SGS to present the Distinguished Creative Exhibition today
It’s Reading and Review Day at the University of North Dakota, which means it is also the day that the School of Graduate Studies recognizes the outstanding research and scholarship of graduates in the categories of Dissertation, Thesis and Creative Exhibition.
Our 2013 Distinguished Creative Exhibition Award will be presented to Patrick Awotwe, MFA today at 10am in the East Asia Room of the Chester Fritz Library. A Ghanaian native, Patrick’s exhibition, Adinkra the Messenger, reflected aspects of his own cultural heritage through the use of metals and fibers in Jewelry design. He used Ghanaian traditional symbols to convey social, political, religious and historical issues that have impacted his country.
Read our Grad Story with Patrick here, and read more about the awards here.
Others recognized today, though unable to be present, are Eric Netterlund (Master of Arts in Communication) and John Degenstein (MS Chemical Engineering). Both are now pursuing PhD programs at University of Colorado and Purdue University respectively. Advisors Dr Timothy Pasch and Dr Yun Ji will accept the awards on their behalf.
All are welcome and a reception will follow.
UND Sustainable Community Research Event in Warren, MN
University of North Dakota faculty and students are invited to exhibit their sustainability research and projects at the annual Community Connect Forum. The forum is coordinated by the University of North Dakota Center for Community Engagement and hosted this year by Warren, Minn. on Saturday, April 27. Community members, faculty, and students from around the region will gather for this year’s theme of “Sustainable Communities”.
Registration for the forum is free, and can be found at http://communityengagement.und.edu. The website also includes a schedule for the day of the forum and a link for exhibiting your research or organization.
The forum will focus on civic, economic, and environmental sustainability, addressing topics such as smart government, new business ownership models, and changes in agriculture and energy. As hosts of the forum, Warren will have the opportunity to showcase its own town story and their efforts toward creating more sustainable practices in their community such as becoming a GreenStep City. Warren will also highlight their unique assets with their downtown businesses and nearby Audubon wildlife preserve. Participants will have the opportunity to network and view exhibits of different regional projects, agencies, and resources.
The forum will be held in the Warren-Alvarado-Oslo School. There will be free transportation available for UND participants on the day of the forum to travel to Warren; the bus will leave Memorial Union at 8 AM. Warren is about 30 miles northeast of Grand Forks.
Some links below provide more information and a chance to register for the event. Also, if any students want to exhibit and research or projects at the forum, there is also opportunity to do so.
Video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TnMa1zMS__E
Newsletter - http://und.edu/centers/community-engagement/newsroom/2013-newsletter.pdf
Registration - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1K3F0FMq_SJyf6zzjFDoiw2AkR8zRCADrEXQ9vR-Wu0U/viewform
Dr Debra R. Rolison to give 2013 Abbott Chemistry Lecture
The University of North Dakota’s Department of Chemistry is hosting its annual Abbott Chemistry Lecture this week. Dr. Debra Rolison of the US Naval Research Laboratory is giving a public presentation on Thursday evening, followed by a lunch time presentation on Friday in the department. Details follow for the Thursday lecture and you can find more details on the department’s website.
Creating Change in Scientific Institutions through Subversion, Revolution (Title IX!), and Climate Change
The slow crawl at which research-intensive universities diversify their faculty is a national disgrace in that they actively recruit for students that reflect the face of America. Similar difficulties are apparent among the scientific staff of national/federal laboratories. But how can one person change the world of science? Subvert the standard operating procedure. Create a microclimate that shows―over time―how new patterns of operation and inclusiveness yield productive, innovative science. Use the scientific capital and street credentials accrued over time, thanks to the humane microclimate and research productivity of one’s team, to challenge the status quo with reasoned and bold arguments for change. Remember the importance of uppity behavior and applying “tipping point” mechanisms to move beyond initial reactions of dismissal to―over time―accepted inevitability (such as greeted my audacious suggestion in March 2000 to withhold federal funds from non-diversified chemistry departments through application of Title IX). Ask the leaders of our S&T institutions the following: how good can American science, engineering, mathematics, and technology (STEM) be when we are missing more than two-thirds of the talent? Learn to demand that our world of science be one that truly relishes the talent innate to all of humanity for science and discovery.
Dr. Rolison heads the Advanced Electrochemical Materials section at the NRL, where her research focuses on multifunctional nanoarchitectures for such rate‑critical applications as catalysis, energy storage and conversion, and sensors. She is also an Adjunct Professor of Chemistry at the University of Utah (2000–present). She was a Faculty Scholar at Florida Atlantic University (1972–1975) and received a Ph.D. in Chemistry (UNC–CH, 1980).
Dr. Rolison is a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the Association for Women in Science, the Materials Research Society (Inaugural Class), and the American Chemical Society and received the 2011 ACS Award in the Chemistry of Materials, the 2011 Hillebrand Prize of the Chemical Society of Washington, and the 2012 C.N. Reilley Award of the Society for Electroanalytical Chemistry. Her editorial advisory board service includes Analytical Chemistry, Langmuir, Journal of Electroanalytical Chemistry, Advanced Energy Materials, Nano Letters, the Encyclopedia of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, and Annual Review in Analytical Chemistry.
When not otherwise bringing the importance of nothing and disorder to materials chemistry, Rolison writes and lectures widely on issues affecting women (and men!) in science, including proposing Title IX assessments of science and engineering departments. She is the author of over 200 articles and holds 24 patents.
Dr Rolison’s talk is Thursday, April 25th at 7pm in Abbott Hall 101. All are welcome and a reception will follow.
Four University of North Dakota graduate students recognized for distinguished contributions.
UND’s School of Graduate Studies will recognize four graduates for their research and scholarship at the annual Distinguished Dissertation, Thesis and Creative Exhibition Awards on Friday, May 3 at the Chester Fritz Library.
The culmination of a graduate degree results in a dissertation, thesis or creative project and is the student’s opportunity to synthesize the body of knowledge with which they have worked closely for several years. It may also, in the case of a dissertation, demonstrate the contribution of new knowledge to the field of study.
The School of Graduate Studies recognizes the outstanding work for students who graduated the previous academic year. Academic departments nominate their best graduates, and a committee of emeritus faculty reviews the nominations for award selection.
Ghanaian native, Patrick Awotwe, receives this year’s Creative Exhibition Award. Awotwe’s Master of Fine Arts exhibition, Adinkra the Messenger, reflected aspects of his own cultural heritage through the use of metals and fibers in Jewelry design. He used Ghanaian traditional symbols to convey social, political, religious and historical issues that have impacted his country.
The first of two Distinguished Thesis Awards is presented to John C. Degenstein who earned a Master of Science in Chemical Engineering for his thesis, Lewis Acid Co-Catalyzed Dilute Sulfuric Acid Pretreatment and Enzymatic Hydrolysis of Lignocellulosic Biomass.
Also receiving a Distinguished Thesis Award is Eric Netterlund who explored the fast changing world of social networking platforms and how fan culture can drive fundraising for non-profit organizations and political campaigns. Eric graduated with a Master of Arts in Communication.
The Distinguished Dissertation Award will be presented to Dr Blake McCann in a separate award ceremony when he visits UND in the Fall. Dr McCann received his PhD in Biology for his work on the genetic relationships of wild pigs in the United States.
The 2013 Distinguished Dissertation, Thesis and Creative Awards will be held in the East Asia Room of the Chester Fritz Library at 10am on 3 May. All are welcome to attend.
New Home Page for School of Graduate Studies
Over the past few months we have been working to improve our home page to allow visitors a better and more efficient visit. We are excited to launch the new page today and invite you all to take a look and check out the new features and navigations. Feedback is welcome so feel free to leave a comment!
Here’s a sneak preview.
