From the Dean
I’m
writing fresh from beautiful Snowbird, Utah, where I attended the Computing
Research Association’s biannual conference. It brings together
computer science and computer engineering department heads and corporate
and government lab directors to talk about policies, challenges, and
opportunities in the world of computing.
One of the hot topics at this year’s gathering was the decline in the number of students majoring in computing. Undergraduate enrollment dropped nearly 50% between 2002 and 2005, in large part because of the common perception that all the good jobs are moving overseas. Nothing could be further from the truth! There are more information technology jobs in the U.S. now than ever before—even more than at the height of the dot-com bubble! And the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that 60% of the nearly 1.5 million net new job openings in science and engineering from 2004-2014 will be for IT specialists!
One of my main priorities in the coming year will be to get the word out about how vibrant the job market is in science and technology—as well as how critical it is for Indiana and the U.S. that we attract more students into these fields. Why? Because these fields produce the innovations that make our economy the strongest in the world. If we cannot sustain those innovations, the United States is at risk of losing its position as world leader.
An important first step to reverse this trend is the American Competitiveness Initiative, proposed by President Bush in January’s State of the Union address and currently being addressed by Congress. If enacted, it would boost funding for basic research in the physical and information sciences in order to spur innovation. And to sustain innovation, the ACI would provide incentives for students to enter fields in science and engineering or to become primary or secondary school teachers in math or science.
The ACI’s emphasis on improving math and science K-12 education complements our COALESCE efforts in the College of Science. Our new Center for Engagement and Research in Science and Mathematics Education (CRESME), which is joint with the College of Education, is off and running. You can read below about one of its efforts with Prof. Lynn Bryan. We're very excited that the center's two co-directors will join us in the fall. You'll meet them and read about CRESME in the September issue of Science@Purdue. On the engagement front, our K-12 Outreach team visits schools and brings teachers to campus to show them how to ignite students’ interest in science. We also bring middle school and high school students to campus for summer camps where they can get their hands into real science and experience the excitement. You’ll read about some of this summer’s activities in this newsletter.
Just as important as attracting applicants to the College of Science is retaining them so that they graduate with degrees in the sciences. As I write this, members of the class of 2010 (or so) are coming to campus to get ready to become Boilermakers in August. Some of them will take part in the revised undergrad curriculum being piloted this year in actuarial science and earth and atmospheric sciences (see the article below). The pilot is part of our work to revamp and modernize the Science curriculum in ways that will make our students more prepared than ever to excel in their future careers.
Have a Happy 4th!
Best regards,
Jeff Vitter
Trustees create two new Science professorships
The Purdue University Board of Trustees approved new professorships for Joseph Francisco and Philip Fuchs at its meeting on June 2. There are now 27 distinguished and named professors in the College of Science. Full story.
Building renamed 'Haas Hall' in tribute to former dean, provost
First
it was the Memorial Gymnasium, then the Computer Science Building. Now
the Purdue Board of Trustees has approved a new name of a campus landmark
building in honor of Professor Felix Haas, who has served the university
as both dean of Science and provost. Full
story.
Spaf hangs another award on the wall
Eugene
Spafford, professor of computer science and executive director of CERIAS,
received the 2006 Wasserman Award from the New York Metropolitan Chapter
of the Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA)
for his overall body of work and contributions to the information security
profession. More
about the Wasserman Award.
Statistics knows no language barrier
The
photo here is the cover of The Practice of Business Statistics:
Using Data for Decisions, translated for use in Chinese classrooms.
Statistics professor and associate dean George McCabe, who co-authored
the book, says it uses practical, real-life examples to teach statistics,
so Chinese students are getting a taste of American culture along with
an education in statistics.
Grant will help teach inquiry-based science
Lynn
Bryan, associate professor of physics and curriculum and instruction,
received a grant from the Indiana Department of Education to help elementary
school teachers hone their skills in teaching inquiry-based science.
Full
story.
Gorman honored for co-op service
William
Gorman, assistant to the department head in computer science, was honored
with a service award from the Purdue Co-Op office for thirty years of
service to the Computer Science Cooperative Education program. Full
story.
Science mourns loss of Dean’s Leadership Council member
Jim
Greaton, statistics alumnus and member of the Dean’s
Leadership Council, passed away on June 29 after a long battle with
cancer. Jim was vice president for risk management at Sun Life Financial
in Wellesley Hills, Massachusetts. Before joining Sun Life, Jim was
vice president and actuary for Keyport Life Insurance Company (1996-2001),
director of actuarial valuation for Providian Capital Management (1986-1996),
and held various positions at The Equitable Life Assurance Society (1979-1986).
He was an active volunteer in his church and community, including working
on home building projects such as Habitat for Humanity. Jim is survived
by his wife, Cindie, and their two children, Nathaniel and Rachel.
Grant will fund international data resource
Thanks to an award from the National Institutes of Health, the worldwide community of scientists will soon have access to EcoliHUB, a research information resource that will integrate knowledge about Escherichia coli K-12 as a model organism. Biological Sciences Professor Barry L. Wanner is the project's leader. His co-principal investigators are Computer Science Professor Walid Aref and Biological Sciences Professors Michael Gribskov and Daisuke Kihara at Purdue, Professor Tyrrell Conway at the University of Oklahoma, Professors James C. Hu, Christine Elsik, Debby Siegele, and Jerry Tsai at Texas A&M, and Senior Scientist Peter D. Karp at SRI. More information is at www.ecolicommunity.org and www.ecoliwiki.org.
Science to roll out new curriculum pilot program in fall semester
When Fall 2006 classes begin next month, a group of new Science students will be part of a pilot to test a new approach to learning science. The new Science core curriculum will give students a strong foundation in science fundamentals along with courses and experiences designed to prepare them for the changes and challenges they’ll face as they pursue their life goals. More information.
Summer Science is now in session
Science
class is going hands-on and high-tech this summer for elementary teacher
and students in Frankfort, IN. Science teachers and students from Frankfort’s
four elementary schools are participating in the Summer Science Institute—part
of a science partnership with the College of Science K-12 Outreach Program.
Full
story.
Research Funding Report
Science researchers received funding totaling nearly $5 million in May 2006. Complete list of funded proposals.
Purdue trustees approve child-care and agricultural centers
The Purdue University Board of Trustees approved $14 million in construction for new child-care, community and agricultural centers and to make the university's oldest academic building handicap accessible. Full story.
Purdue-Board to streamline news for students, parents, alumni
When classes on the Purdue campus start this fall, a new online service will be available to automatically keep students, parents and alumni informed of the Purdue news and information they choose. Full story.
Purdue teams with Indiana Black Expo for focus on young leaders
Purdue is concentrating on the youth of Indiana during the 36th Anniversary Summer Celebration of the Indiana Black Expo July 6-16 in Indianapolis in an effort to encourage them to start thinking about higher education at an early age. The Black Expo will celebrate Purdue University Day July 15 throughout the Indiana Convention Center and RCA Dome. Full story.
Each
month we spotlight the personal accomplishments and career successes,
whether mainstream or unique, of Science alumni. This month's spotlight
is on Justin Bryant, who received his B.S. in biology in 2004. Full
story.
Science alumni: We want to hear from you! Update your information and share your professional news as well as your personal and family milestones with your classmates and the Science community. Click here.
Click here for this month’s Alumni News.
Science Kids Club blasts off
The Science Kids Club is off and running! Since we launched the club in October, nearly 150 kids have joined! Enroll the special kids in your life in the Science Kids Club for Science fun for kids of all ages. More information.
Stay connected!
Join the Purdue Web Community and stay connected to your alma mater. This interactive site will help you keep in touch with your Purdue family—your friends, faculty and staff, and fellow alumni. Click here to sign up and get started.
Join the President's Council and contribute to Purdue's future!
The President's Council is a unique group of alumni and friends who contribute generously to the future of Purdue University. Working closely with the president, these leaders volunteer to support the University in ways that are very personal and meaningful to them. Through special events and programs, members build strong and lasting relationships with one another—relationships that enhance their experiences and change their lives. Click here to join online!
Statistics Alumni: We’re coming your way!
The College of Science and Department of Statistics cordially invite you to our alumni reception on Sunday, August 6, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in Seattle, WA at the Washington State Convention Center, room 4C-3. Please R.s.v.p. by August 1 to Dana Neary (nearyd@purdue.edu; 765-494-0586). Children and families are welcome!
Purdue Day with the Indianapolis Indians, July 16
19th Biennial Conference on Chemical Education, July 30–August 3
Big 10+ Graduate School Exposition, Sept. 25
.
Science alumni: We want to hear from you! Share your professional news and your personal and family milestones by clicking here.
Past
issues of