January 29, 2009
Etc.: Campus news & notes
EXPERIMENTAL EXCELLENCE: Geoffrey Boynton, associate professor of psychology whose research interest is in the neural correlates of human visual perception, is the recipient of the Early Investigator Award from the Society of Experimental Psychologists. The award includes election to membership in the society, which has 220 members, about 5 to 10 percent of the practicing experimental psychologists in the country. The object of the society is to “advance psychology by arranging informal conferences on experimental psychology.”
POWER WOMAN: Edwina Uehara, dean of the School of Social Work, is one of seven women honored this week by the Northwest Asian Weekly at its Women of Color Empowered luncheon. The luncheon is organized by a planning committee to recognize women who have made a significant contribution to their field. The theme for the event was “Women in Power: Nonprofits & Community Organizations.”
LUNCH IS ON THEM: The UW Police Officers Association has made a significant contribution to help students in an area school get a good lunch. Upon learning of the high numbers of students who struggle to pay even the lower rates of the USDA reduced fee lunch program, Officer Michelle Martinez-LaVetter decided there must be something she could do to help, so she organized a fund drive at the UW Police Department. The officers collected $1,000 in donations which will be used to buy lunch cards at the Skykomish School. That school was chosen because 60 percent of the children it serves qualify for the free or reduced lunch program. Martinez-LaVetter and Officer Tanesha VanLeuven will deliver the money to the school on Friday, Feb. 6, during — you guessed it — lunch hour. The gift will be enough to purchase 400 lunch cards that kitchen staff will distribute discreetly to kids whose families are struggling.
This isn’t the only charitable effort for the police officers association. The organization donated food, clothing and sundries over the holiday season to New Beginnings, a nonprofit that provides shelter and advocacy to battered women and their children. It has also been a dedicated supporter of Special Olympics of Washington for 15 years, and this week will participate in the Polar Plunge, an icy dip into Lake Washington that benefits the Olympics. See our earlier story here.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Speaking of fundraisers, the Cheerful Givers group, coordinated locally by Briana Keller, a career counselor in the Center for Career Services, is planning a special one for President’s Day. The group, which provides birthday gifts for children living in poverty, hopes to raise $2,000 between now and President’s Day, Feb. 16. Whatever members raise will be matched dollar for dollar by a private donor, so if they reach their goal, they’ll be able to provide 800 toy-filled birthday bags. Find out more about the campaign and how you can give (or become part of the group) by clicking on the organizations tab at the top of the page and choosing “Cheerful Givers” from the list.
Do you know someone who deserves kudos for an outstanding achievement, award, appointment or book publication? If so, send that person’s name, title and achievement to uweek@u.washington.edu.
