September 22, 23 & 24,
2003 Utah State in the News
Wednesday, September 24, 2003
KID TO KID: USU
STUDY OF BABY GOATS OFFERS HOPE FOR HUMAN CHILDREN
The Poisonous Plant Research Lab at Utah State University may
seem like an odd place to generate cutting-edge surgical techniques,
yet those methods are offshoots of discoveries at the lab. Prenatal
surgery is being used to correct cleft palate in goats. "That's
not our goal," said research scientist Kip Panter. It's
a spin-off benefit. Do the animal research and then just by
serendipity, it moves off into the human side." (Herald
Journal, 09-23-03)
CHILDREN NOT GETTING
ENOUGH CALCIUM AND
VITAMIN D
Healthy Living: Health experts say children are not getting
enough calcium and Vitamin D. Rickets is a disease that was
rarely seen after Vitamin D was added to milk, but now it is
being seen more frequently. (KUTV newscast, Pauline Williams,
USU Extension, 09/22/03, 5 p.m.)
FUNDS TO CURB
CRIME: OGDEN WEED AND SEED GETS $225,000 FROM U.S.
A $225,000 grant from the U.S. Justice Department will fund
the third year of Ogden's "Weed and Seed" assault
on the inner city. The award was announced Monday afternoon
by the Office of Justice Programs, which runs the Executive
Office of Weed and Seed, according to a Justice Department news
release. Ogden was one of eight communities around the country
included in the $1.8 million allocation. Nationally, there are
more than 300 Weed and Seed communities earning the Justice
Department boost. Salt Lake City and West Valley City are the
other two in Utah. ... Weber State University's psychology faculty
is currently working with the Weber-Morgan Narcotics Strike
Force to redesign the Tip-A-Cop program for the inner city while
Utah State University trains in-school mentors, all with the
assistance of the Justice Department grants, Thurber said. (Standard
Examiner, 09/23/03) Click on: http://www.standard.net/standard/news/
print_story.html?sid=00030922231007584309
Tuesday, September 23, 2003
AUTOMATED LIBRARY
SYSTEM AT USU JUST 2 YEARS AWAY
A student pressed for time on a research project maneuvers
a computer mouse from his dorm room, searches for the book he
wants and, with a click, calls for the book from the campus
library. Within seconds, a five-story automated storage and
retrieval system, looking much like a large erector set, robotically
retrieves the book, which is then forwarded to the library's
circulation desk. The student arrives to find the book waiting
for him. A few steps away, he can do a self-checkout, scanning
the book's bar code into a computer along with his student identification.
Welcome to the future, just two short years away, at a new $40
million library on Utah State University's campus. The automated
system, which will be the first of its kind in a Utah university,
is just one feature of the project, which barely squeaked by
with the approval of the 2003 Legislature, wary of the state's
fiscal crisis. By far, the USU project is the most expensive
new construction approved by lawmakers, who resisted Gov. Mike
Leavitt's wish for no borrowing for buildings until the state
emerges from red ink. (Deseret News, 09/22/03) Click on: http://deseretnews.com/dn/print/1,1442,515033554,00.html
KEEPING WOMEN
ON TRACK: NEW EFFORT WORKS TO HELP FEMALE ACADEMICS
A problem at Utah State University and at many institutions
of higher education across the nation is how to fix the climate
in academic institutions so that women faculty not only stay,
but thrive. Four researchers at USU recently received $3 million
from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to help them find
a solution. Utah State is one of only 10 schools in the nation
to receive money to develop a prototype called the Supportive
Workplace Initiative, which will especially focus on attracting
and retaining women in the sciences and engineering. (Herald
Journal, 09/22/03)
EMERITUS PROF
EARNS AWARD
Even after 37 years on the Utah State University department
of English faculty, emeritus professor Ted Andra still loves
teaching. "I have a passion for it," he said. "I
just have to keep my hands in it." This passion has earned
Andra recognition by both students and colleagues; he recently
earned the Online Instructor of the Year presented by Utah State's
Distance Education program. Selected from a pool of 100 nominees,
Andra was singled out not only for his outstanding attention
to students, but for the Web design of his class. (Herald Journal,
09/21/03)
'WESTERN LITERATURE'
AVAILABLE THROUGH USU
The Summer 2003 issue of "Western American Literature"
is now available. It features essays that address a wide range
of subjects in western American literary criticism. "Western
American Literature" is the official publication of the
Western Literature Association. The department of English at
Utah State University has housed the journal since 1975. Thomas
J. Lyon served as editor of the journal until his retirement
in 1997, when Melody Graulich assumed editorship. (Herald Journal,
09/21/03)
PLAN NOW FOR SPRING
COLOR IN YOUR GARDEN
With all the talk of water conservation in the past few years,
there are few hardier plants that require less care and water
than spring flowering bulbs. They provide color in the garden
at a time when few other plants are in bloom. Bulbs such as
tulip, narcissus, hyacinth, iris, and crocus utilize winter
soil water for growth and go into dormancy before the summer
heat and dry weather begins. (Herald Journal, Written by Loralie
Platero, Utah State University Extension agent specializing
in horticulture, 09/21/03)
HONORED
The College of Business at Utah State University has selected
Dale Reese as this year's distinguished alumnus. He will receive
the award at an honors banquet Tuesday. Dale, who was born in
Logan and graduated from Utah State, founded Standard Plumbing
Company in Ogden in 1952. Dale is a highly successful entrepreneur.
At Standard, he pioneered the self-service concept in the plumbing
supply industry. (Herald Journal, 09/21/03)
EMERT DEPARTURE
DONE TASTEFULLY
The fact that George Emert moved quietly out of Cache Valley
recently with little fanfare speaks in no way poorly of the
former USU president. In fact, one might argue it was a classy
thing to do — avoiding a big sendoff and all the hoopla
that would have come with it. Truth be known, Emert's entire
post-presidency in Cache Valley was carried out with class.
After vacating his office at Old Main at the end of 2000 and
returning from a one-year sabbatical, Emert assumed a professorial
role in chemistry, one of his original academic disciplines.
(Herald Journal, Our View, 09/21/03)
USU RESEARCH
FOUNDATION HELPS DETECT DEADLY AGENTS
After years of experience designing of sensor systems, researchers
at the Utah State University Research Foundation, or USURF,
are applying the latest technology to help homeland security
detect deadly agents that may be used by terrorists or volatile
nations. "Detection is a proactive defense to protect our
populace," said Dave Norton, chief executive officer of
USURF. "We are one of a few labs across the nation tasked
by the government with the responsibility to help keep America
safe. That is something we should be proud of." (Herald
Journal, 09/21/03)
SUMMER'S LAST
HURRAH : TEN WAYS YOU CAN STILL ENJOY SUMMER BEFORE THE LEAVES
TURN
LOGAN, UTAH: AGGIE ICE CREAM. Bored with plain vanilla? Utah
State University's ice creamery will tantalize your tongue with
scoops of Jam'n Peanut Butter Boogie, Peaches 'n Cream, or Caramel
Cashew. WHERE: On the USU campus at 750 North 1200 East. WHEN:
Mon-Sat until 10 p.m. CONTACT: (435) 797-2109. (Sunset Magazine,
August 2003 edition)
CHINA'S BUMPER
CROP ROOTED IN SPACE: JUMBO-SIZE VEGGIES GROW FROM SEEDS EXPOSED
TO COSMIC RAYS
Even before China's ambitious space program rockets the first
Chinese astronaut into Earth's orbit, the effort is bearing
fruit - and vegetables. At a dusty farm on Beijing's northern
outskirts, volleyball-size eggplants burst from the crop rows,
and gourds the size of baseball bats hang from vines. Tomatoes
as big as softballs and 27-inch cucumbers were harvested last
month and packed off - not to market, but to scientists and
government officials. As the outsize dimensions and the elite
customer base attest, these are no ordinary vegetables. Rather
they are special varieties bred from seeds and seedlings shot
into space on rockets, retrieved and then cultivated back on
Earth. The goal, scientists involved in the project say, is
to develop crops that are hardier and higher yielding than their
earthly counterparts. The results, says farm manager Wang Zhiping
as he wades through belly-high plants on a well-watered field,
are already evident: "One eggplant can feed a family for
two days." ... The Chinese program has determined that
not all seeds respond positively to the effects of space, Liu
says. But those that do can then be bred several times, resulting
in stable seeds that grow faster and produce a bigger yield.
"In breeding, we're ahead" of the Americans and the
Russians, says Liu. Critics, however, say the Chinese experiments
lack the funding, equipment and stringent controls to isolate
space's numerous variables and thus pinpoint the mutation process.
Moreover, the same results can be obtained at a fraction of
the cost by radiating seeds in labs on Earth, says Bruce Bugbee,
a Utah State University biologist funded by NASA. (The Wall
Street Journal, 09/21/03)
GARDEN VARIETY:
MAYBE YOU 'AUTUMN' GET YOUR LAWN READY FOR FALL
Here is a simple questionnaire to help determine what actions
you should take with your lawn this fall. Review these five
questions for a few minutes, then answer "yes" or
"no." 1. Was your lawn more the color of straw (pale
yellow) than the color of money? 2. Did the weeds outnumber
the grass plants? 3. Did you decide it was just easier to call
your lawn area a native desert landscape than to mow it? 4.
Did you spend more money on insecticides -- apparently feeding
grubs in the lawn -- than on your own food budget? 5. Have you
hired a psychologist to deal with your mental horticulture breakdown
brought on by your lawn being declared a national disaster?
If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, your
lawn needs a little extra care this time of year to get it back
into shape. If you answered "yes" to all five questions,
well, I have one word for you -- dynamite! (Standard Examiner,
Jerry Goodspeed, horticulturist with the Weber County branch
of the Utah State University Extension Service, 09/20/03)
TROUT RIVER FLIES
Dripping Springs was heavily damaged in last year’s fire
near Green River. There is concern that mud and ash will flow
down into the river because virtually all the vegetation was
destroyed. Experts fear the silty sediment will threaten the
habitat of the river. The river is also being threatened by
New Zealand Mud Snails. (KUTV Outdoors Newscast, Dr. Mark Vinson,
USU Bug Lab, 9/20/03, 11 p.m.)
USU STUDENT
SEES NATIONAL MEDIA FAME
A physics project by a Utah State University student that creates
small occurrences of nuclear fusion has been producing something
else lately: a media buzz. The nuclear fusion reactor built
by freshman Craig Wallace was the subject of a feature story
in the Desert News on Tuesday. The article led to a mention
of the experiment by Paul Harvey on his nationally syndicated
radio show, and the notoriety may keep growing. (Herald Journal,
09/20/03)
MAKE YOUR TOMATOES
LAST LONGER
Fresh Idea: How to make your tomatoes last longer. (KUTV Newscast,
9/19/03, 5 p.m., Maggie Wolf, USU Extension Horticulturist)
Monday, September 22, 2003
WHERE’S
GEORGE?: FORMER USU PRESIDENT QUIETLY LEAVES LOGAN
It has come as a surprise to many people to learn that George
Emert, th 13th president of Utah State University, has left
the area. Without any pomp and circumstance, Emert and his wife,
Billie, sold their home in Logan and left Cache Valley late
this summer. Emert could not be reached for comment for this
story, and he recently declined requests for other interviews.
Officials at USU had little information about Emert's departure
and, in some cases, were surprised to learn that he is gone.
John DeVilbiss, executive director of public relations and marketing
at USU, told The Herald Journal that he didn't know Emert had
left. Emert announced his plan to retire from the university
in the spring and his contractual obligations were fulfilled
as of June 30, DeVilbiss said. (Herald Journal, 09-19-03)
BUZZKILL: USU
FRAT PARTIES CLOSED
Fraternities at Utah State University are putting the brakes
on open parties. From now on, parties will be by invitation
only. The Greek Council has imposed a temporary freeze on all
open parties until it can address liability and noise issues
stemming from fraternity parties. ... The freeze was imposed
after police were called to investigate several noise complaints
stemming from fraternity parties. ... Most of the disturbances
are caused by loud music and students leaving parties and milling
about on the streets. (Herald Journal, 09-19-03)
SUNG IN THE KEY
OF A
Since we live in the region known as "Bridgerland,"
at least a few people hereabouts are probably familiar with
a 1960s song saluting the region's mountain man namesake, Jim
Bridger. The song was recorded by Johnny Horton, who was best
known for a couple of bigger '60s hits, "The Battle of
New Orleans" and "North to Alaska." ... If you
didn't recall the Johnny Horton song, maybe you remember another
piece of the past brought to the attention of The Herald Journal
newsroom this week. In the early 1970s, the USU studentbody
counted among its member an undergraduate named Jack Ford, sone
of then-President Gerald Ford. (Herald Journal, Our View, 09-19-03)
BEHIND THE CURTAIN:
USU THEATRE'S OPENER GOES BEHIND THE SCENES
Utah State Theatre proves that all the world's a stage with
its 2003-04 season. That theme is the connecting thread for
the season, which opens with "Anton in Show Business,"
a play by Jane Martin. The play, by Jane Martin, is a satire
on the state of American regional theatre. It follows the travails
of three actresses as they audition for and rehearse Anton Chekhov's
"The Three Sisters." (Herald Journal, Cache Magazine,
09-19-03)
SPECIAL GUESTS
The Fry Street Quartet and the Utah State University Symphony
Orchestra will team up for a free performance at 11:30 a.m.
Sept. 20 in the Ellen Eccles Theatre as part of the third annual
Cache Valley Arts Festival. The arts festival is an afternoon
of free performances, hands-on arts activities and demonstrations
from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Cache Valley Center for the
Arts, 43 S. Main. The group will perform works by Elgar, Mozart
and Brahms. Quartet members Jessica Guideri, Rebecca McFaul,
Russell Fallstad and Anne Francis will be featured as the guest
soloists for the entire program. (Herald Journal, Cache Magazine,
09-19-03)
IT’S TIME
TO CELEBRATE THE ARTS
The third annual free Cache Valley Arts Festival will be held
Sept. 20 at Cache Valley Center for the Arts, 43 S. Main in
historic downtown Logan. ... Saturday's festivities will showcase
more than 250 performers and include free hands-on art activities
from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Ellen Eccles Theatre, Bullen Center
and Thatcher-Young Mansion. Free performances include Cache
Youth Symphony, USU Symphony featuring the Fry Street Quartet,
Margarita Mendiola's 4-H Dancers, Center Stage Ballroom, LaShars
Dance Image, Pauni Polynesian performers, Valley Dance Ensemble,
Dance Source, Center Stage, Celtic Dancers, Shadow Ridge, Cinnamon
Creek Singers, Sassafras, The Better Half and Musica Reservata.
(Herald, Cache Magazine, 09-19-03)
CAMPUS MUSEUM
OPENS NEW SHOWS
The Nora Eccles Harrison Museum of Art at Utah State University
ushers in the fall of 2003 with three new exhibitions: "In
the Spirit of the Times," "New to the Collection:
2002-2003" and "Clay West: 2003 Intermountain Invitational."
Each of the exhibitions features a wide range of artwork with
broad appeal, said museum director and curator Victoria Rowe.
... Utah State University's Nora Eccles Harrison Museum of Art
is located at 650 N. 1100 E. in Logan. Contact the museum by
phone at (435) 797-0163, by fax at (435) 797-3423 or visit the
Web site at www.artmuseum.usu.edu. (Herald Journal, Cache Magazine,
09-19-03)
YOU’LL
DIG 'CLAY WEST'
The "Clay West: 2003 Intermountain Invitational,"
opening Sept. 19 at the Nora Eccles Harrison Museum of Art at
Utah State University, presents contemporary work by ceramic
artists who teach at universities and colleges in the Intermountain
West. This region includes Utah, Arizona, Idaho, Montana, Nevada,
New Mexico and Wyoming. An opening reception for the exhibit
will be held Sept. 19 at 6 p.m. (This reception is included
in the Alliance for the Varied Art's Gallery Walk the same evening
from 6 to 9.) (Herald Journal, Cache Magazine, 09-19-03)
A REVIEW OF WESTERN
LITERATURE FROM USU
The Summer 2003 issue of "Western American Literature"
is now available. It features essays that address a wide range
of subjects in Western American literary criticism. "Western
American Literature" is the official publication of the
Western Literature Association. The department of English at
Utah State University has housed the journal since 1975. Thomas
J. Lyon served as editor of the journal until his retirement
in 1997, when Melody Graulich assumed editorship. ... This issue
also includes a review by Utah State English department instructor
Rachel Rich on "Mary Hallock Foote: Author-Illustrator
of the West," by Darlis A. Miller. (Herald Journal, Cache
Magazine, 09-19-03)
BLUEGRASS CROONERS
Bluegrass musician, fiddler and singer Laurie Lewis will be
in concert at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 26 at the Eccles Conference Center
Auditorium on the Utah State University campus. Joining Lewis
is her long-time bandmate Tom Rozum, a mandolinist. Local fiddle
prodigy Matt Robinette will open the show. The performance is
sponsored by the Bridger Folk Music Society and Utah Public
Radio. (Herald Journal, Cache Magazine, 09-19-03)
KTVX'S MELISSA
STANFORD VISITS USU'S WIND TUNNEL
KTVX's Melissa Stanford visited USU's Wind Tunnel today to
see what hurricane force winds are like. Melissa says 20 mph
winds were not bad, at 60 mph Melissa was glad to have a harness
on. At hurricane force levels Melissa said the wind hurt her
face and body. (KTVX newscast, 10 p.m., 09-19-03)
BLOOMS BRIDGE
GAP FROM SUMMER TO FALL: PERENNIALS WILL ADD COLOR AND TEXTURE
TO LATE-SEASON GARDEN
Not only do fall-blooming perennials provide color and texture
to the garden, but they bridge the gap as the summer annuals
start to fade. Utah State University's Teresa Cerny has a wealth
of information about plants that grow and do well in fall gardens.
Her advice to gardeners? Use what appeals to them. Cerny started
farming at a young age, working with her parents on their 700-acre
Spring Valley Farm in southern Illinois, where they raised vegetables,
grain and cattle. Her love of plants spurred her to get undergraduate
and graduate degrees from Southern Illinois University, the
University of Tennessee and Clemson. With a doctorate degree
in plant physiology, she came to USU where she focused on salt
tolerance and water requirements of herbaceous perennials for
intermountain landscapes. "One of the most pleasurable
aspects of landscaping," Cerny said, "is choosing
the plants that appeal to you. Whether aesthetically, as with
flowering plants, or practically, as with vegetables, plant
selection is indicative of your personal taste. (Deseret News,
Larry A. Sagers is the regional horticulturist, Utah State University
Extension at Thanksgiving Point, 09-19-03) Click on: http://deseretnews.com/dn/print/1,1442,510055178,00.html
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