LSU'S Biweekly Newsletter for Faculty & Staff
February 24, 2006 |
VOL. 22, NO. 12 |
On January 25, the Board of Regents gave final approval for the newly organized Hearne Institute for Theoretical Physics at LSU.
Shreveport native and LSU alumnus Horace C. Hearne Jr., established two endowed chairs in theoretical physics at LSU, the proceeds of which will support the core operations of the proposed institute. Hearne, who passed away in 1994, left in his will a donation for the creation of the two endowed chairs and the mandate to create a theoretical physics institute in his name.
The formal process of creating the institute took a number of years, but, in the meantime, the Hearne Laboratory for Theoretical Physics was established as a precursor. The creation of the Hearne Institute was approved by the LSU Board of Supervisors in October 2005.
The purpose of the institute is to support and promote basic interdisciplinary research in theoretical gravitational physics and the maturation of quantum technologies related to it. The current Hearne Chairs are Professor Jonathan Dowling, who specializes in quantum technologies, and Professor Jorge Pullin, who specializes in theoretical gravitational physics.
Dowling and Pullin will serve as co-directors of the institute, which will reside in the College of Basic Sciences. Plans are for the institute to sponsor collaborative international research; bi-weekly seminars; conferences; grant proposals; a series of preprint, or electronic, articles; and community outreach activities. Fourteen faculty conducting research related to gravitational physics and quantum technologies will be associated with the institute.
Faculty involved in the institute will also work research projects that link both theoretical gravitational physics and quantum technology. Such “overlap” research areas could include quantum gravity, or the application of quantum mechanics to the gravitational field; precision science, or the use of gravitational and quantum effects to synchronize GPS satellites; and the use of advanced quantum optics techniques for the development of gravitational wave detectors like the one used at the LIGO facility in Livingston Parish, La.
In addition to the institute’s foundation funds, extramural funding for quantum computing, quantum imaging, gravitational physics and astrophysics comes from grants and contracts with agencies such as the Department of Defense, the National Science Foundation and NASA.
A team of five students from the Department of Accounting at LSU’s E. J. Ourso College of Business took the top prize for the second consecutive year in the national xAct “Extreme Accounting” case study competition sponsored by the Big Four firm PricewaterhouseCoopers.
More than 320 teams from 30 universities competed in the xAct competition.
The team was led by senior Colton Fontenot of DeQuincy, La., who has participated in the xAct competition each of the three years that it has been held and who was a member of last year’s championship team. Junior Mattie Pourciau of Baton Rouge was also a member of both winning teams. This year’s team was rounded out by senior Leigh Anna Watson of Brandon, Miss.; sophomore Jonathan Whitley of Hurst, Texas; and freshman Angelique Marcantel of Jennings, La., who is also a student in LSU’s Honors College.
Professor Barbara Apostolou, chair of the Department of Accounting, and Instructor Michael Blue served as faculty co-advisors for the team. They also coached the national winning team last year.
“The win really speaks for itself,” said Robert Sumichrast, dean of the E. J. Ourso College. “Our students are leaders among our national peers. They have everything it takes to compete and win, and to make a positive impression on executives from international organizations like PricewaterhouseCoopers. Everyone in the college is very proud of them.”
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| Information Technology Residential College |
LSU’s Information Technology Residential College, or ITRC, has been named second in the nation among university service programs by the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators, or NASPA.
NASPA recognizes service programs that transform higher education through outstanding programs, innovative services and effective administration. ITRC received the Grand Silver Medal in NASPA’s Excellence Awards.
After recently being selected by NASPA as the Gold Award winner in the housing/residence life category, the ITRC was considered among all other NASPA Gold Award winners in the additional six categories for the NASPA Grand Awards. The NASPA ITRC will be recognized at the NASPA national conference in Washington, D.C., for both awards in March.
The ITRC’s initial Gold Award recognized its excellence and innovation in providing programs and initiatives to its students. The residential college provides LSU’s first-year students with concentrated instruction, training and practice in computer and technology applications within a supportive and academic and social setting. The residential college offers students in-house faculty offices and high-tech classrooms with interactive smartboards, digital cameras, wireless access and more. Students can also take advantage of the tech support provided by Information Technology Assistants, who are kept on hand. More than 30 faculty members are involved with programming and teaching in the ITRC.
LSU’s Department of Residential Life is moving forward with its residential college programs. In addition to its three operating residential colleges —ITRC, Herget and Vision Louisiana Residential Colleges — LSU will open a new Global Studies Residential College in Fall of 2006 and a Business Residential College in the Fall of 2007.
Equipped with $200 and just three-weeks time, eight LSU apparel design students will rise to the challenge to create an “Oscar evening worthy” gown for the upcoming InRegister “Runway Challenge” fashion show and benefit.
On Thursday, March 2, at 7 p.m., Baton Rouge society magazine InRegister will transform the Shaw Center for the Arts’ Black Box Theater and Workshop into a New-York styled runway. The fashion-focused competition and style show pits these talented students against each other to win the title of top designer. The winner of the “Runway Challenge” will have his or her catwalk creations photographed by award-winning photographer David Humphreys for a fashion spread in the April issue of the magazine. Also, the winner will receive a Janome Memory Craft MC3000 sewing machine, donated by AllBrands.com owners John and Annette Douthat. Village Fabrics of Baton Rouge and Promenade Fine Fabrics of New Orleans made the fabric donations for each of the eight students. Each business donated $100 to each finalist.
Eight out 16 contestants were chosen to compete in the style show. Participating apparel design students include: Senior Amber Perley of Dallas; Junior Aileen Hanna of Baton Rouge; Junior Kendall Decoteau of Baton Rouge, Junior Carlie Cutrer of Hammond, Junior Toni Dangerfield of New Orleans, Senior Angela Jordan of Brusly; Junior Emily D’Aquin of Lafayette and returning graduate student Ryan Aldridge of Baton Rouge.
The public is invited to attend the runway challenge to benefit LSU’s Historic Textile and Costume Museum and the School of Human Ecology’s Textile, Apparel Design and Merchandising Development Fund.
Tickets for the show will be $30 per person and $20 for students. For more information or to purchase tickets call 225-924-5339 or visit www.inregister.com. For information about LSU’s Historic Textile and Costume Museum visit http://www.textilemuseum.huec.lsu.edu/.
The LSU Rural Life Museum is hosting the 12th annual Ione E. Burden Symposium. “C’est La Vie: The Americanization of Creole Louisiana 1803-1830,” will be held on Saturday, March 11, at the Rural Life Museum.
Coffee will be served at 8 a.m. followed by the first lecture at 8:30 a.m. The last lecture of the day will end around 3:15 p.m.
The event will feature distinguished speakers who will consider the new federalism in Louisiana after “American” settlers began to arrive. Presentations will focus on the changes of the Creole homestead during this era and on the contributions made by the Americans immigrating to Louisiana.
William Brockway, a retired architect and LSU faculty member, will begin the day with his discussion of “Architecture in Transition.” H. Parrot Bacot, an LSU professor of art, will discuss the furnishing of the Creole home - “The Acculturated Creole Interior.” Sally K. Reeves, a retired archivist of the New Orleans Notarial Archives, will present her lecture on “Anglo-American Influences on Louisiana Gardening and Landscapes after the Louisiana Purchase.” Paul Paskoff, an LSU history professor, will discuss “Cotton, Sugar and Steam: The Economic Transformation of the Lower Mississippi River Valley before the Civil War.” Gerald F. Patout Jr., head librarian at the Williams Research Center of the Historic New Orleans Collection, will lecture on “Tidbits of Taste and Time.” This presentation will focus on Louisiana cuisine and dining customs in the early 1800s.
An exhibit interpreting the new federalism during the early days of statehood will be on display in the museum. The exhibit is drawn from several private collections and the museum’s holdings.
There is a $40 registration fee, which includes the lectures, a “Louisiana lunch” and a reception. Pre-registration is required because seating is limited. For more information call 225-765-2437 or e-mail rulife1@lsu.edu. The Rural Life Museum is located at 4650 Essen Lane.
The LSU Union Program Council’s Lively Arts Committee presents The Water Coolers from Thursday, March 2, to Sunday, March 5, at 7 p.m. in the LSU Union Cotillion Ballroom.
The Water Coolers is a New York-based music and comedy group that uses Broadway talent to satirically celebrate the things people share around the water cooler every day – life, work, kids, husbands, wives, travel, technology – and trying to balance it all.
Think Seinfeld set to music. Through sketch comedy, original music and song parodies, this is a look at life in everyday corporate America and beyond. From pretending you understand what the tech guy is saying, to worrying about what might have been said at last week’s happy hour, to decoding the mystery of “Casual Friday,” The Water Coolers is a new revue celebrating what it really takes to get through the work week.
To view a video clip of the performance, visit http://www.seethewatercoolers.com/la/la-gt.html.
The Union’s Cotillion Ballroom, overlooking the beautiful Oak Grove, will be the setting for this dinner-theater experience. Enjoy a buffet selection including a carving station, a selection of freshly prepared entrees, sides and delicious desserts. A beverage, tax and gratuity are included in the ticket price. A cash bar serving beer and wine will also be available.
Tickets are $45 for the public; $40 for faculty, staff and Union members; and $28 for students. All tickets are available via the LSU Union Box Office at 578-5128 and through Ticketmaster at 761-8400 or http://www.ticketmaster.com.
Groups of 10 or more receive a 10 percent discount on tickets through the LSU Union Box Office at 578-5128.
The Water Coolers has been booked by Microsoft Corporation, JP Morgan, Deloitte, Sterling Jewelers, Assurant, Countrywide, GMAC, Ditech and many other corporations to perform for their meetings and conferences.