Pete Gifford and Jason Ramsey '98, from Administrative Information Systems (AIS), presented an information session at the first annual Pennsylvania Area Datatel Users Group conference at Juniata College. The session focused on the use of the Entrinsik Informer system for web-based reporting by administrative departments at Allegheny. Rich Metzger, director of AIS, was on the conference-planning committee and was instrumental in getting the conference off the ground.
During fall break, Professor of Economics Don Goldstein led a workshop at the National University of Ireland (NUI) - Galway on the environmental performance of Irish manufacturers. Goldstein and Rachel Hilliard of NUI - Galway are in the third year of a research grant from the Irish Environmental Protection Agency. Workshop participants from five countries discussed preliminary results from this grant in light of their own research.
Assistant Professor of Computer Science Gregory M. Kapfhammer recently published two papers in the proceedings of the ACM Workshop on Empirical Assessment of Software Engineering Languages and Technologies. “Using Coverage Effectiveness to Evaluate Test Suite Prioritizations,” co-authored with Mary Lou Soffa (University of Virginia), explains a metric for characterizing the quality of a test suite and is accompanied by a software tool for calculating coverage effectiveness values. “Efficient Time-Aware Prioritization with Knapsack Solvers” — co-authored with Sara Alspaugh, Kristen Walcott '05 and Mary Lou Soffa (University of Virginia) and Michael Belanich '07 — reports on the results of an experimental study that measures the efficiency and effectiveness of time-aware test suite prioritizers that solve 0/1 knapsack problems. Information about these research papers and a downloadable version of the software tool are available at http://cs.allegheny.edu/~gkapfham/research/kanonizo/.
Associate Professor of Political Science Shannan Mattiace and Associate Professor of Economics Tomas Nonnenmacher presented papers at the First Annual Yucatan in Pennsylvania round table held at Penn State University October 24 and 25, 2007.
Senior neuroscience majors Tabitha Novosat and Katherine Proch and their advisor, Associate Professor of Biology and Neuroscience E. Lee Coates, presented research results at the Society for Neuroscience meetings held November 3–7 in San Diego. The presentation was titled “TRPV1 knockout mice exhibit EOG and NMP responses to nasal CO2.” This research, which Tabitha and Katy conducted during their junior year, is part of Coates's ongoing research project investigating the mechanisms and possible triggers for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.
Professor of Religious Studies Carl Olson's book Hindu Primary Sources: A Sectarian Reader has been published by Rutgers University Press. The book contains classical Hindu texts in translation by Olson and others along with texts from the various sectarian religious traditions. Olson has also published Celibacy and Religious Traditions, with Oxford University Press. Professor of Religious Studies Glenn Holland was one of fifteen scholars from four continents who contributed essays to the book. Holland wrote on celibacy in the early Christian tradition.
Professor of Political Science and Environmental Science Mike Maniates authored a perspective piece, titled “Going Green? Easy Doesn't Do It” (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/11/21/AR2007112101856.html), that appeared in the Washington Post on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 22. The article has also appeared in the Madison (Wisconsin) Capital Times, Delaware Journal, Tallahassee Democrat, and China Post, among other newspapers, as well as on the climateark.org site and in numerous blogs.
Professor of Art George Roland's 2007 computer artwork Keokee was awarded the Irene Pasinski Sailer Memorial Award by New York artist and juror Polly Apfelbaum. The work is on display at the Carnegie Museum of Art in Pittsburgh through January 21 in conjunction with the Associated Artists of Pittsburgh's 97th Annual Exhibition. Roland has also been invited to give a gallery talk at the museum. His presentation, at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 16, is open to the public.
Associate Professor of Art Richard A. Schindler has just published an article, “William Morris and the Art of the Illuminated Manuscript,” in the Autumn 2007 issue of Faerie Magazine.
Instructor of Modern Languages Nancy Smith was elected in September to a three-year term as a member-at-large to the Executive Council of the Pennsylvania State Modern Language Association. The purpose of the PSMLA is to promote the study and teaching of foreign languages and to increase active public interest in them. Members work at the state level with legislators and organize a yearly conference for those teaching languages in the state.
Assistant Professor of History Guo Wu had an article, “Rethinking the Critique of Chinese National Character as an Intellectual Discourse,” and a book review published in The Chinese Historical Review 14, no. 2 (Fall 2007). He has also begun serving as an outside reader for the journal Twentieth Century China (Ohio State University Press).
People & Places, published monthly during the academic year by the Office of Public Affairs, reports on the professional activities of members of the College community and highlights student achievements. Please submit items to people@allegheny.edu. We reserve the right to edit copy for length.
