A non-profit publication of the Office of the University Relations of Virginia Tech,
including The Conductor, a special section of the Spectrum printed 4 times a year

CALENDAR
Thursday, 16
Salary and Wage Paydate.
VDOT Smart Road Discussion, 9-11:15 a.m., Virginia Military Institute, Jackson Memorial Hall: Opening session.
VDOT Smart Road Discussion, 1:30-4 p.m., Virginia Military Institute, various buildings on post: Five concurrent sessions.
YMCA Slide Show, 12:10 p.m., Cranwell Center: "Underwater Archeology at Caesaria, Israel," by Merle and Judy Pierson.
Science Study Center Discussion, 12:30 p.m., 132 Lane: "Who's Rich, Who's Poor? Measuring the College of Arts and Sciences," by George Crofts.
Staff Senate Meeting, 5:30 p.m., 1810 Litton Reaves.
125th Anniversary Event, 7:30 p.m., 100/102 Vet Med: "Veterinary Medicine: A Training Ground in Strategic Thinking: The Avis of the Health Professions," by Frank Loew, Medical Foods International.
"The Homestead as Homeplace" Lecture, 7:30 p.m., Reynolds Homestead Continuing Education Center, "Places that Battles Missed," by James I. Robertson.
Friday, 17
Last Day to Resign.
VDOT Smart Road Discussion, 9-11:30 a.m., Virginia Military Institute, Lejeune Hall Ballroom: Closing session.
International Club Coffee Hour, 5-7 p.m., Cranwell Center: "Mali: Agriculture, Rural and Urban Life, and Democratization," by John Caldwell.
VTU Film, 7 p.m., Squires Haymarket: "Contact" (second show at 9:30 p.m.).
Midnight VTU Film, Squires Haymarket: "Mystery Science Theatre 3000."
Saturday, 18
YMCA Hike, 9 a.m., meet at Y parking lot: Angels Rest (strenuous).
Multicultural Programs Event, noon, Black Cultural Center: African-American Parents' Network.
VTU Film, 7 p.m., Squires Haymarket: "Contact" (second show at 9:30 p.m.).
Midnight VTU Film, Squires Haymarket: "Mystery Science Theatre 3000."
Sunday, 19
TAUT Workshop Production, 8 p.m., 204 PAB: "Who Am I This Time?" Through October 21.
Monday, 20
YMCA Open University Registration.
Soup and Substance, noon, 116 Squires: "Russia's Children," by Steve Darr, Peacework.
Multicultural Programs Event, 1-2 p.m., Multicultural Center: "Part I: Women in Engineering, Fair Treatment or Not?"
University Council Meeting, 3-5 p.m., 1045 Pamplin.
TAUT Workshop Production, 8 p.m., 204 PAB: "Who Am I This Time?" Through October 21.
Tuesday, 21
YMCA Open University Registration.
Bloodmobile, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Squires Commonwealth Ballroom.
Faculty Women's Club Fall Luncheon, noon, Farmhouse.
Information Systems Keynote Address, 4:30 p.m., DBHCC auditorium: "Paradigms and Paradoxes," by Robert C. Heterick, formerly of Educom.
Multicultural Programs Event, 5:30-7 p.m., Squires: Second Annual Building Bridges.
Faculty Senate Meeting, 7 p.m., 32 Pamplin.
VTU Lively Arts Program, 7:30 p.m., Burruss auditorium: "A Chorus Line."
125th Anniversary Event, 7:30 p.m., DBHCC auditorium: Outstanding Alumni Speakers Series, "Food Is Practically the Whole Story Every Time," by Catherine O. Woteki, U.S. Department of Agriculture.
TAUT Workshop Production, 8 p.m., 204 PAB: "Who Am I This Time?"
Wednesday, 22
YMCA Open University Registration.
Wireless Opportunities Workshop, 9 a.m., Hotel Roanoke.
YMCA "Mornings," 9:30-11:30 a.m., Luther Lutheran Church: Jewelry making.
Bloodmobile, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Squires Commonwealth Ballroom.
"With Good Reason," 7 p.m., WVTF-FM, "School for Scandal?: Literary Censorship in K-12 Curriculum," with Leila Chistanbury, VCU; Kara Keeling, CNU; and Ellery Sedgwick, Longwood College.
125th Anniversary Event, 7:30 p.m., Squires Colonial Hall: Distinguished Faculty Lecture Series, "Seventy Years of Investing: The Lessons Learned," by Arthur J. Keown.
Thursday, 23
YMCA Open University Registration.
CPI Workshop, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Donaldson Brown Hotel and Conference Center: "Tools for Organizational Improvement." Sponsored by University Leadership Development. Registration required.
Bloodmobile, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Squires Commonwealth Ballroom.
YMCA Slide Show, 12:10 p.m., Cranwell Center: "Tidewater, Virginia--Land of the Life Worth Living," by Jim Wightman.
Science Study Center Discussion, 12:30 p.m., 132 Lane: "Cyberschool; ATECH; LIT; CICs; Hypertext," by Len Hatfield.
Art/Architecture Video Series, 7 p.m., Hancock auditorium: "White Garment of Churches: Romanesque and Gothic Architecture."
125th Anniversary Event, 7:30 p.m., 100/102 Vet Med: New Horizons in Veterinary Medicine, "A New Threshold for Veterinary Medicine: For Animals and Clients," by Earl Strimple, veterinarian.
Seminars
Thursday, 16
Physics, 3:30 p.m., 2030 Pamplin: "Quantum Computation," by David P. DiVencenzo, IBM.
Water Science, 4 p.m., 108 Seitz: "Essential and Quintessential: Freshwater Research for the Future," by Penelope Firth, National Science Foundation.
Friday, 17
MCBB, noon, Fralin auditorium: "Lens Membrane Lipids," by Douglas Borchman, Louisville.
Philosophy, 3 p.m., 225 Major Williams: "The Structure of a Scientific Paper," by Fred Suppe, Maryland.
Communication Studies, 3:30-4:30 p.m., Hillcrest honors conference room: "Communication and Student Success," by Marlene Preston, Rachel L. Holloway, and Beth M. Waggenspack.
Economics, 3:30-5 p.m., 3010 Pamplin: "Investment and the Current Account in the Short Run and the Long Run," by Jim Nason, British Columbia.
Botany, 4 p.m., 1076 Derring: "Parasitism of Plants by Plants: Investigating the Broomrape-Host Interaction," by Jim Westwood, PPWS.
Monday, 20
Economics, 3:30-5 p.m., 3028 Pamplin: "Trust in the Shadow of the Courts," by Geoffrey Brennan, Australian National University.
CSES, 3:30-5 p.m., 3028 Pamplin: "The Part 503 Rule: The Standards For the Use or Disposal of Sewage Sludge," by James Whiticar.
Tuesday, 21
BEV, 4-5 p.m., 140 Squires: "Adult-Child Differences in Spatial Learning in an Immersive Virtual Environment," by Faith McCreary.
Wednesday, 22
Science Study Center, 4 p.m., 132 Lane: "Two Ways of Dealing with Fraud in Science," by Darko Polsek.
Horticulture, 4 p.m., 102 Saunders: "Repeated Measures," by Eric P. Smith.
Thursday, 23
Intercollegiate Optics/Communications, 3:30 p.m., 654 Whittemore: TBA.
Bulletins
ODK nominations requested
Omicron Delta Kappa is a national leadership honor society celebrating its 64th year at Virginia Tech. For both scholars and leaders on campus, membership in ODK is a mark of the highest distinction and honor.
The Alpha Omicron Circle of Omicron Delta Kappa strongly encourages nomination of undergraduate juniors and seniors, graduate students, faculty members, and alumni for membership into ODK. These nominees should demonstrate outstanding leadership and service, exemplary character, and academic excellence.
To be eligible for membership, a senior or junior must have a minimum undergraduate QCA as follows: Arts and Sciences: 2.7627; Human Resources and Education: 2.8759; Architecture: 3.0815; Forestry and Wildlife Sciences: 2.7030; Agriculture and Life Sciences: 2.6773; Engineering: 2.7311; Business: 2.7538. A student candidate must demonstrate leadership in at least two of the following areas: scholarship (both inside and outside the classroom), athletics, performing arts, student media and student activities.
Nominations and application forms must be returned to Judi Lynch in Alumni Hall (Attn: Erin Graham) by 5 p.m., Oct. 22 or the nomination will be invalid. For nomination forms or if you have questions please call Erin Graham at 552-7239 or Judi Lynch (advisor) at 1-6285.
"Excellence in Education" conference planned
The College of Human Resources and Education's "Excellence in Education" conference is planned for November 6-7. The keynote speaker, Wayne Worner, will address the conference at the Donaldson Brown Hotel and Conference Center on November 6 at 7:30 p.m.
Special presentations by World of Work award winners will take place on November 6 from 2-5 p.m.
Award-winning public school and community college programs will be highlighted in a half-day conference on November 7 beginning at 9 a.m.
Awards and certificates of recognition will be presented at the luncheon (12:30 p.m., reservation only).
For more information, please call 1-5056.
Weight Watchers program offered
A 10-week Weight Watchers series will be available at Virginia Tech upon enrollment of 18 people. The program includes a new "1-2-3 Success" plan, with no food off limits. The series costs $89. For more information, contact Kellie Ross at 1-8923.
Vonnegut-based piece opens October 19
The Virginia Tech School of the Arts and Theatre Arts-University Theatre present a Graduate Workshop Production titled Who Am I This Time? Based on the writings of Kurt Vonnegut, the piece is directed by Michael Rohd, an MFA candidate at Virginia Tech. It opens Sunday, October 19 at 8 p.m.
Who Am I This Time? is a compilation of short stories from Vonnegut's book, Welcome to the Monkey House, dealing with a community theatre in North Crawford, Indiana.
This workshop runs Sunday-Tuesday, October 19-21, at 8 p.m., with additional performances at 10 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, in 204 Performing Arts Building. Admission is free, with limited seating. For more information, please call the School of the Arts information at 1-5200.
Exhibit and speaker explore Knoll design
An exhibit titled "The Knoll Spirit" will examine the design excellence of the furniture manufacturer throughout its 60 years of existence. The exhibit will be on display in the Wallace Hall gallery Wednesday, Oct. 15 through Friday, Nov. 7. In conjunction with the exhibit, Albert Pfeiffer, vice president of design management for Knoll in New York, will give a slide-illustrated presentation on "The Knoll Spirit" Monday, Oct. 20, at 5 p.m. in the Wallace Hall atrium. The public is invited to attend.
Knoll was founded 60 years ago. Almost 150 designers, architects, and sculptors have designed products which are part of the Knoll heritage. Pfeiffer's presentation will convey the spirit of Knoll as seen through design, and will include 75 slide illustrations.
Pfeiffer received his bachelor's degree in architecture from Pratt Institute, is a registered architect, and a member of the American Institute of Architects. He is a member of the advisory board of Interiors & Sources Magazine, and is coordinating the installation of Knoll's first Archive Museum.
CPI workshop focuses on decision making
University Leadership Development is sponsoring the Continuous Process Improvement (CPI) workshop "Tools for Organizational Improvement" Thursday, Oct. 23, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Donaldson Brown Hotel and Conference Center.
CPI tools help managers make better decisions by organizing data and converting it into useful information. During the workshop participants will receive an overview of tools that fit with their interests and hands-on experience using a select number of tools. Participants will take away information, materials, training, and experience with several tools from the following categories: performance monitoring, problem solving, process management, benchmarking, and organizational leadership.
Conducted by Dick Harshberger (director of ULD), Stephen Van Aken, and Bret Swan (program associates of ULD), the CPI Tools workshop will demonstrate what tools will be helpful to improve performance in several different domains.
Registration is required. There will be a $35-per-person fee charged to cover materials and breaks. ISR's or personal checks will be accepted and must be received by October 17. Morning and afternoon breaks will be provided. Participants will be on their own for lunch. Enrollment is limited. Early registration is advised. Please make reservations with Sue Fast by phone at 1-6727 or by e-mail at fast@vt.edu.
NSF director to speak at water education event
The Virginia Water Resources Research Center has planned three water-research/education events for October. Penelope Firth, program director for special projects at the National Science Foundation, will meet faculty members and students and present a seminar entitled "Essential and Quintessential: Freshwater Research for the Future" at 4 p.m., October 16 at the Donaldson Brown Conference Center. Firth, Virginia Tech alumna, has oversight responsibility for large multidisciplinary research projects funded by the NSF.
Provost Peggy Meszaros will open the STEP (Service Training for Environmental Progress) workshop at 1:30 p.m. on October 17 at the Donaldson Brown Conference Center. The featured speaker will be Firth, who will make a presentation entitled "Citizen Scientists." The workshop, sponsored by the Water Resources Research Center and Service-Learning Center, is intended for science and engineering faculty members and students on how to integrate community outreach into the student research/education curricula. The goal of the STEP program is to provide learning and research experience to students through an opportunity to solve a community water-environment problem.
The Karst-Water Environment Symposium and Workshop will be held on October 30-31 at the Hotel Roanoke Conference Center. Speakers from across the U.S.A and 11 other countries will discuss karst hydrology, water use, monitoring, water contamination, and pollution prevention in karst-water environments. Two workshops will be offered on monitoring design and regulatory aspects of the karst-water environments.
For information and registration contact the Water Center at 1-5624 or e-mail: water@vt.edu.
DERC to visit Eastern Virginia cities
The Department of Employee Relations Counselors will meet with interested employees in the cities of: Virginia Beach on Tuesday, Oct. 28 from 8:15 a.m.-2:30 p.m. at the Virginia Tech Hampton Roads Center in Classroom 1 of Suite 401 in Pembroke Four at the Pembroke Office Park; and in Norfolk on Wednesday, Oct. 29 from 10:15 a.m-5:15 p.m. in the Meeting Room of the Larchmont Branch Library, 6525 Hampton Boulevard.
The counseling program provides employees outside the Richmond area with an opportunity to meet individually with a staff counselor and to receive assistance in options for dealing with work-related concerns; discussion of applicable state policies; information on the Grievance Procedure; and referral for further assistance.
Half-hour appointments must be made in advance. To arrange an appointment, call the DERC on the toll-free line: 1-888-23-ADVICE.
Immunization clinic offered October 28
An immunization clinic will be offered October 28, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m., in the Old Dominion Ballroom, Squires Student Center. Influenza immunizations are $7, pneumonia $15, tetanus/diphtheria $3.50. A tuberculin test is $7, MMR (measles-mumps-rubella) $31.50 (free if under 21 years).
The clinic is open to the students, faculty, staff, and the public. It is sponsored by SHAC, Student Health, and the Montgomery Health Department.
Former CEO of Educom is keynote speaker
On October 21 at 4:30 p.m., Robert C. Heterick, retired CEO of Educom, will give a keynote address titled, "Paradigms and Paradoxes" in the Donaldson Brown auditorium. The presentation will focus on the impact of technology on education, and the public is invited. For more information, call 1-4227.
Tech authors to read for "Writers Harvest"
Six of Virginia Tech's published authors will read from their works as part of "Writers Harvest: The National Reading" on Thursday, Oct. 23, 7 p.m. at Volume Two Bookstore.
Ed Falco, Katherine Soniat, Simone Poirier-Bures, Lisa Norris, Jeff Mann, and Gyorgyi Voros will share their works as part of the event that raises money for Share Our Strength (SOS), which works to help alleviate and prevent hunger and poverty in the United States and around the world.
Requested donation for the event is $3 for students and $7 for the general public.
Soniat is the author of the award-winning poetry books A Shared Life and Notes of Departure. Falco is the author of four books, including Sea Island, a hypertext book of poetry, and the award-winning short-story collection Acid.
Poirier-Bures is the author of the award-winning memoir That Shining Place and of the novel Candyman, which was serialized on Canada's national public radio. Mann has published poetry in such journals as Poet Lore, Antietam Review, and the Hampden-Sydney Poetry Review.
Norris has been published in the Kansas Quarterly/Arkansas Review, Southern Poetry Review, and Poet Lore. Voros has served as editor of Poetry New York and assistant editor of Parnassus: Poetry in Review and has published poetry in such publications as Sequoia, Appalachia, Boulevard, Terra Nova and the New York Arts Journal.
An added attraction for this year's local event will be a brief performance by the Contemporary Dance Ensemble coreographed by Billie Lepczyk.
For more information about the event, call Katherine Soniat at 1-5138.
English Language Institute holds registration
The English Language Institute of Virginia Tech will hold registration for its upcoming eight-week term on Monday, Oct. 20, starting at 9 a.m. at 620 North Main Street, Suite 303. Classes begin October 21 and include conversation, pronunciation, TOEFL preparation, grammar, reading and writing, vocabulary, and preparation for academic study.
Classes are open to all members of the community and are offered without credit through the Division of Continuing Education. Late registrations are accepted with tuition charged on a weekly basis.
International students applying to the English Language Institute can qualify for F-1 visas for the study of English only. For more information, contact Judy Snoke at 1-6963.
Y Crafts Fair to be held in November
The Y Crafts Fair, featuring authentic, hand-made arts and crafts will be held in Squires Student Center Friday, Nov. 14 from noon-7 p.m.; Saturday, Nov. 15 from 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; and Sunday, from noon-5 p.m.
The general public may attend the event for $1. Virginia Tech students may attend for free with a student ID.
Proceeds benefit YMCA service programs. Your one-time donation allows unlimited entrance to the fair.
Parking is free on Southgate Drive to the stadium parking lot. A shuttle bus is available from the stadium lot. For more information, call 1-6860 or visit the web site: http://www.vtymca.org.