April 27, 2004 News Releases
Released 4/23/04, 4/26/04 and 4/27/04
UTAH STATE NEWS RELEASES FOR 4-27-04
FIRST RECIPIENT
OF OSAMU FUJIWARA SCHOLARSHIP NAMED AT UTAH STATE
LOGAN — Chieh-Hsin Fan of Taiwan, a graduate student
in the computer science department at Utah State University,
is the first recipient of the Osamu Fujiwara Scholarship awarded
by the Intensive English Language Institute (IELI).
After review by the IELI advisory board, Fan was selected as
the first recipient of this scholarship sponsored by Osamu Fujiwara
who studied at Utah State in the 1960s.
The scholarship recipient attended IELI during fall semester
2003 and began his computer science classes in spring 2004.
He presently maintains a 3.9 grade point average.
Fujiwara, the scholarship’s sponsor, holds two degrees
from Utah State University. He entered the university knowing
little English and at a time when an English as a second language
program did not exist.
“George Meyer, a professor in the language department
at that time, mentored him,” said professor and interim
Director Glenda Cole. “Mr. Fujiwara is now giving this
scholarship in memory of professor Meyer.”
As a student, Fujiwara worked in the dairy barn, cafeteria and
several other locations on campus to finance his education,
Cole said.
“He is aware of the difficulty students have paying tuition,”
she said. “Also, because he knows that language learning
is a challenge, he realizes the value of formal study in language.”
After his retirement as CEO of the Monsanto Chemical Company
in Japan, Fujiwara made the decision to assist students in obtaining
degrees. In the fall of 2003 he offered three scholarships to
three colleges at Utah State to be given over a five-year period,
Cole said.
“The Intensive English Language Institute is fortunate
to receive one of these scholarships to help students who have
completed the program.”
Fan’s scholarship award is $500.
According to Cole the student population of IELI includes students
from Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Mexico and Thailand, although this
demographic changes from year to year. Residents of the United
States can attend and IELI has students who have immigrated
from Cambodia, Vietnam, Bosnia, Poland, Ethiopia and Somalia.
International students who study at Utah State and elsewhere
must prove language proficiency before enrolling in their major
courses, Cole said. One method to achieve proficiency is to
attend IELI courses, or students can pass the TOEFL exam or
the IELTS exam.
“Residents often want instruction in English to assist
them with their university courses so they enroll in IELI,”
Cole said.
Utah State’s IELI has a faculty of eight, including Cole
and Assistant Director Tom Schroeder. The program is based in
the College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences.
While learning English is an important part of the educational
process for many international students studying at Utah State,
the students and their families play an economic role in Utah’s
economy. Cole cited a study conducted by University and College
Intensive English Programs in the fall of 2003. That study said
the net contribution to Utah's economy by international students
and their families was nearly $96 million.
In addition to its role of teaching international students,
residents and refugees the English skills and cultural knowledge
they need to be successful university students, IELI also trains
international teaching assistants for their teaching duties
at Utah State.
“We are pleased that IELI is able to award a scholarship
to one of our successful students,” Cole said. “More
importantly, the scholarship is provided by a former international
student who understands the importance of education.”
For information on the scholarship or the IELI program, contact
Cole at (435) 797-2059.
April 27, 2004
Contact: Glenda Cole (435) 797-2059
Writer: Patrick Williams (435) 797-1354
UTAH STATE NEWS RELEASES FOR 4-26-04
GOTTA DANCE
LOGAN — After a brief conversation with Arieh Steinlauf,
one thing is confirmed — he loves to dance. The passion,
dedication and creativity that he has put into the art of dance
paid off recently when he and his partner, Sheena Larsen, a
fellow Utah State University student, won first place in the
Novice Latin Division at the U.S. National DanceSport Championships
at Brigham Young University.
Both dancers have previous ballroom experience, but with different
partners, Steinlauf said. Due to several changes, the two found
themselves in need of new partners and got together last November.
In a discipline where partners are often together for years,
the fact that the two put together a winning effort in such
a short time is commendable. Steinlauf said the two create their
own choreography, since there are no coaches at Utah State.
Rehearsal takes up to two hours a day.
“We try to move as one but there are specific roles to
play,” Steinlauf said. “That is something we stress
in our choreography.”
In the recent competition at BYU, Steinlauf and Larsen were
among more than 35 couples who had traveled from across the
country to compete for this U.S. championship.
At Utah State Larsen is a psychology major and Steinlauf, while
declared as an engineering major, said he may end up in business
or another field.
“It was exciting to win this competition,” Steinlauf
said.
The accomplishment was supported by good friends. Steinlauf
attributes a portion of his success to family friend Ray Backlund.
“I get a lot of my drive and dedication from Ray,”
he said.
Steinlauf and Larsen hope their accomplishment will interest
others at Utah State in dance. He heads the Salsa Club and said
the group is free and open to all.
“It costs nothing to get involved and the Salsa Club is
a good way to get started,” Steinlauf said. “Salsa
is the easiest social dance and it is fun.”
Anyone interested in joining the Salsa Club should contact Steinlauf
via email at ariste@hotmail.com.
“What music is to the ear, dancing is to the eye,”
Steinlauf said. “It’s visual and it’s an art
form done to music so it involves several senses. All dance
is an art, from hip hop to ballroom, and we take it seriously
— this is our art.”
The Ballroom Dancing Club at Utah State is one of several club
sports associated with Campus Recreation. To get involved call
Campus Recreation at 797-1503.
April 26, 2004
Contact: Arieh Steinlauf, ariste@hotmail.com
Writer: Patrick Williams (435) 797-1354
UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY
JOURNALISM DEPARTMENT HONORS OUTSTANDING STUDENTS, ANNOUNCES
$18,200 IN SCHOLARSHIPS FOR 2004-05
LOGAN — The department of journalism and communication
at Utah State University honored the 107 members of the Class
of 2004 April 16 and announced its best and brightest students
of the year during the Annual JCOM Awards Banquet at the David
B. Haight Alumni Center on the Utah State campus.
Nearly 100 journalism students, faculty, family and friends
attended the event, which included announcement of Utah State’s
outstanding broadcasting, print journalism and public relations
students, and the recipients of $18,200 in scholarships for
the 2004-05 academic year.
Keynote speaker Holly Mullen, columnist for “The Salt
Lake Tribune,” told the student journalists about “Doing
Journalism in Utah — Nudging the World a Little.”
Mullen, a 22-year veteran newspaper reporter and editor who
has worked for newspapers in Washington state, Minnesota, Texas
and Salt Lake City, said journalists are engaged citizens who
can make a difference.
“No one gets rich in this business, but you can make a
living — I’ve never gone hungry,” Mullen said.
“And it’s a wonderful job. You really can nudge
the world.”
The journalism faculty honored 22 students as the most outstanding
juniors, seniors and graduate students in each of the department’s
three concentration areas: broadcasting/electronic media, print
journalism, and public relations/corporate communication. In
addition, 23 continuing students were awarded department scholarships
for 2004-05.
Junior, senior and graduate students in journalism and communication
are recognized annually by the faculty for their exemplary performance
as scholars, professionals and citizens in the classroom, the
department, the media professions and the university. Utah State’s
journalism and communication department, which an industry group
called “the best professionally oriented journalism program
in Utah,” enrolls more than 400 undergraduate and graduate
student majors.
The department also honored three of its own as outstanding
faculty members in teaching, research and service.
Assistant professor Nancy Williams, a former newspaper journalist
who has taught at Utah State since 1987, was named the JCOM
teacher of the year for her work with the department’s
online news website, The Hard News Café, and for anchoring
the print journalism program. Williams also was honored by the
Utah State Greek System as a “Top Prof” of 2004.
Assistant professor Cathy Ferrand Bullock, a former magazine
editor who has taught at Utah State since 2001, was named researcher
of the year for her ongoing study of how the press in Utah covers
domestic violence that ends in death.
“Cathy’s work helps draw attention to real-world
problems with serious consequences in Utah, and the press’s
role in addressing those issues,” said Department Head
Ted Pease. “It is important work that makes a difference
in both the classroom and in our communities.”
Public relations assistant professor Les Roka, who has taught
at Utah State since 2001, received the faculty service award
for his work with the Utah State chapter of the Public Relations
Student Society of America, and for expanding connections with
businesses and agencies that result in more internships for
students and more professionals coming to Utah State classrooms.
The outstanding members of the Utah State class of 2004 are:
Michael Chidsey of Sandy, Utah, now a video editor for KUTV
news in Salt Lake City, was named 2004 Outstanding Graduate
in broadcasting/electronic media.
Myrica Hawker of Vancouver, Wash., who graduates with a 3.98
grade point average, was named the 2004 Outstanding Graduate
in print journalism; she will go to work for the Deseret Morning
News’s new media department upon graduation.
Shara Holt, a straight-A public relations major from Blackfoot,
Idaho, who worked for NASA and the Rocky Mountain Space Consortium
this year, was named 2004 Outstanding Graduate in public relations/corporate
communications.
Nineteen other students were honored for their work during 2003-04:
Outstanding JCOM graduate student: Anna Brunson McEntire; Outstanding
seniors and juniors in broadcasting/electronic media: Samoana
Matagi, Mark LaRocco and Stacey Taggart; and Shawn Dyson, Kristi
Henderson and Jon Ryan Jensen.
Outstanding seniors and juniors in print journalism: Heidi Burton,
Leon D’Souza and Jacob Moon; and Denise Albiston, Emilie
Holmes and Jasmine Michaelson.
Outstanding seniors and juniors in public relations/corporate
communication: Tracy Kell, Danielle London and D’Artagnon
Wells; and Lindsay Child, Sarah St. John and Rachel Schwab.
The 23 recipients of $18,200 in JCOM scholarships for the 2004-05
academic year also were announced, including Tyler Riggs, Logan:
Jared Eborn Scholarship in Sports Writing; Doan Nguyen, Brigham
City: “Deseret Morning News” Scholarship; Jasmine
Michaelson, Idaho Falls, Idaho; Brooke Niemeyer, Salt Lake City;
Brooke Nelson, Cedar Hills, Utah; Stephanie Olsen, Hooper, Utah;
and Lynze Wardle, Bountiful, Utah: Jay Glasmann Family Scholarships
in Print Journalism; Emilie Holmes, Bountiful, Utah: Glasmann/Standard-Examiner
Summer Intern-Scholar; Shawn Dyson, Salt Lake City, Utah; Jon
Ryan Jensen, Bountiful, Utah; and Jason Roundy, Logan: Glacus
C. and Marie B. Merrill Scholarships in Broadcasting; Maren
Farnsworth, Duchesne, Utah: Joseph A. Hays Family Scholarship,
and the Wilford C. Porter Scholarship; Jasmine Michaelson, Idaho
Falls, Idaho: John Morris Scholarship in Print Journalism; Lori
Bonham, Sanger, Calif.; Natalie Andrews, Bountiful, Utah; Rachel
Schwab, Bountiful, Utah; and Amanda Wouden, Taylorsville, Utah:
Edward C. Pease Scholarships; Lindsay Child, West Haven, Utah:
Seeley-Hinckley Scholarship (tuition and fees); Leon D’Souza,
Logan; Branigan Knowlton, Murray, Utah; Jack Saunders, Logan;
and Holly Scott, Sandy, Utah: Donnis E. Sweeney Scholarships;
Lesley Godfrey, Soda Springs, Idaho, and Kristi J. Henderson,
Blackfoot, Idaho: Josey Barnes Wayman Scholarships for Women
in Broadcasting.
April 26, 2004
Contact: Ted Pease, Journalism & Communication Department,
435-797-3292
Source: Journalism and Communication Dept.
UTAH STATE NEWS RELEASES FOR 4-23-04
UTAH STATE GRADS RECEIVE NSF GRADUATE FELLOWSHIPS
LOGAN — Two Utah State University students have received
graduate fellowships from the National Science Foundation.
Utah State students Lara Briana Anderson and Nathan Allen Hammond
each received one of 1,020 three-year graduate research fellowships
in the country.
The NSF fellowship program is highly competitive and is merit-based,
not needs-based, according to the NSF Web site. Fellowships
are awarded for graduate study leading to research-based master's
or doctoral degrees in the mathematical, physical, biological,
behavioral and social sciences, engineering, the history of
science, the philosophy of science and to research-based doctorate
degrees in science education.
“Academic research is very dependent on government support,”
said Hammond. “The current pace of progress would be impossible
without funding from organizations such as NSF.”
Hammond received his bachelor’s in mechanical engineering
from Utah State last year and is currently pursuing a doctorate
in biomedical engineering. He has chosen to attend Purdue University
with his money and said he likes what biomedical engineers are
trying to accomplish because they are working to improve human
health. While at Purdue, Hammond plans to center his research
on tissue engineering and work with a group studying SIS, a
collagen-based biomaterial.
Anderson is a 2003 graduate in both physics and mathematics
in the College of Science at Utah State and graduates in May
with a master’s in physics. She was also a Rhodes Scholar
last school year. She enters the University of Oxford in England
as a physics and math doctoral student in October 2004 and will
therefore have to negotiate with NSF on when and how she can
use her fellowship. The NSF requires that students use its fellowships
in the United States.
Dewain Keith Garner, a student graduating in chemistry, Aaron
Jon Katz, a student studying engineering/bioengineering and
Kristine Perry, who graduates with an emphasis in computer science
and art from Utah State, all received an honorable mention award
from NSF.
Receiving honorable mentions from the NSF places them among
the most qualified graduate students in the country and will
open countless doors as they pursue their graduate degrees,
said Joyce Kinkead, vice provost for undergraduate studies and
research.
“Graduate school is important,” said Hammond. “I
had a wonderful undergraduate education at Utah State and some
great professors who made me realize that engineering is about
making a difference in people’s lives. They also made
me realize that I should pursue a graduate education.”
For more information or to apply for an NSF Graduate Fellowship,
visit the NSF Web site, http://www.nsf.gov/.
April 23, 2004
Contact: Joyce Kinkead (435) 797-1706
Writer: Maren Cartwright (435) 797-1355
UTAH STATE
BLUE LIGHT HONORS OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENTS
LOGAN — To demonstrate pride in the many accomplishments
of Utah State University faculty, staff and students, the Aggie
Blue Pride Light will be turned on Monday, April 26, and the
Carillon Bells will ring at 1:05 p.m. in the afternoon. Every
four months the university designates a Blue Pride Light Night
to recognize individuals for their outstanding achievements.
Honorees this quarter are Jeffrey Broadbent, professor of nutrition
and food sciences; Charles Carpenter, department head and professor
of nutrition and food sciences; Utah State student Stephanie
Chambers; William Furlong, professor of political science; Utah
State student David Hatch; plants, soils and biometeorology
professor Lawrence Hipps; professor of English and College of
Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences Associate Dean Christine
Hult; economics professor Paul Jakus; Nicholas Morrison, professor
of music; Cindy Nielsen, Institute of Political Economy in the
political science department; professor of mathematics and statistics
James Powell; Beverly Strickland, English department; and Charlotte
Thralls, professor of English and associate dean of the College
of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences.
Broadbent, Carpenter, Hipps, Jakus, Morrison, Powell and Thralls
are newly appointed full professors who participated in the
Utah State Inaugural Professor Lecture series. The series is
part of an on-going effort to increase the visibility of outstanding
scholarship on campus and to recognize the unique contribution
of newly promoted full professors to their discipline and to
the community of scholars influenced by their work. All newly
promoted full professors are invited to participate in the program.
Chambers is studying biology at Utah State and was awarded the
Goldwater Scholarship for excellence demonstrated in scientific
research. Her career goals include earning a medical doctor
degree as well as a doctorate in biochemistry and molecular
biology. She hopes to conduct research in protein biochemistry
and heart diseases in conjunction with teaching at a research
university. The Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence
in Education Foundation awarded only 310 of the scholarships
nationwide in 2003.
Furlong was selected by students to present the 29th annual
“Last Lecture” in April. He presented “Academic
Freedom and Political Correctness: Teaching Controversial Topics
Constructively.” Sponsored by the Utah State Honors Program,
the lecture allowed Furlong to express what is most important
to him before an audience of fellow faculty members and students.
It also allowed students in the Honors Program the opportunity
to acknowledge and award the work of an outstanding professor.
It is the only award given to a professor on campus chosen entirely
by students.
Hatch is a physics and mathematics major and was awarded the
Goldwater Scholarship for excellence demonstrated in scientific
research. He plans to obtain a doctorate in theoretical physics
and his Goldwater Essay topic is on stereographic imagining
of noctilucent clouds. The Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship and
Excellence in Education Foundation awarded only 310 of the scholarships
nationwide in 2003.
Hult, professor of English, will receive the D. Wynne Thorne
Research Award, named after Utah State’s first vice president
for research, at commencement, May 1. The award is the most
prestigious research commendation given by the university and
is given annually to an outstanding university researcher. Hult’s
distinguished career at Utah State includes her selection as
the Outstanding Faculty Member in 2000 and recipient of the
Award for Innovative Excellence in Teaching, Learning and Technology
in 2002. She has secured nearly $430,000 in research grants
for her work at Utah State, plus she is a co-investigator on
a $3 million award from the National Science Foundation to study
and enhance the professional success of women in academic environments.
Nielsen, a program administrator with the Institute of Political
Economy in the political science department, is the Utah State
Professional Employee of the Year 2004. She has created a university-wide
internship program in local, state and national government.
Currently, Utah State sends about 70 students each year to Washington,
D.C., and another 15 to the legislature and state agencies.
Strickland is the English department accountant and is the Utah
State Classified Employee of the Year 2004. She handles all
department accounts, creates the English department newsletter
and assists faculty in the development of grant proposals.
The Aggie Blue Pride Light atop Old Main lights the Cache Valley
night sky as a symbol of Aggie tradition, heritage and pride.
The outstanding professors, staff and students honored are a
part of this heritage and contribute to the high quality of
Utah State.
April 23, 2004
Contact: John DeVilbiss (435) 797-1358
Writer: Maren Cartwright (435) 797-1355
UTAH STATE BLUE
LIGHT HONORS COMMENCEMENT
LOGAN — The Utah State University blue light atop Old
Main will light the night sky Saturday, May 1, to honor the
111th annual Commencement.
The commencement ceremony begins at 9 a.m. in the Dee Glen Smith
Spectrum on the university campus. College graduation ceremonies
begin in various locations throughout campus at 12:30 p.m.,
2:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.
The Alumni Graduation Picnic is from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
on the university HPER field. Tickets are required and are available
at the Utah State Ticket Office in the Smith Spectrum.
Friday, April 30, students and their families may begin the
celebration by attending the Graduation Dinner at 6 p.m. in
the Taggart Student Center Stevenson Ballroom. Tickets for the
dinner are available in the Utah State Ticket Office.
Also on Friday, those receiving master’s and doctoral
degrees will be honored in the Hooding Ceremony at 1 p.m. in
the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum. A reception for graduates and guests
will immediately follow in the Taggart Student Center International
Sunburst Lounge.
The Army ROTC Commissioning Ceremony will be at 9 a.m. and the
Air Force ROTC Commissioning Ceremony will be at 11 a.m. Friday
in the Eccles Conference Center on campus, both are followed
by a reception.
A mandatory graduation ceremony rehearsal for all those graduating
with a bachelor’s degree is scheduled for noon, Wednesday,
April 28, on the HPER field near the Smith Spectrum.
The Aggie Blue Pride Light atop Old Main lights the Cache Valley
night sky as a symbol of Aggie tradition, heritage and pride.
Graduating students are a part of this heritage that contributes
to the quality of Utah State.
For more information about Utah State Commencement, visit the
Web site: http://www.usu.edu/commencement.
For ticket information, contact the Utah State Ticket Office
at (435) 797-0305.
April 23, 2004
Contact: John DeVilbiss (435) 797-1358
Writer: Maren Cartwright (435) 797-1355
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