WSU Spokane Campus Bulletin
Issue 2004-6 (March 17, 2004)


IN THIS ISSUE

Underline

Academic Center FUNDED
Gov. Gary Locke Supports Full Funding for Riverpoint Campus

OLYMPIA – March 17, 2004 – Gov. Gary Locke today announced his intention to support full funding for Washington State University’s Riverpoint campus building in downtown Spokane.

The governor made the decision following discussions yesterday with Senate Minority Leader Lisa Brown, D-Spokane, local business leader Don Barbieri, and Spokane Schools Executive Director Laurie Dolan.

When the governor signs the state construction budget later this month, he will include the $31.6 million in funding authorized by the state House and Senate last week. The funding is intended to build a combination library, classroom and office building at the downtown campus.

Read more in the governor's news release online.

For news from WSU's government relations office, see their Web page. The Olympia Updates include reports on the progress of the Academic Center and other WSU priorities through the legislative session. The updates note active support from the entire Spokane community--business leaders, elected officials, and others--that helped make the case for the Academic Center as a priority for the region.

Apricot (soy) smoothie, anyone?

As agriculture and health become more closely linked, you see more and more health claims on food packaging, and crops being bred for specific nutrient properties. Someday, based on research being conducted here at WSU Spokane, you may see boxes of tofu and other soy products marked “Contains phytate—helps prevent kidney stones.” Nutrition professor Linda Massey and two students use the BodPod to assess body mass index.

Past work by nutrition professor Linda Massey, a nationally recognized expert on mineral metabolism and kidney stone formation, found that soybeans and soy-based foods may promote kidney stones in those who are prone to them.

The findings were published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Chemical Society, the world’s largest scientific society (news release online).

A 2003 WSU Spokane Faculty Seed Grant (see related story below) funded a two-phase project. The first phase examined soy products found in local grocery stores to establish their levels of phytates, oxylates, calcium, magnesium, and sodium. PhD student Ismail Al-Wahsh is completing analysis of the data as part of his dissertation work.

Some soy foods contain high levels of oxylates, which contribute to stone formation. However, soy phytate, an antioxidant, may reduce risk of kidney stones.

The massive Nurses Study being conducted by Harvard University has shown an association between high dietary phytate consumption and protection from stone formation. Foods high in phytate include whole grains, legumes and many fruits and vegetables. Massey notes, "This should sound familiar--eating more of these foods is always good dietary advice."

As a self-report of eating habits, the Nurses Study does not test the potential link directly. Only one very small study of 7 non-stone-forming people has examined phytate levels related to phytate consumption, so Massey’s study is essential to developing an understanding of the interaction of phytate, oxylate, and stone formation.

The second phase of the study is designed to determine whether there is a limit on the amount of phytate that can be absorbed. Since the first phase of the study found that soy products high in phytate tend also to be high in oxylate, people who have a tendency to form kidney stones want to consume as much phytate as is helpful—but no more than is helpful, since high phytate levels can bind calcium and magnesium in the gut so they can’t be absorbed.

The second phase of the study involves feeding studies. Volunteers will drink high, medium and low phytate tofus in the form of apricot smoothies—6 smoothies, consumed at least two days apart—then collect urine for 8 hours.

All volunteers receive a general screening that includes dietary analysis, determination of levels of oxylate and minerals in the urine, and a body composition analysis in the BodPod—work that would cost several hundred dollars if you had to pay for it. Volunteers are also paid $10 cash for each visit and receive lunch each day that they consume a smoothie.

Massey’s work is used by the American Dietetic Association to set dietary standards for kidney stone sufferers. In this case, the results of this study can be built upon to set recommended levels of consumption for soy products.

She is also engaged in collaborative research with Iowa State University to examine oxylate and phytate levels in soy cultivars. She has tested 70 varieties and found these values varying fivefold, indicating potential for their commercial qualities to be enhanced by breeding for specific levels that have health benefits as determined by her work on kidney stones.

The study needs volunteers, both people with a personal or family history of kidney stones, and those who do not have such a history. To sign up, contact Al-Wahsh, 368-6715.

(Why apricot? It's one of the few low-phytate fruits, and has a flavor strong enough to give the otherwise bland tofu some zing. Other low-phytate fruits include apples, pears, and peaches.)Return to the Top of the Page

WSU Spokane
faculty seed grant program

From work in nutrition and breast cancer to diabetes and kidney stones, the WSU Faculty Seed Grant Program for Research in Spokane has funded work by WSU faculty to enhance their investigations’ potential for extramural support, in particular from the National Institutes.

While Spokane-based clinical health research proposals have priority, applications for research based in Spokane by investigators on other WSU campuses are also encouraged. All WSU faculty embarking on a previously unfunded research project are eligible to apply.

Research that involves collaborations with the medical community in Spokane is particularly encouraged, as is research that involves collaborations between Pullman and Spokane faculty.

Applications, which must be reviewed by the investigator’s department chair and dean prior to submission. are due July 1, 2004. Information concerning the 2004 WSU Spokane Seed Grant is now available online.

To read about the 2002 seed grants, see the news release and detailed project descriptions. In 2003, seed grants were awarded to Linda Massey for her soy study (above) and to E. Carolyn Johnson, exercise science, for a study of possible injurious effects of increased levels of amino acids, with and without high glucose, to simulate a high protein diet in diabetes or non-diabetes conditions.Return to the Top of the Page

Lorna Walsh named
associate director of development

Lorna Walsh, associate director for development, Washington State University SpokaneLorna Walsh has been named associate director of development for Washington State University Spokane. She comes to the position with over 15 years of experience in development and public relations.

Walsh most recently headed up the capital campaign for the Fox Theater. Prior to that, she was with the Health Improvement Partnership as director of development. Her background includes work in higher education, social services, the arts, and the nonprofit sector.

She holds a bachelor of arts in history from University of Arizona, with additional education in fundraising. Her office is in the Administrative Annex; phone 8-7565, email lornawalsh@wsu.edu.

“We’re pleased to have someone with Lorna’s extensive background in fundraising join the campus advancement efforts,” said interim chancellor Rom Markin. “She is an asset to the campus and to the university as we grow our Spokane programs.”

Walsh holds a certificate in Spanish from the Defense Language Institute, and lived in Uruguay for two years. She has two children, Joe, 14, and Elizabeth, 6, and is a member of Rotary South and Toastmaster’s. Her hobbies include skiing, travel, reading, and scuba-diving when she gets the chance. She has lived in Spokane since 2001.Return to the Top of the Page

David Wang named to
President’s Teaching Academy

David Wang, associate professor of architecture, has been named to the inaugural 12-member cohort of the President’s Teaching Academy Advisory Board. David Wang with students on the site visit for the 2003 design and construction charrette.

The academy is being created, along with other initiatives such as the establishment of the Office of Undergraduate Education, to work toward Washington State University’s strategic goal #1: Offer the best undergraduate experience at a research university.

In naming the members of the academy, WSU Pres. V. Lane Rawlins wrote, “Membership in the Academy and service on the Board is an honor that not only affirms your past contributions to teaching and learning at Washington State University, but also recognizes your ability to help implement key aspects of the University's Strategic Plan related to the academic experience of our students. The President's Teaching Academy is an important initiative that has the potential to have a profound and lasting impact on teaching and learning at Washington State University.”

Since joining WSU Spokane in the mid-1990’s, Wang has contributed significantly to the growth and maturation of the Interdisciplinary Design Institute and has mentored many students from the design disciplines, as well as Honors, through their programs of study. He founded the Design Institute’s Annual Design and Construction Charrette, entering its eighth year.

Students say that Wang creates a teaching and learning environment that is not only thoughtful, but thought provoking. By approaching teaching as an art that transcends traditional disciplinary boundaries, they say, he invites students to learn by exploration and through examination of the connections and bridges among disciplines, as well as through the content within specific disciplines.

The goals of the academy are to encourage the use of information about the quality of the learning experience for changes to curriculum and teaching practices; to facilitate the acquisition of knowledge, skills, and techniques for effective learning and teaching; and to develop a peer mentoring network for interaction and sharing of ideas about ways to improve the quality of undergraduate education.Return to the Top of the Page

Pharmacy school attracting
lots of applicants

A doctor of pharmacy student and assistant professor Brian Gates (center) at the Visiting Nurses Association, one of the clinical rotation sites for the PharmD program.Applications for admission flooded into the College of Pharmacy in January, partly because of a new online national application service that allows students to apply to several pharmacy schools at once. Stacks of Fed Ex mailers arrived at the College every morning for about two weeks before the Feb. 1 deadline.

As of the Feb. 1 deadline, the college had received 833 applications, compared to 387 last year, although about 200 of this year’s applications were incomplete.

This is the first year the college has used PharmCAS application service. Students can apply to several schools using a single application and a single set of transcripts, although there still is a fee for each application.

The number of applications probably would have increased even without the new online service because there is a shortage of pharmacists, said Keith Campbell, the College’s associate dean of student affairs.

College faculty and staff will interview about 190 applicants and admit 94 to the program, Campbell said. About 170 were interviewed last year.Return to the Top of the Page

Pullman High School wins
third annual Science Bowl

The Pullman High School team confers on their response to a bonus question in the Department of Energy Spokane Science Bowl, held March 13, 2004, at Washington State University Spokane. The team won and will go to the national competition.To win this particular battle of the brains, it helped to know:

  • that the substituent or group name of an alkane that has an end hydrogen removed is an “alkyl” in the IUPAC system;
  • that there are 9 total carbons in the organic compound “1, 1-dichloro-3-ethyl-2,4 dimethylpentane”;
  • and that compared to mafic igneous rocks, felsic igneous rocks do not contain a greater concentration of magnesium, pyroxene, or iron (they do, however, contain a higher level of silica).

Read more about last Saturday’s Department of Energy Spokane Science Bowl in the news release online.

MESA events bring science to life

During the weeks of March 15 and 22, watch out for flying marshmallows and Mousetrap Powered Vehicles!

The Spokane Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement (MESA) program will hold its annual science competitions for middle school and high school students this week and next: middle schoolers Friday March 19 at the East Central Community Center, and high school students here on campus March 23 and March 25 in the Phase I Classroom Building.

Read more in the news release online.

The goal of MESA is to provide globally competitive and individually competent students in mathematics, engineering and science with full participation of underrepresented students, including African Americans, Hispanics, American Indians and women. This competition is a celebration of efforts and an excellent opportunity to see bright young minds in action.Return to the Top of the Page

Faculty Excellence Award
2004 nominees sought

Each year, WSU Spokane honors a faculty member selected for teaching excellence in academic and/or community settings. The recipient is honored at the Commencement ceremonies, receiving a medallion to be worn with academic regalia, and a sponsored award of $1,000.

David Wang will chair this year’s selection process. See the new Excellence Awards information page for the list of eligible faculty and more information.

Nominations are due on or before Friday, April 2, so start thinking now about how you will document outstanding performance in teaching as well as other areas of faculty responsibility such as advising, research, or community service in support of your nominee(s).Return to the Top of the Page

Artwork now available for flyers

Thanks to campus Webmaster Sicco Rood, we have some cool new artwork that can be dropped in at the top of a Word document to create a flyer.

Download the customized Phase I and Health Sciences Building headers from the Image Files page. Choose the header that fits the location of your event or meeting to provide an extra visual cue to your audience about where to go.

If you need a flyer for an event being held on campus that isn’t a WSU Spokane event, you can use the version that doesn’t have the logo. In Word, place your heading text in the black space and set its color to white, and it will show up against the black.Return to the Top of the Page

Personnel and staffing changes

Searches
 Research Professor/Director, Sleep Research Initiative, Health Sciences, position is open until filled
Clinical Assistant Professor (3 positions), Pharmacotherapy, positions are open until filled
Chancellor & Vice Provost for Health Sciences, WSU Spokane, position is open until filled
Business Development Specialist, Small Business Development Center, apply by 3/19/04
Academic Coordinator Upward Bound Program, Student Services, apply by 3/19/04
Assistant/Associate Professor, Criminal Justice, position is open until filled

Return to the Top of the Page

Community connections

INTEC Energy Technology SIG March 18

Could the Inland Northwest have an energy technology concentration that someday rivals agriculture, health care, and other traditional strengths? What is the most important thing the community should do right now if it wants to use energy technology as a source of economic development?

If you want to find out the answers, don't miss the INTEC Energy Technology Special Interest Group. A panel of experts will discuss regional initiatives, company highlights, sector growth, and more:

Thursday, March 18, 2004
5:30-8 p.m.
The Davenport Hotel, Early Bird Room
Register online for this free event.

Event followed by a March Madness Basketball Social sponsored by the Terabyte Triangle: Gonzaga University vs. Valparaiso University on the GIANT screen! 7-9 p.m. Return to the Top of the Page

Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture Educators Night March 23

The Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture cordially invites all area educators (K-12 and higher ed) to a special preview of the MAC's new American Indian exhibit: Portraits of a People: Karl Bodmer and the Plains Indians.

Tuesday, March 23, 2004
6 - 8 p.m.
Eric A. Johnston Memorial Auditorium
Cheney Cowles Center
2316 W. First Avenue, Spokane, WA

Introductory lecture/slide program by Gonzaga University history professor Robert Carriker. Tour the American Indian collection with Michael Holloman, Director, Center for Plateau Cultural Studies. Educator's packet of resource information provided. For more information call (509) 363-5328 or e-mail krism@northwestmuseum.org.Return to the Top of the Page

KPBX Community Forum March 24

Health policy and administration associate professor Melissa Ahern will be one of the panelists at this year’s KPBX Community Forum.

Wednesday, March 24, 2004
6-8 p.m.
Spokane City Council Chambers
808 W. Spokane Falls Blvd.

The forum asks how the Baby Boomers will age, and the discussion will range from government programs such as Medicare and Social Security to housing options and career changes.

WSU Spokane serves as one of the sponsors of this event each year. For more information, see the KPBX Web page for the event.Return to the Top of the Page

University District planning to get under way;
community workshop March 31

The City of Spokane will host the first University District Community Workshop on March 31, 6-8 p.m., at the Avista Auditorium, located at 1411 E. Mission Avenue.

The community workshop is the kickoff event for public participation in the University District strategic master planning process. All interested citizens are invited to participate in this process, which is planned to conclude in approximately six months. Additional workshops are planned for summer and fall 2004.

Citizens will have a chance to:

  • Define the vision of the University District
  • Provide input and feedback on key planning issues and challenges
  • Articulate opportunities for the future

Facilitating the workshop will be Daniel Iacofano of San Francisco-based Moore Iacofano Goltsman (MIG), Inc. Mr. Iacofano, an award-winning, nationally recognized urban planning specialist, is familiar with Spokane's downtown renaissance through his work on the Downtown Plan, the Davenport Arts District Plan, the Riverfront Master Plan and more.

Attendees should enter the Avista building through the front entrance, and they will then be directed to the Auditorium. Parking for the workshop is available in Avista's adjacent parking lots.

Bookmark www.spokane.wsu.edu/universitydistrict and the City of Spokane Office of Economic Development for news and updates. Please share this information with anyone who may be interested: students, co-workers, neighbors.

A number of people from the campus community have participated in an ad-hoc team working to obtain funding to plan the University District concept. WSU Spokane participants include Forster Ndubisi, Design Institute; Bob Scarfo, Design Institute; Bruce Thompson, capital facilities; and Barb Chamberlain, communications and public affairs. Return to the Top of the Page

Mark your calendar: March 24 forum with WSU vice presidents

Faculty, staff and students throughout the WSU system are welcome to participate in the Vice Presidents' Forum at noon Wednesday, March 24, either in person at the CUB Cascade Rooms or via Web videostreaming. After updates on university topics, the vice presidents will open the floor to your questions and comments.

Those participating at a distance will can now submit questions from their computers. The Forum can be viewed via live videostream at the Experience WSU web site. Videostream users can post questions using the ETT Chat Service available at the same Web page. Instructions for using the chat feature, as well as a technical support phone number, are provided there.Return to the Top of the Page

Way to go!

Sylvia Oliver, assistant director of the Health Research and Education Center, and founder/director of WSU Spokane CityLabHer reputation as a high-energy and impressive ambassador for science make Sylvia Oliver much in demand as a tour guide who can show our researchers and their labs and projects at their best.

Oliver, assistant director of the Health Research and Education Center and founder/director of the WSU Spokane CityLab, conducted a stellar tour as part of the WSU regents' visit to campus March 11 and for the university's Strategic Communications Systems Council Feb. 12. Those who participate in her tours without fail leave campus talking about the world-class work being done here. (with thanks from chancellor Rom Markin and every tour participant).Tom Asturias, graduate student, and Sally Blank, associate professor, exercise science graduate program at Washington State University Spokane, at St. Luke's Rehabilitation Institute.

 

Another part of the program for the WSU regents was also fantastic. Associate professor Sally Blank and student Tom Asturias, of the graduate program in exercise science, highlighted the clinical opportunities, research partnerships, and all-around wonderful opportunities for the program, which is the only clinical and experimental graduate program focusing on exercise physiology in the Pacific Northwest with access to a large clinical population and regional medical center.

 

Nancy Blossom, professor and director of the nationally ranked interior design program at Washington State University and assistant director of the Interdisciplinary Design Institute at Washington State University Spokane, in the studios with a student.Emily Moses, graduate student in interior design at Washington State University Spokane and ASWSU Spokane president 2003-2004.Nancy Blossom, professor and director of the interior design department and assistant director of the Interdisciplinary Design Institute, and Emily Moses, graduate student in interior design and president of ASWSU Spokane, provided similarly outstanding highlights from their nationally ranked program and the opportunities for direct community engagement and professional design experience provided by the Design Institute's location here in Spokane. (with thanks from Chancellor Rom Markin and all those who heard your presentations)

Send your "Way to Go!" comments to Renee DeWees at dewees@wsu.edu and watch for your thanks to be published in an upcoming issue of the Campus Bulletin!Return to the Top of the Page

Correction:
Guaranteed Ride program for CTR participants

Some additional information about the Guaranteed Ride program was not included in the “Did You Know” section of the March 3, 2004 Campus Bulletin: Rides home are for those registered with the Commute Trip Reduction program who hold a card stating they are signed up for the Guaranteed Ride program. Return to the Top of the Page

Find it on the Web

  • World Class Faculty: Check out the online profiles featured as links from our home page. The images rotate randomly on the home page, but the profiles are always available from this central profile page. You can also navigate to this page by choosing "About WSU Spokane" from the home page, "People" in the lefthand navigation, and "Profiles" in the lefthand navigation there.
  • Bulletin archives: Links to past issues of the Campus Bulletin from Oct. 2003 forward.
  • In the News: Media coverage of campus programs and people
  • News Releases: Recent news releases and links to news releases organized by subject.
  • Events Calendar: What's going on around here, anyway?
  • Department Overviews: Links to background information on campus units (Word documents)Return to the Top of the Page

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The Bulletin is usually published on Wednesday biweekly during the academic year, every three weeks during breaks and summer session. Publication date may shift due to holidays. Deadline is Monday of the week of publication.
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The Bulletin covers news of interest to the faculty and staff of Washington State University Spokane, and associates on other WSU campuses and on the Riverpoint campus.

Regular columns cover personnel changes, upcoming events, professional accomplishments, opportunities for involvement in the campus community and the Spokane community, notices of new developments on campus, and other news.

The Bulletin also serves as a source of information for external communications directed to alumni, future and current students, and friends of Washington State University Spokane. You'll read it here first!

Editorial staff:

Other contributors this issue:

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