Stanford Report, October 10, 2013

School of Engineering Dean Jim Plummer will step down next summer after nearly 15 years.

Jim Plummer, dean of the Stanford School of Engineering, has announced that he plans to step down next summer after nearly 15 years as dean.

"Jim Plummer will be the longest serving dean in the history of Stanford's distinguished School of Engineering, leading an era that included creating an exciting new department, renewing or replacing much of the school's laboratory and classroom space, and dramatically increasing the number of undergraduate majors," said President John Hennessy, himself a former dean of the school. "During Jim's tenure, the school has enhanced its partnerships with other Stanford schools and with outside entities to play a larger role in solving the most pressing global problems. We are grateful for his patient and collaborative leadership both within the school and across the university."

Stanford Provost John Etchemendy said, "Jim Plummer's leadership has changed the character of Stanford's graduate and undergraduate engineering education, which has become known internationally for its hands-on, creative, multidisciplinary approach. The soaring numbers of students and the accomplishments of our engineering alumni are proof of that success."

Since Plummer assumed his post in September 1999, the engineering school has worked across disciplines and across the campus to create programs that have changed the character of undergraduate and graduate engineering education. These include the Hasso Plattner Institute of Design (d.school), which has become known globally for its hands-on, product-centered approach to education; the Global Climate and Energy Project (GCEP), which has provided resources to boost Stanford research in alternative energy; and the Bioengineering Department, which is jointly managed with the medical school and has risen in national rankings since its inception in 2002.

"I have been privileged to serve as dean and to work with some of the best faculty, staff and students in the world, but it is time for me and the School of Engineering to move on," Plummer said. "Change is good. It is good for people and it is good for institutions."

Among other milestones, Plummer has presided over a complete upgrade of the school's physical plant that has put all nine departments into state-of-the-art facilities. This includes construction of the Science and Engineering Quad (SEQ), which will be complete in 2014. During Plummer's tenure, the percentage of Stanford undergraduates choosing engineering majors has risen from an historical average of 20 percent to almost 35 percent, with most of the increase occurring in computer science, product design and other new programs such as bioengineering.

"Students come to Stanford because they want to change the world, and more of them are deciding that engineering provides the means to do this," said Plummer, who defines engineers as problem-solvers who translate ideas into reality.

Plummer plans to take a year's sabbatical, after which he expects to return to research and teaching in the Electrical Engineering Department. This fall, Etchemendy will appoint a search committee to identify a new dean.

Read more here:
Engineering Dean Jim Plummer to step down after record tenure at Stanford

Dallas Cowboys owner and Arkansas native Jerry Jones, along with two Little Rock Catholic High alumni, pledged nearly $10 million to the all-boys school in a Thursday afternoon press conference.

The donation, which will go toward the school's capital campaign, comes from the Gene and Jerry Jones Family Charities of Dallas, Denise and John York of San Francisco and an anonymous Catholic High alumnus, according to a news release from the school.

The donation will be split evenly among the donors, Jones said. A gift-matching element is also included in the terms.

Jones' sons Jerry Jr. and Stephen graduated from Catholic High in 1988 and 1983, respectively, and his son-in-law Shy Anderson graduated from there in 1981, the release stated.

John York, who currently serves as co-chairman of the San Francisco 49ers, is of the Class of 1967. York is a former co-owner of the 49ers and a retired cancer research pathologist.

Catholic High's capital campaign, which has a goal of $15 million, aims to improve the school's technology, mechanical systems and classrooms, according to a previous news release from the school.

The school is undergoing upgrades for the first time since it opened in 1960, the same release stated.

Jones Sr., a North Little Rock native, has been the owner of the Dallas Cowboys since 1989. In that time, Jones, a member of Arkansas' 1964 national championship team and former all-Southwest Conference lineman, has won three Super Bowls and turned the Cowboys into the most profitable sports franchise in America, according to Forbes Magazine.

Jones' net worth is estimated to be around $2 billion.

Read more about this story in Friday's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.

Read more from the original source:
Cowboys owner Jones, alumni give $10 million gift to Catholic High

McCallie School Alumni Achievement Award winners are, from left, the Rev. W. Edward Snodgrass, C. David Sherrill, Morris K. Thuku, Robert F. Huffaker Jr., Andrew H. Trotter Jr., Luther Killian, Dr. Joseph B. Cofer and Allen L. McCallie. Winners not pictured are M. Zane Birdwell, Stanley M. Skip Brock and Timothy K. Gulick. Eleven honored with McCallie School Alumni Achievement Awards

McCallie School presented its annual Alumni Achievement Awards on Oct. 5 to 11 graduates who have shown outstanding accomplishments in a chosen career.

Alumni are eligible to be nominated after their 15th reunion and are selected in accordance with their reunion-year cycle. This years nominees are graduates of class years ending in 3 or 8. The award focuses solely on career accomplishment without consideration of service to McCallie or other service endeavors.

Achievement Award recipients were: M. Zane Birdwell, class of 1998, producer/director, Brooklyn, N.Y.; Stanley M. Skip Brock, class of 1968, CEO, ServisFirst Bank, Birmingham, Ala.; Dr. Joseph B. Cofer, class of 1968, surgeon; Timothy K. Gulick, class of 1983, minister/counselor; Robert F. Huffaker Jr., class of 1978, insurance; and Luther Killian, class of 1968, teacher/coach.

Also, Allen L. McCallie, class of 1973, lawyer; C. David Sherrill, class of 1988, professor, Mableton, Ga.; the Rev. W. Edward Snodgrass III, class of 1973, teacher/minister; Morris K. Thuku, class of 1993, education, Kenya; and Andrew H. Trotter Jr., class of 1968, religious studies, Charlottesville, Va.

Presenting a check to Lee President Paul Conn, second from left, are, from left, Monty Montgomery, Jerry McGaha, and SouthEast Scholarship Director Tommy Schumpert.

SouthEast Bank and Lee University have selected two students for a new scholarship program called the SouthEast Bank Scholar Award. This scholarship will provide each student with $7,000 in the 2013-2014 school year to offset the cost of tuition.

SouthEast Bank Scholars are students chosen by participating post-secondary institutions for their exceptional character and academic commitment of either a 23 ACT score or 3.25 high school grade-point averge.

Lee recipients are Janna Crisp, a freshman from Knoxville, and Hannah Stott, a sophomore from Maryville.

SouthEast Bank is proud to support Lee University in awarding scholarships that help keep our future leaders here in Tennessee, said bank president Monty Montgomery. We are a true community bank operated by local employees who live and work alongside the people we serve, and we are committed to using our resources to reinvest in our schools, organizations and neighborhoods.

Read the original post:
Good for you: Eleven honored with McCallie School Alumni Achievement Awards

HOPEWELL VALLEY: HoVal to induct four into Hall of Fame

Hopewell Valley Central High School will add four alumni to its Distinguished Graduates Hall of Fame on Oct. 17.

DATE POSTED: Wednesday, October 9, 2013 6:05 PM EDT

Michael Cimarusti, Annette Compton Fiertz, Jill Gora and Debbie Ryan will be inducted into the Hall of Fame at 9:15 a.m. at the Hopewell Valley Performing Arts Center when they also will address students.

The morning ceremony is open to the public. The group also will be feted that evening at the Mountain View Golf Club. Cocktails start at 7 p.m., and dinner and the induction ceremony starts at 8 p.m.

Space is limited for the dinner; contact Aidavalcarcel@hvrsd.org for more information.

Mr. Cimarusti is a Los Angeles chef. He is a 1987 graduate of CHS.

After two years at the Culinary Institute of America, he joined the kitchen at An American Place in Manhattan where he learned to go native with his cuisine, championing the wild rice farmer and the local venison hunter.

He went on to spend three years at the Manhattan restaurant Le Cirque where he learned how to run a restaurant. He now is chef and owner of Providence in Los Angeles, and his recently debuted new restaurant, Connie and Teds in West Hollywood.

Follow this link:
HOPEWELL VALLEY: HoVal to induct four into Hall of Fame

Newswise Brooklyn, NY (October 7, 2013) SUNY Downstate Medical Center announced today that Sheryl Smith, PhD, professor of physiology and pharmacology, has published new findings demonstrating a reproducible pathology that may help shed light on anxiety and mood volatility in methamphetamine dependence. In her animal study, Dr. Smith demonstrates that neuroactive stress steroids can trigger identifiable changes to the brains of methamphetamine dependent rats in withdrawal. Interestingly, Dr. Smith notes, these changes appear to be reversible by an existing pharmacological agent flumazenil. The paper, titled, A Stress Steroid Triggers Anxiety via Increased Expression of a4bd GABAA Receptors in Methamphetamine Dependence, was recently published online in Neuroscience.

Methamphetamine is an addictive stimulant drug. Dependence on this drug is difficult to treat because of the severity of the symptoms of methamphetamine withdrawal, said Dr. Smith. In addition to drug craving and lethargy, withdrawal from methamphetamine is associated with stress-triggered anxiety that may compromise therapeutic intervention. In our recent publication, we show that the system that provides inhibitory control in the brain is dysregulated during methamphetamine dependence in laboratory rodents.

The novel inhibitory receptor that is increased by exposure to methamphetamine is also the target for a stress steroid that produces anxiety during withdrawal from methamphetamine. This receptor is also a novel target for flumazenil, a drug commonly used to treat tranquilizer overdose. Flumazenil reduced expression of the inhibitory receptor and also prevented the anxiety triggered by the stress steroid during methamphetamine withdrawal. These findings suggest a novel mechanism for stress-triggered anxiety in methamphetamine dependence where flumazenil may have important therapeutic value.

One component of the stress response is the release of the steroid allopregnanolone or THP. This steroid modulates GABAA receptors, with 4 GABARs the most sensitive target. These receptors are extrasynaptic and generate a tonic current that is neuroprotective. They also exhibit a high degree of plasticity in response to increases in neuronal excitability, which would accompany METH exposure. In some cases, flumazenil was administered during the 24 hour withdrawal period. Although this drug is a benzodiazepine antagonist, it also binds to 4 GABARs and has been shown to regulate 4 expression.

The study results show that chronic METH treatment and its withdrawal significantly increased expression of 4 and GABAR subunits by 2 to 3-fold. This effect was prevented, however, by flumazenil administration during the withdrawal period.

Dr. Smith continued, Our results suggest that increased 4 GABARs mediate the anxiety response to stress steroids after METH withdrawal, an effect prevented by flumazenil. Because stress-triggered anxiety can result in drug relapse, flumazenil may have important therapeutic benefit in METH dependence.

The work in this study was supported by grants from the U.S. National Institutes of Health: DA09618, AA12958 and MH100561, and was also supported by a contract from Hythiam, Inc. SUNY Downstate Medical Center, founded in 1860, was the first medical school in the United States to bring teaching out of the lecture hall and to the patients bedside. A center of innovation and excellence in research and clinical service delivery, SUNY Downstate Medical Center comprises a College of Medicine, Colleges of Nursing and Health Related Professions, a School of Graduate Studies, a School of Public Health, University Hospital of Brooklyn, and an Advanced Biotechnology Park and Biotechnology Incubator.

SUNY Downstate ranks ninth nationally in the number of alumni who are on the faculty of American medical schools. More physicians practicing in New York City have graduated from SUNY Downstate than from any other medical school.

See the original post here:
New Findings Identify Stress Steroid Mediated Withdrawal Anxiety in Methamphetamine Dependent Rats: Reversible by ...

Public release date: 7-Oct-2013 [ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Sheryl Smith, Ph.D. sheryl.smith@downstate.edu 516-353-4714 SUNY Downstate Medical Center

Brooklyn, NY (October 7, 2013) SUNY Downstate Medical Center announced today that Sheryl Smith, PhD, professor of physiology and pharmacology, has published new findings demonstrating a reproducible pathology that may help shed light on anxiety and mood volatility in methamphetamine dependence. In her animal study, Dr. Smith demonstrates that neuroactive stress steroids can trigger identifiable changes to the brains of methamphetamine dependent rats in withdrawal. Interestingly, Dr. Smith notes, these changes appear to be reversible by an existing pharmacological agent flumazenil. The paper, titled, "A Stress Steroid Triggers Anxiety via Increased Expression of a4bd GABAA Receptors in Methamphetamine Dependence," was recently published online in Neuroscience.

"Methamphetamine is an addictive stimulant drug. Dependence on this drug is difficult to treat because of the severity of the symptoms of methamphetamine withdrawal," said Dr. Smith. "In addition to drug craving and lethargy, withdrawal from methamphetamine is associated with stress-triggered anxiety that may compromise therapeutic intervention. In our recent publication, we show that the system that provides inhibitory control in the brain is dysregulated during methamphetamine dependence in laboratory rodents."

The novel inhibitory receptor that is increased by exposure to methamphetamine is also the target for a stress steroid that produces anxiety during withdrawal from methamphetamine. This receptor is also a novel target for flumazenil, a drug commonly used to treat tranquilizer overdose. Flumazenil reduced expression of the inhibitory receptor and also prevented the anxiety triggered by the stress steroid during methamphetamine withdrawal. These findings suggest a novel mechanism for stress-triggered anxiety in methamphetamine dependence where flumazenil may have important therapeutic value.

One component of the stress response is the release of the steroid allopregnanolone or THP. This steroid modulates GABAA receptors, with 4 GABARs the most sensitive target. These receptors are extrasynaptic and generate a tonic current that is neuroprotective. They also exhibit a high degree of plasticity in response to increases in neuronal excitability, which would accompany METH exposure. In some cases, flumazenil was administered during the 24 hour withdrawal period. Although this drug is a benzodiazepine antagonist, it also binds to 4 GABARs and has been shown to regulate 4 expression.

The study results show that chronic METH treatment and its withdrawal significantly increased expression of 4 and GABAR subunits by 2 to 3-fold. This effect was prevented, however, by flumazenil administration during the withdrawal period. Dr. Smith continued, "Our results suggest that increased 4 GABARs mediate the anxiety response to stress steroids after METH withdrawal, an effect prevented by flumazenil. Because stress-triggered anxiety can result in drug relapse, flumazenil may have important therapeutic benefit in METH dependence."

###

The work in this study was supported by grants from the U.S. National Institutes of Health: DA09618, AA12958 and MH100561, and was also supported by a contract from Hythiam, Inc.

SUNY Downstate Medical Center, founded in 1860, was the first medical school in the United States to bring teaching out of the lecture hall and to the patient's bedside. A center of innovation and excellence in research and clinical service delivery, SUNY Downstate Medical Center comprises a College of Medicine, Colleges of Nursing and Health Related Professions, a School of Graduate Studies, a School of Public Health, University Hospital of Brooklyn, and an Advanced Biotechnology Park and Biotechnology Incubator.

Excerpt from:
Stress steroid mediated withdrawal anxiety in dependent rats reversible by flumazenil

Melanie Burney, Inquirer Staff Writer Posted: Monday, October 7, 2013, 2:01 AM

Given a choice years ago to retire and enjoy life, businessman Robert Healey Sr. decided to dig in. He is on a personal crusade to help save Catholic schools in the region.

Healey, 84, of Lumberton, a successful lawyer and entrepreneur, has become a champion for Catholic education, turning around struggling schools in New Jersey and Pennsylvania by showing them how to operate more like businesses.

As the cofounder of Viking Yacht in Burlington County, one of the world's top luxury yacht builders, and the chief executive of more than a half-dozen companies and several charities, Healey knows how to run a business.

That means no more cake sales to keep the school doors open and the lights on, but a more aggressive strategy used by colleges and private schools for fund-raising and student recruiting.

"I have a passion about children and schools," Healey said in an interview last week. "My focus is to save these schools."

His approach has garnered national attention, and the National Catholic Educational Association will award Healey its highest honor Monday in Washington in recognition of his contributions.

Healey and four others will receive the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Award, named in honor of the first native-born American saint.

In a statement, Brother Robert Bimonte, NCEA president, said the award "recognizes great leaders who are supporting Catholic education in many ways."

Continue reading here:
A Catholic school-saving mission

STEUBENVILLE - Officials, staff, alumni and students at Franciscan University of Steubenville took time during a busy homecoming weekend to honor eight graduates of the school for their outstanding professional accomplishments and service to the church and community.

Accepting awards at the school's 25th Annual Alumni Awards Banquet Friday were the Rev. Michael Gaitley, MIC 1999, recipient of the Bishop John King Mussio Award for Faithful Service to the Church; Adam Tate, a 1994 alumnus and recipient of the Dr. John J. Carrigg Award for education; Col. Laurence Burgess, 1969 alumnus and recipient of the Alumni Citizenship Award; John Fischer, a 1983 graduate and recipient of the Rose M. DeFede Faithful Franciscan Award; Dr. David Born, a 1992 graduate and recipient of the Father Dan Egan Award for healthcare; Albert "Ray" Challis, a 1967 alumnus and recipient of the Professor Edward J. Kelly Award for business; and Aaron Cunningham, a 2007 graduate and recipient of the Outstanding Young Alumni Award.

Also recognized was Michael Kehoe, a 1968 graduate who was named last year's recipient of the Professor Edward J. Kelly Award but wasn't able to attend last year's event. Kehoe went on to serve in the Army's 101st Airborne Division in Vietnam, hold several positions with Ohio Bell and AT&T, working his way up to vice president of AT&T Ohio; and serve in the Columbus Rotary and on boards for such organizations as the Ohio Foundation of Independent Colleges, Columbus Urban League and Mount Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission.

HONORED ALUMNI Among the many on hand for Franciscan University of Steubenvilles 25th Annual Alumni Awards Banquet Friday were, from left, front: Tim Delaney, the universitys director of alumni and constituent relations; honorees Dr. David Born, Albert Ray Challis and John Fischer; and Chris Wright, president of the universitys alumni board; and back: honoree Mike Kehoe, the Rev. Sean Sheridan, TOR, the universitys president; Col. Laurence Burgess and Adam Tate. Also honored were alumni Aaron Cunningham and the Rev. Michael Gaitley. -- Warren Scott

While at Franciscan University, Born served as coordinator and council representative for the In His Image household his junior and senior years, was treasurer for the Society of Biology Majors his junior year and participated in the orientation team and intramural sports.

He also was named to the Baconian Honor and Alpha Chi honor societies.

Born went on to the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine and University of Cincinnati Family Practice Residency, receiving the Gross Anatomy Award for Excellence and the Margaret C. Vogel Humanitarian Award.

While in medical school, he was honor council student representative, a leader of the Christian Medical Fellowship and member of a committee that created and implemented a new practice management curriculum and a procedure committee that developed a tracking system. He served as chief resident his last year, supporting, directing, and problem-solving for other residents.

Since 1999, Born has worked at Cherry Westgate Family Practice In Granville, Ohio and has been a partner in the practice since 2001. Since 2003, he has served as medical director for Heartbeats of Licking County Pregnancy Care Center. He lives in Newark, Ohio.

A native of New York, Fischer was a member of the Theophilus household and Alpha Phi Delta fraternity. He was president of the fraternity when it was named chapter of the year and represented it at a New York gathering. He also worked as a photographer for the Baronette yearbook and the public relations office.

Originally posted here:
Eight FUS graduates honored

STEUBENVILLE -Officials, staff, alumni and students at Franciscan University of Steubenville took time during a busy homecoming weekend to honor seven graduates of the school for their outstanding professional accomplishments and service to the church and community.

Accepting awards at the school's 25th Annual Alumni Awards Banquet Friday were the Rev. Michael Gaitley, MIC 1999, recipient of the Bishop John King Mussio Award for Faithful Service to the Church; Adam Tate, a 1994 alumnus and recipient of the Dr. John J. Carrigg Award for education; Col. Laurence Burgess, 1969 alumnus and recipient of the Alumni Citizenship Award; John Fischer, a 1983 graduate and recipient of the Rose M. DeFede Faithful Franciscan Award; Dr. David Born, a 1992 graduate and recipient of the Father Dan Egan Award for healthcare; Albert "Ray" Challis, a 1967 alumnus and recipient of the Professor Edward J. Kelly Award for business; and Aaron Cunningham, a 2007 graduate and recipient of the Outstanding Young Alumni Award.

While at Franciscan University, Born served as coordinator and council representative for the In His Image household his junior and senior years, was treasurer for the Society of Biology Majors his junior year and participated in the orientation team and intramural sports.

He also was named to the Baconian Honor and Alpha Chi honor societies.

Born went on to the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine and University of Cincinnati Family Practice Residency, receiving the Gross Anatomy Award for Excellence and the Margaret C. Vogel Humanitarian Award.

While in medical school, he was honor council student representative, a leader of the Christian Medical Fellowship and member of a committee that created and implemented a new practice management curriculum and a procedure committee that developed a tracking system. He served as chief resident his last year, supporting, directing, and problem-solving for other residents.

Since 1999, Born has worked at Cherry Westgate Family Practice In Granville, Ohio and has been a partner in the practice since 2001. Since 2003, he has served as medical director for Heartbeats of Licking County Pregnancy Care Center. He lives in Newark, Ohio.

A native of New York, Fischer was a member of the Theophilus household and Alpha Phi Delta fraternity. He was president of the fraternity when it was named chapter of the year and represented it at a New York gathering. He also worked as a photographer for the Baronette yearbook and the public relations office.

As a certified public accountant, Fischer created accounting software for the automotive aftermarket for a small Wintersville business. When it was purchased by a Pittsburgh firm, Fischer spent the next few years working out of Pittsburgh until the company was sold again.

Fischer went on to start his own business, Signal Software Corporation, in 1992 and co-founded another automobile aftermarket software company, OpenWebs Corporation, in 2000. There he served as vice president of sales until the company was acquired by the international firm, MAM Software, in 2002.

Continue reading here:
Seven Franciscan University of Steubenville graduates honored

Thirty-one years after being crowned Cleburne High School homecoming queen, Dr. Susi Johnson Whitworth will preside over this weeks alumni celebrations as the CHS Ex-Students Association Coming Home Queen.

Dr. Whitworth was considered a leader by her classmates and teachers throughout her years at Cleburne High School, association President Cheri Fuller McCullough said. She was named Miss CHS by her fellow seniors, selected for Whos Who by the faculty and was the 1983 valedictorian.

Her commitment to help those in need began at CHS with her involvement in student service organizations including Student Council, Exchangettes and National Honor Society. She has continued to serve, as a pediatric infectious disease physician at Cook Childrens Medical Center in Fort Worth and through her involvement in numerous efforts including the implementation of the Snack Sack program here in Cleburne.

Whitworths achievements while at CHS included selection as class favorite three consecutive years, varsity cheerleader, election to senior class president and membership in the Latin Club.

According to the 1983 Santa Fe Trail yearbook, Susi Johnson was the most logical choice for Miss CHS, citing her numerous contributions to the school.

High school was so much fun, Whitworth said. We were involved in everything student council, Exchangettes we didnt focus on just one thing. I loved youth and government. And I had so many wonderful teachers Johnnie Hyde, Ben Oefinger, Pat McCarty Maggard, Glenda Young.

After graduation, Whitworth attended Baylor University, then on to medical school at the University of Texas at Galveston. She completed her residency at Arkansas Childrens Hospital in pediatrics and pediatrics infectious disease. She has been a member of Cook Childrens medical staff for 18 years.

I knew I would be a physician, Whitworth said. My dad, my uncle, my grandfather were all physicians. What I didnt think I would do was work with children. When I got to my third year of medical school and we began rotations, I chose pediatrics first because I wanted to get it out of the way. And I loved it. When we were doing our rotation in OB/GYN, I wanted to follow the babies I loved the babies.

The Whitworths lived in Fort Worth before their move to Cleburne. She and husband, Keith, a sociology professor at Texas Christian University, were involved in the Snack Sack project, which addresses child nutrition and hunger, through their church. They quickly determined that the same project was needed in Cleburne.

My daughter, Mary Ann, who was in the fifth grade at that time, came home one Friday and told me a friend had said that her family wouldnt be eating until Monday, which was pay day, Whitworth said. It was an epiphany for her and me. I realized there was a need here, too, not just Fort Worth.

Follow this link:
Whitworth named 2013 Coming Home Queen