Milestones

UPDATES

A merger between the School of Communications and the Department of Speech Communication will take effect in July 2002 (see "Briefings," March 2001), giving birth to a new Department of Communication. "This will create one larger unit that brings the best of the current units together, enabling us to create a strong, new program," says Gerry Philipsen, speech communication chair. Students already in one of the existing degree programs can continue their current path or switch to one of the new communication programs. The search for a new chair is under way.

One year and three months after he arrived, Institute for K-12 Leadership Director Rudy Crew left the UW to join a private philanthropic foundation based in San Francisco. Crew, a national figure in education leadership, helped create the institute (see "Follow the Leader," Sept. 2000), which focuses on developing strong leaders in education. The program will continue as part of the UW College of Education.

APPOINTMENTS

Constance H. Kravas became the UW's new vice president for development and alumni relations on Aug. 16, replacing acting VP David Wu. Kravas had worked as vice chancellor for university advancement at the University of California, Riverside, since 1999. Before that, she co-led WSU's first comprehensive fund-raising campaign, completed in 1997, which raised $275 million and drew contributions from more than 54 percent of WSU alumni. A Portland, Ore., native, Kravas earned a bachelor's from Pacific Lutheran University in 1967, a master's from Indiana State University in 1969 and a doctorate from WSU in 1974.

Professor Bruce Bare was named acting dean of the College of Forest Resources by President Richard L. McCormick on May 29, following the resignation of former Dean Kristiina Vogt. Bare, who joined the department in 1969, will serve until a permanent dean is appointed. He earned both a bachelor's and doctorate from Purdue University, as well as a master's degree from the University of Minnesota. Vogt, the first woman in the nation to head a major college of forest resources, became dean in July 2000.

HONORS

The National Academy of Sciences elected its new members on May 1, including Molecular Biotechnology Professor Philip P. Green and Radiation Oncology Professor Mark T. Groudine. Green works on developing mathematical, statistical and computer methods for analyzing the genomes of humans and other organisms (see "Code Control"). Groudine heads extensive programs of research in cellular and molecular biology. Membership in the academy is among the highest honors bestowed upon an American scientist or engineer. The addition of Groudine and Green gives the UW a total of 30 academy members.

Named the top scholar in this year's graduating class, Rebecca Cappel Hendrickson, '01, is the 2001 President's Medalist. She received two UW degrees, one in biochemistry and the other in neurobiology. With a 3.97 GPA, Hendrickson has been named to the Dean's List every quarter she has attended the UW. In addition, she conducted research in pathobiology and chemistry with three UW faculty during her UW career and she recently worked with Michael Shadlen, assistant professor of physiology and biophysics. Hendrickson was named a Goldwater Scholar in 1999, received the Women in Science and Engineering Scholarship from Zymogenetics in 2000 and also won the Merck Award in Chemistry in 2001. In August she began the M.D./Ph.D. program at Washington University in St. Louis, where she is studying neurobiology.

Dentistry Professor Roy C. Page is the recipient of the American Association for Dental Research Distinguished Scientist Award. Presented every three to six years, the award recognizes outstanding research in oral science. Page has spent nearly 40 years in the field of periodontics and has written more than 250 scientific articles and reviews. He has been on the UW faculty since 1967 and served as associate dean for research in the School of Dentistry for 25 years.

The Trial Advocacy Program, part of the UW School of Law, will receive the American College of Trial Lawyers' highest honor in 2001, a $50,000 award. The program presents a sequence of courses to train future lawyers in courtroom work through realistic trials while under the wing of practicing attorneys. "This is a wonderful honor for the top-notch trial lawyers and dedicated teachers in our program," says Lis Wiehl, associate law professor and director of the program. In addition, Wiehl won this year's Richard S. Jacobson Award for Excellence in Teaching Trial Advocacy.

RANKINGS

The UW Medical Center moved up a notch in its ranking among the top hospitals in the country, according to U.S. News & World Report's 2001 annual guide to "America's Best Hospitals," which was published July 23. UWMC was ranked 12th in the nation among the 1,878 major medical centers (including approximately 300 teaching hospitals) considered in this year's survey. It is the only hospital west of Rochester, Minn., and north of San Francisco to achieve an honor roll ranking. Last year, UWMC was ranked 13th.

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