News briefs and announcements
e-Waste recycling event collected 125 tons
The three-day e-waste recycling project run by volunteers at the University Oct. 11-13 proved so successful that organizers easily surpassed their goal of 100 tons of obsolete electronic equipment. Schools, nonprofits, small businesses and individuals dropped off an estimated 250,000 pounds, leaving the project temporarily short of trucks to haul the material away. Three trucks were called in from another location, for a total of nine loads collected at the campus.
Wendy Burchard of UR's information services division, who helped lead the project, estimated that 60 organizations joined 1,559 individuals turning in unwanted, obsolete computers, monitors, printers, keyboards, cell phones and television sets that otherwise would have gone into Virginia landfills, with toxic parts intact.
Lead, mercury, bromine and chlorine commonly used in manufacturing electronics can leach into the environment through landfills or waste incinerators if discarded with normal trash. The old electronics were transported to a facility equipped to recycle all the plastics, usable metals and glass and safely dispose of all toxic components.
Competitive print exhibition deadline Jan. 15
The 2008 Harnett Biennial of American Prints is the eighth competitive national exhibition organized by University Museums. Open to all forms of prints, the exhibition is presented as a celebration and examination of contemporary printmaking. The Harnett Biennial will be on view from March 28 to June 6 in the Joel and Lila Harnett Museum of Art.
James Stroud, master printer, artist, founder and director of Center Street Studio, Milton, Mass., will judge the competition.
The deadline for submission is Jan. 15. The exhibition is open to all artists residing in the United States. Entries must be in printmaking, using any traditional and/or experimental techniques and media. Eligible entries include prints on paper using, but not limited to, such media as intaglio, relief, planographic, stencil, monotype and digital processes. Photographs on paper are eligible. Prints must have been completed in the last two years.
An entry form can be downloaded from the museums' Web site, museums.richmond.edu, or requested by e-mail at museums@richmond.edu. A hard copy is available at the museums or can be mailed upon request by calling 287-6424.
Student film accepted by Artivist festival
A documentary film by Theodore Martland, '09, was shown at the 4th annual Artivist Film Festival in Hollywood. The film, The Truth about Silence, is a real-life story of a sexual assault victim and attests to the tragedy that can arise from staying silent. Martland says the film captures the "horrifying emotions caused by sexual assault and inspires victims to get help." The film also will be presented as part of the "Best of Artivist" world tour in Lisbon and London.
Artivist is the first international film festival and awards program to address human rights, children's advocacy, environmental protection and animal rights.
Richmond magazine chooses UR as a great place to work
Richmond, the magazine of the city of Richmond, selected the University of Richmond as one of 15 "great places to work" in the area. The magazine cited the University's full-tuition waivers for children of employees, dedication to a diverse workforce, retirement plan and staff bonus plan as factors in the judges' decision.
NSP students raise money for Thanksgiving dinners
Richmond students who volunteer through National Student Partnerships sponsored a concert featuring University a cappella groups to raise money for Thanksgiving dinners for NSP-Richmond clients who otherwise would not have had the opportunity to enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving meal. NSP is a national nonprofit organization with a Richmond chapter that serves local citizens on an individual basis. NSP students help with such things as securing housing, filing tax returns, filing public benefit forms and finding basic living necessities in the community. NSP volunteers delivered the meals directly to clients' homes.
Alumni create public speaking contest for undergraduates
Students who want to perfect their public speaking ability will have an opportunity to participate in "The Sully Speaks," a new competition developed to showcase the importance of communication excellence.
The event was devised by alumnus Brent Sullivan, '04, along with Andrew Ryan, '06, and students and faculty. A cash prize pool of $1,000 will be awarded to the top speakers. The competition is intended to promote "pragmatic public speaking for the business world," Sullivan said. "Power Point would not be the way to go," added Ryan.
To compete, students need to submit a 5-10 minute video of themselves discussing the topic "Persuade Us to Change Our Minds and Lives." Due by Feb. 4, the videos can be submitted online or on CD or DVD. Six finalists will be selected on Feb. 15, and they will present their final talks before a campus audience Feb. 26. Judges from the Richmond area will select first, second and third place winners. A cash prize of $500 will go to the top speaker, with the other five finalists receiving $100 each for their outstanding efforts in reaching the final panel of judges.
For more information about the contest, contact Dr. Kevin Kuswa, director of debate; Linda Hobgood, director of the Speech Center; or Shirley Woods, director of the professional development program in the Robins School of Business.
International Leadership Association presentations
Jepson faculty made their mark on the International Leadership Association's ninth annual global conference held in Vancouver Oct. 31-Nov. 3. Faculty members presented papers and hosted sessions at the conference, which was centered on the theme "Leadership: Impact, Culture and Sustainability." The school also presented the Jablin Dissertation Award. For more information, see jepson.richmond.edu/academics/jda/.
SCS student wins membership to Weinstein Center
The SCS Student Government Association provided a three-day pass for part-time, degree-seeking SCS students to visit the Weinstein Center for Recreation and Wellness in October. Those who took advantage of the offer registered to win a one-year membership, a $350 value. Francis Kenneth Hammond Jr. was the lucky winner. He started attending classes through SCS last September and is married to Laura Marks, also an SCS student.
Senior marketing food products to aid missing and exploited children
Lauren Reeves, '08, is helping missing and exploited children by promoting the sale of Tavern on the Green products. For a marketing research project for Dr. Harold Babb in the Robins School of Business, she is trying to influence sales of all-natural salad dressings, dipping oils, marinades and steak sauces through the TavernDirect.com Web site. The company will donate a portion of its proceeds to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. "The products are sold in individual quantities as well as gift boxes, which are perfect for corporate holiday gift giving," said Reeves.