Technician - 07.12.2012

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thursday july

19 2012

Raleigh, North Carolina

technicianonline.com

CALS announces new dean The search committee has settled on a new dean for CALS and welcomes Richard Linton to the University. Jessie Halpern News Editor

After a months-long national search, the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Dean Search Committee tapped Richard Linton to replace former CALS Dean Johnny Wynne. Linton is currently chairman of the Food Science and Technology Department at The Ohio State Uni-

versity. Prior to that, he worked with Chancellor Randy Woodson at Perdue University. Wynne, an N.C. State graduate and researcher, retired July 1 after seven years as dean of the program. Jonathon Smith, a senior in agricultural education and undergraduate student representative on the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Dean Search Committee, said he was excited about the selection. “Linton is coming to CALS with a fresh perspective on the goals we should possess to strengthen the fields of agriculture and life sciences,” Smith wrote. “CALS and

N.C. State have a lot of important establish a strategic vision for the objectives to complete in the years next decade of CALS.” to come in order to ensure that the Smith said Linton is most interworld has an adeested in engaging quate food supply, with students. clean water, a safe “His philosophy environment, and is ‘Students first,’” the research and Smith wrote. “In extension systems his current posiin place to support tion, he has offered and promote these town halls for stuJonathon Smith, senior in advancements. Lindent s, a l low i ng agricultural education ton has experience them an avenue in all three areas of through which to the land-grant mission (academ- express their opinions and suggesics, extension and research) and I tions directly to the administrabelieve he is in a great position to tion.”

“Linton is coming to CALS with a fresh perspective...”

STUDENT CONNECTIONS

Students protest in Chile Students around the world suffer through unaffordable tuition and increasing debt.

Farm Bill has yet to pass As Congress comes to an end, it is uncertain whether a farm bill will pass this year. Jessie Halpern News Editor

Editors note: This is a new section connecting N.C. State students to students outside North Carolina and the struggles they face. Noah Rouse Correspondent

The cobblestone streets of Santiago, Chile, were once again colored this summer with the f lags of protestors calling for education reform in the city’s central square before state police in riot gear were called in to clear the plaza. The June 29 protest was just one of the many anti-government demonstrations staged in the past year. All are part of a movement that has been dubbed by its leaders as the Chilean Winter, a student-led protest aimed at increasing access to public education and ending forprofit schools. Since its inception in May 2011, however, the Chilean Winter has gained support from both leftists and unionists and evolved into a criticism of Chilean society as a whole, with demands that more attention be given to the Andean nation’s growing inequality and struggling lower classes. The current situation in Chile is a product of its recent history. Existing for years as one of the most

Smith said Linton hopes to continue that tradition when he arrives at N.C. State, and he wants to use the Agri-Life Council on a regular basis to get student feedback. “Linton is committed to developing a more inclusive college that provides better accessibility for all students,” Smith wrote. “He is known around the world for his work as a professor and understands the value of national and international experiences. He wants students to experience more of these opportunities as well.”

PHOTO COURTESY OF BRITTANY PETERSON

Chilean students form a circle around a group of prominent university leaders to protect them from possible relatiation from police. College students in Chile have been protesting for the past year for affordable education.

isolated colonies in the Spanish Empire, Chile made a name for itself after gaining independence by becoming one the largest mineral producers in Latin America. It slowly accumulated wealth, but political power remained firmly in the hands of aristocrats and industrialists. Chile found itself at the center of the world stage during the Cold War when, after the election of a Marx-

ist president in 1970, both the CIA and the KGB began a covert war that ended with the 1973 coup by the infamous U.S.-backed General Augusto Pinochet and the suspicious death of President Salvador Allende. During his reign, Pinochet undertook a purge of all Marxist influence from Chilean society, a brutal crackdown on dissent and a suspen-

sion of democracy, but also led the nation to prosperity through economic liberalization. Pinochet sold off state-owned mining companies, welcomed foreign investments, and signed free trade agreements with many of the world’s largest manufacturers who sought Chile’s minerals.

The U.S. Senate’s bill to cut farm subsidies and land conservation spending by almost $2 billion per year was revised in the House to include applied research and extension grant matching. But as the legislative session comes to an end, some are uncertain as to whether the bill will pass. The 2012 Farm Bill considered by the Senate in June was designed to transform the subsidy system for farmers, according to the Associated Press. The bill passed in the Senate 65-34 and moved on to the House, where House members immediately began making revisions. The Environmental Working Group reports subsidies provided by the federal government are designed to give a “safety net” to agricultural producers, including helping them deal with unpredictable weather conditions that affect their industry. The New York Times reported the Senate bill would cut $23.6 billion from present spending, including about $4.5 billion from food stamps. Barry Goodwin, a professor

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Turfgrass professors prepare for a nnual Field Day Alex Petercuskie Correspondent

Registration is now open for N.C. State’s Annual Turfgrass Field Day, an event that benefits hundreds of turfgrass professionals in North Carolina. This year’s field day is scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 8 at the Lake Wheeler Road Turfgrass Research Lab. It will attract a diverse crowd, from golf course superintendents to homeowners. Professors at N.C. State, through the University’s land-grant mission, research various crops to see

which varieties thrive most in what conditions. During the field day, attendees have the opportunity to see actual trials done by faculty in order to learn more about specific crops and fertilizers of interest. The turfgrass industry is one of the largest agricultural industries in North Carolina, and N.C. State boasts one of the top turfgrass programs in the country. “Our mission at N.C. State is to improve management practices for everyone who’s a turf manager. What we do applies to turf managers in all of the Southeast,” Rich Cooper, a professor in both crop and turfgrass science, said. The University’s research works to make North Carolina’s agricultural business more lucrative by develop-

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ing more efficient growing tech- terning at WakeMed Soccer Park, niques. This year, N.C. State crop said he has heard about the event, science professor but it falls on a Susana Milla-Lewis weekday a nd is is working on turfexpensive for stugrass breeding in dents, so he is unorder to produce efsure whether he’ll ficient varieties that be able to attend. specifically address “I would like to Nor t h Ca rol i na go if I can get out conditions. of work,” Lawing A lt houg h stusaid. “I believe it dents who major would be a good in turfgrass science experience for stuRich Cooper, CALS professor are encouraged to dents to go to.” attend, some say The field day also the price is too steep. Registration excludes students who are not in the is $30, with lunch provided, and Raleigh area during the summer increases to $35 after Aug. 3. months. Andrew Lawing, a senior in turfCooper said while he encourages grass science who is currently in- students to attend, it is mostly a

“Our mission... is to improve management procedures for everyone who’s a turf manager.”

large gathering of professionals in the field of turfgrass and lawn care. Cooper said the field day is enjoyable for people in the industry and seems to be very popular. “Last year we had about 800 people,” Cooper said. “Our turf managers will attend the field day to find out the newest and best recommendations. We try to maintain them using as little pesticide as possible.” Not only does the field day provide the latest research for local and state professionals in the industry, but with 23 varsity sports teams, N.C. State must also work to maintain its own athletic fields. Cooper said the University’s research also emphasizes finding ways to reduce the

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TURF continued page 2

SCAN HERE

Though students are away, professionals plan to gather and discuss the fields on campus.


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