September 12, 2008

Appointments, honors and activities

— Gabriela Weaver was named interim director of the Discovery Learning Center in Discovery Park as of Sept. 1. Weaver replaces Jon Harbor, who is serving as interim dean in the College of Science. Weaver is a professor in the chemistry department and serves as associate head. She joined Purdue in 2001 as an associate professor. In 2004 she became director of the Center for Authentic Science Practice in Education, a lead project in the Discovery Learning Center that is funded by the chemistry division of the National Science Foundation.

— Dennis Nowaskie was named superintendent of the Southwest Purdue Agricultural Center in Vincennes. Nowaskie replaces Meb Lang, who retired after 29 years as superintendent. Nowaskie was the assistant farm superintendent for the Southwest Purdue Agricultural Center before stepping up to superintendent. He joined the center in 1994.

• Campus activities:

— Members of the Purdue Crew Team will be participating in their annual "Rent-A-Rower" fund-raisers at 9 a.m. on Oct. 5, Oct. 18, Nov. 2 and Nov. 8. For a $65 donation, local residents can hire a rower to work for up to five hours on a variety of tasks, which in the past have included painting, building fences, cleaning out basements and garages, raking leaves and washing windows. If residents have a really large job, they may need to request more than one rower. The team, which has approximately 150 members, also may be able to take care of more specialized jobs. Jobs will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. For information, contact Dan German or Caitlin Gray at (765) 494-3120 or e-mail purdue.rentarower@gmail.com.

• Faculty honors:

— Joseph Garner received the Universities Federation for Animal Welfare inaugural Professor William Russell Fellowship Aug. 27. Garner was awarded the fellowship for his work on investigating the ambient temperature references of mice and bedding needs for their thermal comfort. The Professor William Russell Fellowship is open to applicants worldwide and is aimed at making a substantial contribution to the welfare of animals in scientific procedures. The recipient of the Fellowship receives $170,075.

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu

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