We learned over the summer that the late Jim Phillips, Professor Emeritus of Physics, had his last article published posthumously in June, 2010. A co-authored piece based on research that had been on-going during retirement, it appears in the June 2010 issue of Surface Science, an Elsevier journal.
Five A&S faculty were awarded grants by the Missouri Research Board in July, 2010. They are: Keith Buszek (Chemistry); Ekaterina Kadnikova (Chemistry); Jejung Lee (Geosciences); James Murochick (Geosciences) and Nathan Oyler (Chemistry). We congratulate them.
Dean Karen Vorst announced to the College community on June 24th that Jerry Dias (Chemistry) and Michael Kruger (Physics)were awarded UM Curators’ Professorships. Nomination and selection of Jerry and Michael for these Professorships were based on their outstanding achievements in creativity and research.
Dias’ appointment was based on his pioneering research in the chemistry and molecular architecture of bile acids and tetracyclic triterpenoids, and on his work in the graph-theoretical classification of benzeniod compounds, an area in which he is arguably the world’s foremost authority. He has been a prolific publisher, with three books, 185 papers and over 1700 citations.
Kruger’s appointment was based on his numerous innovative and diverse accomplishments in ultra-high-pressure solid-state physics and geophysics. Michael has a strong publication record in top journals, including Physics Review Letters and Science, and he has a strong record of external funding including the prestigious “NSF-Career Award.”
Professors Dias and Kruger join an elite group now at eleven and five previous Curators’ Professors and Curators’ Teaching Professors in the College.
It was in July that the moving van pulled up to Epperson House and moved the Department of Architecture, Urban Planning + Design to Katz Hall! As of mid-August, the spaces all came together and look terrific. A very BIG thank you goes to Dick Ahsmuhs for his untiring focus on securing furnishings for the new building. UMB Bank has donated furnishings that grace the offices, reception areas, and studios. The idea of using signature pieces in offices and common areas has also been supported by the furniture donations from UMB Bank. The gifts have made an incredible difference to the department.
Michael Frisch (AUP+D) reports that he raised over $12,000 from the Local Initiatives Support Corporation to support his studio. A story on the work was recently published in the Northeast News: http://www.northeastnews.net/indepavetalked.html.
We know that all A&S units are being cost conscious in these lean budget years. But for those with approved activities and programs that have need for guest lodging convenient to campus, we call your attention to a current offer from The Raphael hotel that can further save money. Because UMKC holds a preferred client status at The Raphael, they are holding our negotiated rates of $135 per night valid through 2010. As an added bonus, they are offering a special Renovation Celebration rate of $99 for a standard room and $139 for a suite through April 2010. The renovation increased their capabilities to accommodate small meetings.
For more information contact: Nancy D’Amico at 816-802-2142 or nancy@raphaelkc.com.
