- Features: He holds a place in fans' hearts; Full circle; The [really] long-awaited degree.
- People: U in the News features highlights of U faculty and staff cited in the media; and more.
He holds a place in fans' hearts
Casey O’Brien is a redshirt sophomore for the Gopher football team and the third-string placeholder. The fact that he’s even on the football team is as unlikely as it is inspirational, given that he’s a four-time cancer survivor at age 20. In ninth grade he was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, an extremely rare form of bone cancer, and has persevered through 17 surgeries, scores of chemo treatments, and countless stitches. In a recent game against Rutgers, O’Brien was able to realize his dream, making his Big 10 debut as placeholder for the Gophers’ final three extra-point attempts.
Full circle
Sylvie Hogan won’t remember her trip to the Smithsonian in April 2018 because she was just 3 months old. But a photo from the experience shows her fascination with a nifty contraption that would become more significant in her life only one year later, when her pediatrician detected an extremely rare heart defect. In May 2019, Sylvie’s care team hooked her up to a modern heart-lung machine in a surgery made possible by her great-granduncle’s invention.
The [really] long-awaited degree
When Dan Cylkowski started taking classes at the University of Minnesota, Harry S. Truman was president, “The Greatest Generation” had just returned home after World War II, and Cylkowski commuted to campus by streetcar. It was 1946. The path to his degree got complicated after that. Seventy-plus years after completing his coursework, the 94-year-old finally has his U of M degree.
People
U in the News features highlights of U faculty and staff cited in the media. People
Nov. 1-Dec. 2 - Benefits Open Enrollment
Benefits Open Enrollment is available in MyU from Nov. 1 through Dec. 2. Employees can change medical or dental plans, enroll in an FSA, add or increase disability coverage, or make changes to additional life insurance. HealthPartners Dental will not be offered in 2020—employees should view the Open Enrollment website to learn what action should be taken.
Wait to update Apple operating systems
Recently, Apple released updates to its operating systems. The Office of Information Technology (OIT) is rigorously testing these updates to ensure their compatibility with University systems. Apple users should wait to update software on University devices until OIT has given the all clear.
U of M opens three first-in-human trials in one month
A new cancer treatment therapy is being tested for the first time in patients at the M Health Fairview University of Minnesota Medical Center. Called FT516, the trial is for patients with acute myeloid leukemia and B-cell lymphoma, and leverages groundbreaking research on stem cells and natural killer cells. It is the third first-in-human cancer treatment trial that has opened at the University of Minnesota in the last month.
Nov. 7 - CTS Transportation Research Conference
At the annual Center for Transportation Studies Transportation Research Conference, academic and airport business consultant John Kasarda will explain the aerotropolis model, its economic rationale, and how it can bring competitive advantages to firms and municipalities in the metro region and to the entire state. The conference is a forum for researchers and practitioners from Minnesota and the Upper Midwest to share research findings in a variety of transportation-related areas.
Nov. 8 - Diversity Data Deep Dive conference
Join the Diversity Community of Practice for the Diversity Data Deep Dive 5: Classroom Climate and Multicultural Student Success Conference. The Diversity Data Deep Dive conferences were developed to utilize qualitative and quantitative data to advance institutional equity and diversity goals. 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Mississippi Room, Coffman Union. The conference will also be live-streamed and recorded.
Deadline extended: Institute on the Environment Mini Grants
What would you do with $3,000? IonE Mini Grants are awarded twice a year to collaborative environmental projects across all disciplines and have funded workshops, speakers, research projects, and more. Proposals are due Nov. 10.
Nov. 14 - Design Challenge: Choose Accessible Learning Content webinar
Join Academic Technology Support Services and LATIS and register for this webinar to learn how to foster an inclusive online learning environment. Being intentional and choosing to make Canvas courses accessible minimizes barriers to learning, reduces the need for individual accommodations, and works to ensure that all students have an equal opportunity to succeed. 2:30-3:30 p.m.
Call for nominations: Mestenhauser student award and scholarship
Global Programs and Strategy Alliance is now accepting nominations for the 2020 Mestenhauser Student Award for Excellence in Campus Internationalization, which recognizes outstanding student contributions to international education. Faculty and staff are encouraged to nominate a student; nominations are due Nov. 15.
2020-21 MnDRIVE Fellowships in Neuromodulation
The application period is open for two MnDRIVE Fellowship Programs in Neuromodulation, funded by the Minnesota Discovery, Research and InnoVation Economy (MnDRIVE) initiative. Applications are due Jan. 21. See MnDRIVE Brain Conditions for more information about selection criteria and application instructions.
Research Brief: Tuskegee study's medical exploitation led to population-wide declines in health among black men
A new research article co-authored by the U of M School of Public Health discusses how the well-known U.S. government study on African-American men with syphilis may have harmed the health of future generations through what’s known as peripheral trauma. Additional recent Research Briefs include “Sleep apnea treatment reduces medical insurance costs for truck drivers,” “Study finds beta blockers ineffective in stopping COPD flare-ups,” “Nutritious foods have a lower environmental impact than unhealthy foods,” and “Could African swine fever make its way into the United States?”
Student feature: Chanjoo Lee
After Chanjoo Lee left California State University, Fullerton to complete military service back home in South Korea, he discovered his life had changed. With work and family, returning to school had become much more complicated. Lee says that earning a degree from the United States means a lot to him, and he finds learning online not all that different from learning on campus.
Nov. 1 - National First-Generation Celebration Day
The U of M Crookston will observe National First-Generation College Celebration Day. First-generation students, faculty, and staff are invited to take part in the festivities. 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Northern Lights Lounge.
Ojibwe lessons
Professor Tim Roufs, anthropology, and Cassidy Capriglione, student advisor, American Indian Learning Resource Center, worked together to ensure that the words of Paul Buffalo, a member of the Leech Lake Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, were published. The resulting three-volume set of Gabe-Bines “Forever Flying Bird”: Teachings from Paul Peter Buffalo is now in libraries and Native American schools across the country.
Nov. 5 - Entrepreneurship conference
The annual UMD Entrepreneurship Conference will include speakers Ken Powell, a U of M Regent and former CEO of General Mills; Joe Laresca, who launched entertainment-marketing company NOISE; Stephen Betz of Crinetics Pharmaceuticals; Emily Vikre of Vikre Distillery; and Tim White of Kohler Co. Additionally, founders and brewers will discuss their experiences in the craft beer industry during a local brewery panel discussion. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Marshall Performing Arts Center.
Nov. 8 - Opera Studio: Love Scenes
Guest artists Jeffrey Madison, stage director; Marcus McConico, tenor; and Ryan Deignan, tenor, will direct or perform alongside student performers in Love Scenes, featuring pieces from Pirates of Penzance, Hansel and Gretel, The Magic Flute, Carmen, and more. Each scene highlights a different aspect of love. 7:30 p.m., Weber Music Hall.
Higher Learning Commission visits campus
The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) visited the U of M Morris Oct. 28-29 as part of the campus's regular ten-year reaccreditation process. The visit was conducted by a five-member team of peer reviewers, who discussed with faculty, staff, and students how the campus meets each of the HLC criteria.
President Gabel attends UMR's State of the Campus
UMR welcomed University President Joan T.A. Gabel to campus at its tenth annual State of the Campus event on Oct. 24. Every year, UMR invites both the campus and the Rochester communities to the event to provide an update on enrollment, growth, and academic and scholarly achievements. This year, President Gabel visited Rochester and provided the campus with a report on progress with the U of M Systemwide Strategic Plan. More than 150 campus and community members were present.
Lift as you climb
Christopher Allen was in fifth grade when his mom told him about a North Minneapolis mentoring program that introduces kids and teens to health careers. Today he’s a scholarship-winning college freshman at Luther College in Iowa. He plans to become a gastroenterologist, and he credits the program and its founder, family physician and Medical School assistant professor Renée Crichlow, with preparing him to fulfill that dream.
Meeting your volunteer needs: University Retirees Volunteer Center
When assessing your department’s needs for short-term or ongoing volunteer tasks—from participating in research studies to providing assistance during campus events—consider taking advantage of the skills and experience available from the University Retirees Volunteer Center’s more than 450-person volunteer registry. For more information, email [email protected].
Libraries partner with Center for Transportation Studies to upgrade journal
U of M Libraries Publishing Services and the editors of the Journal of Transport and Land Use worked to upgrade the journal to the most recent publishing platform and workflow tool, Open Journal Systems. The current editor of the journal is Humphrey School professor Yingling Fan. Email Emma Molls at Libraries Publishing for assistance with creating or updating your online journal.
Nov. 1 - Symposium on Ecosystem Effects of Sulfate Geoengineering
This symposium (RSVP to attend) will explore the ecosystem impacts of solar radiation management, a proposed technique to slow the effects of climate change by injecting aerosols into the Earth's atmosphere to increase albedo. Speakers and panelists include Lili Xia (Rutgers), Peter Irvine (Harvard/University College London), Jonathan Proctor (Harvard), and Christopher Trisos (University of Cape Town). No charge, and lunch, coffee/tea, and snacks will be provided throughout the day. 8:50 a.m.-4 p.m., 380 Learning & Environmental Sciences.
Nov. 6 - Explore as One with NASA's Robert Cabana
Join the Bell Museum and the University Honors Program for an evening with Robert Cabana (register), former NASA astronaut and current director of the John F. Kennedy Space Center. The Minnesota native is a veteran of four spaceflights and has logged 38 days in space. His final flight was the first assembly mission of the International Space Station in 1998. 7 p.m., Bell Museum.
Nov. 7-8 - Minnesota Alumni Market Holiday Pop-up
The Minnesota Alumni Market will host an early holiday shopping opportunity featuring alumni-made products. Minnesota Alumni Market was created by the Alumni Association to support the work of alumni creators, to help new alumni entrepreneurs launch their businesses, and to provide an opportunity for established alumni entrepreneurs to extend their reach. 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Discovery Nexus Center, McNamara Alumni Center.
Nov. 8 - Workshop: Leadership in Social Media
In this hands-on workshop, international speaker and social media strategist Jennifer Radke will help participants explore how best to use social media to build an online brand. Cost: $25 for UMAA members; $50 for nonmembers. 9 a.m.-noon, 2-206 Carlson School.
Nov. 8 - Interdisciplinary Studies of Writing Research Colloquium
Join a disciplinarily diverse group of University of Minnesota faculty and staff for the ISW Writing Research Colloquium, an annual presentation and discussion of recent research projects funded by the Center for Writing's Interdisciplinary Studies of Writing grants. Lunch will be provided to the first 20 registrants. 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., 135 Nicholson Hall. See presentation topics and register to attend.
Submit a Living Labs proposal
Would you like to transform an unused space on campus into a rain garden, community garden, or just about any sustainable development you can think of? The Twin Cities Sustainability Committee invites proposals to create living laboratories. Living Labs have the power to transform an empty space on campus into a medium for innovation, testing, demonstration, and learning. Submission deadline: Nov. 18.
UMTC Featured Events
Nov. 2 - Las Flores de Zapata: A Días de los Muertos event
Nov. 4 - Mondays @ Minnesota: Alumni Recital with Bergen Baker & James Barnett
Nov. 4 - Contemporary Counter-Terrorism Issues Symposium
Nov. 5 - Policy Making and Community Change for the Common Good
Nov. 6 - Mapping 101: Introduction to Spatial Analysis using ArcGIS Online
Nov. 13 - Dr. Bettina Love: "We want to do more than survive: Abolitionist teaching"
Nov. 19 - Media Bias in the Age of Trump