The Wisconsin Week Wire — Oct. 8, 2008
Top News
Band conduct investigation continues
An investigation into the conduct of members of the UW–Madison Marching Band continues, nearly a week after Mike Leckrone, band director and music professor, suspended the group.
Martin gives look at life as chancellor
Chancellor Carolyn “Biddy” Martin plans to pen a regular column for Wisconsin Week, giving readers her perspective on the university.
Service-learning courses reveal real-world issues
Service-learning courses bridge the gap between academia and the “real world” by providing students with an opportunity to work at places within the Madison community where their experiences relate to course material.
Research
Wielding microbe against microbe, beetle defends its food source
A team of researchers reports that the pine beetle harnesses a microorganism to protect a helper fungus that the insect plants inside tree-bark tunnels as food for its young.
Team discovers brain pathway responsible for obesity
UW–Madison researchers, for the first time, have found a messaging system in the brain that directly affects food intake and body weight.
Features
Exhibition reveals passion for African arts
For those who believe a tidy, antiseptic workplace free of distractions improves productivity, a visit to Henry Drewal’s office in the Elvehjem Building will challenge that notion.
New SoHE curator ready to teach, reach out
Maya Lea, the new curator of the Helen Louise Allen Textile Collection in the School of Human Ecology (SoHE), dove enthusiastically into her position from her first day on the job.
Biomedical engineer develops himself into ‘hybrid scientist’
Serendipity and drive have helped Wan-Ju Li create a career as an assistant professor of biomedical engineering and orthopedics and rehabilitation.
On Campus
Events calendar
Employee Matters
Second part of Reaccreditation Project video report available
The second installment of a weekly video report showcasing major ideas emerging from the 2009 Reaccreditation Project is now available.
‘Friday Night Tailgate’ coming to UW–Madison
Be part of a live program on the Big Ten Network and show your support for the Badgers on Friday, Oct. 12, when the crew from the Big Ten Network’s “Friday Night Tailgate” broadcasts from campus.
Office creates online forum for global topic discussions
Global Studies and the Offices of the Dean of Students have launched the second WI-Global Forum.
University tests text-messaging service
The university conducted the first full-scale test of WiscAlerts-Text on Oct. 1.
Spoken word’s best featured in ‘Passing the Mic’
The Passing the Mic series has become a signature event of the Office of Multicultural Arts Initiatives and is an important component of the annual Wisconsin Book Festival.
Symposium looks at challenge of producing more food
On the day before World Food Day, a group of agricultural leaders will gather to discuss how technology can be harnessed to meet the world’s need for food, fiber and fuel while reducing their industry’s carbon footprint.
Distinguished alumni to headline spotlight lecture series
UW–Madison will welcome five prominent graduates back to campus this year as part of a special lecture series hosted by the Wisconsin Union Directorate and sponsored by the Wisconsin Alumni Association.
Pharmacy classmates remember Nickel
A pharmacy student will run this weekend’s Bank of America Chicago Marathon in memory of her friend and classmate, Adam Nickel.
Milestones
E-Business Consortium celebrates 10 years
A decade ago, many Wisconsin business executives began looking for ways to best position their companies as players in the powerful, multibillion-dollar global marketplace. They found answers — and each other — through the E-Business Consortium.
Anthropology professor honored by Librarian of Congress
William F. Vilas Professor of Anthropology Emiko Ohnuki-Tierney has been named John W. Kluge Distinguished Chair of Modern Culture by the Librarian of Congress.