News briefs and announcements
'Faculty Authors' link available
on library homepage
The Richmond Research Institute has created an online database of faculty publications and research that is searchable by keywords. The site contains more than 1,000 articles, books and book chapters authored by University faculty members. The publications are linked to the Richmond library homepage as "Faculty Authors" (http://library.richmond.edu).
By creating the database, "we hope to raise the research profile of the University of Richmond," said Kirk Jonas, director of the institute. Jonas said 100 percent of faculty members are represented in the database, which includes information for each faculty member, usually a departmental link, a list of authored books and other publications, curriculum vitae, personal Web site (if available) and searchable research keywords.
"The availability of this data will make it easier for faculty and students to identify the research interests of faculty members and should encourage collaborative research among those with similar interests," said Jonas.
He and research associate Jason Snow have been meeting with faculty members and searching online library databases to gather information for the site. The Richmond Research Institute site (http://research.richmond.edu ) also includes other research information, such as videos of students discussing their research projects.
Senior presents thesis at
professional conference
Jackie Knupp, '06, presented her senior honors thesis at a national conference of scholars in applied ethics. She presented "How Should Physicians Be Motivated to Fulfill Social Obligations?" at the Association for Practical and Professional Ethics conference in Florida in March. It was a winner of the group's undergraduate paper competition. Knupp received a Quest grant to attend the conference.
Knupp, from Raleigh, N.C., is a 2005 Truman Scholar, one of an elite group of 75 college juniors selected that year for their commitment to making a difference through public service. She plans to study medicine.
Based on the assumption that physicians have social obligations, Knupp's award-winning paper traces the grounds of those obligations by applying the writings of 18th-century German philosopher Immanuel Kant. She defines social obligations as voluntary medical service outside of the contractual physician-patient relationship. She first details Kant's definition of morality based on the motivation behind an act. She then critiques Kant's view that actions are only of moral worth when performed just because it is the right thing to do. Instead, she concludes that many actions performed out of other motivations have moral worth. Some motivations she considers are self-interest, compassion and religious motivation.
Knupp's mentor on her senior honors thesis was Dr. Terry L. Price, associate professor of leadership studies and a philosopher with grounding in politics and psychology, who focuses his teaching and research interests on applied ethics.
Weinstein Fellows study environmental justice in Richmond
Seventeen Richmond students have been studying everyday human environments in an interdisciplinary class titled "The Politics of Race, Space and Place." Taught by three professors, the class focuses on environmental justice. Among other projects, students are investigating toxicity in Richmond elementary schools and analyzing the revitalization of Jackson Ward. The class is supported by a fellowship from the Marcus Weinstein family to support interdisciplinary research with undergraduates at Richmond. This is its inaugural year.
Mock trial team places fifth in national tournament
A team of Richmond undergraduates placed fifth out of 48 teams in the American Mock Trial Association's national qualifying tournament March 17-19 at Hamline University in St. Paul, Minn.
Richmond brought home two top individual awards: Best Attorney (Ken Abrams) and Best Witness (Joey Weber).
At the regional level, two Richmond teams finished in the top 10 and won three individual honors. Lisa Crabtree, a junior from Warwick, R.I., captured a best attorney award. James Beach, a sophomore from Flemington, N.J., and David Assalone, a senior from Mahopac, N.Y., won best witness awards.
Joining Crabtree, Beach and Assalone in Minnesota were: team captain Ken Abrams, a senior from Hillsborough, N.J.; Ashley Lerch, a senior from Downingtown, Pa.; Ashley O'Keefe, a sophomore from Louisa, Va.; Alicia Stump, a sophomore from Etters, Pa.; Michelle Swartz, a senior from Severna Park, Md.; and Joey Weber, a senior from Warrenton, Va.
AMTA competition gives undergraduates firsthand knowledge of work as a trial attorney, understanding of the judicial system, and highly developed critical thinking and communications skills.
M.B.A. program in annual guide
Richmond's M.B.A. program will be included in the next edition of America's Best Business Schools, an annual guide published by The Princeton Review. In a separate survey of 2005 graduates from nearly 100 part-time M.B.A. programs, Richmond ranked among the top 10 nationally in quality of student body and faculty accessibility.
Athletes raise funds for Ryan Jobes scholarship
Richmond's varsity athletes have combined efforts to raise more than $20,000 for the Ryan Jobes Scholarship Fund, ensuring that the scholarship becomes a permanent fixture in Jobes' hometown of Williamstown, W.Va.
Jobes, a University sophomore, was killed in an automobile accident in December while returning home for winter break. His family started the scholarship fund to preserve his memory and benefit a Williamstown High School student. They will award a $1,000 scholarship each year to a student who excels in academics, extracurricular activities and community service.
His teammates on the track and field team held a "Ryan Jobes Run-A-Thon" on March 12, and the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee held a "Date Auction" to raise money for the fund.
"Practically every varsity sport worked to raise funds," said Stephen Taylor, head men's track and field coach. "Our team's approach was 'every little bit helps,' and their combined efforts generated a total contribution of $20,711 for the fund."
Jobes' father, John Jobes, told the News and Sentinel in Williamstown that the amount of the check was a surprise. "So we were thrilled with that." The contribution, along with $9,000 already raised, means the scholarship will become a permanent fund in the Parkersburg Community Foundation.
Quest grant funds research trip
Rick Mayes, assistant professor of political science, and seven students traveled in April under a Quest grant to conduct research at two locations in Illinois. Seniors Jeremiah McNamara, Megan Bailey, Katharine (Katy) Gutting, Justin Burk, Lauren Skiles, Kristin Schmidt and Jason Sutton visited Hope Meadows, a former military base that provides housing for foster parents and "unadoptable" children in Rantoul, and Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago. The hospital is one of many hospitals in Illinois helping the state implement its first-in-the-nation universal health insurance plan for children. They presented their findings at the Undergraduate Research Symposium.
Trees, shrubs to improve water quality of lake, river and bay
Throughout the spring, volunteers have been planting trees and shrubs along the banks of 1.5 miles of Little Westham Creek, which empties into Westhampton Lake on the Richmond campus. Lake water eventually flows into the James River and Chesapeake Bay.
Called the Community Stream Protection Project, the grass-roots collaboration will improve water quality and reduce erosion along the stream. The project is a collaboration between the University's Center for Civic Engagement, Henrico County (Department of Public Works and Supervisor Pat O'Bannon), the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, and the Westham, University Heights and Rollingwood neighborhood associations.
Octaves nominated for two awards
The Contemporary A Cappella Society has nominated The Octaves, the University of Richmond's men's a cappella group, for two Contemporary A Cappella Recording Awards. The group's CD Corner Pocket was nominated for best male collegiate album, and one of the cuts, For Me This Is Heaven, was nominated for best male collegiate song.
For Me This Is Heaven also was chosen for The Top Shelf A Cappella Compilation, a CD that was released by CASA last month. The compilation includes songs from a cappella groups from 10 universities across the nation.
The Octaves were founded in 1990, and they have performed for audiences from Maine to Florida. Corner Pocket is their seventh album.
Save time, ask a librarian
Do you have a question about library research? Connect to "Ask a Librarian" on the libraries' Web site at http://library.richmond.edu. You can e-mail your question or use the AOL Instant Messenger chat service. Librarians also are willing to schedule research appointments, assist you at the reference desk or answer your question via phone at 289-8669. All questions are answered immediately when service hours are available.
Clarification
In last month's article on the 50th anniversary of CAPS, the writer states that Jean Dickinson began her tenure as director in 1965 but did not state clearly that the center itself began operations in 1955-56. The editors regret any confusion this might have caused.
Also, Mary Bitterman, president of the Osher Foundation, will not be able to attend the May 13 SCS commencement ceremony to receive an honorary degree.
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