Here are the campus headlines you may have missed this summer:
The SIÉ CHÉOU-KANG Center for International Security and Diplomacy at the Josef Korbel School of International Studies was completed and dedicated in a ceremony Aug. 7. The SIÉ Center will provide leadership training for SIÉ Fellows, a program consisting of 10 international security specialists and diplomats that will begin in fall 2010.
The Driscoll University Center added artwork by photographer John Fielder. Nine large photographs of Colorado scenery have been installed, and more will likely be added throughout the year as funds become available.
Workers spruced up Johnson-McFarlane Hall, Centennial Towers, Centennial Halls and furnished on-campus apartments with nearly $1 million worth of improvements, including new furniture, windows and modernized common spaces.
Penrose Library had a little “construction” done in August. A vehicle careened off eastbound Evans Avenue Aug. 10 and crashed into the north side of the library. No one was hurt — and the books (and an impressive collection of DVDs) were left untouched.
DU garnered some national recognition over the summer, too. U.S. News and World Report ranked the University among the nation’s top 100 universities. DU ranked 84th, up five positions from last year. In addition, DU ranked No. 8 in the “Up and Coming National Universities” category.
Forbes magazine ranked DU on a list of America’s best colleges at No. 187, up from No. 378 in 2008. Rankings were based on student opinions. Also, The Princeton Review featured DU in its 2010 guidebook, The Best 371 Colleges.
Some of DU’s research received national coverage. DU researchers Galena Rhoades, Scott Stanley and Howard Markman found that couples who live together before their engagement are more likely to divorce than those who wait until their marriage to live together. They also found that couples who live together before their engagement report a lower level of marital satisfaction.
On the green front, DU agreed to achieve climate neutrality by the year 2050. The plan is one of the promises the University made when Chancellor Robert Coombe signed the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment in 2007. The proposal focuses on conservation, reduced consumption and appropriate alternative energy sources.
DU’s list of alumni grew over the summer. More than 300 graduate and undergraduate students received degrees Aug. 14 during summer Commencement.
The Josef Korbel School of International Studies added a new master’s in development practice. The School of Engineering and Computer Sciences and the Division of Natural Science and Mathematics have added a new master’s and PhD graduate programs in nanoscale science and engineering.
University College now offers a master’s degree in health care leadership, and DU’s Women’s College offers new certificate programs in entrepreneurial studies and philanthropic studies. And for the first time, there is a full-time Arabic teacher in the languages and literatures faculty.
Trygve Myhren was named the new chairman of DU’s Board of Trustees. The prominent Denver business leader succeeds Joy Burns.
Though Pioneer athletes were on summer hiatus, there was still some big sports news. Former Princeton men’s lacrosse coach Bill Tierney became DU’s new head coach in July. During his prior 22 seasons as Princeton coach, Tierney led the Tigers to six NCAA championships and 14 Ivy League championships.
Men’s basketball coach Joe Scott signed a contract extension through the 2014–15 season. Scott’s win total in each of his two seasons at Denver is 21–6 at home.
In the hockey arena, incoming recruits William Wrenn and Drew Shore highlighted DU’s three selections in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. Wrenn, of Anchorage, Alaska, and Shore, of Denver, were both selected in the second round. Wrenn was selected No. 43 overall by San Jose while Shore was picked No. 44 by Florida.
DU officials spent the summer preparing for H1N1 influenza. Sick students will be encouraged to “self-isolate” until flu symptoms have passed. New information will be posted as available on www.du.edu/flu. DU health officials advise people to wash their hands frequently and cover their coughs.