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Two graduate students in the Department of Environmental, Coastal, and Ocean Sciences are recipients of the prestigious Walter B. Jones Memorial Awards for their work in marine science. Daniel Hudgins and David Shull share this award, which was named in honor of the longtime U.S. representative from North Carolina and advocate for America's coasts. The Jones Awards are authorized by Congress to recognize outstanding achievements by individuals and institutions around the nation in protecting and managing the nation's coastal areas and resources. Hudgins, a master's student, is being honored for his work in an analysis of national "sea level rise" policy, while Shull, a doctoral student, is being honored for his research in benthic ecology, the study of bottom-dwelling marine life. Both were honored at an awards ceremony held October 21 in Washington, D.C.
UMass Boston and the Kennedy Library are jointly being considered as one of twelve sites to host next year's presidential campaign debates. The two institutions collaborated on a proposal requesting consideration as a site, and a visit by Janet Brown, executive director of the commission on presidential debates, found that the sites meet the criteria for consideration. The proposal calls for the University to serve as the actual site of the televised debate, and for the Kennedy Library to help advance its educational aspects. "To be considered as a host site for the presidential debates in 2000 with the Kennedy Library is an honor for UMass Boston, as well as an extraordinary opportunity for the citizens of greater Boston," says Chancellor Sherry H. Penney. The final site selection will be made in January, 2000.
The Women's Institute for Housing and Economic Development recognized the Office of Urban Programs at CPCS for keeping doors open for low-income women with the Opening Doors Award, which was presented at an October 5 reception at the Wyndham Boston Hotel. In a joint venture with the Women's Institute, the Office of Urban Programs provides low-income and homeless women with access to four-year college degree programs in human services or community development, capitalizing on their knowledge and experience. CPCS Prof. Marie Kennedy was instrumental in forming this partnership. Currently, fourteen women are enrolled in the program, which is now in its fourth year. In exchange, members of the Women's Institute conduct instructional activities open to all CPCS students. Suzanne Allmendinger, director of the Office of Urban Programs, accepted the award on behalf of the Office (shown above with Felice Mendel and Charlotte Golar-Richie).
For the fourth year, the Department of Human Resources has sponsored the participation of a UMass Boston team in the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk. This year, the Walk attracted 53 employees of the University who made the five-mile walk along the Charles River on Sunday, October 3, contributing to $2.9 million raised this year. Although totals of money raised by individual teams have not yet been announced, in the past, the UMass Boston team has raised between $3,000 and $5,000. Approximately 4,600 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year, and it is estimated that 1,100 of these women will die from the disease. This is the seventh year that the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk has raised money to fight breast cancer.
This past month and through Nov. 6, the University's Harbor Gallery is displaying the art of Professor Edward Strickland, who was a member of the Psychology Department from 1974 until his death in September of 1998. On October 14, a small group of friends, family and colleagues, including Strickland's widow, Carmen, and daughter, Carla (in photo below), gathered to celebrate Strickland's work and share memories of the man who often is referred to as a "role model and mentor" for his students. Among the work displayed is a series featuring the Arnold Arboretum. Strickland, who was a graphic artist who then chose to pursue graduate study in the experimental psychology of visual perception, was a unique blend of artist and scientist. Visitors to the gallery can purchase a book Strickland wrote entitled "Documents for the Psychology of Creating in the Visual Arts." "It's a journal from when he was doing the paintings in the Arnold Arboretum," explains gallery director Noel McKenna. "It gives real insight into how one creates."
The University's Golden Key Chapter is off to an ambitious start, participating in both Golden Key campus and regional activities, and in public service activities to the community. On Sept. 26, members participated in the Lupus Foundation's "Walk on the Charles," which raised money for research and support services for persons with lupus. Also in September, Golden Key officers attended the Boston Regional Roundtable, sponsored by the Boston University chapter, which offered the opportunity to meet and brainstorm with representatives of other regional chapters. In October, Golden Key held its first general membership meeting on campus, where members heard a presentation by CHANCE (College High School Alliance: A Nexus for Creative Education) on how they can become involved with a tutoring program CHANCE is starting at Dorchester High School. Through Oct.30, Golden Key sponsored a clothing drive to benefit the Pine Street Inn, and a group will volunteer their services to the Inn at part of USA Weekend's "Make a Difference" Day on Oct. 23. For more information on The Golden Key Society and its activities, contact Chapter advisor and assistant vice chancellor for Academic Affairs Anita Miller at 7-5600.
Professor Sam Walker of the Art Department, an accomplished printmaker and teacher who often helped his students show their artwork in Boston, died at his home on October 16. He was 49. Walker joined the Art Department in 1993, and received tenure in 1997. He taught drawing and printmaking, and contributed to the Honors Program. He also served as president of the Boston Printmakers. At the time of his death, he was working on a series of pictures he called "Corrective Measures," in which he returned to his old print plates and created new pictures. His work can be found in the collections of the Smithsonian Institution, Harvard University's Houghton Library, the Boston Public Library, The Addison Gallery of American Art, and Yale University. The Art Department is establishing a scholarship fund in his name. He leaves his wife, Andrea of Cambridge, two daughters, Rachel of Atlanta and Maria of Cambridge, and his mother, two sisters, and a brother.