Section A·Page 6
The University Daily Kansan
Friday. October 10. 1997
KU centers on research for all
Expanded foundation to assist more disciplines
By Matthew Friedrichs mattf@ukans.edu Kansan staff writer
The research mission of the University of Kansas is alive and well.
The University bolstered research support this summer by expanding an existing research foundation and ranked high in a new analysis of research schools.
The expanded support and national recognition both fit with Chancellor Robert Hemenway's goals of increasing research productivity and awareness at the University.
On May 23, Robert Barnhill was named vice chancellor for research and public service.
On July 1, he became president and chief executive officer of the reorganized Center for Research, Inc.
CRINC, which primarily served
engineering research and some research in the sciences, now will provide assistance to researchers in all academic disciplines, Barnhill said.
The center is a nonprofit foundation that handles the University's research funds.
Sally Frost Mason, dean of liberal arts and sciences, said not much support existed for non-science researchers prior to the reorganization of CRINC. She said she hoped CRINC would provide good support services for investigators who put together research proposals.
"It takes an awful lot of work to write and develop a good research proposal that will potentially get funded. You need help doing that," Frost-Mason said.
Hugh Graham, professor of American History at Vanderbilt University, and Nancy Diamond, administrator at Goucher College in Maryland, also rank the University as one of 21 rising research universities in the public sector in their book, "The Rise of American Research Universities."
The University of Colorado is the only other Biz 12 school on the list.
Barnhill said the Chancellor's goal of obtaining $120 million in research money by 2000 was realistic. In fiscal year 1969 KU received $97.9 million in research funding.
The University already carries a strong reputation for research.
In addition to being one of six Big 12 Universities that belong to the Association of American Universities, the University also is one of six Big 12 universities listed as a Carnegie Research One university.
The AAU is a select group of 58 research universities whose aim is to represent excellence in graduate and professional education.
The Carnegie Foundation classification of institutions includes 98 public and private universities listed as level one research universities.
The Center for Research, Inc., which used to focus primarily on funding for engineering and science research, now provides assistance to researchers in all academic disciplines.
Research
Chancellor Robert Hemenway has set a goal for the University to obtain $120 million in research funds by the year 2000. In fiscal year 1996, the University received $97.9 million in research funding.
The University is one of six Big 12 Universities that belong to the Association of American Universities, a select group of 58 research universities.
The University is one of six Big 12 Universities listed as a Carnegie Research One university
Carnegie Research One university.
The University has been named one of 21 rising research universities in the book "The Rise of American Research Universities." The University of Colorado is the only other big 12 school on the list.
Professors enhance books with research
By Mike Perryman Kansan staff writer
Professors find that the research they conduct plays a larger role in the classroom than students might think.
Professors at the University of Kansas complement book learning with their research.
"They want to know that what they're learning is important and useful," she said. "I can show them what engineers are currently doing."
"Everybody can read the book," said Marylee Southard, associate professor of chemical and petroleum engineering. "I can say, 'Go read Chapter 2' but giving examples drawn from my research helps students better understand the concepts that I'm teaching."
Southard said that using her research in class gave students relevance.
Valentino Stella, professor of pharmaceutical chemistry, said
that about 30 percent of the information taught in his courses came from his research.
"Students have to be confident of what you teach. Using your research while teaching gives you a certain credibility with students as well as your peers."
Barbara Armbrister, director of corporate operations for the Center for Research Inc., said the University consistently ranked among the top 25 percent of research institutions.
Sally Frost Mason, dean of liberal arts and sciences said research was what made the University unique.
"It's really hard to separate research from teaching." she said.
Charles Snyder, professor of psychology, said it was important to use research in the classroom because it helped inform students of what was going on in a certain field — sometimes the research was years ahead of the information in the journals and books.
1997 recipients of the W.T. Kemper Fellowships for Teaching Excellence. Pictured left to right, Front row: C.R. "Rick" Snyder, Helen Alexander, Dennis Quinn. Second row: Jeffrey Aube, Sally Frost Mason. Third row: K. Barbara Schowen, David Norman Smith, Charlene Muehlenhard, James M. Higdon, Jr. Fourth row: Annette L. Stanton, Akira Yamamoto, Theodore Wilson. Fifth row: Robert H. Goldstein, Roma Lee Taunton, Timothy L. Shaftel, Chris Segrin. Not pictured: Mary A. Carpenter, Daniel R. Hinthorn, M.D., Donn Parson, Peter G. Smith. Location: Budig Hall, The University of Kansas, Lawrence Campus.
Teaching has its rewards.
Teachers are rewarded in small ways every day, but not often does excellent teaching and advising receive a formal recognition. That's why the Kemper Fellowships were established. For the second year, twenty University of Kansas teachers received the recognition they so richly deserve. Plus, they each received $5,000 to spend as they see fit. No strings attached.
Commerce Bank is proud to recognize the University of Kansas commitment to excellence in teaching. We know that all Kansans rely on our state's universities to instill wisdom insight and good judgement in our future leaders.
We salute the 1997 Kemper Fellows, and all the KU faculty who continue to make significant contributions to Kansas' future.
Commerce Bank Member FDIC
A public service message from Commerce Bank.
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