August 17, 2004 In the
News
Tuesday, August 17, 2004
LOST
LOVE: DIVORCE RATES UP IN WAKE, DURHAM; FOR EVERY 10 WHO GET
MARRIED, NEARLY SIX FILE FOR DIVORCE
Marriage has a low survival rate in the Triangle. Wake County
recorded 2,644 divorces and annulments last year. The failure
rate was roughly equivalent to 58 couples splitting for every
100 couples married in 2003. ... One of the few economic estimates
comes from research by David Schramm for Utah State University's
Department of Family, Consumer and Human Development. Schramm
found that a single divorce costs state and federal governments
about $30,000. (Triangle Business Journal, MSNBC.com, 08-15-04)
Click here: http://msnbc.msn.com/id/5698913/
MURALS
SHOW LANDSCAPE OF THE PAST
Every day a farmer on a tractor heads to the fields, passing
cattle and a cart of cotton in the Longview downtown post office
— but hardly anybody notices. Historic murals of the Great
Depression such as this one hang in post offices around the
country. … The New Deal program offered painters across
the country the opportunity to create post office murals that
captured the lives, history, hardships and hopes of Americans.
In Texas, artists produced 106 paintings for 69 post offices
and federal buildings. Philip Parisi, a former Texas Historical
Commission representative, has put together a book of photographs
of the New Deal program murals in Texas. "You don't really
realize what they are until you see them all together, and the
visual impact is really great," said Parisi, who now lives
in Logan, Utah. He is a part-time instructor at Utah State University
and a free-lance writer. (Longview News-Journal, 08-15-04) Click
here: http://www.news-journal.com/news/newsfd/auto/feed/news/2004/08/15/1092543665.18121.0529.6425.html
MEET USU TIGHT
END JASON STEPHENS: FORMER LOGAN HIGH STANDOUT BATTLING FOR
A STARTING SPOT IN SOPHOMORE SEASON
There was no place like home when it came time for Jason Stephens
to decide where to play college football. Born and raised in
Cache Valley, the Logan High School graduate remained in the
valley to continue his education and his football career at
Utah State University. … "It is a dream come true
to come out and play on Saturday," Stephens said. "It
is a lot of fun." … Competition should be intense
for playing time at the tight end spots with four returnees
having earned letters, including Stephens, Nick George, Patrick
McNutt and Trent Nate. In addition, Jimmy Bohm and Will Fausel
redshirted last year and newcomers like Tanner Cooley (Chris'
younger brother), Peter Shields, Sione Tavake and Ryan Wilson,
will all push for time. (College Sports.com, 08-13-04) Click
here: http://www.collegesports.com/sports/m-footbl/stories/081304aau.html
SALT LAKE CITY
IN U.S. CELEBRATES INDIA'S -DAY
Mahatma Gandhi, India's independence hero, was commemorated
on the occasion of the country's Independence Day in this small
city in southeastern United States. Some 250 people gathered
at the city's International Peace Gardens in front of a bust
of the great leader to hoist the Indian flag. Utah State University
president Kermit Hall emphasized how Gandhian principles inspired
many world leaders. The celebrations were put together by the
India Forum for Utah, a cultural organization with a membership
of over 600 Indian families here. (newkerala.com, 08-14-4) Click
here: http://news.newkerala.com/world-news/index.php?action=fullnews&id=7995
STUDENTS PUT YOUTH
POWER IN UTAH CAMPAIGNS
During board meetings, Scott Matheson Jr. and his staff play
with plastic army men - green guerrillas used to mark "war
zones" on a color-coded map of the state. While seemingly
out of character for Matheson, such strategic planning is common
at the 51-year-old Democratic gubernatorial candidate's Sugar
House office, where the majority of his staffers are in their
20s. "Our young people really set the tone for our office
and our campaign," Matheson said, smiling as he points
to a box of cereal and bottle of vanilla flavoring that staffers
left on his boardroom table. "They bring energy, they bring
enthusiasm. Their lives are ahead of them, so they represent
anticipation." … Cindy Nielson, projects administrator
with Utah State University's political science department, agrees.
During the past 15 years, she has watched student interns learn
essential organization and communication skills while working
on campaigns. (Salt Lake Tribune, 08-15-04) Click here: http://www.sltrib.com/ci_2393475
NEW LAMB STEAK
HAS SOME IN SHEAR DELIGHT; KINGS PEAK LAMB MEDALLIONS: DEMAND
HAS INCREASED FOR THE UTAH-GROWN PRODUCT
The success of a new marketing campaign aimed at increasing
awareness of a new type of lamb steak has area grocery stores
counting sheep. Since the beginning of May, Associated Food
Stores and Harmons grocery stores have sold nearly 270 cases
of Kings Peak Lamb Medallions, a Utah-grown lamb product made
from reconstituted cuts of breast and shoulder meat. …
Because lamb is usually a more expensive cut of meat, USU meat
lab manager Dick Whittier said new products are needed to increase
the value of parts of the lamb that would normally be ground
or used in less profitable ways. (Salt Lake Tribune, 08-14-04)
Click here: http://www.sltrib.com/search/ci_2393210
REGENTS: HUSTLE
UP, STUDENTS; PROPOSAL WOULD LOWER TUITION AID FOR THOSE TAKING
TOO LONG TO GRADUATE
Many Utah college students are taking five to six years to get
their bachelor's degrees. That's too long, say higher education
leaders, who recognize that taxpayers subsidize student tuition.
On Friday, the state Board of Regents -- with an eye toward
placating budget-minded lawmakers -- discussed a proposal that
would force such students to pay a larger share of their tuition.
It's not a good idea to keep changing majors, said Commissioner
of Higher Education Richard Kendell. "Better settle on
a major and settle early," he told regents and college
presidents. "Once you get [120] credit hours and haven't
graduated, the state support will stop" if the new plan
is adopted, he said. On Friday, educators also asked what more
they do in a period of declining public dollars. Suggestions
included: ... Directing more students to the lower-cost schools,
instead of more expensive University of Utah and Utah State
University. (Salt Lake Tribune, 08-14-04) Click here: http://www.sltrib.com/utah/ci_2394242
DAVIS FAIR IS
FAMILY-ORIENTED AND FREE: EVENT STARTS WEDNESDAY IN FARMINGTON
It's fair time in Davis County. Like past Davis County Fairs,
this year's is geared toward families with lots of free entertainment,
a free family movie, magicians, free pony rides, hands-on science
demonstrations for the kids, a Beatles tribute group for the
adults and the usual animal exhibits. … During all four
days of the fair, in the Utah State University Junior Engineering
Discovery tent, a model of the Panama Canal built by USU will
be on display. Kids will be able to move remote-controlled ships
through the model's locks by raising and lowering water levels.
(Deseret News, 08-15-04) Click here: http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,595084330,00.html
PEOPLE ON THE
MOVE
Gracelyn NeVille has joined the Salt Lake office of MWH. NeVille
is a senior engineer with the firm and has been a part of MWH's
Florida team for the past four years. NeVille has more than
six years of engineering experience and is a licensed professional
engineer in Utah and Florida. She is a graduate of Utah State
University. (Deseret News, 08-15-04) Click here: http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,595083695,00.html
'MONSTER' SPARKS
TALL TALES
There's no photographic proof, but some say it looks like a
walrus minus the tusks. Others are adamant it's a dinosaur.
Or a big alligator that swims really fast. But while the existence
of the Bear Lake Monster has been debated at coffee shops and
campfires since the first published report in 1868, this much
is undisputed: Stories about the monster can make cash registers
sing at stores ringing the lake on the Idaho-Utah border. …
Steve Siporin, a professor of English and history at Utah State
University in nearby Logan, says stories about the monster have
"more to do with tourism than belief. It seems like an
awful lot of vacation lakes have their own monster, a local
symbol of pride. What self-respecting lake can there be without
its own monster?" The origins of the Bear Lake Monster
go back to a series of articles written by Joseph C. Rich, an
LDS pioneer at Bear Lake. (Deseret News, 08-15-04) Click here:
http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,595083167,00.html
LAYOFFS ANNOUNCED
FOR UTAH PROGRAM; LOSS OF FUNDS: RESTRUCTURING OF PRORGRAMS
THAT GET FEDERSL MONEY MEANS THE CANCELLATION OF A PROJECT AT
THE SPACE DYNAMICS LABORATORY AT THE UNIVERSITY AND THE LOSS
OF ABOUT 25 JOBS
Approximately 25 employees at the Space Dynamics Laboratory
will be laid off due to the cancellation and restructuring of
federally funded programs, it was announced Friday at the Utah
State University Research Foundation. A decision on which of
SDL's 400 employees will be laid off will come by Sept. 1, according
to Dave Norton, president of the Research Foundation. "The
truth is, when you're in a contract for services with the federal
government, this is not atypical," Norton said in a phone
interview with The Salt Lake Tribune on Friday. "We've
been fortunate that we've been able to run as lean and mean
as we have . . . This is just unavoidable because of the immediacy
of the several million [dollars] in cuts." … Although
SDL is owned by Utah State, its operations are financially independent
of the university, Norton said. "The reduction in force
will only involve SDL and the Research Foundation employees,"
he said. "As far as growth and recovery are concerned,
yes we believe that this is but a moment in time." (Deseret
News, 08-14-04) Click here: http://sltrib.com/search/ci_2393212
UTAH TUTION HIKES
MAY BE UNAVOIDABLE: 'HEALTHY DISCUSSION' OF OPTIONS ENERGIZES
MEETING OF REGENTS
College tuition in Utah seems destined to rise every year over
the next five years if any one of 25 budget scenarios plays
out the way higher education officials plan. But on Friday,
the State Board of Regents didn't settle for what seems to be
the inevitable, which assumes there will be no "major"
infusion of state financial support anytime soon. Instead, the
scenarios created by Utah System of Higher Education officials
spurred what many at the meeting called one of the most productive
talks they had ever attended. "It forced a healthy discussion,"
regents Chairman Nolan Karras said. … Utah State University
President Kermit Hall said that, when state funds are scarce,
higher education is seen as an entity capable of raising the
price of its product — hiking tuition — to compensate.
(Deseret News, 08-14-04) Click here: http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,595084080,00.html
CHURCH'S FACETS
EXPLORED
What's the best idea in Mormonism? Its concept that the glory
of God is intelligence; that God is an exalted man; its belief
in continuous revelation; personal agency; and a belief in equality
among members were all mentioned as top ideas during a panel
discussion at the Sunstone Symposium Friday. Members of a panel
were invited to share their opinions, in a context of overlooking
the obvious concept of the church's belief that it is "the
one and only true church." … Richard Sherlock, a
professor of philosophy at Utah State University, said there
was no best idea -- that's a paradox. Continuous revelation
for both the church and individuals comes closest, though. (Deseret
News, 08-14-04) Click here: http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,595084051,00.html
GARDEN VARIETY:
BE PATIENT WHEN TRYING TO SPRUCE UP BLUE SPRUCE
More blue spruce (Picea pungens) are planted in Northern Utah
neighborhoods than there are aggressive drivers on the road.
In fact, I believe that part of the reason we have such offensive
drivers is because of our exploding blue spruce population.
Jerry Goodspeed is a horticulturist with the Weber County
branch of the Utah State University Extension Service.
(Standard Examiner, 08-16-04) Click here: http://www.standard.net/standard/news/print_story.html?sid=00040813220000622468
WHEAT FIELDS
PARCHED FROM SUMMER DROUGHT
These fields of grain depend on water from the sky to survive.
And for six years, Jim Smith, who co-owns a 12,000-acre dry
farm in the Cedar Valley with his father, Grant, has waited
patiently for the drought to end -- but his patience is wearing
thin. "This is the lowest yield I have ever cut,"
Smith said. "I hope we make it this year. Right now, every
rain helps ... I have never turned down a storm." …
This is one of the reasons for the government's Conservation
Reserve Program, which allows farmers to lease their land to
the government. In exchange, farmers don't plant their land
for 10 years and instead allow a grass cover to grow so the
soil can regenerate. … In addition to the drought and
lack of government subsidies, development encroaching on farm
lands in the Cedar Valley has had an effect, said Dean Miner,
Utah County extension agent for Utah State University. (Daily
Herald, 08-15-04)
UTAH STATE'S
1954 CONTRIBUTION TO LEBANON
Utah State college's prestige in national and international
academic circles took on added lustre this week with the appointment
of Dr. R. H. Walker to the board of trustees of the American
University of Beirut in Lebanon. …Dr. Walker will serve
as chairman of the governing body's agricultural committee and
special adviros on technical assistance programs involving the
middle eastern university. His role as dean of agriculture and
experiment station director at USAC and his board experience
in foreign agricultural relations was lauded by university officials
making the appointment. (Herald Journal, 08/16/04)
BEYOND ANIMAL
HOUSE: FELLOWHIP, NOT WILD PARTIES, THE BUGLE CALL OF MANY OF
TODAY’S GREEK HOUSE MEMBERS
When former Utah State University student Michelle Spradling
was considering leaving USU last year for the University of
Wyoming, she had to weigh the pros and cons. … At many
universities, and especially at USU, the Greek system gives
students a way to find their social niches and meet people who
have similar interests. (Herald Journal, 08/15/04)
AGGIES MEET MEDIA:
TEAM EXCITED FOR UPCOMING SEASON
Excitement. Enthusiasm. Pumped. All good words to describe the
feeling Saturday at the annual football media day at Utah State.
Between a morning practice and autograph session in the evening,
the Aggies dressed up in their white uniforms for pictures and
interviews at Romney Stadium. (Herald Journal, 08/15/04)
Monday, August 16, 2004
BEAR LAKE MONSTER:
TALL TALES AND TOURISM
There's no photographic proof, but some say it looks like a
walrus minus the tusks. Others are adamant it's a dinosaur.
Or a big alligator that swims really fast. But while the existence
of the Bear Lake Monster has been debated at coffee shops and
campfires since the first published report in 1868, this much
is undisputed: Stories about the monster bring in the tourists
and make cash registers sing at stores ringing the lake on the
Idaho-Utah border. ... Steve Siporin, a professor of English
and history at Utah State University in nearby Logan, says stories
about the monster have "more to do with tourism than belief.
It seems like an awful lot of vacation lakes have their own
monster, a local symbol of pride. What self-respecting lake
can there be without its own monster?" (Seattle Times,
08-13-04) Click on: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/travel/2002002756_idaho15.html
SENIORS SWING
INTO ACTION: WATSONVILLE SENIOR CENTER HELPS DOZENS OF COUPLES
STAY YOUNG AT HEART
They come every week. They are dressed up - the men in boots
and cowboy hats and the women in heels, their noses carefully
powdered. They pair off and begin to dance - their agility on
the floor an age-defying glimpse into the benefit and unadulterated
joy of music and movement. ... A dashing 87-year-old with twinkling
eyes, Welch learned to dance in a class at Utah State University
when he was a college student. Born in Utah, John Welch made
his way to the Central Coast through his work as a railroad
engineer. (ZWire.com, 08-13-04) Click on: http://www.zwire.com/news/newsstory.cfm?
newsid=12684968&title=%3CP%3ESeniors%20swing%20into%20action&BRD=1197&PAG=461&CATNAME=Coasting%2FEntertainment&CATEGORYID=404
AMENDMENT COULD
AFFECT DOMESTIC PARTNER BENEFITS ACROSS THE STATE
A proposed constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage
could wind up affecting domestic partner benefits being considered
or already provided by state institutions and cities. The draft
amendment Utah lawmakers placed on the Nov. 2 ballot during
the 2004 Legislature goes beyond a simple traditional definition
of marriage as between a man and a woman. ... The University
of Utah is the only public institution in the state providing
medical insurance benefits to domestic partners. Employees'
partners are able to purchase the university's medical insurance
at full cost, compared with the subsidized monthly premiums
paid by married employees. Other state institutions have considered
changing their policies to cover common-law marriages and same-sex
relationships. Utah State University President Kermit Hall believes
the amendment could end faculty senate discussions about a similar
benefits policy in Logan. (Associated Press State & Local
Wire, 08-12-04)
COUGAR HUNT PERMITS
TO BE INCREASED
So far this year, cougars have parked themselves in a Sandy
garage, gotten a bird's-eye view of hikers from a City Creek
Canyon tree and won a fatal interspecies battle royale with
a Holladay dog. The frisky felines will have to watch their
backs a little more closely, though, after the Utah Wildlife
Board approved a plan Thursday that will increase the number
of cougar-hunting permits for the upcoming season. ... The board's
move to increase the permits came a couple hours after Utah
State University's Michael Wolfe, a professor in the school's
department of forest, range and wildlife sciences, presented
a study on Utah's cougar population that, more than anything,
indicated how difficult it is to know exactly how many of the
cats make Utah home. "There is no reliable method of telling
you how many animals are out there on any large-scale, reliable
basis," Wolfe told the board. (Salt Lake Tribune, 08-13-04)
Click on: http://www.sltrib.com/utah/ci_2390079
HERBS ARE THE
SPICE OF A GREAT GARDEN
Few garden plants evoke the interest and the questions that
herbs do. Historically, these plants were used to cast spells,
add fragrance, heal the sick and season foods. Judy Arnold is
an expert on herbs. … Arnold took classes at Thanksgiving
Point and became a master gardener through Utah State University.
"I became educated and confident enough to teach classes,"
she said. Written by Larry Sagers, Utah State University
Extension (Deseret News, 08-13-04) Click on: http://deseretnews.com/dn/print/1,1442,595083648,00.html
NO FLEET MISUSE
FOUND AT COLLEGES
There's no fleet vehicle misuse in Utah's public higher education
system, although issues of who insures some of the cars and
how some perks are reported to the IRS still remain. That was
essentially the report heard Thursday during a meeting of the
State Board of Regents. … A separate one-page summary
by institution of vehicle allowances showed 11 for the University
of Utah, 19 for Utah State University and four for the Utah
College of Applied Technology. While officials say there may
be some "double counting" of assigned vehicles, USU
led the way with 55, followed by the U. at 49, then Weber State
University with 31, according to the summary. All other schools
had 10 or fewer personal vehicle assignments. (Deseret News,
08-13-04) Click on: http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,595083862,00.html
U. EMPLOYEES GAVE BACK $1.9 MILLION: DONATIONS
SET GOOD EXAMPLE, UNIVERSITY SAYS
Nearly 1,500 out of 13,000 University of Utah employees who
were solicited by school officials last fiscal year gave more
than $1.9 million right back to their employer. To compare,
the U. raised about as much over the same period by calling
on about 135,000 alumni. … Similar fund-raising efforts
take place on other campuses like Utah State University, where
a large number of employees contribute toward the school. "The
School of the Arts is a big thing we're pushing," said
USU spokesman John DeVilbiss. USU will also begin a new fund
drive this fall. (Deseret News, 08-13-04) Click on: http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,595083861,00.html
WEBER STATE TO
OFFER PROGRAM FOCUSING ON WELDING TECHNOLOGY
Weber State University will add a welding technology emphasis
to its existing manufacturing degree starting this fall, setting
it up to be the only such university-level program in Utah.
Adding the emphasis comes after Utah State University decided
to suspend its enrollment in its welding engineering technology
program effective June of this year, so they could refocus the
engineering college. Its program was the only university-level
program in Utah, and just one of three in the nation. …
By adding the degree at WSU, Lukken said current USU students
will have the option to transfer without disrupting their studies.
She thinks the program will attract the average of 50 students
a year that USU's did. (Standard Examiner, 08-13-04) http://www.standard.net/standard/news/print_story.html?sid=00040812223001247552
IN THE FIRE ZONE:
ACCIDENT TO BE STAGED TODAY IN LOGAN
If passers-by see a bus turned on its side near the Utah State
University campus today, they shouldn't be alarmed -- it's part
of a training exercise. Valley emergency response crews will
be staging a mock disaster at 2 p.m. at 900 N. 800 East in Logan.
Officials participating in the exercise are asking the public
to stay away from the scene, though. … While there will
be no real victims -- volunteers and dummies will represent
any casualties -- emergency officials involved will treat it
as a real disaster. (The Herald Journal, 08-13-04) Click on:
http://hjnews.townnews.com/
FIREFIGHTERS
PRACTICE FOR HIGH-RISES
If a fire had started in one of Logan's taller buildings last
week, valley firefighters might not have been as prepared to
fight it as they are today. Firefighters from the Logan City
Fire Department trained this week fighting mock fires on the
fourth floor of Wasatch Hall at Utah State University's Student
Living Center. … "This is a monumental thing as far
as I'm concerned," said USU Assistant Fire Marshall Paul
LaMont. "I've been in public safety all my life here in
this valley, and this is a really, really good thing."
(Herald Journal, 08-13-04)
TIME FOR YOUTH
CONSERVATORY
Utah State University's nationally accredited Youth Conservatory
(YC), celebrating 26 years serving young pianists in Cache Valley,
announces its fall registration for new and returning students,
to be held Tuesday, Aug. 31, from 6 to 7 p.m. in the Kent Concert
Hall lobby. An orientation for new members will proceed the
registration for 5:30 to 6 p.m. (Herald Journal Cache Magazine,
08-13-04)
CELEBRATE AMERICA
TO HONOR POPE
The traditional big band dinner-days and floorshow in the Utah
State University Ballroom will be held Sept. 9-11. … Mirroring
its dynamic quarter-century predecessor of Glenn Miller dinner-dances
at USU, 2004's Celebrate America Show will feature full orchestra
accompaniment from start to finish. (Herald Journal Cache Magazine,
08-13-04)
HIGH-TECH TIME
TRAVEL: USU, LOGAN HOSPITAL TEAM UP TO STUDY 400-YEAR-OLD EUROPEAN
PAINTING
Accurately dating and identifying a painting that is nearly
400 years old is difficult, but thanks to the efforts of Utah
State University staff, an art conservator and the high-tech
support of Logan Regional Hospital, that's exactly what was
attempted July 13. The patient, a nearly 5-foot by 7-foot painting
of undetermined European background, was transported to Logan
regional Hospital, a service of Intermountain Health Care, by
the university's moving crew headed by Chet Smith. The patient
was a little soiled and suffered a few cracks, but it was the
bones of the work that interested Rose Milovich, Nelson Ahrnsbrak
and Steven Prins. (Herald Journal Cache Magazine, 08-13-04)
THE POWER OF
SYMBOLS AROUND THE WORLD
Graphically, the Red Cross is, perhaps, the most recognizable
symbol in the world. The image immediately communicates messages
of hope, peace, help or relief. In the world of graphic design,
the Red Cross is the touchstone, the ideal goal. In a rare opportunity,
students from Utah State University met with officials of the
International committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Geneva, Switzerland,
this summer. The group of 24 students was participating in the
art department's annual Utah state University Summer Design
Program, headed by faculty member Robert Winward. (Herald Journal
Cache Magazine, 08-13-04)
STAY OUT OF THE
VILLAGE
"We are grateful for the time we have been given,"
intones Edward Walker (a heavily bearded William Hurt) at the
beginning of "The Village." A child has died recently
in this 19th century farming community, and the locals have
gathered together to reflect on providence and eat corn on the
cob. … Brian McCuskey is an associate professor of English
at Utah State University, where he teaches courses on film and
literature. (Herald Journal Cache Magazine, 08-13-04)
utah
state today/archives/April
2004/archives
prior to Sept 2002/
Brought
to you by Utah State University Public Relations and Marketing
|