Monday, January 28, 2008

Quote of the Day
"Music is the shorthand of emotion. "
- Leo Tolstoy

Topics of the Day
01. Student Debate Today: "Who Will Be the Next President?"

Topics of the Day
02. CEO Program to Hold Workshop Tonight: "Confrontation Made Simple"
03. Benefits Buzz Today: "Benefits Forms—Where Can I Find Them?"
04. Architecture/Engineering/Construction Roundtable Discussion
05. Graduating Seniors Invited to Nominate Teachers for "Behind Every Graduate" Award
06. Westphal College to Present Lecture: "The Art of Lee Miller"
07. MSE to Host Lecture: "Corn: Rich Source for Energy and Materials" Tonight
08. Drexel Smart House Informational Meeting Tonight
09. University Procurement to Host Furniture Vendor Fair
10. Student Volunteers Needed to Tutor Philadelphia High School Students
11. Workshop Today: "The Art of Social Networking"
12. CAB Sponsors Trip to See Avenue Q
13. The A. J. Drexel Nanotechnology Institute to Host Dr. Vyacheslav Danilenko
14. Screening and Discussion: Planet in Peril
15. The iSchool Colloquium Series: "Participatory Libraries"
16. Drexel News Media Watch

 
Student Debate Today: "Who Will Be the Next President?"

The Drexel Democrats, the College Republicans and Drexel Votes 2008 will join forces to produce a Student Debate for the entire Drexel community today, January 28, 2008, from 9:45 to10:45 a.m. in the Behrakis Grand Hall (32nd and Chestnut Streets).

The debate will be recorded and broadcast later this week by WPVI-TV (6ABC) and moderated by news anchor Matt O'Donnell (above). This is an opportunity to hear what Drexel students are saying about the issues.

http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/channel?section=news/politics&id=5895340
http://www.drexel.edu/vote2008/index.aspx

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

 
CEO Program to Hold Workshop Tonight: "Confrontation Made Simple"

The Creating Excellent Organizations (CEO) program will offer a workshop, "Confrontation Made Simple," today, January 28, 2008, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in room 2020 of MacAlister Hall (33rd and Chestnut Streets).

This workshop, presented by Katie Ludgate and the Panhellenic Council, will demonstrate how to understand and identify confrontation styles. Participants will learn that confrontation does not need to be an unpleasant interaction. It can be handled smoothly and effectively in five easy steps.

These free workshops are designed for student organization leaders and members. For more information, visit http://www.drexel.edu/studentlife/ceo.

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

 
Benefits Buzz Today: "Benefits Forms—Where Can I Find Them?"

Human Resources will host "Benefits Forms – Where Can I Find Them?" today, January 28, 2008, from 3 to 4 p.m. in Room 116, Korman Center (33rd Street between Chestnut and Market Streets). The next Benefits Buzz session, "Long-term Care" will be held on Monday, February 4, 2008, at the same time and location.

Benefits Buzz is an informal weekly meeting geared toward answering questions and providing information about Drexel benefits. Human Resources representatives will be available to present information and answer questions from faculty and staff.

For more information, contact Trish Mahon at pam82@drexel.edu

Approved under the authority of Adele T. Barbato, Senior Vice President for Human Resources

 
Architecture/Engineering/Construction Roundtable Discussion

The University's Construction Management Association of America student chapter (CMAA-DU) will present an AEC (architecture/engineering/construction) roundtable discussion on Monday, February 4, 2008, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. in the Paul Peck Alumni Center (32nd and Market Streets).

The entire Drexel community is invited to learn from the experience of five successful panelists as they discuss their jobs and career paths. The event will also provide an opportunity to network with some of the top professionals in the industry.

Free for CMAA members, $2 for non-members.

Attire: Business casual

This event is sponsored by CMAC (Construction Management Advisory Council). RSVP to Kevin Serfass at kds392@drexel.edu by January 29.

There will be registration forms at the door for those interested in joining the CMAA-DU. Annual membership dues are $5.

Contact CMAA-DU President James Pittenger for further details at jhp72@drexel.edu.

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

 
Graduating Seniors Invited to Nominate Teachers for "Behind Every Graduate" Award

In 2006, the Office of the Provost initiated the "Behind Every Graduate Award for Excellence in Secondary School Teaching." Nominations for this year’s awards, to be presented at the 2008 commencement ceremonies, are now being accepted.

Drexel values the high school teachers who have inspired our graduates. All undergraduate seniors who will graduate in June 2008 are invited to nominate the high school teacher who inspired them to pursue their college studies. The nominees must still be actively teaching.

To submit a nomination, visit http://www.drexel.edu/provost/BehindEveryGraduate/. Students will be asked to write a brief essay including the teacher’s name, high school subject taught and a statement of why the teacher should be selected. The essay and nomination form should be submitted no later than Friday, April 25, 2008.

A committee will review all entries and select finalists, who will be contacted and notified about the program. Finalists will then be asked to send a resume and other relevant information. His or her school principal will be also contacted for a reference. Honorees will receive an expense-paid trip to Philadelphia for two. They will attend pre-commencement activities and be recognized at the commencement ceremony of their nominating students. Each honoree will receive a $2,000 prize and a $2,000 donation will be made to the winning teachers’ schools.

Approved under the authority of Dr. Stephen W. Director, Provost

 
Westphal College to Present Lecture: "The Art of Lee Miller"

The Department of Art and Art History in the Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design will present "Growing up in a Surrealist Household," a lecture by Antony Penrose on Tuesday, January 29, 2008, at 6:30 p.m. in Stein Auditorium of Nesbitt Hall (33rd and Market Streets). It will be preceded by a reception in the Nesbitt Hall lobby at 6 p.m.

Penrose is coming to Philadelphia for the opening of the show, "The Art of Lee Miller," at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. He directs the Lee Miller Archive and has authored two books about his extraordinary mother, The Lives of Lee Miller (1995) and Lee Miller's War (2005).

The exhibition, organized by the Victoria and Albert Museum, demonstrates Miller's accomplishments as a photographer, both in fine art and photojournalism, and seeks to balance these with her role as a model and muse to Surrealist photographer Man Ray.

Antony Penrose's illustrated lecture is free and open to the public.

For more information, call the Antoinette Westphal College’s Department of Art and Art History at 215-895-2546.

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

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

The Department of Materials Science and Engineering will present a lecture by Dr. Sanjay V. Malhotra, head of the Laboratory of Synthetic Chemistry, today, 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 Tonight

Members of the Drexel Smart House project will hold an informational meeting today, January 28, 2008, at 7 p.m. in the Hill Conference Room, LeBow Engineering Center (31st and Market Streets). Complimentary pizza will be served at both meetings.

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

 
Workshop Today: "The Art of Social Networking"

The Student Counseling Center, in partnership with the Creating Excellent Organizations (CEO) program, will offer a workshop, "The Art of Social Networking," today, January 28, 2008, from noon to 1 p.m. in room 315 of the Bellet Building (1505 Race Street).

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

 
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

 
The A. J. Drexel Nanotechnology Institute to Host Dr. Vyacheslav Danilenko

The A. J. Drexel Nanotechnology Institute will present a seminar on Nanodiamonds by noted Ukrainian scientist Dr. Vyacheslav Danilenko on Tuesday, January 29, 2008, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. in the William F. Mitchell Auditorium, Edmund D. Bossone Research Enterprise Center (Market Street between 31st and 32nd Streets).

Dr. Danilenko was among the first to demonstrate detonation synthesis of diamonds and has more than 30 years experience in the design of reactors for the synthesis of nanodiamonds. He is also the founder of Alit NanoDiamond in Ukraine.

This technology represents an environmentally responsible method for the disposal of expired ammunition, and is considered the most economical method for the production of nanodiamond powders with particles of 5-10 nm in size. As nanodiamond applications in medicine, electronics and lubrication continue to emerge, the technological variations and details will become vital to companies considering the integration of nanodiamonds in their products and manufacturing processes.

This seminar is sponsored by Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern Pennsylvania, http://www.benfranklin.org, and NanoBlox, Inc, a nanodiamond company in the United States.

RSVP to linda@sep.benfranklin.org

Approved under the authority of Stephen W. Director, Provost

 
Screening and Discussion: Planet in Peril

The environment is ever changing and understanding those changes can be key to shaping the environment for the future.

Drexel professor, Dr. James Spotila will host a screening and discussion of CNN's Planet in Peril today, January 28, 2008 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. in room 2019/2020 of MacAlister Hall (33rd and Chestnut Streets).

Dr. Spotila serves as the Betz Chair Professor of Environmental Science. He received his Ph.D. in vertebrate zoology and physiological ecology at the University of Arkansas. Dr. Spotila's book, Sea Turtles: A Complete Guide to their Biology, Behavior and Conservation, received "Best Biology Book of the Year" commendation from the American Association of Publishers.

CNN's Planet in Peril takes viewers around the world in a documentary that examines our changing planet. This worldwide investigation looks at four key issues: climate change, vanishing habitats, disappearing species and human population growth. To tell this story, Anderson Cooper, Dr. Sanjay Gupta and Animal Planet's Jeff Corwin traveled to some of the most remote and remarkable places on Earth.

Complimentary refreshments will be provided to participants. All Drexel students, faculty and staff are welcome. For more information or accommodations, contact Commuter Student Programs and Services at 215-895-1328 or commuters@drexel.edu.

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

 
The iSchool Colloquium Series: "Participatory Libraries"

Dr. David Lankes, Director of the Information Institute of Syracuse (IIS) and an associate professor at Syracuse University's School of Information Studies, will speak on "Participatory Libraries" on Tuesday, January 29, 2008, at 12:30 p.m. in Room 014, Rush Building (33rd Street, north of Market Street).

The library landscape is constantly in flux. New technologies, new practices and new theories are the sign of an active field. However, these dynamic forces also lead to confusion and conflict. It also leads to a spate of new services and functions that are sometimes awkward to integrate into existing research, operations and curricula. In today’s world of Web 2.0, Library 2.0, social networks, blogs and wiki’s, what concepts are durable and what is new that must be imparted to the next generation of professionals?

The lecture is part of the The iSchool at Drexel's Colloquium Series, sponsored by the College of Information Science and Technology.

For more information, visit the College's Web site at http://www.ischool.drexel.edu or contact Dr. Robert Allen at bob.allen@ischool.drexel.edu

Approved under the authority of Dr. Stephen W. Director, Provost

 
Drexel News Media Watch

President Papadakis was featured in stories broadcast on WCAU-TV (NBC-10) and WPVI-TV (ABC-6) on January 24, 2008, about Drexel’s collaboration with the Pennsylvania Institute of Technology.

Drexel’s partnership with Google and Microsoft for e-mail, online storage and other tools are featured in a story published on the Philadelphia Business Journal Web site on January 24, 2008. The story was syndicated on the Web sites of the Phoenix Business Journal, San Antonio Business Journal, Washington Business Journal, Charlotte Business Journal (N.C.) and Milwaukee Business Journal (Wisc.).
StoryLink - Philadelphia Business Journal

An Associated Press story that notes Drexel for its work with the Applied Communications and Information Networking program in Camden, N.J., continues to be syndicated. The story was published in The Courier-Post (Cherry Hill, N.J.) on January 25, 2008.
StoryLink - The Courier-Post

Dr. Michael I. Greenberg, professor of emergency medicine in the Drexel University College of Medicine, is featured in The Hellenic News of America on January 25, 2008. Dr. Greenberg was named “Hero of Emergency Medicine” by the American College of Emergency Physicians.
StoryLink - The Hellenic News of America

Dr. Shawkat Hammoudeh, professor of economics, is quoted in a Metro story published on January 25, 2008, about Congress’ plans to issue a tax rebate.
StoryLink - Metro

Dr. Joseph Mason, associate professor of finance, is quoted in a Bloomberg.com story published on January 25, 2008, about the bank Societe Generale SA’s financial losses. The story was syndicated in The Herald Sun (Melbourne). The professor commented on CNBC’s “Squawk Box” on January 24 about the losses. A Bloomberg.com story about financial risk management in connection with the subprime mortgage market in which Dr. Mason is quoted was syndicated in Financial Week on January 25.
StoryLink - Bloomberg.com
StoryLink - Financial Week

Drexel continues to be noted as the host of the October 30, 2007, Democratic presidential candidates debate. An Associated Press story about Rep. Dennis Kucinich’s exit from the race that cite the University was published on January 24, 2008, on the Web sites of KEPR-TV (CBS-Pasco, Wash.), KCBY-TV (CBS-North Bend, Ore.), KPIC-TV (CBS-Roseburg, Ore.), KATU-TV (CBS-Portland, Ore.), KIDK-TV (CBS-Idaho Falls, Idaho), KIMA-TV (CBS-Yakima, Wash.), KOMO-TV (CBS-Seattle), KVAL-TV (CBS-Eugene, Ore.), KBCI-TV (CBS-Boise, Idaho) and KLEW-TV (CBS-Lewiston, Idaho.)
StoryLink - KERP-TV

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

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