[Vision2020] The UI Friday Letter from UI President White (December 2, 2005)

[Tom Hansen]

Copied and pasted below is today's (December 2, 2005) UI Friday Letter from
UI President White.

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University of Idaho
Office of the President
Moscow, Idaho 83844-3151
Phone: 208-885-6365
Fax: 208-885-6558

The Friday Letter
A Newsletter for University of Idaho Alumni and Friends Dec. 2, 2005

Dear Friends,

University researchers from engineering and philosophy are collaborating on
a futuristic project involving intelligent systems...the ideas and
innovative work are truly inspiring. Three professors of engineering, Dean
Edwards, Richard Wall and Michael Anderson, are developing small, autonomous
underwater vehicles that can conduct high-risk underwater reconnaissance
operations, such as detecting and destroying mines. They are working in
partnership with the Naval Surface Warfare Center Acoustic Research
Detachment at Bayview on Lake Pend Oreille.

Philosophy professor Michael O'Rourke also has an innovative role in the
project.  As a linguist, he is helping the engineers develop a language that
will allow a fleet of these vehicles to talk to one another and execute
cooperative behaviors. A group of three undergraduate and 10 graduate
students in mechanical, electrical and computer engineering also are members
of the research team.

While the initial emphasis of the project is on detection of mines, the
researchers foresee a wide variety of peacetime applications for this
emerging technology, including monitoring environmental quality and
conducting underwater surveys for cable and pipeline inspections. 

There is a wonderful side note to the story. Of the 27 engineers who
currently work at the naval research facility at Bayview, 11 are University
of Idaho alumni.

Tim White
President

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

Student Misty Humpherys of Lewiston was recently selected as the National
Communications Coordinator of the Year at the Intermountain Affiliate of
College and University Residence Halls conference held at North Colorado
State University. The award recognizes outstanding service to IACURH. She
received a plaque and a $200 award. Humpherys, a senior in elementary
education, also is the president of the UI Residence Hall Association. She
will graduate in May 2007. 

The University of Idaho Dance Theatre's main fall concert, "Movin' On," 
offers patrons a taste of ballet, jazz, hip-hop and modern dance
choreographed and performed by innovative students of dance and established
dance professionals. The concert will be held Dec. 8 and 10 at 7:30 p.m. in
the Hartung Theatre. Tickets are $9 for adults;
$7 for students and children under 12.

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Take care, Moscow.

Tom Hansen


"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving
safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in
sideways, chocolate in one hand, a drink in the other, body thoroughly used
up, totally worn out and screaming 'WOO HOO. What a ride!'"