Purdue graduates urged to reach for stars while charting futures

Lift after commencement

Córdova spoke to candidates during four spring commencement ceremonies taking place this weekend (May 9-11) in Elliott Hall of Music.

Converting trees into ethanol

Speakers at the event, coordinated by the Energy Center in Discovery Park, will include top executives from the biofuels industry, government officials and leading academic researchers from Princeton and Purdue universities and the University of Massachusetts.

The Department of Computer Graphics Technology will offer an advanced-level camp June 15-20 and a beginner's-level camp June 22-27.

John Contreni, chair of the search committee and the Justin S. Morrill Dean of the College of Liberal Arts, said visits and open forums have been scheduled for three of the candidates.

William Griffel

Griffel, who will start June 15, replaces Brian Breed, who retired Dec. 31 after serving as director of Purdue Musical Organizations and the Purdue Varsity Glee Club since 1989.

Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis

Highlights of the season include Broadway musicals such as "The Drowsy Chaperone," "Chicago" and "Ain't Misbehavin'," which stars "American Idol" winner Ruben Studdard, as well as performances in Elliott Hall of Music of "STOMP," "Birdhouse Factory" by Cirque Mechanics, Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis, and The Irish Tenors.

The EPICS Conference on Service-Learning in Engineering and Technology annually draws about 100 faculty, professionals and students from universities and companies from around the nation. The conference's dinner session is expected to draw 200 to the Holiday Inn Select City Center, 515 South St., Lafayette.

Patricia Darbishire, a clinical assistant professor of pharmacy practice, recommends that before disposing of any medication people contact a local pharmacist, the Solid Waste Management District or a law enforcement agency to learn the proper disposal technique for your geographic area.

The first study will test the effect of a particular type of carbohydrate on calcium absorption. Between 15-20 girls are needed for the study.

EcoliHub web site

Barry L. Wanner, who is leading the project, said E. coli has served as a model organism that has led to innumerable discoveries about fundamental cellular processes that are key to understanding all living cells.

The average price farmers paid for diesel fuel in the Corn Belt last April was $2.50 per gallon, according to reports from Indiana's Agriculture Statistics Service located at Purdue. This compares to this April's average of $3.66 per gallon.

Of the two categories, the Achievement Award recognizes women involved with production agriculture on their farms or agribusiness, or those who have started a business related to agriculture. The Leadership Award recognizes women who have roles in agriculture leadership, advocacy for the industry or influence on agriculture policy.

Terry Strueh

As vice president for governmental relations, Strueh is the university's chief liaison with state and federal officials. He served as vice president for state relations from 1999-2001 when his responsibilities expanded to include greater emphasis on federal initiatives.

The two universities are working together to offer a pilot program that will include six online courses in the fall 2008, three from Purdue and three from IU. Purdue will offer courses in agronomy, computer science and sociology. IU-administered courses will include geological science, history and criminal justice.

Developed by the National Endowment for Financial Education, Cash Course serves as a way universities can help college students and recent graduates cultivate positive money management habits that will last a lifetime, said Joyce Hall, Division of Financial Aid executive director.

Steele, a new supercomputer

But it didn’t take that long — they were done by lunch.

"The assembly was finished much faster than we expected, and by noon we were doing science," says Gerry McCartney, vice president for information technology and chief information officer. "The staff was enthusiastic, the weather was great, and there were no problems installing the hardware or software. There is no cloud to accompany this silver lining."

"Participants will have the opportunity to see a few Web sites that other producers have developed and learn how they did it to effectively market their products," said Jerry Nelson, Purdue University Cooperative Extension New Ventures Educator. "They will also learn what questions to ask when working with a Web designer."

The Hall of Fame Awards, announced at a reception in Purdue Memorial Union's East Faculty Lounge, honor people from the varied fields of foods and nutrition who have made significant contributions to academia, industry and their communities.

"The Distinguished Science Alumni Award was established to recognize outstanding achievement in professional and related fields of endeavor," said Jeffrey S. Vitter, the Frederick L. Hovde Dean of the College of Science. "These individuals have made an impact and earned distinction in fields that will shape the future of science. They illustrate the many ways a Purdue science education fuels success and are an inspiration to our students."

Sponsored by the Indiana Office of Energy and Defense Development and the Energy Center at Purdue University's Discovery Park, the conference will raise awareness of opportunities for wind power in Indiana.

Research on SwiftFuel©

The general aviation industry includes all flights other than military and scheduled airline flights, both private and commercial. Data on Swift Enterprises' 100 percent renewable general aviation fuel was presented April 28 at an annual meeting of an international committee that oversees aviation fuel standards. Unlike current biomass fuels, SwiftFuel is comprised of synthetic hydrocarbons derived from biomass. Rusek said it can provide an effective range (distance between refueling) greater than petroleum while its projected cost is half the current petroleum manufacturing cost.

Purple panel traps

The new traps will be baited with manuka oil and glue to detect emerald ash borers (EAB). The scent of manuka oil, harvested from native tea trees in New Zealand, will attract adult beetles.

TOYchallenge is a toy design competition for fifth- through eighth-graders in which students create a game or toy and learn about science, engineering and the design process at the same time. The contest is open to all students in those grades, but at least half of each team's members must be girls.

"Our research shows that when students practice retrieving information as they would on a test, additional learning is taking place," says Jeffrey D. Karpicke, an assistant professor of psychological sciences who is a cognitive psychologist and memory expert. "However, before students are ready to practice test taking, there are two other steps they need to complete.