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

NEWSMAKERS
Virginia Tech faculty and staff members and students are often the subject of significant national and state-wide news coverage. To better inform the university community about these accomplishments, the Office of University Relations has compiled this monthly report. This report excludes coverage in the Roanoke news-media market. For more information about the articles mentioned, call Julie Kane, university public relations coordinator, at 1-9934, or contact your college public relations office.
The Dallas Morning News (October 19, 1997): Matt McAllister, associate professor of communications, was quoted in an article "Levi's Commercials Sell Soft and Cool." The article was reprinted in the Arizona Republic, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, and the San Diego Union Tribune.
Mutual Broadcasting "America in the Morning" (October 23): Geological Sciences Professor Robert J. Bodnar was interviewed on the topic on how gold deposits form, and whether there has always been gold on earth.
The Scientist (October 27): Several individuals were included in a page-one article about Virginia Tech's leadership in the electronic posting of dissertations, covering both the advantages and the concerns. Those quoted were: John Eaton, associate provost for graduate studies; Ed Fox, computer-science professor and project director; Gail McMillan, director of the Virginia Tech Libraries' Scholarly Communications Project; Richard Gandour, chemistry chair; and Prabhakar Bhogaraju, entomology Ph.D. student.
New York WNBC-TV (October 30): Chemistry Professor David G.I. Kingston discussed the development of pharmaceuticals from rainforest plants in Surinam.
ABC Radio (November 3): History Professor William Ochsenwald discussed Iraq's attempts to ban U.S. inspectors from potential chemical and biological weapons sites.
Virginia News Network (November 7): Electrical Engineering Professor Theodore Rappaport, head of the Mobil and Portable Radio Group, discussed the future of wireless communications.
National Public Radio "All Things Considered" (November 16): Entomologist William Robinson was the feature source on a segment about the infestation of ladybugs.
The Virginia Engineer (November 1997): An article ran about the Global Mobile Communications project being conducted by Mobile and Portable Radio Group researchers with $1.8 million in funding from the Defense Advanced Research Project Agency. Electrical engineering faculty members Jeff Reed, Peter Athanas, Scott Midkiff, Warren Stutzman, William Tranter, and Brian Woerner are developing the first low-power, high-data-rate wireless communications device with a programmable computer-based radio.
The Virginia Engineer (November 1997): The appointment of Daniel Inman, professor of engineering science and mechanics, to director of the Center for Intelligent Materials Science and Structures was mentioned, as well as Harley Cudney, mechanical engineering professor, the center's associate director; and Beth Howell who continues as program manager. It was also noted that Bevlee Watford, associate dean for academic affairs for the College of Engineering, has been selected by the National Technical Association as one of the Top Minority Women in Science and Engineering.
Bridge of Eta Kappa Nu (November 1997): The cover article was about John Bay, associate professor of electrical engineering, who won the C. Holmes MacDonald Outstanding Teacher Award from Eta Kappa Nu, the national engineering honor society.
Prince William Journal (November 17): Mentioned in an article on the restoration of the Hunley Mansion was that preliminary artwork is being done by a graduate student from the Washington-Alexandria Architecture Center.
Washington Post (November 20): James Fraser, professor of wildlife sciences in the College of Forestry and Wildlife Resources, was quoted in an article, "Bald Eagles Are Facing a Growing Threat," on page one of the Virginia section.
Career Focus (November/December 1997): The magazine's "Professionals on the Rise" section includes an article about the appointment of Bevlee Watford as associate dean of engineering for academic affairs.
Minority Engineer (Winter 1997): An article ran about Bevlee Watford, associate dean of engineering for academic affairs and director of Minority Engineering Programs, who was honored by the National Technical Association as one of the Top Minority Women of the year.
The Virginia Engineer (December 1997): An article appeared about a team of Virginia Tech engineering students which won third place in the national General Aviation Design Competition sponsored by NASA and the FAA. James Marchman, professor of aerospace and ocean engineering, is the team's faculty adviser.
The Virginia Engineer (December 1997): The magazine noted that Glenn Kraige, professor of engineering science and mechanics, was named Virginia Professor of the Year by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and the Council for Advancement and Support of Education. Also mentioned was that industrial and systems engineering (ISE) Professor John Casali received an award for outstanding contributions to education from the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society; and ISE Professor Robert Williges and doctoral students Michael Snow, Jonathan Kies and Dennis Neale received the "Best Ergonomics in Design Award" from the society.
Electronic Engineering Times (December 1): The Mobile and Portable Radio Research Group (MPRG) were featured in an article about collaborations between engineering programs and industry aimed at preparing students for careers in telecommunications. The article describes MPRG's training programs and quotes Ted Rappaport, MPRG director and electrical engineering professor.
Washington Post (December 1): An article about the growing demand for trained high-tech employees included comments from Jeffrey Reed, associate professor of electrical engineering and associate director of the Mobile and Portable Radio Research Group. Reed explained that much of the technological instruction is industry-driven in what the Post reporter referred to as "Virginia Tech's highly rated Bradley Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering in Blacksburg."
(Tennessee/Southwest Virginia) The Business Journal of Tri-Cities (December 1): Irene Leech, assistant professor in housing interior design and resource management, was cited in a story about shopping on the Internet.
Virginia Public Radio (week of December 5): Geology Supervisor Martin Chapman and Vice Provost for Outreach Fred Krimgold discussed Virginia's vulnerability to earthquakes. Virginia's largest earthquake occurred 100 years ago in Giles County.
Virginia News Network (December 11): Associate Professor Tony Wolf discussed Virginia's stellar 1997 wine grape production. The network serves 65 radio stations in and around Virginia.
Washington Post (December 15): Barry O'Donnell, associate director of the MBA program, and two MBA students were quoted in an article on campus recruiting.
USA Today (December 16): A lead article in the science section featured Ted Rappaport. The article focused on the innovative work of Rappaport and the MPRG in the field of wireless telecommunications and in developing wireless tracking technology. Jeff Reed was also quoted in the article.
WFIR-FM (January 4): A discussion of global-warming issues featured Malcolm McPherson, associate dean of engineering for research and graduate studies and professor of mining and minerals engineering, and Parvinder Sethi from Radford University.
Richmond Times Dispatch (January 5): The Metro Biz section, carried several quotes from Steven Markham, professor of management; and Carl McDaniels, professor (emeritus) education; in a story by Ed ("Tom") Crews on the workplace of the 21st century.
Virginia News Network (January 6): Clothing and textiles Professor Marjorie Norton discussed the economic downturn in the textile industry.
Virginia Public Radio (weeks of January 9, January 16) History Professor James I. Robertson Jr., discussed the reality and myth of Stonewall Jackson in a two-part special first broadcast last fall.
Virginia News Network (January 12): Urban Affairs and Planning Professor Joseph Scarpaci discussed Pope John Paul's upcoming visit to Cuba and the impact it may have.
Virginia News Network (January 13): History Professor Peter Wallenstein outlined the history of the town of Blacksburg on its 200th birthday.
Virginia News Network (January 16): Joseph Scarpaci discussed the allure of Cuban cigars, and how the quality of them has deteriorated in recent years due to economic troubles in Cuba.