ON MESSAGE
Science 2034 Campaign Builds Momentum
This week, another University of Illinois voice joined SCIENCE 2034, the national messaging initiative by The Science Coalition that looks 20 years into the future to predict what might be possible so long as the federal government sustains strong funding for basic scientific research.
Maxine Brown, Director of UIC's Electronic Visualization Laboratory predicts that "smart rooms"—our bedrooms, workplaces, classrooms—will be connected to personal devices and databases in such a way that they will essentially serve as our personal digital assistants. So long as the federal government continues to invest in cyberinfrastructure, these smart rooms will make better use of the vast amounts of data currently used on the Cloud and have vast potential to help scientists, doctors, individuals, and families significantly enhance their communication and collaboration over long distances. Maxine's post is also featured on the UIC Vice Chancellor for Research's webpage.
DC VISITORS
Urbana's Wounded Veterans Center Scours DC for Potential Partnerships
Urbana's College of Applied Health Sciences Dean Tanya Gallagher and Kyle Kostelecky, director of Urbana's new Center for Wounded Veterans in Higher Education were in DC to provide updates on the Center's significant progress. They met with the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs, the Warrior Transition Command (USAWTC), the Veterans Benefits Administration, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the VA's Office of Research and Development. During the meetings, Director Kostelecky and Dean Gallagher discussed how the Center will be a unique national resource for veterans with multiple and severe disabilities. Construction on the Center is currently underway, and the Center will welcome its first class of students next fall.
Bardo a Slam Dunk for DC Illini
In conjunction with the DC Illini Club, the University of Illinois Alumni Association (UIAA) held an event with DC-area alumni featuring Urbana alumnus Stephen Bardo. Bardo, a college basketball commentator who was part of the "Flyin' Illini" team that made it all the way to the Final Four in the 1989 NCAA basketball tournament, has been traveling all across the country to promote his book--The Flyin' Illini.
Kudos to the UIAA's Amy Eichhorst and the DC Illini Club leaders who helped curate the successful event!
IN-STATE ENGAGEMENT
With Congress out of session, UI leaders are welcoming Members to campus, supporting lawmakers' efforts in their districts to boost job growth, and lending their voices to discussions about unique challenges facing college campuses.
Rodney Davis Tours Blue Waters, Huddles with ACES Leaders
During a visit to the Urbana-Champaign campus, Rep. Rodney Davis toured the National Petascale Computing Facility and Blue Waters supercomputer. The tour was led by Chancellor Phyllis Wise, Vice Chancellor for Research Peter Schiffer, Associate Chancellor Mike DeLorenzo, and NCSA's John Melchi.
While on campus, Rep. Davis also met with ACES Dean Robert Hauser, Agricultural & Consumer Economics Department Head Paul Ellinger, Professor Scott Irwin, and Associate Professor Nicholas Paulson. They provided Rep. Davis with an update on a web-based decision tool that will help producers make decisions regarding Farm Bill programs. The project is supported by a grant awarded by USDA in May. Rep. Davis provided a letter of support for ACES' grant application and advocated for research programs in the Farm Bill.
HHS' Don Wright Talks Healthy Aging in Urbana
Don Wright, the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, delivered a special lecture at Urbana. The lecture, entitled “Leading the Nation’s Health Initiatives through Disease Prevention and Health Promotion,” was sponsored by the Center for Nutrition, Learning, and Memory, a public-private research collaboration between the Urbana campus and Abbott Nutrition. The talk explored the Administration's priorities around healthy aging and chronic disease prevention.
With Rep. Bustos, UI Explores Economic Growth for Western Illinois
The University of Illinois partnered with Rep. Cheri Bustos again in holding a second annual Economic Summit as part of her Partnering for Illinois’ Economic Future initiative. The goal of her initiative is to increase collaboration among the region's industry leaders to spark economic growth in the state.
Jay Williams, U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development at the U.S. Economic Development Administration, delivered the keynote address. Vice President for Research Larry Schook moderated the event. The Executive Director of the University of Illinois Business Innovation Services (BIS), Mary Rose Hennessy, served as one of the panelists, alongside Dean Bartles, the Executive Director of the Digital Manufacturing and Design Innovation Institute and Adjunct Professor in Urbana's Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering.
With Durbin and Bustos, UI Pitches Digital Lab to Peoria
Senator Dick Durbin and Rep. Cheri Bustos called together manufacturing stakeholders from the Peoria area to discuss the new Digital Manufacturing and Design Innovation Institute (DMDII). Similar to the recent event in Rockford, it was an opportunity for local manufacturers to learn how they could get plugged in to the effort. Peoria is home to DMDII industry partner Caterpillar and many small- and medium-sized manufacturing businesses that serve as Caterpillar suppliers.
The panel included two University of Illinois representatives: Vice President for Research Larry Schook and Dr. William King, Bliss Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Urbana and Chief Technology Officer for the Digital Lab. King opined that manufacturing will be the next sector of the economy transformed by digital media.
“Our hope is that Illinois will become the Silicon Valley of manufacturing,” said King.
Urbana Reps Participate in Rep. Rodney Davis' Campus Sexual Assault Event
Molly McLay, Assistant Director of Urbana's Women's Resources Center and Sgt. Joan Fiesta, who oversees the Crime Prevention and Training Units for the University of Illinois Police, participated as guest speakers at a Sexual Assault Prevention and Education event hosted by Rep. Rodney Davis. As coordinator of Urbana's First Year Campus Acquaintance Rape Education (FYCARE) program, McLay spoke about the history of this longstanding mandatory education workshop on campus sexual assault. Sgt. Fiesta discussed some of the prevention and training efforts that the University of Illinois Police Department leads, including a comprehensive self-defense class.
Thank you,
Jon Pyatt and Melissa Haas
OGR Federal Relations
