- Former Vice President Walter Mondale dies at 93.
- Features: Law students support community during Chauvin trial; The pandemic’s toll on women; Occupational therapist helps in COVID-19 patient’s recovery.
- Awards and Recognition: Michael Tonry has been awarded a Guggenheim Foundation Fellowship; and more.
Former Vice President Walter Mondale dies at 93
Walter F. Mondale ‘56, former vice president of the United States and 1984 Democratic nominee for president, has died at 93. A dedicated public servant and lifelong friend of the University of Minnesota, Mondale reshaped the vice presidency and exemplified leadership. Throughout his storied career, Mondale was an unpretentious yet forceful advocate for civil rights, human rights, and the American labor movement. Read more about his life with stories from the Law School and the Humphrey School.
Law students support community during Chauvin trial
Three law students are coordinating civic education and engagement efforts through a unique collaboration with the Minneapolis-based Legal Rights Center (LRC). The paid clerkships, which run through the end of the summer, were created and funded through a social justice collaboration between the LRC and the U of M Law School.
The pandemic’s toll on women
Christina Ewig wasn’t surprised to learn that more women than men—and especially more women of color—lost their jobs as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. But she had a hunch the unemployment figures only told part of the story. So Ewig, who directs the U of M’s Center on Women, Gender, and Public Policy, worked with two graduate students researching what was behind the numbers. Their findings are informing lawmakers and community organizations on how to better manage a future pandemic.
Occupational therapist helps in COVID-19 patient’s recovery
There’s so much Michelle Hutchens doesn’t know about the time that passed between that mid-November day she tested positive for COVID-19 and the blur of hospital personnel as she emerged from a coma more than a month later. Kelly Holden, a graduate of the U of M’s Occupational Therapy program, is using her expertise to help Hutchens overcome numerous hurdles in her recovery.
Awards and Recognition
Michael Tonry has been awarded a Guggenheim Foundation Fellowship; 2021 recipients of the University of Minnesota Outstanding Community Service Awards; announcing the 2021-22 Fesler-Lampert Chair in Urban and Regional Affairs and Faculty Interactive Research Program Award recipients; Melissa Eighmy Brown has received the Virginia Boucher Distinguished ILL Librarian Award; Megan Gunnar has received a 2021 American Psychological Association Award for Distinguished Scientific Contributions; U in the News features highlights of U faculty and staff cited in the media.
Apr. 22 - University and Faculty Senate meetings
The University and Faculty Senates will meet Apr. 22, 2:30-5 p.m. Senators will vote on a proposal calling for the demilitarization of campus police forces. The meeting will be livestreamed on YouTube. See the docket materials for more details.
Reflect and learn from a year of pandemic teaching
Join colleagues from across the University System to reflect on and learn from a year of pandemic teaching at these upcoming webinars: Three Ideas for Exemplary Online Teaching; Lessons Learned from Pandemic Teaching; Pandemic Teaching: What Stays, What Goes?; and Planning for Flexible Learning.
Assess the impacts of the pandemic on employee engagement
The COVID pandemic and trauma related to systemic racism have had a significant impact on our work and personal lives for more than a year. It’s important to discuss these effects on workplace engagement. Before the next Employee Engagement Survey in October, use these discussion questions and tips to better understand your team’s engagement. Find more resources at ee.ltd.umn.edu and receive support from consultants in Leadership and Talent Development by requesting a 30-minute appointment.
Security updates: IRS email scam and Facebook breach
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) recently warned of an ongoing IRS-impersonation scam that appears to primarily target educational institutions, including students and staff who have “.edu” email addresses. Additionally, Facebook announced a 2019 data breach that resulted in over 500 million Facebook users’ personal records being obtained by cyber criminals.
Statistics support for University researchers
The Institute for Research on Statistics and its Applications is accepting applications for its 2021 Summer Statistical Collaboration Program. Researchers involved in this program receive expertise from graduate students at the School of Statistics. Students will meet with researchers to learn about their study, understand their scientific questions, propose and implement solutions, and share the results. Collaborations typically run ten hours per week over eight weeks, depending on the specific needs of the project. No funding is required.
Novel muscular dystrophy gene connects to a key biological pathway
New research from the laboratory of Peter Kang has found mutations in a novel gene that may help identify patients with a specific form of muscular dystrophy. The research is an important step toward the discovery of novel treatments for muscular dystrophy.
Researchers develop novel, field-deployable test for CWD
University of Minnesota researchers at the Minnesota Center for Prion Research have developed a novel approach to field testing chronic wasting disease (CWD). The team confirmed their findings in southeast Minnesota in early March, making them the first-ever scientists to successfully deploy a CWD field test.
New research links COVID-19 with six unhealthy eating behaviors
New research by the Medical School and School of Public Health has revealed correlations between COVID-19 and six unhealthy eating behaviors. Key themes include a slight increase or the re-emergence of eating disorders, mindless eating and snacking, increased food consumption, generalized decrease in appetite or dietary intake, eating to cope, and pandemic-related reductions in dietary intake.
New system connects patients with COVID-19 outpatient treatments
Monoclonal antibodies are a powerful, promising treatment for COVID-19 and its variants, but the medications are new and only exist in limited supply. Researcher JP Leider has led the development of a system designed to quickly and fairly connect patients and providers with facilities offering monoclonal antibodies and other treatments.
Apr. 28 - BioMADE launch event
The University community is invited to attend the official launch of BioMADE, a new bioindustrial manufacturing innovation institute headquartered on the Twin Cities campus in St. Paul, 2-4 p.m. This live virtual event will feature leaders from the University, U.S. government, and industry exploring the promise of sustainable manufacturing in the U.S. using biological systems to produce commercially important materials and molecules. Details will be available at biomade.org.
Apr. 29 - Accessibility Ambassadors student panel
Join the Accessibility Ambassadors for a panel discussion with a group of U of M students who identify as people with disabilities, noon-1 p.m. Students will share how inaccessibility affects them in their lives, careers, and education. There will be additional time for questions, if needed. Registration is required.
U of M featured virtual events
Apr. 21 - Creative Writing Faculty Reading
Apr. 22 - Bipartisanship in Congress Still Matters: A Conversation with Frances Lee
Apr. 23 - 2021 Larson Allmaras Lecture: Emerging Issues in Soil and Water
Apr. 26 - Emerging Immigration Histories of the Pandemic
Apr. 27 - Endless Mourning: Black Youth and Collective Resistance in Schools
Apr. 30 - UMAA Annual Celebration
May 5 - Learning from the Past: Environmental Justice and Transportation Corridor Planning
Wemimo Abbey to present keynote at commencements
Crookston alumnus Wemimo Abbey ’13 will be the keynote speaker for both commencements on May 8. Abbey was recently featured in the New York Times for helping people in New York City navigate the pandemic through Esusu Rent, an app used by renters in affordable housing units that boosts credit scores when rent is paid on time.
FFA state officers find a home at Crookston
U of M Crookston has a trio of Minnesota FFA State Officers on campus this year. All three have experienced different journeys through FFA and on their paths to the U of M Crookston. Read more about each student.
Making connections through horticulture
Jacoby McConkey and Meghan (Messerschmidt) Arms share a passion for the horticulture industry. While they currently hold different positions in the same field, they both enjoy working with the people in their profession and are excited to share their passion for the industry, while describing their individual goals and accomplishments.
NIH grant helps close education gap among Native American youth
Anna Wirta Kosobuski, Department of Biomedical Sciences at the Medical School, Duluth Campus, has developed a project to meet the critical need for resources among Native American youth during the COVID-19 pandemic. Called Kina, which comes from the Ojibwe word for together, the project will offer virtual activities that strengthen coping mechanisms and resiliency through wellness and cultural pride.
Get The Bark delivered to your inbox
UMD’s award-winning student news organization, The Bark, is now offering a weekly e-newsletter via email. You can sign up by going to The Bark's website. The Bark is a campus newsroom run by students. Topics include hard news, sports, community, culture, and entertainment.
Theatre virtually
UMD Theatre will present Bare, directed by Assistant Professor Thomas Jacobsen. The musical tells the story of young people living in a Catholic boarding school. Sexuality, bullying, pregnancy, drug use, body-shaming, and dealing with family are just some of the issues at the core of this production. These virtual performances are offered at no charge. Apr. 29, 30; May 1, 2; 7:30 p.m.
Lieutenant Governor Flanagan to serve as commencement speaker
Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan will serve as the 2021 University of Minnesota Morris commencement speaker on May 15. Flanagan is a mom, a member of the White Earth Band of Ojibwe, and Minnesota's 50th lieutenant governor. A St. Louis Park native, she attended St. Louis Park Public Schools and graduated from the University of Minnesota with a degree in Child Psychology and American Indian Studies.
Pappenfus featured in PBS episode on printable solar cells
Professor of Chemistry Ted Pappenfus was recently featured on an episode of PBS's “Prairie Sportsman,” where he spoke about his work advancing solar energy technology. Printable solar cells made from agricultural byproducts developed at the University of Minnesota Morris, with partners at St. Catherine University, are being implemented in partnership with the University of Newcastle in Australia.
Capstone presentations
Spring graduates of UMR's Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences (BSHS) program will present their capstones Apr. 21-26. Capstones are a combined set of learning experiences focused on an individualized theme that aligns with each student's personal and professional goals. BSHS students have the unique opportunity to personalize their education with a capstone experience.
Educational innovation
UMR’s interdisciplinary Center for Learning Innovation drives educational innovation with a faculty research focus on student learning and development. Kelsey Metzger recently conducted a research talk at the National Association of Research in Science Teaching Annual Conference titled “Shifting stereotypes: low-stakes assignments highlighting counter-stereotypical scientists alter students' perceptions of and relatability to scientists.”
U of M junior wins coveted Truman Scholarship
In a major academic triumph, Gurtaran Johal, a junior sociology and political science major in the College of Liberal Arts, has won one of only 62 Truman Scholarships for 2021. The most prestigious American undergraduate award, the Truman Scholarship recognizes leadership skills, commitment to public service, and academic excellence, and provides up to $30,000 for a public service-related graduate degree.
YMCA Early Childhood Learning Center opening in August
The YMCA Early Childhood Learning Center, conveniently located on the University of Minnesota campus at 326 16th Avenue SE, will offer full daycare for kids ages 6 weeks to 5 years. Priority registration (June 1-July 1) will be given to University of Minnesota faculty, staff, and students. For more information, call 952-582-8286 or visit the YMCA website.
Suited for success
In 2019, when the men’s Final Four basketball tournament was taking place in Minneapolis, the NCAA convened a panel of international student athletes. Among those invited was a member of the Gopher women’s basketball team. But Melissa Maines, director of women’s basketball operations, quickly discovered the young woman who’d been selected had nothing but team-issued athletic apparel. With financial support from Gopher women’s basketball donors Barb and George Hagemann, Maines created Suited for Success, which will provide team members with clothing they can wear when representing the team.