News In Brief

Four named AAAS fellows
Four faculty members have been named fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, a distinction accorded to individuals who have distinguished themselves in science and engineering.

Honored by AAAS were Francis P. Bretherton, Donald R. Johnson, Max G. Lagally and Kenneth W. Potter.

Bretherton, a professor of atmospheric and oceanic sciences and the former director of UW–Madison’s Space Science and Engineering Center, was recognized for a long and distinguished career in research, education and administration and for the application of satellite data to climate studies.

Johnson, an emeritus professor of atmospheric and oceanic sciences, was cited for outstanding teaching and research on atmospheric energetics and modeling as well as for extensively public service in meteorology.

Lagally was recognized for his groundbreaking studies of atomistic mechanisms of thin-film growth and the thermodynamics and kinetics of surfaces. He is a professor of materials science and engineering.

Potter, a professor of civil and environmental engineering, was cited for fundamental contributions to understanding catchment hydrology, especially as it relates to extreme flooding events, and for exemplary scientific leadership.

The four UW–Madison professors were among 251 scientists and engineers from around the country cited for their work. Founded in 1848, AAAS is the world’s largest federation of scientists; it works to advance science in the public interest.

American Education Week features Gerald Bracey
A speech by author and policy analyst Gerald Bracey will cap American Education Week activities sponsored by the UW–Madison School of Education.

Bracey will speak on “Setting the Record Straight: Debunking Myths About Public Education” in Memorial Union Theater at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 16. Tickets are not required for the free public lecture.

An enthusiastic defender of public education, Bracey is best known for his periodic “Report on the Condition of Education,” which challenges many of the complaints about the nation’s schools.

Bracey will examine often-heard criticisms, such as:

• “Bright people don’t go into education.”
• “American students are falling behind their international peers.”
• “Too much money is being wasted on public schools.”

Bracey has written extensively on issues in education. He urges the public to concentrate on the real challenges facing schools and society-poverty and inequality. Bracey’s most recent book is “Bail Me Out! Handling Difficult Data and Tough Questions About Public Schools” (2000).

For information on American Education Week events Nov. 13-18, call (608) 265-7875 or visit: http://www.education.wisc.edu.

China expert offers insights
Journalist Jaime FlorCruz will speak on “Covering China: From the Cultural Revolution to the Internet Age,” at Great Hall, Memorial Union, Monday, Nov. 13, at 4 p.m. FlorCruz has just completed 10 years as Beijing bureau chief for Time magazine. He is currently at the Council on Foreign Relations as an international journalism fellow. He wrote “Massacre at Beijing,” a book about the crackdown against the Tiananmen Square protests.

Artist to give lecture on use of illustration
British picture book artist Anthony Browne will speak about “Using Pictures: Let the Pictures Tell the Story.” Tuesday, Nov. 14, at 5:30 p.m., L-160 of the Elvehjem Art Museum.

The Cooperative Children’s Book Center and the Friends of the CCBC are sponsoring the lecture. The International Institute is a co-sponsor. More information: 263-3720; or http://www.education. wisc.edu/ccbc/thisseas.htm.

European writers to gather at Pyle Center
Four of Europe’s most prominent writers will appear together to discuss their work and new trends in contemporary European literature Wednesday, Nov. 15, at 7 p.m., the Pyle Center. The talk, entitled “New Voices from the New Europe: An Evening of Literature, Readings and Dialogue with European Authors,” features Ib Michael of Denmark, Sandra Petrignani of Italy, Alissa Walser of Germany and Martin Winckler of France. More information: 265-4778.

Reporters to discuss race series
Three New York Times reporters will discuss “How Race is Lived in America,” a recent Times series on race relations, Tuesday, Nov. 14, at 7:30 p.m. in the Wisconsin Union Theater.

“How Race is Lived in America” was a six-week-long series that began in June. The panel includes Steven Holmes, who explored race relations in the military; Janny Scott, who looked at race in the making of an HBO miniseries; and Michael Winerip, who revealed the complicated relationships between minority and white narcotics unit officers.

Center builds food network
The Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems has taken the lead in building a national network of centers and programs working to foster more sustainable food and farming systems.

In early November, for example, the center hosted a gathering of sustainable agriculture centers and programs that identified ways to increase the impact of their programs by working together.

“As a result of this gathering, our center will collaborate more closely with other sustainable agriculture centers and programs,” says Chuck Francis, director of the sustainable agriculture program in the Center for Applied Rural Innovation at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. “Key issues can be tackled across states and regions more effectively than in one state.”

Twenty-five representatives of a dozen sustainable agriculture centers and programs from across the country attended this gathering, which was held at the Wisconsin Union on Nov. 2-4. These centers and programs conduct research, teaching, and extension on sustainable agriculture and food systems that contribute to the economic, ecological and social well being of farmers, workers, consumers and their communities.

Gathering participants identified advocacy, research and networking as areas of work that will benefit from increased collaboration on a national scale. The participants agreed that collaboration will raise public awareness about sustainability issues and their impacts on farms, the environment and local economies.

Information: Cris Carusi, 262-8018.

Cafe to close for a year
Lakefront Cafe in Memorial Union, built in 1957 to maximize the view of Lake Mendota, will close for remodeling starting Saturday, Dec. 16, and is expected to reopen in January 2002.

The kitchen, located in the basement beneath the popular breakfast and lunch venue, will be renovated during the same period.

During construction, kitchen staff will be relocated into a mobile kitchen at Union South to prepare hot and cold food and bakery items, says Julie Vincent, Wisconsin Union Food Services director. The Rathskeller will be open every day of the week for breakfast while Lakefront is closed. The union operates seven other restaurants and delis on campus.

SECC nears halfway point
With the State, University and UWHC Employees Combined Campaign (SECC) nearing its halfway point, employees have contributed $545,141 to the annual fund-raising effort. That represents 23.2 percent of the goal for 2000.

On the university side, contributions to date total $115,921. UW Hospital and Clinics employees have contributed $10,700. The campaign runs through Dec. 1.

SECC-Dane provides financial support for more than 300 nonprofit agencies at the local, state, national and international levels. Conducted by employee volunteers each fall, the campaign provides donors with a wide variety of agencies to choose from, and gives the option of making donations through payroll deduction.

Information: http://www.wisc.edu/secc.