WSU Spokane Campus Bulletin
Issue 2006-14 (October 18, 2006)
IN THIS ISSUE
- A Message from the Chancellor: Apples and Ideas
- Increasing Diabetes Awareness in the Community
- HPA Student Awarded Prestigious Scholarship
- Scientist Strengthens WSU’s Research Commercialization Efforts in Spokane
- Avista Loaned Executive to Lead Applied Sciences Laboratory Business Development at WSU Spokane
- First WSU Cybercrime and Digital Forensics Conference to Be Held in Spokane
- Clark Brown Appointed Chairperson for Interior Design
- Public Meetings on WSU Presidential Search Set for Spokane Oct. 19-20
- Third Friday Seminar to Explore Impact of Fatigue on Disaster, Terrorism Responders
- Jensen-Byrd Building Information Session on Oct. 27
- University District Smart Growth Forum on Oct. 25
- Community Connections
- Personnel & Staffing Changes
- A Warm Welcome to...
- Way to Go!
- Find It on the Web
A Message from the Chancellor: Apples and Ideas
The academic year is off to a strong start, with continued
progress in building a new kind of campus: a creative, engaged,
world-class learning enterprise for the 21st century.
The work we do every day as we teach, investigate, and create is at the heart of the innovation our society relies on for our well-being, and our entrepreneurial spirit as a campus is an essential ingredient for innovation.
In keeping with that, I’d like to share with you some thoughts on innovation, from remarks I made at the recent Catalyst Awards.
Seth Godin noted the key to our economic success:
- In the 19th century: Bigger and better farms.
- In the 20th century: Bigger and better factories
- In the 21st century: Bigger and better ideas.
George Bernard Shaw noted the insight that in the old economy if you have an apple and I have an apple and we exchange these apples, then we each still have one apple. But in the new economy, if I have an idea and you have an idea and we exchange ideas, then we each will have two ideas.
Spokane is organizing for economic and community development with a commitment to collaboration—sharing ideas and assets to be more competitive. Our critical challenge is to transform a mature slow-growth economy to a high-growth economic strategy, built on brainpower, new ideas, research and technology.
It is exciting to participate as Spokane embeds entrepreneurship as a way of thinking into the culture of our community, companies, institutions and partnerships. This vision requires an environment that is responsive to quick-paced risk-taking and encourages sustainable and collaborative innovations that span across universities, companies, industries and our government infrastructure.
Spokane is poised for significant growth. In newly published research on the Creative Economy by Richard Florida and his Carnegie Mellon research group, Spokane ranks #10 for cities of 125,000-250,000 population on the critical University/Creativity Index.
They indicate this ranking means that Spokane as a region has “considerable assets to work with and is well positioned to leverage those assets for improved innovative and economic performance.” (In case you’re wondering--Boise ranked #40.)
As an essential part of the asset base, WSU research programs in Spokane are increasing significantly, along with capacity to inventions, patents and spin-off companies. The campus’s growth at the heart of the University District provides the kind of place that fosters creativity and innovation.
Another important step in campus growth takes place this week. I remind you that faculty, staff, students, and the community are invited to celebrate as a new center of innovation breaks ground on campus Friday with a ceremony for the Nursing Building. This building is important for expansion of nursing education and research, and development of complementary inter-professional education in the health sciences at Riverpoint.
We have the opportunity to be innovative in our approach to education of the health professions and beyond as we look forward to the move of nursing to Riverpoint, and the possibility of adding medical and dental students to the mix if we obtain funding from the legislature in the upcoming session.
Tomorrow’s innovations are being born in our classrooms, labs, and studios today. Spokane’s enterprising leadership, talent, teamwork, and technology are turning innovative ideas into reality. With Washington State University as Spokane’s own research university, our future is bright indeed.
Increasing Diabetes Awareness in the Community
While a number of WSU Spokane faculty members are exploring new
opportunities for collaborative research on diabetes (see the
article on the WSU Diabetes Initiative in last month’s bulletin ), a
few individuals are taking a different approach to combating
diabetes.
Charlotte Hardt (AHEC) and Sue Butkus (Extension) have been actively involved in putting together the Washington State Diabetes Plan, which identifies goals and activities that will help with the prevention and control of diabetes across the state. Upon completion of the plan, a statewide leadership team was formed that included Charlotte and Sue and two other members from eastern Washington: Linda Garrelts MacLean (College of Pharmacy) and Elaine Engle from the Spokane County Regional District.
Tasked with implementing the plan at the community level, Charlotte, Linda, and Elaine immediately turned to their own eastern Washington communities. They organized a meeting—held at the Riverpoint Campus in Spokane—to inform and involve local and regional health and community leaders. Met with a lot of interest from the community, the meeting marked the birth of the Eastern Washington Diabetes Network, now a group of more than 90 individuals from area organizations who are working collaboratively to implement the Washington State Diabetes Plan.
Along with Ted Duncan from the American Diabetes Association, Charlotte, Linda, and Elaine form the core of the leadership team—chaired by Jennifer Pollelo from Community Health Education Resources (an INHS company)—that guides the network’s efforts.
The Eastern Washington Diabetes Network’s primary mission is to raise the awareness of diabetes and strategies for prevention throughout Eastern Washington communities. Their efforts are being kicked off next month, when they team up with KHQ TV (Channel 6) and anchorperson Stephanie Vigil for a week-long diabetes awareness campaign—“The Six Days of Diabetes Education and Prevention”—to promote National Diabetes Awareness Month.
From November 8 through 15, Channel 6 will feature diabetes-related news topics, including diabetes risk assessment, prevention and management of diabetes through exercise and nutrition, tips on locating community resources, diabetes self-management, and living well with diabetes. A Six Questions session with WSU professor and renowned diabetes advocate Keith Campbell is also on the event schedule. In addition, activities scheduled for that week include an opportunity to get questions answered by a Q6 help desk staffed by WSU pharmacy students, as well as community diabetes screenings at various locations.
To evaluate the effectiveness of the campaign, a household survey on the perceptions of diabetes—developed by informatics faculty member Kenn Daratha, College of Pharmacy faculty member Bill Fassett, and Jennifer Pollelo—will be conducted prior to and following the campaign.
Talking about the campaign, Linda Garrelts MacLean said: “This is a big push…You’ve got all these people in the community interested in caring about diabetes, and there is a message out there that lifestyle influences how well you live with diabetes or how well you live without it.”
Event Schedule
- Wednesday, Nov. 8
Q6 Focus: “Know Your Number”—Diabetes testing is quick and easy! Featuring a Q6 help desk question/answer opportunity - Thursday, Nov. 9
Q6 Focus: Diabetes and Exercise Activity: Diabetes screening at Jones Pharmacy and Home Health Care, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., 906 S Monroe St - Friday, Nov. 10
Q6 Focus: Diabetes and Nutrition - Monday, Nov. 13
Q6 Focus: Community Resources - Tuesday, Nov. 14
Q6 Focus: Safeway Community Screenings Activity: Diabetes screenings at various Safeway locations, including 29th, NW Blvd, Argonne, Shadle, Monroe/Francis, Northpoint, Hillyard, Cheney, and Mission/Hamilton. - Wednesday, Nov. 15
Q6 Focus: Managing Your Diabetes and Living Well Featuring Six Questions with distinguished professor and diabetes advocate Keith Campbell, WSU
HPA Student Awarded Prestigious Scholarship
Karla Nelson, a graduate student in the health policy and administration program at WSU Spokane, was among 76 scholars awarded a Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Graduate Scholarship.
Said to be among the largest and most competitive in the country, the scholarship program drew almost 1,100 nominees. The scholarship funds up to $50,000 annually for up to six years, depending on the length and cost of the chosen program of study.
According to a letter addressed to WSU President V. Lane Rawlins from the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation, Nelson demonstrated an outstanding record of achievement in college. She was selected on the basis of academic performance, potential to contribute to her field of study, determination, volunteer service, leadership, and involvement in the arts and humanities.
Read Nelson’s scholar biography to find out how the health problems experienced by her father inspired her to apply for the health policy and administration program and the scholarship.
Scientist Strengthens WSU’s Research Commercialization Efforts in Spokane
Terri L. Butler, Ph.D., has joined Washington State
University as technology commercialization manager in the Office of
Intellectual Property Administration, a division of the university’s
Office of Research. In this newly created position, Butler will
focus her efforts on the commercialization of WSU-developed
technologies in Spokane, including licensing, linking Spokane-based
commercial enterprises to WSU research programs, and helping WSU
faculty disclose and commercialize technologies.
The WSU Spokane campus will serve as Butler’s home base. WSU Spokane houses a number of research units, including the Applied Sciences Laboratory, Health Research and Education Center, Sleep and Performance Research Center, and Washington Institute for Mental Illness Research and Training. Focusing on applied research that complements the basic science investigations performed by their colleagues at the Pullman campus, these units contribute to the university’s efforts to seek new knowledge that improves health and quality of life, and expend more than $7 million each year on grant-funded research.
“We’re very pleased to have Terri on staff,” said Dennis Dyck, vice chancellor for research at WSU Spokane, adding that “Terri’s position signifies the prominence and commercial promise of the research being conducted in Spokane.”
Butler brings to the position more than 20 years of experience, both in academia and in industry. Starting out in neurobiology research at the University of Chicago, she subsequently held positions in pharmaceutical sales; biotechnology research; polymer, coating, and bioreactor manufacturing; and pharmaceutical/nutritional product development. She has an impressive track record as a scientist whose work translates into commercial applications, holding 12 U.S. patents in pharmaceutical/nutritional products and polymer processing.
”Terri has the perfect background to enhance the linkage between Pullman and Spokane, helping to ensure that WSU-developed technologies will have a significant impact on the Inland Northwest,” said Jim Petersen, WSU’s vice provost for research.
Butler holds a Ph.D. in chemical engineering from the University of Minnesota, as well as a B.S. in biology from Stanford University and a Bachelor of Chemical Engineering from the University of Minnesota.
Avista Loaned Executive to Lead Applied Sciences Laboratory Business Development at WSU Spokane
An Avista executive with a background in engineering and
entrepreneurship will devote a year to leading business development
for the Applied Sciences Laboratory (ASL), located at Washington
State University Spokane. ASL is the applied research component of
WSU's internationally recognized Institute for Shock Physics (ISP).
David Holmes, distribution engineering manager for Avista, will serve as the manager for business development and operations. As a key member of the ASL-ISP management team responsible for development and implementation of strategic initiatives, he will lead business development, operations, and public outreach activities for ASL.
Brian Pitcher, chancellor of WSU Spokane, added, "ASL allows WSU to diversify its research portfolio in the Spokane region. Our focus on interdisciplinary approaches, translational research, and support for the regional economy at the Spokane campus makes it the perfect home for ASL. Avista is an important partner for WSU in many of our endeavors, and we thank them for their investment in the success of ASL."
First WSU Cybercrime and Digital Forensics Conference to Be Held in Spokane
The growth of the Internet and digital technologies has
revolutionized many aspects of American life—the way we work, play,
and—for some—conduct crime.
Identity theft, stalking by sexual predators, bank fraud, money laundering, cyberterrorism, narcotics trafficking, and illegal gambling are just some of the crimes now facilitated by electronic means. Grim statistics are continually released on this issue, the latest from a study conducted by the Crimes Against Children Research Center. The study found that:
- one in seven young people who use the Internet is solicited for sex online,
- one in three is exposed to sexually explicit pictures, and
- one in 11 is harassed or threatened online.
In recognition of this increasing problem, Washington State University is hosting its inaugural Cybercrime and Digital Forensics Conference on October 25 and 26 at the Mirabeau Park Hotel in Spokane, Washington.
The keynote speaker will be Attorney General Rob McKenna. His presentation, “How the Attorney General’s Office is Working to Protect Citizens from High-Tech Dangers,” will discuss actions being taken to address the alarming growth in cybercrime.
In a second keynote address, Linda Criddle—senior product manager for child safety at Microsoft and the author of “Look Both Ways: Help Protect Your Family on the Internet”—will talk about how child predators are using today’s technology to pursue their victims.
Other lectures will focus on law enforcement, legal, and accounting issues, and will feature expert speakers from the FBI, IRS, Kroll (a global intelligence consulting agency), and State Department of Financial Institutions, as well as forensic accountants and attorneys. A complete conference agenda is available at the conference Web site.
The conference is hosted by a number of WSU units, including the Division of Governmental Studies and Services, Office of the Vice President for Information Systems, Center for Distance and Professional Education, campus police department, criminal justice program, Western Regional Institute for Community Oriented Public Safety, and Extension.
Clark Brown Appointed Chairperson for Interior Design
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The College of Agriculture, Human and Natural Resource Sciences appointed associate professor Nancy Clark Brown to the position of chairperson for the Department of Interior Design.
In her new role, she will work closely with six faculty colleagues to implement department goals that include solidifying the course curriculum and implementing an easily understood faculty/student assessment model. An investment of four years of hard work, this model could potentially be a tool used by the rest of the university.
Clark Brown has been with the Department of the Interior Design since 1996, and has been recognized by students for her excellence in teaching and advising. In addition to her academic responsibilities, she has maintained an active architectural practice, producing nationally recognized residential and commercial designs.
“Nancy is an excellent multi-tasker who is well prepared to handle the challenges of administration,” said Nancy Blossom, the former department chair. “She has grown in her academic career at WSU and knows the system very well. Most importantly, she has a vision for the department and a can-do attitude. I have a lot of confidence in Nancy as a leader and in all the interior design faculty as a team.”
Clark Brown’s appointment will allow Blossom to focus her energy on the dynamics of the Interdisciplinary Design Institute. Blossom expects to expand the visibility of the institute through the implementation of programmatic goals identified by faculty. She also hopes to solidify funding sources to help the institute move toward its goals of expanding service learning and international interdisciplinary opportunities for its students.
Public Meetings on WSU Presidential Search Set for Spokane Oct. 19–20
Washington State University faculty, staff, and students, as well as area community members will have a chance to share their ideas on WSU’s presidential search during two public forums here on Oct. 19 and 20. The forum on Oct. 19 will be at 4:30 p.m. at the Davenport Hotel in the Early Bird Room. On Oct. 20, the forum is at 2 p.m. at the Riverpoint Campus in the Academic Center Auditorium, Room 20.
The public meetings provide an opportunity for people to share their thoughts on the priority work for WSU’s president in coming years and on the characteristics of a new president that will make the individual a good match for the university and its goals.
These forums will be led by members of the WSU Board of Regents who are serving on the Presidential Search Advisory Committee.
Third Friday Seminar to Explore Impact of Fatigue on Disaster, Terrorism Responders
Bryan
Vila, professor of criminal justice at Washington State
University Spokane, this week will open the university’s fall Third
Friday Seminar Series with the presentation, “Running on Empty: How
Fatigue Hinders Disaster Response and Counter-Terror Efforts.”
Hosted by the WSU Spokane Office of Research and the Health Research and Education Center, Vila’s initial seminar presentation will begin at 3 p.m. in Room 110 of the Health Sciences Building on the Riverpoint Campus in Spokane.
A 17-year veteran of law enforcement in local, national, and international settings, Vila knows something of long hours and sleep loss. He hasn’t exactly suffered from it in the long run, however, as he has made a successful career researching human-performance issues related to crime control and is considered one of the nation’s foremost experts in the area.
Jensen-Byrd Building Information Session on Oct. 27
Consultants who evaluated the Jensen-Byrd Building for Washington
State University will present their findings in a public information
session
on Friday, October 27, from 4:30 to 6 p.m. The session will be open
to the public, and will provide an opportunity to discuss the
findings with university officials.
Prior to the public session, from 1:30 to 3:00 p.m., an information/discussion session will be held for WSU faculty, staff, and students.
Both sessions will be held in the Health Sciences Building, Rm. 110, 310 N. Riverpoint Blvd. Members of the public coming to campus for the 4:30 p.m. public information session should plan to park at a metered spot or on the street, or purchase a visitor’s pass by contacting Campus Parking Services by e-mail or at 509-368-6999 .
In May, WSU selected SERA Architects of Portland, OR, to conduct a facility assessment of the building. Economic development analysis was conducted by E.D. Hovee and Associates, of Vancouver, WA.
A complete copy of the report is available at http://www.spokane.wsu.edu/aboutWSUSpokane/campusdevelopment.asp.
University District Smart Growth Forum on Oct. 25
The Riverpoint campus is hosting “Achieving Smart Growth in the
University District—A Community Forum” on October 25, 2006 from 3 to
5:30 p.m. The forum will be held in the Main Auditorium of the Phase
1 Classroom Building, 668 N. Riverpoint Blvd.
Keynote speaker at the forum will be Gordon Price, director of the City Program at Simon Fraser University and a scholar who writes, teaches, and consults on urban development and planning.
In his lecture, “Sustainable, vibrant, and livable university districts in Vancouver, British Columbia,” Price will discuss how cities and universities near Vancouver, BC, are creating livable and innovative neighborhoods in an emerging university district.
A panel discussion will feature David Sucher, author and developer, whose book—City Comforts—illustrates the critical elements that make places more livable, vibrant and comfortable; Susan M. Horton, Chairman, CEO & President of Wheatland Bank, a local independent community bank that has backed innovative urban development projects throughout Spokane and Eastern Washington; and facilitator Bill Grimes, principal of Studio Cascade, an award-winning Spokane-based community planning and design firm.
For more information, go to the University District Web site.
Community Connections
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Santa Express
Volunteers Needed
Santa Express, an annual fundraising event benefiting the Vanessa Behan Crisis Nursery, is in need of volunteers. Santa Express is a store just for kids, where children between the ages of 4 and 12 can find fun and inexpensive gifts (ranging from 50 cents to $8) for everyone on their shopping list. Volunteer elves help the children pick out gifts and wrap them.
You can become a shift coordinator and organize a group of 6 to 8 friends, family, co-workers, etc. to be Santa’s helpers working at the store. The store runs from November 24 through December 23 in the Crescent Court building. Store hours are Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and volunteers must be at least 16 years old.
To reserve a shift email Chris Ritchie, Santa Express Volunteer Chair, at santaexpress06@yahoo.com with your group name, contact information, and preferred dates, or call 325-8858, ext.10 or 926-3891 and leave a message.
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"Inconvenient Truths - Lets Talk . . ." Film Festival
Inconvenient Truths – Let’s Talk… is an upcoming film festival that will be held at the Met Theatre in Spokane on October 18th, 19th, and 20th. The festival will feature three films; An Inconvenient Truth, Who Killed the Electric Car? and Nobelity. We will provide a panel of experts on these matters for discussion and interaction between film showings with and live music will be provided by Myles Kennedy and Danny McCollim.
Profits from this event will be donated to organizations that are working to alleviate the causes of Global Warming.
Tickets are available through TicketsWest at 509-325-SEAT, 800-325-SEAT or www.ticketswest.com
Personnel & Staffing Changes
Comings:
- Teena Vanderholm, Program Assistant, Upward Bound, Student Affairs, effective 10/1/06
- Cinda Romans, Administrative Assistant A, Communications & Development, effective 10/11/06
- Santanu Chaudhuri, Research Scientist, Applied Sciences Lab, effective 10/17/06
- Debra Robertson, Library/Archives Paraprofessional 2, Riverpoint Library, effective 10/22/06
- Haoyan Wei, Postdoctoral Research Associate, Applied Science Lab, effective 10/23/06
- Chris Cable, IT Specialist 2, Small Business Development Center, effective 11/1/06
Promotions:
- Steve Bachman, Custodian 2, Facilities Operations, effective 10/16/06
Recruitments:
- Secretary Senior, Program in Health Sciences/Health Research & Education Center, apply by 10/25/06 at www.hrs.wsu.edu
Searches:
- Senior Assistant/Associate Professor (Sociology), Program in Professional Development, review of applications begins 11/15/07, information at www.chr.wsu.edu
- Assistant/Associate Professor (Mathematics Education), Teaching & Learning, College of Education, review of applications begins 11/16/06, information at www.chr.wsu.edu
- Exercise Biologist, Program in Health Sciences, review of applications begins 1/11/07, information at www.chr.wsu.edu
- Assistant/Associate Professor, Pharmacotherapy, College of Pharmacy, review of applications begins 1/16/07, information at www.chr.wsu.edu
- Clinical Assistant Professor, Pharmacotherapy, College of Pharmacy, review of applications begins 1/16/07, information at www.chr.wsu.edu
A Warm Welcome to...
...Dennis Snider, who joined Facilities Operations as a Utility Worker II. Dennis retired from the Air Force with over 20 years of service prior to working at WSU Spokane. He has a B.S. degree from Wayland Baptist University.
Way to Go!
The installation of the new polysomnographic (PSG) recording system in the Sleep and Performance Research Center went slick as a whistle thanks to the efforts of many people. Larry Hoffman ordered switches and servers, which all arrived right on time. Jon Schad organized a contractor to pull cable, as well other support from FacOps. Bill Harris put up the brackets and other hardware. Borden, the installer from Nihon-Kohden, worked his magic. Bart Brazier and Kenny Bisagno integrated the whole system (PSG, switch, server) with the WSU IT backbone. Amy, Devon, and Ryan in our group coordinated the effort. In the end, the installation looked “turnkey,” which is nothing short of miraculous given the complexity and the disparate systems involved. (from Greg Belenky)
Cookies and gratitude go to Brady Ratsch in IT for multiple visits to get my cranky PDA phone functional again! (from Barb Chamberlain)
Here's where you make someone's day a little brighter by extending your thanks for a job well done. Send your “Way to Go!” comments to Cinda Romans, cindaromans@wsu.edu, and watch for your thanks to be published in an upcoming issue of the Campus Bulletin!
Find It on the Web
- WSU Research News: The latest on research news from WSU.
- News Releases: Recent news releases and links to news releases organized by subject for WSU Spokane.
- WSU News Service: Breaking news from WSU, links to all news releases, and other information sources.
- World Class Faculty: Check out the online profiles featured as links from our homepage.
- WSU Today online: Links to past print editions, plus breaking news briefs
- Bulletin archives: Links to past issues of the Campus Bulletin from Oct. 2003 forward.
- In the News: Media coverage of campus programs and people
- Events Calendar:
What's going on around here, anyway?
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The Bulletin is
a monthly publication that is usually published on the second Wednesday
of each month.
The exact publication date may shift due to holidays. If you have
an item that you'd like us to include, send it to us by Friday in
the week before publication.
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The Bulletin covers news of interest to the faculty, staff, and friends of Washington State University Spokane, and associates on other WSU campuses and on the Riverpoint Campus.
Regular columns cover professional accomplishments, opportunities for involvement in the campus community and the Spokane community, notices of new developments on campus, upcoming events, personnel changes, 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!
Subscribers welcome! Send an e-mail to Judith Van Dongen, jcvd@wsu.edu, to request the WSU Spokane Campus Bulletin.
Editorial staff
- Judith Van Dongen, jcvd@wsu.edu, 509-358-7524
- Barb Chamberlain, chamberlain@wsu.edu, 509-358-7527
- Becki Meehan, rmeehan@wsu.edu, 509-358-7528
- Cinda Romans, cindaromans@wsu.edu, 509-358-7540