News

New course proposals

The following new course proposals have been submitted to the Faculty Senate Office for review and approval and are listed here for faculty review and comment. Comments on any new course proposal should be submitted to Ernest May, secretary of the Faculty Senate, at senate@senate.umass.edu.

BIOCHEM 576, “Biotechnology Process Engineering Laboratory,” 4 credits; Instructors: Louis Roberts (BMB) and Susan Roberts (ChE); A comprehensive student-driven laboratory course in biotechnology process engineering focusing on the laboratory skills necessary to bring a product to the marketplace.

Hayes awarded MWPHE scholarship

Karen Hayes, director of Research Communication and Outreach in University Relations, received the Massachusetts Women in Public Higher Education (MWPHE) 2013 Professional Development Award at the organization’s statewide conference in Wrentham on April 15.

Hayes received the $1,000 award in recognition of her professional development goals and for her dedication, perseverance and leadership in the higher education community.

MWPHE is a non-profit organization committed to strengthening the status of women as professionals and enhancing the quality of higher education.

Bracey to receive honorary degree from College of Wooster

The College of Wooster in Ohio is awarding an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree to professor John H. Bracey, Jr. of Afro-American Studies at the school’s 143rd commencement on May 13.

The honor recognizes Bracey’s accomplishments as a distinguished social historian and pioneer of Africana studies, and his commitment to and influence on the study of the history of identity, race and gender.

As is customary at the College of Wooster, Bracey and other honorary degree recipients will share their wisdom and advice in short addresses during the commencement ceremony.

A member of the faculty

Retirement celebration for Al Byam is May 15

The campus community is invited to a celebration honoring Allan Byam, director of Transportation Services, who is retiring after 35 years of campus service, on Wednesday, May 15 from 4-6 p.m. in the Amherst Room on the 10th floor of the Campus Center.
 
Contributions in Byam’s honor can be made by sending a check payable to the University of Massachusetts and mailed to Betsy Thornton at the Transit Service.
 
RSVP to Betsy Thornton before May 10 by calling 545-1631 or by e-mail at betsyt@admin.umass.edu.
 

Science Café explores acrobatics of jumping frogs

Gary Gillis of Mount Holyoke College will present “Brace for Impact,” exploring the acrobatics of jumping frogs and how they, like gymnasts, coordinate their muscles to effectively prepare for landings, at a Science Café on Monday, May 6 at 6 p.m. at Esselon Café in Hadley.
 
Gillis uses biomechanics and neuromuscular analysis to understand how animals are able to control their movements during rapid deceleration.  
 
Light snacks will be provided and drinks will be available for purchase. All Science Café events are free and designed for a public audience. 
 
The Science Café series is

First land animals kept fishlike jaws for millions of years, says biologist

Scientists studying how early land vertebrates evolved from fishes long thought that the animals developed legs for moving around on land well before their feeding systems and dietary habits changed enough to let them eat a land-based diet, but strong evidence was lacking. Now, for the first time fossil jaw measurements by Philip Anderson, a senior research fellow in Biology, and others have tested and statistically confirmed this lag.
 
“This pattern had been hypothesized previously, but not really tested. Now we've done that,” Anderson says.

Roif Awards in Film Studies to be presented May 3

The 13th annual Michael S. Roif Award in Film Studies will be presented to undergraduate certificate students in the Interdepartmental Program in Film Studies on Friday, May 3 at noon in 301 Herter Hall.
 
The first place award-winner is Tyler Clayton Appel, a sophomore Bachelor’s Degree with Individual Concentration major from Foxborough, for “Leaving Home,” a narrative video. Appel was producer, co-writer, co-music producer and actor in the work.
 
In second place is Kadyrose Druar, a senior Journalism major from Franklin, and Mariah C.

Gerber wins national honor from Real Food Challenge

Professor John Gerber, coordinator of the Sustainable Food and Farming Program, is one of three finalists for this year’s University Ally Award from the Real Food Challenge, a national student organization, as part of its Real Food Awards.
 
The award recognizes an on-campus administrator, staff or faculty member who displays outstanding leadership in an effort to create a more just and sustainable food system.
 
Under Gerber, the Sustainable Food and Farming Program has grown from five students in 2003 to more than 70. He currently teaches courses relating to sustainability and was

Memorial for Henry Lea planned for May 4

A memorial for Henry Lea, professor emeritus of German, is being held Saturday, May 4 at 2 p.m. at the Amherst Woman’s Club, 35 Triangle St.

Lea died April 4 at the age of 92.

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Three teams share $55,250 in Innovation Challenge prizes

The Innovation Challenge final business plan competition has awarded $55,250 to three competing teams. Fetch Rewards won the top prize of $30,000. VideoConversation won a total of $15,000 at the event while Crowd Solar received $10,000.
 
Since 2005, the UMass Innovation Challenge has provided more than $500,000 in awards to 65 different student-led teams. It is designed to help current students and young alumni who have innovative business ideas to develop business plans and move products closer to market. This year’s final round competition was held April 17.
 
The top winner, Fetch Rewards

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