July 21 & 22, 2003
Utah State in the News
Tuesday, July 22, 2003
OVERWEIGHT ELDERLY
WOMEN ARE MORE LIKELY THAN THOSE WHO STAY TRIM TO BE STRICKEN
BY ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE
Overweight elderly women are more likely than those who stay
trim to be stricken by Alzheimer's disease, researchers reported
Monday, presenting the first significant evidence linking the
burgeoning weight crisis with the increasingly common brain
affliction. While previous studies had raised the possibility
that excess flab may increase the risk of dementia, a new study
that followed several hundred elderly Swedish people for 18
years clearly showed that women who were heavy at age 70 were
markedly more likely to develop Alzheimer's in their eighties.
The study found the link only for women, but Deborah Gustafson,
who conducted the study while at Utah State University, and
other experts said that was probably because there weren't enough
men in the study who lived long enough to develop Alzheimer's.
(Washington Post, 07/20/03)
USU OFFERS CONSERVATION
GRAD PROGRAM
As Utah goes through its fifth year of drought, Utah State
University's newly launched master's program is churning out
students to promote water conservation. The one-year program
prepares students for positions in urban water conservation,
with an emphasis on urban landscape water management. "It
focuses on giving students training on water-efficient landscaping,"
said Roger Kjelgren, associate professor of horticulture in
the Department of Plants, Soils and Biometeorology. The state
Board of Regents approved the water conservancy master's program
in fall 2000. After time to organize the curriculum and recruit
students, the program started in January 2002 with four students.
Four more students are in this year's program, which is on the
annual calendar system, not the school year system. Five students
have signed up to begin the program January 2004. (Standard
Examiner, 07/21/03) click on: http://www.standard.net/standard/news/print_story.html?sid=00030720210508109749
50 YEARS AGO:
AGGIES ANTICIPATE NEW PRESIDENT
Probability that a permanent president of Utah State Agricultural
college will be chosen next Monday loomed strong today following
a meeting in Salt Lake City yesterday of the board of trustees
presidential screening committee. ("Utah Then" from
Tuesday, July 21, 1953.) (Herald Journal, 07/21/03)
HAPPY 100TH; CROWD
ENJOYS DAYTON'S BIG PARTY FOR THE CENTENNIAL OF FLIGHT
A century ago, Orville and Wilbur Wright only could dream of
such a spectacle. More than 50,000 people invaded Dayton International
Airport yesterday to honor their accomplishments at the Dayton
Air Show, the grand finale to the city's 17-day celebration
of the 100th anniversary of flight. ... Children took turns
in the seats of the life-size version of the Wrights' 1905 model
made from modern-day materials. "Who knows what the next
100 years will bring?" said Dave Widauf, an associate professor
at Utah State University whose students built the display. "We're
hoping the young people who visit our plane will be inspired."
Using the Wright brothers' historic design plans, 14-year-old
Nick Wahl of Beavercreek worked nearby to carve a wood propeller
for a full-size 1903 model. (Columbus Dispatch, 07/20/03)
USU ENGLISH DEPT.
TO EDIT TECH JOURNAL
Charlotte Thralls and Mark Zachry, faculty in the department
of English, have been selected to edit "Technical Communication
Quarterly," bringing to the department and Utah State University
a peer-reviewed scholarly journal that holds a highly distinguished
position in the field of technical communication. (Herald Journal,
07/20/03)
BIRDS OF A FEATHER:
'SUNBIRDS,' THAT IS, AND THEY'RE ENJOYING ANOTHER ACTIVITY-FILLED
SUMMER IN LOGAN
Fred Berkenkamp feels sorry for his neighbors back in Sun City
West. While they're baking in the 114-degree heat of an Arizona
summer, he’s out hiking, attending the opera and learning
a thing or two. "There are some 400,000 seniors in Arizona
that are being roasted this time of year,' Berkenkamp said.
"The wise ones come up here." Berkenkamp and his wife,
Ruth, are among the more than 700 retired senior citizens who
pack their bags and head to Logan for the summer as part of
Utah State University's Summer Citizen program. (Herald Journal,
07/20/03)
USU ISN'T COUNTING
ON INVITATION TO JOIN WAC
There's material for a country song in here somewhere. Just
when Utah State finds a conference home after two years of football
independence, the Aggies may be in position for a better offer.
While buyout provisions would allow USU to leave the Sun Belt
Conference, school officials say they are not counting on an
invitation to join the Western Athletic Conference -- even if
the WAC loses Fresno State and Hawaii. Naturally, they want
to project loyalty to the Sun Belt, which took in USU last fall
after the Aggies formerly rejected a football-only membership
offer. Beyond that, USU president Kermit L. Hall believes the
power among the WAC's presidents has shifted eastward, changing
the league's orientation. USU will play football in the Sun
Belt beginning this season, and join the league in other sports
in 2005-06. (Salt Lake Tribune, 07/20/03) click on: http://www.sltrib.com/2003/jul/07202003/sports/76928.asp
2 BILLS FOR UTAH
WATER PROJECTS ENDORSED
Senate appropriators endorsed two bills Thursday that include
more than $60 million for Utah projects, ranging from helping
to combat Mormon cricket infestations to cleaning up the Atlas
uranium mill tailings near Moab. ... Other funding in the energy
and water bill includes: ... $750,000 for the Drought Management
Initiative at Utah State University; $1 million to initiate
an air quality research program at USU; $1.5 million for the
Biotechnology and Genomics Research Center at USU; $1 million
for USU's Jack Berryman Institute for addressing wildlife disease
threat; $500,000 for vegetation manipulation research at USU;
$250,000 for pasture and forage research at USU; and $250,000
for the Bee Biology and Systematics Laboratory at USU.
(Deseret News, 07/20/03) click on: http://deseretnews.com/dn/print/1,1442,510041119,00.html
SLAIN OFFICER'S
SON WILL FOLLOW HIS DAD'S FOOTSTEPS
Slade Gurr was in Venezuela two years ago when his father,
Roosevelt Police Chief Cecil Gurr, was shot in the head while
diverting the attention of an armed man who had been abusing
his girlfriend. ... The scholarship money will be used to pay
for his political science studies at Utah State University in
Logan. He expects to graduate in December before beginning his
police training. Slade Gurr currently works as a volunteer with
the Logan City Police Department keeping records on gang members
and would like to join the department after completing his training.
(Deseret News, 07/19/03) click on: http://deseretnews.com/dn/print/1,1442,510040974,00.html
GARDEN
VARIETY: PRETTY PLANTS KEEP YOUR YARD HUMMING WITH HUMMINGBIRDS
Hummingbirds are incredible creatures. I relate well to one
of their fascinating characteristics – feeding from morning
until dusk. (Of course, it requires that much eating to have
enough energy to stay in constant motion, a trait I do not relate
to.) They can fly (or dart) straight up, sideways, backwards
and even upside down. (Sounds like a bad ride at Lagoon, doesn't
it?) Hummingbirds consume as much as half their body weight
in one day. Although I have been accused of eating large quantities
at one sitting, I believe eating half my weight (even in ice
cream) would be nearly impossible (not that I haven't tried
a time or two). (Garden variety column authored by Jerry Goodspeed,
horticulturist with the Weber County branch of the Utah State
University Extension Service.) (Standard Examiner, 07/19/03)
click on: http://www.standard.net/standard/news/print_story.html?sid=00030718210517206251
EDUCATION
BOARD PRESIDENT RESIGNS
Cache County Board of Education President Richard Knight resigned
at Thursday night's board meeting, announcing that he has taken
a position with Utah State University-Roosevelt as a secondary
education professor. (Herald Journal, 07/19/03)
KSL NEWSCAST:
SON OF SLAIN ROOSEVELT POLICE CHIEF TO BECOME POLICE OFFICER
Slade Gurr, son of slain Roosevelt police chief Cecil Gurr,
is on his way to becoming a police officer himself. Today at
the Police Academy graduation, Gurr received the Gold Shield
scholarship, a $7,500 award provided by the Dept. of Justice
for family members of officers who die in the line of duty.
It will pay for his final year at USU, after which he plans
to enroll in the academy. (KSL newscast, 6 p.m., 07/18/03)
KUTV
NEWSCAST: FOOD SAFETY TIPS
Check your health. Food safety tips for the summer with Pauline
Williams (from Utah State University extension). (KUTV newscast,
8:55 a.m., 07/18/03)
KTVX
NEWSCAST: SON OF SLAIN ROOSEVELT POLICE CHIEF TO BECOME POLICE
OFFICER
Roosevelt Police Chief Cecil Gurr was shot and killed two years
ago today while responding to a call. Gurr's son is following
in his dad's footsteps and plans to join the Academy in March.
Slade Gurr graduates from USU this December and received a $7,500
scholarship today. Gurr currently volunteers with Logan police
force. (KTVX newscast, 5:30 p.m., 07/18/03)
KSTU
NEWSCAST: SON OF SLAIN ROOSEVELT POLICE CHIEF TO BECOME POLICE
OFFICER
Nineteen young men just graduated after 20 weeks at the Peace
Officer's Standards and Training Academy. A scholarship check
was given to Slade Gurr provided by the Gold Shield fund. He
is the son of the slain Roosevelt Police Chief Cecil Gurr. Gurr
is attending Utah State University in Logan and is also a volunteer
for the Logan Police. He will complete school in Logan and then
attend the Police Academy and graduate next year. (KSTU newscast,
noon, 9 p.m., 07/18/03)
Monday, July 21, 2003
BENNETT
SEEKS $60M FOR UTAH PROJECTS
A Senate committee Thursday tripled the White House's requested
$2 million budget for cleaning up the Atlas uranium mill tailings
site along the Colorado River, giving the Department of Energy
$6 million to speed up the process in 2004. ... Other Utah programs
in the two spending bills include $44 million for completion
of the Central Utah Project; $6.2 million to the Utah Reclamation
and Mitigation Account; $1.8 million for flood control projects
in Roosevelt, Cedar City and Kanab; $1.5 million for the Utah
State University Biotechnology and Genomics Research Center;
$1.3 million for the Predator Ecology Research Station in Millville;
$1.2 million for the Poisonous Plants Lab in Logan; $1.1 million
for restoring a creek in Sandy's Dimple Dell Park; $1 million
for air quality research at USU; $1 million for the Jack Berryman
Institute at USU; and $886,000 for the Utah Botanical Center
at USU to reduce residential landscape water use. (Salt Lake
Tribune, 07/18/03) click on: http://www.sltrib.com/2003/jul/07182003/utah/76356.asp
SCIENTISTS
SAY UTAH IS GETTING HOTTER
The heat is on this summer, and it may only get worse in future
years. A new report by scientists predicts the temperature in
Utah will rise five to 10 degrees over the next century because
of global warming. This could wipe out all Rocky Mountain skiing
and cause a host of other changes. ... Fred Wagner, assistant
dean emeritus of natural resources at Utah State University,
was a library panelist and believes many of those who claim
global warming is just theory are usually aligned with oil and
energy companies who have a vested interest in the matter. (Deseret
News, 07/18/03) click on: http://deseretnews.com/dn/print/1,1442,510040728,00.html
COUNTY
LINES: CACHE COUNTY: USU HOSTS KOREAN WAR SYMPOSIUM
A symposium on the Korean War and its impact on society will
be held from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday at the Eccles Conference
Center Auditorium at Utah State University. The one-day symposium
is sponsored by the Mountain West Center and local American
Legion chapters in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of
the signing of the armistice that ended the conflict. For information,
contact Glenda Nesbit at (435) 797-3630. (Standard Examiner,
07/18/03) click on: http://www.standard.net/standard/news/print_story.html?sid=00030718001531041666
COLLECTION
OF HOT CARS CREATES COOL CASH FOR LOCAL STUDENTS
Clowns and Chryslers, "pipes" and Packards, and one
very remarkable Stanley Steamer. All this and more will delight
those who attend the Aggie Car Show, one of the events commemorating
Pioneer Days in Ogden. The event, held annually to generate
scholarship funds for Weber County students wishing to attend
Utah State University, will be on Saturday at Liberty Park in
Ogden. "This will be the fourth year in a row the Weber
County chapter of the USU Alumni Association has sponsored the
show," said Trudy Young, who, with husband Scott, heads
up the project. "Last year, we were able to generate enough
funds to offer a full scholarship to one student, as well as
four $1,000 scholarships to four others." The scholarship
funds are generated from the entry fees for the cars: $15 if
a car owner enters in advance, or $20 at the gate. USU matches
every dollar the Weber County alums generate. (Standard Examiner,
07/17/03) click on: http://www.standard.net/standard/news/print_story.html?sid=00030717190535065568
BOSTON
PLAYER HAS UTAH ROOTS: DAHME BECOMES THE GROUP'S FIRST FEMALE
MEMBER
Kimberley Dahme is what you might call an all-around musician.
Dahme currently lives in Nashville and has opened for such country
heavyweights as Dwight Yoakam, Wynonna Judd and Ricky Skaggs.
Some of her musical influences include Tina Turner, Bing Crosby,
Van Morrison and Patsy Cline. In addition to guitar and piano,
one of her main instruments is the flute. (And on top of all
that, her parents have strong ties to Utah.) ... In addition
to being Boston's first-ever female member, there are some other
firsts for Dahme this tour. This will mark her first visit to
Utah, though her ties to the Beehive State are strong. Dahme's
father, Bill Dahme, was a standout baseball and football player
for Utah State University between 1959 and 1961. He also met
his future wife in Logan. And during his junior year, he lead
the Aggie baseball team in batting average and set a record
for slugging percentage. In his senior year, he was the second
leading receiver for the Aggie football team. (Deseret News,
07/18/03) click on: http://deseretnews.com/dn/print/1,1442,510040505,00.html
A 'SECRET'
GARDEN: SALT LAKE'S GARDEN PARK WARD IS SURROUNDED BY AN OASIS
OF GREENERY
One of Salt Lake City's best-kept garden secrets is on tree-lined
Yale Avenue just east of 1100 East. The Garden Park Ward has
a quiet, historic garden. From the historic trees to the colorful
flower beds, it is a visual treat. (Deseret News, authored by
Larry A. Sagers, Regional Horticulturist, Utah State University
Extension at Thanksgiving Point, 07/18/03) click on: http://deseretnews.com/dn/print/1,1442,510040253,00.html
GOVERNMENT
PAYS FOR DIVORCE: USU RESEARCHER FINDS SPLITTING UP EXPENSIVE
FOR TAXPAYERS, TOO
While the emotional costs for those involved in a divorce are
immeasurable, a new study led by a Utah State University researcher
has identified the considerable fiscal tolls of marital breakups.
David Schramm, a recent master's graduate in USU's Family and
Human Development program, has received considerable attention
for the study, "The Costly Consequences of Divorce in Utah:
The Impact on Couples, Communities, and Government," which
he presented at a conference in Reno, Nev., in June. (Herald
Journal, 07/18/03)
GOOD
BUSINESS SENSE: LOCAL STUDENTS WIN MANY NATIONAL AWARDS
After proving themselves at a state-level business competitions,
students from Utah State University and Stevens-Henager College
won several awards at the national competition in Dallas, held
June 30 through July 2. (Herald Journal, 07/18/03)
FROM
THE EDITOR
This week's magazine is our Utah Festival Opera edition. USU
professor of music, Dr. Cindy Dewey, attended the openings of
all four of the 2003 season's productions and has complied straightforward
reviews starting on page 13 to help you decide which of the
performances to attend. (Herald Journal, 07/18/03)
'SOMETHING
FOR EVERYONE'
Utah State University's alumni band gives a concert full of
variety Sunday, July 20, in the Kent Concert Hall at Utah State.
"This performance will have something for everyone,"
said Nicholas Morrison, director of the band. (Herald Journal,
07/18/03)
WALL-TO-WALL
LAUGHS
The Old Lyric Repertory Company's fourth opening of the 2003
season is a no-holds-barred, murder mystery farce with no other
aim than to make you laugh. Jack Sharkey’s "The Murder
Room" is on target with sight gags, wacky word-play and
silliness aplenty, but the Rep's production is just far enough
off the bullseye that it can't quite sustain the 2 ½-hour
playing time. (Herald Journal, 07/18/03)
SWASHBUCKLING
SEASON: THE LYRIC COMPANY OPENS SUMMER CHILDREN’S THEATER
PRODUCTION
A swashbuckling adventure filled with islands of mist, magical
wizards, fairy tale-type monsters, sword fights and a love story
is how Old Lyric Repertory Company Apprentice Coordinator David
Sidwell describes this summer's family production. (Herald Journal,
07/18/03)
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