Natural Sciences Professor Accepts Fulbright Scholarship in Eastern Africa

Professor Julian C. Kerbis Peterhans with a bat (Rhinolophus sp.) that was captured in Mozambique on Mt Gorongosa.

Julian Kerbis  Peterhans, Professor in the College of Professional Studies, accepted a Fulbright Scholarship for a full academic year at Makerere University (Kampala, Uganda, eastern Africa) one of the premier sub-Saharan academic institutions. He will be engaged in training African students in biodiversity survey techniques . This project follows on the heels of a 5-year award from the MacArthur Foundation in the mid 1990’s, when Kerbis Peterhans contributed to a program to train over 60 African students  in similar techniques  in Ugandan National  Parks. Uganda lies at the forefront of continental biological diversity as well as environmental awareness, positioning it as a major player in African conservation initiatives. The existing infrastructure at Makerere University gives Kerbis Peterhans a platform to continue these efforts.  In particular, the mid elevation forests of Uganda are both understudied and are severely threatened due to their proximity to people and attempts at commercial development. These forests today are small remnants of a formerly pan-equatorial forest that has since fragmented due to climate change, With support from the Department of Biology and Museum of Zoology at Makerere University, Kerbis Peterhans proposes to train a new cadre of African field biologists. His activities will include the training of students in the field, the survey of threatened forests, and the submittal of a major proposal for the development of a Master’s Program in Conservation Biology at Makerere.

Professor Gary Wolfe Wins Locus Award, Up for Hugo

Professor Gary K. Wolfe

This past weekend, Professor Gary Wolfe won a Locus Award in the nonfiction category. Wolfe won for his book, Evaporating Genres: Essays on Fantastic Literature, Published by Wesleyan, the book discusses  science fiction, fantasy, and horror, and how the boundaries between these genres merge and eventually “evaporate” as they create new forms. Peter Straub, author of A Dark Matter, says this: “Profoundly knowledgeable about science fiction and fantasy fiction, the award-winning critic Gary K. Wolfe possesses both the wisdom and generosity of spirit necessary to consider these genres within the context of the wider literary culture; by doing so he miraculously illuminates them from within.”

Additionally, Wolfe has been nominated again for a Hugo Award for Best Fancast–for the Coode Street Podcast which he does with Jonathan Strahan. The winners will be announced at Chicon 7  in Chicago, August 30-September 3, 2012.

Sustainability Studies Hosting Environmental Film: April 20

Sustainability Studies Program Chair Mike Bryson announced recently that RU will be hosting the acclaimed environmental documentary feature film, Living Downstream, on Friday April 20th, 2012. The film follows Sandra Steingraber’s journey across North America as she connects increasing cancer rates with the environment.

Kirsten E. Silven from Earthtimes.org offers this in her film review: ”Herself a cancer survivor, Sandra reveals her private personal struggles and her public quest to shed light on pollution in the environment and it’s affect on the human body. During the film we observe how industrial chemicals flow through the ecosystem to deposit themselves in some of the most beautiful places on Earth, and how they enter the body . . . Sandra’s deeply personal exploration of her cancer and her journey across the continent shedding light on the environment coincide to produce this wonderful film that emphasises the importance of a healthy land.”

Date:  Friday, April 20th, 2012

Time:  6:00-8:30pm
Place:  Roosevelt University, Chicago Campus, Auditorium Building (430 S. Michigan Ave)
Room:  Congress Lounge (2nd floor)

This event is free and open to the public. A discussion with RU faculty will follow the screening, and refreshments will be available. Sponsored by the Sustainability Studies Program in the College of Professional Studies at Roosevelt University.

RSVP to Professor Mike Bryson at mbryson@roosevelt.edu / 312-281-3148.

Professor Emeritus Metzgar Speaks to AAUP Members

Professor Emeritus Jack Metzgar shares information with AAUP members last Friday.

Last Friday, Jack Metzgar, professor emeritus of humanities and former president of Roosevelt University’s chapter of American Association of University Professors, discussed the history of faculty leadership and shared governance at RU to a group of about 25 faculty members and administrators. Metzgar followed Howard Bunsis, a professor of accounting at Eastern Michigan University and secretary-treasurer of the Executive Committee of the AAUP Governing Council, who presented an analysis of Roosevelt’s financial documents. Metzgar shared ideas about ways that RU faculty can bond together to help guide the university. Metzgar is a beloved professor from the College of Professional Studies and it was a treat to see him in action again.

Training & Development Present Career Opportunity

The Graduate Program in Training and Development presents “Careers in Human Performance Improvement (HPI) and Organization Development (OD)” on April 3 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at the Gage Building, 2nd floor commons.Judith Hale, president of the International Society for Performance Improvement (IPSI), and other industry experts will host round table discussions. Topics include: • Mapping a Career Path: From degree to career • Get Hired: What employers are looking for when hiring OD professionals • How Do I Use this in the Real World? Taking OD, ID, and HPI out of the classroom and into the workplace • Performance Improvement Consulting: Two sides of the coinPlease RSVP by emailing Tara Hawkins at thawkins@roosevelt.edu.

Wolfe Publishes New Essay, Honors Gene Wolfe

Professional and Liberal Studies Professor Gary Wolfe recently published a new essay, “Fantasy from Dryden to Dunsany,” in The Cambridge Companion to Fantasy, edited by Farah Mendlesohn and Edward James, from Cambridge University Press (January 2012).

On March 17th, Gary Wolfe also served as Master of Ceremonies as the Chicago Literary Hall of Fame presented Gene Wolfe with the first “Fuller Award,” acknowledging an outstanding lifetime contribution to literature.

  

SUST Professors Discuss “Costs” in Loop Value Exhibit

RU’s Sustainability Studies co-founders Associate Professor Mike Bryson and Assistant Professor Carl Zimring both serve on the advisory board to the Chicago Architecture Foundation for the Loop Value exhibit, which opened recently in the CitySpace Gallery. The exhibit shares information about the real environmental costs of a variety of goods and services, including household items and even pets.

Here, Bryson discusses how much the “highly transformed” Chicago river costs and Zimring evaluates how much a cell phone costs, especially those that are “hidden.”

The exhibit is free, and open seven days a week from 9:30am-5pm.