University Relations

Announcements

Interim dean selected. R. “Dan” Dandapani, associate dean, College of Engineering and Applied Science, will become interim dean effective July 1. Peg Bacon, provost, announced Dandapani’s appointment to faculty members this week. Dandapani will serve while a search is conducted to replace Jeremy Haefner, dean, College of Engineering and Applied Science. Haefner recently accepted the position of provost at Rochester (N.Y.) Institute of Technology. (More)

Kane Scholars selected. UCCS and Pikes Peak Community College announced recipients of the 2008 Kane Scholarships May 14 ceremonies on the PPCC campus. See the UCCS Kane Scholars and learn more about them. (More)

More cow bell, please. With an awe-inspiring performance by Deputy Chief Steve Linhart on the cow bell, a team of Public Safety Department members faithfully recreated the 1976 hit “Don’t Fear the Reaper” during annual staff lunch festivities Thursday. The act was one of several designed to celebrate longevity awards and the contributions of staff to campus. See names and years of service for service award recipients and photos of the event. (More)

Bunion coverage explained. Representatives from Payroll and Benefit Services were on campus today to explain new health care plans for faculty, staff and retirees today. There are new providers, changes in coverage and higher contributions by the university toward the cost of insurance. Faculty and staff are encouraged to complete enrollment forms by 5 p.m. May 23. Questions? Contact PBS, (877) 627-1877 or Ted Baldwin, benefits counselor, tbaldwin@uccs.edu or 262-3607.

Reception scheduled. A reception for Jacquelyn Beyer, professor emerita, Geography, is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. Sunday, May 18, at the Kraemer Family Library. Beyer recently received the Association of American Geographers Enhancing Diversity Award.

“Me” generation unmasked.  Jean Twenge, San Diego State University, and author of “Generation Me” will speak at 9 a.m. May 28 at the Lodge. Her presentation is sponsored by the UCCS Freshman Seminar. For more information or reservations, contact Nina Ellis, assistant director, Freshman Seminar, 262-4222 or cfrischm@uccs.edu.

Class of 2015 Commencement.  More than 60 fifth-grade students from Helen Hunt Elementary and John Adams Elementary will graduate from elementary school in ceremonies scheduled for 6 p.m. Monday at the Lodge. The students and their families will be hosted by the UCCS College of Education. Dean La Vonne Neal will provide the students a keynote speech titled “Scholars Wear Their Dreams.” Nadyne Guzman, professor, Education, will parallel Neal’s speech in Spanish. Provost Peg Bacon will provide a welcome.

Class of 2008 Commencement. UCCS Commencement ceremonies are scheduled for 11 a.m. May 23 at the Colorado Springs World Arena. Approximately 700 students are expected to participate in the single ceremony for graduate and undergraduate students. Two commencement awards are also planned. (More).

Last edition. Communique, published weekly during the fall and spring semesters, will move to its summer schedule following this edition.  Single editions are planned for June and July. Weekly publication will resume in August.

Kudos

Chancellor Pam Shockley-Zalabak, La Vonne Neal, dean, College of Education, and Barbara Swaby, professor, Education, will be honored Saturday by Delta Sigma Theta, a private non-profit organization whose purpose is to provide service and programs to promote human welfare. The organization has more than 200,000 predominantly African-American college-educated women.

David R. Nelson, associate professor, Communication, recently received the 2007 Ava Platinum Award from the Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals. Nelson received the award for his work as director of “Trapped in Cortez” in the educational institution/low budget category.

Phil Trujillo, men’s golf head coach, Intercollegiate Athletics, was named Eaton Golf Pride Division II Northwest Region Coach of the Year by the Golf Coaches Association of America.

In the News

• The Colorado Springs Gazette quoted Josh Dunn, assistant professor, Political Science in DEMOCRATS ‘COMING TO THE BELLY OF THE BEAST’
• The Rocky Mountain News wrote about former CU president Hank Brown in Hank Brown to join Denver law firm
• The Colorado Springs Gazette wrote about plans for conservative professors in CU's DIVERSITY CHANCELLOR
• The Colorado Springs Gazette wrote about the trial of a man accused of killing a UCCS freshman in MURDER CASE GOES TO JURY
• The Rocky Mountain News published a column by CU Regent Paul Schauer in SPEAKOUT: CU regent defends his record
• The Denver Post wrote about student loan difficulties in Students squeezed in search for loans
• The Colorado Springs Gazette mentioned UCCS in STUDENT’S SPARE TIME GOES TO AIDS RESEARCH
• The Denver Post wrote about Gov. Bill Ritter’s efforts to fund higher education construction in Ritter signs bill to fund construction jobs for higher ED
• The Colorado Springs Gazette wrote about a UCCS student in LIFTER HELPS CARRY U.S.

Communique is the on-line newsletter for UCCS faculty and staff. It is published weekly during the fall and spring semesters, monthly during the summer semester. Communique is sent to faculty and staff e-mail lists and, by request, to other e-mail addresses. Previous issues are available at //www.uccs.edu/ur/communique. Suggestions and comments are welcome.
Send ideas to ur@uccs.edu or call Tom Hutton, 262-3439.