UN I V E R S I T Y D A I L Y K A N S A N
Wednesday, September 18, 1996
3A
KU Theatre looks to future
By Bradley Brooks
Kansan staff writer
You thought Jaws in 3-D was cool. In December, the University Theatre will produce a play using virtual reality that will take last year's virtual production, The Adding Machine, to new visual heights.
A
MARK REANey, associate professor of theatre and film, is in charge of the Institute for the Exploration of Virtual Realities, established by the University of Kansas's department of theatre and film last summer.
"Most of our work is comprised of applying virtual technology to theatre productions. But we hope to branch out and do work with other groups interested in the technology," Reaney said.
The institute received $4,400 from the United States Institute of Theatre Technology, $6,000 from the University and $25,000 in fund-raising activities.
Last April, the University Theatre produced The Adding Machine, a play by Elmer Rice. the first production in the world to incorporate virtual reality with live theater.
The play in December, Wings, by Arthur Kopit, will be performed using virtual technology again, but John Gronbeck-Tedesco, chairman of the theatre and film department, sees the new production's technology as a vast improvement.
"I'll be a step up in terms of the sophistication of technology used in The Adding Machine" Gronbeck-Tedesco said. "We have gotten funding and equipment to use technology from the cutting edge."
The Vitrus Corporation of Cary, N.C., designed the software used in the upcoming production. Joe Wilkie, sales manager at the Vitrus Corporation, said his company's software gave users extensive freedom in exploring virtual reality.
"It allows a person to construct three-dimensional models on a computer. With a mouse, you can move and navigate around a scene." Wilkie said.
The images created by the software will be used to create the virtual reality of Wings. The images are displayed to viewers from a
central computer via head-mounted display units called virtual i-glasses!, produced by Virtual I-O, a Seattle-based company.
The Institute purchased 30 units, and Virtual-i O will loan 30 to the Institute to be used for the production at Inge Theatre in Murphy Hall.
Mark Smith, account representative for Virtual I-O, explained how the units worked.
"They are kind of like those viewmaster things you had when you were a kid," Smith said.
Smith said that a video source, like a computer, sent signals to the eyeglasses through wires. The eyeglasses have two separate screens to view the images on and allow a viewer to see through the screens, thus creating the mix of computer graphics, live video from cameras in the theater and live acting.
"The image in the glasses and the actors on stage can be seen at the same time. It is a very unique application of the technology," Smith said.
The University Theatre uses virtual reality in the December performance of Wings, by Arthur Kopit. The company first used virtual reality in last year's production of The Adding Machine.
KU freshman Merit scholars up by two since last year
By Spencer Duncan Kansan staff writer
The number of freshman National Merit Scholars at the University of Kansas increased by two from 57 last year to 59 this year. In 1994, that number was 38.
Despite the small increase, Chancellor Robert Hemenway said the record number was an important step for the University.
"The number of National Merit Scholars choosing Kansas shows that there is a high level of public confidence in the quality of our programs." Hemenway said.
Merit scholars represent the top 1 percent of graduating high school seniors. To be eligible for the scholarship, students must achieve finalist standing in the National Merit competition and name the University as their top choice of schools to attend.
I picked Kansas because it is a
good place," said Blake Woolbright, Cherokee freshman and Merit scholar. "They offered me a scholarship, and I took it. I am proud to be here."
Woolbright is one of several Merit scholars from Kansas enrolled at the University this fall.
In fact, three-fourths of the 59 are Kansans. Hemenway is proud of that.
"I am particularly pleased by the number of these Kansas scholars who have picked KU." Hemenway said.
The University has the most Merit scholars in the Regents system. However, it is far behind Big 12 leader Iowa State, which enrolled 154 freshman Merit scholars this fall.
Hemenway said he wanted to enroll at least 100 freshman Merit scholars annually by 2000.
In addition to an increasing number of Merit schools, the
"I am particularly pleased by the number of these Kansas scholars who have picked KU."
Chancellor Robert Hemenway
University also is increasing the amount of the scholarships.
The amount increased from $3,300 a year to $5,000 a year. In 1993, Merit scholars received $1,300, according to University Relations figures.
The scholarship money comes from Kansas University Endowment Association private funds.
Sharp professor receives $30,000 excellence award
Subramaniam to use money for research
By Stephanie Fite Kansan staff writer
Bala Subramaniam is sharp about teaching, research and knowledge.
The professor of chemical and petroleum engineering at the University of Kansas has received the school of engineering's third Sharp Professorship Award in recognition of his teaching excellence.
"It is obviously gratifying when your efforts are appreciated and recognized, and I am grateful to the donors who made this recognition possible." Subramaniam said.
possible. See the John E. Sharp and Winifred E. Sharp Professorship is an award of $30,000 paid during three years. Subramaniam can use $15,000 at his discretion, and $15,000 is for equipment for his multimedia research.
"Basically, I plan to seek ways to improve teaching through computer-aided instruction," he said.
The award is based on excellence in teaching, research and publication. Selections are made by a committee comprised of one faculty representative from each engineering department.
"This professorship is a special opportunity to acknowledge our outstanding faculty," said Carl E. Locke Jr., dean of engineering. "Bala is an outstanding teacher and an excellent researcher, and he is very deserving of this honor."
Subramaniam has received outstanding teaching evaluations from students.
Aimee Owen, Lawrence senior, took kinetics and reactor design and undergraduate chemical lab I with Subramaniam. She said she had sought his instruction because he worked to help her understand concepts rather than memorize equations.
*He gets into asking questions that
are qualitative," Owen said. "He works to get you to understand the theory behind the concept."
Subramaniam has received several awards, including the University's Silver Anniversary Teaching Award and the American Society for Engineering Education's Dow Outstanding Faculty Award.
He has written almost 30 research publications with other researchers, and he has lectured at national and international forums. In 1995, he received the engineering school's Miller Award for excellence in research.
As chemical engineering laboratory coordinator, Subramaniam supervised the modernization of experiments to demonstrate concepts in kinetics and catalysis.
1 consider myself fortunate to have been associated with motivated students, supportive colleagues and excellent mentors, whose comments and suggestions have helped shape my teaching philosophy and methods," Subramaniam said.
Immunization Hold on your Permit to Enroll?
New KU students must provide medical documentation of 2 MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) immunizations. If you have not provided documentation your Spring 1997 enrollment is on hold.
The hold must be removed before Tuesday, October 1 to enable enrollment.
Students receiving a letter from Watkins regarding the MMR must bring the letter and documentation to Watkins Immunizations, Monday-Friday. 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Students born before 1957 are exempt but must submit a Health History form. There is no charge for a required immunization. 864-9533.
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