Campus Journal News Joan and James Leitzel Center dedicated By Sharon Keeler UNH celebrated the opening of its new Joan and James Leitzel Center for Mathematics, Science, and Engineering Education last week, honoring the people for which it is named, as well as those who made it possible. Saying the center was an example of how "one person, one family, can make a difference in the lives of many," former UNH President Joan Leitzel returned to campus for the dedication ceremony. She said she was honored to have her name grace the center and said her husband would be equally proud. "Jim loved numbers, puzzles and patterns," Leitzel said to the audience in Johnson Theater. "He believed that, if well taught, everyone would learn to love mathematics like he did." The late James Leitzel was a UNH mathematics professor at the time of his death in 1998. He was nationally known for his research and expertise in mathematics education and teacher preparation. The center is the result of a $2 million gift from Leslie S. Hubbard, '27. It will be dedicated to improving education in mathematics, science, and engineering at all levels from kindergarten through college. The center also will perform research on teaching practices and curriculums and will promote engagement and communication among working scientists, mathematicians, engineers and educators throughout the state. Leitzel cited the vision of Karen Graham, professor of mathematics and recently named director of the center, and former UNH Professor Joan Ferrini-Mundy, associate dean for science and mathematics education at Michigan State University, for writing the initial proposal that set the center's vision. "One of our strengths as an institution is the fact that we have working scientists, engineers and mathematicians already collaborating on educational projects with the public schools," said Graham. She cited examples such as the Forest Watch program and the Advancing Science Program, which provide teaching training and modern science instruments so students can learn science by "doing science." Located in Parson's Hall, the multidisciplinary center will involve faculty members from three of the university's colleges: the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences, the College of Life Science and Agriculture, and the College of Liberal Arts. "We hope the center's efforts will inspire more students to become scientists and engineers or to become teachers of mathematics and science," said Art Greenberg, dean of the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences. "It is also very important for students who aren't going into these fields to have an enthusiasm for science and mathematics and to be able to discern what is good and bad science." The dedication ceremony, which featured keynote speaker Rita Colwell, director of the National Science Foundation, was followed by a panel discussion featuring experts in the field. A reception and presentation of work by UNH students, professors and teaching interns also took place. Graham is named director of center UNH mathematician Karen Graham has been named director of the university's Joan and James Leitzel Center for Mathematics, Science, and Engineering Education. Graham, professor and interim chair of the UNH mathematics and statistics department, has been teaching at the university since 1987. Her research, funded by the National Science Foundation as well as state grants, has largely focused on the preparation, and professional development, of teachers of mathematics in grades K through 12. She began her career as a public school mathematics teacher in Pine Plains, N.Y. "Karen Graham is an excellent teacher and researcher in mathematics pedagogy," says Arthur Greenberg, dean of the UNH College of Engineering and Physical Sciences. "Her research has been a part of the university's prominent role in that field nationally. She is also very well connected among educators in the state. When I have attended meetings of the New Hampshire Teachers of Mathematics, I have seen how well respected she is." In 1999, Graham received the Richard H. Balomenos Mathematics Education Service Award from the New Hampshire section of the Association of Teachers of Mathematics in New England. Graham will lead the newly established Leitzel Center in its mission to improve mathematics, science, and engineering education. "Our outreach to teachers in the state will draw on a strong base of research into the most effective teaching methods," explains Graham. "This approach will not only help students at the K through 12 level, but will also benefit UNH undergraduates in those areas. Ultimately, it is my hope that our work will be relevant and significant not just for New Hampshire, but also for the region and nation." Women's Commission honors role models By Lori Gula The UNH President's Commission on the Status of Women honored those who have worked toward equity for women, including five graduating senior mechanical engineering students who have served as role models for young women interested in the sciences. Active for 30 years, the Women's Commission celebrated its 19th annual awards ceremony to recognize the accomplishments of women on campus and community leaders who have made outstanding contributions to promoting equity, advancing the status of women, and serving as role models for women on campus. Five senior mechanical engineering students were honored with the Joyce Gibbs Award for their long-standing commitment to women's issues. The award was created in 1997 to honor Joyce James Gibbs, who died in April 2001. The winners were Robin Diorio, Lori LeBoeuf, Kristen Moylan, Angela Pelletier and Jennifer Peterson. "The students recommended for the award were all seniors, each individually worthy of celebration. As a group, they produced exceptional community projects throughout their undergraduate years," said Sylvia Foster, educational program coordinator with the Women's Commission. The women have been officers in the Society of Women Engineers, building it into a stronger organization by initiating several new programs dedicated to serving others, such as "Reach for the Stars," a program that makes it possible for young girls to visit UNH and become encouraged to pursue engineering careers. The SWE group has generated campuswide clothing drives for those in need. "The current senior class in mechanical engineering is considered by many of the faculty to be one of the finest classes in this department over the past two decades. This evaluation is based on academic achievement, motivation, dedication, commitment to serve the university - and the community at large - and their commitment to share their skills and knowledge with others," one of their nomination letters read. "A large part of the current outstanding record of this department is due to the individual and collective efforts of these women students." "Over the past few years, specific efforts have been undertaken by the department to attract and retain more female students," instructor Gerald Sedor says. "The nominees have done much to support the department's initiative. They also have clearly demonstrated that females can compete and even outperform males in mechanical engineering. As such, they have served as role models for more women aspiring to become engineers." The Women's Commission Faculty Award was given to Jane Stapleton. Described by her students as open-minded, understanding, excellent, fair, flexible, enthusiastic, encouraging, passionate, informed, and a great discussion leader, Stapleton formerly was the coordinator of the Women's Commission from 1995-1997 and the Presidential Commissions from 1997-2001, and is now a women's studies instructor. In nominating her for the award, many of Stapleton's students discussed the influence she has had on them. "I chose women's studies because of Jane Stapleton's passion for the subject in her women's studies 401 class, and it was her enthusiasm to make a difference that provoked me to want to create change, too. I wanted to share the drive that she had. I took another class with her, "On the Road to Equality" and loved it so much that I soon declared the major. She is a one-of-a-kind person," one student said. Another student said, "She valued our ideas and opinions, which made me feel very welcome and open enough to share my thoughts and feelings." One of her colleagues told the commission that Stapleton "always takes the time to review and share her course materials with new faculty. She remembers when you have a sick parent or friend; if you need a job, she knows three openings; if you have a story, she encourages you to write a book; if you've written a book, she knows a publisher." Vickie Smith, an administrative assistant in women's studies, was honored with the Stephanie Thomas Staff Award. "This year's Stephanie Thomas Award winner is a woman who, in countless big and little ways, shows us all how to nurture and value women on this campus," her colleagues wrote. "When she came to her office at UNH, she brought with her a sophisticated understanding of feminist collaboration - and a network of connections with the seacoast community." Always ready to go the extra mile, Smith works to promote equity, stays current with key issues, organizes agendas and often suggests readings for various programs. According to one of her work-study students, "with her, I feel listened to, valued and respected. Because of this, I have reconsidered my standards for myself as an employee, as a person and as a woman. Many people get recognized as role models - but not often the behind-the-scenes workers like her. I think of her like the other women in the office do. They told me her real title on the first day of work, and she lives up to it. We call her 'The Office Goddess.' " briana Sevigny received the Women's Commission Student Award. The committee received numerous letters about Sevigny. Many used the words "mentor" and "friend" in describing her. A colleague wrote, "As an activist for diversity, she has engaged the residents in her hall in conversations about women's issues, gender equality, inclusive language, and a supportive and welcoming environment for all." An English major with minors in women's studies, philosophy and sociology, Sevigny had a considerable impact on her professors and fellow students. According to one of her women's studies professors, she wrote eloquent short essays to challenge herself when she was asked to create a journal. "When she presented her involvement project, which required students to explore activism, it was so good that we all felt as if we should just go home. Her fresh and original way of looking at things is only one of the ways that this student teaches her faculty - by providing a role model for all of us - what kind of faculty members that we should be," the professor said. Thompson School holds Commencement By Sharon Keeler The Thompson School of Applied Science will hold its Commencement Saturday, May 17, at 11 a.m. in the Lundholm Gymnasium. Among its 124 students earning the degree of Associate in Applied Science are the first group graduating from the Thompson School's new Community and Leadership program. Other graduates will have completed a two-year course of study in applied animal science, applied business management, civil technology, food services management, forest technology, or horticultural technology. Professor J. Donald Silva, faculty marshal, will lead the procession and open the ceremonies. Julie-ann Edwards, graduating from the Community Service and Leadership program, and Jennifer Mock, graduating from the Horticultural Technology program, will serve as co-student marshals for the Class of 2003. The platform party will include USNH trustees, senior university officials and alumni. The commencement speaker will be David Stevens,'82, plant manager for International Paper in McDavid, Fla. His address is titled "Success After Graduation." Stevens is a native of Lee who manages operations at one of the newest and largest sawmill and chipping facilities in the country. In addition to holding an AAS degree from the Thompson School, he earned a bachelor's degree in forestry and a master's degree in forest economics with a concentration of business optimization from the University of Maine. Regina Smick-Attisano, director of the Thompson School, assisted by Andrew Rosenberg, dean of the College of Life Sciences and Agriculture, will announce student recipients of several awards, including the Scholastic Achievement Award, Student Achievement Award, Leadership and Scholarship Award, the Stacey and Mildred Cole Award and the Director's Non-traditional Student Award. Rebecca Fish, student representative, will announce the recipient of the 2003 Outstanding Educator Award, Associate Professor of Applied Animal Science Dwight Barney. She also will speak on "Reflections of a Thompson School Student." Following the presentation of the candidates, UNH President Ann Weaver Hart will confer the degrees. The Rev. Robert Biron, St. Thomas More Catholic Church, Durham, will offer the invocation and benediction. Environmentally friendly paper use is endorsed By Julie Newman, Office of Sustainability Programs UNH will begin to use a more environmentally friendly white copy bond paper standard that is 80 percent recycled and 100 percent process chlorine-free. UNH is one of the first state universities to make this change along with the State University of New York at Buffalo. Candace Corvey, vice president for Finance and Administration, notes, "The analysis of this alternative was well done by a group of concerned students and staff. I am pleased we are able to encourage greater use of recycled products in a cost-effective manner." In 2001, a campus committee coordinated by UNH's Office of Sustainability Programs, with representatives from Student Senate, Student Environmental Action Coalition, Printing Services, Purchasing Office and Facilities Services discussed the possibility of increasing the content of post-consumer recycled copy paper used by the university community. That year, the Student Senate agreed upon a resolution calling on the university to progressively increase the post consumer content of copy paper to 100 percent post-consumer and totally chlorine free by the year 2005, and that the supplier certifies that any virgin fiber in the paper is not originating from old growth forests. A new paper bid was posted by the Purchasing Office to a minimum standard of 75 percent post-consumer recycled paper to explore purchasing options. The bid has been awarded to XPDEX out of Portland, Maine ,which will be supplying the USNH system with New Life DP 100 with a minimal cost increase from the current paper used. New Life DP 100 is produced by Roland Paper out of Montreal, Canada. Beginning April 1, the paper became available for purchase by all offices on campus and is found in all public copiers and computer clusters on campus. The UNH administration encourages everyone to use the new USNH standard paper. Feuerstein speaking at UNH-M Commencement The University of New Hampshire at Manchester will celebrate the achievements of more than 175 graduates at the college's 18th annual Commencement Thursday, May 22. Aaron Feuerstein, president and CEO of Malden Mills Industries Inc. of Lawrence, Mass., will give the Commencement address. "I am very pleased that Aaron Feuerstein will be the commencement speaker at UNH Manchester. For many years, he has served as president and CEO of Malden Mills Industries. What makes Mr. Feuerstein special is his devotion to people over profits and the high value he places on family and community. He is a wonderful role model for our graduates," said Karol LaCroix, dean of the University of New Hampshire at Manchester. Malden Mills was founded by Feuerstein's grandfather Henry Feuerstein in 1906. Following in the footsteps of his father Samuel C. Feuerstein, Feuerstein has managed Malden Mills' growth over four decades. Under Feuerstein's leadership, the company has grown from a domestic mill to an international textile supplier of Polartec® and Polarfleece® fabrics. He has spearheaded technological changes, including a fully computerized dyeing facility and computer-aided design stations for printing. Today, Malden Mills is the largest employer in its home city of Lawrence, Massachusetts, rich in its own textile heritage. Feuerstein's leadership has been key to the success of Malden Mill's corporate identity. His sensitivity for the welfare of his employees preserves the family spirit that built Malden Mills into an international leader. In the 1950s, when many other textile manufacturers in New England fled to the South and other countries, Malden Mills remained. And, on the chilling night of December 11, 1995, one week before Feuerstein's 70th birthday, a fire struck Malden Mills, destroying three out of 10 of the factory's century-old buildings. That evening, Feuerstein vowed to rebuild the 90-year-old business, and announced that he would pay all employees full pay for the next 90 days, with health benefits for 180 days. Within two months, 70 percent of the total work force was back to work, and by September 1997, the new Malden Mills manufacturing facility was fully operational. The new Malden Mills are the most technically advanced, environmentally correct mills in the nation. Graduating senior Debra Hohnecker of Amherst is the student speaker. Hohnecker, an honors student, will earn a bachelor's in psychology and a bachelor's in communication arts. Commencement will be held at 6 p.m. at The Center of New Hampshire in Manchester, and will include recognition of the UNH-M 2003 Outstanding Teacher Awards and the Dean's Award that recognizes collaborative service to the greater Manchester community and the college. CEOs chosen to receive Granite State Awards By Lori Gula UNH will honor J. Michael Hickey and Forrest D. McKerley with Granite State Awards at Commencement, Saturday, May 24. Hickey is president and CEO of Verizon-NH, and McKerley is chairman and CEO of Secure Care Products. "J. Michael Hickey and Forrest McKerley have been instrumental in their support of the university and of higher education in the state of New Hampshire," says UNH President Ann Weaver Hart. As a member of the UNH Advocates for Higher Education and leader within the business and civic communities, Hickey, class of 1973, has raised awareness across the state about the goals and mission of the university. McKerley, class of 1957, is known for his long-time support of UNH, from his status as a founding board member of the UNH Foundation to his generous philanthropy that has created the Forrest D. McKerley Endowed Chair in Health Economics and the McKerley Hi-tech Classroom. "We are proud to call them UNH alums and honored to present them with the Granite State Award," Hart says. Hickey received his bachelor's degree in sociology from UNH in 1973, and has served as the president and CEO of Verizon-NH since 2000. Previously he held executive positions as president and CEO of New Hampshire Bell Atlantic, executive director of Strategic Alliances, director of external affairs and corporate communications with NYNEX, director of governmental affairs with NYNEX, and director of governmental affairs with New England Telephone. He serves on the board of directors with several organizations, including the New Hampshire Business Committee for the Arts, NH Business & Industry Association, Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, Greater Manchester United Way, NH Humanities Council, Currier Gallery of Art, and the NH Smithsonian Folklife Festival. He was named the 2001 New Hampshire Business Leader of the Year. In addition to his service to UNH as a member of the UNH Advocates for Higher Education, Hickey was a speaker for the UNH Student Leadership Series, is a member of the Whittemore School of Business and Economics Executive Board, and serves on the NHPTV Board of Governors. McKerley received his bachelor's degree in business administration from UNH in 1957, and for nearly 30 years was affiliated with the McKerley Nursing Home and McKerley Management Services, serving as both administrator and president. In 1995, the family sold its 12 nursing homes and three retirement communities to Genesis Health Ventures. Since 1988, he has held the position of chairman and CEO of Secure Care Products. His civic and business affiliations are extensive and include past president of the New Hampshire Nursing Home Association; member of the Health Care Financial Management Association, American Health Care Association, New Hampshire Health Insurance Fund Advisory Council, and New Hampshire Joint Underwriting Association; 1981 delegate to the White House Conference on Aging; director of the New Hampshire Art Association; trustee of the New England Health Care Assembly, and a member of the boards of the Arthritis Foundation, Horizon Bank and Shaker Village. In addition, McKerley has been a long-time supporter of UNH, serving as a member of the Whittemore School of Business and Economics Executive Board, UNH Advocates for Higher Education, and the School of Health and Human Services Dean's Leadership Council. In addition to his philanthropy mentioned previously, he has provided financial support for the Everett B. Sackett Professorship and provided sponsorship support to the Friends of UNH Hockey golf tournament. He also enjoys UNH hockey games from his box at the Whittemore Center. Commencement begins at 10 a.m. at Cowell Stadium Field, rain or shine. It is a time for UNH, families and friends to recognize graduates for their achievements and is expected to last about two hours. Benson slated for honorary degree By Lori Gula UNH will present Gov. Craig Benson with an honorary Doctor of Laws degree at Commencement. "Through his work at Cabletron, Gov. Benson has demonstrated that a spark of creativity and imagination coupled with determination and dedication can lead to great accomplishments," says UNH President Ann Weaver Hart. "At UNH, we strive to instill these values in our students so it is only fitting that we present the governor with this honorary degree in recognition of his successes." In 1983, Benson co-founded Cabletron Systems Inc., a worldwide technology company that manufactured, marketed, installed and supported networking solutions. He served as the company's chairman, COO, CEO, president and director from 1983 to 1999. At its height, the company employed more than 7,000 employees in 130 countries, and had annual sales of $1.6 billion. In 1991, he was named National Entrepreneur of the Year by Inc. Magazine.