University news
Greene assumes new role
David Greene, the University’s vice president for strategic initiatives since 2006, has been named executive vice president. In that role, he coordinates the University’s financial planning and fundraising, real-estate development, campus master planning, and external relations related to global activities.
Logan leaves legacy
David Logan, AB’39, JD’41, a Chicago attorney and investor known for his support of the arts and investigative journalism, died January 22 at age 93. His family’s $35 million gift in 2007 was a catalyst for UChicago arts; the namesake Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts opens in 2012. (See Deaths.)
View from the bench
Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor gave Law School students a glimpse into her life and career in a January visit. During a 90-minute conversation, Sotomayor answered questions from Professor David Strauss and an audience of about 100, describing her decision-making process, the respectful relationship between justices, and the fear she has felt throughout her professional life. Recounting her first day as a district-court judge in 1991, Sotomayor said, “My knees were knocking. I was convinced the whole courtroom could hear them.”
Fire in a crowded theater
After the Smithsonian Institution removed a condensed version of David Wojnarowicz’s video A Fire in My Belly (1986–87) from its queer portraiture exhibit Hide/Seek, the Smart Museum of Art became one of three Chicago-area institutions to screen it. The Smithsonian’s four-minute excerpt from Fire inspired protests that focused on an 11-second segment showing an image of Jesus with ants crawling on it. From January 4 to February 6, the Smart played Wojnarowicz’s 13-minute original on a continuous loop to encourage discussion of the work’s themes and censorship.
Payne takes schools post
Charles M. Payne’s brief tenure as the Chicago Public Schools’ interim chief education officer could have lasting effects. Appointed in February, Payne, the Frank P. Hixon distinguished service professor in the School of Social Service Administration, will lead the district in developing a new educational plan until a new mayor takes office in May. “We can begin to vet and explore some ideas that will help the next mayor and chief executive officer get off to a faster start,” said Payne, the author of So Much Reform, So Little Change (Harvard Education Press, 2008) about attempts to improve Chicago schools.
Med Center gets new president
Sharon O’Keefe, who has worked in health care for three decades, became Medical Center president February 23. Previously president of the Loyola University Medical Center, O’Keefe worked as a critical-care nurse before moving into administration. Before joining Loyola in 2009, O’Keefe spent seven years as chief operating officer at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis.
Epley wins for good behavior
Chicago Booth social psychologist Nicholas Epley is the first business-school faculty member to receive the American Psychological Association’s Distinguished Scientific Award for Early Career Contribution. Presented since 1974, the award recognizes work during the first nine years after receiving a doctorate. The association honored Epley, the John Templeton Keller professor of behavioral science and John E. Jeuck faculty fellow, for his research on social cognition, perspective taking, and intuitive human judgment.
Chapin Hall targets violence
Chapin Hall will house the Chicago Center for Youth Violence Prevention. Research fellow Deborah Gorman-Smith will lead the center, one of four National Academic Centers of Excellence funded with a $1.3 million grant from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention. Developing violence-prevention plans directed at specific Chicago communities, the center will focus on children at different ages and stages of development.
Robust research climate
A five-year, $6 million National Science Foundation grant funds a new Center for Robust Decision Making on Climate and Energy Policy. Led by the Computation Institute and its director, Ian Foster, the center will include experts in economics, physical sciences, energy technologies, law, computational mathematics, statistics, and computer science from nine institutions. They will conduct research to inform public- and private-sector decision making on climate-change and energy policies.
Diversified responsibilities
William McDade, associate professor of anesthesiology and critical care and associate dean for multicultural affairs at the Pritzker School of Medicine, has been named the University’s deputy provost for research and minority issues. At Pritzker, McDade, PhD’88, MD’90, created the Bowman Society, which advises minority scholars about academic-medicine careers.
At the economic frontier
Lars Peter Hansen has received the BBVA Foundation Frontiers of Knowledge Award in the economics, finance, and management category. Hansen, the David Rockefeller distinguished service professor in economics, statistics, and the College, was recognized for innovations that provide “the basis for much contemporary empirical research in financial economics.”
Makeover on 53rd Street
Work began in January to renovate the vacant, University-owned office building at 53rd Street and Harper Avenue. The interior rehabilitation, tuck-pointing, and facade improvements should be completed by fall. Restaurants, including a Five Guys Burgers and Fries, and retail are planned for the 5,000-square-foot ground floor. The second floor will have multiple uses, including potential office space.
Health Initiative equips clinic
The Medical Center’s Urban Health Initiative has provided a $50,000 grant to CommunityHealth’s Englewood clinic. The grant will help buy medical equipment and support the clinic’s expansion and renovation. In September CommunityHealth opened the clinic, its first satellite site, in a Chicago Department of Health facility on West 63rd Street. Staff members from the Medical Center’s internal-residency program treat Englewood clinic patients twice a week.
City lights
“The Future of the City,” a February 1 symposium featuring remarks from Mayor Richard M. Daley, examined urban education, finances, and leadership. Sponsored by the Harris School of Public Policy Studies and the University’s Office of Civic Engagement, the event’s speakers, including Harvard economist Edward Glaeser, PhD’92, the author of Triumph of the City (Penguin Press, 2011), who said the proximity of intelligent people in urban areas breeds competition and innovation.
Academic addition
Pending Board of Trustees approval, the University plans to purchase the Meadville Lombard Theological School’s main building at 5701 S. Woodlawn. The 14,000-square-foot structure includes classrooms, administrative offices, a library, and a lounge. University officials said the building—which Meadville Lombard is selling as it shifts its emphasis to distance learning—would fill a need for additional academic space near the campus.
Kron takes a Giant step
Astronomy and Astrophysics professor Richard Kron has been appointed chair of the Giant Magellan Telescope Science Advisory Committee. Known for leading large-scale scientific projects such as the Large Binocular Telescope, the Sloan Digital Sky Survey, and the Dark Energy Survey, Kron will head the committee as it selects the first-generation suite of instruments and finalizes the telescope’s top-level scientific and technical requirements.
Growth opportunity
A $50,000 grant from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will help fund a green roof for the new Chicago Theological Seminary building under construction at 1407 E. 60th Street. The 5,000-square-foot roof will limit the facility’s heat island effect and reduce storm water runoff.