SPECTRUM VOLUME 23 NUMBER 8 FRIDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2000VIRGINIA POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE AND STATE UNIVERSITY http://www.unirel.vt.edu/spectrum/

TODAY’S EDITIONSee page 4 formore news coverage.

(See HIGH-TECH on 4)

(See MENTORNET on 4)(See CHOICES on 4)

Vet Med scientistsinvestigateGulf War illness

By Jeffrey DouglasScientists in the Virginia-Maryland

Regional College of Veterinary Medicine’sLaboratory for Neurotoxicity Studies (LNS)and the Immunotoxicity Risk AssessmentLaboratory (IRAL) are well under way on anearly $1-million research contract from theU.S. Army designed to assess how stress andvarious organophosphate compounds mayaffect health.

Awarded in late 1999 by the UnitedStates Army Medical Research and MaterialsCommand, the program is helping researchersexamine the individual and interactive effectsof stress and two chemical compounds onneurological and immunologic well-being.

Those chemicals include chlorpyrifos,which is commonly used in insecticides, andtriorthotolylphosphate, commonly used asan additive in everything from jet fuel toplastics and lubricants.

The work is directly related to effortsundertaken by military, government andmedical officials to critically examine whathas been referred to in the media as Gulf WarIllness. Victims of Gulf War Illness report anumber of maladies, ranging from malaise toneurological disorders and immuno-suppression as a result of their experiencesduring the Gulf War.

The targeted chemical compounds wereboth in use during the Gulf War theatre ofoperations.

Faculty members involved with theproject include Bernie Jortner, professor;Marion Ehrich, professor, Steven Holladay,associate professor, and Hara Misra,professor, all in the Department of BiomedicalSciences and Pathobiology.

The three-year program is evaluatingbehavioral, neuro-chemical, neuro-

Choices and Challenges forumexamines national organ shortage

Studentsparticipatingin MentorNet

By Liz CrumbleyVirginia Tech is participating in

MentorNet, an innovative electronicmentoring service for women pursuing ca-reers in engineering and the sciences. Thenon-profit program, believed to be the firstof its kind offered nation wide, expects tolink at least 2,200 female engineering andscience majors from 64 colleges and uni-versities with volunteer mentors working inprivate industry and government labs.

Sandra Griffith, enrollment specialistfor the Office of Minority Engineering Pro-grams and campus representative forMentorNet, said about 64 Virginia Techstudents in engineering, computer science,and mathematics already have signed up forthe program.

MentorNet uses cyberspace to linkstudents and mentors, who communicatevia e-mail. Other support services are of-fered through the program’s web site.MentorNet links students with profession-als who can help them overcome gender-related obstacles women face in college andlater in the work force.

“There is compelling evidence thatmentoring can make a big difference in astudent’s success while completing a de-gree program as well as after graduation,”said Carol Muller, MentorNet founder andexecutive director. “MentorNet helps levelthe playing field between women and menplanning for careers in engineering andother sciences. Although women accountfor nearly 50 percent of the U.S. work force,they are seriously under-represented in many

By Sally HarrisAmong the most dramatic achievements in

modern medicine is the ability to replace bodyparts. Kidneys, hearts, livers can all be trans-planted from one human to another. Artificialjoints, bones, or heart valves can substitute forthe real thing. These procedures have been usedto promote the quality of life and extend thelives of the recipients.

Such remarkable advances are providingmany new treatment choices. But they are alsocreating a number of challenges, said Doris T.Zallen, director of the Choices and ChallengesProject at Virginia Tech. “Who is entitled toreceive human organs when the supply is so

limited—the youngest, the sickest, the nearest,the wealthiest?” Zallen said. “These procedurescan be extremely expensive. How do we balancethe costs against other urgent medical needs?And how do we decide?”

Research currently under way—exploringthe use of animal organs or of organs derivedfrom stem cells—is raising still more challenges,Zallen said. “Are these acceptable sources oforgans? Are there limits to what should be doneto extend an individual life? Is medicinechanging what it means to be human?”

The Choices and Challenges Project willpresent the forum Reinventing the Human: The

(See VET MED on 4)

University dedicates high-tech Torgersen HallBy David Nutter

Paul E. Torgersen Hall, Virginia Tech’snewest and most technologically advancedbuilding, was officially dedicated last Friday.

Some 500 invited guests turned out forthe occasion that took place in the area insidethe bridge that spans the Mall connectingTorgersen Hall to Newman Library.

Keynoting the dedication ceremony wasJohn Morgridge, chairman of the board ofCisco Systems Inc. Morgridge praisedVirginia Tech for its innovative approach inapplying information technology across thecampus.

Comparing the changes in societybrought about by the Industrial Revolutionand the changes under way as a componentof the Internet Revolution, Morgridgeapplauded Virginia Tech and its land-grantmission of teaching and research, and itscommitment to share that knowledge withthe American people through outreach.

Morgridge also praised Virginia Tech’sleadership in creating the Math Emporium.“The beauty of this technology is that it willallow us as a society to master the material,” hesaid.

During his tenure, Morgridge grew theInternet infrastructure company that makesnetworks and switching equipment from 34employees with $5 million in sales to over $1billion with some 2,260 employees. He teachespart-time at Stanford University’s GraduateSchool.

The dedication ceremony also allowedPresident Charles Steger to reveal the identityof an alumnus who helped make the constructionof the building a reality. At the time ofconstruction, half of the funding for the buildinghad to come from private sources. Respondingto that need, an anonymous donor gave $7million toward its completion. For the firsttime, Steger revealed and publicly thankedWilliam H. Goodwin, a 1962 mechanical-

engineering graduate and chairman of CCAIndustries Inc. of Richmond, for the multi-million dollar gift. To date, Goodwin has givenover $10 million to the university.

Torgersen Hall, home of the AdvancedCommunications and Information TechnologyCenter, provides a high-tech environment inwhich researchers, teachers, and students caninteract in innovative and effective ways. At150,000 square feet, the facility will be a hot-bed for cross-disciplinary research andcollaboration to help Virginia Tech harness thepotential of communications, information, andinstructional technologies.

The building contains 30 miles of fiber-optic cable and 75 miles of copper cable. Thereare 3,000 Ethernet jacks in the building forfaculty and staff members, as well as anelectronic study court in the atrium with Ethernetconnections for students.

Other features of the building include wiredTorgersen Hall Atrium

HOMECOMING MARCHERS parade down the Mall Saturday with the arch of newlydedicated Torgersen Hall in the background. (J. McCormick)

2 SPECTRUM FRIDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2000

ACTIVITIESEVENTS

BULLETINS

SEMINARS

Public invited to Diggs Awards presentationThe 2000 Diggs Teaching Scholar Awards and

Roundtable will be held from 3:30-5 p.m. on Wednesday,Oct. 25 in Hillcrest Hall. This year’s winners, Beverly Bunch-Lyons, Jimmy Martin, and Katherine Allen, will lead adiscussion on their inter-disciplinary teaching approaches.There will also be a reception from 3-3:30 p.m.

RDP holds annual Showcase of TalentResidential and Dining Programs (RDP) will host the

annual student talent show, Showcase of Talent, on November9 at 7 p.m. in Deet’s Place. Call 558-2130 for information.The event is free, and open to the university community.

2000 Crime Report availableThe 2000 Annual Crime Report is available and can be

accessed through the Virginia Tech Police web site atwww.police.vt.edu/police. To request a hard copy of thereport, call 1-8123 or e-mail phyllist@vt.edu.

Alpine Project events offeredThe “Focus on Switzerland and the European Alpine

Region” is offering two upcoming events. Both are free andopen to the public.

“Hokies Around The World: An Intercultural Dialogue”will be held on Thursday, Oct. 19 at 7:30 p.m. at the CranwellCenter. International students and students who have traveledin western European countries will gather for an informaldialogue about a range of cross-cultural issues and experiences.Everyone attending is invited to participate. Call 1-5888 forinformation.

Friday, 13Last Day to Resign.Sexual Assault Awareness Month Video Discussion,

noon, Women’s Center.Faculty Recital, 8 p.m., Squires Recital Salon: David

Jacobsen.

Sunday, 15YMCA Hike, 1:30 p.m., Lancaster House parking lot.

Monday, 16Salary and Wage Paydate.YMCA Open University Registration, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.,

University Mall.Family/Work/Life Resources Program, 12:15-1:45

p.m., DBHCC, conference room G.University Council, 3-5 p.m., 1045 Pamplin.

Tuesday, 17YMCA Open University Registration, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.,

University Mall.CEUT, 12:30-2 p.m., Hillcrest large conference room:

Call 1-6995 for information.CEUT, 2:30-5 p.m., Hillcrest dining hall: Call 1-6995 for

information.Faculty Senate, 7 p.m., 32 Pamplin.

WLI Lecture, 4-5 p.m., Hillcrest Hall: Lynn Gangone.

Wednesday, 18YMCA Open University Registration, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.,

YMCA Office.CommonHealth and Benefits Fair, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.,

Squires Commonwealth Ballroom: Call 1-7810 to register.

DBHCC Lunch, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., DBHCC: Call 1-5632 for reservations.

CEUT, 2:30-4:30 p.m., Hillcrest large conference room:Call 1-6995 for information.

Sexual Assault Awareness Month Program, 5:30 p.m.,Women’s Center.

Sexual Assault Awareness Month Program, (Through10-20): lullrich@vt.edu or ktemplin@vt.edu for information.

Thursday, 19YMCA Open University Registration, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.,

YMCA Office.Staff Senate, noon, 1810 Litton-Reaves.YMCA Slide Show, noon, Cranwell Center: Beth Thomas.Corps of Cadets Program, 3:30 p.m., DBHCC auditorium:

Missy Cummings.Sexual Assault Awareness Month Program, 7 p.m.,

Squires Colonial Hall: Michael Kimmel.Alpine Project Event, 7:30 p.m., Cranwell Center: 1-5888

for information.

Friday, 20YMCA Open University Registration, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.,

YMCA Office.Alpine Project/Child and Family Development Event, 1-

5 p.m. Wallace atrium: 1-4796 for information.Sexual Assault Awareness Video Discussion, 5:30 p.m.,

Women’s Center.

Friday, 13Highlands in Chemistry, 11 a.m., 3 Davidson: Maitland

Jones Jr., Princeton University.MCBB, 12:20-1:10 p.m., 102 Fralin: Don Champagne,

University of Georgia.Philosophy, 4 p.m., 225 Major Williams: James

Buchanan.Statistics, 3:45 p.m., 204 Hutcheson: Bimal Sinha,

University of Maryland.

Monday, 16Horticulture, 4-5 p.m., 409 Saunders: Ray Miller, Ohio

Agricultural Research and Development Center.Biochemistry, 4 p.m., 223 Engel: David O’Brochta,

University of Maryland.Economics, 4-5:30 p.m., 3008 Pamplin: Gary Hoover,

University of Alabama.

Wednesday, 18PPWS, 4 p.m., Fralin auditorium: Steve Abler.ESM, 4-5 p.m., 110 Randolph: Bogdan Popescu, Bell

Helicopter TEXTRON Canada.

Thursday, 19Statistics, 3:45 p.m., 409 Hutcheson: Mary C. Christman,

University of Maryland.CSES, 4 p.m., 246 Smyth: Amy Bowman.

Friday, 20Highlands in Chemistry, 11 a.m., 3 Davidson: Rodney

J. Bartlett, University of Florida.MCBB, 12:20-1:10 p.m., 102 Fralin: Thomas Zheng,

NCI.ESM, 4-5 p.m., 110 Randolph: J.S. Epstein, E.D. Steffler,

Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory.

“Study Abroad: A Collaborative Inquiry into the Essenceof Relationships in Education” will be offered on Friday, Oct. 20from 1-5 p.m. in the Wallace atrium. Professors and studentsfrom the Department of Child and Family Development willmake presentations on their curricular projects based on theReggio Emilia approach by Italian educator Malaguzzi.

This event is co-sponsored with the Department of Childand Family Development. Call Vicky Fu at 1-4796 forinformation.

Book donations requestedPresident and Mrs. Charles Steger invite faculty members

to donate copies of books they have written to the Grove library.

Fundraising event announcedThe Association for India’s Development announces its

main fund-raising event of the semester, an evening of IndianClassical Dance on October 21 in Burruss Hall at 7 p.m. Ticketsare $5 for students and $10 for others. Call 953-4041 or e-mailaid@vt.edu for information.

Education conference focuses on collaborationThe Center for Teacher Education and the College of

Human Resources and Education are sponsoring a meeting onuniversity-school collaborations on Saturday, Oct. 21 in OwensBanquet Hall. The purpose of the conference is to sharecollaborative activities between public schools and universitiesin the New River and Roanoke Valley regions. Marilyn Cochran-Smith from Boston College will be the keynote speaker.

The meeting is open to public school teachers and

administrators, university faculty members, and othersinterested in developing university-school partnerships. Thereis no cost, but registration through Continuing Education isrequested by October 13. For information, contact Sue Magliaroat 1-8338.

Pioneer female jet pilot gives talkMissy Cummings, assistant professor of engineering

fundamentals, will speak to the Corps of Cadets on “Womenas Leaders in the Military” at 3:30 p.m. on October 19 in theDonaldson Brown Hotel and Conference Center auditorium.Cummings graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy and wasa pioneer female fighter-jet pilot. Her account of her Navalcareer, Hornet’s Nest: The Experiences of One of the Navy’sFirst Female Fighter Pilots, was published earlier this year.

Gangone to speak on women’s leadershipThe Women’s Leadership Initiative (WLI) of the College

of Human Resources and Education announces a lecture byLynn Gangone on the topic “Women’s Leadership andWomen’s Advancement: Challenges and Strategies for the21st Century.” This event will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 17from 4-5 p.m. in Hillcrest Hall.

Gangone is director of the Institute for Emerging Women’sLeaders, vice president of the Maryland Independent Collegeand University Association, and a faculty member of BrynMawr College’s Summer Institute for Women in HigherEducation.

For information contact Katherine Allen at 1-6526 orkallen@vt.edu, or Jean Elliott at 1-5915 or elliottj@vt.edu.

Mann’s poetryreading setfor November

By Sally HarrisVirginia Tech poet and English faculty

member Jeff Mann has had two chapbooks ofpoetry published recently and will give a poetryreading at Volume II Bookstore Thursday, Nov.2, at 7 p.m.

Flint Shards from Sussex, a series of intensepoems about love between gay men, waspublished by Gival Press after it won the FirstAnnual Gival Press Chapbook Competition.Diane Wakoski, author of Argonaut Rose, wrote

that, in the poems in this book, Mann “immerseshimself in the dark beauty of romantic loss,grieving, and final acceptance.”

The second chapbook, Mountain Fireflies,won the Poetic Matrix Chapbook Series and waspublished by Poetic Matrix Press. These poemsconcern Appalachian country life, and thepublisher said of them, “Music everywhere—theland, the wild—rich and beautifully written.Strong and emotionally deep throughout.”

Edward Falco, author of Acid and other

books, calls Mann “a poet to treasure both for thewealth of his language and the generosity of hisspirit.”

Both books are available at both Volume IIBookstore and the University Bookstore atVirginia Tech or can be ordered from thepublisher. Gival Press is at P.O. Box 3812,Arlington VA 22203 or givalpress.com. PoeticMatrix Press’s address is John Peterson,Publisher, Poetic Matrix Press, P.O. Box 224,Yosemite CA 95389.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2000 SPECTRUM 3

Spectrum, a faculty-staff tabloid, is published eachFriday during the academic year, with the exception ofcertain holidays, exam weeks, and the summer. Copydeadline is noon Friday. No advertising is accepted. Spectrum is a non-profit publication of the Office ofUniversity Relations: Lawrence G. Hincker, associate vicepresident for University Relations; David Nutter, associatedirector for Public Affairs.

EditorJohn Ashby, 1-6961

Assistant EditorKimberly Richards-Thomas, 1-8538

Production ManagerMelinda Shaver, 1-8524

Business Manager1-8819

Letters to the editor and questions for "Ask Spectrum"should be addressed to the editor, 105 Media Building,Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061. Electronic Spectrum: http://www.unirel.vt.edu/spec-trum/ Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employ-ees, students, or applicants on the basis of race, color,gender, sexual orientation, disability, age, veteran sta-tus, national origin, religion, or political affiliation. Any-one having questions concerning discrimination or ac-cessibility regarding the programs described in this news-paper should contact the Equal Opportunity AffirmativeAction Office: 540-231-7500 (v), 540-231-9460 (TTY).

VIRGINIA POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTEAND STATE INIVERSITY

EMPLOYMENTCLASSIFIED POSITIONS

FACULTY POSITIONS

The following classified positions are currentlyavailable. More details of these positions, spe-cific application procedures and position-clos-ing dates may be found on the PersonnelServices web site at

Available positions are also listed on theJob Line, a 24-hour recorded message ser-vice. For information on all job listings, call 1-5300. Some of the following positions includestate benefits. Jobs are advertised using boththe old job title and pay grade as well as thenew role and pay band. Positions with num-bers beginning with a “W” are hourly and do notinclude state benefits. Individuals with disabili-ties desiring assistance or accommodation inthe application process should call by the ap-plication deadline. Closing date for advertisedpositions is 1 p.m. Monday. An EO/AA em-ployer committed to diversity.

FULL TIMEAdministrative/Research Assistant,

007674T, Pay band 4, ECE.Animal Care Supervisor, 006998J, Pay

band 4, Veterinary Teaching Hospital.Animal Care Technician, 002617M, Pay

band 2, Veterinary Teaching Hospital.Applications Analyst, 002145L, Pay

band 5, Web Application Research/Develop-ment.

Applications Analyst, 001226L, Payband 5, Web Application Research/Develop-ment.

Assistant Manager, 001033H, Pay band3, RDP/Dietrick Dining Center.

Assistant Manager, 006522H, Pay band3, RDP/Dietrick Express.

Assistant To The Director Of AnnualGiving, 002226L, Pay band 3, University De-velopment.

Banquet Manager (Food OperationsManager Assistant), 001118G, Pay band 3,DBHCC.

Building/Grounds Superintendent B,002749G, Pay band 5, Facilities/MechanicalUtilities.

Buyer Senior (Contracts Officer),001982F, Pay band 4, Purchasing.

Buyer Senior (Contracts Officer),002440F, Pay band 4, Purchasing.

Computer Operations Technician Se-nior, 001054L, Pay band 3, Test Scoring.

Computer Systems Engineer, 006991J,Pay band 5, RGS.

Computer Systems Engineer, 000180T,Pay band 5, CS.

Development Associate, 002102L, Payband 3, University Development.

Development Associate, 002179L, Payband 3, University Development.

Editor, Virginia Tech Magazine, 000654L,Pay band 5, University Relations/Outreach Com-munications.

Electrician, 007565G, Pay band 3, Physi-cal Plant.

Electronics Technician, 007656J, Payband 4, VTTI.

Enrollment Services Technical Leader,002734L, Pay band 6, AIS.

Executive Assistant, 007672T, Pay band3, VBI.

Executive Assistant, 004001T, Pay band3, CPES.

Executive Chef, 000266H, Pay band 4,RDP/Shultz Dining Center.

Facility Manager, 007240J, Pay band 3,Recreational Sports.

Financial Aid Counselor, 001683R, Payband 4, Scholarships/Financial Aid.

Three full-time food-operations positionsavailable; three part-time positions; one univer-sity-only position.

Highway Equipment Operator A,001971G, Pay band 2, Physical Plant.

Highway Equipment Operator A,000203G, Pay band 2, Physical Plant/Grounds.

Housekeeping Supervisor, 000824H, Payband 2, RDP.

Housekeeping Worker, 000278H, Payband 1, RDP.

Housekeeping Worker, 001631G, Payband 1, DBHCC.

Housekeeping Worker Senior, 006926H,Pay band 1, RDP.

Housekeeping Worker Senior, 002745H,Pay band 1, RDP.

Interpreter for Deaf, 007472J, Pay band 3,Dean of Students.

Lab Specialist, 001972M, Pay band 3, CVM/MDL-Academic Affairs.

Laboratory Specialist Advanced,003373M, Pay band 4, BSE.

Laboratory Specialist Senior, 007546J,Pay band 4, Veterinary Medicine.

Laboratory Specialist Senior, 007302M,Pay band 4, Biochemistry.

Medical Technologist, 002596J, Pay band4, Veterinary Teaching Hospital.

Medical Technologist (Surgical WardTechnician), 2637J, Pay band 4, VeterinaryTeaching Hospital.

Oracle Dba, 002250D, Pay band 5, ISC.Power Plant Mechanic, 000327G, Pay band

3, Power Plant.Program Support Technician, 003350M,

Pay band 3, FWS.Program Support Technician, 000028T,

Pay band 3, Scholarships/Financial Aid.Receptionist/Secretary, 001990T, Pay

band 2, GIS.Receptionist/Secretary, 007345T, Pay

band 2, ME.

Recycle Coordinator, 006724H, Pay band1, RDP.

Research Software Developer, 7637T, Payband 5, VBI.

Security Lead Guard (Parking Enforce-ment Off.), 007653G, Pay band 1, Parking Ser-vices.

Security Lead Guard (Parking Enforce-ment Off.), 007038G, Pay band 1, Parking Ser-vices.

Security Lead Guard (Parking Enforce-ment Off.), W020119G, Pay band 1, ParkingServices.

Shopleader Supervisor, 000390H, Pay band1, RDP/West End Market.

Shopleader/Cashier, 000552H, Pay band1, RDP.

Sous Chef, 000940H, Pay band 3, RDP.Special Projects/Utilities Crew, 000216H,

Pay band 1, RDP.Specialist Procedures Technician,

006774M, Pay band 3, Veterinary Teaching Hos-pital.

Systems Analyst, 007343L, Pay band 6,ISC.

Telecommunications Analyst, 000157A,Pay band 3, CNS.

Telecommunications Field Tech Assis-tant, 007357A, Pay band 3, CNS.

Undergraduate Secretary, 001535T, Payband 3, ESM.

PART TIMEAdministrative Associate, W023148L, Pay band3, ITA.

Animal Care Tech B, W022914J, Pay band2, Veterinary Medicine.

Animal Care Technician A, W022155J, Payband 1, Veterinary Teaching Hospital.

Animal Care Technician B, W020556M,Pay band 2, Veterinary Medicine.

Audiovisual Technician, W023110T, Payband 2, Registrar.

Bus Driver, W023140R, Pay band 1, MotorPool.

Calf Feeder, W023147M, Pay band 1, DairyScience.

Computer Technician, W023142R, Payband 3, VTTI.

Fiscal Assistant, W022977M, Pay band 2,Biochemistry.

Fiscal Assistant, 007242J, Pay band 2,MNH.

Housekeeping Worker, W020574G, Payband 1, DBHCC.

Housekeeping Worker, W022490H, Payband 1, RDP.

Housekeeping Worker, W020214J, Payband 1, Health Center.

Laboratory Technician Senior, W022934M,Pay band 2, FWS.

Laboratory Technician Senior, W020117G,Pay band 2, EHSS.

Lead Dispatcher, W023136R, Pay band 3,VTTI.

Office Assistant, W022228T, Pay band 3,Provost.

Office Services Assistant, W022390T, Payband 2, Registrar.

Office Services Assistant, W020838J, Pay

band 2, Veterinary Teaching Hospital.Office Services Specialist, W023141F,

Pay band 2, Dean’s Office, Pamplin.Office Services Specialist, W023146M,

Pay band 2, Agricultural Education.Pharmacy Assistant A, W020839J, Pay

band 2, Veterinary Teaching Hospital.Program Support Technician,

W023123H, Pay band 3, RDP/Marketing/Con-ference Services.

Radiologic Technologist, W022238J,Pay band 3, Health Center.

Secretary Senior, W023132L, Pay band2, University Relations.

Storekeeper, W022291J, Pay band 2, Vet-erinary Teaching Hospital.

Truck Driver, W023114T, Pay band 3,Chemistry.

Web Designer, W022976H, Pay band 3,RDP/Marketing/Conference Services.

UNIVERSITY ONLYEnvironmental Horticulture Program

Assistant, U007675M, Pay band 3, VCE.OFF CAMPUS

Area Information Technologist,006934M, Pay band 3, AHNR Information Tech-nology/CALS.

Development Associate, 7663L, Payband 3, EMC/University Development.

Human Services Program Specialist,007644J, Pay band 4, CPAP.

Library Assistant, 006842J, Pay band 3,Northern Virginia Center.

Program Support Technician, 005072M,Pay band 3, VCE.

Program Support Technician, 006211M,Pay band 3, VCE.

Secretary Senior, 007676M, Pay band 2,Fauquier County.

INSTRUCTIONALNear Environments. Assistant Profes-

sor, Interior Design (2). Contact: Robert Par-sons, 101 Wallace (0410). Review begins Janu-ary 15.

NON-INSTRUCTIONALDairy Science. Professor/Department

Head. Contact: L.A. Swiger, 104 Hutcheson(0402). Review begins October 31.

Virginia Cooperative Extension. Exten-sion Agent, Family/Consumer Sciences (re-advertisement). #FA691, Fauquier Co. Con-tact: John Dooley, 122 Hutcheson (0437). Re-view begins October 31.

VCE. Extension Agent, 4-H Youth De-velopment (re-advertisement). #112073,Southampton Co. Contact: Robert Meadows,121 Hutcheson (0437). Review begins October31.

VCE. Extension Agent, Agriculture/Natural Resources. #FA683, Henry Co. Con-tact: Steve Umberger, 121 Hutcheson (0437).Review begins October 31.

University Relations. Public Affairs Man-ager, Northern Virginia Center. Contact: ClaraCox, 105C Media Bldg. (0109). Review beginsNovember 1.

Stipes consults on America’s largest elmBy Stewart MacInnis

An American elm tree which is the largestrecorded in North America is succumbing toDutch Elm disease, according R. Jay Stipes,professor of plant pathology at Virginia Techand the last plant pathologist working on DutchElm disease.

“This tree is just too far gone,” Stipes saidafter examining it. “If we had caught it soonerthere is a very effective treatment, but it’s toolate now. I could have wept when I got to thecornfield and saw the tree.”

The tree, on a farm near Traverse City,

Mich., and known as the Buckley Elm, isrecognized by the American ForestryAssociation as the largest elm on record in NorthAmerica. Stipes made the diagnosis after visitingthe tree in late July and concluding laboratoryanalyses in August.

The tree is 112 feet high, has a crownspread of 115 feet, and a trunk girth of 23.5 feet.It is thought to be 300 to 400 years old, Stipessaid.

Dutch Elm disease has ravaged elm trees inNorth America since it was first observed about70 years ago. The disease is rampant among

“weed” elms, or wild trees, in the Midwest,and is spread to cultivated trees by insects. Thedisease is now hitting the West Coast region,Stipes said.

A method Stipes has developed to treattrees with the diseases has been usedsuccessfully on many elms, including some atMount Vernon, George Washington’s homenear Washington, D.C. The Michigan tree,however, is too diseased for the treatment tobe effective, Stipes said. He expects the tree todie in about a year.

4 SPECTRUM FRIDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2000

Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAIDBlacksburg, VA Permit No. 28

Virginia TechBlacksburg, VA 24061

HIGH-TECHContinued from 1

CHOICESContinued from 1

IN OTHER NEWS

Six Million Dollar Body. This public forum willoffer social and ethical perspectives to assist thecommunity in making decisions about thesecomplex emerging issues and to engage them askey participants in the public-policy process,according to Jane L. Lehr, coordinator of theChoices and Challenges Project.

The forum will take place Thursday, Nov.9, at the Donaldson Brown Hotel and Confer-ence Center and Squires Student Center from 8a.m. to 4 p.m. All parts of the program are opento public at no charge. Pre-registration is en-couraged.

The forum is divided into three parts: morn-ing discussion sessions providing backgroundinformation; a main panel session featuringeminent practitioners of health law, medicalethics, animal welfare, philosophy, history,medicine, and emerging sciences; and after-noon sessions focusing on the future of organtransplantation.

The PBS Adult Learning Service willbroadcast the main panel nationally in editedform. An on-line web-based discussion groupwill provide the opportunity for the communityto debate the issues and submit questions inadvance of the forum. More information can befound at web site http://www.cis.vt.edu/choices&challenges.

The Choices and Challenges Project is apublic-outreach program that explores the so-cial and ethical dimensions of science and tech-nology. Previous programs have covered sub-jects ranging from genetic engineering to com-puter-network technologies to the use of envi-ronmental resources. The project offers uniqueprogramming that encourages dialogue amongprofessional and lay members of the universityand regional communities, Lehr said. Videotapes, audio tapes, and transcripts of many pre-vious forums are available.

Program brochures, which include a pre-

registration form, can be obtained at manylocations throughout Blacksburg or by contact-ing the Choices and Challenges Project officeby mail at 254 Lane Hall, Virginia Tech,Blacksburg, VA 24061-0227, by phone at 1-6476, by e-mail at choices@vt.edu, or by visit-ing the web site.

This Choices and Challenges forum ispresented by the Center for InterdisciplinaryStudies. Support has also been provided byUniversity Outreach at Virginia Tech.

For more information or brochures todistribute, contact Jane Lehr at 1-6476 orchoices@vt.edu.

MENTORNETContinued from 1

scientific areas, particularly engineering.Women account for barely 11 percent of thenation’s engineers.”

MentorNet, a partnership effort involvingcolleges and universities, corporations, gov-ernment, and professional societies, is head-quartered at San José State University. AT&T,Intel, IBM, Ford Motor Company, Cisco Sys-tems, the Alcoa Foundation, the U.S. Depart-ment of Education, the U.S. Department ofTransportation, and the National Science Foun-dation provide major project funding.

Interested faculty advisors, students andprospective mentors should visit MentorNet’sweb site, www.mentornet.net. The deadline forsigning up for this year’s program is October31.

classrooms with state-of-the-art audio-visualsystems, and computer-controlled lightingpresets for different teaching scenarios;classrooms configured for televised distancelearning; high-tech auditoriums; observationalbooths for watching and taping experimentalteaching techniques; the CAVE, Tech’ssophisticated virtual-reality environment foradvanced research and learning; a new mediacenter where students, professors, and the publiccan receive guidance on multi-mediatechnologies; a variety of office and laboratoryspaces; and future capabilities to turn the wholefacility into a test bed for wireless technologies.

Dedication guest William Wulf, presidentof the National Academy of Engineering, saidTorgersen’s retirement was a blessing for theNational Academy of Engineering. “Paul doesmore than just hit a few tennis balls these days,”Wulf said. He described how Torgersen wasincreasingly active on a number of committeesand was chairing a committee to identify the 20greatest engineering accomplishments of thepast century. Torgersen was elected a fellow ofthe academy in 1986.

Originally, Senator John Warner, andCongressmen Rick Boucher, and Bob Goodlattewere scheduled to participate in the program.All three members had been supportive of federalhelp to assist in the construction and support theresearch program of the facility. However,because Congress was still in session, the threecongressional leaders were unable to attend.

Drug Information Lab honored by ISI

Supervisors find office software training helpful

Joseph G. Falls, 51Captain Joseph G. (Jody) Falls, of the

Virginia Tech Police Department, died Saturday,Oct. 7. He was 51.

Falls joined the department in 1970. Hewas promoted to captain in 1992, and served asathletic resource officer for the departmentfrom 1997.

Falls served for several years as universitydisaster coordinator, and was the first VirginiaTech crime-prevention coordinator.

Cowgill housingstylish offices

By Sara NewbillCowgill Hall currently houses what could

be considered the most stylish offices oncampus. Thanks to a donation from the Swissmodular-furniture company USM, (U. Schaerer& Sons, Munsingen, Switzerland) theDepartment of Architecture offices have beencompletely renovated with upscale stainedblack oak steel and chrome furniture. Thefurniture is widely used in Europe and is beingnoticed in the U.S. for its timeless style.

The Department of Architecture and USMhave had a relationship that dates back to theearly 90s, when the furniture manufacturerwas contacted to furnish the Center forEuropean Studies in Switzerland. USM hassince supplied furniture for Burchard Hall, andfor the past two years has supported acomprehensive award program consisting of$25,000 in student scholarships given out inWashington D.C. and New York.

“There is a kinship between the designphilosophy of USM and the key educationaltenants of the department, so the relationshipgoes beyond their financial generosity,”Department Head Frank Weiner said. This pastsummer, two students (one from architectureand one from industrial design) served a three-week internship at the USM headquarters inMunsingen, Switzerland.

OBITUARY

By Jeffrey DouglasThe Virginia-Maryland Regional College

of Veterinary Medicine’s Drug InformationLaboratory was recently recognized by theInstitute for Scientific Information (ISI) for itson-line version of the FDA Green Book.Published by the Food and DrugAdministration’s Center for VeterinaryMedicine, the Green Book contains detailedproduct and licensing information about allgovernment-approved animal drugs

The digital publication will now be includedin the ISI’s on-line awareness database calledCurrent Web Contents. Current Contents, adatabase that provides information in the fields

of science, social science, technology and thearts, recently created Current Web Contents,which features a daily update of the databaseand an option to link to selected and evaluatedweb sites.

Following passage of the Generic AnimalDrug and Patent Term Restoration Act in 1988,the laboratory began publishing a print versionof the FDA Green Book in 1989 and haspublished it annually since then. The labmanages the Food and Drug AdministrationCenter for Veterinary Medicine’s ApprovedAnimal Drug Database which is used to produceboth versions of the Green Book.

The reference guide includes informationconcerning animal drugs’ trade and genericnames, label indications, patent information,and other related facts.

ISI editors evaluated the Green Book website using criteria such as authority, accuracy,currency, navigation and design, applicabilityand content, scope, audience level and quality.“We work to produce a useful high-qualitypublications for our subscribers. Recognition ofour site by ISI suggests we have accomplishedthat goal,” said Jeff Wilcke, the Dorothy A. andRichard G. Metcalf professor of veterinarymedical informatics.

Supervisors and departmental represen-tatives recently attended an awards and recog-nition ceremony for employees receiving ma-jor certificates in office-software skills train-ing.

Linda Woodard, assistant vice presidentfor personnel, and Dick Harshberger, directorof university leadership development awardedthe certificates. The 13 employees being rec-ognized had completed at least six of the coursesbeing offered through University LeadershipDevelopment, and had taken advanced coursesin at least two of the Office Software Skillsareas.

Those recognized with a certificate fortheir successful completion of the programincluded Carlene T. Arthur, Debbie Carden,Debra Dudley, Carolyn Furrow, Robert Gil-

bert, Karen Guynn, Jeannette Houghton, BertHubbard, Donald W. Lambert, FaytheRittenhouse, Karen Sewell, Becky Shanks andGlenda J. Thornton.Awardees were asked to comment on their train-ing experiences and they were uniform in theirpraise of the content, materials and the instruc-tion. Dudley said, “Classes are great. The in-structors made the classes fun and easy to under-stand. If you get stuck in a problem, the instruc-tor keeps at it until you can understand thefunction. Practicing is always possible after theclasses, but I’ve found the manuals they give outto be very useful and user friendly.”

Supervisors and departmental representa-tives in attendance included: Rodd Hall, Dean ofEngineering’s Office, recognizing Rittenhouse;Bradley Scott, from the Controller’s Office rec-

ognizing Thornton and Carden; Rick Cooper,representing Dennis Newman from the Electri-cal and Computer Engineering Department, rec-ognizing Lambert; Rich Fell from the Entomol-ogy Department, recognizing Guynn; Tom Bellfrom the Chemistry Department recognizingGilbert; and Adelene Kirby, representing theCollege of Arts and Science Office, recognizingFurrow.

In closing, Harshberger said, “We live andwork in an era of heavy workloads and strongdemands on our day-to-day services. Today,time is so valuable, that the training has to be avaluable use of time to be enthusiastically pur-sued and supported.”

During this semester, nearly 500 employ-ees are registered for 41 of the Office SoftwareSkills Training courses. An offering of 35 coursesis planned for the spring.

VET MEDContinued from 1

pathological and immunological changes thatmay be caused by stress and the chemical agentsacting individually or interactively, Jortner said.

VMRCVM scientists have conducted anumber of investigations in this area for the U.S.Army. However, the $910,000 program grant isthe largest project funded to date.