Spring 2005 INSIDESPRING 2005 Departments from the President, 2 Alumni News, 15
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Groundbreaking Research Researchers, students and engineers from around the country observe damage sustained by a concrete bridge model after an earthquake simulation test. This 70-foot, 135-ton model is the largest bridge structure that has ever been shaken to failure. The results of the experiment will be used to determine how earthquakes cause damage and how to make bridges that are safer. Photo by Jean Dixon 2 Nevada Silver & Blue • Spring 2005 INSIDESPRING 2005 Departments From the President, 2 Alumni News, 15 6 It’s in the genes It comes as no surprise to those who knew her as a student at the University that Dr. Susan Desmond-Hellmann has become one of the nation’s top women executives. 12 Digging deeper Opportunities for both undergraduate and graduate students to do research are increasing rapidly — especially in medical research. 13 A galaxy far, far away Faculty and local organizations are working to expand community programs at the Fleischmann Planetarium and Science Center. 14 Home, sweet home Cooperative Extension and other University programs will finally have a permanent location in Las Vegas when a new 43,000 square foot facility opens later this year. 23 Pack Track Fazekas and Co. perform valiantly in the NCAA Tournament for the second year running. Kali Baker is a record-setting 800-meter runner aiming for bigger things. 31 Investing in Nevada The generosity of University donors has helped shape a remarkable history and a bright future. On the Cover Susan Desmond-Hellmann, University of Nevada, Reno graduate and president of product development at Genentech, Inc. Photo courtesy of Genentech. Nevada Silver & Blue • Spring 2005 1 From the President SilverNEVADA & Blue Serving the households of our 50,000 University of Nevada, Reno alumni and friends. Stay in Touch Vol. XVI, No. 3 © Copyright 2005 www.unr.edu/alumni his issue recognizes the donors who have joined in NEVADA SILVER & BLUE is published four times a year our quest to make this nation- by the Offi ce of Marketing and Communications, T Ross PhotoJeff by University of Nevada, Reno. It is also online at ally ranked research and land-grant http://www.unr.edu/ur/sb.htm University even better. Their gener- osity supports student scholarships, Jones Visitor Center/108 University of Nevada, Reno the facilities needed for teaching Reno, NV 89557-0129 and research, and the academic (775) 784-4941 FAX: (775) 784-1422 programs that are fundamental to e-mail: [email protected] our mission and serve as the corner- ADDRESS CHANGES stones for this University’s story. University of Nevada, Reno Foundation Telling our great story more MS162, Reno, NV 89557 eff ectively is a top priority. This is a (775) 784-1587; [email protected] world-class University, and national President and international media are taking John Lilley notice. In the past few weeks, CBS Interim Managing Editors Jim Ellis • Jane Tors Evening News, NBC Nightly News, National Geographic magazine, and the A&E Channel have Graphic designers Claudia Ortega-Lukas • Lucy Walker visited our campus to profi le the work of our faculty. And, the Newswriters Wolf Pack basketball team again carried our University to the Jean Dixon — Environmental Health & Safety; national stage with the team’s second consecutive appear- Police Services; Visual Communications • 784-4941, ance in the NCAA tournament. They reminded the nation that ext. 230 • [email protected] along with great academics, we have great spirit. Katie Hall — College of Business Administration; College of Liberal Arts; Development & Alumni In Silver & Blue, we shine a spotlight on the special stories Relations; Liaison to College of Agriculture, of our faculty, students, alumni and other friends. In this issue Biotechnology and Natural Resources • 784-4941, we meet Susan Desmond-Hellman, recently named one of ext. 229 • [email protected] the 50 most powerful women in America. Susan and her six Patrick McDonnell — College of Education; College of Human and Community Sciences; School siblings are all Nevada graduates, and each is an outstanding of Public Health; Student Services • 784-4941, ext. 228 example of this University’s ability to transform all of us. As John Carothers • [email protected] Susan has said, she fi rmly believes her time at Nevada pre- has been named Melanie Robbins — Science, Engineering, pared her to stand tall as a leader amidst graduates of other vice president research; • 784-4941, ext. 231 • [email protected] top-fl ight universities. of development John Wheeler — School of Medicine; Graduate and alumni School; University News • 784-4941, ext. 226 As part of our community, you have an opportunity to join [email protected] in telling our story. To help you, my colleagues have created relations and Student Writers new communication channels to keep you abreast of the executive director Jason Ching • Jenny Durnan • Ryan Flynn • Cecelia latest University news. I encourage you to visit Nevada News, of the University Ghezzi • Molly Malloy • Heather Shallenberger • of Nevada Brandon Stewart our daily online news source, at www.unr.edu/nevadanews/. While there, please subscribe to our weekly news updates. Foundation. Student Photographer David Calvert Another tool is Inside Nevada. Through this weekly e-mail Carothers joined the University Contributing photographers message, you will get my perspective on University news, John Byrne • Ted Cook • Theresa Danna-Douglas • topics and issues. If you would like to receive my Inside in October 2003 Matt Theilen Nevada e-mails, please let me know at [email protected]. as interim vice Board of Regents As I encourage you to stay in touch, I know John Carothers president after Mark Alden will add an invitation for you to stay involved. serving at the State Stavros Anthony, Chair I’ve often heard it said that the University of Nevada, Reno University of New Dr. Jill T. Derby, Vice Chair Thalia M. Dondero is a well-kept secret. Well, the secret is starting to get out. York, Plattsburgh, Dorothy Gallagher Please stay in touch, stay involved and spread the word. And, where he was Douglas Roman Hill Linda C. Howard like Susan Desmond-Hellman, enjoy the resulting sense of vice president James D. Leavitt pride and accomplishment that comes with being a member for institutional Howard Rosenberg of the Nevada Wolf Pack. advancement Dr. Jack Lund Schofi eld Douglas R. Seastrand and executive Steve Sisolak director of the Bret Whipple Plattsburgh College Jim Rogers, Interim Chancellor John M. Lilley, President Foundation. 2 Nevada Silver & Blue • Spring 2005 Quad&Beyond Grants promote further study of roles of media, courts o support further study the judicial process. The grants of the understanding supplied to the center will Tbetween the courts and provide the ability for journal- the media and provide insight ists to participate in workshops, into their respective roles, the seminars and lectures related to PhotoJeanby Dixon Donald W. Reynolds Foundation furthering their understanding recently awarded $2.3 million in of the judicial process. Judges, grants to the Reynolds National on the other hand, will learn the Center for Courts and Media. important role of the media in “With ever-increasing em- judicial proceedings and their phasis on trials and coverage of validation that empowers the court proceedings in national independent judiciary. and local news, the need for “We hope these grants will reducing conflict between the be successful in accomplish- Grants valued at $2.3 million have been made to the Reynolds media and the judiciary has ing a better understanding National Center for Courts and Media, housed in the National never been greater,” says center between individuals working Judicial College on the University’s campus. director Gary Hengstler. “The within the judicial system and new grants will heighten the those in the media while they one of the 50 largest private start, the college has provided impact of our work significantly.” continue in their respective roles foundations in the nation. over 70,000 judicial education A mutual understanding to best serve the public,” said The National Judicial College certificates and enrolls an aver- between the two disciplines Fred W. Smith, chairman of the was founded in 1963 and is age of 2,700 judges annually is fundamental to the future foundation, which is a national the nation’s leading judicial from many countries around the success between the media and philanthropic organization and education provider. Since its world. Study chairs: seats of art pportunities to combine nostalgia with creativity and whimsy PhotoJeanby Dixon Odon’t occur often in higher education, but the University may be on to providing a road map. Vintage oak study chairs, retired from campus lecture rooms, will become objets d’art with the help of 60 artists and com- munity leaders. Under the auspices of the Friends of the University Library, the notables are revving up their creative juices to design, paint, decorate and otherwise turn the once-staid chairs into decorative items — some elegant, some outrageous, some avant garde, but all unique. Celebrity artists include Reno Mayor Bob Cashell, Jill Altman, Gini Annis, Pat Bergstrom, Amy Currier Dworkin, Louise Evans, Clay Jenkinson, Zoltan Janvary, Wes Lee, Marilyn Melton, LeVerne Theis, Larry Williamson, Jim Zlokovich and Joe Zuc- carini. The chairs will be auctioned on July 10 during a Carol Johnson (left) and Annie Hall 4 p.m. free-admission exhibition and sale at McKinley are co-chairs — no pun intended Park School in Reno as part of the city’s Artown 2005. — of the group transforming retired study chairs into pieces of art, such Auctioneer Mark Eastman will handle the gavel. The as this creation by Johnson. Her program also will include music by jazz musician and transformed chair is one of 60 pieces University music instructor Hans Halt.