8A / NEWS / MONDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2011 / THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN / KANSAN.COM
With a strong influence
of Chinese international students attending the University of Kansas, it is no surprise that a grand celebration was planned for this year's New Year celebration. Since the Chinese have traditionally had a different method for computing the seasons and their calendar, the Chinese New Year falls at a different time than Jan. 1. This year's Chinese New Year was Feb. 3. The Chinese Students and Scholars Friendship Association (CSSFA) celebrated in the Kansas Union on Saturday, Feb. 5 by having a talent show in Woodruff Auditorium. While the main event was mainly in Chinese, some events were also translated into English, as the crowd was open to everyone. Tickets to the show and the dinner that followed were able to be purchased the week before.
2 Stephanie Roberts, a junior from Hays, is fed sushi from Tryakil during a game that involved the audience. The game required three people: two were blindfolded and one had to feed the other sushi. The third, who could see, directed the feeding process. A few times during the show, there were games that involved the audience. Winners were awarded prizes from some of the festival's sponsors.
3 Gu Wen, a sophomore from Nantong, China and Zhu Zengfeng, a sophomore from Beijing, perform Xiangsheng, a traditional Chinese comedic crosstalk routine. The language, rich in puns and usually very sarcastic, involves two or more participants who create a fast-paced banter. Performers cover topics relevant to the time, such as Chinese real estate and money trends, like in this performance.
4 Qiyn Jiang, an Applied English Center student from Wuxi, China, and Jessica Benson, a sophomore from Leawood, attended the show, here marveling at the "Fish for All" dance, (picture #5).
5 Pan Dongni, a senior from Xi'an, China, performs a traditional dance entitled "Fish for All." Multiple dancers dressed as fish and danced in a fluid motion, mimicking fish.
Faculty member receives award for promoting science
Dr. Marigold Linton, director of American Indian Outreach at the University of Kansas, was awarded the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring (PAESMEM).
BY NICOLE WENTLING nwentling@kansan.com
Linton received the PAESMEM for creating a method to help science students at Haskell Indian Nations University make the transition to the University. Throughout the past 12 years, Linton has written grant proposals for the project that have resulted in $14 million in funding.
The White House established this award to recognize mentors who expand the participation of underrepresented groups in the sciences. According to the National Science Foundation, the awardees are those who "serve as exemplars to their colleagues and are leaders in the national effort to more fully develop the Nation's human resources in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics."
Linton's project receives
grants from Bridges to Baccalaureate, Initiative for Maximizing Student Diversity (IMSD), Research Initiative for Scientific Enhancement (RISE), Post-Baccalaureate Research Education Program (PREP), and the Institutional Research and Academic Career Development Aids.
Because of these grants, Haskell students receive tutoring, skill enhancement and the opportunity to participate in research experiences in KU laboratories. The grants also allow Haskell faculty to
A w a r d s (IRACDA).
"Dr. Linton is a very talented individual with a special talent for conceptualizing ideas for training students in the sciences. She is honest, direct, and a pleasure to work with."
DR.JAMES OR this is a job
At first, Linton worked with students and faculty, and wrote all of the proposals on her own. She now has 20 partners at both the University and Haskell who aid her in running the program.
receive graduate
The Post-Baccalaureate
Research Education Program
grant targets Haskell students
who are not quite ready for
graduate school and prepares them to succeed in grad school. Through this grant the students improve on writing and math skills,
Contribued photo
receive leadership training, and gain experience in a research mentor's laboratory.
receive graduate training.
This year,
11 winners of
thePAESMEM
w ere
announced.
Each of the
awardees
will receive
a $25,000
grant that
will benefit
"I continue to help develop the proposals that fund the programs," she said.
their projects, as well as a commemorative presidential certificate. The recipients traveled to Washington, D.C., and were presented the award. Each gave a presentation about their work and was given a tour of the west wing of the White House. Linton was able to invite four guests to
Dr. Marigold Linton, director of American Indian Outreach at KU, receives the PAESMEM award at a ceremony in Washington, D.C. on Thursday, President Barack Obama presented the award at a ceremony before the one shown here. To Dr. Linton's left is Dr.Subra Suresh, director of the National Science Foundation. To her right is Dr. John P. Holden, assistant to the President for Science and education of the Office of Science and Technology Policy
the ceremony. She invited her husband, Dr. Robert Barnhill, as well as two of her colleagues,
associate director of the Office for Diversity and Science Training Dr. Estela Gavosto and director of the Office for Diversity in Science Training Dr. James Orr.
"Dr. Linton is a very talented individual with a special talent for conceptualizing ideas for training students in the sciences. She is honest, direct, and a pleasure to work with," Orr said.
"As we walked down the corridor to the Oval Office, Vice President Biden shook each of our hands in a very gracious way," Linton said. "We were lined up and introduced to the President at the door of the Oval Office."
Office. The trip concluded on Thursday, Jan. 27, when Linton accepted the PAESMEM from the director of the National Science Foundation and the President's national science advisor, Dr.Subra Suresh.
While in Washington, D.C., Linton also had the opportunity to meet President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden.
Linton returned to the KU and
rtaskell to continue the work she began years ago. She said she felt fortunate to have the opportunity to help her community.
"My heart is gladdered to see young people succeed, especially those who have had few adven-
tages," she said. "Every success, large or small, is something that I cherish."
Edited by Emily Soetaert
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