ITems | January 2004

Top stories

Davis to step down as IT dean after nine years of distinguished leadership

IT dean H. Ted Davis will return to a faculty position fall semester 2004 after nine years of distinguished leadership. Davis, who was appointed dean in November 1995, is the third longest serving dean in the college's history and also the third longest serving among current deans on the Twin Cities campus.

His major accomplishments as dean include raising $169 million for Campaign Minnesota; establishing the Digital Technology Center; securing funds to renova

te Walter Library and build the new Mechanical Engineering Building and the addition to Amundson Hall; increasing the diversity among faculty and students; and establishing the Department of Biomedical Engineering.

"I've had an incredible experience, but after nine years as dean and 24 in administration, it's time to pass the torch," says Davis. "I am deeply grateful for the hard work and dedication of our department heads and many others throughout the institute who have helped us achieve success." Find out more...

Governor recommends only partial funding for Kolthoff renovation and other U projects

Governor Tim Pawlenty's $76.6 million capital budget proposal would fund less than half of the $155.5 million in state bonding the University is seeking. The governor's proposal includes $38 million of the $90 million the University requested in Higher Education Assets Preservation and Replacement Funding. Of the six major building projects proposed by the University, only three are included in the governor's budget, including $16.8 million for the proposed Kolthoff Hall renovation.

Calling the governor's recommendations "deeply disappointing," University president Robert Bruininks pledged to take the University's case directly to the state legislature.

IT dean H. Ted Davis echoes Bruininks' sentiments. "Although I'm pleased that the governor recognizes the importance of the Kolthoff project, his recommendation doesn't provide enough money to satisfy basic code requirements and ensure a healthy environment for faculty, staff, and students," says Davis. "There are very few options we can cut in this project."

We need your help to convince the legislature to support the University's capital bonding budget request. On January 22, Bruininks and UMAA president Jerry Noyce will offer a preview of the University's request at a legislative briefing for alumni, students, faculty, staff, and friends. It's great opportunity to learn about and discuss the University's proposed partnership with the state and what you can do to support the U. The Legislative Network will provide background information on the capital request and a tool kit that will help you support the U throughout the legislative session. RSVP by January 15 at 612-625-9174 or register online.

IT launches revised Web site

The IT communications team recently completed an extensive revision of the college's Web site. The site features a fresh new look, streamlined organization, enhanced navigation, and content designed to serve you better. We invite you to explore the site and send your comments and suggestions to itweb@umn.edu.

Honors

The Graduate School has honored four IT faculty with the 2004-06 McKnight Land-Grant Professorship. Assistant professors Baoquan Chen (computer science and engineering), Heiko Jacobs (electrical and computer engineering), Kristopher McNeill (chemistry), and Joachim Mueller (physics) are among nine University faculty selected for the the two-year appointment. The McKnight Land-Grant Professorship is designed to advance the careers of the University's most promising junior faculty at a critical period in their professional lives.

Munirathna Anandakrishnan (Civil M.S. ’57, Ph.D. ’60) is among the first nine recipients of the Distinguished Leadership Award for Internationals, a new University-wide award for alumni, former students, and friends of the University who have distinguished themselves as leaders in their professional careers. Anandakrishnan was recognized for his lifelong commitment to improving the quality of technical education in India and other developing countries. He is vice chair of the Tamil Nadu State Council for Higher Education Academy, chair of the All-India Board of Undergraduate Studies in New Delhi, advisor to the chief minister of Tamil Nadu on information technology and e-governance, and chair-designate of the Madras Institute of Development Studies.

A team of University computer science and engineering students has advanced to the world finals of the 28th Annual ACM International Collegiate Programming Contest, sponsored by IBM. Stefan Atev, Elliot Olds, and Vishal Shah comprise one of 73 teams invited to participate in the finals, which will be held March 28-April 1 in Prague, Czech Republic. The team is coached by Carl Sturtivant and Bobbie Othmer.

Assistant Professor David Blank (chemistry) received a prestigious David and Lucile Packard Fellowship for Science and Engineering, one of just 16 awarded to the nation's most promising young professors.

The American Chemical Society honored Professor John Ellis (chemistry) with the first F. Albert Cotton Award in Synthetic Inorganic Chemistry. The award recognized Ellis for his outstanding contributions to inorganic and organometallic synthesis.

Professor Bin He (biomedical engineering) has been elected a Fellow of the IEEE. He was honored for contributions to the development of electrophysiological neuroimaging and electrocardiographic imaging.

Distinguished McKnight University Professor Timothy Lodge (chemistry) received the 2004 Polymer Prize of the American Physical Society for his contributions to the fundamental understanding of polymer chain diffusion and segmental-chain dynamics.

Distinguished McKnight University Professor Keith Olive (physics) has been elected a Fellow of the American Physical Society (APS). The APS cited his "contributions toward the development of astroparticle physics. In particular, for work done on early universe cosmology, including pioneering efforts in big bang nucleosynthesis and supersymmetric dark matter."

IT dean H. Ted Davis has appointed Professor Sachin Sapatnekar (electrical and computer engineering) the first holder of the Robert and Marjorie Henle Chair in Electrical Engineering.

Professor Randall Victoria (electrical and computer engineering) has been elected a Fellow of the IEEE. He was honored for his contributions to the exploration of magnetic and optical properties of materials and devices.

Reminder: Regents Professor nominations are being accepted for faculty members who have uniquely contributed to the quality of the U through especially noteworthy accomplishments in teaching; research, scholarship, or creative work; and contributions to the public good. Send nominations to the Regents Professor Nominating Committee, c/o the Office of the President, 202 Morrill Hall. Deadline is Feb. 1, 2004. For more information or a copy of the nomination guidelines, contact Mary Pierce at 612-624-6327 or pierc035@umn.edu.

Events

Legislative briefing and reception

January 22: Join University president Robert Bruininks and UMAA president Jerry Noyce for an insider's preview of the University's 2004 capital bonding request to the state legislature. This event is an opportunity for alumni, students, faculty, staff, and friends to learn about and discuss the University's proposed partnership with the state and what you can do to support the U. The Legislative Network will provide background information on the capital request and a tool kit that will help you support the U throughout the legislative session. For more information call 612-625-9174, email h-thil@umn.edu, or register online. 5:30 p.m. reception; 6:30 p.m. program, McNamara Alumni Center.

DTC Science and Technology Innovators Lecture:
Peer-to-Peer Computing Research: A Fad?

January 27: M. Frans Kaashoek, professor of electrical engineering and computer science at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and a member of MIT's Laboratory for Computer Science, will discuss the advantages of peer-to-peer architecture for building mission-critical distributed services. For more information contact the Digital Technology Center at 612-624-9510 or info@dtc.umn.edu. 4:30 p.m. reception, 5:00 p.m. lecture; 402 Walter Library.

UMAA 100th Birthday Party

2004 ASCE Midwest Regional Conference

February 26–28: Students and faculty from civil engineering programs in five states and Ontario will converge on the University campus to attend the 2004 ASCE Midwest Regional Conference. Engineers from across the region will also attend the conference, which includes a career fair, seminars, tours, banquet, and a steel bridge competition. Co-sponsored by the University's student chapter of ASCE, the Department of Civil Engineering, and local engineering firms. Organizers are still seeking event sponsors and volunteer judges for the steel bridge competition. For more information contact conference chair Jessica Mitchell at mitc0236@umn.edu, Professor Robert Dexter at dexter@umn.edu, or call 612-624-0063. Read more…

Looking ahead

Donaldson Lecture

March 3: Professor Stan Veprek, chair of the Institute for Chemistry of Inorganic Materials, Technical University of Munich, Germany, will present the first Donaldson Lecture. He will discuss recent progress in superhard nanocomposites, including design concept, properties, deposition conditions, impurities, and large-scale applications. 4:00 p.m., 2-650 Moos Tower.

Minnesota Employment Expo

March 4: U of M alumni and students and degree-holding community members are invited to attend the Minnesota Employment Expo. Network with top Minnesota companies and organizations to discuss employment and career-related opportunities for candidates from a variety of majors and levels of expertise. Information sessions will be held throughout the day on such topics as "Job Search Strategies" and "How to Work a Job Fair." Sponsored by the UM Alumni Association, Career Services offices on all U of M campuses, College of Continuing Education, and Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development. For more information, employers and job seekers should call at 612-626-0425. 1:00 - 7:00 p.m., Radisson Hotel Metrodome.

S&T Banquet

April 14: Charles McQueary, Under Secretary for Science and Technology, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) , will speak at the 2004 Science & Technology Banquet. The banquet begins at 5:30 with a reception, followed by the program and dinner. Preregister for preferred seating. For more information call 612-626-8282 or email stbanquet@umn.edu. 5:30-8:30 p.m., Minneapolis Hilton.