Chapman University - Happenings: August 17, 2009

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Happenings: Chapman's Staff and Faculty Online Newsletter
— Week of Aug. 17, 2009 —

George McGovern to visit campus next week

Next Wednesday – as we welcome new Chapman students to the campus at Opening Convocation – we’ll also be welcoming one of the most well-known figures in American politics as our guest for the day. George McGovern, former U.S. senator and 1972 U.S. presidential candidate, will attend Opening Convocation to present the Albert Schweitzer Award (see item below). Convocation begins at 8:30 a.m. at the Hutton Sports Center.

Sen. McGovern, 87, will also give a public talk and sign books in Memorial Hall, starting at 11 a.m. His most recent book is Abraham Lincoln (The American Presidents Series, The 16^th President), and we believe that his talk will also focus on Lincoln (more details are still coming in). Everyone is encouraged to attend the Memorial Hall talk and book-signing.

Here is a schedule of his visit to campus on Aug. 26:

8:30 – 9:45
Opening Convocation – presents Schweitzer Award

10:00 – 10:30
Dialogue with Doti and Dodge taping, Marion Knott Studios

10:30 – 10:55
Press conference in Marion Knott Studios (media only)

11:00 – 11:30
Book signing in Memorial Hall foyer (all welcome)

11:30 – 12:00
Presentation to Chapman students, parents, public in Memorial Hall

12:00 – 12:30
Q&A, more book signing

For more on George McGovern visit his Web site HERE.

Baylor professor to receive Schweitzer Award

This year’s Schweitzer Award will be presented to Dr. Anthony Garcia-Prats of the Baylor International Pediatric AIDS Initiative for bringing quality medical care to the children of Lesotho and Tanzania. Dr. Garcia-Prats is an assistant professor of pediatrics with BIPAI, which is affiliated with the Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children’s Hospital.

“Dr. Garcia-Prats and his crucial work epitomize the devotion to humankind that characterized the life of Albert Schweitzer, whom we look to as Chapman’s ‘guiding spirit.’ The presence of George McGovern, especially due to his well-known fight against world hunger, further elevates this momentous occasion,” said Marv Meyer, Ph.D., director of Chapman's Albert Schweitzer Institute.

Sen. McGovern has been a longtime advocate for global nutrition needs. In 1961 he was appointed by President John F. Kennedy as worldwide director of the Food for Peace program. He was appointed U.N. ambassador on World Hunger in 2001. In 2008, he and Sen. Bob Dole were named World Food Prize laureates for their work to promote global school nutrition programs.

The students are coming, the students are coming!

It’s been a nice quiet summer break (you liked that, eh?), but this place just isn’t the same without our Chapman students. Get ready to welcome them back! Orientation for new students and transfers runs Aug. 25-31. Returning students move in Aug. 29. CLICK HERE for schedules for students and families. It will be a jam-packed week of tours, meetings, parties and other activities as we get ready to kick off the semester. Here are a couple of events you won’t want to miss! Family, friends and the community are invited.

Opening convocation: Aug. 26 from 8:30 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. at the Hutton Sports Center. This event marks the beginning of the school year and is the first Chapman ceremony for our new students and parents. Faculty in full regalia march in procession, and President Doti officially launches the semester.

· Keynote speaker at the convocation: Yakir Aharonov, Ph.D., professor of physics and winner of the prestigious Wolf Prize will deliver the “Aims of Education” address.

· The Albert Schweitzer Award: George McGovern, former U.S. senator and 1972 presidential candidate, will present the award with Marv Meyer, Ph.D., director of Chapman’s Albert Schweitzer Institute.

History and Traditions: Aug. 26 at 9 p.m. at Bert Williams Mall. This is a wonderful candlelight ceremony that teaches the history and traditions of Chapman University and the City of Orange. It concludes with members of the 50-year alumni club welcoming the new students.

A sneak peek at the new residence hall!

These are not at all like the accommodations most of us experienced when we went to university! For starters, the dining area is like an upscale food court, with everything from pizza to Asian cuisine to made-to-order dishes by a chef. There’s even something for vegans. Walk down the hall toward the rooms and you feel like you’re in a hotel, decorated in Craftsman style and muted earth tones. Outside courtyards hold comfy seating and fireplaces. There’s a huge conference center, which holds a main room of 8,550 square feet. It also has its own kitchen for catering events. (Two VIP suites for overnight stays are also attached.) What’s really a knockout? The climbing wall! At 51 feet, it’s the tallest climbing wall in Southern California. Just looking all the way up is kind of thrilling/chilling – depending on your climbing prowess or lack thereof. See for yourself below!

Parking auctions: Save the dates!

The auctions are coming up! If you haven’t checked out the new “C-Park” Web site for info on what’s going on with parking CLICK HERE to read.

Some key dates:

Aug. 27: The online auction for Reserved spaces – your own personal parking space reserved for you all year – is open to all faculty, staff and commuter students. It begins HERE on Aug. 27.

Sept. 3: The online auction for Argyros lot permits is also open to all faculty, staff and commuter students. It begins HERE on Sept. 3.

Did you see it?

Chapman recently unveiled a new look for the university’s Web site. To check it out, make sure you’re looking at www.chapman.edu and not ChapNet. The new homepage features large photos of campus life that change every few seconds, plus new links to all Chapman schools and colleges (which never directly appeared on the homepage before). There is also a larger section for Chapman events. What do you think? Send feedback to pr@chapman.edu.

What’s physics got to do with me?

A lot. Most of us probably don’t really think about it. But maybe we should. Modern physicists question our assumptions about the physical world. Turns out that many of our most Aharonov_Y fundamental beliefs lack a firm scientific foundation, these physicists say. What? My world isn’t real? (This sounds like an episode from Star Trek.) What does that really mean? Find out. And not just from anybody. Yakir Aharonov, Ph.D., Chapman professor of physics and winner of the Wolf Prize, will explain science foundation vs. conscious experience on Sept. 14 at 7 p.m. in Memorial Hall. This is part of the chancellor’s premier lecture series, “The Second Annual Lectio Magistralis.” It’s free and open to the public. Bring your friends and family to hear this distinguished scholar speak. (And you can ask him yourself about physics vs. reality!)

For more information, call the Academic Events Office at 714-997-6565 or CLICK HERE for the Web site.

Baby, you were born to run – or walk or volunteer!

Are we all talk and no show? The 4^th Annual Chapman University Toyota of Orange 5K Run/Walk – “The flattest, fastest and ‘funnest’ 5K in the world’’ on Oct. 10 – isn’t THAT far away. So far, six university teams are ready to go head-to-head. But not many folks have actually signed up for anything. The university teams will compete in four areas, and winners will be recognized for:

Any team runner who can beat President Doti on race day (Yes, he’s probably faster than most of us, but can’t someone think of a way to distract him on the course?)
The team with the fastest female and male runners overall, and the fastest female and male runners per team.
The team with the highest level of participation through registered runners/walkers and volunteers signed up for race day.
The team that raises the highest amount of contributions and that has the highest number of donors participating.

Our standings:

University Advancement: 16 volunteers; 0 runners

Law School: 2 volunteers; 2 runners

Memorial Hall: 2 volunteers; 2 runners

Freedom without Walls (Language Dept.):1 volunteer; 1 runner

Associated Students: 0 volunteers; 0 runners

Financial Services: 0 volunteers; 0 runners

If you don’t want to run or walk, consider volunteering. To register as a volunteer CLICK HERE.

For more information about the event, including where to register and what goodies you’ll get, CLICK HERE.

Come train! Each Monday a group walks the course at 5:30 p.m. Meet outside University Advancement at 633 W. Palm. Runners and walkers of all levels are welcome. Today personal trainer Kim Froeschner from Snap Fitness 24/7, a race sponsor, will offer stretching tips and suggestions on how to improve technique and speed. She’ll also join the group on Aug. 24. Questions? Call Jeanie Randazzo at 714-516-4507 or randazzo@chapman.edu

Congrats to Public Safety!

Chapman’s Department of Public Safety was honored earlier this year at the Crime Survivors, Inc., annual awards banquet for their efforts to benefit crime victims. The department received a certificate of recognition and was recognized by many local officials, including Santa Ana Mayor Miguel A. Pulido and State Assembly members, Chuck Devore, Van Tran and Curt Hayman. The awards are posted around the dispatch window in Public Safety's lobby.

A birthday, some cake and good tunes

Friday’s second summer concert was a special day. It would have been the 100^th birthday of Fahmy Attallah, whose wife, Donna, was on hand to hear President Doti lead the audience of more than 500 in singing Happy Birthday in honor of her late spouse. Donna, a 1961 Chapman alumna, gave $1.5 million to have the piazza named for her late husband. “While he is no longer with us, his legacy lives on,” President Doti said. “(He was) a great man, he swam the English Channel, he was a child psychologist, he was successful entrepreneur, a poet, a true Renaissance man.” CLICK HERE to hear all of President Doti’s speech.

Later, the crowd was treated to cake – white with a lemon filling – and then the rocking surf tunes of Surfin USA. CLICK HERE for a clip of their song. (Videos courtesy of Tom Daniels of PostYourMusic.com)

Don’t forget the final concert in the series this Friday. It’s our most popular one so come early with picnic dinner, chairs and get ready for a good time with The Alley Cats. The show starts at 6 p.m., but Attallah Piazza opens at 5. As always, we’ll have free popcorn, lemonade, coffee and free parking.

Student’s screenplay is finalist at Moondance

Chapman University Honors student Gregory D. Goyins’ screenplay The Conversation has been selected as a finalist in the short screenplay category at the 10th Annual Moondance International Film Festival, which will be held Sept. 24-27 in Boulder, Colo. Winners in each category will be announced in early September.

The Conversation – about God (dressed as a homeless man) and the Devil (a well-dressed businesswoman) discussing their plans for Earth over the next 1,000 years – received a score of 90 out of 100. The score was the highest total mark for a screenplay in recent memory, said Elizabeth English, the festival’s founder and organizer.

Goyins hopes the script will garner two trophies at Moondance. It is also up for the festival’s Gaia Award, presented to the person who seeks to improve the spiritual quality of all life on the planet.

A goalie, 2^nd baseman and student-athlete of the year!

Chapman University's Tyler Hadzinsky has been named Male Student-Athlete of the Year by the Association of Division III Independents for the 2008-‘09 academic year. Only a sophomore, he was named to the All-Independents teams in both soccer (first team) and baseball (third team) last year, including being named goalkeeper of the year as the Panthers' starter.

Hadzinsky also became just the second student-athlete in Chapman history to be named to two different ESPN the Magazine Academic All-District VIII teams in 2008-‘09 with a 3.9 grade-point average in business.

The sophomore helped lead the Panther soccer team to a 12-4-2 overall record. He made 49 saves and posted four shutouts with a 0.62 goals-against average – the lowest for any Chapman goalkeeper in 25 years.

In baseball, he started all 49 games at second base. He batted .376 and led the team with 18 doubles, four triples and had 25 extra-base hits. Chapman won its fifth consecutive West Region title and placed third at the Division III championships with a record of 32-17.

This Week on TV

Dialogue With Doti and Dodge

Wednesday, Aug. 19, 8:30 a.m., on KOCE-TV

Carl Cotman, M.D., discusses Alzheimer’s disease and the latest research in fighting the disease; John West, M.D., describes his one-hour breast exam and diagnosis procedure. Show host Larry Santora, M.D., explores the healthy aspects of olive oil.

Sunday, Aug. 23, 8:30 a.m., on OC Channel

Jay Lee, M.D., discusses abnormal heart rhythms and treatment of the condition. Ronda Wimmer, Ph.D., demonstrates how best to use acupuncture for good health. Show host Larry Santora, M.D., explains the healthy aspects of drinking coffee.

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

Hesham El-Askary, Ph.D., assistant professor of earth system science and remote sensing, gave a workshop in “Remote Sensing Techniques and Applications in Climate Change and Global Environmental Change,” hosted by the Department of Environmental Science and Ecological Engineering, Korea University, and sponsored by the Ministry of Land, Transportation and Maritime Affairs, the Geographic Information Systems Association of Korea and Korea University in Seoul on June 1-4.

Donald Guy, assistant professor of theatre, has been commissioned to serve as the lighting designer for the 19^th Annual NAACP Theatre Awards to be held at the Directors Guild of America in Hollywood on Aug. 31. The prestigious star-studded gala, titled “A Salute to Black Theatre,” is produced in an effort to honor thespians of color. The ceremony will be hosted by Loretta Devine (Dreamgirls, Grey’s Anatomy, Eli Stone) and Terry Crews (Middle Men, Get Smart, The Longest Yard).

Shari Young Kuchenbecker, Ph.D., assistant professor of Kuchenbecker_S psychology, presented a study titled “Time Perspective & Well Being: Surfers, casual surfers, and non-surfers” with Thomas Bradley ’09 at the American Psychological Association's annual meeting in Toronto. In essence, the study found that hard-core surfers lead less stressful lives. To read The Orange County Register’s interview with Dr. Kuchenbecker about her study, CLICK HERE.

Patrick Quinn, Ph.D., dean of Wilkinson College, shares with us that he has had a “new experience in my rather complex life. I just discovered that I appear as a character (named Patrick Quinn) in a short story by the southern writer Barry Hannah that appeared in the June edition of Harpers. The short story is titled “Sick Soldier at Your Door” and I am only described – but it is apt! Dr. Quinn also just received a copy of “The Cambridge Companion to War Writing,” with his chapter “The First World War: American Writing,” (pp 175-184). The book was edited by Kate McLoughlin.

Timothy Shields, Ph.D., assistant professor of accounting, attended the American Accounting Association's annual meeting in New York, where he presented joint experimental research with John Dickhaut, Ph.D., Jerrold A. Glass Endowed Chair in Accounting and Economics, on whether Dickhaut_J task complexity affects how others respond with their own strategies. Dr. Shields and Dr. Dickhaut found that increasing complexity appears to increase one’s belief that others use lower depths of reasoning. Dr. Shields also discussed research that examines if changing the experimental task interface might change how subjects perform and/or think about the task.

Ramesh Singh, Ph.D., professor of earth system science and remote sensing, was invited to join the editorial board of The International Journal of Ocean and Climate Systems as an associate editor. This is a new journal, published by Multi-Science Publishing Co. in the U.K., and its first edition should debut in March 2010.

Bill Wright, Ph.D., associate professor of biological sciences, received a supplement of $50,000 from the National Science Foundation to his NSF-funded research. (There is an additional $9,000 in recovered indirect costs.) Dr. Wright’s research Wright_W focuses on the response of sea hares to predators, such as lobster. However, spontaneous attack by the lobsters used on the sea hares was limited. The supplemental funding supports a promising direction that involves using lobster from a preserve where there’s been no fishing of any animals. Therefore, the supply of invertebrate food is greatly reduced, making these lobsters more enthusiastic predators of the sea hares. This predatory behavior will help focus experimental design and interpretation of the adaptive reaction of the sea hares and advance the researchers understanding of the predator-prey relationship.

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 the listings to help find experts. 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!)

Trying a Tri! David Goedhart, television studio engineer for Dodge College of Film and Media Arts, is training for his first triathlon: “The course in Long Beach (Sept. 20) will consist of a half-mile ocean swim, 11-mile bike ride and 3-mile run. This is known as a “sprint” triathlon, but to a reformed couch potato like myself, there is nothing short about it. Helping me train is Mark Horiuchi ‘98. Training consists of laps in the Zee Allred Aquatics Center at Chapman, 20-mile bike rides along the Santa Ana River Trail and jogs around Santa Ana.”

Pedaling for a cause: Timothy Shields, Ph.D., assistant professor of accounting, completed a 105K bicycle ride this summer in Sonoma for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation in about 3.5 hours. He raised more than $3,000 to fund research to find a cure for type 1 diabetes, which used to be called juvenile diabetes.

CLASSIFIEDS

Can you help this cat? Know of a cat rescue organization that’s actually taking cats right now? (All the ones we’ve called aren’t accepting new animals.) A beautiful, very friendly, obviously thin and hungry dark tabby male (maybe neutered – hard to tell!) with a white chest and legs showed up at our complex this week. The neighbors are calling him “Maverick.” He’s not at all feral and will come right up to people to be petted and held. He will be a handsome lad when he’s fed well again. He’s either lost or was abandoned. We don’t think he’s very old – maybe 4 or 5 at the most. If anyone can recommend a good rescue group – or if you could be a saint and take this guy in – you could probably save his life! The regular shelters are full and an older cat like him won’t have much of a chance at adoption. Our landlord only allows one cat, or I’d take him in. I can catch and cage him if anyone can help find him a place to go, and I will even pay for basic vet checkup for him. Email platt@chapman.edu or call x7271.

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 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.

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