THE DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS AND STATISTICS won this year's systemwide teaching award. (Photo: Richard Wright)
You practically need a math degree to count all the reasons why the University of Nebraska Department of Mathematics and Statistics won the systemwide award for outstanding departmental teaching.
Just ask NU math Professor Mel Thornton, who will rattle off a seemingly infinite list of the department's high points that contributed to the win. Chief among them, he said, is the department's wealth of outstanding professors, who have been honored time and again with individual awards for distinguished teaching.
The department's emphasis on teaching enhances the faculty's commitment to educating the several thousand students every semester who take a math course.
"We take good teaching seriously," he said. "It's part of the job description and a meaningful part of promotion."
Thornton also credited the department's success in changing with the times to reform the curriculum. New technologies, such as the hand-held graphing calculator, have revolutionized the way math is used - and therefore taught - in the last 20 years.
Math today concentrates on real applications, he said, because the answer doesn't have to come out even. People can focus more on what the concepts mean and how to use the information.
"The technology has freed us from a lot of the drudgery and concentrates more on the things people can do better than computers - like interpretation," Thornton said.
The math department's heavy service load is another reason Thornton said he and his colleagues were recognized this year. Of the more than 3,000 students every semester who take a math or statistics class, only 150 of them are math majors.
Doing more than just filling gaps in the curriculum, he said, the department is always fine-tuning math courses for students fulfilling business administration, teaching, computer science, actuarial science and general education requirements.
"We're getting a lot of people through the department and it's a positive experience for them," said Thornton, who joined the NU faculty in 1969. "We're always trying to give people a sense of what mathematics is really about and how it's so different from balancing the checkbook."
The math department also supports a slew of outreach activities for K-12 teachers, he said. Programs such as the Math and Science Initiative, the Peers Academy and the Nebraska Math Scholars Program aim to improve the quality of math teachers throughout the state.
With funding from the legislature, the NU math department administers the Junior Math Prognosis, or JUMP test to 5,000 high school juniors in Nebraska. Each participant receives a personal letter from a faculty member detailing what the student needs to work on in mathematics to prepare for college.
The department also hosts the annual Math Day, which draws 1,000 students from 100 schools to compete in math bowl competitions. It's a fun event for Thornton, who said he loves seeing the kids come to campus excited about an academic subject.
Thornton also lauded the strong honors program, hefty scholarship offerings and a positive climate for women students for the department's success.
-Amy Cyphers, Public Relations
The following changes to the 1998-99 academic year calendar have been approved by the university.
Students and staff will observe Labor Day on Monday, Sept. 7. No classes will meet and offices will be closed. Classes will meet on Tuesday, Sept. 8. A new Fall Semester Break will occur Monday and Tuesday, Oct. 26 and 27. Offices will be open but classes will not meet those two days.
Martin Luther King Day will be observed by the university on Monday, Jan. 18, 1999. No classes will meet and all university offices will be closed.
Spring Break will move from week 10 to week nine in the semester. The dates are March 14 to March 21. Offices will be open March 15-19.
University employees are invited to attend all or portions of a 2.5 day workshop that will gather information to update the university's master plan. The workshops will be May 5, 6 and 7.
John Benson, director of Institutional Research and Planning, is coordinating the update activities. Campus master planning, he said, is an ongoing, dynamic process with the goal of creating a unified physical environment for the campus that supports the vision and mission of the institution and harmonizes with the city and neighborhoods surrounding the university. The plan encompasses buildings, open spaces, pedestrian and vehicle traffic networks, land use patterns, signs, plants, exterior furniture and utilities and communcations infrastructure.
Benson said the university's Strategic Plan's statement of purpose is the guiding language for the plan: "The students, faculty and staff of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and its visitors must be supported by an environment that encourages intellectual growth and human interaction. The facilities and grounds of our campuses will be functional, safe, accessible, well-maintained, and responsive to the changing needs of our programs and the people we serve. Our campuses will possess a sense of place, beauty and functionality that clearly represents the priorities and aspirations of our institution."
The current plan was last revised in 1990. The update will be presented to the Board of Regents in October and then to the Nebraska Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education. Periodic updates of master campus plans are required of all university and college campuses in Nebraska.
Benson said plans typically project about 10 years into the future.
The Lincoln firm of Bahr Vermeer & Haecker Architects Ltd, in association with Denver's EDAW, Inc., are assisting with this effort.
Benson said it's common for universities to hire consultants to aid in the planning process. Consultants bring a fresh perspective to the problem, he said, and they have expertise gained through their exposure to the planning issues of other institutions. The university does not have enough internal staff to adequately address a planning issue of this size, he said.
EDAW designed the restoration plan for Jefferson's Mall at the University of Virginia and has worked to develop plans for the proposed redevelopment of Lincoln's Centennial Mall. Bahr Vermeer has worked with the university on several projects including the renovation of Architecture Hall and the upcoming renovation of Richards Hall.
Chancellor James Moeser said the team is composed of excellent professionals who will benefit from the input they receive from the campus community. He encouraged people to attend the workshops to learn about the process and voice opinions.
The consultants began the information-gathering process the week of April 14 by meeting with campus planning teams, Business and Finance directors, extended campus directors, Student Affairs directors, the ASUN Executive Committee, and Greek Association and Residence Hall Association representatives. The planning consultants also photographed the campus.
This past week, the consultants met with academic deans, the chancellor's cabinet, UNOPA and UAAD executive committees, the Academic Planning Committee and the Academic Senate Executive Committee. Strategic planning documents, UNL's six-year capital plan, and data on the characteristics and demographics of the university have also been collected by the consultants.
The planning consultants will return to campus to convene a master planning workshop May 5, 6 and 7. The purpose is to begin synthesizing, through hands-on, participative activities, the information gathered to date. This will involve those who met with the consultants earlier and other members of the university community who have an interest in the master planning update.
Benson said all members of the campus community are welcome to drop in at any time during the workshop sessions.
Benson said the morning sessions on May 5 and 6 will include presentations of slides of the campuses and discussion of the campuses' physical systems, character zones, pedestrian circulation, vehicular circulation and gateways. In the afternoons, small work groups will focus on issues discussed during the morning as well as streetscapes, furniture/lighting and signage, architectural style and materials, service systems and expansion areas.
The small working groups will then report back to all the workshop participants for further discussion and exploration. On May 7, the work of the two previous days will be reviewed, concept plans will be discussed and areas needing further study or refinement identified. There will also be a discussion of planning for the extended campuses.
A discussion of the next steps in the planning process, which will include follow-up workshops, will conclude the wrap-up session.
The May 5 workshop runs from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. in the Colonial Room of the Nebraska Union. Consultants and participants will focus on city campus issues. The May 6 workshop will run from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Nebraska Room of the Clifford Hardin Nebraska Center for Continuing Education where workshop activities will focus on planning for the east campus.
The May 7 wrap-up session will also be located in the Nebraska Room of the Clifford Hardin Center for Continuing Education, running from 8 a.m. to noon.
-Kim Hachiya, Public Relations
Former Park Service Director Is May 9 Commencement SpeakerRoger Kennedy, (shown at right), former director of the National Park Service and director emeritus of the National Museum of American History of the Smithsonian Institution, will give the address at commencement exercises, scheduled for 9:30 a.m. May 9 in the Bob Devaney Sports Center. Approximately 1,800 students will receive degrees.
Kennedy, who will also receive an honorary doctor of letters degree, retired from as director of the National Parks Service in 1997. He was appointed to his position by President Clinton in 1993 and was the 14th person to serve in this capacity since the agency was established in 1916.
During his tenure, the national parks faced serious problems such as pollution, commercial development, overcrowding and wildlife habitat loss. Under his leadership, the service was restructured, for the first time since World War II, to focus on public education and advocacy. As the key spokesperson, he was a proponent for the importance of protecting the environment and testified before Congress on the need for greater funding to protect America's most treasured places.
In addition to his exception work in parks and natural resource planning, he is a well-known expert in architecture. From 1979 to 1992, he was director of the National Museum of American History, and he is the author of 10 books on architectural history. He earned his bachelor's degree from Yale University and his juris doctor degree from the University of Minnesota.
Norman Krivosha, (shown at left), executive vice president at
Ameritas
Life Insurance, will receive an honorary doctor of laws degree. Before
joining
the company in 1987, he was chief justice of the state of Nebraska for
nine
years.
Krivosha is one of Nebraska's outstanding public servants, and he has a reputation for being an exceptionally thoughtful and articulate individual who cares deeply about public policy issues and ethical questions. He is a leader in many organizations related to his work and humanitarian interests including the board of governors for Nebraska Wesleyan University, the A.B.A. Commission on Opportunity for Minorities in the Profession and the board of directors for St. Elizabeth Health Center. He has received many awards for his activism such as the "Torch of Liberty" Award from the Anti-Defamation League and the Humanitarian Award from the Order of the Sons of Italy.
Previously, he was Lincoln's city attorney, general counsel for Lincoln General Hopsital and for Lincoln Electric System, and an attorney in general practice. He earned his bachelor's and juris doctor degrees from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Roy Smith, (shown at right), president of Old Mill Toyota in Omaha,
will receive a Nebraska Builder Award. He has an outstanding record of
community
service to both Omaha and the state of Nebraska. 
He is past chairman of the Omaha Chamber of Commerce and past president of the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce and Industry. He is also past chairman of the New Car and Truck Dealers Association and was chairman of the 1986 Nebraska delegation to the White House Conference on Small Business. He was named to the Omaha Business Hall of Fame earlier this year.
In addition to his leadership in the business community, he also volunteers for number of human service organizations. For the past several years, he has led the human services roundtable in conjunction with United Way of the Midlands to change the way human services agencies operate in several counties in eastern Nebraska and western Iowa. He has received many awards including the Person of Vision Award from the National Society to Prevent Blindness (1993) and the Brothers Award from Mad Dads (1994). He earned his bachelor's degree from Stanford University.
A drop-off area for students and mobility restricted guests will be available on the south side of the Devaney Center, at 17th and Court streets. Special seating will be reserved for disabled guests attending commencement. Sign language interpreters for hearing impaired individuals will be in section B-12 on the west side of the concourse level of the sports center. A limited number of seats will be reserved for hearing impaired guests. Reserved seats for guests who are ambulatory restricted will be available in the north and south sides of the arena. Guests in wheelchairs will be seated on the northeast corner of the arena floor. Golf carts will be located at the ramps on the exterior north and south sides of the Devaney Center to assist disabled guests entering and exiting the sports center.
-Karen Underwood, Public Relations
University of Nebraska Learning Center Coordinators Cheryl Burkhart-Kreisel (Scottsbluff) |
Dorothy Davis (North Platte) |
Vicky Jones (Norfolk) |
Rich Bringelson (Grand Island) |
Responsiveness to learners across the state is key to expanding the University of Nebraska network, say coordinators of learning centers at Scottsbluff, North Platte, Grand Island and Norfolk. The centers extend technology and expand teaching and service opportunities for colleges, departments, research and extension centers and cooperative extension staff.
Learning center coordinators partner with faculty and extension educators to identify learners and to market, promote and deliver programs. In addition, the coordinators work with business and industry to provide training programs. The coordinators can provide assistance in reaching and serving audiences at learning centers and at other sites.
The centers are jointly administered by the coordinators, Extension District Directors and Arnold Bateman, assistant vice chancellor for extended education and director of Learning Center coordination in the Division of Continuing Studies and Cooperative Extension. Irv Omtvedt is vice chancellor for extended education.
The learning center coordinators are:
Cheryl Burkhart-Kriesel, Panhandle Learning Center, Scottsbluff.
Burkhart-Kriesel joined the Panhandle Learning Center in 1998. The center was created in 1986 as a cooperative effort of Cooperative Extension and the Division of Continuing Studies.
"The learning center system is an expansion of the existing extension network to the entire university, which is what our clientele wants," Burkhart-Kriesel said. "It really keeps the university responsive to the community."
Previously, Burkhart-Kriesel was an educational consultant for UNL and the Stockmen's Financial Corporation; adjunct faculty, Regis University, Denver; curriculum consultant, UNL Business Retention and Expansion Project; and extension agent chair, Scotts Bluff and Morrill counties.
To contact Burkhart-Kriesel, call 308-632-1319, fax 308-632-1315 or e-mail her at ckriesel@unlinfo2.unl.edu.
Dorothy Davis, Nebraska Plains Higher Education Center, North Platte.
Created in October 1997, the Nebraska Plains Higher Education Center serves west central Nebraska.
"Bringing the services of Nebraska university and state college systems to the rural population in central Nebraska offers an opportunity for personal, professional and economic growth," Davis said. "Using technology to help meet the needs of this region is a positive step for the state."
Davis was a consultant of cultural issues for various agencies and associate to the vice president of business affairs, Northern Arizona University, and taught anthropology at UNL.
To contact Davis, call 308-532-3611 Ext. 158, fax 308-532-2692 or e-mail at ddavis@unlvm.unl.edu.
Vicky Jones, Northeast Learning Center, Norfolk.
The Northeast Learning Center, created in December 1997, serves northeast Nebraska. Jones has worked in higher education for the last 16 years at both Wayne State College and the University of Nebraska Northeast Research and Extension Center.
"The learning centers present a wonderful opportunity for collaborative programming," Jones said. "Our educational partners in the state and community college systems are valuable resources which we as a university can use to leverage our own resources in meeting the needs of learners."
Jones served as an agricultural loan officer for a chain of Nebraska banks and on the board of directors of the Northeast Nebraska Chapter of the American Institute of Banking.
To contact Jones, call 402-370-4003, fax 402-370-4010 or e-mail at nerc003@unlvm.unl.edu.
Rich Bringelson, College Park, Grand Island.
Bringelson has been coordinator of the College Park learning center, which serves central Nebraska, since its creation in 1992.
"As learning centers we are very market-driven. Our goal is to identify areas of interest and broker opportunities for both the community and for faculty and staff," Bringelson said.
Before joining the university, Bringelson was secretary and executive officer for the Nebraska State College Board of Trustees for 16 years and program officer for the Nebraska Technical Community College Board for two years.
To contact Bringelson, call 308-385-6400, fax 308-385-6414 or e-mail cprk001@unlvm.unl.edu.
Administrative System Project to Meet With Project Partners May 5
The Transition Team of the university's project to revamp computer systems for finances, budget, human resources and payroll will meet with key users of the new systems, called project partners, at 3 p.m. May 5 in the Board Room of Varner Hall.
More than 100 of the project partners, selected from the pool of eventual Lincoln campus users, have been asked to help test and provide responses on the new system before it is implemented July 1, 1999. The whole effort, called the Administrative System Project, is designed to make these financial and administrative units of the university more efficient and decrease paperwork by allowing faculty and others direct access to their individual budgeting and payroll information. It should put all four NU campuses on the same business system, allow faster access to better information and solve year 2000 problems, according to an ASP brochure.
"The Administrative System Project may be the most significant endeavor in terms of overall impact to the business operation of the university that any of us have seen during our association with the university," said Alan Moeller, assistant vice chancellor for the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources and a member of the ASP steering committee. "This is a system that has been needed for a long time and is essential for the university to remain viable."
The Transition Team is the link between the members of the project team, a group from the university's business systems community working full-time on the project, and the local users, Moeller said. These key end users, the project partners, will respond to system prototypes and make sure the prototypes work. Their input is essential to making the system work as expected, he added, so attendance at this meeting is crucial. Other meetings will be set up on a schedule to be determined by the project partners.
"When you enter into a project as complex as this, you have so many people involved," explained Kim Phelps, UNL assistant vice chancellor for business and finance and a steering committee member. "We want the primary resource people such as the Transition Team to interface with selected end users, whom we call project partners. This group is a key factor in the success of the project, so we want to coordinate with them often to make sure our early warning radar is working properly."
For more information about the meeting, contact members of the Transition Team. They are: Kathy Anderson, Sponsored Programs, 472-6326; Linda Enck, Operations Analysis, 472- 2065; Nancy Kenny, Arts and Sciences, 472-2213; Donna Kizzier, Vocational and Adult Education, 472-3647; Anne Mulligan, Telecommunications, 472-2001; Brito Mutunayagam, College of Architecture, 472-9283; Karen Stork, Conservation and Survey, 472-7530; and Geri Wesely, College of Architecture, 472-9215
-Charles Flowerday, Conservation and Survey
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