OSU-ChUME is hosting an event titled “Linus Pauling and the Responsibility of the Scientist” on Wednesday, January 22, 2014 at 6pm in LPSC 402.
Our guest speaker, Linda Richards*, will speak on how Linus Pauling’s work, as a chemist and an activist, affected the global peace and social justice movements.
The goal of this event is to use Linus Pauling’s life as a framework to understand how chemists impact the broader community, and to begin the dialogue on the responsibility of our generation of scientists (undergraduate and graduate students) to properly engage in service to these communities.
We hope to see you there!
OSU-ChUME Graduate Student Mentors
Chemistry Department,
Oregon State University
* Linda Marie Richards is a PhD (ABD) in the History of Science. She is a 2014 Chemical Heritage Foundation Doan Fellow who has been researching nuclear history at Oregon State University since 2007. Richards has been speaking with the public about nuclear issues since 1986, when she walked across country with the Great Peace March for Global Nuclear Disarmament.
The College of Science named Julie Greenwood as Associate Dean for Academic and Student Affairs. Greenwood has been an associate professor in Oregon State’s biochemistry and biophysics department since 2000. The associate dean will provide vision, direction and coordination for undergraduate academic and student programs, initiatives and policies. More information.
The Division of University Outreach and Engagement invites nominations of individuals or teams of individuals who have significantly advanced the mission of outreach and engagement. Award categories include: service, strategic impact, program support, innovation and diversity. Award winners receive $1,000 provided as OSU funds in a services and supplies index and a commemorative plaque. Deadline: Feb. 17. More information: http://outreach.oregonstate.edu/initiatives/vice-provost-awards Questions: contact Jackie Russell at jackie.russell@oregonstate.edu or 541-737-1382.
Dr. Thomas Greenbowe will be here presenting a seminar entitled, “Active Learning in General Chemistry,” on Thursday, January 23, 2014 at 4pm in Gilbert 324.
Mark McCambridge, former vice president for Finance and Administration at Oregon State University, died Thursday, Jan. 16, from cancer. He was 62.
McCambridge was born in Seattle, Wash., and graduated from Santa Clara University in California. He joined OSU in 1994 as director of Business Services. Before coming to OSU he was executive director of the Cal Poly Pomona Foundation. He held several positions at OSU before being named vice president in 2001. McCambridge retired from OSU in July 2013.
“Mark McCambridge was a very special friend of mine,” said OSU President Ed Ray. “And he was a great friend of many, many people at Oregon State University, within higher education in Oregon and throughout the Corvallis community. He will be sorely missed and fondly remembered.
“Mark was instrumental in helping to plan the success that OSU is achieving today, and he championed the highest level of public service and fiscal transparency. He accomplished so much and touched so many lives because of his basic decency, integrity, compassion and sense of service. His word was his bond.” [read more…]
The OSU Postdoctoral Association and the Graduate School is providing a free workshop for graduate students and advanced undergraduates in the sciences focused on preparing and submitting work for publication. The workshop will take place Jan. 21 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. in the Joyce Powell Journey Room of the MU. Students must register here.
Stefan was born in Indiana where he lived for his first six years. He subsequently moved around (Florida then British Columbia then Washington DC) before finally settling in the Lake Oswego area 16 years ago. He wanted to come to OSU to take advantage of our in-state tuition and because he was interested in research. He has a deep commitment to giving back to society – believing that we exist for the sake of making societal progress (the idealized world of “Star Trek”). At OSU, he has been surprised how much the professors will do to foster his growth. He has worked particularly closely with Distinguished Emeritus Professor Darrah Thomas and Distinguished Professor Doug Keszler – commenting “I was surprised how important I was to them… they have been insanely supportive.” in fact, his life-long goal is to “follow in the footsteps of Dr. Ken Hedberg and Dr. Thomas by continuing to do research as long as possible.” His favorite courses so far have been in the Physical Chemistry series and his favorite professor has been Professor Wei Kong. Professor Kong “stays true to the material, doesn’t dumb it down – very pure.” Stefan is already following through on his commitment to giving back to society by serving as an Undergrad Research Ambassador. He gives talks to new students to get them excited about science. Once he graduates he plans to get a masters degree in Chemistry before pursuing his PhD. After school he would like to first work in industry (his dream job is working at Intel), but would like to end his career as a professor. Stefan’s energy, passion and excitement are infectious. It is students like him that make OSU an amazing place and we congratulate Stefan for all his hard work!
Kevin Gable on his last day as Faculty Senate President (Photo by Andy Cripe – Corvallis Gazette Times)
Kevin Gable has been a chemistry professor at Oregon State University since 1988.
He was chairman of the Chemistry Department from 2006-11, and he just finished a year as president of the OSU Faculty Senate.
But he doesn’t really count himself a political animal.
“The only thing that disqualifies you is wanting to do the job,” Gable said of how he wound up president.
“I never actually ran for it. When you get to full professor you feel a certain measure of responsibility to the institution.”
And being a chemist, Gable likes having a role in mixing things up.
“It’s all about shared governance. There is a tradition in higher ed and at OSU that the faculty demands a voice in how it’s done.”
Then Gable ticks off the pieces of the OSU puzzle in which the Senate wields significant influence: curriculum, academic regulations, the criteria for promotions and tenure.
Gable also noted the Senate’s role in the establishment of OSU’s new Board of Trustees.
“I’m extremely happy with the process we went through. It was a showcase of shared governance. The Senate specifically and the faculty broadly participated in the decision-making process. And that’s where our interest lies.”
Gable notes that in an institution as diverse as the OSU faculty, with more than 3,500 people, “there is a broad spectrum of opinion” then adds an old college joke: “If there are three faculty involved there may very well be four opinions in the room.”
There was a wide range of opinions in the room Dec. 12 when the Senate voted to approve a resolution asking the university foundation to divest from companies that are involved in fossil fuels.
At times the debate resembled a national political convention as representatives of the various colleges expressed their views.
In the end the resolution passed narrowly.
Gable’s conclusion: “It’s within the realm of the faculty to make a statement.”
When he is not teaching or working on Senate business Gable say he likes to cook. Which made a reporter curious about the relationship between the science of chemistry and how his expertise works on the stove.
“There are pieces of cooking that are purely art. But as an organic chemist I have an understanding of some of the processes when you cook. An organic chemist can follow a recipe. We do that in the lab all the time. Also, you understand why in a recipe you add things in a particular order.
“The goal is to have a good meal and a decent glass of wine to go with it and feel good at the end of the night.”
