University News

Daniel Weix, assistant professor of chemistry, has been selected as one of 14 Camille Dreyfus Teacher-Scholars for 2014, an award given to faculty members in the chemical sciences who are within the first five years of their academic careers and who have demonstrated outstanding scholarship and commitment to education.

A new report by the Center for Governmental Research (CGR) shows that the University is directly and indirectly responsible for supporting an estimated 50,300 jobs in the region. The report also finds that the new Institute for Data Science will create 460 jobs, and with 22,451 full-time-equivalent (FTE) employees, the University is the eighth largest private sector employer in the state.

Jamal Rossi came to Eastman in 2005 as senior associate dean. He served as executive associate dean at Eastman from 2007 until September 2013, when he was appointed dean of the school following the illness and resignation at that time of former Messinger Dean Douglas Lowry.

Bruce Bashwiner has been named associate vice president for University Facilities and Services. His appointment began on May 1, and he succeeds Richard Pifer, who recently announced his retirement after nearly 15 years at the University.

Joanna Olmsted will step down as dean of the School of Arts and Sciences on July 1 after two decades of University leadership. “Joanna has contributed immeasurably to the progress that has been made in strengthening arts, sciences, and engineering, and we are hugely in her debt,” says Peter Lennie, provost and the Robert L. and Mary L. Sproull Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Sciences, and Engineering.

Ainslie has been senior associate dean, full-time MBA program, at UCLA Anderson School of Management since 2010. The appointment, subject to Board approval, is effective after Dean Mark Zupan’s term ends on June 30.

Optics professor David Williams, a leading experts on human vision, has been named a member of the National Academy of Sciences in recognition of his continuing achievements in original research. The honor is one of the highest given to a scientist in the United States.

Barry M. Meyer ’64, longtime Warner Bros. Entertainment executive, will receive an honorary doctor of laws degree at the 164th commencement ceremonies. Others recognized for outstanding contributions will receive honorary degrees, Hutchison Medals for exemplary service, and awards for scholarship and teaching.

The Best Translated Book Award -- launched in 2008 by Three Percent, the University's website for translated literature -- is the only prize of its kind to honor the best original works of international fiction and poetry published in the United States.

Theoretical physicist Daniel S. Koltun joined the University in 1962 and was a professor of physics until his retirement in 2004. In addition to being a leader in the meson physics community, Koltun was known for what is called the "Koltun Sum Rule" for the scattering of electrons from nuclear targets.

Trustee Laurence "Larry" H. Bloch '75 and his wife, Cindy, have funded the position of chief fundraising officer, and established the Larry and Cindy Bloch Endowment for University Advancement.

The Center for Emerging and Innovative Sciences (CEIS) will host its 14th Annual University Technology Showcase on the afternoon of April 10. The topic will be "Industry-University Collaborations and Economic Development: How can universities and companies work together to rebuild manufacturing in the US?"