Western Kentucky University TopSCHOLAR® WKU Archives Records WKU Archives 7-2000 UA11/1 On Campus Vol. 10, No. 4 WKU Public Affairs Follow this and additional works at: http://digitalcommons.wku.edu/dlsc_ua_records Part of the Higher Education Administration Commons Recommended Citation WKU Public Affairs, "UA11/1 On Campus Vol. 10, No. 4" (2000). WKU Archives Records. Paper 1993. http://digitalcommons.wku.edu/dlsc_ua_records/1993 This Magazine is brought to you for free and open access by TopSCHOLAR®. It has been accepted for inclusion in WKU Archives Records by an authorized administrator of TopSCHOLAR®. For more information, please contact [email protected]. ... ill WESfERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY MAGAZINE FOR FACULTY, STAFF & FRIENDS OF WKU VOL 10, NO.4' JULY 2000 THE UNIVERSITY DISTINGUISHED PROFESSOR 'He is the world's eye' Ralph Waldo Emerson A note to our readers: We are sorry that some of you may re cei ve more than one copy of On Campus each month. We use sev­ eraL mailing Lists. CouLd you pLease pass any extra copies on to your friends? We thank you for your pa­ tience. - The Editor Distinguished Professors 12 • Humanizing High Tech Teaching Leroy Metze Makes Educational Technology Available to Others By Sheila Conway Eison 14 • In the Vineyard of Scholarship Mel Borland Finds the Joy in Economics Analysis By Sheila Conway Eison Features 2 • Launching New Centers In Applied Research & Technology By Tommy Newton 4 • Programming for the 2 I" Century On Campus is published monthly Journalism & Broadcasting is Second Program of Distinction for the Western community, By Tommy Newton produced by the offices of 6 • The Spirit Made the Major Communication and Publications Major Steve Basham ('87) First to Fly B2 Stealth Bomber in Combat in the Division of Public Affairs. By Kimberly Shain Parsley Send items to On Campus, 9 • Mter a Successful Legislative Session Van Meter Hall, Room 2 1 I , By Fred Hensley or e-mail to [email protected] or kimberly.parsley®Wku.edu 11· New University Senate Members; WKU Staff Council Selects New Members Chi ef PubLic Affairs Officer: Fred Hensley 16 • When 'Image' Becomes 'Success' Editor: Sheila Conway Eison, Director Colleen Mendel Provides the Tools to Excel of University Communication By Carla j o Siavey Art Director: Tom Meacham, 17 • Uncovering the Mysteries of Music Director of Publications Mary Wolinski's Recital Room is the Library Assistant Editor: Kimberly Shain By Kimberly Shain Parsley Parsley, Communication Specialist Contributing Writers: Fred Hensley, Tommy Newton, Carl a Jo Siavey Contributing Designers: Marcus Dukes, Senior Designer Regulars Michael Reuter Cover: Marcus Dukes 5· 1990-2000 Retirees 10 • Professional Activities 18 • News Briefs e DUkC ATIO N Personnel Changes PAYS 22 • Launching New. Centers IN APPLIED RESEARCH & TECHNOLOGY BY TOMMY NEWTON Comet Hole-Bopp above the dome of the WKU As trophys ical Observatory March 31,1997_ The Applied Research and Technology Program, Western Kentucky University's first program of distinc­ tion, is ready to expand and will benefit from an additional $400,000 in state funding. The Council on Postsecondary struction firms; and a machine condi­ "The reason that we're successful Education recently allocated the addi­ tion monitoring center that will utilize is because our faculty are very enthu­ tional money to enhance the pro­ vibration technology to detect and siastic," said Ed Houston, director of grams of 10 existing centers and to predict mechanical failures. the Applied Resea rch and Technology help develop others, including a cen ­ Centers set up when the program Program . "The enthusiasm of the fac­ ter in astronomy. Western will match was established in 1998 are: Applied ulty has spilled over into enthusiasm the $400,000 with funds from a $1 Physics Institute, Materials Character- from students." million NASA grant that is part of a $2 Western students are actively in­ million space science project. The De­ volved in the research projects under partment of Physics and Astronomy is New centers being way in the Applied Resea rch and developing a Starbase Network (Stu ­ developed include a Technology Program. "The entire pro­ dents Training for Achievement in Re ­ gram is focused on preparing students search Based on Analytical Space-Sci ­ rural health center to compete in the outside commu­ ence Experiences). which includes a that will combine nity," Dr. Houston said. robotic ground-based telescope sys­ By working with business and in­ tem. elements ofnurs­ dustry, the students are better pre­ The projects and accompanying ing, public health pared for the job market or for gradu­ research will help launch Western's ate school, he said. The hands-on astronomy department into national and applied health projects provide students with oppor­ prominence and attract more students programs to assist tunities for enrichment that aren't for hands-on learning, Department available in textbooks, Dr. Houston Head Charles McGruder said. rural areas said. Astronomy isn't the only academic WKU students don't have to be area benefiting from the program of ization Laboratory Study Center, Ken ­ directly involved in the research ac­ distinction in Ogden College of Sci ­ tucky Climate Center, Center for Cave tivities to benefit. Dr. Houston said ence, Technology and Health. and Karst Studies, Agricu lture Re ­ 350 students are actively engaged in New centers being developed in­ search and Education Center, Center the program, but 862 are gaining ex­ clude a rural health center that will for Biodiversity Studies, Biotechnol­ perience thanks to new information combine elements of nursing, public ogy Center, Applied Technology and technology used in the program. health and applied health programs to Transfer Center, Environmental The program is developing a state, assist rural areas; a construction engi­ Health and Safety Research Center national and international reputation neering center that will provide qual­ and Technical Assistance Center for for excellence. In recent years, faculty ity control and expertise for area con- Water Quality. and students have been involved in • On Campus - July 2000 numerous research projects - coa l Dr. Houston sa id. For example, $1.25 Agricultural Research and Edu- science, biotechnology, applied phys­ million has been spent to purchase cation Center. Director: Dr. Nevil ics, astronomy, wa ter quality­ state-of-the-art equipment and Speer. Research/ technology: The funded by more than $4 million from $ 155,000 has been used to pay stu- 783-acre WKU farm is home to ex ternal sources . dents for their resea rch activi ties. numerous research acti vities, in- State funding from the Regional The additional resources from the c1 uding plant science, animal sci - University Excellence Trust Fund has state, along with external grants and ence, dairy science, agribusiness, been essential in purchasing equip­ contracts, will help the Applied Re- horticulture, turf management, ag- ment and developing the programs, sea rch and Technology Program at- riculture production, livestock pro- tract more stud ents, add more faculty duction. mentors, revise curriculum, create a Dr. George Vourvopoulos (far right) ond Ap· jOint venture to develop agriculture- Center for cave and Karst plied Physics Institute Group ot the On-Line • Elemental Coal Analyzer Prototype Site. related biotechnology and purchase Studies. Director: Dr. Nick laboratory eq uipment. Crawford. Research/ technology: The $400,000 was lell in the Re- The center is invo lved in resea rch gional University Excellence Trust and assessment of cave and ka rst Fun d when the program of distinction areas, provides educa tional ser- was approved in July 1998. vices and assists firms and gov- Here is a list of the ce nters and ern mental agencies with land some of the activities underway: management and land use ques- ti ons. • Applied Physics Institute. Di - rector: Dr. George Vourvopoulos. • Kentucky Climate Center. Di - Research/ technology: coa l an aly- rector: Dr. Glen Conner, state cli- sis, detection of explosives, inci n- matologist. Resea rch/ technology: era tor waste analysis, nuclear The center, which trains students wasle characterizati on. in climatology, maintains, ana- lyzes and researches climate data • Materials Characterization and information. Center. Directors : Dr. John Ril ey and Dr. We i-Ping Pan . Research/ • Advanced Manufacturing Insti- technology: The center includes tute. Director: Dr. Murat coa l and fu el laboratory, thermal Tiryakioglu. Among the center's analysis, combustion laboratory, programs to provide information trace orga nics testing laboratory; and technical assistance to indus- chemical analysis projects under try is a rapid prototyping system. way involve research for NASA , Research/ technology: The center the u.s. Ai r Force , the Department offers computer analysis of pieces of Energy and various industry. needed for industrial equipment and can produce a plastic mold of • Technical Assistance Center the part. for Water Quality. Director: Dr. Ed Houston. Research/ technology: • Biotechnology Center. Director: The center assists rural water Dr. Claire Rinehart. Research/ agencies with quality, technica l technology: The center provides and financial issues to achieve the hands-on opportunities for stu - goal s of the Safe Drinking Water dents in the recombinant genetics Act. program and conducts research in molecular biology, molecular ge- Environmental Health and neti cs and biotechnology. Safety Research Center.