Summer 2011 • Volume 4 • Number 2
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Summer 2011 • Volume 4 • Number 2 Radical RESEARCH The Sect Life of Women • Virus Hunters • The Napkin from the President Angelo State University Cover Story Dear Friends: Summer 2011 Vol. 4, No. 2 Radical Research ........................................ 16 16 While hard to believe that time has passed so quickly, June 1st marks the start of my fifth Biochemical research unfolding in ASU’s Department of year at Angelo State University. The experience has been gratifying and exciting, though not Angelo State University Chemistry and Biochemistry is providing insight into some without its challenges. As I noted in a recent article for the San Angelo Standard-Times, our Member, Texas Tech University System of nature’s most debilitating diseases and enhancing the ability to weather the economic and financial challenges now faced by Texas and the nation Board of Regents résumés of chemistry majors. will depend greatly on how we define our institutional strengths over the coming months. We Jerry E. Turner, Chair, Blanco Mickey L. Long, Vice Chair, Midland must be objective about our ability to attract resources – students, faculty, staff and money – in Larry K. Anders, Dallas L. Frederick “Rick” Francis, El Paso Features an environment buffeted by competing demands. To succeed, we must build on our historic John Huffaker, Amarillo strengths while positioning ourselves to adapt to emerging trends and possibilities. Debbie Montford, San Antonio Nancy Neal, Lubbock Virus Hunters .............................................. 20 John Field Scovell, Dallas This issue of the Angelo State University Magazine highlights two of our university’s dis- John D. Steinmetz, Lubbock Working for the Centers for Disease Control, an ASU Jeff Harris, San Angelo tinctive strengths, which will help us to define and adapt to those new trends. First is our alumnus and his wife travel the world looking for what Chancellor the rest of us try to avoid – dangerous viruses. long-standing emphasis on faculty-led research projects that involve undergraduate students in Kent Hance, Lubbock various aspects of the investigative process. This close faculty-student relationship sets ASU 22 Joseph C. Rallo Angelo State University apart from many of our peer institutions and creates a signature program to recruit, retain and President: Dr. Joseph C. Rallo The Sect Life of Women ............................ 22 Provost and Vice President for With her exploration of The Handmaid’s Tale, Molly Swets graduate students. We are now working to strengthen our undergraduate research program Academic Affairs: Dr. Anthony P. Blose and tie it even more directly to the educational expectations set for all of our students. Vice President for Finance and produced an English thesis on fundamentalist religion’s Administration: Michael Reid impact on women. Current events fanned interest in the Vice President for Strategy, Planning Our graduates and their career successes are the second area that has defined ASU for many and Policy: Dr. James M. Limbaugh work, now available on amazon.com. Vice President for Student Affairs and years. As you will read in this issue, our alumni represent a variety of disciplines, careers and Enrollment Management: Dr. Vance R. Valerio The Napkin .................................................. 24 experiences, but each of them credits much of their success to the time they spent at ASU. You Angelo State University Magazine will also see that some stories involve families who have sent successive generations to Angelo The Angelo State University Magazine Who says there’s no such thing as a free lunch? is published three times a year by the ASU State for their education. Our Alumni Association is working diligently to ensure that each Office of Communications and Marketing, Members of the Shaun Barnett family know otherwise, ASU Station #11021, San Angelo, TX 76909-1021; thanks to their Angelo State University connection. graduate stays connected with the university, no matter where they locate after graduation. (325) 942-2248; Fax: (325) 942-2238; [email protected]. This summer will see the further transformation of the campus as our new Student Rec- ASU Magazine Staff reation Center, our Plaza Verde residence hall project and our enhanced green spaces join Editor: Preston Lewis Associate Editor: Tom Nurre Jr. 24 with the Learning Commons in the Porter Henderson Library to support our strategic goal Director of Graphics: Michael Martin Sections Graphic Artist: Bree Walker of becoming a truly residential campus. By building on our institutional strengths, supporting Design Assistant: Leonor Constancio the aspirations of our students and creating avenues for their success after graduation, ASU Photographers: Danny Meyer President’s Message ................................................................. Opposite Tina Doyle is positioning itself for the future. I hope that you will visit the campus to see firsthand the Writers: Roy Ivey Jayna Phinney Along the Mall ........................................................................................4 dynamic effect of these changes for all members of our community. Rebekah Brackin Kevin McCarty Whispering Prohibited … Board Business … High on Higher Ed … Capital Gains … Sincerely, Lindy Zamora Of Mice and Men … Sign of the Times … Open Door Policy … Briefs … Angelo Staters Student Assistants: Ashlea Haney Kimberley Parker Taj Parker Tommy Schield Athletics .................................................................................................27 Polishing the Diamond … New Football Rams … Football Schedule … Sports Briefs Alumni Association Contributors: Kim H. Hunter Melinda Springer Joseph C. Rallo AJ Lopez III Alumni Association...............................................................................32 President Erin M. Whitford Leap of Faith … Joint Venture … Alumni Expansion … Class Notes … In Memoriam … Donors © 2011 Angelo State University On the Cover: Dr. John Osterhout, head of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, and Dr. Edith All Rights Reserved Osborne, assistant professor of biochemistry, are conducting basic laboratory research into the nature of proteins. (Photo by Danny Meyer) Back Cover: The opening of the Learning Commons in the Porter Henderson Library has given the building a new look and a new main entrance at the northwest corner of the facility. (Photo by Danny Meyer) 2 SUMMER 2011 Angelo State University Magazine Angelo State University Magazine SUMMER 2011 3 news ALONG the MALL No longer does silence ring conversation is encouraged and where jaws been refurbished in homage to the 1960s Got a problem with your laptop? Visit peers. Information storage is rapidly moving golden on the first floor of the Porter are dropping by first-time visitors. when the library opened. Most of the tables the information technology service point away from the old paradigm of paper to a Henderson Library. “Many of us,” said library Executive have disappeared, replaced by reading for assistance with troubleshooting or digital medium.” Or, as the first library Director Maurice Fortin, “have heard nooks, study booths and learning pods. configuring your computer. Care to write “The purpose of the Learning Com- newsletter of 2011 stated, comments like ‘Am I still in San Angelo?’ Computer terminals and flat-panel screens, some notes or even graffiti on the wall? mons is to refocus the library as the heart “quietude has been or ‘I never thought I would see something which open a world of digital resources to Check out some dry-erase markers from the of learning on campus by providing a col- downplayed.” So, grab this nice in San Angelo.’ Tour groups of students, faculty and visitors, now dominate Circulation Desk and scribble away on the laborative learning environment that facili- yourself a cup of coffee prospective students and their parents often the first floor. specially coated interior columns. tates student interaction with other students, from the in-library come in the door with the look of ‘why are Gone is the Reference Room, where The changes are the library’s way of faculty, staff, technology and information, Starbucks outlet and we coming to the library?’ By the time they just a few years ago a graduate student adapting not only to the technology of regardless of its format,” Fortin said. chat away with your leave, their attitude towards the library has was asked to leave because his typing on modern information, but also to contem- The Learning Commons strategy seems classmates on your visibly changed to awe and ‘this is a place I a laptop keyboard was disturbing a fellow porary students. to be working. Since the library opened group project. This want to use.’ I have also heard large numbers patron. Gone are most of the reference Said Fortin, “Traditional academic at the start of the spring semester after is the library’s new of parents and alumni say, ‘Why didn’t the books, many re-shelved on the second floor library furniture, layouts, services and work was completed on the $4.38 million, Learning Commons, library look like this when I went to school?’ ” and now available for checkout. Gone is the resources do not match the changing nature 28,000-square-foot renovation project, where digital resources Now the first floor boasts an open Reference Desk, replaced by a Research of 21st-century students and how they attendance has soared. January attendance, have replaced most contemporary look. Stools are called Assistance Desk, emphasizing the