The Wisconsin Week Wire — May 9, 2007
Top News
Ogg Hall reaches end of the line
Ogg Hall will be demolished this summer to make way for green space along the East Campus Mall. A new 600-bed residence hall at Park and Dayton streets will replace the building and retain the Ogg Hall name.
Broadway veteran to speak at commencement
Andre De Shields will address graduates during this weekend’s commencement ceremonies.
Features
Plant pathologist champions women in science and academia
UW–Madison’s Jo Handelsman recently was elected president of the Rosalind Franklin Society, whose goal is to advance the role of women in science nationally and internationally.
Program director finds his place at UW–Madison
The director of the Academic Advancement Program was nervous about making the transition from 1,300-student Beloit College to UW–Madison. But his apprehension faded as he has quickly been made to feel welcome at the university.
New program to help parents of students stay connected
UW–Madison is launching a major upgrade of its communication efforts and support services for parents with its Parent Program, which will debut this summer.
Wisconsin’s rural life inspires a classical composition
Sociologist Michael Bell wrote a three-part classical composition titled “The Wick of the Land,” inspired by the works included in the Watrous Gallery’s “Wisconsin’s People on the Land” exhibit.
Research
Resident bacteria may help clean phosphorus from lakes
A UW–Madison professor will use a prestigious award to study water quality in Madison and China.
Meditation may fine-tune control over attention
A new UW–Madison study suggests that attention doesn’t have a fixed capacity and that it can be improved by directed mental training, such as meditation.
New study dissects stem cells’ picky likes, dislikes
A UW–Madison chemistry professor has found a new tool to help researchers keep stem cells under control.
On Campus
Events calendar
Employee Matters
Symposium focuses on learning beyond the classroom
This month’s Teaching and Learning Symposium will give professors, instructors and teaching assistants a chance to share ideas for engaging students and enriching their college experience.
University offers domestic partner benefit update
UW–Madison continues to actively pursue the ability to offer domestic partner health insurance benefits to its faculty and staff.
Campus construction revs up for summer
Several campus improvement projects will affect traffic on and near campus this summer.
Greek life turns 150
UW–Madison’s Greek community celebrates its 150th anniversary this year.
Communication, ideas vital in administrative project
A collaborative project is bringing together faculty, classified and academic staff and students to create new, streamlined systems based on campus needs, best practices and data analysis.
Sessions set to prepare for reaccreditation visit
The university is conducting a self-study to demonstrate that it meets a set of criteria for reaccreditation. Faculty and staff are invited to share their ideas during a number of discussion sessions.
Milestones
UW–Madison honors nine Academic Staff Award winners
Nine professionals were recognized for their leadership, public service, research and teaching with Academic Staff Excellence Awards.
Two faculty named American Academy fellows
The American Academy of Arts and Sciences has named two UW–Madison faculty as fellows.
Adult students reveal stories of triumph
Two returning adult students were honored for their accomplishments with awards.