Utah State University

August 25, 26 & 27, 2003 Utah State in the News

Wednesday, August 27, 2003

WELCOME MARTIANS WITH CAMPUS GALA

The planet Mars is the closest it has been to Earth in nearly 60,000 years, and the Utah State University physics department wants to celebrate with a Mars party, tonight from 10:30 to 11:30 on the university quad. "This is a unique opportunity to see the planet so close," said James Coburn, teaching laboratory supervisor in the physics department. (Herald Journal, 08/26/03)

UVSC GETS SOME ELBOW ROOM: NEW FACILITY ADDS 51 CLASSROOMS TO CAMPUS

Students and staff will breathe a little easier when fall classes begin Wednesday at Utah Valley State College because a new classroom building has added 144,000 square feet of space to the campus. "It's like taking off a corset," said Bonnie Henrie, dean of general academics. "It gives us the room we've needed." UVSC's new Liberal Arts Building is one of four completed this summer as part of a four-building, $52 million package approved by the state Legislature in 2001. That project is providing additional elbow room at three other Utah schools — Utah State University, Weber State University (Layton campus) and the College of Eastern Utah. (Deseret News, 08/26/03) click on: http://deseretnews.com/dn/print/1,1442,510049663,00.html

USU ASSOCIATE DEAN OF ENGINEERING NAMED

Christine Hailey is the new associate dean for the Utah State University College of Engineering. A licensed professional engineer, she comes to USU with experience in both industry and academia. Hailey most recently served as the department head of mechanical engineering at the University of Texas at Tyler, where she helped to develop a new mechanical engineering program and strengthen the department's research program. (Deseret News, 08/26/03) click on: http://deseretnews.com/dn/print/1,1442,510049583,00.html

USU PROFESSOR RECEIVES FULBRIGHT SCHOLARSHIP

Frances B. Titchener, professor of history and classics at Utah State University, has been awarded a Fulbright scholarship to spend part of the 2003-04 academic year in Belgium and Luxembourg. She has taught at USU since 1987 and is associate department head in history. She co-directs the classics program and teaches all levels of Latin and Greek language and history, as well as Celtic Europe and ancient Western civilization. She was Teacher of the Year in the College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences in 1984 and has received other academic honors, including the CASE Professor of the Year award from the Carnegie Foundation. In 1999, she was awarded a national Teaching Excellence Award from the American Philological Society. (Deseret News, 08/26/03) click on: http://deseretnews.com/dn/print/1,1442,510049580,00.html

Tuesday, August 26, 2003

DECISION TO ENTER COLLEGE YOUNG RELIES ON MANY FACTORS

How young is too young when it comes to students entering college? Experts say each case needs to be evaluated individually. Gary Kiger, the dean of the College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences at Utah State University, has had at least two young prodigies enrolled during his tenure -- including a political science major who recently graduated as valedictorian at age 15. Kiger says that case worked out well because the young man has "a certain amount of social poise" and also attended college with his father. But Kiger says it's important to ask: "Who's pushing? Is it the parents? Does the child really want this?" Michelle Bartol, dean of enrollment at Juniata College in Huntingdon, Pa., says determining maturity level is also key. And, she says, even younger students who are admitted should be carefully monitored by resident assistants in their dorms and others. The number of preteen college students is still very small. But college administrators say they're getting more applications from teens who finish high school early. Grant Beems, a 17-year-old sophomore at the Florida Institute of Technology, is one of them. He enrolled at age 16 after teaching himself calculus and scoring a 1550 on the SAT. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 08/24/03)

KSTU NEWSCAST: USU PRESIDENT HELPS STUDENTS MOVE INTO DORMS

Utah State University President helped a freshman move into his new dorm. Classes begin tomorrow morning there. (KSTU newscast, 9 p.m., 08/24/03)

KTVX NEWSCAST: USU PRESIDENT HELPS STUDENTS MOVE INTO DORMS

Utah State University President Kermit Hall helped students move into student dorms. (KTVX newscast, 10 p.m., 08/24/03)

FAST-GROWING COLLEGES FEELING BOXED IN: DIXIE NEEDS ROOM TO MEET PRESSING NEEDS, LAWMAKER TELLS BOARD

Putting Utah's colleges and universities into "boxes" and expecting them to stay there for the next five years could be damaging to some of the schools, a southern Utah legislator complained Friday. Rep. Stephen Urquhart, R-St. George, had his hometown school, Dixie State College, in mind when he took exception to the state Board of Regents' recent assignment of roles and missions to the 10 schools in the State System of Higher Education. ... Snow College president Michael Benson, who also would like to offer more advanced degrees in the future, said that in the meantime, he is developing working relationships with Utah State University, Weber State University and the University of Utah to encourage his students to stay on the Snow campus longer while advancing their education beyond the "box" that has been decreed for the immediate future. (Deseret News, 08/24/03) click on: http://deseretnews.com/dn/print/1,1442,510049309,00.html

TERRORISTS' NEXT TARGET? AGRICULTURE VULNERABLE ON SEVERAL FRONTS, LOCAL EXPERTS SAY

It can take the form of something as simple as an ordinary weed in a bale of alfalfa, or a foreign sausage brought back from vacation improperly discarded, even a chicken in a cage in the back of a pick-up. On the surface they sound harmless enough. But each one carries with it the potential of bringing in unwanted and, in some cases, deadly consequences. ... "It's a real issue — one we should be concerned about," said Dr. Clell Bagley, Utah State University Extension veterinarian. "Someone could do terrible damage to us without much knowledge or expertise." (Herald Journal, 08/24/03)

SCHOOL BOARD GREETS NEW BOARD MEMBER

The Cache County School Board appointed Allyson D. Saunders as the Precinct No. 1 representative to replace Richard Knight, who resigned to take a new position with Utah State University in the Uintah Basin. Allyson is an assistant professor at Weber State University. She has a doctorate from Utah State University in Business Education. (Herald Journal, 08/24/03)

USU RECEIVES RESEARCH GRANT

The Early Intervention Research Institute at the Center for Persons with Disabilities at Utah State University has been awarded $1.1 million a year for three years to build and improve community-based systems of care for children with special health needs. (Herald Journal, 08/24/03)

MUSIC PROGRAM STRIKES CHORD

Put a dozen smiling Shoshone children, university students polishing their teaching skills, public school teachers and some enthused Utah State University faculty in a classroom and what do you get? Shoshone children with sunflowers singing a seed-gathering chant, tribal elders talking about their songs and traditions, and non-musicians droning out a shaky but respectable G note on recorders. (Herald Journal, 08/24/03)

USU NAMES DEAN, DEPARTMENT HEAD

Utah State University Extension recently named Rhonda Menlove the new assistant dean for Program Development and regional department head for Continuing Education. Menlove has been an Extension assistant professor in the special education and rehabilitation department since 1998. (Herald Journal, 08/24/03)

AUTISM PRESCHOOL COMES TO LOGAN

Early intervention is key to helping children with autism, and a new program at Utah State University offers children a chance to receive help at a young age. The Autism Support Services: Education, Research and Training (ASSERT) program opened this summer at Utah State University for children ages 3 to 5 diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders. (Herald Journal, 08/24/03)

RANKINGS PLEASE Y., WESTMINSTER: U., USU ALSO ON LIST IN U.S. NEWS, WORLD REPORT

The university rankings are out, and Brigham Young University and Westminster College are happy. U.S. News and World Report put out its annual ranking of college and university undergraduate programs Friday. BYU ranked 67th among schools that offer doctorate-level degrees, and Westminster ranked 15th among Western schools offering master's degrees. (Deseret News, 08/23/03) click on: http://deseretnews.com/dn/print/1,1442,510049171,00.html

AGGIES DESERVE LOW RANKING

I would like to say that the Aggies have a lot to prove. In the past they have said the same things they are saying this year about being a good team, with strong and lots of experienced players, but the end result is always the same: we don't win. It doesn't matter how many games someone has started, it just means they aren't the worst on the team. (Herald Journal, Letter to the Editor, Corbett Douglas, Logan, 08/23/03)

AGGIE RANKING PUTS FOOTBALL IN PERSPECTIVE

The Utah State University football team got a big boost last week when Sports Illustrated ranked the Aggies dead last (No. 117) among NCAA Division I teams entering the 2003 season. "How is that a big boost?" you might ask. Well, for one thing it gives the Aggies no place to go but up in their debut season in the Sun Belt Conference. It also gives them plenty of motivation to get on a winning track and prove all the naysayers wrong. (Herald Journal, Editorial, 08/23/03)

GARDEN VARIETY: MIDAS TOUCH IN THE GARDEN? NAH, IT'S PROBABLY CHLOROSIS

Most of you are probably familiar with the mythological Greek story of King Midas. He discovered an elderly satyr in the gardens and freed him without punishment. As a reward, the god Dionysus granted King Midas a wish for being so kind. His wish was to turn everything he touched into gold. Well, this worked great until, of course, he got hungry. Gold is pretty, but not real useful when it comes to snacking. (I hear the lack of food causes weight loss. This may have been the first "fad" diet.) (Standard Examiner, column authored by Jerry Goodspeed, USU Extension, 08/23/03) click on: http://www.standard.net/standard/news/print_story.html?sid=00030822211027630493

GARDEN TIPS AND EVENTS

• This summer's record heat has produced a third generation of codling moths that are capable of damaging apples through Labor Day. Be certain to observe all pre-harvest intervals when spraying. Peaches also need to be protected from peach tree borer through Labor Day as well.
• Tobacco budworm is attacking annual geraniums, Nicotiana and petunias. Spray with Dipel or Thuricide. The worms are well-camouflaged and difficult to see, but infected plants stop producing blossoms and get small holes in the leaves and flowers.
• Master Gardener programs are starting in many counties next month. Call your nearest Utah State University Extension office for details. (Deseret News, 08/22/03) click on: http://deseretnews.com/dn/print/1,1442,510048611,00.html

Monday, August 25, 2003

TUITION HIKES THREATEN COLLEGE DREAMS: STEEP INCREASES PLANNED AT STATE UNIVERSITIES AND COMMUNITY COLLEGES

Staring at the Hudson River from a bench in the student lounge, Savanah Lallbachan ponders her future. With dwindling savings and a $300 tuition increase slated for the fall semester, Lallbachan, a 25-year-old student at the Borough of Manhattan Community College, says she will leave school and take a full-time job as a hospital switchboard operator. ... Kermit Hall, president of Utah State University in Logan, says access to higher education becomes a non-issue if students cannot afford the tuition. "The best way to create a more diverse education is to remove the financial barriers that block access," Hall argues. "It's not the only way but I think it’s the central concern." (MSNBC news, 08/08/03) click on: http://www.msnbc.com/news/939779.asp

USU HOSTS MEMORIAL FOR MORGAN

Those whose lives were touched by Floyd T. Morgan, for decades a driving force behind the Utah State University theater department, are invited to attend a memorial Aug. 29. The memorial will be at USU's Morgan Theatre, named for the longtime professor and department head, who passed away on Aug. 4. Morgan joined the USU faculty in 1934 and remained a faculty member for 41 years. Hired as a speech instructor, he began as theater professor and served as the department head until his retirement in 1975. After retirement, Morgan remained active with productions at Utah State, the Old Lyric Repertory Company and with Valley Players, a community theater group he co-founded. Morgan estimated he directed more than 125 plays, designed about 300 sets and performed at least 80 roles. The memorial service for Morgan will be at noon Aug. 29. Faculty, students and members of the community are invited to attend. The Morgan Theatre is in the Chase Fine Arts Center on the USU campus, 4030 Old Main Hill, Logan. (Standard Examiner, 08/22/03) click on: http://www.standard.net/standard/news/print_story.html?sid=00030821191114752672

GARDEN TIPS AND EVENTS

HIGH PLACES

Cache MicroCinema in conjunction with the USU Outdoor Recreation Center presents: "Chomulungma: Climbing Everest from Tibet." A lecture and slide show by Jon Gibans at 7 p.m., Friday, Aug. 22, at The Taggart Student Center Auditorium, USU Campus. (Herald Journal, Cache Magazine, 08/22/03)

HEAR IT AGAIN

The next in Utah Public Radio's series of local folk concert broadcasts features Rosalie Sorrels at 8 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 23. The hour-long program is a broadcast of Sorrels' May 10 concert at Utah State University's Eccles Conference Center. (Herald Journal, Cache Magazine, 08/22/03)

ON THE AIR: REPRESENTING THE WHOLE

"Like most people, I've always liked a well-written, well-read story," said Marina Hall, a Utah State University English department faculty member and producer of Utah Public Radio’s new program, "Synecdoche." (Herald Journal, Cache Magazine, 08/22/03)

FROM THE EDITOR: "TOWN PRIDE"

It's about time for the annual immigration of Utah State University students into our valley. Certainly things are a little quieter and less crowded in the summer months, but the students bring a pleasantly youthful clamor along with them. (Herald Journal, Cache Magazine, 08/22/03)

'LETTERS FROM AFGHANISTAN'

In a country where women are treated as chattel and hidden from public view, Lucy Shook, an American woman, is boss lady to 15 Afghan men. ... The program will be presented at the new USU Bookstore on Thursday, Aug. 28 at 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. (Herald Journal, Cache Magazine, 08/22/03)

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