Around the College
This article was originally published in the May 1999 issue of CLASnotes.
Department News
Anthropology
Paul J. Magnarella has edited a special issue of the journal Human Peace and Human Rights. The issue (v. 12, n. 1, 1999) is entitled "Justice, Peace and Human Rights: Anthropological Perspectives."
Center for African Studies
Michael Chege's article "Nigeria's Opportunity" was published in the March 15 Christian Science Monitor. Also on March 15, Chege gave a talk at the World Bank in Washington, DC on "Political Institutions and Economic Development in Sub-Saharan Africa" to a large group of World Bank officials currently working on a blue-print on economic reform in Africa (and the rest of the developing world) for the next millennium.
Chemistry
David A. Micha co-organized a "US-Latin America-Canada-Caribbean Workshop on Molecular and Materials Sciences: Theoretical and Computational Aspects," held in Cuernavaca, Mexico, on February 24-26. The Office of Naval Research, UF Division of Sponsored Research, and Quantum Theory Project cosponsored the workshop that was also sponsored by the Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico and other Mexican institutions. This is the fourth workshop in a series started at the University of Florida. Several CLAS faculty members were invited speakers, and scientists and students from American countries gathered at the workshop to present results of common interest and to plan collaborations.
History
David Geggus gave the annual Elsa Goveia Memorial Lecture at the University of the West Indies, Jamaica, in April. His topic was The International Repercussions of the Haitian Revolution.
Physics
Greg Stewart has been elected to the Executive Committee of the Topical Group on Instrument and Measurement Science of the American Physics Society. This group oversees all aspects of instrument science and measurement for the physics society ranging from the award of a major prize to electing Fellows in this field to the APS. Stewart will serve on the committee until 2002.
UF Film Studies Well Represented at National Meeting
The University's Film Studies programs had significant representation at April's Society for Cinema Studies conference, the discipline's principal meeting. Greg Ulmer (English) delivered one of the keynote speeches, and Nora Alter (Germanic and Slavic Studies), Scott Nygren (English), Robert Ray (English), and Maureen Turim (English) also gave papers. English Department graduate students Tom Cohen, Tracey Cox, Eric Faden and Mary Wiles gave papers, as did English graduates Christian Keathley (MA), Kathleen McHugh (MA), and Alan Wright (PhD).
New Physics Building Wins City Beautification Award
At an April 21, 1999 Ceremony held at the Thomas Center, Gainesville Mayor Pro-Tem Pegeen Hanrahan presented a City Beautification "Gold" Award in the Institutional Facilities category to the new Physics Building. Liz Seiberling (Physics) accepted the award on behalf of the department and college.
The City Beautification Awards, designed to recognize projects of outstanding aesthetic and artistic appeal, are given annually by the City Beautification Board. Projects are evaluated on originality, innovation and creativity, as well as long-term strategy, maintenance and serviceable materials. Sites must exhibit appropriate use of land and effective planning and must result in the improvement of the surrounding area, property or neighborhood. An anonymous student nominated the Physics building for the award.
Classics Courtesy Professor Dies at 84
Classics courtesy faculty member Jay Deiss (associated with UF since 1983) passed away on April 10. He was 84 years-old.
"I know all of us in Classics will feel the loss of this charming, witty and learned gentleman who joined us on so many happy departmental occasions, and who maintained such a long-standing and active interest in the Classics Department," says Classics Chair Lewis Sussman. "He will be greatly missed."
Outstanding CLAS Staff Members Recognized
Each year, UF gives superior accomplishment awards to faculty and staff who have been nominated by colleagues for performing above and beyond the call of duty. Awards are made in four categories: faculty, A&P, USPS and technical staff. At the divisional level, CLAS had winners in two of these four areas:
Beth Boone (Physics), Clerical/Office Support
Linda O'Donnell (Academic Advising), Clerical/Office Support
Todd Prox (Chemistry), Administrative/Supervisory
Barbara Walker (Chemistry), Administrative/Supervisory
Six university-wide Superior Accomplishment Awards ($1,000) and six additional awards ($500) will be will be announced at a June 1st ceremony to be held in the Reitz Union Ballroom.
Zoology Grad Students Named NSF Fellows
Two Zoology graduate students, Brian Riewald and Manuel Velez received National Science Foundation Predoctoral Fellowships this month. These highly competitive, national Fellowships provide full funding for a 4-year PhD program.
Brian received his undergraduate degree from the University of Virginia and is now studying with Karen Bjorndal (Zoology). His PhD research is a study of where pelagic, juvenile sea turtles are located with respect to biotic and abiotic oceanographic features and whether they are passive or active in their choice of an environment. The study will involve satellite tracking telemetry, remote-sensing, and the Geographical Information System to follow young turtles during their early years.
Manuel received his undergraduate degree from Cornell University and is now studying with Jane Brockmann (Zoology). His MS research is a study on the parental care behavior of a cichlid fish living in streams in Panama and the factors that influence male desertion of the nest. This summer Manuel will begin his PhD research, a study of how the mechanisms of female choice affect the evolution of male secondary sexual characteristics in the field cricket Gryllus rubens.
CLAS Historian Wins NEH Summer Stipend
Fred Corney (History), nominated by a faculty committee from the Humanities divisions of CLAS and Fine Arts, will receive a $4,000 National Endowment for the Humanities summer stipend. For the 1999 competition, UF was allowed to submit only one proposal, down from two in years past. This marks the fourth year in a row that at least one CLAS faculty member has been chosen in this very competitive program.
CLAS Chemist Named Cottrell Scholar
Chemistry professor Weihong Tan has just been named a 1999 Cottrell Scholar. The award, given annually by the Research Corporation to only 13 academics nationwide, seeks to recognize faculty who excel in both teaching and research. The award comes with a $50,000 stipend to further recipients' work. CLAS Chemist Jeffrey Krause received the award last year.
Six CLAS Graduates Recognized by Alumni Association
During each University of Florida Commencement Ceremony, the UF Alumni Association recognizes and awards outstanding graduates for their scholarship and service. Of the 14 students recognized May 1st, six were from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences:
Marisa N. Roberts (Zoology and Women's Studies) was named outstanding female leader "for her remarkable service to the UF community." Dorsey C. Miller (Political Science) was chosen as outstanding male leader "for his service to Omega Psi Phi fraternity, the National Panhellenic Council, student government and volunteer organizations on campus." Hispanic Student Association President Gilberto Sanchez Valencia (Political Science) was also chosen as outstanding male leader for "his extensive service to campus organizations and the community."
Gina M. Slinger (Geography) and Tuan Tran (Zoology) were named four-year scholars for maintaining perfect 4.0 grade point averages, and Eynat Tauber (Psychology) was named two-year scholar for maintaining a 4.0 after transferring in from the Broward Community College Honors Institute.
Promoted Professors
Congratulations to the following CLAS professors and technical staff who were recently recommended for promotion:
Distinguished Professor
Patricia Craddock, English
Goran S. Hyden, Political Science
Pierre Ramond, Physics
Full Professor
W. Fitzhugh Brundage, History
Will Hasty, German and Slavic Studies
David M. Hedge, Political Science
Peter J.Hirschfeld, Physics
Alan Spector, Psychology
Li-Chien Shen, Mathematics
Associate Professor
Cheng Hai-Ping, Physics
Anthony Falsetti, Anthropology
Pamela Gilbert, English
Susan Hegeman, English
Benjamin A. Horenstein, Chemistry
Debra King, English
Amitava Kumar, English
Barbara McDade, Geography
Irma McClaurin, Anthropology
Mohammad Mohammad, African and Asian Language and Literature
Mark Thurner, History
Eldon R. Turner, History
Manuel Vásquez, Religion
Tenured
Michael Binford, Geography
Richard J. Elston, Astronomy
Stephen Mulkey, Botany
Full Scientist
David H. Powell, Chemistry
Ben Smith, Chemistry
