The University of Toledo will host a renaming ceremony Friday, Feb. 28, for Presidents Hall, formerly known as the Crossings.

“The ceremony is an opportunity to honor our past presidents and to bring the community together,” Virginia Speight, UT director of residence life, said.

Presidents Hall, located in the southwest corner of UT Main Campus, honors four past presidents with each wing bearing the name of a former University leader — third President John Worthington Dowd, seventh President Philip Curtis Nash, eighth President Wilbur Wallace White and 15th President Daniel M. Johnson.

With the removal of Dowd, Nash and White halls last year, the University wanted to find a way to continue to recognize leaders who helped shape the institution, Speight said.

The ceremony will be at 1 p.m. in the second-floor lounge area of the residence hall followed by a reception on the first floor.

The dedication will be led by Dr. Kaye Patten Wallace, senior vice president for the student experience, and will include remarks by UT President Lloyd Jacobs, UT Board of Trustees Chair Joseph Zerbey and Johnson, who served as UT president from 2001 to 2006.

Media Coverage
The Blade (March 1, 2014)
WNWO (March 4, 2014)

The most successful breast cancer treatments target three receptors, but what happens when none of these receptors are present?

That’s the case in patients who are diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer, a rare and sometimes aggressive subtype of breast cancer. Their condition is the focus of a new public outreach effort. 

The University of Toledo Medical Center will host “A Different Shade of Pink” Monday, March 3, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. in recognition of Triple Negative Breast Cancer Day to educate the public about the disease. The event will be held at the Eleanor N. Dana Cancer Center.

Triple negative breast cancer occurs when estrogen receptors, progesterone receptors and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 — the three receptors known to fuel breast cancer — aren’t present.

Because only 15 of every 100 breast cancer diagnoses are triple negative, many are unaware of what the disease entails and what options are available for treatment. The disease also is often hard to diagnose because it is more common in younger women and is not always detected in mammograms.

“I had a friend pass away from triple negative breast cancer a year ago at age 26,” said Melissa Paskvan, UT Medical Center patient who was diagnosed with this type of breast cancer in 2009 and has been in remission for four years. “A lot of people think it’s a grandma’s disease, but it’s not. It could strike anyone at any time.”

Topics for the “A Different Shade of Pink” event will include treatment options, clinical trials, genetic testing, the role of exercise, survivorship services and more. The event will begin with a social hour and food with the program starting at 6 p.m.

“One of the important roles of an academic medical center like UTMC is education and outreach,” said Dr. Iman Mohamed, associate dean of medical school admissions and chief of the UTMC Division of Hematology and Oncology. “We invite anyone impacted by triple negative breast cancer or those curious about the disease to attend this event and learn more about it.”

“I hope people walk out of this feeling more informed of this disease and the treatments available,” Paskvan said.

To hear Paskvan’s story, read her blog at mlsspaskvan.blogspot.com. Paskvan also is raising money for triple negative breast cancer; donations can be made at tnbcday2014.kintera.org/tnbcsistersunite_melissa.

To RSVP to the “A Different Shade of Pink” event, email Janelle Tipton, oncology clinical nurse specialist, at Janelle.Tipton@utoledo.edu by Friday, Feb. 28.

Media Coverage
The Blade (March 4, 2014)

Learn about the origin of our universe and the big bang theory from a leading astrophysicist.

Dr. Lloyd Knox, professor of physics at the University of California at Davis, will give the 2014 McMaster Cosmology Lecture Thursday, Feb. 27, at 4 p.m. in the Driscoll Alumni Center Auditorium. The event is free and open to the public.

In his talk, “Confirmed Truths and Remaining Mysteries Regarding the Origin of the Universe,” Knox will discuss the history of the big bang picture of our origins, clarifying its observational successes and highlighting the remaining questions that drive us toward deeper exploration.

“[My lecture] is designed to celebrate the universe in which we live and our quest to understand it,” Knox said. “While doing so, I hope to give the broader audience a better understanding of the process of science and a sense of the excitement of discovery.”

Knox is leading the U.S. component of the effort to determine the basic parameters of the cosmos from the data acquired by the Planck satellite launched in 2009.

“We are extremely excited to have Professor Knox speak this year,” Dr. Tom Megeath, UT associate professor of astronomy, said. “He is a leader in his field and has an incredible reputation for being able to take a complex subject and explain it to a general audience.”

The McMaster lecture is an annual event at the University in honor of the late Harold McMaster, a solar energy pioneer and a benefactor of UT who had a deep interest in cosmology.

** MEDIA ALERT **

What: The University of Toledo will announce its sixth Jefferson Awards “Champion” honoree during a luncheon Wednesday, Feb. 26. 

When and where: 11:30 a.m., Wednesday, Feb. 26, in the Student Union, room 2584, on UT’s Main Campus

Who: Annual Jefferson Awards “Champion” honoree (to be announced)
Lawrence J. Burns, Vice President for External Affairs
Lloyd A. Jacobs, President

Full release:
The University of Toledo will announce its sixth annual Jefferson Awards “Champion” honoree during a special luncheon Wednesday, Feb. 26, at 11:30 a.m. in room 2584 of the Student Union on UT’s Main Campus.

Ten monthly Jefferson Awards honorees will be recognized during the event.

UT launched its Jefferson Awards program in January 2008 to celebrate members of the UT community who make service a priority. Each year, an annual honoree exemplifying the ideals of the program is selected to attend recognition events in Washington, D.C., offered by the national Jefferson Awards program.

Keeping with tradition, the announcement of the annual honoree will be a surprise to all in attendance.

The announcement will be made toward the end of the program, after 1 p.m.

Media Coverage
13 ABC and WNWO (Feb. 27, 2014)

More than 100 companies will attend the Spring 2014 Engineering Career Expo on Wednesday, Feb. 26.

The event expo will be 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. beginning in the North Engineering Building, and continuing through the first floor of Nitschke Hall and the Engineering Connector Building.

“Many companies from across the United States participate in this event,” said Dr. Vickie Kuntz, director of the Engineering Career Development Center that hosts the event. “A few of the nationally recognized companies scheduled to participate include Chrysler, Cooper Tire, CSX, DTE Energy, First Energy, General Electric, Honda of America, Johnson & Johnson, JP Morgan, Marathon and Whirlpool.”

Kuntz said in past career expos, more than 600 engineering students have attended the event to meet with employers for networking and future employment. She expects between 600 and 700 students and alumni to participate at this spring expo.

Only UT College of Engineering students, grads and alumni are eligible to attend.

“The expo is open to University of Toledo students who are enrolled in the College of Engineering,” Kuntz said. “In addition, UT engineering graduates who have been in the work force for a few years and are interested in exploring other positions also are welcome.”

Media Coverage
WTOL 11 and WNWO (Feb. 27, 2014)

The University of Toledo on Wednesday will recognize Dr. Lancelot C.A. Thompson for 55 years of teaching and leading student affairs.

Thompson

The University will unveil the Dr. Lancelot C.A. Thompson Meeting Room in Student Union Room 2592 at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 19, with a short program and reception.

Thompson, professor emeritus of chemistry, was one of the first four recipients of the institution’s Outstanding Teacher Award, an honor based on student nominations.

He went on to serve as vice president for student affairs in 1968 and held the position for 22 years. He also served as assistant dean for undergraduate study in the College of Arts and Sciences, and dean of student services.

Thompson has long served as a mentor to many students, particularly student-athletes. A native of Jamaica, Thompson came to the United States on a track scholarship.

“Over the years, Lance has been an adviser, a mentor and, most of all, a friend to many of our student-athletes. The wisdom and guidance Lance provides plays an important role in their lives,” said Mike O’Brien, UT vice president and athletic director.

To help inspire the next generation of college students, Thompson also continues to help organize the annual Aspiring Minorities Youth Conference.

“Lance’s mark on The University of Toledo and in particular on the Division of Student Affairs is immeasurable,” said Dr. Kaye Patten Wallace, senior vice president for the student experience. “He’s a true student services professional who gave us a blueprint for service and optimism and dedication.”

Thompson says that “helping students is a part of me.”

“If anything is said about me, just let it be that I cared about people, especially students, so they had all the help available to them.”

Click here to download a photo of Thompson.

Media Coverage
The Blade (Feb. 24, 2014)

Engineers Week is being recognized at The University of Toledo with a number of events demonstrating how engineering impacts daily life.

With the theme “Discover Engineering: Let’s Make a Difference,” this year’s recognition will include events Feb. 17-21 organized by the UT College of Engineering and its student groups.

“Engineers Week is a time for those of us within the profession to reaffirm our commitment to improve the quality of life of the society. It is also an opportunity to remind the citizenry how engineering enables everyday life,” Dr. Nagi Naganathan, dean of the College of Engineering, said. “I invite the community at large, both within and outside the University, to come to our college and participate in the many interesting and engaging events designed and organized by our students.”
Some of the events include:

Monday, Feb. 17

•  Minute to Win It, 2 p.m., Nitschke Hall Room 1027. Students will race to complete a series of tasks in the least amount of time.
•  Straw Tower, 4 p.m., first floor of Nitschke Hall. Students will attempt to the build the tallest straw tower.

Tuesday, Feb. 18

•  Students vs. Faculty Tug of War, 1 p.m., first floor of Nitschke Hall. Student teams will vie for the chance to compete against engineering faculty members.
•  Ice Cream in a Bag, 4 p.m., first floor of Nitschke Hall. Who knew an endothermic reaction could make such a tasty treat? Stop by to make some frozen goodness in less than 15 minutes.

Wednesday, Feb. 19

•  Engineer for a Day, starts at 9 a.m., Nitschke Hall. Area high school students will visit the University to tour engineering facilities. After a luncheon on campus, the students will shadow professional engineers in the community.
•  Aaron Kozbial, known as the professor of comedy, 6 p.m., Nitschke Hall Auditorium. The comic will entertain with clean, high-energy jokes.

Thursday, Feb. 20

•  Guest speaker Victor Antonio, 11:30 a.m., Nitschke Hall Auditorium. The former CEO of a Fortune 500 international telecommunications corporation and author of the book, The Logic of Success, will discuss why some people succeed and others fail.
•  Pop Bottle Rockets Contest, 2 p.m., Nitschke Hall Courtyard. Students will create an air pressure rocket using a two-liter or 20-ounce pop bottle and see how far the craft travels in a straight line.

Friday, Feb. 21

•  Toothpick Bridge, 11 a.m., first floor of Nitschke Hall. Students will build bridges using toothpicks and white glue, then test the bridges by adding weight until the structure fails.

Click here to read a full list of events.

Media Coverage
13 ABC (Feb. 20, 2014)

Ross Douthat, New York Times op-ed columnist, author, and blogger, will deliver a talk titled “Finding the Voice of Modern Conservatism: Between Ted Cruz and Chris Christie,” at noon Wednesday, Feb. 19 in the McQuade Law Auditorium at The University of Toledo College of Law. 

Douthat

The free, public lecture is a presentation in the College’s Stranahan National Issues Forum and is sponsored by the College of Law and its chapter of the Federalist Society for Law and Public Policy Studies.

The youngest op-ed columnist in the history of the New York Times, conservative commentator Douthat analyzes domestic and international politics and government for the Times editorial pages. In his talk at the College of Law, Douthat will explore the range of modern conservative opinion and how its competing voices manifest themselves in politics, law, and society. Douthat will consider various perspectives on such issues as the recent government shutdown, the Affordable Care Act, and the role of religion in society, and consider how conservatism can reclaim the moral high ground in contemporary discourse.

“Ross Douthat embodies a rare combination of the thoughtful and the critical,” said Lee Strang, professor of law. “His many books and countless essays are praised by people across the spectrum. Douthat’s lecture, where he will share his unique insights on today’s conservative movement, is sure to provoke thought and conversation.”

New York Times bestselling author Douthat’s most recent book is Bad Religion: How We Became a Nation of Heretics (Free Press, 2012). He also is the author of Privilege: Harvard and the Education of the Ruling Class (Hyperion, 2005), and the co-author, with Reihan Salam, of Grand New Party: How Republicans Can Win the Working Class and Save the American Dream (Doubleday, 2008).

Formerly a senior editor and blogger at The Atlantic, Douthat has written on topics ranging from higher education to national politics to celebrities’ religious conversions. He has contributed to The Wall Street Journal, The Weekly Standard and National Review, among other publications.

Click here to download a photo of Douthat.

Stranahan National Issues Forum
The Stranahan National Issues Forum is a joint program of The University of Toledo College of Law and its chapter of the Federalist Society for Law and Public Policy Studies. It is made possible by an endowment from the Stranahan Foundation. The Forum’s purpose is to address issues of national importance through the lens of the American legal system, and Ross Douthat joins a long list of high-profile speakers who have delivered the Stranahan Lecture at the UT College of Law.

Parking
Reserved parking for lecture attendees is available in Lot 25, which is adjacent to Rocket Hall. Visitors may access Lot 25 from Secor Road using College Drive.

SPECIAL BOARD OF TRUSTEES’ MEETING

Wednesday, February 19, 2014
Libbey Hall
5:00 p.m. Special Board Meeting

This meeting will immediately convene into an Executive Session to consider the employment of a public employee.

Any questions may be directed to the University Communications Office by calling (419) 530-7832 or via email at jonathan.strunk@utoledo.edu.

Joan A. Stasa
Secretary, Board of Trustees

The University of Toledo College of Law guarantees that new full-time students who are residents of Ohio or Michigan entering in fall 2014 will pay no more than $17,900 per year in tuition for all three years of law school.

Each full-time, new student from Ohio or Michigan will receive a scholarship in an amount that assures he or she pays no more than $17,900 in tuition when they begin their studies academic year 2014-15. This scholarship will be renewed in an amount that assures the student also pays no more than $17,900 per year in tuition for academic years 2015-16 and 2016-17, even if tuition increases.

The initiative effectively constitutes a significant reduction of the law college’s 2013-14 tuition of $20,578, which already was the lowest in-state tuition in Ohio and Michigan.

“This scholarship initiative will increase access to legal education for well-qualified Ohio and Michigan residents who otherwise might not have considered law school in general or Toledo Law in particular,” Dean Daniel Steinbock said. “It makes the quality education we provide even more of a good value.”

For more details regarding this scholarship, see the Value Scholarship web page or contact the Law Admissions Office at 419.530.4131 or Law.Admissions@utoledo.edu.

The UT College of Law previously had guaranteed that Michigan residents entering as new students in fall 2014 would pay the same tuition as Ohio residents for all three years of law school.