Research of NIU astrophysicist
has sponsors beaming

Technology being developed in the laboratory of NIU physicist Court Bohn might someday help U.S. Navy fleets defend themselves against cruise missiles. Then again, it also could help keep your sandwich fresh.

Bohn, who holds a Ph.D. in astrophysics from the University of Chicago, has dedicated the past 16 years of his career to understanding the dynamics of electron beams created by high tech particle accelerators.

The extensive astrophysics background actually meshes quite nicely with Bohn’s study of tiny particles. He discovered some years ago that the intense accelerator-driven beams evolve in much the same way as galaxies and now is developing mathematical techniques that explain the forces at work in both systems. The research is attracting the attention of some high powered sponsors.

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NIU’s geology department has received a congressional appropriation of $2.5 million through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to boost research into global climate and environmental change.

The funding will allow NIU to purchase state-of-the-art equipment, including a remotely operated submarine for exploration underneath the Antarctic ice sheet, and to establish the Analytical Center for Climate and Environmental Change. The center will be located in Davis Hall.

NIU President John Peters credited U.S. Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert for his work on behalf of the university.

“We’re grateful to Speaker Hastert for championing this appropriation,” Peters said. “The establishment of the center is a stepping stone that will lead to important discoveries, as well as the expansion of our expertise and research interests.”

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A recent federal grant might allow NIU to play a role in reshaping the power and transportation industries of the future.

The $745,000 grant from the Federal Transit Administration will enable NIU to partner with internationally respected researchers at Argonne National Laboratory to jumpstart research efforts into fuel cells.

The grant is the first of what NIU hopes will be $5 million in federal grants to create a multi-disciplinary team of researchers on campus that will work on perfecting this technology.

Any advances made at the university could contribute to the creation of commercially viable fuel cells to power cars, buses and other vehicles and to create new ways of generating electricity for use in homes and industry.

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NIU leaders, alumni break ground for new ‘gateway to campus’

When the Barsema Alumni and Visitors Center opens on the campus of Northern Illinois University during Homecoming 2005, the beautiful building of brick, stone, glass and steel will become a starting point for all visitors.

Yet it also is expected to become the soil that nurtures NIU through its second century, giving a terrific first impression to prospective students and new faculty while helping to grow strong and grateful alumni who return to campus and reconnect with their alma mater in ways that keep the university on its upward course.

NIU leaders and key alumni gathered Saturday for a program and groundbreaking ceremony on the 2-acre plot where the building will rise over the next year.

“When we first announced plans a year ago for this new gateway to campus, I said that this building would prove transformational for reaching out to our alumni, that it would be a symbol for this university’s excellence. As we have seen by recent and generous donations to this effort, I know others share these beliefs,” NIU President John G. Peters said.

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Paul Bauer is fond of drafting unique and attractive proposals for external funding.

When the director of NIU’s School of Music sought financial support from the Liberace Foundation, which usually backs classical musicians, he banked on NIU’s reputation for jazz and outlined a small jazz ensemble. The foundation blessed the NIU Liberace Jazztet with $10,000.

That was 2001. The Liberace Foundation has renewed the Jazztet’s funding each year since, and in 2003 agreed to boost its annual provision to $12,000.

“The School of Music’s demonstrated commitment to high quality in its endeavors provides plenty of examples to share with the granting organization,” Bauer said. “Success breeds success, and the granting organization can be assured its support will yield excellent results and touch student lives positively.”

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Mary Munroe, associate dean of collections and technical services in the NIU Libraries, has been selected to receive the Illinois Academic Librarian of the Year Award for 2003.

Murnoe is the third NIU librarian in 10 years to win this award, given by the Illinois Association of College and Research Libraries. The others, respectively, were Elaine Rast and Arthur P. Young, dean of libraries.

She received her award Sept. 31 during the IACRL Annual Meeting at the Illinois Library Association Conference.

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A new real-time lightning detection system is now in place at Huskie Stadium to protect students, faculty, staff and visitors when thunderstorms approach the university.

Increasing demand on outdoor facilities, such as Huskie Stadium and other outdoor venues, prompted NIU Athletics to purchase the system over the summer.

From early spring to late autumn, the NIU lightning detection system will stand duty 24 hours a day, watching for dangerous conditions as they approach the area. The data can be viewed directly at: http://lightning.admin.niu.edu.

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The NIU Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry invites the public to celebrate National Chemistry Week (October 17-23) with an evening of chemical demonstrations.

The demonstrations will be held at 8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 20, in Faraday Hall 143. The theme is “Health and Wellness.”

One experiment will show how the calorie content of various foods is determined. “When we did that one last spring,” said Michael Spires, coordinator for recruitment and public relations in the department, “the fireworks produced from a single cheese puff were spectacular.”

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NIU’s Physics Club and Frontier Physics outreach program are combining efforts to cook up some weird science for an upcoming “haunted laboratory.”

In fact, two spooky laboratories will be open to the public from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 30, on the lower level of Faraday Hall, rooms 103 and 105. The event aims to provide hands-on learning activities and some family fun in advance of Halloween.

“Last year was the first time we created the haunted laboratory, and it attracted 250 visitors,” says Frontier Physics Coordinator Pati Sievert, who is preparing the haunted laboratory. “Because the event was such a success, we have added an hour to the program to accommodate more people. We also increased the number of displays and activities.”

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Native American students at NIU will host their 12th annual Native American Pow Wow from 11 a.m. until 9 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 6, in the Campus Recreation Center.

This year’s event will feature traditional dancing and drumming, storytelling and crafts. Admission is free.

“Pow wows are an important part of many nations’ traditions, having both cultural and spiritual significance,” event coordinator Rita Reynolds said. “Our event is a traditional pow wow, intended to promote friendship and understanding, and is open to all.”

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Friends, family and colleagues gathered in the Sky Room of the Holmes Student Center on Oct. 9 to honor Elwood and Ruth Briles for their contributions and achievements in the field of avian immunology.

• NIU’s College of Law recently placed in the top 10 on two out of 11 rankings lists compiled in the 2005 Princeton Review Rankings. NIU ranked third as having the most diverse faculty and fourth as the most welcoming of older students.

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The State Officials and Employees Ethics Act (PA 93-0617) requires that all state employees participate in annual ethics training. A summary of the act is posted on the HRS Web site. This year’s training takea place between Oct. 18 and Nov. 17.

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Public Affairs seeks updates
for online experts guide

The Office of Public Affairs is in the process of updating the NIU Experts Guide.

The guide is a searchable, online tool for members of the news media who are looking for experts to comment on particular subjects. Faculty and staff are encouraged to visit the guide at http://experts.niu.edu and check their listing by searching the guide by area of expertise or academic department.

If your listing needs updating, or if you are not listed and would like to be, click on the “Add or Update a Listing” button and fill out the online form.

For more information, call 753-1681 or e-mail publicaffairs@niu.edu.

College of Law brings Banzhaf
to launch lecture series

John F. Banzhaf III, a nationally known practitioner of public interest law famous for filing class action suits against the fast food and tobacco industries, will deliver the inaugural address of the Marla Dickerson Public Interest Lecture Series at 4 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 21, in the Francis X. Riley Courtroom in Swen Parson Hall.

Banzhaf, a professor of law at the George Washington University Law School, in Washington, D.C., is the NIU College of Law 2004 Scholar in Residence. While on campus, he also will make presentations to students in math, political science and communication.

Banzhaf began making headlines during the 1960s, pioneering the notion of suing tobacco companies for the deadly effects of their product. He has continued those battles for the last 35 years and is credited by many with bringing about the ban of tobacco advertising on television and smoking on airplanes and in restaurants.

At 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 21, in the Heritage Room of the Holmes Student Center, Banzhaf will hold a presentation titled “Public Interest Publicity,” detailing how he works with the media to gain coverage for his causes. The presentation is sponsored by the Department of Communication.

Saturday Art Express, a regular program of NIU’s Community School of the Arts, will host a closing reception from 5 to 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 21, in the second floor hallways of Jack Arends Hall.

The circus-themed artwork produced by children in the program explores multi-cultures and reflects and integrates their interpretation of various circus cultures around the world.

For more information, click here.

Nominations sought for
NIU Outstanding International Educator

The Oct. 22 nomination deadline is fast approaching for NIU’s 2004 Outstanding International Educator award.

The Division of International Programs bestows the award during the annual International Recognition Reception, which will be held this year at noon Thursday, Nov. 18, in the Clara Sperling Sky Room of Holmes Student Center.

The award recognizes an NIU faculty or staff member who has contributed significantly toward international education at the university. The award also aims to heighten visibility and awareness of international education.

Nominations (including self nominations) are being solicited from the Council of Deans, department chairs and all regular faculty members. Staff members of the Division of International Programs are ineligible for the award.

For application information, click here or contact Sara Clayton at 753-9526. -- MORE

Faculty invited to apply
for development grants

The Faculty Development and Instructional Design Center is offering grants of up to $2,500 each annually to regular continuing faculty (tenured and tenure track).

The purpose of the grants is to encourage and support faculty development activities that directly benefit the applicants’ departments, colleges and/or the university. Equal matching funds from the applicants’ academic units or appropriate external sources is required.

Five copies of each proposal, including the proposal cover sheet, accompanying letters of support and other relevant documents must be submitted to the Grant Review Subcommittee, Faculty Development and Instructional Design Center, by Friday, Nov. 12, for activities scheduled between January and June 2005. Complete proposal guidelines and cover sheet can be obtained here.

Faculty who plan to submit proposals by the Nov. 12 deadline and need more information are encouraged to register and attend the grant writing seminar that will be held from noon to 1 p.m. Friday, Nov. 5. To register, call 753-0595 or e-mail facdev@niu.edu.

Faculty Development offers
grants for SPS members

The Faculty Development and Instructional Design Center and Human Resource Services are offering grants up to $1,000 each to Supportive Professional Staff (SPS) pursuing professional development activities that benefit the individuals as well as their academic units. Proposal guidelines and other information is available here.

Five copies of each proposal, including other relevant documents, must be submitted to the SPS Awards Committee, Faculty Development and Instructional Design Center, by Friday, Nov. 19, for activities proposed between January and June 2005.

SPS who plan to submit a proposal by the Nov. 19 deadline and need more information are encouraged to register to attend the SPS Grant Writing Seminar from noon to 1 p.m. Friday, Nov. 12. To register, call 753-0595 or e-mail facdev@niu.edu.

ITS posts minutes,
annual report online

The minutes from the September Computing Facilities Advisory Committee meeting are available online here.

The ITS 2004 Annual Report is also available online here.

Used furniture inventory
offered for resale

Is your department remodeling or just looking for additional office furniture? NIU Furniture Resale has the answer.

Check out the money saving inventory here or contact Larry Murray at 753-1437. If you don’t see what you need, please ask. It might be available for order.

Artwork sought for
Wilma D. Stricklin Award

The NIU Presidential Commission on the Status of Women (PCSW) is seeking artwork to be awarded as part of the Wilma D. Stricklin Award for the Enhancement of the Climate of Women on Campus. This annual award honors individuals who have made significant and lasting contributions to the status of women at NIU.

PCSW will commission one artist to make four pieces of art to be awarded over the next four years. The selected artist will receive an honorarium of $1,000. Entries are due Monday, Dec. 6, and should consist of either a detailed proposal or a finished piece to be examined by the selection committee. Artist selection will take place before the NIU holiday break.

All four finished pieces will be due by early April. An entry form is available here www.niu.edu/women/pcsw.

For more information, call Sharon Howard or Betty Baugh at 753-0320.

NIU hosts conference for
new ideas in history, poli sci

As NIU enters the 25th year of its “New Ideas” series for teachers, educators at every level are cordially invited to join us for an upcoming conference focused on New Ideas in History and Political Science: Illinois History and American Politics.

This exciting professional development day for teachers will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 16, just on the heels of the Presidential election. NIU experts will provide their immediate analysis of election results and their implications for Illinois and the nation. The conference will take place from 8:15 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Holmes Student Center. Participating teachers will receive six CPDUs (Continuing Professional Development Units) for their attendance.

The nation’s attention has perhaps never been so focused as it is today on student achievement, a major issue still playing out in the upcoming local, state and national elections. This fall’s New Ideas in History and Political Science presenters will prepare teachers to meet still emerging challenges, including discussion of a mandate to include Illinois history in their curricula.

Keynote speaker Roger Biles, visiting professor at NIU from East Carolina University, will preview the Illinois history textbook he is authoring for high school and college classroom adoption, forthcoming from Northern Illinois University Press. Additional highlights for teachers will include new primary resources on Illinois history that enrich social studies curricula, an assignment swap session, and updates on the Northern Regional History Fair to be held March 12 at NIU.

The New Ideas series is offered in conjunction with NIU’s P-20 initiative.

To register for this fall’s New Ideas in History and Political Science conference, call 1-800-345-9472 or visit here.

Teachers may choose between several break-out sessions. They also receive packets containing syllabi, sample assignments, bibliographies and articles. Continental breakfast and lunch with NIU faculty are included. Call the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences External Programming at 753-5200 with any additional questions.

--CLICK HERE