Boise State Named One of Six Wind Application Centers in the Nation

Boise State was recently named one of six Wind Application Centers in the nation through the U.S. Department of Energy’s Wind for Schools program. During the three-year program, Boise State undergraduates in engineering will manage the siting and construction of small 1.9-kilowatt wind turbines at up to 12 rural Idaho schools.

The purpose of the $41,000-a-year program is to educate rural K-12 students about wind energy and engage rural communities in a discussion regarding the applications and benefits of a robust wind energy future for rural America. Meanwhile, Boise State’s engineering students will develop real-world experience in wind energy project development.

“Helping people understand and embrace its potential is fundamental to the progress of wind energy as a viable source of renewable energy,” said John Gardner, Boise State’s associate vice president for energy research, policy and campus sustainability. “Getting the public behind the research and advances being made in wind power here at Boise State and other universities through programs like this can make a big difference.”

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President Kustra’s response to Sunday’s death of J.R. Simplot

“The recent passing of J.R. Simplot is a great loss to Boise State University and the state of Idaho. Mr. Simplot’s generous support of Boise State created a legacy that continues to benefit the students, the university and the entire Treasure Valley. He and Esther were the most loyal of Bronco fans, attending every home game, including a trip to Phoenix for the big Fiesta Bowl win.

“Mr. Simplot was a unique and dynamic individual whose benevolence helped set the standard for philanthropy at Boise State. He will long be remembered as a true friend of the university.

“On behalf of everyone at Boise State University, I extend heartfelt sympathy to Esther and the entire Simplot family.”

In This Issue

  1. Wind Application Center
  2. President Kustra's Remarks on J.R. Simplot
  3. New Library Databases
  4. SUB Renovation News
  5. Staff and Faculty Discounts to Roaring Springs
  6. Vista Now Supported
  7. Risk Managment Update
  8. Center for Health Policy
  9. Alumni Association
  10. Biology
  11. Athletics
  12. Health, Wellness and Couseling
  13. Campus Crime Log
  14. Photo of the Week
  15. Faculty and Staff in Action
New Horizons in Education

Stan Katz

Nation building in Iraq

Friday, 5:30 p.m. and Sunday, 11 a.m. on NPR News 91

Albertsons Library

Two New Databases Available

Rare Texts

Thanks to a new database in the Albertsons Library, you’ll no longer have to fly to London to access an original copy of one of Shakespeare’s plays. The library now offers digital access to more than 110,000 rare and historical British texts published between 1473 and 1700. This collection, known as the Early English Books Online (EEBO) database, will greatly enhance the ability of Boise State students and faculty to conduct primary research related to the literature, history and culture of early England and colonial America.

According to Chadwyk-Healey, publisher of EEBO, the database contains “virtually every work printed in England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales and British North America and works in English printed elsewhere from 1473-1700 — from the first book printed in English by William Caxton through the age of Spenser and Shakespeare and the tumult of the English Civil War.” With such a broad scope of materials, EEBO will enhance research and teaching across a variety of disciplines, including literature, history, philosophy, linguistics, theology, music, fine arts, education, mathematics and science.

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Ethnic Newswatch

Do you want more than one point of view? Need a magazine or journal article written in Spanish for a class? Now you can get these and more. Albertsons Library now offers digital access to more than a million articles from minority and ethnic newspapers, magazines and journals dating from 1990 to the present. The addition of Ethnic Newswatch (ENW) to the library’s growing list of databases provides faculty, staff and students with diverse perspectives and a valuable new resource for interdisciplinary study.

According to publisher Proquest, “ENW presents a comprehensive, full-text collection of nearly 1.6 million articles from more than 280 publications offering both national and regional coverage. While the content may mirror mainstream media coverage, the viewpoints are decidedly unique.” ENW offers the voices of “Asian-American, Jewish, African-American, Native-American, Arab-American, Eastern-European, and multi-ethnic communities.” With such a diverse list of resources, Ethnic Newswatch is an excellent resource supporting study in numerous disciplines, including: ethnic studies, cultural studies, gender studies, history, political science, communication, current events, literatures, languages, philosophy, social sciences, education, music, fine arts, mathematics and sciences.

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Student Union

Construction to Close SUB Patio

The Student Union patio and patio entrance will be closed from May 27-Aug. 14 due to construction. The existing northeast entrance at New Student Information will remain open.

The Special Events Center and the west main entrance will remain open and signs will be posted directing pedestrian traffic to the nearest available entrance into the SUB.

Roaring Springs Discounts

Discounts to Roaring Springs or Boondocks are available online. Boise State students, faculty, staff and their families can save $6 off a full-day Roaring Springs or Boondocks admission or $14 off the new “Twice the Fun” full-day combo ticket.

Tickets are available at www.roaringsprings.com, www.boondocksmeridian.com or at the Student Union Info Desk.

Group name: BSU

Passwords:

go_kiddo (May and June)

play_kiddo (July and Aug)

For more information, call ext. 6-4636.

OIT/Help Desk

Got Vista?

OIT is announcing support for Windows Vista, along with previously announced support for Microsoft Office 2007 for Windows, Microsoft Office 2008 for Mac, and Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard). Information about obtaining and installing software can be found on the OIT Help Desk's online webzine, BroncoBytes at broncobytes.boisestate.edu.

Risk Management and Insurance

Changes to Foreign Travel Assistance and Insurance Program

Foreign travel assistance and insurance program coverage is now provided to the university through the State of Idaho and the ACE American Insurance Company for the remainder of FY08 and FY09. In summary, the coverage included within this university (state) insurance program due to an injury or illness while on university business includes but is not limited to:

The ACE American Insurance Company travel assistance brochure outlining these foreign travel assistance services and contact phone numbers in further detail can be reviewed at the Risk Management and Insurance Office’s Web site at rmi.boisestate.edu under the topic header “How Do I Get Travel Insurance Assistance?” Additionally, a hard copy of this brochure is available through the Boise State Travel Office or the RM&I Office. For more information about this foreign travel assistance program, contact the RM&I Office at ext. 6-5955 or 6-3636.

Center for Health Policy

Center Awarded Second Medicaid Contract

Boise State’s Center for Health Policy, and Milliman Inc., a global consulting and actuarial firm, have been awarded a second contract with the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare Division of Medicaid to set capitation rate ranges for specific health-care services provided under Medicaid. Capitation is a method of payment where the provider is paid a fixed amount for a patient over a given period of time.

The initial contract addressed estimating costs for Medicaid clients who are also eligible for Medicare services. This second contract will address the costs of dental services provided by Medicaid to their clients.

The principal investigator is Ed Baker, director of the Center for Health Policy. He is responsible for project management and administration. Tim Barclay, principal and consulting actuary for Milliman, will be responsible for actuarial and analytical activities.

“The Center for Health Policy provides high quality services to Idaho organizations focused on improving the health of our communities,” said Baker. “Our continuing partnership with the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare's Division of Medicaid is a high priority relationship for the center.”

Alumni Association

Carter Named Associate Director of Marketing and Events

Sonja CarterSonja Carter (right) has been named the new associate director for marketing and events for Boise State’s Alumni Association. A Boise State alum, Carter’s primary responsibilities are to lead a marketing and communications campaign for the Alumni Association and to coordinate Homecoming and other Alumni Association events.

“Sonja comes to us with a terrific background in marketing and events,” said Mark Arstein, executive director of the Alumni Association. “She is a tremendous addition to the alumni team.”

Carter served as marketing communications project manager for The Regence Group of Boise for four years, where she supported marketing communications projects for the $150 million, multi-state health insurance provider. Prior to working with Regence, she founded and operated Second Avenue Inc. in Eagle and served as director of marketing for Ballet Idaho.

Carter attended Boise State prior to earning a bachelor of arts degree in speech communications from California State University at Northridge.

For more information about Boise State’s Alumni Association, visit alumni.boisestate.edu.

Biology

Professor Named Accomplished Under 40 Honoree

Kevin FerisKevin Feris (left), an assistant professor in biology, has been named one of the Idaho Business Review’s 2008 Idaho Accomplished Under 40 honorees.

He is among 40 recipients statewide to be recognized in the annual program, which honors individuals under the age of 40 for their achievements in the areas of professional accomplishments, leadership, community involvement and long-term goals. Feris was selected from more than 100 nominees across the state.

Feris’ research focuses on the application of the tools and understanding of microbial ecology to enhance the ability to utilize microbial metabolism for a variety of applications, including natural resource damage assessment and effects of anthropogenic contaminants on natural ecosystems, alternative energy generation, bioremediation and biotechnology.

He and his fellow award recipients will be recognized at a June 20 awards luncheon at the Boise Centre on the Grove and profiled in a magazine published in the June 23 Idaho Business Review.

Athletics

Discount for Summer Youth Camps

The Athletic Department is offering Boise State employees a 25 percent discount on summer youth camps. These camps include women’s basketball, volleyball, soccer, softball and swimming. Men’s camps include basketball, football, swimming and wrestling. For information on these camps, go to www.broncosports.com, click on “sports camps” and select one of the camps. Employees must enter their staff ID number and “discount code 08” into the shipping instructions in the Web order in order to qualify for the discount.

For additional information, call one of the camp directors listed below:

Men’s Basketball — Julious Coleman ext. 6-1413
Lil Bronco, 6/9-12/08
Team camp, 6/12-14/08
Individual, 8/3-6/08

Football — Keith Bhonapha ext. 6-1523
High school camp, 6/14-18/08
Youth camp, 6/19-21/08

Wrestling — Tommy Owen ext. 6-1889
Team camp, 6/9-14/08

Women’s Basketball — Toriano Towns ext. 6-4452
Girls Hoops camp, 6/29-7/1/08
Little Bronco camp, 6/16-18/08

Women’s Volleyball — Kelle Bond ext. 6-1656
Individual, 7/13-16/08
Team camp, 7/23-25/08

Women’s Soccer — Mark Hiemenz ext. 6-5739
Lil Bronco, 6/9-11/08
Striker/Keeper, 6/9-11/08
Day camp, 6/9-12/08
Overnight camp, 7/20-24/08

Softball — Erin Thorpe ext. 6-4899
High School, 7/14-15/08
Youth, 7/16-17/08

Swimming — Kristin Hill ext. 6-3565
Competitive swimming camp, 6/6-7/08

Health, Wellness and Counseling

Weight Watchers

Receive coaching and real-life insights to help you reach your health goals and stay there, learn how to make wise choices, eat healthy and enjoy food and exercise and benefit from the practical experiences and tips of others who are losing weight with Weight Watchers.

When: Wednesdays, Noon-1 p.m.
Where: Please check the SUB kiosk the day of for the room location
July 16 — Health & Wellness Center Conference Room
November 19 — Student Recreation Center Classroom
Fee: $135 new members for 12 weeks
$96 renewal members for 12 weeks
$54 lifetime members

For More Information, please contact Wellness Services at ext. 6-5686 or wellness@boisestate.edu.

CRIME LOG

Crime SceneWeekly Crime Log

Boise City Police and Campus Security present the weekly crime report.


Photo of the Week

 

Construction on the Stueckle Sky Club rises over Bronco Stadium. Slated to be completed in time for the beginning of the academic year and the first home football game against Idaho State on Aug. 30, the addition includes a state-of-the-art press box, suites, loge boxes and club seats. The university named the addition in honor of Boiseans Duane and Lori Stueckle. The couple have committed more than $2.5 million to the Bronco athletic program over the past three years, in addition to approximately $2 million for various academic programs at the university.

Faculty & Staff In Action

Ann Felton, adjunct history faculty, and Lynn Lockhart, financial technician in the Department of English, were quoted in a story in the Idaho Statesman’s annual Discover Treasure Valley magazine on the Boise Bench area. Jim Girvan, dean of the College of Health Sciences, was quoted in the same publication in an article about the range of health care services available in the area.

Owen McDougal, assistant professor in chemistry, was recently awarded $99,700 by the Idaho State Board of Education for his proposal, “Going Green: Environmental, Economic, Efficient Organic Chemistry Lab Curriculum,” to fund organic chemistry lab curriculum projects for fiscal year 2009. Don Warner and Eric Brown, both assistant professors in chemistry, and Mike McCormick and Karen Hammond, special lecturers in chemistry, will work on the project with McDougall. McDougal was also recently awarded a $45,000 research grant through the Research Corporation’s Cottrell College Science Award. The two-year award is being made in support of his work on the design, synthesis and biological testing of novel and selective antagonists of neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors.

Ken Cornell, assistant professor in biochemistry, recently received a $77,800 grant titled “21st Century Biochemistry Lab: Making Sense of ORF’s in the Post-Genomic Era” from the State Board of Education. This grant will fund biochemistry lab curriculum projects during fiscal year 2009. He will work on the research with Henry Charlier, associate professor in chemistry, and Dee Ann Force, special lecturer in education.

Wita and Gregory Wojtkowski, Information Technology and Supply Chain Management, traveled to two universities in China earlier this month: City University of Hong Kong, in Hong Kong, and Jianxi University of Finance and Economics in Nanchang, in southeastern China. Both Wita and Gregory are members of the organizing and international advising committees for the Information Systems Development conferences and the purpose of their visit was to complete organizational arrangements for the 2009 International Conference on Information Systems Development to be held in China. Challenge of practice and theory in Web–based information services is the expected theme for the conference.

Don Holley, economics, was quoted in a Fox 12 news report on the rising cost of gasoline, and how that relates to a global economy.

Will Rainford, social work, and Todd Shallat, history, were interviewed for a Channel 2 news report on the plight of mobile home parks in the valley. Shallat and the Fettuccine Forum were also topics of Diane Ronayne’s Sunday Idaho Statesman column.

Peggy Cooper, Melissa Kozel, and Rick Stoddart from the Albertsons Library presented a session at the eighth annual Acquisitions Institute at Timberline Lodge in Oregon. Their presentation, titled “New Liaisons, New Ideas, New Energies… One Year Later,” showcased how Boise State librarians are making innovative use of emerging technologies in their collection development activities.

Zhu Han, an assistant professor in electrical & computer engineering, will have a new book “Resource Allocation for Wireless Networks,” published in September through the Cambridge University Press. Merging the fundamental principles of resource allocation with state-of-the-art research and application examples, Han and co-author K.J. Ray Liu present a novel and comprehensive perspective for improving wireless system performance

Seung Youn (Yonnie) Chyung, an associate professor of instructional and performance technology, recently published a textbook titled, "Foundations of Instructional and Performance Technology," by HRD Press. This textbook is intended to help professionals of learning and performance improvement learn historical and theoretical foundations of the instructional and performance technology fields. The topics were selected with those new to the fields in mind, synthesizing important principles and practices.

Abdel Salam Hamdy Makhlouf, a post-doctoral researcher in the Department of Materials Science & Engineering in 2006-2007, was recently awarded the State Prize of Egypt in Advanced Science and Technology. The award recognizes his research achievements in nanotechnology and the design of high performance coatings for aerospace applications. He also recently received the Memorial Prize of Prof. Ibrahim Amar in Chemistry of Materials Corrosion and Protection. Abdel is an associate professor in the Department of Surface Technology and Corrosion Protection, Central Metallurgical Research and Development Institute (CMRDI) in Cairo.

Local News Sources:

The Idaho Statesman - The Idaho Press Tribune - The Boise Weekly - The Arbiter - Boise State Radio

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