Increasing student diversity
The Graduate School and the office of the provost are launching an Emerging Scholars Initiative to expand and diversify the pool of people who will contribute to the excellence of future generations of faculty. All “emerging scholars” must exhibit outstanding academic promise and achievement and meet at least one of the following criteria: backgrounds that have been underrepresented in their chosen fields of study (including historically underrepresented minority students, first-generation college graduates, students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, or women in some STEM fields); plans to pursue research related to issues of diversity and identity (including race, ethnicity, gender, socioeconomic status, religion, sexual orientation, and ability); previous or current involvement in diversity-related initiatives. The Emerging Scholars Initiative has three parts: supplemental funding for 15 incoming PhD students each year, research awards for ten current PhD students annually, and post-baccalaureate research experiences for six prospective graduate students, beginning this summer.
Alumnus receives national award
President Barack Obama recently awarded the National Medal of Technology and Innovation to Jonathan Rothberg ’91PhD (biology). The medal recognizes outstanding contributions to America’s economic, environmental, and social well being. Rothberg is a pioneer in genetic sequencing technology, a successful entrepreneur, and a Wilbur Cross medalist. His introduction of massively parallel DNA sequencing technology greatly increased the speed and efficiency of genomic analysis. He has led or been a major contributor to ground-breaking sequencing projects, including the first human genome, the Neanderthal genome, and the incorporation of sequencing technology onto semiconductor chips.
Alumna is Colorado state historian
Patricia (Patty) Limerick ’80PhD (history), faculty director of the Center of the American West and professor of environmental studies and history at the University of Colorado–Boulder, was named Colorado state historian in January by Governor John Hickenlooper. In addition, the US Senate recently confirmed Limerick to the National Council on the Humanities, a panel of 26 scholars who review grant applications for the National Endowment for the Humanities. Limerick is immediate past president of the Organization of American Historians and has served as president of the American Studies Association, the Western History Association, and the Society of American Historians. She is cofounder of the Center of the American West, a forum committed to the exploration of regional public issues.
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