Campus September Academic Last News Focus Agenda Glance Mayborn gift: DNA of the future: Surviving tenure: Moove over Pippa: Benefactress donates $5 million A prescient degree plan is Once in the Promised Land A How-Now-Browning-Cow toward natural science and preparing bioinformatic of academia, what next? will graze on Armstrong cultural history museum2 complex. students for tomorrow’s3 jobs. Here are some tips 5to help. Browning Library’s lawn.8 Vol. 10, No. 7 • SEPTEMBER 2000 Mapping the Future of Health Care Baylor’s bioinformatics students have their work cut out for them in helping to decipher human genome data By LoAna Lopez en years after the Human Genome Project began mapping the genetic DNA code of human chromosomes, Tscientists have nearly completed a working draft. Estimates are that by 2003 or sooner, the sequence will be finished. While that will be a groundbreaking accomplishment, nav- igating this genetic map will occupy researchers and scientists for years to come. Baylor’s bioinformatics students are prepar- ing to take on the role of helping facilitate this genetic research. They have been at the fore- front of this new technology since the degree program began in fall 1998, making Baylor one the first universities in the world to offer an undergraduate degree in bioinformatics, an interdisciplinary curriculum blending computer science and molecular biology. As of April, 1999, other universities to offer undergraduate degrees in bioinformatics are Bielefeld University in Germany; Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in BILLY PHOTO HOWARD New York.; Universität Tübingen in Germany; Dr. Greg Speegle and a student analyze data on genome sequencing. and Ben-Gurion University of the Negev in Israel. “The mapping of the human genome is the human genome sequence are the beginning These bioinformatics graduates will have almost complete, but no one really knows what of a much bigger feat. “In a way it’s a mile- their work cut out for them. Analyzing the the information means,” said Dr. Benjamin stone, but it’s like seeing that first mile marker human genome is expected to unlock a pletho- Kelley, dean of the School of Engineering and in a marathon,” Dr. Speegle said. “We know ra of life’s phenomena, including susceptibility Computer Science. “This is the very tip of the what the basic things look like, but what do they to disease, the workings of cells and the func- iceberg.” mean? That really will be the wealth of infor- tions of proteins. The implications for improved Dr. Greg Speegle, associate professor of com- mation that people will get. That’s where health diagnosis and care are extraordinary. puter science, said strides in the completion of See “Bioinformatics” on page 3 Mayborn $5 Mil Gift Benefits Museum Complex Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas, Baylor University is the state’s oldest contin- he Frank W. and Anyse Sue Mayborn ually operating institution of higher learning TFoundation, based in Temple, has committed and is the largest Baptist university in the $5 million to Baylor’s much-anticipated museum world. With more than 13,000 students and complex, which will be named The Sue and Frank 600 full-time faculty, Baylor offers under- graduate, graduate and professional Mayborn Natural Science and Cultural History degrees through the College of Arts and Museum Complex. Sciences, the Hankamer School of Business, “This complex will provide a state-of-the-art the School of Education, the School of natural science and cultural history experience for Music, the Louise Herrington School of the children and families of Texas and beyond,” Nursing, the School of Engineering and Computer Science, the School of Law, the said Calvin Smith, chair of the Department of Graduate School and George W. Truett Museum Studies and director of the future Theological Seminary. Baylor is consistently Mayborn Museum Complex. “Through its very ranked among the top college values in the generous gift, the Mayborn Foundation has made Mrs. Anyse Sue Mayborn and a rendering of the planned museum complex. country by such publications as Fisk Guide a significant impact on the educational future of to Colleges, Princeton Review and Money magazine. the area, which will be good for Baylor, Central tain the Thomas E. and Emilyne W. Anding evidence of her wonderful beneficence. She is a Texas and the Southwest, and certainly will be a Exhibitions Gallery, The Children’s World (the true benefactress of Baylor University.” Dr. Robert B. Sloan Jr. real tribute to the Mayborn Foundation and all it expanded Ollie Mae Moen children’s educational Anyse Sue White Mayborn serves as president, President and Chief Executive Officer represents.” program), the Southwestern Bell Discovery editor and publisher of the Temple Daily Telegram Baylor President Robert B. Sloan Jr. also was Theater, the AT&T Information Centers, the Doug and Killeen Daily Herald and as president of David R. Brooks VIce President for Finance and enthusiastic about the gift. “Through the Mayborn and Ellen Miller Atrium of Wildlife Art, and the Channel 6 Inc. and the Mayborn Foundation. She Administration Foundation’s generosity, Baylor can now unite Permanent Exhibits Gallery, which will include is the widow of Frank W. Mayborn who, until his these venues to provide a world of learning compa- the John K. Strecker Collection. death in 1987, served as one of the leading figures Marilyn A. Crone rable to nationally acclaimed museums,” Dr. “This is a genuinely magnanimous act on in broadcast and print media in Central Texas, as Vice President for Human Resources Sloan said. “The components of the Mayborn the part of Mrs. Mayborn,” said Dr. Herbert H. well as in the political arenas of Texas and Harold R. Cunningham Museum Complex will incorporate new facilities, Reynolds, president emeritus. “She grasped imme- Washington, D.C., in promoting the interests of VIce President for Special Projects programs and state-of-the-art technology to rival diately the uniqueness of this museum Central Texas. or surpass any other natural science and cultural complex and what it can do for Central Texas, the Baylor has received gifts and pledges totaling Dr. Charles S. Madden history experience in this region.” state of Texas, the Southwestern United States and $14.1 million toward the $18.1 million goal in the Vice President for University Relations Among the integral components of the our entire nation. She was very much impressed building campaign. Construction is anticipated to Dr. Steven G.W. Moore Mayborn Museum Complex will be the Harry and by the exhaustive planning and the assurances begin next spring. Baylor officials project that the Vice President for Student Life Anna Jeanes Discovery Center, the Gov. Bill and that the assets of Baylor are pledged to the annual Mayborn Museum Complex will attract several Vara Daniel Historic Village and the Department of operation and upkeep of the museum complex. hundred thousand visitors annually. — Julie Dr. Donald D. Schmeltekopf Museum Studies. The Jeanes Discovery Center, Mrs. Mayborn has been gracious and generous Carlson Provost and Vice President for which is the centerpiece of the complex, will con- with Baylor in years past, and this is just further Academic Affairs Dr. Richard C. Scott Vice President for University Development McLaughlin Group Set for Diverse lineup ____________ BaylorNews is published 10 times a year by the Office of Public Relations. for fall Chapel The submission of suggestions for sto- President’s Forum Sept. 25 ries is encouraged. The newsletter he fall lineup of guest speakers for works two months in advance. Deadline ne of America’s most popular weekly public Group, which premiered on PBS stations in 1982. TBaylor’s Chapel program will include is the first of each month, Comments or Oaffairs programs — “The McLaughlin In addition, McLaughlin has served as the activists, musicians, authors, nationally questions should be directed to: Group” — will bring its inimitable style of dis- Washington editor and columnist for the National renowned Christian leaders and a Nobel BaylorNews cussing key national issues to Baylor in September. Review, a speech writer and special assistant to Prize-winning scientist. PO Box 97024 The McLaughlin Group, which includes cre- Presidents Nixon and Ford and associate editor of Speakers will participate in both Chapel Waco, TX 76798-7024 ator, executive producer and host John the weekly opinion journal America. sessions each Monday and Wednesday at 10 Tel: (254) 710-1963 McLaughlin and panel members Michael Barone, Barone is the senior staff editor for Reader’s and 11 a.m. in Waco Hall. Beginning this fall, Fax: (254) 710-1490 [email protected] Eleanor Clift, Lawrence O’Donnell and Eric Felten, Digest, based in Washington, D.C. Previously he two rows of seats will be reserved at the front http://pr.baylor.edu will present its program during the President’s was senior writer with U.S. News & World Report, for faculty, staff and guests. Faculty and staff Forum at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 25 in Waco Hall. editorial page staff member at The Washington are encouraged to attend when schedules allow. Larry D. Brumley “The group’s presentation will follow the Post and vice president of Peter D. Hart Research Ken Medema, a Christian recording artist, Associate Vice President same format as their Associates. Barone is the co-author of The will be the Chapel guest artist for the fall. for Communications popular PBS television Almanac of American Politics and the author of Medema’s two dozen CDs are a call to renewal Brenda S. Tacker show, which should Our Country: The Shaping of America from of spiritual life and of relationships with people Director of Publications make for a lively pro- Roosevelt to Reagan. who are hungry and homeless.