking.

Minnesota Cup goes to recycled pavers
(Sept. 7, 2006) Traditional brick pavers could be on the way out if Vast Enterprises has its way. The 2006 Minnesota Cup winner wants to make pavers from 99 percent recycled materials.

U gives Class of 2010 a warm welcome
(Sept. 6, 2006) Last week, the University welcomed more than 5,000 freshmen to the Twin Cities campus with New Student Convocation. In addition to learning school songs and meeting President Bob Bruininks, the students received maroon and gold tassels as a reminder that they should strive to graduate in four years.

Tracking the human rights trail
(Sept. 6, 2006; updated Sept. 15) Dictators used to commit human rights crimes and then retire on the Riviera. Now they might stand trial. New Regents Professor Kathryn Sikkink is figuring out why.

It's back to the books
(Sept. 5, 2006) Labor Day marks the end of summer holidays and the start of classes for students across the nation. For some University of Minnesota freshmen, that day also marks the beginning of life in a residence hall.

Resilient student finds new life at U
(Sept. 1, 2006) For U student Elizabeth DeSanto, Hurricane Katrina was the second devastating event to happen to her in one year. In August 2004, she lost her mother to cancer. But transferring to the University of Minnesota brought hope back to DeSanto's life.

U and the new Guthrie
(Sept. 1, 2006) Only 20 students make the cut each year. But for those who do get into the U's BFA Actor Training Program, opportunities abound on the Guthrie stage and beyond.

UMAA honors top volunteers
(From eNews, August 31, 2006) For giving precious time to their alma mater, several U alums will be honored at the University of Minnesota Alumni Association's 24th Annual Volunteer Awards Ceremony on Sept. 15 at 6:30 p.m. in Coffman Memorial Union. The awards include Volunteer of the Year (three winners this year) and Outstanding Chapter of the Year. The event is free and open to the public.