[Vision2020] The UI Friday Letter

[Tom Hansen]

The Friday Letter
A Newsletter for University of Idaho Alumni and Friends
July 2, 2004

Here's the latest news at the University of Idaho:

* Water resources systems analyst John C. Tracy of Reno, Nev., will 
direct the Idaho Water Resources Research Institute beginning Aug. 23. 
He will direct the statewide institute from the new Idaho Water Center 
in Boise. "Dr. Tracy brings a wealth of experience dealing with complex 
water resources issues in the western U.S. to the institute," Vice 
President for Research Charles R. Hatch said. "That experience and his 
scientific expertise will strengthen UI's Idaho Water Resources 
Research Institute and add value to its private, state and federal 
partnership programs." The Idaho Water Resources Research Institute 
was founded in 1963 to serve the state by developing water research 
programs and conducting education and outreach programs. "I think the 
institute is a great opportunity to grow water resources research at 
the University of Idaho and to work with other water resources agencies," 
Tracy said. And the new Idaho Water Center "will help to develop 
collaborative opportunities between the university and these agencies." 
He has served as executive director of the Watersheds and Environmental 
Sustainability Center of the Reno-based Desert Research Institute at 
the University of Nevada-Reno since 2000. 

* Literally hundreds of articles recently hit the worldwide media about 
UI engineering alumna Laura Thackray, who created the pregnant 
crash-test dummy "Linda" and her unborn fetus "Kira" for Volvo safety 
research. And, she is scheduled to appear on "Good Morning America" the 
morning of Monday, July 5. The crash test dummy's body size and stage 
of pregnancy are scalable to represent any occupant; and via simulations, 
allow the carmaker to test correct seatbelt placement and investigate 
injury mechanisms. Thackray's findings may evolve into new kinds of 
restraint systems for expectant mothers. Her work at UI with Mechanical 
Engineering Professor Don Blackketter in 2000 laid the groundwork for 
her research about pregnant women in car crashes. 

* Carol Benesh, 4-H youth development specialist at UI, was awarded 
$100,000 from the USDA Military Partnership to fund Operation Military 
Kids for National Guard, Army Reserve and others in the military in the 
state of Idaho.  Operation Military Kids will work with youth from 
deployed families throughout Idaho. More than 2,600 National Guard and 
Reserve members are expected to leave for Iraq in 2004.

* The 2004 summer session at UI Coeur d'Alene will feature a free public 
forum on terrorism and homeland security Wednesday, July 28, in Todd Hall 
on the North Idaho College campus. Rand C. Lewis, director of the UI 
Martin Institute for Peace Studies, will brief listeners on the nation's 
efforts to develop a strong homeland security system. 

* The estate of alumnus and career chemist Donald E. Roberts '41 included 
funds to establish the Educational Enhancement Endowment and the 
Excellence in Chemistry Scholarship Endowment at UI. Roberts, who passed 
away Oct. 18, 2003, earned a B.S. in chemistry from UI, which led to a 
30-year career with the National Bureau of Standards. While there, he 
authored at least 30 different publications. He had been a member of UI's 
Heritage Society, which facilitates inclusion of UI in estate planning.