Dateline archive:
Billion-dollar day, platinum biking, Aggie gifts — 11.19.13
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 Aggies in JFK's Peace CorpsIn remembering John F. Kennedy this week on the 50th anniversary of his assassination, UC Davis takes pride in contributing to one of his lasting legacies: the Peace Corps, established in 1961. Since then, 1,408 Aggies have served as Peace Corps volunteers. The most recent Peace Corps statistics, from Sept. 30, 2012, showed 60 alumni in the Peace Corps, the fifth highest total among large California colleges and universities, and 17th highest total in the nation (giving UC Davis a top-25 ranking for the 11th consecutive year). |
NEWS SUMMARY
More stories at Dateline UC Davis and UC Davis News and Information
Campaign hits goal a year ahead of schedule
Above her, a banner unfurled from the roof of Shields Library. In front of her, audience members waved blue-and-gold pom-poms. And behind her, the Cal Aggie Marching Band-uh! blared a song for all the Quad to hear. It was all in response to Chancellor Linda P.B. Katehi's announcement that The Campaign for UC Davis had reached its goal of $1 billion. … Contributions to the UC Davis fundraising drive in 2012-13 are included in UC's record-setting total of $1.64 billion in private donations in the last fiscal year. [ More, with slideshow… ]
Our Bicycle Friendly University goes platinum
UC Davis has moved up from gold to platinum status as a Bicycle Friendly University, as awarded by the League of American Bicyclists. The league recognized the university's commitment to improving conditions for bicycling through investment in bicycling promotion, education programs, infrastructure (including more than $500,000 in new bike rack installations over the last four years) and pro-bicycling policies. [ More… ]
Grapevine screening worth $60 million or more to growers
The Center for Wine Economics calculates a benefit of $60 million or more to Napa-Sonoma grape growers who use disease-free grapevines and rootstock that originate at UC Davis' Foundation Plant Services. And that's just for screening out one disease, grapevine leafroll-3, the dominant grapevine virus in California and worldwide. [ More… ]
National survey finds frog abnormalities rare
Professor Marcel Holyoak has some good news about frogs and toads on national wildlife refuges: A 10-year study reveals abnormalities such as shortened or missing legs are not as prevelent as feared. Holyoak and co-author Mari Reeves, a graduate student, figured the rate of abnormalities at less than 2 percent overall. The study also revealed much higher rates in "hot spot" regions, including California. [ More… ]
LAURELS: Beth Levy receives Music in American Culture Award
Associate professor's book, Frontier Figures: American Music and the Mythology of the American West, addresses subject with "grace and elegance." … Plus, honors for Samuel Luoma, research ecologist; the Immigration Law Clinic and Jann Murray-Garcia of the Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing. … Also, a book co-authored by MIND Institute project coordinator Patricia Schetter has been named the recipient of a Gelett Burgess Children's Book Award. [ More… ]
Make it a blue-and-gold holiday shopping season
There's Gray Thursday and Black Friday, but here at UC Davis we are a lot more colorful with Blue and Gold shopping days, especially at UC Davis Stores — more blue and more gold and more Aggie Pride than ever. Other campus gift ideas for the holidays come in silver (arboretum jewelry) and browns (bowls made from salvaged wood), and call to mind our green roots (olive oil, sun-dried tomatoes and honey). Or consider a California Harvest Gift Box from the women's rowing club. [ More… ]
GIVING: Food and toy drives up and running (literally)
Mail Services' Holiday Food Drive has been extended until this Friday, another campus food drive has just begun, and come next week a food donation will entitle you to see two Aggie basketball games (women's and men's) for just $5. In addition, Professor Lloyd Knox is encouraging people to sign up for Team UC Davis in the fifth annual Running of the Turkeys, a Thanksgiving Day benefit for the Yolo Food Bank. And don't forget the toys! A campus Toys for Tots drive runs until Dec. 17. [ More… ]
MORE GIVING: $33,000 typhoon relief goal = $1 per student
When UC Davis' Fil Am student groups set up an online fundraising drive for typhoon relief, they set a rather modest goal of $1,500. Well, they've collected $1,510 as of today (Nov. 19) and have decided to appeal for more. "We are raising our goal to $33,000 (based on UC Davis enrollment). A dollar per UC Davis student is reasonable. A dollar goes a long way in the Philippines. Thank you for your continuous support." [ More… ]
OPEN ENROLLMENT: You've got 1 week to get it done
Open enrollment closes at 5 p.m. next Tuesday (Nov. 26) — that's one week from today. Typically, the last two days of open enrollment are the busiest for benefits offices and the open enrollment website, which is why Human Resources representatives are encouraging employees not to put off changes until the last minute. Need assistance? Attend one of four general overviews this week, or watch a medical plan presentation online. [ More… ]
NEWS BRIEFS: WarnMe test set for Wednesday morning
A Davis campus WarnMe test is set for 10:50 a.m. Wednesday (Nov. 20), but a test later that same day for the Sacramento campus has been postponed. … The campus Police Department's cadet program and Citizens Academy are accepting applications. … Emerging Leaders in Policy and Public Service, a new workshop series, hears from Rep. John Garamendi. [ More… ]
FEATURED COLLOQUIA
- Barrett Lecture on Constitutional Law — Professor Alan Brownstein addresses "Coercion and Endorsement: Constitutional Challenges to State Sponsored Prayers at Local Government Meetings" (Nov. 19).
- "Transforming the Health of the Community" — Bechara Choucair, physician and commissioner, Chicago Department of Public Health, on the power of partnerships in improving health care (Nov. 19).
- "Life Undercover: Behavioral Characteristics of a Stealthy Blood Feeder" — Kenneth Haynes talks about bed bugs in the Thomas and Nina Leigh Distinguished Alumni Lecture, an evening program hosted by the Department of Entomology and Nematology; and presents a noonhour seminar the same day (Nov. 20).
- "Animal Welfare and the Companion Parrot" — By Julie Weiss Murad, president and chief executive officer, The Gabriel Foundation, a parrot welfare organization (Nov. 21).
ANNOUNCEMENTS
- Call for nominations: Faculty Research Lecture Award (Academic Senate)
- Request for proposals: Seed grants from the Western Center for Agricultural Health and Safety, for faculty with P.I. eligibility and graduate students
EVENTS
Prized Writing: Hear from 3 of the student authors
Today, Nov. 19, 4-6 p.m., 126 Voorhies Hall
The Undergraduate Writing Program showcases works in two categories: essays, and science and technical writing. [ More… ]
Department of Music ensembles present fall concerts
Nov. 20-Dec. 6
Jazz Ensembles (Nov. 20), Empyrean Ensemble (Nov. 22), Symphony Orchestra (Nov. 23), Concert Band (Dec. 4), Baroque Ensemble (Dec. 5) and University Chorus (Dec. 6). [ More… ]
7th annual Wellness Carnival
Thursday, Nov. 21, 5:30-7:30 p.m., lobby, Activities and Recreation Center
Fun-filled activities led by different student and campus organizations that promote the seven realms of wellness and help you maintain a balanced lifestyle. Prizes, free food and free coffee (must bring a reusable mug). [ More… ]
Theatre and dance: Spring Awakening
Nov. 21-Dec. 7, Main Theatre, Wright Hall
Granada Artist-in-Residence Stafford Arima directs this UC Davis production of the Tony Award-winning rock musical, a provocative exploration of the journey from adolescence to adulthood. ... Also: Wigs Turn the Music On (Nov. 24-26) and Main Stage Dance sneak preview (Nov. 25). [ More… ]
The Art of Tea
Nov. 21-Dec. 15
Exhibition, Wingchi Ip and the Art of Tea, Nelson Gallery (Nov. 21-Dec., 15); Tea Tasting and Demonstration with Tea Master Wingchi Ip (Nov. 21); and The Art of Tea colloquium (Nov. 22). [ More… ]
Open house: Bohart Museum of Entomology
Saturday, Nov. 23, 1-4 p.m., 1124 Academic Surge
"The Beauty and the Beetles": specimens from around the world, craft-making and a display of jewelry (not for sale!) made from beetle wings ("This was a common practice in South America's indigenous populations," says Tabatha Yang, education and outreach coordinator). Free. [ More… ]
Causeway Classic: the 60th annual
Saturday, Nov. 23, 3:30 p.m. kickoff, Hornet Stadium
UC Davis vs. Sac State on the gridiron. Ticket advice for Aggie fans: Buy general admission (in advance, at a discount) and sit in the UC Davis section, east side of the stadium. For every ticket sold, ScholarShare (California's 529 college savings plan) will donate $1 to the UC Davis Children's Hospital. [ More… ]