December 3, 2003 News Releases
Released 11/19/03, 11/20/03, 11/24/03, 11/25/03, 11/26/03, 12/01/03,
and 12/02/03
UTAH STATE NEWS RELEASES FOR 12-02-03
AFFIRMATIVE ACTION
DIRECTOR PROMOTED
LOGAN – Sue Guenter-Schlesinger, who has headed up Utah
State University’s Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity
Office since February 1991, has been promoted to assistant executive
vice president for Affirmative Action and Diversity.
“Dr. Guenter-Schlesinger provides valuable leadership
in our ongoing efforts to create an environment that is inclusive
and respectful of all,” said Kermit L. Hall, president.
“She helps the university promote opportunities for a
wide range of peoples, and her success in doing so is central
to the success of the university as a whole.”
She will continue to serve as the university’s chief advisor
to the president on all affirmative action and equal opportunity
issues. In addition, she will now begin reporting directly to
Utah State Executive Vice President and Provost Stan Albrecht.
Guenter-Schlesinger said this change in reporting will enable
her office to work more closely with the Provost Office on faculty
issues, as well as continues to be involved with and responsive
to staff and student issues.
“This new title is reflective of the university’s
strong commitment to the issues of equal opportunity and diversity,”
she said. “It demonstrates strong interest in ensuring
that Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity continues to play
a strategic role in university affairs.”
The Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity office advises
and helps the university community in how to create an environment
free of discrimination and sexual harassment. Guenter-Schlesinger
said their office takes a proactive approach to create a gender
and ethnically diverse community of students, faculty and staff.
Guenter-Schlesinger received her bachelor’s, master’s
and Ph.D. degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles.
In addition to implementing anti-discrimination laws and policies,
she provides equal opportunity training to administrators, faculty,
staff and students on issues including minority and women recruitment
and retention.
Prior to coming to Utah State, Guenter-Schlesinger worked as
chief of the Equal Opportunity Office for the Headquarters of
the U.S. Army in Europe, located in Heidelberg, Germany. During
her eight years with that office, she focused on discrimination
issues of soldiers and their families, to include off-post discrimination
and racial and gender bias.
She is well known for her work on equal opportunity issues,
sexual harassment prevention programs and assertiveness training
including workshops on writing skills for the working woman
and language and sexism. She received the Army Achievement Medal
in 1991 and the Commander’s Award for Civilian Service
in 1989. She is also a member of the National Honor Society,
Phi Kappa Phi.
December 2, 2003
Writer: John DeVilbiss, 435-797-1358; john.devilbiss@usu.edu
Contact: Sue Guenter-Schlesinger, 435-797-1266
UTAH STATE NEWS RELEASES FOR 12-1-03
SPEECH AND DEBATE
RETURNS TO UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY AFTER 20 YEARS
LOGAN — Speech and debate has returned to Utah State
University after a 20-year hiatus and team members are back
in winning action at tournaments.
The club has 37 members and has already successfully competed
in one tournament at Northwest College in Wyoming. Utah State
finished fourth in the debate competition and sixth overall
in a competition against much more experienced teams from around
the West.
“I am extremely proud of how well the team performed,
especially given the fact that many of the other teams have
years of tournament experience,” said Tom Worthen, coach
of the team and a faculty member in the department of languages
and philosophy. “This is a good feather in the university’s
cap.”
Worthen said he hopes to rekindle interest in the speech and
debate team.
“The speech and debate team is a wonderful outlet that
polishes students as speakers and as individuals,” Worthen
said.
Utah State University is the only university in Utah that does
not have a university funded speech and debate team, with most
of the other universities providing class periods and scholarships
to accommodate the program. Worthen said that, in general, students
who participate in speech and debate have higher GPA and ACT
scores.
The speech and debate program at Utah State was discontinued
in 1983 after budget constraints could no longer support the
program. The department of languages and philosophy funded the
program prior to 1983 as a university club. Worthen coached
the last Utah State team as a graduate student. He returned
to the university in 1997, and as a current faculty member volunteered
to take on the challenge of reviving the club.
Due to budget constraints, only seven members could attend and
compete in the Wyoming tournament. Tournaments consist of two
categories — parliamentary debate and speech. In the speech
category, students can compete in a variety of categories ranging
from literature to public events.
Utah State donated the use of a van to the team but the rest
of the cost of the tournament was donated by Worthen. Worthen
said donating his time as a coach and covering the cost of the
first tournament out of his pocket was a way to show the department
the value and capabilities of a speech and debate team.
For more information about the Utah State University Speech
and Debate Team or to find out how to provide support to continue
the program, contact Worthen at (435) 994-0023, or John Seiter
of the department of languages and philosophy at jsseiter@cc.usu.edu
or (435) 797-0138.
Contact: Tom Worthen (435) 994-0023
John Seiter (435)797-0138, jsseiter@cc.usu.edu
Writer: Alison Aikele (435)-797-1350, alisonaikele@cc.usu.edu
THE UTAH STATE
UNIVERSITY CERAMICS GUILD ANNOUNCES ANNUAL HOLIDAY SALE
LOGAN —The Utah State University Ceramics Guild invites
the public to its annual holiday sale Wednesday and Thursday,
Dec. 3, 4 in the Taggart Student Center's International Lounge
from 9 a.m.-9 p.m. for a great selection of handcrafted pottery
for sale.
The Utah State ceramics guild, a student-run group comprised
primarily of ceramics majors and graduate students, has held
this sale for more than 20 years, and it has become a campus
tradition. Utah State ceramics guild members will be on hand
throughout the event to answer questions about the pieces. At
the event, there will be ceramic work of all types, from the
traditionally functional to the sculptural and whimsical, with
a variety of surfaces and glazes. Cash and checks are accepted,
and prices of the art start at $8.
Date: Dec. 1, 2003
Contact: Jill Lawley or Steff Holmgren (435) 797-3566
UTAH STATE NEWS RELEASES FOR 11-26-03
UTAH STATE’S
STUDENT-BUILT ROCKET TO LAUNCH
LOGAN — The Unity IV, a rocket built by undergraduate
students from Utah State University and Brigham Young University,
will be launched Tuesday, Dec. 2, at the Hill Air Force Base
Utah Test and Training Range, southeast of Wendover, Nev.
Approximately 30 students from Utah State and BYU have been
working on the 20-foot long rocket, which will generate 2,500
lbs. of thrust to lift it 10,000 feet above the ground. The
rocket is designed to reach altitudes above 100,000 feet with
additional oxidizer (nitrous oxide- “laughing gas”).
“We want to give university engineering and science students
hands-on experience in building and flying aerospace hardware,”
said Paul Mueller, senior research engineer at the Utah State
Space Dynamics Laboratory (SDL).
Mueller hopes the rocket launch will set the way to develop
low-cost launch capability and eventually launch payloads for
high schools, universities and industry customers.
A student-built launch rail will also be used during the launch.
The rail was built from material donated by the SDL and is mounted
to a large SDL flatbed trailer that is being borrowed for the
launch.
Contact: Paul Mueller, (435) 797-3536
Writer: Tracey Fox, (435) 797-1350
UTAH STATE BLUE
LIGHT AND RECEPTION HONORS RHODES SCHOLAR LARA ANDERSON
LOGAN — To demonstrate pride in the many accomplishments
of Utah State University faculty, staff and students, the Utah
State Blue Pride Light will be turned on Wednesday, Dec. 3,
and the Carillon Bells will ring at 1:05 p.m. in the afternoon
to honor Utah State physics student Lara B. Anderson for receiving
a Rhodes Scholarship.
A reception to honor Anderson will be held in the Center Colony
Room of the Taggart Student Center from 11 a.m.–noon that
same day. The public, as well as Utah State faculty, staff and
students, are invited and welcome to attend.
Anderson is a 2003 graduate in both physics and mathematics
in the College of Science at Utah State. She is currently working
on her master’s in physics and will finish in May 2004.
Following her work at Utah State she’ll be off to England
where she will enter the University of Oxford as a physics and
math doctoral student in October 2004.
“Oxford is a world-class institution and their physics
and math programs are phenomenal,” said Anderson. “The
fact that I’m going hasn’t quite sunk in yet.”
The Rhodes Scholarships are given to 32 U.S. citizens each year
to promote international understanding and to provide special
educational opportunities to talented students who offer the
promise of service during their lifetime. Anderson was offered
the Rhodes Scholarship and was also offered a prestigious Marshall
Scholarship. Such an accomplishment is rare. The Marshall Scholarships
are given by the United Kingdom to bring intellectually distinguished
young Americans to their country who will one day become leaders,
opinion formers and decision makers. After much deliberation,
Anderson decided to take the Rhodes Scholarship and graciously
declined the Marshall. Anderson is the first Rhodes Scholar
from Utah State since 1982.
The Utah State 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.
November 26, 2003
Contact: John DeVilbiss (435) 797-1358
Writer: Maren Cartwright (435) 797-1355
CRANBERRIES 101
Logan — Thanksgiving is known as a day for stuffing
not only turkeys, but ourselves as well. It is unfortunate that
many of these delectable items are generally not on the menu
the rest of the year, said Jerry L. Goodspeed, Utah State University
Extension horticulturist. It is interesting that many of the
traditional foods eaten for Thanksgiving are like the Pilgrims
-- not native to this country.
“The sweet potato, for example, is believed to have originated
on one of the islands in the tropics,” Goodspeed said.
“Although many people think potatoes are either native
to Ireland or McDonald's, they actually came from South America.
Even pumpkins which are used to make pies are native not to
our land, but to Mexico and Central America. Most of the herbs
in the dressing and salads come from other parts of the world,
and even the turkey is believed to have originated in northern
Mexico.”
One food that adorns most Thanksgiving tables, however, did
originate in our country and is healthy to eat, said Goodspeed.
Cranberries are native to the northern part of the United States
and were used by Native Americans long before the Europeans
arrived. They believed that cranberries had healing powers,
and they were used to treat various ailments. Cranberries were
also made into cakes, mixed with other grains and foods, then
stored for consumption when they had to travel or were added
to their diet during the winter.
High in Vitamin C, this berry is actually grown in bogs and
marshes, he noted. Early sailors took cranberries with them
to eat on their journeys because they helped prevent scurvy.
Recently cranberries have been reported to contain antioxidants
and are reported to have other health benefits.
“Cranberries are unique,” said Goodspeed. “The
plant is a low-growing perennial vine that resembles an evergreen,
since many of its leaves remain on the plant for up to two years.
The fruit is produced on one- to two-year-old wood that shoots
upward from the vine. This plant’s longevity is amazing,
and some continue producing for hundreds of years.”
Cranberries require a location with a low pH (very acidic soil),
a long growing season and plenty of water, which is why they
are not typically grown in Utah. Although cranberries require
a good supply of moisture, they are not actually grown in water
like many people believe, he noted.
Before cranberry plants are established, the bogs where they
are to be grown are drained and cleaned, then a layer of sand
is added. To establish new plants, cranberry cuttings are taken
from new wood on mature plants in the spring, pressed into the
sand layer in the new bogs and watered well. These small cuttings
root quickly in the sand and begin growing. Once rooted, they
can take up to five years before they begin producing a full
harvest, Goodspeed said.
In the fall, after the cranberries ripen, the bogs are flooded.
Mechanical harvesters go through the cranberry bogs hitting
the plants just hard enough to knock the berries off the vines.
The berries have a small air pocket in the center that allows
them to float to the surface where they are scooped up and conveyed
to a truck to take to the packing mill, he said. After the harvest
the bogs are drained.
“Once in the mill the berries are graded according to
size, color and the ability to bounce,” he said. “This
may sound strange, but good, healthy cranberries actually bounce
off the floor when they are dropped. In fact, many grading mills
still bounce the berries along boards and over hurdles. Those
that bounce over the hurdles or off the boards are collected
on another belt and graded out. Those that don't bounce are
soft and not considered of good quality.”
Once graded, the cranberries are either shipped to be sold fresh
or sent to a processing plant. Most cranberries are juiced,
but a few are made into the sauce that is sold in abundance
this time of the year.
“Knowing about cranberries is going to make my Thanksgiving
better,” Goodspeed concluded. “Knowing that I am
eating something healthy will also take a little of the guilt
out of the holiday.
Nov. 26, 2003
Writer: Julene Reese, 435-760-9302
Contact: Jerry L. Goodspeed, 801-392-8908
ASK A SPECIALIST: DO YOU HAVE TIPS FOR SELECTING
AND CARING FOR A CHRISTMAS TREE?
Many Utahns will soon visit their local tree grower or tree
lot to search for the perfect Christmas tree. Selecting a good
tree and proper care for it once it is home can ensure a safer,
more enjoyable holiday season. Consider these tips.
• Before going shopping, measure the area in your home
where the tree will be placed. Measure both width and ceiling
height. Remember that several inches will be cut from the butt
end, but also that the stand will add several inches to the
tree’s overall height.
• To ensure that the tree will remain evergreen through
the holidays, check for freshness and moistness. Once needles
become dry, they usually stay dry -- even when the tree is placed
in a stand with water. The best way to ensure that your tree
is fresh is to buy from a local grower or from a retailer you
know and trust. Trees shipped into Christmas tree lots from
out of state may be fresh, but some can be old and dry.
• Gently pull on several needles to check for freshness.
If many come off, look for another tree. Also lift the tree
and strike the butt end on the ground. If many needles fall
from the twigs, the tree is probably not fresh. You can also
break a few needles to see if they are moist and fragrant. Don’t
worry if old unattached needles have accumulated inside the
crown. Though these needles can be messy, they do not indicate
a poor tree and can easily be removed. Be aware that fir and
pine trees hold needles better than spruce trees.
• Check the color. Some trees are sprayed with blue-green
dye. Though the dye can be harmless, it can be hiding a dry
tree.
• Be sure tree limbs are strong enough to support lights
and ornaments. Limbs should also be well placed to give the
tree a pleasing shape. Minor defects in the tree can often be
turned toward a wall and can also lower the purchase price.
• Once a fresh tree is brought home, re-cut a thin section
from the butt end and place the tree in a pail of water until
you are ready to decorate it. Keep the tree outside and away
from sun and wind so it does not become dry. When you are ready
to bring the tree in, cut the butt end again if it has been
stored more than three or four days. This cut section can be
hung with a ribbon and made into an ornament by marking the
rings with significant years in your family’s history.
Most sections will have seven to 10 growth rings.
• Once inside, the tree should be placed in a sturdy
stand that holds at least one gallon of water. A fresh tree
can lose this much or more water a day. Place the tree away
from heaters, furnace vents, televisions and other heat sources.
• Lights on the tree should be UL approved and protected
by an inline fuse. Small pinpoint lights work well because they
stay cool. Don't be sentimental about old Christmas tree lights.
Old lights with cracked insulation or loose sockets should be
discarded. Turn lights off when the tree is unattended. Flammable
decorations should not be used on a Christmas tree with electric
lights. Candles should never be used to light a Christmas tree
or wreath.
• A fresh tree that is watered daily can stay moist and
safe for several weeks. If a tree is displayed in a public building,
it should be kept no longer than 15 days and should be treated
with a fire retardant solution.
• Christmas trees can be useful even after they are taken
down. Trees can be placed in the yard to add greenery and act
as a bird haven until spring. They can also be used for firewood
or chopped and used as mulch. Many communities have programs
to gather trees after Christmas to be chipped as mulch or used
for other purposes.
• Choose-and-cut trees are available from Christmas tree
growers throughout Utah. Use the same selection tips to buy
a choose-and-cut tree as you would a pre-cut tree. Some growers
will cut the tree for you, and others will have you cut your
own. For the locations of local growers, contact your county
Extension office.
Visit http://extension.usu.edu/forestry/HomeTown/General_ChristmasTrees.htm
for additional information.
Writer: Julene Reese, Utah State University Extension, Logan,
UT 84322-0500, 435-760-9302; julener@ext.usu.edu
Nov. 26, 2003
Answer by: Michael Kuhns, Utah State University Extension Forestry
Specialist
UTAH STATE NEWS RELEASES FOR 11-25-03
BEEF PRICES SOARING,
BUT DON’T BLAME PROTEIN-EATING DIETERS
LOGAN — Even if it were not the time of year for turkey
to dominate the menu, budget-conscious consumers would be staying
away from beef as prices for everything from hamburger to prime
rib continue to climb.
According to the United States Department of Agriculture, beef
prices increased 18 percent in October and are still rising.
There has been speculation that prices have been driven up by
higher demands for beef among dieters adhering to high protein,
low carbohydrate diets. But Utah State University economist
DeeVon Bailey, who studies beef production and markets with
support from the Utah Agricultural Experiment Station, says
the driving force behind the price increase is the closure of
the U.S. border to Canadian beef imports due to mad cow disease
diagnosed there earlier this year.
Only eight percent of the beef consumed in this country is imported
from Canada, Bailey says. The hole in the market was being filled
by bringing cattle out of feedlots earlier than usual to get
meat to market. This eventually left fewer and fewer "finished"
cattle in the U.S. marketplace and has been a shock on the supply
side that has driven prices up.
Taking cattle off feedlots early has also resulted in a lack
of beef that qualifies to be graded choice. As a result, restaurants
that serve finer cuts of meat are finding it difficult to get
the products they are used to and are paying premium prices
for what is available.
"Cattle prices are usually around $70-80 a hundredweight
(per hundred pounds)," Bailey said. "In the last few
weeks the price has been as high as about $115/cwt in some locations.
We haven’t just broken price records, we’ve shattered
them."
Boxed, boneless beef was recently approved for import from Canada
and comments can be made until Jan. 5, 2004 on a new proposed
rule from the USDA that would open the border to cattle sales
again. But even if the new regulations are approved early next
year it will be several months before consumers see any evidence
at the meat counter. Bailey added that the number of cattle
in feedlots in Canada is down because producers adjusted their
operations when they could no longer export animals, so opening
trade again will not result in a flood of beef into the market.
November 25, 2003
Writer: Lynnette Harris, (435) 797-2189, lynnette@agx.usu.edu
Contact: DeeVon Bailey, (435) 797-2316, d.bailey@usu.edu
UTAH STATE NEWS RELEASES FOR 11-24-03
ACCLAIMED AMERICAN
POET, ENVIRONMENTALIST GARY SNYDER TO SPEAK AT UTAH STATE
LOGAN — Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Gary Snyder will
visit Utah State University for two public events Thursday,
Dec. 4.
At 3 p.m. Snyder will share an informal discussion panel with
Utah's poet laureate, Ken Brewer, in the Utah State Chase Fine
Arts Center Tippetts Gallery. At 7 p.m., in conjunction with
the Jenny and Thad Box Creative Writing Award, Snyder will present
a reading of his works in the Utah State Eccles Conference Center
Auditorium. A booksigning follows.
The public is invited to both of these free events. The reading
is a part of the Department of English Speakers Series.
Snyder's writing and thought have helped introduce such concepts
as "stewardship," "reinhabitation," "bioregion"
and "watershed" in both poetic discourse and public
policy. His works have illuminated the intertwining strands
of literary form, social responsibility, ethical conduct and
cultural inclusiveness.
Former U.S. poet laureate Robert Hass called Snyder a major
literary figure of the 20th century, a major poet and ethical
voice in the best-honored traditions of Henry David Thoreau
and the Japanese haiku-master Dogen.
"His work makes us far more alive and attentive; it reaches
into our deepest and best resources, heartens us to the challenges
and promises of restoration to a natural place from which many
of us now feel ourselves estranged," Hass wrote.
Snyder has received two distinctive literary awards that reflect
the unusual balance of his literary, ecological and public policy
interests. He received the Bollingen Prize for Poetry and the
John Hay Award for Nature Writing within two weeks of each other
in early 1997. The first acknowledges his literary standing;
the second recognizes the service of his work in environmental
efforts.
Snyder has been called a spokesperson for "those without
voice — the trees, rocks, rivers, and bears — in
the political process," and he has come to occupy international
standing as a representative for the rights and lives of the
unvoiced in society.
The Department of English Speakers Series was established to
promote the value of arts and humanities in American public
life. The series features faculty writing and research accomplishments,
and noted visiting authors sharing their work. Next up is department
of English Assistant Professor Mark Zachry and "Still Writing?
Text and Their Originators in the Emerging Networked Era,"
Wednesday, Jan. 14, at 12:30 p.m. in the Utah State Haight Alumni
Center. For more information call (435) 797-3858.
Date: November 24, 2003
Contact: Marina Hall (435) 797-3858
Writer: Marina Hall (435) 797-3858
ENGLISH GRAD STUDENTS PRESENT CONFERENCE ON
INDIAN LITERATURE AND CULTURE
LOGAN — India's struggle to escape its colonial influences
will be one of the topics discussed during the Imagining India
Conference Wednesday, Dec. 3 at 4 p.m. in Utah State University's
Old Main, room 338.
The conference will provide seven graduate students from the
English department at Utah State a forum to present their research
on contemporary Indian literature and culture.
Emily Gilliland, one participating graduate student, will discuss
how suicides and other ways of dying can often be interpreted
as attempts to define the nation.
"I had to turn to dead people and exiles to understand
India," Gilliland said, reflecting on the complexity of
Indian culture.
English department graduate student Mejeken Greenwood said her
research has yielded information on "the struggles Indians
have faced in bringing about a truly Indian nation that escapes
colonial pervasiveness."
Other students presenting their research are Gregory Esplin,
Nicholas Gorrell, Nancy Lowe, Emma Mecham and Jenn Thompson.
A reception will be held at 4 p.m. and the conference will begin
at 4:30 p.m. The students’ presentations will be divided
into two panels: Techniques of Nation and Narration from 4:30-5:45
p.m. and Desiring Politics, Politicizing Desire from 5:45-7
p.m.
The conference is sponsored by the Consortium for Indian Culture,
the Utah State graduate school and the department of English.
For further information contact Pallavi Rastogi at (435) 797-2721
or email her at prastogi@english.usu.edu.
Date: November 24, 2003
Contact: Pallavi Rastogi (435) 797-2721
Writer: Ken Hadfield kenmhad@cc.usu.edu
HOLIDAY CARD SALE TO BENEFIT ADRIENNE PLATERO
WRITING AWARD
LOGAN — The friends of Adrienne Platero, former student
and writing center consultant at the Utah State University department
of English, are sponsoring a holiday gift exchange in her memory.
To contribute any amount and receive a holiday card to acknowledge
your gift, contact Bev Strickland, department of English accountant,
at (435) 797-2754.
As a tribute to Platero, a gifted writer who died last November
of leukemia, an award fund was established by her friends and
colleagues in conjunction with the Creative Writing Contest,
which is sponsored by the department of English. The overall
first place winner of the contest each year will receive a cash
award from the Adrienne Platero Creative Writing Award. Scribendi,
the bound collection of winning writings each year, is dedicated
to Platero, who won first place in the 2002 contest.
"Adrienne was the kind of student every teacher hopes for,"
said Star Coulbrooke, poetry writing teacher and assistant director
of the Writing Center. "She was conscientious and open,
excited with suggestions for improving her writing, and happy
to offer her kind expertise. She genuinely cared about others’
successes. The Creative Writing Contest is a wonderful venue
for carrying forth her delight helping in other writers and
her love for the craft."
To give something of lasting value this holiday season, the
friends of Platero invite the public to make a donation to the
Adrienne Platero Creative Writing Contest Award Fund. For more
information call (435) 797-2726 or (435) 2754.
Date: November 24, 2003
Contact: Bev Strickland (435) 797-2754
Writer: Star Coulbrooke (435) 797-2726
UTAH STATE GRAD STUDENTS MAKE IMPRESSIVE SHOWING
AT STATEWIDE CONFERENCE
LOGAN — Graduate students from Utah State University's
department of English presented five of the sixteen papers at
the Folklore Society of Utah’s annual meetings Saturday,
Nov. 15, at Westminster College in Salt Lake City.
"Two of Utah State's students received an additional honor,"
said department of English professor and folklorist Steve Siporin.
"Mary Ellen Greenwood and Darcy Minter were invited to
have their research published in the series Papers of the Utah
Folklore Society." Only four papers from the conference
were chosen for publication in the series, Siporin said.
Greenwood's talk examined the tradition of hunting in multiple
generations of a single family and was titled "Death or
Dynamism? Examining a Utah Hunting Family's Past, Present, and
Future." Minter's talk focused on the folk traditions of
Marysville, Mont., a "living" ghost town where the
past merges with the present and was titled "It's Not a
Ghost Town 'til the Last Dog Leaves: The Ghosts of Tradition
in a Montana Mining Camp."
Utah State English graduate students Lisa Duskin-Goede, Matt
Stiffler and Angela Waldie also presented papers at the meetings.
The Folkore Society of Utah has held annual meetings for the
past 45 years, said Siporin. "The primary purpose of the
meetings is to offer folklore students at Utah's institutions
of higher learning a forum in which to present and discuss their
research." Students from Brigham Young University, Indiana
University, the University of Utah, Utah Valley State College
and Westminster College also participated in the meetings.
For more information on the meetings or the Folklore Program
at Utah State, contact Siporin at (435) 797-2722.
Date: November 24, 2003
Contact: Steve Siporin (435)797-2722
Writer: Marina Hall (435) 797-3858
UTAH
STATE DIVERSITY AWARDS FEATURE NATIONAL SCHOLAR
LOGAN — Dr. William B. Harvey, equal opportunity scholar,
will be the keynote speaker for Utah State University's 10th
Annual University Diversity Awards on Tuesday, Dec. 2, from
9-10:30 a.m. in the Eccles Conference Center Auditorium. The
event is free and open to the public.
Following Harvey's speech on "Democracy, Diversity and
Demography," President Kermit L. Hall will present the
2003 University Awards to Stan Albrecht, Nick Eastmond, Janet
Osborne, Tiffany Leo and Barbara Shidler. All recipients are
individuals on campus or in the Cache Valley community who have
made significant contributions to affirmative action, equal
opportunity and diversity.
Harvey, the keynote speaker, is the director of the Office of
Minorities in Higher Education at the American Council on Education
and has held dean, chancellor and professor positions at the
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. He has also held faculty
and administrative positions at North Carolina State University,
The State University of New York at Stony Brook and others.
"Dr. Harvey is a nationally recognized expert on issues
concerning minorities in higher education," said Sue Guenter-Schlesinger,
director of affirmative action and equal opportunity at Utah
State. "His is one of the important voices on the cultural
and social factors that affect underserved populations."
Harvey recently shared the podium with Hall at the "National
Forum on Affirmative Action in Higher Education" at Harvard
University.
He serves on the advisory boards of the Study of New Scholars
Project at Harvard University, the Yale-Howard Partnership Center
on Reducing Health Disparities, the Project Site Support at
Johns Hopkins University and the board of visitors of the School
of Education at the University of Pittsburgh. He has also chaired
the Higher Education Committee for Equity.
The Diversity Award recipients were nominated for the awards
because they have furthered the principles and values of affirmative
action, equal opportunity and diversity. One individual was
chosen from each of five different categories including administrator,
faculty, staff, student and community member.
Albrecht will be honored in the category of administrator. He
is the executive vice president and provost at Utah State. Albrecht
promoted two women as deans of colleges and promoted women to
positions such as assistant provost. He also established funding
to increase diversity and assist in the hiring of minority faculty.
"Provost Albrecht has been a proactive advocate of diversity
at the university," said a nominator. "He devotes
tremendous time and energy to creating diversity strategies
that make an impact."
Eastmond, professor of instructional technology, will be honored
in the category of faculty. For 18 years, Eastmond has hosted
instructional technology's International Night to recognize
students in the department. He has taught classes dealing with
race, communication and cultural issues. He also received the
Utah State International Council's Professor of the Year award,
raised money to build a school in South Africa and serves as
the faculty advisor to the African Students Association.
Osborne, director of the Utah State Women's and Re-Entry Student
Center, will receive the award in the staff category. Osborne
teaches sociology of gender classes and initiated the Women's
Leadership Institute.
"People feel accepted by Janet for who they are as human
beings," said a nominator. "She has mentored hundreds
of women from many walks of life during her 24 years at Utah
State. She is able to work productively with differences of
culture, race, gender and religion."
Leo, Associated Students of Utah State University diversity
vice president, is the award winner in the category of student.
Some of her efforts include sponsoring the Pride Alliance Film
Festival, advocating that STAB movies be shown closed captioned
and lobbying for funding for the Native American Pow-wow and
Polynesian Student Union Luau.
Shidler, City of Hyrum's Strength and Diversity committee chair,
will receive the community member award. Shidler arranges for
interpreters for parents of Hispanic children to attend parent
teacher conferences. She developed the international food festival
and has been supportive of grants to provide computer technology
to assist the Hispanic population in learning English.
Date: November 21, 2003
Writer: Tracey Fox, (435) 797-1350
Contact: Sue Guenter-Schlesinger, (435) 797-1266
UTAH
STATE FACULTY CHAMBER RECITAL BRINGS CLASSICS TO STAGE
LOGAN — The Utah State University department of music
presents a Faculty Chamber Music recital of clarinet, soprano
and piano works Wednesday, Dec. 3, at 7:30 pm in the Eccles
Conference Center Auditorium. Dr. Kori Bond, Dr. Diana Livingston
Friedley and Dr. John Masserini will perform works by Schubert,
Jacob, Spohr, Livingston and Rorem.
The performance is free and open to the public.
All three artists are on the music faculty at Idaho State University
and are nationally and internationally recognized performers
and teachers. Most recently, this trio has been honored with
an invitation to perform Ned Rorem's "Ariel" at the
5th Michigan State University Contemporary Clarinet Festival
in East Lansing, Mich.
The performance is hosted by Utah State's professor of clarinet,
Nicholas Morrison.
"I heard John play for the first time this past summer
at the ClarinetFest of the International Clarinet Association,"
Morrison said. "He is a fine player, and my students will
enjoy playing for him."
The recital is part of an exchange. Later this academic year,
Morrison will visit Idaho State in a similar fashion.
"This is a great way to provide students here and at ISU
with a different perspective on the instrument, for limited
funds," said Morrison. I'm very fortunate to have a small
amount of operating budget left that I received as part of the
Caine Young Scholars Award several years ago. The Caine Foundation
has consistently helped the School of the Arts with visiting
artists. I can't think of a better way to use this money that
they generously provided."
Bond began her piano studies at the age of six with Florence
Brinton in Salt Lake City. She holds degrees in piano from Walla
Walla College, Northern Illinois University, and a doctorate
in piano performance from Indiana University at Bloomington.
Her primary piano teachers were Edward Auer, Donald Walker and
Leonard Richter. She also studied chamber music extensively
with Gyorgy Sebok, Leonard Hokanson, members of the Vermeer
Quartet and faculty at the Sarasota Music Festival. Currently,
Bond is assistant professor of music at Idaho State University.
Bond has performed throughout the country as a solo and collaborative
artist and as a soloist with orchestra. She frequently appears
in concert with clarinetist Masserini, soprano Livingston Friedley
and pianist Karlyn Bond.
Recent performances include recitals at Albertson College, the
University of Montana, Brigham Young University, Walla Walla
College and recitals on the Temple Square Concert Series in
Salt Lake City and the Sherman Clay Recital Series in Seattle.
At Idaho State University, she has given numerous solo and collaborative
concerts and performed Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue"
with the ISU Wind Ensemble. Last summer she was invited as an
artist in residence at the Sierra Music Festival in Mammoth
Lakes, Calif.
While a student, Bond was a prizewinner in several regional
and national competitions. Now, she is a frequent adjudicator
and clinician throughout the Western region.
Livingston Friedley completed a doctor of musical arts degree
at Rutgers University’s Mason Gross School of the Arts,
a master of music at Indiana University and a bachelor of music
at Westminster Choir College. Livingston Friedley is currently
an assistant professor in the music department at Idaho State
University.
Livingston Friedley has appeared as guest soloist with numerous
organizations. Recent concert and recital appearances include
the Orpheus Concert Series in Fresno, Calif.; a seven-concert
tour of Taiwan in 2001; the Taiwanese American 9/11 Benefit
Concert held at the Harold Washington Library in Chicago; and
Westminster Choir College's faculty concert series in Princeton,
N.J. Her perforances in 2002 included Beethoven’s "Ninth
Symphony" with the Fresno Philharmonic; the New York premiere
of James Dasow's "Sul Filo Dei Tramonti" in Merkin,
N.Y; and as soprano soloist in Haydn's "Lord Nelson Mass"
with the Fresno Community Chorus. In November she will be heard
again with the Fresno Community Chorus and Orchestra as the
soprano soloist in Bach’s "Magnificat."
Masserini is assistant professor of music and woodwind coordinator
at Idaho State University. His duties include teaching studio
clarinet and saxophone, music theory, music appreciation, woodwind
methods, instrumental pedagogy and woodwind chamber music. He
is also a member of Idaho Winds, the Faculty Woodwind Quartet
of ISU.
Masserini received his doctor of musical arts degree and master's
degree in clarinet performance from Michigan State University
studying under renowned clarinetist and teacher Dr. Elsa Verdehr.
He received his bachelor of music degree in clarinet performance
at University of New Mexico studying with his mentor, Professor
Keith Lemmons.
Along with the numerous years of playing in orchestras across
the country, including a year with the Phoenix Symphony, he
has performed master classes for internationally known performers,
teachers and composers such as Richard Stoltzman, Larry Combs,
Stanley Hasty, Todd Palmer, Eric Mandat and Joan Tower. He has
been invited as a guest artist to perform as a soloist, to collaborate
in chamber music and to teach at universities and clarinet conferences
in Arizona, Montana, New Mexico, Idaho and Utah. Most recently
he was honored with an invitation to perform the world premiere
of a work commissioned by the International Clarinet Association
at the Clarintfest International Conference in July of 2003.
Date: November 24, 2003
Writer: Nick Morrison (435) 797-3506
UTAH STATE NEWS RELEASES FOR 11-20-03
ASK A SPECIALIST:
DO YOU HAVE TIPS FOR SAFELY INSTALLING OUTDOOR CHRISTMAS LIGHTS?
LOGAN — The Christmas season is upon us, and outdoor
decorations are being purchased and unpacked with anticipation.
The holidays are enhanced by exterior lighting, but it is important
to exercise caution when selecting and installing them.
Each year, holiday lighting contributes to injuries caused by
electrical shock, falls and fires. Holiday lighting fires annually
cause property damage in excess of $16 million. Consider the
following to avoid injury as you decorate for the holidays.
• When purchasing outdoor Christmas lighting, look for
labels marked with UL or ETL. This indicates the product has
been tested by an independent laboratory recognized by the Occupational
Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Outdoor lights with
these labels satisfy the minimum standards for product safety.
• When selecting lights for exterior installation, be
sure the packaging states that it is designated for outdoor
use. Outdoor lighting is weatherproof and designed for temporary
operation in harsh winter weather. Do not purchase used Christmas
lights or lighting not in the original package.
• When selecting outdoor lights, consider purchasing
strings with miniature, low-heat producing bulbs. These lights
require less amperage and are less likely to overload electrical
outlets.
• Purchase appropriately sized timers to automatically
turn lights on and off. Lights should be turned off when people
are not present and they should not be left on overnight.
• Electrical outlets for exterior lighting should accommodate
three-prong grounded plugs and should be on an electrical circuit
protected by a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI). Portable
outdoor GFCIs can be purchased at hardware stores if this circuit
protection is not available.
• If extension cords are required for outdoor lights,
use those designed for outdoor use with three-prong plugs. Never
use an indoor cord or a cord without the third prong. Plug the
cord into a grounded outlet and select a cord with the shortest
length that works for your project. Do not use a 100-foot extension
cord for a 10-foot distance. Keep outdoor electrical connections
above the ground and out of the snow and water. If extension
cords must cross walkways, tape them down.
• When connecting outdoor lighting, be careful not to
create a maze of extension cords, plugs and wires that all come
from the same electrical outlet. Electrical outlets and timers
used for Christmas lights should be readily accessible for quick
disconnection or adjustment as necessary.
• When installing lights, be sure to read and follow the
manufacturer's instructions. These instructions should be stored
with the lights and referred to when purchasing replacement
bulbs and on future installations.
• Check the manufacturer's guidelines to determine the
number of light strings that may be safely plugged together.
If the packaging does not indicate the number, connect no more
than three light strings together.
• Before installing newly purchased or previously used
Christmas lighting, plug the string in and make sure all the
bulbs operate properly. When unpacking outdoor lights used during
previous years, carefully inspect hem for frayed, loose or bare
wires and damaged bulbs or sockets. Discard damaged light strings.
• One of the greatest dangers when installing outdoor
lighting involves the use of ladders. Use a high-quality, sturdy
ladder that is the proper height. Be sure it is securely positioned.
To avoid falls, move the ladder as necessary rather than leaning
on it from side to side.
• When installing outdoor lights, use screw-in hooks
or other fasteners that will not damage the insulation on the
lighting strings. Nails and staple guns can easily cut or damage
insulation and conductors.
• Refer to the manufacturer's guidelines to determine
the recommended spacing for supports and the maximum span allowed
for the light string. Christmas lights are generally designed
to span distances of only a few feet and should be supported
at intervals every few feet.
• Securely attach outdoor light strings to buildings,
trees or other objects to prevent displacement by wind or other
weather conditions. When possible, point the lamp sockets down
to avoid moisture buildup and do not operate light strings with
missing bulbs.
• Unplug outdoor lights when replacing bulbs so there
is no danger of shock. Reduce damage to lights by handling them
carefully when installing and removing them and when packing
and storing.
• Remove outdoor lighting at the end of the Christmas
season. Christmas lights are not designed to withstand prolonged
exposure to sun and weather.
Direct column topics to: Julene Reese, Utah State University
Extension,
Logan, UT 84322-0500; 435-760-9302; julener@ext.usu
Nov. 20, 2003
Answer by: Richard Beard, Utah State University Extension Agricultural
Engineering Specialist
UTAH STATE NEWS RELEASES FOR 11-19-03
UTAH STATE PRESIDENT'S
JFK SPEECH REBROADCAST
LOGAN — Utah State University President Kermit L. Hall,
one of five Americans appointed by the White House to the John
F. Kennedy Assassination Records Review Board, spoke during
the 40th anniversary of the assassination at The National Archives
and The National Press Club on Nov. 14.
The title of Hall's speech, "Open Secrets—The Kennedy
Assassination 40 Years Later," offered his insight into
the roles the CIA and FBI played in the investigation. Hall's
speech will be rebroadcast on Friday, Nov. 21 at 9 a.m. and
7 p.m. on KUSU (89.5 FM in Cache Valley). For more details,
visit www.upr.org.
November 19, 2003
Contact: Whitney Wilkinson (435)797-8286, 881-4438, whitney.wilkinson@usu.edu
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