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Happenings: Chapman's Staff and Faculty Online Newsletter
— Week of July 27, 2009 —

Chapman’s free concert series starts Friday!

But I can’t dance or sing! Who cares? It’s time to chill out with family, friends and our campus neighbors this Friday night as Orange County Swing Band Chapman’s Summer Concert Series kicks off a series of live performances. First up: Enjoy swingin’ big-band standards, from "In the Mood" to "Chattanooga Choo-Choo," by the Orange County Swing Band, which brings the great music of the 1940s back to life. The show starts at 6 p.m. on the Wells Fargo Stage in Fahmy Attallah Piazza.

The campus opens for picnicking at 5 p.m., so bring your favorite munchies. (Sorry, no smoking or barbecue grills on campus.) Also, don’t forget your low-back lawn chairs and blankets. We’ll have free popcorn, lemonade and coffee. Parking in the Lastinger structure is also free.

Upcoming performances:

Aug. 14: Surfin’ USA

Aug. 21: The Alley Cats

For more information, call 714-997-6681 or CLICK HERE.

Dean Bob Bassett addresses careers in FilmMaker magazine

Bob Bassett, dean of Dodge College of Film and Media Arts, was among top film school educators interviewed about “The Morphing of a Media Career” in the Cover of FilmMaker magazine summer issue of FilmMaker magazine, a leading publication on independent film. The article examined film education as just one part of an overall education in digital and media literacy, a theme Bassett has frequently addressed, noting that the Millennial student is often more interested in making a difference in the world using media than in directing the next Hollywood blockbuster. “In the past, film students were encouraged to go into business. The goal was to make a lot of money,” Bassett is quoted as saying. “Now, their aim is to do what they love, and the money will follow.” Dodge College’s international filmmaking experiences were also highlighted in the piece. Check out the magazine's Web site HERE.

Planted on the spot – now just add lots of water

They’re here. The replacement trees. Last week, two mature coast live oaks were planted in those big holes at the southwest corner of Attallah Piazza and near Roosevelt and Memorial halls. The oaks, which each weigh about 32,000 pounds and are 30 to 40 feet tall, take the place of the Monterey pine and big cedar that were removed recently because of disease. The oaks are roughly 60 to 70 years old. They’re actually kind of young -- coast live oaks can live as long as 250 years and grow to heights of 80 feet. The landscape crew put in some pipes to make sure the trees get the proper amount of water. They’ll be fixing up the landscaping around the trees, so it will all look nice and neat again.

We’re getting our behinds kicked in Pink contest!

OK, we are close. But c’mon. We are fighting to stay on the list with a bunch of schools we should be beating! Here’s the deal. Pink, that comfy clothing line from Victoria’s Secret, will make women’s spirit clothing with the CU logo on it if we make the Victoria Secret Pink logo Top 25 schools with the most votes. The national contest ends Aug. 5, according to many of the students on the Chapman University Pink page on Facebook. Chapman is currently No. 20. (No. 1 right now? There’s a good battle between the Rochester Institute of Technology and the United States Marine Corps University.) Chapman is neck-and-neck with a bunch of schools, including Baylor University and Lehigh University (they are right on our tails) and Parsons School of Design. You can vote once a day, so get those votes in and check out the Top 25 list HERE. We really shouldn’t be struggling to stay on the list. We should be higher! Go Panthers!

Sun, surf, sand – and lots of research (Isn't life rough?)

Who wouldn’t want this summer research gig? Chapman University was one of the first groups allowed to conduct overnight studies at the new Marine Research Facility at Crystal Cove State Park this month. That means time at the beach!

Led by Catherine Clark, Ph.D., associate professor of physical chemistry, and Warren de Bruyn, Ph.D., associate professor of chemistry, undergraduate research students studied the photochemical production of oxidants like hydrogen peroxide from sunlight on surf zone waters (and no, this isn’t why we have so many beach blondes in Southern California!). These oxidants can kill the fecal Warren de Bruyn, Ph.D. indicator bacteria that are used to check water quality at our local beaches. Understanding the sources of these naturally-occurring chemicals allows us to better understand the cycling and impacts of bacteria in our polluted recreational marine waters.

Students conducted multiple 24-hour studies at the beach, although the cold, dark, wet, late-night sampling period was not popular. However, they did have some fun. The students saw a grunion run, sitting on the sand under a full moon inches from swarms of spawning fish.

The lab is housed in one of the newly renovated historic beach cottages from the 1930s and is overseen by the nonprofit Crystal Cove Alliance in conjunction with the state park system. The students placed research displays on the sand in front of the cottage to describe the work Chapman was doing. They also answered many questions from the beach-going public.

Anyone interested in a food fight, uhhh, I mean discussion?

The new documentary Food Inc. by Rob Kenner takes a critical look at the food industry. Hailed by foodies and activists, and decried by the food industry and other activists, the documentary raises many questions but answers few. If you are interested in attending or participating in a panel discussion and screening in the fall semester for your class or otherwise, please e-mail Anuradha Prakash, Ph.D, director, food sciences program, at prakash@chapman.edu

Chapman’s Web site: New look coming Aug. 7!

You’ll be seeing that new look for the Chapman Web site a few New Chapman homepage weeks earlier than expected. Look for the revamped Web site on Aug. 7. The changes you’ll be seeing are cosmetic as well as functional. Many of the main navigational links, for example, have been streamlined and made more logical. “Prospective Students,” “New Students,” “Current Students” and “Student Resources,” for example, will all be folded under “Students.” And you’ll also be seeing a gorgeous new facelift for the homepage – see the screenshot!

Hey – got your nose stuck in a book?

Why not write about your current summer read? Others at Chapman are doing it! As of last week, members of the summer 2009 Community of Readers have submitted reviews for 91 books from the Leatherby Libraries. (Check out the book reviews HERE!!) Community of Readers, sponsored by the Leatherby Libraries, is open to everyone with borrowing privileges and a current library account. The only requirement for the program: Reviews must be for books available at the Leatherby Libraries. So get reading! You have until Aug. 14 to participate. CLICK HERE to learn more about the program and prizes, and to submit your first review.

Sponsor an international student!

Ever wonder what students in other parts of the world are thinking or how they live? Here’s your chance. Help sponsor an international student and get to know a little about their world and culture. The International Friendship Council of North Orange County is looking for volunteers for their Earth from space program. Individuals or families who sign up will have the option of being assigned an international student to mentor/become friends with and/or participate in a 3-day welcome program where new arrivals stay in your home for a few days. In addition, you will be invited to any social functions that involve international students. Chapman University, Cal State Fullerton, Fullerton College and Hope International refer interested international students to this organization. E-mail Paula Parker at Paula.Parker@evfreefullerton.com if you are interested in volunteering. You can also contact Susan Sams, International Student Services at x6829 if you would like more information.

This Week on TV

Dialogue With Doti and Dodge

Dialogue With Doti and Dodge

Tuesday, July 28, 11:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 2, 11 a.m.

“The Untold Story of Croatia”

Guests: Stage and screen actor Michael York (Murder on the Orient Express, Austin Powers, The Three Musketeers), David Ward, professor of film and media arts (Major League, The Sting), and filmmaker Brenda Brkusic, to discuss the documentary Freedom from Despair.

Watch episodes of Dialogue With Doti and Dodge and view the show's schedule.

Wednesday, July 29, 8:30 a.m., on KOCE-TV

Michael Krychman, M.D., discusses sexual medicine. Jeffrey Johnsrud, M.D., explains LapBand surgery, which ties off part of the stomach for weight control. Show host Larry Santora, M.D., dispels the connection between eggs and cholesterol.

Sunday, Aug. 2, 8:30 a.m., on OC Channel

Bruce Hoyle, M.D., demonstrates laser treatment of varicose veins. NFL Hall of Fame inductee Dick Butkus shares his journey through quadruple heart bypass surgery. Show host Larry Santora, M.D., explores the connection between eating vegetables and dementia.

The OC Channel, which is a partnership between KOCE and Chapman University, may be viewed on Channel 50.2 on digital television, Channel 235 on Time Warner, Channel 810 on Cox Communications Cable and Channel 470 on Verizon Fios.

Staff & Faculty Notes

James J. Coyle, Ph.D., director of global education, presented a paper in late May at the University of San Diego titled “Russian Monopoly of Natural Gas Pipelines as an Instrument of Foreign Policy.” Dr. Coyle outlined how Russia can use the threat of natural gas cutoffs to pressure European countries to support Russian interests. In June, he gave a paper on the Iranian nuclear program to the Institute of International Relations, Jose y Gassett University, Madrid. This month, he traveled to Baku and attended a conference on the 90^th anniversary of the founding of the Azerbaijan diplomatic corps. Dr. Coyle was a guest of the Azerbaijani Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Sean Crockett, Ph.D., Vernon L. Smith, Ph.D., Nobel laureate

in economic science, and Bart J. Wilson, Ph.D., Donald P. Kennedy endowed chair in economics and law, published “Exchange and Specialisation as a Discovery Process” in the July issue of The Economic Journal. This article studies the performance of an economy that can support specialization if the participants develop and follow some system of exchange.

Anna Leahy, Ph.D., assistant professor of English, had her poem "Incantation" featured in the HerMark Calendar 2010, published by Woman Made Gallery in Chicago. Dr. Leahy will read at the gallery on Aug. 2. Her poem "Google Moon" won the Twin Cranes Press/Moonlit Magazine award and will be published as a broadside to raise funds for the magazine. Poets & Writers, Inc. awarded Leahy a grant to help support the Chapman University Poetry Reading Series, which will be hosted by the English Department this fall.

P.K. Shukla, Ph.D., director, Ralph W. Leatherby Center for Entrepreneurship and Business Ethics, and students Erika Mobraaten and Parker Bush presented a paper titled "Best Practices in Entrepreneurship Across the Campus Programs," at the Ninth International Conference on Operations and Quantitative Management on June 30 at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles.

Bart J. Wilson, Ph.D., Donald P. Kennedy endowed chair in economics and law, and Karl Schurter, a summer intern at the Economic Sciences Institute from the University of Virginia published “Justice and Fairness in Dictator Games” in the Southern Economic Journal, in July. This article uses a laboratory experiment to examine the question of whether justice and fairness are different motivational forces in the dictator game.

Pilar Valenzuela, Ph.D., assistant professor of languages, is spending part of her summer as an honorary guest at the Research Centre for Linguistic Typology-La Trobe University, Australia. She is carrying out a study on the chacobo language from Bolivia. Also, she participated at the 2009 Australian Linguistic Society Conference, where she presented a paper titled "Transitivity Harmony in Shipibo-Konibo."

Is your faculty listing correct?

Have you updated your faculty profile lately in the Media Guide to the Experts? News organizations – reporters, editors, bloggers -- as well as other staff and administration use those listings to help find experts. So if you haven’t taken a look at your profile in a while or aren’t listed there, now’s a good time to check it out – before the crush of fall semester is upon us! CLICK HERE to review your listing or add yourself to the guide.

What are you doing this summer?

We’d love to know what you’re up to this summer for Happenings. Great vacation? Pursuing a hobby? Have a new addition to the family? Please send to pr@chapman.edu. (We love photos and videos, so don’t be bashful!)

In training: Yesenia Mendoza, assistant in University Services, is on her bike A LOT this summer. “I am training for Yesenia Mendoza training for the 27th annual Bike MS Bay to Bay Tour the 27th annual Bike MS Bay to Bay Tour, which is a fundraiser for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. It’s a two-day, 100-mile tour from Irvine to San Diego in October. This is my first year doing this event. I usually participate in the walk-a-thons for the MS Society, but this year a few friends and I decided to challenge ourselves to sign up for the bike marathon. To train, I’ve been riding my bike to work three times a week and riding to Newport Beach on Saturday mornings, which is roughly a 30-mile roundtrip. Recently, I started hitting the gym every morning for an hour workout before work because the event is just under three months away! The hardest part of this whole thing is finding the time to train while still working full time, going to school part time, fundraising and trying to maintain my social life. What motivates me? My cousin Steve, who was diagnosed with MS four years ago. He makes all the time, pain, sweat and tears worth it. More info on the event, CLICK HERE.

Classified Ads

Pups for sale: 8-week-old miniature Dogs schnauzers. $600 each. 2 available (1 male & 1 female). Have papers. Need their shots. Call Joseph at 714-341-7979.

Free to great home: A 9-week-old (approx) male kitten. Kitten Orange/white striped tabby. Answers to the name of “Pumpkin.” Rescued him 2 weeks ago. Very friendly and mellow. Likes to be with people. Contact Vincent at ext: 6658. (We would love to keep him but already have three cats.)

Ideas, suggestions?

We're still learning as we put out the online edition of Happenings. Please send feedback and ideas to pr@chapman.edu. Diana McCabe, new editor of Happenings, loves to meet new people. Give her a call at Ext: 2813 and show her around your area of Chapman or just introduce yourself.

Happenings, Chapman University's faculty and staff newsletter,
is published by the Office of Communications and Media Relations.

Send your Happenings news and feedback to pr@chapman.edu,
or by campus mail to the PR Department.
Include name, department and phone number. Photo submissions accepted.