Vol. XXXVIII No. 17; May 7, 2008
Interim Editor: Pauline Oo, brief@umn.edu

Read Brief on the Web at www.umn.edu/umnnews/Publications/Brief/Brief_05072008.html.

INSIDE THIS ISSUE
--U launches new wireless network
--Transformational leadership
--People: U hires top physiologist; a Regents Professor Emeritus has passed away, and more.

Campus Announcements and Events
University-wide | Crookston | Duluth | Morris | Rochester | Twin Cities

U POISED TO LAUNCH NEW WIRELESS NETWORK: The Office of Information Technology has been working to upgrade the current wireless network on the UMTC and UMR campuses. The new network will provide users with faster connection and better security. To learn more, read "Faster wireless Internet planned."

TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP: The University offers various leadership development programs for its employees. Two of them are the President's Emerging Leaders and the Transformational Leadership Program. Recently, the Board of Regents recognized these programs and their role in driving a "culture of excellence." To learn more, read "UMD graduates its second transformational leadership cohort."

PEOPLE: The U has hired top molecular and integrative physiologist Joseph Metzger; adjunct epidemiology instructor Kristen Ehresmann was appointed to the federal Advisory Committee on Immunization Practice; Guillermo Sapiro was named editor in chief of a new Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics journal; Regents Professor Emeritus G. Edward Schuh died Sunday due to complications following heart surgery. Read about these and more in People.

CAMPUS ANNOUNCEMENTS AND EVENTS

University-wide:

BOARD OF REGENTS MEETING, May 9, 9 a.m.-noon, 600 McNamara Alumni Center. The agenda includes a review of the six-year capital improvement plan (2009-14) and the president's recommended annual operating budget for fiscal year 2009. Committee meetings will be held May 7-8. For the complete agenda, see Board of Regents.

THE VETERANS TRANSITION CENTER located at UMTC has received a $40,000 grant from AT&T and Operation Homefront to support veterans returning to college. The funds for the student-run center will go towards new furniture, carpeting, computers, and other technology for the 2008-09 academic year. Read the news release and watch a video about the support the University provides for returning veterans. (The U has several resources across all campuses, in addition to the Veterans Transition Center, for its more than 600 student veterans.)

U HONORS NOTED CHILDREN'S AUTHOR with 2008 Kerlan Award. Walter Dean Myers will be honored along with author and illustrator Robert Kraus (posthumously), May 10, 1 p.m., 125 Willey Hall. Since 1975, the award has been presented annually in recognition of singular attainments in the creation of children's literature and in appreciation of donations to the Kerlan Collection. A professional development session will be held before the award ceremony, 9-11:30 a.m., Elmer Andersen Library. Read the news release.

BEST DIRECTOR OF GRADUATE STUDIES (DGS) AWARD recipients for 2008 are John Campbell, psychology, and Lois Cucullu, English, UMTC. Best DGS Assistant Award recipients are Lisa Hubinger, comparative and molecular bioscience and veterinary medicine, and Gail Kalli, plant biological sciences, UMTC. The Graduate School will be hosting a reception in their honor, May 14, 3-4:30 p.m., Upson Room, Walter Library, UMTC. Register by May 9 at starry@umn.edu. For more information, see Grad School.

Crookston:

THE BLANDIN FOUNDATION recently awarded the Northwest Minnesota Foundation with a three-year, $300,000 grant for a project that includes an annual competition to encourage new entrepreneurs. UMC is one of the project partners. Read the news release.

UMC CELEBRATED STAFF DAY, May 5. The success and accomplishments of staff were recognized with a luncheon and award presentation.

A FACULTY WORKSHOP on the Graduation Planner, with William Dana and Kasi Williamson from the UMTC registrar's office, will be May 8, 100 Dowell.

Duluth:

UMD LIBRARY will present the 20th annual Northeastern Minnesota Book Awards, May 17-18. Festivities begin with a writing workshop by Minnesota author Bill Holm, May 17, 2-4 p.m., fourth-floor library rotunda. Book fair and reception, May 18, 12:30-3 p.m., Tweed Museum of Art, followed by awards presentation emceed by Duluth's first poet laureate Barton Sutter, with featured speaker Bill Holm, 3:30 p.m., Weber Music Hall. For more information, see UMD library.

PAMELA ENRICI, UMD Library, has been elected by the Council of Academic Professionals and Administrators to serve a three-year term in the University Academic Senate.

GLENSHEEN HISTORIC CONGDON ESTATE offers three special Mother's Day buffets, which include a tour of the mansion, May 11, 9 a.m., noon, and 4 p.m. Prices are $24.95 for adults, $13.95 for children, and free for those under five. Glensheen hours are 10 a.m.-3 p.m., and tours are held on Saturdays and Sundays through May 26. For more information, see Glensheen Estate.

Morris:

UMM SENIOR SIMON FRANCO AND DONNA CHOLLETT, anthropology professor, are recipients of the 2008 Cesar E. Chavez awards. They were nominated by UMM students for outstanding leadership and contributions to the Latino community, and for communities of color, and support of worker's rights. Read the news release.

SENIOR JOHN HANSON, Falcon Heights, is the first UMM student to receive a scholarship from the Killam Fellowships Program. Read the news release.

FROM SPRING STUDENT ART EXHIBITS: "Untitled Dream" by Reed Schmidt and "Dehumanization" by Ben Wellendorf were selected for the Rodney A. Briggs Library Student Art Award. The award recognizes talented UMM students and creates a permanent library art collection.

Rochester:

TODAY, UMR WILL HONOR 2008 GRADUATES with a reception, 5-7 p.m., third-floor student lounge. A short program will be held at 5:30 p.m. with refreshments and gifts.

Twin Cities:

STEP-UP PROGRAM: Senior VP Robert Jones, STEP-UP cochair, urges department heads to consider participating in this program to increase educational and economic opportunity for Minneapolis youth. STEP-UP places youth from diverse backgrounds in summer jobs for six to eight weeks, 20 to 40 hours per week. Hiring departments are expected to pay the students at least $7 per hour; some matching funds are available. The deadline to request a student is May 19. Contact Steve Schumacher at sschumacher@achieveminneapolis.org or 612-455-1558, or if you have specific questions about the U's participation in the program, contact Tex Ostvig at 612-624-3958 or uconnects@umn.edu.

INSTITUTE FOR ADVANCED STUDY LECTURES: "Theorizing Historical Change: Critical Theory and the Transformations of the Twentieth Century": A talk with Moishe Postone, May 8, 4 p.m.; "Creating Access to Mental Health Care for Somali and Oromo Refugees": A talk with Mary Bradmiller, May 9, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.; "Telling Time: Short Films About Dreams, Memories, Paradoxes, Rhythms, Conundrums, Lies, and the Uncanny": Presentation by Lynn Lukkas, May 14, 4 p.m. All events are held at 125 Nolte Center. For more information, call 612-626-5054 or see Institute for Advanced Study.

THE U'S COMPANION-ANIMAL BLOOD DONOR PROGRAM has two greyhound blood donors available for foster care. Both dogs were acquired from a rescue organization in Kansas, and they cannot be placed in homes with cats. If you are interested in fostering either of these dogs or have questions, e-mail Beth Olmstead or Dora Schroeder. For information about the blood donor program, see College of Vet Med.

OUR BODIES, OURSELVES is a special presentation and open discussion with Judy Norsigian, coauthor of Our Bodies, Ourselves: Pregnancy and Birth; Andy Steiner, author of Spilled Milk: Breastfeeding Adventures and Advice From Less-Than-Perfect Moms; and Deborah Ringdahl, School of Nursing clinical assistant professor. Today, 5:30-7:30 p.m., 401/402, Walter Library. For more information, visit School of Nursing.

"THE OTHER SIDE OF CARING: Caregiver Suffering," the Wald Lectureship on Palliative and Hospice Care, will feature renowned ethicist and scholar Cynda Rushton discussing the paradox of providing humane care to people with serious illness or facing death. May 8, 4-5 p.m., Great Hall, Coffman Union. For more information, see School of Nursing.

PLANT SALE by U Horticulture Club: perennials, herbs, annuals, vegetables, fruits, and a few surprises. All plants grown locally. May 8-11, Gortner Ave. between Larpenteur and Folwell. (Times vary: Thur. and Fri. 9 a.m.-7 p.m., Sat. 9 a.m.-5 p.m., and Sun. 10 a.m.-2 p.m.) Questions, e-mail hortclub@umn.edu.

THIRD ANNUAL NEW MUSIC ENSEMBLE CONSORTIUM by the School of Music features new works and performances by faculty and students, including the world premiere of composer Laura Schwendinger's "Song for Andrew." Events include University of Iowa's Center for New Music, May 8, 7:30 p.m.; University of Wisconsin-Madison's Contemporary Chamber Ensemble, May 9, 7:30 p.m.; University of Minnesota's New Music Ensemble, May 10, 3:30 p.m. All concerts are held at Lloyd Ultan Recital Hall, Ferguson Hall. For a complete schedule of events and for more information, see School of Music.

ROBOTS TAKE OVER THE LIBRARY: The Science and Engineering Library in Walter will host students and researchers from the Department of Computer Science and Engineering in the 2008 SCImagine!, the library's annual science showcase of artificial intelligence and robotics. May 9, 3:30-5 p.m. For more information, see Walter Library.

"ARCHITECTURE AND CERAMICS: Material, Structure, Vision," curated by Rob Silberman, associate professor of art history, includes slide lecture, family dialogues, and tips on how to teach art to youth. Opening reception, May 9, 6-8 p.m., Northern Clay Center. For more information about the exhibit and related events, see Northern Clay Center.

DEMYSTIFYING THE PROMOTION AND TENURE PROCESS: A Workshop for Probationary Faculty, will be offered May 22, 9-10:30 a.m., and May 23, 1-2:30 p.m., Mississippi Room, Coffman Union. UMTC probationary faculty members are invited to attend the workshop, which will include discussion about changes to the tenure code, the process for tenure, and a dialogue with a panel of recently tenured U faculty members. Hosted by vice provost for faculty and academic affairs Arlene Carney. To register, contact Jane Xiong.

TENTH ANNUAL Civil Service/Bargaining Unit Staff Day, June 4, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., in front of Coffman Union, Minneapolis and in the green space at Carter and Eckles avenues, St. Paul. Lunch will be served. An evening event will also be held for second- and third-shift employees, 6:30-8 p.m., Coffman. Staff must bring the invitation card for gift and raffle. The card will be invalid if any changes are made to it, including address corrections.

MORE EVENTS include "Bollywood, USA: Global Indian Cinema in Asian America" (May 8); "Why You Belong" (May 9); "Trans Community Health and Wellness Fair" (May 10); "Wine Class: Australian Wine and Politics Thereof" (May 12); "Cafe Scientifique: Does Evolution Make You Selfish?" (May 13). SEE THESE AND MORE TWIN CITIES CAMPUS EVENTS.

Published by University Relations at the University of Minnesota. Please send comments, questions, or submissions to the editor at brief@umn.edu. The deadline for submissions is noon on the Friday before publication. All Twin Cities event submissions are handled through the events calendar at http://events.tc.umn.edu.

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