INSIDE Q & A with Honors College Dean Edward Stricker..... 3 Scholars & Stewards: George Davidson...... 7 PittNewspaper of the University of PittsburghChronicle Volume XII • Number 22 • August 23, 2011 Back to School Issue Pitt Summer Research Abroad Program See page 4 2 • Pitt Chronicle • August 23, 2011 Pitt’s Lantern Night to Be Held Aug. 28 By Patricia Lomando White

A University of tradition remarks, Shayne will lead “flame-bearers” continues as “flame-bearers” bestow the in lighting the lanterns. symbolic “light of learning” on more than A Pittsburgh native, Dunmire attended 400 incoming freshman and first-year trans- Winchester Thurston High School. She fer women during the 91st annual Lantern received a BA in drama from Chatham Night Ceremony at 7:35 p.m. Aug. 28 in University and entered Pitt’s School of . Medicine in 1981, graduating in The student participants will 1985. While at Pitt, Dunmire was gather at 7 p.m. in the Cathedral an Alpha Omega Alpha Honors of Learning Commons Room to Society member. She completed a receive a lantern and prepare for the residency in Pitt’s Department of 7:25 p.m. procession to the chapel. Emergency Medicine in 1988 and MIKE DRAZDZINSKI/CIDDE With unlit lanterns, the women was the only woman for the first Pitt freshmen enjoy an ice cream social during Orientation 2010. will process on the parallel side- seven years in Pitt’s Affili- walks located between the ated Residency in Emergency cathedral’s Bellefield Avenue Medicine program. entrance and the chapel to the Among her numerous 7:35 p.m. ceremony. During teaching awards are the Pitt to Hold New Student the event, Pitt alumni “flame- Golden Apple Award in 2001 bearers,” including several and 2008, the Faculty Rec- mothers and grandmothers of ognition Award from 2004 Orientation on Aug. 23-28 incoming students, will light to 2011, and The Leonard By Patricia Lomando White the lanterns, which will remain Tow Humanism in Medi- lit for the remainder of the cine Award in 2007. She also The New Stu- “Campus Safety: What Parents Need to program. Carrying the burning has received the Charles G. dent Orientation 2011 is welcoming 4,500 Know,” from 3 to 4 p.m. Aug 23, and lanterns, the new students will Watson Award for excellence freshmen and transfer students Aug. 23-28 “The Art of College Parenting,” a light- process back to the Commons in teaching and the Pitt Chancel- with informational sessions, campus and hearted educational program, from 10:30 Room for a reception. lor’s Distinguished Teaching Award. city tours, social gatherings, and ceremo- to 11:30 a.m. Aug 24, both in the WPU; Susan M. Dunmire (MED ’85), a Dunmire serves as executive director of nies in an effort to educate, entertain, and and “Educating the Whole Student: What professor of emergency medicine in Pitt’s Pitt’s Medical Alumni Association and is a orient members of the class of 2015 and their Every Parent Should Know,” from 7:30 School of Medicine and a member of the member of Pitt School of Medicine’s Admis- families to college life. to 9 p.m. Aug. 24 in the O’Hara Student UPMC Presbyterian Emergency Depart- sions Committee. Pitt Chancellor Mark A. Nordenberg Center. Presentations will seek to answer ment staff, will deliver the Lantern Night Lantern Night is one of the University’s and distinguished members of the Univer- questions and concerns of students’ parents Address. Other program participants will oldest traditions. The Alumnae Council sity community will officially welcome and guardians as well as to provide infor- include Juliana Shayne (NURS ’73), Lan- of the Pitt Alumni Association and Pitt’s Pitt’s newest students at the Freshman mation on University programs. In addi- tern Night chair, who will offer a greeting Division of Student Affairs cosponsor the Convocation Ceremony in tion, parents will have and history of Lantern Night, and Pitt ceremony; Student Affairs sponsors the the an opportunity to social- students Lauren Jentleson, president of reception. from 3 to 4 p.m. Aug. 24. University staff ize with one another Pitt’s Panhellenic Association, and Crystal For more information on Lantern Night, The traditional Lantern at the Panther Parents Orr, treasurer of the National Panhellenic call 412-624-8215 or visit www.alumni.pitt. Night Ceremony will be held will be available to Association Information Association, who will provide the student edu/traditions/lanternnight.php. An online in Heinz Memorial Chapel Session from 4 to 5 p.m. welcome. Pitt Provost and Senior Vice donation to the Lantern Night Endowed from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Aug. answer questions and Aug. 23 and from 10 Chancellor Patricia E. Beeson will deliver Fund also can be made at that site by click- 28. The Student Activities provide information at to 10:30 a.m. Aug. 24, the University welcome. Following the ing on Pitt Giving. Fair, from 2 to 5 p.m. that and at the Continental day, introduces the newest “Orientation Station,” Breakfast for Parents members of Pitt’s commu- from 8:30 to 10 a.m. Traffic Changes for Pitt Move-In Days nity to the campus’ more open from 10 a.m. to Aug. 25, all in the WPU. than 300 student organiza- Scheduled entertain- to 4 p.m. Aug. 26. tions. The fair is held in the 6 p.m. Aug. 23-25 and ment and social activities University Drive B will be Petersen Events Center. will include an ice cream closed between Allequippa Street and Presentations, semi- from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. social and Monte Carlo University Drive A from 7 a.m. to nars, and open houses will Aug. 26 in the WPU’s Night. “Discover Pitts- 7 p.m. Aug. 23-26. be held on numerous aspects burgh!” from 7 to 9 p.m. Parking meters on Ruskin of campus life, including Lower Lounge. Aug. 23 will include a Avenue will be restricted to student organizations, health sampling of food from individuals moving into . services, and campus safety. local restaurants and University of The University Counseling Center Open music by local entertainers. “The Union will be stationed at Allequippa Street and House will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Carnival,” from 10 p.m. Aug. 24 to 1 a.m. University Drive B to assist with traffic Aug. 23. Several informational activities Aug. 25, will feature carnival games, crafts, control. will take place Aug. 24: “Student Health and an opportunity to mix and mingle on Service: When, Where, and How to Get the WPU’s main floor and Fifth Avenue Help,” from 9 to 10 a.m. in the William lawn. A “Global Carnivale” from 8:30 to Pitt Union (WPU); “A Healthier U Starts 10:30 p.m. Aug. 25 on the WPU lawn and The influx of University of Pittsburgh at Student Health Service,” from 10 to 11 patio will feature international cuisines, students returning to the Pittsburgh campus PittChronicle a.m. in the Medical Arts Building; “Student performances, music, and crafts. Other residence halls from Tuesday, Aug. 23, Newspaper of the University of Pittsburgh Life: The Importance of Getting Involved,” events beginning on Aug. 26 and ending on through Friday, Aug. 26, has prompted Pitt’s Department of Parking and Transportation to from 11 a.m. to noon in the WPU; and “Get Aug. 27 include “Open Mic Night,” from 10 PUBLISHER Robert Hill issue the following traffic advisory. Culturally Crunk! A Block Party Presented p.m. to 1 a.m. in WPU Nordy’s Place, and ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER John Harvith The Schenley Quadrangle is closed to by the Office of Cross-Cultural and Leader- “ Teahouse,” from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m. EXECUTIVE EDITOR Linda K. Schmitmeyer all vehicular traffic through Sunday, Aug. 28. ship Development,” from noon to 1 p.m. in in the WPU Commuter Student Lounge. EDITOR Jane-Ellen Robinet Forbes and Fifth avenues will the WPU. Pitt Program Council will present hypnotist ART DIRECTOR Gary Kohr-Cravener experience heavy traffic Aug. 23-26. “Pathway to Your Success at Pitt: A Erick Känd from 8 to 10 p.m. Aug 27 in the STAFF WRITERS Sharon S. Blake Pitt Tradition,” held Aug. 25 in the Petersen WPU Assembly Room. Bigelow Boulevard will be closed John Fedele Events Center, will have a different twist Multiple guided tours of the Univer- between Forbes and Fifth avenues from 7 a.m. Audrey M. Marks this year. At 9:15 a.m., accompanied by sity and the city of Pittsburgh, including to 7 p.m. Aug. 23 and 24, and from 9 a.m. to 3 Patricia Lomando White p.m. Aug. 25. Port Authority Bus Route 54C Pitt’s Pep Band, cheer squad, and dance Pitt’s , Heinz Memorial CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Shawn Ahearn team, more than 3,000 incoming freshmen Chapel, Phipps Conservatory, and the Carn- will not service the Carnegie Museum/Forbes Bartholomae will march to the Petersen. The new stu- egie Museums of Art and Natural History, Avenue stop during these times. Karen Hoffmann dents will form the image of the Cathedral also will be available. Lothrop Street will be closed between Viveka Mandava of Learning while holding a glow stick for University staff will be available to Fifth Avenue and Victoria Way from Adam Reger four minutes in an effort to break the Guin- answer questions and provide information 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Aug. 23-25 and from 8 a.m. Lynn Shea ness World Record for the “World’s Largest at “Orientation Station,” open from 10 a.m. Glow Stick Design.” After the attempt to to 6 p.m. Aug. 23-25 and from 10 a.m. to 4 The Pitt Chronicle is published throughout the year by break the record, Pitt Provost and Senior p.m. Aug. 26 in the WPU’s Lower Lounge. University News and Magazines, University of Pittsburgh, On the cover: Children in an Indian orphanage 400 Craig Hall, Pittsburgh, PA 15260. Vice Chancellor Patricia E. Beeson will Students will be able to sign up for social play with the computer and cell phone of Pitt senior Phone: 412-624-1033, Fax: 412-624-4895. provide an overview of the opportunities for activities and find out about programs Michael Gowen—the first time any of the children had E-mail: [email protected] Web: www.chronicle.pitt.edu a successful academic journey at Pitt. The offered through the New Student Orienta- program will culminate with students sing- tion. seen such technology. Gowen and other Pitt students The University of Pittsburgh is an affirmative action, equal ing Panther fight songs and the Alma Mater. For more information or a complete share stories about their summer research abroad opportunity institution that does not discriminate upon any Among the activities designed exclu- schedule of events visit http://viewer.zmags. experiences, page 4. basis prohibited by law. sively for parents and guardians will be com/publication/89a28fef#/89a28fef/1. August 23, 2011 • University of Pittsburgh • 3 Q&A With Honors College Dean Edward M. Stricker The Art of Education: Molding “Good Citizens, Good Adults”

Edward M. Stricker became dean of Honors College would be interesting and Pitt’s University Honors College (UHC) fun. After two months in the position, I feel on July 1. A Distinguished University more strongly about all three reasons. Professor of Neuroscience and a renowned neuroscience scholar, Stricker has been Q. What are your early impressions of instrumental in developing the University’s being dean? nationally recognized neuroscience program. As mentioned, I am pleased by the His friendly manner, thoughtful approach opportunities to influence undergraduate to teaching, and scholarly commitment to education, and I am pleased by the research are hallmarks of his success. opportunity to make this contribution to Stricker holds BS and MS degrees in the University. Thus far, my work has been chemistry from the University of Chicago and continually interesting and often fun. And a PhD in psychology from Yale University. I am also very pleased to have met a group He also held postdoctoral fellowships at the of interesting, good people with whom I University of Colorado and the University now interact. of . Stricker’s 40-year career at Pitt began Q. You are known for believing that in 1971 when he joined the University undergraduate students bring unique as an associate professor of psychology benefits to research. Can you elaborate? and biological sciences. U n d e r g r a d u a t e He was promoted students usually bring to full professor in Stricker’s plans include an open mind to the 1976 and was named laboratory, uncluttered University Professor of interesting more students by the local perspective Neuroscience in 1986. and unfettered by the During his tenure, he in the Honors College need to fit in. Graduate served as director of the students quickly learn Behavioral Neuroscience programs, providing to adopt the perspective Program and led efforts to of the home laboratory, establish the Department more living and learning and to the extent that of Neuroscience in the communities in which they succeed, they lose School of Arts and their ability to provide Sciences, serving as its students can better share alternative viewpoints. founding chair for 16 Thus, undergraduate years. He also served as ideas, and offering more students may be freer founding director of the to consider and offer Center for Neuroscience opportunities for students alternative points of view. and Schizophrenia (now the Conti Center to conduct research, Q. Can you talk about for Neuroscience of not just in the summer your love of teaching— Mental Disorders) and what is it that you find was codirector of the months, but throughout so rewarding? University’s Center for To understand my Neuroscience. the academic year. answer, you have to Stricker’s know something about commitment to my background. All education—particularly my grandparents were undergraduate education, both inside and immigrants, and although my mother was outside the classroom—is apparent. He has born here, my father was not. They all BURKE/CIDDEJIM challenged students to aspire to excellence believed in the democratic principles of this University Honors College Dean Edward M. Stricker and has provided the encouragement country, and they wanted to be good citizens. and tools necessary for achieving those They believed that the way to be a good how important do you undergraduate students, aspirations. citizen was to work hard, be honest, and get think that quality is to regardless of what stage A belief in promoting quality education a good education. My folks often quoted an honors college or My folks often quoted of development they are for undergraduate students led to Stricker’s Thomas Jefferson, who said the foundation program? Thomas Jefferson, who in when they come to Pitt. decision to apply for the UHC deanship. of the American democracy was an educated Yes, I do intend to Stricker’s plans include interesting more citizenry; thus, they valued education and continue the policy of said the foundation Q. In your presentation students in the Honors College programs, educators. Not coincidentally, my mother inclusiveness, and I do to the selection providing more living and learning taught high school math while my father, think that quality is very of the American committee for this job, communities in which students can better who was a civil servant by day, taught important. The UHC at you listed five successful share ideas, and offering more opportunities fourth-grade English to immigrants at night. Pitt caters to all students democracy was an aspects of the Honors for students to conduct research, not just No doubt for these reasons, I always wanted who come here to get College that should be in the summer months, but throughout the to be a teacher when I was growing up, and an education. They are educated citizenry; thus, maintained. Can you academic year. so did my brother and sister. And my goal students who want to they valued education address those? Now Stricker is bringing a thoughtful, as an academic has always been to educate, discover what they are The five aspects deliberate approach to improving what he whether I was in the laboratory or in the interested in and what and educators. Not I mentioned in my considers “an Honors College that is already chairman’s office, not just when I was in the they are good at, and presentation last April were first-rate.” In a recent conversation with the classroom. I wanted to help students learn to to learn how to think coincidentally, my recruitment, advising, Pitt Chronicle’s Patricia Lomando White, analyze, to synthesize, to understand, and to clearly and to develop academic community, the Stricker talked about the many successful make decisions based on evidence, so they good judgment, so they mother taught high Summer Brackenridge programs the Honors College offers, what could become good citizens and good adults. can use these insights Research Program, and the college does best, and his vision for To the extent that I succeed, I am pleased to and skills for the rest school math while my the B.Phil. degree. I also where he would like to take it. think that I am making a nice contribution of their lives. They’re father, who was a civil should have included to preserve our society. curious and inquisitive, honors courses, which Q. Why did you want to become the and they like intellectual servant by day, taught was an obvious oversight. Honors College dean? Q. Are there significant differences challenges. I recognize Brief ly, throughout its I had three reasons for my candidacy. between the students you taught 30 that all college students fourth-grade English to 24-year history, the Honors First, I have always been very interested years ago and the students you teach are not like that when College has successfully in promoting high-quality education for today? they matriculate, but a immigrants at night. No assisted the Office of undergraduate students, and I thought The present students are much more good many students are, Admissions in recruiting that as dean I would have a stronger sophisticated, generally, not just tech-savvy. and even more of them doubt for these reasons, an increasingly large cadre platform for influence than as a professor More of them are interested in getting an become that way once I always wanted to be of excellent students, has in the classroom. Second, the University of education, and more of them have future they get here. They “turn provided outstanding Pittsburgh has been very supportive of me plans. The most academically competent the corner,” so to speak, a teacher when I was advising to those students during the 40 years I have been here, and, students today are not any more competent and behave less like the once they arrive on consequently, I have been productive and than the best of the former students, but now high school students growing up, and so did campus, has promoted a happy. I recognize that I have done some there are many more of them at Pitt. they were and more strong sense of community good things over the years, but I knew like the adult citizens my brother and sister. through its residential I would be inclined to contribute more, Q. Pitt’s Honors College has made a they are becoming. The especially if I was selected for the position. point of not being exclusive. Do you have Honors College applauds And third, I thought being dean of the plans to continue that inclusiveness, and and encourages that development in all Continued on page 7 4 • Pitt Chronicle • August 23, 2011 New Comfort Zones Pitt Summer Research Abroad Program Helps Undergrad Scholars See Part of the World, Widen Their Aspirations

By Karen Hoffmann

For Michael Gowen, a Pitt neuroscience abroad. The UHC Summer Research Abroad senior, the enormity of the poverty—and Program provides support for the latter the challenges it presented—seemed simply group of students.” overwhelming. The program was conceived in summer There he was in rural Jaipur, India, 2010—a year prior to Stricker’s assuming his spending a week in an orphanage that was new position as UHC dean last month—by home to 22 children—all diagnosed with Steven Husted, UHC interim dean and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), professor of economics. Husted worked with which leads to AIDS—who either had no David Hornyak, UHC director of advising, known parents or whose parents were too and the University Center for International sickened by AIDS to care for them. The Studies (UCIS) to get the initiative under orphanage did the best it could to provide way. for its young charges, noted Gowen, but “The program’s purpose,” Husted said, many things fell short: broken ceiling fans, “is to encourage undergraduates to conduct children’s clothing that was literally falling international research that they would have apart, and shockingly poor diets. been unable to do otherwise.” During his stay, Gowen raised some The UHC invited proposals from money from friends and students, requiring that family and was able to buy applicants have a faculty some new clothes for the Gowen was one member write a letter children. He also arranged of 12 Pitt students of support explaining for periodic fruit deliveries why the international for the next few months, who participated component was crucial repaired the ceiling fans, to the research. Students and even had enough to pay this past summer received a stipend of advance school tuition for $3,500, plus $1,500 for nine of the children. in the new Summer expenses. “Before I left for India, I saw myself graduating Research Abroad Wide Range of The orphanage in Jaipur, India. Inset: Pitt senior Michael Gowen with one of the orphanages’s children. from medical school, program, sponsored Research completing a residency in Gowen’s research surgery or anesthesiology, by the University of program was titled “HIV/ nearby coast for interview subjects, pleading India, on the MILES study—a longitudinal living in a beautiful home, AIDS in Rural India: with heads of the Immigration Office to cohort study that Pitt is doing with and enjoying the financial Pittsburgh’s University An Epidemiological speak with me, and doing various other MediCiti Hospital. Samudzi assisted the rewards of my work,” Study Comparing volunteer work at two of the city’s refugee Pitt epidemiological students in Andhra Gowen wrote in an e-mail. Honors College. the Manifestation, centers,” she said. Pradesh with their research, which aims to Then he thought about what Treatment, and Culture A typical day for Lynch consisted of a assess the manner in which Indian people 60 he was able to do for the Factors of HIV/AIDS bike ride to the Stella Maris Center, which and older in that region are aging. children in the orphanage with only a few in Rural India, Compared to Urban India.” works with immigrants, followed by a trek “We’re looking to figure out the thousand dollars and no medical training. “I Other Pitt students also learned about to the tourist beaches to search for recently prevalence of age-related chronic diseases thought about the important things I could making a difference this summer. arrived Africans. Then, she said, she in the elderly, as well as the way that do after I was medically trained and had Margo Lynch, an Italian and history ended the evening with the “new arrivals,” socioeconomic and environmental risk more money to give. … I thought to myself, senior, spent her summer researching exchanging languages, general discussions, factors contribute to these age-related ‘Maybe this is what I was destined to do.’” Sub-Saharan African immigration and and kicking around a soccer ball. chronic diseases,” wrote Samudzi. Gowen was one of 12 Pitt students assimilation in Sicily, Italy. “What this has Political science sophomore Zoe who participated this past summer in the actually translated to is combing the city and Samudzi worked in Andhra Pradesh, Continued on page 5 new Summer Research Abroad program, sponsored by the University of Pittsburgh’s University Honors College (UHC). “During the summer months, many 2011 UHC Summer Research Abroad Program/ Participating Students and Their Research Projects students understandably leave campus and go home to places distant from Pittsburgh, James Baraldi, Major: Neuroscience, Countries of Study: Turkey and China, Project Title: “A Heavy Stone is Not Easily Moved: Urban Turkish and Chinese while some students stay on campus Perspectives of Eastern Incorporation of Western Medical Practices.” Cooperating Faculty Member: Edouard Machery, professor, Department of History and Philosophy of Science. and work in research laboratories or on Pinel Berhane, Major: Finance, Country of Study: Ghana, Project Title: “How Microfinance Loans Are Benefiting the Beneficiaries of the Volunteer Partnerships scholarship projects,” said UHC Dean for West Africa, as well as Contributing to the Improvement of Ghana’s Economy.” Cooperating Faculty Member: Macrina Lelei, adjunct assistant professor, School of Education. Edward M. Stricker. “A small subset of students would like to pursue work that Peter Cahill, Major: Linguistics and International and Area Studies (Latin American Studies), Countries of Study: Nicaragua and Puerto Rico, is unavailable on campus but is available Project Title: “We Sign Spanish: The Sociolinguistics of Sign Language Contact and the Latin American Deaf Identity.” Cooperating Faculty Member: Claude Mauk, professor, Department of Linguistics. Alexander Cornhill, Major: Architectural Studies, Country of Study: France, Project Title: “The Development of the Romantics: A Study of the Development From Student to Professional.” Cooperating Faculty Member: C. Drew Armstrong, director of architectural studies and assistant professor, Department of the History of Art and Architecture. Michelle Everson, Majors: French, Chinese, and International and Area Studies, (Global Studies), Country of Study: Northern Ireland, UK, Project Title: “Mediation in Northern Ireland: What Went Right?” Cooperating Faculty Member: Anthony Novosel, lecturer, Department of History. Neal Godse, Major: Neuroscience, Country of Study: India, Project Title: “A Comparative Look at Various Parkinson’s Disease Treatments Between Rural and Urban India.” Cooperating Faculty Member: J. Patrick Card, professor, Department of Neuroscience. Michael Gowen, Major: Neuroscience, Country of Study: India, Project Title: “HIV/AIDS in Rural India: An Epidemiological Study Comparing the Manifestation, Treatment, and Culture Factors of HIV/AIDS in Rural India, Compared to Urban India.” Cooperating Faculty Member: George Bandik, senior lecturer and director of undergraduate studies, Department of Chemistry. Chong Hu, Major: Architectural Studies, Country of Study: China, Project Title: “The Return of Traditional Elements in Chinese and Japanese Architecture During the Economic Upspring of the Early 21st Century and the Later 20th Century.” Cooperating Faculty Member: Katheryn Linduff, professor, Department of the History of Art and Architecture, Department of Anthropology. Margo Lynch, Majors: Italian and History, Country of Study: Italy, Project Title: “Clandestini: A Look Into African Life in Eastern Sicily.” Cooperating Faculty Member: Lina Insana, professor, Department of French and Italian Languages and Literatures. Zoe Samudzi, Major: Political Science, Country of Study: India, Project Title: “The LIFE (Longitudinal Indian Family Health) Study.” Cooperating Faculty Member: Clareann Bunker, professor, Department of Epidemiology, Graduate School of Public Health. Sowmya Sanapala, Majors: Neuroscience and Anthropology, Country of Study: India, Project Title: “New Standards for a Developing Nation.” Cooperating Faculty Member: Clareann Bunker, professor, Department of Epidemiology, Graduate School of Public Health. Liam Sweeney, Majors: English Literature and English Writing, Country of Study: Ireland, Project Title: “Purgatory Island: Ireland’s Literary Reactions to Paying Off the Culture Industry.” Cooperating Faculty Member: Jeff Aziz, lecturer, Department of English. Michelle Everson, a global studies major with a concentration in conflict resolution, spent her summer in Northern Ireland. NB: All cooperating faculty members are in the School of Arts and Sciences unless otherwise noted. August 23, 2011 • University of Pittsburgh • 5 A Very Special Spring Research PittMAP: Three Campuses/Three Continents

Continued from page 4

Zoe Samudzi (left), a Pitt sophomore majoring in political science, stands in Chowmahalla Palace in Hyderabad, India, which was the seat of a Persian dynasty that once ruled in Andhra Pradesh. Samudzi was in India doing research on how Indian people in the Andhra Pradesh region age. She is standing with Niranjani Thuppal, a second-year Pitt medical student.

Michelle Everson, a global studies major with a concentration in conflict resolution, spent her summer in Northern Ireland studying the negotiations that resulted in the Good Friday Agreement, which marked the end to the Troubles—a period of ethno- political conflict in Northern Ireland. “One theory in conflict studies is that conflict sometimes can’t be ended, just BARTHOLOMAEDAVID transformed,” she said. “That is certainly The 2011 PittMAP students visited James House, a nongovernmental organization in Hout Bay, South Africa, just south of Cape Town. James House is both a home for children whose parents true in Northern Ireland. Its inspiring to can no longer take care of them and a center providing after-school and summer programs for children who live in Imizamo Yethu, a shantytown (or informal settlement). The PittMAP group, learn about what was achieved in 1998, but whose focus of study was global health issues, met with James House staff, and this photo was taken as the Pitt group was leaving. even more amazing to see people—even former combatants—working every day to make sure that the peace holds, trying to David Bartholomae, a professor of They were accompanied by three Pitt faculty University of Cape Town were located on transform the society so that there will never English and the Charles Crow Chair of members, including Peter Veldkamp, an the medical school campus, and our group be a return to violence. That’s the kind of Pitt’s Department of English, led the 2010-11 assistant professor of medicine and director attended lectures with second-year medical work I want to do.” PittMAP program this past Spring semester. of education in the School of Medicine’s students. He reflects on his experiences and the Division of Infectious Diseases; Svitlana In Beijing, we visited an organic farm Expanded Horizons program in this column. Maksymenko, a lecturer in Pitt’s Department on the outskirts of the city, toured studios Like Gowen, some students said their From 1981 to 2006, Pitt was the host of Economics; and myself. Lauren Scott, and galleries of China’s contemporary art experience has significantly influenced their educational institution for Semester at Sea, a graduate student in the Graduate School scene, met with the former director of the thinking about future plans. a study-abroad program housed on a cruise of Public and International Affairs, came Chinese version of our Centers for Disease Samudzi, who worked on the aging ship. Each semester, the ship went halfway as resident adviser. Local faculty at each Control, and watched while one of our own study in India, said she plans to apply to around the world. At sea, students were university we visited provided guest lectures, student, Kerri Bell, received acupuncture Pitt’s Graduate School of Public Health to taking courses. When the boat docked, they all focused on health-related issues. as part of a presentation at Guanganmen, obtain the Master of Public Health degree. would be taken by bus for local excursions. So much of what we learned, however, a hospital that features traditional Chinese She also hopes to work for the World Health And then? Back to the boat. we learned off campus, on the medicine. None of us will Organization. When the University of Pittsburgh ground, through excursions forget the pharmacy in the “Since life expectancies all over the severed its ties with Semester at Sea, enabled by our local providers. hospital’s basement, where world are increasing, for the most part, the then-Provost James V. Maher established We visited hospitals, medicinal potions are study is addressing a universally relevant a committee to develop an alternative. The clinics, pharmaceutical concocted from herbs and issue,” she wrote. Pitt Multi-region Academic Program, or laboratories, and biological roots and things that creep Lynch said she is fluctuating between PittMAP, was created as a result of those research centers. We met and crawl and fly. White- several future options. “To be honest, my discussions. I led the second PittMAP this with government agencies, coated lab assistants worked time abroad is constantly affecting my past Spring semester, and our group of 22 physicians, nurses, and public at long wooden tables in future plans. It seems every two weeks I’m students spent five weeks each in Buenos health officials. And we hit a room with a thousand changing my mind about what I want to do, Aires, Cape Town, and Beijing. (The Spring some tourist stops along the drawers. When we entered torn between going to grad school in Cairo, 2012 program will take students to Buenos way. We visited Iguazu Falls, the production lab, with doing humanitarian work for zero pay in Aires, Prague, and Beijing.) climbed Table Mountain, and its steamers and pressure Africa, and coming back here to Sicily,” Perhaps the most significant advantage walked a piece of China’s cookers, we ran into a wall Lynch wrote in an e-mail. “Developing this of PittMAP was the time we spent on the Great Wall. David Bartholomae of pungent smells. It was a project has inspired me to seriously consider ground. We travelled by plane, not ship, The highlights for me included a scene out of Harry Potter. applying for a Fulbright [Scholarship] and with five weeks at each site, we became visit to the cattle market in Buenos Aires I’ve been working with undergraduates to continue my work. Also, the Italian something other than tourists. We joined a (the Mercado de Liniers), an afternoon since 1973. This was by far the most government has just recently opened up a campus community, and we became part of eavesdropping on a meeting of regional memorable and important and productive new center on the outskirts of the city to the neighborhoods where we lived. public health officials at the Ministerio de semester of my teaching career. I’m very help young African men fleeing the crisis As a result, the students could pursue Salud, and a visit with Malena Araneo, a grateful to have been a part of PittMAP. For in Libya. After graduating this year, I may their interests in politics, science, sports, young woman who works for the World faculty and for students, this is a once-in- have the opportunity to work there.” and the arts from one local culture to the Bank and who provided, I think, a way for a-lifetime opportunity. And you can find it Neal Godse, a neuroscience major, next. They had their favorite coffee shops our students to imagine themselves working through the Study Abroad Office at www. said he remains committed to going to and bookstores. They found pickup soccer one day in a global environment. abroad.pitt.edu. medical school following his graduation games, fencing matches, running trails, In South Africa we visited one of Cape from Pitt. He studied Parkinson’s disease museums, jazz clubs, and concert venues. Town’s historic Black townships, Langa. The treatments in rural and urban India. “Though They made friends—some of them likely to poverty was staggering; the living conditions Over the course of 120 days, working abroad has not changed this goal, be lasting—and partied with students from unforgettable. And later in the visit, we had PittMAP participants were offered a what it has done is made me want to work every corner of the globe. a presentation from a young Black PhD rare and precious opportunity to enter internationally as a doctor regularly,” he The other distinctive feature of PittMAP student in economics, Cecil Mlathsheni, who into the life and rhythm of three of said. “I want to learn what doctors around for me was its focused curriculum. The trip grew up in a township and whose research the world’s great cities. Readers can the world have to share, and I want to share was a study trip; everyone in the group was considered poverty and unemployment in follow the trip from the students’ my knowledge as well.” working on a common topic. In our case, we the very township we had visited. We had a point of view via their blog (courtesy Follow the adventures of the UHC were studying issues and practices relating presentation by Stavros Nicolaou, a senior of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette) at Summer Research Abroad students at to global health, with particular attention executive from Aspen Pharmaceuticals, http://communityvoices.sites.post- https://www.facebook.com/pages/ to HIV/AIDS. Although the 22 students telling the remarkable story of his successful gazette.com University-of-Pittsburgh-Honors- came from a range of backgrounds, the struggle to bring affordable antiretroviral College/118106091568424. majority were science or premed majors. drugs to South Africa. Our classrooms at the 6 • Pitt Chronicle • August 23, 2011 Preserving the Old, Artfully Creating the New: Renovations Transform Former Concordia Club Into O’Hara Student Center

1 PHOTOS BY MARY JANE BENT/CIDDE By Sharon S. Blake

Pitt students will have a new place to storage areas. University Architect Park Rankin. “But with meet, study, and relax this academic year— The O’Hara Student Center provides modern-day lighting needs and mechanical in the former Concordia Club, built in 1913 two ample venues—a first-floor dining system upgrades, we knew we had to get in and recently transformed into the O’Hara room that can double as a large meeting there and change a few things around.” Student Center, 4024 O’Hara St. room and a second-floor ballroom with an Immediately upon entering the new The stately building has approximately open balcony, large arched windows, and a center, visitors see the dark-stained oak 35,000 square feet of space and was small stage. The ballroom, which can hold paneling. It once covered the lower level purchased by Pitt two years ago. The approximately 450 people, is equipped with and bar of the Fort Pitt Hotel, considered renovations, which included tearing out a state-of-the-art sound system. Bonner one of Pittsburgh’s most elegant hotels walls, updating the heating and cooling says freshman orientation programming is when it was constructed at Penn Avenue and systems, replacing the roof, being held in the newly Tenth Street, Downtown, in 1905. When the and upgrading the lighting, refurbished center, as will hotel was demolished in 1967, Concordia were completed in April lectures, presentations, Club members purchased the paneling and of this year. The result is a and fairs. The building is reinstalled it in their building. compatible blend of the old also the new home of Pitt’s Rankin’s team of architects beautified and new. The charm of the Math Assistance Center the ballroom by applying gold leaf trim to social club’s Romanesque and The Writing Center. the large wall panels. A formerly blocked-off Revival architecture is The Concordia Club, stairway is now revealed, providing access still present, but the heavy founded by members of to a balcony where music ensembles once salmon-colored drapes have the city’s German Jewish played for weddings and bar mitzvahs. The been replaced with crisp community and originally ballroom’s large ornate crystal chandelier, white panels. What once located on the , as well as two smaller ones, and a number were small dimly lit social was for many years a place of wall sconces all stem from an earlier 2 rooms are now bright and where prominent Jewish renovation. Rankin says his team was able spacious areas for group citizens of Pittsburgh to track down the Strip District lighting study, club activities, or gathered. At its peak, fabricator who had made them more than 1. First-floor study area showcases the oak paneling from the student programming. the club had close to 300 50 years ago. former Fort Pitt Hotel. 2. Staircase leading to second floor “It was becoming more members. Membership “He came back, removed the chandeliers, has original railings. 3. One of several ballroom chandeliers difficult for the William 3 declined in later years, and refurbished them,” Rankin explains. refurbished by the original fabricator. Pitt Union to handle all when Jewish individuals “The light bulbs were replaced with an LED the requests from student were no longer barred light source, so they are energy efficient and organizations for event space,” explained from other clubs because of their religion. much brighter.” Kenyon Bonner, associate dean of students But in its heyday, the club hosted many Throughout the building are spacious Bonner states that a restored building and director of student life at Pitt. Bonner parties, weddings, and balls, and its chefs areas with comfortable chairs for students from the early 1900s adds character to says not only has the number of Pitt student produced memorable high-end cuisine. who want to study or socialize. This is a campus: “It shows that we preserve and organizations mushroomed over the years, Pitt architects were challenged with growing trend he noticed when he visited respect the architecture of Pittsburgh. And but the groups have become more active renovating the building without disturbing other universities—pleasant spaces for it’s something for which the students gain on campus. At the same time, the groups’ its original grandeur. students to congregate, Rankin says: “They an appreciation.” storage needs have grown—an issue that the “We looked at what was there, and we want a place to study other than in their An official grand opening for the center new center will resolve nicely with basement tried not to intrude too much on it,” says residence halls.” is planned for early in the Fall Term. August 23, 2011 • University of Pittsburgh • 7 Scholars&Stewards

George Davidson: The Gifts of Time and Financial Support By Lynn Shea

George Davidson (ENGR ’61) Commission. The advisor even persuaded was determined to earn a University the commission’s head of personnel to travel of Pittsburgh degree in petroleum to Pitt for the Pitt-Army game and meet engineering, something his father Davidson ... who was soon on his way to said would guarantee Washington, D.C. him a job for life. So “It was a tremendous when rising tuition experience,” said costs threatened his Davidson has been a Davidson of his five years educational pursuits, member of Pitt’s Board at the Federal Power Davidson joined the Commission. Not only did Pitt grounds crew. He of Trustees for 24 he gain a broad overview worked every weekday of the energy industry, afternoon and all day years and was named he also met his wife of Saturdays. During nearly 50 years, Ada, in an earlier summer, an emeritus trustee in the nation’s capitol. Davidson worked “I owe the University 12-hour days, seven June. He has chaired a lot,” said Davidson, who days a week, with the board’s Academic has repaid that sense of an oil drilling crew debt with both dedicated in New Mexico and Affairs and Libraries service and generous gifts Colorado. to the University. Davidson’s fine- committees, served Davidson has been a tuned work ethic member of Pitt’s Board of has served him well on the Executive, Trustees for 24 years and throughout his career. was named an emeritus He joined Consolidated Affirmative Action, trustee in June. He has BURKE/CIDDEJIM Natural Gas (CNG), a and Compensation chaired the board’s During its June 24 meeting, Pitt’s Board of Trustees recognized George Davidson (center) for his board service, which large energy holding Academic Affairs and began in 1987, and named Davidson an emeritus trustee. Standing with him are Stephen Tritch (left), board chair, and company, in 1966 committees, and Libraries committees, Pitt Chancellor Mark A. Nordenberg. and rose through the served on the Executive, ranks, becoming chair advised three University Affirmative Action, include contributions to the Swanson School, including graduate student support. and CEO in 1987. In and Compensation the Katz School, the School of Medicine, “Fellowships are one of the greater January 2000, CNG chancellors since 1987. committees, and and the Chancellor Mark A. Nordenberg needs in the graduate school. They help merged with Dominion advised three University University Chair. support the quality of the programs,” said Resources, creating chancellors since 1987. His gifts to the Swanson School include Holder, adding that, “George realizes one of the largest electric and gas utilities “I still remember when I was asked to the George A. Davidson Unit Operations we can’t get the best students if we can’t in the . Davidson served join the board,” Davidson recalled. “I was Laboratory in Chemical and Petroleum provide great aid.” as Dominion chair until he retired in thrilled to become a trustee of the school that Engineering, the George Davidson Chemical Davidson also voices his admiration August 2000. I had worked my way through.” Engineering Graduate Fellowship Fund, and for Pitt Chancellor Mark A Nordenberg: Davidson attributes much of his Other Pitt commitments include serving the establishment of two endowments to “He is such an honorable person who has success in the energy industry to as chair of the Joseph M. Katz Graduate support engineering laboratories. He also great empathy for the students, faculty, the guidance he received from a Pitt School of Business Board of Visitors established a scholarship in the Katz School, and employees of the University, and has advisor during his final semester at the and vice chair of the Swanson School of the George A. Davidson Jr. MBA Endowed done an excellent job as a negotiator and University. The advisor recommended Engineering Board of Visitors. Davidson is Scholarship Fund. representative before elected officials in that instead of accepting an entry-level a Golden Life Member of the Pitt Alumni Gerald D. Holder, Pitt’s U.S. Steel Dean Harrisburg.” job in the struggling energy industry, Association and the recipient of the Swanson of Engineering, said he admires Davidson’s Davidson said he looks forward to Davidson should consider a position School of Engineering Distinguished exceptional commitment to the University more years of continued service to and with the Federal Power Commission. Alumni Award in 1988 and the Bicentennial and the Swanson School, including his support of the University that has made The commission, originally organized Medallion of Distinction in 1993. He was 20 years on the Board of Visitors, his record-breaking strides on a broad range to coordinate federal hydroelectric named a Pitt Legacy Laureate in 2000. involvement with ’s recent of fronts in recent years, and that provided projects in the 1920s, eventually He is one of the University’s most expansion, and his financial support for some him with an education, which fueled a became the Federal Energy Regulatory generous donors. His many gifts to Pitt of the school’s most critical initiatives— successful life and career.

The Art of Education: Molding “Good Citizens, Good Adults”

Continued from page 3 living programs (we honors courses that provide were always bigger and stronger than I meaningful to me as the two mentioned. hope to have more such I graduated from high increased in-depth treatment was, the girls were always older than I was, Perhaps my favorite book for pure enjoyment facilities by next year), of standard course material. and I never could legally drink alcohol (actually, the first two of three trilogies) is has been running a school and entered Collectively, these activities while I was an undergraduate student. The Forsyte Chronicles by John Galsworthy, unique summer research enrich the educational It was apparent to me then, and still is, who won the Nobel Prize for Literature in program in which college just after experience of all qualified that success in the classroom is only one 1932. That is, the books weren’t just the participating students Pitt students who want to dimension of a successful college experience. literary source for the best production ever come from multiple and my 16th birthday. I take advantage of them. Thankfully, I received considerable support on PBS. diverse disciplines on graduated from college and encouragement from my fraternity campus (a program that Q. What would students brothers, from whom I learned the values Q. Do you find time to take vacations? will be extended into the (University of Chicago) and peers be surprised to of a nurturing community. What is your dream vacation? Fall and Spring terms learn about you? I remember vacations. I once took them beginning this academic when I was 19, and I I graduated from high Q. Can you name your three favorite but certainly not this summer. In recent year), has been giving a school and entered college books of all time? years, my wife and I have gone to Sanibel distinctive baccalaureate received my PhD (Yale) just after my 16th birthday. My answer now, for two of them, is Island in Florida for a restful week during degree (the Bachelor of I graduated from college Middlemarch (George Eliot) and A Mass for spring break, and I’m sure we will do the Philosophy, or B.Phil.) when I was 23. (University of Chicago) when the Dead (William Gibson). It is interesting same next year. But next summer we hope to to students whose I was 19, and I received my to me that I got much more out of those books have what we think of as a “dream vacation”: undergraduate education is characterized PhD (Yale) when I was 23. If that sounds when I reread them recently than when I We will go to Europe, and I’ll have a chance by unusual breadth and depth, and has wonderful, keep in mind that the guys I first read them years ago. I have found many to show her around a few cities like Venice sponsored a large and increasing number of played ball with and against in college other books very enjoyable, though not as that I have visited and enjoyed in the past. 8 • Pitt Chronicle • August 23, 2011

Blue, Gold, and Green: Sustainability at Pitt Surplus Property: A Silent Side of Sustainability

By Adam Reger

Some important sustainability practices equipment and computers—which the other units. “We expect detailed reports of the [waste] at the University of Pittsburgh are often Surplus Property department tests before While the percentage of construction weights that have been recycled and the drowned out by the cacophony of sounds making available. waste recycled varies actual amount of landfill from drills, jackhammers, and large trucks Surplus Property also plays an important with each project, waste that’s been generated at University’s construction sites. role in Pitt’s “e-waste” recycling program, minimum recycling as part of any project,” In fact, by the time scaffolding and which began in 2002 and collects from percentages are specified Surplus Property also Mitchell explained. dumpsters appear outside a construction 72,000 to 132,000 pounds of discarded for many larger projects, plays an important Facilities site, a major component of Pitt’s program technology each year, Heidkamp said. especially those seeking Management does not set of salvaging construction waste has already A walk around the Point Breeze facility Leadership in Energy and role in Pitt’s “e-waste” minimum requirements occurred. The University’s Surplus Property reveals the “waste in waiting.” Four giant Environmental Design for contractors to recycle unit has inspected the space, transporting bins of printer cartridges await shipment (LEED) certification. recycling program, which on all projects, but “we all reusable items—lamps, furniture, to a recycler. A tower of nonfunctioning Mitchell noted that expect that they try to be and electronics, computer monitors rests on the Benedum Hall began in 2002 and as sustainable as possible as well as surplus on a wooden shipping renovation project— collects from 72,000 and to minimize how much building materials Created in 1980, Surplus pallet, awaiting shipment which is targeted to material goes into the and fixtures—to its to a contractor to be attain the elite LEED to 132,000 pounds of waste stream,” Mitchell warehouse in Point Property embodies the dismantled. Nearby, an Gold certification— added. Breeze. enormous bin holds wires more than 75 percent of discarded technology Mitchell said he is “Surplus Property “reuse” component of the stripped from computer construction waste has optimistic about Pitt’s does a really good job units. Another bin been recycled—3,200 each year. continued progress in of reclaiming a lot environmentalist mantra contains several dozen tons to date. Similarly, recycling its construction of material before it “reduce, reuse, recycle.” circuit boards. All of these the new addition to the waste. “But the overall hits the landfill,” said complex materials are to , which is seeking goal is waste minimization,” he said. “If William Mitchell, be dismantled and their LEED Silver certification, has recycled more we can get to that point, our recycling stats senior manager of custodial services for components—metal, glass, plastic, and than 97 percent of its construction waste. won’t look as good because we’ll have less Pitt’s Office of Facilities Management. Once wires—recycled, Heidkamp said. In many Another key component of Pitt’s waste overall. But it also means we’re not a construction project begins, Facilities cases, parts from nonworking computers are program of recycling construction waste is sending as much waste to the landfills, so Management closely supervises its progress, salvaged for sale or to be used for repairing to hold hired subcontractors accountable. it’s worth it.” marking a number of materials for recycling. “Concrete blocks, asphalt, mixed metals, iron, and steel are all sorted and taken to a recycler,” Mitchell said. “You name it—if it can be recycled, we try to recycle it.” Pitt Green Team on Patrol for Sustainability Education Created in 1980, Surplus Property embodies the “reuse” component of the By Viveka Mandava environmentalist mantra “reduce, reuse, recycle.” After removing salvageable items Be on the lookout during Orientation Week “more green.” responsible is not just the from the construction site, the department for 105 green-clad members of Pitt’s new Green Green Team members will be stationed at latest trend, but something redistributes them in several ways. One is Team, a pilot project initiated by Pitt’s Office of specific points on campus where students and their the University really through a departmental “wish list”—a form Residence Life, Office of First Year Experience, and families can drop off their empty cardboard moving values,” says Amy Reed, that faculty and staff submit via the Web site (www.surplus.pitt.edu/wishlist.php) to Department of Housing and Food Services. boxes to be recycled rather than thrown away: at the a resident director in the request particular items obtained by Surplus The initiative aims to provide students with a Quad, in the Towers lobby, on ’s patio, on Office of Residence Life. Property. “We are constantly reviewing the greater understanding of the University’s emphasis Sutherland Hall’s patio, and in the area behind Forbes “We’re hoping that by requests from the Web site wish list,” said on sustainability—and to provide first-year Hall. Donated boxes earn fun giveaway prizes as well starting off freshman Thomas Heidkamp, manager of surplus students with an immediate leadership opportunity as coupons to various places on and around campus. orientation and campus property. “We have a high rate of success in finding items to fill those requests.” on campus. This is also an educational initiative: Green Team move-in days with this The Surplus Property warehouse is The Green Team members—all incoming members will walk around campus and visit residence emphasis on going green, open to Pitt students, staff, and faculty. freshmen—moved onto campus a day early to halls to talk with students—and distribute postcards we’ll be able to set the tone Visitors can shop long aisles of tall metal be trained by Residence Life staff on how to help with sustainability facts. of awareness for the rest of filing cabinets, library desks, and office their freshmen peers make the moving-in process “We’re trying to show that being environmentally the year.” chairs, all taken from University classrooms and offices. A number of specialty items also are available, including laboratory August 23, 2011 • University of Pittsburgh • 9 Newsmakers PITT’S people for pets MOBILE LAB FIELD TRIP Youth from the Pitt School of Education’s five-week P.A.C.K. Camp (Physical Activity Camp for Kids) participated in hands-on activities about fitness during a July 6 visit to The Mobile Lab—a self-contained, traveling laboratory that allows students to use current, high-end equipment to perform laboratory investigations. Left, Nathan Rockcastle explains to Zoe Vongtau how to locate her radial pulse so she could obtain a resting (before exercise) reading and an active (after exercise) reading. Rockcastle is an administrative supervisor in the lab of Judy Cameron, a Pitt professor of psychiatry and a senior scientist in the Oregon National Primate Research Center at Oregon Health and Science University. The Mobile Lab is a project of the Pitt Department of Biological Sciences, the University of MARY JANE BENT/CIDDE Pittsburgh Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute, The Pitt’s People for Pets campaign, held on the Pittsburgh campus during Pittsburgh Life Sciences Greenhouse, The Lyceum Group, June and July, generated 4,000 pounds of donated pet food and nearly Thermo Fisher, and the Pittsburgh Tissue Engineering $2,000 in online cash donations—one of the largest and most Initiative. successful such drives for Animal Friends’ Chow Wagon MARY JANE BENT/CIDDE program. Animal Friends operates the program to provide donated pet food to the region’s food banks. “The Chow Wagon program keeps pets in the home and tells the Celebrating With Thaddeus Mosley pet owners that people care about them,” said Ann Cadman, health and wellness coordinator for Animal Friends. Above, from left, Matt Sloan, Joe Healey, Dave Rahuba, and Dave Huey—all from Pitt’s Department of Parking, Transportation, and Services’ Central Receiving Office—load a pallet of donations for delivery to the Animal Friends shelter in Ohio Township. Inset: Officer David Nanz of the Pitt Police K-9 Unit, with his four-legged supervisor, Officer Riggs, who served as the Pitt campaign’s honorary chair and spokesdog. Sponsors of Pitt’s campaign were the Office of the Chancellor, the Office of Community Relations, the Department of Public Safety, and the University Library System. JOLENE MIKLASJOLENE

Using Music as a Teaching Tool MARY JANE BENT/CIDDE Friends and families celebrated Thaddeus Mosley’s (A&S ’50) “near 85 years of energetic life” during a June 11 outdoor party at the Highland Park home of Terry Seya (KGSB ’93). Mosley (far right) is a prominent and nationally known sculptor, based in Pittsburgh, who works primarily in wood. He is talking with Davis Lewis (center, front), an architect, writer, painter, and longtime friend, and Robert Hill (far left), Pitt’s vice chancellor for public affairs. Lewis is the author of Thaddeus Mosley: African-American Sculptor (University of Pittsburgh Press, 1997). JIM BURKE/CIDDEJIM What’s the best way to teach an 11-year-old about important events in U. S. history without his SAC OFFICERS INSTALLED eyes glazing over? Mix American music into the curriculum, according to Deane Root (center), codirector of Pitt’s Voices Across Time institute that was held on the Pittsburgh campus June The new officers of Pitt’s Staff Association Council (SAC) were installed July 13 during a ceremony in the ’s Lower Lounge. 27-July 29. Root is a professor of music and director and Fletcher Hodges Jr. Curator of the From left, Jon-Paul “J.P.” Matychak (EDUC ’05), SAC vice president for steering, who is director of career services in the College of Business Center for American Music at Pitt. Twenty-three teachers from across the country gathered with Administration; Monica Costlow (LAW ’05), SAC treasurer, who is program coordinator of the evaluation and research unit in the School music historians and musicians to learn how to weave songs into classroom material. “Music is of Pharmacy; Monika Losagio (A&S ’87), SAC vice president for marketing and communications, who is departmental administrator a medium kids relate to,” said Norm Cohen (left), a Portland, Oregon-based author and historian in the Department of French with expertise in railroad folk songs. “They don’t think of it as an educational tool.” Institute and Italian Languages and administrator Kathryn Miller Haines is seated on the right. Literatures; and Deborah Walker (CGS ’01, GSPIA ’03), SAC president, who is INFORMATION SCIENCES INSTITUTE student conduct officer Farai Chideya, author, journalist, and political pundit, in the Division of delivered the keynote address on June 7 in the William Pitt Student Affairs. Union Kurtzman Room for the opening ceremony of the iSchool Inclusion Institute (i3). Supported by a $700,000 grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, i3 aims to encourage and prepare undergraduate students from underrepresented groups to enroll in graduate studies in the information sciences. The i3 works with three separate cohorts of undergrads from around the country. Students attend a summer introductory session in Oakland, return to their campuses to conduct a yearlong team project overseen by a faculty mentor, and come back to Pitt the following summer KIM SUNG-MIN

for a two-week session. The first group was on Pitt’s campus June 6-30. More information on MARY JANE BENT/CIDDE i3 is available on the institute Web site, www.ischool-inclusion.org. 10 • Pitt Chronicle • August 23, 2011 Third Annual Hesselbein Global Academy Brings the World to Pitt

During four days of leadership training, 46 students from countries ranging from Australia and Romania to Ghana and the United States participated in workshops and personalized training sessions—and interacted with mentors and Pittsburgh-area civic leaders.

’70, LAW ’73), Pitt trustee and senior vice president and director of community affairs, PNC Bank; Robert Hill, Pitt vice chancellor for public affairs; Kathy Humphrey, Pitt vice provost and dean of students; Valerie McDonald-Roberts, Allegheny County Recorder of Deeds; Sheila Rathke (CGS ’76), Pitt assistant provost for strategic and program development; Art Stroyd (LAW ’72), a partner at Del Sole Cavanaugh Stroyd, LLC; Fred Thieman (LAW ’97), president, Buhl Foundation; and Patricia Waldinger (A&S ’72), CEO, American Red J. Roger Glunt (center), an emeritus trustee on Pitt’s Board of Trustees, works with a group of students during the Hesselbein Academy Summit. Glunt was one of nine professional mentors Cross, Southwest Pennsylvania Chapter. who delivered presentations on various leadership topics and worked personally with students during the four-day summit. “At each of the three summits we have had several students tell us that attending the Hesselbein Academy was a life-changing By Shawn Ahearn experience,” Humphrey said. “We’re thrilled that it has been so well received and that we The third annual Student Leadership said Glunt, who chairs the Chancellor’s because he wanted to see how his leadership are able to provide such a quality, global Summit of the Pitt Hesselbein Global Circle, the stewardship society for annual skills off the field stacked up against those experience right here on our campus.” Academy for Student Leadership and Civic donors of $1,000 or more to the University. of student leaders from around the world. Engagement attracted an impressively “I came here to serve as a mentor, and I think “I really enjoy making plays on the diverse group of student leaders and I ended up learning as much as the students. football field, not for personal gain or glory, professional mentors from around the world The caliber of leadership training at this but for my teammates,” Taglianetti said. to the University of Pittsburgh campus July summit was absolutely outstanding. Some “The same is true when you’re in a job in 23-26. of the brightest, most ambitious students in a position of leadership: You have to have During four days of leadership training, the world were here, and our Pitt students the confidence to make decisions and the 46 students from countries ranging from matched up with them very well.” ability to be a leader. I thought this would be Australia and Romania to Ghana and the Matthew Riehle, a senior from Mars, a great opportunity to be around like-minded United States participated in workshops Pa., who is majoring in political science, people. The best of the best were here, and I and personalized training sessions—and legal studies, and chemistry, serves on the know I can be a leader of leaders. This was interacted with mentors and Pittsburgh-area Pitt Student Government Board. When an opportunity to learn more about how to civic leaders. his plans to study abroad fell through this do that.” The Hesselbein Global Academy was past summer, he applied to the Hesselbein One highlight of this year’s summit was created in 2009 to honor the ongoing legacy Academy and was thrilled to be accepted. the “Dinner Dialogs,” which were dinners of University of Pittsburgh alumnus Frances “I couldn’t have had a better international hosted by nine civic leaders in their homes. Hesselbein, recipient of the 1998 Presidential experience if I had travelled to another Hosts included Eva Tansky Blum (A&S Medal of Freedom and chair of the board of country,” said Riehle. Frances Hesselbein confers with Pitt senior Andrew Taglianetti. governors of the Leader to Leader Institute Riehle added that he was (formerly the Peter F. Drucker Foundation grateful to visit Leadership for Nonprofit Management). Pittsburgh during the Five Pitt students attended the summit, summit and work with the and Pitt emeritus trustee J. Roger Glunt served nonprofit organization as as one of the program’s nine professional part of his summit group’s mentors. Pitt Vice Provost and Dean of civic engagement project. Students Kathy Humphrey facilitated Andrew Taglianetti, a the summit, along with Hesselbein, who senior marketing and finance delivered several talks and presentations. major from Bridgeville, Pa., “I have a tablet full of notes and quotes,” is used to competition on the football field as a defensive back for the Pitt Panthers. Taglianetti said he was attracted to the academy

From left, Frances Hesselbein and Pitt Vice Provost and Dean of Students Kathy Humphrey PHOTOS BY SHAWN AHEARN SHAWN BY PHOTOS

Pitt Vice Chancellor for Public Affairs Robert Hill, second from the right in the photograph above, hosted a Dinner Dialogs evening with several Hesselbein Global Academy participants at his Mount Washington home. The others seen in the photograph are, from left, Larry Olson, a program mentor and vice president/director of marketing for John Wiley & Sons, Inc.; and students Cecilia Vargas, University of Monterrey, Mexico; Kingsley Essegbey, Central University, Accra, Ghana; Amarette Edmonson, St. Edward’s University, Austin, Texas; Laura Glaub, Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame, Ind.; and Gentry Tran, Beloit College, Beloit, Wis. August 23, 2011 • University of Pittsburgh • 11 Happenings Preview Party at The Public, happy hour with entertainment and entertaining sneak peak at The Public’s PITT ARTS Programs Continue to Gain 2011-12 lineup of plays and special events, 6 to 8:30 p.m. Aug. 25, $10 fee, O’Reilly Theater, 621 Penn Ave., Popularity With Students, Faculty, and Staff Cultural District, Downtown, 412-316- 1600, www.ppt.org. By Sharon S. Blake Pittsburgh Improv Jam, evening PITT ARTS continues to flourish, with a continually increasing number of Pitt students, of spontaneous, comedic scenes by experienced improvisational faculty, and staff using the program to taste Pittsburgh’s many cultural offerings. performers, 10 p.m. Aug. 25, Cabaret The demand for PITT ARTS’ successful Cheap Seats program grew by 20 percent at Theater Square, 655 Penn Ave., during the 2010-11 academic year. About 18,350 tickets were sold for seats at Downtown, 412-281-3973, www. pgharts.org. organizations ranging from the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra to Quantum Theatre. Participants reserve and pay for as many as four tickets at the PITT ARTS office (907 The Marvelous Wonderettes by William Pitt Union), and the tickets may be picked up at the event venue’s Will Call Roger Bean, a return to the 1950s and ’60s, through Oct. 2, Cabaret window one hour before curtain time. at Theater Square, 655 Penn Ave., PITT ARTS’ Arts Encounters program also saw a jump in traffic in 2010-11, with 8,677 Downtown, 412-281-3973, www. pittsburghclo.org, PITT ARTS Cheap students participating—a 13 percent Seats, 412-624-4498, www.pittarts. increase from the previous year. This pitt.edu. program treats undergraduate students on Wicked, story of Wicked Witch of the the Pittsburgh campus to free tickets, free West and Glinda the Good before they transportation, a meal, and a chance to came to Oz, Sept. 7-Oct. 2, Benedum meet the stars of the art world, including Center, 719 Liberty Ave., Downtown, PNC Broadway Across America- encounters with such artists as violinist Pittsburgh, 412-456-6666, www. Joshua Bell and filmmaker Spike Lee. pgharts..org, PITT ARTS Cheap Seats, 412-624-4498, www.pittarts.pitt.edu. The most successful PITT ARTS offering continues to be the Free Museum Visits program for students on the Pitt PhD Pittsburgh campus. Pitt students with a Dissertation valid Pitt ID can gain free admission to the Carnegie Museums of Art and Natural History, Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Defenses Gardens, The Andy Warhol Museum, The Mattress Factory, Senator John Heinz History James Pearson, School of Arts and Center, and the newest partner, added just last year—Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall Sciences’ Department of Philosophy, 10 a.m. Aug. 24, “Logic and and Museum. The Free Museum Visits program racked up a total of 21,959 in 2010-11, Intelligibility,” 1001B Cathedral of with visits to Phipps alone up by 14 percent. Learning. There is one notable add-on this year at PITT ARTS: The bluegrass/folk music Angela Malek, Graduate School ensemble Calliope is now among the art organizations participating in the Cheap Seats of Public Health’s Department of program. Epidemiology, 2 p.m. Aug. 25, Funded by the Office of the Provost, PITT ARTS has been connecting Pitt students, “Environmental, Occupational, and Personal Lifestyle Risk Factors for faculty, and staff to the city’s exciting cultural life since 1997. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: A Case-Control Study,” A522 Crabtree Hall. Pittsburgh Biennial, Carnegie Museum of Art, Vanessa Wills, School of Arts and through September 18 Sciences’ Department of Philosophy, 1 p.m. Aug. 26, “Marx and Morality,” 1001B . Exhibitions Sung-Young Jung, School of Arts Carnegie Museum of Art, Audrey Wood Street Galleries, Cell Phone and Sciences’ Intelligent Systems Avinoff: In Pursuit of Beauty, through Disco, ongoing, Tito Way, Downtown, Program, 1 p.m. Aug. 29, “Using Aug. 28; Pittsburgh Biennial, through 412-456-6666, www.pgharts.org. Natural Language as Knowledge Sept. 18; Ragnar Kjartansson: Song, Representation in an Intelligent through Sept. 24; Hand Made: Tutoring System,” 5317 Sennott Contemporary Craft in Ceramic, Glass, Lectures/Seminars/ Square. and Wood, ongoing; Past Meets Present: Decorative Arts and Design at Readings Yan Liu, Graduate School of Public Carnegie Museum of Art, ongoing, 4400 Health’s Department of Environmental Forbes Ave., Oakland, 412-622-3131, “Leibniz as Mechanist and and Occupational Health, 9 a.m. www.cmoa.org. Mechanician,” Nicholas Rescher, Sept. 2, “Estimating the Global Distinguished University Professor of Burden of Aflatoxin-Attributable Liver The Warhol, The Word of God(ess): Philosophy and cochair of Pitt’s Center Cancer Risk,”5th-Floor Conference Chitra Ganesh’s Tales of Amnesia, for Philosophy of Science, 12:05 p.m. Room, Bridgeside Point Building, 100 through Sept. 4; I Just Want to Watch: Sept. 6, 817 Cathedral of Learning, 412- Technology Drive, Hazelwood. Warhol’s Film, Video, and Television, 624-1052, www. pitt.edu/~pittcntr. ongoing, 117 Sandusky St., North Side, 412-237-8300, www.warhol.org. Miscellaneous Pitt Sets Sept. 30 Open House The Frick Art & Historical Center, Fin de Siécle Prints: Art Nouveau on The 5th Annual Shyne Paper, through Sept. 11, docent Awards, ceremony celebrating For tours of exhibition available at 2 p.m. positive achievements made Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays, by young adults ages 13-19, free and open to the public, 7227 7 p.m. Aug. 27, August Explore the heavens and a historic scientific landmark during a Sept. 30 open house Reynolds St., Point Breeze, 412-371- Wilson Center, 980 at the University of Pittsburgh’s Allegheny Observatory, 159 Riverview Ave., Riverview 0600, www.thefrickpittsburgh.org. Liberty Ave., Downtown, August Wilson Center Park, Observatory Hill. Visitors can freely roam the observatory and peer into the night Heinz History Center, America’s Best and WAMO 100, sky through the 30-inch Thaw Refractor telescope—a 47-foot telescope normally reserved Weekly: A Century of The Pittsburgh 412-456-6666, www. Courier, through Oct. 2; 1212 pgharts.org. for research. In addition, members of the Amateur Astronomers Association of Pittsburgh Smallman St., Strip District, 412-454- will set up telescopes on the observatory lawn for the public. If the night is clear, guests 6000, www.heinzhistorycenter.org. Opera/ can catch a close-up of Jupiter and the Moon. As one of the world’s major centers for astronomical research, the observatory Theater/ houses collections of photographic plates of star fields that are among the largest and Dance oldest collections anywhere; the collections began in 1914 and now boast more than The Importance of 110,000 images. Unlike regular observatory tours, the open house event allows people Being Earnest by Oscar to browse through these plates and take self-guided tours of the observatory’s different Wilde, Aug. 23-27, Charity Randall Theatre within the research rooms. , The open house, which is free to the public, will be held from 7 to 10 p.m. Ticket Pittsburgh Irish & Classical Theatre, 412-394-3353, www. reservations may be made by calling the observatory weekdays between 1 and 5 p.m. picttheatre.org, Pitt Arts Cheap Seats at 412-321-2400. For more information, visit the observatory’s Web site at www.pitt. Program, 412-624-4498, www.pittarts. pitt.edu. Hand Made: Contemporary Craft edu/~aobsvtry. The 5th Annual Shyne Awards, in Ceramic, Glass, and Wood, —John Fedele August Wilson Center, Carnegie Museum of Art, August 27 ongoing

Pitt Chronicle University News and Magazines University of Pittsburgh 400 Craig Hall 200 South Craig Street Pittsburgh, PA 15260

12 • Pitt Chronicle • August 23, 2011 Pitt Senior Micah Toll a Contestant for Entrepreneur Magazine’s College Entrepreneur of the Year

By Karen Hoffmann

With the click of a mouse, the University Toll is no stranger to of Pittsburgh community can support one competition. Among his of its own: Micah Toll, a senior mechanical numerous awards is a first The mission of Toll’s company, Pulse engineering major in Pitt’s Swanson School place in Pitt’s 2009 Randall of Engineering, who is one of five finalists Family Big Idea Competition Motors, is to revolutionize personal for Entrepreneur Magazine’s College for a construction beam he urban transportation by building Entrepreneur of the Year. invented for quick construction Voting in the College Entrepreneur of in such locations as refugee completely electric two-wheeled the Year contest is open until Sept. 12, camps, disaster areas, and war and anyone may participate. Visit www. zones. Big Ideas is funded Personal Electronic Vehicles. The entrepreneur.com/e2011/vote/college, enter by University of Pittsburgh a valid e-mail address, and cast a vote. Trustee Bob Randall’s family vehicles resemble bicycles but do The contest winner will be the focus and coordinated by the Institute of a feature article in the January issue of for Entrepreneurial Excellence not require pedaling. Entrepreneur Magazine. (IEE) in Pitt’s Joseph M. Katz The mission of Toll’s company, Pulse Graduate School of Business. turbine consisting of a plastic rotor and tower Motors, is to revolutionize personal urban “In fact, it was his that homeowners could install themselves. transportation by building completely Randall Family Big Idea win electric two-wheeled Personal Electronic that prompted us here at IEE Vehicles. The vehicles resemble bicycles to connect Micah with the but do not require pedaling. opportunity at Entrepreneur “Our vehicles are designed to be the Magazine,” says Michael PUBLICATION NOTICE The next edition of ideal solution for millions of commuters Lehman, IEE director of Pitt Chronicle will be published Sept. 6. Items for publication in the newspaper’s driving in and around urban centers,” marketing and student Happenings calendar (See page 11) should says Toll in his contest video entry on the entrepreneurship. be received at least two weeks prior to Entrepreneur Magazine Web site. “Instead In 2010, Toll won another the event date. Happenings items should of a single person commuting in a two-ton first-place Big Idea award for include the following information: title gas guzzler, our vehicles allow drivers to zip developing a kit to test for of the event, name and title of speaker(s), effortlessly along using minimal energy and Micah Toll toxins in imported Chinese date, time, location, sponsor(s), and a no fossil fuels while producing absolutely drywall. phone number and Web site for additional zero tailpipe emissions.” components: the online voting process and In 2009, Toll was part of a team information. Items may be e-mailed to A panel of judges selected the five winning a $5,000 first-place prize in the [email protected], or sent by campus mail to voting by the panel of judges. The online 422 Craig Hall. For more information, call finalists from among thousands of entries voting points and panel voting points will be Energy Efficient Building Technologies 412-624-1033 or e-mail [email protected]. across the country. The selection of the combined for each of the five finalists, and Challenge hosted by Pitt’s Mascaro Center ultimate winner of the College Entrepreneur the winner will be the student who receives for Sustainable Innovation. Toll’s team of the Year now comes down to two the highest total. constructed a lightweight plastic wind