What's Inside

World-class short track speed skaters compete at Mariucci
Many of the best speed skaters in the world go head to head in the 2006 ISU World Short Track Speed Skating Championships from Friday, March 31, through Sunday, April 2, at Mariucci Arena on the Twin Cities campus.

Next wave of Transforming the U recommendations
Preliminary recommendations from 10 more strategic positioning task forces formed as part of the University of Minnesota's ongoing initiative to transform the U into one of the top three public research universities in the world have been submitted.

Trails of tiny particles leave physicists beaming
They're so small they can sail straight through the Earth or sun without hitting anything. Known as neutrinos (Italian for "little neutral ones"), the subatomic particles may well have helped shape the universe. They are under intense investigation by physicists, and the University plays a key role in the most precise experiment to capture their essence.

Globe-trotting at the U
As the University of Minnesota continues to carve out its niche as one of the great universities in the world, helping its community become worldlier takes on even greater importance. At the U's recent Training for Global Understanding workshop, "Around the World in 120 minutes," five international and multicultural students offered insight into their cultures and living in the United States.

More than a walk around the track
In 2005, more than 60 teams participated in the Relay for Life of the University of Minnesota, and $105,000 was raised for cancer-related research, programs, and services. This year's event, which runs from 7 p.m. April 21, to 7 a.m. April 22, will again see participants camping out in the Field House and enjoying a party-like atmosphere. The registration deadline is Friday, March 31.

Events at U to examine Darfur genocide
More than 200,000 people have been raped, killed, or driven from their homes in the Darfur region of Sudan. Two upcoming events at the U will help bring attention to what the United Nations calls the biggest humanitarian crisis in the world.

Walk on the wild side
About 30 students spent their spring break learning how to handle black bears and wolves as part of a course. Held at the Wildlife Science Center in Forest Lake, the course is a rare chance for students to get hands-on experience with large animals for credit.

Musty archives shed light on democracies at war
Just as his book on military service and the rights of citizenship is published, assistant professor Ron Krebs is embarking on an even more ambitious project. A two-year professorship for young faculty members engaged in critical research will help to make it possible.

Proposed deal with state would increase funding for stadium
The University of Minnesota's quest to build a new on-campus football stadium moved forward March 27 when the Board of Regents approved a new plan that would provide more state money for a stadium in exchange for a parcel of University-owned land at UMore Park being set aside for a state-owned nature preserve.

Women skaters fall just short of three-peat
On the same weekend the University of Minnesota men's hockey team suffered an improbable loss in the first round of the NCAA tournament to unheralded Holy Cross, the Gophers women's hockey team came within a game of winning a third straight national title Sunday at Mariucci Arena.

Built for success
Building regular housing and subsidizing it is a very expensive approach to addressing affordable housing, says U professor Ann Forsyth. On Tuesday, March 28, Forsyth and Harvard University community development expert Nicolas P. Retsinas will examine the meaning of well-designed, sustainable, and affordable housing and discuss what the U and others are doing to meet the demand for low-cost homes, in the Great Conversations' "The Future of Affordable Housing."

Where fish are biting, and more
Minnesota has 158 fish species, 5,500 fishable lakes, and 15,000 miles of angler-friendly rivers and streams. On April 1 at "Classes Without Quizzes," U fisheries expert Ray Newman will share the science behind our plentiful fishing communities and tricks to keep fish on the end of your line. Since 2002, the half-day Classes Without Quizzes has given more than 600 people the latest scoop on U research in agriculture, food, and the environment.

Taking a byte out of mountains of data
The library was packed, and it wasn't even finals week. Close to 200 people from the University and industry attended an open house Thursday at the Digital Technology Center in Walter Library, Twin Cities campus, to tackle the problem of how scientists, businesses, governments, and other entities can "mine" mountains of data for nuggets of usable information.

Understanding unemployment
With the help of U professor Connie Wanberg, the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development is now more knowledgeable about the people it serves through unemployment claims. Unemployment insurance and workplace retraining programs cost Minnesota and its taxpayers millions of dollars annually.

U of M survey finds consumers willing to pay more to protect against terrorism
A new study released by University researchers shows that, on average, Americans are willing to spend more of their tax dollars to prevent another terrorist act, especially one involving the country's food supply.

A peek at the Arab world
The conflict that rages in the Israel-Palestine region is among the topics tackled in one of the free films appearing in "Cinema and Society in the Arab World," a symposium taking place from March 24 to 26 on the Twin Cities campus in Minneapolis. U researchers and filmmakers are among those who will discuss the history, politics, and art of more than 100 years of Arab cinema.

The Civil Service Committee wants you
Civil service representatives are now being sought to serve on the CSC and in the U Senate beginning July 1, 2006. Deadlines to apply are March 31 (priority) and April 7 (final) for the CSC and April 14 for the senate.

Home by the U
In 2005, the U launched the Wellness and Work/Life initiatives to promote better health and well being among its employees and their families. Programs this year include workshops on financing a home and the benefits of living close to campus.

Spring into action
It's not too late to spring into action with Health Connections, a new approach to wellness. Two U employees talk about their experiences with the UPlan Wellness assessment.

Undergraduates give U high marks on surveys
Students are increasingly satisfied with their experiences at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, according to data presented to the Board of Regents at its March meeting.

Nabbing the thief of memory
The onset of Alzheimer's disease is hard to detect, because normal aging also involves some degree of memory impairment. In a new study, University professor Karen Ashe and her colleagues have found a peculiar form of a protein that may be responsible for subtle changes in brain function that precede the onset of the disease. The protein, known as amyloid-beta or A beta, forms the deposits known as amyloid plaques that are found in the brains of Alzheimer's disease patients. It could become a target for future therapies to prevent the devastation the disease causes.

Forces of nature
The scope of recent natural disasters has shocked even the scientists and engineers most familiar with nature's destructive powers. For many researchers at the University of Minnesota, the events also fortified their resolve to find better ways to manage disasters, improve infrastructures, and save lives.

Lighting up in India
Researchers at the University of Minnesota School of Public Health have found that children in India smoke more tobacco at a younger age, which could indicate a new wave of tobacco use in developing countries. Tobacco is the second major cause of death in the world, reports the World Health Organization, and is currently responsible for the death of 1 in 10 adults worldwide or about 5 million deaths each year.

Building humanity through architecture
Designing a storage shed for victims of Hurricane Katrina is one example of the humanitarian architecture projects undertaken by College of Architecture and Landscape Architecture students this semester.

Health care: public pipes in
Do you have an opinion or a concern about health care policies in the United States? If so, join others across the nation in the satellite-linked discussion, "What is Your Health Worth? A National Conversation on Health Care." The free event will take place on Wednesday, March 22, on the Twin Cities campus and at 22 other sites nationwide. Highlights from the conversation will be sent to President Bush.

Blogger transit diary wins public relations award for the U
Blog-speak and a playful creative spin helped U-Pass bus card sales to soar in fall 2005 and also won a public relations award for a U department's marketing team.

Helping plants grow and gardens flourish
When Sue Gooch moved from California to Minnesota, little did she know she would end up sharing gardening tips with more than 375,000 households in Minnesota, South Dakota, and Iowa. Gooch is host of "Prairie Yard and Garden," a show produced at the University of Minnesota, Morris, that's ranked the sixth most popular program on Pioneer Public Television out of its 200 regularly scheduled programs.

Regents approve biomedical initiative to move the U among the top 3 public research universities
At the March 10 Board of Regents meeting, the U unveiled an innovative plan to help advance crucial biomedical research, including a request for $330 million in state bonds to construct facilities. It also heard from Morris and Crookston and honored top U faculty, among other business.

Clearing the hurdles
Many students like Christina Fairbanks soon will enjoy better opportunities at the U, thanks to a recent gift from the William W. and Nadine M. McGuire Family Foundation. The gift provides nearly $4 million for scholarships at the University and for advising and mentoring programs to help students succeed.

Beyond teeth-on-a-stick
More. Faster. Better--that's the kind of training School of Dentistry students will receive when a new Simulation Clinic debuts in 2007. Thanks to a $1 million gift from 3M Foundation, the school is well on its way toward raising the $10.5 million it will take to eclipse its competition.

Incentive to give
Just two years ago, the University made raising new gifts for scholarships and fellowships a priority. Nearly 36,000 alumni and friends stepped forward, and by the end of January 2006, a remarkable $111 million had been raised through the scholarship drive, toward a goal of $150 million. And the drive is going strong.

Watching wolves
It's not every day biologists get to watch an ecosystem over a long time period. But during the past 10 years, graduate students in the College of Natural Resources have had just such an opportunity as they've studied the restoration of the gray wolf to Yellowstone National Park. Now, a Colorado philanthropist is making it possible to continue this important work with a $1.4 million contribution to the University of Minnesota and the Yellowstone Park Foundation.

Building the future
Learning communities will be a signature feature of the student experience in General College's successor department in the College of Education and Human Development. Last fall, 18 first-year students took part in a learning community taught by two professors, who linked their courses with a Habitat for Humanity service project.

Digging deeper pays off
In 1963, Donald Baker, a professor of soil, water and climate, placed temperature sensors at three depths in soil on the St. Paul campus. Even at 42 feet, the data show a steady warming of soil over the last three decades. The findings helped convince Baker that global warming is real and set the standard for long-term temperature monitoring. Baker also performed studies that led to wind turbines being installed at Buffalo Ridge and in a demonstration project in Morris.

Another sweet accomplishment
The Honeycrisp apple, developed by University of Minnesota researchers and introduced to the public in 1991, has recently been named one of "25 Innovations That Changed the World."

Zippies at the U
Those people on campus in need of fast, affordable transportation now have alternative to public transportation: Zipcar, a car rental program available to University faculty, staff, and students, is here.

Moving toward the top-three
According to schedule, 11 of 34 task forces working toward transforming the U into a top-three public research university submitted their revised recommendations on February 3.

Get connected, spring 2006
News from the University of Minnesota Alumni Association (UMAA) for spring 2006.

Saving the past
Students from the University's College of Architecture and Landscape Architecture (CALA) are working with UNESCO to help save Icheri Scheher, and ancient city in Azerbaijan that came into its glory in the 12th century.

More than chitchat
Since 2002, nearly 15,000 Minnesotans have attended the College of Continuing Education's Great Conversation series. The living room-like tête-à-tête mesmerizes as a University faculty expert and his or her visionary or inspiring guest shed light on a timely issue.

Book reviews spring 2006
Three books by people with connections to the U.

Watering your houseplants
No two plants are alike. Some need only a sip of water, others a big gulp. So how do you know when and how often to water your plants? Here are some tips from Prairie Yard and Garden, a public television program produced at the University of Minnesota, Morris.

Libraries for a new generation
Today's students may be computer savvy, but they often don't know good information from bad. The U libraries are trying to help them be "information literate" while respecting their style.

Growing hope
Before the 1960s, fewer than half the people with cystic fibrosis lived to be more than 3 years old. However, since then, University of Minnesota doctors have been able to extend life for those with the hereditary disease. Cystic fibrosis, the most common type of lung disease in children and young adults, causes mucus that can attain a texture somewhere between Silly Putty and peanut butter and impair lung function.

Letters to the editor
Letters sent to the editor of M involving articles from the winter 2006 issue.

Looks like a home, feels like a home
Many people have a stigma concerning long-term care in America. Elderly people rarely want to be fostered in a nursing home, while few of their relatives want to visit them in such an environment. Now, however, a new alternative to traditional nursing homes has provided seniors with another choice.

U hopes for good bonding experience with legislature
During this spring's legislative session, the University has requested $206.1 million from Minnesota's bonding bill. The majority of the request will go towards building upkeep, while the rest of it will be used to erect two new buildings and make additions to both the Twin Cities and Duluth campuses' business schools.

Partnership produces festival
Through Sunday, March 12, the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra and the University of Minnesota School of Music are cohosting the first Contemporary Composers Festival. The event is one of many initiatives resulting from the partnership established in 2005 between the orchestra and the school. This year's festival honors Elliot Carter, who will receive an honorary degree from the U.

Clipping the wings of bird flu
Microbiologist and UMD graduate Terrence Tumpey has helped recover the 1918 flu virus which caused an epidemic that some experts believe took the lives of nearly 50 million people. Using this as a starting point, Tumpey and others hope to discover a vaccine to prevent another catastrophic flu outbreak.

Felons on the fringe
Should states deny people convicted of felonies the right to vote? In some, including Florida, felons lose the right forever. University sociologist Christopher Uggen argues in a new book that punitive disenfranchisement can interfere with the reintegration of former criminals into society, dilute the voting power of ethnic groups, and even swing elections.

U Reads 2006: 10 more books
Since 2002, the U's College of Continuing Education U Reads program has invited University of Minnesota faculty, staff, and students to recommend a favorite or unforgettable book. With suggestions in hand, it then produces the U Reads list--10 titles that have the ability to inspire people across the University to pick up books they might not otherwise read.

Newfound genetic mutation may have afflicted Lincoln
University researchers have located the gene that causes a specific type of ataxia, a degenerative disease that affects approximately 1 in 17,000 people, including several of Abraham Lincoln's descendents.

Living close to campus
Faculty and staff can save time and money and get a healthy boost by living close enough to work that they can walk or bike. Architecture faculty member Ann Forsyth will give a free workshop about great places to live close to campus.

Puckett Scholars remember Twins legend
A scholarship program created by the late Kirby Puckett and Tonya Puckett in 1994 will be a lasting legacy from a Minnesota legend to those who receive the scholarship. Since the program started, there have been 45 Puckett Scholar recipients. Minnesota Twins player Kirby Puckett died Monday after suffering a stroke in Arizona.

30 years of hope
In 1975, David Stahl was diagnosed with lymphoma. He was 16, and back then, the word "cancer" spelled death, he says. Fortunately for Stahl, a certain doctor named John Kersey came into the picture. Kersey, who founded the University of Minnesota Cancer Center, gave Stahl his life back with the world's first bone marrow transplant to treat lymphoma.

Review of a mini-conference on the role of student evaluations
How relevant are student evaluations in the practice of teaching? National consultant Raoul Arreola shared his expertise with about 300 faculty and staff members in a campus mini-conference February 23.

Changes coming on sick and bereavement leave policies for P&A employees
CAPA gives an update on its work with the Office of Human Resources toward clarifying policies related to sick and bereavement policies for U of M academic professionals and administrators.

Owls on the move
Owls and why they invaded northern Minnesota in winter 2004-05 are topics of the day at the March 17-19 "Owls On The Move: When, Where and Why" symposium at the University of Minnesota, Duluth.

Village lights
When University of Minnesota electrical engineering student Patrick Delaney visited people living in a mountainous region in Nicaragua, he found that many of them were getting their light from kerosene-filled soda bottles. Today, Delaney has joined with peers from the U and universities in Nicaragua and Calgary to find a way to get a different kind of light to the people in this remote area.

Bruininks delivers State of the U
The pursuit of a new degree of excellence at the University of Minnesota is already yielding results, and is in the best interest of the state and its economy, President Bob Bruininks said March 2 in his annual State of the U address, which was held for the first time on the University's Morris campus.

Thinking inside the box
The Natural Resources Research Institute at the University of Minnesota, Duluth, has designed a bio-based containerized house that can be assembled in hours in disaster areas or wherever quick, reliable housing is needed.

Envisioning something big
Charles Casey will be inaugurated as the fourth chancellor of the Crookston campus on March 3. The former veterinarian, U regent, and extension service dean and director talks about northwestern Minnesota and his optimism about UMC.

Revamped U of M bookstore turns three
At 46,000 square feet, the University of Minnesota Bookstores in Coffman Union is the largest independent college bookstore in the region and one of the largest in the United States. The bookstore, which sells everything from lip balm to leather executive desk chairs (with sweater-clad Goldy on the headrest), opened March 3, 2003.

Centers for the artist
A new study from the Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs, "Artists' Centers: Evolution and Impact on Artists, Neighborhoods, and Economies," shows that Minnesota's strong creative economy owes much of its success to the unusual number and quality of dedicated gathering spaces for artists in the state. Minnesota is home to dozens of artists' centers that provide workspace, equipment, and networking opportunities for amateur and professional writers, musicians, and visual and performing artists.

Bruininks signs organ donor card
President Bob Bruininks teamed up with pioneering U transplant surgeon John Najarian and former Gopher football great Keith Fahnhorst on February 23 to call attention to the importance of organ donation.

Oat hulls approved for University steam plant
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has given the University the green light to burn oat hulls at its Southeast Steam Plant. The University could save an estimated $2 million a year, or about 10 percent, on heating the Twin Cities campus by supplementing its fuel mix with oat hulls.

Celebrating 155 years
The University is 155 years old on Saturday and it's celebrating the founding vision by giving away buttons on the Twin Cities campus and by announcing an expanded scholarship to help Minnesota students.

Water will not wait
With surges in populations, global warming, and industrial activity around the world, the abundance and availability of clean fresh water is dwindling. At 7:30 p.m. next Tuesday, February 28, University water researcher Deborah Swackhamer will hold the first of the 2006 Great Conversations, with renowned Canadian water researcher David Schindler, to talk about the situation and what can be done. They will meet in Ted Mann Concert Hall on the Twin Cities campus.

Organize those records
For some people, tax season spells fear. It means having to frantically dig through drawers, pockets, and glove compartments for months-old documents and receipts. University of Minnesota Extension Service educator Glenice Johnson has some tips for creating an organized record-keeping system.

How self-esteem impacts business
In psychology, self-esteem or self-worth includes a person's subjective appraisal of himself or herself. U professor Kathleen Vohs is applying her understanding of psychological science and her research on self-esteem to business issues in order to advance new areas of marketing research.

U to help improve history education in St. Paul schools
A grant from the U.S. Department of Education will enable the University's history faculty to join with St. Paul Public Schools, the Minnesota Historical Society, and the Minnesota Department of Education to help improve the way history is taught to middle and high school students.

U researcher reverses diabetes in monkeys
University researchers have used transplants of insulin-producing islet cells from pigs to reverse diabetes in monkeys. The work suggests that pigs hold potential as islet sources for tens of thousands of people with hard-to-manage diabetes.

SPARK again, this weekend
British sound artist Robin Rimbaud, aka DJ Scanner, will spin his brand of music and talk about the technology behind his work at the U's fourth annual SPARK Festival of electronic music, February 21-26. A host of other performers, including U students and faculty, will also give lectures and play to crowds during the event.

On this day in history
U Founders Day is February 25. This year, the U celebrates 155 years since the signing of its charter during a February thaw in 1851. It has also renewed the founders' commitment to access to all Minnesotans through an expanded scholarship program.

Engineering a better world
More than 30 Institute of Technology engineering students have come together to form Engineers Without Borders-University of Minnesota. The group is the first Minnesota chapter of Engineers Without Borders-USA, which links engineering students and professionals nationwide with developing communities around the world.

UMM students visit India
During winter break, professor Pareena Lawrence played tour guide to 21 U students. Her study abroad course, which examines the effects of globalization on the people in her homeland, India, was the first offered by the University of Minnesota, Morris, to the South Asian country.

Building a financial system for a great university
The new U-wide Enterprise Financial System (EFS) is adding grants, projects, and contracts to its scope pending approval by the Board of Regents--resetting the rollout date to 2008. Project leaders and others talk about how EFS will support U goals, the key role of initiators (almost everybody), financial competencies, and the current phase of the project.

Why Jell-O jiggles and other mysteries, explained
As a young chemistry student, Christy Haynes was frustrated when friends asked her to explain everyday phenomena. Now an assistant professor in her first year at the University, she opens her students' eyes to the marvels of chemistry that allow them to enjoy a chocolate bar, superglue things together, entertain a cat with catnip--come to think of it, do practically anything.

U mathematician offers dose of reality for chances of winning Powerball
Before you buy that Powerball ticket, Doug Arnold, director of the University of Minnesota's Institute for Mathematics and Its Applications, has some sobering information for you. "You have a seven times higher chance of being killed in a car accident if you drive one mile to the store for a ticket and one mile back home than you do of winning this Powerball jackpot," Arnold says.

Eleven task forces submit revised Transforming the U recommendations
The first 11 of 34 task forces working to transform the University of Minnesota into one of the top three public research universities in the world have submitted their revised recommendations.

Planning and politics of epidemics
A conference today at the Minneapolis Convention Center will help businesses deal with a possible influenza pandemic. A second conference tomorrow and Friday in Nolte Center on the Twin Cities campus will examine the social and political forces at work during previous epidemics with an eye to preventing discrimination against the most vulnerable people in society.

Student project could cut St. Paul water complaints
St. Paul city water managers have tried for years to find a way of controlling geosmin, a chemical produced by algae that contributes to the musty taste and odor of water. With the help of a civil engineering graduate student and his faculty advisers, they've finally found a solution.

Lesher sworn in as U regent
Xcel executive Cynthia Lesher was sworn in Friday as the newest member of the University of Minnesota Board of Regents. After the meeting, the Xcel CEO for North Dakota, South Dakota, and Minnesota spoke about her new responsibilities.

Low-income students get tuition-and-fees guarantee
Under an expansion of the Founders Opportunity Program, the University will now guarantee coverage of tuition and fees for all students from Minnesota who qualify for federal Pell grants. The U will match every Pell grant and provide additional assistance from state, private, and University funds to ease the burden for the majority of students from families earning less than $50,000 a year.

Love in the new millennium
More and more people are using their computers to find love. A U family social science professor will share his latest research at 3:30 p.m. Thursday in Jackson Hall on the Twin Cities campus.

The future of affordable housing
Too often, we equate "affordable" with plain or ugly. But it doesn't have to be. Affordable houses, for example, can stand out for being both distinctive in design and friendly to the environment. And this is the future of affordable housing, claims "The HOME House Project" exhibit through April 30 at the Weisman Art Museum.

On romance and context-dependent mating
Valentine's Day is the traditional observance of love among couples. Fond feelings between people bring them together in a mutual relationship of love and respect. Yet according to one University psychologist, this chemistry of attraction might depend more on biology.

Alumnus Norman Borlaug receives National Medal of Science
One of the most honored scientists in the world, University alumnus Norman Borlaug, will receive the National Medal of Science from President Bush Monday. Credited with staving off famine by creating new varieties of wheat, Borlaug is also the 1970 Nobel Peace Prize winner.

It's National Pet Dental Health Month
Your dog's or cat's foul breath and yellow-brown teeth are not only unappealing, but they could also indicate serious gum disease. University of Minnesota veterinarian Gary Goldstein has some tips for pet owners.

Going to college while in high school
A new report by the Center for School Change at the University of Minnesota analyzes and critiques the first 20 years of the school-choice program in Minnesota.

Remember: turn off the lights
For years, the University of Minnesota has been meticulous about saving energy. And rightly so. The cost of heating its 800 buildings can result in quite a hefty bill. This month, the U has launched a campaign on the Twin Cities campus--complete with a logo and slogan contest--to raise awareness of its energy conservation efforts and to promote greater energy-saving behavior among those in its community.

Ushering in transformational change
As part of the Transforming the U process, the Administrative Service and Productivity Steering Committee released its report on February 6 on how to change the way administrative operations organize, support, and serve the academic enterprise. The committee is inviting comments from the University community through March 6.

Research and travel in the extreme
The work of most people only takes them to office buildings, restaurants, or industrial businesses. For several University professors and researchers, work takes them much farther. The Bell Museum has started "Fire and Ice: Extreme Adventures from the Arctic to the Equator," a lecture series dedicated to those University researchers whose work carries them to exotic and often harsh locales.

Bulldog, Gopher hockey players well represented at Olympics
When the XX Winter Olympics kicks off February 10 in Torino, Italy, several current and former Minnesota athletes will be vying for hockey gold. Sixteen players with ties to both the Twin Cities and Duluth campuses, representing six different countries, will be contending in both the men's and women's competitions.

Wave 1 colleges collaborating to create a future in common
Academic professional and administrators from three colleges that will come together in a new college July 1 have begun meeting to plan for their future together.

Eyeing a virtual cure for anxiety disorders
Confronting your fears can help you get rid of them, but if you're afraid of things like flying, public speaking, or storms, you can't just go out and experience them several times a day. Unless, that is, you face your fears with virtual reality simulations like the ones at the Fairview-University Anxiety Disorders Clinic.

Cities within U walls
Real and imaginary cities come to life in the U's Katherine E. Nash Gallery thanks to 10 jaw-dropping creative sculptors, photographers, and painters. Cities runs through February 16, with a discussion to define the meaning of a city on February 9.

Medieval Studies scholars bind schoolchildren for a spell
Two scholars from the U's Center for Medieval Studies (CMS) visited Randolph Heights School in St. Paul on Wednesday as part of an outreach project to teach elementary students about the invention of the bound book in the Middle Ages. Through the program, costumed scholars from CMS present a history on the evolution of books, and the students are later given the chance to create their own books using vellum, quills, gold leaf, and ink donated to the program.

U researchers test pill for gambling addiction
University researchers may have found a way to bring relief to compulsive gamblers. An experimental medication has proven to be effective in curbing gambling urges and behaviors.

Groundhog Day means we're halfway through this--winter?
The roots of Groundhog Day, February 2, reach way back into European history, to farmers anxious to begin planting their crops. Falling near the start of lambing season, it was a day to anticipate a return to the rhythms of life on the land. Today's tradition of Punxatawney Phil, the unofficial national groundhog prognosticator, is a reminder that one way or another, we all depend on successful growing seasons.

"Neverwinter Nights" in the classroom
University of Minnesota professor Kathleen Hansen and Institute for New Media Studies director Nora Paul are exploring the use of computer games as effective learning tools in the classroom.

King remembered
Since 1980, the U has celebrated the life and achievements of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. This year is no different. There'll be a free concert featuring the U's African Music Ensemble and student a cappella group 7 DAYS on Sunday, February 5.

Reaching the top three
How will the U know when it has reached its goal of becoming a top-three public research university? Metrics and Measurement Task Force chair Al Sullivan talks about the preliminary report and the value of adopting clear goals and measurements.

Gopher tales from a voice of the U
Ray Christensen was the play-by-play announcer for Golden Gopher football for 50 consecutive seasons and announced Gopher basketball for 45 straight seasons. And his recent book, Gopher Tales: Stories From All Eleven University of Minnesota Men's Sports, will be the topic of discussion at the next gathering of the Friends of Eastcliff Book Club on Thursday, February 2.

Is war necessary?
During much of the 20th century, major wars and the threat of war has impelled the military to generate radical new technologies that have boosted the civilian economy. In his new book, Is War Necessary for Economic Growth?, retired U professor Vernon Ruttan makes the case for a new strategy to jump-start the tradition of radical technological progress.

Music to your eyes
Not content with being one of the nation's top chemists, University professor George Barany has put his passion for puzzles into a New York Times crossword, which appeared in local papers Sunday, January 29.

U kicks off legislative advocacy efforts
On January 25, the U held its annual Legislative Briefing--a gala event designed to educate friends and supporters of the University about the U's legislative request. The event included dinnertime music by the University of Minnesota Alumni Band, a presentation of the U's 2006 Capital Request by President Bob Bruininks--aided by faculty, staff, and student stakeholders--and a touch of symbolic magic (a "burning" dollar bill) by the chair of the Department of Chemistry. (The dollar bill survived intact.)

The voice of experience
When University junior Sythong Somsawat got pregnant after she graduated from high school, her family thought her future was ruined. But Somsawat not only held on to her dream of a college education, she helped found the U's Student Parent Association, a support and advocacy group for young students with children.

Color your plate healthy
When you are planning your next meal, think about what you can do to add color to your plate, says University of Minnesota Extension Service educator Mary Schroeder. The concept is a simple, yet fun way to add fruits and vegetables to your diet.

Inhaling theory and practice
The University of Minnesota's Bachelor of Applied Science degree prepares respiratory care practitioners for an evolving workplace--one that demands professionals with excellent clinical, communication, and administrative skills.

A deep look at shallow ponds
For the past three years, University of Minnesota researchers have been studying wetland pockets, or "prairie potholes," so plant and animal life can continue to flourish on the Great Plains.

UMM receives record number of student applications
The University of Minnesota, Morris (UMM), has received a record number of student applications for its fall 2006 incoming class. This year's number of 885 applicants has already surpassed last year's total at this time by 278, an increase of 46 percent.

Nicholson Hall reopens
Historic Nicholson Hall reopened this month in the heart of the Twin Cities campus emerging humanities district--and a grand reopening celebration will be held this Friday from noon-1:30 p.m. Capital bonding allowed the 1890 landmark to be gutted and rehabilitated with stunning results. Four College of Liberal Arts units have moved in and thousands of students are already taking courses in 903 seats in state-of-the-art classrooms.

Patricia Harvey optimistic about the future of University, PreK-12 partnership
Collaboration needs to be the name of the game when it comes to the University's work with the Twin Cities PreK-12 community, according to preliminary recommendations from a U task force. Bringing together researchers and practitioners as equal partners around common problems is one of the ways the University can help shape the direction of education in Minnesota.

No car? No problem
The University of Minnesota is hosting six Zipcars on its Twin Cities campus. The cars are part of a by-the-hour or day car-sharing program that will give U students, employees, and neighborhood residents--especially those who ride the bus or don't own a car--wheels when they want them.

Homemade instruments
Students at the University of Minnesota, Morris, build musical instruments out of salvaged goods from the home and office while learning about the science behind sound and music.

Carlson School survey highlights economic impact of alumni
The Carlson School of Management last week released survey results demonstrating the school's economic impact on the state. Of those surveyed, Carlson School alumni have founded more than 1,800 Minnesota-based businesses that employ more than 110,000 people and generate annual revenues of $21.2 billion.

A few bad men (and women, too)
Shaken by a series of high-profile corporate accounting scandals, we're now more wary of where we invest our savings. Can we tell if a company is a target for white-collar crime? Yes, says U professor Karen Schnatterly. The likelihood of corporate malfeasance can be determined by how a company handles three things: written policies, internal communications, and employee compensation.

Academic professionals get proactive
Representatives of academic and professional staff at eight universities, including four from the U of M, reported progress on vacation carry-over, tuition benefits, and domestic-partner benefits at their annual meeting. They also moved ahead to assess performance and compensation/advancement reviews and to ensure the group's future.

Keillor and gang at the U
"...where the women are strong, the men are good looking, and all the children are above average..." This winter, U alum and radio personality Garrison Keillor will host "A Prairie Home Companion" from the Twin Cities and Morris campuses.

Physicist awaits his piece of Stardust
The University's Bob Pepin has always been fascinated by ideas about how our solar system formed. Since NASA's Stardust mission returned the first samples of material from a comet and interstellar dust January 15, the physics professor has been eagerly awaiting a chance to unearth some of the secrets these particles have carried for billions of years.

Bringing the University Libraries to every citizen
Thanks to a highly successful program called MINITEX, University of Minnesota Libraries sends out more information to people in the Midwest and around the world than any other research library in North America. Last year, 65 percent of those loans were to people in Minnesota--everyone from eighth graders working on science fair projects to college professors developing scholarly articles.

Salt damage on plants
Winter is the season for ice fishing, snowball fights, and snuggling up by the fireplace. But it's also the time when salt reigns. Without it, driving is a pain. With it, though, your plants may die. U plant pathologist Janna Beckerman offers tips on how to diagnose and prevent plant damage.

Smart cookies
It's that time of the year again for Thin Mints and Caramel deLites. Girl Scouts will be taking cookie orders beginning this Saturday, January 14. Last year, a group of Carlson School students helped a Twin Cities-area Girl Scouts chapter get to the bottom of a perplexing cookie problem.

UMM alum Gildea named associate justice
Governor Tim Pawlenty has appointed Lorie Gildea, a 1983 alumna of University of Minnesota, Morris (UMM), as an associate justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court--a role that will provide her a new opportunity to share her judicial talents with the people of her home state.

Wildlife in war zones
People aren't the only victims of war. In countries wracked by conflict, wildlife and the ecosystems that support them may also take a beating. Nicole Benjamin-Fink, a graduate student in conservation biology, is researching ways her native Israel and other war-torn countries can build protections into their national policies.

UPlan Wellness introduces Health Connections
UPlan Wellness introduces Health Connections, a multi-year, multi-faceted approach to wellness that offers University faculty and staff a financial reward for health improvement.

Falling for physics
Members of the Physics Force go to great lengths, even dropping 20 feet while being shot at by a cannon, to demonstrate the laws of physics to delighted audiences. This week they perform their annual free public show Thursday at 7 p.m. in Northrop Auditorium. They'll also perform every morning for thousands of school-age children.

Rebellious youth
Reports of the death of youth activism have been greatly exaggerated. Not only is it alive and well, but its earnestness, purpose, and breadth make it feel like the revolutionary Sixties finally come of age. Two young activists speak of their struggle.

Let there be light
About 30 new 12-foot-tall street lamps are lighting the way on dark nights for University of Minnesota students living in the Marcy-Holmes and Como neighborhoods. The lights were installed following safety concerns expressed by students and other neighborhood residents.

Kick wax time
Designed by U professor Mel Baughman, the Lone Rock Trail in Rosemount offers 11 miles of cross-country skiing through woodland and agricultural land. And if you're quiet enough, you just might spot a coyote or fox.

A new angle on an old fishing record
This is the story of a really large muskie caught 56 years ago in Wisconsin that was a world's record, then wasn't, then was again. The hallowed record's authenticity is currently being debated, and the University's Doug Arnold has weighed in with some mathematical analysis using projective geometry. Fear not; this geometry lesson is easy.

Designing a new vaccine
Each year, up to 60 percent of the world's population is infected by the parasite, E. histolytica, and 100,000 of these people die of amebiasis, the disease that results from the infection. But a solution is in the works. Two University of Minnesota researchers are developing a vaccine to prevent amebiasis.

Life and learning in the digital age
The difference between analog and digital can be as basic as how to tell time--what does "counterclockwise" mean to a Millennial student, for example? But that difference can also demand very different learning and teaching approaches for the five generations of faculty, staff, and students now on the U campus.

Art of the wild
A certain energy pulses through the works of the late Walter Anderson, who depicted the natural world in kinetic lines and vibrant hues. The Bell Museum is now displaying works by the Mississippi-based artist, who lived a life as much at the mercy of nature as many of his subjects.

U football legends named honorary fundraising co-chairs
The University of Minnesota announced yesterday that Gopher football greats Richard "Pinky" McNamara and Murray Warmath will serve as honorary co-chairs of the "Back to Campus" football stadium fundraising campaign. McNamara is also making a $1.25 million gift to the campaign.

E85 fuels U vehicles
The University of Minnesota was recently named a "MnGreat" and listed among the 100 Best Fleets in North America for its use and promotion of E85. The U has 71 flexible-fuel vehicles and two E85-equipped fueling stations, which serve up a whopping 20,000 gallons of ethanol-based fuel a year.

It's a small world
University of Minnesota researchers are taking nanotechnology beyond improving computer chips and building better golf clubs. They're taking it into our bodies, in hopes of preventing, treating, and curing a plethora of diseases.

Bowl-bound Gophers visit children at hospital
About two dozen Gopher football players brought some smiles last week with their visit to University of Minnesota Children's Hospital, Fairview. This week the Gophers are in Nashville preparing for their bowl game against Virginia on Friday, December 30.

Tiny crystals, huge delights
The rare, beautiful pillars of light that appeared in our area December 3 are just one of several phenomena caused by tiny atmospheric ice crystals. Sundogs, sun pillars, and halos also arise from such crystals, but which pheonomena we see depends on the size, location, and orientation of the crystals.

Stadium sponsorship agreement with TCF extended
TCF Financial Corp. and the University of Minnesota announced on December 22 that they have extended the $35 million agreement to name the University's proposed new on-campus football stadium TCF Bank Stadium. The original agreement was set to expire December 31, 2005, and will now be extended to June 30, 2006.

Hollywood blockbuster apes African stories of old
While King Kong is certainly the most famous damsel-abducting great ape around, a University of Minnesota associate professor has uncovered a whole band of gorilla-related abduction stories in Central Africa, some dating back 150 years or more.

UMD alum resurrects and studies killer flu virus
The possibility of an avian flu pandemic has been a hot topic in the news for much of the past year. And Terrence Tumpey, a University of Minnesota, Duluth, biology graduate and senior microbiologist at the Influenza Branch of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is at the forefront of research on the avian flu.

Book of Kells fascinates and delights
So richly and intricately illustrated is the Medieval Book of Kells that even cold-eyed scholars marvel that it was produced by monks, not angels. Designs in the book, a manuscript of the four gospels, ravish the eye with their colors, imagination and sheer perfection. Andersen Library's rare books collection has a viewing copy for anyone prepared to be dazzled.

Scholarships open the door
The Promise of Tomorrow Scholarship Drive was launched in part to help cut down on the hours that students need to work outside of class, and helping them succeed while they're at the U. Here are the stories of two beneficiaries.

3M grant supports diversity in engineering
Faced with a nationwide shortage of engineers, 3M and the U are intensifying programs to increase the number of engineering students and foster more diversity.

Kresge funds green design
Thanks to a planning grant from the Kresge Foundation's Green Building Initiative, the Bell Museum's hoped-for new facility, now in the design phase, will incorporate sustainable building design (or green building), adding dimension to the Bell's mission to deepen understanding of the natural world.

A wake-up call for the U
Vice president for research Tim Mulcahy reported to the regents on the University's ability to compete for federal grant money. His report showed the magnitude of effort needed to become one of the top three public research universities.

Germ hunters go to prison
Find out what University of Minnesota researchers have learned about bacteria and virus survival in alternative wastewater treatment systems.

A gift springs from this water
Every time you buy a 20-ounce bottle of Holiday Pantry Natural Spring Water, the University of Minnesota Cancer Center's coffers grow by a nickel.

The Graduate School is 100
The Graduate School's centennial in 2005 has been worth marking for a look back and, more importantly, for envisioning the future. What will the next 100 years of graduate education be like? New dean and vice provost Gail Dubrow is shaping an administrative plan and an intellectual agenda.

Community input wanted on transforming the U
On Friday, December 16, 11 of the 34 task forces released their preliminary recommendations on how the University can transform itself into one of the top three public research universities in the world within a decade. Now they want to hear what people think about them before they become final recommendations.

Committed to elders
Now pursuing a Ph.D. in social work, Rajean Moone has received the first Shelley Joseph-Kordell Scholarship, given to a student committed to working with seniors.

An energizing collaboration
Norway's Crown Prince Haakon traveled to Minnesota in October to make a gift: $750,000 from the Norwegian government to the University of Minnesota to help fund the Norwegian Centennial Interdisciplinary Chair in genomics and renewable biofuels. The award coincided with the 100th anniversary of Norway's split from Sweden.

Get connected, winter 2006
A compendium of events and opportunities for alumni of the University of Minnesota.

A good judge of character
The honorable Diana Murphy (B.A. '54, J.D. '74) has been on the bench for three decades, currently serving for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit.

Singing for their final grade and the Mississippi River
A University of Minnesota class stages poetry readings and performances on the Washington Avenue bridge for their final project and to raise funds for Mississippi River.

Fortune far from outrageous
At age 23, Santino Fontana has been tapped for the title role in the Guthrie Theater's production of Hamlet, its last before moving to downtown Minneapolis next year. Fontana, who received a BFA from the University in 2004, trained in a University-Guthrie acting program. The prospect of playing the melancholy Dane has him on cloud nine.

Secret student Santas
Christmas is coming early at the Ronald McDonald House, but shh... don't tell the children. Today (December 16), several U students will drop off a bundle of secret Santa gifts for the young residents to open on Christmas Eve.

Polymer potential
In a world of diminishing oil reserves and burgeoning plastics that don't decompose, biologically derived polymers hold great promise. At the University of Minnesota, researchers are working to develop versatile and affordable bio-based plastics.

Letters to the Editor, winter 2006
Letters in response to M, fall 2005

All-nighters, senioritis, and apple crisp for dinner
Follow the thoughts and activities of Adrienne Baker, a University of Minnesota senior, through her online blog.

New alumni chapter in China
In November, University president Bob Bruininks led the education section of Gov. Tim Pawlenty's 200-plus Minnesota delegation to China. While there, he and other U representatives attended the opening of the sixth University of Minnesota alumni chapter on mainland China.

Less is better during the holidays
When it comes to the holidays, some people throw all caution to the wind and go overboard with the food, as well as the storytelling. Here, two U experts offer advice on holiday eating and better holiday writing.

Book reviews winter 2006
Three books written by people with connections to the U are reviewed--essays on the Anoka Sand Plain and oak savanna, a trip planner for the Boundary Waters Canoe Area and Wilderness, and an illustrated history of the 100-year-old Minnesota state capitol.

The benefits of going in circles
Since graduating from the U's Infrastructure Systems Engineering (ISE) master's program, a trio of engineers and self-proclaimed roundabout advocates has been working hard to encourage the use of roundabouts throughout Minnesota.

Tag: you're it
If you have a tollway tag or a remote keyless entry device for your car, you're already using radio frequency identification (RFID). The technology is relatively new in retail, but some predict that it could usurp the ubiquitous bar code. U researchers are examining the costs, benefits, and adoption patterns of the latest RFID systems.

Fighting AIDS in South Africa
Several School of Public Health faculty and staff members are serving as advisors on Project Phidisa, a global effort to determine which antiretroviral drugs and treatments are most effective at managing the spread of AIDS and HIV.

Much more than a half-baked idea
The story of how Betty Crocker came to be, and her impact on the way we view cooking and homemaking in America, has been revealed in a new book, Finding Betty Crocker: The Secret Life of America's First Lady of Food, by College of Continuing Education alumnus Susan Marks. A playful biography and fascinating cultural history, the book actually evolved from Marks' master's thesis on the same subject.

Preparing for change
The CAPA Fall Forum brought a human resources presentation, "The Impact of Strategic Positioning on Employment," prepared for "first-wave" colleges by Carol Carrier and Rosie Barry, to P&A staff systemwide.

Leading the transformation
The Transformational Leadership Project, an innovative partnership of 3M and the U, is preparing 22 U staff members to help make recommended changes into reality.

PG-2006: Parental Guidance Accepted
Since the late 1990s, parents have been increasingly invoved with their children who are in college. A host of factors are influencing this trend, including college students giving more respect to their parents' advice.

Applications to the U up 30 percent
The University projects that it will receive approximately 23,500 applications for the freshman class of 2006-07, making it the fourth straight record year for freshman applications.

Food for thought, rethought
Chunkier students may be one result of middle school practices that encourage consumption of junk food and drinks, says a new University study. To turn the situation around, parents and administrators must rethink why such practices are allowed.

Fresh perspectives in cybernetics
Three University women are not only developing robotics, they are changing the way that the field is perceived by others. Typically thought of as being dominated by males, these graduate students have taught children in the community that robotics is for everyone.

Art from Russia's Silver Age
"Mir Iskusstva: Russian's Age of Elegance" runs through January 8, 2006 at the Weisman Art Museum on the Twin Cities campus in Minneapolis. The Weisman is only one of three museums in the United States to host this exhibit, which features paintings that have never set foot on American soil.

When religion and medicine collide
Jole Shackelford sees nothing contradictory about being a science scholar called to research religious history. A 2006 Fulbright grant to Norway will allow him to search for clues about two 17th-century physicians who engaged in unorthodox practices.

Many ways to heal
To celebrate its 10-year anniversary and a new program called the Purpose Project aimed at aging boomers, the U's Center for Spirituality & Healing will host health and wellness expert and Harvard-trained physician Andrew Weil at St. Paul's Fitzgerald Theater on Thursday, December 8.

Madeleine Albright at the U
Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright will join Humphrey Institute Senior Fellow Vin Weber for a policy discussion on democracy in the Middle East from 8:30 a.m. to noon on Thursday, December 8, at the Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs, 301 19th Ave. S., Minneapolis.

McNamara steps down, but his legacy continues
As a member of the Board of Regents, Richard "Pinky" McNamara served the University of Minnesota for four years. But as a student-athlete, benefactor, University of Minnesota Foundation board member, and all-around champion of U causes, his service to the U and legacy of giving span more than a half century.

Survey to show alumni connections and impact
This winter, the U is conducting a major survey to measure how its alumni contribute to the state and the world. The findings will add to that culled from the recent Carlson School of Management and the Institute of Technology alumni surveys.

Career reflections at year end
The end of one year and beginning of the next can be the ideal time to reflect on where your career is going and think about how to take it where you want to go. Rosie Barry provides resources.

Lineman shares love of reading
Erasmus James, a Minnesota Vikings 2005 first-round draft pick and starting defensive lineman, signed autographs at a local Cub Foods store to encourage reading and book donations to General College's African American Read-In literacy initiative.

Catching the wind
Natural gas prices have soared, the Arctic is melting, and winters are losing their bite. The 2005 research symposium of the University's Initiative for Renewable Energy and the Environment showcased work toward making the state and nation less dependent on foreign oil and issued a call to arms to address the problem before it gets any worse.

Are cities for the birds? Yes and no.
Ever wondered why we see so many pigeons and crows and so few brilliantly colored warblers in urban back yards? University researcher Robert Blair explains some of the factors that keep certain birds from making a home in the city.

More holiday gift ideas from the U
Are you still searching for a gift--perhaps even an unusual or unique gift--for that special someone this holiday season? Check out these varied options with a University of Minnesota flavor.

Evidence at last for the mysterious disappearance of the herons
For years, the disappearance of herons at Lake Peltier in Lino Lakes has mystified the scientists trying to save them. In response to scientific and public concern, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources funded a study conducted by a University of Minnesota graduate student and professor. Their investigation, conducted over the past two nesting seasons, has revealed a shocking clue that may help explain why the beleaguered birds have been forced to flee.

Narrowing the achievement gap
A partnership between the College of Education and Human Development and the Twin Cities chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha--a national black fraternity--has found a concrete way to help students traditionally challenged by standardized tests improve ACT and SAT scores.

Microbiology's niche in farm country
From people to cows... that's how Timna Wyckoff's focus has changed. The University of Minnesota, Morris, professor is studying bacterial antibiotic resistance in conventional and organic dairy cows. It's a timely topic, considering reports that estimate more than 70 percent of the antibiotics produced each year in the United States are used in livestock production--almost eight times the amount given to humans to treat disease.

Bookwork
When it comes to studying, college students come in all sizes: brilliant slackers and not-so-brilliant slackers, industrious types, incorrigible procrastinators, and those maddeningly perfect ones who study hard and play hard. What really counts is finding what works for you in order to make at least a modest success of your college career.

Residents, research, and rhabdomyolysis
If you've ever gone online to try and diagnose an itchy rash or a disquieting lump, you already know the dizzying amount of information a typical search engine will return. At their renovated Morning Report sessions, residents and medical students at the University's Medical School are getting help narrowing down the information.

Community Fund Drive tops $1 million in giving
The Twin Cities campus annual Community Fund Drive topped $1 million for the third time. Lead volunteers celebrated at Eastcliff November 15.

U student named 2006 Rhodes Scholar
Minnesota resident Diana Xuan Fu, an honors student in the College of Liberal Arts at the University of Minnesota, has been named a 2006 Rhodes Scholar.

His crashes helped make ours less dangerous
Former mechanical engineering professor James J. "Crash" Ryan is one of the great University research pioneers. Among his many achievements, he received a patent for the first retractable seat belt, which is estimated to have saved upwards of 200,000 lives.

U makes gains in faculty and staff diversity
Diversity of University faculty and staff is making steady though modest gains, the regents heard in a report Nov. 10. According to data gathered by the Office of Human Resources in 2004, people of color now make up 14 percent of the faculty, an increase of nearly 50 percent since 1994. Statistics on women and other groups and initiatives and ongoing programs were also part of the report.

The heat is on
If you think your heating bill is frighteningly high this winter, just be glad you're not heating the University of Minnesota. Granted, the Twin Cities campus alone has 253 buildings and roughly 19 million square feet of "heatable" space. Which is precisely what makes the rising cost of fuel so chilling.

Three weeks of the condor
A young male California condor came to the University of Minnesota Raptor Center November 8 with a broken wing bone. The rare bird, one of only 274 of his species, is doing quite nicely.

Reliving Minnesota history through Hollywood
A former miner and now a political science major at University of Minnesota, Duluth, David Lislegard was part of the movie North Country. Many of the movie's issues tie in to Lislegard's studies, including the Iron Range's long history of union organizing.

A field in motion
Kinesiology--the study of human bodies in motion--has been called a lot of things in its long history at the University. But one thing it can't be called today is "small." The School of Kinesiology now has the largest undergraduate class enrollment of the College of Education and Human Development's six departments, and it's ranked among the top five American kinesiology programs.

Nicotine vaccine may help smokers
A new vaccine that targets nicotine--not the brain--appears to be safe and well tolerated, and may help some smokers quit. A study involving researchers from the University and other institutions lays groundwork for larger clinical trials to determine whether a vaccine could become a standard, effective treatment for smoking. With November 17 being national Smoke-Out Day, it's a new ray of hope for smokers who want to kick the habit.

Going home to help
Penny Kessler, School of Nursing, responded to a call for medical personnel to help in her native state of Louisiana after hurricanes ripped through.

A global engagement
The U's first Global Engagement Award went to to Josef Mestenhauser, whose career at the U began as an international graduate assistant in 1950 and continues as an international consultant, teacher, and scholar. Mestenhauser has helped to build the U's capabilities and reputation worldwide.

U launches Undergraduate Virtual Library
The University of Minnesota Libraries is launching an online library for undergraduate students this fall. The Undergraduate Virtual Library (UGVL) is the first of its kind in the nation.

Preventing youth violence
U researcher Linda Bearinger (pictured) has identified risk factors that can lead to youth violence. Now Bearinger and her colleague and spouse Michael Resnick are working on using protective strategies to help prevent violent acts among youth in the future.

Marla Spivak breeds a better bee.
University of Minnesota entomologist Marla Spivak is helping protect bees--now crucial for their contribution to agriculture--from a mite called varroa destructor which threatens to destroy their numbers. During the winter of 2004-05, almost half the honeybees in the country died, largely as a result of this mite.

The U leads in China
University president Robert Bruininks is heading the education section of Governor Tim Pawlenty's Minnesota delegation to China from Nov. 11-19. With more than 8,000 Chinese alumni, the University claims the largest Chinese alumni group of any U.S. university.

Death of a Renaissance Man
Rutherford "Gus" Aris had it all: a brilliant mathematical and engineering mind, a gift for languages and classical studies, an impish sense of humor, and a kind and giving nature. When he died last week, the University and the world lost one of its most beloved examples of a scholar and a gentleman.

Examining bone, not teeth
At the U's School of Dentistry, assistant professor Raj Gopalakrishnan studies the biology of bone formation. His research has implications for dentistry, including dental implants and periodontal health, as well as broader applications for the treatment of osteoporosis and possibly bone cancer.

Winter car care
With temperatures dipping and snow not too far away in the forecast (unless you live in Florida), it's time to winterize your car. Tony Bittner of the U's Fleet Services offers some tips on prepping your vehicle for bone- and battery-chilling weather.

Concert accessories: earplugs are in
Recently, University of Minnesota researchers determined that concerts--with their combination of loud music and crowd noise--can damage hearing, and that wearing earplugs can help if people are convinced to wear them. Yes, despite the risk of long-term hearing loss, many of us choose to forgo earplugs.

UMM receives federal funding for biomass development
The University of Minnesota, Morris, (UMM) with its tall prairie grass and blue prairie sky is quickly gaining ground as a place for biomass research. UMM was one of 11--and the only small town, liberal arts college--to snag a grant from the federal government's Biomass Research and Development Initiative.

New music formats create dilemmas
Researchers at the Carlson School of Management have been studying current phenomena in the music industry. Their results suggest that we'll never hear or think about music in the same way again.

Women scholars in the spotlight
The new Ada Comstock Distinguished Women Scholars Lecture--named for a 20th century U pioneer--debuts with a 21st century U pioneer at the podium: stem-cell researcher Catherine Verfaillie.

Thalidomide shows potential in fight against ovarian cancer
The drug thalidomide, notorious for causing birth defects in the late 1950s and early 1960s, has shown promise in treating multiple myeloma, a cancer of the bone marrow. A new study led by University researcher Levi Downs adds ovarian cancer to the list of maladies that may respond to treatments containing the drug.

An artist embedded
Artist Steve Mumford chronicled in paintings and other artwork the life and times of the soldiers and Iraqis as an embedded journalist with U.S. troops. In a special appearance, he will give a presentation of his work and discuss his experiences at the Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs on the Twin Cities campus from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, November 9.

U graduate honored for improving nutrition in developing world
The University recently gave alum Paul Sun a distinguished leadership award for his work to bring better vegetable production-and thus better nutrition-to countries in the developing world.

Hmong parents and children lack support for early learning
Social sciences professor Zha Blong Xiong, the first Hmong full-time professor at the University of Minnesota, has produced a groundbreaking study on Hmong children entering kindergarten that found many of them are not ready to learn.

Celebrating El Dia de los Muertos
The ancient festival Day of the Dead--El Día de los Muertos--was celebrated on the Twin Cities campus today with a procession that threaded through the east bank of the campus, from Dinkytown to Coffman Union.

Engaging in public engagement
On October 31, the University hosted a public discussion to explore outreach as a means to help it achieve its goal of being one of the top three public research universities in the world within a decade.

Why the tundra is transforming
The retreat of Arctic sea ice has long been known, but it can't account for rapidly rising summer temperatures over Arctic land masses. Now, a University researcher has helped explain how spreading vegetation, notably shrubs, contributes to an escalating cycle of warming that is profoundly changing the character of the northern polar regions.

On the top perch
Since sixth grade, Bob Zink has been fascinated by the variety of birds that inhabit the globe. This year the Bell Museum's curator of birds won the top award of the American Ornithologists' Union for the best body of published research over the last decade.

Habitat for Humanity chapter grows
Habitat for Humanity volunteers prepare for a night on the Washington Avenue Bridge in an effort to understand what it's like to be homeless.

Road trip to empowerment
Nonviolent resistance walks a path between violent resistance on one hand and compliance on the other. It is the intellectual passion of assistant professor Katy Gray Brown, who organized a course about social change and a trip to key sites in the U.S. civil rights movement. Then, with nine students, she got behind the wheel and made it happen.

Celebrating 20 years of service
The University of Minnesota's Institute on Community Integration joins with partners around the state and the country to improve community services and social supports for people with disabilities and their families.

Making time for the U
The University of Minnesota Alumni Association honored its top alumni, faculty, staff, and student volunteers at its annual Alumni Volunteer Awards Ceremony on October 7. Learn who the winners were and why it's important for the U to have enthusiastic volunteers.

From ELI to OLLI
Although it has undergone a name change, from ElderLearning Institute to Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, the 10-year-old University of Minnesota program still serves up fun and intellectually stimulating courses for its retirement-age members.

Open enrollment 2005
New medical plans. Expanded networks. A new prescription-drug program. New family rate structures. Cash benefits for participating in UPlan Wellness programs. Enrollment in medical and dental plans is required to have coverage. These are key changes in U employee health benefits coming up in 2006. Open enrollment runs Nov. 1-30.

Designing a college
What would we get by combining all of the University of Minnesota's highly regarded design disciplines under one roof? A new design college--one that would enhance the University's reputation as a national and international center of design expertise and innovation.

University of Minnesota professor to kick off White House conference on youth
On Thursday, October 27, U pediatrics professor Michael Resnick will assess the threats to healthy youth development during a White House Conference hosted by First Lady Laura Bush on Helping America's Youth. The 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. event will be broadcast on the Twin Cities campus from Howard University in Washington, D.C.

It only takes a moment
The new University of Minnesota Moment radio features give listeners across Minnesota greater insight into current affairs.

Breeding their share of good apples
About 80 percent of the apples produced in Minnesota are varieties that were developed at the University of Minnesota. The U's apple breeding program is nearly a century old, and had at its roots the desire to find a way to develop apple trees that could survive Minnesota's harsh winters.

Teaching Ph.D.s how to teach
Historically, doctoral students were simply expected to know how to teach because they were great students. But new programs are producing better future faculty members and delivering better undergraduate education. PACE--the Program for the Advancement of Classroom Excellence--is a Carlson School of Management initiative showing outstanding results.

Recess: not just fun and games
Trends to cut recess times or eliminate recess altogether frustrate University of Minnesota researcher Anthony Pellegrini. While some people view recess as trivial and unnecessary, such breaks foster children's development, Pellegrini says in his new book, Recess: Its Role in Education and Development.

Be spooked at the Bell
The annual "Oddities and Curiosities of Nature," featuring six-legged animals, heavy-weight sea creatures, and bug-eating children, runs through October 30. 2005.

Wanted: input for transforming the U
As task forces continue with their work this fall to develop recommendations for transforming the University of Minnesota into one of the top three public research universities in the world, one thing is clear: Input from the U community and the general public is welcome.

The digital doorway to the U
The U's portal--MyU--allows users to have the University at their fingertips by making sense of its abundance of information and creating new tools for study, learning, and communication.

New chair will bridge fields of renewable energy and microbial genomics
In a visit to the Twin Cities, Norwegian Crown Prince Haakon announced a gift from his government: $750,000 for an endowed chair in renewable energy and microbial genomics at the University. The announcement came as Norway celebrates its centennial of independence.

Art of mind and wire
What do you get when you craft wire into coats and dresses and suspend them from the ceiling? "Fashion art" that gives the impression of a person hovering in the air. The U's Goldstein Museum is hosting KeySook Geum's ethereal "Mind over Matter, Body Under Art" exhibit through January 2006.

A Dylanesque look at what lies ahead for two colleges:
COAFES dean Chuck Muscoplat and Carla Carlson, assistant vice president for agricultural policy, find that the words and spirit of Minnesota's Bob Dylan capture their feelings for what the University must do to create real change.

Students reflect two cultures
Since spring 2005, nine University of Minnesota students have been collaborating on fashion design and textile art projects with 16 students from Seoul, Korea. The Asian students visited the Twin Cities last week, marking their first face-to-face meeting. Next spring, the students from Minnesota are off to Korea.

People with big hearts
How does a University unit achieve a 90 percent participation rate in annual giving? One team leader for 13 years tells how.

How you cook makes a difference
University researchers find that eating fried, grilled, or barbecued meat or fish that is well-done and burned or charred can increase your risk for pancreatic cancer.

She still loves maroon and gold
The Even Mother Nature Loves Maroon and Gold series returns for a sixth straight year. The image for this year's poster and note cards features Thunbergia mysorensis, a large woody vine from the tropical mountains of southern India.

Feeding the world
Minnesota celebrates Nobel Laureate Norman Borlaug on October 16 and, appropriately, the University honors its favorite son-and father of the Green Revolution-- with a food and fund drive to benefit the hungry.

October is U Scholarship Month
President Bob Bruininks has once again declared October as Scholarship Month at the U. In 2003 the University of Minnesota launched "Promise of Tomorrow," the largest scholarship drive in its history. Through August of this year, 31,400 donors have given $84 million toward the drive's goal of $150 million.

Apples for today, tomorrow, and later
Apple season is here! Americans eat approximately 20 pounds of fresh apples annually, according to the Washington Apple Commission. The University of Minnesota Extension Service has some tips on how to keep your apples tempting to the taste buds and appealing to the eyes.

U receives $100,000 for breast cancer research
At the University of Minnesota, researchers are making progress in the fight to prevent, detect, treat, and cure breast cancer. Recently, the U received $100,000 to expand its breast cancer education and treatment programs for recent immigrants and lower-income women.

Swimming in goop nets researchers an Ig Nobel Prize
Every year, the Ig Nobel Prizes honor scientific projects that make you think--once you get through laughing. For answering the eternal question "Will people swim faster or slower in syrup?" chemical engineering and materials science professor Ed Cussler and his former student Brian Gettelfinger won the 2005 Ig Nobel Prize in Chemistry. They collected the award October 6 in a ceremony at Harvard University.

Teaching through change
In a retreat October 7-9, the U's Academy of Distinguished Teachers talked about change, from changing students to telling the U's story through times of change.

Metrics and measurements
In meetings Oct. 6-7, the Board of Regents heard a report on developing a set of metrics to assess the U's progress toward becoming one of the top three public research universities in the world. They also previewed the 2006 capital bonding request.

Embryonic stem cells made to produce cancer-fighting cells
In a major breakthrough, U researchers have coaxed human embryonic stem cells to generate "natural killer" cells that are able to treat and fight cancer, especially leukemias and lymphomas. As part of the immune system, natural killer cells normally are present in the bloodstream and play a role in defending the body against infection and against some cancers. The research was done in the laboratory, but it paves the way for future use in humans.

One for the ages
The Golden Gopher football team shocked the Michigan Wolverines, as well as some its own fans, with a 23-20 victory Saturday in Ann Arbor. Now that the Little Brown Jug is back on campus, the Gophers now turn their focus to Wisconsin and recapturing Paul Bunyan's Axe.

Expanded U Senate meets for first time
The University Senate met for the first time for the 2005-06 academic year on September 29. The meeting was the first of the reorganized U Senate, which now includes senators from the Council of Academic Professionals and Administrators (CAPA) and civil service employee groups.

Freshmen shining brighter at the U
The University of Minnesota is attracting more and better-prepared students, as measured by enrollment, high school rank, and ACT scores. Of this year's crop of freshmen on the Twin Cities campus, 73.8 percent were in the top 25 percent of their high school class, and the average ACT composite score was 25.14 out of a possible 36.

Make a night of it: West Bank Arts Quarter Crawl features theatre, dance, and art all on one evening
On one great fall evening, the West Bank Arts Quarter pulls together something for everyone as it inaugurates its first ¿crawl¿ and the anniversaries of the theater and dance departments.

Dodge, duck, dip, and dive
Mullet Removal, a hodge-podge team of people from the University of Minnesota, Morris, snagged top spot in the coed division at the National Dodgeball League's 2005 Dodgeball World Championship September 23-25 in Las Vegas. The team outplayed 22 others from states such as Alaska, California and New York for the title.

A new habitat for biologists
The College of Biological Sciences is beefing up its research facilities at the Itasca Biological Station and Laboratories, underscoring its commitment to continuing excellence in biology and biology teaching, especially in rural Minnesota K-12 schools.

The little things
They may be vanishingly small, but nanoparticles have become integral components of stain-resistant clothes, pharmaceuticals, solar panels, batteries, and even popcorn. They also pollute the air and may cause serious health problems. At the U of M, 400 nanoparticle scientists came together to get up to speed on the implications of the technology.

U celebrates Disability Awareness Month
The University of Minnesota Disabled Student Cultural Center held an event on Northrop Plaza on Friday, September 30, to kick off the on-campus celebration of Disability Awareness Month in October.

Putting lampreys on the lam
Like salmon, the destructive sea lamprey follows its nose as it migrates from oceans or lakes and up streams to spawn. University of Minnesota researchers have found the odorous attractant that drives them, and hope to turn it into a chemical siren song to lure the fish into traps. Insights gained from this discovery should also prove useful in controlling other unwelcome fish such as carp.

Mapmaking at the U
University departments, government agencies, and private companies have been tapping the U's 40-year-old cartography lab for thematic and general-purpose maps. Lab director Mark Lindberg shares some insights on mapmaking at the U and as a profession.

A genuine alternative
If you truly want an alternative radio station, try tuning in to Radio K (770 AM, 106.5 FM), the student-run station on the campus of the University of Minnesota. It's hip beyond its years; it's guided primarily by enthusiastic, music-adoring students; and it's critically acclaimed, to boot.

Save a seat for the Über Scholar
Look in the dictionary under "lifelong learner" and you'll find Steve Haskin's name. The poet and a freelance journalist has taken more than 20 University of Minnesota Compleat Scholar courses over the years.

Which came first, the seed or the tree?
A new public art piece, "Seed of Knowledge," has sprouted on the Twin Cities campus in St. Paul.

Vicarious pleasure
University senior Adrienne Baker writes a weekly online blog for M readers about the challenges of her last year as an undergrad.

Busting Stress
Stress Busters, an hour of informal meditation, light yoga, and stretching at the Mayo Building on the Twin Cities campus leaves participants feeling physically, emotionally, and intellectually rejuvenated.

Letters to the Editor, fall 2005
Letters in response to M, summer 2005

Alumni wall honors achievement
The new University of Minnesota Alumni Wall of Honor bears the names of more than 1,000 people who have received the Outstanding Achievement Award--the highest award given to University alumni. The structure was unveiled during homecoming festivities last Friday.

Manage back-to-school stress
Children are remarkably resilient when it comes to coping with change. But when the change involves returning to school during puberty or a divorce, a child may feel overwhelmed. Although we're a month into the school year, U adolescent health expert Linda Bearinger has year-round advice to ease the transition.

Following the algal trail
Scientists at the U's Natural Resources Research Institute are studying microscopic aquatic life forms, such as algae, for insights into the health of our lakes, streams, and busy waterways.

One size does not fit all
University of Minnesota pharmacy professor Timothy Tracy has published findings that can help expectant mothers get the right dose of medication to manage chronic conditions during each stage of pregnancy.

More than 51,000 alumni give to the U
Nationwide, universities report an alumni-giving growth rate of about 3 to 4 percent a year. Between 2002 and 2005, the University of Minnesota experienced a 20 percent growth. Was there a secret to the rare achievement?

UMC opens new student center
The 80-year-old Bede Hall on the Crookston campus was demolished on March 1, 2004. Today, it stands--revamped with a bookstore, post office, coffee shop, study lounges, and a cool light sculpture--as the campus's new Student Center.

Book reviews fall 2005
Three books by people at the U--on math wars, a battle that stopped Rome, and a vegetarian manifesto for all ages.

U professor wins national award for excellence in biology education
Biology teacher Randy Moore turned down medical school for a career helping students discover the joys of learning about the natural world. Many of his General College students have responded to his concern for them by going on to rewarding careers in science, medicine, law, and other fields.

U rowers set to make a splash
On Saturday, October 1, the winning Gopher women¿s crew takes to the water for the on-campus Head of the Mississippi regatta and opens the fall rowing season.

Teaching smarter
Faculty members systemwide are designing and trying new teaching and technology strategies--and testing their effectiveness--with the support of a three-year Bush Foundation grant.

Get connected, fall 2005
A compendium of events and opportunities for alumni of the University of Minnesota.

Alumni career builder
Far from campus but looking for career connections? The new M Alumni Online can help.

From the pages of history, fall 2005
Moments in University history from the pages of the 104-year-old alumni journal, now called Minnesota.

Beyond the blackboard
After spending 40 years as an engineer, environmental planner, and consultant, Don Brauer knows that a key to a successful career in any field is understanding the big picture. That's why, as a mentor for the Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs, Brauer has made a point of giving students a broad view of their chosen field.

Roots of human civilization may have been just that
The move of our ape ancestors from the rain forest into the savannahs is thought to have spurred a big jump in human evolution. U anthropologist Greg Laden hypothesizes that they were able to survive by eating roots and tubers, also known as underground storage organs (USOs).

Catching a tailwind
It took more than sunlight to power Borealis III to a runner-up finish in the North American Solar Challenge. The car's real firepower comes from a potent mix of student ingenuity and alumni support.

Celebrating the horse and human bond
Jean del Santo, University associate professor of voice, was inspired to create a performance on the Twin Cities campus that's centered on horses and humans during her bout with cancer.

New magic number: 50,000 alumni donors
The University crossed a magical number with the end of its fiscal year in June: more than 50,000 alumni donors in a single year.

Multiple rewards
A number of scholarships gave Rachael Dettmann the opportunity to double major in music performance and applied economics. Little did she know how much those scholarships would change her life.

Helping students succeed
U scholarship drive benefits 1,000 more students compared with two years ago.

All-American student, athlete (and volunteer)
Heather Hamilton is the most decorated athlete in UMD history. She finished her undergraduate years by earning a 4.0 grade-point average and making the dean's list every semester.

Casey is new UMC chancellor
The University of Minnesota, Crookston, is welcoming a new chancellor, while the Morris campus is preparing to say goodbye to its leader of seven years.

A school of the world
As it transforms itself into one of the top three public research universities in the world, the University must continue its tradition of sending students and faculty abroad and increase its efforts to bring international students to its campuses.

Celebrating two peas in a pod
The University of Minnesota's Department of Theatre Arts & Dance celebrates 75:20--75 years of theater and 20 years of dance.

Inventing the future
The University has a proud record of technologies developed by its faculty, staff, and students. Last Tuesday (September 20), the most recent crop of inventors received a big thank-you and a pledge of support.

Blossoming of a billion-year-old tree
"Nothing in biology makes sense except in the light of evolution," a great geneticist once said. Tracing the branches in the evolutionary tree of Earth's diverse life forms is a daunting task, but one that promises rich rewards in efforts to save endangered species, manage pests, and discover new drugs, among many other applications. University researchers are in the thick of an ambitious national project to assemble the Tree of Life by sorting out relationships among a wide range of organisms.

Homecoming: Center Stage
It's one of those things you can always count on--homecoming. The world may change, the stadium may change, the players most certainly will change, but homecoming, with its hoopla, teary-eyed alums, and tipsy freshmen has remained our enduring autumn ritual since 1914.

UMD dedicates Swenson Science Building
Dedication ceremonies for the new $33 million James I. Swenson Science Building at the University of Minnesota, Duluth, were held September 16. The three-level structure contains teaching, research, and administrative space for UMD's biology, chemistry, and biochemistry departments.

Eldercare Initiative kicks off National Work and Family Month
The U WorkLife Effectiveness Program will offer a wide variety of programs in October, National Work and Family Month. The new Eldercare Initiative officially launches Oct. 4.

Rolling up the sleeves
The idea of transforming the U into one of the world's top three public research universities took a concrete step forward on September 16 when task forces charged with making recommendations for the U's future met for the first time.

Not able to leap tall buildings, but he can sure make physics fun
For three years, physics professor James Kakalios taught a Freshman Seminar called “Everything I Know About Science I Learned from Reading Comic Books.” In his forthcoming book, The Physics of Superheroes, Kakalios takes the reader on a fun ride through the fantastic world of comic book superheroes and examines the scientific basis, or lack thereof, of their powers. Learning physics was never so painless. He'll discuss his ideas Friday at 2:30 on 91.1 FM.

UMD to dedicate new James I. Swenson Science Building
Dedication ceremonies for the new $33 million James I. Swenson Science Building at the University of Minnesota, Duluth, are set for 11 a.m. Friday, September 16. The three-level structure contains teaching, research, and administrative space for UMD's biology, chemistry, and biochemistry departments.

University of Minnesota to observe Constitution Day with Law School presentation
The University of Minnesota Law School, on behalf of the entire University of Minnesota system, presents a program on Friday, September 16, from 12:15-2:15 p.m., commemorating the United States Constitution. The two-hour presentation at the Law School (Mondale Hall, Room 25) by members of the Law School faculty will address recent and forthcoming Supreme Court controversies and the nomination of Judge John Roberts to serve as the next Chief Justice of the United States.

Dr. Clarence Dennis, pioneer in open heart surgery, dies
Clarence Dennis invented the first heart-lung machine and performed the world's second successful open heart surgery. He died in July, his place in the history of medicine secure. The University hosted a memorial service and reception Friday, September 16.

Riverbend takes on new name
The Riverbend Commons student housing complex is now the Mark G. Yudof Hall, in honor of the U's 14th president.

Winterizing your lawn
Although the summer gardening season is winding down, the lawn growing season is by no means over. Now's the prime time to seed or reseed your lawn, lay sod, and prepare your perennial plants for winter. U horticulturist Bob Mugaas offers some advice.

Caddisfly catchers
In the disappearing forests of South America, University entomologists are discovering biodiversity and helping to establish water-quality monitoring programs with black lights and bedsheets.

Student farm busts out
On a very visible corner, something new is growing. The University of Minnesota's first student-run farm is the product of one long-running student organization, 13 student interns, several professors, a college, generous donors, and the Minnesota Institute for Sustainable Agriculture.

India Inc.
The Carlson School of Management's India Seminar offers University of Minnesota students a look at managing in a global world.

Donors give $180 million to U
In fiscal year 2005, almost 93,000 people made gifts and pledges to the University of Minnesota. The total of $180 million in donations is an increase of 24 percent i