Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Quote of the Day
"The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear."
- Nelson Mandela

Topics of the Day
01. Sustainability Forum at Noon Today: UFood

Topics of the Day
02. Philadelphia Orchestra Simulcast: Mahler’s Symphony of a Thousand
03. Men's Lacrosse to Host Villanova in CAA Tournament Today
04. Pedestrian Traffic in Front of the DAC Temporarily Rerouted
05. MEM Spring Seminar Series Presents: “Synthetic Extracellular Matrix”
06. Dragons Softball Team to Play Final Home Games Today
07. Women’s Ice Hockey Club Caps Championship Season with All-American Awards
08. Community Cleanup Day This Saturday
09. Canned Food Drive for PhilAbundance Ends Today
10. Dragon Summer Program: Become a Student Mentor
11. CoAS and International Area Studies to Present: "United Nations Peace-building and Post-conflict Recovery"
12. Benefits Buzz: "Healthy, Wealthy You!"
13. Three CEO Workshops Today
14. Magnificent Minds to Present: "The Real-life Hitch" Tonight
15. Chemistry to Present “The Protein Folding Problem” Today
16. Senior Design Dinner at the Academic Bistro
17. LeBow College of Business to Present: "Evolving Competitors of the Future"
18. Drexel News Media Watch

 
Sustainability Forum at Noon Today: UFood

The Drexel Committee for Sustainability (Drexel Green) will host a community forum “UFood: Where It Comes From, How It's Served, Where It Goes” today, April 30, 2008 from noon to 1 p.m. at Stein Auditorium, Nesbitt Hall (33rd and Market Streets).

This is the fourth in a series of six community presentations on topics chosen by students that relate to environmental and sustainability issues.

Presenters from Sodexho and the Office of Administrative Services will discuss the University's dining and food services and what Drexel is doing to make them more environmentally respectful.

Pizza and sodas will be provided for all who RSVP to studentlife@drexel.edu.

The Drexel Committee for Sustainability is a task force of students, faculty and staff working in six areas to review and evaluate all aspects of operations, buildings and student life on campus, with the objective of developing a five-year plan to make Drexel a more sustainable environment.

For more information about the Committee for Sustainability, visit www.drexel.edu/green http://www.drexel.edu/green.

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

 
Philadelphia Orchestra Simulcast: Mahler's Symphony of a Thousand

The Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design and Pennoni Honors College will host an HD simulcast of Gustav Mahler’s Symphony of a Thousand on Saturday, May 3, 2008 at 8 p.m. at Mitchell Auditorium in the Edmund D. Bossone Research Enterprise Center (Market Street between 31st and 32nd Streets).

The simulcast is part of The Philadelphia Orchestra’s Global Concert Series and provides a unique opportunity to see this rarely performed classic broadcast live from a sold-out performance at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts in Philadelphia. Mahler’s symphony is described as “half festive church hymn, half romantic fantasy.” The performance is being staged with eight internationally renowned soloists and more than 500 choristers.

The simulcast concert is free for all Drexel students, faculty and staff.

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

 
Pedestrian Traffic in Front of the DAC Temporarily Rerouted

Tents have been set-up on the lawn in front of the Daskalakis Athletic Center for the Earle I. Mack Law School naming event. Normal operations of the DAC will not be affected. The main entrance will remain open during normal hours. However, Public Safety officers will be re-routing all pedestrian traffic around the tents from Wednesday, April 30 at 5 p.m. through Thursday, May 1, 2008 at 4 p.m.

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

 
Men's Lacrosse to Host Villanova in CAA Tournament Today

The nationally ranked men’s lacrosse team will host Villanova in the semifinals of the Colonial Athletic Association Tournament today, April 30, 2008 at 7 p.m. at the Vidas Athletic Complex (43rd Street and Powelton Avenue).

The game pits the top-seeded Dragons, who finished the regular season as CAA co-champions, against the No. 4 seed Villanova, a team the Dragons defeated 10-7 in the regular season finale this past Saturday.

The Dragons finished the season with a 12-3 overall record and a 5-1 mark in conference play to lock up a share of the regular season CAA championship for a second straight year. This will be the Dragons’ third trip to the CAA Tournament and the second year in a row that Drexel has played host to the competition.

There are no advance ticket sales for this game.  All tickets must be purchased at the event. Individual tickets are $5 for adults and free for children under 12. 

Students with a valid I.D. will also receive free admission. Parking for the event is free at the Vidas Athletic Complex.

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

 
MEM Spring Seminar Series Presents: "Synthetic Extracellular Matrix"

The Mechanical Engineering and Mechanics Spring Seminar Series will present “Synthetic Extracellular Matrix as a Tool for Cell Biology and Tissue Engineering” on Friday, May 2, 2008, from 2 to 3 p.m. in the MEM Seminar Room (162 Curtis Hall).

Dr. Hyunjoon Kong (above), assistant professor in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, will discuss the critical roles of the stiffness of ECM-mimic hydrogels and the nanoscale organization of cell adhesion motifs in regulating cell phenotypes, non-viral gene delivery and tissue development.

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

 
Dragons Softball Team to Play Final Home Games Today

The Dragons softball team will take on Fairleigh Dickinson in a doubleheader, its final home games of the 2008 season, today, April 30 at 1 p.m. at the Vidas Athletic Complex (43rd Street and Powelton Avenue).

Parking and admission for the games are free at the Vidas Athletic Complex.

Drexel is playing some of its best softball of the season after splitting a series with Penn and sweeping Towson in a three-game conference series over the weekend. The Dragons are 25-17 on the season and in fourth place in the CAA with a 10-8 record in conference play. Sophomore hurler Breanna Gomez won two of the team’s three games against the Tigers over the weekend and freshman Ellen Boundy saved both of them for her. Junior Sandi Wambold will be going for her 100th career hit. She is four hits shy of becoming the 26th player in Drexel’s history with 100 hits and the third player this season to reach the plateau.

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

 
Women’s Ice Hockey Club Caps Championship Season with All-American Awards

The Women’s Ice Hockey Team, which won the Delaware Valley Collegiate Hockey Conference regular season championship, capped its best season in school history with an announcement that the American Collegiate Hockey Association has named two students, Johnna Holding and Kimberlee Molineaux, Academic All-Americans.

Two additional team members, Michelle Sclafani and Ehren Vigliotti, received honorable mention in the Academic All-American selections.

Earlier this year, Sclafani was named DVCHC Rookie of the Year.

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

 
Community Cleanup Day This Saturday

The University City District will host a Community Cleanup Day on Saturday, May 3, 2008,  beginning at 9 a.m.

Various organizations are coordinating volunteer groups to work in different locations near the University City Main Campus and in other areas of University City.

The Office of Government and Community Relations is seeking student volunteers who can help beautify the Summer/Winter Community Garden located at 33rd and Race Streets.

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

 
Canned Food Drive for PhilAbundance Ends Today

The canned food drive for PhilAbundance, sponsored by the Physician Assistant Class of 2009, ends today, April 30, 2008. All items can be dropped off in the lobby of the New College Building (245 N. 15th Street).

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

 
Dragon Summer Program: Become a Student Mentor

The Dragon Summer Program is offering the opportunity for students to get involved as peer mentors during the 2008 Dragon Summer Program for incoming freshmen.
 
This opportunity will offer students the experience of coaching their peers in the navigation of the University landscape and provide assistance in the teaming process, collaborative communication, social interaction and leadership development.  Not only will student mentors help guide incoming freshmen as they acclimatize to the University, they will also develop their interpersonal, communications and management abilities.   
 
This is a paid position. 
 
Position Requirements:

*2.5 G.P.A. and current sophomore standing
*Approximately 6 to 10 free hours per week during the summer term, 2008

Interested students should submit a written response with name, class standing, major and a brief statement, 250 words or less, explaining their interest and qualifications for a mentoring position. Responses should be submitted by email no later than Wednesday, May 7, 2008 to Tasha Gardner at trg23@drexel.edu.

A Dragon Summer Program coordinator will contact prospective mentors for an interview by Friday, May 9.

Approved under the authority of Stephen W. Director, Provost

 
CoAS and International Area Studies to Present: "United Nations Peace-building and Post-conflict Recovery"

The College of Arts and Sciences will present "United Nations Peace-building and Post-conflict Recovery: Two Tracks Meeting at Infinity?" today, April 30, 2008, from 4 to 6 p.m. in the University Club, on the 6th floor of MacAlister Hall (33rd and Chestnut Streets).

The speaker will be Dirk Salomons, director of the Program for Humanitarian Affairs at the School of International and Public Affairs, Columbia University. Concurrently, he holds an appointment as adjunct professor of international public sector management at the Wagner Graduate School of Public Service at New York University.

From 1970 until 1997, Salomons served in a wide range of management, peace building and policy advisory functions in several organizations of the United Nations system.

Refreshments will be provided.

Approved under the authority of Stephen W. Director, Provost

 
Benefits Buzz: "Healthy, Wealthy You!"

Human Resources will host "Healthy, Wealthy You! Join a Gym, Lose Weight, Get Fit and Receive Cash" today, April 30, 2008 from 2 to 3 p.m. in room 105, Bellet Building (1505 Race Street).

The next Benefits Buzz session, "What Are My Rights Under the Family Medical Leave Act?" will be held on Wednesday, May 7, 2008 at the same time and location.

Benefits Buzz is an informal weekly meeting that answers questions and provides information about Drexel benefits. Human Resources representatives will be available to present information and answer questions from faculty and staff.

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

 
Three CEO Workshops Today

Katie Peoples, director of Fraternity and Sorority Life, will present "Greek History Visited" from noon to 1:30 p.m. in room 2020, MacAlister Hall (33rd and Chestnut Streets).

The first fraternities were founded on Drexel's campus in 1919, and over time fraternities and sororities have helped to shape the evolution of the campus. With members like Bob Buckley, Harold Myers, John Daskalakis, Richard Greenawalt, Ray Westphal, and George Ross, Greek-letter organizations and their members have created lifelong relationships and connections with their alma mater.

This workshop is designed for student organizational leaders and members.

Bob Mattiford, Cintas Corporation, will present "The Power of Positive Thinking" from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in room 2020, MacAlister Hall (33rd and Chestnut Streets).

Having a positive yet realistic view of one's abilities, goals and responsibilities can open up another realm of potential that most people have left untapped. As humans, our thoughts are often controlled by the emotions of those we interact with. It takes mental conditioning to be able to deflect the negative thoughts constantly put in front of us in our day-to-day lives.

Deborah Golder, interim associate dean of students, will present "Leadership for a Changing World" from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in the Myers Hall Tutor Lounge (33rd and Race Streets).

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

 
Magnificent Minds to Present: "The Real-life Hitch" Tonight

Business Services' Magnificent Minds Series and the Drexel University Bookstore will present “Real- life Hitch" with David Coleman (above) today, April 30, 2008, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Stein Auditorium, Nesbitt Hall (33rd and Market Streets).

Coleman, the 2008 National Campus Speaker of the Year, will assist and educate students, faculty and staff with the dating scene, love lives and relationships. Coleman claims to know every pick-up line ever conceived, so attendees should come prepared with their best lines to try out on this real-life Hitch.

Refreshments will be served and Coleman’s most recent book, Date Smart, will be available for purchase.

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

 
Chemistry Department to Present "The Protein Folding Problem" Today

The Department of Chemistry will present "The Unfolded State, the Other Half of the Protein Folding Problem" today, April 30, 2008 at 11 a.m. in room 109, Disque Hall (32nd Street between Market and Chestnut Streets).

Dr. Daniel Raleigh (above), professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, SUNY-Stony Brook, will be the speaker. He will describe how the denatured state of proteins is the starting state for protein folding, the reference state for all protein engineering studies and often the starting state for pathological aggregation. Using the N-terminal domain of L9 (NTL9) as a model system, Dr. Raleigh will demonstrate the presence of cooperative, energetically significant interactions in the denatured state ensemble (DSE) of globular proteins. He will also demonstrate that the DSE can be a target for rational protein design.

This event is open to the public. Refreshments will be served.

Approved under the authority of Stephen W. Director, Provost

 
Senior Design Dinner at the Academic Bistro

The Culinary Arts seniors and the Professional Dining Room Management class will present “A Tour of the Mediterranean” on Thursday, May 1, 2008 with seating beginning at 6:30 p.m. The meal is $25 per person and includes the following items:

Tapas

*Manchego cheese canapés with olives and piquillo peppers
*Skewers with shrimp, asparagus tips, aioli and quail egg
*Stuffed mussels in white sauce
*Roasted vegetables canapés

Appetizer

*Cod salad with tomato, braised Spanish onions, olives, red and green pepper over romaine and baby greens in red pepper vinaigrette

Entrée

*Chicken breast with tri-color homemade fettucini with rosemary and preserved lemon

Dessert

*Ginger custard with blueberry sauce
*Mini chocolate tart with candied orange peel
*French pancakes with flamed apples and caramel sauce

Approved under the authority of Stephen W. Director, Provost

 
LeBow College of Business to Present: "Evolving Competitors of the Future"

LeBow College of Business will present "Evolving Competitors of the Future" with Roy Carriker (above), chairman of Global Advisors LLC, today, April 30, 2008 in the Leonard Pearlstein Business Learning Center (33rd and Market Streets).

The schedule and locations for the event are as follows:

5 to 6 p.m. - VIP reception, 4th floor lobby
6 to 7 p.m. - Discussion, room 102
7 to 8 p.m. - Networking reception, 1st floor lobby

Approved under the authority of Stephen W. Director, Provost

 
Drexel News Media Watch

Dr. Richard Cairncross, associate professor of chemical engineering, commented in a segment April 29, 2008, on KYW1060-AM about the cost-effectiveness of producing ethanol.

The United Press International Web site noted Drexel University April 29, 2008, in an article about the winners of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s People, Prosperity and the Planet competition. The Drexel team proposed a way of producing biodiesel from high fatty acid oils. The story was also featured on TheMoneyTimes.com and WebIndia123.com.
Storylink - United Press International

President Papadakis was noted in an article published in Greek News April 29, 2008, about a recent visit to Philadelphia by John Calamos, Sr., chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Calamos Investments. Calamos, the guest speaker at an event sponsored by the American Hellenic Institute and the Greek American Chamber of Commerce, was introduced by Dr. Papadakis.
Storylink - Greek News Online

The Democratic Presidential Candidates Debate at Drexel was noted in a story published in the People’s Daily (China) April 29, 2008,
Storylink - People's Daily

The Drexel University College of Medicine was noted in a story April 29, 2008, posted to dBusinessNews.com about its affiliate Hahnemann University Hospital of the Tenet Health System receiving the company’s 2008 Circle of Excellence Award.
Storylink - dBusinessNews.com

The College of Nursing and Health Professions was noted April 29, 2008, on the Prudent Press Agency Web site in an article about the fifth annual Bayada Award for Technological Innovation in Nursing Education and Practice. The award, sponsored by brothers Mel and Mark Baiada, recognizes the importance of incorporating technology in nursing for improved patient outcomes.
Storylink - Prudent Press Agency

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

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