K-STATEMENT FOR KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY FACULTY and STAFF

K-STATEMENT index                                March 22, 2007 / Vol. 29, No. 17

 

PROFESSOR'S VIDEO SHOWN AT INNOVATIVE CONFERENCE The final version of Michael Wesch's video "Web 2.0...The Machine is Us/ing Us," premiered at the Technology Entertainment and Design Conference March 8 in Monterey, Calif. Wesch, assistant professor of anthropology, created the video to explain Web 2.0, the "second wave" of Web-based services allowing people to network, share and collaborate online. The rough-draft video became the most popular video on the Internet Feb. 5, according to Technorati.com, and the No. 1 featured video on YouTube, an online video-sharing site, Feb. 9. The Technology Entertainment and Design Conference is an invitation-only event bringing together creative and innovative minds. This year's speakers included former President Bill Clinton, entrepreneur Richard Branson, academics Lawrence Lessig and E.O. Wilson, singer-songwriter Paul Simon, and the founders of Google and of YouTube. NEW K-STATER TO PROMOTE TECHNOLOGY ON CAMPUS James Lyall is joining K-State in its nationally recognized efforts to support and promote technology on campus. He comes to K-State from Colorado State University where he is director of information and instructional technology for the College of Applied Human Sciences. Beginning May 1, Lyall will serve as K-State's associate vice provost for academic services and technology. He will oversee K-State's campus network and computing infrastructure, develop academic applications, and manage information and computer security, among other responsibilities. He will support Elizabeth Unger, vice provost of academic services and technology and dean of continuing education, in advising university leaders on information technology strategic planning, policies and technology investments.   OH, BY THE WAY... WANTED: EXTRA-ORDINARY STUDENTS Nominations for the Extra-ordinary Student Awards are due March 27 to the office of student life. An extra-ordinary student is a student who has overcome unusual obstacles -- for instance, a disability, illness, a difficult family issue or major life challenge -- and has been able to succeed in her or his educational pursuits. Nomination instructions are available at http://www.k-state.edu/studentlife/ awardsandorganizations/ extraordinarystudent.htm For more information, contact Cia Verschelden, at 532-3429 or cia@k-state.edu. SPECIAL ASSISTANT TO THE PROVOST: INTERNAL SEARCH The office of the provost at K-State is conducting an internal search for two single-semester appointments, each 16 weeks in length, to the position of special assistant to the provost during the 2007-2008 academic year, with one appointment each for the fall and spring semesters. Screening of applications will begin April 2. For more information, go to http://www.k-state.edu/provost/searches/special.htm AWARDS FOR COMMUNITY SERVICE Community 1st National Bank, the K-State Community Service Program and the office of the provost are seeking nominations for the Third Annual "Inspire by Example" Awards for Community Service. Awards will be given for: Outstanding Student, Outstanding Student Organization, Outstanding Faculty Member and Outstanding Staff Member. Nominations are due March 30. For more information, go to http://www.k-state.edu/csp/general/awards/ descriptions.html GRADUATION APPAREL ORDERS DUE IN APRIL Faculty members can rent caps, gowns, hoods and tassels for graduation ceremonies from the K-State Student Union Bookstore. Orders received after April 4 will be charged a $20 late fee; fit and color cannot be guaranteed after this date. Orders cannot be accepted after 8 p.m. April 26. Orders for purchased faculty graduation apparel can be taken year-round, although eight weeks for manufacturing and delivery is needed. NOMINATIONS DUE FOR ANDERSON SENIOR AWARDS The K-State Alumni Association is asking for nominations from faculty and staff for the 10th Anderson Senior Awards, a program to recognize outstanding undergraduates at K-State. Award categories are Leadership, Service, Academics and Inspiration. Nomination forms are available at the K-State Alumni Center or the Office of Student Activities and Services, K-State Student Union. They also can be found at http://www.k-state.com/students/ Nominations also must include a the nominee's resume. Nominations are due April 4. Contact Andrea Bryant Gladin at 532-5058 with questions.   ON CAMPUS MARCH - APRIL -April 2 Kemper Gallery exhibit An exhibit by visiting artist Christine Hiebert will be in the Kemper Art Gallery, K-State Student Union, through April 2. -May 6 Textile museum display An exhibit of woven coverlets from K-State's Historic Costume and Textile Museum is on display through May 6 in Justin Hall. The hall is open to the public from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. weekdays. The weavings in "Woven Wonders: A Cross Section of American Coverlets" date from 1839 to 1870 and reveal family secrets and tell tales of a fledgling nation. 25-31 K-State for All "K-State for All," a campuswide disability awareness week, will be March 25-31. Activities include a wheelchair basketball game and clinic, awareness exhibition, and documentary film screening and discussion. For more information, including a calendar of events, go to http://www.k-state.edu/dss/ksfa.html 27 Distinguished lecture Subbarat Muthukrishnan, professor of biochemistry, will present "A Journey Through The Age of Biotechnology" 3:30 p.m. March 27, K-State Student Union Little Theatre, as a Commerce Bank Distinguished Graduate Faculty lecture. A reception will follow. 30-31 SpringDance 2007 SpringDance 2007 will be at 8 p.m. March 30 and 31 in McCain Auditorium. For ticket information, call 532-6428. April 4 Classified Senate meeting Classified Senate will meet at 12:45 p.m. April 4 in the K-State Student Union Staterooms 1 and 2. April 6 Diversity Summit K-State will host its fourth Diversity Summit April 6 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the K-State Student Union Ballroom. The theme of the summit is "A Time for Institutional Accountability, Strategic Planning and Re-Engagement." Registration for the summit is $10. For more information or to make reservations, call 532-6276. For a schedule of events, go to http://www.k-state.edu/ddcd/SummitSchedule.pdf April 13 Entrepreneurial workshop K-State will host the workshop, Invention to Venture, 8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. April 13, in Fiedler Hall. The event provides an opportunity for participants to learn technology entrepreneurship basics, build networks and develop plans for moving their ideas forward. Workshop also will include the K-State Spotlight on Intellectual Property luncheon and a networking reception. Cost of the workshop is $20 for students, $40 for faculty and staff and $75 for general admission. For information, contact Sharon Brookshire at 532-2566 or sharonb@k-state.edu. To register, go to http://www.invention2venture.org/ events/kstate/index.html Keeping animals healthy, food safe It may not be so easy these days to find a doctor for your sick cow or pig. * But without veterinary support, livestock operations won’t be as healthy, productive or safe, said Ralph Richardson, dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine at K-State. Read more   Connected or just rude? Known as "Mr. Etiquette" by some and "Mr. Manners" by others, Pat Pesci, director of the hotel and restaurant management program at K-State, helps students brush up on their manners before interviewing for jobs. Read more   UP CLOSE Bowling strikes workers' fancy A lifetime interest in language and culture has led one professor from a remote village in Africa all the way to K-State. Tiffany Kershner joined K-State's linguistic anthropology program in fall 2006. She said the university's anthropology program was exactly what she was looking for. Read more   PLAUDITS PROFESSOR RECEIVES YOUNG SCIENTIST AWARD Vara Prasad, assistant professor of crop physiology, has received the 2006 Young Agricultural Scientist Award from the National Association of Agricultural Scientists of Indian Origin. The association is an affiliate of the American Society of Agronomy, the largest organization of agricultural scientists in the world. The award recognizes young agricultural scientists of Indian origin who have made an outstanding contribution by the age of 40. Prasad, a native of India, joined the faculty of K-State's department of agronomy in September 2005. He teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in crop physiology and stress physiology at K-State. His research involves the effect of environmental stresses on crops. NELSON GOFF RECOGNIZED WITH AWARD FROM ALMA MATER Briana S. Nelson Goff was honored by Texas Tech University's College of Human Sciences with an alumni award as a "New Achiever." Nelson Goff, interim assistant dean for academic affairs in the College of Human Ecology at K-State, was among five Texas Tech alums recognized for outstanding success in their careers. Nelson Goff, who also is an associate professor in K-State's School of Family Studies and Human Services, earned her Ph.D. from Texas Tech. Her master of science degree in marriage and family therapy is from K-State. WERRING HONORED WITH DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD Chuck Werring, assistant vice president of housing and dining, was recognized with the William B. Sweet Distinguished Service Award at the Upper Midwest Region-Association of College and University Housing Officers opening banquet. The William B. Sweet Distinguished Service Award is the most prestigious honor given by the association. It is intended for individuals who show commitment and excellence in the housing and residence life field. They are considered role models to new professionals and colleagues around them in their work and profession. The Upper Midwest Region-Association of College and University Housing Officers is a group of professionals that educate, conduct research and provide service to member institutions throughout the Midwest.   POINTS OF PRIDE Successful distance ed program enters 10th year K-State's master of agribusiness program, the nation's first distance education master-level curriculum in agribusiness, is celebrating a decade of growth and success. Led by K-State's Allen Featherstone, professor of agricultural economics, the first master of agribusiness class in 1998 had 12 students, mainly from the Great Plains region. Students and alumni of the program can now be found in 35 states and more than 18 countries. "The diversity in background, age and experience gives students an enriching educational atmosphere," Featherstone said. "Students come from all different sectors of the food and agriculture industry." The program and its instructors have received many awards, including the University Continuing Education Association/Peterson's Award in 2001 for most innovative distance education program.   NOTEWORTHY John Graham, professor and executive in residence, College of Business Administration, was invited to the ringing of the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange Tuesday, March 6, with other members of the board and officers of Tortoise Capital Resources Corp. Graham is back row, second from left in photo at left. More Noteworthy   A sunny new logo for Classified Senate Classified Senate has unveiled its new logo, created through a contest among staff members. The logo was designed by Mal Hoover, graphic designer specialist in the Instructional Technology Center, College of Veterinary Medicine. It will be used on future senate promotional materials. Hoover’s design, one of three she submitted to the contest, was voted tops by classified employees during the October 2006 Benefits Fair. Employees selected between five finalist entries. Hoover was honored for her winning design at a senate meeting in February.   OPPORTUNITIES CLASSIFIED • A recording of classified job opportunities is available 24 hours a day on the Employment Information Line, 785-532-6271. • A list of employment opportunities is posted at www.k-state.edu/hr/ • For additional information, call 785-532-6277 or come to the Division of Human Resources in 103 Edwards Hall. Applications are accepted 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. weekdays. UNCLASSIFIED • A complete listing of vacancies can be seen at www.k-state.edu/affact/ • For additional information, call the office of affirmative action at 785-532-6220 or come by 214 Anderson Hall.