Causes of Lung Disease Focus of $1 Million Grant

Researchers at Keene State College are among a team of New Hampshire scientists to have been awarded a $12 million, five-year grant from the National Institutes of Health to establish a research center on lung diseases in New Hampshire. The grant will support research at Keene State, Dartmouth College, and Dartmouth Medical School, in collaboration with the N.H. Department of Environmental Services and Department of Health and Human Services.

Keene State has been awarded $1 million of the grant, which is funded through the NIH’s Centers of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE) program.

The Keene State project is one of five under the grant to investigate different elements of lung disease in the Northeast, says Melinda Treadwell, assistant professor of technology, design and safety. According to Melinda, who is heading up the project, Keene State students and faculty will study the environmental factors that contribute to lung diseases including lung cancer, which accounts for over 30 percent of all cancer deaths in New Hampshire.

The research team will first identify and characterize the metallic components of pollutants that may be present in occupational and environmental settings across the Northeast, says Melinda. Then, the researchers will investigate the potential early responses of human lungs to these pollutants, using cell culture techniques. To enable the researchers to study the effects of air pollutants on human lungs, lung cells will be grown in a new lab, which will be built in Butterfield Hall. The cells will then be exposed to the metal particles present in different types of pollution, with the response of the cells to the exposures measured.

The Keene State team will also collaborate with researchers at Dartmouth to investigate how human lung proteins may change following exposures to the substances. The researchers also hope to determine whether geographical location has any bearing on the different lung diseases that people in the region suffer from.

“In the end, we hope to answer two main questions,” explains Melinda. “Do we understand which metals are present in air pollution in the Northeast, and do different metals have different effects on people, depending on where they live?”

The Keene State research team will comprise students and faculty from several departments, says Melinda. “One exciting aspect of this project is that it provides an experiential learning opportunity for our students,” she explains. This work will take the form of senior research projects during term time and internships in the summer. Students from several departments, including technology, design and safety, environmental science, and geography, are likely to collaborate on the project. “The involvement of safety studies students in particular in this research project will make them better professionals,” says Melinda.

On campus, the project has been supported by the President’s Office, Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs, Professional and Graduate Studies Division, and Technology, Design and Safety department.

The COBRE project follows from research Melinda and several safety studies students conducted last year for the Environmental Protection Agency into the effects of diesel exhaust fumes on workers. The results of that project will be presented to the EPA in December.

“Race in the 21st Century”: Third Biennial World Affairs Symposium, Oct. 30-Nov. 1

The 2000 U.S. Census was the first to allow people to identify themselves as members of more than one race – and many did. The Census tells us much about the changing demographics of the United States.

Hispanic Americans are the largest minority population in the nation. The Census Bureau considers Hispanic origin and race to be separate concepts and thus considers that Hispanics may be of any race. Among the race groups defined, Asian Americans had the highest population growth rate.

As immigration, interracial marriage, and interracial adoption change American faces, how are our concepts of race and racism changing? Are Hispanics or Franco-Americans an ethnic group, a culture, or a race? Are Jews in the United States a religious group or a race? What about Muslim Americans? Who is an Indian? How can we as a society work to rid ourselves of racism?

“Race in the 21st Century” explores how we live race today – how we define “race,” perceive our racial origins, identify categories of race, and experience racism.

More than 20 presenters and workshops will address different aspects of “race” during the symposium. The keynote speakers will be Randall Kennedy of Harvard Law School, Manning Marable of Columbia University, and Julia Jefferson and Shay Banks Young, descendants of Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemings.

A complete schedule of symposium speakers and workshops will be published in next week’s Campus News.

‘Race’ the Topic of Sidore Lecture

Richard Lewontin, one of the world’s eminent authorities on human diversity, will be this semester’s Sidore Lecturer. The presentation, which is free and open to the public, will be held at 7:30 p.m. tomorrow, Thursday, Oct. 16, in the Mabel Brown Room of the Student Center.

Parents and Families Return for Weekend

Keene State will host its annual festivities for students’ parents and other family members Friday-Sunday, Oct. 17-19. Highlights of Parent and Family Weekend 2003 include the annual Fall Honors Convocation, a performance by the KSC Concert Band, and various athletic and cultural events.

For more information, call Alumni and Parent Relations at 8-2369. Weekend activities open to the public include:

Friday, Oct. 17
• 8 p.m. Mockba. A student theatrical production, Wright Theatre, Redfern Arts Center. Tickets $7/$5. Call the box office at 8-2168.

Saturday, Oct. 18
• 9 a.m.-11 a.m. Parents Breakfast at the Dining Commons.
• 1 p.m. Women’s soccer vs. Eastern Connecticut State University, Owl Athletic Complex. Tickets available at the gate.
• 2 p.m. Mockba

Sunday, Oct. 19
• 12:20 p.m. KSC Concert Band performs in Spaulding Gymnasium.
• 1 p.m. Fall Honors Convocation, Spaulding Gym. Honored are dean’s list students, the 2003 distinguished teacher, parent of the year, the 2003 community service award recipient, and Granite State Award recipients.

Comments Sought for New IT Plan

From Ken McCardle, IT Group: CITC (College Computer & Information Technology Committee) and the IT Group are updating the campus’ five-year-old information technology strategic plan during this 2003-04 academic year. As part of the planning process, opportunities for comment will be scheduled to allow students, faculty, and staff to sound off about what they like, or don’t like, about the campus technology infrastructure and portfolio of technology services.

KSC’s current IT plan was developed in May 2000. Since then, several things have been implemented – the computer replacement process has been put in place; administrative systems needs, such as BANNER Finance and HR, have become priorities; many online services for students and faculty, such as MyKSC and Blackboard, have been introduced; network capacity, including Internet bandwidth and the local area network, has been increased; and lab and classroom technology throughout the campus, including over 500 student-accessible computers, has been installed.

An updated IT plan will rethink KSC’s technology vision and strategic objectives in enterprise-wide information systems and academic computing. The plan is expected to be completed by the end of spring 2004. Opportunities for comment will be delivered to campus groups throughout the next few months. CITC members and IT Group staff welcome everyone who is interested in participating in the process. Contact Ken at 8-2548 for more information about the planning process.

Healthy Pleasures Day Will Be Tomorrow

From Christine Burke, wellness promotion director: Healthy Pleasures Day will be tomorrow, Thursday, Oct. 16, 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. in the Student Center atrium and Spaulding Gymnasium.

Among activities to look for:

• Make your Own Stress Ball! – Young Student Center Atrium
• Organic Facials – Young Student Center Atrium
• Aromatherapy – Young Student Center Atrium
• Map of Relaxing Spots on Campus - Young Student Center Atrium
• Water Table - Young Student Center Atrium
• BodyWorks Fair – Spaulding Foyer
• Free for the Weekend Pledges - Young Student Center Atrium & Wellness Seminar Room

After you experience at least two of these pleasures, you may visit the Wellness Seminar Room and receive roses and chocolate.

Healthy Pleasures Day is sponsored by the Wellness Promotion Council, BodyWorks, and the Office of Residential Life

Additionally, campus community members are invited to visit the new Wellness Seminar Room on the first floor of the Spaulding Gymnasium for a cup of coffee tomorrow, 9-10 a.m. This location is a prime programming space for students and their organizations looking to promote wellness. Activities currently happening in the Wellness Seminar Room are Yoga Aerobics, Referred Learning Program, and Wellness Promotion Council meetings. It is a great space with huge potential – come visit and discuss ways that this space can add to your efforts.

Benefits Fair Raffle Winners Announced

From Karyn Kaminski, Human Resources: Thank you to all those who attended the Benefits Fair on October 7. Below is a list of the winners of the raffle items:

Barbara Brockway (Granite Bank jacket); Sasha Viall (CIGNA portfolio); Karyn Kaminski (Fidelity portfolio); Chris Lariviere (N.H. Federal Credit Union $50 gift certificate); Thomas O’Brien (TIAA/CREF tote bag); Erik Ullman (Delta Dental gift basket); Kathy Halverson (ISI Burdick gift bag); Beth Croteau (ISI Burdick gift basket); Amanda Warman (TIAA/CREF fleece blanket); Linda Cucchiara (Citizen’s Bank backpack); Heather McGreer (Citizen’s Bank gift basket); Peg Barrett (Fleet Bank gift bag); Lisa Duhaime (Fleet Bank gift bag) Glenn Loucks (Lindt Chocolates’ witch); and Judith Price (Granite Bank tote bag).

Multicultural Talk Slated for 10/23

The next multicultural luncheon seminar will be held on Thursday, Oct. 23, 12:30-1:30 p.m., in room 309 of the Student Center. Isha Sharma, adjunct faculty in sociology, will speak about “Globalization: A Comparative Analysis of Mexico and South Korea.”

KSC Online: Site of the Week

• Web Page Feedback Forms
Every web page on www.keene.edu now has a feedback form, located at the bottom of the page. Your feedback goes directly to the KSC webmaster.

Thorne Exhibits Revered Japanese Woodblocks, American Art

Japanese woodblock and American letterpress print exhibitions highlight different methods of printmaking this fall at the Thorne-Sagendorph Art Gallery. “Ukiyo-e: Japanese Woodblock Prints” of everyday life in 18th- and 19th-century Japan opens Oct. 25 and runs through Dec. 7. “How the Ink Feels,” open Nov. 1 to Dec. 7, showcases American letterpress broadsides illuminating poetry and prose by such well-known writers as James Agee and Stanley Kunitz.

The Friends of the Thorne will host a reception for both exhibits on Friday, Oct. 31, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the gallery. The reception is free and open to the public.

Ukiyo-e, or “pictures of the floating world,” refers to beautifully colored woodblock prints depicting scenes from everyday Japanese life, such as sumo wrestlers relaxing under umbrellas and a woman in a kimono washing her hands under an outdoor pump. Today, ukiyo-e prints are among the most revered and sought-after works of Japanese art. These woodblock prints were made entirely by hand by a team of artists and craftsmen without the use of printing presses.

“How the Ink Feels” features 64 matted and framed letterpress broadsides, a printing process that has changed little since the Middle Ages. These broadsides look similar to pages of a large book, with artwork and photos illustrating prose and poetry by four U.S. poet laureates and numerous other writers. Most of the images and words were printed using manually operated letterpresses, a process of printing from a raised ink surface.

Dance Legend Paul Taylor Brings Company to Redfern Arts Center

The world-renowned Paul Taylor Dance Company will present an evening of three dances choreographed by Paul Taylor on Sunday, Oct. 26, at 7:30 p.m. in the Redfern Arts Center on Brickyard Pond. This performance will mark the Company’s second visit to Keene. The program will feature Airs, one of Taylor’s most heralded works, danced to music from G. F. Handel’s Concerti Grossi. Highlights in the dance, which premiered in 1978, are two pas de deux, a charming gavotte, and a high-energy musette danced by the company’s principal dancer, Paul Corbin.

Taylor has been called a genius, a legend, and a cultural icon. Time called him “the reigning master of modern dance,” and the San Francisco Examiner declared him “without question the greatest living American choreographer.” But Taylor considers himself, above all, a reporter, whose job is to observe the world about him and record his impressions. Twice a year, he leaves behind his shorefront cottage to enter a dance studio and “report what he has seen.” Whether investing everyday movement with breathtaking beauty or reminding us that we are not as removed from our prehistoric ancestors as we like to think, he rivets us with astonishing inventiveness, poignancy and wit. As prolific as ever after 49 years of choreography, he recently completed his 119th work.

Ticket prices are $28 and $24 for the general public, $26 and $22 for seniors and KSC faculty and staff, $14 and $12 for youth 17 and younger, and $5 for KSC students with ID. Call the box office at 8-2168.

‘Free for the Weekend’ Returns

From Carrie Eldridge, residence director: “Free for the Weekend,” a campus-wide event encouraging students to pledge to be drug and alcohol free, will be held Friday-Sunday, Oct. 17-19.

For a complete list of activities, visit the events calendar at www.keene.edu/newsevents.

Travel Reimbursement Changes Go into Effect

From Carol Fairbanks, Business Office: Faculty and staff members are advised that as of Wednesday, Oct. 1, the domestic per diem rates for some cities increased while the rates for other cities have remained unchanged or decreased.

Please use the online Federal per diem rates at www.policyworks.gov/perdiem for meals and incidental expenses (M&IE) when requesting reimbursement for employee travel.

KSC policy does not permit the use of per diem rates for lodging expenses.

The standard meal allowance per diem may only be used when business related travel involves overnight stays. Partial day rates must be used on the first and last day of travel or when some meals are paid by others. The rates are as follows

• Full day rates: $31, $35, $39, $43, $47, $51

• Partial day rates:

Breakfast: $7, $8, $9, $10, $10, $11

Lunch: $7, $8, $9, $10, $12, $13

Dinner: $17, $19, $21, $23, $25, $27

KSC will not provide meal reimbursement for day trips unless a compelling business purpose for the meal (other than travel) exists and the purpose is clearly substantiated. Reimbursement requests must contain proper approvals, original receipts, and an explanation of who attended the meeting, when and where the meeting occurred, the purpose of the meeting, and the amount.

Third Tuesday Series Continues Oct. 21

From Mark Long, chair, Department of English: The Third Tuesday series continues Oct. 21 with a presentation by Dr. Kenneth Hodges from the Department of English. In his talk “From Robin Hood to Apollo: How English Martial Culture Became National” Ken will explore how during the late middle ages and early modern period, chivalry developed from the ideology of one class into a suite of values that helped lay the foundation for modern nationalism. By looking at archers and Robin Hood tales, London sword schools and theater fencing, and knightly books and tournaments, Ken elaborates how the martial code was transformed into ways of imagining England as a nation. Third Tuesday presentations are held in room 211 of Parker Hall, 12:30-1:20 p.m. Bring your lunch. Cookies and punch will be served.

CDC Hosts Regional Event for Educators

From Mary Mayshark-Stavely, Child Development Center: The CDC hosted the 5th Annual Monadnock Early Care and Education Conference Early Literacy and Developmentally Appropriate Practice on Friday, Oct. 3. The workshop was sponsored by the Preschool Technical Assistance Network (PTAN) in collaboration with Southwestern Community Services Child Care Resource and Referral and KSC, with contributions to PTAN from school districts in the Monadnock Region. Mary was among presenters at the conference.

Week Three: United Way Campaign Passes $16,000

From the United Way Committee: We saw a big dip in donations and the number of people contributing to Keene State’s United Way campaign this week. A total of $1,962 was collected from 18 generous individuals. The amount collected so far is $16,023 or approximately 64 percent of our goal. Winners of the raffle were: Rose Kundanis (two tickets to Doug Varone and Dancers, donated by the Redfern Arts Center); Marilee Rouillard (an autographed children’s book, donated by the Children’s Literature Festival); Judy Raper (a fitness assessment, donated by the Rec Center); and Heather Jasmin (an autographed children’s book, donated by the Children’s Literature Festival). The United Way team wants you to know that there are still some great prizes to give away. Send your pledge card to John Ratliff, MS 2301, to be eligible to win.

Please consider contributing to the Monadnock United Way. It can be as simple as writing a check, or as painless as a payroll deduction. You may also use MasterCard, Visa, or cash – or even have the United Way bill you. Your contribution will help provide services to those most in need.

TIAA/CREF Sessions Set for 10/17

Kevin Flaherty of TIAA/CREF will present two retirement workshops on campus on Friday, Oct. 17.

The workshops will be held in room 309 of the Student Center and are open to all campus employees.

• Workshop 1: 10:30 a.m.-noon – “Five Habits of Highly Successful Investors”
• Workshop 2: Noon-1:30 p.m. – “Retirement Distribution Strategies”

Professional Activity

In October, Tim Allen, professor of geology and environmental studies, led a field trip looking at the geology of the Lake Sunapee area, where he has been doing geological mapping and other research with Keene State students since 1999. The field trip was part of the 95th Annual Meeting of the New England Intercollegiate Geological Conference, October 10-12, based in Amherst and Northampton, Mass. Over 50 geologists and students from around New England participated on the trip.

Tim also authored the chapter “Bedrock geology of the Lake Sunapee area, west-central New Hampshire,” which was published in Guidebook for Field Trips in the Five College Region, edited by John B. Brady and John T. Cheney (2003).

Campus Calendar
selected events

Wednesday, October 15
Noon-4:30 p.m. The KSC Surplus Store at 322 Winchester Street is open every Wednesday.
6:30 p.m. Reception: “Claiming the Land: Our Past, Our Future, Our Choice.” Lantern Room, Student Center.
7 p.m. (to 10/16; also 9 p.m.). Film: Gigantic: A Tale of Two Johns. Putnam Lecture Hall, Redfern Arts Center.
8 p.m. (to 10/18). KS Theatre presents Mockba (matinee 10/18, 2 p.m.). Wright Theatre, Redfern Arts Center.

Thursday, October 16
7:30 p.m. Sidore Lecture. Richard Lewontin presents “Race: Perceptions and Reality.” Mabel Brown Room, Student Center.

Friday, October 17
(to 10/19). Parent and Family Weekend (see page 1).
(to 10/19). Free for the Weekend (see page 3).
7 p.m. (to 10/23; also 9:30 p.m. Fri.-Sat., 2 p.m. Sat.-Sun.). Film: The Legend of Suriyothai. Putnam.

Sunday, October 19
1 p.m. Fall Honors Convocation. Spaulding Gymnasium.

Send in Your News

Campus News is published every Wednesday during the academic year and every other Wednesday during the summer. Send news or items for Professional Activities by e-mail to campusnews@keene.edu or by mail to Campus News, College Relations Office, Mailstop 1502. No phone submissions, please. The editor is Dave Orsman. The deadline is at noon on the Friday prior to publication. We reserve the right to edit. Due to space limitations, not all items can be published in Campus News.