PROFESSOR (CONTINUED FROM 1A)
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN TUESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2009
The organization provides free access to worldwide biodiversity information through the Internet and features data on millions of species from museums all around the world. GBIF has sponsored representatives from 51 countries and 42 international organizations for almost a decade, according to a news release.
Originally, Kristalaka's involvement with GBIF was informal. He said he helped to plan the initial stages of GBIF with its early founders. The University had a large hand in the process of creating the database, as well.
"We were one of the first institutions to set an example for what was to become GBIF by developing and implementing community networks for the mobilization of biodiversity data associated with collections of animals and plants of museums worldwide," he said.
The executive committee includes individuals from eight countries including Denmark, Australia, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Germany and the U.S.
Jennifer Humphrey, director of communications at the Natural History Museum, said Kristtalka's position with GBIF was a great
opportunity for the University and the museum.
"It shows that this institution is
known globally for its efforts in biodiversity education and research," she said.
Andres Lira, a graduate student from Mexico who does research at the museum, said that Kristalka deserved the posi
tion and that it would reflect the University positively.
"I think he is a pioneer and he has done a great job so far as the director of the biodiversity institute."
has done a great job so far as the director of the biodiversity institute" he said.
ANDRES LIRA Graduate student
"I think he is a pioneer and he
As part of the science committee, Kristalka will have to make recommendations to GBIF. He said he estimated his new position would require about 5 to 10 percent of his time. He will also be required to attend two international meetings a
year one in Copenhagen and one in an annually designated host country.
In 2010, Kristalka will head to Seoul, Korea for the gathering. Although he will be in a group of dozens of international individuals, he said no one underestimated the importance of Kansas.
"The University of Kansas, the Biodiversity Institute and our Natural History Museum have a worldwide international reputation for excellence and leadership in all the areas of biodiversity science, especially based on the actual collections of animals and plants," Kristhalka said.
He said the University was especially recognized for its progress in biodiversity informatics, the merging of informational technology and molecular biology.
For Krishtalka, the new position is a challenge and a unique chance.
"This is an opportunity to make a difference," he said. "And if KU Biodiversity Institute can make a difference — regionally, nationally and internationally — in sustaining the biodiversity resources of the planet for science and for the good society — the common good — what a great opportunity."
— Edited by Abby Olcese
HOLIDAY (CONTINUED FROM 1A)
"The tradition says that the veil between the world we're living in and the world of the dead are thinnest on that day."
Manning
said. "It has a lot to do with looking back on the past and remembering people who have moved on"
'it's an opportunity or students to go to something spooky'
T b e
JEREMY ADKISON
Leavenworth
sophomore
Samhain ritual will be the finale to a week's worth of Halloween-related events hosted by members of the student pagan organization, KU Cauldron. The organization hosted a discussion on vampires last night and will lead a lecture on witchcraft in the Kansas Union tonight. The events are meant to spread awareness and appreciation for pagan beliefs, in addition to providing an outlet for student followers of the religions.
energy by simply being near them, to vampires who feed on real blood obtained from willing donors.
The club kicked off the week last night with guest speaker Hilary Hauber. Hauber, Overland Park graduate student and religious studies major, taught the club about her research on vampire religion. The group learned about the different types of vampirism ranging from vampires who draw on people's
Hauber said although she did not know any local vampires, she had read about vampires in the Kansas City area.
"I know that there are vampires in Kansas City." Hauber said. "I don't know the
extent of their involvement, but I know that they are here."
"It's an opportunity for students to go to something spooky," Adkison said. "it's also a way for us to reach out to students who are interested in or practicing this stuff and don't know that there is a student group for it."
Manning said the week would conclude with the Samhain ritual, called a dumb supper, at his house on Saturday evening. The group will prepare a meal of pumpkin stew and a portion of each person's meal will be left aside as an overnight offering for lost loved ones. Manning said the group would eat its meals
Halloween coming up.
Tonight, the club will host its
second annual
witchcraft
lecture.
The event,
"Wicca:
The Religion of
Witchcraft," will
begin at 7 p.m.
in the English
Room of the
Kansas Union.
Jeremy Adkison,
Leavenworth
"It has to do a lot with looking back on the past and remembering people who have moved on."
SEAN MANNING
Overland Park graduate
in silence and reflection, followed by a discussion of each person's stories about his or her loved ones.
sophomore and president of KU Cauldron, will lead the presentation. He said the event attracted about 25 people last semester.
Adkison said although the focus would be on the fundamentals of Wicca, the lecture would be a fun event for students with
this year.
Manning said he would be re mem bering his uncle and his 8-year-old cat, who both passed away
"My uncle was in the Korean War and had some really fun stories that I plan to share with everyone," Manning said.
- Edited by Megan Morriss
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Andrew Hoxey/KANSAN
Lauren Winchester, Olathe junior, encourages students to buy pumpkins in front of Stong Hall Monday. Winchester is the assistant director of internal apperations for KU Dance Marathon. The organization sold pumpkins for carving for $5 to raise money for Children's Mercy Hospital and KU Medical Center in Kansas City.
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To vote for your favorite business in each category.
go online to WWW.KANSAN.COM and follow the TOP OF THE HILL link
"We really wanted to be able to take people to the pumpkin patch," Williams said. "But then we thought we wouldn't get as big as a response as we would with a bunch of pumpkins we bring to people on campus."
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Williams said Wal-Mart donated the 115 pumpkins she and other volunteers laid out on Strong lawn yesterday for the event, which lasted from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. She said that 30 volunteers donated their time to manage the event yesterday, but that the real work began for her and about nine others when they opened and cleaned the pumpkins the night before.
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PUMPKIN (CONTINUED FROM 1A)
She said she became an adamant supporter of Dance Marathon when she met some of its beneficiaries last year.
and director of special events for the group, worked with Lauren Winchester, Olathe junior and assistant director of internal operations, to plan the fundraiser.
"The kids were amazing," she said. "It was really touching to see the direct impact his organization has made."
AND MANY MORE
When you cast a ballot, you'll automatically be entered to win a 2008 National Championship Poster and a Gameday T-Shirt
"A lot of times when people give money to charities, they don't see an impact in their own communities," Cantwell said. "The great thing about the Dance Marathon is they actually see where the money they are donating is going."
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Dance Marathon's final event last year at Ambler Student Recreation Fitness Center, said she especially wanted to make sure she supported the cause again because of its local emphasis.
Williams said the Kansas Dance Marathon raised approximately $20,000 last year, which was its first year as a student organization at the University. She said the group hoped to double that amount and contribute $50,000 to the two charities before May.
— Edited by Jacob Muselmann
Williams said the group would likely hold 10 more fundraisers before the final event in April, where the contribution is presented. She said smaller upcoming fundraisers would include; soccer, dodge ball and basketball tournaments, a trivia night and possibly a movie night featuring films from the "Twilight" series.
"We had a pumpkin gutting party
at my house last night," Williams said, adding that they filled an entire 10-gallon trash can with the pulp. "It was a lot of fun and my house still smells like pumpkins."
Cantwell, who participated in
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Tuesday, Oct 27
UNCLE MONK
Tin Horn Molly
Thursday, Oct 29
LUBRIPHONIC
Garrett Nordstrom Situation
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Friday, Oct 30
JASON ISBELL &THE 400 UNIT
Nathaniel Rateilf&The Wheel / John Henry &the Engine
Saturday, Oct 31
CASH'D OUT
A Johnny Cash Tribute
Saturday, Nov 7
ART BRUT
Surfer Blood / Rorran Nurmerals
Friday, Nov 13
DIGABLE PLANETS:
Butterfly & Doodlebug
/Greg Enewug
Saturday, Nov 14
BRENDAN
BENSON (of the
Racentees) / Corey Chisel /
Dead Girls Rum Everything
Tuesday, Nov 17
MASON JENNINGS
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CRIME
Man charged for abusing his 14-year-old nephew
SALT LAKE CITY — A man has been charged with a felony for allegedly tethering his mentally disabled 14-year-old nephew to a couch while he went to work.
South Salt Lake police spokesman Gary Keller has said 42-year-old Tai Ngo allegedly latched a metal chain around the boy's ankle that was attached to a 3-foot-long nylon rope tied to a couch leg.
A charge of third-degree felony abuse or neglect of a disabled child was filed last week. Court records did not list an attorney for Ngo.
The boy was found in an apartment rented by his grandmother at a public housing unit. Ngo was arrested Oct. 14 after a property manager called police.
The boy and his 12-year-old brother have been taken into protective custody.
Associated Press
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@ The Kansas Union 4th Floor October 28th 11:30-1:30