University Reporter

October spotlights were written by Kim Burke, Laney Bruner Canhoto, Leigh DuPuy, Melissa Fassel, Mary Ann Machanic, Erika McCarthy

Presidential Shoe Exhibit Visits the Healey Library

Did you know which president had the largest shoe size? Which president wore a pair of blue suede shoes? Which president preferred white bucks? University faculty, staff, and students can find out these answers and more by visiting the Presidential Shoe Collection at the Healey Library lobby through October 4. The three-case presidential shoe exhibit features shoes of twelve former United States presidents, including those of Abraham Lincoln, Ulysses S. Grant, Theodore Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson, Warren Harding, Harry S. Truman, Dwight D. Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, Lyndon Johnson, Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, and Ronald Reagan. The tour is sponsored by Johnston & Murphy, shoemakers to presidents since 1850, and has made several stops throughout the country. The exhibit was brought here as part of the celebration of the first presidential debate of the 2000 general election, held at UMass Boston on October 3.

Early Learning Center Leads the Way

The UMass Boston Early Learning Center was recently chosen to be the lead agent for the Dorchester Community Partnership Cluster. The three-year position places the Center at the head of the group's mission to build a collaborative system of early childhood programs and comprehensive services for Dorchester children and their families. The Center is accredited by the National Academy of Early Childhood programs and provides quality care from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. for children ages 15 months to 5 years whose parents are students, staff or faculty at UMass Boston or residents of the Harbor Point community.

The Dorchester Cluster is supported by the 0-8 Coalition with funding from the Massachusetts Department of Education Partnership for Children Program. Membership in the group is open to parents and caregivers of children Dorchester and members of agencies that work with the children of neighborhood families from infancy to eight years of age. For more information, please contact the Early Learning Center Director, Kelly Meehan at (617) 287-6195/ kelly.meehan@umb.edu.

UMass Boston Joins "Page 1" Service Project

UMass Boston is joining Page 1, Middlebury College's Bicentennial Service Project, an initiative to collect new books for needy programs in all parts of the country. The two local programs to be served are The Neighborhood House Charter School in Dorchester, which needs non-fiction books, pre-kindergarten through 8th grade, on subjects like science, the environment, and history; and the Children's AIDS Program House in Mattapan, which needs storybooks appropriate for children under age 6. All books nationwide will be delivered on October 21, 2000.

UMass Boston's participation is being coordinated by Patricia S. Davidson, vice provost for academic support services and a member of the Board of Overseers of Middlebury College. The effort is being co-sponsored by the Art Department and dedicated to the late Prof. Sam Walker, a Middlebury graduate who passed away on October 16, 1999. Please bring a new book to UMass Boston's Page 1 celebration, to be held on October 16, 2000 from 2:30 to 4:00 p.m. in the Harbor Art Gallery. If you cannot attend the party and still wish to contribute a book, please bring it to Pat Davidson's office, M-3-412, any time before October 20.

Gerontology Honor Society

The first induction ceremony of the University of Massachusetts Boston's Gamma Upsilon Chapter of Sigma Phi Omega Honor Society was held this past spring in the Healey Library Faculty/Staff Lounge. Sigma Phi Omega was established to recognize academic excellence and professional achievement in the field of gerontology. Thirty-two members, including graduate and undergraduate gerontology students, alumni, and faculty, were inducted at the ceremony.

The current chapter leaders, Clare Safran-Norton, president, and Laney Bruner-Canhoto, secretary-treasurer, are both doctoral candidates in the Gerontology Ph.D. Program and were instrumental in helping to establish the local chapter. Gerontology faculty advisors Jeffrey Burr and Nina Silverstein also were instrumental in establishing the chapter.

Boston University's Robert Hudson was the keynote speaker and a highlight of the induction ceremony. Professor Hudson is an internationally known authority on the role of policy as it impacts the well-being of older persons. Dean Ismael Ramirez-Soto addressed the new members and their guests, speaking about the importance of advocating for the needs of older persons and others. A reception was held following the ceremony. Anyone interested in learning more about the chapter should contact the Gerontology Center, 7-7300.

UMass Boston Chamber Orchestra Welcomes Bulgarian Musicians

The UMass Boston Chamber Orchestra will have two special Bulgarian guest artists for its October 20th concert, being held at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Brookline at 8:00 p.m. Flutist Natasha Uzunova and clarinetist Mihail Deynov of the Vratza Philharmonic Orchestra will be featured soloists with the members of UMass Boston Chamber Orchestra and UMass Boston pianist Timothy McFarland.

The concert will be a reunion for the international artists and Jon Mitchell, who guest conducted the Vratza Philharmonic two years ago. Uzunova will perform Bach's Suite #2, and Deynova will perform Richard Wagner's Adagio for Clarinet and Strings. The orchestra will also play Gustav Holst's Brook Green Suite. UMass Boston is the second leg of a three-state tour for the Bulgarian musicians. Before arriving at UMass Boston, they will perform at St. Mary's College in Fredericksburg, VA. From UMass Boston, they will move on to Michigan Technological University in Houghton, MI, before returning to Bulgaria.

Distance Learning and the Nursing Program

The Division of Corporate, Continuing, and Distance Education has now put a College of Nursing program under its wing. In its third year, the Certificate in Long Term Care of the Elderly Resident/ Patient retains its stellar instructors from the College of Nursing. The program is designed to help practicing nurses and other experienced health care professionals improve their knowledge base and the quality of care of residents in long term care facilities.

The four 10-week classes are made available to students through technology provided by the Distance Learning Center. Locations at the Hebrew Rehabilitation Hospital and the I495 Westboro campus broadcast classes live via Picture Tel equipment. The enhanced teaching capabilities allow more students to participate in the program in non-traditional ways. Students can take classes at or near their workplace or even by videotape. Program Coordinator Susan Babcock is enthusiastic about the distance learning aspect and looks forward to another year.

CM Students Represent UMass Boston at National Conferences

Abigail Reichenbach, a senior from Switzerland, represented the College of Management at the Business Tomorrow International Conference sponsored by The Foundation for Student Communication and Business Today Magazine. The conference allows direct interaction between US business executives and students from around the world. The choices of successful applicants are based on their backgrounds and short essays. The conference offers panels, addresses, and case studies, as well as a few days in New York.

Abby, a native of the Philippines who speaks five languages, is pursuing a career in marketing in the financial services industry. Steve Hornsby, another senior marketing concentrator, represented the College of Management at the Direct Marketing Education Foundation's Collegiate Institute, held in Washington, D.C. The institute is an intensive business seminar in direct/interactive marketing taught by leading marketing professionals.

UMass Boston Sponsors Auto Theft Prevention Program

University faculty, staff, and students can help protect their cars from auto theft by participating in the Auto Glass Etching Program to be held on Thursday, October 19 in the lower level of the Science Center garage. The UMass Boston Department of Public Safety has been working with the Governor's Auto Theft Strike Force to sponsor the initiative. Auto glass etching is proven to be a successful theft deterrent. Professionals chemically etch the car's vehicle identification number (VIN) on all the windows including sunroofs and T-roofs.

Participants will receive a 15% discount on their comprehensive auto insurance and a free one-day pass courtesy of the UMass Boston Department of Parking and Transportation. The program will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and the process takes about five to ten minutes. All interested must bring an active vehicle registration and pay a ten-dollar (cash only) fee. This fee is used to cover the expenses of the project. The Public Safety Department Crime Prevention Unit can answer any questions at 7-7790

October Spotlights

October spotlights were written by Kim Burke, Laney Bruner Canhoto, Leigh DuPuy, Melissa Fassel, Mary Ann Machanic, Erika McCarthy