Introduction

This is a special time for Utah State University. The year 2007 portends a bright and promising future for Utah’s land-grant university.

We are grateful to the many donors for the unprecedented generosity during this first year of our comprehensive fund-raising campaign. These gifts reflect tremendous confidence in Utah State University as a top research university with an exciting and solid future.

You will see in this booklet a reflection of some of the great work being done at USU. You will see how our students, both undergraduate and graduate, benefit through hands-on learning.

You will see how educational opportunities are now more accessible to our students than ever before in the history of USU.

These are the stories of Utah State University. They reflect who we are, the strides we are making, and the tremendous reach and impact of USU throughout the world. I am confident that after reading through these stories you will better understand what I mean when I say that this is, indeed, a very special time for Utah State University.

Stan L. Albrecht President

From the Office of the President 2 3

Table of Contents

5 Pond Scum: Fueling Our Future? 7 CDP: 35 Years of Making a Difference 9 USU #1 in Nation for Space Research Funding 11 Fast Food to Fast Track: USU Distance Ed Business Students Excel 13 Understanding Obesity: USU Undergrad Partners with USTAR Researcher to Explore Molecular Process

15 USU’s “Smart Library” Tops List of 101 Best Practices 17 Waterwise: USU is a World Water Leader 19 USU Helping Children with Autism 21 River Whisperer: Intel Scholar Joins Mentor in USU’s Watershed Program 23 USU Ranked in Top 25 of Public Universities in Nation 25 What’s in Your Water? 27 USU Team Keeps it Clean at 2007 Clean Snowmobile Challenge 29 The Yin and Yang of Cell Signaling 31 The Problem of the Uninsured: Is There a Silver Bullet? 33 A Breath of Fresh Air: USU Scientist Studying Ways to Clear up Utah’s Inversion Problem

35 Getting More Information Out of Information: Statistician Adele Cutler Offers In- sights on Facts, Figures and Finding Your Life’s Passion 37 Unique Exchange Gives USU International MBA Students International Perspective 39 Virtual Math Tutor Aiding Students Worldwide: USU Researchers Ready to Market eMATH@USU

41 USU to Unveil Innovative Program for Deaf Children 43 Gearing Up for College 45 Serving Students in Distance Education 47 Life in the Fast Lane 49 An Engineering Innovator 51 Walking Through a Photo: Three-Dimensional Photography Offers Worlds of New Possibilities

53 Gotta’ Have It 55 Summer Break Without Missing a Beat 57 Hands-On Learning 59 A Few Degrees Cooler 61 Uncovering Secrets: The Answer’s in the Books 4 POND SCUM: 63 Young Historian is on the Map Fueling Our Future? 65 Our Backyard 67 They Come to Play 69 Soaring to Success s higher gas prices, larger 71 Pioneers of Progress: Karl White Honored for Worldwide Impact on the Newborn Autility bills and Hearing Screening skyrocketing 73 Lessons from Icarus: Undergrad Physicist Pushes the Limits energy costs plague the nation, 75 Tracking Space Invaders Utah State Univer- 77 Path to Success sity researchers are looking for 79 Exploring What Lies Beneath: USU Geophysicist Connects Deep Fault Movement solutions to ease to Climate Cycles consumer heart- ache while, at the 81 The Scoop on Aggie Ice Cream same time, sustain- 83 Fun Park Physics ing the world. USU researchers (from left) Ron Sims, Lance Seefeldt, Byard Wood and Conly 85 Chemical Reaction Hansen reflected in a solar collector on the roof of USU’s Engineering Building. The researchers, 87 Advancing Diversity funded in part by Seefeldt said usage is predicted to double to 89 Best in the West the Utah Science, Technology and Research Initiative, are working together to come up 26 terawatts by the year 2050. Fossil fuels are 91 Small Satellite Competition Equals Big Money with a secure, clean and sustainable energy expensive, finite and generate greenhouse 93 A Life Changing Experience source. gasses that many believe are harming the environment, said Seefeldt. 95 Art Leads Young Alum Around the Globe “This is perhaps the most important scientific 97 Summer Plunge challenge facing humanity in the 21st “It is obvious that we need to do more century,” said Lance Seefeldt, professor of research,” he said. 99 Research Funding Up chemistry and biochemistry. 101 USU Computer Engineering Student Makes Winning Business Through School Lotteries One of the options USU is working on is what Seefeldt describes as a second-generation 103 The Journalist as Researcher Seefeldt, along with several fellow USU professors, formed the Biofuels Program to solution – that is, taking oil from algae and 105 USU Fall Enrollment Largest in History develop new and emerging technologies converting it to biodiesel fuel. Algae, plainly referred to as pond scum, can produce up to 107 Making a Difference in the World that will produce methane, biodiesel, hydrogen and alcohols from renewable, carbon- 10,000 gallons of oil per acre and can be 109 And For Homework Today... Explore Machu Picchu dioxide-neutral energy sources, such as grown virtually anywhere. 111 Carnegie Professor of the Year 2007 consumer and agricultural waste and sunlight. Biodiesel is a clean and carbon-dioxide- 113 Caught in the Act: USU Biochemists Catch Life-Critical Enzyme in Action neutral fuel that is becoming more popular, 115 Shaky Research Brings Solid Results for USU Engineering Professor “There are several options for solving the but most of the current product comes from world’s energy problem, but at this point, soybean and corn oil. As supply and demand none of them are realistically viable for grows, so does the price of soybeans and long-term use,” said Seefeldt. corn. People and animals rely on soybean and corn as a food commodity, eventually The world today relies on fossil fuels to causing competition between commodities supply much of its energy, and there are and growing enough product. Meeting this currently 13 terawatts of energy used per demand would require the world to use year. A terawatt is 1,000 billion watts, and virtually all of its arable land, said Seefeldt. 5 POND SCUM: Fueling Our Future?

s higher gas prices, larger Autility bills and skyrocketing energy costs plague the nation, Utah State Univer- sity researchers are looking for solutions to ease consumer heart- ache while, at the same time, sustaining the world. USU researchers (from left) Ron Sims, Lance Seefeldt, Byard Wood and Conly Hansen reflected in a solar collector on the roof of USU’s Engineering Building. The researchers, funded in part by the Utah Science, Technology and Research Seefeldt said usage is predicted to double to Initiative, are working together to come up 26 terawatts by the year 2050. Fossil fuels are with a secure, clean and sustainable energy expensive, finite and generate greenhouse source. gasses that many believe are harming the environment, said Seefeldt. “This is perhaps the most important scientific challenge facing humanity in the 21st “It is obvious that we need to do more century,” said Lance Seefeldt, professor of research,” he said. chemistry and biochemistry. One of the options USU is working on is what Seefeldt, along with several fellow USU Seefeldt describes as a second-generation professors, formed the Biofuels Program to solution – that is, taking oil from algae and develop new and emerging technologies converting it to biodiesel fuel. Algae, plainly that will produce methane, biodiesel, hydro- referred to as pond scum, can produce up to gen and alcohols from renewable, carbon- 10,000 gallons of oil per acre and can be dioxide-neutral energy sources, such as grown virtually anywhere. consumer and agricultural waste and sunlight. Biodiesel is a clean and carbon-dioxide- neutral fuel that is becoming more popular, “There are several options for solving the but most of the current product comes from world’s energy problem, but at this point, soybean and corn oil. As supply and demand none of them are realistically viable for grows, so does the price of soybeans and long-term use,” said Seefeldt. corn. People and animals rely on soybean and corn as a food commodity, eventually The world today relies on fossil fuels to causing competition between commodities supply much of its energy, and there are and growing enough product. Meeting this currently 13 terawatts of energy used per demand would require the world to use year. A terawatt is 1,000 billion watts, and virtually all of its arable land, said Seefeldt. 6

USU is currently conducting research on The state of Utah, and especially USU, has algae and plans to produce an algae- positioned itself to be a key player in the biodiesel that is cost-competitive by 2009. future for this type of research thanks to the foresight of the Utah legislature, said The state of Utah sees so much promise in Seefeldt. the research that it has given the USU The research has already set in motion Biofuels Program $6 million for five years several spin-out and industry relationships, through the USTAR program. USTAR makes and one patent has already been issued, highly-selective, strategic investments in with four others pending. research with the potential to benefit Utah’s economy. “We are looking toward the world’s future energy solutions and USU is part of it,” said “This has moved from a purely environmen- Seefeldt. ith a 35th birthday tal issue to a global economics issue,” said party coming in June 2007, Seefeldt. The research takes a tremendous amount of WUSU’s Center for Persons with investment and energy, but the payoffs will Disabilities will celebrate the Sir Nicholas Stern, chief economist for the be worth it, he said. enormous impact it has made World Bank, said that climate change pres- in the lives of people with ents a unique challenge for economics and The team includes Brett Barney, chemistry disabilities, their families and that it has the potential to be the world’s and biochemistry; Jeff Broadbent, nutrition their communities in Utah. greatest and widest ranging market failure and food sciences; Scott Ensign, chemistry ever seen. and biochemistry; Carl Hansen, nutrition CPD remains at the forefront of and food sciences; Conly Hansen, nutrition research, education, technol- “Business as usual will result in a five-to-six- and food sciences and biological and ogy and direct-service support degree warming of the Earth by 2100,” said irrigation engineering; Ron Sims, biological systems. Stern. “This will result in a five to 10 and irrigation engineering; Byard Wood, percent loss in global gross domestic mechanical and aerospace engineering; and “We are proud that we’ve made product, having a direct impact on human Henry Nowak from the USU Technology a significant difference in health and environment.” Commercialization Office. people’s lives for 35 years,” said Sarah Rule, director of the center. “Our goal from the day the doors opened was to improve quality of life, and the Riley Carpenter loved being involved in Top Sports, part partnerships we have devel- of the Up-to-3 Program at CPD. oped throughout the state have had important impacts.” areas,” Rule said. “But our programs are not limited to Utah. In fact, our efforts CPD projects address a broad spectrum of have had positive impacts nationally and disability-related topics such as early inter- internationally.” vention, health care, clinical evaluation, recreation activities, employment, assistive The USU center receives more than 80 technology and web accessibility. The center percent of its funding from external also participates in training students and sources. For every dollar of university professionals, and in conducting basic and funding received by CPD in 2005, more applied research. By combining various than eight additional dollars were gener- disciplines, cutting-edge technology and ated through grants and contracts from research in numerous areas, CPD provides federal, state, local and private agencies. unique education and coordinated service opportunities. These benefit Utah families Some of the major accomplishments and professionals in the field. from last year alone include:

“We focus efforts on the needs in our state, –Major research efforts on improving especially those in rural and underserved service systems, the biological causes of 7

“We focus efforts on the needs in our state, –Major research efforts on improving especially those in rural and underserved service systems, the biological causes of 8 disabilities, and the development of –The CPD provided financial support assistive technologies and software to totaling almost $352,000 to 163 gradu- make electronic information accessible. ate and undergraduate students. More than just a paycheck, support was linked –More than 18,000 hours of training and to experiences that advanced students’ USU #1 IN NATION technical assistance delivered to more understanding of disability issues, than 34,000 people, including those at research and services, and the funding for space research funding state and local human services agencies provided leadership opportunities for USU is home to Space Dynamics Labora- and organizations of people with disabili- many. tory, a unit of the USU Research Founda- ties and their families. tion. The USU Research Foundation is a non-profit research corporation owned by –More than 4.5 million people visited tah State University is the number oneU university in the United States when it the university. SDL’s expertise in the devel- CPD-supported web sites, and 513 library opment of sensors and calibration, small patrons accessed information. comes to funding for space research, taking the lead over other prestigious research satellites and real-time intelligence, has institutions that include Johns Hopkins made it an internationally known organiza- University and Massachusetts Institute of tion in the space arena. Technology. Founded in 1982, SDL engineers and With more than $54.8 million in research scientists have worked closely with USU and development expenditures in 2004, USU students to design and develop many ranks first among all universities in the research experiments flown on the space nation in money spent on aerospace shuttle. SDL works in close collaboration research and development, according to the with USU’s College of Engineering to most recent National Science Foun- identify and secure funding for research dation statistics. The majority of the funding comes from grants, contracts and appropriations.

The top 10 universities in aeronauti- cal research are, in order of their ranking, USU, Johns Hopkins Univer- sity, Georgia Institute of Technology, Wichita State University, Massachu- setts Institute of Technology, Air Force Academy, University of Colo- rado, University of Florida, Texas A&M and University of Maryland.

USU ranks 17th in total engineering research and development expenditures, according to NSF. Overall, USU’s research funding grew by nearly 50 percent from 2000-2004, to more than $150 million. USU’s funding puts it in the top 10 of all non-medical schools in the West. Other major research centers at USU include the Center for Persons with Disabilities, the Utah Agriculture Experiment Station, the USU Ecology Center and the Utah Water Research Laboratory. 10 projects and also provides thousands of irrigation engineering, civil and environ- USU students with hands-on experience mental engineering and engineering in engineering and many other disci- and technology education are involved plines. in space research. FAST FOOD TO “SDL is glad to be part of the important The College of Science is home to the research effort provided by USU to Center for Atmospheric and Space government agencies,” said Michael D. Sciences that involves many areas of FAST TRACK: Pavich, retired major general and direc- physics, in addition to such disciplines as USU Distance Ed Business Students Excel tor of USU’s Space Dynamics Lab. “We engineering, chemistry and meteorology. strive to provide the best value to all The center works closely with instrument those who fund our efforts and will development and data analysis related continue to provide innovative solutions to rocket, satellite and space shuttle and timely support whenever we are projects and projects in experimental new bachelor’s degree in called upon. SDL is proud to be working design and data analysis related to business through Utah State University RegionalA Campuses is giving students like closely with USU in establishing the incoherent-scatter and coherent radars, university’s reputation of excellence in ground-based magnetometer and Kim Stookey the chance to achieve what space science and engineering.” ground-based optical instruments, was impossible before – a degree from including a LIDAR system. USU without having to leave home. The USU colleges of Engineering and Science are both heavily involved in “With the synergy of the Space Dynam- Stookey began the business program at space research, with extensive expertise ics Laboratory and top-notch science USU Tooele Regional Campus in 2004 in the subject. and engineering programs, USU has long after 10 years as restaurant manager at been a leader in aerospace research,” McDonald’s. The College of Engineering houses the said Brent Miller, vice president for Rocky Mountain NASA Space Grant research at USU. “Other USU research “I started the program with no previous Consortium and the Center for Space programs are growing to national college experience,” Stookey said. “With- Engineering, a multi-disciplinary group prominence as well. USU’s College of out distance education, I would have of engineering faculty who are principal Education and Human Services, for never started on a degree.” investigators of programs with strong example, is ranked third in the nation in ties to the Space Dynamics Laboratory. external research funding. USU is also Stookey emphasized that the conve- All departments in the College of Engi- rapidly accelerating the transfer of nience and flexibility of the program do neering, including mechanical and university technology to the public by not come at the expense of quality aerospace engineering, electrical and spinning out more than 12 companies courses and student services. computer engineering, biological and within the past three years.” “The business classes were small, and the The program prepares graduates for professors were accessible,” Stookey said. administrative positions in business, “Most of the business classes were taught government and other entrepreneurial via satellite, and the professors were well careers. The degree provides courses in organized and ready to teach through fundamental areas of business including this method. The staff was outstanding, marketing, accounting, economics, finance and there was always a focus on the and business information systems. Courses highest quality experience for the are offered weeknights each semester via student.” interactive broadcast delivery, enabling non-traditional students working full-or In addition to school and working part- part-time to progress toward completion time, Stookey is involved in student of a degree. government and is the regional campus’ representative on the business council. “Satellite classes allows us to take the She praises her overall college experience necessary courses to the students, instead as “nothing but positive.” She is excited to of requiring them to come to campus,” said continue in her education and plans to Ronda Menlove, vice provost of regional enter USU’s MBA program this fall. campuses and distance education. “Dis- 11 projects and also provides thousands of irrigation engineering, civil and environ- USU students with hands-on experience mental engineering and engineering in engineering and many other disci- and technology education are involved plines. in space research. FAST FOOD TO “SDL is glad to be part of the important The College of Science is home to the research effort provided by USU to Center for Atmospheric and Space government agencies,” said Michael D. Sciences that involves many areas of FAST TRACK: Pavich, retired major general and direc- physics, in addition to such disciplines as USU Distance Ed Business Students Excel tor of USU’s Space Dynamics Lab. “We engineering, chemistry and meteorology. strive to provide the best value to all The center works closely with instrument those who fund our efforts and will development and data analysis related continue to provide innovative solutions to rocket, satellite and space shuttle and timely support whenever we are projects and projects in experimental new bachelor’s degree in called upon. SDL is proud to be working design and data analysis related to business through Utah State University RegionalA Campuses is giving students like closely with USU in establishing the incoherent-scatter and coherent radars, university’s reputation of excellence in ground-based magnetometer and Kim Stookey the chance to achieve what space science and engineering.” ground-based optical instruments, was impossible before – a degree from including a LIDAR system. USU without having to leave home. The USU colleges of Engineering and Science are both heavily involved in “With the synergy of the Space Dynam- Stookey began the business program at space research, with extensive expertise ics Laboratory and top-notch science USU Tooele Regional Campus in 2004 in the subject. and engineering programs, USU has long after 10 years as restaurant manager at been a leader in aerospace research,” McDonald’s. The College of Engineering houses the said Brent Miller, vice president for Rocky Mountain NASA Space Grant research at USU. “Other USU research “I started the program with no previous Consortium and the Center for Space programs are growing to national college experience,” Stookey said. “With- Engineering, a multi-disciplinary group prominence as well. USU’s College of out distance education, I would have of engineering faculty who are principal Education and Human Services, for never started on a degree.” investigators of programs with strong example, is ranked third in the nation in ties to the Space Dynamics Laboratory. external research funding. USU is also Stookey emphasized that the conve- All departments in the College of Engi- rapidly accelerating the transfer of nience and flexibility of the program do neering, including mechanical and university technology to the public by not come at the expense of quality aerospace engineering, electrical and spinning out more than 12 companies courses and student services. computer engineering, biological and within the past three years.” “The business classes were small, and the The program prepares graduates for professors were accessible,” Stookey said. administrative positions in business, “Most of the business classes were taught government and other entrepreneurial via satellite, and the professors were well careers. The degree provides courses in organized and ready to teach through fundamental areas of business including this method. The staff was outstanding, marketing, accounting, economics, finance and there was always a focus on the and business information systems. Courses highest quality experience for the are offered weeknights each semester via student.” interactive broadcast delivery, enabling non-traditional students working full-or In addition to school and working part- part-time to progress toward completion time, Stookey is involved in student of a degree. government and is the regional campus’ representative on the business council. “Satellite classes allows us to take the She praises her overall college experience necessary courses to the students, instead as “nothing but positive.” She is excited to of requiring them to come to campus,” said continue in her education and plans to Ronda Menlove, vice provost of regional enter USU’s MBA program this fall. campuses and distance education. “Dis- 12 tance education programs allow did not take classes on a campus or people to achieve goals they never in-person,” Mathie said. “Over the past six thought they could reach.” weeks of law school, I have met and UNDERSTANDING spoken with many students and realized Michael Mathie, who graduated from my courses and overall degree are no the program through USU Richfield in different from theirs. I earned a bachelor’s May 2006, benefited from the flexibil- degree just like them.” ity of the program. USUOBESITY Undergrad Partners with USTAR Douglas D. Anderson, dean of the College “This undergraduate business of Business, predicts that those who Researcher to Expore Molecular Process program has helped me fulfill educa- graduate through distance education will tional goals that would have been have valuable contributions to make in otherwise impossible, or extremely the workplace. “My first task was helping Dr. York unpack difficult, while working full-time to boxes and set up his lab,” says Burgon. support my family,” Mathie said. “Our programs are accessible and flexible tah State University undergraduate Formerly with Louisiana State University’s but our academic standards are high,” he Andrew Burgon tells family and friends his faculty renowned Pennington Biomedical Research mentor David York is to obesity research what Mathie was positive about the said. “I have great respect for those who U Center, York joined USU in 2006 as one of the director Steven Spielberg is to filmmaking. course availability. push on to get a degree through these first researchers recruited through the Utah programs. I would think employers would Science, Technology and Research Initiative. “I’m incredibly fortunate to be working with “I rarely had trouble filling my sched- also recognize that successful students He’s director of USU’s nascent Center for someone of his stature,” says Burgon, a biology ule with the classes I needed,” he who manage to graduate, working nights Advanced Nutrition, which is focused on major who graduated from Utah’s Logan High exploring the impact of nutrition on such 21st said. “Most students only attend and weekends, are going to have the kind School in 2002. “Not only is he a great thinker, but century plagues as obesity, Type II diabetes and part-time, which makes for easier of entrepreneurial spirit they want to he takes the time to involve me in every aspect of cardiovascular disease. scheduling, but I was still able to fill harness. Those graduates will become the the experimental process.” five straight semesters of full-time leaders in any company. We are honored Burgon, York and research assistant professor credits with classes that began after 5 that we can play a key role in helping Burgon, who hopes to enter medical or dental MieJung Park, are investigating a peptide called school, sought research opportunities through his p.m. Along with those night classes, I them achieve their dreams.” enterostatin that is produced in the brain, advisor, who directed him to York. found several online and print-based pancreas and gastro- courses to fill my schedule. The USU’s bachelor’s degree in business can intestinal tract in business courses were offered be completed through distance educa- response to the frequently enough to take as many, tion centers and regional campuses, ingestion of fat. or as few, as necessary.” Menlove said. Students desiring a special- ized business degree can attend campus “We’ve used microar- During the summer, Mathie moved for as little as two semesters and take the ray genomic his wife and three children to specific courses needed. approaches to identify genes that Moscow, Idaho, where he is attending are regulated and law school. For more information, visit functional pathways http://distance.usu.edu, or contact Joslyn affected by enterosta- “At first, I was worried that I would Heiniger, program advisor, at tin,” says Burgon. not get accepted to law school since I [email protected] or (435) 797- 2272. At each step of the project, says Burgon, York and Park have taught him various experimental processes and techniques and then allowed him to run the experiment.

“They’re so proactive about promoting USU undergraduate researcher Andrew Burgon with faculty mentors David undergraduate York (left) and MieJung Park (center). research,” he says of 13 tance education programs allow did not take classes on a campus or people to achieve goals they never in-person,” Mathie said. “Over the past six thought they could reach.” weeks of law school, I have met and UNDERSTANDING spoken with many students and realized Michael Mathie, who graduated from my courses and overall degree are no the program through USU Richfield in different from theirs. I earned a bachelor’s May 2006, benefited from the flexibil- degree just like them.” ity of the program. USUOBESITY Undergrad Partners with USTAR Douglas D. Anderson, dean of the College “This undergraduate business of Business, predicts that those who Researcher to Expore Molecular Process program has helped me fulfill educa- graduate through distance education will tional goals that would have been have valuable contributions to make in otherwise impossible, or extremely the workplace. “My first task was helping Dr. York unpack difficult, while working full-time to boxes and set up his lab,” says Burgon. support my family,” Mathie said. “Our programs are accessible and flexible tah State University undergraduate Formerly with Louisiana State University’s but our academic standards are high,” he Andrew Burgon tells family and friends his faculty renowned Pennington Biomedical Research mentor David York is to obesity research what Mathie was positive about the said. “I have great respect for those who U Center, York joined USU in 2006 as one of the director Steven Spielberg is to filmmaking. course availability. push on to get a degree through these first researchers recruited through the Utah programs. I would think employers would Science, Technology and Research Initiative. “I’m incredibly fortunate to be working with “I rarely had trouble filling my sched- also recognize that successful students He’s director of USU’s nascent Center for someone of his stature,” says Burgon, a biology ule with the classes I needed,” he who manage to graduate, working nights Advanced Nutrition, which is focused on major who graduated from Utah’s Logan High exploring the impact of nutrition on such 21st said. “Most students only attend and weekends, are going to have the kind School in 2002. “Not only is he a great thinker, but century plagues as obesity, Type II diabetes and part-time, which makes for easier of entrepreneurial spirit they want to he takes the time to involve me in every aspect of cardiovascular disease. scheduling, but I was still able to fill harness. Those graduates will become the the experimental process.” five straight semesters of full-time leaders in any company. We are honored Burgon, York and research assistant professor credits with classes that began after 5 that we can play a key role in helping Burgon, who hopes to enter medical or dental MieJung Park, are investigating a peptide called school, sought research opportunities through his p.m. Along with those night classes, I them achieve their dreams.” enterostatin that is produced in the brain, advisor, who directed him to York. found several online and print-based pancreas and gastro- courses to fill my schedule. The USU’s bachelor’s degree in business can intestinal tract in business courses were offered be completed through distance educa- response to the frequently enough to take as many, tion centers and regional campuses, ingestion of fat. or as few, as necessary.” Menlove said. Students desiring a special- ized business degree can attend campus “We’ve used microar- During the summer, Mathie moved for as little as two semesters and take the ray genomic his wife and three children to specific courses needed. approaches to identify genes that Moscow, Idaho, where he is attending are regulated and law school. For more information, visit functional pathways http://distance.usu.edu, or contact Joslyn affected by enterosta- “At first, I was worried that I would Heiniger, program advisor, at tin,” says Burgon. not get accepted to law school since I [email protected] or (435) 797- 2272. At each step of the project, says Burgon, York and Park have taught him various experimental processes and techniques and then allowed him to run the experiment.

“They’re so proactive about promoting USU undergraduate researcher Andrew Burgon with faculty mentors David undergraduate York (left) and MieJung Park (center). research,” he says of 14 his mentors. “It’s really cool to have these Before selecting Utah State as his college hands-on experiences and be a part of an destination, Burgon considered another school important project.” that touted teaching over research. USU’S ‘SMART LIBRARY’ Over the course of the study, Burgon has “Because they are a non-research institution, been introduced to phase contrast and they claimed I would receive more attention TOPS LIST OF 101 fluorescent microscopy used in conjunction from professors whose only responsibility was with immunohistochemistry. teaching,” he says. “But I can’t imagine a setting where I’d receive more personalized learning BEST PRACTICES “These are lab processes and techniques than USU. I would have missed so much if I that you simply can’t learn in the classroom,” hadn’t ventured outside the classroom and Merrill-Cazier Library Lauded in “Smart he says. into the lab.” Classroom” Category The team’s study shows that enterostatin Hands-on research offers lessons that can’t be regulates dietary fat intake by inhibiting the learned from a textbook, says Burgon. release of a protein that slows an organism’s appetite for fat. “Dr. York and Dr. Park have taught me how to approach problems, design experiments and ampus Technology, a “This is cutting-edge research,” says Burgon. the tools to pursue answers,” he says. “It’s a CaliforniCa-based publication, lists “We’re literally discovering molecular privilege, for sure.” the 101 best practices in three processes. We’re part of discoveries that areas — smart classrooms, connec- have implications for controlling obesity, tivity and administrative informa- cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s disease – tion technology — and Utah State discoveries that could be society-changing.” University tops the list in the smart Along with York and Park, Burgon is publish- classroom category. ing the results of the study and plans to present the research at an upcoming Make that Utah State University’s professional meeting. “Smart Library” that tops the list of 101 best practices. Following Utah “This is an extraordinary opportunity for me State University’s number one as an undergrad,” says Burgon. “I’m learning ranking is Harvard at number two so much. Plus, it will look really good on my for enhancing classroom technol- application when I’m ready to apply for ogy for teaching and learning. professional school.” “Since we introduced this special 101 Best Practices issue back in December 2005, we’ve come to see that the spark of a good idea is USU’s Vice Provost for Libraries Linda Wolcott. indeed a very powerful thing,” said Katherine Grayson, editor-in-chief at Campus Slobodan Mikolic, a junior majoring in engineer- Technology. “All year long, we here at Campus ing, likes the library’s computers. Technology delve into the nitty-gritty of what makes a technology initiative work and return “There are a lot of computers there and the real benefits to its user community and its library is close to my classes and it is quiet,” he institution.” said. “It is like my home. I practically live there.”

It seems that the Merrill-Cazier Library has The Merrill-Cazier Library replaced the older technology that is returning real benefits. That Merrill Library, portions of which opened in 1930, technology adds to the overall academic experi- with “modern” additions made in the 1970s. The ence at Utah State University, allowing students new Merrill-Cazier Library opened with the to do just a little bit more, a little bit faster, with 2005-06 academic year. It not only uses technol- more ease. That contributes to academic success. ogy to retrieve information from the library catalog, but also retrieves the books themselves, “The library houses really advanced technology Campus Technology notes in its acknowledge- that most universities don’t have,” said Alexa ment. Harris, a sophomore nursing major. “It has many resources, including course reserves and Utah State’s library was first highlighted in journals.” Campus Technology in a news brief creatively 15 his mentors. “It’s really cool to have these Before selecting Utah State as his college hands-on experiences and be a part of an destination, Burgon considered another school important project.” that touted teaching over research. USU’S ‘SMART LIBRARY’ Over the course of the study, Burgon has “Because they are a non-research institution, been introduced to phase contrast and they claimed I would receive more attention TOPS LIST OF 101 fluorescent microscopy used in conjunction from professors whose only responsibility was with immunohistochemistry. teaching,” he says. “But I can’t imagine a setting where I’d receive more personalized learning BEST PRACTICES “These are lab processes and techniques than USU. I would have missed so much if I that you simply can’t learn in the classroom,” hadn’t ventured outside the classroom and Merrill-Cazier Library Lauded in “Smart he says. into the lab.” Classroom” Category The team’s study shows that enterostatin Hands-on research offers lessons that can’t be regulates dietary fat intake by inhibiting the learned from a textbook, says Burgon. release of a protein that slows an organism’s appetite for fat. “Dr. York and Dr. Park have taught me how to approach problems, design experiments and ampus Technology, a “This is cutting-edge research,” says Burgon. the tools to pursue answers,” he says. “It’s a CaliforniCa-based publication, lists “We’re literally discovering molecular privilege, for sure.” the 101 best practices in three processes. We’re part of discoveries that areas — smart classrooms, connec- have implications for controlling obesity, tivity and administrative informa- cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s disease – tion technology — and Utah State discoveries that could be society-changing.” University tops the list in the smart Along with York and Park, Burgon is publish- classroom category. ing the results of the study and plans to present the research at an upcoming Make that Utah State University’s professional meeting. “Smart Library” that tops the list of 101 best practices. Following Utah “This is an extraordinary opportunity for me State University’s number one as an undergrad,” says Burgon. “I’m learning ranking is Harvard at number two so much. Plus, it will look really good on my for enhancing classroom technol- application when I’m ready to apply for ogy for teaching and learning. professional school.” “Since we introduced this special 101 Best Practices issue back in December 2005, we’ve come to see that the spark of a good idea is USU’s Vice Provost for Libraries Linda Wolcott. indeed a very powerful thing,” said Katherine Grayson, editor-in-chief at Campus Slobodan Mikolic, a junior majoring in engineer- Technology. “All year long, we here at Campus ing, likes the library’s computers. Technology delve into the nitty-gritty of what makes a technology initiative work and return “There are a lot of computers there and the real benefits to its user community and its library is close to my classes and it is quiet,” he institution.” said. “It is like my home. I practically live there.”

titled “Technology ‘Til the Cows Come Home,” and then go and get it,” she said. “It works well an affectionate reference to the Aggie for the students as well. I put items on electronic heritage and the campus name for the reserve and the students can access it anytime retrieval system, “the barn.” they want. I tell my students to go find a sunny corner to sit and think — the library has excel- The barn houses a system of robotic stacks, 85 lent spaces like that too.” WATERWISE: feet high, 60 feet wide and 120 feet long. It USU is a World Water Leader locates requested materials among the 1.5 The technology makes the library cutting-edge, million volumes and speeds them to patrons at but the physical space — those sunny corners a rate of 328 feet per minute — that’s 3.7 miles — make it the place to be. per hour, Campus Technology stated in the announcement. “The Merrill-Cazier Library has become the hub of learning on campus, providing the resources, All agree that the space-saving systems allows access to technology and flexible study environ- for many years of collection development. ments that support the way students learn ater is a key factorW of life in the arid today,” said USU’s Vice Provost for Libraries Linda Douglas Jackson-Smith, an associate professor Wolcott in the Campus Technology announce- West and since Utah in the Department of Sociology, Social Work ment. State University’s and Anthropology misses the old library but beginning in 1888, finds the advantages in the new. In its introduction, Campus Technology asks water has been a key what makes a classroom “smart?” research focus. In “I miss the shelves and understand the space December of 1965, issues, but I like the electronic elements in the “Presentation technologies such as projectors, when the university library now too,” he said. “It saves time and document cameras and LCD panels clearly fit dedicated its new Utah allows more access to scientific journals.” the bill, but when you consider other technologies for teaching, learning and developing Water Research Labora- Fellow faculty member Cathy Bullock, an content, the possibilities become limited only by tory, USU took its place assistant professor in the Department of the boundaries of an institution’s innovation.” as one of the world’s Journalism and Communications, had some leading water research early concerns. Utah State University is proud that the technol- universities in the nation. “At first, I had reservations about the barn, but ogy incorporated into the new Merrill-Cazier after the library opened I found it to be easy Library has been nationally ranked. It’s some- The lab, which celebrated its 40th birthday In Utah, researchers from the UWRL are and convenient — you just put in your order thing USU students already knew. in 2006, works on nearly 250 water-related working on water management projects projects a year and has an annual budget in the Virgin River Basin and Sevier River. nearing $10 million. With projects in all of Researchers are also looking to help Utah’s 29 counties and more than 40 inter- solve Utah’s air quality problems. The lab national countries, the lab has become one sends water experts on-location to of the go-to places that addresses the countries around the world in need of technical and societal aspects of water- water expertise, and many people travel related issues, including quality, quantity to the Logan facility for training on dam and distribution of water. safety and hydraulics.

Located on the Logan River at the mouth of “Because of our unique location, we are Logan Canyon, the UWRL was one of the first able to divert the entire Logan River right water labs in the nation and, according to through our building to study hydrau- Director Mac McKee, it is the most diverse. lics,” said McKee.

“Our work makes an impact, not only here in The water lab was the vision of Dean F. Utah, but around the world,” said McKee. “We Peterson, dean of the College of Engi- offer such a diverse range of services that neering in the late 1950s and George we are able to help people in all facets of Dewey Clyde, former governor of Utah. life. But there is no greater satisfaction than Clyde supported the idea for the water working in a remote village and seeing a lab and, according to Peterson, made the smile on someone’s face as they receive enterprise possible. In his honor the water from a tap for the first time.” UWRL is housed in the George Dewey Clyde building. 17

The UWRL has employed numerous profes- water hydrology, hazardous and toxic sionals over the years, many who dedicated waste remediation, public lands planning themselves to their work, but it is Betty and management, on-site wastewater Hansen who best exemplifies this. Hansen, treatment training, water quality engi- an office assistant, began working at the neering, dam safety risk management and UWRL in 1965. She retired in December water resources planning and manage- USU HELPING 2005 after 40 years of hard work. ment. Children with Autism For more information about the UWRL, The lab is part of USU’s College of Engi- Thomas Higbee, director of visit neering and offers services in natural USU’s Autism Support http://www.engineering.usu.edu/uwrl/. systems engineering, air quality analysis, Services, spent more than water and science education, environ- 10 years researching and mental management, hydraulics, surface developing cutting-edge ideas that sparked the birth of the ASSERT program. Research has shown that children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) do not learn readily in typical environments, so Higbee fashioned an atmosphere ideally constructed for ASD treatment.

ASSERT provides consultation services and curriculum to school districts throughout Utah and its utism is the fastest growing surrounding regions. Higbee and his disabilityA in the United States, and public graduate students frequently visit sites in school systems are trying to catch up. One Weber and Washington county school out of every 166 children is diagnosed with districts to provide in-depth training and autism, making it more common than ensure that students are getting the best pediatric cancer, diabetes and AIDS com- instruction possible. bined. “The hard work has really paid off, and we Early intervention is key to helping children have seen dramatic positive changes in with autism, and the ASSERT program at our students,” said Higbee. Utah State University serves as the training grounds for the educators who will make a This individualized educational program difference in Utah’s school districts. The has been improving the lives of children program offers children a chance to receive with ASD since 2003. What started as a help at a young age. 10-week summer course has become a highly-successful year-round preschool The Autism Support Services: Education, program that continues to revolutionize Research, and Training (ASSERT) program at the way children with autism are USU is a state-of-the-art preschool program educated. that uses research-based techniques to address the individual needs of autistic Fawn Rigby’s four-year-old son Zac is a children. USU’s pioneer site has opened the student in the ASSERT program. This doors to a new world for children with education has affected young Zac’s life autism and is a model training classroom for dramatically, his mother said, and she is professionals in the Intermountain region. enthusiastic about ASSERT. 19

“It’s amazing,” Rigby said. “ASSERT has Through ASSERT training, professionals given Zac the personal attention he are able to learn behavioral intervention needed. After just a few months, the techniques and demonstrate knowledge progress I’ve seen in him is remarkable.” of behavior principles and how to apply RIVER WHISPERER: them. Educators in Weber County are also Intel Scholar Joins Mentor in USU’s Higbee is excited with the outcome of the showing the same significant positive program and the positive changes in changes. Watershed Program the students. Recipients of the prestigious award “I have seen a tremendous amount of have gone on to become Nobel “The life-changing improvements we growth in each child, and I attribute it to laureates, National Medal of Science have expected from our students are the intensive individual programs that are winners and MacArthur Foundation happening,” Higbee said. implemented daily,” a teacher from Weber fellows. School District said. The impact on the students and signifi- During a whirlwind of activities cant changes can be credited to the ASSERT also provides training to school surrounding Intel’s awards intense training and professional caliber district personnel on effective educational ceremony in Washington, D.C., where she had the opportunity to of the instructors. Graduate and under- and behavioral strategies for students meet President Bush, Babb was graduate students at USU can apply to with autism. ASSERT continues to help invited to publicly thank one work in the program and earn either students after preschool and throughout person who helped her achieve university credit or compensation while their experience in the public education success. Babb chose Mesner. learning how to effectively teach students system. with ASD. “I chose Nancy Mesner because, as a For more information on USU’s ASSERT woman scientist, she was a positive Higbee said the ASSERT program, visit http://sped.usu.edu/ASSERT/. role model for me and introduced success comes from the me a host of learning opportunities rigorous training and in watershed science – the start of an amazing journey,” she says. satellite program. USU’s ASSERT classroom serves Babb, who graduated with multiple as a training site for honors from American Fork High current and future special School in 2006 and was sought by numerous education teachers and universities around the country, chose Utah professionals in related State as her college destination. fields such as psychology day of river wading, examining aquatic “USU’s Watershed Sciences Department is one and speech pathology. Alife and learning water testing skills yielded a of the few of its kind in the world,” she says. longtime mentoring relationship between a Utah “A big part of our students’ State University professor and a budding teen Nowadays, Babb, who wields the tools of her success is due to our scientist, who has garnered impressive awards in trade – a kick net, a turbidity tube and a national and international science competitions. collaboration with ASSERT,” dissolved oxygen testing kit – with familiar said one aide at a Washing- ease, has a curriculum vitae rivaling those of Aggie freshman Shannon Babb and Nancy Mesner, ton County Preschool. “The doctoral candidates. Since her initial meeting associate dean of USU’s College of Natural staff training and continual with Mesner, she’s conducted exhaustive Resources, met when Babb, then a middle school on-site visits have been vital research on four rivers that flow into and out student, participated in a watershed science in keeping our staff quali- of Utah Lake – studies that workshop Mesner led for USU Water Quality have captured the attention of water scien- fied to serve our students.” Extension. tists, government water professionals and legislators. In the ensuing years, the two stayed in touch as Babb, who was named the 2006 Intel Science Her six-month longitudinal study, Troubled Scholar and three-time state winner of the Stock- Waters, in which she determined causes of holm Junior Water Prize, sought guidance from pollution in Utah’s Spanish Fork River and Mesner and conducted water research projects in identified remediation strategies, won her the her Utah County community. Intel prize. From May through October 2003, “Intel’s science talent search is like the holy grail in Shannon and her father awoke at 4 a.m. youth science research,” says Babb, of the prize that several days a month to perform chemical, carries a $100,000 college scholarship. 21

According to the editors of “Washington Monthly,” unlike other rankings, “this guide asks not what colleges can do for you, but what colleges are doing for the country.” tutes the “best” schools. “We asked Their rankings focus on determining which ourselves: what are reasonable indicators U.S. colleges make the best use of tax of how much a school is benefiting the dollars and produce graduates that help country?” the country maintain a competitive edge in a global economy. The publication said it came up with three main indicators: how well a college “Looking at universities from this unique performs as an engine of social mobility, perspective provides new insights into how well it fosters scientific and humanis- those American colleges — like Utah State tic research, and how well it promotes an University — that are quietly amassing ethic of service to the country. remarkable achievements,” said Raymond Coward, USU executive vice president and There is a good reason for the “American provost. fixation” with rankings, according to “Washington Monthly” editors. “If done “Since coming to USU, I have been correctly, they can help tell us what’s impressed with the notable achievements working and what’s not,” they wrote. “Of of our faculty, staff and students,” Coward course universities ought to be judged. said. “This national ranking provides still The key is judging the right things.” further affirmation of the extraordinary achievements that happen each day on our “Based on these criteria, USU outperforms campus.” some of its more prominent and notable public university rivals,” Coward said. The ranking system, according to “Wash- ington Monthly” editors, starts with a USU also has achieved high marks in other different assumption about what consti- rankings. For example, when comparing 23 physical and biological tests at sites on the Along the way, says Babb, Mesner has helped river’s primary tributaries, Thistle Creek, her secure equipment, locate sources and Soldier Creek and the Diamond Fork River, as interpret results. Mesner, she says, set her USU RANKED IN well as sites upstream and downstream from straight when she misidentified a species of the city of Spanish Fork. aquatic invertebrate or got a false reading because she had taken a sample at the wrong This past year, Babb completed a yet-to-be- time of day. TOP 25 OF PUBLIC published study, Deadly Waters: A Twelve- Month Water Quality Study of a Newly Many have asked Mesner how she mentored Universities in Nation Erupted Sulfur Spring and its Longitudinal Babb. “I always answer, ‘What Shannon’s Effect on Diamond Fork Creek. Her study accomplished, she’s done herself,’” says reveals the source of milky white hydrogen Mesner, who serves as associate professor of sulfide in a Spanish Fork River tributary. Last water quality and program leader for USU summer, she presented her findings to a rapt Natural Resources Extension. “My job is simply he September audience of members of the Water Environ- to plant a lot of little intellectual seeds and 2006 issue of “Washing- ment Association of Utah. provide a little nourishment along the way.” Tton Monthly” ranks Utah State University in the top 25 public colleges in the nation and among the top 50 public or private universities in America.

According to the editors of “Washington Monthly,” unlike other rankings, “this guide asks not what colleges can do for you, but what colleges are doing for the country.” tutes the “best” schools. “We asked Their rankings focus on determining which ourselves: what are reasonable indicators U.S. colleges make the best use of tax of how much a school is benefiting the dollars and produce graduates that help country?” the country maintain a competitive edge in a global economy. The publication said it came up with three main indicators: how well a college “Looking at universities from this unique performs as an engine of social mobility, perspective provides new insights into how well it fosters scientific and humanis- those American colleges — like Utah State tic research, and how well it promotes an University — that are quietly amassing ethic of service to the country. remarkable achievements,” said Raymond Coward, USU executive vice president and There is a good reason for the “American provost. fixation” with rankings, according to “Washington Monthly” editors. “If done “Since coming to USU, I have been correctly, they can help tell us what’s impressed with the notable achievements working and what’s not,” they wrote. “Of of our faculty, staff and students,” Coward course universities ought to be judged. said. “This national ranking provides still The key is judging the right things.” further affirmation of the extraordinary achievements that happen each day on our “Based on these criteria, USU outperforms campus.” some of its more prominent and notable public university rivals,” Coward said. The ranking system, according to “Wash- ington Monthly” editors, starts with a USU also has achieved high marks in other different assumption about what consti- rankings. For example, when comparing 24 the receipt of federal support for ideals at the core of our vision as a univer- research, Utah State is ranked in the top sity — that is, service to the nation, oppor- 20 among land grant universities in the tunity through education, and fostering nation and in the top 100 public or scientific and humanistic research. We are WHAT’S IN YOUR private universities in America. proud of those characteristics, and we are pleased that others have recognized us for Similarly, USU’s College of Education and our excellence in these areas.” Human Services is among the top-ranked graduate programs in the nation in the In its ranking methodology, “Washington WATER?USU-led lake monitoring program inspires young latest “U.S. News and World Report” ratings Monthly” established two primary goals. — finishing third in the nation in terms of First, no single category was deemed more scientists while helping environment funded research dollars generated. Finally, important than another. Second, the final in 2004, “Consumer Digest” ranked USU No. rankings reflected excellence across the 6 in the nation for “Best Value.” full breadth of the measures.

“Utahans have much to be proud of at The “Washington Monthly” rankings are at: ach time Doug Andersen Utah State,” Coward said. “This most http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/ Elistens to his 12-year-old son, recent national recognition is especially features/2006/0609.national.html Konnor, describe his lake monitoring appreciated because it is based on several activities to curious friends, family members and strangers, he hears growing confidence in the youngster’s voice.

“It’s been fun to see Konnor’s responses grow in length and detail as he gains understanding in what he’s doing,” says Andersen, a Utah State University alum who is a broadcast journalist with KPVI-TV in Pocatello, Idaho.

Konnor is one of more than 30 water enthusiasts in 15 Utah counties who have been offering a few hours of their leisure time to monitor the health of the state’s lakes and reservoirs. Led by the Utah State University’s Water Quality Extension group, the volunteers are providing the Utah Division of Water Quality Watershed Sciences Student Kaisi Baron with valuable information about the condition of Utah’s waters. known as Utah Lake Watch. “We’ve had a great response from the public,” says Baron. “Data collected by the volunteers is used in “Last year, we successfully monitored 20 mandatory assessment reports that we submit lakes and reservoirs. This year, we’re monitor- to the Environmental Protection Agency,” says ing 30 sites.” Theron Miller, environmental scientist with the UDWQ. “The more data we receive, the more The monitoring procedure involves lowering accurate our reports can be.” a device called a Secchi disk, invented in the 1860s by Italian astrophysicist Pietro Angelo Kaisi Baron, a USU undergraduate watershed Secchi, into the water and recording the sciences major, serves as coordinator of the depth of its vanishing point. About eight five-year-old volunteer monitoring program, inches in diameter, the flat disk, which is 26 suspended on a retractable tape measure, is “I wish we had more personnel to send out and painted in alternating black and water take measurements, but we simply don’t have quadrants for high visibility. Readings the resources,” says Miller. “The information that provide a standardized measurement of volunteers are gathering for us is extremely water clarity. valuable.” USU TEAM “It’s a simple procedure – it takes just a few Konnor thinks it’s important for volunteers to minutes to perform,” says Baron. “It’s an easy, participate in projects like Utah Lake Watch. KEEPS IT CLEAN fun volunteer activity and a good excuse to do something good for the environment.” “(Bear Lake) is a good lake, lots of fun and I At 2007 Clean Snowmobile Challenge would like my kids to be able to visit it, too,” he Secchi measurements enable water scien- says. tists to monitor the water’s turbidity or cloudiness caused by suspended or Adds his dad, Doug, “Public education is an or those who like their snow machines to dissolved material, says Baron. The amount important element of taking care of the lake. beF seen and not heard, there’s plenty to cheer of turbidity, usually caused by sediment, Water is increasing in demand, especially clean, about in a Utah State University electric snow- phytoplankton, decaying leaves or plants or plentiful sources in the West. For a myriad of mobile that competed in the eighth annual a combination of these, is a key indicator of reasons it’s important we take care of what is in Clean Snowmobile Challenge in Michigan in the water’s ability to sustain aquatic plant our own backyard.” mid-March. and animal life. From snowmobiling to skiing, wintertime Volunteer Konnor says he’s learned “lots” outdoor recreation is big business and a group of from taking readings in Bear Lake, which USU engineering students want to be a part of it. straddles the border of Utah and Idaho. “You The USU snowmobile was one of only four can see about five meters into the water, electric snowmobiles to compete in the compe- about 15 feet. The wind blows a lot,” he says. tition, while the remaining 12 competitors were “Pollution changes the clearness of the gas powered. water. Same for the water level, which can go up when it rains or receives runoff. It goes “What started out as a typical 2005 Yamaha down through evaporation. And farmers Vector snowmobile turned into a clean and quiet taking their share of the water. And animals battery-powered machine,” said Ashley Kelly, drinking out of it.” team leader and senior mechanical and aerospace engineering student. Andersen says participation in the project has ignited his son’s enthusiasm for science. The Clean Snowmobile Challenge was started by the Society of Automotive Engineers as an effort “Kaisi (Baron) has been a big help in this to build environmentally friendly machines that regard, really instilling excitement and will meet the 2012 federal emissions standards. Ashley Kelly confidence in Konnor from the first time we SAE challenged students to take a stock snow- met,” he says. mobile and reengineer it to reduce emissions weigh only 600 pounds. The sled relies on 12 and noise while maintaining or improving car batteries and tops out at a speed of 29 As the cadre of Utah Lake Watch volunteers performance. miles-per-hour. The team said they would have grows and data is banked, the state of Utah “After attending the competition, I was really liked to have used a lithium ion battery at a will have increasingly accurate information impressed with our snowmobile because we cost of $6,000, but the funds weren’t there. from which to observe trends. made it what it is,” said Kyle Hanson, team member and senior engineering student. “We “As better battery technologies become did all the design and analysis work with help available I can see electric snowmobiles from our faculty mentor Byard Wood and that becoming the way of the future for several really contributed to our learning experience.” reasons,” said Mat Brown, team member and senior engineering student. “The advantages of The USU snowmobile is a utility vehicle that isn’t an electric snowmobile include zero on-site quite ready for recreational use — it weighs emissions as well as a considerably quieter nearly 1,000 pounds, while traditional sleds motor than a conventional snowmobile.” 27 suspended on a retractable tape measure, is “I wish we had more personnel to send out and painted in alternating black and water take measurements, but we simply don’t have quadrants for high visibility. Readings the resources,” says Miller. “The information that provide a standardized measurement of volunteers are gathering for us is extremely water clarity. valuable.” USU TEAM “It’s a simple procedure – it takes just a few Konnor thinks it’s important for volunteers to minutes to perform,” says Baron. “It’s an easy, participate in projects like Utah Lake Watch. KEEPS IT CLEAN fun volunteer activity and a good excuse to do something good for the environment.” “(Bear Lake) is a good lake, lots of fun and I At 2007 Clean Snowmobile Challenge would like my kids to be able to visit it, too,” he Secchi measurements enable water scien- says. tists to monitor the water’s turbidity or cloudiness caused by suspended or Adds his dad, Doug, “Public education is an or those who like their snow machines to dissolved material, says Baron. The amount important element of taking care of the lake. beF seen and not heard, there’s plenty to cheer of turbidity, usually caused by sediment, Water is increasing in demand, especially clean, about in a Utah State University electric snow- phytoplankton, decaying leaves or plants or plentiful sources in the West. For a myriad of mobile that competed in the eighth annual a combination of these, is a key indicator of reasons it’s important we take care of what is in Clean Snowmobile Challenge in Michigan in the water’s ability to sustain aquatic plant our own backyard.” mid-March. and animal life. From snowmobiling to skiing, wintertime Volunteer Konnor says he’s learned “lots” outdoor recreation is big business and a group of from taking readings in Bear Lake, which USU engineering students want to be a part of it. straddles the border of Utah and Idaho. “You The USU snowmobile was one of only four can see about five meters into the water, electric snowmobiles to compete in the compe- about 15 feet. The wind blows a lot,” he says. tition, while the remaining 12 competitors were “Pollution changes the clearness of the gas powered. water. Same for the water level, which can go up when it rains or receives runoff. It goes “What started out as a typical 2005 Yamaha down through evaporation. And farmers Vector snowmobile turned into a clean and quiet taking their share of the water. And animals battery-powered machine,” said Ashley Kelly, drinking out of it.” team leader and senior mechanical and aerospace engineering student. Andersen says participation in the project has ignited his son’s enthusiasm for science. The Clean Snowmobile Challenge was started by the Society of Automotive Engineers as an effort “Kaisi (Baron) has been a big help in this to build environmentally friendly machines that regard, really instilling excitement and will meet the 2012 federal emissions standards. Ashley Kelly confidence in Konnor from the first time we SAE challenged students to take a stock snow- met,” he says. mobile and reengineer it to reduce emissions weigh only 600 pounds. The sled relies on 12 and noise while maintaining or improving car batteries and tops out at a speed of 29 As the cadre of Utah Lake Watch volunteers performance. miles-per-hour. The team said they would have grows and data is banked, the state of Utah “After attending the competition, I was really liked to have used a lithium ion battery at a will have increasingly accurate information impressed with our snowmobile because we cost of $6,000, but the funds weren’t there. from which to observe trends. made it what it is,” said Kyle Hanson, team member and senior engineering student. “We “As better battery technologies become did all the design and analysis work with help available I can see electric snowmobiles from our faculty mentor Byard Wood and that becoming the way of the future for several really contributed to our learning experience.” reasons,” said Mat Brown, team member and senior engineering student. “The advantages of The USU snowmobile is a utility vehicle that isn’t an electric snowmobile include zero on-site quite ready for recreational use — it weighs emissions as well as a considerably quieter nearly 1,000 pounds, while traditional sleds motor than a conventional snowmobile.” 28

As concerns for the environment grow, Yellow- NSF also recognized USU’s technology as its 2006 stone National Park and the National Science sled was chosen to be used in Greenland in Foundation are interested in the future of Summer 2006 as a way to get around the polar THE YIN & YANG OF environmentally friendly technology. NSF ice caps without polluting the area. donated $2,000 to the USU students to design and create the snowmobile. The team was mentored by USU mechanical and CELL SIGNALING: aerospace engineering department head and USU Chemist Explores ‘Remarkable Chemistry’ “It was great to see so much interest from the professor Byard Wood, and includes: Mat Brown, public in our sled,” said Daniel Plaizier, team senior, mechanical and aerospace engineering; of Phosphate and Sulfate Transfer member and senior engineering student. “All Amanda Calder, senior, mechanical and aerospace The enzymatic mechanisms of teams in the competition got a chance to display engineering; Mark Fairbanks, senior, mechanical phosphate and sulfate transfer are a the sleds for a day in a Michigan shopping mall. and aerospace engineering; Jeff Ferrin, graduate specific research focus for Hengge, People were fascinated with the idea of a clean student, mechanical and aerospace engineering; professor in the College of Science’s and quiet snowmobile and wondered when the Sam Francis, senior, electrical and computer Department of Chemistry and technology would be available for the masses.” engineering; James Gyllenskog, senior, mechani- Biochemistry. “These processes have cal and aerospace engineering; Kyle Hanson, great importance in biological While USU didn’t take first place, the team was senior, mechanical and aerospace engineering; systems,” he says. proud of their efforts realizing that the weight of Ashley Kelly, senior, mechanical and aerospace the batteries weighed them down in terms of engineering; Paul Overdiek, senior, mechanical His work with colleague and former the competition. When plans for a 2008 electric and aerospace engineering; and Daniel Plaizier, mentor W. Wallace Cleland, snowmobile are discussed, the teams know they senior, mechanical and aerospace engineering. co-director of the Institute for want to try and get higher-tech batteries, make a Enzyme Research at the University smaller motor, reduce the drag and fix the rear For information about the Clean Snowmobile of Wisconsin-Madison, appeared in a suspension, Kelly said. Challenge, visit recent issue of Chemical Reviews. http://www.admin.mtu.edu/urel/snowmobile/in “The weight really slowed us down when it dex.html. “What we’re looking at is how comes to maneuvering the sled, and that is phosphatases and kinases work,” where we lost points,” said James Gyllenskog, Contact: Ashley Kelly, [email protected] says Hengge, who adds that human team driver and senior engineering student. Writer: Maren Cartwright, (435) 797-1355, attempts to create catalysts as [email protected] effective as these natural enzymes USU’s sled, in its have consistently fallen short. second year at the USU Chemist Alvan Hengge competition, was Phosphatases and kinases are two honored in other broad classes of enzymes that essentially ways as it was one function as “on” and “off” switches to control of only two electric onsider your body. Day by day, various biological processes. Opposing yet snowmobiles to Csecond by second trillions of minute cells complementary controllers, Hengge says the complete the undergo a complex array of continuous two are often referred to as the ‘yin’ and ‘yang’ 10-mile endurance chemical processes at a dizzying rate. of cellular signaling. event. Sixteen Through the endless ebb and flow of snow machines biochemical reactions, life is kept in precari- Kinases synthesize phosphate esters, and from schools ous balance. A kink in the chain and illness, phosphatases destroy them. “These dual, across the United even death, ensues. opposing activities serve to keep proper levels States and Canada of activity of particular proteins and receptors participated in the Utah State University organic chemist Alvan in balance within each cell,” he says. six-day event. Hengge delves into the chemistry that drives biological systems and seeks to understand Easier said than done. “We increased our how various enzymes accomplish what he performance from calls “remarkable chemistry.” What confounds chemists, says Hengge, is how last year’s event by these enzymes accomplish their regulatory 20 percent,” said Clockwise from center: Mat Brown, Jeff Ferrin, James Gyllenskog, Amanda Calder, Sam Simply put, enzymes are proteins that functions with such speed and ease in nature. Kelly. Francis, Kyle Hanson, Daniel Plaizier and Ashley Kelly. Not Pictured: Mark Fairbanks and Paul Overdiek. catalyze chemical reactions, or trigger Efforts to replicate these processes in the lab activity, in living cells. are extremely difficult. 29

Phosphate esters, which are substrates of Hengge describes the transition state as phosphatases, are extremely stable, says the “fleeting geometry that any reacting Hengge. Very harsh chemical or kinetic compound must go through when it stimuli are required to elicit a reaction from changes from a reactant form to THE PROBLEM OF them in a lab setting. How, scientists wonder, a product.” do these enzymes ever reach a transition state in the relatively mild environment of a “In terms of energy, think of a ball flying healthy organism? through the air from one point to another,” THE UNINSURED: he says. “The highest point on the arc IS THERE A SILVER BULLET? “The stability of phosphate esters is a protec- traveled by the ball is the transition state.” tive mechanism that enables the cell to maintain very tight control of this regulatory Hengge says biochemists have speculated process and protect the organism’s delicate that the enzymes use a mechanism differ- balance,” says Hengge. “This makes sense ent from what is observed during uncata- from an evolutionary standpoint.” lyzed reactions of phosphate esters, but he health care problem is, in fact, this does not seem to be the case. multipleT problems, not a single issue, accord- “We’re trying to understand the transition ing to Utah State University faculty member states that enzymes stabilize during their “We clearly have our work cut out for us,” and researcher Roberta Q. Herzberg. Is legisla- reactions,” he says, of the tiny chemical- he says. “Further study into the structure of tion the answer, and how do we resolve the reaction machines that constantly decon- enzymes is needed to understand their problem of the uninsured in Utah? struct and rebuild their substrates like powerful abilities. children’s Tinkertoys. Herzberg is department head and associate professor of political science at USU, with a specialization in public policy, political economy and American politics. She is active in the Utah policy process and has served on several state policy committees and commis- sions.

“The notion that health insurance protects your health is incorrect,” Herzberg said. “It protects your wealth.” to pay — the government provides subsi- A decided difference between the face of the dies to hospitals, or there is a cost-shift to uninsured and the face of the uninsurable other insured individuals. exists, she said. “We should make the financial implications “Most of Utah’s uninsured are young and in of not carrying insurance more serious,” good health,” she said. “They think insurance Herzberg said. “A delinquent medical bill is coverage is too expensive and there are too often treated differently than other bad many other important debt on a personal finan- items to spend money on.” “The notion that cial report. We should not health insurance be surprised then, that If a devastating health young people are willing catastrophe hits members protects your to accept the low risk of of this younger, uninsured health is incorrect,” being uninsured.” group, the financial implica- Herzberg said. “It tions are not as serious — protects your But, the face of the unin- they have very few assets wealth.” surable is very different. to lose in a possible bank- That is the face of the ruptcy. And, in many cases, someone steps in older, seriously ill person — the person to pick up the tab, since no one is denied none of us wants to become. They are emergency services because of an inability frequently excluded from buying insurance because of pre-existing health conditions. 31

The question of the uninsured is a thorny Mandated health coverage is expensive and one, she continued, but it is a problem that no one wants to pay for it. A single payer, must be addressed. government-organized insurance program is frightening to many.” A BREATH OF The health insurance mandate in Massa- chusetts may provide good examples of the Taking individual responsibility for health problems Utah could experience in rushing insurance is one important social value, but in to a comprehensive plan that contains the freedom of choice issue is also important. many unknowns. FRESH AIR: “The attitude of ‘no one is going to tell me USU Scientist Studying Ways to “The Massachusetts legislation mandates what I have to do’ is very common and makes that all citizens of the state must have comprehensive policy change problematic,” Clear up Utah’s Inversion Problem health insurance coverage,” Herzberg said. Herzberg said. smoke would be a big contributor to the state’s “Those who fall below the 300 percent One approach consistent with individual pollution levels. After researching air quality at poverty rate will be subsidized, and those freedom is enhanced use of consumer-based tah’s license plates tout one of Utah’s locations throughout northern Utah, he discov- mostU attractive features, ‘the greatest snow on ered that ammonium nitrate causes 50 to 70 above the 300 percent poverty rate will be plans such as health savings accounts and responsible for proving to the state that health reimbursement plans. Under these, Earth,’ but the cold temperatures that come percent of the pollution in the state. they are insured.” consumers become more cost-sensitive in with the snow can cause ugly pollution. shopping for care. The more out-of-pocket Ammonium is a product that comes from The concept is much like that of car insur- cost, the more cost-sensitive a person Utah State University scientist Phil Silva is agricultural sources, such as dairy and livestock ance — if a citizen owns a car, proof of becomes. studying what conditions in Utah’s atmo- farms, which are prevalent in many northern insurance must be provided. sphere make inversions in the state particu- Utah communities. Nitrate is produced by many “The issues of health care, legislation and the larly severe and what people can do to correct industrial processes, as well as vehicle emis- The Massachusetts plan is a connector plan. uninsured present serious problems and the problem. sions. Burning fossil fuels, such as gasoline, in The state will connect people to the proper there are no ready answers,” Herzberg said. power plants and vehicles results in the produc- insurance plans. The bottom line, however, “Being able to solve everything by imple- Many researchers around the world are tion of nitric acid and ammonia as air pollution, is that it is the individual’s responsibility to menting a government mandate is overly studying the negative effects of pollution and said Silva. obtain health insurance. optimistic.” the impact it can have on one’s health. Silva, however, is focusing more closely on the “Utah is vulnerable to ammonium nitrate “The Massachusetts experience — if the Proposals, each with benefits and flaws, chemistry of pollution. pollution because it is traditionally an agricul- state can carry it off — will provide good abound. tural area that is rapidly becoming more urban,” lessons,” Herzberg said. “So far, the results “In order to reduce pollution, you have to he said. Massachusetts is finding during implemen- “With health care issues, we need to decide understand what tation differ dramatically from earlier what society values most before we rush to the sources are,” estimates used to pass the legislation. It is put an expensive and failed policy in place,” said Silva. “By quite possible, given these changes, that the Herzberg concluded. figuring out the mandate on individuals may never be fully chemical makeup implemented. There is no silver bullet. of the pollution, you can identify triggers and come up with solutions on how to reduce the problem from the source.”

Silva said that when it comes to pollution, things are not always what they seem. When Silva first came to Utah, he thought fireplace 33

Silva said that when it comes to pollution, things are not always what they seem. When Silva first came to Utah, he thought fireplace 34

So where does the other 30 percent of pollution in with locals and tourists. Snow on the valley Utah come from? Silva said it comes from organic floors lowers the temperature, which can carbon, which comes from several sources, includ- exacerbate the problem. ing diesel vehicle emissions, fireplace smoke and GETTING MORE INFORMATION barbeque grilling. Manufacturers are trying to Inversions are a nationwide problem that not create more environmentally friendly options, only affects Utah, but also certain areas of including reducing sulfur emissions on newer California and the eastern United States. OUT OF INFORMATION: model diesel engine vehicles. During severe inversions, trapped air pollut- Statistician Adele Cutler Offers Insights on Facts, ants form a brownish haze that can cause Consumers who use natural gas fireplaces and respiratory-related illness, particularly in the Figures and Finding Your Life’s Passion barbeques are helping, said Silva because natural young and old. gas emits lower particle emissions. When it comes to propane versus briquette barbequing, propane “Northern Utah is a great place to live nine or is the cleaner way to go, he said. 10 months of the year,” said Silva. “But in January and February, we often get hit with a tah State University professor Utah’s chemical pollution signature is unique said high amount of inversion days that are not UAdele Cutler’s passion for statistics has Silva, and he has begun to research how organic only depressing to look at, but that are also taken her to the boundaries where the carbon fits into the larger picture. bad for our health.” discipline converges with computer science and electrical engineering. Her “The larger picture is what we have to keep in The United States Environmental Protection work has led her to research projects mind,” said Silva. “Ultimately, any research being Agency has begun to take steps to address the using such tools as bioinformatics, done to correct the causes of pollution will have problem, starting with the creation of a more archetypal analysis and machine learn- an effect on the future of the world.” stringent standard for air pollutants in October ing. She’s applied these methods to of 2006. Many areas of the United States diverse fields ranging from genetics, Silva’s studies are already being used by Utah affected by air pollutants will have to come up medicine and astronomy, to banking, air policy makers to begin developing plans to lessen with ways to correct or reduce the problem by traffic control and national security. the negative effects of pollution. He serves on air 2008. quality boards for Cache Valley’s Bear River Health “An advantage of statistics is that you can Department and the State of Utah’s Division of Air By focusing on the chemistry of pollution, participate in exciting research in a lot of Quality. These boards deal directly with Utah’s Silva’s research has the potential of providing different disciplines without restricting susceptibility to pollution-trapping inversions. an important link in efforts to reduce global yourself,” says Cutler, a faculty member in the College of Science’s Department of Adele Cutler’s young son Phil’s depiction of Random pollution. Forests was her mentor Leo Breiman’s choice for illustrat- Temperature inversions happen when cold air is Mathematics and Statistics. “As statisti- ing the simplicity of the statistical classifier he developed. trapped below a mass of warmer air. During a Once a good policy to lessen the impact of cians, what we’re really trying to do is temperature inversion, air pollution released into pollution is in place, the next step will be to think of better ways to get information out of Breiman for more than 20 years. “It’s a powerful, the atmosphere's lowest layer is trapped. Utah is provide information to the public so that data.” versatile tool that outperforms traditional vulnerable to inversions during the winter months everyone can do their part lower pollution, statistical tools.” because of the blanket of snow that is so popular said Silva. Of particular significance to Cutler is her ongoing work with Random Forests™, a Many data sets encountered in today’s scientific trademarked statistical classifier developed by fields are much bigger and complex “than the late Leo Breiman, her mentor and longtime anything we’ve dealt with before,” she says. colleague. “Random Forests allows us to interpret data and gain insights in ways other tools can’t. We can Breiman, professor emeritus of statistics at the explore, for example, why a ‘yes’ is a ‘yes.” University of California-Berkley, died July 7, 2005 at the age of 77. Renowned for his work Each of us encounters applications using with statistical computation, Breiman was Random Forests, says Cutler, though we may not elected a member of the National Academy of even realize it. Did you look up anything on Sciences and of the American Academy of Arts Amazon.com or another online retailer today? and Sciences. You may not have noticed, but the site automatically logged your interests and, like an “Random Forests was really a work of a attentive salesperson, offered up a slew of lifetime,” says Cutler, who collaborated with suggestions for you. 35

Or perhaps you had a non-virtual shopping For a presentation at a conference, Cutler experience and handed your keys, with a colorful, selected a photo of a forest showing bare dangling array of bar-coded, frequent shopper branches shrouded in fog. “I thought it was UNIQUE EXCHANGE cards, over to a human checkout clerk. “Retailers really pretty, but Leo (Breiman) said, ‘Too collect an amazing amount of information about gloomy.’ our preferences,” says Cutler. Gives USU International MBA So Cutler commissioned her son Phil, then In the life sciences, where recent developments in seven years of age, to come up with a drawing. Students International Perspective genomics have created floods of information, she “Leo loved Phil’s crayon drawing. He said, ‘It’s of the world’s major markets and gives students says, Random Forests provides researchers with the bright, cheerful and, most importantly, shows experience working with producers, processors, ability to distill critical insights from huge data sets. the simplicity of the method.’” consumers and policy makers in the food tah State University students industry. Cutler’s fascination with statistics never wanes. “If I In a world obscured by mystery, complexity and graduatingU from the International MBA get a day when I can do anything I want, I’ll sit at reams of data, says Cutler, statistics provides a program in Food and Agribusiness are ready “The exposure to different market systems has the computer and work on Random Forests,” she light at the end of the tunnel. “Statistical tools to take on the world. further enhanced my business education, and I says. give scientists that moment of clarity, where it feel that makes me an asset for a company not all becomes clear,” she says. In a unique exchange between USU and the just in the United States, but around the world,” Her goal is to continue Breiman’s work and com- Royal Agricultural College in Cirencester, said Cody Bingham, a USU student enrolled in plete a book on the subject. He even chose the England, students enrolled in the program the program. cover art for the book – a work by Cutler’s young receive the educational background and son, Phil. hands-on experience necessary to secure Five students from the United States and five leadership positions in the globally competi- students from England begin their studies at tive food-related industry. USU for one semester and then go on to England for a semester. USU College of Business economics professor DeeVon Bailey started the program in The semester is followed by a six-week 1999 to provide additional opportunities for research-based group project, after which the graduate students interested in pursuing USU students return home to complete a thesis. careers in the food industry. Graduates receive an MBA from the Royal Agricultural College. “The international orientation of the program gives students a world-class education and opens up so many new horizons,” said Bailey. “Our graduates work all over the world.”

The program readies students to work with the social, cultural, production and consump- tion conditions Old Shrewsbury England 37

The program readies students to work with the social, cultural, production and consump- tion conditions Old Shrewsbury England 38

presented a new adventure. Just getting lost in a drive between towns could result in VIRTUAL MATH TUTOR the discovery of new things like street markets, local celebrations and breathtak- AIDING STUDENTS WORLDWIDE ing scenery.” : Students also learn the differences between a USU Researchers Ready to Market eMATH@USU United States education and education abroad.

“The program allowed me to experience the different cultural, economic and value systems that drive business and marketing f you’ve ever practices in other countries,” said Liddell. rummagedI franti- “Many times our own cultural views prohibit cally through the us from truly understanding a global kitchen for dried beans or bottle The Royal Agricultural College makes arrange- business effectively. The international MBA caps prior to the ments for the six-week research project with program went a long way toward teaching imminent arrival private companies located throughout Europe. me how to interact and be effective in an of the school bus, Students are split into teams and then work as international environment.” then you’re more consultants for the company conducting than familiar with research and reporting their findings. Bingham said the program is challenging, but that the rewards of the experience math manipulatives. But if you “Our students are working in international make the program worth completing. haven’t set foot in industry before even graduating with their an elementary degree,” said Bailey. “Unlike most of my classmates, I had worked USU Researchers Larry Cannon, Bob Heal, Joel Duffin and Jim Dorward for more than 10 years as a marketing classroom since F Troop was a hit Most of the students enrolled in the program director in Europe when I joined the TV show, the term may make you feel a bit Manipulatives, the collection is composed have undergraduate degrees in business and program,” said Simon J. Ryan, a graduate of like Rip Van Winkle. primarily of Java applets, featuring an array want to end up working in the food business, the program and freelance marketing of colorful exercises for K-12 mathematics said Bailey. Some leave the program working as consultant from England. “Professionally the “A manipulative is simply a concrete object instruction. consultants for large international companies, program brought a new intellectual rigor to that represents an abstract idea,” says Robert others have gone on to work for state farm how I approach work, and returned me back Heal, Utah State University professor of Some students easily grasp abstract bureaus and others return home to run a into the workforce with a number of new mathematics. concepts, but the majority benefit from family-owned farm. skills and changed perspectives.” models that help them visualize an idea, says Manipulatives, ranging from sleek store- Doward. “A substantial body of research “I grew up on a farm in south central Idaho and As the program continues to grow and bought designs to cast-offs from kitchen suggests that manipulatives increase have worked on that farm since childhood,” flourish, Bailey said this will open up more junk drawers, are instructional fixtures in student understanding and achievement.” said Bingham. “However, after completing my opportunities for future students. USU and many of today’s elementary and secondary international MBA I hope to maintain my farm the Royal Agriculture College are looking to classrooms. They gained popularity in the Pennies, paper clips and homemade wood, and then jump into corporate agribusiness and establish additional programs in China and 1980s when standards promoting their nail and rubber band geoboards are tried- work for someone like John Deere.” India, thus enhancing the global aspects of the program. benefits were published by the National and-true learning tools, but they have their Council of Teachers of Mathematics. limits, says Heal. Many USU students enrolled in the program are married and take spouses with them to “We want to give our students the world,” Heal and USU colleagues Professor James “With the virtual library, students, teachers, England, said Bailey. They secure housing, buy a said Bailey. Dorward (Elementary Education); Senior and parents have hundreds of concept car and learn about living life in a different Research Associate Joel Duffin (Instructional tutorials at their fingertips,” he says. “With place, in a different culture, he said. For more information about the USU International MBA in Food and Agribusiness, Technology), and Professor Lawrence the click of a mouse, you can rotate figures, Cannon (Mathematics) created an interactive, change colors, and create three-dimensional “My family and I loved living in the United visit Web-based library of virtual manipulatives objects.” Kingdom,” said Sterling Liddell, a graduate of www.usu.edu/cob/degreesmajors/internati after receiving a three-year, $1.2 million the program and senior research development onalMBA.cfm or contact Bailey, 435-797- National Research Foundation grant in 1999. Plus, adds Dorward, you can’t shoot a virtual analyst at the Iowa Farm Bureau. “Every day 2300, [email protected]. Named the National Library of Virtual rubber band at your neighbor. 39 presented a new adventure. Just getting lost in a drive between towns could result in VIRTUAL MATH TUTOR the discovery of new things like street markets, local celebrations and breathtak- AIDING STUDENTS WORLDWIDE ing scenery.” : Students also learn the differences between a USU Researchers Ready to Market eMATH@USU United States education and education abroad.

“The virtual exercises are much more interac- advertised the library—it’s simply spread by tive than static objects and give teachers a lot word of mouth,” he says. “It’s all just taken off.” of instructional flexibility,” says Heal. This could be just the beginning. The Utah Teachers, students, and parents enthusiasti- Governor’s Office of Economic Development cally agree. Available on-line and free of Board recently awarded the USU team fund- USU TO UNVEIL charge since 2001, the library has attracted ing for business counseling as a precursor to attention throughout the United States and the team filing its proposal for the State of INNOVATIVE PROGRAM the world. During the school year, the library’s Utah’s Centers of Excellence (COE) technology Web site, www.nlvm.usu.edu, receives an commercialization program. impressive four million hits a day. FOR DEAF CHILDREN “Two outstanding Utah business leaders will Well-established education publishers Wiley assist our team in developing a business plan, and Sons, caught wind of the USU library and completing our bid to become a Utah Center of incorporated a NLVM CD into their existing Excellence, and launching our product to ermanent book, “Mathematics for Elementary Teachers.” market,” says Heal.“One of the things they’ll Phearing loss is the help us develop is a name for our product— most frequent birth “The book went from ‘who wants it’ to their ‘eMATH@USU’ is a current contender.” defect in the United number one seller," says Heal. States, affecting 12,000 newborns Whatever it’s called and in whatever language each year. If these During 2007, the State of Maine will place a it’s offered, the library could play an important babies are not copy of the NLVM CD in the hands of every role in providing future generations with a identified during the eighth grader. Beyond U.S. borders, the solid foundation for advanced study and first few months of government-funded Learning Federation of research in technology life and provided Australia and New Zealand has adopted the -based disciplines. with appropriate library for those countries’ public education assistance, hearing systems and Denmark has signed on as well, Heal says the library represents the collective loss can cause funding the development of a Danish efforts of a number of USU graduate and devastating prob- language version of the CD for Danish public undergraduate students, as well as the lems for a child’s language, learning schools. research team. “What this project has shown and social develop- me is the great things you can accomplish ment. USU alumnus Alejandro Garcia, who com- when you combine the varied efforts and pleted a master’s degree in computer science expertise of talented people,” he says. Until recently, most children with permanent Called “Sound Beginnings of Cache Valley,” the $3 in 2006, supervised the translation of the hearing loss were not identified until they were million initiative will have what is called an library into Spanish, which is now available on 2-3 years of age — far too late. Fortunately, recent auditory-oral focus, which means the program the Web site. A French version is nearing advancements in universal newborn hearing will focus on developing spoken language and completion, plans are under screening programs, improved hearing aids and listening skills, according to “Sound Beginnings” way to create Chinese cochlear-implant technology means that most of Program Director Todd Houston. He stressed that versions (one for Taiwan and these children can develop language and achieve this new initiative will provide an alternative for in school as well as their typically hearing peers. deaf children and their families, but will not one for the People’s Republic replace, the department’s existing sign language of China), and requests have “Instead of attending special schools for the deaf, training program. been made for Arabic and many of these children can now develop spoken Hebrew translations. Corpo- language, attend their neighborhood schools and “Because of newborn hearing screening, we can rate giant Apple Computer require little, if any, special education services,” now get a definitive diagnosis of hearing loss has also expressed interest in said Karl White, director of USU’s National Center within a few months of birth, and now we have the virtual library. for Hearing Assessment and Management, which the technology to enable deaf children to is responsible, in large part, for the advances in develop language similarly to their hearing Impressive results, Heal newborn hearing screening around the world. peers,” said Beth Foley, department head of concedes, from a single Web Communicative Disorders and Deaf Education at Utah State University’s Department of Communi- USU. “The improvements in technology have site that’s never been cative Disorders and Deaf Education and NCHAM been dramatic, and these advances have caused promoted through formal recently unveiled details about a new educational a major revolution — an exciting revolution — marketing. “We’ve never program that is a one-of-a-kind effort in the that has changed the field of educating deaf Intermountain Region. people. More important, it has changed the lives of thousands of deaf children and their families.” 41

An important part of the initiative will be a tuition- He said there is little point in putting in cochlear free, early childhood educational program housed implants if they are not followed by appropriate on USU’s campus, Houston said. The full-day, intervention and support. The services available full-week school will open in fall 2007 and will offer now can’t provide the intensity of services daily access to specialists in early childhood deaf necessary. Only a few sites in the nation are GEARING UP education, pediatric audiology and speech- capable of offering that support, and the “Sound language pathology. Services will include school- Beginnings” initiative is ground-breaking in the based services for older toddlers and preschoolers, Intermountain West. In fact, Houston said there is home visits for infants and toddlers, and — an no similar program in place between San FOR COLLEGE important component — coordination with the Francisco and St. Louis. Utah Schools for the Deaf and Blind and other service providers in the region. “Unfortunately, these programs are not available ahlet in many parts of the country, and parents Bekele,M a sophomore The preschool is significant in the services it will shouldn’t have to move elsewhere to have access at Sky View High provide for its young patrons and their families, but to these services,” he said. “We’ve heard many School in Smithfield, it also will be a critical training ground for graduate stories of parents having to pack up and move Utah, is not your students in deaf education, speech-language long distances just so they can have this oppor- typical teenager. pathology and audiology in the department of tunity for their children.” Bekele moved from Communicative Disorders and Deaf Education. Most Addis Abeda, university-based training programs for teachers of Foley said Houston’s national and international Ethipoia, in search of the deaf still focus primarily on sign language- expertise will add significantly to the more opportunity based services. Houston said that is appropriate department’s already highly regarded status and, and a better life just since there is an important need for educators and especially, its ability to attract top-notch graduate two years ago with clinicians to serve families that want to communi- students to the program. He is one of the nation’s her parents, two cate via sign language. But many families now foremost authorities on hearing technology and brothers, two sisters prefer to communicate via spoken language, and teaching deaf children to listen and talk. He is the and nephew. training programs for educators and clinicians to former executive director and chief executive serve these families are simply are not available in officer of the Alexander Graham Bell Association “My family came to most of the country. for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing in Washington, the United States so D.C. AG Bell is the world’s oldest and largest we could have a “Parents can, and should be, able to choose how consumer organization for people who are deaf better life, and they want to communicate with their children,” and hard of hearing. getting an education Houston said. “The fact is that 95 percent of all will help me reach newborns with permanent hearing loss are born to For more information about the program or to my goals,” Bekele said. “I want to be the first in my helpful for them to be on campus and get a hearing parents, and with all of the advances in the enroll a child, contact the USU Department of family to graduate from college and set a good sense of what the college experience is about,” field, most of these parents want to communicate Communicative Disorders and Deaf Education, example for my little sister, Bete.” GEAR UP mentor Ashlee Thompson said. “We via spoken language. Many parents are now 435-797-7554, or the National Center for Hearing took a tour of the art building and did a financial choosing to get their children cochlear implants, Assessment and Management, 435-797-1224, or To help achieve her dream of graduating from aid workshop with the USU admissions office. and these children need intensive follow-up email [email protected] or college, Bekele enrolled in the Gaining Early The program helps students understand that training and services to take full advantage of this [email protected]. Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate college is a real possibility for them. It also helps technology.” Programs, known as GEAR UP. them set a course for how to make it to college

and be successful when they get there.” GEAR UP is a national program administered by Utah State University that helps junior high and In addition to receiving help with tests, home- high school students prepare for and succeed at a work and learning about the academic side of university education. college, GEAR UP students get a taste of the total college experience and learn life skills to help GEAR UP students receive free tutoring, help with them succeed after high school. homework and advice from mentors who are current college students. GEAR UP students take “In GEAR UP, we’ve had lectures on healthy part in monthly educational workshops and relationships, the ACT, financial aid, scholarships, fieldtrips that focus on college preparation. career exploration, stress management and even Students also learn crucial life skills and how to attended basketball games at Utah State,” Bekele prepare for college entrance exams. said. “It helps me with my homework and helps me set goals and realize all of the opportunities “I took some of the GEAR UP students to one of that are available to me with a college degree.” my classes at Utah State, and I think it was very 43

Utah State was awarded a national grant and “I want to learn all I can and go to college so I offers the GEAR UP program at North and South can set a good example for my sister, become Cache 8th and 9th grade centers. GEAR UP is also an engineer and return to Ethiopia and offered at Mountain Crest, Sky View and Logan improve the living conditions for the people SERVING STUDENTS high schools. there,” Bekele said. “ I have so many reasons to push myself to do well in school. I am lucky to Students in the GEAR UP program arrange a have the chance to go to college. I need to do personalized program with their mentors. all I can to make that dream come true.” Students attend GEAR UP after school one to four IN DISTANCE days a week from 3-5 p.m. depending on the For more information about joining the GEAR student’s arrangement. Up program, contact Celestial Star Brandley at [email protected] or (435) 797-1758. Bekele wants to attend Utah State and major in EDUCATIONEtchberger is just one example of the environmental or computer engineering. After professors and researchers at Utah State completing her college degree, Bekele intends to and at the USU Uintah Basin campus. return to her native country of Ethiopia and use The Uintah Basin campus is the largest her education to benefit her friends and neighbors. of the three regional campuses with more than 2,350 students enrolled in fall 2006. USU Uintah Basin currently offers three associate’s degrees, 12 bachelor’s and seven master’s degrees. In addition, minors, endorsements and certificates are available as well as a Doctorate of Education. Campus facilities in Roosevelt and Vernal include classroom and administration buildings and a student center.

Etchberger was a non-traditional student and his experiences fuel his excitement about the opportunity to teach distance learning students. According to Etchberger, distance learning provides a challenge to find more than a ‘wooden boat’ solution.

“These students are really place and time bound, but they are determined to get an education,” Etchberger said. “I am happy to help remove some of the road blocks that are standing in their way. With the new technology becoming available, it is possible to take education all over the world. Distance education is really about taking the courses to the students.”

Etchberger feels that a quality education is more than technology and must include real- life, hen it comes to teaching, Rich hands-on learning experiences. He makes an WEtchberger, associate professor at Utah State effort to involve students in research projects, University Uintah Basin Regional Campus, will not field trips and tracking. settle for wooden boats. “From owl calling to bird identification to stream “There are ‘wooden boat’ people who accept the sampling, there was always something to see, first working solution that comes to them,” touch or hear,” Stephanie Tomkinson, a former Etchberger said. “I am not a ‘wooden boat’ person. student of Etchberger’s said. “Every class I had with Instead, I focus on finding new and better ways to Rich involved field trips. He knows that is where reach a goal or overcome a problem.” the real learning takes place, that’s when it sticks.” 45

Dave Evans recently graduated with a graduated and got a job, he told me to keep the As a College of Business ambassador, Kerkmann has College of Business, Kerkmann is participating in bachelor’s degree and worked closely with USU program in mind if I ever needed interns.” met business leaders who helped him develop his Etchberger. Evans was impressed with how a five-week study abroad program to South company and given him professional advice. He America to assist small business owners with a quickly Etchberger developed a personal “My company will be using summer interns and hosted Tom Stockham, acting CEO of the online micro loan program. He also plans to travel to interest in his students. Rich will be the first person I call,” he said. “Dr. E LIFE IN THE trading company 3point5, at a Dean’s Convocation Paris, Brussels, London, New York and Washing- is not just a professor, he is a mentor for many seminar. From that contact, a relationship was ton, D.C. as a part of the college’s Junior Year “All through my undergraduate program, I people. Most professors I had will become created that resulted in several email exchanges. Experience program. always felt good when I left his office or his faded memories, but Dr. E will always be part of Stockham provided advice and suggestions about classroom because I knew I had learned my network. I look forward to working with him Kerkmann’s business. “Josh is an exceptional business student, said something valuable that I could use immedi- for many, many years.” FAST LANE ately,” Evans said. Chris Fawson, professor of economics. “ He has “As a business ambassador, I’ve learned a lot about excelled in leadership, coursework and applying Etchberger enjoys staying in contact with his business in the real world from the high-profile the principals we teach in the College of Business Evans worked with Etchberger on field projects former students and living and working in the executives the College of Business brought in, to his own entrepreneurial efforts. I am sure he as a wildlife intern in the Pariette Wetlands. The Uintah Basin. rom riding and including Kem Gardner and Ken Wooley,” Kerkmann internship program is a one-year assignment in will be a tremendous success in all of his endeav- Frestoring classic said. “It’s nice to be able to talk with these profes- ors.” which current wildlife students get opportuni- “It is great to live in the basin and have gradu- motorcycles, training sionals one-on-one and apply their advice to my ties to work and earn money, as well as gain ates out there that you see every day,” for triathlons and own business.” Whether riding motorcycles, starting his own experience in the field before graduation. Etchberger said. “They run businesses. Their long boarding business or traveling the globe, Kerkmann is a From hands-on learning opportunities to kids go to school with my kids. We are part of a around the campus In addition to his coursework, hobbies, start-up College of Business student who says he’s always internships and alumni networking, Etchberger community, and that is what I was looking for of Utah State Univer- company and student government positions in the looking to take a risk and learn something new. collaborates with government and private when I started teaching. I wanted to be part of sity, Josh Kerkmann agencies to create internship and job opportu- a university community, but also a good is more of a risk taker nities for his students. neighbor.” with an adventurous

sprit than a rebel “Rich seems to love his job and helping without a cause. students succeed,” Tomkinson said. “When I

Oh yeah, he’s also vice president of his own start-up company.

Kerkmann is a junior in the College of Business, majoring in international business and taking 17 credits this “Becoming an entrepreneur has been such an semester. Between classes, meetings and exciting and involved process,” Kerkmann said. “It pitching his product to clients, he stays pretty is like a case study that combines all of the busy. classes from my experience in the College of Business. I am able to apply the skills and knowl- Kerkmann’s company, Lottery Solutions LLC, edge from all of my classes at Utah State and markets automated lottery software to schools, implement them in this business.” corporations and sporting events. Kerkmann partnered with fellow USU student Joseph Irvine, Kerkmann has been working with Utah State’s a freshmen majoring in computer science, to office of technology commercialization to patent create a business to market Irvine’s unique and register his products. He also researches computer program. potential customers such as the Space Share Foundation. He is in the process of creating a The program automatically runs any type of marketing proposal to demonstrate how Lottery lottery for an organization that has more Solutions can help the foundation select a person requests than available places. The program for space flight. selects students for admission and has been purchased by charter schools across the country. “Starting my own business has been a real challenge and adventure,” Kerkmann said. “With The team is also developing plans to work with my business I am responsible for everything from major sporting events such as the Union of accounting to marketing. I’ve had to draw upon European Football Associations in Switzerland to all of my business classes, contacts and mentors help the organization decide who receives tickets. to make this venture work.” 47

sprit than a rebel “Rich seems to love his job and helping without a cause. students succeed,” Tomkinson said. “When I

Oh yeah, he’s also vice president of his own start-up company.

As a College of Business ambassador, Kerkmann the College of Business, Kerkmann is participat- has met business leaders who helped him ing in a five-week study abroad program to develop his company and given him profes- South America to assist small business owners sional advice. He hosted Tom Stockham, acting with a micro loan program. He also plans to LIFE IN THE CEO of the online trading company 3point5, at travel to Paris, Brussels, London, New York and a Dean’s Convocation seminar. From that Washington, D.C. as a part of the college’s contact, a relationship was created that Junior Year Experience program. AN ENGINEERING resulted in several email exchanges. Stockham FAST LANE provided advice and suggestions about “Josh is an exceptional business student, said Kerkmann’s business. Chris Fawson, professor of economics. “ He has excelled in leadership, coursework and apply- “As a business ambassador, I’ve learned a lot ing the principals we teach in the College of INNOVATOR about business in the real world from the Business to his own entrepreneurial efforts. I electrical engineering, and then on to the commu- rom riding and high-profile executives the College of Business am sure he will be a tremendous success in all Frestoring classic nications industry where he would further his brought in, including Kem Gardner and Ken of his endeavors.” motorcycles, interests and achieve great success. Wooley,” Kerkmann said. “It’s nice to be able to s early as he can remember, David G. training for triath- talk with these professionals one-on-one and Whether riding motorcycles, starting his own ASant was fascinated with anything scientific — His success allows him to follow his interest in lons and long apply their advice to my own business.” business or traveling the globe, Kerkmann is a astronomy and chemistry and any mechanical or boarding around education and to give generously to the students College of Business student who says he’s electrical system. That fascination would lead Sant the campus of Utah at Utah State University. Sant donated $1 million In addition to his coursework, hobbies, start-up always looking to take a risk and learn some- to Utah State University to pursue an education in in May 2007 to his existing general engineering State University, company and student government positions in thing new. Josh Kerkmann is scholarship endowment in the USU more of a risk taker College of Engineering to support with an adventur- students studying in the college. ous sprit than a rebel without a “I am trying to make sure that any cause. students who want to go to college can do so, without concern for their Oh yeah, he’s also ability to pay for it,” Sant said. vice president of his own start-up After several years with IBM, Sant company. became a key contributor to the help the organization decide who receives tickets. growth and evolution of the Kerkmann is a junior in the College of Business, telecommunications industry when majoring in international business and taking 17 “Becoming an entrepreneur has been such an it moved from an analog-voice-only credits this semester. Between classes, meetings exciting and involved process,” Kerkmann said. “It is medium to a digital-based commu- and pitching his product to clients, he stays like a case study that combines all of the classes nications tool. He followed his pretty busy. from my experience in the College of Business. I am earlier interests when he founded able to apply the skills and knowledge from all of my several start-up companies based in Kerkmann’s company, Lottery Solutions LLC, classes at Utah State and implement them in this the telecommunications business. markets automated lottery software to schools, business.” corporations and sporting events. Kerkmann “I am always telling students to partnered with fellow USU student Joseph Irvine, Kerkmann has been working with Utah State’s office make career choices based on their a freshmen majoring in computer science, to of technology commercialization to patent and interests and to make sure they like create a business to market Irvine’s unique register his products. He also researches potential what they are doing,” Sant said. computer program. customers such as the Space Share Foundation. He is “Success comes more easily when in the process of creating a marketing proposal to you enjoy life and when you enjoy The program automatically runs any type of demonstrate how Lottery Solutions can help the what you are doing.” lottery for an organization that has more requests foundation select a person for space flight. than available places. The program selects Sant carries that philosophy with students for admission and has been purchased “Starting my own business has been a real challenge him on a daily basis. He grew up in by charter schools across the country. and adventure,” Kerkmann said. “With my business I Franklin County, Idaho, with parents am responsible for everything from accounting to who instilled in him a great work The team is also developing plans to work with marketing. I’ve had to draw upon all of my business ethic, and after a three-year stint in major sporting events such as the Union of classes, contacts and mentors to make this venture the United States Air Force, Sant European Football Associations in Switzerland to work.” decided he didn’t want to be working on machines. He wanted to design them. 49

He enrolled at USU in the general education no better way to do that than to support the WALKING THROUGH program and earned a place on the dean’s list institutions that equipped him for his career. during his first quarter. He then quickly changed Sant and his wife have also established scholar- his focus to the College of Engineering where he ships at Santa Clara University and San Jose would graduate with a bachelor’s and master’s State and provided funds for a library in Preston, in electrical engineering. During his time at IBM, Idaho. THREE-DIMENSIONALA PHOTO PHOTOGRAPHY he continued his studies at Santa Clara Univer- sity in California, where he would earn an MBA. “Mr. Sant’s scholarship helped me out a lot my OFFERS WORLDS OF NEW POSSIBILITIES freshman year,” said Ashley Kelly, a USU “One of the outcomes of the legislative session engineering senior from Franklin County, Idaho. this year is the continuation of the engineering “I actually came to USU to try and get on the initiative,” said USU President Stan L. Albrecht. softball team, and when I didn’t make the cut, I “Our graduate numbers are up in the College of was able to devote all my time to my studies. ince World WarS II, the U.S. military Engineering and we are seeing a great success Being an engineering major is a lot of work, but story. The funds coming from the legislature and it is worth it. The friendships I have made and has relied on radar. The great friends like David Sant make the success the skills I have learned are irreplaceable.” simplistic radar possible.” depictions of planes, Sant believes the students are the future of boats and submarines Sant said USU treated him well as a student and USU’s College of Engineering. The college is in has left something to he has maintained a close relationship with the the position to achieve a world-class reputation, be desired by the College of Engineering since his graduation. He he said. He is happy to be associated with the military, which wants and his wife, Diann, recently donated nearly $4 college and Utah State University. to accurately million to support the construction of a new determine the state-of-the-art engineering innovation labora- For more information on USU’s College of distance and size of tory building at USU. Engineering, visit www.engineering.usu.edu. targets.

Explaining his motivation, Sant said he was Utah State University looking for a substantial way to give back to the researcher Robert community that shaped his life. He said there is Pack is using the same technology to develop survey instruments that are far ahead of current military “Three-dimensional photography solves the problem of reconnaissance. Pack’s research has the potential to being able to characterize natural objects,” Pack said. “It revolutionize myriad industries, including engineering, enables people to analyze, measure and better under- medicine, architecture and entertainment. stand the objects when using a computer.”

Pack has been with USU since 1998 and specializes in The camera created by Pack, is composed of three geological and geomatics engineering. He and his team common technologies: lidar, digital photography and a of engineers have been working on the development of global positioning system (GPS). The camera, called Texel, advanced 3-D multispectral imaging, a technology that takes a normal digital photo of the scene in front of it, while produces complex 3-D images in the same time it takes the lidar and GPS are used at the same time to collect to snap a photo. It is based on lidar technology, which is additional information. Once the 3-D photographic image similar to radar, but uses light in place of radio waves. is captured, it shows up on the screen like a normal digital photo. Unlike traditional digital photography, however, the The possibilities have made Pack’s technology a shining scene is automatically embedded wvith distance, area and star among start-up companies. After moving his volume information. research to the USU Center for Advanced Imaging Ladar, a Utah Center of Excellence, he was awarded a patent for When multiple Texel photos are combined, a complete 3-D the basic technology and expects to have several more in scene is formed with views from every desirable position, the next few years. Pack said. At this point, users can “walk-through” the photo, viewing it from a first-person perspective and seeing in USU has also licensed Pack's camera to a Salt Lake 3-D. City-based company, RappidMapper, Inc. Current 3-D processes use many of the same technologies This approach to 3-D photography started as a small idea as Pack’s, but each one must be integrated with the others by Pack and his brother, Brent, a retired electrical engineer. manually after the photos are taken and the information is As they pursued it, he said they were amazed to find out collected. This takes a great deal of time and processing no one else had come up with the idea before. 51

The entertainment industry could also benefit from 3-D photography. Instead of spending millions of dollars to create digital scenes of physical sets, animators for movies and games could easily photograph the sets and locations and import them into a computer. GOTTA’ HAVE IT NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory is interested in taking the camera to space by integrating the Texel camera into future Mars rovers, as well as in devices for more distant expeditions, Pack said.

In the meantime, Pack said there are many of avenues very shopper has to explore. He hopes to make the tripod more easily Eexperienced that gotta have it airborne and eventually put the technology in moment — walking into a store and there, almost as if centered in power. The Texel image, on the other hand, “comes out of unmanned aerial vehicles. a spotlight, is the perfect athletic the box in 3-D when it is downloaded onto a computer,” shoe. Or watch. Or car. Or book. Pack said. No configuration is needed, and the file is small Pack said he is also working to increase the shots that Or … enough to email, while achieving 10 times more can be taken per second from 600 to 200,000, as accuracy than other techniques. opposed to a typical digital camera that takes four to six shots per second. He also wants to improve the But how do those wily companies know exactly what consumers In addition to improving detection technology, Pack’s accuracy and range of the camera so it could take want and when they want it? camera could be used for a wide variety of other military pictures of objects up to a little more than three miles or Could there be someone behind applications, such as surveying a battlefield in real time five kilometers away. the curtain, if not pulling, then and identifying tanks and artillery hidden under the anticipating those ‘buy me’ cover of trees. Not only does 3-D visualization improve Pack said pictures are worth a thousand words, but an strings? accuracy, it is also more cost efficient. The Department of RMI image is worth a thousand pictures. Defense has granted a three-year contract to Pack to Yes. And the power is not based develop this camera for use in a cruise missile. “I am really excited to see where this technology can take us,” he said. “People have always needed to know on lucky guesses; it’s based on marketing research. Three-dimensional visualization, however, isn’t valuable what's out there. They need to know what sizes and for just the military. The technology is being investigated shapes things are. This technology provides a new Marketing research is conducted for use in many fields, including space exploration, crime observation for us. Perhaps it allows us to discover every day, and companies using investigation, engineering, architecture and entertain- things that have never been discovered.” these techniques often have a ment, Pack said. Source: USU Vice President for Research Office, competitive edge. These companies and organizations know what “We want to revolutionize the 3-D camera market and [email protected]. people want, or what they want to put these in the hands of photographers of all sorts do — often before they know it who care about the dimensions and shapes of Contact: Bob Pack, USU’s Civil and Environmental themselves. There’s no magic formula to the process. It’s clients. Through the experience, students enhance their objects,” he said. Engineering Department, [email protected], 435-797- 7049. all based on research and work. communication, analytical, organizational, leadership and interpersonal skills — skills for a successful career In one possible use, a surveyor would be able to fly over a At Utah State University, Stacey Hills teaches a marketing following graduation. forest with the Texel camera and measure the height research course in the Department of Business Adminis- and species of trees, as well as the dimension and tration in the College of Business that lays the foundation Early in the semester, the class is divided into marketing density of the forest. and provides the skills necessary to contribute to a agencies to work with the clients. Each agency conducts successful product launch or business venture. It’s done marketing research, designs a marketing campaign, The camera could also be used to document crime through creative activities that go well beyond the then writes a comprehensive marketing plan to be scenes in three dimensions, allowing investigators and confines of a textbook. The course is intended to give pitched to the client in a formal presentation. jurors to walk through a scene long after critical evidence students as realistic an experience as possible in putting has been moved or cleaned up. Several federal and state together a marketing campaign. To that end, she engages The goal is to meet the objectives set by the client. agencies have already expressed interest in testing the students in real-life, hands-on learning with actual technology for this purpose, he said. companies. “To do that, students need to draw upon not just what is learned in this class, but all previous learning,” Hills said. Other industries that do extensive surveying, such as In her marketing research course (BA 4530), Hills provides engineering and architecture, also stand to gain much this realistic experience by assigning students to work Students draw upon their skills in marketing, advertising, from this technology. Buildings, construction sites and with a client on a marketing campaign. Through the management and human resources, public relations, landscape designs could all be pre-visualized before course of the semester, students develop, implement and sales promotions, teamwork, public speaking and they are completed. evaluate marketing research as part of a campaign for the business writing. 53

Beat the Bookstore, who was very interested in the project and wanted to be involved.

“At that first meeting I wanted to make sure we were on the same page so the students could begin their research,” Corrington said.

Throughout the semester he met with the teams multiple times, and many email exchanges took place. SUMMER BREAK At the end of the semester he met with the WITHOUT MISSING A BEAT student teams for the final presentations. Gathered on the top floor of the Eccles Business Building, the students laid out their findings in a corporate board room setting. Each team had 25 minutes to summarize its work. There were charts, graphs and PowerPoint presentations.

“The final presentations were very good and I learned a lot,” Corrington said. “What I assumed had been effective advertising wasn’t. I’ve already re-evaluated my advertising, and the students’ research shows that more Her course begins with lectures, but quickly moves to a non-traditional advertising is better. The research showed number of activities. First, the student teams start with the how people heard about us, and that’s what I wanted to issues, questions or problems voiced by the client. Then know. Concrete changes will come from this new they get to work. There’s time spent in the library learning information.” about the business or industry. They design research instruments, learn to conduct interviews, lead focus Corrington said the research is especially valuable groups and more. because it was conducted by students — information provided to students by students is probably more “Through the class I want to show the students not what honest, he said. to do, but how to do it,” Hills said. “This experience has been extremely valuable and I give There’s data collection and analysis — the business kudos to the students for their drive and effort,” students get to use the statistics class that was so difficult. Corrington said. “I’m also impressed by Stacey Hills. She They design and put into practice an advertising has the right personality for this, and she challenges the campaign for the client, then collect data from the students. She gives them the real-world experience that advertising campaign to see what is working and what is will pay off following graduation.” not. Corrington spoke highly of Utah State University. Hirst is among the USU faculty members who take the Finally, in a capstone experience, students present the summer months to pursue professional development information and findings to the client. “As a business owner, I’m glad I became involved, not just activities. Many devote time to book projects or complete with this project, but with the university as a whole,” he tah State University professor R. Dennis Hirst field work that isn’t possible during the academic year, One client for the spring 2007 class was the Logan said. “I think that other businesses should get involved — Uwill spend his summer in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire. He and others leave campus to fill professional positions at a franchise of Beat the Bookstore, owned by Eric Corrington. on many levels — with the university. There are good dreams of sailing on Lake Winnipesaukee in an area variety of prestigious institutions or organizations. As the name implies, the business buys and sells college things happening at USU, and Stacey Hills and her classes known as the oldest summer resort in America. textbooks. are a part of that.” Early in his professional academic career, Hirst, fresh out of The reality? He’ll be adding to his experience as an arts graduate school, received an offer to become the Corrington wanted to raise awareness of his business on Hills’s outstanding teaching was recognized at the spring administrator. administrative director at the Sarasota Music Festival. At campus and with students. As important, through the 2007 commencement, where she received the Teaching the same time, he was offered a teaching position at work of the students in the class, Corrington would learn Excellence Award for the College of Business. Hirst is a recently promoted associate professor in the Utah State University. how students heard about his business. Department of Music in the College of Humanities, Arts “Dr. Hills goes out of her way to inspire, influence and and Social Sciences. From May to August 2007, he will “The Utah State University offer provided multiple During the first weeks of the class, students receive guide her students to a greater understanding of take a break from his responsibilities as a music professor opportunities,” Hirst said. “I would be involved in training and are certified to conduct interviews and business and marketing,” a student said. and director of the Wassermann Piano Festival at Utah teaching, in making music and in directing an interna- gather information. Following that training, Corrington State, to become the associate director of the Heifetz tional music festival. I liked the opportunity to be met with two student teams. He was joined by the CEO of International Music Institute. involved in many areas.” 55

Beat the Bookstore, who was very interested in the project and wanted to be involved.

“At that first meeting I wanted to make sure we were on the same page so the students could begin their research,” Corrington said.

Since he joined the faculty ranks at USU, Hirst has taken private lessons, practicing, classes, solo performances the bi-annual Wassermann Festival, where he is the and chamber music. artistic and administrative director, to impressive heights. It is a major international piano festival that brings the The institute is a talent and skill-based festival. world’s foremost pianists and pedagogues to the Utah Admission is based on those criteria, not the ability State campus. to pay tuition. It is a professional training festival.

While Hirst didn’t take the Sarasota job, it led to his Prior to arriving in Wolfeborro, Hirst will spend three HANDS-ON summer employment with the Heifetz Institute. After weeks at the festival’s headquarters near Baltimore, the institute’s associate director left, the job was offered Md., then, it’s on to New Hampshire. Home to the to the individual at Sarasota who had offered Hirst a institute is the Brewster Academy on the shores of position in Florida. Unable to accept the Heifetz offer but Lake Winnipesaukee. It’s there that Hirst will step into LEARNING“Yes, I miss my family, but when I left my home at age 17, I remembering Hirst, he recommended him for the New his non-stop administrative responsibilities. knew I wanted to come to the United States to study,” he Hampshire position. said. “There is an 11-hour time difference between Utah “This will be a significant change for me,” Hirst said. and Armenia, but we talk on the telephone once a week So, it was early in spring 2007 that Hirst received a call “With the Wassermann Festival, I’m pretty much a o look at him, an observer would never guess that — we call every Sunday between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.” from Daniel Heifetz, founder and director of the Heifetz one man band. At the Heifetz Institute, there is an TAram Arakelyan gets impossibly nervous before each International Music Institute. impressive list of faculty, and I’ll have a support staff.” piano competition or performance. That’s every week unless Aram is preparing for a competition. Then, he sometimes becomes so focused he forgets “I didn’t really know Daniel,” Hirst said. “I did know he was At the end of the summer, Hirst will return to USU Talking with him, Aram is impeccably polite and to be near a telephone. At that time the young pianist is a prominent violinist, but I didn’t know much about his with impressive administrative skills under his belt, somewhat quiet. His English is near-perfect with the slight working toward one goal — playing in the zone, a mental institute. I was surprised and pleased when he asked to and valuable contacts as well. lilt of an accent, not quite identifiable. Occasionally, a state that is comfortable and where everything is going as speak with Dennis Hirst, the bassoonist.” mischievous laugh emerges along with a dazzling smile. smoothly as possible at the piano. “The guest artists at the institute represent the To many, he would appear an average college student. While much of Hirst’s work involves the piano — he is a very finest,” he said. “I’ll associate with an impres- Amano, who has been Aram’s teacher the five years he’s performer as well as educator — he has a distinguished sive and talented faculty, and all this furthers my College student? Yes. Average? No. been at Utah State, said he is an extraordinary talent. record in solo and orchestral bassoon performances. In professional training.” fact, he was recently involved in two world premieres — Aram is among the prize-winning piano students who “When he came to Utah State, he was a high school Ophelia in Seville by Miguel del Aguila, and the modern Hirst is also pleased that he’ll have daily contact with study with Utah State University’s Gary Amano, and he is student who was immature, sloppy in his playing and very performance edition of Christian Ludwig Dietter’s chamber artists and the string faculty. the 2007 winner of the Kingsville International Piano disorganized in his practice,” Amano said. “It has taken a Concerto Concertant No. 1 for two bassoons and orchestra, Competition. The Kingsville title is his latest, but the road few years to help him realize his wonderful potential. He a work he edited and restored. “We have an outstanding string quartet in residence to the Texas competition was long, taking him on a can play and compete with the best students.” at Utah State University — the Fry Street Quartet — journey he could never imagine. After his conversation with Heifetz, Hirst began to and I hope to take advantage of my summer research the institute. What he found excited him. The experience and pursue collaborative efforts with Born in Armenia, Aram institute is designed to provide an intense musical USU’s string and chamber music programs,” said came to the United States experience, providing musicians the opportunity to Hirst. “I look forward to my professional opportuni- to compete in the Gina develop the expressive potential while encouraging ties at the Heifetz International Music Institute and Bachauer Junior Interna- technical growth. The intensive schedule includes will return to USU with a wealth of experience.” tional Competition for pianists ages 8-18. Following the competition, and with the help of a piano scholarship, he began his studies at Utah State University with Amano. Returning to Armenia is problematic but Aram prefers to put a positive spin on his situation. He misses his family, but staying in America allows him to focus on his future. One thing is clear — that future involves the piano and music. 57

At the Kingsville competition, Aram captured two work by a composer from his homeland. The selections awards. Following his first round, he received the Isabel were drawn from the nearly two hours of repertoire he Scionti prize for the best single performance at the had prepared for last summer’s Gina Bachauer Competi- competition. By the time he finished the final two tion in Salt Lake City, a competition he entered this time in rounds of the three-round competition, he took first the senior division. place overall in the solo senior division. Better yet, he took home a cash prize of $2,000 — great news for a Aram said he likes to work with pieces “that you’ve been on A FEW DEGREES college student living on his own. the road with.” That is, pieces that have been used in competitions or performed multiple times in front of an Preparing for the competition became all-consuming, audience. but Arakelyan had the support of his teacher and mentor Amano. “Once I was accepted in the Kingsville, I was practicing every single moment — not doing anything else,” he said. “Professor Amano talked with me about entering “That’s why I like to work on pieces I have experience with.” COOLER Kingsville, and we decided this would be a good competition for me,” he said. “When students prepare for competitions, I always tell them the truth,” Amano said. “If they are playing on the Aram is Amano’s fifth student to win first place at the level needed, I tell them so, and if they are not, they know he Logan Kingsville competition. That’s an impressive track record that as well. At all stages of preparation, I will let them know CanyonT winds for Amano and USU pianists. exactly how they are doing.” blasting across the Utah State Univer- “I find that Kingsville carefully selects judges who are The work paid off for Aram, who most certainly achieved sity campus in the politically impartial,” Amano said. “They aren’t impressed “the zone” in his winning performances. middle of January if the competitors are from Juilliard or Moscow.” may take your “Aram is a great talent, but there are others in the depart- breath away, but In the highly charged atmosphere of major competi- ment who are wonderful students,” Amano said. “They those same winds in tions, this is often a concern when the students come might not attain national recognition, but to help them the summer restore from Logan, Utah, an area unknown to many. grow as musicians and as young adults is the most it. It’s cooler here, rewarding aspect of my work at Utah State.” the pace is slower Kingsville required a 20-minute program with a and there are repertoire of choice by the contestant from contrasting Aram said he is at a crossroads. He’s close to graduating and always plenty of musical periods. Aram performed music from the will finish his undergraduate degree within the year. His things to do. Classical period, Romantic period and a 20th century experience at Utah State has been a good one, he said, and many on campus have had the opportunity For students who want to get a jump start on the Summer Citizens, students and community to hear him perform. He plays at numerous fall, the university offers four sessions that equal members are also treated to free Alumni Band campus events, both in the spotlight as a solo one semester. Session one begins May 14 and ends summer concerts – a tradition now 45 years performer and providing background music June 8. Session two begins June 11 and ends July strong. The concerts are performed on the USU for innumerable receptions. He’s even spent 8. Session three begins June 11 and ends Aug 3. Quad and in the Kent Concert Hall at 7 p.m. June two summers as the accompanist at Bear Session four starts July 9 and ends Aug 3. 17 and 24th (Kent Concert Hall); July 1, 15 and Lake’s Pickleville Playhouse, a summer 29th on the Quad, in the shadow of Old Main. entertainment stop and the home to USU hosts numerous summer camps that range old-time melodramas and popular musicals. from Youth Council to 4-H Adventure Camps. Logan Canyon delivers more than wind, it Offerings also involve many sports camps, includ- provides a wide variety of outdoor recreational “I want to build my career and to be able to ing a basketball camp by famed USU coach Stew opportunities. The canyon’s pristine qualities are do everything,” he said. “Musicians have to be Morrill, a gymnastics camp and a volleyball camp heralded in a just-released book written by USU able to play music, no matter what it is. That’s for girls. communications professor Mike Sweeney and why I agreed to play with Pickleville. I love to published by National Geographic. play background music, recording and Enriching our community are the 600-plus performing anything at all. I play and I’m at “Summer Citizens” USU welcomes to its campus “If not the West’s last unspoiled place, Logan the piano constantly. I’m still learning.” each year. These visitors come mainly from Arizona Canyon – with its alpine wildflowers, limestone and stay from about May 14 to Aug 20. They cliffs, rushing trout streams, and myriad other And when Aram is at home relaxing, participate in many university activities and even signatures of nature upon unsullied canvas – what does he do? At the moment, he’s take courses such as Introduction to the American remains something to be treasured and exploring jazz. Legal System. To help them stay fit, they have access preserved,” he wrote. Gary Amano to campus recreation where they may rent outdoor equipment or make use of a running track, badmin- Welcome to our backyard. ton, volleyball, tennis and racquetball courts. 59

The surrounding area, including ski resorts, lakes, rivers and mountains, makes Utah State one of the finest recreational environments in the nation. Just four hours north of Logan Canyon is Teton and Yellowstone national parks.

Whether hiking or kayaking in Logan Canyon or exploring the geysers of Yellowstone, there is no UNCOVERING shortage of recreational opportunities in some of the great unspoiled places of America. Many of these activities were highlighted in a SECRETS recent edition of Salt Lake Magazine in an article “25 things we love about Northern Utah.” USU THE ANSWER’S IN THE BOOKS occupies four of those prized spots. They include a stop for Aggie Ice Cream, “sweet, creamy, rich and an absolute obligation to partake of for parents visiting students at USU.” orensic investigations are all the rage on television. with an innovative way to train the accounting world’s FMedical investigators get to the bottom of the case by future detectives — make that forensic accountants. The No. 2 spot, after the turquoise waters of Bear the end of the hour. The clues are well hidden and the Lake at Logan Canyon’s north rim, is USU’s The process is exacting, if not rapid. The outcome? Exciting, “The term ‘forensic accountant’ is rather new,” Durtschi Old Lyric Repertory Company in downtown whether it’s in Las Vegas, Miami, New York or Boston. said. “But the concept is simple. Forensic accountants Logan “staging four plays in manic rotation each look for fraud.” summer.” The magazine noted that this rigorous But that’s the world of entertainment. schedule “has earned the company its hard- And, as Durtschi said, there are all kinds of fraud. working reputation and you can bet that among How about the world of business? Are financial sleuths There’s asset misappropriation — to those who are the farces, dramas, and the musical comedies out there dissecting the books of suspect companies, non-business types, that’s stealing money. In cases there will be something to entice you for at least uncovering the misdeeds of capital criminals? where people are caught, the average amount one curtain call.” misappropriated is $80,000-$90,000. That’s substantial. The answer is yes, and Utah State University School of Coming in at No. 5 on the list is Michael Ballam, Accountancy professor Cindy Durtschi has come up “Over the years, I’ve incorporated every fraud I’ve heard about into this course,” Durtschi said. USU opera and voice professor. He is artistic director over the Utah Festival Opera that draws Forensic accounting is a specialty that 28,000 visitors every summer. The festival runs combines a number of skills, including from July 11 to Aug 11. accounting, auditing and investigation. Durtschi teaches Accounting 6540 — Rounding off the list is basketball coach Morrill Forensic Accounting — in USU’s College of who “has built a solid program at USU and made Business. Her approach to the graduate- the Dee Glen Spectrum one of the most feared level course is creative and has been arenas in the Intermountain West for visiting recognized nationally. She received the teams. Rock on Stew!” 2006 American Accounting Association Innovation in Audit Education Award for her published case in forensic accounting — “The Tallahassee BeanCounters: A Problem- Based Learning Case in Forensic Audition.”

The Tallahassee BeanCounters has become a very important part of Durtschi’s class as students take a look at the company and its books. But that’s jumping ahead a bit.

The course is centered around a problem- based learning experience — that is, Durtschi presents a “problem” and the students, working through multiple steps in the hands-on experience, must come up with a solution. The course provides a complete overview of the forensic accounting arena. 61

The Tallahassee BeanCounters has become a very important part of Durtschi’s class as students take a look at the company and its books. But that’s jumping ahead a bit.

Students look at various types of fraud, learn to record is reviewed as if it were to be presented in recognize the red flags of fraud and acquire specific court. The student teams must organize its facts and skills used in fraud investigations. There’s financial evidence to provide sufficient, high-quality, legally statement analysis with the aim to discover firms that obtained evidence. The students must prove a crime manage earnings in a way that might lead to fraud. was committed, what that crime is, how it was The students complete a Benford analysis — a committed and the intent. Finally, they must produce computer-assisted method of flagging suspect proof of who did it, who benefited from the crime and accounts. where the money went. “The course is team-based and prepares students for “By the time the students get to the interview portion YOUNG HISTORIAN real auditing engagements,” Durtschi said. “It is based of the assignment, they are loaded and ready to go,” on real firms, real accounting numbers and a case that Durtschi said. “They want confessions.” simulates a real company setting.” Durtchi’s course is offered once a year at USU. The Graduate student Hunter Lassetter enjoyed working in work is time consuming for the professor, but IS ON THE MAP a team situation. extremely valuable to the students. She said she wants them totally prepared for the work world. doctoral dissertation, The Island, the Oasis, and the “Because I worked with the same team throughout the semester, the class felt like a real-world simulation in And when they are prepared, they not only enter an City: Santa Catalina, Palm Springs, Los Angeles, and that the team members became my co-workers and exciting career, they enter a “hot” career. In its 2007 ost of the year Lawrence Culver can be Southern California’s Shaping of American Life and friends,” she said. “How Did You Do?” feature that details what Ameri- foundM in a campus classroom at Utah State Univer- Leisure, won the 2005 Rachel Carson Prize for the cans earn, Parade Magazine listed forensic accountant sity or in his office in Old Main. It’s his research best dissertation in environmental history. Companies provide their books, and the students run at the top of the list of 2007’s hottest jobs for college interests that take him to more exotic locations, and the numbers and provide an analysis. The students graduates. That piece said that the field combines his friends once chided him about his doctoral An assistant professor of history at Utah State must communicate directly with the companies and accounting, auditing and investigative skills in a career studies. University since 2004, Culver has earned a new provide reports. One recent company reported to that can provide an income ranging from $30,000 to honor, a recognition that puts him on the map — to Durtschi that the students were observant and wished $150,000. “As a doctoral student, my friends ribbed me about use the language of one of his specialty areas. Culver its own employees were as detail oriented. my ‘research trips’ to places such as Palm Springs,” was named the country’s “Top Young Historian” for Following graduation, Durtschi said students can go he said. “Even though I visited numerous archives, the week of June 3, 2007, by the History News “The course is unique in that it took us in so many to work for the big audit firms, but others can look to conducted oral history interviews and plowed Network. directions,” Lassetter said. “It discussed topics that careers with the FBI or other law enforcement through vast amounts of tourist ephemera, some- included murder and divorce to demonstrate the agencies. how it was difficult to prove that I had not simply “The History News Network is an Internet-based site skills accountants can, and should, apply every day on reinvented dissertating as a vacation.” that was organized several years ago,” Culver said. “It “Unfortunately, there is a big need,” Durtschi said. the job. provides a public forum for historians to discuss Well, that “vacation” paid off, and Culver completed history, to put current events into perspective and to The final project is a complete forensic accounting and Durtschi’s forensic accounting course provides his dissertation in an award-winning effort. His discuss contemporary politics.” investigation of the Tallahassee BeanCounters, a fictional tangible benefits for its students, including Lassetter, minor league baseball team that Durtschi created. who has accepted a position with one of those powerhouse firms. The site also provides a The process is complex and detailed, and puts the venue for op-ed pieces pressure on Durtschi, who provides all the answers to “The course was extremely valuable to me,” Lassetter and a place for historians questions posed by the student teams during their said. “I’ve been hired and I’ll be doing forensic account- to discuss and write investigations. But others are involved as well. She ing in the Dispute Analysis and Investigations practice about current research. recruits individuals to pose as principals in the of PricewatershouseCoopers when I graduate. Housed on the George BeanCounters. Several fellow accounting professors fill Mason University Web those roles, as do spouses and other staff in the School “I chose to come to Utah State University because it is site, History News of Accountancy. During the information exchange the only university in Utah to offer a forensic account- Network is a non-profit with the students, Durtschi sends email copies to all ing course. Not to mention that the course is taught by organization based in the “actors” so they are completely filled in and in sync one of the most highly respected professors in the Seattle, Wash. about the ball team’s business affairs and practices. forensic accounting field. Cindy Durtschi devoted all of her time and energy to making the class realistic, Culver’s major area of “I want to make this project as realistic as possible,” interactive and fun. It worked!” research includes the Durtschi said. “The teams can choose a list of suspects United States’ southwest to interrogate. The goal is to obtain a confession or borderlands; the accumulate evidence that might be used in the American West; cultural, presentation of the final case.” environmental and urban history; and the To complete the project, student teams must prepare a final trail of evidence report. The students are not histories of tourism, interviewed as expert witnesses, but rather, the written recreation, architecture and urban planning. 63

At USU, during spring semester 2007, Culver also tion] is innovative and it pushes environmental earned a teaching honor when he received a history in interesting directions.” recently created award that acknowledges top teaching. Culver was among the inaugural group of “Someone who studies leisure and tourism in five USU faculty to receive the Excellence in Instruc- American history is likely to encounter bewilder- tion for First-Year Students award. The award ment, not to mention some humor, at their recipients were selected from a group of more expense,” Culver said in response to the “Top Young than 100 faculty members who were nominated by Historian” award on the History News Network Web OUR BACKYARD freshman students. site. “What I really enjoy about being an historian is Sweeney’s tribute to the using and communicating historical knowledge in geologic wonder that he “The Utah State faculty creates a rigorous very different ways — in research and writing in the was drawn to from his first academic environment while providing students profession, through teaching, from surveys to visit to Logan. the personalized support they need to bridge the graduate seminars, and through public history — in gap between the past and present,” said Noelle A. museum exhibits, public advocacy and in research “I came to Logan in January Call, director of USU retention and first-year projects, such as one I completed examining race 1996 to interview for a job experience. “When a world-class research professor and access to recreational space in Los Angeles.” at Utah State University,” knows your name and really cares, it becomes a Sweeney said. “Ted Pease, springboard to success.” That report is now being used to advocate for then the department head increased parkland and access to recreational in journalism and commu- An observer at an off-campus summer course opportunities for all the residents of Los Angeles. nication, briefly took me taught by Culver — a course designed for public into the canyon —for school history educators — immediately saw his “Being able to use historical knowledge to help about a 10-mile drive. There appeal as a teacher. He was animated and engaged, people in the present is an especially rewarding was a lot of snow and the while sprinkling his information- and illustration- aspect of being an historian,” Culver said. river was churning and we packed lecture with humorous asides. saw a moose. I thought, In various courses at USU, Culver uses different ‘this is pretty nice.’” In its award to Culver, History News Network teaching techniques. Classroom technique is included a number of comments by students, and different in an upper division course and in It was later, after accepting many appreciated his humor. graduate seminars as compared to large survey the job offer at USU, that courses for undergraduates. In his history 1300 Sweeney and his family “Dr. Culver made it really fun and it was organized course — U.S. Institutions, a course made up saw the beauty and very well,” one student commented. “He was also primarily of freshmen — Culver said he provides a diversity of Logan Canyon. really funny and that made the class better.” general overview of American history and works Making the move from with primary documents so students get an Professor Michael Sweeney takes a break with his canine companion Chance Ohio to Utah, Sweeney “You are the best history teacher I have ever had,” understanding of how historians interpret during a hike in Logan Canyon. Sweeney is the author of Last Unspoiled Place – decided to drive into Logan another student said. “I can tell you love the subject documents. For those not accustomed to a large Utah’s Logan Canyon, a book published by National Geographic. from the east, traveling by the way you teach.” lecture course, Culver provides lecture notes and through Logan Canyon on tips on how to write an essay, especially for an U.S. Highway 89. Praise for Culver’s dissertation, which he is now essay exam. He encourages attendance at activi- revising into a book, is also high. The review ties outside the classroom. “That was my introduction committee read nine dissertations before selecting to Logan Canyon in the Culver’s for the Rachel Carson Prize. “I want the students to know that Utah State summer,” Sweeney said. “I was stunned and University is more than a place you come to and ocation, location, location. That real estate mantraL might be a tired cliché, but for students amazed at how beautiful it was. Driving down the “The winning manuscript considers the lifestyle of take classes,” he said. “It’s an intellectual community, u-shaped valley by the Sinks, I thought how green leisure in southern California, arguing that Catalina and I want them to be a part of that community.” studying at Utah State University, it’s a reality that and cool — cool in every sense of the word— the Island, Palm Springs and Los Angeles contributed promises an abundance of outdoor recreational area was. We drove through the tunnel of trees at to the formation of a distinct American suburban Culver said he is both flattered and slightly morti- possibilities. Logan Canyon, a spectacular natural Wood Camp with leaves overhead. It was unbe- culture in the 20th century,” the review committee fied to be named a “Top Young Historian.” resource, sits minutes from campus, a backyard lievable.” wrote. “Lawrence Culver asks us to think about all playground for all. the ways that Palm Springs changed the way “It’s certainly nice to receive recognition and to be Within a week of moving in, Sweeney was in the Americans thought about leisure: modernist desert noticed by people in the discipline, especially at an Logan Canyon is a place of legend, history, recre- canyon, soon hiking the River Trail, going to the architecture, the golf course residence and the early stage in my career,” Culver said. “I’m very ation and more, and it is the subject of a new book Jardine Juniper and exploring Tony Grove. So, Hollywood vacation colony. … [Culver’s disserta- flattered by it.” by Utah State University faculty member and department head Michael S. Sweeney. Last when he was ready to write Last Unspoiled Place, Unspoiled Place — Utah’s Logan Canyon is he was prepared. 65

“When I got into writing the book I was able to go Logan Canyon’s beauty rivals that of Yellow- into parts of the canyon I didn’t know about,” stone, Sweeney said, but it doesn’t have the Sweeney said. “I went to Peter Sink and the crash commercial development and the crowds. The site of the Korean War-era plane. I made it to every highway makes the canyon easily accessible, THEY COME site in the canyon I wanted to know.” and soon a visitor can become lost in the canyon’s wonders. Last Unspoiled Place is published by National Geographic, a mainstay in the publication world “You can drive a few minutes into the canyon, with which Sweeney had previously worked, then park the car and get into a quiet area of TO PLAY completing four earlier books. With this, he almost pure wilderness,” Sweeney said. “It’s a pitched the idea for a book about Logan Canyon. unique place, unspoiled, and it’s a place to After submitting an outline and digital photos, restore the soul.” hey’re engineers, music educators and accoun- like “excellent,” “we love the music” and “we hope it Sweeney waited for a decision. The process took Ttants. They are proud members of the Utah State keeps going.” about 18 months — most of that waiting for And what are Sweeney’s favorite spots, the University Alumni Band. National Geographic to make a decision. Writing places that can still stop him in his tracks, his Jenny and Bill, summer residents in Logan from Green the book took only five months. Sweeney attrib- wow areas? There’s the trail from Tony Grove Some are recent graduates starting careers, while Valley, Ariz., said they enjoyed the quality of the band uted his swift completion of the book to his Lake to White Pine Lake, especially at the end of others are easing gratefully into retirement. The band and the conductor, especially when he explains the newspaper reporting background. July when the wildflowers are in bloom. Stand- is the common bond that unites them each summer background of the pieces. ing atop Mount Naomi with the wind so strong to continue one of the popular traditions on the Utah The book is divided into five chapters or sections it threatens to remove you from the peak. The State University campus. Other favorites with the Summer Citizen audience are and the reader travels through the book as if trail to the Jardine Juniper with a sheer drop in the soloists and guest artists. taking a drive through Logan Canyon. The first leg areas and a view that is spectacular. All are on The band’s tradition goes back to 1963, when the of the journey is from the Bonneville Shoreline to his list. And then there’s Peter Sink — one of the group was founded by USU Music Department faculty “The guest artists bring added dimension, and we Spring Hollow. Readers then travel from Third coldest places in the United States, where the member Max Dalby. The creation of the band came as really enjoy seeing the students and alumni perform. Dam to China Cave, Twin Creek to Franklin Basin temperature drops so suddenly it feels like you a request. University administrators approached Dalby All are very talented,” one Summer Citizen said. and finally to the summit and beyond in Franklin are being stabbed all over. It’s like sitting at the at that time because they were concerned there Basin to Bear Lake. bottom of an ice cream bowl, he said. wasn’t anything for summer school students to do on There have only been two directors in the band’s campus on Sunday evenings. The idea for the band history, founder Max Dalby and current conductor and Sweeney likens the canyon to Old Ephraim, a For almost everyone, a trip through Logan was born, and Dalby created a popular and ongoing Music Department faculty member Nicholas Morrison. grand, old bear immortalized in local lore. Canyon would not be complete without a tradition as a service to campus. Dalby led the band for 30 years, and Morrison took over raspberry shake at the edge of Bear Lake and its “Logan Canyon, in northernmost Utah, has much shimmering turquoise waters. But, the tradition has in common with Old Ephraim,” Sweeney wrote in become much more. It is a Last Unspoiled Place. “Similar to the giant grizzly, it A quote by Mary Ellsworth, found in Utah State program that was quickly is among the last of its kind. If not the West’s last University’s Special Collections and Archives, embraced by the commu- unspoiled place, Logan Canyon — with its alpine opens Sweeney’s book, and it captures the nity and is a popular wildflowers, limestone cliffs, rushing trout streams, feelings of many who have visited Logan feature on the USU and myriad other signatures of nature upon Canyon, whether once or for a lifetime. campus today. It is a sure unsullied canvas — remains something to be signal that summer has treasured and preserved.” “There were times when we were down emotion- arrived in Cache Valley, ally or mentally and we found ourselves refreshed whether the band Sweeney believes Logan Canyon is truly a unique place. after a walk in the canyon,” Ellsworth said. “It was performs indoors or out. our canyon, though we knew we shared it with “I have lived in many states and have seen places every lover of nature.” The concerts are extremely that are beautiful and wild,” he said. “But if you popular among the think of those places — Yellowstone, for instance Not a bad thing to have in your backyard. Summer Citizen popula- — they are commercialized or crowded. There are tion, many of whom say traffic jams and difficulty getting a room or they attend every concert. campsite reservation.” One audience member said she had not missed attending a concert in nine years. A quick survey of Alumni Band concerts are a popular summer tradition on the Utah State University campus. comments from that An appreciative and loyal audience looks on as the band performs in the beautiful outdoor community brings phrases setting under the baton of Director and Conductor Nicholas Morrison. 68 in 1993. Members of the band are either graduates or “Early on, I was a spectator,” he said. “I would go to attendees of USU and performed with the music the concerts and watch Anita perform and I department’s top band. Between 60-70 musicians enjoyed that. Then, I was invited to join and I’ve perform at each concert throughout the summer. really enjoyed the environment and the camarade- Some perform in one concert, some two and a full rie — there is a real esprit de corps in the band.” one-third of the members commit to all five concert dates. And while many members are from Utah, Compared to Anita Ford, band member Jo Hays is others plan family vacations and trips to coincide a newcomer. Also a flute player, Hays joined the with the concert dates. During the summer of 2007, band in 2005 after she earned a second bachelor’s band members traveled from California, Colorado, degree in music performance at USU. Earlier, she Illinois and Ohio to perform. earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical SOARING TO engineering from the University of Memphis. “A significant number of people in the band are Max’s students,” Morrison said. “That’s a real tribute to Professionally, Hays is an engineer and develops Dr. Dalby.” implants and instruments for orthopedic surgery and sports medicine. Music, however, is an SUCCESS One such Alumni Band member is Anita Ford, a flutist important part of her life. SOAR is facilitated by a group of current USU in the band. Not only was Ford a charter member of students called the A-team. Members of the the band when it was established, she said her “Band has been a very important part of my A-team help new students learn about USU musical career began when she met Max Dalby musical life and I try to take every opportunity to hen Jeff Lunt, a new Utah State policies, the registration process and much earlier when she was a seventh grade student play,” she said. UniversityW freshman graduated from Brighton student services. The A-team can answer a in Ogden. High School last spring, he had all the answers, variety of questions, including what classes Beyond the Alumni Band, Hays performs exten- now all he’s got are questions. will fulfill university and major requirements, “He put a flute in my hands and I’ve been at it ever sively, but she usually makes all five of the band’s since,” Ford said. concerts each summer. Her flute choir, HiFalutin’, Lunt came to SOAR, student orientation, where to buy textbooks, how much butter- performs six to 12 times a year, and her flute duo, advising and registration to get some answers fat is in Aggie Ice Cream and details about Ford joined the USU Alumni Band its first year when lolite, performs two or three times a year. Hays also and avoid looking like a freshman on the first becoming a True Aggie. she graduated in 1963 with a degree in music tries to schedule several solo flute recitals a year, in day of classes. Lunt needed to know how to education. She went to work immediately, not in addition to an unpredictable number of freelance pick a major, where to find a job, how to find “The A-team students are very helpful, music, but as the school librarian at Preston High performances. the library and where the cheapest pizza on friendly and not intimidating at all,” said School in Preston, Idaho. She commuted daily to campus was. Lunt’s mother, Michelle Lunt. “I feel I can ask Preston, while her husband, Bill, completed his Band member Rhonda Rhodes graduated in 1987 them any question I need.” degree at USU. with a degree in music education. She lives in He found that through attending SOAR with Hurricane, Utah, and travels the length of the state his mom, Michelle Lunt, he was able to get A lot of information is covered during a He graduated in 1965 with a bachelor’s of science to perform with the Alumni Band. She is among degree in public health and bacteriology. He also the loyal band members who attempt to perform advice, personal help registering for his SOAR day. In the morning Lunt checked in played in USU’s band, but he didn’t immediately in all five of the summer’s concerts, but busy classes and walk away feeling prepared and and received his materials for the day and become a member of the Alumni Band. First, it was schedules sometimes limit that to three. confidant to start school in the fall. got his ID card pictures taken. During this off to Georgia and an officer’s commission that he time he also attended optional workshops earned through USU’s ROTC program. “After I graduated I wanted to stay connected to “I have been excited the people and professors I knew at USU,” Rhodes about coming to “There was only one year that I didn’t perform with said. “The Alumni Band is a quality musical group college, but I didn’t the Alumni Band,” Anita said. “That was when my and a great way to keep in touch with USU know what classes I husband was in the Army and we lived in Georgia. colleagues. And, I love Logan in the summertime.” needed to take or even After one year we came back to Ogden and I’ve been how to register for playing ever since.” Rhodes is a music educator in the Washington County School District and currently teaches 6th them,” Lunt said. “I have A native of Ogden, Anita Ford soon began teaching and 7th grade band students at Lava Ridge also been concerned flute lessons, continuing the tradition instilled by her Intermediate School in Santa Clara, Utah. that I wouldn’t know teacher and mentor Dalby. She’s been teaching flute what to do or where to students for nearly 50 years and plans to continue. “Music education is what I do for a living,” Rhodes go. It has been helpful said. “When choosing a college for that career, to physically be on “I believe in keeping up on my instrument and using there was no question at the time as to where I campus for SOAR and it,” Anita said. “I love to entertain and to play for would get the best experience. Many of the have face-to-face help. people. I’m still teaching, I’m still performing. I can’t educators who influenced my life were USU I liked being able to graduates. Even as I have, and am currently imagine NOT doing it.” talk to actual students pursuing graduate degrees at other institutions, Bill Ford joined the percussion section of the USU will always be where my heart lies, because who have been Alumni Band after his military duty ended and there is where it was molded.” through this kind of after he began a 33-year teaching career at Ogden stuff already.” High School. 69 in 1993. Members of the band are either graduates or “Early on, I was a spectator,” he said. “I would go to attendees of USU and performed with the music the concerts and watch Anita perform and I department’s top band. Between 60-70 musicians enjoyed that. Then, I was invited to join and I’ve perform at each concert throughout the summer. really enjoyed the environment and the camarade- Some perform in one concert, some two and a full rie — there is a real esprit de corps in the band.” one-third of the members commit to all five concert dates. And while many members are from Utah, Compared to Anita Ford, band member Jo Hays is others plan family vacations and trips to coincide a newcomer. Also a flute player, Hays joined the with the concert dates. During the summer of 2007, band in 2005 after she earned a second bachelor’s band members traveled from California, Colorado, degree in music performance at USU. Earlier, she Illinois and Ohio to perform. earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical SOARING TO engineering from the University of Memphis. “A significant number of people in the band are Max’s students,” Morrison said. “That’s a real tribute to Professionally, Hays is an engineer and develops Dr. Dalby.” implants and instruments for orthopedic surgery and sports medicine. Music, however, is an SUCCESS One such Alumni Band member is Anita Ford, a flutist important part of her life. SOAR is facilitated by a group of current USU in the band. Not only was Ford a charter member of students called the A-team. Members of the the band when it was established, she said her “Band has been a very important part of my A-team help new students learn about USU musical career began when she met Max Dalby musical life and I try to take every opportunity to hen Jeff Lunt, a new Utah State policies, the registration process and much earlier when she was a seventh grade student play,” she said. UniversityW freshman graduated from Brighton student services. The A-team can answer a in Ogden. High School last spring, he had all the answers, variety of questions, including what classes Beyond the Alumni Band, Hays performs exten- now all he’s got are questions. will fulfill university and major requirements, “He put a flute in my hands and I’ve been at it ever sively, but she usually makes all five of the band’s since,” Ford said. concerts each summer. Her flute choir, HiFalutin’, Lunt came to SOAR, student orientation, where to buy textbooks, how much butter- performs six to 12 times a year, and her flute duo, advising and registration to get some answers fat is in Aggie Ice Cream and details about Ford joined the USU Alumni Band its first year when lolite, performs two or three times a year. Hays also and avoid looking like a freshman on the first becoming a True Aggie. she graduated in 1963 with a degree in music tries to schedule several solo flute recitals a year, in day of classes. Lunt needed to know how to education. She went to work immediately, not in addition to an unpredictable number of freelance pick a major, where to find a job, how to find “The A-team students are very helpful, music, but as the school librarian at Preston High performances. the library and where the cheapest pizza on friendly and not intimidating at all,” said School in Preston, Idaho. She commuted daily to campus was. Lunt’s mother, Michelle Lunt. “I feel I can ask Preston, while her husband, Bill, completed his Band member Rhonda Rhodes graduated in 1987 them any question I need.” degree at USU. with a degree in music education. She lives in He found that through attending SOAR with Hurricane, Utah, and travels the length of the state his mom, Michelle Lunt, he was able to get A lot of information is covered during a He graduated in 1965 with a bachelor’s of science to perform with the Alumni Band. She is among degree in public health and bacteriology. He also the loyal band members who attempt to perform advice, personal help registering for his SOAR day. In the morning Lunt checked in played in USU’s band, but he didn’t immediately in all five of the summer’s concerts, but busy classes and walk away feeling prepared and and received his materials for the day and become a member of the Alumni Band. First, it was schedules sometimes limit that to three. confidant to start school in the fall. got his ID card pictures taken. During this off to Georgia and an officer’s commission that he time he also attended optional workshops earned through USU’s ROTC program. “After I graduated I wanted to stay connected to “I have been excited the people and professors I knew at USU,” Rhodes about coming to “There was only one year that I didn’t perform with said. “The Alumni Band is a quality musical group college, but I didn’t the Alumni Band,” Anita said. “That was when my and a great way to keep in touch with USU know what classes I husband was in the Army and we lived in Georgia. colleagues. And, I love Logan in the summertime.” needed to take or even After one year we came back to Ogden and I’ve been how to register for playing ever since.” Rhodes is a music educator in the Washington County School District and currently teaches 6th them,” Lunt said. “I have A native of Ogden, Anita Ford soon began teaching and 7th grade band students at Lava Ridge also been concerned flute lessons, continuing the tradition instilled by her Intermediate School in Santa Clara, Utah. that I wouldn’t know teacher and mentor Dalby. She’s been teaching flute what to do or where to students for nearly 50 years and plans to continue. “Music education is what I do for a living,” Rhodes go. It has been helpful said. “When choosing a college for that career, to physically be on “I believe in keeping up on my instrument and using there was no question at the time as to where I campus for SOAR and it,” Anita said. “I love to entertain and to play for would get the best experience. Many of the have face-to-face help. people. I’m still teaching, I’m still performing. I can’t educators who influenced my life were USU I liked being able to graduates. Even as I have, and am currently imagine NOT doing it.” talk to actual students pursuing graduate degrees at other institutions, Bill Ford joined the percussion section of the USU will always be where my heart lies, because who have been Alumni Band after his military duty ended and there is where it was molded.” through this kind of after he began a 33-year teaching career at Ogden stuff already.” High School. 70

covering a variety of topics such as picking a The A-team member also let Lunt know how major, study abroad and life as an Aggie. to get the most out of life at Utah State.

After check in and workshops, there was a “They gave us information about clubs and brief welcome by USU administration and said there are more than 200 different clubs the student government, which included you can join including intramural and club singing one of USU’s fight songs, the Scots- sports,” Lunt said. PIONEER OF man. During lunchtime at SOAR there was infor- Following the welcome, parents were mation fair with representatives from excused to go to the parent orientation. Lunt university clubs, organizations, local religions and other groups for students to PROGRESSKARL WHITE HONORED FOR WORLDWIDE and the other new students were broken into groups of six to 10 for the beginning of get involved with. IMPACT ON NEWBORN HEARING SCREENING the student orientation. After lunch, Michelle Lunt and the other “It’s good to have student time with other parents met with a panel of A-team mem- students and have your parents go off and bers while Jeff Lunt met with his academic White is a professor of psychology at USU do their own thing,” Lunt said. “They have advisor to pick classes and setup a schedule. and the founding director of the National parent orientation at the same time as tah State University professor Karl R. Center for Hearing Assessment and Man- WhiteU is the perfect example of someone agement. He was honored for his work in student orientation so you can learn a lot “I got to talk to an advisor and an A-teamer and your parents can learn a lot so they can about my first semester schedule and they whose work has received international early detection and treatment of hearing support you.” were both really helpful in helping me pick acclaim, but whose own next-door neighbors loss in infants and young children. classes,” Lunt said. “They helped me pick only know him as the guy with the great barn During the small group presentation Lunt classes that went towards general educa- and beautiful horses. White has traveled over The award is given annually during the Days and seven other new students met with an tion and towards some majors I’m thinking recent years throughout the world to receive of ’47 celebrations to five outstanding A-team member to talk about some of the about.” honors for his work on newborn hearing Utahns who carry on the “pioneer legacy of essentials a student needs to know before screening, but now those honors have come industry and integrity” by achievements that attending USU. Following academic advising, an A-teamer closer to home. benefit present and future generations. The helped Lunt register for classes to make sure honor has been awarded since 1995. Recipi- Using Access, USU’s online registration there were no problems with his class Utah’s Days of '47 organization recently ents are nominated by Utah citizens and are system, to register for classes and pay tuition, schedule. awarded White its Pioneers of Progress Award selected from various fields of industry. student services available to use with the in the field of Education, Health and Humani- Aggie ID card and the tuition and fee “It was great to get my schedule all setup tarian Assistance. The award was presented as White is internationally recognized as one of payment deadlines were a few of the topics and have an A-teamer help me register for part of the annual Pioneer Day celebrations. the world’s leading authorities on early discussed. Lunt asked the A-team member my classes so now I don’t have to worry identification and treatment of hearing loss. about concerns he had about coming to about it,” Lunt said. He has written hundreds of publications and USU. has been invited to speak in 31 countries, After registration students and parents met where he has also assisted in the implemen- “The people I met in my small group were back up for Aggie Ice Cream. At this time tation of newborn hearing screening and very interesting and came from all different A-teamers answered some final questions intervention programs. parts of the state or neighboring states,” Lunt had about the coming semester. Lunt said. “It was fun to see the type of “I am always surprised when I receive this people I was going to be going to school “I’m really excited and feel prepared to kind of attention — in fact I look at all of the with.” come up here to USU in the fall,” Lunt said. others around the state who have done so much, and I wonder why they would pick me,” White said. “It is a great honor.”

White credited others for his success.

“I feel like I was in the right place at the right time,” he said. “There are hundreds of other people involved in the development of 71

covering a variety of topics such as picking a The A-team member also let Lunt know how major, study abroad and life as an Aggie. to get the most out of life at Utah State.

White credited others for his success.

“I feel like I was in the right place at the right time,” he said. “There are hundreds of other people involved in the development of 72

newborn-hearing screening in this country “This program will be a huge benefit to and world-wide, I am grateful to be a part children with hearing loss and to their of it.” families,” said White. “It is very exciting to see how these children are able to commu- White is being honored as a pioneer in the nicate with their family members and peers. field of newborn-hearing screening. The When they get the proper type of assis- LESSONS importance of having newborns screened tance, it makes all the difference in the for hearing loss has been recognized for world.” many years, but it was White who spear- headed the movement in the early 1990s to White’s work has been recognized with FROM ICARUS develop the technology and create the awards from such diverse organizations as UNDERGRAD PHYSICIST programs necessary to screen all newborn the Deafness Research Foundation, the children for hearing loss. American Association for Speech Language PUSHES THE LIMITS and Hearing, the Swedish Society of Medi- Through the screening process White cine and the Alexander Graham Bell Asso- such a mission,” says Albretsen, an Under- developed, doctors are now able to test ciation for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. graduate Research Fellow in physics who is babies for hearing problems that can also entering her third year at Utah State and was identify life-threatening diseases. It also He serves on many national and interna- hen Daedalus constructed wings recently named a 2007 Goldwater Scholar and gives researchers an increased understand- tional advisory groups for organizations forW himself and son Icarus to make their daring a 2006-07 Governor’s Scholar. ing of childhood brain development. such as the U.S. Department of Health and escape, his choice of materials was limited. Human Services, March of Dimes, the And he knew the inherent risks of flying an Working with mentors J.R. Dennison, Physics White is currently pioneering the new American College of Medical Genetics and apparatus crafted with wax too close to the Department professor, and graduate student “Sound Beginnings of Cache Valley” program the American Academy of Pediatrics. sun. Ryan Hoffmann in USU’s Materials Physics that will give children who are born deaf the group, Albretsen subjects insulating ceramic opportunity to learn to listen and talk White’s work was featured in a 30-minute Utah State University undergraduate Jennifer materials, including aluminum oxide, barium through the use of hearing technology such Public Television documentary, “Voices of Albretsen has a much broader and sophisti- zirconium phosphate and polyboron nitrate, as cochlear implants and digital hearing aids. Vision,” a documentary designed to high- cated range of materials to choose from for to specific frequencies of light and measures It will also include participation in auditory- light the accomplishments of organizations NASA’s planned Solar Probe satellite, but her the resultant current from electrons emitted oral educational programs. “whose leadership efforts make the world a concern still centers on by each material. better place.” the impact of solar According to White, the program is only one radiation. And whereas of three like it in the entire United States and For more information on White’s research, Daedalus was prepar- the only one between St. Louis and San visit the National Center for Hearing ing for low altitude Francisco. Participation in such programs Management’s website at flight and a compara- during the first few years of life will enable www.infanthearing.org. tively short hop from most deaf children to succeed in school on a Crete to Sicily, the Solar similar level to their hearing peers. Probe is expected to travel within three solar radii (3 RS) of the sun’s surface. In the course of its journey, the satellite will be exposed to large fluxes of light and charged particles from solar wind, as well as temperatures far beyond what Daedalus could have imagined. Physics Undergraduate Research Fellow Jennifer Albretsen, right, with “NASA is trying to graduate student mentor Ryan Hoffmann, left, and faculty mentor J.R. determine what Dennison, top, beside a vacuum chamber used to test spacebound materials could survive materials. 73

“We place samples in a vacuum chamber,” accomplish with what they learn from she says, indicating a large, round device that books,” he says. “Classes are essential, but looks like a deep sea diving bell. “When light what makes science science is the thought interacts with a surface, its energy is transmit- process that goes with testing a hypothesis. ted to embedded electrons. Often this forces You have to figure out what you don’t know. the electrons out of the material, causing it to There’s no substitute for getting in the lab become charged.” and making a lot of mistakes.”

In addition to the Solar Probe, which Hoff- As a graduate mentor, Hoffmann also sees the value of undergraduate research. TRACKING SPACE mann says resembles “a giant flying ice cream cone,” the research trio and colleagues are “Unlike many colleges, USU offers many investigating materials to construct NASA’s hands-on learning opportunities,” he says. James Webb Telescope, planned successor to “Not being involved in research is like going the Hubble. to a lecture about flying a plane without INVADERS ever getting to pilot it.” Albretsen is a National Merit Scholar, USU Presidential Scholar and Honors Fellow. The He adds that as undergrads are added to Wisconsin native chose Utah State because “I the research group, he benefits from the felt welcome, not like a number.” teaching experiences. “For me, bringing new uring a virulent outbreak of cholera inD mid-19th century London, physician John scientists up to speed makes the whole “USU was small enough that I felt like I would process much clearer in my mind,” he says. Snow doggedly went from door to door receive personalized attention, yet large “Going back and explaining the basics interviewing families of victims and piecing enough to provide interesting research keeps me focused on the big picture and together evidence of disease transmission opportunities,” she says. helps me avoid getting caught up in through contaminated water systems. details.” Albretsen is enthusiastic about the projects With his collected data, Snow made a spot that have come her way. “First of all, research Dennison says pairing undergrads with map that revealed the spatial distribution of is fun – it’s a different experience from sitting graduate students, as well as faculty men- cholera deaths – most clustered around a in a classroom,” she says. “You get a deeper tors, provides the former with a valuable water pump in Soho’s Broad Street. understanding than from reading a textbook orientation for graduate school. “From the or doing homework.” start of their college years, students are The idea of mapping a 19th century disease introduced to the opportunities offered outbreak takes wing in the 21st century with Dennison concurs. “Undergraduate research beyond undergraduate study.” the innovative work of Utah State University is incredibly valuable because it gives statistician Mevin Hooten students a chance to see what they can “The use of spatial and spatiotemporal statistics to test dispersal theories of natural phenomena has burgeoned over the last few decades,” says Hooten, who uses hierarchical models to determine how invasive species and diseases spread and change over time Statistician Mevin Hooten uses hierarchical models and space. to determine how invasive species and diseases spread and change over time and space. While knowledge of germ theory and the sophistication of tools for statistical analysis invasive bird species gaining a foothold in have grown markedly, he says, the threat of North America. The team’s research was modern pandemics – bird flu, SARS – and the highlighted in “Hierarchical Spatiotemporal unknown consequences of invasive species Matrix Models for Characterizing Invasions,” in foster as much fear and uncertainty as the June 2007 issue of Biometrics. plagues of yore. “The survival, interaction and spread of species A forest ecologist by education and experi- are key elements of ecology,” says Hooten, who ence, Hooten, along with colleagues, recently joined USU’s Department of Mathematics and applied emerging modeling methods to an Statistics as an assistant professor in 2006. “The 75

statistics community has developed models model predictions, we are on the cusp of a to determine the abundance of species, but very rapid period of ECD population we need better tools for understanding the growth here in Logan.” actual population size of different species, particularly, invasive species.” For Hooten and crew, the dove, disparaged by birders with such unflattering names as In a study funded by the National Science “scuzdove” and “Eurotrash,” offered a ready opportunity for testing the efficacy of their PATH TO Foundation and the U.S. Geological Survey, Hooten and co-investigators Christopher modeling methods. “Large-scale ecological Wikle of the University of Missouri-Columbia datasets that provide quantitative popula- and USGS scientists Robert Dorazio and tion information are rare,” he says. “Fortu- Andrew Royle used a hierarchical Bayesian nately, the long-term monitoring efforts of framework to explore the march of the the North American Breeding Bird Survey SUCCESS Eurasian Collared-Dove westward from provided us with invasive species data to Florida, its probable point of entry. fuel our research.” f you can’t see the jungle for the vines, take responsibilities that behave in a manner in Ia lesson from Tarzan – just start swinging. the best interest of the entire team. The innocuous-looking gray bird, with a black The advantage of his team’s method over half-collar at its nape, is now at mid-invasion, other invasive species models, says Is it the most thorough approach to path Sounds like a coach or military commander’s says Hooten. “ECD is a prolific species and Hooten, is its simplicity and flexibility. “It planning? Maybe not. But if you know the dream team, right? Well, yes, says Mahoney, may pose a threat to native ecosystems. We accommodates uncertainty and also general direction you’re heading, grabbing but imagine that each visually challenged predict the bird will colonize the entire provides tangible graphical and numerical the nearest vine might get you in touch with team member is working in a vast, fast- United States within a few decades.” output,” he says. “Ecologists and resource Jane, Boy and Cheetah more quickly than changing environment filled with hostile managers can use the results to under- stopping to ask for directions. obstacles and doesn’t even know if the He notes that the dove is even taking up stand ecological processes and make other members exist. How do team mem- residence in USU’s community. “Based on decisions.” That’s the gist of an algorithm Computer bers communicate with each other? Science undergraduate Arthur Mahoney is developing with faculty mentor Dan Watson. One of the most common forms of ANS is Unmanned Autonomous Vehicle systems. The two computer scientists are seeking a “With UAVs, you have a group of robots method to improve communications among equipped only with line-of-sight radio robots, which are increasingly used in military, law enforcement and industrial applications to extend the reach of humans into dangerous environments.

“Our focus is on communications in Altruistically Negotiat- ing Systems or ‘ANS,’” says Mahoney, who graduated from Utah’s Logan High School in 2005.

ANS, he says, feature a collection of robots or “agents” with diverse Computer science Undergraduate Research Fellow Art Mahoney, left, with faculty mentor, Dan Watson. 77

“Our focus is on communications in Altruistically Negotiat- ing Systems or ‘ANS,’” says Mahoney, who graduated from Utah’s Logan High School in 2005.

ANS, he says, feature a collection of robots or “agents” with diverse Computer science Undergraduate Research Fellow Art Mahoney, left, with faculty mentor, Dan Watson. 78

communications,” says Mahoney. “Those “Conferences are a wonderful way to have communications are frequently interrupted your results reviewed by peers and get new by physical obstacles.” ideas,” says Watson. “One of the nice things is that our work will be read by other Among the path planning algorithms researchers in this field of study.” proposed for use in ANS is a relatively new EXPLORING WHAT sampling-based method called Rapidly- Working on your own research project is exploring Random Leafy Tree. “RRLT has some much more meaningful than learning facts advantages over older methods but it still has in the classroom, says Mahoney. “With my LIES BENEATH constraints,” says Watson, associate professor research I’ve been forced to solve or work USU GEOPHYSICIST CONNECTS DEEP in USU’s Computer Science Department. around problems that I would have never “There are characteristics of the RRLT dealt with in class – and that’s real com- FAULT MOVEMENT TO CLIMATE CYCLES approach that don’t lend themselves well to a puter science.” distributed approach – that is, having many agents working together to solve a problem.” Mahoney, who was recently named a 2007 Goldwater Scholar, is a 2006-07 Governor’s A possible solution? Scholar, and a 2007-08 recipient of a Willard L. Eccles Undergraduate Fellow- cientists call the tendency of physical collapse of the original Tacoma Narrows objectsS to vibrate when excited by a certain Bridge. Aptly nicknamed “Galloping Gertie,” “Art (Mahoney) has taken the idea of RRLT ship, also thinks research makes learning and tried to come up with a way to randomly more enjoyable. “Programming for a frequency “resonance.” A guitar string, for the Puget Sound suspension span twisted sample points in the domain – that is, professor’s homework assignments during example, oscillates in response to tones and failed due to wind-induced vibrations. randomly sample different vines in the jungle the wee hours of the morning is tedious, sounded in the same room. A visually memo- and add new vines until agents are found,” he stressful and bothersome – but program- rable example of resonance is the 1940 Utah State University geophysicist Tony says. “He calls this method ‘The Near-sighted ming for research during the wee hours is Lowry suggests that movements Tarzan Algorithm.’” fun,” he says. observed at regular intervals on the earth’s deep tectonic faults are reso- With just one year of college behind him, “Art quickly learned the protocol for nant responses to the weight of Mahoney, an Undergraduate Research Fellow tapping into the university’s undergraduate groundwater and ocean water shifted in computer science, presented his and research opportunities and hit the ground about by weather cycles. His research, Watson’s findings last summer at the 2006 running with this project,” says Watson. “For funded by the National Science International Conference on Parallel and students with initiative, there’s a path for Foundation, appeared in a recent Distributed Processing, Techniques and exciting hands-on learning at USU. There’s issue of Nature. Applications in Las Vegas. definitely a path.” “Fault movements similar to earth- “We got really good feedback,” says Mahoney. quakes, but much slower, have been “It was a great experience.” recorded at various subduction zones around the world, including southern Mexico, Japan, New Zealand, and the United States’ Pacific Northwest,” says Lowry, an assistant professor in the College of Science’s Geology Depart- ment. “But the underlying causes of these events have been poorly under- stood.”

The movements, known as “slow slip events” or “silent earthquakes,” are actually not earthquakes and produce no noticeable ground shaking, he said. And unlike earthquakes, which recur at unpredictable times, slow slip USU geophysicist Tony Lowy at GPS site. 79

events typically occur at regular intervals of pressure also impact rock stress at depth. six to 18 months. Though tiny, relative to tectonic stress, these changes are large enough to excite fault While researching slow slip phenomena in movement at their resonant frequencies. southern Mexico, Lowry found that events occurred at almost exactly the same time “Fault slip resonance with climatic mass each year. Other researchers had already cycles explains why slip events are periodic, noted that repeating slip in the Pacific and the dependence of resonant frequency Northwest closely matched the frequency of on fault properties explains why slip periods THE SCOOP ON the “Chandler wobble,” a small shift in Earth differ from place to place,” says Lowry. rotation caused by changes in the weight of ocean basins. Understanding the connection between AGGIE ICE CREAM surface weather and fault movement West such as Farr “This suggested to me that the slow slip provides a potentially valuable tool for Ice Cream. events might have something to do with probing faults and better understanding Aggie Ice Cream the changes in pressure caused by annual their behavior, he says. “This knowledge will is a popular and other cycles of surface fluid move- help to illuminate the frictional properties of attraction in ments,” he says. faults, which should improve our under- Logan that many standing of earthquakes.” people visit while Weather cycles move a lot of mass around the in Cache Valley. Earth’s surface and changes in atmospheric Tours of Aggie Ice Cream’s production facility are offered during the summertime on the last Saturday of each month. These tours have been attended by people from all parts of the United States.

Whitney Robins, a senior majoring in public relations, said the first time she had Aggie Ice he only thing sweeter at Utah State Cream was during Week of Welcome her UniversityT than kissing on the “A” at midnight freshman year. is Utah State University’s Famous Aggie Ice Cream. “During WOW Week I saw they were serving free Aggie Ice Cream on the patio outside the A long standing Utah State tradition, Aggie Ice Taggart Student Center,” Robins said. “I love ice Cream has been an important part of social cream and couldn’t pass it up. Since then I have and academic life throughout the history of been in love with Aggie Ice Cream.” USU. Almost every week USU students can find Aggie Ice Cream dates back to 1922 when activities where Aggie Ice Cream is being Professor Gustav Wilster oversaw the first served. production and testing of Lacto Ice Cream. Wilster’s knowledge of ice cream production “I think I have only purchased Aggie Ice Cream led to successful ice cream enterprises in the maybe once or twice because I have received 81

so much free at different campus events,” development of Aggie Blue Mint flavored Robins said. “I haven’t tried every flavor yet, ice cream that has become so popular, but my favorites right now are chocolate chip and it’s been great to see its popularity cookie dough and English toffee crunch.” grow,” said Adams. “I like Aggie Ice Cream even more since I've been working with it. An average of 800 gallons of Aggie Ice Cream I see how much work goes into its FUN PARK is produced each week according to Randall production.” Bagley, Aggie Ice Cream’s production manager. There are four important keys to making “Those 800 gallons are turned into 30 differ- quality ice cream, said Bagley. They are ent flavors, which is enough to give anyone butterfat content, overrun, which refers to PHYSICSand partners Idaho National Laboratory, sphenopalantineganglioneuralgia (sfee-noh- the amount of air in the ice cream, fresh Lagoon and the Rocky Mountain NASA Space pal-uh-teen-gan-glee-oh-new-ral-juh), the ingredients and quality flavors. n what has become a spring rite of passage Grant Consortium. Participation, sponsorship, medical term for an ice cream headache,” said Ifor scores of teens in the Intermountain West, activities and prizes for the event have steadily Bagley. “Aggie Ice Cream contains 12 percent more than 6,000 budding scientists descend grown during the past 18 years. In recent years, butterfat, less air and is aged slightly on Utah’s Lagoon amusement park each May the day’s top six academic competitors received Aggie Blue Mint was created as part of a longer than other ice creams, which is for Utah State University’s Physics Day. four-year scholarship offers to USU, and thou- student flavor creation contest in 2005 and what gives Aggie Ice Cream its rich, sands of dollars worth of prizes are distributed. has quickly become the most popular flavor smooth taste,” said Bagley. “There is a lot The day-long extravaganza features hands-on of ice cream. of research that has gone into making learning, academic competition and fun – all Months prior to the event, students prepare Aggie Ice Cream a very premium prod- in the name of science. entries for the logo, demonstration and ride Shaun Adams, a graduate student conducting uct.” design contests. The day’s activities include the food research in the nutrition and food science Middle and high school science students from annual Physics Bowl academic competition as department works in Aggie Ice Cream produc- “Even after I have graduated and moved Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, Nevada and beyond well as experiments performed directly on the tion and helped develop the new flavor. away from Utah State, I will never pass up transform the northern Utah überplayground park’s rides. Students build their own acceler- an opportunity to stop in Cache Valley for into a giant laboratory “I was in Professor Donald McMahon's dairy some Aggie Ice Cream,” said Robins. to explore such basic technology class that was responsible for the physics concepts as gravity, projectile motion and centrifugal force.

“Physics Day motivates students’ interest in science and relates abstract concepts to familiar examples in a fun way,” says J.R. Dennison, USU physics professor and a founding organizer of the event. “What better laboratory to entice young people than an amusement park?”

Initiated by USU’s Physics Department in Since its inception in 1989, scores of Intermountain teens have explored 1989, Physics Day is gravity, projectile motion, centrifugal force and other basic physics concepts coordinated by USU during USU Physics Day at Lagoon amusement park. 83

ometers to measure G-forces on the Colossus amusement park fun, Dennison says it’s roller coaster and design their own protective gratifying to hear youngsters’ lively containers for the Sky Drop Contest, which discussions about free fall, drag forces, involves dropping a raw egg bombardier- energy conservation and impulse. “Who style from the 15-meter-high Sky Coaster ride says physics has to be dull?” he says. – and keeping it intact. In addition to the coordinating partners, “We estimate that more than 80,000 students Physics Day sponsors include ATK CHEMICAL have attended Physics Day over the years,” Thiokol, Boeing, Eastern Idaho Regional says Dennison. Medical Center, Idaho NASA Space Grant Consortium, Mathsoft Engineering, Becky Atkins, USU College of Science Dean’s Micron, Moog Aircraft, North Wind Scholar, is one of those alumni. Atkins, who Environmental, SAIC, S&S Power, the U.S. REACTION“The snake is a graphite form of carbon,” USU graduated in 2007 with a 4.0 Navy, USU’s College of Science, USU’s undergrad chemist Sara Huefner explained to GPA, earned a bachelor’s Admissions Office and USU Bookstore. or the high school students, a day in a the group. “It’s one of the known ‘allotropes’ of degree in math education FUtah State University chem lab offered a carbon. Do you know what an allotrope is?” with a minor in physics. The glimpse of learning opportunities that await Idaho native, who attended them at the university level. For members of “Isn’t it, like, when you have the same chemicals Physics Day while a student the USU Chemistry Club, the gathering offered but in a different form?” ventured one student. at Twin Falls High School, a valuable lesson in peer mentoring. choose to attend Utah State “You are so correct!” answered Huefner. “Can because of the scholarship Undergraduates from the club conducted a anyone give me an example of another she earned as a Physics Bowl workshop for tenth graders from InTech allotrope of carbon? I’ll give you a hint – what’s contestant. Collegiate High School, one of Utah’s six early something really expensive you wear on your college charter high schools. InTech students hand?” An aspiring high school make regular visits to USU’s Chemistry and teacher, Atkins says she looks Biochemistry Department to experience “Diamonds!” the students chimed in unison. forward to encouraging hands-on experimentation in a university lab. hands-on learning activities Located on the university’s Innovation At another station, students stretched long, and active participation in Campus, InTech first opened its doors to sticky strands of dissolving Styrofoam, in an her own classroom. “Math students in 2006. and science are not just about plugging numbers Decked out in safety into a formula,” she says. “It’s goggles and gloves, important to understand the teens learned what how and why things work.” happens when you mix and heat a few Two other notable Physics ordinary-looking Day alums include 2006 liquids and solids. Torino Olympics gold medal stars Julia Mancuso and Ted “Oh, that’s disgusting!” Ligety. As high school exclaimed one partici- classmates at Park City, Utah’s pant as students Winter Sports School, the watched a “carbon champion ski racers teamed snake” – a gray mass up in 2000 for a Physics Day formed from an project. organic compound USU Physics Day participants build their own accelerometers to mixed with sulfuric While Physics Day includes a measure G-forces on a rollercoaster. The day-long extravaganza acid – slowly bulge introduces teen to study opportunities at Utah State. Associate Dean Lisa Berreau, right, and undergraduate peer mentor Sara Huefner, boatload of conventional from a beaker. left, guide high school science students through chemistry experiments. 85

experiment demonstrating what happens to Maintaining focus and order among active polystyrene molecules when mixed with a teens, the mentors agreed, is a formidable solvent. challenge. But a worthwhile endeavor, faculty advisor Berreau, assured the under- “It looks like a promo from a Spider-Man grads. movie,” quipped USU Chemistry and ADVANCING Biochemistry Department Head Steve Schei- “Inviting teens to campus is a key step in ner. the recruitment process,” she said. “We need to reach these kids early to spark their At yet another station, teens burst into interest in science and let them know about giggles over white foam spewing from a flask. the many opportunities that are available to them.” DIVERSITY “You like to blow things up, I see,” said Lisa Berreau, associate professor and associate Berreau and other faculty members in the dean of USU’s College of Science. “OK, that Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry doesn’t surprise me.” tested the waters this past summer with a week-long chemistry workshop for students from InTech. Innovation funds awarded from the college’s budget draw- “It’s very interesting to see the different back will cover the cost of this year’s reactions from the kids,” said James Ewell, a inaugural gathering. The goal is to expand junior biochemistry major who helped with the opportunity to students from other the workshop. “Some don’t care; some are Utah high schools in coming years, she said. fascinated.” The summer gathering garnered an enthu- “It lets the kids see that chemistry can be siastic response from the participants and applied to everyday things,” added Matthew their parents. Volk, a sophomore biochem major who also helped with the workshop. “Examples of “Many teens simply don’t know about all chemistry are all around us.” the learning and scholarship opportunities that USU offers,” said Berreau. “Perhaps they A veteran of four peer mentoring gatherings haven’t even considered that college is an plus three demonstrations for Aggie Family option they can pursue. Our outreach programs, bolstered by our undergrad peer Day, Volk is an old hand at engaging young- Business undergrads, from left, Teri Lewis, Cammy Telford, Eduardo Martinez, Ashlee Gardner, Devin sters in learning activities. Huefner still has mentors, are an effort to change that.” Hirschi, Adam Pitcher and Erinn Reed developed a training program to help university employers some doubts. reduce bias in hiring practices.

“I have trouble keeping everyone on task,” you keep your personal biases in check? Seems she lamented. counterintuitive, right?

ou’re hiring a new employee. A resume Utah State University undergraduates in Robert acquaintsY you with each candidate’s skills, Mills’ Management Information Systems background and education, but nothing yields Development class undertook the daunting as much critical information as the face-to- challenge of creating a training system to aid face interview. When interviewers recount university employees in practicing unbiased initial meetings with prospective employees, employee recruitment and hiring practices. they speak of encounters that “just clicked” or prospects “who weren’t the right fit.” The students’ endeavor bolsters the efforts of USU’s ADVANCE program, which seeks to In a situation where you rely on your gut to promote gender equality and increased diver- determine if a candidate is the right person to sity throughout campus. USU is one of just 19 advance your organization’s mission, how do institutions nationwide to receive a National 87

“I have trouble keeping everyone on task,” you keep your personal biases in check? Seems she lamented. counterintuitive, right?

Science Foundation grant to fund efforts to “We think that makes a powerful state- create a workplace that fosters gender equal- ment,” said Martinez. “When committee ity in the university’s science, technology, members acknowledge their own biases, engineering and math programs. The NSF they encourage others to examine them- funds were awarded in a five-year grant, which selves honestly.” USU received in 2003. Recognizing one’s own biases is the first Best in the West In their report, “Excellence Through Diversity,” step in developing ways to counter them, students Ashlee Gardner, Devin Hirschi, Teri the students said. Lewis, Eduardo Martinez, Adam Pitcher, Erinn Reed and Cammy Telford asserted that Sometimes biases are very subtle and increased diversity among faculty boosts committee members aren’t even aware of new round of rankings mark the “The amount of debt a student leaves with creativity, improves faculty retention and them. “We’ve compiled a list of common start of a new academic year at Utah State is a result of many factors,” Coward said. makes the university more attractive to biases to help people identify and deal with A University, including “Best in the West,” “One of those factors is most certainly the prospective students and faculty. common pitfalls,” Pitcher said. “Best Value,” and even a No. 1 recognition cost of tuition. Our tuition is extraordinarily by U.S. News & World Report. reasonable, especially when one consid- “It’s impossible to create a bias-free environ- Frequent biases, the students wrote, includ- ers the quality of education delivered at ing stereotyping, double standards, same- ment,” said Ronda Callister, associate professor In a nutshell, USU is: USU. A USU education is reasonably of management and human resources and a sex biases, projection and the so-called priced and well worth the value.” principal investigator for USU’s ADVANCE “Halo-horns effect,” where interviewers place too much emphasis on first impres- • No. 1 among public universities for program. “The goal is to reduce bias.” U.S. News & Washington Monthly sions. Examples of the latter would be graduates with least debt ( In the report, USU is World Report She and fellow investigators reviewed the assuming a physically attractive candidate ) ranked number 54 out of 242 national students’ proposed training program at each is a better worker and more qualified than a universities. It is a ranking that represents step of its development and offered suggestions. less-attractive person. • Top 35 overall score among public the combined score of the three metrics – national universi- “We started with a thick notebook of data on Quizzes are included in the training ties based on science-based training programs and spent a program to ensure that participants under- social mobility, lot of time sorting through the information,” stand and retain the training material. research and Pitcher said. “USU’s ADVANCE team offered service (The help along the way, including suggestions The second part of the training program Washington that we narrow our examples to case studies instructs participants in the preparation of a Monthly) and research articles based specifically on hiring decision matrix and a position academic searches.” description that carefully identifies the • “Best in the specific needs and wants of the position West” and To aid hiring decision makers in their quest, along with the weight criteria of essential “America’s Best the students reasoned that their training job functions. Value Colleges” program should follow a two-pronged The Princeton Creating a culture of diversity requires by approach. Not only does their training packet Review include materials that explain the process of diligent, conscious effort, the students selecting a new employee, but it includes concluded. recommendations for the assembly of a search This year, USU committee using a fair, unbiased approach. “Diversity means you have the presence of a was recognized by wide range of variation in personal qualities the U.S. News The search committee, the students and attributes,” said Pitcher. “Diversity rankings as No. 1 USU student Amanda Murray conducts hands-on research in the field, concluded, should include members of both increases ideas the perspectives and fosters among all national studying bighorn sheep on Antelope Island. genders and represent diverse backgrounds. a dynamic learning environment. That’s public universities Second, search committee leaders should what makes the university more attractive for students carrying the least amount of social mobility, research and service. That serve as role models for all members. “Role to prospective students and faculty.” debt upon graduation. This is a distinction is a score among all universities. When models should be identified who are willing of which Utah State University can be private institutions are removed from the to reveal their own biases and how they deal proud, said Raymond T. Coward, USU list, USU is ranked in the top 35. with them,” students said. executive vice president and provost. 89

7th highest percentage of students From Washington Monthly’s rankings receiving Pell grants – an indicator of th the “social mobility” that the univer- 7 86th under the category of actual sity provides low-income students. Small Satellite Competition graduation rate compared to USU’s (Coward notes that the federal Pell Grant 86th program provides need-based grants to predicted graduation rate based on low-income undergraduates to promote the percentage of Pell recipients of and incoming SATs. (Coward notes the access to postsecondary education.) EQUALS BIG MONEY 242 top 100 national ranking in graduating students TWO USU SPACE ENGINEERING STUDENTS TAKE HOME at a higher rate then would be predicted is another positive measure of social mobility.) HONORS IN ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIP COMPETITION

“In the public institution light, USU USU once again made The Princeton shines,” Coward said. Review’s list as one of 123 colleges and universities named a “Best Western s Utah’s space For example, the Washington Monthly’s College.” In addition, USU is also desig- university, Utah State Univer- Asity has built an international rankings place USU as: nated again as “one of the best overall bargains – based on cost and financial reputation for expertise in sensor technology, data •One of only 19 public institutions in the aid – among the most academically compression, real-time nation listed in the top 35 two years in outstanding colleges in the nation.” reconnaissance and payload a row systems. “Utah State University’s good marks in • 3rd in the nation with regard to the these areas place us in an elite group of Mechanical and aerospace percentage of funds in federal work- public institutions, and they reflect many engineering graduate study money that goes to community of the traits we value,” Coward said. “It students Scott Jensen and service. (Ranked behind only the is why I believe you also see USU Patrick Jolley chose to attend University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and consistently appear in The Princeton USU because of its expertise USU space engineering students Patrick Jolley (left) and Scott Jensen and extensive heritage in the received high honors in USU’s Frank J. Redd Student Scholarship the University of California, Riverside.) Review’s “Best in the West” and on Competition at the annual Small Satellite Conference. “America’s Best Value Colleges” list as space industry. The choice Washington Monthly applies measures we are, once again, this year.” has literally paid-off for both of them in the form “If a satellite in orbit fails, it can take months to reflecting traits such as access, opportu- of scholarship money received after competing launch a spare,” Jolley said. “This system would as finalists in the Frank J. Redd Student Scholar- nity, service and quality. Writer: John DeVilbiss, 435.797.1358 use existing satellites already in orbit and move [email protected] ship Competition at the 21st annual Small them to other tasks as needed. Basically, we are Satellite Conference. designing a space vehicle that would be capable of achieving two missions in space for the price of Jolley placed second in the 2007 competition and one.” received a total of $7,500 to further his education. He received the honor for his research with Jolley said that for the proposed technology to USU mechanical and aerospace engineering work, the design has to be aerodynamic, it has to professor Stephen A. Whitmore. Jolley and be able to deal with high re-entry temperatures, Whitmore developed a way to build an aerody- and it requires a complex rocket propulsion engine namic satellite that can drop in altitude until it to give it the thrust it needs. gets low enough to be able to fly around just inside the Earth’s atmosphere and then boost Jensen received an honorable mention in the back into space in a different orbit. competition, giving him $2,500. Jensen’s research is aimed at increasing the amount of small satellite “Despite what we see in today’s science fiction missions in space by loosening the orbit restric- movies like Star Wars, we can’t just fly around at tions imposed by the orientation of a satellite in will in space,” Jolley said. space. His work with USU mechanical and aerospace engineering professor David Gellar has Therefore, designing a system like this is a smart been to design an algorithm that will work well in a move. It saves time and money and also makes range of orbits. small satellites more responsive. 91

The Small Satellite Conference is hosted annually Jensen became excited about space research on the USU campus and is attended by when he learned about the planets in elementary academia, industry and government agencies school. A LIFE-CHANGING from more than 20 countries spanning the globe. The student scholarship competition is open to all “Space exploration has done more to advance full-time undergraduate or graduate students science and technology than almost any other pursuing degrees in an engineering or scientific subject,” Jensen said. “There are always new and EXPERIENCE discipline at an accredited college exciting discoveries.” or university. Jensen and Jolley received master’s degrees in More than 50 students from around the world mechanical and aerospace engineering in the submitted papers that included actual projects summer of 2007. Their success in the classroom ife changing. Yes, she admits and concepts related to advancing and broaden- has transferred to life after USU. Jensen is Lit’s a cliché, but Utah State ing the applications for small satellites. working as an engineer in nuclear waste disposal University’s 2007 Summer Design for Bechtel Bettis, Inc., at the Naval Reactor Program in Switzerland was exactly “USU has qualified professors in many space- Facility near Idaho Falls, Idaho. Jolley is employed that for Natalie Hartley, a senior related fields, several coming from long careers at at ATK Launch Systems in Magna, Utah, where he from Boise, Idaho. different NASA centers,” said Jolley. “I would have designs and analyzes new launch vehicles. never received the honor of second place in the Many of Hartley’s 36 fellow students competition without their mentorship The Small Satellite conference is co-sponsored by had the same reaction to the inten- and encouragement.” the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astro- sive, hands-on study abroad experi- nautics. It has become internationally recognized ence based in USU’s Department of The panel of judges, which included representa- as the premier conference on small satellites. tion from NASA, the Air Force Research Labora- More than 60 government agencies and top Art and the Caine School of the Arts. tory, academia and industry, read the papers and aerospace corporations exhibit at the conference, Among the opportunities? Collabo- then whittled the finalists down to six. Jensen and including ATK, Ball Aerospace, L-3 Communica- rating with the International Olympic Jolley were in prestigious company as they were tions, Lockheed Martin and NASA. International Museum in Lausanne, Switzerland. chosen to compete against students from Wash- exhibitors included organizations from Canada, ington University, Santa Clara University, the England, Scotland, Japan, the Netherlands and “The intensity of the program, its University of Missouri and The Tokyo Institute of Sweden. unique experiences and complete Technology. immersion for an extended period of Scholarship funds for the Frank J. Redd Student time allowed me to learn in a way I “This was a tough competition and the other Scholarship Competition come from space-related will never forget,” Hartley said. “Not universities had some great research,” Jensen said. research companies and private donors. The only did I learn valuable lessons USU senior Curt Leishman, along with other students in USU’s “The aerospace community has always been one of scholarship money received by Jensen and Jolley about design, aesthetics and history, Summer Design Program in Switzerland, joined members of the places where great minds and highly motivated can be used for any academic related expenses. but also about myself, how I related the local village in a high Alpine valley to observe a local people come together. Competing in the small Redd established the Small Satellite conference tradition of “cow fighting.” satellite student competition allowed me to be a part and was former deputy director for SDL, as well as to these things, this culture and, in a of that. It was a great opportunity for me to show- a professor in USU’s mechanical and aerospace sense, who I am.” case the significant amount of work that goes into engineering department. For fellow student and program participant this type of research.” Hartley is a bachelor of fine arts student Loni Pilcher, this was her first experience For more information about USU’s space with a graphic design emphasis. Her trip with the program and her first trip to Europe. The potential of Jolley’s research obviously research, visit the Center for Space Engineering to Switzerland in the summer of 2007 was Home base for the students was the alpine intrigued the competition’s judges and Jolley Web site, http://cse.usu.edu/. For more information her second. She participated in the 2006 ski village of Leysin, where the USU group credits his USU professors’ enthusiasm, ideas on the Small Satellite Conference, visit program as well. took over a small hotel. and expertise in the area of rocket and spaceflight www.smallsat.org. research for his success as a student. “The great thing about this program is that “I knew since my first semester at Utah State Writer: Maren Cartwright, 435.797.1355 you can have great experiences every that I wanted to have some kind of study “If you are looking to go into aerospace, USU is [email protected] day,” she said. abroad experience, and so it was just the the way to go,” Jolley said. 94 The program also offers students the In addition to the Olympic Museum, USU opportunity to collaborate with international students visited many museums in Switzerland. corporations and organizations on visual Here are some of the more communication problems. Art Leads Young Alum INTERESTING MUSEUMS: • Chocolate Museum Summer 2007 presented an opportunity of (with free, all-you-can-eat samples!) Olympic proportions — literally. The AROUND THE GLOBE • Textile Museum summer’s assignment included work for the International Olympic Museum to produce • Cheese Museum prototype designs for the Olympic torch for • Medieval Paper Making Museum the coming Olympics in Vancouver (2010) (make your own paper) and London (2012). By the end of the ustin Wheatley graduated from Utah State University in May 2006 with a degree in And numerous art museums assignment, the directors and staff at the artJ education. That means he joined the ranks museum were so impressed with the nine of the university’s alumni just over a year ago, torch designs created by the USU students, but in the year’s time he’s earned a prestigious natural thing that, as a graphic design they decided to put them on exhibition in grant and has traveled the globe pursuing his student, I would participate in the Switzer- the museum during the summer tourist high love of art and education. All that thanks to land program,” Pilcher said. “I’m so glad I season. An unexpected honor for the learning experiences and skills he gained at USU. participated. It’s a unique program USU students. As a young graduate, Wheatley has one year’s because we got to see so much of the experience under his belt as an art educator at country. We didn’t spend time sitting in a “This is an incredibly prestigious interna- Cyprus High School in the Granite School classroom — we got to take full advan- tional venue on the Swiss Riviera, and it’s District in Salt Lake City where he taught six tage of every second that we were in no small feat to be invited to exhibit there,” sections of 3-D design. In his second year of Switzerland. The whole country was our Winward said. “I’m very proud of what the teaching he will add a concurrent enrollment Exploring Art classroom.” students accomplished.” course, , that he will teach at Cyprus while students receive credit at Salt Lake Community College. Pilcher, from Bluffdale, Utah, is a junior Writer: Patrick Williams, 435.797.1354 art major with a graphic design emphasis. [email protected] In his first year of teaching, Wheatley applied September 2007 for and received an impressive grant that Now in its sixth year, the program is resulted in his acceptance in the Japan directed by associate professor of graphic USU student groups have collaborated with Fulbright Memorial Fund program, a rare, prestigious organizations during the program. prestigious honor for a young professional. design Robert Winward. The four-week • Swatch International long visit immerses both graduate and • Victorinox The Japan Fulbright Memorial Fund was undergraduate students in Swiss design • International Committee of the Red Cross established to commemorate the 50th anniver- and European visual sary of the Fulbright Program, a U.S. govern- culture. ment project created in 1946 to foster mutual understanding through exchanges of university students, faculty and teachers. The Japan Justin Wheatley attended a tea ceremony, one of many activities during his experience with the Japan Fulbright Memorial Fund “Swiss designers have had Fulbright Memorial Fund continues a tradition Program. (photo by Justin Wheatley.) a powerful influence on the of dialogue and exchange between the United design profession and States and Japan. continue to be a major the year. The teachers rank their skills and set goals to force in the direction of “The program is sponsored by the Japanese govern- enhance their performance. Through teachers’ professional development, students reap the rewards of new international visual comment and takes 200 teachers from the United States to learn about the country’s culture and educational and exciting advancements in learning. munications,” Winward system,” Wheatley said. “There were teachers from said. “The program is every state in the country, including three from Utah.” “Justin’s application must have been exceptional for him enormously successful and to receive this award,” Burnside said. “He’s the one who broadens students’ world- According to Tamara Burnside, the K-12 fine arts gets the credit for taking the initiative to reflect on the views, exposing them to specialist for the Granite School District, it is unusual scholarship, then take charge and complete the detailed application process. Now, with the Fulbright experience internationally acclaimed for a first-year teacher to earn an honor like this. Professional development is encouraged throughout fresh and alive in his mind, he will show students new, artists and designers.” the district, and all teachers create a professional culturally diverse approaches and techniques to more growth and evaluation program at the beginning of richly express themselves.” 95 The program also offers students the In addition to the Olympic Museum, USU opportunity to collaborate with international students visited many museums in Switzerland. corporations and organizations on visual Here are some of the more communication problems. Art Leads Young Alum INTERESTING MUSEUMS: • Chocolate Museum Summer 2007 presented an opportunity of (with free, all-you-can-eat samples!) Olympic proportions — literally. The AROUND THE GLOBE • Textile Museum summer’s assignment included work for the International Olympic Museum to produce • Cheese Museum prototype designs for the Olympic torch for • Medieval Paper Making Museum the coming Olympics in Vancouver (2010) (make your own paper) and London (2012). By the end of the ustin Wheatley graduated from Utah State University in May 2006 with a degree in And numerous art museums assignment, the directors and staff at the artJ education. That means he joined the ranks museum were so impressed with the nine of the university’s alumni just over a year ago, torch designs created by the USU students, but in the year’s time he’s earned a prestigious natural thing that, as a graphic design they decided to put them on exhibition in grant and has traveled the globe pursuing his student, I would participate in the Switzer- the museum during the summer tourist high love of art and education. All that thanks to land program,” Pilcher said. “I’m so glad I season. An unexpected honor for the learning experiences and skills he gained at USU. participated. It’s a unique program USU students. As a young graduate, Wheatley has one year’s because we got to see so much of the experience under his belt as an art educator at country. We didn’t spend time sitting in a “This is an incredibly prestigious interna- Cyprus High School in the Granite School classroom — we got to take full advan- tional venue on the Swiss Riviera, and it’s District in Salt Lake City where he taught six tage of every second that we were in no small feat to be invited to exhibit there,” sections of 3-D design. In his second year of Switzerland. The whole country was our Winward said. “I’m very proud of what the teaching he will add a concurrent enrollment Exploring Art classroom.” students accomplished.” course, , that he will teach at Cyprus while students receive credit at Salt Lake Community College. Pilcher, from Bluffdale, Utah, is a junior Writer: Patrick Williams, 435.797.1354 art major with a graphic design emphasis. [email protected] In his first year of teaching, Wheatley applied September 2007 for and received an impressive grant that Now in its sixth year, the program is resulted in his acceptance in the Japan directed by associate professor of graphic USU student groups have collaborated with Fulbright Memorial Fund program, a rare, prestigious organizations during the program. prestigious honor for a young professional. design Robert Winward. The four-week • Swatch International long visit immerses both graduate and • Victorinox The Japan Fulbright Memorial Fund was undergraduate students in Swiss design • International Committee of the Red Cross established to commemorate the 50th anniver- and European visual sary of the Fulbright Program, a U.S. govern- culture. ment project created in 1946 to foster mutual understanding through exchanges of university students, faculty and teachers. The Japan Justin Wheatley attended a tea ceremony, one of many activities during his experience with the Japan Fulbright Memorial Fund “Swiss designers have had Fulbright Memorial Fund continues a tradition Program. (photo by Justin Wheatley.) a powerful influence on the of dialogue and exchange between the United design profession and States and Japan. continue to be a major the year. The teachers rank their skills and set goals to force in the direction of “The program is sponsored by the Japanese govern- enhance their performance. Through teachers’ professional development, students reap the rewards of new international visual comment and takes 200 teachers from the United States to learn about the country’s culture and educational and exciting advancements in learning. munications,” Winward system,” Wheatley said. “There were teachers from said. “The program is every state in the country, including three from Utah.” “Justin’s application must have been exceptional for him enormously successful and to receive this award,” Burnside said. “He’s the one who broadens students’ world- According to Tamara Burnside, the K-12 fine arts gets the credit for taking the initiative to reflect on the views, exposing them to specialist for the Granite School District, it is unusual scholarship, then take charge and complete the detailed application process. Now, with the Fulbright experience internationally acclaimed for a first-year teacher to earn an honor like this. Professional development is encouraged throughout fresh and alive in his mind, he will show students new, artists and designers.” the district, and all teachers create a professional culturally diverse approaches and techniques to more growth and evaluation program at the beginning of richly express themselves.” 96 cities throughout Japan. His group of 20 traveled to Ogi in the Saga Prefecture.

“A prefecture is similar to a state,” Wheatley said. “Saga is on the island of Kyshu, just south of the main island of Japan.”

While in Ogi, the group visited local schools and museums. Members also spent two days and a night with a Japanese host family. The trip wrapped SUMMER PLUNGE up with a return to Tokyo for three days to share experiences with other teachers.

“The experience was incredible,” Wheatley wrote in USU graduate Justin Wheatley taught a drawing course s an aspiring teen scientist, you USU Undergraduate Research Fellow Kather- for the USU Art Department during a study abroad his blog. “The Japanese people were extremely kind program in Germany. Wheatley (right) is joined by Art and hospitable.” could hang at the library all summer perus- ine Grover attended the academy between ingA dusty tomes and surfin’ the ‘Net. But her junior and senior years of high school. Department faculty member and mentor Chris Terry in Düsseldorf. (Photo from Chris Terry.) From staying in a hotel next to the busiest train would that give you a true picture of what station in the world — picture 3.22 million passen- goes on inside the lab? “I wasn’t really interested in science until I gers per day — to the quiet solitude of a Shinto took high school biology and I wasn’t sure Wheatley said he had little previous contact with shrine, Wheatley was able to expand his experience Japan prior to the trip. and continue to build his educational philosophy. He Utah State University’s Center for Inte- about Utah State,” says Grover, a biology learned much about the Japanese educational grated BioSystems invites intrepid scholars major and Presidential Scholarship recipi- “While growing up, I had a Japanese American friend system. For instance, a nearly zero percent illiteracy into the lab each July to experience ent. “But once I attended the academy who taught me to count from one to 10 in Japanese rate exists in all of Japan. Fifty percent of the cutting-edge research on a university and saw what the university had to offer, I so, when I walked off the plane in Tokyo, I could population pursues some form of higher education. campus. Since 2000, the CIB has offered was really excited. I was hooked.” confidently count from one to 10,” he said. “I’d also And, unlike the U.S. system, the Japanese educa- its intensive gone to a couple of Obon festivals in Salt Lake, but tional system is a national system with an increasing that was it.” push that emphasizes creativity, diversity and five-day Summer flexibility. Biotechnology The Obon festival is an annual Buddhist event for Academy to commemorating one’s ancestors. A day-by-day report on Wheatley’s trip can be found provide high on his blog at http://wheatleyinjapan.blogspot.com/. school juniors Wheatley’s summer of travel began earlier than his and seniors with trip to Japan, when he accompanied a group of Utah Toward the end of Wheatley’s stay in Japan, he State University art students and professor Christo- attended a seminar about art education in Japan the opportunity to pher Terry to Germany as part of a USU Study presented by Chihiro Tada, director of the Arts Educa- work one-on-one Abroad program. Wheatley had earlier participated in tion Institute and the National Toy Museum. Wheatley with faculty the program as a student and calls Terry a mentor. In reports the presentation talked about the need for mentors in a the summer of 2007, he served as a teaching everyone — children and adults — to have time for variety of disci- assistant, teaching a drawing class to 14 USU play. And concerns in Japan mirror those in America. student participants. plines. “He talked about the growing concern over time “Justin is a good artist with strong drawing skills,” spent on computers, playing video games, reading “Students have Terry said. “More important, as a veteran participant I comic books and watching TV,” Wheatley wrote in the opportunity to thought he’d not only understand the limitations and his blog. “In Japan, kids spend 2,000 hours a year choose projects benefits of a study abroad teaching situation, but also doing those four things. Compare that to the 700 from chemistry be able to fill in the new students with practical hours spent studying in school.” and biochemistry, Afifa Sabir, far right, education coordinator at USU’s Center for Integrated knowledge — like where the laundromat is and how BioSystems, guides teen summer academy participants in lab techniques. to find the best pizza. On a five-week trip to Europe, The speaker closed with a comment that rang true biology; animal, I’ve got a lot on my mind, and it was very reassuring to Wheatley. dairy and veteri- to know that I didn’t need to worry about the course nary sciences; biotechnology and genom- Grover presented research she’s condu- Justin covered. The success of the overall trip was “I believe that art education is an important as three ics, food and nutrition sciences; biological cting on genomic sequencing with faculty due in large part to his efforts.” meals a day,” Tada said. “It is very important for the and environmental engineering; plant and mentor Paul Cliften to Utah legislators at body and the spirit.” the 2007 Undergraduate Research Day A day after he got off the plane from Germany, he soil science and more,” says Afifa Sabir, stepped onto a plane for the flight to Japan. That’s a belief Wheatley endorses. CIB education coordinator. “The academy on Capitol Hill in Salt Lake City. The offers students an exciting glimpse of the Cache Valley native plans to pursue Wheatley’s Japanese stay combined educational and Writer: Patrick Williams, 435.797.1354 wide range of study and career opportuni- graduate work in medical research. cultural experiences, starting with a one-week stay in [email protected] ties in biotechnology.” Tokyo before splitting into smaller groups to travel to October 2007 97 cities throughout Japan. His group of 20 traveled to Ogi in the Saga Prefecture.

“A prefecture is similar to a state,” Wheatley said. “Saga is on the island of Kyshu, just south of the main island of Japan.”

National Merit Scholar Keith Warnick also schools don’t even look at your application chose Utah State after attending the if you don’t have research experience.” summer biotech academy. “I had narrowed my choices to two schools but decided on An active member of USU’s Asian Ameri- Research Funding Up USU because it has a friendlier environ- can Club, Lam says she wants to reach ment for undergraduate research,” says other multicultural students to make them Warnick, who received an Honorable aware of undergraduate research and Mention in 2006 in the prestigious Goldwa- scholarship opportunities at Utah State. tah State University’s total research L. Albrecht said. “These are faculty who are recog- ter Scholar competition. awards increased to $132.7 million this past year, nized as being at the top of their fields.” “I want to let others know about opportuni- Uup $9 million from the previous year, for an A physics major, Warnick is researching ties to get scholarships and gain research increase of 7.8 percent. The latest research In addition to research contracts and grants, the acoustic and electromagnetic waves in experience here at USU,” she says. “Dr. awards information encompasses fiscal year increase in funding also comes from awards for groups of particles with faculty mentor Sabir and the other professors were great 2006-2007. international education and training, USU Vice Timothy Doyle. resources for me and helped me get settled President for Research Brent Miller said. on campus.” In addition to the research awards, USU was Undergraduate Research Fellow Uyen Lam awarded $18.5 million for student fellowships and “Part of our success comes from our USU faculty, and made her first foray into lab research as a high Lam has returned to subsequent biotech financial aid in the past year, bringing the total for another part of our growth comes from scientists and school student at CIB’s summer academy. academies to help out as a peer mentor all awards to $151.2 million. USU is ranked in the engineers at USU’s Space Dynamics Lab,” Miller and says she’s impressed with the new top 20 among land-grant universities in the nation said. “In some years, one or two major SDL awards “I was already looking at Utah State,” says learning opportunities that are added each and in the top 10 non-medical land-grant universi- account for much of the difference in funding from the Lam, who graduated from Utah’s Logan year. “I would have liked to have learned ties for federal research revenue generated, prior year. Our research funding went down High School in 2004. “But the biotech what the new participants are doing when I in 2004. This drop reflected the USU’s TOTAL SPONSORED AWARDS FUNDING academy taught me what research was.” was their age.” discontinuation of a very large $200 U.S. Department of Defense An aspiring physician, Lam believes her Writer: Mary-Ann Muffoletto, $180 contract at SDL. Fortunately, undergraduate research experience will aid [email protected], $160 we have resumed an upward in her quest to attend medical school. “Med 435-797-1429 $140 trajectory after that decline.” September 2007 $120 $151,157,520 $83,191,138 While most of the funding for $100 USU research comes from $80 federal sources, private $60 sources make up almost 20

MILLIONS OF DOLLARS $40 percent of the total research $20 funding. These sources $0 1995 1997 1999 2001 2003 2005 2007 include private industries, FISCAL YEAR private foundations and other international government according to the National Science Foundation’s sources. report based on fiscal year 2004 research expenditures. USU ranks first among all universi- “The research conducted by our faculty is a very ties in the nation in money spent on aerospace important benefit for our students because that research and development, according to NSF cutting-edge knowledge carries over into the class- data. USU’s College of Education and Human room,” said USU Executive Vice President and Services ranks number two in the nation in total Provost Raymond Coward. “Many professors at USU research awards behind Columbia University. have active programs of research that parallel their teaching assignments and enrich the experiences of “Our success in obtaining grants and contracts our students. Such professors have the ability to reflects our stellar research faculty who submit provide students with knowledge and insights that proposals and receive funding in a highly simply cannot be found in any text. This adds real competitive environment,” USU President Stan value to their learning experience.” 99

Sponsored research is critically important in other USU RESEARCH FUNDING ways too, Miller said. July 1, 2006–June 30, 2007 Research grants lead to discovery and the growth 64.5% From Federal Sources of knowledge, and ($85.7 million) USU Computer Engineering Student contracts often are 19.6% From Private Sources designed to produce ($26 million) MAKES WINNING BUSINESS specific answers and solve practical problems 14.3% From State THROUGH SCHOOL LOTTERIES in society. Research and ($19 million) scholarly work provide From Local opportunities for students, 1.6% ($2 million) and research-based inning the lottery is something “This software saved me hours of work,” said experiential learning gives many Americans dream of, but the odds are Susan Wall, Edith Bowen Lab School secretary. USU students an advan- Wagainst most at taking home that “winning” “Our kindergarten lottery previously used tage in the job market. Research Total: $132.7 Million random number. Utah State University com- decimal system software that was eight num- puter engineering student Joseph Irvine is bers long. Differentiating one applicant from Miller said most award funds are used to pay direct problems, they provide expertise and innovation betting on those odds and literally winning with another was a tedious task. With more than 100 costs to perform the objectives of grants or the throughout society. With the research conducted at his software written specifically for school kindergarten applications every year, it took a scope of work in contracts. Research awards are our university, we are securing our future by admission lotteries. lot of work. Now that we are a charter school, critically important for a research university because creating knowledge and solutions that benefit not they help pay faculty, student assistants and other just USU, but the state, the nation and the world.” Irvine’s intelligent lottery software professional and technical personnel who work on pulls names from a database and the sponsored projects. They also help provide For more information on USU’s Research, visit assigns numbers to every person equipment, travel and operational costs. Most grants www.usu.edu/research/. vying for a spot in the school. The and contracts help pay a portion of the overhead, or program then randomly generates Writer: Maren Cartwright, 435.797.1355 facilities and administrative costs, involved in a list from one up to 50,000. The doing research. [email protected] October 2007 number one slot opening will have a person’s identity number next to “Research at Utah State University continues to it, thus ensuring them a place in grow and expand each year,” said Miller. “As our the school. The software is faculty and students answer questions and solve animated so audiences can see what numbers are being selected SOURCES OF FEDERAL RESEARCH FUNDING by the program, and allows the July 1, 2006–June 30, 2007 results to be printed and saved. Irvine realized the niche market for his lottery software, and began selling the product when he was a $4 Million $11.3 Million Other Federal Department of Agriculture freshman at USU. $10.5 Million $23.9 Million Department of Department of Defense Health & Human Services “I noticed USU’s Edith Bowen $3.6 Million $6.1 Million Department of Interior Laboratory Elementary School National Science Foundation held a kindergarten lottery,” Irvine $22 Million $4.3 Million NASA said. “I approached them and Department of Education asked if they would be interested in using my software. They said they were and began using it for their 2007 kindergarten lottery.” USU Computer Engineering Sophomore Joseph Irvine 101

With the success of the Edith Bowen lottery, “I received scholarship opportunities for several Irvine decided to try and sell the product to Arizona universities and after researching them, other elementary, junior and high schools that decided they were not the right fit,” Irvine said. hold lotteries for coveted positions. “After hearing about USU and its expertise in THE JOURNALIST computers and engineering I decided to check it Knowing nothing about marketing, Irvine out. Once I visited campus, I was sold. The brought on USU business student Josh Kerk- university had everything I was looking for — a mann as his business partner to help sell and strong undergraduate research program, a great AS RESEARCHER market the product. The marketing efforts paid student-to-faculty ratio, and the location was off as the it has received interest from coast- perfect. I love to ski.” to-coast with schools inquiring about the product from Washington, D.C., to San Diego, Irvine has not regretted his choice and compli- Calif. In fact, the product has been so success- ments USU on its ability to make students feel tah State ful it was featured in a Newsweek Magazine like they stand-out. USU is a larger school with University faculty memberU Michael article in May 2006. lots of opportunities, but it is a safe and friendly campus with supportive professors, Irvine said. Sweeney wants to make While the idea of selling the lottery software it clear that journalism didn’t occur to Irvine until college, the idea for Irvine is a USU Presidential Scholar, served as a includes a healthy dose creating it was something he had been working USU Undergraduate Research Fellow during his of research so it is not a on and perfecting since attending high school at freshman year and is a member of the Church of fluke that a journalist is the Tempe Preparatory Academy, in Tempe, Ariz. Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Institute Men’s included in the Sunrise Sessions. Association, where he performs service through- “I went to a private, liberal arts high school that out the Cache Valley community. Other acco- Sunrise Sessions are a held a lottery every year to select its students,” lades include receiving the National Foundation series of breakfast said Irvine. “They had a fishbowl with handwrit- for Independent Business’ Young Entrepreneur lectures in Salt Lake City ten numbers that were selected one-at-a-time. Award and Scholarship in May 2006. He was that highlight timely and The process took hours.” honored with that distinction for a business he cutting-edge research at started when he was 12-years-old as a com- Utah State University. Irvine, who started using a computer at age 6, puter technician and programmer. decided to put his expertise to good use. At the Journalists aim to beginning of his sophomore year, he After graduating from USU with a degree in become “instant experts,” approached the administration at his school electrical and computer engineering, Irvine Sweeney said. and asked if he could have a crack at creating hopes to take his expertise to law school where a computer program that would run the lottery. he will focus his studies on intellectual property, • Journalists use the The school said yes, and six months later he patents and trademark law. Irvine then says he interview as the primary had what would be the first version of his then might even gamble on the game called information-gathering school lottery software. politics. tool. Such interviews are constrained by Writer: Maren Cartwright, 435-797-1355, The high school used the software for its multiple factors, includ- [email protected] freshman lottery during Irvine’s junior year with ing culture, politics, September 2007 resounding success, and is still using the religion and education. Sweeney, who is a professor of journalism at program today. Utah State University and department head for •Journalists aim to expand knowledge in new Journalism and Communication, approached the directions. task of collaborating on the memoir God Grew Tired of Us as a journalist. The book, written with •Journalists publish their “findings” and receive John Bul Dau, was published by National feedback. Geographic in 2007. A popular documentary of 103 have to hold a lottery for every grade and this After graduating from high school, Irvine’s software saves me a lot of time and effort.” interest in computers led him to USU.

and is now an American in Syracuse, N.Y. He is grateful to this country.”

Today, Dau spends his time as a motivational speaker and raising money for the John Dau Foundation to provide medical facilities in southern Sudan.

“John has raised $550,000 so far and one clinic has been built,” Sweeney said. “And now, there are more in the works. Medical care is scarce, and these clinics are important. Many of the medical problems in Sudan are preventable, and these clinics will play an enormous role. John is making an incredible difference.”

Since collaborating on the book project, Sweeney has continued contact with Dau, last Michael S. Sweeney seeing him in Park City in early September the same title chronicling the story of Dau, a Lost 2007. Dau loves coming to Utah, Sweeney said. Boy of Sudan, was also released in the spring Nearly half of the $550,000 Dau has raised for 2007, having won top honors at the 2006 his foundation has come from Utah. Sundance Film Festival. Sweeney wants to emphasize in his Sunrise Sweeney was approached by National Geo- Session that journalists do important work. graphic for the project, and following what he Telling John Dau’s story is an example, but he called an “audition interview” with Dau, he has used that approach in all his books, which received the assignment. He completed now total seven, five for National Geographic extensive research before traveling to Syra- Press. The military, war time and censorship are cuse, N.Y., for a 10-day marathon of interviews. areas of expertise and interest. He is the author of The Military and the Press: An Uneasy Truce; “There were difficulties to overcome,” Sweeney From the Front: The Story of War Featuring said of the project. “Difficulties in language, Correspondents’ Chronicles and Secrets of culture and background. Yet the collaboration Victory: The Office of Censorship and the was a success.” American Press and Radio in World War II.

The pair hit it off immediately, and their person- “Many think that journalists are a mere pipeline, alities are similar. an echo chamber passing along information,” Sweeney said. “Others hold the opposite view “He’s curious, pleasant and outgoing, and so that journalists are crafty, promoting a personal am I,” Sweeney said with a smile. agenda. Neither is the truth. Journalists are just like any professional. We are trying to serve an Dau is an engaging speaker, and when he audience — in this case, the public. We want to walks into a room, all can feel the power of his make a difference in the world. That’s what I presence, Sweeney said. teach and that’s what I practice.”

“My Sunrise Session tells the story of John Bul Writer: Patrick Williams, 435.797.1354 Dau and the book,” Sweeney said. “I wanted to [email protected] tell his story without getting in the way. This is his October 2007 story. John Bul Dau was born a Dinka in Sudan 105 and is now an American in Syracuse, N.Y. He is grateful to this country.” USU FALL ENROLLMENT Today, Dau spends his time as a motivational speaker and raising money for the John Dau Foundation to provide medical facilities in LARGEST IN HISTORY southern Sudan.

“John has raised $550,000 so far and one clinic has been built,” Sweeney said. “And now, there are more in the works. Medical care is scarce, tah State University’s fall headcount educational opportunities offered at Utah State and these clinics are important. Many of the enrollment of 24,421 students, the largest in the in different locations and through different Uuniversity’s 119-year history, marks an increase means of delivery at both beginning- and medical problems in Sudan are preventable, and these clinics will play an enormous role. John is of 3.4 percent from fall 2006. New freshmen, advanced-degree levels. making an incredible difference.” non-resident and regional campus enrollments are all up. “All of these are positive trends for the future,” Since collaborating on the book project, he said. “Last fall we saw the end of a three- Sweeney has continued contact with Dau, last “We are very pleased with our numbers,” said year slide in student attendance. What these Michael S. Sweeney seeing him in Park City in early September Raymond T. Coward, USU executive vice new numbers indicate is that we have passed a the same title chronicling the story of Dau, a Lost 2007. Dau loves coming to Utah, Sweeney said. president and provost. “Our enrollments repre- very important milestone: we have stabilized Boy of Sudan, was also released in the spring Nearly half of the $550,000 Dau has raised for sent tangible evidence that more students our enrollment and are beginning to see an 2007, having won top honors at the 2006 his foundation has come from Utah. recognize the importance and value of a USU upward trend.” Sundance Film Festival. education.” Sweeney wants to emphasize in his Sunrise Here is a breakdown of USU headcount numbers: Sweeney was approached by National Geo- Session that journalists do important work. Coward said graphic for the project, and following what he Telling John Dau’s story is an example, but he USU’s enrollment · USU’s combined main and regional campus called an “audition interview” with Dau, he has used that approach in all his books, which success this fall headcount enrollment grew from 23,623 received the assignment. He completed now total seven, five for National Geographic indicates that a students in 2006 to a new record high of extensive research before traveling to Syra- Press. The military, war time and censorship are wide range of 24,421– up 3.4 percent. cuse, N.Y., for a 10-day marathon of interviews. areas of expertise and interest. He is the author students are of The Military and the Press: An Uneasy Truce; taking advan- · USU main campus enrollment is 14,893, up From the Front: The Story of War Featuring “There were difficulties to overcome,” Sweeney tage of the 3.1 percent from last fall. said of the project. “Difficulties in language, Correspondents’ Chronicles and Secrets of culture and background. Yet the collaboration Victory: The Office of Censorship and the · USU regional campus enrollment is 10,736, American Press and Radio in World War II. was a success.” for an increase of 6.2 percent. This reflects strongly on USU’s statewide reach with 42 The pair hit it off immediately, and their person- “Many think that journalists are a mere pipeline, percent of its students now attending USU’s alities are similar. an echo chamber passing along information,” regional campuses. Sweeney said. “Others hold the opposite view 3.4% “He’s curious, pleasant and outgoing, and so that journalists are crafty, promoting a personal Overall enrollment up · The number of first-time freshmen on the main agenda. Neither is the truth. Journalists are just am I,” Sweeney said with a smile. 3.4 percent for record USU campus is up by 203 students, or a like any professional. We are trying to serve an 6.2% high of 24,421 students 7.7 percent increase. When viewed Dau is an engaging speaker, and when he audience — in this case, the public. We want to Regional campus over the past two years, this walks into a room, all can feel the power of his make a difference in the world. That’s what I enrollment up 6.2 percent 38.4% upward trend becomes even teach and that’s what I practice.” presence, Sweeney said. at 10,736 students more notable. First-time freshmen “My Sunrise Session tells the story of John Bul Writer: Patrick Williams, 435.797.1354 25.4% enrollment up 38.4 percent Dau and the book,” Sweeney said. “I wanted to [email protected] over past two years tell his story without getting in the way. This is his October 2007 story. John Bul Dau was born a Dinka in Sudan Domestic minority enrollment up 25.4 percent 106

· The number of first-time freshmen enrolled in 2005 was 2,054. When compared against the fall MAKING A DIFFERENCE 2007 num-ber of 2,842, USU first-time freshmen enrollment has jumped 38.4 percent. INAfter working THE in India and Sudan,WORLD recent dietetics graduate

· USU main campus develops national nutrition strategy for Ethiopia domestic minority enrollment reached 700 students for a 6.5 percent increase over last fall. through her own Ethiopia-based consulting Students in this category rowing up itn a small farming business as she works on a national nutrition include American Indians, community didn’t stop Utah State University G strategy with the United Nations and the Asians, Blacks graduate, Jessica Barney-Tilahun, from Ethiopian government. and Hispanics. pursuing her dream of seeing the world.

Her time at Utah State University provided a · USU main campus domestic minority enrollment · Non-resident equivalents rose from 2,033 to Since her journey began, she has spread valuable foundation for her future success. among first-time freshmen is at 153 students, 2,258 for an 11.1 percent increase. knowledge of nutrition to Moldova, India, She was involved in the Peace Corps at USU representing a 25.4 percent increase. South Sudan and other countries around and helped to organize events and activities Coward said he expects enrollments at the the world. She continues the effort now with the student government. · USU males on the main campus increased Logan campus to remain stable over the near As a peer counselor at the 1.5 percent from 7,663 to 7,775. future but that enrollments at the regional counseling center, she realized campuses will continue to grow significantly how much she enjoyed working · USU females on the main campus increased as they did this year. with people one-on-one. But it 5 percent from 6,781 to 7,118. was from former USU profes- “Indeed, new partnerships with Snow College sor Paul Savello that she Full-time equivalent (FTE) enrollments by and the College of Eastern Utah funded by gained her greatest inspiration. budget and line item, as reported by the Utah the legislature this year will increase further Savello was able to balance System of Higher Education, also reflect the number of students throughout the state living in a small city in northern USU’s stabilized enrollment numbers. who are enrolled in USU degree programs,” Utah and going abroad and Budget-related headcount includes individual he said. “Students will be able to stay closer doing the same kind of work students enrolled in a course at an institution, to home and, consequently, enrollment that she hoped to do one day. whereas FTE approximates the number of numbers in these outlying areas will students enrolled full-time (15 semester hours increase.” “It was his example — showing for undergraduate students and 10 semester he had a normal life, and yet hours for graduate students) per semester. On Oct. 5, the university announced a $15 having the life I wanted working million gift to USU’s Uintah Basin campus by overseas,” she said. Some FTE enrollment equivalents of note Marc and Debbie Bingham. The funds will be at USU: used to construct an Entrepreneurship and In early September, Barney- Energy Research Center. It will be located on Tilahun presented her experi- · Overall FTE equivalents are up 3 percent USU’s new 138-acre campus ences to students and faculty from 16,634 to 17,128. in Vernal. at USU. As she showed off some of the many treasures · Regional campus FTE’s are up 8.5 percent Writer: John DeVilbiss, 435.797.1358 she’s accumulated from her from 4,129 to 4,479. [email protected] October 2007 travels, she spoke with passion USU Alumni Jessica Barney-Tilahun recently addressed dietet- about the world’s need of · Number of in-state equivalents is 14,870, up ics students about her work on a national nutrition strategy for Ethiopia and her time in the Peace Corps. proper nutrition. The down-to- 1.8 percent. 108 earth atmosphere brought something extra “When we see that something is wrong, we to her many stories of children suffering from can work to fix it,” she said. “We can’t be malnutrition. Taking surveys and rapid silenced. I like having my own opinion. I can And For Homework Today… assessments in rural areas of Ethiopia have speak without fear.” helped her further develop an early warning system for the Ethiopian government to During her time in the Peace Corps, Barney- notify people in case of a disaster. Tilahun decided to go back to school for a EXPLORE master’s degree, something she never Upon graduation from Utah State in 2000 anticipated. She returned to the states just with an undergraduate degree in Dietetics, long enough to attend a dual program with Barney-Tilahun began working for a WIC Tufts University and Harvard School of Public MACHU PICCHU (Women, Infants, and Children) clinic in Salt Health in Boston, Mass. At school, a door Lake County and stayed there for almost two opened that allowed her to take an internship years as a breast feeding advocate. Follow- with UNICEF in Northern India, an experi- ing WIC, she completed one of her lifelong ence she holds dear to her heart. goals and joined the Peace Corps working in the Republic of Moldova, a country in East- Barney-Tilahun received her master’s ern Europe. degree in Food Policy and Applied Nutrition with a dual emphasis in Nutrition Program “Ever since I was six years old I wanted to Development and Humanitarian Crises, join the Peace Corps,” Barney-Tilahun said. both designed to prepare humanitarian workers for natural disasters, refugee In Moldova she taught health education at camps and other programs. high schools and at a community college. She also worked at a free women's clinic at After receiving her master’s degree, she a local hospital, helped run summer camps took a position with GOAL, an Irish-based for at-risk and orphaned children, and she Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) in Megan Starley shot this photo of Adam Phelp soaking up the scenery atop Machu Picchu. became fluent in the Moldovan and Roma- Ethiopia. It was there she met her future nian languages. husband, a native Ethiopian, who she married in June 2007. It was in Moldova that she realized she had been naïve about the ways of the world. Now Jessica Barney-Tilahun currently lives with tudents in accounting have never There were a lot of first-ever things happening that she better understands the freedoms U.S. her husband in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, before been able to watch their professor at the College of Business as a group of 42 citizens fight to protect, Barney-Tilahun said where she consults for the Micronutrient goS bungee jumping. Never before at the students participated in the South American that she’s more pro-American than she was Initiative and United Nations. Her goal is to College of Business have students Study Abroad program in May and June 2007. when she actually lived in the United States. build solid nutrition programming and watched their business communications national strategies for Ethiopia. teacher float in the air after deliberately When one hears of the bungee jumping, hang “I feel like I’m a better American now,” running off of a ledge some 1,700 feet gliding and motorcycle adventures that were a Barney-Tilahun said. “I discovered what it Writer: Joslyn Olsen, (435.797.1350) above sea level. Students tackling interna- part of the trip it would be easy to get the really means to be American. It means [email protected] tional economics have never been offered wrong impression. When there’s talk of standing up for ourselves.” October 2007 the chance to climb Machu Picchu after exploring Machu Picchu and walking the class. Last June was the first time students famous beaches of Rio de Janeiro the word taking a management and human “vacation” might come to mind. resources class were ever asked to come up with a new breeding schedule for a It's probably not a word one should use guinea pig farm. around the students who participated on the trip. They might give you a stern talk about the Never before has any combination of three weeks of intense class work that they classes at the College of Business had to weather before they left that kept them included travel to Chile, Brazil and Peru. busy in classes from 8 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. 109 earth atmosphere brought something extra “When we see that something is wrong, we to her many stories of children suffering from can work to fix it,” she said. “We can’t be malnutrition. Taking surveys and rapid silenced. I like having my own opinion. I can And For Homework Today… assessments in rural areas of Ethiopia have speak without fear.” helped her further develop an early warning system for the Ethiopian government to During her time in the Peace Corps, Barney- notify people in case of a disaster. Tilahun decided to go back to school for a EXPLORE master’s degree, something she never Upon graduation from Utah State in 2000 anticipated. She returned to the states just with an undergraduate degree in Dietetics, long enough to attend a dual program with Barney-Tilahun began working for a WIC Tufts University and Harvard School of Public MACHU PICCHU (Women, Infants, and Children) clinic in Salt Health in Boston, Mass. At school, a door Lake County and stayed there for almost two opened that allowed her to take an internship years as a breast feeding advocate. Follow- with UNICEF in Northern India, an experi- ing WIC, she completed one of her lifelong ence she holds dear to her heart. goals and joined the Peace Corps working in the Republic of Moldova, a country in East- Barney-Tilahun received her master’s ern Europe. degree in Food Policy and Applied Nutrition with a dual emphasis in Nutrition Program “Ever since I was six years old I wanted to Development and Humanitarian Crises, join the Peace Corps,” Barney-Tilahun said. both designed to prepare humanitarian workers for natural disasters, refugee In Moldova she taught health education at camps and other programs. high schools and at a community college. She also worked at a free women's clinic at After receiving her master’s degree, she a local hospital, helped run summer camps took a position with GOAL, an Irish-based for at-risk and orphaned children, and she Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) in Megan Starley shot this photo of Adam Phelp soaking up the scenery atop Machu Picchu. became fluent in the Moldovan and Roma- Ethiopia. It was there she met her future nian languages. husband, a native Ethiopian, who she married in June 2007. It was in Moldova that she realized she had been naïve about the ways of the world. Now Jessica Barney-Tilahun currently lives with tudents in accounting have never There were a lot of first-ever things happening that she better understands the freedoms U.S. her husband in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, before been able to watch their professor at the College of Business as a group of 42 citizens fight to protect, Barney-Tilahun said where she consults for the Micronutrient goS bungee jumping. Never before at the students participated in the South American that she’s more pro-American than she was Initiative and United Nations. Her goal is to College of Business have students Study Abroad program in May and June 2007. when she actually lived in the United States. build solid nutrition programming and watched their business communications national strategies for Ethiopia. teacher float in the air after deliberately When one hears of the bungee jumping, hang “I feel like I’m a better American now,” running off of a ledge some 1,700 feet gliding and motorcycle adventures that were a Barney-Tilahun said. “I discovered what it Writer: Joslyn Olsen, (435.797.1350) above sea level. Students tackling interna- part of the trip it would be easy to get the really means to be American. It means [email protected] tional economics have never been offered wrong impression. When there’s talk of standing up for ourselves.” October 2007 the chance to climb Machu Picchu after exploring Machu Picchu and walking the class. Last June was the first time students famous beaches of Rio de Janeiro the word taking a management and human “vacation” might come to mind. resources class were ever asked to come up with a new breeding schedule for a It's probably not a word one should use guinea pig farm. around the students who participated on the trip. They might give you a stern talk about the Never before has any combination of three weeks of intense class work that they classes at the College of Business had to weather before they left that kept them included travel to Chile, Brazil and Peru. busy in classes from 8 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. 110

Or, they might patiently explain to you that students I've come to rely on, and in the when the Logan class work was over and future I wouldn't hesitate to call on them for they arrived in Chile, they faced a packed anything I might need." schedule of lectures and meetings with academic, government and business lead- Several students said they appreciated the Carnegie Professor ers that filled their days when they were in chance they had to get to know professors South America. on the trip. OF THE YEAR 2007 When class was dismissed, however, the "We've really come to see our professors as Think teaching is a tough business? Tell that to Professor Lyle McNeal learning had only just begun. Students and people," USU business student Josh Kerk- faculty took to exploring, meeting people, mann said. "They are not just there in the bargaining for souvenirs and finding their classroom anymore. They are real people way to local tourist attractions. Those we've got to spend time with, interact with moments of cultural immersion required and create friendships with. It's really been a students to adapt in a world where not very rewarding time to talk with them." ere’s a bet to take. Of all the nation’s 2007 Carnegie Professors many people spoke English, where funny Hof the Year — one from almost every colorful money had value and where Some legends were born during the experi- state — Utah State University simple things like reading a menu were ence. Senior Associate Dean Cliff Skousen Professor Lyle McNeal has the most suddenly challenging. impressed the students with his fearless unique “teaching-is-tough” story to tell. sense of adventure. In Rio de Janeiro, he For five weeks, free time and structured time went hang gliding. In Cusco, Peru, when One of McNeal’s recent in-the-field lab became periods of intense learning. The mix others were going to their hotel rooms to experiences mixed one young of classroom time and unstructured time overcome altitude sickness, Skousen went student, one rowdy 400-pound ram and one much-loved professor’s became a crucial part of the learning experi- off with some students who rented motor- much-loved nose. It seems the ence, according to many on the trip. Adam cycles. In their explorations they discovered inexperienced student let the ram into Phelps had heard people talking about the a bungee-jumping facility that claims to be a holding pen prematurely, and all networking opportunities the trip would bring the highest in the Americas. It wasn't long McNeal remembers is turning around Utah’s Carnegie Professor of the Year 2007, Lyle McNeal but didn't realize, initially, where most of his before surprised students saw Skousen dive and seeing 400 pounds of angry, most effective networking was taking place. from a platform that was nearly 400 feet thick-horned ram reared up on its hind above the ground. legs coming down for a head butt. McNeal’s nose to someone “somewhere over the age of 65.” He’s had "The network I’m building is with the people took the blast, it exploded into pieces and off to the Hepatitis B, hantavirus, both shoulders repaired after I've got on this trip with me," Phelps said. Writer: Steve Eaton, 435-797-8640 emergency room he went with run-ins with animals, and he’s been accidentally poked a concussion. with animal vaccine by students. Yes, teaching is a "I've got six or seven professors I can rely [email protected] tough business. November 2007 on anytime I need them. I've got 42 other “It wasn’t really the student’s fault,” McNeal said graciously. “That’s what we were there for, to learn “But then I also get things like this,” he said, holding and get some experience. I was just glad it was me up a card covered with personalized get-well wishes and not one of the students, and it definitely taught from dozens of students from the class. “When you them a lesson about dealing with animals.” get something like this two days later, then you know what this teaching business is all about.” McNeal, an animal science professor in USU’s College of Agriculture, is one of 40 professors from Teaching might be a tough business, but McNeal is a across the nation honored recently (Nov. 15) in tough teacher with a huge soft spot in his heart for Washington, D.C., as a Carnegie Professor of the students. Year. The awards recognize outstanding professors for their influence on teaching and their outstanding “Professor McNeal is beloved by his students because commitment to teaching undergraduate students. he doesn’t sacrifice academic rigor for popularity, yet This year, there are winners in 40 states and the at the same time they know he also is deeply District of Columbia. USU is home to eight of the concerned with their personal well being,” said Noelle last 13 Carnegie Professors of the Year in Utah. Cockett, vice president for Extension and Agriculture. “He is absolutely passionate about teaching, and he When McNeal says that no two days are alike, he hasn’t lost one ounce of enthusiasm after all these backs the claim up with bruises that are still coming years in the classroom.” 111

He gets to work by 6:30 a.m. most days, a time when favor by serving them … they are doing us a favor by “only the custodian and I are here — we’re good giving us the opportunity to do so.” friends,” he said. He works most Saturdays, a day when he gets to have some one-on-one time, as he puts it, Several of McNeal’s students wrote letters in support of with himself. He has an enormous teaching load — 15 his nominations for the award. classes over the three semesters, including 12 undergraduate classes. And he has received 19 different “”Not only did he give his time, he demonstrated a awards excellence in teaching and mentoring since he genuine concern for each student’s abilities, desires, came to USU in 1979. limitations and life circumstances,” former student Geoffory Anderson wrote. “No student is a number in his class,” Cockett said. “He respects them all, cares for them all. He never pits Another former student, sheep rancher John Meredith students against each other. He asks them to compete Wilson, wrote: “Dr. Lyle McNeal is the most accessible against themselves, and he has a way of drawing the university professor I have ever known, and I have best out of each one of them.” known many. He cares for people, for livestock, the land and for a way of life. After all, living the walk is the McNeal said he tries to get students focused on action, most important part of being a teacher.” on “doing” things by raising the expectations they have of themselves. McNeal said it seems to him that higher education is in some ways becoming unbalanced, with the focus “As a professor, you don’t give lectures and tests — narrowing dramatically into specialization areas with you give lessons,” he said. “I look at them and I see less and less room for students to understand the big minds ready to be stimulated, enhanced, enlarged. picture. To address that concern, he is teaching a new Sometimes you wonder if you’re getting through, but the class called Sustainable Agriculture Systems with gratitude often comes back later when they’re alumni. Animals, a class that discusses agro-ecology, alterna- This relationship doesn’t end at commencement.” tive agricultural systems, sustainable agriculture and non-monoculture agriculture, among other topics. Ann Berghout Austin, USU’s vice provost for faculty development and diversity, said that in addition to his “My Navajo family uses a term that means ‘harmony’ or enormous in-class teaching load, it might be impossible ‘balance’ in life,” said McNeal, who was adopted into a to find another professor who spends more time with Navajo family and into the tribe in appreciation of his students either in one-on-one consultation or in group efforts to save the endangered Churro sheep, which hands-on activities. His field-trip schedule for any typical had both material and spiritual significance to the block of time is intense and goes on almost Navajo, or the Diné. The project received national without break. attention, including major articles in The Smithsonian and National Geographic magazines. “I think it is “And still ‘Doc’ McNeal has never lost his ebullient important to teach students about taking a holistic enthusiasm for his discipline, his boundless energy and, approach to life,” he said. most importantly, his sincere love for his students,” she said. In recent years, the children of former students have become his students, and that has been something of His students are his family away from home, McNeal a reality check for him. At age 65-plus, most people said. “They’re my extended family, and I try to treat begin thinking about retirement, perhaps especially them like it.” His young students sometimes are people in jobs that leave them with broken body parts. thousands of miles from home, and they need help But McNeal doesn’t understand the attraction of adjusting. He thinks students learn better in a nurturing retirement. classroom environment, not through tactics that include fear and intimidation. “Retirement? What’s that? I’m scared of not working,” he said. “I’ve worked full time and supported myself McNeal has a sign on the door of his office that he says since I was 11. I think I still have something to teach sums up his philosophy about his role in teaching. It reads: these kids, and they need this ‘transfer of knowledge.’ As long as I can still remember what I know, I’m “Our students are the most important citizens on staying!” campus. They are not dependent on us … we are dependent on them. They are not an outsider in our Writer: Tim Vitale, 435-797-1356 university … they are part of it. We are not doing them a [email protected] November 2007 113

He gets to work by 6:30 a.m. most days, a time when favor by serving them … they are doing us a favor by “only the custodian and I are here — we’re good giving us the opportunity to do so.” friends,” he said. He works most Saturdays, a day when he gets to have some one-on-one time, as he puts it, Several of McNeal’s students wrote letters in support of with himself. He has an enormous teaching load — 15 his nominations for the award. classes over the three semesters, including 12 undergraduate classes. And he has received 19 different “”Not only did he give his time, he demonstrated a awards excellence in teaching and mentoring since he genuine concern for each student’s abilities, desires, came to USU in 1979. limitations and life circumstances,” former student Geoffory Anderson wrote. CAUGHT “No student is a number in his class,” Cockett said. “He respects them all, cares for them all. He never pits Another former student, sheep rancher John Meredith students against each other. He asks them to compete Wilson, wrote: “Dr. Lyle McNeal is the most accessible USUIN Biochemists THE Catch Life-Critical ACT Enzyme in Action against themselves, and he has a way of drawing the university professor I have ever known, and I have best out of each one of them.” known many. He cares for people, for livestock, the land and for a way of life. After all, living the walk is the McNeal said he tries to get students focused on action, most important part of being a teacher.” on “doing” things by raising the expectations they have ore than 80 of themselves. McNeal said it seems to him that higher education is in percent of the air we some ways becoming unbalanced, with the focus Mbreathe is nitrogen, yet “As a professor, you don’t give lectures and tests — narrowing dramatically into specialization areas with it’s in a form neither you give lessons,” he said. “I look at them and I see less and less room for students to understand the big humans, animals nor minds ready to be stimulated, enhanced, enlarged. picture. To address that concern, he is teaching a new plants can access Sometimes you wonder if you’re getting through, but the class called Sustainable Agriculture Systems with directly. gratitude often comes back later when they’re alumni. Animals, a class that discusses agro-ecology, alterna- This relationship doesn’t end at commencement.” tive agricultural systems, sustainable agriculture and “It’s an incredible irony,” non-monoculture agriculture, among other topics. says Utah State Univer- Ann Berghout Austin, USU’s vice provost for faculty sity biochemistry profes- development and diversity, said that in addition to his “My Navajo family uses a term that means ‘harmony’ or sor Lance Seefeldt. “All enormous in-class teaching load, it might be impossible ‘balance’ in life,” said McNeal, who was adopted into a living things need nitro- to find another professor who spends more time with Navajo family and into the tribe in appreciation of his gen to survive and we’re students either in one-on-one consultation or in group efforts to save the endangered Churro sheep, which swimming in a sea of it, hands-on activities. His field-trip schedule for any typical had both material and spiritual significance to the but we can’t get to it.” block of time is intense and goes on almost Navajo, or the Diné. The project received national without break. attention, including major articles in The Smithsonian Seefeldt and colleague and National Geographic magazines. “I think it is Brett Barney, USU “And still ‘Doc’ McNeal has never lost his ebullient important to teach students about taking a holistic research assistant USU biochemists Lance Seefeldt, left, and Brett Barney are investigating enthusiasm for his discipline, his boundless energy and, approach to life,” he said. professor, have solved a how enzymes known as nitrogenases convert nitrogen into life-critical most importantly, his sincere love for his students,” long-sought piece of the sustenance on which all living things depend. she said. In recent years, the children of former students have puzzle of how enzymes become his students, and that has been something of known as nitrogenases convert nitrogen into “The structure of nitrogenase and the general His students are his family away from home, McNeal a reality check for him. At age 65-plus, most people life-sustaining compounds that are subsequently site at which nitrogen gets bound and reduced said. “They’re my extended family, and I try to treat begin thinking about retirement, perhaps especially transferred to the soil and food sources on which has been known for more than a decade,” them like it.” His young students sometimes are people in jobs that leave them with broken body parts. all plants and animals depend. Seefeldt says. “But until now, we didn’t know thousands of miles from home, and they need help But McNeal doesn’t understand the attraction of anything about how that process works.” adjusting. He thinks students learn better in a nurturing retirement. The two led an interdisciplinary team including classroom environment, not through tactics that include scientists from Northwestern University and The researchers developed a chemical method- fear and intimidation. “Retirement? What’s that? I’m scared of not working,” Virginia Tech that succeeded in capturing three ology to trap and detect intermediates in he said. “I’ve worked full time and supported myself steps of nitrogen fixation; that is, the process nitrogenase- McNeal has a sign on the door of his office that he says since I was 11. I think I still have something to teach by which nitrogen is converted to ammonia. catalyzed reductions and flash-freeze samples. sums up his philosophy about his role in teaching. It reads: these kids, and they need this ‘transfer of knowledge.’ Using spectroscopy, they confirmed that the As long as I can still remember what I know, I’m Their findings were recently published in the samples were indeed enzyme-bound intermedi- “Our students are the most important citizens on staying!” Journal of the American Chemistry Society, the ates. campus. They are not dependent on us … we are Proceedings of the National Academy of Writer: Tim Vitale, 435-797-1356 dependent on them. They are not an outsider in our Sciences, Chemical & Engineering News Trying to capture nitrogenase in action is [email protected] university … they are part of it. We are not doing them a and Biochemistry. similar to trying to catch a single frame of November 2007 114

research around the world and eventually could enable an alternative, clean method of producing nitrogen.” SHAKY RESEARCH BRINGS Currently, science and industry rely on the nearly century-old Haber-Bosch process to produce nitrogen for fertilizer, paper, pharma- ceuticals, mining and explosives. Developed SOLID RESULTS by German Nobel prize winners Fritz Haber and Carl Bosch in the early 20th century, the For USU Engineering Professor process, Seefeldt says, is costly, energy- intensive and a source of pollution. The fixation of nitrogen from air is critical to all living systems. This reaction occurs in microbes where it is Seefeldt and Barney hope their current catalyzed by the enzyme nitrogenase (pictured). research will lead to methods that “fix arge Illustration by USU alum Michael Yurth. nitrogen in a much more ecologically friendly earthquakes can have process that requires less fossil fuel.” catastrophicL conse- movie film on a moving reel, Barney says. “You have to catch it in the act and freeze the frame Contacts: Lance Seefeldt, quences. Collapsing so you can actually look at it and understand it.” [email protected], 435-797-3964; buildings, road and Brett Barney, [email protected], 435- bridge damage, Using the same metaphor, Seefeldt explains that 797-7392 landslides, fires and “once we collect all the frames we can watch the lack of basic necessi- whole movie.” Writer: Mary-Ann Muffoletto, 435-797-1429 ties necessary for [email protected] human survival can “We will be able to understand how the enzyme November 2007 ultimately lead to loss functions,” he says. “This will drive a lot of of life.

USU structural engineering professor Keri Ryan is looking for solutions to USU Engineering Professor Keri Ryan minimize the impacts of earthquakes on society through research society and the seismic isolation we are studying funded by the National Science Foundation and could help ease that disruption because it gives a the Network for Earthquake Engineering building a much higher structural performance, Simulation. NSF gave Ryan a $1.5 million grant thus lessening the chance of impact to humans to lead a team of researchers who are focused following an earthquake.” on studying seismic isolation. In order to understand the exact nature of how Seismic isolation is a way of improving a elastomeric bearings perform during an earth- structure’s performance during an earthquake. quake, Ryan went to Japan where scientists and Seismic isolation systems consist of rubber engineers have built thousands of structures using pads or friction bearings placed underneath a isolation technology. Japan has studied the structure that allow it to move above the technology so thoroughly it has the largest shake isolation system during and earthquake. table testing site in the world. Called E-Defense, the facility allows for full-scale replicas to be built “By making the structure more flexible, we on top of a shaking device that simulates an decrease the input forces to a structure which earthquake. E-Defense allows researchers, allows it to deform elastically, and remain builders, engineers and architects to see how damage free in an earthquake,” Ryan said. large structures using elastomeric bearings “Earthquakes can be very disruptive to our handle earthquakes. 115

The technology Ryan is studying is not new to earthquake engineers and has, in fact, been around for about 30 years.

“What Utahns will find interesting is that the City County building in downtown Salt Lake City was the first building in the United States to be retrofitted with elastomeric Seismic bearings in the late 1980s,” Gap Ryan said. “The technology is ISOLATORS currently being used to renovate the state capitol.”

However, Ryan said that for the most part, isolation Braces bearings are not widely used An illustration depicting the isolation plane at the top of in the states. the first story, a potential cost saving alternative.

“Stricter design requirements, higher building costs and non-accommodating business science, technology, engineering and math areas. practices are reasons this technology is not used Ryan said the grant allowed her to make contact more often,” Ryan said. with a structural engineering professor at Berkeley who would eventually become part of her research One of Ryan’s research goals is to work with team. regulatory agencies, designers and builders to allow a greater understanding of the technology Ryan is now collaborating with researchers from so it might become a more standard way of Japan, U.C. Berkeley, State University of New York building in the future. University at Buffalo and University of Wisconsin Green Bay. The group is funded through the NSF Ryan said using the technology can definitely add grant and is called Tools for Isolation and Protective to building costs, and part of her research is Systems (TIPS). looking for ways to cut those costs through smart design solutions. The Network for Earthquake Engineering Simula- tion also co-sponsors the research. NEES is a “Currently, most isolation systems are located at shared, national network of 15 experimental the foundation level and the foundation has to be facilities, collaborative tools, a centralized data specially designed to incorporate the bearings,” repository and earthquake simulation software, all Ryan said. “We are now looking for ways to linked by ultra-high-speed Internet connections. possibly place the isolators at the top of the first story to help cut costs.” For more information on the research, visit the TIPS Web site: After graduating with a master’s and doctorate in www.neng.usu.edu/cee/faculty/kryan/NEESTIPS/ structural engineering from the University of For more information about NEES, visit: California at Berkeley, Ryan was offered a job at http://www.nees.org/About_NEES/ USU in 2004. Shortly after arriving, she received a USU ADVANCE grant funded by NSF to begin Writer: Maren Cartwright, 435.797.1355, working on her research. ADVANCE grants fund [email protected] female professors conducting research in December 2007 The technology Ryan is studying is not new to earthquake engineers and has, in fact, been around for about 30 years.