Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Quote of the Day
"Never do things others can do and will do if there are things others cannot do or will not do"
- Amelia Earhart

Hot Topic
01. Two of Sudan's "Lost Boys" to Give Talk at Mandell Theater Today

Topics of the Day
02. Jeffrey Blondes to Talk about "Periodicity" Exhibition Today
03. CoE to Host "High School Day" as Part of Annual Engineers Week
04. Tickets Still Available for 18th Annual Madrigal Dinner
05. Student Luncheon with Senior Vice President James R. Tucker
06. Koerner Family Fellowship Symposium
07. Screening with Paul Auster: The Inner Life of Martin Frost
08. Diversity Leadership Panel
09. Buzzing for Change Meeting Today
10. Retirement Plan Individual Conferences
11. Two Workshops Presented by CEO Today
12. Department of Chemistry to Present Talk
13. iSchool Colloquium Series Lecture Today
14. Battling the Winter Blues
15. CoAS to Present Screening of Faat Kine with Discussion and Dinner
16. SCDC to Present Workshops on Preparing for Interviews
17. Discussion Today on Hip Hop Culture and Graffiti Art
18. Featured This Week on The Smart Set
19. This Week at the World Cafe Live
20. Drexel News Media Watch

 
Two of Sudan's "Lost Boys" to Give Talk at Mandell Theater Today

The University Writing Program, Pennoni Honors College, the Office of the Senior Vice President for Finance, and Africana Studies will present a talk with Michael Kuch and James Lual, two "lost boys" of Sudan now living in Philadelphia, today, February 19, 2008, at noon in Mandell Theater (32nd and Chestnut Streets).

A luncheon reception will follow in the Living Arts Lounge.

For more information or to RSVP, contact Writing Program Director Harriet Millan at millanhl@drexel.edu.

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

 
Jeffrey Blondes to Talk about "Periodicity" Exhibition Today

The Leonard Pearlstein Gallery in the Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design will host an informal talk with artist and filmmaker Jeffrey Blondes (artwork above) about his current exhibition in the Pearlstein Gallery, "Periodicity: In the Presence of Nature," today, February 19, 2008, at 11 a.m. in Nesbitt Hall (33rd and Market Streets).

There will be an opening reception for the artist and his exhibition on Friday, February 22, 2008, from 5 to 7 p.m. in the lobby of Nesbitt Hall (33rd and Market Streets).

This special exhibition brings together an extensive body of work by the painter and filmmaker, who is primarily recognized as a plein-air painter, living and working in rural France where he has concentrated on observing and painting the landscape. Periodicity features the artist’s hallmark landscapes, transitional sea paintings, and his most recent, "Optics Paintings." Along with the paintings, Blondes’ 24-hour and 52-hour films highlight the artist’s focus as a plein-air painter.

The reception and talk are free and open to the public as are all visits to the gallery during open hours.

The exhibition will be on display in the Pearlstein Gallery through Friday, March 21, 2008. Gallery hours are Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. through March 21.

For more information, email: gallery@drexel.edu

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

 
CoE to Host "High School Day" as Part of Annual Engineers Week

The College of Engineering will host its annual "High School Day" today, February 19, 2008, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Edmund D. Bossone Research Enterprise Center (Market Street between 31st and 32nd Streets).

Area high school students will have the opportunity to visit the College of Engineering and meet with students, faculty and staff for hands-on engineering activities.

For more information, visit http://www.drexel.edu/coe/eweek2008/High%20School%20Day.htm or contact Joanne Ferroni at joanne.m.ferroni@drexel.edu.

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

 
Tickets Still Available for 18th Annual Madrigal Dinner

The Drexel Chamber Singers will present the 18th Annual Madrigal Dinner on Friday, February 22 and Saturday, February 23, 2008, at 7:30 p.m. in the Great Court, Main Building (32nd and Chestnut Streets).

Student performers, costumed in Renaissance attire, will serve an authentically prepared meal, while storytellers and jesters entertain. Following the feast, the Chamber Singers will perform popular music of the era: Elizabethan madrigals, French chansons, English ballads and lute songs.

Tickets are $21.95, including the meal, and must be purchased in advance.

For those interested in attending only the concert, balcony seating is available for $3.

This event is open to the general public.

To purchase tickets, or for more information, call 215-895-1275.

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

 
Student Luncheon with Senior Vice President James R. Tucker

Students with questions regarding student life, housing, campus safety, recreation or facilities are invited to meet James R. Tucker, senior vice president for student life and administrative services, and key members of his division for a complimentary lunch and an open forum on Wednesday, March 5, 2008, at noon in the third floor atrium of the Edmund D. Bossone Research Enterprise Center (Market Street between 31st and 32nd Streets).

The luncheon will feature special presentations on campus construction by Robert Francis, vice president for university facilities, and public safety initiatives by Domenic Ceccanecchio, senior associate vice president for public safety.

Tucker oversees the largest non-academic administrative division at the University.

The event is free, but seating is limited. RSVP by Friday, January 29, 2008, at edwardda@drexel.edu or by calling 215-895-2800.

For more information about Student Life and Administrative Services and its departments, visit http://www.drexel.edu/slas.

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

 
Koerner Family Fellowship Symposium

Students, faculty, staff and prospective Koerner Fellows are invited to attend the Symposium. This event is free and open to the University.

For more information about the Symposium, and to attend the webcast, visit the CoE Events page at http://www.drexel.edu/coe/events.asp , or e-mail Katie Gibson kgibson@drexel.edu.

Approved under the authority of Stephen W. Director, Provost

 
Screening with Paul Auster: The Inner Life of Martin Frost

The Sibby Merkel Brasler Lecture Series of Drexel's Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design and the Philadelphia Film Society will host Paul Auster to screen his new film, The Inner Life of Martin Frost, on Wednesday, February 20, 2008, at 7 p.m. at the Ritz 5 Theater (214 Walnut Street).

The Inner Life of Martin Frost, which Auster wrote and directed, originally appeared in an abbreviated narrative form in his best-selling novel Book of Illusions. It is the tale of a writer who seeks inspiration in the country. When he wakes up with a beautiful woman in his bed who turns out to be his muse, he finds himself inspired him to create his best work yet. And when the woman becomes seriously and strangely ill, the writer questions his own perception of reality and sanity. This intimate story within-a-story features only four actors, including Michael Imperioli of The Sopranos and Irene Jacob of Red, and Auster's distinctive gravelly voice provides the film's narration

Following the screening, Drexel film professor Zhenya Kiperman will conduct a question-and-answer session with Auster and the audience. Books by Auster will be available for purchase at the theater, and the writer will sign copies after the session.

Admission is free, but RSVP to westphal@drexel.edu is required.

For more information, contact Karen Conaghan at 215-895-1029 or kac72@drexel.edu

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

 
Diversity Leadership Panel

The University chapters of the National Society of Black Engineers, Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers and Society of Women Engineers as well as the Steinbright Career Development Center will host a panel discussion, "Professional Image and Effective Communication in the Workplace," on Wednesday, February 20, 2008, from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Mitchell Auditorium of the Edmund D. Bossone Research Enterprise Center (Market Street between 31st and 32nd Streets).

Panelists will include management-level engineers from Exelon, Lockheed Martin, MDC Systems Inc., NAVAIR, Northrop Grumman, Rohm & Haas, Schiller & Hirsh Associates, Sprint Nextel & Turner Construction.

Refreshments will be served and attendees will have the opportunity to win door prizes.

For more information, contact Erica Hubbard at elh27@drexel.edu.

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

 
Buzzing for Change Meeting Today

Drexel's chapter of Buzzing for Change (B4C) is sponsoring a one-day program in which participants shave their heads or cut their hair for "Locks of Love." Participants are encouraged to recruit sponsorship for their acts. An informational meeting will be held today, February 19, at 5:30 p.m. in room 307, Matheson Hall (31st and Market Streets).

Complimentary pizza will be served at the meeting.

B4C events support children's cancer charities that work to improve the lives of children living with cancer. B4C at Drexel supports the pediatric oncology department at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

For more information, email Kelsey at kgold@buzzing4change.org

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

 
Retirement Plan Individual Conferences

Human Resources will host individual investment education conferences with The Vanguard Group on the University City Main Campus on Thursday, February 21, 2008, in suite 430, 3201 Arch Street and on the Center City Hahneman Campus on Friday, February 22, 2008, in the HR Office, first floor, Bellet Building (15th and Race Streets) from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Scheduling information and additional dates are available on the Drexel University and DUCOM Web sites.

Drexel University: Retirement Plan http://www.drexel.edu/hr/benefits/IE-IndividualConf.html
DUCOM: Retirement Plan http://www.drexel.edu/admin/hr_hs/benefits/InvestEducation.html

For more information, contact Rhianna Pearl at pearlr@drexel.edu.

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

 
Two Workshops Presented by CEO Today

The Creating Excellent Organizations (CEO) program will offer two workshops today, February 19, 2008:

Pop-Culture Leaders, presented by Commuter Assistants
4 to 5:30 p.m., 2020 MacAlister Hall (33rd and Chestnut Streets)
This workshop will examine the leadership styles of four pop culture leaders who have succeeded in getting their message across to a wider public: J.J Abrams (above left), Tyra Banks (above center), Dane Cook (above right), and J.K. Rowling. Students will learn what makes them leaders and how their individual styles make for effective leadership.

Teambuilding: Energizing a True Impact, presented by Tim Siftar, Information Services Librarian
6 to 7:30 p.m., Myers Hall Tutor Lounge (33rd and Race Streets)
This session will help students learn how to interact with a variety of team builders and develop facilitation skills usable in many situations.
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

 
Department of Chemistry to Present Talk

The Department of Chemistry will present Dr. Gudrun Stengel, division of biological physics, Chalmers University of Technology, who will lecture on "Applications of Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer in Biophysics," on Wednesday, February 20, 2008, at 11 a.m. in room 109, Disque Hall (32nd Street between Market and Chestnut Streets).

For more information, contact Dr. Reinhard Schweitzer-Stenner 215-895-2268, or 215-895-2638.

Approved under the authority of Stephen W. Director, Provost

 
iSchool Colloquium Series Lecture Today

Patricia Verdines, Tecnologico de Monterrey, Mexico, will give a lecture, "Conversation Analysis: Design and Evaluation of CSCL Environments," today, February 19, 2008, at 12:30 p.m. in Room 014, Rush Building (33rd Street, north of Market Street).

This presentation describes a framework for the systematic analysis of the interactions between learners, instructors and content within computer-supported cooperative learning (CSCL) environments. Such analysis can provide both researchers and practitioners with evidence of diverse levels of cognitive activity and knowledge construction, as represented in the participants' discourse.

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 Stephen W. Director, Provost

 
Battling the Winter Blues

Learn how to battle the winter blues with the Counseling Center on Tuesdays from 4 to 5 p.m. in room 226, Creese Student Center (32nd and Chestnut Street).

For more information, call 215-895-1415 or email counseling@drexel.edu.

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

 
CoAS to Present Screening of Faat Kine with Discussion and Dinner

The College of Arts and Sciences will hold a screening of Faat Kiné, followed by a discussion of the film and dinner on Wednesday, February 20, 2008, from 5 to 8 p.m. in the Faculty Club on the sixth floor of MacAlister Hall (33rd and Chestnut Streets). 

This is an opportunity for the University community to examine an influential film by celebrated African director Sembene Ousmane. The film explores themes of the urban middle class and women’s roles in the urban economy. The evening will close with an informal discussion of the film from the interdisciplinary perspectives of the fields of political science, media studies, Africana studies, and women’s studies.

D3 is an ongoing series of discussions on interdisciplinary topics sponsored by the College of Arts and Sciences. D3 events are free, open to all undergraduate students and include a brief performance or film screening, an informal discussion and dinner.

For more information, contact Dr. Rachel Reynolds, at 215-895-0498 or rachel.r.reynolds@drexel.edu.

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

 
SCDC to Present Workshops on Preparing for Interviews

The Steinbright Career Development Center will present Interview Preparation Workshops at the following times this week in the SCDC conference room (3201 Arch Street): 
 
Today, February 19, at 1 p.m.
Wednesday, February 20, at 10 a.m.
Thursday, February 21, at 2 p.m.
Friday, February 22, at 4 p.m.

All students are welcome to attend and no advance sign-up is required. Students should select the workshop that best suits their schedule.

For more information, email Bill Felty at bill.felty@drexel.edu.

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

 
Discussion Today on Hip-Hop Culture and Graffiti Art

The Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design will present a discussion and slide show about hip hop culture and graffiti art with author and filmmaker Henry Chalfant (above) today, February 19, 2008, at 8 p.m. in room 028 of University Crossings (32nd and Market Streets).
 
Chalfant is best known for documenting New York City graffiti in the 1970s and 1980s. One of the foremost authorities on New York subway art, he has published articles and lectured extensively on this and other aspects of urban youth culture. His work is well documented in books such as Subway Art (with Martha Cooper) and Spray Can Art and in films: Style Wars (1984), and the recently released From Mamba to Hip-Hop: A South Bronx Tale, a film that presents the evolution of dance in Latino communities in the South Bronx.

This event is free and open to the public.

For more information, call 215-895-0352 or visit www.drexel.edu/westphal.

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

 
Featured This Week on The Smart Set

The Smart Set from Drexel University is an online publication covering culture and ideas, arts and sciences, global and national affairs — everything from literature to shopping, medicine to food, philosophy to sports.

The Smart Set now features daily news updates from Agence France-Presse (AFP), the oldest news agency in the world, and one of the three largest (with Associated Press and Reuters).

The site updates daily, Monday through Friday, with a mix of columns and features — high-quality writing and photography presented in a broad range of categories including reportage, personal and critical essays, memoirs and stories. The Smart Set is an independent journal supported by Drexel University.

Some of the stories appearing now on The Smart Set include:

• Menckenmania (on his 127th birthday)
• Chess champion Bobby Fischer’s last days
• Marrakesh snake charmers meet animal rights activists

For these and other stories, visit http://www.thesmartset.com.

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

 
This Week at the World Cafe Live

This week, at the World Cafe Live (3025 Walnut Street):

Thursday, February 21, 2008, at 6 p.m.  PhillyCarShare Presents PhillySoundClash
The top six Philly bands (selected from earlier PhillySoundClash entries) will battle it out for the grand prize as Philly’s top local band, voted on by the WCL audience. For more information about this show, visit http://tickets.worldcafelive.com/eventperformances.asp?evt=2297

Saturday, February 23, 2008 at 7:30 p.m. and 11 p.m.  Alo Brasil: Carnival 2008                 
Alo Brasil, consisting of 12 Philadelphia musicians spanning three generations and accompanied by stunningly-costumed dancers, will perform a repertoire rooted in African-influenced rhythms from many different regions of Brazil. A Brazilian buffet dinner will be served for $24 per person at the early show. For more information about this performance, visit http://tickets.worldcafelive.com/eventperformances.asp?evt=679.

For information about tickets and pricing, visit http://tickets.worldcafelive.com.

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

 
Drexel News Media Watch

Ramesh Kajaria, an adjunct professor in the Goodwin College of Professional Studies, is quoted in a PhillyBurbs.com story published on February 18, 2008, about the Academy Awards.
StoryLink - PhillyBurbs.com

Daniel Filler, senior associate dean for academic and faculty affairs and professor in the College of Law, is quoted in a Daily Pennsylvanian story published on February 18, 2008, about a sexual assault case involving a former Penn professor.
StoryLink - Daily Pennsylvanian

Drexel is noted in stories published in The Patriot-News (Harrisburg, Pa.)and Lebanon Daily News (Pa.) on February 18, 2008, for hosting the upcoming FIRST Regional Robotics Competition, which will be held March 27 to 29.
StoryLink - The Patriot-News

Dr. Carol Lippa, professor of neurology and director of the memory disorders program in the Drexel University College of Medicine, is noted in a story published in the Bucks County Courier Times (Levittown, Pa.) on February 17, 2008, about Alzheimer's disease.
StoryLink - Bucks County Courier Times

A USA Today story in which Barry Furrow, professor of law and director of the concentration in health law, is quoted was syndicated in The News Journal (Wilmington, Del.) and Marion Star (Ohio) on February 17, 2008. The story focuses on the reasons for pharmacies' confidential lawsuit settlements.
StoryLink - The News Journal

Domenic Ceccanecchio, senior associate vice president for public safety, commented on WPVI-TV (ABC-6) on February 16, 2008, on the DrexelOne Web portal, which provides instant alert notification capabilities via cell phone text messages during emergencies.

The fifth annual Black History Month Awards Banquet, hosted by the Drexel Chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers, was featured on a WPVI-TV (ABC-6) newscast on February 16, 2008.

Drexel was noted on WFMZ-TV (IND-69) on February 15, 2008, for providing educational programs to Reading Hospital and Medical Center.

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

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