Columns Magazine THE UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON ALUMNI MAGAZINE


Milestones

UPDATE

UW Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the March 30 death of freshman Gary Gilbert, who fell from the fourth-floor balcony of McMahon Hall. Gilbert, 18, a pre-engineering student, was with approximately 20 other people on that Friday night to celebrate a friend's 21st birthday. According to UW police, Gilbert was on the balcony with three other people who were standing and talking. A police department release said that interviews show the incident appears to have been an accident. Although alcohol was present at the party, Ray Wittmier, a UW Police spokesman, said that no charges are likely to be filed and that the preliminary investigation indicates that Gilbert was not sitting or leaning over the railing. It is not believed anyone pushed him, either. "He just somehow, lost his balance and went over," Wittmier said.

APPOINTMENTS

University of Minnesota Professor Nancy "Rusty" Barceló will be the UW's vice president for minority affairs effective July 1, replacing Myron Apilado, who is retiring. Barceló has served since 1996 as associate vice president for multicultural and academic affairs at Minnesota, and has been chair of Chicano studies since 1999. Before coming to Minnesota, Barceló was at the University of Iowa in a variety of positions, including associate director of opportunity, assistant dean in the Office of the Provost and director of summer session. "Rusty Barceló has a deep and abiding commitment to diversity and its values," says UW President Richard L. McCormick. "Throughout her career she has found creative ways to transform her commitment into programs and collaborations to foster success and accomplishment among diverse students." Barceló received an M.A. in recreational education in 1972 and a Ph.D. in higher education administration in 1980, both from Iowa.

University of Iowa Law Professor W.H. "Joe" Knight Jr., will become dean of the University of Washington School of Law on July 1. Knight replaces Roland Hjorth, who is returning to the faculty after six years as law dean. Knight earned his law degree from Columbia University in 1979 and has been a professor at Iowa's College of Law, specializing in commercial law, since 1988. He served as Iowa's vice provost from 1997 through 2000. He has also served as visiting professor at Washington University in St. Louis and at Duke University's School of Law, where he earned the outstanding teacher award in 1991. "His passion for the law is infectious, and he brings an educator's enthusiasm and belief in limitless possibilities to the job of leadership. He will make a difference at this university and in the broader community," says President McCormick.

Kathleen Sellick became the new executive director of the University of Washington Medical Center March 28. She had been serving as acting director since late September, following the death of Robert H. Muilenburg, who had been the medical center's administrative leader for 22 years. The 450-bed UW Medical Center is widely regarded as one of the nation's top medical centers and was ranked 13th among 1,701 hospitals in the nation last year by U.S. News & World Report. A Phoenix native, Sellick served as executive vice president and chief operating officer of St. Joseph Hospital in Orange, Calif., before coming to Seattle in 1999. "She possesses an outstanding blend of strong business and administrative acumen, combined with exceptional skills in working well with people: exactly what is needed to lead this great hospital into its future as a continuing regional treasure," says Paul Ramsey, medical school dean and vice president for medical affairs. Sellick is a graduate of Arizona State University and received her M.B.A. from the University of Chicago.

HONORS

Physiology and Biophysics Professor Bertil Hille shared the 2001 Gairdner International Award with three other medical researchers for work that will "significantly improve the quality of life for humanity," the Gairdner Foundation announced April 11. Since 1959, Gairdner International Awards have been presented to 255 scientists, with 54 of them subsequently winning a Nobel Prize. Hille was honored for his ion channels research. These channels are involved in many body processes including muscle contraction, cardiac rhythm, hormone secretion and even memory.

Computer Science and Engineering Chair Ed Lazowska was among 74 engineers nationwide to be elected to the National Academy of Engineering. Election to the academy is among the highest professional distinctions accorded an engineer. In choosing Lazowska, the academy cited his "leadership and contributions to computer performance evaluation and distributed systems." Membership honors those who have made important contributions to engineering theory and practice and have demonstrated unusual accomplishment in the pioneering of new and developing fields and technology. Lazowska received the 1998 UW Outstanding Public Service Award and led his department to the 1999 UW Brotman Award for Instructional Excellence.

Dentistry Professor Roy C. Page was named recipient of the AADR Distinguished Scientist Award March 23. The award is presented every three to six years by the American Association for Dental Research and recognizes outstanding research of particular significance to oral science. Page has devoted nearly 40 years of his professional life to the field of periodontics (gum disease treatment) and has written more than 250 scientific articles and reviews on periodontal diseases and related fields. He has been editor-in-chief of the Journal of Periodontal Research since 1986.

The University of Washington is the 2000 winner of the EDUCAUSE Award for Systematic Progress in Teaching and Learning. EDUCAUSE is an international, nonprofit association whose mission is to help shape and enable change in higher education through the introduction, use and management of information resources and technologies. The UW's partnership in bringing technology into the service of teaching and learning, UWIRED, "has fostered minimal duplication of efforts, maximum outreach, and participation and buy-in from all constituencies," the organization announced.


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