Biology and Agriculture
The American Foundation for AIDS Research awarded microbiology associate professor Gregory F. Burton, ’85, a $90,000 grant to study follicular dendritic cells in the lymph nodes. These cells can hold HIV for long periods of time, creating a reservoir for the virus.
Education
For his involvement in and commitment to professional counseling, Ronald D. Bingham, professor emeritus of counseling psychology and special education, was given a lifetime achievement award by the Utah Counseling Association.
Engineering and Technology
Photo by Seth Smoot
Six BYU engineering students were awarded first place at a regional American Society of Mechanical Engineers competition for the fully suspended recumbent tadpole tricycle they produced for their senior capstone project. Members of the team—nicknamed Black Widow—included Joshua R. Balling, ’03, Daniel H. Broadbent, ’03,Cheri Nicole Markt Burgess, ’03, Jesse R. Cannon, ’03, Albin S. Dittli, ’03, and David S. Dawson, ’03. Christopher A. Rotz, an associate professor of mechanical engineering, coached the team. The project was commissioned by Happijac Company, which creates products for the recreation vehicle industry.
Family, Home, and Social Sciences
Political science major Peter K. Stone, ’04, from Modesto, Calif., received a $30,000 Truman Scholarship, awarded to students committed to public service. Stone plans to work in Washington, D.C., after he graduates and then attend law school to focus on health or public interest law.
Fine Arts and Communications
The creation of the Laycock Center for Creative Collaboration in the Arts was announced in April. The center is designed to promote collaboration among faculty, students, artists, educators, and scholars.
Health and Human Performance
Associate professor of health education Steven R. Hawks, ’82, and doctoral student Hala N. Madanat, ’04, published in American Journal of Health Education a study proposing a new approach to confronting obesity in some ethnic populations in the United States. Based on available obesity data, unfavorable disparities are most evident for Native American, African American, and Hispanic populations as compared with Caucasians. “Scientific literature suggests that there are many social, economic, and cultural reasons for this disparity,” says Hawks. “The bottom line is that current methods of obesity prevention fall short.”
Physical education associate professor Mark S. Clarke, ’64, received an Honor Award from the American Alliance of Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance for his devoted service to his profession and for his dedicated leadership.
Humanities
Professor emeritus of English Marilyn Arnold, ’57, received the 2003 Utah Women’s Achievement Award, presented by the Governor’s Commission for Women and Families, for her contributions to academia, students, and the community.
Assistant professor of humanities, classics, and comparative literature Norbert H. O. Duckwitz, ’69, published Reading the Gospel of St. John in Greek: A Beginning, a primer he developed for an honors course. His book is designed to assist students at all levels in reading the ancient text in its original language.
Philosophy major Ryan Scott Keller, ’04, from Salt Lake City, received a $30,000 Truman Scholarship, awarded to students committed to public service. After graduation, Keller plans to study international relations/economics in graduate school and to eventually attend law school.
Law School
The J. Reuben Clark Law School is ranked 31st, up from the 37th spot it held last year, according to U.S. News & World Report in its Best Graduate Schools issue. TheMarriott School retained its no. 29 ranking.
Gary C. Cornia
Marriott School
School of Management professor Gary C. Cornia has been elected president of the National Tax Association. Cornia teaches public finance and is the chair of the Utah Tax Review Commission.
Nursing
Associate professor of nursing Lynn Clark Callister, ’64, was named a Fulbright scholar in May. She will work with the St. Petersburg State Medical Academy in Russia during spring 2004 to continue her international work and research in women’s health.
Nursing graduate Heather Clarke Burgon, ’02, was commissioned by the emergency room nursing director of Mountain View Hospital in Payson, Utah, to design and produce a quick-reference book to use in the event of chemical or biological warfare. Burgon’s book enables the hospital’s nurses to quickly identify and treat exposure to the most common agents identified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Physical and Mathematical Sciences
Two undergraduate students were recently awarded Barry M. Goldwater Scholarships for scholastic excellence, each receiving up to $7,500 annually for two years.Kristi R. Adamson, ’04, is studying physics and plans to concentrate on material science or molecular optics and eventually attend graduate school to pursue a career in research. Scott B. Raymond, ’04, has a double major in applied physics and neuroscience; he is completing his senior project this summer at Harvard Medical School, where he is studying possible medical applications for ultrasound. He plans to pursue graduate studies in biological physics.
Religious Education
The Colleges of Religious Education and Physical and Mathematical Sciences are jointly hosting the new Hyrum B. Summerhays Lecture Series on Science and Religion. The inaugural address in the series was given on March 21 by H. Kimball Hansen, ’57, a BYU professor emeritus of physics and astronomy. The semiannual series will coincide with the vernal and autumnal equinoxes for the next three years.
