The time to dispose of your old, broken or unwanted electronics is now.

The University of Toledo’s Sustainability, Energy Efficiency and Design (SEED) Initiative will kick off Recyclemania, an eight-week recycling competition that draws participants from colleges across the United States and Canada, with a community electronics recycling drive.

The fourth annual electronics recycling drive will take place Saturday, Feb. 6, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Parking Area 25, which is located near Rocket Hall off Secor Road.

Community members are invited to drop off laptops, computers, printers, speakers, cameras, cell phones, VCRs and more. Any data-bearing devices will be wiped.

Televisions, air conditioners, dehumidifiers, and CRT monitors will not be accepted, as they have to undergo a different recycling process.

“Recycling electronics instead of sending them to the landfill has environmental, social and economic benefits, including conserving rare minerals currently mined unsustainably, often through poor working conditions,” said Neil Tabor, sustainability specialist for the UT SEED Initiative.

The initiative is pairing up with Affinity Information Management (AIMecycling), an R-2 Certified recycler located in Toledo, to handle items.

Last year, the University took ninth place in the electronics recycling category of Recyclemania, thanks in part to the success of the 2015 community electronics recycling drive.

Media Coverage
13 ABC (Feb. 4, 2016)
The Blade (Feb. 5, 2016)
13 ABC (Feb. 6, 2016)

The University of Toledo announced Wednesday four finalists for the position of provost and executive vice president for academic affairs.

“We are excited to announce four outstanding finalists who will be visiting The University of Toledo in the coming weeks to interview for the position of provost and executive vice president for academic affairs,” wrote Dr. Kaye Patten, senior vice president for student affairs and Dr. Christopher Ingersoll, dean of the College of Health Sciences and Interim Dean of the College of Social Justice and Human Service, in a letter sent the campus community.

In addition to meeting with faculty, administrators and academic leaders, the candidates will also each participate in two open forums — one on Main Campus and one on Health Science Campus — to provide an opportunity for the UT community to offer input.

The candidates are:

Wednesday, Feb. 10 — Dr. Christopher Keil McCord, dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Northern Illinois University. Open forums for McCord will be:

• 1:15 – 2:15 p.m. — Student Union Room 2592 on Main Campus
• 4:45 – 5:45 p.m. — Health Education Building Room 100 on Health Science Campus.

Friday, Feb. 12 — Dr. Andrew Hsu, dean of the College of Engineering at San Jose State. Open forums for Hsu will be:

• 10 – 11 a.m. — Health Education Building Room 105 on Health Science Campus
• 3 – 4 p.m. — Student Union Room 2592 on Main Campus

Wednesday, Feb. 17 — Dr. Donald Siegel, dean of the School of Business at the University of Albany. Open forums for Siegel will be:

• 1:15 – 2:15 p.m. — Student Union Room 2582 on Main Campus
• 4:45 – 5:45 p.m. — Health Education Building Room 100 on Health Science Campus

Thursday, Feb. 18 — Dr. Charles Robinson, vice chancellor for diversity and community at the University of Arkansas. Open forums for Robinson will be:

• 1:15 – 2:15 p.m. — Student Union Room 2592 on Main Campus
• 4:45 – 5:45 p.m. — Health Education Building Room 100 on Health Science Campus

Finalists’ curricula vitae are available at the provost search website, utoledo.edu/offices/provost/provostsearch.

Additionally, all of the open forums will be streamed live at video.utoledo.edu and archived on the provost search website for those unable to watch live.

Media Coverage
The Blade (Feb. 3, 2016)
NBC 24 (Feb. 3, 2016)
13 ABC (Feb. 4, 2016)
The Blade (Feb. 4, 2016)
Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette (Feb. 4, 2016)
Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette (Feb. 6, 2016)

The University of Toledo’s celebration of Black History Month will inspire students to be active in shaping the world they want to live in.

This year’s theme is “Live for the Moment, not for the Movement: Black Activism in the 21st Century” and will kick off with a keynote address by Tuskegee University President Brian J. Johnson. 

The kickoff luncheon will be Saturday, Feb. 6, from noon to 2 p.m. in the Student Union Auditorium when Johnson will discuss recent events happening around the country and the need for action to address issues continuing to impact the African-American community.

“UT students want to get involved. As a college student, this is the time to learn, to grow, to develop, and to do your part to shape the world you will live in,” said Henderson Hill III, UT assistant dean of multicultural student success. “Be part of the conversation, but also be intentional and mature in how you handle activism.”

Henderson joined UT in January from Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tenn., where he was the director of the Wilbur N. Daniel African American Cultural Center. In the newly created position, Henderson leads the UT Office of Multicultural Student Success in the Division of Student Affairs.

Johnson has served since 2014 as the seventh president of Tuskegee University, one of the nation’s leading historically black institutions of higher education founded in 1881 by Booker T. Washington.

“We are honored to have Dr. Johnson begin our celebration of Black History Month that gives us the opportunity to recognize cultural history and honor the contributions of African Americans who have contributed to our global society,” Hill said.

This event is free to all UT students, faculty and staff, and community members can reserve tickets for $20 by contacting the Division of Student Affairs at 419.530.2665.

Listed by date, additional Black History Month events will include:

Wednesday, Feb. 10

• “We’ll Have No Race Trouble Here: Memphis Politics and the 1940 Reign of Terror” by Dr. Jason Jordan, UT visiting assistant professor of history, 4:30 p.m., location to be determined.

Wednesday, Feb. 17

• “We Are STEMM: A Celebration of African-American Accomplishments in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medicine” by Dr. Emanuel Rivers, vice chair and research director of Henry Ford Hospital’s Department of Emergency Medicine, 6 p.m., Health Education Building Room 110.

Friday, Feb. 19

• African-American Children’s Books Read-In, noon, Robinson Elementary, 1075 Horace St.

Saturday, Feb. 20

• Student trip to the Motown Museum in Detroit sponsored by the Office of Multicultural Student Success. Open to the first 42 UT students to RSVP to omss@utoledo.edu or 419.530.2261.

Thursday, Feb. 25

• Africana Studies Brown-Bag Lecture, 12:30 p.m., location to be determined. Dr. Rubin Patterson, professor and chair of sociology and anthropology at Howard University, will present “Preparing African Americans for Environmental and Climate Stabilization Leadership.”
• Screening of the film “Fruitvale Station,” 5:30 p.m., location to be determined.

Monday, Feb. 29

• The Men of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc. (Lambda Epsilon) and the Ladies of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc. (Alpha Pi) will present “We Shall Overcome,” 7 p.m., Student Union Room 2582.

Throughout the month of February, The University of Toledo Libraries will have displays of books by African-American authors in Carlson Library and Mulford Library. To view the “Activism and Civil Rights: 20th Century Activism” library guide, click here.

For more information, contact the Office of Multicultural Student Success at 419.530.2261 or omss@utoledo.edu.

Click here to download photo of Johnson.

Media Coverage
Lima News (Feb. 6, 2016)
The Blade (Feb. 7, 2016)

Steve Wozniak, co-founder of Apple Inc., is visiting The University of Toledo to speak as part of the Jesup Scott Honors College Distinguished Lecture Series.

Wozniak

More than 5,000 people have registered for the free tickets to the Silicon Valley icon’s talk at 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 1 in Savage Arena on the UT Main Campus. Limited general admission tickets remain.

Wozniak and Apple co-founder Steve Jobs revolutionized the computer industry with the Apple I and II personal computers. These early designs influenced today’s Mac computer and innovative products that impact daily living, including the iPhone, iPad, iTunes and AppleTV.

The final talk in the 2015-16 Jesup Scott Honors College Distinguished Lecture Series will be Tuesday, April 5 when Ann Bancroft, one of the world’s preeminent polar explorers, speaks at 7 p.m. in Doermann Theater. Bancroft is an internationally recognized leader who is dedicated to inspiring women, girls and audiences around the world to unleash the power of their dreams.

For additional information or to request tickets, visit utoledo.edu/honorslecture or call 419.530.2738.

Media Coverage
The Blade (Feb. 2, 2016)
The Blade (Feb. 2, 2016)
13 ABC (Feb. 2, 2016)
WTOL 11 (Feb. 2, 2016)
The Blade (Feb. 8, 2016)

The University of Toledo invites the community to join the campus conversation on diversity.

A Community Conversation on Diversity will be 6-8 p.m. Monday, Feb. 1 at the Kent Public Library, 3101 Collingwood Blvd.

The conversation is one of several UT is holding to engage campus in a dialogue about their experiences and perceptions of diversity and inclusiveness at the University. Focused conversations also have been scheduled to engage students, faculty and staff about their experiences.

“We want to learn how the UT and Toledo communities feel, as well as how we should go about creating an inclusive environment at The University of Toledo,” said Dr. Willie McKether, special assistant to the president for diversity who is working to create a comprehensive University diversity plan. “These efforts to listen and gather data are critical for understanding where we are now and where we want to go as a university community.”

The discussions are part of UT President Sharon L. Gaber’s commitment to diversity, inclusion and equal access to important institutional resources.

“The University needs to be sure all voices are heard, and these sessions are essential to our strategic diversity plan,” Gaber said. “We need to incorporate the feedback we receive into our policies, procedures and initiatives, as well as ensure that UT is an inclusive, welcoming and supportive environment for all stakeholders, from faculty and staff to students and the community we’re grateful to serve.”

In the conversations, McKether will explore with participants their views on how UT currently addresses issues of diversity and their perceptions of being welcomed, valued and included at the University. Topics will include, but not be limited to, student life, campus climate, community involvement, classroom climate and inclusion.

Media Coverage
The Blade (Jan. 29, 2016)
La Prensa (Feb. 2, 2016)

Inhale, be aware, exhale.

Mindfulness — the ability to be in the moment, focused and aware — is a practice that requires dedication and one that UT Senior Lecturer Jay Rinsen Weik recommends starting with a face to face interaction with an instructor.

Luckily his upcoming lecture, “Zen Mindfulness,” could serve as that first step. The free, public lecture on Tuesday, Feb. 2 at 7 p.m. will be in the Center for Performing Arts Recital Hall. After a brief musical introduction, Weik plans to talk about the practice of mindfulness and teach some basic meditations for people to implement in their daily lives.

The talk will be an extension of the Mindfulness and Creativity Initiative that Weik directs at the University.

“The initiative brings together two important aspects of human fulfillment,” he said. “One of them is creativity studies, which is ridiculously relevant no matter what field we’re talking about. The other is mindfulness. That’s the ability to be present to one’s experience; really powerfully present. Creativity is the currency of progress, and mindfulness is the currency of peace.”

Both are developable and trainable, according to Weik, who also serves as an American Zen teacher. By practicing meditational exercises daily, mindfulness can alleviate stress and reduce suffering — producing a tangible difference in a person’s life.

“The more of us that are healthy, that are creative, that are fulfilled, the better it is for all of us,” said Weik, who teaches a course called Mindfulness and Creativity at UT focusing on introducing mindfulness through meditation and breathing methods.

A reception will follow the talk. Free parking will be available in the UT Law Center’s parking areas, 12, 12S and 12W.

The lecture is sponsored jointly by the UT Mindfulness and Creativity Initiative and the UT Center for Religious Understanding. It’s made possible by the University’s College of Languages, Literature and Social Sciences, the Toledo Community Foundation and other local individuals, families and corporations that support the Center for Religious Understanding.

Media Coverage
The Blade (Jan. 30, 2016)

BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETINGS
Wednesday, January 6, 2016
Driscoll Alumni Center, Board Room
5:30 p.m. Board of Trustees Social Dinner

Monday, January 11, 2016
Driscoll Alumni Center, Schmakel Room
10:30 a.m. Clinical Affairs Committee Meeting
1:00 p.m. Academic and Student Affairs Committee Meeting
2:30 p.m. Finance and Audit Committee Meeting
3:30 p.m. Trusteeship and Governance Committee Meeting

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

The College of Languages, Literature and Social Sciences and the College of Law at The University of Toledo have partnered to create a program that allows students to earn both a bachelor’s degree and a law degree in just six years instead of the usual seven.

The new three-plus-three program is an innovative collaboration that saves UT students both time and money, according to Dr. Jamie Barlowe, dean of UT College of Languages, Literature and Social Sciences.

“This exciting three-plus-three program not only provides our students with a focused, cost-saving pathway to a rewarding career, but it also acknowledges the importance of a liberal arts background to the study of the law,” she said.

In order to participate in the new program, students in the UT College of Languages, Literature and Social Sciences must fulfill the college’s general education and major requirements by the end of the third year. The student postpones 18 hours of related fields requirement and 12 hours of electives until senior year.

The UT College of Languages, Literature and Social Sciences student applies to the UT College of Law during junior year and begins attending law school during senior year. When the student has completed all of the first year law courses, he or she is awarded a bachelor’s degree from the UT College of Languages, Literature and Social Sciences. The student receives the law degree after completing the entire law program.

“We are very excited to collaborate with the College of Languages, Literature and Social Sciences on the three-plus-three program,” said D. Benjamin Barros, dean of the College of Law. “It gives students an opportunity to get an outstanding undergraduate and legal education quickly and inexpensively.”

A UT College of Languages, Literature and Social Sciences student can decide to pursue the program at any point during undergraduate study, but students are encouraged to discuss their intention as early as possible with an undergraduate adviser to ensure completion of any required courses for the student’s major.

For more information, visit utoledo.edu/llss/prospective/3-3-admissions.html.

Media Coverage
La Prensa (Dec. 18, 2015)

A University of Toledo alumnus is ensuring future engineers will have the right combination of technical and business skills needed to meet the growing energy needs of the world.

Gary Leidich, retired executive vice president and president of FirstEnergy Generation and FirstEnergy Corp., is donating $500,000 to the UT College of Engineering in support of a new academic initiative in energy engineering.

An event to celebrate the generosity of Gary and Eileen Leidich will be held 10 a.m. Friday, Dec. 18 in the Nitschke Hall SSOE Seminar Room.

“It is very clear that energy dependence is not going away. The energy needs in the United States and around the world are going to be significant,” Leidich, chair of the UT Foundation Board of Trustees, said. “We have become accustomed to a lot of energy use. You plug in your cell phone and it’s all magic, but there is a lot behind it.”

Leidich, who received a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering and a master’s degree in engineering science from UT, remembers well the power systems courses where he learned about energy conversion that prepared him for the technical aspects of his career.

He saw a need for increased specialization for today’s engineers not only in power systems, but also with oil, gas and other alternative energy sectors. So he was intrigued when Dr. Nagi Naganathan, dean of the UT College of Engineering, approached him with an idea to create a unique energy engineering concentration as a graduate degree option. Naganathan also invited Leidich to chair a task force of faculty, alumni and representatives from corporate partners DTE Energy Co., Owens Corning and First Solar Inc. to shape the curriculum.

“I saw my role in stepping up and demonstrating some leadership for this program that I think will get a lot of traction,” Leidich said.

“We cannot thank Gary and Eileen Leidich enough for their generosity and commitment to the success of future engineers,” UT President Sharon L. Gaber said. “Graduates of this new energy engineering concentration will be prepared to advance the world’s energy needs with the strong foundation Gary laid during his successful career in the energy sector.”

According to Naganathan, both in the United States and across the world, there will be an increased need for uniquely qualified engineering professionals who understand the energy portfolio not only technically, but also with a good knowledge of complementary topics in management, law and social sciences. Every organization that has a significant energy footprint would want to hire such professionals as the energy demand increases, he said.

“The success of the UT College of Engineering and our graduates is directly tied to the strong relationships we have with leaders like Gary Leidich and the corporations they represent to be sure our curriculum is current, relevant and engaging,” Naganathan said. “Thanks to Gary and Eileen’s generosity and the support of alumni and corporate partners, we can now launch a program to produce a new cadre of graduates who will be innovative leaders of energy portfolios in the future.”

Leidich, who retired from FirstEnergy Corp. in 2011, began his career with Cleveland Electric Illuminating Co. (CEI) during the construction of the Perry Nuclear Power Plant. During his career, he held a number of positions with Centerior Energy, the parent company of CEI and Toledo Edison that merged with Ohio Edison in 1997 to form FirstEnergy Corp., including director of system planning, director of human resources, vice president of finance and administration, and president of the power generation group. As an administrator with FirstEnergy, Leidich also held the roles of president and chief nuclear officer and senior vice president of operations prior to retiring as executive vice president.

Leidich continues to do consulting work for the electric utility industry and serves as chair of the Western Electricity Coordinating Council.

“Our society has grown completely dependent on energy, and this is something we are going to need forever,” Leidich said.

Media Coverage
The Blade (Dec. 16, 2015)

BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETINGS
Wednesday, December 16, 2015
President’s Residence
5:30 p.m. Board of Trustees Social Dinner

Saturday, December 19, 2015
Sullivan Athletic Complex, 4th Floor Conference Room
8:00 a.m. Clinical Affairs Committee Meeting
8:15 a.m. Special Board of Trustees Meeting

A Special Board meeting will be held on December 19 to discuss sabbaticals, personnel actions and two resolutions.

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