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NATIONAL FORESTRY ORGANIZATION RECOGNIZES TWO TECH SCIENTISTS

The Society of American Foresters is honoring two faculty members from the School of Forestry and Wood Products for their research achievements.

Professor Kurt Pregitzer will receive the society’s Barrington Moore Memorial Award. The national award recognizes outstanding achievement in biological research leading to the advancement of forestry.

Vice President for Research David Reed, who is also on the forestry faculty, will receive the society’s Award in Forest Science, which recognizes distinguished individual research in any branch of the quantitative, managerial and/or social sciences leading to the advancement of forestry.

"I believe this is the first time any Michigan Tech scientist has been recognized by the society for their research, and this may be the first time SAF has recognized two people from the same organization except for, perhaps, the Forest Service," said Glenn Mroz, dean of the School of Forestry and Wood Products. "It speaks volumes to the high level of scholarship, leadership and energy both have shown in the forest science research community.

“But it also speaks about the commitment of their research colleagues, the University and the many organizations and friends who support their efforts and the School itself."

Reed's work in forest science represents a balance of theoretical and applied research. He has authored or coauthored more than 120 technical publications, has served on more than 100 graduate committees and has been the principal investigator or co-investigator on 39 funded projects. Throughout his career, he has researched southern pine beetles; the development of tree volume; taper and biomass estimation systems, growth and yield modeling; and the development and use of models to detect the often-subtle environmental effects on stand development.

Through this work, Reed has influenced a broad spectrum of managers and scientists ranging from students to well-established forest science researchers. Reed has performed international work as a Fulbright Scholar in Portugal and other work abroad, most notably in Finland, the Baltics, Poland and Russia. In recognition for this work, he was awarded the Scientific Achievement Award from the International Union of Forest Research Organizations in 2000.

A productive researcher and internationally recognized scholar, Pregitzer's work has yielded great strides in the understanding of the belowground processes that sustain forest productivity. Pregitzer has pioneered approaches for studying the fine root systems of trees. Those approaches are widely used by researchers throughout the world.

Pregitzer has also made substantial contributions to the understanding of climate change on forest ecosystems.

Pregitzer's career of more than two decades features appointments with the USDA Forest Service's North Central Research Station, Michigan State University and the University of Idaho. Pregitzer earned his bachelor's, master's, and PhD degrees in forest ecology from the University of Michigan and is a research fellow at the Hessen Forestry Research Institute in Germany.

Pregitzer and Reed will be recognized along with other national award winners at a special Oct. 7 ceremony at the 2002 SAF National Convention in Winston-Salem, N.C.

For information about the SAF national awards, visit the SAF Web site at http://www.safnet.org/who/nationalawards.html

The Society of American Foresters is a nonprofit organization that represents more than 17,000 professional foresters and natural resource professionals. It is the scientific and educational association representing the profession of forestry in the United States. The Society's primary objective is to advance the science, technology, education and practice of professional forestry for the benefit of society.

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DIPLOMAT SPEAKS ON INDIA-PAKISTAN CONFLICT

 It’s still famous for its floods and famine, but Bangladesh is no longer the “economic basket case of the world” written off by Henry Kissinger a quarter century ago, says a U.S. diplomat specializing in the region.

State Department official and U.P. native Todd Holmstrom, a desk officer for Bangladesh in the Bureau of South Asian Affairs, counts off one achievement after another for this moderate Muslim democracy on India’s northeastern border. Gross domestic product and life expectancy are up; birth rates are down.

And while U.S. foreign policy has been under heavy fire since Sept. 11, Holmstrom notes that American actions have promoted individual rights for Bangladeshi workers while twisting arms for reform.

“You don’t create real growth if individuals are exploited,” he said during an Aug. 2 visit to Michigan Tech. “Human rights and economic growth are not incompatible, but that’s not always obvious to governments.”

Bangladesh is among a number of developing countries with Export Processing Zones, which attract foreign businesses by eliminating most of the red tape involved in investment. When the EPZs refused to allow access to labor organizers, the U.S. responded by threatening to cancel trade concessions.

The unionizers got their access. “It was difficult, but it did allow workers to organize,” Holmstrom said. “And now the workers are more productive and happier.

“This is an example of how diplomacy can work.”

Diplomacy continues to work between India and Pakistan, to the extent that the two nuclear powers are not engaged in open warfare, he said. But the question of Kashmir continues to smolder.

When colonial India gained its independence from Great Britain in 1947 and split in two, provinces were allowed to choose whether they would join Hindu India or Muslim Pakistan. Two provinces headed by Musim leaders with majority Hindu populations joined India, based on the will of their people.

Kashmir was different. Though it was (and remains) a majority-Muslim province, its Hindu governor aligned it with India. A planned U.N. plebiscite never took place, and no consensus exists among the diverse Kashmir population. Meanwhile, two wars have been fought over the issue, which has become, if anything, more intractable over time.

“We’re friends with both India and Pakistan,” Holmstrom noted. And since both nuclear powers have hundreds of thousands of troops massed on their border, the U.S. has a keen interest in mediating the dispute.

Holmstrom’s talk was part of the State Department’s Hometown Diplomats Program, an outreach program to educate the American public on what the department does and why it matters. Holmstrom, who graduated from Northern Michigan University, grew up in Marquette and spent his summers with family in Calumet and Trout Creek.

His interest in diplomacy grew out of his experiences overseas, particularly in Somalia, where he served as an army battalion captain in Mogadishu. While the military action there did accomplish its immediate objectives, the country remained in state of anarchy. “When I left there, I thought, ‘This place is no better off than when we arrived,’” Holmstrom said.

So he turned to diplomacy and hasn’t looked back. Among his many ports of call is pasty-eating Suriname, formerly Dutch Guiana, on the northeastern coast of South America.

“It has lots of parallels with the U.P.,” he said, including a sparce population (500,000 in the whole place) and a history of mining. Cornish immigrants brought their pasty tradition to South American bauxite mines, joining a vastly diverse population of Africans, Indians from Calcutta, indigenous people and Javanese.

No group forms a majority, no one tells ethnic jokes and everyone likes to party. With so many cultures, Holmstrom remembers fondly, “They have lots of holidays.”

Holstrom’s visit was sponsored by the Center for International Education, the International Club and the Indian Students Association.

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GOAL OF ORIENTATION TO MAKE STUDENTS’ MISSION POSSIBLE

Mission Possible. That is the theme of Orientation 2002, which runs from Saturday, Aug. 17, through Sunday, Aug. 25. The goal is to prepare new students for college life and to make the transition from high school to college easier.

Bonnie Gorman, director of first year programs, and her staff of “agents” are busy preparing for the 1,200-plus students expected to participate in orientation this year. The executive staff consists of five students, each with two years of orientation experience. Danielle Jones, a junior from Green Bay, Wis., is the head orientation team leader; Milan Lathia, a junior from Calcutta, India, is the administration and computing coordinator; Susie Kattelus, a senior from Dallas, is the publications and publicity coordinator; Jen Bzura, a junior from Wyandotte, is the recruiting and training coordinator; and Howard Parish, a senior from Wyandotte, is the logistics and operations coordinator. There are also 60 “special agents” who will serve as orientation team leaders.

Coming up with and agreeing on a theme was not an easy task. “Decision making is much more difficult with five people instead of two,” said Susie. “We talked about everything from space to cowboys to racecars before we finally decided on the espionage theme.”

Last year they received national recognition for their creative use of theme. Another award would be a feather in the cap of the orientation staff.

There are more than enough activities scheduled to keep the new students busy during orientation week. Some of the highlights ,include traditional events such as “The Lookout Cookout: Family Picnic” will take place on Sunday, Aug. 18 from 4 to 6 p.m. MTU faculty and staff will be invited. During “Vegas Night” the students can take a chance at the tables and socialize. The students can enjoy a 500-foot banana split on the sidewalk in front of Walker on Wednesday, Aug. 21, from 8 to 9 p.m. Lastly, everyone is invited to the “Spy Class Entertainment” talent show which will take place from 8 to 11 p.m. in the Memorial Union Ballroom on Thursday, Aug. 22. The show gives the teams a chance to show off their talent. The emcee for the evening will be Steve Bruner, a comedian who has been featured on Showtime’s Comedy Club Network and ABC.

Other programs include  “I Spy . . . Living & Learning in the Tech Community.” The program will feature a variety of student speakers--international, African American, gay, male and female--and is designed to help students understand more about the diverse life at MTU. Other programs planned are “Discover Tech Athletics” and “Discover Music, Art and Theater”, and “Beware of Covert Operations,” an alcohol and date rape awareness program.

For more information you can check out the Orientation 2002 Web site at http://www.orientation.mtu.edu or call 487-2212.

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MTU PRESCHOOL TO HOLD OPEN HOUSE

MTU Preschool has openings in fall classes for children ages 3–5. Registration for all students will be held Wednesday, Sept. 4, from noon to 6 pm. The public is invited to an open house during this time to tour the preschool and meet the school’s new teacher, Melissa Makagon.

Classes begin Monday, Sept. 9. MTU Preschool is a community preschool open to the general public and located in the Daniell Heights Community Building. For more information call 483-4067 or 487-2720.

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FACULTY AND STAFF AWARDED GRANTS

The following faculty and staff have been awarded grants:

Jim Baker and Peter Radecki (Corporate Services) have been awarded $500,000 from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation for “Michigan SmartCel Business Accelerator.”

Mark Gleason (Isle Royale Institute) has been awarded $1,500 from the National Park Service for “Isle Royale Institute--Leave No Trace Project.”

Linda Nagel (SFWP) has been awarded $5,000 from the U.S. Forest Service-Black Hills National Forest for “Development of a Multi-Aged Stocking Control Model for the Ponderosa Pine in the Black Hills.”

WEIGHT WATCHERS TO MEET

Weight Watchers will hold their regular meeting on Monday, Aug. 12, from noon to 1 p.m. in Memorial Union 105B.

The next Weight Watchers session will begin on Sept. 9.

 

REGULAR FEATURES News  | Entertainment & Enrichment  |  Seminars & Workshops  |  Calendar

IN THE NEWS

Associate Professor Pat Martin (Social Sciences) was interviewed on Todd Mundt's NPR program about the Society for Industrial Archaeology on July 23. The program is archived on-line at http://toddshow.org/log/dailylistings/07232002.asp.

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MTU NOTABLES

Three students have been awarded scholarships by the ASM International Foundation for the 2002-03 academic year.

Rebekah Policoro (MSE) has won a George A. Roberts Scholarship. This includes a $6,000 cash award plus a travel allowance for the upcoming Materials Solutions Conference in Columbus, Ohio, at which Policoro will be honored during an awards luncheon.

Nicholas Nanninga (MSE) received an ASM International Foundation Scholarship, consisting of a $1,000 cash award. This is the second year in a row that Nanninga has won a scholarship from ASM. He is also president-elect of the ASM-TMS Joint Student Chapter.

Katerina Aifantis (MSE) also received an ASM International Foundation Scholarship, in the amount of $500.

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PROPOSALS IN PROGRESS

Researchers, their proposals and their potential sponsors are

*Michael Hyslop (SFWP), “GIS Analysis,” NPS

*Theodore Bornhorst (GMES), “Teachers Earth Science Institute,” Tennessee Technological University

*Richard Gertsch, Leslie Gertsch (GMES), “Total Ore Processing Integration and Management,” DOE

*James R. Woods (GMES), “Basin-Scale to Field-Scale Microstratigraphy and Paleogeography Using Log Curve Amplitude Slicing,” American Chemical Society

*Sheryl Sorby (Engineering Fundamentals), Beverly Baartmans (Mathematical Sciences), “EnVISIONS--Enhancing Visualization Skills--Improving Options and Success,” NSF

*Timothy Schulz, Michael Roggeman (E&CE), “Planning Grant for Photonics Engineering,” NSF

*Ashok K. Goel (Electrical Engineering), “Bridging the Gap Between Past and Future in Microelectronics Education,” NSF

*Michael Roggeman, Timothy Schulz (E&CE), “Developing an Undergraduate Laboratory Learning Experience in Photonics Engineering,” NSF

*Robert Nemiroff (Physics), J. Bruce Rafert (Graduate School), “The CONCAM Undergraduate Education Project,” NSF

*Ching-Kuang Shene, Steve Carr, Jean Mayo (Computer Science), “Development of Course Materials and Software for Protocol Visualization and Algorithm Animation in Parallel and Distributed Computing Courses,” NSF

*Michael R. Gretz (Biological Sciences), “Modern Methods Workshop,” NSF

*Gopi K. Podila (Biological Sciences), “Application of PTM5, a Vascular-Specific MADS-Box Gene from Aspen, in Controlling Wood Formation in Trees,” DOE

*Jim Mihelcic (CEE), Sheryl Sorby (Engineering Fundamentals), “Graduate Teaching Fellows in Copper Country Schools: Phase II,” NSF

*John Erickson, John Forsman (SFWP), “A Proposal to Determine the Quality of Tongue-and-Groove Paneling Made from Live and Dead Jack Pine,” USDA Forest Service

*Jacek Borysow (Physics), “Determination of the Electron Neutrino Rest Mass via Tritium Decay,” University of Texas

*Lawrence L. Sutter (School of Technology), Thomas J. Van Dam (CEE), “Investigation of the Long-Term Effects of Magnesium Chloride and Other Concentrated Salt Solutions on Pavement and Structural Portland Cement Concrete,” South Dakota DOT

*Rudy Luck (Chemistry), “Adjusting the Chemistry in the Series of Compounds MCI20x(02)2-x(OPR3)y (M = Mo,W; x=1,y=2; OPR3 = Phosphine Oxide): Uses as Epoxidation and Isomerization Catalysts,” American Chemical Society

*Jaroslaw Drelich (MSE), Edward Nadgorny (Physics), Calvin White (MSE), “2002-Star-L1: Laser-Based Technology for Nanoparticles Patterning of Environmental Sensor Arrays,” EPA

*Ann L. Maclean (SFWP), “Analysis of Historical and Modern Forest Conditions and Processes Related to Sustainable Forest Management,” USFS Ottawa National Forest

*Eric R. Blough (Biological Sciences), “Hypertrophic Mechanisms in Aged Atrophic Muscle,” NIH

*Shu-Zu Lu, Angus Hellawell (MSE), “Direct Observation of Gravitational Effects on Directional Cellular/Dendritic Array Growth,” NASA

*John King (SFWP), “Using Stable Isotopes to Determine the Rate and Fate of Canopy CO2 Flux in the Aspen FACE Experiment,” USDA-Forest Service

*Jim Baker, Peter Radecki (Corporate Services), “SmartCel Business Accelerator,” Michigan Economic Development Corporation

*Gerard Caneba (Chemical Engineering), J. Y. Hwang, J. R. Wood (GMES), “Vinyl Acetate-Acrylic Acid Copolymer for Enhanced Oil Recovery,” DOE I&I

*John C. Crittenden, David W. Hand (CEE), Stephen A. Hackney (MSE), “Development of Novel Nanotube Materials for Environmentally Benign Chemical Synthesis and Treatment,” EPA

*Lawrence L. Sutter (School of Technology), Thomas J. Van Dam (CEE), “Preliminary Investigation of the Role of Bacteria in Concrete Degradation,” Michigan DOT

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MICHIGAN TECH POSITIONS AVAILABLE

Job descriptions will be available at 1 p.m. on Friday, or by e-mail at <JOBS@MTU.EDU>.

The following positions will be posted Friday, August 9, 2002, at 1 p.m. through noon, Friday, August 16, 2002, in the Human Resources Office.

Head, Technical Services--J. R. Van Pelt Library

Electrician--Facilities Management (AFSCME internal and external posting)

Windows Application Specialist--Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics

University employees are reminded to apply in writing prior to noon, Friday, August 16, 2002, to be considered as internal candidates for bargaining unit positions only. Applicants from the recall pool will be given first consideration for non-bargaining-unit positions only. Vacancy announcements are normally posted every Friday at 1 p.m. in the Human Resources Office. Complete job descriptions are available in the Human Resources Office or by calling 487-2280. More information regarding employment opportunities is available by calling the Job Line at 487-2895. Michigan Technological University is an equal opportunity educational institution/equal opportunity employer.

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