Garbed in protective clothing and fire control gear, research engineer Alan Boldt of Biological Systems Engineering works on a prescribed burn at the NU Rogers Memorial Farm east of Lincoln April 4. The burn was conducted to help stimulate grass growth in riparian buffer strips used in water quality research.

Standing from left: Wendy Weiss, Kate Daley, Shirley Niemeyer, Lois Scheyer, Rose Tondl, Vincent Quevedo, Barbara Trout. Sitting from left: Joan Laughlin, Diane Vigna, Robert Hillestad, Rita Kean, Pat Crews, Kathleen Reese, Carol Thayer.

Winners of Systemwide Teaching Award

Excellence Woven Throughout TCD Efforts

By Dave Fitzgibbon, Public Relations

In the pop-culture world of super-models strutting fashions on Paris runways, textiles are pretty high profile. And the racks of clothing at the mall are a shopper's dream.

But that world of gloss and glamour is just the tip of a textiles and apparel infrastructure seldom understood by consumers.

As a result, quite a long way from France, students at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Department of Textiles, Clothing and Design are infused with a global perspective of a varied and vast textiles industry. That knowledge is part of a teaching philosophy that led to the department's Universitywide Departmental Teaching Award.

"When I came to UNL it opened wide the door for me to see all the different opportunities that exist in textiles, " said Andy Beyer, who in 1997 graduated with a master's degree in Textiles Science.

Facing multiple job opportunities, Beyer ultimately chose to work at Sidney catalog giant Cabela's (urged partly by her outdoorsman father.)

As Cabela's quality assurance specialist, Beyer evaluates garments in development ensuring quality fabric selection and construction. Between now and June she'll make two trips to China and one to Central America inspecting clothing shipments before they leave the factories.

It's a rewarding job for which she credits her education. Beyer was impressed by quality teachers, particularly by Professor Patricia Cox Crews who once brought in a firefighter's coat to explain the properties of the fabric.

"She was really good at pulling resources into the classroom and she was really conscientious about doing hands on," Beyer said. "Dr. Crews really helped try to develop the students creativity, report writing and presentation skills; I definitely bring those skills into my job."

Crews, acting department chair, said, "Creativity is the thread that runs through our work. We try to foster creativity in students and ourselves and this is what sets us apart: novel ways to source products, novel ways to approach quality assurance, creative approaches to the management of people."

The Department of Textiles, Clothing and Design humbly began more than a century ago in Miss Rosa Bouton's School of Domestic Science. According to the university's 1899 catalog, the two-year program of studies for young women had the purpose "to train the mind and develop character in the kitchen."

The school evolved with Clothing and Textiles becoming a major in 1945 and its own department in 1962. A master's degree program was added in 1979 and an interdepartmental doctoral program in 1989.

Today, a stroll down the halls of the Home Economics building reveals students engaged in learning.

In the Surface Design Lab, Beth Hunsicker, a senior Fashion Merchandising major, screen-prints yellow and pink pansies on sheer gray fabric.

"It helps my creativity a lot," Hunsicker said. "These new experiences working with textiles build my product knowledge... and it's fun."

Upstairs, textiles lab manager Carol Easley runs circles of colored fabric through machinery to test strength and flammability. The Textile Testing Service provides help to Nebraska's apparel industry and allows students hands-on internships using the latest equipment.

"What better way for a student to learn than to do actual experiments?" Easley asked.

Similarly, Crews says research is key to student understanding of the industry.

"Knowledge of the textile product is the core that differentiates our students from business majors," she said. "The research component really informs our teaching."

Additionally, all undergraduates are required to have an internship, study tour or study abroad experience to expose them to the scope of the industry, Crews said.

Students also have at their disposal, the International Quilt Study Center's Collection of more than 900 antique and contemporary art quilts and the Robert Hillestad Textiles Gallery, which plays host to textile related exhibits by everyone from famous artists to Nebraska youth.

This growing list of teaching assets and accomplishments has brought accolades; the latest is the Universitywide Teaching Award. Helen Moore, selection committee chairperson said the department's nomination packet set it apart through an excellent representation of student learning and achievement.

"What put this department among a number of finalists was very strong evidence of high quality classroom teaching, support within the department and from administrators for the continuous improvement and reward of teaching, and the scholarship base of their teaching," Moore said.

But perhaps the most shining endorsement of good teaching hangs in the department hallway. A large U.S. map highlights graduates employed in nearly every state, working at some of the world's top companies.

"If we only had more students, we'd have no problem placing them," Crews said.

Beyer said the department's small size (127 majors, 13 faculty) allowed her as a student to know all the faculty members and feel comfortable approaching them for help.

"It was almost like a family group," Beyer said, "The professors were all really able to work together to help the students get where they need to be and to prepare them for the world after college."

Because of her induction into the Academy of Distinguished Teachers, Joy Ritchie (left) and her women's studies class were treated to cookies by Chancellor James Moeser April 6.

72nd Annual Honors Convocation April 14 in Coliseum

Convocation Honors Faculty, Student Achievement

By Annette Wetzel, Public Relations

Twenty-six faculty members will receive awards for outstanding teaching, research student advising or service, and more than 3,000 students will be recognized for outstanding scholarship at the 72nd annual All-University Honors Convocation beginning at 3:30 p.m. April 14 in the Coliseum.

Helen Moore, professor of sociology, and Joy Ritchie, associate professor of English, will be named to the Academy of Distinguished Teachers. Both will have a $1,000 stipend permanently added to their base salary as long as they remain members of the faculty.

Rashmi Bhatnagar, assistant professor of English, will receive the Annis Chaikin Sorensen Award for distinguished teaching in the humanities. She will receive a $1,500 cash award, provided by the Sorensen family.

The following faculty members will receive Distinguished Teaching Awards from their colleges. Each recipient will receive a $1,000 cash award, provided by the Nebraska Legislature.

Rashmi Bhatnager, assistant professor of English (Arts & Sciences); A. John Boye, associate professor of electrical engineering (Engineering and Technology); Carolee Curtright, professor of music education (Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts); Susan Fritz, associate professor of agricultural leadership, education & communications (Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources); Vanessa Gorman, associate professor of history (Arts & Sciences); Birdie Holder, professor of curriculum & instruction (Teachers); Brian Horowitz, assistant professor of modern languages & literature (Arts & Sciences); Anthony Joern, professor of biological sciences (Arts & Sciences); Mostafa Khattab, associate professor of construction management (Engineering & Technology); Keith Sawyers, professor of architecture (Architecture); Marc Schniederjans, professor management (Business Administration); Alan Seagren, professor of educational administration (Teachers); Barbara Trout, associate professor of textiles, clothing and design (Human Resources and Family Sciences); Judy Walker, assistant professor of mathematics & statistics (Arts & Sciences).

Pauline Zeece, professor of family and consumer sciences, will receive the Student Foundation/Builders Award for Outstanding Advising. She will receive a $750 cash award, provided by the University of Nebraska Foundation.

Susan Williams, extension educator, will receive the Distinguished Educational Service Award. She will receive a $1,500 cash award, provided by the University of Nebraska Foundation.

Patrick McBride, director of new student enrollment and associate director of admissions, will receive the Chancellor's Exemplary Service to Students Award. He will receive a $1,000 cash award, provided by the University of Nebraska Foundation.

Irvin Omtvedt, vice chancellor for the Institute of Agriculture & Natural Resources; vice president for agriculture and natural resources; and professor of animal science, will receive the George Howard-Louise Pound Award for exceptional contributions through teaching, research, public service and administration. He will receive a painting by artist Keith Jacobshagen.

Wilma Crumley, associate dean and professor emeritus in the College of Journalism and Mass Communications, will be honored by the Nebraska Alumni Association with the Doc Elliot Award.

Judy Walker, assistant professor of mathematics & statistics, will be recognized for the Scholarly Teaching Award. Aleidine Moeller, Edith S. Greer professor of education, will be recognized for receiving the Donald R. and Mary Lee Swanson Award for Teaching Excellence.

The following faculty members will be recognized for receiving University of Nebraska systemwide awards:

Barbara DiBernard, professor of English, and Helen Moore, professor of sociology, will be recognized for receiving Outstanding Teaching and Instructional Creativity Awards. Pill-Soon Song, Dow Chemical Company professor of chemistry, and Ross Thompson, professor of psychology, will be recognized for receiving Outstanding Research and Creative Activity awards. The department of textiles, clothing & design will be recognized for receiving the Universitywide Departmental Teaching Award.

The following 33 seniors will be honored as Chancellor's Scholars for earning a 4.0 grade average during their entire academic career at the university and at any other post-secondary institutions.

Amy Acorda, advertising; James Bielenberg, chemical engineering; Kevin Cederberg, biochemistry; Brian Costanzo, business administration; Paul Dierking, civil engineering, Michael Donley, sociology; Janet Dutton, business administration; Melissa Fiedler, education; Colleen Hanna, biological sciences; John Hanson, agricultural business; Matthew Ryan, business administration; Melanie Mace, English; Timothy McCoy, advertising; Matthew Miller, biochemistry; Brian Opplinger, business administration and math; Gabriel Osiier, electrical engineering; Jill Pecha, biological sciences; Kathleen Pierce, psychology; Sarah Richter, marketing; Michael Roth, physics; Katherine Schanou, psychology; Kirk Schepmann, business administration; Laura Schweer, psychology; Brian Shaw, animal science/ag economics; Maryanne Skavdahl, biochemistry; Angela Smith, English; Chad Stutzman, business administration; Laura Sullivan, political science/international affairs; Robyn Thompson, textiles, clothing & design; Erika Thor, natural science; Kristin Vavrina, biological sciences; Phillip Vlach, business administration; Sara Zink, economics and finance.

A total of 402 seniors will be honored as Superior Scholars for being in the upper 3 percent of their colleges, or for being on the honors list since their matriculation as freshmen. An additional 2,875 freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors will be honored as High Scholars for having cumulative grade point averages of 3.6 or higher.

Omaha Artist Again Wins NSA Botanical Print Competition

By Cheryl Alberts, IANR news writer

For the second time, an Omaha Westside High School art teacher has won the botanical print competition sponsored by the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum.

Diane Murphy's watercolor illustration of prairie coneflower, "Ratibida columnifera," was awarded a $100 prize. Murphy also won the competition last year for her watercolor of shell-leaf penstemon.

"Part of the work of the Arboretum is to promote native plants, and sponsoring this botanical print competition enables us to highlight plants that work well in the Nebraska landscape, both aesthetically and environmentally," said Jim Locklear, NSA director.

Murphy has taught art at Westside for 34 years. Her work has been shown at Sheldon Memorial Art Gallery juried shows and at a variety of regional art shows. She did her watercolor illustration of prairie coneflower from live specimens, illustrating several stages of the plant's development in her work.

A recent article in The American Gardener magazine by writer Diane Bouchier links the revival of the art of botanical illustration to an increased interest in horticulture.

"Where botanical art differs from much of modern art is in the great emphasis placed on drawing. Precise, detailed drawings provide the foundation for all that follows," Bouchier wrote.

Locklear notes the precision and detail of Murphy's watercolor holds to those standards of botanical illustration.

An 8.5 by 11-inch print of the full-color illustration is free to new members with a $25 NSA membership. The public may purchase it for $20; cost to NSA members is $10. For more information about the print, NSA or the next botanical competition, call (402)472-7923. To receive a copy of the botanical print, send membership fee or payment to P.O. Box 830715, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68583-0715.

The NSA is a horticultural organization headquartered at the University of Nebraska's Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources. For more information about NSA or other gardening-related news, call (402)471-2971, e-mail klarsen1@unl.edu, or on the web at http://arboretum.unl.edu.

LeaderShape 2000 Stresses Integrity, Selflessness

By Michelle Oliver, Public Relations Intern

In March 1998 a drunken driver killed UNL student Laura Cockson. A week later Molly Schmitz, Cockson's friend and sorority sister, went to LeaderShape Nebraska and developed a vision.

Out of Schmitz's vision came NU on Wheels, a free, safe-ride-home taxi service for NU students.

"NU on Wheels is the biggest success to ever come out of LeaderShape Nebraska," said Summer Spivey, a 20-year-old junior from Papillion and the on-site coordinator for the 2000 LeaderShape team.

LeaderShape, a leadership training organization, was started in 1986 by the national Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity, but didn't go nationwide until the 1990s, Spivey said.

It now is at many campuses all over the country.

It is a year-long program that starts the week of spring break. It begins with a week of intensive leadership training and development at Camp Carol Joy Holling in Ashland. The cost for the participants is only their time; academic departments scholarship all the candiates.

This year's LeaderShape crew went to the Ashland camp March 11-16. In addition to large-group acitivitie, the students broke into small groups or clusters of about eight to 10 students led by an adult facilitator. The students focused on things like leading with integrity and developing a personal vision. They were encouraged to delve into who they are, so they could understand where their strengths and weaknesses lie, said Spivey, who attended LeaderShape in 1999.

LeaderShape participants create a vision portfolio during the retreat, Spivey said. They answer questions such as "what do I care about?" and "what are my talents and gifts?" They also take part in dramas, skits and role-playing scenarios which teach various facets of leadership.

After the week is over, the participants stay in touch with each other to help keep their visions alive, Spivey said.

Many of this year's group, composed of 58 UNL students and two students from Alcorn State University in Mississippi, went to the Ashland camp with mixed emotions.

"I had only heard good things and didn't see how something could be 100 percent good," said Katie Wolfe, a 19-year-old biology/ pre-med major from Lincoln.

"I also wondered how it would work. I thought '60 people who are driven and are campus leaders ­ how can they get anything done if they are all trying to be the leader?'"

But it did work, she said. Especially as they learned more about leading with integrity.

Greg Krafka, a 21-year-old junior economics major from Fremont thought that he would be bored at LeaderShape, he said.

He left wishing the retreat had lasted longer than five days.

"It was one of the best things I ever did," He said. "I kept thinking 'I don't want to leave this place because it is so supportive.'"

Now, the LeaderShape 2000 participants must try to maintain their commitment and carry out the goals they developed at the LeaderShape conference.

Katie Bodie, a 19-year-old freshman from Burchard wants to develop her vision and keep it alive.

Part of her goals: she wants to lead with integrity and practice "servant-leadership."

"I learned that when we don't have a base of integrity, everything else suffers," she said. "... I also learned the importance of leading selflessly. I want to look at the needs of the community before I look at my needs."