November 30, 2006

Briefs

Earth and planetary sciences department born

The department of geological sciences in the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences has changed its name to the department of Earth and planetary sciences to better reflect the scientific scope of the department as well as its degree programs, including a recent expansion of undergraduate offerings.

During the last few years, enough significant changes have occurred within the department — in faculty composition, leadership, undergraduate and graduate programs and research — that a more descriptive name was needed.

“We feel this title is more easily understood and will be attractive to undergraduates,” said chair Bradley Sageman. “Also, we have a number of researchers who study the other planets, as well as Earth. Planetary science is integral to our mission, in part because of our strength in geophysics, but also because knowledge of the behavior of other planets deeply informs our understanding of the Earth system’s behavior.”

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Corona named to HR post

Paul Corona, director of training and development at Human Resources (HR), has been named interim director of HR Staffing, Development and Consulting for both campuses — effective Dec. 1.

Guy E. Miller, associate vice president for human resources, said Corona will direct the Staffing Division and the HR Consulting staffs on both campuses and will continue to direct the Training and Development division. “The combination of these activities gives us a new opportunity for the integration of these functions to help deliver service and solutions with new efficiencies,” Miller said.

Corona has 21 years of human resources and related management experience.

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Students compete at Fed Challenge

A team of five students from Northwestern represented the Chicago Federal Reserve district this week in a national “Fed Challenge” competition in Washington, D.C.

They competed against teams from the New York, Boston and Richmond Federal Reserve districts to win a share of $50,000 scholarship funds provided by Moody’s Inc.

Winning team members Josh Goldstein, Frederick Herrmann, Rosa Li, Joshua Plavner and Jeanne Ruan beat 12 teams from other universities at the Oct. 31 regional that tested their knowledge of how the Fed creates policy to foster a strong and stable economy. Northwestern is coached by Mark Witte, senior lecturer in economics and director of undergraduate studies.