F A L L 2 0 0 9 College of liberal arts and sCienCes University o F i LL i n o i s A t U r b A n A - C h A m p A i g n The Bourne Reality Economic Development by Motorbike Shipwrecked High Noon for the News Emmet Till at the Crossroads The Michael Vick Case F A L L 2 0 0 9 Lincoln Hall Restoration Will Reaffirm Core Values A CrystAl CleAr solution This July came the welcome and long-awaited news that funding for the R ESEARCHERS RECEiVE CoLLABoRATioN AwARD FoR PHARMACEuTiCAL TECHNoLogy restoration of lincoln Hall has been included in the state’s capital budget. It was a multimillion-dollar mistake. Several years back, a major pharmaceutical company had just anyone who has taken classes in this bustling center of the College of liberal put a new drug on the shelves after completely following a process approved by the Food and Drug F a l l 2 0 0 9 arts and Sciences—as virtually every University of Illinois alum has—knows Administration. But a few months after the drug was in stores, its properties began to change on the New Brazilian Studies that the nearly century-old landmark desperately needs not only to be re- shelf in totally unexpected ways. The product was pulled, and by the time they could put the drug back institute Positions illinois News 1 stored to its original beauty and functionality, but also upgraded to a 21st- in production, the ordeal had cost the company hundreds of millions of dollars. to Be a National Leader century learning environment. There is much to do before we open the next University of Illinois researchers, working with the pharmaceutical industry, have since developed As Brazil emerges as one of the world’s largest, most chapter in lincoln Hall’s history, but we’re certain that this memorial to one of america’s great- procedures that decrease the likelihood of such disasters; and as a result, they were recently awarded the The Bourne Realty 3 vibrant economies, University of Illinois is staging its est presidents will soon resume its role as one of the University’s most vital intellectual centers Amnesia research unlocks mysteries of people 2009 Collaboration Success Award from the Council for Chemical Research. own emergence—as home to one of the most com- where bright young leaders are prepared for an unprecedented era. lost in time. The U of I team, led by Richard Braatz, professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering, fo- prehensive programs dedicated to understanding When lincoln Hall opened in 1911, educators were preparing students for an expanding so- cused on the crystallization process, one of the most challenging steps in the production of pharma- this new powerhouse. Economic Development by ciety, one in which ideas and innovations were rapidly escalating and learning opportunities ceuticals. As Braatz explains, most drugs are sold in a crystallized form because it tends to be the most With a $14 million gift from Jorge Paulo Lemann Motorbike 4 for high-ability individuals from all backgrounds were increasing. It’s humbling to realize that stable and cheapest method for drug delivery. Essentially, a tablet consists of drug crystals and other and family, of Jona, Switzerland, and Sao Paulo, Economics professor applies unconventional today, while our state of knowledge is more advanced, we’re still teaching students to succeed ingredients compacted into the shape of a pill. Brazil, U of I will become home to the new Lemann Institute of Brazilian Studies. The Lemann Institute methods to Third World problems. in an ever-evolving world through critical thought, deep understanding of complex issues, and During the crystallization process, impurities are removed; however, the process is very sensitive to will build upon the University’s existing programs diverse viewpoints. We maintain the land-grant ideal of access for high achieving students. The many factors and can be affected by small amounts of contaminants. Also, when a drug’s production is Shipwrecked 6 and initiatives related to Brazil to create one of the means may have changed, but not our goals. While the original builders encouraged students scaled up, the crystals can be affected if the mixing is not done ideally during processing. leading Brazilian studies programs in the nation. HMS Fowey case still sends ripples through Braatz, along with a team of eight students and postdocs, worked with Merck and Co. researchers courts today. to think beyond campus by adding museums to lincoln Hall, we will encourage the same by “Our gift stems from our appreciation of the equipping classrooms with “smart technology” to efficiently link our scholars and students to a to design a set of procedures and statistical methods that made it possible to get very high accuracy University’s contribution in attracting an increasing High Noon for the News 8 world of ideas. in analyzing crystallization processes using real-time, in-process infrared spectroscopy and laser-based, number of talented Brazilians and in enhancing their education,” says Lemann. “They, in turn, positively af- Yet the renovations will respect our heritage. lincoln Hall’s most historically significant fea- particle-sizing sensor technology. This information was then used to design and control processes for Robert McChesney thinks government can fect Brazilian development and society, as evidenced save the news—but not without a fight. tures—the exterior panels depicting abraham lincoln’s life and quotes, the marble foyer, the manufacturing crystals with the desired properties. “The technology helps you get the right purity, the right crystal structure, and the right particle size by the number of Illinois graduates in important jobs theater, detailing in the halls and classrooms—will be restored. The original designers sought to throughout Brazil. The creation of the institute will distribution,” Braatz says. The Many Faces of Lincoln Hall: inspire future generations, and so do we. build on these efforts.” In fact, their technology was so successful with Merck that several other companies quickly came on A History 10 as the restoration begins this winter I encourage you to follow its progress. after all, it was all Funds from the gift will support an endowed pro- board. The FDA now recognizes it as state-of-the-art technology. Braatz’s work with Merck has since Few buildings have served the University of of our words and encouragement that finally convinced our elected leaders to usher our dream fessorship and lectureship, scholarly exchanges with Illinois as long and with as many purposes as concluded, but he continues to refine the process technologies in collaboration with a consortium of researchers in Brazil, and will expand the opportu- so close to reality. It’s time to be grateful for what has been accomplished, and soon it will be the ever-evolving Lincoln Hall. pharmaceutical companies. nities for students and faculty to study and conduct time to celebrate a new beginning in our educational mission. As for the multimillion-dollar mistake, Braatz says it never would have happened if the company research in Brazil on any aspect of Brazilian culture Emmet Till at the had fully understood the chemistry of their system. and society. The institute also will offer graduate and Crossroads 16 “Our technology makes the crystallization process purer, safer, and faster,” he says. professional training opportunities as well as sup- Why an apology may help heal our nation. port conferences. Journalist and U of I professor Christopher Ruth Watkins, Dean Benson reflects on what Mamie Till-Mobley College of liberal arts and Sciences taught him about reconciliation. Research Team Uncovers New Antibiotics Around the College 18 LAS News fall 2009 in Unexplored Class of Compounds Editor Contributing Writers Office of the Dean LAS Alumni Association Board Holly Korab Laura Weisskopf Bleill, Ruth V. Watkins, Dean Mary E. Slater, Senior Director of LAS Alumni For every star in the universe, there are 1 billion bacteria here on The Michael Vick Case 20 Copy Editor Dave Evensen, Doug Philip Best, Associate Dean, Biological, Physical, Relations and Special Events earth. In the human body alone, you can find 10 times more bacte- Holly Rushakoff Peterson and Social/Behavioral Sciences Eugene N. Hamilton, President rial cells than there are total human cells in the body. LAS alum helps rescue dogs from canine Karen Carney, Associate Dean, Humanities and Peggy J. Ruff, Vice President Art Director Scott E. Rice, Director-at-Large “The number is so big that I can’t even wrap my mind around fight club. John Bonadies Interdisciplinary Programs Barbara Hancin-Bhatt, Assistant Dean and Director, Members it,” says laS microbiology professor William Metcalf, who has long Graphic Designer International Programs Charles J. Biro, Michael K. Brandt, Alice O. Faron, Gina Manola Gary J. Greenspan, David H. Hays, Erika L. Jones, been fascinated with the chemical warfare continuously taking Ann Mester, Associate Dean, Undergraduate On the cover: Walter W. Kurczewski, Jerrold M. Levy, Cheryl A. Education and Curriculum, Area Studies Center place among bacteria. Now, he and his fellow University of Illinois As the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences prepares Warzynski; David G. Goese, student representative LAS News is published twice annually for Paul Osterhout, Associate Dean, Office of researchers are looking for ways to tap into this chemical warfare for the restoration of Lincoln Hall, we pause to reflect alumni and friends of the College of Liberal Arts Advancement and use it against a variety of medical threats, from malaria to cancer. on its storied past. (Photos by Thompson-McClellan, and Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana- Deanna Raineri, Associate Dean, Applied Copyright © 2009 Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois.