NEWS BRIEFS

IN THIS ISSUESummer Tuition To Be Charged By Credit Hour | 3

Nunn Chair Funded in 20th Anniversary Year | 3

Hidden Georgia Tech: Details, Part III | 4

February 19, 2018

Georgia Tech’s Faculty/Staff Newspaper • Vol. 43, No. 4 • whistle.gatech.edu

Register This Week for Women’s Leadership ConferenceThe annual conference for faculty, staff, and students will take place Saturday, March 10, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Historic Academy of Medicine. Registration closes Thursday, Feb. 22. This year’s theme is Silent No More.

c.gatech.edu/wlc

Race Around Campus at Pi Mile EventThe Pi Mile Road Race is one of the longest continually held 5Ks in Atlanta. Faculty and staff are encouraged to participate in teams, and the team with the most participants will win $500 for their department or office.

gtalumni.org/pimile

GORDANA GOUDIE PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION

Tech alumnus and senior designer at Professional Education, Bobby Strickland, has beautifully demonstrated that even at a technology powerhouse, art has a profound role to play. When confronted with tragedy, a grieving community found relief by creating a painting.

He came up with the idea for the Make a Splash collaborative art project following the death of Scout Schultz, a Tech student and campus leader. Strickland felt a strong need to do something meaningful for the community that has been central to his life for decades. With support from the Division of Student Life and Office of the Arts, he set up his paint and canvases and invited students and their families to create art on Oct. 28, 2017, during Family Weekend.

Participants were asked to dribble paint drops from squeeze bottles to cover the canvases “Jackson Pollock-style” with a rainbow of colors, each one making a unique splash. The paint thickness built up so quickly that it took three days to dry.

Later, Strickland painted over the top of this background with transparent, colored glazes. To unify the piece, he painted overlap-ping water ripples. The final presentation is multiple canvases that fit together like a puzzle to make one canvas. It is now on display in the lobby of the Counseling Center.

“The Make a Splash collaborative art project provided a way for all of us to create together in the spirit of healing,” he explained. “We are demonstrating that we all fit together, that every individual makes a unique impact, and that impact has a ripple effect. Together, we can send ripples of love and acceptance in the face of tragedy and loss.”

Hundreds of people of all ages created the paintings. Some made random patterns, others drew hearts, peace signs, flowers, Georgia Tech logos, or signed their initials. “Even a person who is blind contributed to the artwork,” Strickland commented. “I made certain to preserve his portion and not let it get painted over.” The paint was so fluid that each design flowed into the next, which led to the abstract look when the work was completed.

Having won the People’s Choice award at the Faculty and Staff Art Exhibit in 2017, Strickland is a familiar face at the Office of the Arts. Its director, Madison Cario, pointed

Collaborative Artwork Makes a Splash on Campus

Bobby Strickland, senior graphic designer in Professional Education, organized the creation of this piece of art as a therapeutic exercise for the campus community. It now hangs in the lobby of the Counseling Center in the Smithgall Student Services (Flag) Building.

Photo by Allison Carter

see SPLASH, page 2

KRISTEN BAILEY INSTITUTE COMMUNICATIONS

George Washington — at least, the version from the musical Hamilton — said that “Winning was easy. Governing’s harder.” It takes participation for governing to work, and that includes Faculty Governance at Georgia Tech.

The Faculty Senate is looking for new members for several of its committees, where participants will help make decisions that affect many aspects of campus life

for faculty and students.“These committees are the crux

of faculty governance, and many initiatives and new programs originate in these committees,” said Doug Nation, chair of the Faculty Governance Nominating Committee.

Vacancies are available on the committees listed on page 2. The nominating committee will attempt to honor all requests for particular committees, though some have restrictions on member requirements.

Nominations are due Wednesday, Feb. 28, and self-nominations are welcome. Submit all nominations via email to nominations2018@lists.gatech.edu.

Those who are selected by the

Get Involved in GovernanceFaculty Wanted to Serve on Several Committees

see GOVERNANCE, page 2

JASON MADERER INSTITUTE COMMUNICATIONS

The next time you are outside on a cloudless night, look up at the stars. If they look brighter or seem clearer during these winter nights, it’s not

your imagination. Winter is actually better than summer when it comes to stargazing.

Jim Sowell is an academic professional in the School of Physics and director of the Georgia Tech observatory. He says there are a few reasons why the

Set Sights on the Skies in WinterWinter Provides Best Conditions for Stargazing

Observers enjoy public night at the observatory, located at the top of the Howey Physics Building.

Photo by Rob Felt

see STARS, page 3

EVENTS

PAGE 2 • February 19, 2018 whistle.gatech.edu • THE WHISTLE

EVENTS continued on page 3

Calendar submissions should be emailed to editor@comm.gatech.edu at least 10 days prior to desired publication date. For more information, call 404-385-7061.

Archives are posted at whistle.gatech.edu.

Georgia Tech is a unit of the University System of Georgia.Georgia Tech’s Faculty/Staff Newspaper

Editor: Kristen BaileyPhotos: Allison Carter, Rob Felt, Christopher Moore

Published biweekly throughout the year by Georgia Tech Institute Communications.

comm.gatech.edu

ARTS AND CULTURE

Feb. 24 Arts@Tech hosts the Rebirth Brass Band at 8 p.m. at the Ferst Center for the Arts. arts.gatech.edu

Through June 1 The Robert C. Williams Museum of Papermaking hosts In Search

of Origins, an exhibit exploring the works of museum founder Dard Hunter. The museum is open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. paper.gatech.edu

HEALTH AND WELLNESS

March 6 Human Resources hosts a Be Well session on Understanding Mental

Health and Important Triggers, from noon to 1 p.m. in Room 319, Student Center. RSVP at: ohr.gatech.edu/bewell

Through March 12 Fit to Thrive is a six-week series focused on skills related to nutrition, physical activity, mindfulness, and stress management. healthinitiatives.gatech.edu/thrive

WORKSHOPS AND TRAINING

Feb. 22 Workplace Learning and Professional Development hosts a training session on the POWER of Writing method from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in Room 149, Global Learning Center. RSVP at: trains.gatech.edu

Feb. 22 Serve-Learn-Sustain hosts an information session about its teaching toolkit from 11 a.m. to noon in Clough Lounge, Room 205, Clough Commons. serve-learn-sustain.gatech.edu

Feb. 22 The Georgia Tech Observatory hosts a public night from 7:30 to 10 p.m. at the Howey Physics Building. astronomy.gatech.edu

out the potential of the Make a Splash project for uniting people. “This project was an exciting way to bring Georgia Tech families and students together in a creative atmosphere during Family Weekend,” she said. “Just the action of putting paint to paper

can promote healing and effective communication. The kind of creative expression that Bobby inspired really brought forth everyone’s unique contributions to our community.”

The piece is complete, but for the mastermind behind it, it’s just the beginning. Strickland has plans for a much larger project in

the future. “I am exploring ways to use this first piece to generate enthusiasm for the final piece,” he explained. “It could tour the campus in sections, since each canvas can live on its own as an abstract piece, and then be assembled as a unified work.” Other ideas include the potential for auctioning off individual

canvases as a fundraiser for mental health, diversity, arts, or other initiatives on campus.

Whether the next stage of this project comes to fruition or not, one thing’s for sure — the simple act of creating art together brought comfort to the Georgia Tech community during a difficult time.

SPLASH, from page 1

Faculty Nominating Committee for the final ballot will be notified. Those eventually elected by the faculty will serve from August 2018 through August 2021. (Note that some committees do not require election this year.)

The faculty committees have 30 total openings on the following committees:

Faculty Standing Committees• Faculty Benefits• Faculty Honors (no election needed)• Faculty Status and Grievance (no election

needed)• Statutes• Faculty Services• Welfare and Security Academic Faculty Standing Committees• Undergraduate Curriculum (Scheller, Design,

and Engineering representatives needed)• Graduate Curriculum (Scheller, Computing,

and Engineering representatives needed)• Student Regulations• Student Academic and Financial Affairs• Student Activities• Student Grievance and Appeal• Student Honor• Student Computer Ownership• Academic Integrity For a description of the work of each committee,

visit c.gatech.edu/fac-comms. For questions, contact Doug Nation,

doug.nation@gtri.gatech.edu; Steven Girardot, steven.girardot@gatech.edu; or Jeanne Balsam, jeanne.balsam@gtri.gatech.edu.

GOVERNANCE, from page 1

(Left) Strickland took special care to preserve the contributions of a blind person, shown in the orange area at bottom right of this panel. (Right) The panels of Make a Splash are tied together by ripples, representing how people fit together and the effect we can have on each other.

Photos by Allison Carter

The Faculty Senate and Academic Faculty Senate convened Tuesday, Feb. 13, for their winter meeting.

Leslie Sharp, associate vice provost for Graduate Education and Faculty Development, gave an overview of the results from the Collaborative on Academic Careers in Higher Education (COACHE) Survey, which was administered on campus last year. The faculty satisfaction effort was organized by the Harvard Graduate School of Education and administered nationwide.

Georgia Tech reported a response rate in line with its peers, at 43 percent. The Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts had the highest partici-pation rate on campus (52 percent).

Of the respondents, 75 percent reported being satisfied or very satisfied with their individual school; 81 percent reported satisfaction with the overall Institution. Notably, the survey found no areas of concern for all faculty combined. As Sharp noted in her presentation, though, it is possible for a campus to perform well overall on a particular benchmark or individual item while still seeing disparate experiences based on rank, race, or gender.

When rating Georgia Tech’s best aspects, 33 percent of respondents said it was the quality of their colleagues, followed by the quality of undergraduate students. When asked what could be improved, open-ended responses often focused on facilities and

other work resources.

Sharp will be giving additional presentations on campus throughout the semester. See the full Feb. 13 presentation at facultygover-

nance.gatech.edu.

In curriculum matters, a new combined bachelor’s/master’s degree (BSMS) for computer science was presented by both the Undergraduate and Graduate Curriculum Committees, as well as expanding entry to the BS/MSINTA program to undergraduates majoring in International Affairs and Modern Languages.

As new programs surface, one is being deacti-vated. The School of Biological Sciences requested to deactivate the Master of Science in Prosthetics and Orthotics program, meaning they will not admit new students this academic year. Deactivation can last up to two years, at which time the program must be reactivated or terminated. School Chair Todd Streelman said, “The intent is to figure out where the program fits best, whether that’s the School of Biological Sciences or somewhere else. We’re taking a pause and evaluating the program.” There was also discussion about bringing clarity to the process for deactivating a program, a rare but significant move. The Statutes Committee will take it up for review.

Full presentations, meeting notes, and agendas are available at facultygovernance.

gatech.edu.

FACULTY SENATE NOTES

EVENTS

For a more comprehensive listing of events, or to add your own, visit calendar.gatech.edu.

THE WHISTLE • whistle.gatech.edu February 19, 2018 • PAGE 3

Feb. 23 The Women of Georgia Tech Employee Resource Group hosts a session on Establishing Lasting First Impressions from 11 a.m. to noon in Room 1116E, Klaus Advanced Computing Building. RSVP at: c.gatech.edu/first

March 6 Join experts from Georgia Tech Legal Affairs, Library Archives and Records Management, and Cyber Security for a discussion on how to responsibly spring clean your office files, so you know what to keep and what to toss. The session will take place from 3 to 4 p.m. in the Student Center Theater. legal.gatech.edu

MISCELLANEOUS

Feb. 23 The Leadership Education and Development (LEAD) Program hosts a faculty and staff information session over breakfast at Amelie’s French Bakery & Café on Marietta Street. Learn about the Leadership Fellows Program and how to become a leadership coach at the drop-in event from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. leadership.gatech.edu

Feb. 26 The Body Image Committee kicks off the Campaign for EveryBody Week from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Healthy Space, Student Center. See a full list of the week’s events at: bodyimage.gatech.edu

March 8 Serve-Learn-Sustain hosts a panel discussion to showcase case studies of course-based “living laboratory” projects on campus, and highlight exciting ways to put learning into practice moving forward. The discussion will take place from 11 a.m. to noon in Clough Lounge, Room 205, Clough Commons. serve-learn-sustain.gatech.edu

March 9 The Institute for Leadership and Entrepreneurship hosts the regional finals of the Global Social Venture Competition, an international competition for student social entrepreneurs. The event takes place from 2 to 6 p.m. in Room 300, Scheller College of Business. c.gatech.edu/gsvc

March 15 Techmasters, the campus Toastmasters chapter, will host a spring open house from Noon to 1:30 p.m. in Press Room A, Bill Moore Student Success Center. Lunch and refreshments will be served at 11:30 a.m. techmasters.gatech.edu

Nelson C. Baker, dean of Professional Education, was voted president-elect for the University Professional and Continuing Education Association for 2018-19. He will serve as president for the organization the following year.

Sam Coogan, assistant professor in the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, received the IEEE Transactions on Control of Network Systems Best Paper Award at the 56th IEEE Conference on Decision and Control, which took place in December 2017 in Melbourne, Australia.

Mark E. Hay, Regents Professor and Harry and Linda Teasley Chair in the School of Biological Sciences, is the recipient of the 2018 Gilbert Morgan Smith Medal of the National Academy of Sciences. The award recognizes excellence in published research on marine and freshwater algae.

Abdallah Ougazzaden, professor in the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering and director of Georgia Tech-Lorraine, has been named to the National Academy of Metz as an honorary member.

Gabriel Alfonso Rincón-Mora, professor in the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, has been named a Distinguished Lecturer for the IEEE Circuits and Systems Society for 2018-19. He will deliver lectures on the topics of energizing and powering microsystems and energy-harvesting power supplies.

Brendan Saltaformaggio, assistant professor in the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, received the 2017 ACM SIGSAC Doctoral Dissertation Award at the ACM Conference on Computer and Communications Security.

Anna Westerstahl Stenport, chair and professor of the School of Modern Languages, has been elected to the executive committee of the Modern Language Association’s Association of Departments of Foreign Languages for a four-year term.

Gordon L. Stüber, Joseph M. Pettit Chair Professor in the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, earned the 2017 IEEE Communications Society Radio Communications Committee Technical Recognition Award. The award was presented at the committee’s meeting in December 2017 in Singapore.

Susan Napier Thomas, assistant professor in the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, was selected to receive the 2018 Young Investigator Award from the Society for Biomaterials.

Jeff Wu, Coca-Cola Chair in Engineering Statistics and Professor in the H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering, has received the Brumbaugh Award from the American Society of Quality. The Brumbaugh Award recognizes the best paper from among the seven journals sponsored by ASQ. Wu also received the award in 1992.

FACULTY AND STAFF ACHIEVEMENTS

MARGARET TATE INSTITUTE COMMUNICATIONS

Friends and family of Senator Sam Nunn, Class of 1960 and Honorary Ph.D. 2008, have honored him by funding the Sam Nunn School Chair in International Affairs. This prestigious endowed faculty leadership chair will provide annual discretionary support for the incumbent administrative chair of the School to advance strategic priorities in perpetuity.

Outright and estate gifts from the late John P. Imlay Jr., a 1959 industrial management graduate, first ensured that Nunn’s legacy would be firmly rooted at Georgia Tech for the benefit of the Nunn School’s students, faculty, and programs.

In Fall 2017 — to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the School’s naming for Senator Nunn — the School received gifts and commitments to fund the chair from Senator Nunn, Joan and Hubert “Herky” Harris, (a 1965 industrial manage-ment graduate), and Carolyn and Earl Shell (a 1962 building construction graduate).

As one of Georgia’s most admired citizens and a respected leader on the state, national, and international stages, Nunn has worked to address the most challenging problems of our time. During his 24-year career as a U.S. senator, he advanced many national security and foreign policy objectives, including co-authoring the Nunn-Lugar Cooperative Threat Reduction Program. Today, he is co-chairman of the Nuclear Threat Initiative and serves as a distinguished professor in the Nunn School.

Nunn has made an indelible mark on interna-tional affairs, and his example will continue to inspire generations of students and faculty in the Sam Nunn School of International Affairs, its home unit, the Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts, and Georgia Tech who are striving to make a difference in the world.

Subject to Board of Regents consideration and approval, the incumbent Nunn School chair will be the named chair holder.

Sam Nunn School Chair Funded in 20th Anniversary Year

Sam Nunn attends the symposium for the Ivan Allen Jr. Prize for Social Courage in 2011, the year in which he received the award. Now, friends and family are honoring him with a named chair position.

Photo by Rob Felt

cosmos is clearer these days and months. “Although stars are distributed through

the night sky evenly, there’s actually a clustering of the brightest stars during the winter,” said Sowell.

Weather patterns are also a factor. “During the winter, the humidity is signif-icantly lower, so the atmosphere — the sky —- is very clear and transparent, so

we can see fainter stars.”The last reason may be more obvious

than you think.“There are just so many hours of

darkness,” Sowell said. “If you come home at seven o’clock and look up, you’re seeing stars. If it’s the summer, you’re going to see the sun.”

The Georgia Tech Observatory hosts its next public night this week on Thursday, Feb. 22, from 7:30 to 10 p.m.

STARS, from page 1

CHRISTINA WAN SUMMER SESSION INITIATIVES

Students who plan to enroll in classes this summer may be able to look forward to saving money this academic term.

Summer Session Initiatives will implement new tuition rates for summer session courses, beginning this year. The new model represents a per-credit hour charge. These rates will allow students to pay only for the number of hours they take and reduce the cost of attending Georgia Tech during the summer. The former model charged for a range of hours.

Approved by the University System of Georgia’s Board of Regents in January,

it marks “a significant change that will benefit many students, particularly those who only need to take one class,” said De Morris Walker, director of Summer Session Initiatives. “This tuition model reduces the per-class cost compared to previous summers, making summer school more accessible.”

In the past, Tech students were charged one of two flat rates based on whether they took six or more credit hours, or fewer than six credit hours. Tuition models for fall and spring semesters remain assessed at rates of above and below six credit hours.

Complete information about Summer 2018 tuition and fees is posted on the Bursar’s website in mid-February. For more information, stop by an information fair on Thursday, March 1, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Kessler Campanile area.

Summer Tuition Will Be Charged Per Credit Hour

CLASSIFIEDS

PAGE 4 • February 19, 2018 whistle.gatech.edu • THE WHISTLE

Ads run for at least three issues in the order in which they are received. Submit your 35-word-or-less ad to editor@comm.gatech.edu.

VEHICLESFor sale: 2010 Lincoln MKZ. Silver w/ leather interior, 99k miles, excellent condition inside and out. Well-maintained. Includes both keys, brand new spare tire. Lots of upgrades. $9,500. Call 706-878-6730.

REAL ESTATE/ROOMMATESRoom for short-term rental for students, co-ops, interns, and others. Within a 5-mile radius of campus, close to public transit. More information and photos: airbnb.com/rooms/14405672

For rent: 3BR/2BA house in Home Park. Located near Georgia Tech. Close to food markets, restaurants, entertainment, shopping, public transit. $2,250/mo. Includes off-street parking for up to four cars. Contact 770-713-1122 or paul_fortson@yahoo.com. View listing at http://bit.ly/2Bd4HOj.

For rent: Furnished, private bedroom in East Midtown adjacent to Piedmont Park. Available through June 1. $850/mo. Includes utilities and internet. Walking distance to MARTA, Tech Square, restaurants, entertainment, shopping. Contact 312-218-7686.

For rent: Furnished private bedroom and bath (w/ access to all living spaces) in Buckhead. $875/mo. Includes utilities, cable, Wi-Fi, parking. No smoking, pets, or children. Walking distance to food markets, restaurants, entertainment, shopping, public transit, churches. Request 12-month lease. Referrals upon request. Contact 404-514-7662, reba.darr@gmail.com.

MISCELLANEOUSSpecialized Sirrus Elite Woman’s Bike - medium frame, black. Purchased brand new June 2017, only ridden a few times. Bike has lightweight, alloy/welded black frame. Rides smooth, great for speed and city street riding. Topeak Explorer Rack installed on back, two water bottle cages added. Axiom Kingston Commuter messenger bag also included. Contact karla.huie@gatech.edu, 706-587-5898.

Researchers in the School of Interactive Computing and Institute for People and Technology seeking parents of children ages 1 to 5 years old for a study using an e-book to track development. Learn more at c.gatech.edu/ebookstudy.

Free yellow jacket nest removal. Nests to be used for research in the School of Biology. Call 404-385-6311 or e-mail michael.goodisman@biology.gatech.edu.

HIDDEN GEORGIA TECHARCHITECTURAL DETAILS PART III

(1) A section of the Molecular Science and Engineering Building is made of limestone. (2) The binary skywalk bridge connects the Klaus Advanced Computing Building to the rest of the Information Technology Complex. (3) A study/reading area inside the Barnes & Noble at Georgia Tech extends slightly into the Jenkins Courtyard of the Scheller College of Business. (4) The Fulton County Medical Society dedicated the Academy of Medicine as its headquarters in 1941. (5) The view from behind a screen on the front of the Marcus Nanotechnology Building.

Hidden Georgia Tech is a photo essay series highlighting places on campus that may largely go unnoticed but are sometimes hidden in plain sight. If you know of a place worth exploring, email editor@comm.gatech.edu. View more from the series at c.gatech.edu/hidden.

With 400 acres and nearly 160 buildings, Georgia Tech’s main campus is filled with

a range of architectural styles, from Collegiate Gothic when the university opened to recent additions in contemporary design.

Part III of the Architectural Details installments explores buildings around the perimeter of campus. See more photos at c.gatech.edu/archiii.

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Written by Victor Rogers // Photos by Allison Carter