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New chief of design and construction
Engineering professor named one of Forbes’ “30 Under 30”
Save the date: Edie Kochenour Memorial Lecture on March 3
Glass recycling on campus
Second annual Clean Air for U: A Travelwise Challenge
College of Law announces new chaired professor appointments
Freshman scholarships updated
Ivory Prize: Call for nominations
Public Service Professorship Award
Nominate an outstanding academic advisor
Book Arts Program 2017 classes and workshops
Sustainability Office’s NEW website
Red Butte Garden Poetry Month: Call for entries
Registration now open for intramural sports spring 2017
Join our team: Campus Recreation Services is hiring sports officials now
Help a student in need
NEW CHIEF OF DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION
The University of Utah has hired Robin Burr, executive director of capital projects at Kaiser Permanente in Oakland, California, as the school’s chief design and construction officer, effective Feb. 21.
In addition to many current critical projects, Burr is charged with oversight of proposed projects totaling over $400 million that are planned to replace the 640,000-square-foot School of Medicine facilities.
Burr is a licensed architect with a Bachelor of Arts in Architecture from University of California, Berkeley, and a Master of Architecture from Harvard University. For the past 18 years, Burr has worked for Kaiser Permanente. Before that she was a principal in a small architecture firm that focused on health care and higher education projects.
“We enthusiastically welcome Robin to our team. She brings decades of experience in master planning, facility design and construction, as well as strong leadership capabilities,” said University of Utah President David W. Pershing. “Her passion for building and maintaining physical facilities and creating strong relationships within the community will bring additional strength to this area of the university.”
Click here to read more.
ENGINEERING PROFESSOR NAMED ONE OF FORBES’ ’30 UNDER 30′
Luther McDonald, 28, is a University of Utah civil and environmental engineering assistant professor and a faculty member in the U’s nuclear engineering program. McDonald was recently named one of Forbes’ “30 Under 30” in science. He, along with academics from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Harvard and NASA’s Langley Research Center, was named one of this year’s outstanding young scientists and scientific entrepreneurs in fields from mathematics to neuroscience and genetics. McDonald was the only researcher from Utah named.
Read more about McDonald here.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR THE EDIE KOCHENOUR MEMORIAL LECTURE AT NOON ON FRIDAY, MARCH 3, 2017
This year we are excited to welcome Jennifer Azzi as our speaker. She is a former WNBA player with seven Hall of Fame inductions, an Olympic Gold Medal, a Stanford National Championship, the Naismith Award, and the Wade Trophy. Azzi also played as a guard for our local Utah Starzz for three seasons, leading in minutes played and in 2000, leading the league in free-throw percentage.
Azzi is a well-respected coach, speaker and author who actively represents the sport, both locally and internationally. Azzi’s lecture, Crossing the Half-Court: Women Breaking Boundaries, will address the success she has had pushing the needle on diversity efforts, and how we in higher education should think differently about creating similar successes, not just in sports, but in life.
This topic is particularly important realizing the low success of diversity efforts, despite trying. A symposium consisting of several smaller discussions centered around topics of diversity will follow Azzi’s noon lecture. There will be a light lunch preceding the lecture.
Additional details and a registration link will be available soon.
GLASS RECYCLING ON CAMPUS
Glass recycling has arrived at the University of Utah thanks to the combined efforts of three students, Facilities Management and the Sustainable Campus Initiative Fund, or SCIF.
Fifty bins will be placed in buildings during the beginning of the spring 2017 semester and available for use by students, faculty and staff. At least one glass recycling bin will be placed in all major buildings across campus with a few extra in high-traffic places like the Union and Marriott Library.
While taking Global Changes in Society, a course offered by the Global Change & Sustainability Center, GCSC, three environmental humanities graduate students proposed a glass recycling pilot project. Jennifer Lair, Nicole Cox and Carissa Beckwith wanted to implement an on-campus glass recycling bin program utilizing the Momentum Recycling facility in Salt Lake City.
Click here to read more.
SECOND ANNUAL CLEAN AIR FOR U: A TRAVELWISE CHALLENGE
Month of February
Track your trips at tinyurl.com/Ucleanair
Drive less to help clean the air. Walk, bike, take TRAX, ride buses and shuttles — do whatever you can to not drive alone. Then, log those trips at tinyurl.com/Ucleanair throughout February to see your contribution to better air.
Mobile sources, including personal vehicles, are responsible for nearly half of all winter PM 2.5-related emissions that contribute to the unhealthy air. Together, we can make a difference.
Read more here.
COLLEGE OF LAW ANNOUNCES NEW CHAIRED PROFESSOR APPOINTMENTS
Six professors at the S.J. Quinney College of Law have been named to new chaired professor appointments, a result of their excellence in teaching, research and service. The new chairs are:
Erika George, Samuel D. Thurman Endowed Professor of Law
RonNell Andersen Jones, Lee E. Teitelbaum Endowed Professor of Law
Jeff Schwartz, William H. Leary Professor of Law
Linda F. Smith, James T. Jensen Professor of Transactional Law
Robin Craig (previously the Leary Professor), James I. Farr Presidential Endowed Chair in Law
Associate Dean Lincoln Davies (previously the James I. Farr Chair), Hugh B. Brown Presidential Endowed Chair in Law
“Each of these faculty members richly deserves this honor, which recognizes their individual professional achievements in the realms of scholarship, teaching and service,” said Robert B. Keiter, a law professor who chairs the committee that makes appointment recommendations. To read more about each professor, click here.
FRESHMAN SCHOLARSHIPS UPDATED
The University Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid has updated some freshman scholarships, which will go in effect for the 2017-18 academic year. The changes are as follows:
Scholarships for Utah residents:
Honors at Entrance is now known as the Utah Flagship Scholarship. The amount for the scholarship remains the same, $5,000 annually towards tuition and renewable up to eight semesters.
Partial Honors at Entrance is now known as the Utah Academic Scholarship. The amount of the award remains the same, $2,500 annually towards tuition and renewable up to eight semesters.
Cash at Entrance is now known as the Utah Academic Recognition Award. This award has increased to $1,500 annually and is renewable up to four semesters annually.
The Trustees Scholarship has increased to $1,500 and $2,500 annually. It is renewable up to four semesters.
The Valedictorian Award will no longer be offered and these funds will be used to increase other in-state awards.
Scholarships for non-residents:
Academic Full Tuition is now known as the Academic Excellence Scholarship. There are two different scholarships offered – a renewable scholarship up to eight semesters and a one year scholarship. The scholarship covers full non-resident tuition and no fees.
Academic Partial Tuition is now known as the Academic Distinction Scholarship. This scholarship is for one year and covers the resident portion of tuition.
The Freshman Academic Achievement Award is now renewable for eight semesters and the amount ranges from $6,000 to $12,000 annually. It was previously a one semester award. if students gain Utah residency for tuition purposes, the scholarship will not be renewed.
Western Undergraduate Exchange is now renewable for eight semesters. Previously, it was renewable for 10 semesters. This tuition discount program covers 150 percent of in state tuition.
Visit the University Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid website for more information about freshman scholarships.
If you have any questions, please contact the University Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid at 801-581-6211 or scholarship@sa.utah.edu.
IVORY PRIZE: CALL FOR NOMINATIONS
To encourage student involvement and leadership, Clark Ivory, former chair of the University of Utah Board of Trustees, established the Ivory Prize for Excellence in Student Leadership. This prestigious award recognizes extraordinary and influential student-led projects that positively impact the campus and/or the broader community. The recipient(s) receives a $2,000 award and up to $10,000 to invest in the program or effort for which they are being recognized.
Those who have graduated from the U since 2011 (within the last five years), as well as those currently enrolled in undergraduate or graduate degree programs, are eligible. Self-nominations are welcome.
Nominations are due Friday, Feb. 24.
PUBLIC SERVICE PROFESSORSHIP AWARD
Application deadline is Jan. 23, 2017
Looking for a way to strengthen your community engaged teaching opportunities? Faculty who are tying learning to civic engagement and want to foster stronger community connections may be eligible for a $7,500 prize through the Bennion Center.
Sponsored by the Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, the Public Service Professorship award may enable you to carry out a proposed project, reimburse your department for release time, pay a research assistant, travel to conferences, purchase supplies or equipment.
For award criteria and application requirements, click here.
Application deadline is Jan. 23, 2017.
NOMINATE AN OUTSTANDING ACADEMIC ADVISOR
Deadline to nominate is Feb. 3, 2017
Do you know an academic advisor who has made a positive impact on the lives of their students? Nominations are now being accepted from students, staff and faculty for the 2017 University Academic Advising Committee’s Outstanding Advisor Award (more than three years of advising experience) and Outstanding New Advisor Award (three or fewer years of advising experience).
The deadline to nominate is Feb. 3, 2017.
Both awards recognize U advisors who have demonstrated qualities associated with outstanding academic advising:
Approaches advising as teaching
Strong interpersonal skills
Available to advisees
Reaches out and supports underserved populations
Makes appropriate referrals
Uses and disseminates appropriate information sources
Caring, helpful attitude toward advisees, faculty and staff
Works with students outside of office in formal university-related activities
Monitors advisee progress toward academic and career goals
Mastery of institutional regulations, policies and procedures
Participates in and supports advisor development programs
Proactive; builds relationships with advisees and follows up
Practices developmental advising
It only takes a few moments to complete the nomination process.
Additional questions can be addressed to Shawn Adrian at shawn.adrian@utah.edu. Consider recognizing an outstanding advisor at the U by submitting a nomination today.
BOOK ARTS PROGRAM 2017 CLASSES AND WORKSHOPS
The library’s Book Arts Program champions wide-ranging explorations of the book. In our fully equipped studio, bookbinders, printers, and book artists utilize type, letterpress, photo engravings and bookbinding equipment as they combine traditional techniques with modern aesthetics and technology.
The Book Arts Program promotes involvement with the art of the book by facilitating:
Academic designations of Minor and Certificate in Book Arts and MFA in Creative Writing & Book Arts which are supported by classes exploring letterpress printing, bookbinding, artists’ books, and typography
Community Programming for adults and the K-12 community of learners and educators
Exhibitions that celebrate and explore both the traditional and innovative arts of the book
Studio access for those who have completed foundation courses
SUSTAINABILITY OFFICE’S NEW WEBSITE
The University of Utah’s Sustainability Office rolls out a new website, showcasing sustainable research, education, engagement and campus progress. The Sustainability Office was established in 2008 to integrate sustainability in all facets of the university and serve as a model for what is possible. The office supports the U’s learning community in making positive change for social equity, economic prosperity and environmental integrity.
Learn more about sustainability at the U by exploring the new website.
RED BUTTE GARDEN POETRY MONTH: CALL FOR ENTRIES
Entry deadline is Friday, Feb. 18
Are you a Utah poet interested in having your work featured in one of Red Butte Garden’s 11 poetry boxes? April is National Poetry Month, so help us celebrate by sharing your nature inspired poetry.
Poems will be judged according to the following criteria:
Quality of writing
Inspired by nature
Relevant to the spring season
Pertinent to the Garden
Twenty-four lines or shorter
Appropriate for all ages
Winners will be invited to provide an audio recording of them performing a reading of their poem and participate in additional programming related to National Poetry Month. By submitting your poems, the author grants Red Butte Garden a license to publish and reproduce the poem online and in other media.
For more info and to submit your entry, please visit our website.
REGISTRATION NOW OPEN FOR INTRAMURAL SPORTS SPRING 2017
Don’t miss out on the best social and recreational activity on campus! Registration is now open for many of the indoor season sports such as
basketball, indoor soccer, volleyball, inner tube water polo, table tennis, and the FIFA 17 Tournament.
Check out all the sports, leagues, and tournaments at campusrec.utah.edu or imleagues.com/utah.
Depending on the activity, fees range from FREE to $10.
JOIN OUR TEAM: CAMPUS RECREATION SERVICES IS HIRING SPORTS OFFICIALS NOW
Looking for an on-campus job with flexible hours, paid training, great benefits and want to stay active?
Campus Recreation Services is hiring officials for basketball, soccer, and volleyball.
If you are interested, contact Jake Myers at jacob.myers@utah.edu or 801-585-8732.
HELP A STUDENT IN NEED
The Office for Equity and Diversity is eager to launch its first-ever Diversity Student Emergency Fund. The fund is a one-time grant providing financial support to students facing a crisis or unexpected expenses, such as an accident, illness, a death of a family
member, fire damage or need for temporary housing. To maximize resources, create a network and strengthen partnerships, these funds are a collaborative effort with various student services across campus. Pools of funding and resources will help students navigate long-term financial goals. Now you can be a part of the network. Your donation will get students back on their feet, so they can continue to pursue their college career.
To contribute, click here.