Nuclear Weapons Expert Discusses Russia's Nuclear Legacy
On April 6, Richard Falkenrath, faculty member of the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, spoke on the international threat posed by deteriorating conditions in the former Soviet Union's nuclear industry. His lecture was sponsored by the Joiner Center and the McCormack Institute, and was held at the Kennedy Library. Falkenrath described several security challenges, including accidental deployment of strategic or tactical nuclear weapons, theft of weapons or fissile materials, and the defection of Soviet scientists to other countries that want to develop their own nuclear capacities. He also spoke about ongoing discussions with the Russians to improve security and improve and verify disposal of nuclear materials. Paul Atwood of the Joiner Center provided introductory remarks, and Edmund Beard of the Center for Democracy and Development, McCormack Institute, served as respondent.
Welcome Day Greets Prospective Students
On Saturday, April 10 the campus came alive for prospective students, when members of the University community turned out to welcome those who have been offered admission to UMass Boston for September 1999. Approximately 450 new students, family members and friends attended. Among the prospects were 13 students graduating first or second in their high school class and four students graduating first in their community college class, with 22% from out of state and 5% from outside the U.S. Students and guests attended lectures and workshops on academic topics and on issues such as financial aid, scholarships, internships, and study abroad programs. Campus tours, actual and virtual followed, and then prospective students and parents could attend to practical matters with staff members from enrollment offices.
Campus gets Down to Earth All Month
Only 6-7% of UMass Boston students and faculty carpool to campus. Of those who drive, 17% sit behind the wheel of a sports utility vehicle. The Environmental Studies Program conducted a transportation survey to promote environmentally friendly means of getting from here to there, which coincided with Earth Day (April 22). The first Earth Day, organized by former Senator Gaylord Nelson, gathered an estimated 20 million people in peaceful demonstrations across the country in 1970. UMass Boston students and faculty continued that spirit with a series of events. Earth Day events included:
Titus Receives Award from National Basketball
Coaches Association
Charlie Titus, director of athletics and head men's basketball coach, was one of three coaches to be honored with the third annual Outstanding Service Award of the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC). He received the award at the Division III meeting of the annual NABC convention held in Tampa, Florida, on March 27. The award honors those who have made invaluable contributions to their communities where they live and work. Titus, a resident of Roxbury, serves on the boards of several community organizations, including the Roxbury Boys and Girls Club, the Roxbury YMCA, Freedom House, and the City of Boston Council on Youth. He is also a member of the Boston Celtics Community Advisory Panel, and is associate commissioner of the Boston Parks and Recreation Department. Titus has coached men's basketball at UMass Boston for 24 years.
College of Management Sponsors Executive Forums
The College of Management Senior Executive Leadership Forum continues to bring together accomplished senior executives, CM faculty, staff and MBA students for a special presentation and Q&A sessions. Two senior executive leaders, Ronald Skates, the president and ceo of Data General Corporation and Robert Pozen, president and ceo of Fidelity Management and Research Company were Forum guests in April. Skates, from Westborough-based DG, addressed the issue of "Surviving in a Silicon Valley World" to classes on entrepreneurship, strategic management and global industry and corporate analysis with faculty members Turner, Franko and Habib. Fidelity's Bob Pozen addressed the mutual funds class on "Servicing Fund Shareholders" in a special session at University of Massachusetts President William Bulger's office.The mutual funds class was inaugurated, initiated and funded by Fidelity Investments. The forums continue May 3 with Christy Mihos, founder of Christy's Markets and a trustee of the University of Massachusetts.
Higher Education Grant to Strengthen Services for
Disadvantaged Students
In fiscal year 2000, the University will receive $275,707 from the State Board of Higher Education (pending legislative approval) to support a multi-faceted recruitment and retention strategy aimed to increase the number of disadvantaged student who graduate from UMass Boston. One set of activities will focus on strengthening student preparation for higher education through the Admission Guaranteed and the Directions for Student Potential (DSP) programs. A second set of activities will focus on more aggressive recruitment of disadvantaged students through such events as a guidance in-service day and dinner, targeted publications, and through enrollment ambassadors and a junior visitation program. Finally, intensive academic support and advising will be provided for matriculated students, especially in the first two years of study. Overseeing the grant are Patricia Davidson, vice provost for academic support services, Kathleen Teehan, associate chancellor for enrollment management and university communications, and Joan Becker, assistant vice provost for academic support services.
Daffodil Days Fundraiser Supports the American Cancer Society
Bright yellow daffodils graced many a desk March 24 and 25, when the Department of Human Resources held its second Daffodil Days fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. This year, the sale raised $2,000 to support a variety of programs for cancer research, prevention, education, and services for cancer patients and their families.
Polaroid Corporation Donates Spectrometer to
Chemistry Department
The Polaroid Corporation has donated a Bruker 300 MHz nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer to the Department of Chemistry. Worth approximately $250,000, this instrument reveals how chemicals are put together, by showing how atoms are connected in a molecule. Faculty and students will now have access to this important piece of equipment, which will be a cornerstone of the new "Green Chemistry Laboratory for Research and Education in Sustainable Innovation" which is being created in the Science Building.
Retired Faculty Member Luise H. Bronner Dies
Founding faculty member Luise H. Bronner, who taught courses in German language instruction and literature, died in April. Born in Heilbronn, Germany, Prof. Bronner's undergraduate education was interrupted by the outbreak of World War II. After moving to the United States, she worked in industry as a chemist before resuming her undergraduate education at Middlebury College and the University of Rhode Island. She received her doctorate from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. She was a recognized poet, with work published in several anthologies, and a scholar of Berthold Brecht. A memorial service in her honor was held April 15.
Senior Graphic Designer Joins University Communications Staff
Sarah Weatherbee has joined the Office of University Communications as a senior graphic designer. She will be responsible for planning and designing publications for the university community. Sarah has over eight years of graphic design experience. Prior to accepting her job at UMass Boston, she worked as a freelance designer. Also during her career she worked as a graphic designer for Cape Cod Community College and Cape Museum of Fine Arts in Dennis, Massachusetts. Sarah received her BFA from Maine College of Art.