Recent sightings: Faculty of Color Reception
Members of the campus community gathered Wednesday, Feb. 18, for the annual Faculty of Color Reception at the Pyle Center’s Alumni Lounge. The reception — co-hosted by Interim Vice Provost and Chief Diversity Officer Patrick J. Sims and Jo Ellen Fair, chair of the University Committee — was an opportunity to welcome 26 new faculty of color, honor 40 newly promoted faculty of color, recognize visiting faculty of color, and network with colleagues. Read More
Johnson Controls partners with UW–Madison to reduce commercial energy costs
Johnson Controls began when founder Warren Johnson invented the thermostat in 1885, and today the Milwaukee-based controls company is working toward another major innovation in heating and cooling in collaboration with UW–Madison chemical engineers. A research group led by Jim Rawlings, the Paul A. Elfers professor and W. Harmon Ray professor of chemical and biological engineering, has partnered with Johnson Controls to develop better HVAC control systems for its clients in large commercial buildings. Read More
Awards will recognize classified employee achievements
Nominations are being sought for the 2015 Classified Employee Recognition Award, an annual program that rewards exemplary performance from classified staff at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Read More
U.S. biomedical research in crisis: UW–Madison takes charge
The university is poised to help lead the national conversation to address the systemic flaws within the American biomedical research enterprise and will host a workshop April 11 to share ideas on how to fix it. Read More
University Press of Florida official to lead UW Press
Dennis Lloyd, deputy director of the University Press of Florida, has been selected as the new director of the University of Wisconsin Press. Read More
Great Lakes MOOC discusses climate change through library partnerships
“Changing Weather and Climate in the Great Lakes Region” is a Massive Open Online Course beginning Feb. 23 that will teach learners all about climate change. And not only that — it will give them a chance to do something about it. Read More
Helping prepare UW–Madison graduate students and postdocs for careers
The UW–Madison Graduate School is spearheading a campus-wide initiative to encourage all graduate students and postdoctoral researchers to complete their own IDPs. Read More
Employees can submit cost-saving and efficiency ideas
The University of Wisconsin–Madison is asking its faculty and staff to help identify potential savings and efficiencies. Read More
Muslim students, allies unite in response to shootings near UNC-Chapel Hill
Last week, members of the Muslim Students Association (MSA) were looking forward to a lively discussion entitled “Islam Across Races: Created Equal,” featuring nationally known activists Dawud Walid and Linda Sarsour. That changed following shocking reports from the University of North Carolina about the slayings of three young Muslim students. MSA members transformed their event into a vigil mourning the victims and a discussion at the Multicultural Student Center of the challenges that they face on a campus very similar to UNC. Read More
Sidebar: Campus resources
The MSA is made up of Muslim students from many backgrounds and cultures. Its events are open to all students, regardless of religious background. Email … Read More
Zoo’s mother-to-be receives prenatal care from UW-affiliated health professionals
While many in Madison were surprised and delighted on Feb. 10 to learn that Henry Vilas Zoo’s Bornean orangutan, Kawan, was expecting the zoo’s first baby primate in 14 years, it was old news to Barb Trampe, chief sonographer at the UW/Meriter Center for Perinatal Care. She had already seen the first baby pictures. Read More
UW-Madison center sees hope for more diversity in children’s books
As the face of America becomes increasingly diverse, the number of children’s books by and about people of color has remained stubbornly stagnant over the past 25 years, according to annual data compiled by UW–Madison’s Cooperative Children’s Book Center. But the most recent figures, released Wednesday, may contain a sliver of good news for those hoping that kids’ books will one day better reflect the population at large. Read More
UW-Madison ranks among leaders in recruiting Peace Corps volunteers
With 69 Badger alumni currently serving in 34 countries, the University of Wisconsin–Madison continues its tradition as one of the nation’s top producers of Peace Corps volunteers, according to the latest national rankings. Since 2001, when the Peace Corps began releasing its annual list of top universities and colleges, UW–Madison has consistently placed in the top 10, including six years in the top spot. This year, UW–Madison ranks second. Read More
David Nelson named director of purchasing services
David Nelson, a purchasing professional who brings more than two decades of procurement, supply chain management and strategic sourcing experience, has been named director of purchasing services at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Read More
Campus to honor and welcome faculty of color
The tradition of welcoming new faculty of color and honoring faculty of color will continue on Wednesday, Feb. 18, from 5-7 p.m. in the Alumni Lounge of the Pyle Center, 702 Langdon St. The public and campus community are invited to this free event. Read More
New fiber-optic monitoring tools could help industry unlock geothermal energy
University of Wisconsin–Madison geoscientists and engineers are working with industry partners and the U.S. Department of Energy to develop a highly detailed monitoring system for geothermal wells. Read More
UW-Madison ranks highly in number of Fulbright awards
The University of Wisconsin–Madison ranks among the top six U.S. colleges and universities to receive 2014-2015 faculty Fulbright awards and among the top 20 institutions to receive student awards from the Fulbright U.S. Student Program. Read More
Accuracy in radiation firm with ties to UW marks 25 years in Middleton
In 1989, Ed Neumueller — who had been general manager of a company established by UW–Madison faculty member John Cameron — helped found Standard Imaging in Middleton to build quality assurance products for radiation delivery machines used in cancer treatment. The company is marking its 25th anniversary this year. Read More