Purdue News Roundup

July 17, 1998 Purdue libraries' Voyager improves information access WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- Purdue University has unveiled the Voyager system for THe Online Resource (THOR), the university's on-line library information system. The system developed by Endeavor, an information management company, was chosen because "it puts more power into the hands of users, allowing them to have better control over information access and to manage that information," said Emily Mobley, dean of libraries. "The libraries are meeting the needs of Purdue students and faculty with the implementation of this cutting-edge information system." Voyager replaces a system that was installed in 1989. Voyager features include a graphical, Web-based interface, powerful and responsive search tools, and extensive linking and export capabilities. Purdue students, faculty and staff can use Voyager to find the location of books, journals and other information sources. Voyager also will allow members of the Purdue community to directly access images, citation indices and research abstracts using Internet Web browsers. The new system also will allow users to know which items have been checked out and provide on-line renewals. While some features will be available only to members of the Purdue community, all users can continue to use THOR to check if Purdue libraries hold particular books, journals or other media. "Voyager is a perfect fit with the university's current technology as well as our plans for the future," Mobley said. "It puts us in the position to take advantage of the changes in scholarly communication and distributed computing. We not only see Voyager as a library system but also as a university information system. For example, Purdue owns the largest collection of Amelia Earhart artifacts -- flight suits, photographs, flight diaries and even one of her airplanes. I envision using Voyager to manage this collection and to make these resources and others available to the public through the Internet. " Sheila Curl, engineering librarian and team leader for the Voyager project, said, "The new THOR system means that users will spend less time looking for information and more time synthesizing and applying it. Artificial barriers between different types of information have been diminished, creating a more productive learning environment." The Purdue libraries on-line system is available at http://www.lib.purdue.edu CONTACTS: Mobley, (765) 494-2900; Curl, (765) 494-2871 High-school instrumentalists can earn scholarships WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- Purdue University's Department of Bands has scholarship money to distribute and is looking for Indiana high-school instrumentalists. Leath Scholarships, valued at $1,000 each, are available to incoming Purdue students who plan to enroll as full-time undergraduates and participate in an assigned Purdue Bands ensemble. Auditions are required and will be held Feb. 13 and March 6 in Purdue's Elliott Hall of Music. Applications must be received by Jan. 22. They are available from Indiana high-school music directors or by calling the bands department at (765) 494-3952. To be eligible, students also must be full-time Indiana residents and must complete an academic review based on grade point average, class rank and SAT score. Audition material should include three, two-octave major scales and a prepared selection from the Indiana State School Music Association group I solo list. Jazz players should request audition materials be sent to them in place of the group I solo. Piano accompaniment is not allowed, and there is a six-minute time limit. Students also will be asked to sight-read three excerpts. Awards will be made by April 25. The scholarship was established in 1988 through a trust fund left by Wilbur T. Leath. Leath said he believed that participation in musical organizations provides students with important cultural and educational experiences. Although Purdue has no school of music, students can participate in a wide variety of instrumental musical activities, including five concert bands, four jazz bands, a full symphony orchestra, a vocal jazz group, the largest marching band in the country, individual instrumental study, and a multitude of solo and ensemble opportunities. The department is in the midst of a $2 million fund-raising campaign that will run through Homecoming 1999 with a goal of $400,000 for band scholarships, $800,000 for new instruments, and $800,000 to support student travel opportunities. CONTACT: Amy Cox, public relations director, University Bands, (765) 496-2697 Student wins $35,000 Lilly-Purdue Alumni Scholarship WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- Ryan Nicoletti of Brazil, Ind. , an incoming freshman in the Purdue University School of Science, is the recipient of this year's $35,000 Lilly-Purdue Alumni Scholarship. Nicoletti will study computer science. The four-year, full-ride academic scholarship covers fees, tuition, books, and room and board. Recipients of this scholarship must be Indiana residents in the School of Science who are majoring in chemistry, biological sciences or computer science. To be eligible for renewal of the scholarship, the students must maintain a minimum grade-point average of 3.0 each semester while carrying 15 or more credit hours. Nicoletti is a Northview High School graduate who received numerous honors and was involved in a variety of activities during his high-school career. He was a member of the National Honor Society and the National Honor Roll, a National Merit Semifinalist, and winner of the National English Merit Award. Nicoletti was a delegate to Indiana Sen. Richard Lugar's Leadership Symposium. He also was captain of the Varsity JETS (Junior Engineering Testing Service) team and president of the Spanish Club. Away from school, Nicoletti has received national and world awards as a black belt in Tae Kwon Do. He is a member of his church drama team, youth choir, youth group and youth council. In addition to the Lilly-Purdue Alumni Scholarship, Nicoletti received the Valedictorian Scholarship, a one-time award of $1,000, and a $2,000 National Merit Corporate Scholarship. CONTACT: Marilyn Thrush, School of Science scholarship coordinator, (765) 494-1990. Purdue Notebook Appointments and promotions: -- Phillip E. Pope, professor of forestry and director of the Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant Program, has been named associate dean of the Graduate School. Dennis R. Depew, professor and head of the Department of Industrial Technology and director of graduate studies, has been named assistant dean of the Graduate School. * * * * * Faculty and staff honors: -- Dr. John F. Fessler, professor of veterinary clinical sciences, has received the 1998 National Gamma Award from Omega Tau Sigma, a professional veterinary fraternity. The award recognizes distinguished service to the veterinary profession. In the past year, Fessler also has received two other awards: the Alumni Recognition Award from the College of Veterinary Medicine at The Ohio State University; and the Distinguished Service Award from the American College of Veterinary Surgeons. Compiled by J. Michael Willis, (765) 494-0371; e-mail, mike_willis@purdue.edu Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; e-mail, purduenews@purdue.edu To the Purdue News and Photos Page