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New dean Johnson returns to state of family roots
UK professor pursues life in lab, triathlons
Merchandising plans fashion show to aid needy kids
People

New dean Johnson returns to state of family roots

On a bookshelf in David Johnson's office in the Grehan Building stands a photograph of a sailboat nestled in a cove on part of Lake Huron. He calls the sailboat "Apropros."

"Every summer for about 12 years now, my family has spent at least a month together on a sailboat," said Johnson, the new dean of University of Kentucky College of Communication and Information Studies. "This is the third boat owned by the family.
"We find a spot in the north channel and anchor in secluded areas away from TV and other interruptions," he said.

In that setting, Johnson deepens his ties with his wife, Sally, son Nathaniel and stepdaughter Amanda.

Johnson is finding that his recent move to Kentucky also may deepen ties ­ these with his forebears. His parents were part of the post-World War II immigration from eastern Kentucky to Michigan's job opportunities in automobile manufacturing plants.

"When I was growing up, we'd come down here every summer. Those trips were a touchstone for my family," he recalled.

Exploring and renewing those ties will come in time. For now, Johnson's primary focus is on the College of Communication and Information Studies and the course he intends to steer.

Johnson, 51, came to UK from Michigan State University, where he had served as chair of the communication department from 1992 to 1997. Development was one of his priorities there, and he obtained funding of two endowments and initiated another. He also established innovative outreach partnerships with two businesses.

Charles Atkin, an MSU communication professor who succeeded Johnson in chairing that department, called Johnson "a distinguished scholar ... (who) is one of the nation's leading researchers in organizational communication. He has a unique ability to maintain an active research program while serving in an administrative role.

"Dave has a sophisticated conception of the future of the field," Atkin said. "He displays a casual but firm leadership style. At MSU, he was popular with faculty and staff and well-respected for his devotion to the advancement of instruction, research and outreach service activities."

Johnson brings to UK academic experience that includes teaching at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Arizona State University, the State University of New York at Buffalo and MSU. His studies have focused on communication skills, information seeking, intercultural communication and organizational communication, and led to publication of three books, "Cancer-related Information Seeking," "Information Seeking: An Organizational Dilemma" and "Organizational Communication Structure."

Johnson noted that the UK College of Communication and Information Studies houses three distinct departments: journalism and telecommunications, communications, and library science and information studies. Each field is different, but all share some commonalities.

"What really drew me to this college was the possibility of creating new programs that cross the three areas. I want to explore the 'convergence' of all these different elements," he said. "That exploration would send the college along a path paralleling what's happening in the marketplace these days."

With technology increasing its reach into the public's everyday life, more instruction and understanding of the field is needed.

"People are now having a lot of difficulty with the technology of the Information Age. You're seeing a world of information 'haves' and 'have-nots,' and people are realizing that if you're not up on this stuff, you're going to be left behind," he said.

Johnson said he believes it is essential for his college to take a leading role in defining the emerging relationship between information and daily commerce, both on and off campus.
Johnson will urge his faculty to consider ways that journalism and telecommunications, communication and library science are and can be intertwined.

"We've seen a number of recent business news stories on mergers that cut across what were previously consider divergent areas. I believe you'll see that same kind of convergence in our college, reflecting the world of corporate mergers," Johnson said.

By Dan Adkins

UK professor pursues life in lab, triathlons

With technology that can detect things as varied as carbon monoxide and glucose, University of Kentucky electrical engineering professor Craig Grimes is finding funding sources for his research that are equally varied.

Grimes' most recent grant is from the National Institutes of Health, but he also has received funding from the National Science Foundation and National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

"Dr. Grimes' strong background in science and engineering allows him to collaborate with a wide variety of researchers in other fields," said Kevin D. Donohue, interim electrical engineering chairman. "In four short years at UK, Dr. Grimes has put together a very productive lab facility with an outstanding group of post-docs and graduate students."

Grimes' most recent grant is for study on a magneto-chemical sensor for detecting glucose. The sensor is a small sandwich with outer layers of magnetic material and an inner layer of swellable polymer that reacts to the glucose. As the polymer swells and pushes the magnetic layers apart, there is changing interaction between the two magnetic layers. When the sensor is introduced to a magnetic field, the changes can be detected.

For diabetics, the sensor could offer the advantage of monitoring glucose without needle pricks. The use of the magnetic field for monitoring also offers the advantage of not requiring wires or a special orientation of the sensor once it is within the magnetic field.

The same principles, applied to the detection of carbon monoxide, have drawn NASA's interest.

Grimes came to UK in 1994 from Southwall Technologies in Palo Alto, Calif. At Southwall, he managed the advanced materials laboratory, work that is similar to what he does now at the Advanced Science and Technology Commercialization Center (ASTeCC). He received his doctoral degree from the University of Texas at Austin.

It was while in Texas about 10 years ago that Grimes began competing in triathlons "by accident," after buying a bike in order to get around town.

"I was running at the time and had been a competitive swimmer," Grimes said. "I entered the River Rat triathlon in San Marcos, Texas, and did pretty well. That really kind of hooked me."
Since then, Grimes has competed in Ironman competitions ­ swimming 2.4 miles, biking 112 miles and running 26.2 miles ­ as far away as Australia. Most recently, he competed this fall in Maui.

"The trick, in addition to conditioning, is knowing how to eat and drink the calories you need during the race to keep going," Grimes said.

His secret: Fig Newtons and water.

Grimes' wife, Elizabeth Dickey, is a UK chemical and materials engineering professor, and his father Dale Grimes is a UK physics professor.

By Doug Tattershall

Merchandising plans fashion show to aid needy kids

Students in the Applied Merchandising Techniques class at the University of Kentucky will use their fashion smarts to help clothe needy children this holiday season.

"Swing Into Style" will feature the newest fad in music ­ swing ­ along with the newest fads in clothing. Area retailers provide the clothing for the Nov. 18 show, while UK students serve as organizers, producers and models. A portion of the proceeds will go toward buying clothing for children living in Virginia Place, a Lexington facility where single parents can live while studying toward a post-secondary degree.

"The fashion show's help is a very extra special treat that comes to our parents," said Helen Burg, executive director of Virginia Place. "It is very meaningful to our parents to have this occur, and it is a wonderful way for UK to do something for the community while teaching students."

The fashion show will be preceded by lunch at 11:30 a.m. at the Lafayette Club in Lexington. Door prizes, ranging in value from $10 to $100, will be given. Admission will be $22, $8 of which will be used for the Virginia Place clothing fund and is tax deductible.

UK students will shop for and wrap all the clothing for the Virginia Place children, said Karen Ketch, associate professor of merchandising in the College of Human Environmental Sciences. The gifts will be compiled with others and given to the families the week before Christmas. Over 65 children reside at Virginia Place with their parents.

"It is like an early kickoff for holiday giving," Ketch said.

For more information or tickets, call Ketch at 257-3442.

By Selena Stevens

People

Presentations

· Lisa Gaetke, nutrition and food science, presented "The Effect of Inflammatory Bowel Disease on Serum Leptin Levels in Young Mice" at the 39th annual meeting of the American College of Nutrition Oct. 1-4 in Albuquerque, N.M.
· Alan DeSantis, communications, will present "Caught Between Two Worlds: The Simultaneity of Bahktin's Dialectic in the Exile Experience" Nov. 24 at the 84th annual meeting of the National Communication Association in New York City.
· Lewis Donohew, communications, will present "Assessing the Attitude Salience Hypothesis: Results from a Drug Prevention Media Campaign Targeting Adolescent Marijuana Use" Nov. 22 and "Preliminary Results of an Anti-marijuana Media Campaign Targeting High Sensation Seeking Adolescents" Nov. 23 at the 84th annual meeting of the National Communication Association in New York City.
· Nancy Harrington, Center for Prevention Research, will present "Invisible Disabilities" Nov. 21 at the 84th annual meeting of the National Communication Association in New York City.
· Rick Hoyle, psychology, will present "Assessing the Attitude Salience Hypothesis: Results from a Drug Prevention Media Campaign Targeting Adolescent Marijuana Use" Nov. 22 and "Preliminary Results of an Anti-marijuana Media Campaign Targeting High Sensation Seeking Adolescents" Nov. 23 at the 84th annual meeting of the National Communication Association in New York City.
· Susan Morgan, communications, will present "Making the Medicine Go Down: Understanding Psychosocial Causes of Medical Noncompliance to Develop and Strengthen Theory-based Communication Strategies" Nov. 21 and "Communication, Culture and the Cultural Buffer: A New Theoretical Approach to Intercultural Communication" and "Hanging Out: Social Class and Sexuality Among Teen-agers" Nov. 24 at the 84th annual meeting of the National Communication Association in New York City.
· Philip Palmgreen, communications, will present "Assessing the Attitude Salience Hypothesis: Results from a Drug Prevention Media Campaign Targeting Adolescent Marijuana Use" Nov. 22 and "Preliminary Results of an Anti-marijuana Media Campaign Targeting High Sensation Seeking Adolescents" Nov. 23 at the 84th annual meeting of the National Communication Association in New York City.

Publications

· Greg Stump, English and linguistics program, "Comments on the Paper by Inkelas and Orgun," Morphology and Its Relation to Phonology and Syntax; "Inflection," The Handbook of Morphology.
· Karen Tice, educational policy studies and evaluation, "Tales of Wayward Girls and Immoral Women: Case Records and the Professionalization of Social Work," University of Illinois Press.
· Donna L. Murphy, Lexington Community College, $128,204, Title IIC Perkins Grant: Academic Support for Disadvantaged Pops.
· Mukhtar Ali, economics, "Probability Models on Horse Race Outcomes," Journal of Applied Statistics, XXV, 1998.
· R. Bessin, entomology extension, "Corn Leaf Aphid," Entfacts 126; "Leafhoppers on Apples," Entfacts 215.
· D. Johnson, R. Bessin and L. Townsend, entomology extension, "Predicting Insect Development Using Degree Days," Entfacts 123.
· D. Johnson, entomology extension, "Vendors of Microbial and Botanical Insecticides and Insect Monitoring Devices," Entfacts 124; "Vendors of Beneficial Organisms in North America," Entfacts 125.
· L. Townsend, entomology extension, "Walk Through Horn Fly Trap for Pastured Cattle," Entfacts 508.
· J.C. Millar and K.F. Haynes, entomology, editors, "Methods in Chemical Ecology, Vol. 1: Bioassay Methods" and "Methods in Chemical Ecology, Vol. 2: Bioassay Methods," Kluwer Academic, New York, 1998.
· G.J. Mussey, D.A. Potter and M.F. Potter, entomology extension, "Timing Control Actions for Landscape Insect Pests Using Flowering Plants as Indicators," Entfacts 66.
· D.A. Potter, entomology, "Destructive Turfgrass Insects: Biology Diagnosis and Control," Ann Arbor Press, Chelsea, Mich., 1998.
· M. Potter, entomology extension, "Do-It-Yourself Termite Baits: Do They Work?" Entfacts 642.
· M.F. Potter, entomology extension, "Termite Baits: A Guide for Homeowners," Entfacts 65; "A Smarter Approach to Flea Control," Entfacts 628.

Activities

· Virginia Bell, Lexington/Bluegrass Alzheimer's Association, led a workshop on "The Best Friends Approach to Alzheimer's Care" at the 14th Alzheimer's Disease International Conference held in Cochin, India September 24-27.
· Douglas A. Boyd, communications and information studies, will be a panelist for the program "Lessons Learned About Interpersonal and Intrapersonal Aspects of the Promotion and Tenuring Process," Nov. 24 at the 84th annual meeting of the National Communication Association in New York City.
· James Campbell, music, director of percussion studies, performed with members of the UK Percussion Ensemble on the final concert of the Fifth Annual Lotus World Music Festival Sept. 19 in Bloomington, Ind.

Awards

· Ryan Gugeler, agricultural communications services, won the bronze award for an exhibit at the Agricultural Communicators in Education international conference in Monterey, Calif. Assisting with the exhibit were Bill Messner, Linda Millercox, Steve Patton, Randy Weckman and Deborah Witham.
· Retired professor Roger W. Hemken, Agriculture, received the 1998 Award of Honor from the American Dairy Science Association recognizing his outstanding contributions to the organization.
· Stephen Wyatt has begun a two-year dual cancer control appointment to the Kentucky Cancer Program at the UK Markey Cancer Center and the Kentucky Department for Public Health. He is on loan from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, where he was director of the Division of Cancer Prevention and Control. He will serve as a senior program development specialist at KCP and as a senior adviser to the health commission at the state health department.

Research and other funding

· Meg F. Burnley, Henderson Community College, $180,000, One Stop Center.
· Jeffrey N. Davidson, microbiology and immunology, $199,000, The Biochemistry of CAD.
· Carl G. Leukefeld, Center for Drug and Alcohol Research, $1.2 million, Welfare to Work: Special project funds: Support Services to Domestic Violence Victims Who Are Substance Abusers.
· Thomas F. Garrity, behavioral science, $152,667, Research Training in Drug Abuse Behavior.
· Ron Harrison, Interdisciplinary Human Development, $200,000, University affiliated program.
· Anna L. Leasure, Madisonville Community College, $259,331, Educational Talent Search Program.
· Lu-Yuan Lee, physiology, $638,960, Chemosensitivity of Tachykinin-containing Lung Afferents.
· Carl G. Leukefeld, Center for Drug and Alcohol Research, $235,547, Institute on Women and Substance Abuse; $393,229, Follow-up data; and $388,000, State demands need assessment.
· Don Long, Lexington Community College, $227,652, Talent Search Program.
· Timothy McClintock, physiology, $100,000, Functional Domains and Expression of Olfactory Receptors.
· Julia Mitchell, Hazard Community College Public Service, $700,000, Challenger Learning Center of Kentucky.
· Frederick A. Payne, AES/biosystems and agriculture, $180,000, Light Backscatter Sensor for Measurement of Food Consistency.
· John W. Schuster, special education and rehabilitation, $125,284, Training Rural Educators in Kentucky ­ Collaborative Relationships.
· Salvatore J. Turco, biochemistry, $290,388, Glycoconjugates of Leishmania.
· Salvatore Turco, biochemistry, College of Medicine, $1,583,700, Glycoconjugates of Leishmania.
· Sarah Wackerbarth, Martin School of Public Administration, $120,915, Seeking a Diagnosis for Alzheimers: Supports and Barriers.

· S.A. Nasar, electrical engineering, $155,569, Analysis and Design of Flux Reversal Machines.
· Eugenia Toma, Martin School of Public Policy, $120,000, Medicaid Managed Care Project; $107,373, Program Director, Economics Program, Division of Social Behavioral and Economic Research.
· Gerald Weisenfluh, Kentucky Geological Survey, $120,000, A Continuation of Availability of Coal Resources for the Development of Coal.
· L.C. Wolfe, Social Work, $117,514, Training Resource Center - Foster Parent Training.
· Pamela Kidd, nursing instruction, $119,415, Evaluation of the Kentucky Graduate Driver Licensing Program.