Graduate School
Design-Build Students Michael Glenboski and Dylan Cook Win with
Volkswagen
Allie Hunter and Auburn’s Eco Dogs Track Endangered Species Auburn Graduate Education: A Wise Investment
CONTENTS 4 5 6 7 10 13 14 17 18 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 30 32 33 34
Message from the Dean A Presidential Perspective History of the Graduate School The Wild Life New Paths for an Auburn Alumnus International Recruiting Efforts Holding Up Her Half of the Sky Special Projects for Internaional Graduate Students Auburn Students “Think Tall” for Volkswagen Areas of Study A Wise Investment Application Requirements Auburn, Alabama Health Insurance Accelerrated Bachelor’s/Master’s Program Graduate Student Award Winners Meet the Graduate Student Council Graduate School Staff The Gift of Excellence Upcoming Events
Publication Team Editors Erin Edwards, Managing Editor George Flowers, Dean George Crandell, Associate Dean Jeff Sibley, Associate Dean Jessica Nelson, Director of Recruiting and Communication Download this Auburn Graduate School publication online at www.grad.auburn.edu Auburn University Graduate School 106 Hargis Hall, Auburn, AL 36849 Phone (334) 844-2125 Fax (334) 844-4348 Postmaster, please send address changes to 106 Hargis Hall, Auburn, AL 36849-5122. Contents 2010 by the Auburn University Graduate School, all rights reserved.
Message from the Dean
Dr. George Flowers Auburn University is a comprehensive institution dedicated to the land-grant mission of making a positive difference in people’s lives, as you’ll see throughout this publication. We have programs in agriculture; business; education; science; engineering; liberal arts; nursing; pharmacy; architecture, design and construction; human sciences; forestry and wildlife sciences; mathematics; and veterinary medicine. In all of these, graduate education, research, and extension are closely linked. Research and extension are integral parts of our mission, and graduate education is a critical factor in both. Graduate students are crucial in conducting cutting-edge research, performing laboratory work, and providing the hands and minds that produce success in these endeavors. These are challenging and exciting times for graduate education: challenging because of the need for growth and the tough economic environment that is facing our nation, exciting because our students and faculty are doing great things and having a tremendous, positive impact. And there are many great things going on in graduate studies at Auburn. In this publication, you will learn about some of the outstanding work that graduate students are doing and how it is impacting the lives of people in Alabama and on every continent. For example, Allie Hunter is doing nearly unprecedented research involving three of Alabama’s least studied species, while Norm Sammons is bridging the gap between engineers and the business world with his work with the Auburn company Intramicron. Finally, I must note that Auburn University is ranked 39th among public universities nationwide, according to the 2010 survey by U.S. News & World Report. This ranking marks the 17th consecutive year that this magazine has ranked AU among the nation’s top 50 public universities. In addition, the city of Auburn was selected by U.S. News & World Report in 2009 as one of the top ten places to live in the United States. Auburn University has outstanding academic programs located in a truly great community. So, please enjoy this publication. If you desire more information on any of these articles or on matters related to graduate education at Auburn, please contact me. We invite you to join us for a great future!
George Flowers Dean of the Graduate School
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A Presidential Perspective Dr. Jay Gogue
A recent report concludes that graduate-level academic credentials have replaced the bachelor’s degree in today’s knowledge economy. I agree. Employers increasingly consider advanced educational skills as a minimum requirement. Through 2018, the report projects, 18 percent more jobs will require a master’s degree compared to today, and the trend is expected to continue. Long gone are the days of my grandfather when a high school diploma literally guaranteed a job for life. Not surprisingly, higher academic achievement translates to higher earning power. Reports indicate that employees with a bachelor’s degree in 2008 earned a median of $52,624 per year, while those with a master’s earned $64,116. My wife, Susie, and I both received our graduate degrees at Auburn. We are grateful for the wisdom and creative capacity that was instilled in us, thanks to many caring and dedicated professors and the strength of our respective graduate academic departments. Those qualities and characteristics still thrive at Auburn, but, as times have changed, we have embraced new programs to best prepare our students for the knowledge-based economy of today and tomorrow. One important example is in international exposure. Since 2009, Auburn has developed new partnerships or strengthened existing ones with institutions in China, India, Vietnam and Egypt, just to name a few. These relationships facilitate study tours, educational exchanges and collaborative research, helping our students gain cross-cultural competencies that foster success in the global arena. We are pleased that you are considering Auburn University’s Graduate School for the next step in your academic training. We hope this publication will prove helpful by providing a glimpse into what we have to offer. War Eagle!
Jay Gogue President
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A
uburn University’s first graduate degree was awarded in 1870. Since then, more than 36,000 graduate degrees have been awarded, including approximately 4,700 doctorates. Each year
the Graduate School awards nearly 1,000 master’s and doctoral degrees to a diverse and talented graduate student body.
History of the Graduate School
With more than 200 masters and doctoral programs, Auburn University’s Graduate School prepares students to lead the way in meeting this century’s challenges. As a land-grant institution, Auburn seeks to promote both the pursuit of knowledge and its practical application. A variety of innovative programs like the Detection and Food Safety Center and the Alternative Energy Initiative mix cutting-edge research with a commitment to the community and the world. The results are evident - Auburn graduate students are winning awards and participating in research that positively impacts our state and nation. Graduate education at Auburn University produces scholars who are ready to shape the future.
Top Rankings
Auburn is included in a distinctive group of universities designated as Land, Sea, and Space Grants and receives many accolades from accrediting agencies and ranking publications. • Auburn has been ranked among the top 50 public universities in the U.S. for 17 consecutive years, ranking 39 in the 2010 edition of U.S. News & World Report. • Auburn was listed in Princeton Review’s Best 371 Colleges and The Best 301 Business Schools, 2010 edition. • The city of Auburn was named one of the 10 Best Places to Live by U.S. News & World Report. • In 2007, the School of Accountancy pass rate for the CPA Exam exceeded 90 percent on all sections. Auburn was ranked 8th in the country in terms of passing rates among first-time candidates. • The Department of Fisheries in the College of Agriculture was named the top fisheries graduate program in the U.S. by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, CSREES, June 2006. • The Department of Industrial Design in the College of Architecture, Design and Construction was named the third best graduate program in a national ranking by DesignIntelligence magazine, 2007. • Modern Physician ranked the College of Business as the 16th best graduate school for physician-executives in 2009. • The College of Engineering ranked 51st among all universities that offer doctoral programs by 2008 U.S. News & World Report. • A comprehensive list is available at www.auburn.edu/rankings.
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The Wild Life By Jessica Nelson
Allie Hunter is good-humored and a little wry as she recounts a childhood experience that shaped her desire to be a wildlife scientist. For ‘take your daughter to work day’, she instead followed her local veterinarian for the day. What she found, she says with a laugh, was that she was “much more into the animal whole and awake, not sick and miserable.” But there was no doubt, ever, that she would be working with animals.
Searching for Alabama’s Missing Skunks and Weasels
Though her early love was wolves, and she would still love to work with them, Allie has gone where the opportunities were. During and after her time as an undergraduate, she picked up internships and volunteer opportunities to study whales, wolves, and even blue warblers (a northern song bird). For more than a year she stayed busy with various projects, until she noticed that the work was harder to find. It was this, and the desire to begin a career rather than eking by with internships, which first drove her to begin thinking about graduate school. The opportunity to study wolves brought her to Auburn when she applied for a position working with her advisor, Dr. Todd Steury, on a red wolf viability analysis involving computer modeling. Though that position went to someone else, Dr. Steury offered her the chance to work with her current project instead. With Dr. Steury’s lab, Allie is doing nearly unprecedented research involving three of Alabama’s least studied species: spotted skunks, striped skunks, and long-tailed weasels. 7
The thing is, they seem to be disappearing, but no one knows why – or even if they are disappearing. When people started to notice that there were fewer skunks both as road kill and being reported as nuisances, they realized that nearly nothing was known about the habits of these animals in the Southeast. No one knew where to begin looking for them. That’s where Ms. Hunter and Dr. Steury come in. Funded by the Auburn University School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences and the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station, Allie is conducting a statewide survey of the three mysteriously missing species. Her task, put simply, is to find out everything she can about them. The hope is that they can first find out where the animals are, and whether there is a problem that needs attention.
It isn’t easy – she thought perhaps she would be seeing results by now, but they are in fact just getting started. The animals are now so rare that no one is seeing them. They don’t even know where to look. Striped skunks were once a nuisance, living under porches and generally bothering rural homeowners. Not anymore. So what are wildlife scientists to do? The traditional methods include traps, radio collars, and motion tripped cameras. However, Allie is using a newer method: detection dogs.
This interdisciplinary collaboration between the School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences and the College of Veterinary Medicine is just one of the many research opportunities for graduate students. For additional information on the eco dogs and Dr. Todd Steury, visit http://ocm.auburn.edu/newsmakers/ecodogs/. 8
There is nothing new, she concedes, about harnessing a dog’s intelligence and sense of smell. However, it’s relatively cutting edge to use detection dogs to find animals by locating scat (or dung). They have been able to work with Auburn University’s Canine Detection Training Center to train dogs to search out the excrement of the skunks and weasels. Programs like these have had success, Allie says, in other parts of the country and in Central America with large cats, wolves, and even caribou, and are becoming more popular. She planned to train the dogs herself until they realized that with the CDTC, her role would be limited to locating the scat for training purposes. She has to contact zoos and wildlife rehabilitators, and has been trying (with little success) to trap a specimen to solicit scat. Allie conducts her research with seven dogs from the CDTC, primarily using Bishop, a 3-year-old black Labrador retriever trained to find striped skunk scat, and Sophie, a 15-month-old black Labrador retriever trained to find eastern spotted skunk scat. The dogs can also detect scat from black bears and other animals, after a training time of three to six weeks for the first scent and then a few days for additional scents. A challenge Allie has had to weather is learning to be a diplomat because people are
often reluctant to let her onto their land to trap animals or hunt scat. People are a little antsy, she’s found, about participating in studies that they think could lead to restrictions on what they can do on their own land. It’s just another challenge, she says. “Not only do we have to find our animals, we have to make everyone agree that we should have the animals.” It will be some time before they know anything, but so far things seem serious. Allie is careful to add that the animals may have changed their habits, or, she jokes, “Maybe they just learned not to cross the road when there are cars coming.” When pressed, Ms. Hunter admits that she has some theories of her own – for example, development is changing the landscape and this could have simply forced skunks and weasels to change with it. Also, the region has seen population explosions in coyotes, wild boars and deer, all of which compete with or hunt the three species she’s tracking. Deer and pigs clear out the underbrush where they hide, and we know from other studies that without protective cover, these nocturnal animals are easy prey for owls. Owls, it seems, lack a keen sense of smell. Coyotes compete with skunks and weasels for food, but also often prey on the skunks and weasels themselves. Any of these three could account for some of the scarcity of the animals that Allie is tracking. Another theory is, of course, disease. Skunks and weasels, Ms. Hunter says, are subject to a lot of the diseases pets get, such as canine distemper, so when contact with the pet population increases, so do these diseases. Ms. Hunter hopes that by the end of her time at Auburn, they will begin to have some answers. She has a lot of field work ahead of her – she has mapped all of the lands that she has access to, and has randomly selected plots selected for survey. She will hit the field with the dogs and their handlers, and try to ferret out the secrets of long-tailed weasels and spotted and striped skunks. And after that? She’s waiting to see how the job market looks. She observes amusedly that she may be headed back for a PhD if things haven’t picked up in the wildlife field, although “I’d like to start my life at some point!” she says. Allie also hasn’t forgotten about her first love, wolves. Sure, she says, she’d like to end up working with her favorite animal at some point. “But I’m learning to love a lot of species. Every species I work with, I end up discovering they each have their own cool little thing. “
A WISE INVESTMENT
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My ultimate decision to attend Auburn for graduate school is best explained by Leonard Polizzotto’s Value Factor Analysis technique. This technique is expressed in a simple equation: Value factor = (Quality x Convenience)/Cost. The quality speaks for itself; a first-class institution in many disciplines, especially in engineering! The convenience of attending Auburn was huge due to the prior education received here in undergrad. While considering the two positive features, the deciding factor still came down to the cost. Luckily, my education was fully funded through NSF’s Bridge to Doctorate Fellowship at Auburn. With all these services considered, my opportunity at Auburn was truly a wise investment…and PRICELESS.
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Michael Grady Electrical Engineering Master’s Hometown: Birmingham
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New Paths for an Auburn Alumnus By Jessica Nelson
Norm Sammons is tall with a relaxed and easygoing manner – not what you would expect from someone who managed to earn an MBA and PhD in chemistry, concurrently and in less than six years. However, that is exactly what Norm did. After finishing a bachelor’s degree at Georgia Tech, Norm knew exactly what he wanted. He’d always been intrigued by chemistry, but by the time he finished at Georgia Tech, he knew that he wanted to study the way that business and chemistry come together in the real world. After looking around at universities that had respected and ranked programs in both chemical engineering and business, he visited Auburn first, due to its proximity to Atlanta and his family. As it happened, it was a perfect fit on the first try. Dr. Chris Rogers recruited Norm and “made me an offer I couldn’t refuse, so to speak.” It was definitely Auburn’s gain. Not only did Norm make waves with his dissertation, which yielded
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several publications and still causes people to contact him for advice and clarification, but he’s now working with a startup company that leverages Auburn research into marketable commodities. Auburn University is a stakeholder, and the company is expanding, so it is a great asset to the community and the university. Norm’s dissertation research was a mix of sound business and engineering principles, with a dash of a save-the-world ethos thrown in. Specifically, he studied the biorefinery business. Biorefineries take biologically based products – trees, forest byproducts, even animal waste – and convert them to a product that can be used as a fuel source. There are loads of options, but a distinct lack of information comparing the business end of these processes. Dr. Sammons employed a complex algorithm to determine which fuels and processes provided the best outlook for a company’s bottom line, while minimizing environmental impact of the fuelmaking process. Norm estimates that producing biomass efficiently could reduce our dependence on foreign fuels by 10 - 15 percent, which is a pretty big dent. For perspective, that is potentially moe than 20 million barrels a day, based the U.S. Energy Information Administration estimates of U.S. petroleum consumption (http://www.eia.doe.gov/basics/quickoil.html). With collaboration from universities and research facilities around the world, Norm examined a variety of feedstock for fuel manufacturing, including switchgrass, chicken waste, and black liquor, a byproduct from
G R E A T
the paper-making process. Because Alabama Forest and Bioresource Manufacturing Center provided funding for the project, thinking of alternative ways to deal with black liquor, a byproduct from the pulp and paper industry, was a one of his primary case studies. Currently black liquor is burned for fuel, which is both a water and air pollutant, and stinks. If the industry can find other efficient ways to use this product as a biofuel, both the business and everyone around them would benefit. There’s no easy answer, though people often contact him looking for one. Dr. Sammons is not stingy with his research, and gives his callers his methodology for examining profitability versus environmental impact, which varies with each situation. “I still field questions from
L O C A T I O N
Auburn University figured prominently among the reasons the City of Auburn was named one of the 2009 Ten Best Places to Live by U.S. News & World Report.
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people who are interested, and I try to help them along as much as I can,” he says. His time is at a premium, though, because immediately after Auburn Norm found a job that was perfect for him. Intramicron, a startup company that was born out of the Chemical Engineering department at Auburn, needed exactly what Norm had: a background in both business and engineering. The added bonus was that he got to stay in Auburn. “It’s just a great place to live,” he says. Intramicron is dedicated to micro-sized materials research and manufacturing, and does its best to marry these two. Micron in the company’s name refers to micrometer sized particles, which are larger than nanoparticles, but still quite small: 1/70th the diameter of a human hair. These particles have a lot of unique properties, Norm says, and Auburn is on the cutting edge of research in the field. Intramicron is an exclusive licensee of micro-scale technology coming out of Auburn. This way the jobs and revenue generated stay in the Auburn community. In short, “It was a match made in heaven,” he says. It certainly seems serendipitous that Intramicron was looking for just someone like Norm, because as far as he knows, he was the first to attempt these two particular degrees concurrently. He praises the Business and Engineering faculty: “They couldn’t have been more wonderful as far as my unique plan of education.” The two departments cooperated and put together a curriculum tailored for Norm. Now Norm divides his time between a lab, a manufacturing plant, and an office. “I’m very much a jack of all trades,” he says. He has helped the company develop a business infrastructure – making sure an accounting system is in place, making sure that rules and policies are in place. Since they work with government contract often – they manufacture the fibers used to make stealth aircraft, for example – Intramicron has a special need for efficiency and transparency. One of Norm’s other special skills is to bridge the gap between engineers and the business world. As a corporation, Intramicron has a responsibility to stockholders, but engineers are thinking about a different kind of bottom line. He can explain what an engineer’s “improved specifications” mean in business terms for the company. Dr. Norm Sammons has carved out a place for himself in Intramicron and the Auburn community with the ease that he carved out a new path in his studies. Auburn is fortunate to have him.
International Recruiting Efforts
Top 15 countries represented by international student population:
The Graduate School has traditionally recruited mostly in the Southeast at traditional graduate fairs, but that is beginning to change. Last year, the Graduate School sent representatives to Vietnam, China, India, and Bangladesh to begin expanding its international presence. In Vietnam, Dr. George Flowers and Dr. David Rouse, head of the Fisheries department, met with several Vietnamese universities to discuss Vietnamese innovations in aquaculture and the possibility of collaborative exchange. As a result, the first group of students from Can Tho University begins at Auburn this fall. Dr. Flowers also traveled to meet with several Chinese universities in Beijing, Qingdao, Xi’an, and Shanghai last fall. One well-publicized Chinese government program, the Chinese Scholarship Council (CSC) scholarship, sends many top-level students to the U.S. and other countries for study each year. Auburn is working with several universities to bring their CSC recipients to Auburn. In addition, Jessica Nelson represented Auburn at education fairs in several Chinese cities. Jessica Nelson and Sherry Ray of the graduate school also traveled to India last year to meet with officials in IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, independent education agencies, and Majaraja Agrasen Institute of Technology (MAIT), where Auburn has recently established a partnership to allow MAIT students to study at Auburn for half of their undergraduate degree. Ms. Nelson also presented to students at Dhaka University in Dhaka, and the graduate school hopes to continue efforts in this part of the world as well. Dr. Flowers will be making further trips this year to India and China, and other Auburn faculty have agreed to represent the graduate school in their travels abroad this year. The graduate school also plans to expand less traditional methods of recruiting, primarily internet- and email-based marketing efforts. The Graduate School actively works to increase diversity among graduate students. Last year we hosted DIGS (Diversity In Graduate Studies), a visitation day for minority students to come and see what Auburn graduate programs have to offer. We look forward to further efforts to expand and enrich our graduate student population.
China India South Korea Turkey Taiwan Nepal Nigeria Thailand Brazil Sri Lanka Canada Bangladesh Kenya Colombia United Kingdom
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When Min Carter talks about herself, the first thing she talks about is her independence. She comes back to it frequently, when she is asked whether her course of study was difficult, or when she is asked about the pressures of pursuing an advanced degree at Auburn when her husband and daughter live so far away. It is her independence, she thinks, that makes these things possible. She credits her childhood with instilling this extraordinary degree of selfsufficiency. Her mother, she says, was in a forced labor camp during the “dark time in Chinese history.� Dr. Carter lived with relatives during her early years, shuffled about from grandparents to aunties until her parents returned home when she was eight years old.
By Jessica Nelson
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Even with their late arrival in her life, they were a huge influence on her priorities. Her parents, she says, considered their work first, and family came second, perhaps. They gave her their work ethic, their respect for education, and her independence. Considering her career, Dr. Carter’s work ethic is indeed formidable. She began her career as a mechanical engineer, graduating with honors from one of the top universities in China. She worked in the field as an engineer, an engineering consultant, and an instructor before moving into a position as a management consultant. This last position fired her interest in management, and she moved to Australia with the intention of improving her English in order to study in the U.S. During this time, Dr. Carter never lost sight of a goal that she conceived as a child. She looked at her parents careers – her mother was a medical doctor and her father an engineer – and determined that no matter what career path she took, she would obtain the highest possible degree in that field. With her sights set on business as her field, it took nine months of diligent study in Australia to improve her English enough to apply to business schools in the U.S. The place where she landed was Troy University in Alabama. After completing an MBA there, she worked as an international site coordinator. She worked to deliver courses and ensure smooth operations for satellite campuses in India, China, Malaysia, Ecuador, and Vietnam. She gained incredible experience, but would not be satisfied without pursuing that terminal degree. When Dr. Carter began looking for a place to pursue a PhD in management, Auburn University was one of the first that she considered. She liked its reputation and its closeness to her husband, who stayed in Troy, and later in Birmingham. After reviewing faculty profiles provided by the department, she was certain that Auburn was the right place for her.
Dr. Min Carter completed her doctoral degree in December 2009, and was offered the chance to stay on at Auburn as an instructor. The department is proud of her and her work, and the feeling is mutual. Dr. Carter loves the supportive environment in the Management Department. The faculty, she says, is accessible and available to students. They openly share their work and research experience with their students as well as giving insight and support in the process of designing a research study and getting published. “Dr. Oswald makes the department like family, and every student is a member,” Dr. Carter says. “That’s why I’m still here after my graduation!” Dr. Carter’s dissertation research is ambitious, like the scholar herself. She sought to add to the body of research concerning management theory in both western and eastern societies. In keeping with her ambitious nature, Dr. Carter actually began dissertation research after her first year of doctoral study. With the support of her
advisors, she conducted a pilot study that included the core values of what would become her dissertation research. The result is that she graduated early and two manuscripts drawn from her dissertation have been accepted for presentation at a major national conference. The subject of Dr. Carter’s investigation, briefly, is the effectiveness of leadership during times of organizational change. She sought to answer questions still unanswered in the U.S. research on leadership and organizational change, as well as to see whether this theory can be extended to eastern societies, such as China. She collected her data from two companies in China that were in the midst of organizational change, and studied the success of two management theories within that context. The two kinds of leadership she studied are called transactional and transformational leadership. These two theories have dominated the field for moe than two decades, according to Dr. Carter. Briefly, transactional leadership involved clear goals set by leaders for followers, with rewards exchanged for performance. Think salary and bonuses. Transformational leadership builds on the idea of rewards for performance, but adds to it an idealistic component. It focuses on treating employees as individuals rather than a group, and attempts to communicate a “compelling vision” to employees, so that everyone feels inspired to treat the organization’s goals as their own. Because Chinese power relationships and cultural factors are different, Dr. Carter says, it was unclear whether theories established in the U.S. and other “western” societies would hold true for Chinese companies. Would the cultural differences be too significant for western leadership styles to be effective? Not really, she found. Though some small differences in implementation might be necessary, Chinese management leaders could train in western management theory without having to substantially change it to suit Chinese culture. One of the underlying questions that Dr. Carter feels that her research answered 15
was why transactional and transformational leadership are effective. Though these theories have held sway for so long, she felt that this basic question was still largely unanswered. Her answer? Organizational justice. In other words, these two styles of leadership create a sense of fairness that makes workers happy. When there is a perceived sense of fairness in reward distribution and the decision-making process, leadership is more effective. Currently Dr. Carter is a post-doc research fellow here at Auburn University, and is not in a great hurry to leave, though her appointment 16
expires next summer. She will continue to work on research, mainly with her committee members Dr. Achilles Armenakis, Dr. Hubert Feild, and Dr. Kevin Mossholder, and chiefly in the fields of leadership, social exchange, organizational justice, and cultural values orientation. She asked, in her appointment as a fellow, that she be allowed the opportunity to continue teaching. Dr. Carter’s engineering background influences her teaching style. She encourages her students to take a rigorous scientific approach to the study of management. An engineering student recently thanked her for
this, saying Dr. Carter’s class was the first to convince her that management is a science, not simply a study of successful organizations. When asked what the future holds, Dr. Carter is uncharacteristically vague. She will begin looking for faculty positions starting in fall 2011. Her husband, she says, is ready to move where she finds a position. Another change for Dr. Carter is looming: Her daughter, who has been studying at a prestigious boarding school in China, will begin her first year at Birmingham Southern College in fall 2010. Dr. Carter allows herself a moment of pride as she explains that her daughter recently faxed her resume, which is already four pages long and stuffed with activities, awards, and honors. This is another reason, Dr. Carter says, that she was glad to stay at Auburn as a postdoc rather than rush to the job market. She will be able to make herself available to her daughter in her first year of college. It is easier than it once would have been to live with her daughter so far away. With phone plans and Internet communications, she’s able to stay in close contact with her daughter. When asked if she has a secret for managing such a busy life, she pauses. “I’m okay,” she says. “I’m really quite tough.” She works hard during the week in Auburn, working long hours, so that her weekends are free to drive to Birmingham. The weekends are the time she saves for her husband. One gets the sense that she is asked these kinds of questions often, and she understands why Americans are curious how she balances her personal and professional life. There are not the same kinds of pressures, she feels, on women in Chinese society. “I grew up in an environment where I was told, using Chairman Mao’s slogan, that woman can hold up half the sky. I know what I’m good at, and I’m not shy to compete with any person.” Next year she will possibly be in a new place and on to a new challenge. Dr. Carter says that she is eager to continue her research and to learn where she can make contributions. There are so many questions that need to be addressed and answered both in western and eastern societies, she says. She quotes Dr. Anne Tsui, a noted scholar in international management: “China is a large intellectual puzzle with not thousands but millions of pieces that have to be put together.” But for now, Dr. Min Carter will go on holding up her half of the sky.
Special Projects for International Graduate Students Improving Graduate School Services for International Students International graduate students and scholars are a highly valued group at Auburn University and the Graduate School has been taking intentional steps to improve the overall quality of experience that they receive while attending here. In fall 2009, Dr. Len Vining (formerly with the AU Fisheries Department) was hired half-time to address several quality
of life issues affecting international graduate students. Here’s how he describes progress thus far. “We’ve focused our attention on making modest improvements in several areas with the hope that our combined efforts will make a significant overall impact. And it didn’t take long to discover that most of the things that we wanted to tackle were not things that
A WISE INVESTMENT
could be accomplished alone. They required teamwork. As a result, most of my job involves working with others…to keep stirring the pot on each project until we achieved a little traction. Once that occurs we’re able to see results. Some examples include: • A New “Housing Finder” service to help incoming international graduate students and visiting scholars locate suitable housing in a timely manner. Students and scholars will submit their housing needs by form and a person in Auburn will search among the available options that meet the criteria and send the options to the student/scholar. • New Tiger Transit service to the Wal Mart store on South College Street to enable graduate students without personal vehicles to shop for food and household supplies. • New Tiger Transit service from the Atlanta airport to Auburn is for incoming international graduate students. The service will function for five days in July/August when student transportation needs are greatest. • New navigational aid for the Atlanta airport. The aid is a simplified map of the airport with instructions of how to pass through the airport and locate the Express 85 shuttle to Auburn.
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What an awesome opportunity! Pursue a doctoral degree with renowned faculty and staff who welcome students as colleagues in an environment that encourages student initiative and boldness — you won’t find a better opportunity. I have been blessed to work closely with top management researchers and teachers. The only limits to what youcan do at Auburn grad school are those you place on yourself.
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Fred Weigel Doctoral Student, College of Business Business Administration, Specialization in Management Information Systems
• New Colloquium Series: Understanding life and culture in America. This series is intended to help international students understand their new host culture at a deeper level. See topics and schedule in the Events Section. In addition to Graduate School staff, some of the key people who helped accomplish the above improvements include: student leaders of the international student associations; Lolly Steiner, president of the Auburn Chamber of Commerce; Bob Ritenbaugh, assistant vice president for auxiliary services; Andy Gillespie, assistant provost for international programs; Mark Stirling, director of real estate, Facilities Division; Sue Ann Balch, director/PDSO/RO of International Student and Scholar Services; Nejla Orgen, director of International Student Life.
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Auburn Students
Think Tall for Volkswagen
By Jessica Nelson
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When Dylan Cook and Michael Glenboski won a competition sponsored by Volkswagen earlier this year, their entry solved a problem in a unique way. The contest invited architecture students from eight schools in the Southeast to submit proposals for a bridge to connect employee and guest parking to the main plant in Volkswagen’s new Chattanooga, Tenn. manufacturing facility. Among the problems they had to solve, was a 700-foot span and 50-foot drop in elevation from the parking area to the plant.
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The innovative and award winning concept? Thinking about the “incline that tired workers would face after a day at work,” Michael says. Their approach incorporated two flat spans connected by an elevator at the mid-point. No other team thought to eliminate the slope altogether. The duo believes that their design was ultimately successful because they considered worker fatigue from the beginning as part of the problem. Sustainable. Collaborative. Integrated. These hot topics are not just empty concepts in Auburn University’s Design-Build program. Talking to Mike Glenboski and Dylan Cook
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about their winning design, this is immediately apparent. “One reason AU teams had an advantage was that our plans were more fully developed,” Mike says. With the design-build programs, the teams deliver an almost fullybuildable project, including cost estimates and lead standards, things traditional architecture programs do not concern themselves with. Normally building contractors and architects work separately and often at odds with each other. The AU program instead focuses on “integrated project delivery,” which the two students say is the new way to deliver projects in a real-world environment.
PLACE
INTERDISCIPLINARY LEARNING The Volkswagen competition first-place team members were Michael Glenboski and Dylan Cook (Design Track) along with Ben Loftin and Ty Maloney (Construction Track). The students worked under the direction of Professor Joshua Emig. The Master of Design Build program is an interdisciplinary post-professional graduate degree aimed at preparing architecture and construction management students for practice in integrated project teams. The program is delivered via a partnership between the School of Architecture and the McWhorter School of Building Science.
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Working with the building construction from the beginning “eliminates waste on the business side,” Dylan says. You could think of it as sustainability built into the actual process. This approach clearly was appealing to the contest’s judges. Auburn teams captured four of eight total awards given. The team’s winning design was not a modest affair, though. They envisioned the two expanses of bridge connected by a giant tower that would serve as billboard space, a place to get a bird’s eye view of the plant, and possibly even a place for conference rooms, or food vendors for employees on their way to and from work. Once they conceived the tower, they said, they thought they might as well commit to it on a grand scale. They let their imaginations soar, and presented a project that was more than utilitarian. The tower, while serving several practical functions, was on such a large scale that they envisioned it becoming something of a landmark. Though the company may not be prepared to make such a grand gesture, there is no doubt that the design was an attention grabber. The River City Company, a development group dedicated to revitalizing Chattanooga, served as the liaison between Volkswagen and the schools entering the competition. They
were so pleased with results from Auburn, though, that the department has another project sponsored by the group. After finishing the bridge project, the class moved on to a new collaboration with the River City Company. In reorganized teams, the DesignBuild students are next working on plans for a community library. The River City Company gave them several sites, and the teams each picked a site for which they will design a library. Each project will be carefully tailored to the surrounding community. The city gets fresh ideas and professional level projects for a bargain, and the AU students get experience and potentially a resume builder if their project is selected. In addition, the River City Company is highly focused on sustainability and “green” development through this entire revitalization mission. That is another reason the AU Design-Build program is such a good fit; this is a cornerstone of the program. Looking ahead, Mike and Dylan are optimistic. When the economy crashed, many architects found themselves looking for work and thinking about a second degree. This was the case for Dylan, who had been working with a San Diego Real Estate Development company after he finished an architecture degree from the University of Colorado, Boulder. Mike received an undergrad degree from Pratt Institute in New York and was working in New York when he decided to come back to school. “I think I’m the only one in the program who actually left a job to come here,” he says. And why did he? Both men agree that their instructor, Josh Emig, was a big consideration. He has an excellent reputation, they said. Funding, which they both received, was an additional incentive. But in the end, both men were drawn to the uniqueness of the Auburn University program, and its balanced and wellrounded curriculum. When asked where they can go when they are facing the job market again in August, both men replied, “Anywhere.” The integrated nature of the program makes them more versatile than most of their peers. In addition, they say, AU’s Design Build program is ahead of the curve in terms of cutting edge computer programs and things like the integrated project delivery. This is a real asset in an economy where everyone is looking to get the most out of their assets and their employees, Dylan explains. Mike agrees, “The more diverse skill set you have, the better your outlook.”
A WISE INVESTMENT
“
The Lila L. White Graduate Fellowship has made it possible for me to pursue my graduate degree in public administration. I have gained many invaluable experiences through my mentorship experience such as working with some of the most philanthropic individuals of the Auburn Family. This opportunity has also allowed me to conduct an independent study of nonprofit organizations while continuing to reach my future career goals.
”
Lauren Batts Public Administration Lila L. White Graduate Fellow Hometown: Athens, Ala.
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PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS
Areas of Study Accountancy
Electrical Engineering
Pharmacy Care Systems
Aerospace Engineering
English
Physics
Agricultural Economics
Entomology
Plant Pathology
Agronomy and Soils
Finance
Polymer and Fiber Engineering
Anatomy, Physiology, and Pharmacology
Fisheries and Allied Aquacultures
Poultry Science
Forestry and Wildlife Sciences
Psychology
Animal Sciences
Geology
Architecture
History
Public Administration and Public Policy
Audiology
Horticulture
Radiology
Biological Sciences Biomedical Sciences
Human Development and Family Studies
Rehabilitation and Special Education
Building Science
Industrial and Systems Engineering
Rural Sociology
Business Administration
Industrial Design
Chemical Engineering Chemistry and Biochemistry
Integrated Textile and Apparel Science
Small Animal Surgery and Medicine
Civil Engineering
Kinesiology
Spanish
Communication
Landscape Architecture
Sports Management (Minor)
Communication Disorders
Large Animal Surgery and Medicine
Statistics
Sociology
Management
Technical and Professional Communication
Management Information Systems
Textile Science
Consumer Affairs
Materials Engineering
Urban Forestry
Counselor Education, Counseling Psychology, and School Psychology
Mathematics and Statistics
Vocational and Adult Education
Mechanical Engineering
Wildlife Sciences
Nursing
Zoology
Curriculum and Teaching
Nutrition and Food Science
Design Build
Pathobiology
Economics
Pharmacal Sciences
Educational Foundations, Leadership, and Technology
Pharmaceutical Sciences
Community Planning Computer Science and Software Engineering
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For an extensive list of specific programs or program advisor contact information, please visit the Graduate School Web site www.grad.auburn.edu.
Projected Increase in Job Openings by Education or Training United States, 2006 to 2016 +15.6 million
Total
10%
Doctoral degree
Professional degree
+277,000
19%
Master’s degree
+409,000
19%
Associate’s degree
+437,000
+1.1 million 19%
Bachelor’s degree plus work experience
Bachelor’s degree
Postsecondary vocational certificate
Work experience or on-the-job training
22%
+592,000
17%
+3.1 million
17%
+1.1 million +8.7 million
14%
10%
Source: SREB Featured Facts, Alabama 2009
Having an Advanced Degree means Higher Pay and Prosperity Average annual earnings of adults ages 25 or older United States, 2007
Professional
Doctoral
Master’s
Bachelor’s
Associate’s
High School diploma/GED
$121,300 $95,800 $70,600 $59,400 $41,400 $33,600
Some high school, $24,900 no diploma
Less than $22,700 ninth grade Source: SREB Factbook 2009, page 93
An Auburn University graduate degree can help you achieve your goals for the future. Alumni with a graduate degree stand out to potential employers and exhibit the advantage of a global education. Nationally, the projected number of job openings increases with the level of education, as does the level of potential earnings. In the state of Alabama, where many graduates choose to remain after graduation, the projected earnings reflect the national forecasts.
Projected Earnings Differential for Alabama MS and Doctoral Graduates, 2007 Projected lifetime income differential for a master’s degree vs. a bachelor’s degree: 8,599 degree holders = $3.44 billion Projected lifetime income differential for a doctoral degree vs. a bachelor’s degree: 767 degree holders = $0.77 billion
Total = $4.21 billion
Source: Data on Degree Completions 2008-09 taken from the Alabama Commission on Higher Education and includes graduates of public and private universities.
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PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS
Application Requirements Bachelor’s degree or its equivalent from an accredited college or university. Graduate Record Exam (GRE) Subject Test for the English doctoral program. Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) for Management, Finance,
Master of Business Administration, and Master of Accountancy programs.
Graduate Record Exam (GRE) General Test for all other programs. Successful international applicants must score at least 550 on the Test of
English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) paper version (pBT), 213 on the computer version (cBT), and 79 on the internet version (iBT). Successful applicants must score minimums of 16 on the listening, reading, speaking, and writing components of the iBT.*
International applicants must demonstrate full financial sponsorship if
accepted into a graduate program, proof of a comprehensive medical insurance plan and submit an Official Statement of Financing for International Students Form for 2009 - 2010.**
Three letters of recommendation (to be mailed directly to the appropriate department).
One official transcript of all undergraduate and any graduate credits from
each school previously attended.
Nonrefundable application fee: $50 domestic, $60 international * Some departments may have additional requirements ** For International Applicants only
Apply Online at: www.grad.auburn.edu Admissions to any graduate degree program is granted by the dean of the Graduate School upon the recommendation of the department of proposed study. Applications and all other relevant material must be received by the Graduate School at least 45 days before the first day of class of the semester in which the student wishes to begin graduate study. International applicants should submit all required materials at least 90 days before the first day of class of the semester in which the student wishes to begin graduate study. Deadlines are listed in the Auburn University Bulletin (www.auburn.edu/bulletin). However, most academic units make admission decisions several months in advance. Thus, applicants should check with the department to which they seek admission to determine when materials should be submitted. 24
Auburn, Alabama For southern charm with collegiate vigor, consider Auburn. This diamond on the eastern Alabama plains has a population of just under 50,000 and is home to Auburn University. On football Saturdays, when die-hard fans arrive in droves to cheer their beloved Tigers, Auburn swells to the state’s fifth-most-populous city. And as Auburn’s largest employer, the university also plays a starring role in the local economy. With mild winters and hot summers, the city offers no shortage of outdoor recreation opportunities. Find a nice hiking trail in the 696-acre Chewacla State Park before cooling off with an afternoon swim. Take a stroll through the Donald E. Davis Arboretum, located on the Auburn University campus. Golfers can head to nearby Grand National golf course and wend their way through the state along the beautiful Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail. “Once you have been there, you just want to come back,” says John Cannon, president of SunBelt Golf Corp., which manages the trail.* *Source: Best Places to Live 2009 by Luke Mullins, U.S. News & World Report, June 8, 2009
City of Auburn: Best Places to Live 2009 According to U.S. News & World Report, “In selecting our Best Places to Live for 2009, we looked for affordable communities that have strong economies and plenty of fun things to do.” 25
STUDENT LIFE
Health Insurance Auburn University recognizes that in today’s world of increasing healthcare costs there is a need for students to have a costeffective health insurance program available to help protect them in the event of an accident or illness. Beginning fall 2007, all graduate assistants with assignments of 10 hours (0.25 FTE) or more for the full fall and/or spring semesters, who meet the minimum stipend established by the Office of the Provost, and are in good academic standing, are required to have health insurance coverage. Those students who are required to have health insurance coverage will be automatically enrolled in the Auburn University Graduate Student Group Health Plan (GSGHP). The 2009-2010 premium is $1,113, which will be billed in two installments of $561 for the fall semester and $552 for the spring/summer semester. For students with qualifying assistantships, as previously described, there is a $500 ($250 per fall and $250 per spring/summer semester) yearly subsidy that will be automatically applied along with the charges for insurance. This subsidy is given by the Graduate School to assist in the cost of the mandatory health insurance plan provided through UnitedHealthcare. This will bring the cost for fall coverage to $311 and the cost for spring/summer coverage to $302. Those students who have another insurance plan with coverage equal to or greater than that offered by the university have the option to provide a Waiver Request Form, which is due no later than the ninth day of class. The student must fill out the form in full and attach a current copy of his or her health insurance card. This waiver form must be filled out each academic year that the student is attending Auburn University. Those graduate students who do not meet the mandatory health insurance requirements may optionally enroll in this health insurance plan by filling out the Optional Enrollment
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Form listed on the Graduate School Web site. Graduate students may also add their dependents to this insurance plan by using the same Optional Enrollment Form. With all optional enrollments, whether for the student or dependents, it is the student’s responsibility to notify the insurance coordinator after continuing coverage or after the coverage selected on the form has terminated. International graduate students and dependents in F or J immigration status will continue to be covered and billed similarly under the mandatory international student and scholar health plan — check with the Office of International Education (insurance@auburn.edu) for details. When seeing a doctor, students MUST use the Auburn University Medical Clinic (copay $25). If the patient needs to be referred to a specialist, the clinic will provide the needed referrals. For prescriptions, we recommend using the Auburn University Medical Clinic Pharmacy, which has a lower out-of-pocket copay expense. If the Auburn University Medical Clinic is closed, students may go to Auburn Urgent Care, located at 1650 A South College St., Auburn, AL 36832, 334-821-3221, 7:30 a.m. - 8:30 p.m. Mon-Fri and 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Sat-Sun. In case of emergency, students should go to the Emergency Room at East Alabama Medical Center, located at 2000 Pepperell Pkwy., Opelika, AL 36801, 334-749-3411. All information on the policy and additional information on using the plan will be made available during orientation, and students can access the information online through the following Web pages: International Students and Scholars: http://www.auburn.edu/academic/ international/insurance/ Graduate Students (not in F or J US immigration status): http://www.grad.auburn.edu/Graduate_ Student_Insurance/insurance-Graduate.html
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHT
Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s Program Students at Auburn University will now have the opportunity to earn credit for a master’s degree while still working toward their undergraduate diploma. Exceptional students enrolled in the Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s (ABM) degree program will be able to count up to nine hours (in a 30-hour master’s program) or 12 hours (in a 36 hour master’s program) to count toward both degrees. Trustees at Auburn have approved the dual degree program that is expected to appeal to top students who wish to work in fields where advanced qualifications are needed. “It’s an attractive option for highlymotivated students,” said Auburn President Jay Gogue. “They can use their academic talents to more quickly earn an advanced degree through a rigorous course of study.” Students must meet the minimum grade point average of 3.4 and must have completed between 45 and 96 credit hours (24 credit hours at Auburn if student is a transfer student) to become eligible. The program is expected to save participating students both time and money. It will also benefit students who are preparing for careers in which workers are in short supply. Currently Public Administration and Materials Engineering have completed the approval process and are accepting students. Several more are in various stages of development, including Agricultural Economics/Rural Sociology, Agronomy and Soils, Computer Science and Software Engineering, Horticulture, Industrial and Systems Engineering, Poultry Science, and Mechanical Engineering.
Leslie Beech is one of the first students enrolled in the ABM program.
How to Apply for Admission to the ABM Program • Meet with a departmental advisor to discuss program requirements. • Complete the ABM program Application Form (including all approvals) and return it to the Graduate School.
• Submit departmental application materials (as required).
Continuation and Graduation Requirements • Maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.40 or higher • Earn a grade of B (3.0) or higher on all double-counted, graduate level courses • Complete the degree requirements within time limits set by the Graduate School and the degree-granting program Individual programs may set higher standards for continuation in the program.
Application for Admission to the Graduate School • Complete the GRE and apply for admission to Graduate School at the beginning of the senior year. Student should contact the department for application deadlines as departmental deadlines are often much earlier than the Graduate School’s application deadline. • Students must complete the bachelor’s degree, be admitted to the Graduate School and the degree program before entering the master’s degree program. Admission into the ABM program does not guarantee admission into the Graduate School. Students must still apply for admission to the Graduate School (including submitting the Graduate School application, paying the application fee, and providing transcripts and standardized test scores as required) by the prescribed deadline.
Withdrawal from the ABM Program • Students may withdraw voluntarily from the ABM program at any time. Students must notify, in writing, the graduate program officer and the coordinator/director of undergraduate studies in their respective departments. A copy of the request to withdraw from the program should be sent to the Dean of the Graduate School. Students who withdraw from the program voluntarily or because they do not meet program requirements will not be awarded graduate credit for double-counted courses.
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Graduate Student Award Winners The Graduate School would like to congratulate those who have earned recognition for outstanding graduate work during the 2009-2010 year. Each year the Graduate School recognizes doctoral students who show great promise for making a contribution to their field in the future with the Harry Merriwether Fellowship. First awarded in 1971, this fellowship was the result of a gift to the University by an anonymous donor in honor of Harry Merriwether, an outstanding Auburn University graduate in the Class of 1943. The Merriwether Fellows for 2010 – 2011 are: Liwu Fan Mallory J. Lucier-Greer Nishanth G. Chemmangattuvalappil Yogesh Kondareddy
Distinguished Dissertation AwardWinners In Fall 2009, the Graduate School announced that it would recognize the achievements of outstanding doctoral students by creating the Auburn University Graduate School Distinguished Dissertation Awards. For 2010, nominations were solicited from the colleges and schools in two categories: Social Sciences and Mathematics/Physical Sciences/Engineering. Two special awards committees, made up of graduate faculty members with established records in these disciplinary areas reviewed nominations and selected six winners, three from each of the two categories. The Graduate School is now pleased to announce the winners.
The Outstanding Masters Students for 2010 are: Matt Dodson Rebecca Ann Funk Hans Saint-Eloi Codley Molly Ann Plueger Kyle Patrick Lynch Naveenan Thiagarajan Mary Kimberly Cline James R. Thomka Peter John Mahoney Kelly Bragan
Social Sciences Min Carter (Business): “Transformational-Transactional Leadership and Work Outcomes: An Organizational Perspective.” Advisors: Achilles Armenakis (chair); Kevin Mossholder; Hubert Feild. Suna Eryigit (Human Sciences): “Identity Formation in Context.” Advisor: Jennifer Kerpelman (chair); Joe Pittman; Donna Sollie; Alexander Vazonyi. Mary Beth Harben (Human Sciences): Predicting Consumers’ Cause-Brand Alliance Attitude and Purchase Intention: The Influence of Cause Involvement, Message Source, Perceived Motivations, and Cause-Brand Fit.” Advisors: Wi-Suk Kwon (co-chair); Sandra Forsythe (co-chair); Sang-Eum Byun; Gisela Buschle-Diller.
The Outstanding Doctoral Students for 2010 are: Chengdong Huang Kendall Matthew Hurst David Glover Qin Jie Kelly M. Tu Jan Boronski Sateeshkumar Sathigari Evi Paemelaere Clinton Rowe Mary J. Sandage
Math, Physical Sciences and Engineering Hasan Kocer (Engineering): “Synthesis, Structure-Bioactivity Relationship, and Application of Antimicrobial Materials.” Advisors: Royall M. Broughton, Jr. (chair); Maria J. Auad; Carol Warfield; Shelby D. Worley. Michael Tiemeyer (Science & Math): C4-Factorizations with Two Associate Classes.” Advisor: Chris Rodger (chair); Dean Hoffman; Pete Johnson; Doug Leonard. Ziliang Zong (Engineering): “Energy-Efficient Resource Management for High-Performance Computing Platforms.” Advisors: Xiao Qin (chair); Drew Hamilton; Wei-Shinn Ku.
In addition, the graduate school recognized twenty graduate students as this year’s Outstanding Graduate Students.
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From among these award-winners, the awards committees selected one nominee from each category to compete for a national Distinguished Dissertation Award, sponsored by the Council of Graduate Schools and UMI Dissertations Publishing. This special recognition goes to Suna Eryigit and Hasan Kocer. Winners of Distinguished Dissertation awards receive an honorarium of $500 and a certificate of citation, to be presented at the Graduate School’s annual award ceremony. The fields of competition for 2011 will be Biological/Life Sciences and Humanities/Fine Arts. The Graduate School will again solicit nominations for these awards in Fall 2010.
The Graduate Scholars Forum The following students were the winners of the annual Graduate Scholars Research Forum, an event that allows graduate students to present their current research and design projects and compete for prizes.
Engineering Orals First Second Third
Towards Durable Water-Repellent Coatings for Personal Electronic Devices Kendall Hurst Chemical Engineering Other Authors: Chinn, J., & Ashurst, B. A Chemiresistor Sensor for the Detection of Insect Infestation at Early Stages Kanchana Weerakoon Materials Engineering Other Authors: Chin, B. ACAR: Adaptive Connectivity Aware Routing for Vehicular Ad Hoc Networks in City Scenarios Qing Yang Computer Science & Software Engineering Other Authors: Lim, A., Li, S., Fang, J., & Agrawal, P.
Sciences Orals First
Antiviral Treatment of Calves Persitently Infected with Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus Benjamin Newcomer Clinical Sciences, Veterinary Medicine Other Authors: Marley, M., Galik, P., Walz, P., Eason, A., Zhang, Y., Riddell, K., Dykstra, C., Boykin, D., & Givens, M.
Second Third
Turning Bones into Babies: How Calcium Availability Drives Costs of Reproduction in White-Footed Mice Christina Booher Biological Sciences Other Authors: Hood, W. Evaluation of the Efficacy of Nupro®-Yeast Extract in Reducing Intestinal Clostridium Perfringens Levels in Broiler Chickens Rajani Thanissery Poultry Science Other Authors: McReynolds, J., Conner, D., Macklin, K., Curtis, P., & Fasina, Y.
Humanities Orals First The Effects of Parent Participation in Relationship/Marriage Education on Coparenting and Children’s Social Skills: Examining Rural Minority Parents’ Experiences Cassandra Kirkland Human Development & Family Studies Other Authors: Adler-Baeder, F., Ketring, S., Bradford, A., & Lucier, M. Second Structural Lexicographical Subversion, or Urban Dictionary: Now in Handy Print Format Pearl Shields English Third Trajectories of Career Indecision During the Transition from High School Kate Stringer Human Development & Family Studies Other Authors: Skorikov, V.
Design Posters First Volkswagen Pedestrian Bridge Daniel Brown Architecture Other Authors: Bouthillette, R., Dooley, M., & Preston, N. Second How Can the Regenerative Effects of Flooding be Embraced to Create Form and Habitat Within the Urban Landscape? Clarence Craft Landscape Architecture Third Preservation Plan for the Tallassee Mill No.1 Complex and Mill Village Stephen Stock Community Planning Other Authors: Sisser, S.
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Engineering Posters First Synthesis and Size-Selective Processing of Metal Nanoparticles Jennifer Boice Chemical Engineering Other Authors: Saunders, S. Second Production of Hydrogel Nanoparticles by Inverse-Miniemulsion Polymerization and Supercritical CO2 Drying Melinda Hemingway Chemical Engineering Other Authors: Elton, D. Third Preliminary Evaluation of Embrittlement of High Strength Steel from Exposure to Hydrogen Peroxide Sterilant Mobbassar Hassan Sk Materials Engineering Other Authors: Overfelt, R., & Fergus, J. Sciences Posters First Comparing Antennal Lobe Structure and Glomerular Organization in a Specialist (Microplitis croceipes) and a Generalist (Cotesia marginiventris) Parasitoid Prithwiraj Das Entomology & Plant Pathology Other Authors: Fadamiro, H. Second Combined In Ovo-Vaccination with Non-Replicating Adenovirus-Vectored Avian Influenza and Marek’s Disease Vaccines Cassandra Breedlove Pathobiology Other Authors: Toro, H. Third Stearidonic Acid Suppresses Adipocyte Differentiation by Decreasing Adipogenic Gene Expression Yinghui Rong Nutrition & Food Science Other Authors: Huggins, K.
Graduate Faculty Mentors Finally, each year the Graduate Student Council recognizes and thanks faculty members who go above and beyond for their students. A committee of graduate students selected the winning faculty, who were presented with a plaque and honored at a luncheon with the students who nominated them. The 2010 Graduate Faculty Mentors are: Dr. Robert Boyd, Biological Sciences Dr. Mark Byrne, Chemical Engineering Dr. Donald Eakes, Horticulture Dr. Jill Salisbury Glennon, Educational FLT Dr. Laura Silo-Suh, Biological Sciences
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Meet the Graduate Student Council Nidhi Sehgal Position on Council: President
Sateesh Kumar Sathigari
Area of Study: Mathematics, PhD
Position on Council: Vice President
Career Goal: To do research that will be beneficial to the society. Also, I wish to educate people and help the underprivileged.
Area of Study: Pharmaceutical Sciences, PhD
Hometown: Mumbai, India Student organizations/leadership positions: President of the Golden Key International Honor Society, President of the Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics, and Secretary of the Graduate Student Council. Favorite spot on campus: Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art Why do you think a degree from Auburn is a wise investment? Auburn is a well-known school in the country. There is state-of-the-art research being done in several departments. Auburn encourages its students to grow academically. This school also provides its students with an environment which is as warm as a second home. People here are very kind and helpful. The community offers students with several opportunities to be involved with the society. At Auburn, hard work and talent are always recognized. The GSC and various other organizations have given me an opportunity to grow and become a better person.
Career Goal: In the years to come, I see myself in the most challenging assignments, constantly thriving to energize myself and deliver better than the best, in a professional and high growth environment Hometown: Hyderabad, India Student organizations/leadership positions: Senator, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Auburn University, Student Coordinator, Placement Committee, Panjab University, India Favorite spot on campus: Library and Jule Collins Smith Museum of Art Why do you think a degree from Auburn is a wise investment? Auburn is simply a great place to go to school. Friendly campus, affordable education, incredible school spirit, great academic programs and especially the Pharmacy Program at Auburn University is excellent.
Brittny Mathies
Vishal Salian
Position on Council: Executive Vice President
Position on Council: Treasurer
Area of Study: Educational Psychology, PhD Career Goal: Working with at-risk students and families Hometown: New Orleans, LA Other student organizations/ leadership positions: 2008 GSC Vice President, 2009 GSC Administrative Vice President, and 2008 and 2009 College of Education Ambassador Favorite spot on campus: Beard-Eaves Memorial Coliseum Why do you think a degree from Auburn is a wise investment? Auburn University is a leading academic institution with an outstanding faculty, providing students with valuable research and teaching opportunities and experiences in order to prepare them for their future as professionals in their field.
Area of Study: PhD in Chemical Engineering Career Goal: Professor Hometown: Mumbai, India Student organizations/ leadership positions: Senate Academic Computing Committee 2009-10, AIChE Favorite spot on campus: Hitchcock Field on a sunny day Why do you think a degree from Auburn is a wise investment? It opens up a new world of opportunities!
If you’d like more information about the Graduate Student Council or wish to become involved, please email augsc98@auburn.edu. 31
Graduate School Staff Dr. George T. Flowers Dean of the Graduate School flowegt@auburn.edu
Donna Childers Graduation and Program Specialist dct0002@auburn.edu
Dr. George Crandell Associate Dean crandgw@auburn.edu
Julie Renfro Academic Advisor of Theses and Dissertations renfrjb@auburn.edu
Dr. Jeff Sibley Associate Dean sibleje@auburn.edu Linda Hatchett Executive Assistant/Business Manager hatchlb@auburn.edu Deborah Bledsoe Insurance Coordinator dir0007@auburn.edu Theresa Morgan Director of Admissions morgatk@auburn.edu Jennifer Lovelace Domestic Admissions Processing jml0006@auburn.edu Alisa Little International Admissions Processing littlah@auburn.edu Sherry Ray Graduation and Program Specialist raysher@auburn.edu
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Minnie Bryant Receptionist gradadm@auburn.edu Myra Johnson Admissions Processing gradadm@auburn.edu Jessica Corbett Document Processing jac0033@auburn.edu Jessica Nelson Director of Recruiting and Communications jsn0002@auburn.edu Richard Alverson Information Technology alverro@auburn.edu Erin Edwards Graduate Assistant edwarer@auburn.edu Dr. Len Vining Special Projects Coordinator vininlj@auburn.edu
A WISE INVESTMENT
The Gift of Excellence Graduate fellowships play a key role in supporting the excellence in teaching and research efforts on campus. Quality graduate education attracts the best talent among faculty, graduate students, and undergraduates while simultaneously enhancing our local, state, and national communities – a wise investment for both the student and the economy. Gifts from friends and alumni like you help to provide these special opportunities for deserving students like Cindy Nelson Head, who is pursuing her PhD in Special Education. Cindy’s current research includes behavioral and academic interventions for students with autism and other behavioral disorders. She has submitted an article to a professional journal concerning experimental examination of the effects of self-modeling on the stereotypical behavior of a young girl with autism. With continued support, the Graduate School programs will grow in the coming years providing high quality instruction and an invaluable experience for our students. We invite you and your company or organization to take part in supporting graduate students like Cindy in the area(s) of teaching, research, or facilities that mean the most to you.
“
My reason for giving and supporting graduate education is because I can actually “see” how my contribution is helping the world now! Autism affects many more children now than ever before. To keep our nation strong, we need every individual to contribute regardless of ability or disability and to be a credit to society.
”
Lila White Funds research of Cindy Nelson Head in Special Education
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Upcoming Events August 16 New Student Orientation 8:30 am – 11:30 am Pizza Lunch and Resource Fair—all graduate students invited. 11:30 am – 1:30 pm
August 25 Colloquium: Laboratory Safety by Margaret Smith from the Office of Risk Management. Noon – 1:00 pm. Pizza lunch provided by GSC.
Sept 15 Colloquium: Environmental Safety by Dept. of Risk Management. Noon – 1:00 pm. Pizza lunch provided by GSC.
Oct. 6 Graduate Fair. Graduate Schools from across the country will have representatives on hand to speak to Auburn students about graduate school. 1:00 am – 2:00 pm.
Oct 13 Colloquium: Proposal Writing by Tony Ventimiglia from the Office of Sponsored Programs. Noon – 1:00 pm. Pizza lunch provided by GSC.
Nov 17 Colloquium: Intellectual Property by A J Gokcek from the Office of Technology Transfer. Noon – 1:00 pm. Pizza lunch provided by GSC.
March 6, 2011 The Graduate Scholars Forum
Visit our online calendar at www.grad.auburn.edu/cs/gscalendar.html for specific dates and deadlines.
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The Graduate Scholars Forum THIS YEAR TWO FORUM EVENTS WILL BE HELD! A general forum will take place March 1-3, 2011 in the Student Center on campus. Finalists from the general forum will then compete in a more formal forum on April 2, 2011 at the Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art. An evening reception will be held following the April 2 event for all forum participants and guests. The Forum gives graduate students the chance to enhance their presentation skills, showcase their research, and receive helpful feedback from judges in their areas of research. Don’t miss this opportunity!
www.grad.auburn.edu
Š August 2010. Auburn University Office of Communications and Marketing. Auburn University is an equal opportunity educational institution/employer.