February 24, 2004 In the
News
Tuesday, February 24, 2004
WHAT'S YOUR PROFESSOR'S
RELIGION? SHOULD IT MATTER?
The complaint sounds familiar: Why does a university whose
student body is overwhelmingly Mormon have so few LDS professors?
This time, though, the barb is aimed not at the flagship University
of Utah, but at Utah State University. And 2 1/2 hours south
of the Logan campus, Orem's Utah Valley State College has arrived
at a dilemma the two other state schools faced about 20 years
ago: Should it be hiring so many outside scholars with so little
understanding of Utah's history and culture? In both cases,
the town-and-gown tensions revolve around the schools' relationship
to Mormonism -- its history, institutions and sensitivities.
(Salt Lake Tribune, 2/21/04) Click on: http://www.sltrib.com/2004/feb/02212004/saturday/140847.asp
UNIVERSITY PUBLISHERS
FIND LDS HISTORY SELLS
In its heyday, the University of Utah Press was the premier
publisher of Mormon scholarship, producing groundbreaking works
such as Sterling McMurrin's Theological Foundations of the Mormon
Religion, Leonard Arrington's Great Basin Kingdom and biographies
of colorful Mormon figures such as gunslinger Orrin Porter Rockwell
and renegade historian Juanita Brooks. … Her tactics worked.
In the past 20 years, Illinois Press has led the way in scholarly
publishing on Mormon subjects, cranking out scores of volumes,
many of them award winners. Likewise, Utah State University
Press has benefited from the genre. It has about three dozen
Mormon history titles in its collection and has no plans to
slack off. The works are rigorously scrutinized before publication
to ensure they are more scholarly than faith-promoting, USU
Press director Michael Spooner says. "This is not BYU North,"
he says. (Salt Lake Tribune, 2/21/04) Click on: http://www.sltrib.com/2004/feb/02212004/saturday/140849.asp
WARMING SENDS
CHILLS ACROSS HILLS
President Bush may be a doubter on the tenet of global warming,
but some Utah ski resorts are starting to see the light. After
all, the ski industry's salvation relies on a certain quantity
and quality of winter precipitation. … "Most analyses
project a decline, if not total demise, of downhill skiing by
the mid or latter part of the 21st century," states the
report, authored by Utah State University professor Frederic
Wagner. (Salt Lake Tribune, 2/21/04) Click on: http://www.sltrib.com/2004/feb/02212004/utah/140879.asp
A HISTORY TO CHRONICLE:
UTAH COLLEGES LAGGING ON LDS HISTORY
Susanna Morrill spent 18 months in Salt Lake City studying
flowers, females and poetry in post-polygamy Utah. And yet her
best hope for teaching about them is in Laramie, Wyo., far from
the trove of 19th century Mormon diaries and documents so critical
to her research. Morrill, a University of Chicago archivist,
is one of three finalists for a University of Wyoming professorship
in religion and the American West with an emphasis on Mormon
studies. No such job exists at the University of Utah, where
students can earn degrees in Russian but not religion. …
By contrast, Utah State University and Utah Valley State College
recently created religious-studies programs with an eye toward
offering degrees. Their efforts, though small and belated, may
signal a new era of openness and maturity in Mormon Country.
(Salt Lake Tribune, 2/21/04) Click on: http://www.sltrib.com/2004/feb/02212004/saturday/saturday.asp
A KEEPER ROLE
FOR USU'S PRESIDENT
An unusual production at Utah State University is getting more
than a presidential seal of approval from USU's president, Kermit
Hall. On opening night, Hall will be onstage in 18th-century
costume with the performers -- acting, and even dancing. Hall
will portray a keeper of King George III's animals in "Eight
Songs for a Mad King," a song cycle depicting the dementia
of the English king, who suffered from an inherited disease
called porphyria. …"I hope [my participation] will
draw a little attention beyond what is already there for our
very fine theater and arts programs," Hall said. "People
view Utah State as kind 'up there in Cache Valley with a lot
of cows walking around.' Actually, we have a strong culture
of music, theater and art." (Salt Lake Tribune, 2/22/04)
Click on: http://www.sltrib.com/2004/feb/02222004/arts/141044.asp
TIDBITS ON 'MAD
KING' AND 'THE SOLDIER'S TALE'
"Eight Songs for a Mad King" and "The Soldier's
Tale" are examples of 20th century art music that integrate
music and theater in unexpected ways. Here are a few facts about
the two pieces and their production at Utah State University
in Logan: "Eight Songs for a Mad King" was written
in 1969 by English composer Peter Maxwell Davies to poetic texts
by Randolph Stowe incorporating words of King George III (1760-1820).
Stowe's poems about George III's descent into madness were inspired
by the sound of a mechanical organ belonging to the king. Salt
Lake Tribune, 2/22/04) Click on: http://www.sltrib.com/2004/feb/02222004/arts/141060.asp
ATHLETES AND DEGREES:
GRAD RATES HARD TO TALLY — BUT WILL BE PUSHED HIGHER
The system for figuring graduation rates for student athletes
is not perfect, but changes are afoot — and not just in
the way the numbers are worked. … Through it all, Division
I schools like Utah State University win cash awards from USA
Today for graduating increasingly more student athletes. USU
reported an 81 percent 2003 graduation rate for athletes, an
improvement over the 45 percent who graduated in 2002. So, what
do the rates really mean? Depends which ones you watch. …
"I think we've become pretty good at spotting students
in trouble," said USU President Kermit Hall. "We've
become attentive to what student athletes bring to the table."
And that means taking chances. At USU, a student athlete with
a low ACT score may become an "appropriate" risk if
that person has shown some record of success in high school.
It's a change from recent history, according to Hall, when student
athletes were admitted without any connection to academics.
"We've cured that problem," he said. (Deseret Morning
News, 2/23/04) Click on: http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,590045225,00.html
NORTH LOGAN WOMAN
IS MOTHER OF YEAR
Yvonne M. Roderick of North Logan has been named 2004 Utah
Mother of the Year by the state chapter of American Mothers.
… When her first child was born, she left her full-time
professional career to be a mother at home. She is now president
of Roderick Communications, a public relations firm, a former
PTA president and current co-chairwoman of USU/Community Associates,
an organization that fosters good relations between Utah State
University and the community. (Deseret Morning News, 2/21/04)
Click on: http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,590044861,00.html
EXTRA POINT: USU
PROUD OF SOLID SPECTRUM ATMOSPHERE
Utah State University is a school rich in history and tradition,
with a men's basketball program which is mighty proud of all
it has accomplished -- and rightfully so. Conference championship
banners are plentiful at Utah State, as are postseason tournament
appearances, including three NCAA tourney trips plus an NIT
berth in the past five years. USU boasts what is absolutely
one of the best home-court atmospheres in America, the Dee Glen
Smith Spectrum, which seats 10,270 but, when the Aggies are
rolling and the place is rocking, sounds like a whole lot more.
(Standard Examiner 2/20/04) Click on: http://www.standard.net/standard/news/print_story.html?sid=00040220004501612842
GARDEN VARIETY:
SUMMER DREAMERS: BIDE YOUR TIME, SPRING WILL COME
So far, this has been a cold, snowy winter. Snow has covered
the ground continually since the day after Christmas. I hear
this is good. I can handle the snow, but the freezing temperatures
make me wonder why anybody invented winter. Snow would be so
much nicer in the summer. I probably wouldn't even mind shoveling
a few inches of the stuff in 80-degree weather. I know, I know
-- it wouldn't work. But, here in Utah, we tend to get too much
of a good thing at one time. … Jerry Goodspeed is a horticulturist
with the Weber County branch of the Utah State University Extension
Service. (Standard Examiner 2/21/04) Click on: http://www.standard.net/standard/news/print_story.html?sid=00040220201500899642
FAMILIES STRONG
HERE, BUT SO IS DIVORCE, STUDY NOTES
There's good news and there's bad news about marriage in Utah.
"Marriage in Utah: 2003 Baseline Statewide Survey on Marriage
and Divorce, " conducted by Utah State University for the
Governor's Commission on Marriage, contains the hard facts about
Utah's reputation for characteristically strong marriages and
families. The good news shows is that the national figures show
adult Utahns who are married indicate higher levels of marital
happiness (74 percent) than married people nationally (62 percent).
(Herald Journal, 2/22/04)
VALLEY COUPLES, EXPERTS WEIGH IN ON MATRIMONY
On the eve of their wedding Friday, Jared Moir and Valerie Krogh
were fully aware of the risk they were taking. Statistics, which
show that when a couple weds, they only have a 40 to 50 percent
chance of staying that way, didn't scare either one of them.
"We're not as nervous about getting married as we are about
having the wedding day go well," said the 26-year-old bride,
a Logan High and Utah State University graduate. (Herald Journal,
2/22/04)
STORIES OF SUCCESS:
3 WOMEN, 3 PATHS TO USU'S UPPER ECHELONS
There are no magic formulas to explain the success of the minority
of women who climb the career ladder to the upper echelon of
administration at Utah State University. Although their successes
feature all of the regular requirements in academia, female
administrators at Utah State come from diverse backgrounds and
they bring a breadth experience to the institution, as the following
three profiles indicate. (Herald Journal, 2/21/04)
'PUBLISH OR PERISH'
A WAY OF LIFE ON CAMPUS
The motto "publish or perish" is alive and well at
Utah State University, but the total number of original works
contributed annually by the institution's faculty is somewhat
of a mystery. Provost Stan Albrecht said deans and department
heads conduct annual reviews of faculty members and that process
includes listing publications for each individual. (Herald Journal,
2/16/04)
SCIENCE, JUDAISM
TOPIC OF TALK AT USU
Professor Menachem Fisch is a guest lecturer at Utah State
University Monday, Feb. 23, in a talk title "Science, Judaism
and the Religious Crisis of Modernity." Fisch speaks at
2:30 p.m. in the Business building auditorium. The lecture is
free and all are invited. Fisch is a professor at the Cohen
Institute for the History and Philosophy of Science and Ideas
at the University of Tel Aviv. He is known as a leading thinker
on the relation between Judaism and modern science. (Herald
Journal, 2/22/04)
KSL NEWSCAST:
USU AD ON LEAVE
Utah State University's Athletic Director Rance Pugmire is
on administrative paid leave in connection with his arrest for
drunk driving. (KSL newscast, 12 p.m., 2/20/04)
KUTV NEWSCAST:
HEALTHY LIVING
People love pizza, and it's possible to eat pizza and still
stick on your diet. Lady's Home Journal has found the healthiest
frozen pizzas out there. …Utah State University Extension
Dietician. (KUTV newscast, 5 p.m., 2/20/04)
KTVX NEWSCAST:
MOCK WEDDING AT USU
A bill defining marriage as a union between a man and a woman
is now awaiting Governor Walker's approval. Meanwhile a Utah
couple flew to California to get married. Emotions over same
sex marriage were running high today at Utah State University,
where Young Republicans held a mock wedding in support of a
gay marriage ban. (KTVX newscast, 5:30 a.m., 2/20/04)
KTVX NEWSCAST:
RUNNING FOR EDUCATION
Students from across the state have run a relay for education.
Students form Utah State University will deliver a baton to
the legislature to show support for increased funding for higher
education. (KTVX newscast, 5:30 a.m., 2/20/04)
KSTU NEWSCAST:
RUNNING ACROSS UTAH
Students will literally run across the state. Tuesday Dixie
State College started at the Arizona border and ran to SUU,
and then the baton went to Snow College, then CEU and so forth.
Utah State University started a few days ago and the baton ended
up at the U of U. (KSTU newscast, 5:25 a.m., 2/20/04)
KUTV NEWSCAST:
OUTDOORS
The Green River is being threatened by the New Zealand Mud
Snail. The lake also suffered two sediment flows from the fire
two years ago. Biologists are studying the condition of the
fish to determine whether the river is in trouble. Dr. Mark
Vincent, Utah State University Bug Lab. (KUTV newscast, 11 p.m.,
2/21/04)
Monday, February 23, 2004
PUGMIRE'S LEAVE
COULD LAST UP TO 60 DAYS
Utah State athletic director Rance Pugmire is on administrative
leave after his arrest for suspicion of driving under the influence
of alcohol, the university said Thursday. The leave, which could
last up to 60 days pending the outcome of the DUI charge, was
a mutual decision between Pugmire and university president Kermit
Hall, spokesman John DeVilbiss said. Hall learned of the weekend
arrest Monday, and met Wednesday with Pugmire. Hall expects
Pugmire to make a future contribution to the university.
"But there are issues that need to be raised before they
can be addressed," Hall said in a statement. Fred H. Hunsaker,
a retired university vice president, will be acting director
in Pugmire's absence. Pugmire is in his fifth year as athletic
director. (ESPN.COM, 2/19/04) Click on: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/news/story?id=1739333
UTAH STATE ATHLETIC
DIRECTOR ON LEAVE AFTER DUI CHARGE
Utah State athletic director Rance Pugmire was placed on paid
leave, pending the resolution of charges of driving under the
influence of alcohol, USU announced Thursday. Pugmire, 40, rolled
his sport utility vehicle 3 1/2 times Sunday night on Interstate
15 south of Brigham City. Uninjured, he was arrested and booked
into the Box Elder County Jail. USU president Kermit L. Hall
said Pugmire's refusal to take a Breathalyzer test played a
role in the decision to place him on 60-day administrative leave,
because "Rance put himself in the position of suffering
some significant legal liability." (Salt Lake Tribune,
2/20/04) Click on:
http://www.sltrib.com/2004/feb/02202004/sports/140668.asp
USU'S PUGMIRE
PLACED ON LEAVE
Utah State University Athletic Director Rance Pugmire rolled
his SUV Sunday night near Willard and USU officials have placed
him on administrative leave pending an investigation to determine
if he was driving drunk. The university announced Thursday that
Pugmire had been placed on a paid leave of absence for up to
60 days. "This gives him the chance to address the issues
before him and also gives him a chance to reflect generally
on his behavior," USU President Kermit L. Hall said Thursday.
"I have a really high expectation of everyone in his position
like the one he holds." (Deseret Morning News, 2/20/04)
Click on: http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,590044551,00.html
HUNSAKER STEPS
IN FOR AGGIES
Fred H. Hunsaker, former vice president of Administrative Services,
was less than two months into his retirement when Utah State
President Kemit L. Hall came calling for his services. Hunsaker,
64, was named Thursday at the interim athletic director, replacing
Rance Pugmire, who was suspended for 60 days in connection with
his arrest earlier in the week on the suspicion of driving under
the influence of alcohol. "This is not what I had in mind
for retirement," Hunsaker said Thursday night. "I'm
willing to come back and fill this role for a short period of
time." (Deseret Morning News, 2/20/04) Click on: http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,590044583,00.html
CAMPUS GUN BILL
CLOSER TO PASSAGE: SPONSOR SAYS U. IS ACTING ABOVE THE LAW WITH
BAN
A controversial gun rights bill that could prevent public college
campuses from banning concealed weapons from campus is one step
closer to becoming law. SB48 seeks to give the Legislature final
say on whether or not concealed weapons should be allowed in
public schools — specifically higher education institution.
… Though other public state schools like Utah State University
have restrictions on concealed weapon carriers on campus, none
are as bold as the U's, Waddoups said. "Their policy stops
students and professors from carrying a gun, but it doesn't
keep guns off campus," he said. (Deseret Morning News,
2/20/04) Click on: http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,590044529,00.html
ARTIFICIAL SOILS
PROVIDE ZIP FOR GREENHOUSE PLANTS: TOPSOIL CAN BE HARD TO USE,
HAS DISADVANTAGES
Trying to dig up some good dirt on gardening? You can stop looking,
because the real dirt on growing plants is you may not need
it at all. Today, virtually all greenhouse crops — and
many container plants — grow in artificial or manufactured
soils. … Larry A. Sagers is the regional horticulturist,
Utah State University Extension Services, at Thanksgiving Point.
(Deseret Morning News, 2/20/04) Click on: http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,590044378,00.html
DISCUSSION ON
SLATE FOR TUITION INCREASE
Everyone is invited and comments are welcome at a public forum
to discuss a proposed second-tier tuition increase at Utah State
University. The forum will be at noon Friday, Feb. 20, at the
Sunburst Lounge in the Taggart Student Center on the Logan Campus.
(Herald Journal, 2/20/04)
HUNSAKER STEPS
IN AS AD DURING 'CRITICAL TIME'
When asked about his upcoming tenure as acting athletics director
at Utah State, Fred Hunsaker replied, "It will be short
and …" That Hunsaker tailed off without completing
the old cliché with "sweet" is certainly understandable.
(Herald Journal, 2/20/04)
PLANTS OF THE
FUTURE: USU SCIENTISTS FIND GREENERY CAPABLE OF SOLVING PROBLEMS
Your ordinary, everyday house plant may not be so ordinary after
all. Scientists at Utah State University have discovered that
house plants might be acting more like computers solving complex
problems. "The sort of naïve notion that plants are
just sitting there soaking up sunlight is apparently not right,
"said David Peak, a theoretical scientist at USU. (Herald
Journal, 2/20/04)
ON THE FROZEN
TUNDRA: ALUMNI GOLF TOURNEY RAISES FUNDS FOR USU SCHOLARSHIPS
The fourth annual USU Cache County Alumni Winter Golf Tournament
will be held Saturday, Feb. 21. Orange golf balls, with flags
attached, will fly through the air over Old Main Hill for 18
holes of golf. There will be no golf carts, just fun and hot
chocolate. (Herald Journal, Cache Magazine, 2/20/04)
GUEST LECTURE
Craig Jessop, Mormon Tabernacle Choir Director, will present
a lecture "The Affect of Music on the Family" on Feb.
29 at the Logan Tabernacle for the American Mothers Interfaith
Service. Doors open at 6:30 with the program starting at 7 p.m.
… His roots include growing up in Millville, graduating
from Sky View High School and Utah State University. (Herald
Journal, Cache Magazine, 2/20/04)
MONSTER BASH
Ralph van der Beek asks, "What do you get when a monster
joins more than 200 pianists performing on a stage filled with
pianos?" Answer — That's an apt description of Utah
State University's annual Monster Concert, an event planned
and presented by the Youth Conservatory in the department of
music. (Herald Journal, Cache Magazine, 2/20/04)
FUNNY
FOOD
Sarah Gordon, assistant professor of French in Utah State University's
department of languages, philosophy and speech communication,
is the guest speaker at the next Friends of Utah State University
Libraries lecture. She will present "Culinary Comedy in
Medieval Literature." (Herald Journal, Cache Magazine,
2/20/04)
RUBY FROM THE FRONT RANGE
The Bridger Folk Music Society's concert series continues with
three top female singer-songwriters from the Front Range of
the Rocky Mountains. Liz Barnez, Rebecca Folsom and Maggie Simpson
will perform on Feb.20, at 7:30 p.m., in the Eccles Conference
Center. The auditorium is on the Utah State University campus;
tickets are $12 in advance and for students, and $14 at the
door. (Herald Journal, Cache Magazine, 2/20/04)
'DANCE SPECTACULAR'
The 15th annual Dance Spectacular will be presented at the USU
Kent Concert Hall on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2004, at 6 p.m. Dance
Spectacular is a dance concert featuring dance teams from Cache
Valley, each presenting their best performance. (Herald Journal,
Cache Magazine, 2/20/04)
SOUNDS FROM THE
BIG EASY
Todd Fallis, professor of trombone at Utah State University,
performs in recital Monday, Feb. 23, in the Dansante Recital
Hall (59 S. 100 West) in Logan. He is joined by his wife, Liz,
on flute in a program titled "New Orleans." The performance
begins at 7:30 p.m. and admission is free. (Herald Journal,
Cache Magazine, 2/20/04)
WASSERMANN FESTIVAL
IS COMING UP
The Wasserman Festival, an international piano festival featuring
acclaimed concert pianists and teachers, plans a festival this
year that includes pianists who represent two centuries of greatness.
… The 2004 Wasserman Festival takes place March 23-27
at Utah State University. (Herald Journal, Cache Magazine, 2/20/04)
INTERDISCIPLINE:
USU DEPARTMENTS, PRESIDENT, JOIN TALENTS ON STAGE
Combine the talents of actors, musicians, dancers and artists
with a surprise guest appearance, and the result is a collaboration
between the theatre arts, music and art department at Utah State
University. This creative team has combined forces for the production
of "The Soldier's Tale" and "Eight Songs for
a Mad King." (Herald Journal, Cache Magazine, 2/20/04)
THE CALAMITY OF 'CALAMITY JANE'
The Heritage Theatre, 250 S. Highway 89 in Perry, presents "Calamity
Jane" at 7:30 p.m., Mondays Fridays, and Saturdays, March
5 through 27. … Calamity Jane is portrayed by Jessica
Pace who has appeared on stage as Agnes Gooch in "Mame"
and in "My Fair Lady". She is an instructor of English
at Utah State University and is a volunteer instructor at the
Logan Institute of Religion. Jessica lives in Logan. (Herald
Journal, Cache Magazine, 2/20/04)
YOU JUST CAN'T
KEEP A GOOD GIRL DOWN: 'THE UNSINKABLE MOLLY BROWN' PLAYS THE
ECCLES FOR TWO NIGHTS THIS WEEK
The Ellen Eccles Theatre presents the touring production of
Broadway's Beloved "The Unsinkable Molly Brown" on
Feb. 26 and 27 at 7:30 p.m. in the Ellen Eccles Theatre. …
"It's a unique musical theatre work that talks about the
colonization of the West," said Michael Ballam, Utah State
University music professor, who teaches a course on the history
of musical theater. (Herald Journal, Cache Magazine, 2/20/04)
ARE COWBOYS YOUR
WEAKNESS?
"As a writer, a lot of my stories begin with geography
or landscape or place. So now traveling is so bound up with
the writing that I can't really separate the two," says
author Pam Houston, whose travels bring her to Logan and Utah
State University the last week of February for three public
events. (Herald Journal, Cache Magazine, 2/20/04)
DANCE TO A BEAT OF A DIFFERENT DRUM
The Outdoor Recreation Center and Valley Dance Ensemble are
co-sponsoring a day of introductory dance and drum workshops
Saturday, Feb. 21. The event will be topped off with a Saturday
evening from the funk and jazz band "Quadraphonic."
(Herald Journal, Cache Magazine, 2/20/04)
CACHE CHAMBER
ORCHESTRA PRESENTS ITS WINTER CONCERT
Cache Valley's community-based, all-volunteer orchestra, the
Cache Chamber Orchestra, takes stage for its winter concert
Sunday, Feb. 22, at 7:30 p.m. in the Kent Concert Hall of the
Chase Fine Arts Center at Utah State University. (Herald Journal,
Cache Magazine, 2/20/04)
DON'T FORGET
ABOUT ME: 50 FIRST DATES
In "50 First Dates," Adam Sandler plays Henry Roth,
which is a polite way of saying that he calls himself Henry
Roth while playing Adam Sandler. Henry lives in Hawaii, where
by day he works as a veterinarian for a marine zoo; by night,
he prowls the tourist bars looking for one-night stands with
tipsy women whom he can drive to the airport in the morning.
… Brian McCuskey is an associate professor of English
at Utah State University. (Herald Journal, Cache Magazine, 2/20/04)
KSL NEWSCAST:
USU'S AD ON LEAVE
Utah State University has placed Athletic Director, Rance Pugmire,
on leave following a DUI arrest. (KSL newscast, 6 p.m., 2/19/04)
KUTV NEWSCAST:
USU AD ON ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE
Utah State University's athletic director is on paid administrative
leave. Rance Pugmire was arrested for a DUI over the weekend.
(KUTV newscast, 4 p.m., 10 p.m., 2/19/04)
KTVX NEWSCAST:
AD GETS DUI
Utah State University's Rance Pugmire has been suspended following
a DUI arrest. Fred Hunsaker will take over as interim AD. (KTVX
newscast, 5 p.m., 10 p.m., 2/19/04)
KTVX NEWSCAST:
SAME SEX MARRIAGE
A bill defining marriage as a union between a man and a woman
is now awaiting Governor Walker's approval. …Emotions
over same sex marriage were running high today at Utah State
University, where Young Republicans held a mock wedding in support
of a gay marriage ban. (KTVX newscast, 10 p.m., 2/19/04)
KUED: CONTACT
With concerns about water conservation, the Utah State University
Extension and the Utah Native Plant Society have joined forces
to make a workshop series available. (KUED newscast, 9:55 p.m.,
2/19/04)
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