Friday, January 25, 2008

Quote of the Day
"I don't deserve any credit for turning the other cheek as my tongue is always in it."
- Flannery O'Connor

Hot Topic
01. USGA Invites Students to Conquer Drexel: Risk-style

Topics of the Day
02. MSE to Host Lecture: "Corn: Rich Source for Energy and Materials"
03. Drexel Smart House to Hold Informational Meeting
04. University Procurement to Host Furniture Vendor Fair
05. Student Volunteers Needed to Tutor Philadelphia High School Students
06. "Dancing Through Time" at Mandell Theater Tonight
07. Student Counseling Center to Offer Workshop: "The Art of Social Networking"
08. Emergency Preparedness for the Philadelphia Region Discussed Today
09. Drexel Student Receives $10,000 Scholarship from SAP
10. Starbucks® at Pearlstein Business Center Receives Rating
11. CAB Sponsors Trip to See 76ers
12. CAB Sponsors Trip to See Avenue Q
13. Biomed Seminar: "Colored Biomimetic Membranes for Studying Biological Processes"
14. Free Tickets to See Mendelssohn Quartet
15. Student Conference on Global Challenges Seeks Applications
16. Drexel News Media Watch

 
USGA Invites Students to Conquer Drexel: Risk-style

The Undergraduate Student Government Association (USGA) invites students to conquer Drexel by playing GoCrossCampus.

GoCrossCampus brings the classic game of Risk to the University. Instead of holding Australia and Madagascar, students can capture MacAlister Hall, Main Building, the Quad and other campus locations. There is no limit to team size and students are encouraged to invite others to play. Teams are divided by where players live. ("Resimuters" are resident commuters who live in the 19104 zip code while commuters reside farther out).

Players can talk strategy via a built-in chat interface, get real-time stats on how the game is progressing, and even get promoted to commander. Alliances will be built to expand the empire and then broken when the time is right to defend the strongholds. After the dust settles and the game is over, only one residence will stand as reigning champion.

To register, visit http://drexel.gocrosscampus.com and select the registration link.

For more information, contact the USGA at usga@drexel.edu or visit http://www.drexel.edu/usga.

Approved under the authority of Philip Terranova, Vice President for University Relations

 
MSE to Host Lecture: "Corn: Rich Source for Energy and Materials"

The Department of Materials Science and Engineering will present a lecture by Dr. Sanjay V. Malhotra, head of the Laboratory of Synthetic Chemistry, on Monday, January 28, 2008, at 1 p.m. in room 135 of the LeBow Engineering Center (31st and Market Streets).

Dr. Malhotra's talk "Corn: Rich Source for Energy and Materials," will explain the key advantages including the ability to tailor mechanical properties and degradation kinetics to suit various applications.

Dr. Malhotra's group has been actively working on developing novel methodologies and products (polymers) derived from corn sugars, which could potentially have a significant effect on the quality and production of biodegradable materials. An overview of these technologies will be presented.

Students, faculty and staff are invited.

Refreshments will be served immediately after the seminar in the Materials Science and Engineering Lounge in room 331 of the LeBow Engineering Center (31st and Market Streets).

For more information, contact Keiko Nakazawa at 215.895.2323 or knakazawa@coe.drexel.edu.

Approved under the authority of Philip Terranova, Vice President for University Relations

 
Drexel Smart House Informational Meeting

Members of the Drexel Smart House project will hold an informational meeting on Monday, January 28, 2008, at 7 p.m. in the Hill Conference Room, LeBow Engineering Center (31st and Market Streets).

Complimentary pizza will be served.

Drexel Smart House is a student-led, multidisciplinary project to construct an urban home to serve as a "living laboratory" for exploring cutting-edge design and technology. Participants will conduct research and develop designs in the areas of environment, energy, interaction, health, and lifestyle with the ultimate goal of improving quality of life in the urban residential setting.

Smart House is currently recruiting for board members, as well as student researchers and many other administrative positions. The Smart House organization is multidisciplinary. Anyone can get involved. People with expertise in marketing, finance, economics, computer science, graphic design, Web design and maintenance, and construction project management are needed.

For more information, visit http://drexel.edu/smarthouse or email info@drexelsmarthouse.com.

Approved under the authority of Philip Terranova, Vice President for University Relations

 
University Procurement to Host Furniture Vendor Fair

University Procurement will host the second Drexel University Procurement Furniture Vendor Fair on Tuesday, February 5, 2008, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in Behrakis Grand Hall, (32nd and Chestnut Streets).

Furniture vendors will be on campus displaying seating, case goods, office systems, and lounge furniture consistent with Drexel's preferred furniture standards. For the first time, there will be preferred vendors displaying the latest products in laboratory furniture. Representatives from University Procurement and the departments of Facilities and Planning, Design, and Construction will be present to provide useful information and guidelines for attendees.

In addition to the furniture fair, staff members from the Planning, Design and Construction Departments of the University City Main Campus and both of the Drexel University College of Medicine campuses will conduct two furniture buying workshops.

The first workshop will be held on Tuesday, February 5, 2008, at 10 a.m. and the second workshop will be held at 1:30 p.m. in rooms 2019 and 2020 of MacAlister Hall (32nd and Chestnut Streets).

To register for the Furniture Vendor Fair and the furniture buying workshops, contact the University Procurement Office at 215-895-2876 or send an e-mail to procurement@drexel.edu.

Approved under the authority of Philip Terranova, Vice President for University Relations

 
Student Volunteers Needed to Tutor Philadelphia High School Students

Drexel University-affiliated Health Explorers Post program, run by the Office of Government and Community Relations, is looking for Drexel students to help tutor Philadelphia high school students who are interested in the sciences and health-related fields.

These high school students need help with their general school subjects in addition to preparation for the SAT exam. All materials necessary for tutoring will be provided.

Tutoring will begin on January 30, 2008, from 4 to 5 p.m. in the New College Building (245 N.15th Street) on the Center City Hahnemann Campus. Tutors will meet with the students on a bi-weekly basis.

Volunteer opportunities are not limited to Drexel students with a particular major/concentration.

Interested students should contact the project coordinator, Janell Jackson, at jdj34@drexel.edu, or the program director, Alison Tartaglia, at alison.tartaglia@DrexelMed.edu.

Approved under the authority of Brian Keech, Vice President for Government and Community Relations

 
"Dancing Through Time" at Mandell Theater Tonight

The Drexel Dance Ensemble will continue the performances of its winter dance concert "Dancing Through Time," today, January 25 and Saturday, January 26, 2008, at 8 p.m. in Mandell Theater (33rd and Chestnut Streets).

The Dance Ensemble's performance will make history its theme in a selection of student-choreographed pieces and world premiere works by Dr. Miriam Giguere, the director of the Dance Program in the Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design. The work of Philadelphia choreographer Stephen Welsh and Marianela Boan, Cuba's best known avant-garde choreographer, will also be featured.

The performance is open to the public. Tickets are $5 for students and $8 for general admission.

For more information or to reserve tickets in advance, call 215-895-ARTS.

Approved under the authority of Philip Terranova, Vice President for University Relations

 
Student Counseling Center to Offer Workshop: "The Art of Social Networking"

The Student Couseling Center will offer a workshop, "The Art of Social Networking," on Monday, January 28, 2008, from noon to 1 p.m. in room 315 of the Bellet Building (1505 Race Street) on the Center City Hahnemann Campus.

Networking opportunities occur all the time. Small talk can help make connections with other people, broaden social networks, and develop important business contacts. The art of social networking is a powerful skill that can be learned by anyone.

This workshop will offer strategies for effective networking in both the personal and business arenas as well as techniques for coping with anxiety while maintaining good interpersonal skills.

The workshop is open to students, faculty and staff. Complimentary refreshments will be served.

For more information call 215-762-7625.

Approved under the authority of Philip Terranova, Vice President for University Relations

 
Emergency Preparedness for the Philadelphia Region Discussed Today

The Drexel Engineering Cities Initiative will host a talk by Pedro Ramos, former City of Philadelphia managing director, today, January 25, 2008 at 3:30 p.m. in room 240 of the LeBow Engineering Center (31st and Market Streets).

Ramos will address emergency preparedness planning for the Delaware Valley region, discussing the recent emergency preparedness review committee's work, their process, and the outcomes of their preparedness report. Pedro Ramos has been Philadelphia's city solicitor as well as managing director, and has held important posts with the University of Pennsylvania and the School District of Philadelphia. He is now a partner with Blank Rome LLP.

For information about this event or about DECI, contact Jennifer Britton at cities@drexel.edu or 215-895-2552.

Approved under the authority of Stephen W. Director, Provost

 
Drexel Student Receives $10,000 Scholarship from SAP

Drexel senior Lora Atanasova received a $10,000 scholarship from SAP, which was made possible by the University's participation in the SAP Universities Alliances program and SAP’s corporate citizenship program.

The SAP University Alliances program provides faculty members with the tools and resources necessary to teach students how technology can enable integrated business processes and strategic thinking, and it gives students the skills to add immediate value to the 21st century workforce. The program exposes students to a variety of higher-learning opportunities and encourages them to apply their knowledge of business technology to real-life scenarios.

Atasanova was one of ten outstanding students from across the country who were awarded $10,000 scholarships to help cover education costs.

Approved under the authority of Philip Terranova, Vice President for University Relations

 
Starbucks® at Pearlstein Business Center Receives Rating

Starbucks® at Drexel University's Pearlstein Business Center was recently rated by the company in one of its "Snapshot Summaries." The Drexel store scored favorably when compared to stores across the district and the nation. Snapshot Summaries is a monthly audit program completed by Starbucks management as an evaluation tool for each of its locations. 

The Drexel Starbucks averages 1,100 transactions per day – making it the 2nd busiest dining location on campus after the Handschumacher Dining Center.

Approved under the authority of Philip Terranova, Vice President for University Relations

 
CAB Sponsors Trip to See 76ers

The Campus Activities Board (CAB) will sponsor a trip to the Wachovia Center to see the Philadelphia 76s take on the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday, January 30, 2008. Tickets are $15 per person. Two tickets can be purchased with a Drexel undergraduate I.D. Tokens for SEPTA will be provided with a ticket purchase.

Tickets can be purchased at the CAB office, located between the University bookstore and Mandell Theater, MacAlister Hall (33rd and Chestnut Streets).

Tickets are on sale Monday through Friday, noon to 1 p.m., and Monday through Thursday, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.

For more information, visit CAB's Web site at http://www.drexel.edu/CAB, search "Campus Activities Board (CAB)" on Facebook.com, call 215-895-2575 or email CAB@drexel.edu.

Approved under the authority of James Tucker, Senior Vice President for Student Life and Administrative Services

 
CAB Sponsors Trip to See Avenue Q

The Campus Activities Board (CAB) will sponsor a trip to see Avenue Q on Wednesday, February 6, 2008, at 7:30 p.m. at the Forrest Theater (1114 Walnut Street).

Avenue Q is the story of Princeton, a bright-eyed college grad who comes to New York City with big dreams and a tiny bank account. He soon discovers that the only neighborhood in his price range is Avenue Q. Still, the neighbors seem nice and the building's superintendent is Gary Coleman. (Yes, that Gary Coleman.) Together, Princeton and his newfound friends struggle to find jobs, dates, and their ever-elusive purpose in life.

Tickets are $20. Only two tickets per undergraduate ID. A Dragoncard must be presented at purchase. Ultima Funds will be accepted. Tickets can be purchased at the CAB office, located between the University bookstore and Mandell Theater, MacAlister Hall (33rd and Chestnut Streets).

Tickets are on sale Monday through Friday, noon to 1 p.m., and Monday through Thursday, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.

For more information, visit CAB's Web site at http://www.drexel.edu/CAB, search "Campus Activities Board (CAB)" on Facebook.com, call 215-895-2575 or email CAB@drexel.edu.

Approved under the authority of James Tucker, Senior Vice President for Student Life and Administrative Services

 
Biomed Seminar: "Colored Biomimetic Membranes for Studying Biological Processes"

The School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems will hold a seminar "Colored Biomimetic Membranes for Studying Biological Processes," by Dr. Raz Jelinek, Department of Chemistry, Ben Gurion University, Israel. The seminar will be presented on Friday, January 25, 2008, at 4 p.m. in room 109, Matheson Hall (32nd Street between Chestnut and Market Streets).

The seminar will describe the creation and biological applications of biomimetic membranes based on polydiacetylene – a unique polymer that changes its visible color (from blue to red) and fluorescence emission following external stimuli induced by biomolecules. The polydiacetylene platforms – small and giant vesicles, thin films, and polymer-labeled living cells – have been used for studying diverse membrane processes, including drug penetration, peptide and protein interactions, viral internalization and others. The scientific and applied potential of the new chromatic systems will be discussed.

The seminar is free and open to students, faculty and staff.

To attend the webcast or for additional information, visit http://www.biomed.drexel.edu or call 215-895-2247.

Approved under the authority of Stephen W. Director, Provost

 
Free Tickets to See Mendelssohn Quartet

The Mendelssohn Quartet, widely regarded as one of the most imaginative, vital and exciting quartets of its generation returns to Philadelphia with the exceptional young pianist Jonathan Biss (above right) on Tuesday, January 29, 2008, at 8 p.m. at the Perelman Theater at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts (260 S. Broad Street).

A graduate of the Curtis Institute in the late 1990s, Biss has established an international reputation through his orchestral, recital, and chamber music performances in North America and Europe and through his EMI Classics recordings. Biss will join the Mendelssohn Quartet in a performance of Elgar's "A Minor Piano Quintet." The program will also feature string quartets by Haydn and Bartok.

For free tickets to this concert, contact mcohen@pcmsconcerts.org.

Approved under the authority of James Tucker, Senior Vice President for Student Life and Administrative Services

 
Student Conference on Global Challenges Seeks Applications

The Office of International Programs seeks applications for panelists for the Student Conference on Global Challenges to be held on Friday, February 29, 2008, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the Edmund D. Bossone Research Enterprise Center (Market Street between 31st and 32nd Streets).

• Global Science, Technology & Society
• Global Business Trends
• Global Social and Economic Trends
• Global Justice and Human Rights
• Global Media, Arts and Culture
• Global Health

For applications and more information, visit http://www.drexel.edu/oip/studentconference2008.html

Approved under the authority of Stephen W. Director, Provost

 
Drexel News Media Watch

A Philadelphia Inquirer story published on January 24, 2008, features an exhibition at Drexel’s Leonard Pearlstein Gallery on inkblots. The exhibition spotlights the work of John Langdon, professor of advanced typography in the Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design, and Dr. Eric Zillmer, Carl R. Pacifico Professor of Nueropsychology and director of athletics.
StoryLink - Philadelphia Inquirer

Dr. Joseph Mason, associate professor of finance, is quoted in a story published on CNN.com’s “Money” section on January 23, 2008, about the U.S. economy’s effect on bonds. He is noted in a Bloomberg.com story published on January 24 about financial risk management in connection with the subprime mortgage market. The professor also commented on risk management on WMMR-AM’s (NBC-ABC-New York) “Bloomberg — the First Word on Business” and “Morning Drive” on January 24.
StoryLink - CNN.com
StoryLink - Bloomberg

Diane Price, a doctoral degree candidate in the College of Nursing and Health Professions, is featured in an Observer-Dispatch (Utica, N.Y.) published on January 24, 2008. The story focuses on “Treatments for Seizure Disorder in the Elderly,” a paper she wrote that was published in the October 2007 issue of Counseling Points.
StoryLink - Observer-Dispatch

Drexel continues to make news across the country for its role as host of the 2008 Olympic Games trials in table tennis. A City Paper story published on January 24, 2008, cites the University.
StoryLink - City Paper

Melissa Englund, assistant vice president of Enrollment Management, offered higher education financial aid tips on WCAU-TV (NBC-10) on January 23, 2008.
StoryLink - WCAU-TV (NBC-10)

MAD Dragon Records was featured in a story on a KYW-AM (1060) newscast on January 23, 2008, about The Redwalls' performance on the “Late Show With David Letterman.” The Chicago band is on the label. Marcy Wagman, director of Drexel's music industry program, commented on students’ efforts in promoting the band.
StoryLink - KYW-AM (1060)

Dr. MinJun Kim, assistant professor of mechanical engineering and mechanics, is quoted in a NanoWerk.com story published on January 23, 2008, about his and colleagues' research on live bacteria as mechanical actuators in fluid systems.
StoryLink - NanoWerk.com

Drexel’s campus was featured in a WTXF-TV (FOX-29) weathercast on January 23, 2008.

Approved under the authority of Philip Terranova, Vice President for University Relations

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