News and Updates from U of L

U of L Helps Tackle Geographic Illiteracy
Do kids know where anyplace is anymore? Unfortunately, in many cases they don’t. Geographic illiteracy is becoming a “disturbing trend” nationally says U of L geography and geosciences professor Keith Mountain. He and colleagues in the Kentucky Geographic Alliance are working with support from the National Geographic Society to develop teaching tools, including an interactive compact disc, to help high school teachers instruct about Kentucky geography.

Trustees Approve Hudson's Appointment as A&S Dean
The Board of Trustees approved appointment of J. Blaine Hudson as dean of the College of Arts and Sciences in its June 2 meeting. Hudson, a member of the university’s Pan-African studies faculty since 1992 and its department chair from 1998 to 2003, became acting dean after James Brennan’s 2004 departure to become Towson University provost.

Katie Olson Courtesy U of L Athletics

Big East Announces Women’s Basketball Schedule The Big East conference has announced which teams the women’s basketball Cardinals will play at home and away for the 2005-06 season. In July, the Cardinals will officially become a member of the Big East. The new format for league play will be a 16-game schedule. Each team will play 16 Conference games--seven opponents home only, seven opponents away only and one opponent both home and away, a repeat opponent. Each member will have a total of eight home and eight away games.

Did You Know?
According to the Fulbright Association, U of L ranks seventh in the nation--alongside schools such as Duke University, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Northwestern University--in the number of students receiving Fulbright English teaching assistantships for 2004-2005. An idea of what these and other U of L students are achieving can be seen in the April 25 awards edition of “The Current,” the e-zine of the U of L Honors Program.

Stroke Center Director Named McCann Scholar
The U of L Hospital's Stroke Center recently became the first certified primary stroke center in Kentucky. Now its director, Kerri Remmel, has added to the center’s honors by being named a McCann Scholar for 2005. Remmel, an assistant professor of neurology, is one of only four people in the country earning the designation this year from the Joy McCann Foundation in Tampa, Fla.

Who Will Be This Year’s “Robo-Idol”?
No wires. No radio control. Where these robot vehicles go all depends on their internal “smarts.” But the real smarts behind these robots are students at the Speed School of Engineering.
The test came in April when four student teams pitted their robot creations against each other in U of L’s first “robo-pong” tournament. The object of the contest was to see which robot could gather and carry the most small plastic balls to the opponent’s side of a mini tennis court. The robots’ features included light sensors to indicate location and guidance, ball scoop and storage systems and timers that controlled the robot’s movements.
The robot built by Andy Thaman, Jeff Zegarra and Conrad Rodas claimed the highest number of golf balls, 51, to win the match. The student engineers are in the electrical and computer engineering class “Fundamentals of Autonomous Robots,” taught by assistant professor Tamer Inanc. They designed their robots using LEGO robotic invention system kits as a base.

Looking for a little adventure? Sign up for the alumni whitewater rafting trip.

Upcoming Alumni Events OK, it’s official. It’s time to re-invigorate and get back outside and enjoy spring’s alumni events. The Cardinal Caravan will be making stops in Kentucky and Indiana during the month of June. Coaches, staff and players will be on hand to meet fans and friends. For event dates and more information, visit the U of L Athletics web site. June 21 - U of L President James Ramsey will host an Alumni Open House in the Malcolm B. Chancey Center, 5-6:30 p.m. Mingle with alumni and friends and learn more about university news and research. For reservations, call the Alumni Office at 502-852-6186 or 800-813-8635. June 25 - Alumni are invited to experience the high adventure and beauty of whitewater rafting at the ACE Whitewater Rafting and Adventure Center at the New River Gorge in Oak Hill, W.Va. Cost per person is $99 and includes the rafting trip, lunch and dinner at the lodge. Guests will provide their own transportation to the gorge. Seating is limited. Contact the Alumni Office at 502-852-6186 for reservations and information about accommodations.

Annoying Habits Can Dissolve Relationships
You’ve asked your significant other not to do it, he does it anyway and now you’re ready to strangle him. Whether it’s dropping wet towels on the floor or leaving the toilet roll empty, the annoying habits of our partners can lead to a failed relationship, says a new study led by U of L communication researcher Michael Cunningham. There’s even a scientific explanation of why we get so infuriated, said Cunningham, who has studied human behavior and relationships for more than 20 years.

Now is the Time to Consolidate Your Student Loans
ABC’s Good Morning America program featured a story on June 2 on how graduates can lock into current low rates for student loans. Rates will go up 2 percent on July 1.

Join the U of L Online Community!
Register with the U of L Online Alumni Directory and you can update your information and search for former classmates and friends. Joining is free.

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