Greeks give the gift of reading
Phi Kappa Psi members will donate more than 500 books to UCLA
pediatric patients today.
The members hope their participation in the Reach Out and Read
Program becomes an annual tradition for all Greek houses.
“It’s a very simple but very powerful way to help
our kids become successful in school,” said Karen Fond, who
coordinates the pediatric reading program at UCLA.
Reach Out and Read is a nationwide literacy program, in which
pediatricians give books to children during their regular check-ups
and encourage children to read aloud with their parents.
UCLA pediatric patients have been receiving about 2,000 books a
year from donors and from the Medical Center’s book purchases
since 1998, Fond said.
To donate books or read to pediatric patients, contact Fond at
[email protected].
UC bestows its highest honor
Richard A. Lerner, M.D., president of the Scripps Research
Institute in La Jolla, received the University of California
Presidential Medal on Friday. The medal is the highest award the
university can bestow.
Lerner received the medal from UC President Richard C. Atkinson
at the UC San Diego Jacobs School of Engineering Sixth Annual
Recognition Banquet.
Gov. Gray Davis in July 2000 appointed Lerner chair of the panel
of distinguished scientists that selected the newly established
UC-based California Institutes for Science and Innovation from
among competing campus proposals.
The UC Presidential Medal was established to recognize
“extraordinary contributions to the University of California
or the community of learning.” Previous recipients include
former Gov. George Deukmejian, UC President Emeritus Clark Kerr and
former Mexican President Ernesto Zedillo Ponce de Leon.
Vice chancellor for UC Merced named
UC Merced Chancellor Carol Tomlinson-Keasey announced the
appointment of Keith Alley as the university’s founding vice
chancellor for research and dean of graduate studies Thursday.
Alley, who currently serves as senior associate vice president for
research at Ohio State University, officially will assume his new
position on July 1.
As the lead campus research officer, Alley will be responsible
for the development and support of research opportunities,
initiatives and partnerships. In his dual position as dean of
graduate studies, he will oversee graduate degree programs and all
issues related to graduate students and postdoctoral fellows.
“Keith Alley will bring tremendous experience to the
senior leadership team of our developing campus,”
Tomlinson-Keasey said. “He has an outstanding record in
scholarly research, teaching and academic administration. I am very
pleased we will be working with Dr. Alley, whose many talents and
vision will contribute significantly to the development of UC
Merced’s programs in research and graduate
studies.”
According to Alley, the newness of the campus offers tremendous
potential to build a strong, innovative and student-oriented
research program, and to develop a university with unique, defining
elements.
Reports from Daily Bruin staff and wire services.