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Faculty & Staff
Andersen Serves on Panel
Professor of Public Administration and Policy David F. Andersen is serving on a federal panel seeking to use science and technology research to counteract terrorism.

Convened by the national academies of Science and Engineering as a means of advising President Bush on a science and technology research agenda for anti-terrorism, the overall effort is divided into smaller panels focused on such disciplines as biology and nuclear science. The newly created panel on which Andersen serves addresses systems engineering and systems sciences.

Andersen, a faculty member at UAlbany since 1977, has done extensive research and publishing in the areas of computer simulation models, educational finances, and manpower planning. The author of Government Information Management (Prentice Hall, 1991) and of numerous articles about strategic planning in state agencies and school finance reform in New York State, he also directs the Department of Public Administration and Policy’s M.P.A. program.

Ramos Elected to NASW Post
Blanca M. Ramos, assistant professor of social welfare and Latin American and Caribbean studies, has been elected first vice president of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW).

Ramos, who earned her M.S.W. and Ph.D. from UAlbany in 1991 and 1997, respectively, specializes in social work practice, mental health, cultural diversity, Latinos, and immigrants. A faculty member at UAlbany for seven years, she has been a member of NASW since 1991.

NASW, the largest social work organization in the world, was established to promote the professional growth and development of its members, who now number more than 150,000. The organization also seeks to create and maintain professional standards, while advancing sound social policies.

Swiny Edits Book
Institute of Cypriot Studies Director Stuart Swiny has edited a book, The Earliest Prehistory of Cyprus from Colonization to Exploitation (the American Schools of Oriental Research, 2001). The work grew out of a 1998 conference held at UAlbany and attended by a dozen scholars from the College de France and the Musée d’Histoire Naturelle, Paris; Harvard University; Boston University; the University of Nevada at Las Vegas; and several other institutions.

Swiny, who had just published a lengthy article on the history of the Cyprus American Archaeological Research Institute in Nicosia, teaches in the University’s Department of Classics. He has been a UAlbany faculty member for six years.

Entrepreneurship Seminar Featured Schuler
University at Albany Associate Vice President for Research and Director of Technology Development Eugene K. Schuler was one of the speakers at Are You in Conflict? Academic Institutions Working with Biotech Companies, held April 10 at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

The seminar, which was open to the public, was sponsored by RPI.

Schuler came to UAlbany from the State University at Stony Brook in 1995 to oversee the development of the Center for Environmental Sciences and Technology Management (CESTM). In the years since, he has been instrumental in developing the East Campus, which, like CESTM, includes a high-technology business incubation program. He plays a unique role in advancing economic development in the Capital Region by bringing together academic research, technology transfer, incubator development, and research parks.

Harper to attend GSA annual meeting
Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences Professor Gregory D. Harper, a UAlbany faculty member since 1984, will present his research at the annual meeting of the Cordilleran Section of the Geological Society of America. The meeting will be held May 13-15 at Oregon State University in Corvallis.



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			Beautify Our Campuses on May 2 Spring Cleanup Day is set for May 2. Everyone is invited to join the hard work and fun and help beautify our campuses for Commencement Weekend, May 18 and 19. Last year there were about 450 participants. Don’t be left out this year; there is a job for everyone. As one University member put it, “We had a very good time and felt proud of what we accomplished.” “We are seeking 500 volunteers for one full day to help make our campuses look their best ever for the weekend celebrations planned for Commencement 2002,” said Interim Vice President for Finance and Business Kathryn Lowery. Work is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with a one-hour lunch provided at noon for the volunteer cleanup team. All faculty, staff, and students are urged to volunteer. If unable to offer a full day, volunteers are being asked to sign up for at least part of the day. Volunteers may either visit http://web.albany.edu/cleanup to get information and sign up, or send an e-mail to Sheryl DeCrosta at sdecrosta@uamail.albany.edu. Division for Research Sponsors Colloquium By Janice Bogan “Creating and Sustaining Excellent Centers and Institutes” was the theme of the Third Annual Research Colloquium, sponsored by the Division for Research on April 24. Echoing national funding trends in interdisciplinary research programs, this timely colloquium provided presenters and attendees an opportunity to discuss new approaches for developing and nurturing successful centers and institutes at the University at Albany. Vice President for Research Christopher D’Elia began the colloquium with an overview of new campus policies regarding centers, institutes, and research facilities at UAlbany. He thanked the Council on Research for its invaluable assistance in developing new campus policies for centers and institutes. D’Elia also noted the breadth of disciplines served by these resources, and how well- run centers and institutes facilitate coordinated research programs across campus. He also encouraged researchers who are considering creating centers and institutes to think in strategic and entrepreneurial ways, to seek external funds for research activities, and to consider whether the activities envisioned for the new center or institute could be successfully conducted and accommodated in a current center or institute. The featured speakers included Tomek Strzalkowski, associate professor of computer science and director of the Institute for Informatics, Logics and Security Studies; Thomas Birkland, associate professor of political science and director of the Center for Policy Research; and Katharine Briar-Lawson, dean of the School of Social Welfare. Strzalkowski and Birkland each discussed challenges involved in starting a center or institute; how to obtain external funding; and how to market centers and institutes, both internally to the University community, and externally to sponsors and other potential stakeholders. Briar-Lawson remarked from a dean’s perspective on how centers and institutes formed around school or college academic themes facilitate cooperation among faculty colleagues across campus -- and serve as focal points to attract external funds, whether grants, contracts, or gifts. Regarding the School of Social Welfare, Briar-Lawson described how local and global themes in social work practice - health care, aging, and other human services - translate to strategic missions for successful centers and institutes. Finally, a panel consisting of Eugene Schuler, associate vice president for Research and director of Technology Development; Lynn Videka-Sherman, a professor in the School of Social Welfare and director of the Center for Human Services Research; and Garrett Sanders, assistant vice president for Research and director of Sponsored Programs, reflected on the earlier presentations. Videka-Sherman described how a regionally based center might expand its focus and funding success by writing grant proposals that parlay achievements on a local level to broader national and international needs. Schuler and Sanders emphasized the importance of maintaining an entrepreneurial focus, and keeping the center’s and institute’s mission statement foremost in mind when considering new directions. D’Elia stated that “organized research units are critical factors for success in program building at major research institutions. We have some excellent centers and institutes at this University. What we hoped we accomplished through this colloquium was the opportunity to present some suggestions and encourage creative thinking on how we can make our existing centers and institutes more effective.” Albany Heritage UAlbany President Karen R. Hitchcock spoke at the opening of Albany Heritage, a yearlong celebration of the 350th anniversary of the founding of Beverwijck, the Dutch trading community that became the city of Albany. The observance will feature exhibits, tours, lectures, concerts, and other events, including State Street Stories, an exhibit at the University Art Museum, and the Monumental Visions and Urban Transformations in Albany, 1948-1978 conference, both scheduled for next fall. Photo by Mark Schmidt.

			Faculty & Staff Andersen Serves on Panel Professor of Public Administration and Policy David F. Andersen is serving on a federal panel seeking to use science and technology research to counteract terrorism. Convened by the national academies of Science and Engineering as a means of advising President Bush on a science and technology research agenda for anti-terrorism, the overall effort is divided into smaller panels focused on such disciplines as biology and nuclear science. The newly created panel on which Andersen serves addresses systems engineering and systems sciences. Andersen, a faculty member at UAlbany since 1977, has done extensive research and publishing in the areas of computer simulation models, educational finances, and manpower planning. The author of Government Information Management (Prentice Hall, 1991) and of numerous articles about strategic planning in state agencies and school finance reform in New York State, he also directs the Department of Public Administration and Policy’s M.P.A. program. Ramos Elected to NASW Post Blanca M. Ramos, assistant professor of social welfare and Latin American and Caribbean studies, has been elected first vice president of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW). Ramos, who earned her M.S.W. and Ph.D. from UAlbany in 1991 and 1997, respectively, specializes in social work practice, mental health, cultural diversity, Latinos, and immigrants. A faculty member at UAlbany for seven years, she has been a member of NASW since 1991. NASW, the largest social work organization in the world, was established to promote the professional growth and development of its members, who now number more than 150,000. The organization also seeks to create and maintain professional standards, while advancing sound social policies. Swiny Edits Book Institute of Cypriot Studies Director Stuart Swiny has edited a book, The Earliest Prehistory of Cyprus from Colonization to Exploitation (the American Schools of Oriental Research, 2001). The work grew out of a 1998 conference held at UAlbany and attended by a dozen scholars from the College de France and the Musée d’Histoire Naturelle, Paris; Harvard University; Boston University; the University of Nevada at Las Vegas; and several other institutions. Swiny, who had just published a lengthy article on the history of the Cyprus American Archaeological Research Institute in Nicosia, teaches in the University’s Department of Classics. He has been a UAlbany faculty member for six years. Entrepreneurship Seminar Featured Schuler University at Albany Associate Vice President for Research and Director of Technology Development Eugene K. Schuler was one of the speakers at Are You in Conflict? Academic Institutions Working with Biotech Companies, held April 10 at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. The seminar, which was open to the public, was sponsored by RPI. Schuler came to UAlbany from the State University at Stony Brook in 1995 to oversee the development of the Center for Environmental Sciences and Technology Management (CESTM). In the years since, he has been instrumental in developing the East Campus, which, like CESTM, includes a high-technology business incubation program. He plays a unique role in advancing economic development in the Capital Region by bringing together academic research, technology transfer, incubator development, and research parks. Harper to attend GSA annual meeting Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences Professor Gregory D. Harper, a UAlbany faculty member since 1984, will present his research at the annual meeting of the Cordilleran Section of the Geological Society of America. The meeting will be held May 13-15 at Oregon State University in Corvallis.
			School of Business Dedicates Classroom By Carol Olechowski Former Towers Perrin CEO and UAlbany alumnus John T. Lynch ‘70 joined University President Karen R. Hitchcock, School of Business Dean Richard Highfield, and guests for a dedication ceremony April 11 at which Room 231 in the school was named the Towers Perrin Human Resources Information Systems (HRIS) Classroom. Lynch, who graduated from the University 32 years ago with a degree in mathematics, announced Towers Perrin’s $330,000 commitment to UAlbany in the fall of 2000. “Dramatic advances in technology, coupled with the changes occurring in the business world, are having an enormous impact on how human resources are managed, and on the systems necessary to manage information within as well as between organizations. A partnership between academia and the business community is a great way to advance thinking and to prepare more graduates for careers in these areas. It is important that the equipment be ‘cutting edge’ and kept up to date if we are to deliver on these objectives,” he noted at that time. Towers Perrin contributed $100,000 of its commitment to establish the smart classroom and a computer laboratory, which are now in use by the school’s students, faculty, and staff. The remaining $230,000 established the Towers Perrin Human Resources Research and Development Fund and the Towers Perrin Student Award. The former provides yearly awards to faculty to support needs in the HRIS and human resource management (HRM) fields. The latter is presented annually to a student who demonstrates academic excellence and career potential in either the HRIS or HRM area. Kerry Pilek, this year’s recipient of the student award, attended the dedication. In her remarks at the dedication ceremony, UAlbany President Karen R. Hitchcock lauded “the very real difference Towers Perrin is making for our students and faculty.” Citing the revolution that the HRM field is undergoing, she added that the University at Albany wants to prepare managers who will be ready to tackle the complex challenges in today’s organizations, and thanked Towers Perrin for sharing that conviction. Pictured: John Lynch ’70, former CEO of Towers Perrin, and Jennifer Lego ’93, a managing consultant with the firm, are shown with President Hitchcock. Photo by Mark Schmidt
			MFA Thesis Exhibition/ Master of Arts Exhibition Opens May 2 Continues through May 19 Opening Reception: Friday, May 10, 5 - 8 p.m. Closed for Oral Reviews: Thursday, May 9 The University Art Museum is pleased to announce its most recent exhibit featuring the work of the University at Albany’s Spring 2002 Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) candidates Jennifer L. Burchill, Mark A. De Leonardis, Sara DiDonato, Abraham Ferraro, Joseph Costello Hamilton, and Ann Mataraso. Also featured is work by Master of Arts (M.A.) candidates Darcie Abbatiello and Alicia Blanco. The University Art Museum provides M.F.A. candidates the opportunity to exhibit their work in a professional museum setting; it also offers viewers a unique opportunity to see how today’s emerging artists are addressing contemporary issues in the visual arts. Marking their debut into the larger art world, the Master of Fine Arts Thesis Exhibition is an important milestone for these artists. For more information, including photographs and artist interviews, call or e-mail Corinna Ripps Schaming at (518) 442-4038 or Corinna @ albany.edu.

			Wall of Difference The Varga family views the Wall of Difference at the Legislative Office Building in downtown Albany. Compiled by UAlbany students to commemorate the Year of the Volunteer (2001) and the men and women who responded to the September 11 terrorist attacks, the 4-by-6-foot wall displays stories and photos submitted by Capital Region residents whose voluntarism has made a difference to others. Among those pictured are University staff and students, including volunteer firefighters who assisted in the search and recovery efforts at the World Trade Center. The wall was displayed at the LOB from April 8-12. Photo by Mark Schmidt
			Volunteer Today! Sign Up for Commencement Weekend By Christy DeLaMater More than 140 faculty and staff have signed up to volunteer for Commence-ment Weekend, May 18 and 19. An additional 75 faculty and staff volunteers are still needed to fill numerous positions, including: undergraduate ceremony (ushers, brevet marshals, student lineup/procession) graduate ceremony (greeters, floor guards/ushers, disabled seating escorts) u information booths, podium/campus center floaters (various shifts and locations) Torch Night assistants (greeters, registration, ushers) Supervisors are asked to encourage those reporting to them to participate, especially at one of the larger ceremonies. Commencement is the capstone event of the academic year; the pride and joy experienced throughout the weekend is worth the commitment of a few hours. As a thank you, volunteers will receive a commemorative T-shirt. Photos will also be available on the Web soon after the weekend. Please go to www.albany.edu/commencement/faculty&staff and click on volunteers needed. Or, contact Christy DeLaMater at 1-8626 or at cdelamater@uamail.albany.edu. Your prompt response to this request will ensure effective scheduling. Commencement Rehearsal Schedule Graduate Rehearsal Tuesday, May 14, 2002 10 a.m. - volunteers 11 a.m. - faculty marshals Undergraduate Rehearsal Thursday, May 16, 2002 10 a.m. - volunteers 11 a.m. - faculty marshals ** Those volunteering as information booth attendants, podium and campus center floaters, or Torch Night assistants should plan to attend the May 16 rehearsal.
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