November 29, 2007
ETC.: campus news & notes
MARATHON MEN (AND WOMEN): Bob Crutchfield, professor of sociology, and the Graduate Students First Team tackled the Seattle Marathon Nov. 25, bringing home $30,000 and counting to benefit graduate students. Team members wore their Husky colors proudly and — along with sign-waving “cheering sections” on the sidelines — effectively drew attention to the team and their goal of $100,000. Their enthusiasm was contagious. As Richard Boyce, biomedical and health informatics graduate student, put it: “I love to run and I love the UW — what could be more fun than running for the UW?”
The 100-person team included staff, graduate students and faculty from 45 different departments. They range in age from 20 to 64, with experience levels varying from first-timers who had never participated in an organized race to ultra-marathoners who regularly compete in endurance events. Especially impressive were team members with significant health challenges (a cancer survivor, a walker with two artificial hips, a runner with a chronic kidney ailment) who completed the race successfully.
The variety and significance of the team members’ research — on topics such as alternative energy, freshwater resource management, HIV transmission and prevention of youth violence — reflects well the kind of vital work that fellowship dollars support.
Although the goal hasn’t been reached yet, participants are optimistic as pledges continue to arrive. If you’d like to contribute, go <a href=http://www.grad.washington.edu/supporting/gs_students_first.htm>here</a>.
PRODUCTIVE FACULTY: Forty-two areas of study at the UW have been rated in the top 10 on the Chronicle of Higher Education‘s Faculty Scholarly Productivity Index, and three of those have been rated number one. The three top-ranked disciplines were performing and visual arts, architecture and fisheries science. The index rates faculty members on as many as five factors, depending on the most important variables in the given discipline — books published; journal publications; citations of journal articles; federal-grant dollars awarded; and honors and awards. The faculty’s scholarly productivity in each program is expressed as a z-score, a statistical measure (in standard deviation units) that reveals how far and in what direction a value is from the mean. The z-score allows the performance of programs to be compared across disciplines. A z-score of zero indicates that the program is at the national mean for the discipline; a z-score of 1 indicates that the program is one standard deviation unit higher than the national mean. For more detailed information about the index and the complete listing of UW top 10 units, see <a href=http://chronicle.com/stats/productivity/page.php?year=2007&institution=3869&byinst=Go>here</a>.
WILD WITHIN: The Arboretum Foundation will host a party to celebrate the publication of The Wild Within, a new book of photographs documenting the rich diversity of wildlife in the wetlands of Washington Park Arboretum. The party is scheduled for 5–7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 30, and is free and open to the public.
The Wild Within was created by the Wetland Alliance, LLC, to raise awareness about the unique beauty of the Arboretum wetlands and to help preserve the valuable urban ecosystem. It features more than 120 stunning images of wetland birds, animals, and scenery by 18 local photographers. The photos are accompanied by inspirational essays from friends of the wetlands, including former Governor Dan Evans and glass artist Dale Chihuly.
Contributors to The Wild Within will be present at the launch party to discuss the publication and personalize copies. Refreshments will be served. Proceeds from book sales will benefit the Arboretum Foundation and fund the protection of the Arboretum wetlands. Copies of the book will be available for purchase in the Arboretum Shop at the Graham Visitors Center and online at www.arboretumfoundation.org.
ARCHITECTURE HONORS: Professor Emeritus Norman Johnston is one of three recently-announced inductees to the College of Architecture and Urban Planning’s Roll of Honor. Johnston is a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects noted for his commitment to teaching, scholarship and the community. He taught at the University from 1960 until the early 90s. Author of five books and numerous scholarly articles, Johnston served as associate dean for 16 years. He was key in creating the college’s visual resources collection and in broadening its book collection. Johnston’s love of the UW campus is reflected in his many years of service on the UW Landscape Advisory Committee and his support of the Architectural Commission.
to be inducted along with Johnston are the late Elizabeth Ayer and Fred Bassetti. Ayer was the third UW architecture graduate (and the first woman to graduate in architecture), and is believed to have been the first female registered architect in Washington state. She’s also the first woman to be listed on the Roll of Honor. Primarily a residential architect, Ayer designed more than 100 houses as well as other buildings during her career. Bassetti is a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects recognized for his contributions to Northwest architecture. His many buildings include student housing at Central Washington University and Western Washington University; several buildings in Pike Place Market; the Henry Jackson Federal Office Building, Seattle (1964); the Seattle Aquarium (1971); the U.S. Embassy in Lisbon, Portugal (1983); and the Seattle Municipal Tower (1991). All three inductees will be honored on Jan. 15, 2008.
