March 3, 2003
Headlines Faculty to elect new officers on March 11 Hotel becomes part of academic program Consultants developing research park ideas

Final curtain
The final curtain fell Saturday night on AU Theatre's latest production, "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum." The boisterous, colorful production capped a two-week run at Telfair Peet Theatre. Next up is "Trojan Women," which starts April 15.

Faculty to elect officers next week

Auburn faculty will meet next week to install new officers for 2003-04 and elect those leaders' successors for 2004-05.

Mouton

The 3 p.m. Tuesday, March 11, University Faculty meeting in Broun Hall is open to all members of the faculty. The meeting will also include the spring State of the University address by AU President William Walker.

At the close of the meeting, Chair Barbara Struempler of Nutrition and Food Science will turn over the gavel to John Mouton, Wilborn Chair in the Department of Building Science. As the new chair, Mouton will preside over meetings of the University Faculty, which includes all faculty, and their representative organization, the University Senate. Also, Paula Sullenger of AU Libraries will succeed Renee Middleton as secretary of both organizations.

Faculty will choose a chair-elect and secretary- elect to assist Mouton and Sullenger for a year and succeed them as chair and secretary in March 2004.

Candidates nominated for chair-elect by a senate committee are Willie Larkin of the Alabama Cooperative Extension System and the College of Education and James Saunders of the Department of Geology and Geography.

Nominees for secretary-elect are Debra Cobia of the Department of Counseling and Counseling Psychology and Richard Penaskovic, head of the religious studies program in the Department of Philosophy.

The election is open to all 1,100 members of the Auburn faculty, who may also make nominations from the floor.

For the candidates' biographies and personal statements, go to the Candidates 2003 web site.

New management takes over AU Hotel

West Paces Hotel Group L.L.C. assumed management of the AU Hotel and Dixon Conference Center on Saturday in a major step toward integrating the AU-owned facility into Auburn's academic program.

The new management company is headed by Horst Schulze, the co-founder and former president of the internationally renowned Ritz-Carlton luxury hotel chain.

Under the university's agreement with the Atlanta-based company, Auburn students pursuing degrees in hotel and restaurant management will receive hands-on training and experience from some of the top professionals in the field. The academic program will be in the College of Human Sciences

Schulze is a member of the College of Human Sciences advisory board. Under his direction, Ritz-Carlton achieved a reputation for unparalleled service. In 1992, it became the first hotel chain to win the prestigious Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award for service. Ritz-Carlton won again in 1999.

"It is a wonderful opportunity for our program to partner with the West Paces Hotel Group," said June Henton, dean of the College of Human Sciences.

"Horst Schulze and his executive team are renowned for their record of service excellence. They bring the right expertise to help us become the model program for the development of hospitality service leaders," Henton added.

"The executives of the West Paces Hotel Group are world-class hoteliers who are committed to sharing their knowledge with students and to serving the industry."

Henton said Schulze and his leadership team are the perfect partners for the college's academic program. "They adhere to a science-based approach that reflects best practices in the hospitality industry."

West Paces Hotel Group has appointed John Russell, formerly general manager of the Ritz-Carlton in New Orleans, as general manager of the 247-room hotel and conference center.

Susan Hubbard, associate professor in Nutrition and Food Science, will head the hotel and restaurant management academic program. "Our goal is to educate students, faculty and staff in a science-based premium service environment," Hubbard said.

Research Park
AU Facilities planner Tom Tillman, standing, points out features on campus maps to consultants Vernon George, left, Beth Foster and Perry Chapman during their recent site visit. In the foreground at right is Vice President for Research Michael Moriarty. The team is assisting with an examination of the possibilities for a research park on campus.

Team developing research park ideas

The AU Office of Vice President for Research expects to receive within three months a consulting team's report on the feasibility of establishing a research park on campus.

Representatives of two firms -- Sasaki Associates Inc. and Hammer Siler George -- examined potential sites in late January and have met with faculty, deans, local government officials and other stakeholders.

The consultants' report is to include a business plan that contains a cost-benefit analysis and -- in case the project proceeds beyond that stage -- benchmarked strategies for development stages, park governance, financing and marketing options and site recommendations. Those recommendations will be the basis of a report to AU President William Walker and the Board of Trustees in early summer, said Vice President for Research Michael Moriarty.

Boston-based Sasaki Associates assisted AU in development of the university's master plan. Hammer Siler George is based in Washington, D.C.

"We believe that establishing a research park at Auburn University fits into both the state's and the local communities' economic development and growth plans," said Moriarty. "It also supports the effort proposed by President Walker and that is being directed by Vice President for Outreach David Wilson, to transform the I-85 corridor from Montgomery to Atlanta into a high-technology beltway."

The consultants said companies prefer to locate in parks within a half-day drive from their home offices. They noted that Auburn is within this desired distance from Atlanta, Birmingham, Montgomery and Columbus, Ga., and it is on good Interstate and four-lane highway systems.

The initial phase of a research park development typically involves 50-100 acres, the consultants noted. Other key considerations are the site's close proximity to the main campus and how it fits into the university's planned land use and infrastructure.

The consultants said the university's primary investment is in the property that it provides, not in the buildings. Other university assets are its intellectual property, students and faculty and innovative technology research.

Because of the park's economic enhancement potential, local municipalities often make property improvements -- such as road and utility installation -- and assist in marketing the park, the consultants said.

"From a planner's perspective, the university offers marvelous potential for location of a research park and for maintaining land use integrity," said Sasaki's Perry Chapman.

AU takes steps toward master plan for traffic, parking

AU is undertaking a study that President William Walker predicts will result in a comprehensive master plan for traffic and parking on campus.

The firms of Wells and Associates and Skipper Consulting are providing the professional expertise for the plan. They will examine not only parking and traffic but also other issues including pedestrianization and campus bus routes.

One of the consultants, Marty Wells, held an open forum for discussion of parking and traffic issues on Thursday.

In an e-mail message last week, Walker encouraged faculty and staff to contact Wells at auburntigers@mjwells.com with their thoughts on the issue. "I understand and appreciate that these issues have practical significance on a daily basis for many or most Auburn students, faculty and staff," Walker said.

Biggio Center candidates to interview

The search committee for the director of the Biggio Center for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning will bring three candidates to campus in March.

The Biggio Center is under development in the Office of the Provost to assist faculty across the curriculum in enhancing teaching skills and resources.

The committee has scheduled open sessions in which each candidate will discuss his or her ideas and vision for the Biggio Center. Each one-hour session will be at 1:30 p.m. in the first-floor auditorium of Draughon Library.

The first candidate to interview, Eric Hobson, will participate in an open session on Monday, March 3. He is associate professor of humanities and director of the Center for Teaching and Learning at the Albany College of Pharmacy in New York.

The next candidate, on March 10, will be James Groccia, director of the Program for the Excellence in Teaching at the University of Missouri, Columbia.

J. Elizabeth Miller will be available on March 20. She is associate professor in the School of Family, Consumer and Nutrition Science and director/coordinator of the Teaching Assistant Training and Development Office at Northern Illinois University.

Credentials for the candidates will be available online through AU Libraries' E-Reserve site. For more information, e-mail Linda Glaze at glazels@auburn.edu.

Building Science to get a home of its own

The AU academic department which has the closest links to the construction industry will soon see some construction of its own.

After sharing space in Dudley Hall, at right, with the School of Architecture for 25 years, the Department of Building Science is developing plans for a building of its own. Although the building will be in the vicinity of the College of Architecture, Design and Construction complex north of Samford Avenue, planners have yet to determine the precise location.

The Board of Trustees has approved most of the major elements necessary for the project to proceed. In February, the board approved the building's program plan, preliminary budget and funding plan and authorized the search for an architect and a construction manager.

Initial plans call for construction of the building in 2004. The plans call for a 33,500-square-foot facility, which could expand another 6,700 square feet in a later phase of development.

The building, in two phases, will be about half the size of Dudley Hall.

The new facility will be named for Miller Gorrie, a 1957 Auburn alumnus who built the Birmingham firm of Brasfield and Gorrie into one of the South's largest general contracting companies.

John Murphy, head of the Building Science Department, said the new building will alleviate overcrowding in Dudley Hall and enable both academic programs to more fully meet the needs of their students and related industries. The facility will also enable the Building Science Department to improve its academic reputation, he added.

"This project will enable us to position Auburn University's Building Science Department from its current ranking among the top five or six to the top one or two program in the country," Murphy said.

Stadium changes
Jordan-Hare Stadium, quiet in the glow of a winter sunset, could undergo major changes over the next two years. The Athletic Department plans to increase the number of restrooms, upgrade and increase the number of luxury suites and add 1,000 seats to the east side. Subject to Board of Trustees approval, AU will finance the $28 million project with a bond issue to be repaid through Athletic Department revenues.

Education officials to take part in conference

Assistant U.S. Secretary of Education Robert Pasternack will participate in the annual Alabama Transition Conference at the Dixon Conference Center on March 5-7.

Pasternack, the federal agency's principal advisor on special education and rehabilitative services, will be one of several prominent speakers at the annual conference, which focuses on programs to help persons with disabilities make the transition from dependence to independence in their earning capability and daily life.

The conference is spearheaded by Philip Browning, director of the Auburn Transition Leadership Institute and head of the College of Education's Department of Rehabilitation and Special Education.

Among other rehabilitation and special education leaders participating are Steve Shivers, commissioner of Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services, and Special Education Director Mabrey Whetstone of the Alabama State Department of Education. Also taking part is Joanne Cashman from the National Association of State Directors of Special Education in Washington, D. C.

Keynote speaker is Kathy Buckley, author of the bestselling book, "If You Could Hear What I See."

Veterinary hospital
AU's new veterinary teaching hospital will be the most modern facility of its type in the United States.

Hospital giving new look to college

Construction on the College of Veterinary Medicine's new Large Animal Teaching Hospital complex is changing the view along Wire Road. "Auburn University is moving from having the oldest facility in the country to having the

newest, most modern one," said Dean Timothy Boosinger. "This will allow us to make advances in the medical care of animals and provide much more experience for our students."

The 71,500-square-foot hospital will have modern surgical suites, an intensive care unit, pharmacy, radiology section, field services unit, offices, conference room and a 60-seat classroom. After that part is completed this summer, the college will begin work on two beef cattle wards and two dairy wards.

Already completed and in operation are an equine lameness arena with hard and soft surfaces, as well as two equine wards, an isolation facility and an equipment and maintenance shop.

The complex will cover 120,000 square feet. All the structures will be clad in red bricks with white trim and green roofs. A wood fence will encompass the buildings and surrounding pasture.

"This is the largest construction project ever at the college," Boosinger said. "We are glad to see it nearing completion because many of our faculty have been working toward this goal for almost 10 years."

College officials began planning the project and seeking support in 1994. In 1998 Alabama voters approved an agricultural bond initiative to provide $7.5 million toward the $33 million project. Funding sources also include $7.5 million in university financing, $3 million from the college and private support from individuals and groups.

Future plans include renovation of McAdory Hall, which was built in 1960 and is the oldest large-animal facility of its kind in the nation. That building will be used for faculty offices, laboratories and space for conferences and classrooms.

Logos designed by Dugas included in new book

Art Professor Ray B. Dugas recently had three of his logos accepted for inclusion in the book "American Corporate Identity 19."

This is the 19th year of the series, which features the best examples of logos and graphic identity systems produced in America in the previous year.

The book was compiled by David Carter, the leading writer in the field of corporate identity symbols. The publisher is HarperCollins.

The author solicited submissions for the book from a national graphic design audience of practicing professionals. The 320-page full-color book will be published this spring.

At left is one of Dugas' logos that will be featured in the book. He designed the logo for Vision Concepts, a local optical company. Dugas, an AU faculty member since 1974, teaches undergraduate graphic design courses in the Department of Art. His main areas of research are corporate identity and digital illustration.

The AU art professor has designed logos and logotypes for clients throughout the South. More information about Dugas and his work can be seen at the web site www.auburn.edu/art.

Center for Arts and Humanities displays quilts by local artist

The AU Center for the Arts and Humanities will host "Traditional Quilt Explorations: Treasuring Old Techniques in New Works," an exhibition of quilts by local artist Tracy Oleinick, March 4-23 at Pebble Hill.

Oleinick will participate in the exhibition's opening from 4 p.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday. The free exhibition will be open to the public each week on Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.-4 p.m.

Among Oleinick's 12 new quilts on display will be "Wedding Bargello," shown at left, a 25th wedding anniversary present for her husband, and "Chanukah Gift." The latter is the combination of quilt blocks designed and made by members of the Cotton Bowl Quilt Guild and given to Oleinick in honor of her service as president of the guild for the year 2000. Others include "Depression Clouds," "Americana Birthday," "Summertime" and "Fish Pond Dye Bath."

Although none of the quilts are for sale, Oleinick does give many to charitable organizations to auction or sell as fund-raisers.

For directions to Pebble Hill or more information, call 844-4946.

AU staff member certified for Olympic Registry

Doug Hankes, associate director of Student Counseling Services, was recently certified as a member of the U.S. Olympic Committee Sport Psychology Registry.

His selection places him among an elite group of professionals serving as sport psychology resources for the national governing bodies of Olympic and Pan American sports.

Hankes also serves as an executive committee member on both the American Psychology Association's Division 47 (Exercise and Sport Psychology) and the Association for the Advancement of Applied Sport Psychology, the two leading professional sport psychology organizations.

A licensed psychologist, Hankes holds a Ph.D. from the University of North Texas and has been on the Student Affairs staff since 1998.

WSP panel seeks nominations of student speakers

The speakers committee of the Women's Studies Program is extending the deadline for nominations of student papers for the WSP student "Brown Bag" presentations until Friday, March 7.

The panel will ask two undergraduate and two graduate students to present work that they have done for a class or as part of a thesis. The committee asks faculty to nominate students who have produced noteworthy papers.

To nominate a student, send the student's name to Jody Graham at grahaj2@auburn.edu and instruct the student to mail his or her paper to Graham at 6080 Haley Center or send it by e-mail to the first address above.

Faculty member wins 'Addies'

The speaker's committee of the Women's Studies Program is extending the deadline for nominations of student papers for the WSP student "Brown Bag" presentations until Friday, March 7.

The panel will ask two undergraduate and two graduate students to present work that they have done for a class or as part of a thesis. The committee asks faculty to nominate students who have produced noteworthy papers.

To nominate a student, send the student's name to Jody Graham at grahaj2@auburn.edu and instruct the student to mail his or her paper to Graham at 6080 Haley Center or send it by e-mail.

Campus Roundup

New sandwich shop opens on campus
Auburn Dining Services has opened a new sandwich shop, The Drawing Board, in Dudley Hall. In addition to sandwiches, the shop offers express items such as bagels, muffins, salads, bottled beverages and Starbucks Coffee. Hours are Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. and 6 p.m.-11 p.m., and Fridays from 8 a.m.-2 p.m.

Association to honor faculty, students
The Auburn Alumni Association will host its annual Alumni Scholars/Professors Reception at 4 p.m. Friday, March 7, at the Auburn Alumni Center. The event will honor Alumni Scholars, Alumni Professors, Minority Achievement Award recipient and others.

'Healthy Eating' session planned
The Office of Human Resource Development will offer the program "Healthy Eating" from 9 a.m.-11 a.m. on March 19 at the Dixon Conference Center. Anne Carpenter from the Lee County Extension Office will discuss healthy eating and simple ways to change favorite recipes to make them more healthful. Contact Heather Crozier at vannhea@auburn.edu or 844-4145.

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AU Report Editor: Roy Summerford. Contributing editors: Bob Lowry and David Grange. Photography: Jeff Etheridge and Trice Megginson, AU Photo Services. University Relations Executive Director: John Hachtel. The AU Report is the faculty/staff newsletter of Auburn University and is published by the Office of University Relations at Auburn University. Direct correspondence to AU Report, 23 Samford Hall, Auburn, Ala. 36849-5109. Telephone 334/844-9999. Electronic mail: summero@auburn.edu