March 26, 2004 News Releases
Released 3/23/04 and 3/25/04
UTAH STATE NEWS RELEASES FOR 3-25-04
SPACE
SATELLITES ASSESS VALLEY WATER QUALITY
Cache Valley residents may not like to see farm fields paved
over for strip malls, but there’s more at stake than green
space, according to Utah State University Extension specialist
Nancy Mesner.
“Urban development is encroaching on our natural areas,
and development changes the fate of water,” said Mesner.
“Increased urban development can threaten our water supply.”
Mesner and natural resources professor Rob Gillies are looking
at Cache Valley from space to investigate how development affects
water quality.
“We use satellite imagery to help urban planners learn
where water quality is likely impacted or degraded, so planners
can take steps to mitigate effects,” said Gillies, who
oversees the remote sensing.
Graduate student Penny Rieke Arentsen mapped Cache Valley’s
natural areas, including farmlands and irrigation canals. She
also mapped the valley’s impervious, hard surfaces —
the parking lots, roads and roofs.
When water is released in a natural landscape, such as an alfalfa
field, it soaks in, said Mesner. “The ground acts like
a sponge, cleansing our water and replenishing nearby streams.
It also replenishes the aquifer that underlies our valley.”
Unlike natural surfaces, when precipitation falls onto artificial
surfaces there is more runoff, and subsequently, less groundwater.
It also results in more direct pollution.
“When rain falls on pavement, it’s like pouring
water on tinfoil,” said Mesner. The water goes into the
nearby streams or irrigation canals in one big blast, loaded
with pollutants. This sometimes leads to flooding, said Mesner.
In the past, planners used aerial photographs to map natural
and urban areas. Utah State’s innovative approach to measuring
artificial surface areas and natural areas is much more efficient,
both in terms of time and money, she said.
It’s not only faster. Mesner said it’s more accurate
than ‘guesstimating.’
Protecting stream banks and water supply is something we all
agree on, she said. “But our resources are limited. This
tool will help urban planners initiate ‘best management
practices’ in a cost-effective manner.”
This tool will also help planners gauge what the future holds,
she said. “We can build maps to project Cache Valley’s
future. We know that if we see this amount of construction,
we will see this impact on water quality.”
Mesner, Gillies and Arentsen are working with Countywide Planning
& Development and hope to make their findings available
to the public by late spring.
March 25, 2004
Contacts: Nancy Mesner, nancy.mesner@usu.edu, 435-797-2465
Rob Gillies, 435-797-2664, rgillies@gis.usu.edu
Penny Rieke Arentsen, penrieke@cc.usu.edu, 435-797-2792
Writer: Nadene Steinhoff, nadene.Steinhoff@usu.edu, 435-797-1429
ASK A
SPECIALIST: I’D LIKE SOME COLOR IN MY LANDSCAPE —
ANY SUGGESTIONS?
After the winter we’ve had, many gardeners thought we’d
probably never see plant life again. But things are actually
starting to grow. A few brave plants willing to take a risk
are rearing their heads.
One of the first plants daring enough to show a little color
this time of year is the pansy. As soon as the snow melts, it
starts blossoming. Consider this information.
• A relative of the viola, pansies have been around since
about 400 BC. In the early 1800s they were bred in England and
later in other parts of Europe where they developed the larger
blooms and variety of colors we enjoy today. Pansies are still
commonly bred and hybridized, so new varieties are introduced
every few years.
• Pansies are biennials. They can be planted in the fall,
survive the winter and then bloom the next spring. Even though
fall is a good time for planting, they can also be planted this
time of year, as soon as the soil is workable. Most gardeners
use pansies as annuals. They enjoy their color for a few months
in the spring, then pull them out when the weather warms enough
for summer annuals. Pansies planted in the spring look good
until around mid-June and continue to show some amount of color
throughout the summer.
• Pansies grow best in the cooler spring and fall weather.
They prefer nighttime temperatures below 60 F. When the temperatures
start getting too warm, the plants tend to get leggy, and flower
production declines. Because they enjoy cooler temperatures,
they are too often planted in full shade. This reduces blossom
production. To keep them blooming, plant in full sun to part
shade, then replace them with other annuals once hotter temperatures
arrive.
• Pansies come in a variety of colors and sizes and have
one of the widest ranges of color of any flower. Pansies come
in white, dark purple, orange, pink, blue and yellow, as well
as many combinations of these colors.
• The colorful pattern on a pansy bloom is very unique.
Some are solid. Others are a solid color with black or dark
“pencil” lines radiating from the center of the
flower. The third type of blossom has two or three colors, with
the darker color forming a “face” in the center
of the flower. This pattern is one of the reasons these flowers
are so popular.
• Pansies typically are divided into categories according
to the size of their blossoms. The large types have a flower
ranging from 3 to 4 inches in diameter. Some of these include
Accord, Majestic Giant and Swiss Giant.
• When planting pansies, space them about 6 to 10 inches
apart, depending on the size of the blossom. Avoid planting
them too deep, and apply water soluble fertilizer to boost bloom
production and help them get established quickly.
• Like many flowers, pansies do best in soil that contains
organic matter and drains well. In the fall, they can be placed
in annual beds after compost has been worked into the area.
In the spring, plant them around bulbs and wherever you would
like instant color. Do not be concerned if you planted pansies
last fall and they didn’t make it through the winter.
The plants can be replaced this spring.
• One thing many people do not realize is that pansies
have a wonderful aroma. Gather a small bouquet and place them
in a room to bring the smell of spring indoors.
Visit http://extension.usu.edu/cooperative/aska/ to see other
Ask A Specialist columns.
Direct column topics to Julene Reese, Utah State University
Extension, Logan, UT 84322-0500, 435-760-9302; julener@ext.usu.edu
March 25, 2004
(A weekly question/answer column)Answer by: Jerry Goodspeed,
Utah State University Extension horticulturist
UTAH STATE NEWS RELEASES FOR 3-23-04
ENGLISH DEPARTMENT
MEMBERS GARNER UNIVERSITY AND COLLEGE AWARDS
LOGAN — Four members of the department of English at
Utah State University have been recognized for outstanding contributions
to research and service.
Christine Hult, professor of English and associate dean in the
College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences, has been named
recipient of the 2004 D. Wynne Thorne Research Award by the
vice president for research. At the same time, in a separate
competition, Dean Gary Kiger of the College of Humanities, Arts,
and Social Sciences named assistant professor Christopher Cokinos
Humanist of the Year, staff member Beverly Strickland Classified
Employee of the Year and graduate student Angela Waldie Research
Assistant of the Year.
Hult is the third member of the department of English to receive
the prestigious Thorne Award since its inception in 1980. It
is awarded annually by Utah State’s Research Office to
an individual on the Utah State campus who has completed outstanding
research within the previous five years. The recipient is chosen
by a special committee appointed by the Utah State Research
Council. The award is financed by a fund that is developed through
gifts from alumni, students, scientists, agriculturists, industry
groups and other individuals. Hult is particularly noted for
her work in writing instruction, especially in the field of
computers and writing.
“Christine Hult is a leading member of a new generation
of scholars working to understand the impact of computer technology
on traditional methods of teaching writing,” English department
Head Jeffrey Smitten said in Hult’s nomination. “Her
work constitutes an important statement about how the discipline
of writing has changed, and it is an equally important demonstration
of how high quality research helps us to understand and ultimately
master such major transitions in our knowledge paradigms.”
Cokinos was recognized for his extraordinary contributions to
the field of creative nonfiction during his career. Over the
past two years he has received numerous writing awards, including
the very prestigious Whiting Writer’s Award, Smitten said.
At the same time, he has helped launch a renewed creative writing
program and speakers series in the department. His efforts also
included establishing a new journal, “Isotope: A Journal
of Creative Nature and Science Writing,” that has attracted
national attention.
“When we hired professor Cokinos in 2002, we were sure
we had hired someone who would contribute substantially to our
program,” Smitten’s nomination letter stated. “But
we did not realize what we were getting. He has far exceeded
our expectations and has already achieved more than we ever
would have thought possible in such a relatively short span
of time.”
Strickland is an accountant I in the department of English,
responsible for the proper maintenance of the department’s
accounts, which now total 35, as well as for developing the
annual budget, and monitoring and reconciling all department
expenses, Smitten said. She manages all department grant accounts,
works with faculty in developing grant proposals, and works
closely with the College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences
budget officer to maintain consistent reporting and handling
of funds.
“Her work as an accountant has been impeccable, but above
and beyond that work she has contributed to the department as
a photographer and graphic designer,” Smitten said. “She
takes pictures of individuals, events and ceremonies for the
department Web page, and she has primary responsibility for
designing the department’s semi-annual newsletter.”
“More than any other single person, she has put a human
face on the department and its activities, with the result that
department, together with students, alumni and friends, can
celebrate accomplishments through her images,” her nomination
letter stated.
Waldie, who was named Research Assistant of the Year, is a graduate
student in American Studies and works as an editorial fellow
for “Western American Literature,” a quarterly journal
published with the support of the department of English, the
Mountain West Center for Regional Studies and the Western Literature
Association. Her tasks include all aspects of journal publication,
including reading manuscripts, copyediting, checking sources
and working with illustrations, layout and design, Smitten said.
She is also an outstanding student, regularly presenting papers
at professional meetings and distinguishing herself in her coursework.
One of the editors of “Western American Literature”
aptly summarized her career as both a fellow and a student.
“She works with a maturity and grace that means we can
assign her an independent task and rest assured that she will
complete it to a degree beyond our expectations,” the
editor said. “Handling herself with great professionalism
as she deals with scholars, authors, and artists from around
the country, she brings credit to Utah State and the journal.”
For information on the department of English and the award recipients,
contact Marina Hall at (435) 797-3858.
March 23, 2004
Contact: Marina Hall (435) 797-3858
ENGLISH DEPARTMENT
SPRING CAREER PANEL TO FEATURE UTAH STATE V.P. RON GODFREY
LOGAN — Ron Godfrey, Utah State University’s new
vice president for Finance and Business, is the featured speaker
at the annual department of English Spring Career Panel. This
free, public event is Wednesday, March 31, at 12:30 p.m. in
the Taggart Student Center’s Center Colony Room, and refreshments
will be provided.
Godfrey, who graduated from Utah State with a bachelor’s
degree in English in 1974 and a master’s degree in business
in 1976, is the former vice president of manufacturing for Schreiber
Foods, Inc., the world’s largest food service cheese company
and the second largest retail cheese company in the United States
with total annual sales of $1.4 billion.
During the 23 years with this company, he worked as plant manager
of total operations at locations in Pennsylvania, Missouri and
Utah. The final six years of his career at Schreibers were as
vice president of manufacturing in Green Bay, Wis., where he
was responsible for six manufacturing plants and all business
functions at each facility, in addition to three distribution
centers.
After leaving Schreiber Foods and arriving in Logan in 2000,
he worked for Merrill Lynch. He then started a new office in
Logan for Smith Barney. During the past three years, he has
taught business classes as an adjunct professor in the management
and human resource department in the College of Business at
Utah State. He has also advised 150-200 students while in the
college.
For more information on Utah State’s Department of English
Spring Career Panel, contact Jana Kay Lunstad at (435) 797 3856.
March 23, 2004
Contact: Jana Kay Lunstad (435) 797-3856
Writer: Marina Hall (435) 797-3858
SLAM POETRY PERFORMANCE
ARTIST TO VISIT UTAH STATE
LOGAN — SLAM poetry performance artist Stacy Miller will
give public lectures and performances at Utah State University
on Friday and Saturday, April 2 and 3, as part of two Utah State
University conferences.
Miller, who is also a doctoral candidate at the University of
New Mexico, will present the Utah State Concurrent Enrollment
Conference keynote address, “Identities: Friends or Foes?
— It’s All in the Lens,” Friday, April 2,
in Utah State University Eccles Conference Center room 309 at
noon. On Saturday, April 3, Miller will lecture on SLAM poetry
and perform two of her recent pieces. This event begins at 10
a.m. in room 214 of Utah State’s Ray B. West building
in conjunction with meetings of The National Council of Teachers
of English student chapter. Both events are free and open to
the public.
Miller’s keynote address examines ways teachers can create
learning environments that affirm and validate the needs of
today’s changing student populations. She focuses, in
part, on ways that classroom identity hierarchies influence
learning — both academic and personal.
SLAM poetry, according to Miller, incorporates elements of traditional
poetry with the unconventional use of language, subject and
syntax associated with Beat poetry. SLAM does not refer to insults
but is derived from the term “grand slam,” indicating
a victory against difficult odds, said Miller. She uses SLAM
poetry in her 9-12 English classrooms, comprised mostly of Hispanic,
Mexican, Latin American and Native American students in New
Mexico.
“My students are immersed in genre studies throughout
the entire school year and the genres I teach are deliberately
selected in order to promote social activism,” Miller
said.
Miller explained that even though SLAM poetry appears carefree
and simplistic, it is difficult to craft and to perform. Excellent
SLAM poetry has its roots in an urban life style, hip hop, disco
and rap. Over time, SLAM poetry became a competitive event in
which judges, chosen from the audience, awarded cash prizes
for the best SLAMS, Miller said.
This program has received funding from the Utah Humanities Council.
The Utah Humanities Council promotes history and heritage, books
and readings, and public discussion of issues important to our
communities. This program has also received funding from the
Division of Continuing Education and the Department of English
at Utah State University.
For more information on these events or the department of English
at Utah State, call (435) 797-3858.
March 23, 2004
Contact and writer: Lynn Meeks (435) 797-2723
UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY
OPERA THEATRE PERFORMANCES
LOGAN — Lynn Jemison-Keisker, director of opera theatre
in the department of music at Utah State University, invites
audiences to enjoy fantasy and comedy as Utah State undergraduate
students are joined by the Cache Children’s Choir in two
one-act operas. The two operas, “L’Enfant et les
Sortileges” (The Child and the Magic Spells) and “Old
Maid and the Thief,” are presented April 1, 2 and 3 under
the guidance of guest director Colin Baldy of London, England.
Performances are at the Caine Lyric Theatre (28 W. Center, Logan)
with curtain nightly at 7:30 p.m. and a 1 p.m. matinee Saturday,
April 3, as well. Tickets are available at the door one hour
prior to performance. General admission adult seating is $5
with senior citizen and students tickets $3. Utah State students
with current ID are admitted free.
The operas, to be sung in English, are sponsored by the Marie
Eccles Caine Foundation and are a part of program offerings
associated with the School of the Arts in the College of Humanities,
Arts and Social Sciences.
“L’Enfant et les Sortileges” by Ravel is a
witty fantasy about a spoiled child who is bored and unhappy,
who never completes her homework and terrorizes her pets, Jemison-Keisker
said. Inanimate objects from her story books come to life to
teach her a lesson. In the chaotic finale, the squirrel hurts
its paw and the child bandages it to the surprise of the trees
and animals. Impressed with her kindness, all believe that she
is finally learning how to love. They call for her mother and
sing the child to sleep.
Menotti’s “Old Maid and the Thief,” originally
written as a radio opera in 1939, parodies two spinsters, Miss
Todd and Miss Pinkerton, who share tea every afternoon reviewing
life’s disappointments, Jemison-Keisker said. When a handsome,
young beggar appears at the back door, Laetitia, Miss Todd’s
young maid, and the two women become inordinately excited to
have a guest. To keep the guest, Bob, interested, they steal
money from the club and the church, and even raid the liquor
store. Furious because Bob does not return her affection and
suspicious that he may be an escaped criminal from the county
jail, Miss Todd calls for the police. While she is gone, Laetitia
convinces Bob to run away with her, only after ransacking the
house and stealing Miss Todd’s car.
“Join us at the Caine Lyric Theatre for two fantastic
and tuneful operas to be enjoyed by the entire family,”
Jemison-Keisker concluded.
March 23, 2004
Contact: Lynn Jemison-Keisker (435) 797-3038, lkeisker@hass.usu.edu
UTAH STATE HOSTS
SPRING RUNOFF CONFERENCE
LOGAN ? Utah State University hosts the 2004 Spring Runoff
Conference March 25-26 at the Space Dynamics Laboratory’s
Calibration Facility Auditorium, 1695 North Research Park Way,
North Logan.
The event is sponsored by the Utah State University Water Initiative,
a group including faculty and staff who have research or interests
in the area of water. It is intended to provide an open forum
for the stakeholders in the management and development of water
resources in the region, especially in the Bear River Basin.
The conference is open to the public and everyone is welcome.
The conference’s opening session is Thursday, March 25,
at 1 p.m. and features Thomas Dunne, a hydrologist from the
University of California at Santa Barbara, Walter Snyder, a
hydrologist from the National Science Foundation, and Dianne
R. Nielson, executive director of the Utah Division of Environmental
Quality.
The rest of the two-day conference includes oral presentations
from water professionals, Utah State professors and graduate
students on water-related biological issues, physical processes,
computer models and social and economic issues, among other
subjects.
The conference concludes with a panel discussion on Friday,
March 26, at 1:40 p.m., “Managing the Bear River: Drought,
Water Quality, and Growing Demand.” The panel is chaired
by Jack Barnett, engineer manager, Bear River Commission, and
panel members include: Larry Anderson, director, Division of
Water Resources, State of Utah; Bruce Bishop, professor, College
of Engineering, Utah State; Carly Burton, Utah Water Users Association;
Joana Endter-Wada, associate professor, College of Natural Resources,
Utah State; Don Ostler, director, Division of Water Quality,
State of Utah; Al Trout, manager, Bear River Migratory Bird
Refuge, USFWS; and Jody Williams, Esq., attorney in private
practice in Salt Lake City, Utah.
For additional information visit the conference’s Web
page at: www.usu.edu/water/conference/ or contact Gilberto Urroz,
435-797-3379, gilberto.urroz@usu.edu
March 23, 2004
Contact: Gilberto Urroz, (435) 797-3379
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