Towers Perrin Gift Benefits Business Students Faculty
By Carol Olechowski
A gift from a leading consulting firm will benefit the Human Resources Program at the University at Albany�s School of Business.

Approximately one-third of Towers Perrin�s $330,000 commitment will equip a Human Resources Information Systems (HRIS) laboratory on the second floor of the School of Business building with PCs, fax machines, and a copier. An adjacent classroom will be renovated into an HRIS �smart classroom.� The two rooms, 231 and 232, will be named in the donor�s honor.

With the remainder of its three-year commitment, Towers Perrin is endowing a fund to support faculty and student research and development, and an annual award to an outstanding HRIS student at UAlbany. The amount of the award, $500 initially, is to be adjusted upward as the fund grows. Towers Perrin has agreed to make an additional expendable contribution of $30,000, in three equal installments, in order to jump-start the research program and the student award.

Towers Perrin�s gift supports a unique program. According to Associate Professor Hal Gueutal of the Department of Management, Albany�s HR program �is the only one of its type in the country.� Its uniqueness is matched by its excellence in placing graduates and in attracting corporate support. �We have had 100 percent placement of our students for the past ten years, and established partnerships with such major corporations as Towers Perrin,� notes Gueutal.

Towers Perrin Chairman and CEO John Lynch, a 1970 UAlbany graduate, was instrumental in making his company�s gift possible. �I hope that the grant will reinforce the University�s commitment to being a leader in research and in developing intellectual capital that benefits not only its graduates, but the academic and business communities, as well,� he says.

Observes Lynch, who earned a B.A. in mathematics and minored in business: �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.�

Lynch acknowledges that his Albany education has served him well. �I took as wide a variety of courses as possible - in philosophy, psychology, art and music appreciation, biology and physics, history, political science, French, and public speaking,� he says. �I strongly believe, especially at the undergraduate level, that students should explore a broad range of subjects and �learn how to learn� rather than focus too narrowly. The University at Albany offers an excellent opportunity to do just that.�

Lynch reconnected with the University several years ago, �due entirely to the efforts of Albany to reach out to alums.� Since then, in meetings with University officials, Lynch has been �very impressed by everyone�s sincere desire to advance the goals of the University and to use partnerships with the business community as one means to accomplish these goals. We have had the opportunity to work with the University on an actuarial program, on a joint program with Fudan University, and now this latest project in HRIS/HRM. It has been an enjoyable and productive experience to work with the leadership of the University.�

School of Business Dean Richard Highfield is grateful for Lynch�s interest in UAlbany and its School of Business. The Towers Perrin gift, he points out, �will help us improve our leading position in the field of human resources information systems. For the students, it means access to the software and hardware to support and expand the program, and a modern facility in which to learn and hone their skills. For the faculty, it means funding to support the research necessary to keep them at the forefront of the field. Towers Perrin has had very positive experiences with the students it has hired from the program. This gift will allow us to expand this important relationship with the leading consulting firm in the field.�

Adds President Karen R. Hitchcock: �We are so very grateful for our partnership with Towers Perrin and for this wonderful recognition. By allowing us to develop an even greater body of knowledge about Human Resource Information Systems, Towers Perrin will help us to advance our leadership position in this field and to ensure that the University at Albany maintains the lead in the human resources educational market.�

National Academy of Public Administration Taps Radin
By Carol Olechowski
Beryl A. Radin of the Graduate School of Public Affairs at Rockefeller College has been elected to membership in the National Academy of Public Administra-tion.

A professor of public administration and policy, Radin served as a special adviser to the assistant secretary for Management and Budget, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, for academic years 1996-98. Prior to joining the Albany faculty in 1994, she was a professor of public administration at the Washington Public Affairs Center of the University of Southern California�s School of Public Administration for 16 years.

Radin, whose main research and teaching interests focus on the implementation of national policies in a complex federal system, has written extensively on management and policy issues within the U.S. government. Her books include Beyond Machiavelli: Policy Analysis Comes of Age (Georgetown University Press, 2000); New Governance for Rural America: Creating Intergovernmental Partnerships (with Robert Agranoff, Ann Bowman, C. Gregory Buntz, Steven Ott, Barbara Romzek, and Robert Wilson, University Press of Kansas, 1996); The Politics of Federal Reorganization: Creating the U.S. Department of Education (with Willis D. Hawley; Pergamon Press, l988); and Implementation, Change and the Federal Bureaucracy: School Desegregation Policy in HEW (l964-68) (Teachers College Press, Columbia University, N.Y., l977). In addition, she was awarded a senior Fulbright Lectureship in India and continues her comparative work relating to that nation.

A specialist in education and human services policy and in intergovernmental management, Radin serves as managing editor of the Journal of Public Administration Research and Theory. She is a former president of the Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management, the national public policy organization, and is also active with the American Political Science Association, the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration, and the American Society of Public Administration.

Radin received her Ph.D. in social policies planning from the University of Calif-ornia at Berkeley. �Beryl Radin�s appointment,� noted Graduate School of Public Affairs Dean Frank Thompson, �is yet one more signal as to why the Nelson A. Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy has one of the top-ranked programs in the country in public affairs and administration.�

Federal agencies, state and municipal governments, educational institutions, charitable organizations, and Congress itself often seek the National Academy of Public Administration�s assistance in addressing short- and long-term challenges regarding budgets, finance, performance management, human resources, and information technology.

At its annual meeting in November, the organization�s fellows �will agree on a set of recommendations to be forwarded to the new Presidential administration in Washington,� said Thompson, who is a NAPA fellow.

The National Academy of Public Administration�s 480 fellows include current and former officers of the U.S. Cabinet; members of Congress; governors; mayors; diplomats; business executives; public managers; and scholars. U.S. Army General Colin Powell and Bernadine Healy, president and CEO of the American Red Cross, are NAPA fellows.

In addition to Radin and Thompson, Rockefeller College boasts two other NAPA fellows: Distinguished Professor of Political Science Richard P. Nathan and Public Service Professor Dall Forsythe.

Dean Hoffman Leaving
UAlbany Dean of Arts and Sciences Richard J. Hoffmann has accepted an appointment as dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He will assume that post February 1.

In announcing the appointment, UN-L Acting Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs David Brinkerhoff noted: �I�m delighted that Dick

Hoffmann has agreed to be our next dean of Arts and Sciences. The College is a critical element of the university, and the strength of the university is reflected in the strength of Arts and Sciences.� Hoffmann, a biologist, joined UAlbany as dean of arts and sciences in 1998. He earned his master�s and doctorate degrees from Stanford University.

A fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science since 1990, Hoffmann is known for his work on the genetics of adaptation. His research has been supported by the National Science Foundation.

Sculpture Studio Construction Progresses

A series of photos taken by David Christopher from Aug.22 to Oct. 17.

Administration Building Renovations: Renovation of the former Administration Building on the academic podium is proceeding on schedule. Abatement work is now being completed and interior walls have been removed as part of a $6.2 million project to convert the building into academic space.

Performing Arts Center: The University is wrapping up renovations and other improvements to the Performing Arts Center. The work includes refurbishing carpeting and seating in the Recital Hall, replacing carpeting in the Studio Theatre, and upgrading lighting and signage in the PAC lobby. PAC 146 has been converted into a small office, and LC 13, a classroom, has new carpeting and acoustic improvements.

Rockefeller College Storm Drains and Sewers: Work on this project is nearing completion. The project, which involved extensive excavations around Milne and Page halls during the summer and fall, separates storm and sanitary sewer water as it leaves the buildings on the downtown campus. The old system, which dated back to the 1940s or �50s, was constructed as a combined system and was outdated.

The award was presented during the annual NACADA conference at a special ceremony and reception on Saturday, Oct. 7, in Orlando, Fla.

Established in 1983, the award honors individuals and institutions that make significant contributions to the improvement of academic advising.

Kakumba has served in her current position with the Advisement Services Center since 1987.

The Capital Area Council of Churches has awarded the Carlyle Adams Ecumenical Award to three persons who represent the three faith communities (Protestant, Roman Catholic, and Jewish) that oversee the Chapel House Interfaith Center at UAlbany.

Two of them are retired UAlbany professors: Kendall Birr, a member of the Lutheran Church of the Holy Spirit, and Margaret Farrell, a member of St. Thomas the Apostle church. The third recipient is Samuel Strasser of Congregation Beth Emeth. These three individuals have worked together for many years on the Chapel House Board, demonstrating a remarkable spirit of cooperation and dedication to Chapel House and its ministries. Strasser and Farrell have each served terms as president, and Birr has been secretary for several years.

Chapel House is home to chaplains representing three faith communities: the Rev. David Moore, Protestant campus minister; Sister Maureen O�Leary, Roman Catholic chaplain; and David Leibschutz, with the Jewish organization Hillel.

The Carlyle Adams Ecumenical Award is given to a person or persons who have worked on ecumenical projects and display the inclusive spirit of the late Reverend Adams. Adams, an ordained Presbyterian minister, was considered to be a founder of the ecumenical movement in the Albany area, and was religion editor of the Times Union for more than 25 years.

The new University Library is the recipient of several architectural awards. The first, from the Society of American Registered Architects (SARA), Design Award 2000 Program, is to be awarded on October 20 at the Marina Del Rey Hotel in Los Angeles, Calif.; the second, an Award of Merit from the New York Con-struction News �Best of 2000� competition, will be issued on December 13.

Professor Liliana Goldin, an associate professor in the Department of Latin American & Caribbean Studies, is the recipient of one of six �Trailblazer� awards recently presented to six State University of New York faculty members for their contributions in advancing Latin American and Caribbean Studies. The awards were presented last month as part of SUNY�s celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month. September 15-October 15 is set aside nationally to recognize the many contributions made by people of Hispanic descent. Other winners included: Carmen Ferradas, Binghamton; Norma Helsper, Cortland; Elisa Davila, New Paltz; William Culver, Plattsburgh; and Roman De La Campa, Stony Brook.

New Faculty
By Tim Kelly
Sang-Gyung Jun is teaching �Corporate Financial Policy and Strategy� as a new assistant professor in the Department of Finance.

Daehan In-vestment Trust Company hired Jun as a stock market analyst in 1988 following his grad-uation from Seoul National University, where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English literature. His job included analyzing and forecasting market trends and developing strategies for portfolio management and investment in security markets. Daehan awarded Jun the distinguished analyst award in 1992.

Jun received his doctorate in finance from the State University of New York at Buffalo this past year. He worked part-time on a consulting project team for the capital attribution of a major banking institution while completing his doctorate. Jun and the project team demonstrated how financial institutions can determine their own appropriate capital allocations, what factors affect capital allocations, and how the selling and securing of loans affect the capital attributions of financial institutions. His research interests include debt maturity structure, capital structure, the selling and securing of loans, and corporate governance.

Robert L. Miller, Jr. recently joined the University as an assistant professor of social work in the School of Social Welfare and will be teaching classes on spirituality in social work and cultural diversity.

Miller received his doctorate in social work from Columbia University this past year. As a project director and research analyst at the New York Academy of Medicine, he designed and analyzed HIV disease service delivery models. Before pursuing his doctorate, Miller developed and supervised key educational and research components of the federally funded Family Problem Solving Project as a research fellow in the Psychology Department of the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. The project�s staff provided emotional and psychological support to program participants.

Miller has been awarded the Compton Fellowship from Columbia University, the Social Work Fellowship for academic excellence from the University of Pennsylvania, and the Special Achievement Award from the U.S. Department of Human Ser-vices Public Health Service. He is currently a board member for the New York City Harm Reduction Educators and the Society of Spirituality and Social Work. Miller is also a member of the American Psychological Association�s Religion Division and the National Association of Social Workers� New York City Chapter. He has delivered numerous presentations focusing on the role of spirituality in the lives of persons living with the HIV disease.

Karen Mohr has brought a detailed knowledge of hydrology and meteorology to the University as an assistant professor in the Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences.

Mohr received her doctorate in hydrology this past year from the University of Texas. She had supervised the collection and analysis of data at the soil lab as part of the Southern Great Plains 1997 Hydrology Experiment, a collaborative project among several universities to study the interaction between soil and atmosphere. Observations and Modeling of Land Surface Hydrological Processes and the Journal of Hydrometeorology have recently published some of Mohr�s findings.

Before starting graduate school in 1993, Mohr followed weather patterns and forecast the weather as an aviation and satellite meteorologist with the U.S. Air Force. She analyzed the effectiveness of windmills as a windplant operations meteorologist with Kenetech, Inc., a designer and manufacturer of alternative sources of power. Mohr has been awarded the NASA Graduate Student Researchers Program Fellowship, the Marshall Endowed Presidential Fellowship, the University of Texas Continuing Fellowship, and the Louis and Elizabeth Scherck Geology Scholarship. Mohr said she wanted to return to the Northeast, and the highly regarded Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences here offered the most supportive environment for both teaching and research. She is continuing to study the relationship between soil moisture and precipitation.

Professor Primm Presents Paul Lemon Lecture Oct.23
Professor Stuart L. Pimm, of the Center for Environmental Conservation at Columbia University, will give the Paul Lemon Lecture on Monday, Oct. 23, at 4:30 p.m. in the Recital Hall of the Performing Arts Center.

Pimm, one of the world�s foremost scientists in the field of conservation ecology, is the author of more than 150 publications, including three books. He has become a leader in the field of extinction theory - why some species fail to persist in changing environments - and in predicting extinction risks in the wake of our increasing demands on natural resources. By examining the population dynamics and geographical distributions of many different organisms, he has produced convincing demonstrations of where and how we should focus future efforts for biological conservation.

His research and commentary appear regularly in top journals like Science and Nature, and his recent support and testimony in Congress were instrumental in preserving the Endangered Species Act, according to UAlbany biology professor George Robinson. In his writing and lectures, Pimm emphasizes the many opportunities we have remaining to protect the earth�s biodiversity, through conservation and restoration, drawing in part from his studies of ecological restoration in the Florida Everglades.

The Paul C. Lemon Lecture, endowed by the former professor and chair of Biological Sciences, is presented every two years.

UAlbany Emphasizes Information Literacy to Equip Students for the 21st Century
By Greta Petry
To equip students for the 21st century and as part of its new General Education requirements, the University at Albany is requiring all students to take a course in information literacy. This new requirement is part of the larger General Education category, Communication and Reasoning Competencies, and reflects the University�s commitment to ensure that all students have certain competencies.

�We believe it is important for our students to feel confident with using the library and its resources,� said Judith Fetterley, associate dean of Undergraduate Studies. �This course should be taken in the first year, if possible. It is essential for success at the University to know how to access, manage and evaluate information.�

Courses approved for the information literacy requirement describe the processes of finding, organizing, using, producing and distributing information in a variety of formats, including traditional print as well as computer databases. Students who take these courses acquire experience with resources available on the Internet and learn to evaluate the quality of information, to work ethically and professionally, and to adjust to rapidly changing technology tools.

�We have been working over the past year to get the word out to the faculty about this requirement and to encourage faculty to propose courses that will meet it. Many faculty are already teaching courses that are pretty close to what we are looking for, and others might be interested in adapting their courses to include more information literacy components. We have several different models of how this might work and library faculty who are very willing to help,� Fetterley said.

Dean and Director of Libraries Meredith Butler emphasized the importance of developing good information skills early in one�s college experience. �Finding information and doing research are complex processes at which librarians excel. They enjoy teaching students these skills and helping them to be successful learners,� she said.

Courses that satisfy the information literacy requirement will include:

• Activities on finding, citing, evaluating, and using information in print and electronic sources from the University Libraries, the World Wide Web, electronic databases, and other sources. Courses should address questions concerning the ethical use of information, responsible computing, copyrights and other related issues that promote critical reflection.
• Assignments and course work that make extensive use of the University Libraries, World Wide Web, and other information sources. Assignments should include finding, evaluating, and citing information sources.
• One or more assignments on the research process, such as developing an annotated bibliography that requires the student to find, evaluate, use, and cite information sources.

Kathy Turek heads the subcommittee of the General Education committee that reviews courses proposed for the information literacy requirement. If you have a course to propose, contact Dean of Undergraduate Studies Sue Faerman, or Fetterley, at 442-3950.

Plant Scientists to Honor Mascarenhas
By Christine McKnight
Biologist Joseph Mascarenhas will be honored October 28-29 at an international symposium that is expected to attract some of the world�s leading experts in the field of plant sexual reproduction.

The gathering will serve as a forum for review of the latest research on plant sexual reproduction from a variety of viewpoints, including classical plant physiology, molecular biology, biophysics, genetics and genomics, according to Dmitry A. Belostotsky, a UAlbany biology professor and one of three conference organizers. He said that understanding the mechanisms of plant sexual reproduction at the molecular level is a fundamental biological problem and the cornerstone of plant biotechnology.

The conference, �Frontiers in Sexual Plant Reproduction,� is expected to attract scientists from across the U.S., as well as from Great Britain, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Australia, Japan, Singapore, and other countries. While most are from academic laboratories, some scholars are from such industrial labs as Dekalb Plant Genetics, Icon Genetics, Pioneer HiBred, and Du Pont. Joining the University in sponsoring the event is Ames Goldsmith.

The scientists will take time to honor the long and productive career of the 70-year-old Mascarenhas, who is recognized as an international expert in the field.

�It would be fair to say that Dr. Mascarenhas has essentially created and defined for many years the field of control of pollen gene expression. He has published seminal papers in the premier journals in the field and many review articles that are widely cited,� Belastotsky said. Mascarenhas is currently an editor-in-chief of The Journal of Sexual Plant Reproduction, published by Springer-Verlag.

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