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Firms sponsor minority scholarships
Two locally owned professional design firms are offering scholarships for minority students who attend UB in the fields of architecture and engineering.
Wendel Duchscherer Architects & Engineers, P.C., and Watts Engineering & Architecture, P.C., cognizant of UB's leadership in both areas of study and actively involved in the Buffalo Public Schools' ongoing major reconstruction effort, wanted to create incentives for area students and thus formed the partnership with UB.
"As a business enterprise, we believe it is incumbent upon us to be a leader in the hiring of minorities and women," said Edward O. Watts, president of Watts Engineering and Architecture. "However, the availability of minority engineers and architects in the marketplace is very limited and we believe that providing these scholarships is another way of demonstrating our commitment to increasing the number of minorities in these professions."
Brian Carter, dean of the School of Architecture and Planning, thanked the donors who saw a need in both the profession and the academy and were eager to address it. "We are extremely grateful for these scholarships that will support ably talented students while also helping to increase the diversity and focus of architecture in Buffalo."
Mark H. Karwan, dean of the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, noted that scholarships always add to the talent pool of the UB student body. "The commitment of two local firms demonstrates the importance of partnerships between local organizations and the university."
Wendel Duchscherer is providing a scholarship for the School of Architecture and Planning, while the Watts scholarship is designed for the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. Each school may choose how to award the scholarship, which will cover full tuition. The scholarships may be awarded to one student for four years or to a new student each year for four years. If the award recipient is a freshman or sophomore, he or she will have an opportunity to apply for a summer internship at the architecture and engineering firms.
"We believe it is important to create opportunities for minority students in our own community," said architect Brian P. Brady, principal of Wendel Duchscherer. "These scholarships are an important step in making it possible for minorities to have a quality academic experience, and we want to help students achieve their dream to be a part of the architecture and engineering professions."
Both companies have a history of supporting minority causes and are actively involved with Buffalo-Area Engineering Awareness for Minorities (BEAM). Wendel Duchscherer has received the "Outstanding Industry Award" from the organization.
The scholarship programs are scheduled to begin in the fall of 2006. The application deadline for both scholarships is Jan. 1.
For further information about the Wendel Duchscherer Minority Scholarship in Architecture from the School of Architecture and Planning, contact Mehrdad Hadighi, chair of the architecture program, at 829-3485, ext. 105, or by email at hadighi@ap.buffalo.edu.
For further information about the Watts Engineering and Architecture Undergraduate Scholarship from the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, contact John E. Vanbenschoten, associate dean for undergraduate education, at 645-2774, ext. 1130.
Manseau is next "author"
Peter Manseau, author of "Vows: The Story of a Priest, a Nun and Their Son," will read from his book at 7 p.m. Nov. 7 at Musicalfare Theatre, located at Daemen College.
The reading is part of the Meet the Author series presented by WBFO 88.7 FM, UB's National Public Radio affiliate.
Manseau's reading, which will be free and open to the public, also will be broadcast live on WBFO 88.7 FM. Bert Gambini, executive producer of the Meet the Author series, will serve as host. A book signing will take place immediately following the reading and light refreshments will be served.
Researchers to describe Katrina's damage
In a live and online Webcast seminar, structural engineers and social scientists who were dispatched to New Orleans and Mississippi in the days after Katrina hit will describe the vast devastation they saw and discuss strategies for improving U.S. resilience and response to natural disasters, terrorist attack and other extreme events.
To be held at 7 p.m. on Wednesday in the Screening Room of the Center for the Arts, North Campus, the seminar also can be viewed online, live and archived, at http://mceer.buffalo.edu/education/ webcast/Hurricane_Katrina_Seminar.
The researchers were part of two reconnaissance teams assembled by UB's Multidisciplinary Center for Earthquake Engineering Research (MCEER) and sponsored by the National Science Foundation. This seminar will provide a first-hand summary of their investigations. Photos and preliminary findings are available at < strong>http://mceer.buffalo.edu/research/Reconnaissance/Katrina8-28-05.
Team members—including engineers, urban planners and environmental and public-health specialists—used remote-sensing technologies, in-field investigations and on-site interviews to rapidly collect data and visual images of damage over large geographical areas. Initial teams focused on damage to large engineered structures, primarily bridges and commercial buildings. Subsequent teams deepened immediate investigations and added studies on evacuation, organizational decisions, health and environmental issues.
MCEER's intent is to leverage its years of earthquake hazards and engineering expertise to advance "homeland resilience" strategies for multiple hazards and extreme events that include threats of nature, technology and terrorism.
Brewer receives grant
Carol S. Brewer, associate professor of nursing and a specialist in nursing labor issues, has received $440,000 to study the reasons behind the critical shortage of nurses across the U.S through research funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
Her award is part of a $1.9 million grant to Christine T. Kovner of the New York University College of Nursing, on which Brewer is coprincipal investigator.
The five-year national study will survey 5,000 recent graduates of registered nurse (RN) programs periodically over the first four years of their careers to track the underlying reasons for their work decisions.
"This research will allow us to track changes over the first few years of a new RN's career, during which many seem to leave hospitals," said Brewer, who has published articles on nursing labor issues in professional journals since 1998.
"It is important for us to know whether new nurses are leaving particular settings, or leaving the profession altogether," she said. "The answers will point to very different solutions to a nursing shortage. New graduates of nursing programs who become registered nurses are essential to balancing the overall supply and demand for these professionals."
Blood drives set
The Red Cross will hold several blood drives on the North and South campuses during the month of November.
The drives will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesday in 105 Harriman Hall, South Campus, and from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Nov. 8, Nov. 10, Nov. 28 and Nov. 29 in 210 Student Union, North Campus.
Anyone interested in giving blood can call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE to schedule an appointment.
De La Soul to appear
The Center for the Arts will present De La Soul with J-Live and Pseudo Slang at 8 p.m. Nov. 16 in the Mainstage theatre in the CFA, North Campus.
De La Soul has been synonymous with total artistic expression since the group released its stellar debut album, "3 Feet High and Rising," in 1989. It simply is one of hip-hop's most creative groups.
While hip-hop has changed dramatically since De La Soul's introduction into the music world, the trio from Long Island has remained fresh and everlasting, a supreme counterpoint to all of hip-hop's trends through the years. The group is in the unique position of having influenced a generation of hip-hop artists with truly original albums, and still continuing to resonate with contemporary fans. It is that versatility—that instinctive need to constantly create—that makes the members of De La Soul who they are—De La Soul, of the soul, for the people.
Tickets for De La Soul with J-Live and Pseudo Slang are $25 for general admission and $22 for students. Tickets are available at the CFA box office from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and at all Ticketmaster locations, including ticketmaster.com.
"The Winter's Tale" to be performed
The Department of Theatre and Dance will present "The Winter's Tale" Nov. 17-20 in the Drama Theatre in the Center for the Arts, North Campus.
Performances are at 8 p.m. Nov. 17-19 and at 2 p.m. Nov. 19 and Nov. 20.
"The Winter's Tale," a drama by William Shakespeare, is directed by Saul Elkin, SUNY Distinguished Professor in the Department of Theatre and Dance, College of Arts and Sciences, and founder and artistic director of Shakespeare in Delaware Park.
"This is the one play of Shakespeare's that seems to defy category," Elkin notes. "Is it a tragedy, a romance, a comedy? Or does it, in fact, combine all of these elements? Shakespeare wrote the play near the end of his career as a playwright, before he retired to his home in Stratford. He had barely seen his wife and daughters during his years of success in the London theatre," he says.
"It is no wonder that his last three plays focus on fathers and daughters, separation, loss and reconciliation. 'The Winter's Tale' begins with a series of unfortunate events, but tragedy gives way to comedy and romance," Elkin explains. "The final mood in the end is neither tragic nor comic, but a mixture, leading to a serene sense of reconciliation. Although there is little historical evidence of his home life, we can hope that Shakespeare himself found harmony when he returned to the family from which he had been absent."
Tickets for "The Winter's Tale" are $16 for general admission and $8 for students and are available at the CFA box office from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and at all Ticketmaster locations, including Ticketmaster.com.
"Myths and Hymns" to be presented
The Department of Theatre and Dance will present "Myths and Hymns," a contemporary music theatre piece, Nov. 9-13 in the Black Box Theatre in the Center for the Arts, North Campus.
Performances will be held at 8 p.m. Nov. 9-12 and at 2 p.m. Nov. 12 and 13.
"Myths and Hymns" embraces an eclectic range of musical styles, including gospel, bossa nova and jazz. Alternately funny and touching, satirical and rapturous, the piece uses these forms and styles to attempt to come to grips with the events in our lives that are beyond rational explanation and understanding and the continuing desire to find order and meaning in the universe.
The production is directed and choreographed by Daniel Pelzig, visiting assistant professor of music theatre. Music direction is by Nathan R. Matthews, music director and assistant professor of music theatre.
Music and lyrics are by Tony Award-winning composer Adam Guettel, who originally conceived this work as a song-cycle. As re-envisioned by Pelzig, the songs have been crafted into an evening of dance and music theatre, in which a cast of 22 singers, actors and dancers cross the boundaries among art forms to create a moving and uplifting performance.
Tickets for "Myths and Hymns" are $16 for general admission and $8 for students and are available at the CFA box office from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and at Ticketmaster.com.
WBFO "podcasts" programming
WBFO 88.7 FM, UB's National Public Radio (NPR) affiliate, is now "podcasting" all locally produced programming, including "Spoken Arts" and listener commentaries.
WBFO's podcasts are available at http://www.wbfo.org/podcast/ . A link to NPR's "podcasting" list also is available.
"Podcasting" occurs when an iPod or other MP3 player meets broadcasting. The technology allows listeners to time shift their favorite shows by downloading digital audio files onto their media players.
"In 2003, WBFO converted its analog broadcast facilities to a state-of-the-art digital system," says David Benders, WBFO program director. "We view 'podcasting' as the next logical step in our ongoing commitment to provide quality programming to our listeners. Also, we hope to expand our listenership by providing a service to 'podcast' audiences."