UBRARY ANNEX M2 " // - 'C y y yyyy.? 'At A ALBERT R. MANN LIBRARY AT CORNELL UNIVERSITY 3 1924 IIRRM& MMI ttAWHt^*^ GAYLORD PRINTED IN U.SA /.A., yy i .7 yi c 1 v, 1 p v .x IA ' 71 y ;a*s ■yy y ■-AtfsSm ft/ kps/S'-- ,%£,■ ■/ yy '■"fill MM Xy i *>**jj Ma^ ^y - "As\s. irv ,.-. ■■-*- .- ^^fc^dl" -^rnSsAjM ,, rxx ;..- s\77y:t s~ *x**M Mk< t PRSA Greetings from PRSA to I su •JocS Mate pic n APR President-elect ot PRSA of the Industry address President and CEO of Hill & Knowlton PR in the 1990 s Society of America along. According to (PRSSA) Sinatra, the ultimate challenge of suc cess lies in "New York, New York," pre cisely where the PRSSA Cornell Confer ence committee is hosting the 15th Relations Student decided in the ence. to coordinate a separate stu •Robert Diienschneider hummed dent conference at the same same time and city as the PRSA confer That marked the beginning of a and Bcv< series of PRSSA-PRSA conferences in the was which took place simultaneously was Annual PRSSA Conference on Novem fall of each year. In 1988, it Cincin to wel ber 3-7, 1990. "NYC is up, it's theatrical, it's jazzy," explained Karin Schwartz '90, 1989-90 PRSSA Cornell President and 1990-91 PRSSA National Public Relations Direc tor. nati; in 1989, it come Dallas; and Chicago tation told me that Cornell's presen the new York City was decade of 1990, New chosen for the PRSSA Na the polished than some of presentations he has seen at Hill was more tional Conference 1990. "It's the per fect place to highlight public relations in the 1990s. It's the and Knowlton," he added. The announcement in Dallas of Cor "It's going for the best, like Sinatra says," Schwartz added. Hence, it's the place where The Sky's the Limit, as the umbrella theme for the 1990s" is the focal tire conference. country's heart of business, culture, and public relations," Germano said. Even the conference in though the location for each University as the host for the NewCity conference signified the be ginning of a long haul of continuous or ganizing and planning for the event. York nell reads, and where "Public Relations point of the en conference is determined years in ad vance, the university that hosts the con Nevertheless, the fast pace of the ference lished committee was con ference is ever not. Schwartz explained that The Sky's the Limit... since the '88 conference in Cincin some nell's planning instantly. The same day that Cor PRSSA chapter was announced as estab nati, Cornell students have dis cussed the possibility of offering to host the conference. "We have been thinking about this for a while," Schwartz said. Their dreams became a the host for the 1990 conference, a sur vey was distributed to the students in Dallas for the 1989 conference to ascer tain what the students wish to obtain from attending PRSSA conferences. Public Relations in the 1990s The reality in October, 1989, Schwartz, Germano, and Cornell presented a when conference and new theme "implies PRSSA National Liaison Barbara Petrauskas '90 "The surveys indicated that the stu dents want to increase their personal skills in the field of wrell as growth heights, and refers to the opportunities available to students entering the public relations profession in the new decade," saidjudi Germano '91, Conference Coordinator. In addi tion, Germano explained that this theme plays off the aspect of the New York City skyline as it portrays the over all attitude designated by the planning committee in the initial stages of con proposal to the bidding a we increase their with committee in Dallas. "It consisted of network complete description intended to of everything public relations, as opportunities to professionals in this said. field," Germano "So. we are do: the theme, session ideas, social events, communication strategies, the budget, and rough art work," Schwartz said. In addition to the laser printed and bound copies of the written proposal, the presenters also used overheads and entertained ques tions pertaining to their proposed plan of action. "The bid blew presently working velop ways to increase studentpractitioner interaction," she added. with PRSA to de With this in mind, the new hosts be gan the process of ference York development. "Just as the New skyline is outstanding and exten to organizing the con Program planning, communi cation strategies, and logistics all had to be considered. Directors were selected ference. for each of these three main were sive, the conference committee is pre everyone pared do the 1990 conference PRSSA 18 was everything it can to make outstanding and founded in 1968 and is an extensive," she added. away," Professor Donald F. Schwartz, professor of communication and Faculty Advisor of the Cornell PRSSA, said. "Sean Essex of Hill and Knowlton [Worldwide Public Relations Council] committee members areas and recruited for each department. The three directors working under Germano's supervision as Conference Coordinator are: Cindy Trice '91, Programs. Kimberlv Blake i '92, the Big Communications and and Kristen Apple com Lawrence '92, Logistics Oper relies heavily on what programs are planned," Stephen Weinstein '91, ations. PR/Promotion head within the munications "Special features" of the conference are emphasized within each division in order ence ness to differentiate the '90 confer from those of past years. Unique is a key factor since the conference coincides with the celebration of the new we decade. "To have keep with this idea, planned special sessions that offered in the past. For ex were never department, said. Once the program planning is underway, the communications department will work to creatively promote the conference nationwide to prospective PRSSA chap ter participants. A postcard from the coordinator introducing the confer ence, brochures, letterhead and busi ness cards have been produced to pro mote the ample, A Day in the Life' features representatives from New York public relations agencies and corporations who will discuss what it is like to work for their firm or company 'Q & A with PRSA conference. "We realize the presents senior practitioners from PRSA who will meet with small groups of students for an active ques tion and answer session," Trice said. importance of reminding students and faculty about the '90 conference and about what new and exciting 'special features' we have to offer," Blake said. "Professionalism and consistency are two of our main objectives in reaching our communication goal. Every month we The New York Penta Hotel is located across from send a press release or fact sheets to Madison Square Garden and Penn Station. goal emphasized that another main speakers from a broad of professions to give students range clearer ideas of the public relations She also is to attract the and chapters so that they are exposed to updated about the conference," she how to said. get around and what to see in Fundraising is a key factor and anoth er special feature that the committee must New York While the City," Lawrence explained. logistics department con on ing address and promote. "Fundrais within each chapter is crucial be New York to ducts the research communications various transpor tation routes and tourist attractions, the City is very expensive other past conference compared sites," Blake informed. "Our work is cut cause out that New York lic relations is to for us," Weinstein said. "The fact City is the center of pub a plus, but to we also have the '90 'sell' the unique aspects of conference in order The convince stu Lady awaits the PRSSA conference in November 1990. they may choose to enter. a speaker recruiter within Trice's committee, Cristy Bocutti '91 began the recruiting process by distributing a packet of session ideas to public rela tions professionals in New York City and asking for their suggestions. "We went as far as trying to recruit President Bush to do a video address pertaining to his campaign on the importance of As field faculty that the conference is attending despite high costs," he said. A new fundraising dents and definitely worth department produces logistics depart ment also depends on the communica tions department for the purpose of finalizing session room numbers, and confirming hotel arrangements at the Penta Hotel. Another highlight of the conference coordinated by the logistics department is the opportunity students will have to purchase Broadway tickets. As Faculty Advisor, Schwartz is al the information. The view ways available for consultation. "I strategy instituted this year gave com panies the opportunity to advertise in myself as a safety net whenever I am the Conference Program Guide. "This opportunity wants to is open to anyone who needed, but I do not think that needed," he said. With the 1990 conference I will be participate," explained is Germano. approaching, vations and the Cornell the programs quickly department Meanwhile, the logistics department has been organizing housing and regis tration at the Penta Hotel, the site of the PRSSA Conference busy confirming special events reser keeping speakers updated. After all their hard work, members of chapter of PRSSA hope the PRSSA soar education and how the PRSSA Confer ence 1990. A Survival the fits in with this," Boccuti said. As the theme of the entire conference im "We stop success Guide communications committees will be prepared by each logistics and Annual National Conference plies, at nothing," she said. given ture to "The of the communications rival to the participant upon their ar Big Apple. "This special fea on higher than New York's highest skyscraper. As Sinatra sang of the challenge of New York, "The sky's 1990 wall the limit!" m department to promote the programs will include information both 19 CLOSEUP ON BUTTERMILK FALLS EVERY same YEAR, THE RITUAL IS THE all over the northeast. First, you to wait for the first spring arrive. to work or really warm day of Second, you call in sick school. And third, you jump certain lands around the county were set aside for picnicking, baseball and the like, Ingraham noted that people would not have to come to a state for those activities. park Notably, Ingraham exist at the — and head for your favorite getaway spot for a day of rest and relax ation. Whether it be along the bank of in your car a said, the same county's other state problems parks the Robert river, on the shore of a lake or in the Park, the Alan H. Treman State Marine Park, and Taughannock Treman State middle of a field, millions of people all along the eastern seaboard know of a Falls State Park. Despite tomorrow, Buttermilk Falls offers many nice views, but how much of a future does it have? the imminent problems of place where lems of they everyday one can escape the prob life. Buttermilk Falls Buttermilk From a Falls remains two healthy today. waterfall, State Park is such place. On the average summer day, Butter milk Falls (one of four state parks in gorges, and numerous streams to tiful wildlife and bountiful plant plen life, a trip through upper and lower Butter Tompkins County, located just outside Ithaca city limits) is filled with people some playing baseball, others picnick ing or sunbathing, and others taking trips along various nature trails. From a human's point of view, the setting is idyllic. No noise. No pollution. No has — sles. Just several hundred protected land to enjoy. But there are two acres of state- sides to the story. While Buttermilk Falls remains a great getaway spot for the growing human population of Tompkins County, it is today's developers can theoretically build anything they want right up to the edge of the park. If such develop ment occurred, not only would it lock the existing Buttermilk population within park boundaries, but it would also bring about slow salt and petrole um contamination, killing off or driv ing away most species inside the park. Unfortunately, such development seems to be all but a foregone conclu sion, according to Tony Ingraham, a natural environmentalist for the state milk Falls is ent than a probably not much differ trip through what are now some Cornell University and Ithaca 150 years ago. Cornell offers similar topo graphical and other natural characteris tics to upper Buttermilk Falls while Ithaca bears topo once marshlands — — graphical portion of resemblance to the state the lower park. Vast differences exist between the upper and lower portions of the park. Ingraham described many of these differences. On the lower end of the quickly becoming less and less idyllic for the plant and wildlife populations of Buttermilk Falls. Granted, there is still a healthy plant and animal commu nity inside the park, but life there is anything but peaceful. Human visitors pose significant disturbance to every day life, and the possibility of develop ment on the land surrounding Butter milk Falls is threatening to bring about slow despeciation inside the park itself. The problem is two-fold. First, But a termilk Falls was never meant for recreational activities. It to was intended its be more of a nature preserve. And was second, when the park founders could er formed, not land around the buy buff park, meaning that afford to park system. Technically, the state does hold the power to acquire buffer land around the park, but Ingraham said he doubts this will happen in time to save the park. "I don't think the state is go ing to act fast enough," Ingraham said. "The whole procedure is too slow for the rate at which land is being devel oped around here. The procedure is slow and expensive, and given that there are four state parks in Tompkins County, the state is probably not going to look at this as a high priority. I'm not real optimistic." As for the problem of increasing hu man visitation, Ingraham sees a simple solution, although he said he's not so sure it will ever come about. Tompkins County holds the power to create park districts to park, the visitor is likely to run into dogwoods, various shrubbery, willows, park walnuts and green ash, while the upper offers white pines, hemlock. beech, sugar maple, oaks and black cherry. the As for wildlife inside the park. most notable differences between upper and lowrer Buttermilk Falls exist in the types of bird life. Throughout the park, the visitor will run across beavers, owls, deer, raccoons, squirrels, possibly some mink, and even a coyote or two. As in any wildlife system, most of the species vores in Buttermilk Falls or are either omnivores exist. herbivores. Few carni The bottom line? For now, Butter milk Falls State Park is a great place for Ithacans to get away from it all. Fifty years from now however, there may not be much left to get away to. ■ by 20 Mark Styczynski '91 meet the recreational de If mands of the growing population. DETECTING LISTERIA by Michele Pepe '91 ABOUT TEN YEARS AGO, A TECHnique for producing monoclonal anti ia, I've on eaten listeria. Probably everyone bacterium," he said, "is through ess a the face of the earth has eaten lister Batt said. "But those are not called at 'cold enrichment'." proc This ia," immune systems people whose working to full means that the bacterial culture is main tained lem bodies, antibodies specifically geared potential (immunocompromised) are most susceptible to listeriosis." This group includes young children, preg nant women, older people, AIDS pa tients and others with reduced disease very low temperatures amena ble to the growth of listeria. "The prob is," Batt said, "that cold enrichment to their foreign antigen, was devel oped. Since then, these extraordinary proteins have joined the battle against salmonella, cancer and a variety of oth toward a takes time. The prior not safety of food products consumption is therefore assured." resistance. diseases. Now, Carl A. Batt, assistant professor of food science in Cornell's er Foods most implicated in the carry College ences, Agriculture together with his wife Jerrie Gavalchin, a cellular immunologist at of and Life Sci ing of L. monocytogenes include dairy products, ready-to-eat meats, poultry products, seafood and vegetables. "The bacterium," Batt said, "has been found a diagnostic test that Batt and his colleagues are developing should take only a day or two compared with up to two The weeks for of current tests. And in terms testing for the bacterium in a patients, it is essential that quick diag or can cause the SUNY Health Science Center, and Mary Lou Tortorello of Cornell's De partment of Microbiology, has devel cabbage and coleslaw. And something like 30 percent of all radish es carry the organism as well. But given lot in that this is a nosis be made since several other ganisms besides meningitis. Batt said that the listeria oped three new monoclonal antibod bacterium present in the ies. These will be used to detect the Listeria soil, it's only natural that foods grown in soil should carry it." monocytogenes bacterium in food and in patients suspected of hav spinal infection called listeriosis, or listeria meningitis. To develop the trio of antibodies, Batt and his colleagues cloned many descendants of an antibody-producing cell. The antibodies produced by this cell can recognize and bind specifical ly to the Listeria monocytogenes bac ing a According to Batt, current foodtesting methods for the bacterium take too long. He explained that the bacteri al flora in foods consist of many differ ent bacteria and that listeria is in no way biochemically distinct from the rest. "The new diagnostic test attaching of "markers" (such as fluorescent dyes or colorgenerating enzymes) to the monoclonal antibody. "First we put the culture [that is suspected of carrying the L. mono cytogenes bacterium] on a slide and al involves the low it to incubate," Batt said. "Then we allow binding between the antibody and the bacterium. The bacterium is the nized only way to isolate this particular antigen, or the molecule recog by the antibody. The fluorescent terium. The clones of the cell were then used to mass produce these anti dye acts as a reporter molecule. When it glows we know that the antibody has found and attached matter to bodies. While the genus Listeria consists of six or seven different species, only the L. monocytogenes species induces ill ness the L. mono a cytogenes bacterium. Then it's just of washing to away any unbound the antibody bacteria." reveal highlighted in humans. at least 1,700 peo ple and claims up to 400 lives every year in the United States. "Listeria monocytogenes is not in itself a deadly Listeriosis strikes Although similar antibodies were de veloped at Emory University in 1984, this is the first time that they are actual ly being used to develop a quick diag nostic kit. "This kind of test," Batt said, "will improve food safety for the con sumer and thus minimize listeriosis out pathogen," Batt said. "The symptoms of listeriosis are, in fact, flu-like and un spectacular. Only a culture can positive ly affirm that listeria is the disease- breaks." While listeriosis is still not the next a causing organism," he added. "Listeri osis is a problem, but it's being dealt with. I think it's really important that people understand this." serious prob lem, Batt commented that it is certain ly Assistant bubonic an plague. Efforts toward developing are new monoclonal ■ Consuming contaminated foods can result in listeriosis. "You've eaten lister professor of food science, Carl A. Batt, holds up a slide of bacterial cultures. antibodies important part of 21 combatting this disease. Evaluating Cornell WHO IS MAKING SURE THAT WHEN the bulldozers come to put in take parking lot at Cornell they do not the old white oaks that may have down been standing since Native Americans a new committee which should complete its evaluation in the next year or two. She that the committee has three there are press and explained rankings. The first includes the most inhabited the area? Who is out there protecting the views of Cayuga's waters we have all enjoyed from several loca tions on significant buildings and areas on cam an pus. For example, McGraw Tower, part of the University sky important line, as original botany department were located in the back wing of Sage Hall," Gortzig said. "Library Slope is a much-valued green space on campus because it is both the foreground for the first build ings built at Cornell and for West Cam pus. It is also an area which carries much tradition for alumni, such as bald cy "Part of the pine. Cornell Arboretum and the two exotic trees, a an Austrian well as being historically and ar The campus? trustee-appointed University chitecturally significant, en an A rating. The next which could be altered would be giv Special rescue. tee Areas Committee comes to the rating contains buildings Since late in 1988, the commit has been to half meeting every two-and-athree months to evaluate all and a and the final rating extent, specifies those to some Springfest explained. and other events," Gortzig He also noted the existence buildings use or areas which could either buildings They give around it mined Dr. each campus. special building and the space ranking which is deter areas on considerable improvement or have virtually no aesthetic value whatsoever. The plaza in front of Bailey Hall falls into this category because it has be come a of the very large white oak on the slope behind Willard Straight Hall, which likely An dates back area to pre-Cornell when was the Native Americans lived here. by the area's historical, horticul tural, and traditional significance. Alain under W. recent evaluation parking lot for construction an the Seznec, Carl A. Kroch dean of is workers. University the arts Librarian and Professor of as "Bailey we Plaza deserves to be A, and Romance studies who served college from 1978-1986, would suggest this," Goody reiterat ed. Professor of Floriculture, Carl Gort- Sage family complex off East State Street in Collegetown. Liber ty Hyde Bailey, a former dean of the College of Agriculture, designed and Henry built his house on this property. He chairing the committee. "We familiarize ourselves with the building before we meet, and then we are given a brief presentation about when the building was built, who fund ed it, and how important the architect was who designed it. We evaluate everything," Seznec explained. "We are then able to alert the decision makers at zig '52, explained, "Bailey Plaza is important because it interfaces the statutory and endowed colleges. It is also the foreground of Bailey and Malott Halls and an important cross road on campus." As a horticulturist, one of Gortzig's roles on bought the carriage house from the Sage complex and converted it into a hortorium. "The tant in botanical carriage house was very impor history, because it was the first herbarium devoted cultivated primarily to world- plants. Bailey was a the committee is to help iden Cornell when or area they approach a building for renovation," he continued. H. tify the significant green spaces on campus, such as those around what is called the "red brick campus" or Sage Hall, Barnes Hall, and Sage Chapel. For instance, on the south side of Sage Hall famous horticulturist and botanist, and therefore the committee gave this area our top rating," Gortzig gives said. a "The committee snapshot of Nancy does most Goody, campus planner, of the ground work for the what the value of the campus is in 1990. In 20 years who knows if they will still value the same that we value is today," Goody not to architecture said. The to a committee intended not. be a barometer rating as ing is functional or whether build "We don't look at the square footage of a building or if the research that goes on in its laboratories pays the bills at the to University. It has -do with aesthetics, architectural significance, and history," Goody explained. According to Seznec, "Twenty years ago if something was old we got rid of it; now we recognize it as part of our heritage. The point is not to be anti quarian, but to make sure the things we haw inherited are maintained. I think there is a new spirit out there and we have definitely taken a forward." ■■ step the Liberty Hyde Bailey's house, located highest rating by the committee. 22 cof-opte;:. 8 Fighting Poverty, Feeding World Alex J. Nussbaum '92 the 19 20 Curfews, Co-eds and Cornell Maria Politis '92 Paws in Action Elaine Bloom '91 About the Issue 10 Before How Everett Stiles Got to blacktop roads and parking 1 1 Cornell 22 After the Wall Chris McManus '91 lots, dirt roads and horse carriages were a common Betty Ng '91 sight on the Cornell campus. This issue of the Countryman takes a look back at the "Cow College" From Cow College to CALS 24 What's Next for the Barn? Catherine G. Healy '92 Wendy E. Austrie '91 CORNELL- growth into a busy buildingquadrangle. Life for the female undergraduate of the past is explored, and long-time CALS faculty members are profiled. The Countryman also looks ahead to more budget cuts and lined the promise of some solutions poverty and world hunger. to and its November 1990 Volume LXXXVIII Number 2 Editors Wendy E. Austrie Jeffrey S. Popow Janis Strope Assistant Editors Elaine Bloom Catherine G. Photo Editor Annike Hoysater (sketches); pp. 12, 13 Art Directors Marisa Rose Annike Hoysater; p. 10 Betty Ng p. 17 Graphics reprinted with per mission from the Northeast Indian Quarterly; pp. 9, 14, 15 — — — — Media Services; p. 22 — Baju Hadi- Crissey Wijono. The Cornell Countryman (ISSN 0010-8^82) is published six times a year from October through May (combined issues for January and February, and April and May) by the New York State College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, 324 Kennedy Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y. 14853- Second class postage paid at Ithaca, New York 14853. Printed by Midstate Litho, Inc. of Endicott. Subscription Rates: 5~.S0 a year; SI 4.00 for two years. Postmaster: Send change of address to Cornell Countryman, 324 Kenne dy Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y. 14853. Editorial content gathered and written by majors in the Department of Communication. Honorary editor: Edward L. Bernays '12. Faculty advisors: Maria Politis Healy Layout Staff Dana A. Celentano Kathryn Lancioni Betty Ng Hilary Nagler Alex Karen E. Clements Chris McManus J. Nussbaum Joann M. Pezzano Christina Yee Editorial Staff Wendy E. Austrie, Elaine Bloom, Dana A. Celen tano, Karen E. Clements, Marisa Rose Catherine G. Healy, Annike Hoysater, Crissey, Kathryn Lancioni, Chris McManus, Hilary Nagler, Alex J. Nussbaum, Joann Pezzano, Maria Politis, Jeffrey S. Jane E. Hardv '53, lane Earle. li is the policy of Cornell University actively to support equality of educational and employment opportunitv No person shall he denied admission to any educational program or activitv or Popow, Janis Strope, Christina Yee. Picture Credits: Cover, pp. 11, 19— Department of Manuscripts and University Archives; pp. 3, 6, 7, 20, 21, 24— Marisa Ro.sc be denied discrimination employment on the basis of involving, but not limited or .inv legallv prohibited as race. to. such factors color, creed, religion, national Crissey (artwork); pp. pp. 4, 5 — preference, Jeffrey s. PopoW; H, 9— Daniel Sisler; age, or handicap. ihe maintenance of affirmative action programs which will ihe continuation of such of ethnic origin, sex, sexual The University is committed to assure equality opportunitv fruits and vegetables: A or more Friendly Merger rumor RUMORS HAVE CIRCULATED AROUND the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences for years about merging two of the plant science depart ments. This year became fact on July 1, 1990, when the departments of vegetable to crops and Science. form the pomology joined Department of Fruit and Vegetable have tainly to increase the number of under graduates in fruits and vegetables," Ew ing said. With the merger only months old, the new faculty members are just beginning to make plans for future directions. Ewing said both depart ments have traditionally given strong extension and applied research support to industry, and he assumes this will continue. ple meant "pomology" mistakenly thought it per tained only to apples and other "pomme" fruits. The new name presents a clear picture of the areas or did not know what involved and the scientific focus of the department. Ewing said he hopes ment the new will be aware of the depart "working vegetable industries changed since 1912 when Liberty Hyde Bailey, then dean of the agricul ture college, split the Department of Horticulture into vegetable crops, po mology and floriculture. According to David L. Call '54, MS '58, PhD '60, dean of the College, links between the fruit and vegetable industries have become closer, and "processors and producers are handling both." Consolidating the The fruit and areas Cooperation between the two areas and with the Department of Floricul ture and Ornamental Horticulture be a gan mental few years ago with an interdepart teaching committee to review courses. Such cooperation offers "a integrated program in plant science for undergraduates," Call said. In addition, pomology and vegetable crops had been offering a joint fall seminar. better would make Cornell "better able needs of two one to serve the industry." one Pomology brought seven faculty to Replacing an small units with should also produce savings. "We are al ways looking for program efficiencies," Call said. State budget cutbacks were not a major factor in the merger, Call said, but they did affect the decision. According to Elmer E. Ewing PhD '59, chair of the new department and former chair of the Department of Vegetable Crops, there are many career opportunities in fruits and vegetables but not enough students to fill them. administrative modest-sized the merger and vegetable crops 14, for a total of 21. The combined support staff (clerical and administrative staff, spirit," the sense of family, that both departments had fostered. He said the departments had a tradition of close ness and support among the faculty, staff and graduate students. Returning alumni often say they miss the family feeling of their years with vegetable crops or pomology. The merger will provide resources that were previously available only within each department, such as the use by vegetable faculty of the "excel lent chemists" in the former pomology spectrograph laboratory. "We seem to be off to a good start," Ewing said. "I'm very optimistic." ■ technicians and other workers) is now 37, and the graduate student population has gone from 21 in vegetable crops and 11 in pomology to 32 in fruit and by Janis Strope '86 vegetable The science. department's name was suggested by a faculty member from pomology and received the support of a majority of faculty in the two depart ments. Ewing explained that often peo new These industries in New York state are substantial, processing) with farm value of the fruit (before industry in the state estimated at $150 million and the vegetable industry estimated at $260 million per year. "One objective is cer O^ Budget workload for the present staff and that to General the Bone Budget Is Allocated Statutory Colleges to faculty members now do a lot of the How SUNY work that secretaries used to handle. Tomek added, "If we see cuts next year, we could not get by without layoffs." Research and outside projects are Cornell's budget crunch. These programs are vital not only to universi ty departments but also to New York state. Johnson said, "As a land-grant university, we see a tremendous oppor tunity to help the people of New York state." Johnson commented that Cor nell has the people, the expertise and the techniques to deal with problems also feeling the 25.40 Services Agriculture and Life Sciences 36.00% such as the environment can but, without Tomek the money, do nothing. of his commented that one vacancies is in environmental faculty policy as re 8.70% Geneva and extension education and that im Experiment Station Human portant public policy issues such these will not get the attention and search as they need. According to Elliot, budget cuts increase, so does pres sure on faculty to get outside grants for their research. One Based on 7.50% Ecology 13.80% 1-990-91 big problem Tomek faces is that graduate students and teaching assistantships have been shifted from all Veterinary Medicine Adjusted Base Budgets twelvesummer to nine-month appointments. said, "This will This shift officially ability takes effect in the per cow." According to Elliot, this out side revenue has helped the depart ment survive. said, "If tuition is raised $100, this of 1991. Tomek affect our to recruit graduate We stu Other less noticeable effects the area are in generates $10 million in additional rev enue." But, Johnson added, SUNY faces a $300 million operating hole. dents. Peer universities offer twelve month appointments. haven't decided how to grapple with this in the future." Richard A. Ledford, chair of the Department of Food Science, echoed a similar concern. In lieu of eliminating of financial support for faculty. Both Colle and Tomek remarked that they have cut back on support for Johnson said that view education er state to take a realistic look at as priorities officials need and "an investment rath professional meetings of faculty bers who may be presenting papers or travelling to support their research mem graduate assistantships, he hopes that outside support and grants can pick up the slack. According to Ledford, this efforts. vive because expenditure." Several depart agreed, calling the educa tional cuts "short-sighted." Faced with the loaded question of than an ment chairs strategy has worked with research tech department. All techni grant funds, he said; state-supported positions no longer cians are now on nicians in his College sur self-supporting. they For example, the dairy operations in the Department of Food Science do not turn a profit. They break even and use are Some programs in the how to deal with further cuts, most chairs throw their hands into the air in despair. They don't have department their revenues to pay salaries and other exist. At least one department science has revenue from — — animal expenses. What about the future? outside Johnson, at state taxes are not According coming be to is that any answers. The consensus there's not much left to be cut. Poston commented, "If we keep shaking the out." tree, nothing else is going to fall remarked, "We have cut past the in projects to help offset budget cuts. El liot said, "We have an advantage in that part of our resources comes from milk and the sale of animals. To raise more the same rate as last year; revenues ex fat, past the muscle; we're into bone now." He added, "The cuts are real and disastrous, and we Ripple down, pected. Some point are and more cuts can can't take any more." money, we raised the milk production to a raise in SUNY the answer, but this is not the panacea everyone thinks it is. Johnson tuition as by Jeffrey S. Popow '91 New Horizons for FOOD SCIENCE MOST READERS ARE FAMILIAR WITH the Cornell dairy— Cornell milk, Cor cording to ministrator Bill Anderson, senior ad science food of the "We can make so many different Now, nell ice cream, and even Cornell cows. more than a century after its first department. small has a dairy plant was established in 1880, the Department of Food Science facility for studying more than dairy products. The Food Processing and Develop ment Laboratory "is the largest expan sion of its kind at Cornell in 65 years," said John Brown, manager of the facil ity. The $6 million project was funded by a direct appropriation from the New York state legislature. Begun in July, 1986, it was completed in September, 1988, and turned over to the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Why was the project executed at Cornell? According to Brown, the state saw a production in the pilot provide enough of a product plant for test marketing For example, labora tory technicians are working on production of goat's-milk ice cream Small-scale can . with Goat Folks, a firm based in Interlaken, New York. Next spring, the des sert products from one machine," said Steven Mulvaney PhD '87, the depart ment's new assistant professor. He said that one goal for the extruder is to use it for New York-produced foods that can be processed using its heating. cooking and forming functions. The laboratory's range of capabilities makes it useful to to the food science out will be test-marketed through 31 department and industries in and also Wegmans supermarkets. Manufacturers of food-processing equipment also benefit from using the of New York state. It serves state pilot plant. Although the new laborato ry's construction budget included an allocation for purchasing equipment, Cornell of the and rents or and federal programs. As one of six dairy centers in the United States, Cor nell was selected, along with the leases several state-of- the-art machines to test the capabilities pieces and to demonstrate or need for the facilities that the ticular function Inc.'s TR-7 milk a par action to students University of Vermont, to establish the Dairy Foods Research Center, said Anderson. Five-year funding is be ing used to research many projects within the food industry; one project Northeast based at the lab studies the effects of on laboratory would provide, Cornell both for the community and for the state's food industry. Among its features are separate laboratories for food chemis try, analysis and instrumentation; 11 walk-in chambers that can be con trolled for temperature and humidity; a industry representatives. packager is here on a three-year lease; Wenger Manufacturing Co.'s TX-52 Food Extruder is on a Tetra-Pak temperature and humidity life of milk. Another the shelf five- year loan. Each piece is the most ad vanced in its field and is worth over the manufacturer and the shop and its main facility, a 10,000-square-foot pilot plant. The pilot plant provides the space and the state-of-the-art technology to develop and test new products and processes, contributing greatly to and research in food science. teaching But what makes it valuable to the state's machine $400,000. Anderson pointed out that department benefit from such an ar experiments with the filtration and further uses of whey, a by-product of cheese production. Food scientists are also experimenting with cheese, speeding its aging to pro duce cheese faster or slowing it to im prove the flavor. As the next century nell's both rangement. "This pilot plant is ideal for process ing and product development," ex plained Sy Rizvi, professor of food processing and engineering, during a test run of the Wenger extruder. "Hav ing Cornell test the piece is more eco approaches, Cor Department of Food Science is prepared to stay at the forefront of food technology, leading the way with the knowledge gained in the Food Process ing and Development Laboratory. ■ industries (particularly to small compa nies that cannot afford research and de velopment facilities of their own) is its capability for unit-type operations, ac get nomical for the company, and students hands-on experience with the equipment," said Rizvi. by Dana A. Celentano '91 .,. 71&'7..7?1TZ3r%3M&)tE3m>i&3n TEACH A BRIGHTER FUTURE FOR AMERICA'S children — it would appear to be an in tangible dream, that dream is but thanks to the vision Keary Howard MS Education '91, Teach for America's Cornell representa tive, said that Teach for America has a different view, that a and commitment of Teach for America, quickly becoming a reality. The future of America's youth is per haps most threatened by the state of the "teaching is an art, skill that you learn and get better at by doing it rather than studying it; study ing about teaching does not necessari ly make you a better teacher. "Our corps of teachers have a strong fundamental understanding and back nation's education system. Educational reform is a challenge that calls for an in crease in the quality and quantity of ground matter in their subjects. Teaching is a teachers, and the Teach for America program has sought to do both. Based on the Peace Corps model, Teach for America is a of how you can communicate information and how you relate it to your students. That is the basis for be non-profit on a or coming an Howard excellent teacher, and that is ganization that recruits national what Teach for America strives for." scale. The program has a selective ap plication process, a short time commit ment and a training mechanism to entice liberal arts ates and mid-career placement gradu professionals who and would not otherwise consider teach ing. Through campus representatives, Teach, for America recruits at 100 universities and colleges around the a — Wendy Kopp, sis. With the who developed of recent the con United States. The idea is to attract cept for the program in her senior the recognizing quality of teacher is not enough. Something has to be done to solve the problem, and that is what Teach for America is working towards. According to Howard, "Teach for America gives the school districts that desperately need teachers, the teachers they need while giving qualified people who want to teach the opportunity to a points out that need for a better unique ties — niche of individuals career those help graduates teach. These teachers a are going to make with the most other opportuni by creating a powerful sense of service, selectivity and status. The pro gram is most interested in recruiting minorities and those who majored in math, science and foreign languages. The program is a two-year commitment and involves teaching elementary and from other universities in the northeast and initial ion funding from Mobil and Un America was Carbide, Teach for years down the road. If it is a program that is producing good teachers, then it is a program America difference two made have possible. just finished their first month of Teach for America A corps of 500 teachers needs to have." teachers where In its first year, Teach for America has teaching. While has put 500 new they are high school students in the rural and in ner city areas where the quality and quantity of teachers are the lowest, such as Mississippi, Washington D.C., and east Los Angeles. Teach for America is the brainchild of recent some received acclaim and support from of America's largest corporations, the program has been criticized by needed the most, promising a brighter future for students. Teach for America has people teaching today. ■ members of the education community. Professionals feel that the Teach for America program is negligent because it offers an alternative to teaching cer Princeton University Graduate tification. by Hilary Nagler '91 for America 's Future Poverty, Feeding by Alex J. Nussbaum '92 THE people "The more of the third world. that cut never problems director and have been better able serious," said Professor Joseph of the ag academic lines, will be solve third world crises. "One of the unique things about across to COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE to Stycos, and Life Sciences is mobilizing fight a war. The enemies are hunger, mal nutrition, economic inequity and en vironmental degradation. The victims are the nearly 3.75 billion people living in the less-developed, low-income countries college's Population Development Program. "Between the rising level of expecta tions of populations around the world CIIFAD is that it's going an to approach the econom problem standpoint," ics from said interdisciplinary agricultural and the increase in the number of peo ple, the demand for food and other necessities and luxuries has created of Africa, Asia and Professor Daniel Sisler PhD '6l. Sisler led the faculty group that drafted the proposal for CIIFAD. Sisler added, "Most research related to developing countries is done on an Latin America. The weapon is the Cornell International Institute for College's newest tremendous pressure on the world for greater food resources and economic individual, disciplinary basis. Food, Agriculture, and Development, or CIIFAD. Earlier this an fall, the ag college received anonymous gift of $7.5 mil lion, the largest gift in the history of the College, to establish CIIFAD. Adminis trators and production. And there are many polit ical problems complicating those is sues," said Stycos. To tackle those issues, organizers of CIIFAD hope to do what they say has economists go out agricultural and study a prob out The lem; the plant breeders go and professors are hoping the institute will be able to answers to provide some the problems gripping the of the many infrequently in past development research use an interdisciplinary approach. It is hoped that more complete, in-depth studies of development issues, studies international been done all too — problem; the demographers; the nutrition people. We're attempting to take the major issues and look at them in a more interdisciplinary way." As an example of the kind of mulstudy the tidisciplinary solutions CIIFAD will promote, Sisler cited the case of Ugan da, "Right of its now, Uganda gets 90 percent from foreign exchange earnings Malnutrition is one problems the institute will combat. coffee," Sisler explained. "At the present time, world coffee prices are low; at best, Uganda confronts wide swings in foreign exchange earnings." An economist could take a look at diversify its economy, Sisler said. But he added that wouldn't be enough. "We must take into account can how Uganda how achieving this diversity may affect human nutrition and the environment. We lems hope a team can look at these prob simultaneously, so the govern of ment Uganda gets guidance as to how to make adjustments. In working with the government, CIIFAD will pro vide guidance from the economist, from the demographer, from the nutri tionist, and from the environmentalist," said Sisler. Sisler and others involved in CIIFAD cautious in their They were optimism. a admitted that fostering such ciplinary approach than done. Said what will be easier multidissaid Sisler, -'We're some apprehensive as to exactly how you get this done. A un,v,Tsitv is strLlC- the World tured have to do along disciplinary lines. Weil a good job of formulating have to face a shrinking world provide a in the fu ture, so we want to broader the programs and efforts CIIFAD will participate in to ensure we'll have inter experience." Educational and scientific efforts will Stycos called disciplinary CIIFAD's collaborative goal "a tough work." proposition. There have been efforts like this before, but mortality rate." they've had a high Ag college Dean David Call '54, MS '58, PhD '60, agreed. But Call, who has been working with other faculty mem bers to organize CIIFAD, said Cornell and the ag college have a long track rec ord of success beyond the ag quad as well. Call Stycos said the ag college will call upon alumni to contribute to CIIFAD, with Call noting, as a testament to CALS strength in international development research, that the College has alumni in and reach CALS administrators and faculty met in early fall 1990 to organize the institute and to define its focus. So far, CIIFAD is still in the planning or stages. Sisler said it is hoped that the 98 countries around the world. "I hope a we will be able to involve alumni in cos. as meaningful way," said Sty an "We have alumni around the world as with broad-based re well in the United States. With search. Call added, "We have a history of dealing with problems. Weil be exciting international venture like this, we hope to count on the technical and financial assistance of alumni in the ganization's focus and structure will be nailed down by the beginning of 1991. Despite the youth of the program, those involved are already showing confidence and taking pride. "It's going to be very challenging," said Call. "We're going to try something different, something that's never been done before. I think we're up to it. In a time when our resources are shrinking, this is that a strengthening efforts and attracting new faculty members to do multidisciplinary work. When you're asked to address a real problem, it's not just a technical or an agricultural problem. There are cultural issues, technological issues. All of these things have to come together in order to design and recom mend a policy." Call described another major goal of the institute as training students from the third world. "A principal thrust is developing human capital," he said, "people who go back to their own countries and provide leadership in their own countries' solving problems." Towards that goal, the first CIIFAD fields in which seconded that we are concerned." Call ticularly those that thought, "Alumni, par are internationally welcome vote of confidence for a oriented, will hear about it." Ag college researchers hope better farming techniques something we've been doing long time is being recognized." ■ will improve the third world's health and economy. fellowship ate was awarded this to a fall, ac cording to Stycos, student. The Ugandan gradu fellowship promises two years of financial support for re search into population issues. Sisler said the institute has committed to help fund other projects as well. Ag college undergraduates will ben efit from the CIIFAD program. Call said, "It helps us move towards a goal which we have had for and some time, which is international globalization a more focus to our total curriculum. We be lieve strongly that students are going to Everett Stiles Got to Cornell Ithaca!!" "ALL ABOARD! NEXT TRAIN TO yelled the train conductor. . . . WHAT?? Cornell students usually arrive on campus from home in time for classes taxi companies a that night," Stiles said. He found not taxi, but the driver could by plane or even by bus. Everett L. Stiles '34, however, could get to Cornell directly only by taking the railroad, which today is impossible. "Back in those days, roads weren't opened yet, so cars weren't too popu car, carry or fit Stiles' footlocker into the car, so it was left at the station. "I knew of a friend of a friend in The Nu fraternity at Cornell, and I ta Kappa had been told to look him up if I ever needed anything, so I told the driver to take me lar," Stiles recalled. "Also, cars were ex pensive. So we traveled by horse and sleigh. But for traveling long distances, the railroad was there," Stiles said. The fraterni was ty's nue house located the at (which is now annex 313 Wait Ave house of The driver he A sketch of Everett L. Stiles taken after his Stiles began very common." his career at Cornell's Delta Delta Delta sorority). yearbook College of Agriculture in January, 1930. He and his parents started their trip to the local train depot one cold January did not know the exact location, so let Stiles out of the car outside Risley photo in 1934. Hall. where the house was, so I walked up to a building on the right up the little hill by Risley," Stiles said. "I "I wasn't sure places town morning at 6:00 o'clock, from their farm in Richville, New York, about 150 miles northeast of Ithaca. Stiles had to brave very low temperatures that day "It was so cold, my ears froze while we were on the sleigh," Stiles remembered, Collegetown and in down for advertising in the Countryman ." After graduating in January, 193-1, in Ithaca didn't know it at the time, but that hap pened to be the Risley annex the girls' — Stiles worked as a teacher and then for dormitory. A young woman answered Agway, which at that time was a farm er's cooperative, Grange League Feder ation. The company later offered him the chance to spearhead the formation chuckling. At the train the door, and I asked her about the location of the fraternity. She didn't depot, Stiles and his fa ther told the ticket agent that they wanted a ticket to Ithaca. "Our railroad agent looked up in his big book for know, so she called upstairs; and all of a sudden, eight or nine girls came down. That was some experience. After all, I was a really shy boy from the of a subsidiary was were — a supermarket so chain. "That kets I in the 1940s, supermar still starting up the in helped establish places, and P&C (which charges and tickets and told us we country!" The women stands for Producers and Consumers) would first have to go to Syracuse, then to Auburn and only then to Ithaca," directed him to the supermarket chain," Stiles said proudly. Stiles said. At 7:30 a.m., he waved to his parents and walked onto the train with only his footlocker fraternity's house. Stiles arrived at the fraternity, and met Earl Branch, one of the brothers. Stiles ate a late dinner at the house and stayed the night at the goodbye Stiles worked in various cities in upstate New York at P&C supermarkets in var ious roles, such as store manager and containing personal possessions. A great surprise, however, awaited Stiles in Auburn. "The railroad line to Ithaca had apparently been closed two three years before then," Stiles said. "Finally, the railroad people came up with a way for me to get to Ithaca, but or personnel supervisor/labor negotiator. from 194^ until 19^4, when he retired. fraternity. gave said. me "One of the brothers on even advice certain courses registration and on the next day," Stiles a Mary Seaman Syracuse for the past S years. "My work just happened Stiles '34, have lived in to Stiles and his wife, Stiles achieved ic career as a a successful academ in He became only through Ithaca." He Freeville and then to east arrived in east Ithaca at was finally 9:00 p.m. "It anymore have ears ! s< >.;• > junior prom night at Cornell, which J'm a agriculture. Kappa Nu fraternity, which, according to Stiles, later merged with and took on the name of Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity "One interesting note— I was also on member of Theta the business board of the Countryman bum major let us stay close to Cornell and Ithaca," Stiles said. "We even lived in Ithaca for about a year, when the head office start was like that located there. I guess with a at Cornell, I could never away end up too far from it!" ■ not sure you have did .... lor of i ■< people who r< > sophomore i - ick-b w >rk l\ >r s< n. year," year through senior Stiles said. "We used to canvass by Betty Ng '91 From Cow PICTURE THIS: ITHACA, NEW YORK, 1920. You are an aggie walking peace fully around campus. Then suddenly, out of nowhere you hear this annoying College forget the farm if they college education. Others too were were to CALS to own up to its University. Many feared that their chil dren would responsibilities. Adams, given a simply At tics in his last report, remarked that, "this is, in a very important sense, a state yell, "Cornell, I yell, yell, yell, long, and finally Then a Cornell." poor to send their sons to Cornell even when the tuition was free. university." The university to New slight pause three slow claps of the cupped hands: Flop, Flop, Flop. What would you do? You would simply walk away with dignity and lots of boil a . . . loud "Moo," point, the University used tac of desperation. Advertising for stu one was York state made a direct appeal farmers, but the same dents to tried for a while. According ey til old argument of "where will the mon come from?" persisted. That is, un ing anger inside. In the 1900s that was the usual re sponse to "the cow college yell." CALS was called the cow college during the early years of the University. In fact, there almost wasn't a University Board of Proceedings, the board passed a resolution that "every student who shall pursue the courses of agriculture shall have his tuition free during his Trustees the Cornell Liberty Hyde Bailey came along. Bailey persistently campaigned for a ■1250,000 building program and the es tablishment of the New York State Col lege College at of course." Board members had also dis cussed the idea of giving students free room and board. Then turned came of Agriculture. By 1903, upon Dean Roberts' retirement, enrollment was up to an astounding 247 students. Fifty applicants Agriculture and Life Sciences Cornell Isaac P. Roberts, who University. In 1862, the federal government in troduced the Morrill Act, which provid ed to a things around, thereby becom ing the first successful professor of agriculture at Cornell. Roberts deliv ered lectures to the senior class and also had to be turned away because of the lack of space. Class rooms, offices and laboratory space, as well as other facilities, were severely needed. share of one million acres of land college provided teaching of agriculture an integral part of its curriculum. State Senator Ezra Cornell, a wealthy man with dreams of educating sons of farm any tion made the ers, decided to divide the money be tween the People's College of Havana that the institu inventory of the Department of Agriculture, which showed six years of mismanagement. He immediately sub mitted a proposal for reorganization. In took 1891, at the end of Cornell Presi dent Adams' administration, Cornell's agricultural department had come a (New York) and the Agricultural College at Ovid (New York). But Senator Andrew Dickson White had his own long way. But still there were severe a ob stacles for gaining support for better vision of the type of university he wanted. After much discussion, Cornell went new was program. Some trustees still had not seen the successful works of Roberts. Even when the number of agriculture students increased, should even some Approximately one year later, after a fight, the bill was signed. The news reached Ithaca on May 9, 1904. According to Morris Bishop's A History of Cornell, the fire siren blew; bonfires blazed; students filled the streets, firing pistols. Headed by a band and the Col lege's big black bull, they marched to Bailey's home on Sage Place. Three days later, there was a formal parade, in cluding a float with white-clad youths and maidens churning butter and an fierce other with students from twenty for eign countries. The College of Agricul ture was along with White's idea, and a solution to the Morrill Act problem proposed that he spoke that so so of tak much ing away funding, arguing not devised. Cornell be spent for were few. And while finally and officially on its way Bailey planned its reorganization. would endow $500,000 for a universi ty in New York state if his institution were if some farmers It successful in still scientific agriculture, was some were granted the benefits of the Morrill unwilling to try. time for the state by Wendy E. Austrie '91 Act. The state accepted Cornell's plan and chartered the University. In October, 1867, Cornell as its first president, University opened its doors. The requirement to provide agricul with White tural education was not easy to follow. First, getting a qualified staff was diffi cult; there were few trained agricul turists in America. The first professor of agriculture lasted two years, leaving the position vacant for an entire year. Then Henry H. McCandless became head of the agriculture department but was quite unsuccessful. He was entirely un familiar with the methods of American farming. Enrollment was another problem. The farmers were hesitant about the new idea of teaching agriculture at the The making of a college. The construction of the ag college during the early 1900s. Kermit Caryle Parsons, between in his book The Cornell Campus, discussed the relationship Bailey and An drew Dickson White, Cornell's first president. Evidently, White in his diary described Bailey as having "an ambi tious program of expansion for the development of the agricultural sci ence." According to Parsons, the major expansion and academic innovations at . . . Cornell in the decade after 1903 were the result of many of Bailey's ideas and innovations. Bailey retired in 1913 from his post as dean of the was College of Agriculture. Caldwell Hall built in 1915 in Roberts Hall: The unofficial gateway to the ag quad. WHEN EZRA CORNELL no FOUNDED Cornell, he had possible way of knowing what his university would bring to the world. Seven undergradu ate colleges, hundreds of majors, highly respected faculty and 18,000 intelligent men and women are the modern-day product of Ezra's dream. One of the most integral compo nents of Ezra's plan was the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. The ag quad serves as the hub of the College, where thousands of students, profes sors and dogs daily cross paths on their way to class. The massive tan-colored brick buildings, forest-green colored grass and shapely trees make the ag quad the perfect place to relax or study. George Chapman Caldwell, the first faculty member selected by White for the College of Agriculture. Caldwell came to Cornell from the University of Pennsylvania, receiving his education at Harvard and at Gottingen University in Germany. As soon as honor of Professor he arrived at Cornell, White quad, like most of Cornell, history books. Many Cor nellians, though, fail to learn the fas cinating history of the quad and its buildings. According to Education and Agriculture: A History of the New York State College of Agriculture at Cornell University, written by Gould P. Colman PhD '60, the concept of the ag quad be gan in 1912 after the College's adminis tration failed to approve plans that would have enlarged Stone Hall. (Stone Hall, originally located at the corner of has ties to The ag the position of appointed professor of agricultural chemistry and gave him the duty of selecting addition al faculty for the College. In 1896, Cald well and fellow professors from the College began lecturing to groups of Caldwell to the farmers in the Ithaca mal lectures are area. now These infor considered the beginning of extension work at Cor was also an integral part of the establishment of Cornell's ex nell. Caldwell periment station Located ren in Ithaca. next to Caldwell Hall is War Hall, built in 1932 and named for George F. Warren. Warren was the first head of the Department of Agricultur al Economics. Warren as a came to Cornell Tower Road and Garden Avenue, torn down with the recent graduate student and studied hor was Kennedy The was and Roberts building of halls.) ticulture under Liberty Hyde Bailey. Warren also served as the first editor of the Cornell period between 1909 and 1913 locat Countryman. According to as the busiest construction time in Colman, in 190S, Warren got his PhD and then served New Jersey horticulturist at the the ed was College's history. Bailey Hall, at the northern end of the ag quad, built during this early construction boom. Bailey Hall was named after Lib Experiment Station; in 1906 he returned to Cornell and in 1CXT he became the first director of the Depart ment of Farm to An aerial view oJ ihe ag college qwad in the 1980s. erty Hyde Bailey, former dean of the ag Crops in the College. a college. According ent Colman, Warren had tal to for attracting graduate students 12 BUILDINGS study with him. In 1908 ten a qq aaa □ a a qd a a a a a a a □ £35^ a a a d o o a a a aa a a a a a a a o a of the Col had with farmers came to and students studied under Warren. Warren demanded the most from his graduate students. When lege's 43 graduate agriculture a professors. Roberts Cornell without they failed to perform up to his stan dards, as they did in 1910, he would punish them by giving them poor recommendations. college degree. We learn from Colman that the president of Iowa Agricultural responsible for many College made during the early 1900s. One of Warren's biggest contributions was an agricultural sur vey of Tompkins County in 1907. War ren retired as head of his department in Warren was College knew Roberts' lack of a college degree would be a strike against him in his relations with the faculty and stu dents of Cornell. In ate some an strides the attempt to allevi anticipated tension, he persuaded the Iowa Agricultural Col lege to deem Roberts an honorary Mas ter of Agriculture. While at of the Cornell Roberts accom 1938. Next to Warren Hall is Mann Library, named served after Albert as a R. Mann, who director of the faculty member and as College. Colman wrote that Mann first entered Cornell in 1901 and graduated in 1904. After gradua plished many things, the most impor tant being the overall organization and setup of the College. Roberts played a key role in the College's relationship with surrounding agricultural commu nities through his position at Cornell and his position in the Ithaca Farmers' Club. Two afternoons a week, Roberts would take students to visit neighbor hood farms where hands-on Caldwell Hall: One of the quad's oldest members. tion, Mann spent Massachusetts. In a year at the Farm School for Destitute Boys to in Boston, 1905, according Colman, Bailey back to feeling cow could get a for how a farm oper they added to the ag quad, while others will be torn down. Some gardens will be ex convinced Mann to ca come Itha ated. Roberts also took care of White's the de help him prepare the Cyclope of American Agriculture. In 1908, Mann was appointed to the post of as sistant professor of dairy industry. dia and horses and and also began panded, while others will be removed. The ag quad, though, will always be a great place to lie in the grass on a sunny afternoon. ■ velopment of a Holstein herd, during a time when there were very few Hol stein cows in the United States. more Mann then took a leave from Cornell in 1909 to In the future buildings will be by Kathryn Lancioni '92 for five months, serve as secretary wrote returning to Bailey. Colman was that in 1910, Mann appointed professor of agricultur al the so editing. Mann had been the editor of College's publications since 1906, this new position involved no addi tional duties for him. In addition to serving in these various areas, Mann had an interest in extension programs with the rural communities surround ing Ithaca. Now located at the northwest end of the quad, next to Hall, is Kennedy Roberts Hall. Roberts Hall was named after Isaac P. Roberts, who first came to the College in 1868 from Iowa Agri cultural College. Colman wrote that Roberts had an extensive knowledge of the agricultural industry, which he had accumulated from farming in New York and Iowa, and from conversations he "Manning" the ag quad. The Albert Mann Library as it stands today. 13 Commemorating r,„^fe^^^~ ^ ^8«fc Kennedy ASKED WHAT HE HOPED THE NEW Roberts and Kennedy halls would con tribute to the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, W. Keith Kennedy PhD '47 leaned back in his chair, touched his chin thoughtfully and Kennedy halls was funded University Construction Fund, Cornell Dining and alumni and Roberts and by the State friends of CALS. Ground was broken on March 26, 1987, and the buildings were completed on December 15, chuckled, "Oh that's whom a should ask Dean Call." good one. You Kennedy, after named, sat 1989. ministrative Kennedy a Hall is Roberts Hall houses the CALS ad offices, as well as Cornell Hall the there dressed in peaceful navy blue suit and a smile. His white hair hinted of his age but the spark of energy in his eye said it would be an exciting inter view. That was an was Cooperative Extension. Kennedy provides the new quarters for Department of Communication the Department of Education. It um, one of the on Kennedy Hall was dedicated on September 26, 1990. and also named Sciences understatement. houses Alumni Auditorium and Trilli College (1972) of Agriculture and Life and university provost 1984. At particularly pleased that several departments in the College are now in one building. "This is more efficient," he said; "it builds good working relations and improves coordi Kennedy nation of activities." He added that the largest dining new facilities af in 1978 to his retirement in campus. was Why dy? the building named ter Isaac P. Roberts and W Keith Kenne professor emeritus and provost emeritus. Today Kennedy is active doing volunteer and was that time he elected both Roberts, "We wanted to pay tribute to Isaac a man who helped found the community work. naming building after himself, Kennedy replied, "I can't imagine any greater honor and am most grateful; but I also realize that my accomplishments as an of the administrator came Asked how he felt about the improved ments to more facilities enable the depart College of Agriculture and establish a teach, advise and administer effectively reputation of excellence," said William Boldt, assistant dean of public affairs. Construction of the $19.8 million building after him will serve as a reminder of the many important roles he's played in the ag college. Keith Kennedy: Naming the new "Kennedy's leadership guided us to the present," said Boldt. He added that Kennedy made the focus of the College more international in scope and helped diversify it to meet the changing needs of society. According to the program from the building's dedication ceremony, Ken nedy received an MS from Cornell in 1941 and after serving in the United States Army for four years, received his PhD from Cornell in 1947 He joined the faculty of Washington State College for two years and then came back to Cornell as a professor of agronomy in from the support of the University administration, faculty. students, staff and alumni." Kennedy was pleased when Cornell, through financial support from the state legislature, attracted the renowned Boyce Thompson Institute, a plant re search organization employing some of the finest scientists and personnel. In closing, Kennedy leaned forward, clasped his hands together on his lap and said, "I first arrived in Ithaca 50 years ago this past February. Aside from four years in the army and State two years at 1949. Kennedy achieved international recognition for his research in forage crop production, preservation and use. He was appoint ed the nell to next By the end of the 1950s, Washington College, professional career was spent at Cornell University. And I think it's the greatest educational institution in the world. I'm not saying this because I'm biased; but it's a great university and I consider my entire many positions at Cornell over 35 years: director of the Cor myself fortunate years at Cornell." to ■ Agricultural Experiment Station ( IOS9), assoeiate clean of the College of Agriculture (b>oS), vice- provost of the University (I0o7), dean of the newly spend all those by Christina Yee '92 The Plane Truth professor of chemistry in 1974. While at Cornell, Plane's life took turn. for the New York State Horticulture So a The reason for the turn was Mary Moore, program director of Willard Hall. "The students involved in the different programs were having a Christmas party at the Toboggan Lodge near Beebe Lake, and each student Straight ciety. "The publication already exists, but it needs some new blood," said Plane, who is already co-author of the textbook Chemistry, one of the fresh man chemistry course books at Cornell. "Third and last, I was just asked to join the Skilled Workers' Emeritus Pro Robert Plane, professor emeritus of Cornell, has re tired after several decades in the university's service. could invite their favorite professor," Plane said with a smile on his face. He gram," is a Plane said with excitement. This happened IMAGINE A VAST BACKGROUND IN to be someone's favorite and . thus met chemistry and great interest for nature. in and love Eventually, his present wife in 1963 the Planes bought program aimed at getting young people in high school and college in a In Robert Allen Plane's case, these two factors resulted in a lovely 200-acre property with a 2,000-foot lake front, because they were interested in winery on Cayuga Lake, close to Cor nell, where he spent more than 20 years as a professor, provost and researcher. Now Plane has sold the win ery, sailing. However, they to what tried did not know do with the farmland. "First we failed kidney beans," said Plane, "but we miserably. The following year we but his interest in nature and chemistry is still avid. ure as tried Christmas trees, but that was a fail well. Then we tried birdsfoot tre a agriculture. perfect job for Plane: "What I have enjoyed the most in my career is teaching," Plane reminisced. "Helping somebody to see something for the first time, whether it is regarding a lec ture or a problem set, is a real thrill. I like working with young people." This is Plane wants to remain in Seneca terested in sciences and Plane almost looked embarrassed foil, a kind of legume, but that we never got when faced with his many merits. He got a BA from his childhood's local Evansville crop." At (Indiana) College in 1948 and his MS and PhD in chemistry from University of Chicago. He has also received honorary degrees from several institutions. Cornell University has played a big part in Plane's career. "I gave a guest lec ture at the University as a graduate stu dent, and they must have liked it," said Plane, "because they called me up at Oak Ridge National Lab where I was some agricultural suggested Plane plant grapes. "If we're going to fail at some thing, we thought, we might as well fail at something fun, and we like wine, so in 1972 we planted grapes," Plane said. After a few years selling grapes to the Taylor Wine Company, the Planes built "In their own winery. 1980 we produced our first wine, 400 cases; and in 1990, we have produced now 9,000," Plane said. stage, economists County, close to Geneva, Cornell, Cayuga Lake and his old winery. "I'm not planning on moving anywhere, but anything can happen," said the very charming Cornell veteran. ■ Love for nature and chemistry resulted in Plane's winery on Cayuga Lake. working and asked if I could take teaching position for just a year, as a a Plane's Cornell when he left the started at career did not end in University 1974. He faculty member had passed was away. I stayed for 22 years." This in 1952. working Agricultural Experiment Geneva in the New York State Station at Plane started out as an instructor in the Department of Chemistry. He went on to the become professor and chair of department before being named provost of the University. He remained provost until he moved on to Clarkson College of Technology as president and 1986 and retired as director of the experiment station in the sum mer of 1990. He is still a busy man, though. "I'm working on three different projects," said Plane with enthusiasm. "First, I'll have to organize the running of the 150 acres of land that will edit a we still by Annike Hoysater '91 have." Second, Plane newsletter uois FOR THOUSANDS OF YEARS, NATIVE Americans lived on land that now a Land ed that no land could be acquired from tribe without the consent of the Unit houses such ty, Ithaca places as Cornell Universi College and the Ithaca Com na mons. Descendants of the Cayuga with other Iroquois nations, tion, along to are now going to court in an effort reclaim land or compensation for their losses. ed States government. Several of the Iroquois land claims are based did on the fact that New York the Non-Intercourse to state not obey Act and proceeded negotiate for na tive American lands without the feder al permission. As a result, government's large, the backwash of a great national experi ment in dictatorship and racial extermi nation," said William T Hagan, SUNY distinguished professor of history, in Iroquois Land Claims. "Indian land claims are, by and the Oneidas lost about 300,000 acres in 27 transactions. "All of these transac tions save two were or the consent approval concluded without of the federal government," directing can said Arlinda F. Locklear, attorney for the Native Ameri in He said that about 90 percent of the Rights Fund, Iroquois Land United States was gained by treaties which were often "not true bargaining sessions between equals." Military force, bribery, miscommunication and cultural the misunderstanding were often methods used by the United States "They do that not intend to reclaim all of the land was once government. The Oneida land claim demonstrates some theirs." Iroquois Iroquois, or Haudenosaunee (People of the Longhouse), are comprised of the Mohawks, the Oneidas, the Onondagas, the Cayugas, the land claims. The Senecas and the Tuscaroras. of the issues involved in Claims. The federal government, al though aw^are of these the illegal transac tions, did nothing. na The original now home of the Oneida Then in lSHO, Oneidas chal tion covered about six million acres in what is nized New York, Pennsylvania was lenged the legality of these transaction by suing New York state. Finally, in March, 1985, the United States Supreme Court ruled 5-4 that the Oneidas had and Canada. This land base recog the government in the Treaty of Fort Stanwix, after the Oneidas' alli by the ance with the United States during the state. American Revolution. According Nation to the Washington News on right to bring suit against New York Negotiations continue to this day The Oneidas, like other Iroquois na tions, have said that they do not intend to letter of the Friends Committee Legislation, "between 1785 and 1788, the state [New York] 'negotiated' reclaim all of the land that was once theirs. Private landowners in the north east are not in jeopardy of losing their land. "The non-Indian the Oneidas out of 95 percent of their lands." In publics' fears of losing east their land is totally unfounded, are 1790, the the federal government Inter because native Americans in the north have clearly said that passed course Indian Trade and they going Act. A section of this, better known as the Non-Intercourse Act, stat after two monetary com pensation; and two, land that is under things: one, Claims at Issue the public domain," said Cornell lec state and turer Robert W. Venables. Public lands include both Quarterly, spoke at the conference. Venables presented a lecture entitled on an Old Concept: (Iroquois) Sovereignty in a Historical Perspective." Native American tribes, as sovereign nations, are legally "a foreign country, an in dependent entity," he said. But "the claim of sovereignty causes a great deal "New Research federal holdings. The amount of land that the Oneidas are asking for, said Venables, "could easily be taken care of Haudenosaunee negotiators and leaders with the coming generation of leaders," said Jameson Brant, coordinator of the conference. Emphasis was placed on "the transfer of experience from one generation to the next." up and Native American students at Cornell claims by a state park." analogy one He used the that though a and those in other SUNY schools invited to the were herd of cattle are was taken, "the Oneidas back." Venables only asking for of friction" between and United States stressed that in comparison to the size of their original land base (six million acres), the Oneidas are asking for only a governments nations. native American Venables said that the two should governments negotiate as gathering. "It's for the benefit of the students," said Brant; "we want them to get together to discuss what their intentions or hopes are in regards to career development." It was a small amount of land back. Following New York state proce dures, native American lawsuits seek equals, such as when the negotiates with Canada. "to United States was "serious purpose in a social The purpose of the conference regard less of whether this is sought. New York state requires participants in a law suit to bring a claim to all the land ille gally taken, whether publicly or pri vately owned now. "It's the rules that the white people set up themselves," full said Venables. compensation for all lands bring together experienced land setting," said Venables. "We're setting up an agenda so that the students will know what the AIP staff is working on here at Cornell." Students got the opportunity to question experienced people models and "to see exactly who and role our leaders are," said Brant. "We're in the process of creating a network for stu dents," said Brant, "and to make people more aware Native American historians and lead ers gathered at the Cayuga Nature Cen from September 28-30, 1990, to share experiences and knowledge regarding land claims with college stu dents from the northeast. The gather ing, entitled "Iroquois Lands: Genera tion to Generation", was attended by over 100 people and 18 speakers. The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences' American Indian Program (AIP), along with the Cayuga Natural Resources Project and the Native ter of the issues." will get a chance to learn People more about native American issues with upcoming events. A second con ference, Contributions to Environmental Tradi tions," is scheduled for March 29-30, 1991. Future entitled "American Indian plans include native American of the responses to the celebrations of the arrival of 500th anniversary American SUNY Western Consortium, sponsored the three-day event, which Columbus. "All of the connections we make here [at the September confer on the 1992 ence] will get information conference," said Brant. The American Indian Program has surveyed native Americans throughout the continent its find for two years and has compiled issue of the North in the Fall, 1990 featured both academic and social op portunities. Each of the speakers represented a particular tribe or spoke on issues af ings fecting land claims. Speakers came east Indian Quarterly, m from as far as Maine and Massachusetts. Ron La France, acting director of the American Indian Program, and Jose Barreiro, editor of Northeast Indian by Karen E. Clements '92 17 the 'GODLESS' university CHARLES DARWIN AND EZRA CORNELL Agassiz said, "The professor of chemis The addition it of the agriculture to had more in common than one imagine. While Darwin was might building cen try is not asked what creed he is, but whether he is a good chemist." Similar school also initiated further scientific study, making new impossible ignore the foundation for his theory of evolu ly, Agassiz said, or a professor of anatomy scientific evidence. The College's tion in the second half of the 19th student of natural science should have to define his secular views. tury, Cornell was busy laying founda tions of a different sort. not timing between the University's beginnings and the controversial new theories inspired by Darwin set the tone for the way the The coincidence of Agassiz caused a stir among the cler gy when he gave 20 guest lectures at Cornell on the state of natural science. White, in his autobiography, said that course catalogs in the early 1900s in cluded the words "natural selection" and "adaptation" in descriptions of its general biology tion in course. So while the debate about whether to teach evolu University would approach the teach ing of science for the next 125 years. Although Cornell was not the first non-sectarian university, its bold new approach to scientific teaching brought it into prominent view. Preachers across a country's bright est young men left Agassiz's lectures in spired to pursue the study of natural science. large numbers of the public schools raged on in the surrounding the famed Scopes Monkey trial, Cornell had already been teaching evolutionary principles for years more than 25 years. courses Agassiz was denounced by church While the country claimed Cornell — was "godless" university Cornell a notion that preaching Darwinism and encouraging atheism, thus intensifying Cornell's reputation for "godlessness." Reacting to the clergy's harsh words, a group of students formed the con troversial Infidel Society, of which leaders for tionary biology a new have dealing with evolu gradually been over wras added to the curriculum type of course the years. introduced a both and Andrew Dickson White spent years trying to refute. In the beginning, Cornell was both few years ago by Professor William Provine. The course, Evolution, is crosslisted with history and is intended God, they joked, a was not allowed to be praised and condemned for its "liberal" equally open-minded teaching practices. According to Bishop's A History of Cornell, the University was highly criticized at its in ception for its willingness to accept and teach new scientific theories, especial ly the revolutionary concepts of muta tion and natural selection as proposed by Darwin. Although Cornell hoped environment and member. at it was years before a course Cornell included the word "evolu tion" in its title, its major themes were Although primarily for non-biology majors. It deals in large part with the philosophi cal questions about the origin of life. and Provine's strong evolutionary views often stir intense debate among students in their discussion sections. 'Preachers across the the to Christian fere with University would adhere to basic principles, he also wanted it so as not to country claimed Cornell was a be non-sectarian inter 'godless university'." Though students may become frus by the seemingly unanswerable questions presented in the course, most will admit it makes them think of things they really had not considered before. And most will admit it is challenging to explore the basic questions raised by trated Charles Darwin Thanks to over teaching Louis methods. 100 years ago. Cornell wasn't alone in his teaching discussed from the one philosophy. Agassiz, a renowned Harvard naturalist and early champion of natural history agreed that a teacher's personal beliefs should not v_>ct in the ftftjv < if the faro lie louglu. At '"; '- University's early stance on the teaching of science, Cornellians have been able to explore those ques outset. the Cornell had tions from the start. ■ country's only veterinary schools, and "comparative physiology" was of the '; ii included in the curriculum in the "■; . •-..: \ -;. i nauei u "a i i- ■ i in i:-:o:-;. late 1800s. by Joann M. Pezzano '92 WHAT DO THE LETTERS "W.S.G.A." bring to mind? Nothing? A lot? If they conjure up thoughts of dormitory cur fews, just before 10:30 p.m. curfew was to warn us that coming. sign-in-slips, dress codes and penalties probably for minutes late, then you've been a Cornell alumna, or at know what to decide to keep talking (or she later admitted) When a woman wouldn't do— sometimes you'd You The fact that the women themselves made the rules leads to an important point. The rules seemed hugging, as they appropriate; anyway." were, for the most part, taken for least 20 years. "co-ed," The Cornell Women's Self Govern ment Association, or for did break the rules and got caught, she would unquestion ably be punished. W.S.G.A. granted. "You never thought twice about it," said Virginia Briggs '35. "No- the W.S.G.A., as it Judicial Committee stance, six ^ records ' from was commonly known, regulated several aspects of a Cornell woman's life, including social. Men, of course, 1917, outline .a weeks February some penalties. For in- two vomen were grounded for about of go- because were were not subject are two to the same res where they they lied going. Instead trictions. "There ways to look at the W.S.G.A.," said Jennie Farley '5-4, MS ing to the th eater, which was all right, they went sl< igh riding, which was not. A third girl a senior who had con, '69, PhD '"0, editor of several books women's studies and now a on professor vinced then i to go and who had organized th< ! ride, lost her senior Edith Ausmer '19 made a positive comment about the WSGA. "We are Curfews, in the ILR School as all The and proud of our student government. girls make their own rules and enforce them through the Executive Judiciary Committee." well as a faculty representative said on the Board of Trustees. "One way is to see it as oppressive," Farley. In other words, the rules were very strict. p.m. "If we missed our 10:30 curfew, we received 'minutes,' we were one minute for every minute late. If we got too many (about 15 for the week), we could be ground ed for These Friday or Saturday night." nights were usually the nights a >eds Co-eds and Cornell andd privileges until graduation. that co-eds chose to take the two or three "late nights out" they were al While Cornellians may have disliked and broken the rules, often these same by Maria Politis '92 body resented the rules; it was just like going to class." But while rules regarding curfews were taken for granted or as a sign of the times, others were often seen as just plain ridiculous. "The most annoying rule on was lowed per week. To go on a late night out, all women had to sign out by 10:30 p.m., and they had to list a specific des tination. to do with what called gracious living. "They were supposed to teach us good man ners," she explained. As a result, social pride for the W.S.G.A. In a belonging to Grace Corwin scrapbook women felt '21, sor, a letter from Edith Ausmer '19, Corour stu win's "grandmother," are or student advi Other rules had reads, "We all proud of Farley dent government. The girls make their own rules and enforce them through the executive and that we couldn't wear shorts judiciary committee." behavior where was in the dorm women were dining halls, required to eat, explained at This that pride points to the second view Farley mentioned could be taken campus without a raincoat to cover ourselves," said Martha Adler '53, DVM '56. "So it'd be a beautiful be regulated. A freshman deskbook for the class of 1950 women "must not stop on the way out of the that about the W.S.G.A.— that it was very progressive. "At other schools house mothers would make the rules. At least at degrees, coat to and you'd day out, 80 wearing this rain the tennis courts and back." tables to talk room or call from table to table." dining Cornell the women themselves made But like all rules, the W.S.G.A.'s were broken. When asked if she ever broke the rules, and said, "We all did." they started pushing very hard to relax them; they started pushing for treating women more like men," the rules. And Farley laughed Smiling at an old Farley said. some added, "It was hard. boyfriend would be having conversation memory, she You and your this serious And in eventually and seniors in ways, the rules were relaxed. By 1964, juniors no longer had curfews. And they'd start to outside Balch when flick the lights on and off 1968, rules, the W.S.G.A., ceased to exist. along with its Despite all the rules, which "seemed very Mickey Mouse to us at the time," said Farley, "it was a happy life." Adler agreed. "It was a nice time to the go to Cornell," she said. "Although rules were a nuisance, they really didn't we had to do stop us from doing what or what was important. We learned to work with the system. Actually," she concluded, "it was a little like having a mother." -■ A) * » FOR Paws in Actior than Arnold — MOST PEOPLE, THE FAMILY dog is just a pet, waiting patiently in the background for an occasional walk, a biscuit or an ear scratch. For Mary Jean Wylie, assistant professor in the Depart ment bred for herding sheep border collies have been in Scotland for exercise and feed her dogs. She also takes them on four-mile-long hikes up hundreds of years. 400 Jorma and Cap helped Arnold handle to 500 sheep at the University of Mount Pleasant every day. "It helps to keep me in shape. Dogs ev don't ery said. want to hear excuses — you go of Animal Science, Louise ParkeDabes '92 and doctoral candidate Drew Minnesota, where he was a shepherd before coming to Cornell to study hor mone day, in all kinds of weather," she Arnold, dogs lives. are a focal point of their interactions in livestock. Parke-Dabes, a communication major, combines student, wife and dog- "Some or Wylie's eight dogs are highly trained athletes competing in the top echelon of obedience trials. Parke-Dabes breeds and shows nine Gordon setters, while Arnold uses his two skilled border col lies to herd three or people say a dog is worth people. I think it's more two like four watched his two five," Arnold commented as he wiry, black-and-white responsibilities by making lists keeping to a tight schedule. Wylie, on the other hand, said her dogs have to be (and are) adaptable to a owner and sheep. important to use the dog for what it's bred for," said Wylie, whose "star," Gillian Gish Grenfell, a yellow "It's Labrador retriever, has earned titles as two hunting dog well as five obe dience titles. Parke-Dabes agrees; her Gordon setters, although primarily show dogs, are also trained and tested for hunting ability. And no one en dorses this dogs swiftly herd a nervous flock of Cornell sheep toward him. The logistics of owning, caring for and training these talented companions are not always easy All three owners have kennels or fenced yards, where the dogs can exercise safely without su pervision. Arnold, his wife and young daughter had to travel 25 miles from the Cornell campus to find a home suitable for the border collies and the two somewhat eclectic schedule. Despite the cramped timetable, other dogs they own. Wylie does try to do some training each day. And that training has paid off. Her dogs have earned high scores in obe dience competition, including the rare and coveted "2 00 the highest score possible, a perfect performance. Obe dience exercises include retrieving over a high jump, heeling by the owner's side, responding to hand signals and singling out an article with the owner's — philosophy more heartily Parke-Dabes gets up at 6:00 a.m. to scent on it from a group of several iden- Amold and one imported from Scotland. 20 of his border collies which he i!!la,iiS lbS'.' T'TV !e"i9erent 16° lbthe straggler the flock. return to ewe- Jorma' now eiflht *eare old- has ,he experience to m *• tical items. In the conformation ring, where Parke-Dabes exhibits her setters, dogs are in judged on how well they stack up to the ideal of form, gait and temperament for their breed. According to the Gor don Setter Club of America, the ideal sheep dog trials when he found that dogs, trained to work sheep on the open range, were frustrated by the his Arnold, too, has tried his hand at competition. He stopped participating dog should be built and well-muscled with bone and substance . "good-sized, sturdily plenty of but active, . . up His bearing is standing, and stylish. intelligent, noble and dignified." The paddocks. In a recent demonstra tion, he displayed Jorma and Cap's daz zling speed and responsiveness. "Way to me" commands the dog to circle the sheep in a counter-clockwise direction. At the "come by" command, a dog clockwise outrun, hooking around behind a group of sheep and moving them toward the handler. If the a small Marcy, an American Staffordshire terrier, along to demon strations where 4-H-ers practice taking the dog's temperature. The task must be something of a challenge because Mar cy 's tail, indeed the entire her body, never stops also rear kids about animal She often brings Wylie, who spends 60 per professional time develop ing Cornell Cooperative Extension 4-H programs, uses her dogs for teaching cent dogs, too. of her care and behavior. half of makes rich black-and-tan and coat is to be "soft on wagging. Marcy is nature shining" won with registered as an American Pit Bull feathering the legs and tail. Two of Park-Dabes's have earned terrier, her gentle, friendly dis tem dogs have more championships, and several points toward cham pionships. as sheep panic and start to move too fast, a single "lie down" instantly flattens the collie to the ground, calming the sheep. The dogs must be able to read the flock's mood, and think for same pelling popular notions about bad peraments in this breed. All three owners emphasize that their dogs are, above all, much-loved com panions. As Parke-Dabes said, "They give unconditional love, and they're wonderful company" And that, after all, is what all dogs family pets to ca — Parke-Dabes breeds for temperament well as looks, and it is with satisfac sees some respond to the handler themselves, all at the preserve that are tion that she of her first Gor now time. want to don's qualities in "They possess a ring and the the pups she certain a has. spirit that she said Arnold. had and heart that the dog has to have in field," she said. ability," "They dogs to train because of their intelligence." Intelligence is evident in Wylie's the easiest "You nine superstars — do best. ■ by Elaine Bloom '91 Most of Mary Jean Wylie's eight companions were other people's rejects. Some were sick and others had been abused. Now these "rejects" have earned an impressive array of obedience titles. 21 AFTER "[GERMANS] people ARE THE the WALL in the East have to learn West German HAPPIEST world," shouted West Berlin mayor Walter Momper on November 9, 1989, as tens of thousands in the law and police officers will need of East Germans flocked celebrate the to the West to will first have to be reeducated themselves before they begin to educate eastern retraining. Teachers and professors opening of the Berlin German youth an with a western cur Wall. I couldn't believe what was hap pening as I watched the news report. No one riculum. "To achieve equal standard of liv could. The East German government shocked the entire world last November to with the western part of Germany, former East Germans will have to wait ing by allowing its citizens five to j"^1 freely travel to the West. Suddenly, ed years. That is only an estimat guess," said Valk. Schools need new ten are talk of unification filled the airwaves, subways, classrooms and even dentists' books. Factories avoid lines the next old and outdated and will have to be modernized. A waiting rooms. A new excitement long day. short walk tween over the Brandenburg Gate beyond a erupted throughout Germany for the first time in over 40 years. German unification seemed inevitable. I was Unification has also created enor mous problems for eastern Germans. The East German currency was con verted into West German marks during into East Berlin reveals the contrast be East and West eastern doubt and clearly demonstrates the need to fortunate past year in I student ment. enough to spend the Germany as an exchange and experience this excite also able to observe the modernize Germany. eastern the July 1, 1990, currency reform. Prices skyrocketed in the East after July 1, as eastern This modernization of Ger was markets were flooded with many problems caused by German unification. Although Germany has been officially unified since October 3, many of the problems accompanying the process have remained. Since November 9, 1989, former East Germans have fled the by the thousands to and West, creating housing shortages, in overcrowding threat to subways posing a products from the West also selling at prices from the West, according to Gesa M. Valk 72, a German from the Depart ment of Modern Languages and Lin guistics. "People earn the same salary as before, but now everything costs three times as much. People have to dig into their savings just for basic staples," said Valk after her visit to Germany this past summer. many will be costly and will greatly affect the economy in the short run. Many believe however, that economi cally, unification will many in the long will be problems run. only prosper Ger "Although there right now, West Ger many has to invest in the East. If you look over 10 to 15 years, or 20 years. this will only increase the German economy," said Martin Ganal, a re social benefits in the West. SteSchad '91, an agricultural eco nomics major from Germany, said that phan East German stores to were always on Germany in the Department of Plant Breeding and Bi ometry. Schad agreed, adding, "It is search associate from easier to pump up an inefficient system than to build up a completely new mar cheap compared my way to Berlin eastern the West. But into a a many Germans from the West are hos tile toward "Ossies," or former East Germans. Much of the youth from the West feel that their future social during a visit went after the currency reform, I shop in Germany were to buy snack. The prices being taken away to sup port the depressed economy of eastern Germany and to support "Ossies" liv ing in the West, added Schad. "To teach the youth not to be hostile will be dif ficult if not impossible," Schad said. West Berlin has become especially tense due to the overcrowding prob lem. Shopping in Berlin requires pa tience and finding a seat on the U-bahn (subway) requires luck. I remember are benefits even more outrageous. Items were expensive than in the West. is another keting system. East German products already known as good products [in eastern Europe]." are Unemployment ten lem. Factories in East big prob Germany had of were Fall, 1989 was indeed a time to cele brate in Germany, but now it is time to get down to business. Germany is offi cially unified, but the work has only employed more workers than needed, due to an East German law which guaranteed every citizen a job. This law no longer exists and now peo ple are being discharged. "I went to the East to visit my publisher," said Valk, "and half of the staff had lost their just begun. Most Germans many in the seem to be lieve that unification will benefit Ger long run. This ma)' be true, but it is time for Germans to buckle down and prepare for difficult times if they want to reap the benefits that unification promises for the future. ■ East Germans camped out in front of supermarkets at three in the morning, waiting for opening time to jobs." to seeing Those who are still employed need be retrained. West German laws now to eastern apply Germany too. Lawyers by Chris McManus '91 CAPSULES No Small Potatoes John S. Niederhauser '39 was named the 1990 recipient of the World Food prize for his achieve ments towards development of a From Bees to the BBC The Bee Team, a BBC nature film based Stephen T Emlen and Peter H. Wrege, won first prize for commercial productions at on the research of sor Robert B. Gravani, associate profes of food science, has been select a ed to receive ment 1990 National fellowship for the Leadership Develop the National blight-resistant potato variety. Niederhauser, who has been dubbed "Mr. Potato" by his col ber of the the Seventh Annual Film Festival of Program from in leagues the world over, was a mem faculty of the College of Society. Emlen, a professor of neurobiology and be havior at Cornell, and Wrege, a re search assistant in the section, ex plored the social systems of animals the Animal Behavior Agriculture and Life Sciences until he left Cornell in 1948 to work with the Mexico-Rockefeller Foundation display selfless behavior, in cluding a variety of birds called that Agricultural Washington, D.C. The pro gram involves a month-long inten sive study of the inter-relationships between agricultural and related policies. Policy Center for Food and Agricultural Program. ies have had a His discover on impact regions of the world and have helped make the potato one of Mexico's primary crops today. the food-deficient dramatic white-fronted bee-eaters. The film was shot in Kenya's Lake Nakuru Na tional Park for the British Broadcast Robert A. Plane retired as director of the Geneva ment Agricultural Experi June 30. Plane had ing Corporation and shown on has been Station on PBS stations throughout the United States, tral America. Europe and Cen been director since November, 1986 and previously served as provost of Cornell. Succeeding him was Dr. Administrative Changes at Geneva Station Three members of the Geneva James E. Hunter, professor of plant New Apple and Grape Named by Geneva Experiment Station New varieties of pathology and associate director of the Station. Hunter has been at the Geneva Station since 1972, during which time he served as chair of the Department of Plant Pathology for ten Agricultural Experiment Station were promoted to associate profes sor over apple and white the summer. Terence L. wine grape were released by Cor nell's New York State Agricultural Robinson, associate professor of horticulture, is responsible for re search on cultural aspects of tree fruits such as trickle irrigation, tree spacing, canopy design, and tree trellising. Timothy J. Dennehy, associate is Experiment Station at Geneva on September 20, 1990. Created by a cross between the Haralson and years, expanding departmental research interests and increasing the number of scientists studying fruit and vegetable disease matters. professor of entomology, researching insects that attack vineyards in New York and is helping to develop integrated approaches Wayne F. Wilcox, associate profes sor of plant pathology, is statewide to new Northern Lights apple is slightly tart and fruity, and was developed for home orchards in severely cold regions near the northern limits of apple growing. Mcintosh, the Hugh the C. Price was named chair of Department of Horticultural The new Chardonel grape a cross was de their control. Dr. leader for extension programs on the management and control of fruit sizes the and his research empha biology and control of eco nomically important diseases of tree and small fruit crops, especially soil- diseases, veloped by Seyval and the Chardonnay grape and produces a high quality, delicate and lightly fruity wine. The grape is winter-hardy and is recommended for sites in New York and Michigan with longer than average growing seasons. between the July Michigan Sciences at Cornell's Agricultural on Experiment Station at Geneva 1. Price comes to Geneva from State a University, where he had been professor of horticulture from 1971 until 1990 and had worked with every major vegetable that state. He suc crop grown in ceeds Robert L. Anderson, who for the now assumes responsibility fruit was Station's stone breeding pro chair of the gram. Anderson borne diseases. department from October, 1985. MANN IONS DIVISION theBarn? NESTLED RIGHT IN THE MIDST OF Cornell University, where some of the most ns promising students in the world study subjects like engineering, ento mology and economics, sits a barn. A big red barn. Sure, Cornell has other barns. It must, in order to provide instruction in animal sciences and veterinary medi cine. But this Big Red Barn, the one that lies between the Andrew Red football games and other events. Sometime before I960, the Big Red some interesting histor Barn acquired Dickson Sciences ic items. A Cornell White House and the Space Building, is something special. Like many other buildings on the Cornell campus, the Big Red Barn holds a histo ry of its own. The Big Red Barn is closed as a din ing facility for now, but if a recent pro from Daily Sun article 1962 reports that at that time the building contained old leather horse harnesses, and a Trillium's opening in the new Kenne an assortment of buggies, dy Hall made it less critical to have a food facility in the Barn. Loomis said closing; repairs. He said that practically everything in th^ Barn needs refurbishing, incluc the main was reason "cuckoo clock, formerly in the private rathskeller of Oscar of the Wal for the Barn's its need for extensive dorf, er a maitre d'hotel." a The Barn also housed life-size papi car posal is accepted by Barn campus adminis soon serve — mache' horse hitched to an old windows, insulation, all utilities, the structure itself. and| trators, the another purpose may at Cornell as a article, the riage. According horse was made in Paris and before to the Sun Members of The Henry the presentj head- 1 graduate union. and professional student coming to Cornell had stood department store in Trumansburg, in a graduate New professional student cen ter on campus, hope to renovate the Big j and Red Barn and make it their new Andrew never Dickson White probably that his barn, built in 1874 to house his horses and carriage, guessed see so York. Ronald Loomis, director of Cor nell's Unions and Activities, said that the quarters. Loomis said the goals of this! horse, nicknamed "Truman," was would much activity throughout returned to museum. Trumansburg to reside in a the decades. barn The other historic items in According to University archives, the was used as a carriage house and as an the barn In into historic then automobile garage until 1955. In that year, Cornell trustee Allan H. Treman '21 and a group of alumni also moved, presumably preservation. 1969, the Big Red Barn became were plan are "to upgrade this historical^ significant and charming building and! to create a facility unique to the need$| of graduate and professional students". If all goes well, within the next few. years the Big Red Barn may once agaiQ part of Willard Straight Hall under the jurisdiction of Unions and Activities, and it continued to be used as a popu lar gathering place. Twelve years later, in open its big red doors. raised enough was barn. It money to refurbish the thereafter called the Big was ly Until then, one can only w^ait patient outside the Big Red Barn, remembd be filled once its rustic smell and soon Red Barn and put in use as a gather ing place for returning alumni. The Barn's employees, called "farmers" and "farmerettes," would scurry about in plaid shirts and straw hats, serving "barn size" sandwiches following Bio New York State 24 1981, the Big Red Barn began serving cash lunches, providing a muchneeded hope that it will again with Cornel on-campus oasis. lians in search of an dining facility in the central campus area. The Barn continued serv ing food until it closed in the winter of 1980. by Catherine G. Healy '92 University, at College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, a Statutory College of the State Cornell UniversH CORNELL A i f" ^ t\ /\ t\ r\ j fi. '-•#^(>0*?«^S!||(|te«.« Contents Fit for Flight 14 A Elaine Bloom '91 Change of Purpose Hilary Nagler '91 An Option for Communities Feeling Dumped On Marisa Rose Crissey '91 15 Funding Bringing to for the 21st Century Jeffrey S. Popow '91 16 Science Down A Gift for Giving . Earth Joann M. Pezzano '92 Maria Politis '92 . . To Be the First 18 A World Under One Roof Wendy E. Austrie '91 Killer Christina Yee '92 Fungus from Japan 19 20 Double Reds Dana A. Celentano '91 A Kathryn Lancioni '92 10 Less Is More Alex J. Nussbaum '92 Gorge-ous Trail Reopens Catherine G. Healy '92 About the Issue Like all new 11 the C. Howard They Taste '91 Good, Too 22 Stock Talk Chris McManus '92 buildings, Betty Ng 12 Annike Alberding Field House marks begin nings and changes on the Cornell cam pus. From Alberding, of Cascadilla Gorge, to to All About Alberding 24 Bicycle Etiquette Janis Hoysater '91 Strope '86 the re-opening a research for tastier tomato, this issue of the Coun tryman explores at recent developments CORNELL. Cornell. Not neglecting the past, this month's Countryman also looks into the ex perience of the first black woman to graduate from the ag college. Also in cluded is tune December 1990 Volume LXXXVIII Number 3 Editors Dana A. Celentano environmental story, in with current local interest. Also an concern Photo Editor Alex 13, 16, 18 of great poses to help arises the story is how Cornell pro pay for all its plans; thus on J. Nussbaum illustration—Jeffrey S. Kathryn Lancioni Corbit; p. Maria Politis Art Directors Marisa Rose citano; p. Hoysater; pp. 15. 1~— Popo-w: p. 20— Margaret 21—J. Chiment; p. 21—John Cere22 Baju Hadi-\\Tijono: p. 24—Janis — Annike — aspirations to raise 1 .25 billion dollars the largest Ivy League fund drive in history. — Cornell's Assistant Editors Karen E. Clements Crissey Strope. Countryman (ISSN 0010-8~82) is published six times a year from October through May (combined issues for January and February. and April and May) by the New York State College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. 3--t Kennedy Hall. Cornell University. Ithaca. N.Y. 14853. Second class postage paid at Ithaca. NewYork 14853. Printed by Midstate Litho. Inc. of The Cornell Christina Yee Annike Hoysater Layout Staff Elaine Bloom Chris McManus Betty Ng Joann M. Pezzano Healy Hilary Nagler Jeffrey S. Popow Janis Strope Catherine G. Endicott. Subscription Rates: S~o0 a year; Editorial Staff Wendy E. SI 4.00 for two years. Postmaster: Send change of address to Cornell Countryman, 3-4 Kenne tano, Karen E. Austrie, Elaine Bloom, Dana A. Celen Clements, Marisa Rose Crissey, Catherine G. Healy, Annike Hoysater, Kathrvn Lancioni, Chris McManus, Hilary Nagler, Alex J. Nussbaum, Joann M. Pezzano, Maria Politis, Jeffrey S. Popow, Janis Strope, Christina Yee, University. Ithaca. N.Y. 14SV gathered and written by majors in the Department of Communication. Honorary editor: Edward L. Bernays '12. Faculty advisors: dy Hall, Cornell Editorial content Jane E. Hardv '53, |ane Earle. Betty Ng. Picture Credits: p. 3— artwork —Carolyn R. Clark, photo— Elaine Bloom; p. 5 Marisa Rose Crissey; pp. (->, 8, — li is the polio ot' Cornell I'niversity actively to support equally shJ" of educ.1tion.1l and employment opportunity No person he denied admission to .mv educ.1t10n.1l program or activity of he denied employment on the basis ol' anv legally prohibited discrimination involving, hut not limited to, such factors as race color, creed, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex. sexual -->— University Photography; I 1 Pleasant; p. p. 10—Jane Mt. —Christina Yee; cover, pp. 12, preference, age. or handicap. The t'niversity is commitied l0 the maintenance of affirmative action will assure programs which the continuation of such equality of opportunitv Juniors assist in surgery and make deci ger Lakes area. Birds of prey, such as owls and hawks, need special facilities that most "rehabers" don't have. For tunately for the birds, the Hawk Barn Rehabilitation Center associated with the Student Avian Clinic has the diagnoses. They also train the sophomores who will replace them as supervisors. THE ONLY LIGHT IN THE DARKENED walk-in cage was a narrow beam from a "It is sions and huge cages needed by birds of prey to regain their lost flying and hunting skills. Many birds must almost practice flying at exclusively students flashlight. Wildlife rehabilitator Rose Borzik '85 held the flashlight in one hand and a gerbil in the other. The light fell upon a small owl perched on a branch. The screech owl had been found many months before, beside a road, the victim of car. a collision with a A kind man had picked him up and taken him to the Student Avian Clinic at learning from other students," said Manyin. The learning often does not come easily. Students are not paid for their work, nor do they earn credits. The hours are long and the result is some times heartbreaking. Manyin will never forget the pere grine falcon (an endangered species) with a broken wing, that died after a month of blind the treatment. fishing line be fore they are strong enough for release. Young birds must be taught to hunt. a the end of modified Other pled, arm birds, blind or permanently crip to sit quietly on a trainer's and assist in public wildlife educa learn run entirely by veterinary college con funding because of the tion programs. The Hawk Barn is volunteers. The tributes an some close association with the Student Avi Cornell University's College of Veteri Sometimes stu are Clinic, but Borzik, a licensed re nary Medicine. Founded in 1977, the clinic has two dents must euthanize birds that habilitator who own purposes, according to Willard J. Gould III DVM 76, the clinic's current faculty advisor. It exists both to treat ailing wild birds and to help educate stu In contrast to or permanently crippled. Despite disappointments, though, Manyin retains her enthusiasm. Releasing a bird the clinic, has been known to reach deep into her helps run foods. The three-dollar had nation. back into the wild is often a student's it pocket for supplies or special gerbil Borzik purchased was just such a do on greatest thrill; believable!" Manyin releasable calls "un dents. their classes, The little screech owl who sat are his where students learn facts and tech niques, the avian clinic provides the op portunity for students Gould calls medicine." the "art to learn what usually need rehabilitation before they can be set free. This can be simple cage rest or Birds that perch at the center had recovered from — of veterinary the tools decide "They that are are learning learning to use complicated physical therapy to strengthen an injured wing. Songbirds ready for rehabilitation are it may include sent to many injuries. But he was blind in one eye and probably partially deaf not a good condition for a bird of prey that hunts in the by As Borzik available, make diagnoses and how to to run. It's a wildlife rehabilitators in the Fin sight and acute hearing. placed the small live rodent darkened cage, she was offering keen prognoses; which tests the bird combination of common sense and medical knowl one last stab at life— and at freedom. Would he be able to find and catch his prey, as he would have to in edge," The added Gould. clinic, birds every year, is which treats about 500 run almost entirely the wild? If not, his fate was grim; Bor zik might, if she searched long and hard, find him a home as an "education by veterinary students. "Most of the de cisions are made by students. We learn how to make decisions cases our and have at responsibility for more than bird" at a nature center— otherwise, he faced euthanasia. The owl sat very still on his perch. The gerbil scuffled among the dry leaves on any other time during four years said senior Eileen Manyin. seniors, students perform surgery °n birds and advise juniors on treat ment. Juniors are the "main movers and shakers," according to Gould. They run here," As swooping flight and near. ■ the floor. A sudden, silent, the bird clasped was his meal in his talons. Freedom the clinic and oversee day-to-day care. Wildlife "rehaber" Rose Borzik and red-tail hawk. by Elaine Bloom '91 An Option Communities community benefits, outside nities commu for WHEN JODY EARLE AND BRIAN EARLE the presence of the landfill constitute a '68 MPS 71 bought their West Dryden home in 1972, they did so with the be liefs that the that use use a landfill share the rather narrowly focused special interest benefits of with the host communi group within the host municipality," going to close and that the Tompkins County Board of Representatives had pledged not to put a landfill in that community again. Their first belief was correct; the nearby landfill was landfill closed in October 1985. Their second belief When was incorrect. was by supporting, through taxes or tipping fees, safeguards for the host community. Typical safeguards include property value protection plans, potable water supply guarantees and restoration, im provement and preventive main ty. They tenance do this Raymond wrote in his 1989 paper. "A need exists for specific representation of the interests of this group within the political decision-making structure." The Citizens' Advisory Committee is composed mainly of residents who live in the planned Tompkins County in 1985, six of the 23 potential sites were within one and a a new landfill in for roads and water bodies that pact area. vicinity of the site or in the im It is responsible for providing to may be adversely affected by the land fill. Raymond stressed that these recommendations ernment about the design a the county gov and opera half miles of the Earles' home. "When they announced the sites, meeting at the West Dryden ty center we had a communi and 200 residents showed up," said Brian Earle, director of The Empire State Food and Agricultural Leadership Institute in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. "It went back to the fairness issue. The West Dryden area had done its share and now it was time for somebody else to Raymond stressed that these benefits should not be offered as a bribe and they do not eliminate host community opposition. on assisting in development host-community benefits program. A properly function ing Citizens' Advisory Committee gives a community official recognition of its the tion of the landfill and for of concerns and direct access to the decision-making level of ment agency developing Raymond said. the govern the landfill, Compensating host undesirable land It was communities for is not a new uses idea. take the burden." No community, whether or not it has previously hosted a landfill, wants a considered in the to landfill or volunteers to to community selected host one. "The host the landfill "You offer the benefits the basis of fairness," he said. 1960s and 1970s in relation nuclear power feels it should not be required to carry the burden of long-term, unpredictable threats landfill ness the health and living condi tions of its residents for the benefit of to users who live, work resources or do busi at plants and hazardous waste sites, for ex ample. "What is new is applying it to municipal waste sites," Raymond said. Some form of compensation or risk mitigation for host communities is al ready required by law in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. Several other communities across elsewhere," explained Lyle Ray water mond, specialist Cornell's Center for Environmental Re search, in his 1989 paper Living with benefits should not be offered as a bribe and that they do not eliminate the country Landfills: Host Community Benefits. Raymond is one of New" York state's chief proponents of benefits benefit sharing, a measure that aims to reduce the burden on the host community. Through hostor host-community equity fairness," he said. Raymond said he sees citizen partic ipation as vital to a successful program. This is achieved through a Citizens' and host community opposition. "You of fer the benefits on the basis of investigating variations of the hostcommunity benefits concept. In New York state, Tompkins County is considered a leader in developing a comprehensive host-community bene fits program. Raymond introduced the are county kins to the concept in 1985. "Tomp some Advisory Committee. "The residents who feel that they are most affected by County was ripe, ready for thing like this," Raymond said. County and town officials were 4 Feeling receptive to DUM benefits program. Com several towns, the idea. Within two years, though still strongly opposed to hosting the proposed land fill, passed resolutions favoring a hostcommunity benefits program as a con tingency plan. In June 1987, the Coun ty Board of Representatives passed a resolution committing the county benefit sharing program. to a host-community Daniel Dryden residents seem pleased with the county's progress in developing a Winch, county board represen tative to the Citizens' Advisory Six months later a landfill site was selected in West Dryden, where the Earles live. The community was skepti cal about the promises of a host-com munity benefits program. "A lot of peo ple said it was great, but let's see if they really do it," said Nancy Ten Kate, a mittee, admitted that he was skeptical about the program at first, but feels the committee has given the county exem plary input. "After working with this committee, I feel that we can negotiate a very fair plan, and I think that my feel ings are representative of all the board," said Winch, a 29-year employee of the statutory colleges. Committee members have equally high praise for the board. "The citizens' advisory group is really proud of the work that the Board of Representatives has done on the compensation issues and of their willingness to listen," Earle said. member of the Citizens' mittee. To Advisory Com con date, "they," the county, with assistance siderable from the West place. have done a great deal. Three separate citizens' commit tees have been established to protect the community's interests, and pro grams to protect the area water supply and property values are already in Dryden community, Winch, Earle, Ten Kate and Charles Evans, former Citizens' Advisory Com mittee chair and current Board of Representatives member, nities all said they would recommend that other commu Under the water potable anyone water water protection plan, a supply is guaranteed to can who as a make reasonable proof that siting a landfill investigate a hostcommunity benefits program. "My per sonal opinion is that it [Tompkins county's benefit sharing program] should be used areas as a result of the landfill their model in other has been diminished. Under the land value compensation plan, if an owner cannot sell his prop erty for its price in a community with quality of the country," nical advisor at said Evans, tech Cornell Information landfill, the county will either pay the difference between the value and the sale cost or will buy the property. This protection extends to future as well as out a Technologies. No benefit sharing plan can guaran tee a host community complete protec tion from the hazards posed by a local landfill. Host-community benefits do, however, allow host communities to minimize the inequities of, and max imize control over, a probably have pensation present property owners. "We the best land value com difficult situation. Earle said. Both county package in the country" and West officials by Marisa Rose Crissey '91 have been successful as president of the to choose students by Joann M. Pezzano '92 BACK IN HER DAYS AS AN UNEffiRnot shy graduate, Kelly J. Smith '88 did from a challenge. As president of away Ambassadors, she didn't achieve what she did by herself. "I really had a great Am steering committee that year. The bassadors couldn't have accomplished what they did without it." Alexandra Murray Thomas '89 was one tributed broadly to who have con the College, al though the winners may be those who have dedicated themselves to one par Ag Ambassadors, ah organization which works to keep prefreshmen, transfers and alumni in touch member of that "awesome" steer organization. Although they begin their search looking for just one winner, the judges said they would rather give two awards than have to choose between students who have contributed equally to Cor nell. That ticular of Agriculture Sciences, Smith faced new College challenges wittijthe and jife to win ing committee. Thomas went on the Senior Service Award the year after her dedication to a Smith as a quickly learned; tti£ art every day. of managing people, and her efforts helped to bring students and alumni She variety of organizations. Thomas spent time as secretary and later president of an resuly>f happened again in May 1989, when the committee decided to ac knowledge the efforts of both Thomas W. closer together. Smith's dedication did not go unno- both Ag Ambassadors and the equestri team. She also .; did research and teaching for the ag college and worked Cosgrove, Jr. '89 Wright '89, who both and Joshua G. took home the award. A Gift for ■AA '"■■ ^P1 ftfSlf'TAAftjuf'ft -Ik. -* ticed. The CALS Alumni Association presented her with its annual Senior Service Award, given to one or two stu dents in recognition of their "outstand ing leadership and service" College and the University The award is their time a to both the as a wjiole. — token of thanks a gift for students who spend so much of giving to After graduation, the ag college.?; Smith was looking for yet another challenge, and the big city beckoned. "For most of my class, New York City was the place to go," she said. But after Prudential, more a year working for The Smith decided she needed closely with the admissions office. But why was Thomas so devoted to serving the ag college? "I really like to work, but I never really liked studying. So I joined a lot of clubs. I enjoy getting people motivated," she said. Thomas praised ag administrators for being consistently friendly and listen ing to her concerns during her time at Cornell. "All the people involved in ad ministration of the ag college are great. They would always drop anything to help you or answer a question. You're the first priority." Two senior ag administrators, who wish to remain anonymous, along with a student liaison to the Alumni Associ ation are in charge of the re The Senior Service Award is some thing many ag students are not aware of, and administrators like it that way. Both Alexandra Thomas Smith said they were not and Kelly really expect ing such an award, and that may be an other indication that their motivations for service were genuine. Asked why she did it all, Smith smiled and said, "It's just that I love the ag college." ■ skills and headed back to Cornell to pursue her M.B.A. That was when another opportunity to serve the ag college arose. When offered the marketing choosing position of assistant director of the CALS Alumni Association, Smith jumped at the chance to work with the the Senior Service Award each year. The committee asks organi zations such as the Ag Council, Ag Am cipient of very organization that had her as an undergraduate. recognized The CALS Alumni Association has bassadors, Hortus Forum, PRSSA, the Society, and others to submit names of seniors who might be candi Forensics sponsored the Senior Service Award since 1977 On half of those oc it has been awarded to two seniors after the judges found it diffi cult to choose just one outstanding stu dent from each class. Smith admits she was yearly casions, dates for the award. The decision is April, and the winner and five to eight finalists are presented at the made in senior barbeque, graduation. held a few weeks before when her name, jamin Davis '88, surprised along with that of Ben called at the senior the winners arc "The purpose of the award is to to all aspects of leadership and service to both the Col recognize commitment and lege was University," one of the barbeque, where said. "We couldn't run without presented with a plaque and a $100 check. Smith said although she may 6 Grades do not [help from] play the ag students." a judges college '88 and Kelly J. Smith '88 both received the CALS Alumni Association's Annual Student Service Award. part in the Benjamin Davis judges' decision. The committee tries to be rn/nion iiboui Br< A-..V.. -•. ftft- ~.< ,\\A hre :;■; Cornell, it y known 'hj.i :-.he did not live in Sage College, winch was the only on-campus women. residence Sara hall for The First Three Brown years later, Winifred . graduated with her B.S. degree from the -ag department. Upon gradua tion, she returned to Washington, D.C. to teach biology part-time at the local schools while attending the Howard University Medical School. She earned her M.D. degree there four years later. Dr. A remarkable young black woman, Brown decided to practice and to teach medicine in However, unable Washington, quench her D.C. thirst for education, she later took a few years off to study sociology and anthropolo gy at Columbia University in New York to City. In 1919, Dr. Brown returned D.C. to Wash ington, lecture on hygiene under the Division of Education and Research of the National Board of the Y.W.C.A. As a lecturer, Dr. Brown trav eled the country and lectured to wom en in the few universities for black students. Her hard work won her a position University. ever to as alumna trustee at Howard She was the first an woman receive such honor. As a famous and knowledgeable black woman, a rarity in those days, Dr. Sara Winifred Brown attracted the at tention of many social agencies. Ac cording to the University Archives, she was appointed by to the Women's War a Work Council be member of the women "flying squadron" to of fifty phy sicians. She became the medical officer IN to 1862, IN HIS PLEA FOR MORE LAND found his university, Andrew D. White wrote an eloquent letter to the Honorable Gerrit Smith stating careful ly his plans for the University. His first and foremost concern was to "secure a 1894, Sara Winifred Brown was offered placement in the Department of Agriculture of Cornell University, thereby becoming the first black woman in the University. According to the University Archives, In the fall of accompany the Gold Star War Mothers to France in 1930. Later on, Dr. Brown In to was appointed an official mem ber of the American Red Cross. Washington, D.C, she continued work with the Freedmen's Hospital Nurses Committee, the Lend-A-Hand place where the most highly prized in Brown, who was born in Winchester, Club for Unmarried Mothers, the First struction may be afforded to all regard less of sex or color." He went on to ex plain that it would be a blessing to the "whole colored race and the whole fe Virginia, graduated with honors from the Hampton Institute, then went on to the Niner Normal School in Washing ton, D.C., again graduating with high academic honors. Social Settlement and the National As sociation for the Advancement of Col ored On retired People. November 12, 1948, Dr. Sara and to male sex" if women and "colored per sons" were admitted to a great univer Winifred Brown, the famed but then sity such as that of his dreams. Twelve years later, in another letter in reference to the status of black stu Right after high school, Brown en tered Cornell's ag department to major in the sciences. There, she became a charter member of physician, philanthropist was teacher, killed in a bus accident. Her death was an unfortunate loss dents, our cept any ac White stated that he would student "even if all were five hundred white students on that account." to ask for a dismissal qualified Jugatae, a biology society in the department, and the Wayside and Aftermath Clubs, both literary societies in the University. Although there is no explicit infor- society, but legacy she succeeded in leaving a for other black women to follow. by Wendy E. Austrie '91 ■flLLER Fungus The necessary ingredient to kill gyp sy moths and protect oak trees may be the virus that is carried by this Japanese This year an experiment was per formed in a wooded area near Cornell's GYPSY MOTHS. sects can mean THESE PESKY INan death to to oak tree and pain and suffering must care the person who for the tree. With the recent discovery of a Japanese fungus that kills gypsy moths, this troublesome insect may eventually be more controllable. The Japanese actually first fungus. discovered in forests last year by three North American caterpillar researchers in Connecticut. After uncovering large amounts of the fungus, scientists brought their find to the Boyce Thompson Institute for further study. Ann E. Hajek, an insect pathologist, has worked on the fungus at the institute The fungus was Laboratory of Ornithology. In conduct ing the experiment, Hajek collected specimens of fungus-containing soil from the Ward Pound Ridge Reserva tion in Westchester, N.Y. and from areas of Massachusetts. She spread the cen tral fungus around five oak trees with gypsy moth caterpillars on them in May and put insects already infected with the killer virus In on two other oak trees. came fungus, Entomophaga natural enemy of the since it was found in June 1989. mid-June the caterpillars into maimaiga, is a gypsy moth in and Korea. The Japan, northern China fungus,as discovered by scientists at the Boyce Thompson Insti tute for Plant Research, a private, in dependent plant research organization at Cornell and the USDA Agricultural Research Service in Ithaca, produces a virus that gypsy moth. the gypsy moth is ironic, for it is the tale of how a man's dream for success can come crashing can a kill The history of down upon him. A French business man interested in establishing a silk in dustry in this country brought the gyp sy moth to the United States in the late 1800s. Unfortunately, the gypsy moth soon became a forest pest instead of a silk producer. was success The insect that bring has instead supposed to brought dis Since its tress to countless tree owners. introduction, the gypsy moth popula tion has destroyed thousands of trees in oc the U.S. One of the worst outbreaks curred in 1980 and 1981, when the moths defoliated approximately 13 mil lion acres of forest in the northeastern section of the United States. 8 from contact Japan Hajek said the fungus will serve as a safeguard for the environment against the deadly gypsy moth. The fungus is revolutionary compared to other insect controllers, for it is only contractible by the gypsy moth and those closely relat ed to it. It is a natural method of insect control which should prove to be an environmentally safe way of protecting oak trees from the clutches of the gyp the sy fungus, and on June 21 fungal epidemic spread in the gyp moth population. with the experiment marks the first time Japanese fungus has been in troduced into an area, but apparently it the has been around for some The time. It was fungal boom in the northeast last spring. According to Hajek, this fungal boom was certainly helped by the wet, cool spring ex perienced last year in the northeast re gion. Scientists traced the occurrence only noticed after the sy moth. "We have come a long way in a short re fungus, from Connecticut into such states as Massachusetts, New York and Pennsylvania. In New York, a large concentration eastern of the time," said Hajek of the fungus search. In terms of insect control for the gardener and homeowner, Hajek said the some fungus will not be available for discovered in the section of the state. Recently, was Hajek found the fungus sections of Cayuga and does do. not occur in the southern Seneca lakes. It study fungus to learn how it can be used most effectively to control the gypsy moth and perhaps other types of the insects. time. Scientists still need to wherever gypsy moths Despite the fact that testing still The fact that scientists can introduce the fungus into new areas gives hope needs to be done, the discovery of the killer fungus offers much hope for those with gypsy moth The gypsy moth brings destruction to an innocent oak. Many other trees in the northeast Japanese fungus could help gypsy moth populations. How does the fungus kill the gypsy moth? From their research, scientists discovered the fungus produces microscopic spores that attack the skin of the gypsy moth caterpillar. After it seeps through the skin, the beadshaped virus quickly spreads through out the insect. The caterpillar dies one week after initially contracting the control that the problems. Gyp ravish an huge deadly sy moth tree are caterpillars can oak in also affected by the pest. owner very short time, leaving the with a very weakened tree. After a several oaks become infested with the troduction will lish itself in help researchers further moths, er the it observe how well the new fungus can estab doomed. With the environments. fungus, surrounding trees are discovery of the kill may be possible to one day How do scientists introduce the fun gus into an environment? According to fungus. Scientists thus far have discovered the fungus growing naturally in ten states. In Hajek, the process takes place through the soil. Scientists place soil containing look out your window without the fear of what happened to the leaves of your oak tree last night, when the gypsy moth caterpillars were awake and you upcoming months, it will be introduced into areas of Virginia and West Virginia and other states recently attacked by gypsy moths. This in- fungus in new places, and the caterpillars that encounter the fungus contract the virus carried by the fun gus. The fungus eventually affects the gypsy moth population in the sur rounding area. the killer were not. ■ by Kathryn Lancioni '92 9 is MORE 7)SW; \. < : i *,l Ia -^ two-thirds and maintain profitability lew-input susThe profitability of is an essential for tainable agriculture Mt. Pleasant. to it has to be m means my define, - ,= ° * "Sustainabihty, according ^/f* fti^ >i-y c r. s ;,A'ft as well as environ economically viable to re mentally sound. If you're going have to prove yields duce inputs, you And if there are going to be maintained. is decline in than offset by a yield, a it has to be more decline in inputs." ft, V , i »• ^ CALS researchers are looking at farm ers' minds as well as at their methods, Projects !. -: are underway to determine the sk l- { V& on social and cultural factors involved in • :- *• V Studying low-input farming Shaul Farm in New York. low-input farming. Fred Buttel, chair of the biology and society major and a professor of rural sociology, has just completed a study of chemical use on New York state farms. His findings were a bit surprising. "In contrast to what many critics and PENNSYLVANIA FARMER BOB RUSSO used to have cerned materials about on the impact of these boosters of chemicals "there is his farm. the an expensive problem on Allowing his cattle to graze on farmland was costing him 26 tons acre their health and the health already a say," Buttel said fairly large segment use no of their families," he said. "Most of those things are applied right around their homes." of farmers who either use no fertilizers, of soil per more each year and even pesticides, or use neither." According to Buttel, about 15 percent in terms of lost But Russo turned switched rotational tween productivity. things around. He to a new technique called grazing: Cows alternate be Chabot's office oversees 11 different projects the use at Cornell aimed of inputs. The year and different pastures from year to new crops are planted in the to wide range of new search ranges from disease-resistant minimizing projects cover a techniques. Re at of the state's farmers fall into the above category. And, he added, many others want to do the same but are worried about the financial consequences. "A fairly large majority indicated they'd fruits to the use of pastures so now keep the land healthy. Rus weeds and maintain soil legumes to fight quality, from the prefer not to use chemicals if it doesn't affect their income." Buttel cited higher energy costs and tougher water-quality restrictions as two loses just three tons per acre each year to soil erosion, saves about $800 a month in feed costs, and has ex tended his farm's half a year. Russo's story how to educate farmers about low- input sustainable techniques to techniques' social implications. Jane sociate Mt. Pleasant '80 MS factors which could make the more new growing season by '82, an as techniques low-input popular in the future. comes from the federal Sustainable one professor in the Department of Soil, Crop, and Atmospheric Sciences, one But he cautioned that the outlook for sustainable farming is uncer government's Low-Input Agriculture program. It's just heads at of the projects. On farms in tain. Future economic trends, he said. of Aurora and Mt. Pleasant, New York and farms in the state, Mt. many recent instances farmers adopting new techniques to increase profitability and decrease en vironmental of American several private Pleasant studies alternative methods of weed control. Her research involves could kill what he sees as a good idea. "If there were an increase in export markets and growth farmers]." But tel said, "I believe many of these could be lost." [for damage. of And it's an area in comparing the use of chemical herbi a gains which researchers from Cornell Uni cides, mechanical cultivation, and mixture of the two. versity's College Sciences are at Agriculture and Life Chabot and Mt. Pleasant cautious but more tel in their are equally the forefront. "The simple thought behind low- input sustainable agriculture is to re duce the use of those things that cost while farmers maintaining money productivity," explained Brian Chabot, director of research for the ag college. Tiio-x i -'c! uclt: farming "inputs" like ■ comparing ten different crop systems," Mt. Pleasant said. "All of ping the cropping systems have been divid "We're optimistic than But outlook. "I think low-input and sustainable ed into three different levels of weed control: one in which we rely on outbest which So chemical treatment, another in we use cultivation, and a third in we use a substantial impact on American tanning," Chabot predicted. "I don't know that thev will totally revolu a have techniques are going to tionize it, but 'ng a series of which mixture." they're certainly presentissues to American farmto : tab'..1 • ),., ■- machinery and chemicals. le • far, Mt. Pleasant said, the results Cl.s, th-u address." bV Alex they're going ■ have to ■ y ' i> ■■ desire of farmers to have shown low-input sustainable farm The researchers use ■ i. 1' IOC is -j synthetic fertilizers prime cause of the Farmers arc con ing tion to be effective. combined herbicide to and cultiva 'ranges decrease chemical inputs by ,,. Nussbaum '92 taste cial good, FORGET THE DEBATE ON WHETHER the tomato is a fruit or a vegetable. Tomatoes may be too! picking and treating currently treat the green tomatoes they pick with ethy lene, a naturally occurring ripening practice tomatoes. Growers in hormone, chemical called to obtain the traditional red able to have a longer shelf life and, as a result, natural ly taste better due to a new chemical treatment created by a team of plant researchers and scientists in the College of a polyamine to tomatoes. "Polyamines naturally occur in all tomatoes and slow down the ripening process," Davies said. "Simply by ad ding the same amount of polyamines that a tomato itself already contains can double its shelf life. The normal ri pened tomato has a rather short shelf life of about four to five becomes ripen emphatically. "The taste is just not as good as that found in tomatoes which ripen on the vine. Also, tomato color. "This is not natural ing," Davies said the shelf life for the normal tomato is just the too short." Let it spend a week in refrigerator, and it is no longer a Agriculture and Life Sciences. If patented, this treatment could have firm tomato! days before it to Too much ers major impact on the nation's $1 bil lion tomato industry, according to Peter J. Davies, a professor of plant physiolo gy in the squishy." the refrigeration actually low quality of tomatoes, according however, has The Alcobaca tomato from Brazil, a natural shelf life of Mutschler. "But if all the materials used were College within the Division of Biological Sciences. Davies led the re search ess about three to four months. Martha A. would ess properly, the new method markedly improve the quality of the process. "This new proc would allow growers to pick toma on Mutschler, an associate professor in the Department of Plant Breeding and toes to off vines just to as the tomato begins a Biometry in the College, has been studying the genetic composition of the Alcobaca tomato since 1980. "In the Alcobaca tomato, a tomatoes," Mutschler said. "The proc really needs to be tested over several growing seasons, since a new trait ripen," begins naturally. They tomato Davies explained. ripen, it will ripen much better that "Once usually takes develop." proval for five to ten years to single mutant taste way, and the consumer would be more gene was discovered to severely slow down the ripening process," Mutschler said. "This mutant The process is awaiting patent ap at the Cornell Research Founda tion. This patent office is pleased." The toes to or new gene alters which the are be process would allow toma picked just as the reddish col on expression of other genes related to ripening." Mutschler wanted to responsible promoting any commercialization of research conducted at Cornell, Da vies said. As for the addition of the appears the skin. ers are pick tomatoes Currently, grow off vines when they further inves do this in order to still immature and green. "Growers to provide about two to tigate the effects of the gene, and brought the tomato to the attention of Davies, who specializes in plant hor mone potential public protest against polyamine to toma toes, Davies does not believe reasons for such concern exist. "Believe it or shippers for deliv supermarkets before the toma toes ripen," Davies explained. "Other wise, they would arrive at the stores ery rotten." The new treatment three weeks' time to research. Davies gave the Alcoba not, in all we ca tomato as a separate project to An Davies said. drew was Dibble, a asked to "In graduate student who analyze the polyamine laboratory, Dibble a polyamines every day," "They are naturally present meats, fruits and vegetables, and eat are not toxic." content of the fruit of this Brazilian As Davies and Mutschler await finalization of the patent, each is conducting separate research on tomatoes. Mutsch involves adding a tomato. the found that the Alcobaca tomato had higher content of polyamines com pared to the normal variety," Davies said. "We then began experimenting with increasing the level of polyam ines specifically one called diamino— ler is investigating the genetic basis for insect resistance in tomatoes. Davies is other plant hormones which also contribute to retardation of may studying ripening in tomatoes. butane — in normal tomatoes. Results "Because we're still zation of the waiting for finalinew showed that these tomatoes became firmer and had a longer shelf life." patent, this process polyamine is added to the toma to through vacuum infiltration, Davies said. The tomato is placed in a contain The er filled with the chemical solution. As air is sucked out of the tomato, the has not yet been used commercially," Davies said. "It needs to be tested fur ther, obviously. I must say there is no absolute guarantee that it will extend the shelf life and cause greater firmness in field-grown "But, so seem to tomatoes. chemical solution is drawn into it when the vacuum is removed. This new chemical process would far, laboratory experiment indicate that the process results is and will be successful in 'improving' 11 drastically change the current commer the tomato." ■ The Alberding Field House is situated behind Lynah Rink, where the parking lot used to be. ALBERDING FIELD addition to Cor great nell. The planning of this multipurpose House is a new THE HOWARD sports. "The field house," said Kenne dy, "takes over some of the varsity building began in 1983 as part of a big project aimed at expanding and im proving Cornell's sports facilities. The field house, which is located at the site of the old parking lot by Lynah Rink, includes one sports from Barton, Teagle, and Helen Newman halls, and so leaves them free for intramural and recreational use." Coaches, teams and students too gether disruption "I and went pulled to through moving and much trouble. that without of North America's E. Ken am not sure I w^ould go Laing nedy ag '63, director of athletics and physical education, said the total cost of the athletic facility project is estimated to greatest climbing walls. again, though," The Alberding Field House was offi cially opened January 20, 1990, after a one-and-a-half year construction peri od. Basketball, baseball, lacrosse, soc cer and field hockey teams have their indoor base in this spacious "White added through Kennedy. $28.5 million. "There has been an enormous in crease in athletic activity the last 20 years, especially in women's athletics," said Kennedy. "There have been no House" of Cornell athletics. Three fullsized basketball courts can easily be expansions since the construction of transformed into a center court with Helen Newman in 1963," continued ■4,500 spectator mobile seats, an Kennedy, "but the number of physical scoping bleachers, by means of tele ingenious kind of education classes has increased a lot. Cornell offered around 50 physical education classes in the 60s, to 147 in '89-90," he added. Cornell now fold-away seats. compared intercol The field sports have 2". 000 square feet of artificial turf to train on when outdoor fields get too muddy and fro zen. has the largest All the coaches, who previously campus, legiate and intramural program in the Ivy League: almost 10,000 students arc inv< )lvecl in physical education courses, A'. ,ooo >mpete intramurally and 1,200 ( •< had offices scattered all now over have individual offices in the field A house. rooms desperate of need for locker has also been a seidi his ;ir<.' <>n one of the 36 intercol- legi.uc t was opening locker :< •. mis. provided for. "The Alberding Field House 40 percent increase in represented rather than for the lpj->,racling the motto expanding intercollegiate for intercolle giate, intramural, and recreational athroom availability The three basketball courts can be transformed into one centercourt surrounded by 4,500 spectator seats. letes," Kennedy said proudly. The jewel of the field house, how ever, seems to be the 40-foot-high, building. Kennedy. 160-foot-wide climbing wall that takes up the entire east wall of the "I think it's the best," said "It's Alberding Field House of the grand old buildings of Cornell," said Kennedy. "I am proud of how the architects have implemented everything. Street design, street lighting and landscaping have not will become one "I believe the absolutely among was the finest in been overlooked." North America." original plan for the field house, but the plan ning committee backed out. "A good Cornell friend, John Lindseth '56, said that backing out was a big mistake and that he would give a gift if the climbing wall remained in the plan," said Kenne dy. Hence the name of the wall: the Lindseth Climbing Wall. The popularity of the climbing wall has exceeded all expectations. "We never realized what an impact the wall would have. We have received tremen The wall included in the likely that the building will re impeccable, as a maintenance endowment exists. Only previous Cor It is main nell athletes and friends of the athletic department were asked to contribute with donations to the field house. The fundraising campaign was successful provided the $16.6 million neces sary to construct the building, as well as and the maintenance endowment. Laing E. Kennedy '63 attempts the Lindseth climbing wall for the first time. It ' Among Charles H. "It is all a the larger contributors was Alberding engineering '23, '' , after whom the field house is named. dous national notoriety for it," Kenne dy added. Time magazine and CBS' "Good Morning America" are among the celebrators of the wall. Not only is the field house of tremen dous practical use; it also has aesthetic value. berding pletion of the field house," said Kenne dy. "The actual funds are tied up in his estate, but I am confident that there will be no problems. I remember I asked Al berding why he wanted to use his mid dle name, Howard, when naming the field house, rather than his first name. He replied: 'That is what my mother used to call me.' " very sad story, because Al passed away before the com - -r&ffiS ^iSll':'t',M'S^ '' - i**-" ~.&Z.Vf. , "-». 'fata*. .awi-.. -hiiSlfeSgssB *&~7£ 7»S$f& Parking lots one and the behind certainly stuff it. A was not a rather rarely attractive, Lynah Rink was pretty sight. "All that ugly," as Kennedy put are ■ slender, clean, unobtrusive and well-lit building enhances the sports area. by Annike Hoysater '91 The huge indoor field is covered with artificial turf and used for ball sports. 13 ANGE OF THIRTY YEARS en were AGO, AMERICAN WOM- the baby-makers. Donna Reed set standards, and the mother who young Americans are much less than the previous generation mature was stitute has at cooked and cleaned was doing her part. But times have changed and the Donna Reed their age. The difference is evident in all areas of development, including edu cation. published a report surveying trends in the life goals of 250,000 the full-time college freshmen. In 1970, stu dents wanted "to develop a meaningful of life." In 1989, the majori philosophy ty responded that they wanted to be financially well-off. Students today are defining them selves through money, power and sta tus, and are choosing courses of study that prototype is a distant Today, higher education provides a memory. The extension of women's educa slower transition to adulthood than the passage their parents experienced. Ac tion, coupled with the women's movement onset of the in the mid-1960s, challenged confined the traditional dictates that to cording to Dawn Schrader, an assistant professor in the Department of Educa tion, today's students are taking longer to women the kitchen and take on traditional adult roles be away from the boardroom. Since then has come the diffusion of the ideas that cause of the job market. "There is an will get them these things. Schrader attributes this to the econom ic reality facing students in 1990. "Adolescents are aware that today's economy is volatile and there is a lot of fear and insecurity about the future. The American dream has not changed. but the want means increasing and thus demand for students affect individuals' motivation families and rear children. came to form more professionals, are attending graduate school. as a If students want ad- Somewhere in the 1980s, Americans to worship career status for attaining the it has. They measure came of individual worth and be to achieve same level of willing to sacrifice the family for personal goals. Those Americans were the baby boomers wrho grew up and became yuppies. They are so numerous that they have defined not only a gener ation, but more an entire culture careers — a culture committed to "Our than to rela have be tionships. come professions to very important us," said Susan in Dark '83, who majored other economics. "We're sacrifice agricultural walling to perhaps things for them — marriage, family, free time and relaxa tion. Our marriages seem like mergers, our Adulthood implies commitment and self-discipline, and by these standards, young Americans are much less mature than the previous generation was at their age. The difference is evident in all areas of development, including education. prosperity enjoyed by their parents generation and they will enter careeroriented majors and go to graduate school if the degree can insure that they will live the good life," said Schrader. Schrader is presently involved in a to determine the social and per sonal values held by a cross-secion of study 500 Cornell students in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. She has found that the majority value honesty, divorces like divestitures," said mutual respect and self-achievement the greatest. Her study shows hope for the future; there are young adults that and Dark. Something happened on the way to the 21st century: our society exchanged traditional values for materialism, selffulfillment and instant gratification. These values, enshrined in every aspect of American life, have created a gener ation of youth that is struggling with adulthood. Todays youth are taking defy the norm who are working hard arriving at adulthood with a sense vanced careers, they have to have ad vanced degrees. As a result, people are of commitment and for the hood responsibility. But entering their first job at the age of 2S or 30, compared with their parents' generation who entered the job market at 21 with undergraduate degrees," said Schrader. majority, the passage to adult will be slow into the next the century. Ultimately, and that question is one of cul tural values. Children learn longer are to cans are grow up. More young Ameri enrolled in eolk-ge, but fewer are Furthermore, fewer students are us ing higher education as a vehicle for self-examination. For the last 23 years HCI.As Higher Education Research In and ca's gradual ing. Thev taking loncer by example they have been shown a society is preoccupied with consumerism instant gratification. When Ameri values change, so will American ■ youth. an ut merit !■- and si. sunwtards. .7 Hilary Nagler '91 URPOSE Funding 21st ON OCTOBER for the al and state governments. Rhodes cau tioned that New York state's fiscal situ ation was likely to lead to another round of multimillion-dollar cuts over the next year for Cornell's four state- receives only 40 percent of its funding from New York state. The rest of the comes operating budget from Cornell, through billion tuition and endowment. Century 19, The trustees have targeted the $1.25 to be used in five areas: support for teaching and learning programs, en dowed faculty and other positions, un dergraduate and graduate financial aid, library support and renovation and construction— as shown in the accom 1990, CORNELL University's board of trustees approved a five-year, $1.25 billion fundraising campaign to "re-endow the University for the 21st century." President Frank H. T. Rhodes an panying illustration. nent Call said, in the Chronicle, 'A perma base of support is a must if we are have the to flexibility to move into new supported of Human units— the nounced this ambitious campaign at the annual joint meeting of the board and the culture and Agri Life Sciences, the College Ecology, the College of College of experiment, take risks and stay in the forefront, especially in emerging areas, studies of environmental issues and the university council (440 alumni the nation and the Veterinary Medicine and the School of and friends who volunteer for Cornell Industrial and Labor Relations. been hit throughout world). are Rhodes told the audience: "We State-supported units at Cornell have by five separate budget cuts state globalization of agriculture and our economy." A significant portion of the campaign goes toward supporting student fi nancial aid. undertaking a campaign for the future. from the of New York over the last Call commented in the You this year and next year and the year that follows will see virtually no direct three years. The latest round of cuts im posed by the state in July and August Chronicle that "endowment for finan benefit from the are doing is campaign. What we making things possible for next reduction of $3 .1 mil lion in base budgets. David L. Call '54, a 1990 included those who have the affairs of the MS century as part of their horizon." add Agriculture '58, PhD '60, dean of the College of and Life Sciences, remarked is imperative if we are to con reaching the students who will be our future leaders." The specific goal of increasing support for financial aid fol lows a sharp, decade-long decline in tinue cial aid is campaign is anything on to the university. "It is designed to reinforce what we are already doing," Rhodes said, remarking that the University will be "better, not bigger." Rhodes also spoke of what he called not meant to Rhodes added that the in the Cornell campaign cially after Daily Sun that the new desperately needed, espe cutbacks. Call com federal financial aid grants for middleincome and needy students. From 1980 to state 1990, the federal share of support for financial aid students in mented in the Cornell Chronicle, "The campaign is essential if we are to main tain the level of excellence Cornell's creased expected of about nine percent, while Cornell's own share increased by 372 by us." Call remarked in the Chronicle that percent. the "hostile climate" in which educa tion finds Pointing that ted we to the future, Rhodes said, itself, specifically noting the though ceived the ag as a college reduction in funding from both feder state widely per school, it currently is "I believe the most can stream precious resource continuing of educated, talented, commit offer is this and women, educated as men op How the $1.25 Billion Will Be Allocated Renovation and construction posed to trained, educated as opposed to simply well-informed." Closing his presentation to the board, Rhodes remarked that the University must provide itself the means to reassert its original tradition, according to which "Cornell stressed knowledge, not as an end in itself, but as a means to serve Teaching and Learning Support $450 $300 human needs." Library support $75 Figures are in millions of dollars To date, approximately $330 million has been pledged to Cornell through the new campaign. Rhodes called this drive a turning point in Cornell's histo it will "rery because if it is successful, endow the university, wall transform it Undergraduate graduate financial aid and in a way that few of us are completely conscious of at this moment." ■ $175 Endowed and other faculty positions $250 by Jeffrey S. Popow '91 15 ten need to be covered within a specific: Mass scientific and social context, Lewen stein said. "Science journalism works in terms; of trends," he said. "These are trends; which are punctuated by specific: and impor controversies about science Shapiro said. tant issues in science," it is "Science can often be uncertain; bad to assume that science knows less than it does, but it is also bad to place Media, agrees. "There are constant events, such as a new article being pub lished by researchers. Journalists tend1 to treat them as straight news, when1 doesn't 'blind faith' in science, because science always know the answer." Science journalists need to recognize they can are really part of a trend." Trends; function to as which discuss and appropriate contexts in1 explain new infor - this, said Shapiro, and need to convey it to an often misinformed public. Dr. Robert Logan, associate professor and director of the Science Journalism Cen ter at mation. Coverage of the cold fusion sensa the University of Missouri, agrees. taken over tion of March 1989, when two scien r tists claimed to have achieved nuclear "Surveys have shown that the the past ten years public's under fusion, normally only possible at tem peratures found at the sun, is a good ex s ample of how "traditional" journalists often Dr. Bruce Lewenstein talks with a standing of science and medicine is in adequate," he said. "Most Americans are seriously misinformed about science and medicine." As take the student. wrong approach to ) 5 science news, said Lewenstein, who is also co-director of Cornell's Cold Fu concluded, "there is need for a a result, he real, desperate qualified people to be liaisons sion Archive. "When those two scien FIVE THOUSAND GALLONS OF TOXIC between science and the public." aware pesticide spilled when a truck over turns on a slippery road. The surround ing area's water supply is in jeopardy. How should journalists cover this event? How should they clearly and accurately report the facts without causing unnecessary panic? These are two questions addressed by students now taking Science Writing are tists in Utah first held their press confer / ence, the media covered it immediately as an Getting science students comfortable with and making one them way of incredible event," he said. On the other hand, he added, scien science issues is to prepare them for this is role, said Lewenstein. This of the for the Mass Media, said Assistant Pro fessor Bruce Lewenstein. The course, c writing about cold fusion took i time to start doing so, rather than on the bandwag immediately jumping s on and possibly sacrificing accuracy as i well as proper perspective. And while i most journalists completely stopped s about the issue only six weeks writing tists precisely one sequence's goals. more The sequence, one of five in the com munication major, requires students to take 42 credits of science meet courses to taught by Lewenstein, is one of several comprising the newly established sci ence after the initial coverage, said Lewen stein, scientists now are still discussing I goal. In addition to traditional courses in biology, chemistry and the like, students can opt to study the histo ry and philosophy of science. Because this the sequence is must have their viewed so flexible, students choices re- communication sequence, one of several sequences in the ag college's the controversy. "Among responsible i t scientists, it is still not at all clear what course by the department's Science happens when you set up a cold fusion t Communication Committee. BRINGING science Department of Communication. "Science journalism is fundamental ly different than other kinds of journal ism," stated Lewenstein, explaining why special science communication in struction is necessary As opposed to "straight" news which can be covered efk< ■ cell," declared Lewenstein. One would hardly know this, he maintained, from relying on the relatively abrupt, brief coverage given the issue by the mass media. This type of coverage is not an accurate portrayal of how the discovery process really Lewenstein. I'm lessor flexibility and variety, said is encouraged by the department, as it is very important in preparing students. "By providing the option for these history and philoso This Lewenstein, phy of science courses, can works, iVei explained forthe students science. build want a V ■'■/) ft; -ft ft.'-: . ,i -, . - • we hope that perspective on i( ., ,!-,_ We students to know to :M.;iiv Shapiro, who taught Science Writing for Michael what intelligent questions ask," said Lewenstein. Intelligent questions, he said, not only include appropriate technical Cold Fusion questions, but social, economic and political ones as well. For example, he suggested, whenever the space shuttle doesn't launch on schedule, students should ask whether it is worth it to Coverage Number of Articles Published a— Newspapers Scientific Journals keep funding a shuttle technical difficulties. that has frequent Many agree that Cornell, with its resources, provides a solid base for science communication. "Cornell is a world-class research university," said Shapiro. "There are edge science going all kinds of cuttingon. There is lots to write about and lots to learn." Logan echoed this opinion. "A university such as Cornell is one of the ideal places in the country for something like [a science communication sequence]," he said. But besides nicate knowing science, As a stu trade-off," said Lewenstein. cold-fusion type situa tion, he said, "I would hope that some of our students would not cover the a creating idea had a science communication se dents must also know how to commu In terms of quence. However, he emphasized, the fore his effectively. result, students in the sequence must complete basic already been conceived be coming to Cornell. "Putting and advanced as writing courses offered part of the communication major. story the first day, but take the time to gather background information." Stu to a sequence was not a task which had to be done from scratch," he together said. "It They must also complete one science writing course, such as Science Writing for the Mass Media, where they learn methods to convey scientific and tech nical information in a manner that is understandable to the dents, he said, should then decide which is the best way news. was more a matter portray the a together ing resources resources of putting already here." These included faculty already do as Alex Nussbaum '92 is student in is an research in science communica as Lewenstein's class. "[Lewenstein] when it tion, fered well science and science courses public. metaphors he One method Lewenstein teaches his students is the "It's use a of and "but said, trick," analogies. one a journalist normally tends not to think of." For example, he said, science amazing professor showing us how to communicate about science. He's trying to show us the cul tural background of scientists and jour nalists and to see comes to communication at already of are Cornell. Future plans for the sequence journalists in as can universally comparing a a describe measurements understood terms, such minute measurement to also how both Nussbaum. "I think I'm can each's limitations, but work together," said uncertain, especially in light of the budget crunch, according to Lewen stein. The learning a lot," advanced science the width of human hair. emphatically. Approximately 20 of 300 under graduate communication majors are he added now department might add an writing course and a technical writing course, where stu dents will learn to write highly tech nical material such as manuals. But for now, the emphasis is on qual of the sequence, not size. "We're not In addition to helpful tricks, students learn the different roles of science jour nalism. This is taught through exercises in enrolled in the science communi such reporting hypothetical situations, as the pesticide spill mentioned earlier. In that scenario, science jour nalists would have to decide whether to cation sequence. This small portion, about five percent, is not seen as a considering the fall of 1990 problem, ity trying to be a big sequence," said Yar brough, "just a good one, an excellent one." It seems that marks the sequence's first "full" year. Although the sequence is technically who Cor they're ■ off to a solid, handle the story as straight news, or as a story educating the public on poten tial risks, without overestimating or un for new, it has been in the making several years, said Professor Paul Yar- scientific start. brough. Yarbrough, came to derestimating those risks. "It's often a nell in 1982, chaired a committee in 1985 that studied the possibility of by Maria Politis '92 DOWN TO EARTH 17 WHERE ON CAMPUS CAN YOU FIND "cruise ship," "Hollywood" and "Carib the 144 Flag Room, International people from over 40 same Cafe and different bean Carnival." Activities also extend beyond the countries under the roof? At the Jerome Center. H. Holland International Living Living International Living Center. "Commu nity Outreach gives the international people Holland International a chances to interact with people The Center in the community," said Fredericks. is a (ILC), on is residential program Community Outreach where residents get program to visit house sists Campus which con of 60 percent foreign students and North together underprivileged children, throw holi day parties or participate in other ac tivities involving the community. Since community service is either a foreign idea or not something encouraged by portunities new 40 percent American students. The ILC will celebrate its 20th anniversary this spring. "The purpose of the ILC," said food science student Taras Sudhikam '93, ILC resident from Thailand, "is have a to bring op new the government in many countries, op to participate in such activi ties expose international students to people together other cultures to feel of what are like. It to and gives us portunities ideas." to adapt absorb "ILC is tional a refuge for 'stranded' interna ILC resi Coffee hour in ILC is a time to take a study break, relax, talk with other residents over a cup of coffee or students," said former gather around the piano an to sing a tune. ideas, thus broadening their per spectives. Caring, togetherness and the ex change of cultures is what Jerome H. Holland and the University had in mind for the ILC. Holland was a man dent assistant, microbiology student Raphael Valdivia '91 from Peru. "It's a who dence hall with which the endowment fund in are held several family and for those who have left home their own. earnings used to support honors distinguished intercultural including ambassador to Swe New are now on It is also a bridge to international understanding," the programs and facility. Some of the programs include fall and spring semes den, first black member of the York Stock he said. many opportunities to closer to and learn from one an grow other through day-to-day interactions. are There example, at mealtimes many ILCers (as they call themselves) talk, laugh and share ideas as they squeeze as many as 12 people at a round table in Balch Din For ing or occupy three tables in the Robert Purcell Union Dining. Valdivia said, "It's a trips, ski trips, fall and spring trips, holiday parties, internation al dinners, international cafe, two semiformal dances, weekly talks organized by the International Affairs Group (IAG) and nightly coffee hours. The activities bring residents out to do things and work together. "The cof fee hours," said agricultural economics ter canoe Exchange, trustee of the Foreign Policy Association and a mem ber of the boards of the Institute of In ternational Education and the National break was Society. In 1985, Holland awarded the Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian award given by the Geographic United States. Jerome H. Holland left his legacy at the International student Christina Fredericks '92 from international student Living living Center. Each in the ILC 24-hour When the doors in the ment learning experience." Holland ILC opened its fall of 1971, the Depart Malaysia, "get people break, to meet to take a study and other residents will go home richer with new friend ships and an education they could not catch up on each other." residents are have obtained of Residence Life, Unions and As'-L/iftjes and the International StuA • Similarly, eager to take a periences Living roles home. The many ex gained during their stay at at break from their studies to ternational ILC '..-Aft '. , s ■■•■ .. .>?;!; c -: -i'tributcd .-■. prepare food and decorate the ILC for the in dinners and help Cornell and the Holland Center will International in their ■''■ f ■'■• ' e 'ft'ftft ■ - ;n the 'al parties. and The the as the ■ '.-•"--■ - ■■. ■■■.. cc, . '. ■ -..'..■; 1 a, id MS . help them potential leaders of their Itas had Mexican, Chinese and dinners countries. ."■.""■•• .'.'■'' -.ft; .fti 1 1 he v nun is other semi international formal dances centered around as '■•"ft: '-eoUand JLC is the only rcsi- themes such "Venetian masquerade," by Christina Yee '92 by Dana A. Celentano '91 "I WOULD FOUND AN INSTITUTION find instruction in any study." Ezra Cornell would be pleased to know that many Cornell can where any person DOUBLE Reds concentration University undergraduates have found further instruction in their fields of study as "double Reds"; that is, by con tinuing their educations in Cornell graduate programs. The Graduate School has the largest enrollment of the Cornell post-bacca laureate programs, with 4,390 students. Approximately one-seventh of these and professional of Red than the law graduate students received their bach elor's degrees from Cornell. Among them is David to earn school; twenty percent, according to James Schmotter, associate dean of the school. "Students with Cornell degrees have two influenced his choice of Cornell over other medical colleges, including those of Yale and Columbia universities. "There are 24 Cornell graduates in my class alone," Johnson said. "I think the average is 18 to 25 explained that Cornell his Ph.D. in the Livesay '84, who expects History and advantages," said Schmotter. Philosophy of Science and Technology was not an "First, because Cornell is a selective un dergraduate institution, the average Cornell student is better than the aver percent." seniors He are program this year. "Going to another college option," said Livesay, the son of a mathematics professor. Livesay com pleted his bachelor's degree under the Cornell Children's Tuition Scholarship, and has worked as a teaching assistant (TA) to cover tuition and other costs for most of his graduate studies. Livesay, who plans to teach college biology, said of his experiences as a TA, "I got a good education in the very thing I wanted to do. You learn more from doing it than you do from taking any course." Many Cornellians continuing their studies as student. Second, admis sions staff of JGSM know the Cornell age college guaranteed college. Johnson interviews with the medical has come back to Ithaca curriculum better than other they do those of colleges." are What criteria used in admissions several times this year, and admits to missing it. "It's serene and open and green and alive, not cold and stone," he said. decisions? "What we're looking for are smarts, academic excellence, and prep aration realistic expectations of . . . Carolyn Sarna '89 has centered her now a studies around this "aliveness": what the M.B.A. said. can do," Schmotter Gordon what now a Suggs '85 MBA '89 knows degree from JGSM can do: he is at assistant director of workstation support services Cornell Information "double Reds" are not in the graduate school; they make strong showings the in other Cornell programs for Technologies. Suggs had chosen Cor nell as an undergrad for its range of pro grams. "I hate to say diversity, but that's what it second-year student of the College of Veterinary Medicine, she chose Cornell undergrad for the opportunities for veterinary experience during her un dergraduate years. She said that work ing in the Large Animal Research and Teaching Unit helped her to clarify her interests as she came closer to vet study of business, law, medicine or veterinary medicine. Seven percent of the 1990 entering class of Cornell Law School hold Cornell degrees, according to Nan Colvin, registrar of the law school. Chet Scoville '90 is one was," he said. And when he was school. "There portunities that many research op already exist here too," are of these people. "I'm most interested in the Inter national Law program, which is in credibly strong and quite widely re nowned," said Scoville. "The faculty are ready to enter the business school, Suggs said, "I didn't have the unsteadi ness of changing location while making the change [into graduate school]." Like Suggs, Erik Johnson '90 was at tracted to Cornell's diversity. The differ is that his surroundings did ence change abruptly as he began his first year at Cornell University Medical Col lege in New York City. "I like the idea that I'm still part of she said. "You don't have to come up with your own project if you want to do research." Sarna is one her class of 80. of 32 Cornell alumni in According to the admis sions office of the vet lians have no college, Cornel major advantage over That non-Cornellians. many in the cause there are so college is probably people who plan to go to to be vet very available, very friendly and quite approachable." school tend choose Cornell for their the Cornell son. a superstructure," said John Scoville had personal reasons for "I didn't want to have to adjust to undergraduate work, according to a staff member. "I don't think, gradewise, Cornell students do better," Sarna mented. Their com choosing come to Cornell for his J.D. as "I've med school attached to an under East regard New Ithaca home, a place "I 1 was comfortable being," said the graduate college." entering class (101), The small size of his the college's former Jersey resident. wouldn't want to be anywhere else." The Johnson Graduate School of Side location and its affiliation with medical institutions such as The New York Hospital and Memorial Sloan- it, but the grades may or familiarity may not reflect of the Cornell Management (JGSM) has an even higher Kettering Cancer Research Center also the transition between of learning, and stages of life, for phases the "double Reds." ■ name can ease 19 A "IN CASCADILLA CREEK'S DESCENT Gorge-ous fix the ravages of time. Its most recent closing of nine years ended September in from the lands above there are and gorges cascades." Landmarks of picturesque many beautiful ry Sackett 1875, were most influential protecting the gorge from destruc tion. Treman, as 15, 1990 with an official reopening re head of the Cascadilla Tompkins has weath was which marked the end of a massive County, 1894. Ithaca's Cascadilla Gorge ered much in the century since this pair and improvement job spearheaded by the Cornell Plantations. Margaret Corbit, communications manager for the Plantations, said that hikers are Company, began buying up private land parcels along the gorge's edge, and then donated the land to the Universi ty for use as a park. In 1926, Treman and his wife written, but thanks to the hard work of some dedicated admirers, the gorge continues to provide many breathtak ing photo opportunities along its trail. The Cascadilla Gorge Trail, which had its beginning in the 1920s, starts at the southern boundary of Cornell Univer sity in Collegetown and traces Cascadil la Creek to downtown Ithaca where happy to be walking the Cascadilla Gorge again. According to Corbit's article, "Cas cadilla Gorge," the gorge has been used by many different people through the years. During the early days of Cornell University, students housed in Cascadil la Hall on one edge of the gorge hiked down one park, now called Treman personally donated the Triangle, at the base of the gorge. Sackett gave his own money to support the building and maintenance of the was Gorge Trail, constructed Since which Cascadilla cleared and by 1930. crews have battled both the elements and trash in order to then, work University Avenue meets Court Street. The trail has been closed several times in the past seventy years for to their classes, which side and up the other to get at that time were keep the trail safe and clean. Corbit said that storms have onto routinely washed rock even repairs to located where West stands The Cascadilla Gorge College Avenue. as seen from the bridge at Campus housing today. Corbit explained that in 1903, a group of environmentally-conscious University trustees committed Cornell to preserving the gorge's natural beau ty. Two Cornell trustees in particular, Robert Treman 1878 and Colonel Hen debris, garbage and Hurricane whole — trees as the trail. Severe storms such Agnes which blew through — Ithaca in 1972 forced officials to close the trail because of these washouts. The trail 1981 when was most storm debris and recently closed in high water severely eroded the trail. Since 1987 Workers setting the stairway foundation on the Cascadilla Gorge "frail. 20 Trail Reopens Cascadilla Although quite Gorge most a few people use the Trail to commute to are work, hikers nature lovers simply looking for quiet time and exer cise. Since the trail's reopening, Corbit said that hikers are welcome between dawn and dusk until late autumn, when the danger of ice forces its closing un til spring. Cornell Plantations officials advise using caution in in rainy weather and urge that hikers seek thundershowers, With case respectful care safety during flooding. by its patrons, of staff careful maintenance The by Plantations a Gorge's stairway was given new chain and wooden safety railings for hikers' safety. on on and volunteers and from the Cornell Plantations has worked clear debris and remove tons of trash Gorge better touch of mercy the elements, the Cascadilla Trail will live on. There is no for students, ■ repairs and some new construction the gorge trail. According to Corbit, a total of nearly a quarter of a million dol lars was spent on the project; most of the money came from the Sackett trail endowment fund, with university from the gorge. Corbit said that trash has always accumulated in the gorge, and that the place community some residents and visitors to find of clean-up volunteers often and an occa Ithaca's tranquility. fill several Plantations trucks with old pizza boxes, beer bottles sional appliance. by Catherine G. Healy '92 funds in the Newman endowment covering the difference. Cornell Plantations staff members joined with university employees on the ambitious trail renovation project. Among other tasks, workers built stur dy foundations for the steps and strung chain safety railings from heavy wood posts. One hundred thousand dol lars went toward a new stone stairway en at the trail entrance near Cornell's new Center for Theater Arts in Collegetown. Plantations arboretum Hal Martin to explained, a crew manager "The stairs are supported by massive bulkhead able torrents withstand the raging cadilla Creek." unteers were of Cas Corbit remarked that dedicated vol instrumental to the to reno vation preserve the help project beauty of the gorge. Dur ing Collegetown Clean-up Days each spring and fall, Collegetown residents, and continue fraternity brothers and other nature lovers help Cornell Plantations staff Hal Martin and Paul Speicher remove an appliance from Cascadilla Gorge during the clean-up project. 21 STOCK Talk WHAT HAPPENS WHEN AN AGRICUL- colleges may also have access through finance professors. Arbel nell to it said that 20 to 30 percent of his investment classes consist of students from the and Life of Agriculture College Sciences. Many are agricultural eco nomics students who want and research in ec areas experience outside of agricul interest among ture. "There is a special are hungry for ap They ag plied information relating to financial markets," said Arbel. economics student Agricultural Knudsen certainly benefited from use of the database. In fact, Knudsen, who students. used the computer while at Cornell a one-semester computerized finance and stock infor on tural economics up with a major finance professor from the School of teams mation, this type of computer is unique to Cornell, said Arbel. "This doesn't ex ist at any other university in the sense that large companies, like Merrill Hotel Administration market crash? Their study a stock findings become a lead story in the Wall Street Journal Ejnar Knudsen '91 was that agricul to . Lynch, share information with a exchange from Califor nia Polytechnical State University, San Luis Obispo, decided after doing this research to transfer to Cornell for good. This delayed his graduation by a year, but Knudsen said it was tural cuss economics student who proached Professor Avner Arbel to program trading shortly after the October 13, 1989 minicrash on Wall ap dis Program trading is a computer program designed to automatically buy Street. or sell stocks based on stock market information. points on Oc tober 13, 1989, Knudsen explained, and the public was worried. Brokerage firms were The market fell 190 university. We are the only ones to get it," he said. Students enjoy working with the computer, added Arbel, because the high-tech aspect is a new experience for them. "Students don't like dirty work and this cuts much of the dirty work of collecting data," he said. Despite its advanced capabilities, the database is surprisingly easy to use. "Computers today can do a tremen dous amount of quantitative work in a fraction of the time that it would have taken vert seven years ago," said Renny Ponfrom Valueline Inc. Investment Ad worth it to use the computer and work search. "I drove on current re through Cornell three years " ago and said to myself, 'I'd love to go here and just take classes,' said Knud sen. Now he will have more than a Cor nell degree on to show he leaves. He has also rience nance expe Cornell's state-of-the-art fi — employers gained when part in a a research computer and taken stock volatility study and has afraid that investors would Wall Street Journal article to prove it. firms, in Lynch, said that the minicrash was caused by program trad ing. Knudsen thought otherwise. "I think this program trading is a scape goat. The security firms have to blame something to explain to the public why the market dropped," said Knudsen. Merrill pull out cluding of the market. Several visors, one of the companies that feeds by Chris McManus '91 information into Cornell's computer. The computer does more than just save professors are so and students time and trouble. It also allows them to research topics that mation is timely, because the infor In Arbel asked Knudsen, who was a stu dent in Arbel's investment management current. fact, the re search on stock market help him research stock vola and whether program trading af fects it. This allowed Knudsen to use the hotel school's state-of-the-art data course, to tility program Knudsen trading was so done volatility by Arbel and and was relevant to what on happening on Wall Street that the Wall Street Journal featured it the front base a to conduct research dealing with tangible, real-world situation. page of the November 7, 1989 finance section. This database provides students with good experience pertinent to real world situations, Arbel explained. "Stu dents [who use this computer] get quite good job offers and many continue on to graduate school. Many students come one of many students who have used the $2 million Interna tional Business Machine Corp. research Knudsen is computer given IBM. The to the hotel school database high-tech Cornell students with the by provides best possible information concerning finance. "We get the same information at the same time that to do research with no me for no ex pay and credit. They do it for [large brokerage firms] get it, even at the highest level," said Arbel. Although many universities have perience," said Arbel. Although the database belongs to the hotel school, students from other Cor 22 CAPSULES Brown Is New Leader of Apple Breeding Program Dr. Susan Brown, assistant professor of pomology in the Horticultural at and control of fungal dis processing vegetables. Since joining the Station in February of 1984 as an assistant professor, ecology, of eases Department of Sciences, is the new leader of the apple breeding pro gram Dillard has done research on white mold and black rot of cabbage, Weires has continued his research and extension to reduce pest popu lations on fruit crops in eastern New York. He has published more than 100 papers discussing problems to Cornell's New York State Agricultural Experiment Station in Geneva. dry beans, rust and northern leaf blight on sweet corn, and fungal induced blemishes in sugar snap peas and lima beans. In addition to runs an anthracnose directly related insects and mites on on tomatoes and in this same area. Currently, projects Weires works "Susan is the best son to assume the qualified per major respon our most sibilities for research, Dillard one of important breeding and evaluation programs," commented Dr. Robert Anderson, professor of pomology. Anderson will assume extension program which emphasizes the cultural and chemi entomologists at the Geneva Experiment Station. One such project involved devising strategies to delay the development of resistance of spider mites to pes ticides. with practices that reduce disease in cidence and severity. As part of this program, she attends grower meet ings regularly to explain the results of her research and to provide sug cal Brown's previous responsibilities at the Station, which were to breed tart cherries and to evaluate sweet What About Waste "What about Waste?" is nell a new cherries, peaches and apricots. Brown plans to combine classical breeding techniques with molecular approaches toward the development of improved apple varieties. "These new gestions for disease control using integrated pest management tech niques. As a result, Dillard has devel oped excellent rapport with growers and the vegetable industry. Cor Cooperative Extension publica tion designed to introduce youth to facts about the environment, its resources and waste. The authors provide background information solid waste on varieties," she said, "must have are and discussion ques answers, to horticultural characteristics that equal to or better than those exis Entomology Expert to Professor Promoted tions with possible help tent in present varieties." the group get started on projects to identify what can and should be Dr. Richard W. Weires Jr. recog , reduced, reused, recycled and com nized as a world authority on the posted. "What about Waste?" is various kinds of leafrollers that available from the Cornell Universi Oillard Promoted to Associate Professor Dr. Helene R. attack the a fruit, has been promoted to position of professor of ento ty Distribution Center and from Cornell Cooperative Extension Dillard, plant pathologist State at Cornell's New York Agricultural Experiment Station in Geneva, has been pro moted to associate professor of plant pathology. mology at the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station's Hudson Valley Laboratory in High land. Weires joined the Laboratory in 1974 as a offices around New York state. Trancik Elected to National research associate. Landscape Society Roger T. Promoted to assistant professor was of Trancik, professor of land entomology in 1975, Weires ology, Her interests include epidemi the study of how diseases well-known for informing fruit scape architecture and city and regional planning, has been elected to spread, and the development of accurate, reliable forecasts for vege table diseases. In accordance with these interests, Dillard's research at Geneva has focused on the biology, growers of insect and mite problems and recommending ways of solving them. He has researched ways of the National Fellows of the Socie ty of Landscape Architecture. Only twelve others were elected to the was developing integrated pest ment manage Society this year, which lished in 1898 and has members. a estab for pests that attack fruit crops. Since 1975, measures control total of 175 BICYCLE ETIQUETTE AS FUEL PRICES RISE, MORE PEOPLE to may take advantage of an alternative motor vehicles — bicycles. Saving gas Bikers cannot expect pedestrians to watch for and avoid them, and pedes trians cannot always predict what cy clists will do. "Get will be cut at the owner s expense." Chaplin suggested that town and city planners begin planning areas decreasing the numbers of cars on the roads is admirable, and so is being a bicyclist who knows and obeys the law. Unfortunately bicycles can be a and nuisance when riders do not follow the law and the rules of common sense. "Bicycles are an integral part of the transportation system," said Lois Chaplin MPS '88. Chaplin is an exten sion associate in the Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineer ing, and a member of the newly formed Cornell Ad Hoc Committee on bicyclists who are pedestrians to take some tips," Chaplin said. She suggested bikers keep their speed down, and calmly warn pedestrians of their presence when cycling up behind them. "They've all been pedestrians too," she dealing with said. Motorists can help by making the road a safer and more inviting place to plans bike racks in of need. The ad hoc committee to inventory the numbers and lo cations of campus bike racks. "No one has put any thought into where these racks should be," Chaplin said. to Marc According '90, assistant Kratzschmar MRP transportation planner in Transportation Services, "The Campus Planning Office has been asked by Ken Wing ['54, associate dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences] to provide bike parking the Office of where Roberts was knocked down." A Bicycles. Chaplin, who is a bicyclist, de velops methods of educating children on how to be better bicyclists. "Bikers need to be predictable and to behave in a manner that is predictable. Be smart. Wear a proposal of sites on the ag quad for bike parking will be submitted to Dean Wing soon. The few make problems for the helmet and behave like aware. a vehicle many when bikers behave thought lessly. Some bikers ride down handi in traffic. Be Be seen. Wear lightprob the colored clothing," bicycles she said. same Towns and cities face the lems with that are seen on Cornell campus. Cornell does not have a policy specifically for bicycles. "Cor nell streets state are covered said traffic laws," patrol Public officer in the by New York George Sutfin, Department of Campus sidewalks make convenient "roads" for cyclists. ride. Bikers have a Safety, Crime Prevention Unit. Bicyclists in New York state must obey traffic lights and signs, yield to pedestri ans, ride on the correct side of the road capped-access ramps, such as the one Roberts Hall, and bicycles are often found chained along the ramp's hand rails. "When other bikers ride irrespon sibly it's frustrating as a complying cy clist. It shoots down the reputation of cyclists," Chaplin said. Bicycles are not permitted in campus buildings, but a walk through some buildings around the ag quad showed people ignoring that rule. In corridors, dirty tire tracks make extra work for at custodial staff. Bikes were observed in and in bicycle lane if one is available, according to the pamphlet, Sharing the Road, developed by members of the Statewide Bicycle Advisory Council. a right to be on the offices and labs where What are some colleagues and road; according to New York state law, custodians have to work around them. to the prob public infor mation out there," Chaplin said. She suggested the four E's— encouraging good riding habits, education, enforc ing law, and using engineering to pro vide bike lanes and parking racks. "... any driver of a vehicle shall exer cise due care to avoid colliding with solutions lot more lems? "We need a Violators The can receive traffic tickets. city of Ithaca has an ordinance which prohibits riding bicycles on side walks, including those on campus. "Public Safety officers, by law, cannot enforce the ordinance ever bicyclist." Bicycle parking is a problem when bikers use hand railings, trees, benches, any fire exits, and fences as substitute bike racks. Complaints arise, and complaints at Cornell; how cam- prompt action. A tober will a, news brief in the Oc of the Cornell cyclists judL the i can be referred to the Biking tesy and is fun. economical and more good 1900 issue exercise. With OU.----5 i.l administrator," Sutfin said committee wiil be review situation in the next lew .c Chronicle said, "Life "he ad h Safety Services — common knowledge, cour sense, problems can ■ ing monohs and will make recommend.! impound all bicycles stored or placed in any means of egress stairs, corridors, fire escapes, etc.— placed in danger to the public. Locks and chains be minimized, if not eliminated. don.-, about where cyclists should be. of by Janis Strope '86 University, at New York State College Agriculture and Life Sciences, a Statutory College of the State Cornell University CORNELL A MAGAZINE OF AND ABOUT THE PEOPLE OF THE NEW YORK STATE A! '"'A'" c ■' ■ COLlEGf OF AGRICULTURE '' AND LIFE SCIENCES ' ,! : ""id U I ) CL 11 Advances in the Ag College CORNELL Contents 3 Cornell Annike Countryman? 14 A Second Language Hoysater '91 15 Chris McManus '91 4 Pest Wars Alex J. Nussbaum '92 Gerow D. Brill: Agricultural Missionary Catherine G. Healy '92 6 7 Exporting Education Christina Yee '92 16 18 Super Seeds Kathryn Lancioni '92 More Than Dibble Sticks Betty Ng '91 8 A Forest of Possibilities Janis Among the Strawberries Wendy E. Austrie '91 A Future For Strope '86 19 20 Whey Advances in the About the Issue This issue of the on Ag College 10 New Direction at the Dana A. Celentano '91 Plantations Joann M. Pezzano '92 Bee Optimistic Crissey '91 Marisa Rose 11 Weather Legends 22 Success Stories various done in the the Countryman focuses types of research being College of Agriculture and Jeffrey S. Popow '91 12 Hilary Nagler '91 24 Research With Heart Karen E. Clements '92 The Altruism That Isn't Maria Politis '92 Life Sciences. Learn about advances in study of bees, naked mole-rats, al falfa, whey, and the war on pests. The Countryman also looks at strawber ries, weather folklore, and ag some CORNELL. of the college's a best and brightest people. What's in name? The staff has been Countryman struggling with that on question. sexist or See the article over page 3 for is tra January/February 1991 Volume LXXXVIII Number Editors Elaine Bloom 4 the debate whether a our name Photo Editor Maria Politis generic, is that time-honored Cornell Plantations; p. 1 1—Jeffrey S. Popow; pp. 12, 13 (artwork)— Maria Politis; p. 18— Wendy E. Austrie; p. 21 — dition or a stubborn throwback. The we want Catherine Annike point here Healy Hoysater Art Directors Roger Morse; p. 24 — Karen E Clements. ion! Should the name your opin of this magazine Assistant Editors Karen E. Clements Marisa Rose Hilary Nagler Chris McManus The Cornell change? The editorial staff urges our readers to send us their comments and suggestions. Crissey Layout Staff Dana A. Celentano Kathryn Lancioni Betty Ng Alex J. Nussbaum Jeffrey S. Popow Janis Strope Correction: Our November Christina Yee 1990 article, "How was Editorial Staff Countryman (ISSN 0010-S~S2) is published six times a year from October through May (combined issues for January and February. and April and May) by the New York State College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. 3--* Kennedy Hall, Cornell University. Ithaca. N.Y. I48S3. Second class postage paid at Ithaca. New York 1-48S3. Printed by Midstate Litho. Inc. of Endicott. Subscription Rates: $10.00 a year: S20.00 for years. Postmaster: Send change Cornell Countryman. 3--+ Kenne Hall, Cornell University. Ithaca. N.Y. HSv two to Everett Stiles Got to Cornell," Wendy E. Austrie, Elaine Bloom, Dana A. Celen based W. on an article written by Frank to tano, Karen E. Clements, Marisa Rose Catherine G. Healy, Annike Hoysater, Williams, who submitted it an the was Countryman. inadvertently omitted in change. Our apologies. This information editorial Lancioni, Chris Ng, Alex J. Nussbaum, Joann M. Pezzano, Maria Politis, Jeffrey S. Popow, Janis Strope, Christina Yee. Crissey, Kathryn McManus, Hilary Nagler, Betty of address dy content gathered and written by majors Department of Communication. Honorary editor: Edward L. Bernays 12. Faculty advisors: Jane E. Hardy 'S3, Jane Earle. Editorial in the Picture Credits: Cover Marisa Crissey and Chris University Photography; p. 3 Annike Hoy.saicr; p. 6— Christina Yee; pp. 7, 10, \7. 13, 17, 11 University Photography; p, design: — li is the McManus policy of Cornell University actively io — of educational and employment opportunity support equality No person shall — be denied admission to any educational program or activity or he denied employment on the h.tsis of any legally discrimination involving, hut not limited to, such factors as race. prohibited courcourtesy of Donald Steinkraus; p. S !< ft.sy of Donald Rut'/, and Dale Mover; pp. S, '» Department of Natural Resources; p. 10 i — — color, creed, religion, national or preference, age, or handicap The assure the maintenance ol affirmative action programs which will ihe continuation ot such equality of origin, sex, sexual to University is committed ethnic opportunity 2 CORNELL by Annike Hoysater '91 SALESMAN BECAME SALES ASSOCIATE, continued. but If can salesperson, sales agent, solicitor or sales representative. Fireman became fire fight er. "Language does change." "Many things may be sexist of origin still be used in a non-sexist way. connec more. Milkman became milk deliverer. current people don't make the on the Countryman's College covers expenses for which the subscription fees don't pro vide, just as it pays for laboratory equip can Who decide future? The Should the Cornell Countryman become tion, the word isn't really sexist any In contrast, words like 'man' ment for other courses. Does this mean something else? were once that the In the fall of 1990, the Countryman staff raised the issue of renaming the Countryman because the name may be neutral but are not any longer," said McConnell-Ginet. She feels the original cide college administration should de on the magazine's title? Could a sin decide, or gle semester's class should the meaning of tant a word is much less impor teacher of the come course determine the out magazine is produced by un dergraduate students in Print Media Laboratory. Each class produces three is sues before leaving the responsibility to next semester's students. The frequent change of staff makes it difficult to go through with a project as huge as renam ing the Cornell Countryman, but as we do feel responsible for "our" three issues, we decided to at least raise the question. The question has three parts. First, is "countryman" a sexist word? Second, if so, is this important enough to abandon the Cornell Countryman tradition and reputation? Third, and sexist. The than its current connotation; "coun of the controversy? answers to tryman" is a borderline case. 'Although the name is not unproblematically gender-neutral, it has the virtue of being alliterative, and it conjures up an image of a bygone era. Featuring female countryfolk in the magazine and general ly using inclusive language in the articles may be more important than changing the name on We don't have these ques tions yet, so no radical changes can be made now. However, the staff has decid ed to introduce an explanatory line cover under the title on the front and a state ment on page two. Both will appear in each issue from now on, unless future semesters' staffs choose to remove them. the cover," McConnell-Ginet concluded. who can "owns" the a Countryman final decision? thereby make Sally McConnell-Ginet, professor of lin guistics on at and editor of several articles and sexist Cornell and author, co-author a book said sexist connota Renaming the Countryman implies abandoning one of the magazine's long standing traditions. Jane E. Hardy '53, ad visor to the Countryman and instructor of Print Media Laboratory, has been responsible for the magazine since 1975. "The Countryman is the oldest land-grant university magazine published by stu sue am language, depend on the context. "If you per sonify and speak of the countryman and tions dents in the U.S. and has not missed an is since the start in 1903," Hardy said. "I very concerned with biased language, but I don't think we should reconstruct the language to satisfy the needs his wife, Ginet. She word a yes, it is sexist," said McConnelldistinguishes between the to a English of male, and word that contains the suffix "man", "man," which refers or I can't see rewriting history." Language has become a symbol of at titudes, but adjusting the language may some. which may sexes. may not refer to both to "The suffix -man' used refer to all "We clear not, however, alter the attitude. need to get rid of some words, but I ly don't feel that 'countryman' is on top of citizens, but in many cases, women were not considered citizens. Men's perspec tives on the world have dominated and the the son list," said Hardy. "Besides, what would per new name be? Cornell CounUy shaped linked the discourse, and today it gets harder and harder to include everyone in takes away the nostalgia and tountryperson' isn't an accepted word. Cornell Country eliminates the specific reference to the -man' suffix. For many, it is to the closely independent 'man'," she too people in the College of Agriculture The Countryman name has remained unchanged and Life Science." since the early start in 1903. ^ THE PEST PATROL IS ON THE MARCH University research campaign to design new methods of controlling plant pests, methods which will probably surprise you. Scientists' latest weapons ers are in Ithaca. Cornell leading the in the war on pests include worms that seek out insects like guided missiles, killer wasps, and a beetle-killing flame thrower designed to put the heat on called parasitic nematodes to Japanese beetles, which cause millions of dollars of damage to farms worms the effect is impressive. "It's a really control and lawns. crop-destroyers. Three hundred researchers and tension ex specialists gathered in Ithaca in November 1990 to discuss pest control at the 52nd annual New York State Pest Management Conference. Sponsored by Cornell's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and by the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station, the conference showcased the latest ad vances "Basically, you can think of them as microscopic hypodermic needles," Vil lani explained. The worms, he said, car ry a toxin-producing bacteria. When Japanese beetles take over an area of soil, farmers or groundskeepers send a battalion of the nematodes into the beautiful system. It's as if you've got a guided missile." Villani 's research has shown potential for great success with the use of parasit ic nematodes. The worms consistently But, while performed optimistic, he shied away from predict ing the worms would eventually re place pesticide use altogether. A big fac tor, Villani well in the field. said, will be the future ground. Like all well-trained soldiers, the ene nematodes tirelessly seek out the performance of nematodes in the field. "That's the big 'if That's the $100,000 question." But while there are in the field of integrated pest management. my. Once they find an immature beetle, called a grub, the worms burrow into its facing the developers many questions of new pest con good working definition of in tegrated pest management is the in tegration of cultural, biological, and chemical methods of controlling pests," explained Department of Ento mology research associate Chris Geden. Geden said the 20-year-old field is concerned with fighting insects and other pests which destroy crops, lawns and gardens with as little chem ical use as possible. The use of bio-insecticides living "A — body and then literally do their work from inside enemy lines. The tox in produced by the bacteria in the nematodes trol systems, there are also questions for those continuing to use chemical controls. One of the biggest problems quickly kills the grub. The nematodes, along with the bacteria they carry, continue living and multiply inside the dying insect. "After a few weeks, you have hundreds of thou sands of nematodes in the Villani. "The is resistance. Plant growers are finding that pests are acquiring immunity to the traditional chemical controls. The situation has sent researchers back to the drawing board in the new grub," said ing up with pests. hope of com strategies to fight the grubs new burst and the beetles." nema creatures which can do the work of chemical pesticides was the topic of a speech given by assistant professor of — just how the nematodes track down the grubs isn't known. One possibility, he suggested, is that the worms todes go after Villani said fly, That most well-known of pests, the is no exception to the phenomenon of resistance. Geden ference about stable flies on spoke at the con battling houseflies and New York state to home in on carbon dioxide or soil insect lani ecology Michael Villani. Vildiscussed using microscopic dairy other wastes produced by the beetles. farms. No matter what the cause, Villani said many traditional chemical controls, the flies are more than just a nuisance. Houseflies spread Immune diseases among cattle and humans and stable flies to actually cause physical pain animals, Geden said. In an attempt to control the flies, — Chris Geden has enlisted the forces of an insect air force the killer wasps. "These wasps are specialized," Geden said. "They attack and live to do only one thingparasitize fly pupae." The pu pae are the cocoon-like stages from which adult flies emerge. The wasps track down these fly pupae (here again, tracking is not well un derstood), kill the young flies with their sting and lay their own eggs in the co coons. There's no danger from the wasps, Geden said, because the same A the method of fly killed by one of C! 'i {ha? oro':H.«r,r; &■■:•■, 'ie-der-'- funi. .ae ■.-■■; ■ ■ diseases explodes, showering the surrounding area .■• with spores specialization which makes the wasps so successful in fly control also keeps them from harming humans or animals. 4 WARS But the wasps also face many obsta cles which researchers have been try ing to define and eliminate, Geden add ed. Problems for the wasps include just pesticide spraying, which kills them off as effectively as it kills the flies, and manure poor management a on the part of farmers which leads to tion explosion. "It's sort of an arms race burners. Affixed to the back of the trac tor is the flamer 's fuel source— a 250 gallon propane tank. The flamer chugs along over young potato plants at speeds of three to four miles per hour anc performs the as tounding feat of killing potato beetles A parasitic wasp stings a fly pupae. The flies cause disease among humans and physical injury to animals. fly popula between the potato plants. "It's hard to comprehend," Moyer admitted. "But there's a certain heat that the while not harming for commercial use, Geden and Villani cautioned that their research is years away from completion and all three fly and the wasp," Geden said. "The fly gets through its life cycle in approxi mately two weeks. The wasp requires three or plants can't." well was can tolerate and the beetles playing has the four. Unless you try to level the field a little bit, the fly always Moyer's flame-thrower performed on the Long Island farm where it against ironclad state about the demise of pesticides or the rise of alternative pest control methods. ments scientists warned "It's going we to take three or four years advantage." experimented with a Geden has also tested. The propane flamer con trolled 80 percent of the potato beetle on the farm, much better than the 20 to 50 percent control usual ly provided by chemical pesticides. Ac problems fly-killing fungus. The fungus infects a fly and causes a curious change in the insect's behavior. Just before dying, the fly climbs to the highest object in the area and attaches itself. Shortly after death, it bursts open, showering the surrounding area with spores which become new fungi. While Villani and Geden have called out the ground and air troops to fight cording crease to Moyer, an effective propane flamer could increase yields and de why some things are working and why some aren't," said Villani. Geden agreed that change won't come overnight: "You're going to ultimately run into situations where pests just get out of hand. For the fore seeable a before know future, insecticides will ■ remain man pesticide use. That could trans late into a yearly savings of $500,000 for the New York potato farming com munity, he said. While Moyer's flamer is nearly ready component of integrated pest agement." by Alex J. Nussbaum '92 plant-destroying insects, potato and vegetable specialist Dale Moyer is roll ing out the heavy artillery. Moyer, an ex tension agent at Cornell's Cooperative Extension office in Suffolk County, New York, spoke a new at the conference about test— a device he is on helping to beetle-killing flame-thrower. The device operates potato farms against crop-eating Colorado potato beetles. "It's not a real complicated piece of equipment," Moyer said of the fire-breather, which his research group calls the propane flamer. "It's some thing you wouldn't think would work, but it seems to do the job." The flamer is a 12-foot-long boom which is mounted on the front of a tractor. On the boom, attached at threefoot intervals, are four pairs of propane The propane flamer. The University's cooperative extension agents in Suffolk County, New York, are testing a vehicle called the fire-breathing machine kills potato beetles while saving the plants. Exporting EACH YEAR MANY INTERNATIONAL Education students come to Cornell or seeking they cannot get some the education at University experience home. Although they decide to stay in the U.S. after complete their studies at Cornell, many take what they have learned back home or to other countries. Animal science graduate student Isabella Urbina, from Costa Rica, has decided to apply the findings from her research to agriculture at home. "I am using computers to develop nutrition management strategies for cattle," she said. With her IBM PS/2 she simulated cow a specified size and weight that would produce the most milk and be most economical to farmers in tropical regions. Since diet and general health determine the growth and size of a cow, Urbina has also figured out the best diet of a for these cows. Urbina conducted her research using data about the climate and environ ment in Costa Rica and other tropical regions. Apparently, the grass the cows graze on in Costa Rica is low in nutri tion. "Poor nutrition is one reason why mone something like bovine growth hor (BGH) will not work in Costa Rica. No matter what hormone you in home," she said, "I would want to ap ply my background to academics by taking a teaching position at a Greek university." If she ical method called "nonlinear trajecto ry optimization" Fastag tries to find the best way to heat the cans in the shortest time and with the least amount of steam chooses not to return to consumption and nutrient de Greece, Papaspyrou said, "I will focus my attention toward the study of inter national nutrition with a concentration struction. ject have the into the won't cows," she said, "they produce more milk unless they something to convert into milk." return to Fastag doesn't know if he will go a Urbina will Costa Rica in energy and protein malnutrition among children in developing coun on spring of 1991, taking her knowl edge and skills with her. "I want to go out and tell the tries. I hope to do additional research and field work farmers what their pos sibilities are and what I think would a by visiting various coun tries to analyze the existing situation." If she pursues this option, Papaspyrou work in India or work best for right away. He wants to job in the food industry in the U.S. "By staying in the U.S.," he said, "I will gain valuable working ex perience and perhaps my prospective employer will operate internationally." Fastag would be willing to return to first look for Mexico to be the company represen tative. back to Mexico plans Rica to get an them," she said. Urbina consulting job in Costa such as wants to in another developing country. Another food science in institution the or graduate stu When these international students University of Costa Rica, the Agency for International dent, Jacobo Fastag, from Mexico, is complete ter an their educations, they will en Development, the FAO the World Bank. Not all international students sure as are as Urbina as to what ply their studies to after from Cornell, however. Food science graduate student Salome Papaspyrou, from Greece, is studying food science with a they will ap they graduate studying food engineering, concentrat ing on the thermal processing of cans. He works with pilot plant- size retorts which commercially sterilize cans. "All the heating regimes we use can substan tially reduce the population of micro organisms, but the difference lies in the time it takes, the amount of steam con sumed and the degree of nutrient de struction in the food." the workforce. Each student has had opportunity to develop his or her skills and Cornell and will be knowledge while studying at ready to apply what have learned to the challenges choose to take, whether they de cide to reside in the States or in their they they own minor in country. ■ biochemistry. Papaspyrou is not sure if she will take her studies back to Greece. "If I go By using a computerized mathemat by Christina Yee '92 6 More by Betty Ng '91 efforts in for their The tages and disadvantages. "The tractor is mechanical and can be used around the the 'best' finding machinery agriculture." farm machines clock, whereas the animal needs to rest," Campbell said. "On the other hand, animal power does not demand money outlays. You don't exchange cash for animals because you can raise that power yourself." This factor is than Dibble Sticks TO SOMEONE WHO GREW UP IN A major problem, according to Campbell, is that farmers often inap propriately try ers to use used in other countries. in "Often, farm important, Campbell farmers try to cut countries try to use machines for which there is no training developing said, because costs most operation or maintenance support," Campbell said. "For example, in the United States, practically all cotton is picked by machines. When farmers in Ghana tried to use such cotton pickers, however, they encountered many difficulties. In order for these machines to work, the fields must be smooth, and desiccants must for possible. For example, Campbell pointed out, farmers in Third World countries often use a barter-type system, because many of them just may not have cash to buy diesel fuel to pow er when their machines. be used to dry the Campbell's book is not expensive, es pecially in Third World countries. "I didn't write the book to profit from it," Campbell said. "Though the book costs leaves first. The farmers in Ghana did not have this — just ly rural area, refer to To a a dibble stick might obvious to pointed tool used make holes in soil for seed someone planting. an ur who grew up in a ban area, mean . . . however, dibble stick might nothing. want to Those who so a learn about such can technology they had only part of the system." Thus, certain changes are necessary before moving from one system of technology to another. "Farm machin ery and tools have to be adapted to fit the local system of agriculture," Camp bell emphasized. "What works in one part of a country may not work in other part of the same country." an five not about $20 here, it costs less than [dollars] in the Third World. That is expensive for government planners who may need the book, which also explains the trade-offs in using different tools and machinery." Thus, the diversity of the book ex hand tools and farm machinery do through book called Dibble Sticks, Donkeys, and Diesels: Machines in Crop Production. Author Joseph K. Campbell, a professor in the Depart ment of Agricultural and Biological En gineering in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, and a farm imple ments expert, wrote the book to clarify farm mechanization for the lay person. "I teach an undergraduate course here in farm machinery," Campbell said. "My students are often new to the material and come in to ask me about different machines. This book should adaptation problem of foreign lands, it also exists in the United States. In fact, the prob lem occurs locally. "Some farmers here in New York state use large round balers [for hay] developed for use in the west ern states to bale hay rapidly," Campbell said. "Unfortunately, many of these farmers are then trying to fit large round bales into barns designed for small rectangular bales." Although Campbell's book covers machinery and mechanical power, it Though this ten arises in "Originally, the title was 'Field Machinery'," Campbell recalled. "What a dull-sounding name! Also, this book contains information not only on machinery, but on factors that deter mine which machinery to use and plains its title. different ways to use them as well. Even is dis transportation cussed. of farm more produce than ■ "The book is just ma chines and dibble sticks." help book them." to Campbell also wrote the help planners in developing also discusses draft animals, such horses " as and a oxen. Campbell term writes: countries who may not be familiar with different farm technologies. Campbell 'Draft' is is suitable for animals used in agriculture, for the animal's many such planners in his travels as advisor and consultant to organiza tions and governments around the meets strength useful work nearly always converted to by the animal pulling world in one places to such as Bangladesh trip — and to Indonesia. "Every year, fourin I take at least six-week usually Third World countries — people developing and work with countries who frequently don't know much about farm machinery," Campbell explained. ma "These people need appropriate chinery to cultivate the land, and not against a load." According to Campbell, animals and machinery complement each other functionally on a farm. "Basically, we're versus talking about using draft animals said. "In most using tractors," Campbell countries, the tractor is used for heavy work like tillage, and animals are often used for lighter work." can Campbell over afford to waste money on too many does not advocate one the other, since both have advan Campbell holds a jab planter, seed planter in the Americas. Prof. a commonly used A FOREST OF THERE IS MORE TO CORNELL THAN the campus on the hill above Cayuga Lake. Twenty miles southwest are 4,025 acres area. 100 years few Europeans came into the After a territorial dispute, a 1754 to were treaty signed in Paris gave the land the British. The Senecas out. of forests, fields, streams and ponds dedicated to teaching, research are driven After the American and demonstration. These lands Arnot the New York state gained title to the Revolution, land, was What is Arnot used for? "Support of research and teaching is the highest priority, followed closely by the obliga tion we sense to manage forest re sources to the best of our ability," said Teaching and Research Forest, administered by the Department of Natural Resources in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. The forest provides a unique setting for teaching and research. "People are able to do research on a managed area. Because it was extensively logged and burned New est and sold it to citizens. The forest Professor John W. Kelley PhD '68, director of the Arnot Forest since 1985. Before bought by John Rodbourn, who cut and shipped its timber to the east. Rodbourn mortgaged 1,641 acres during a recession, and lost it to foreclosure in 1910. In 1914 the estate of Matthias H. Arnot Kelley took over, no extensive forest management had been done. In 1985 Kelley and Schaufler divided the forest into six compartments of 57 identifiable forest stands, then invento ried the timber. The forest was proved bought the land. to the At that time, according bulle Cor to be overstocked and in need of are about 100 years ago, it is representative of woodlands in upstate over tin, the Department of Forestry nell tion and at York," said Donald Schaufler, for t recognized a need for a demonstra experimental forest. "The of the Arnot estate wanted to thinning. Large portions moving through the "Beech stands moved while of the forest American beech. Beech bark disease is New York trees A manager for the past six years. Cornell Cooperative Extension Arnot Forest: A Natural executors forests, are and sell the no forest, but the University had . . . older infected are dying. trees re bulletin, "The Resources Research and Teaching Area" describes the forest's history: before European contact, the Seneca people hunted in the area. In 1606, King James I of England gave the land to the Plymouth Company, and for the next In 1926, the money to buy it. heirs of the Arnot estate gave the land to the University." Cornell bought 292 acres thinned and of adjacent land and another 2,092 acres was deeded government in the 1950s, total to by the federal bringing the they still have value. Trees are sold 'on the stump' (standing) to mills and loggers," Schaufler said. He marks the trees and supervises their removal. Healthy and more desirable left and allowed to grow In 10 15 years when the next thinning is planned, the value of the timber will have risen. Income from timber and trees are to 4,025 acres. firewood sales is being used to maintain the forest. It is hoped that income generated rent can be used to further fund Cur student research and research internships. projects at the forest in clude a 60-acre project on the beech bark disease, and work comparing pear thrip damage on trees to the number of thrips in the soil. Schaufler hopes to in ventory the ponds and smaller vegeta tion of the forest complex. Providing could stimulate details "We on these areas research. are concerned with the quality of the not set next forest," Kelley said. Schau fler added, "We are working in areas aside for teaching and research put into practice the scientific forest programs Cornell has been recommending to woodlot man to management agers and serve as nn owners. We hope Arnot can an aerial view of ihe fie d campus in ihe 1960s. Visible around the clearing are cabins (left and right) the lodge (top) and he Se wjrtz dge (bottom). The swimming pool was filled in during the 1980s'. techniques lands." example of how forestry can be applied to forest 8 POSSIBILITIES Woodlot to owners are often reluctant practice forestry management for fear of disturbing the wildlife popula tion. "Good forestry is also good wild life management," Kelley said. Since thinning began at the Arnot, wildlife populations have increased as room is made for shrubs which and young trees, food for animals. provide In the northeast corner of the forest, erected gates and constructed truck, foot and horse trails. The forestry Expedition which 1889. The pole was visited Alaska in first erected on the . department's annual report for 1933- 1934 said "It is doubtful if the engineer ing projects could under our ordinary circumstances have been where it stood for campus than 20 years. In 1934 it was erected in the Arnot Forest." Fourteen . . [Cornell] more completed in feet have been is cut from the less than 20 to 25 pole and it years." becoming hollow and worn someone from the unsuc was not the only use of the government. "In World War II the federal government request Conservation elements. Schaufler has tried Arnot by three self-guided tours of managed stands have been set up using funds from the Ruffed Grouse Society. These cessfully to find preserving it. cross interested in ed the to stands demonstrate the use of the CCC camp buildings house 50 prisoners of war. But they had just arrived when victory was won The forest is open to the and other public for country skiing, hiking, picnics compatibility in of timber management and wildlife Europe and the prisoners were repatriated," according to the Cooper management. syr up from the sugar maples in part of the forest. The syrup is wholesaled to Cor nell's Dairy Store and orchards for retail sale. One third of each year is devoted to the sugarbush— producing ative Extension bulletin. maple Arnot not only has an unusual histo a totem ry, it has an unusual feature pole which stands behind the main — — Approximately 1,800 taps are in helps "Maple Syrup Production," a course taught by Kelley. "Woodlot Management" and "Forest Ecology" have also been taught at the forest. with stalled annually and 500 to 600 gallons of syrup produced. Schaufler lodge. According to the bulletin, "The totem pole was carved by the SalmonEaters, a clan of Tlingit Indians who lived along the coast of southeastern Alaska. This pole, which is very old, was removed from Cape Fox near the Alaska-Canada border by the Harriman . . . daytime uses. Hunting is al by permit. Hunters are asked to keep a journal detailing the extent of their hunting effort, what is taken and what animals they saw. Arnot Forest offers natural beauty, peaceful surroundings, an abundance of wildlife and possibilities for learning about woodlands that could help pre lowed serve the greatest resource — the land. by Janis Strope '86 The Arnot staff includes one Schaufler, field assistant and a caretaker who lives on the grounds. The field campus area includes cabins and a main lodge. The buildings have been used since the 1940s for 4-H conservation education summer 4-Hers. The ment of camps, and until last year, an annual camp was held for outstanding New York State Depart Environmental Conservation has also used Arnot for conservation education training camps.Cooperative Extension has held short courses and education programs for agents at Ar Unfortunately, liability issues and insurance costs have now forced cut backs in the use of Arnot by outside groups. The Civilian Conservation Corps used the camp from 1933-1937 to pro vide jobs during the Depression era. not. CCC workers built bridges, surveyed boundaries, ^f^P The Teachers and sportsmen's workshops were held at the camp during the 1960s and 1970s. also been rented to Cornell groups for retreats and planning sessions. did a topographic survey, stream improved forest stands and beds, planted trees, built fire buildings have breaks, 9 New Direction at the = Plantations by Joann M. Pezzano '92 ABANDONING SUNNY CALIFORNIA easy for not-so-sunny Ithaca cannot be an thing to do. But Dr. James Affolter was not the natural areas, which he sees as lot of lessons ern we can learn about West about to pass up the opportu nities that awaited him 3,000 miles away. Besides, gray skies alone could not have prevented this Syracuse native prime places to study rare species and practice ecological and conservation techniques. Affolter also said that universities have areas by studying Chinese medicine," he said. The garden prompt ed discussion about how to incorporate medicine some although similar other the of the Chinese ideas into our own to theories of medicine and healing. Af choosing shaping the beauty to from be an integral part of of the Cornell Cornell Plantations, many of those areas are located several miles from central campus and often go over looked by the university. "The fact that it us folter also spent six weeks in China learning first hand about healing tech campus. As the that — niques using plants cept — a popular develop can con new director of the Cornell is able to do in Chinese culture. Plantations, Affolter and add his just as [the Plantations] the own special seven touch well. After curator having spent of the botanical over as years as gardens at the at tive is contiguous gives opportunity to play a more ac role in the University," he said. sees Affolter would like to other types of gardens which addition to educate in providing aesthetic appeal. Affolter the Plantations as an im Whereas the Plantations has focused University of California folter took tations in in the Berkeley, Af portant bridge between the college of mainly on ornamental horticulture in director of the Plan agriculture and the June 1990, replacing acting believes that general public. He plants can serve as a can the past, Affolter would like to expand on more specialized collections here, director Carl sor Gortzig. Gortzig, profes Department of Floriculture a "springboard thus educate While at for discussion" and such This as and Ornamental a Horticulture, on an had people in other areas. Berkeley, for example, Af a the Heritage Garden Collection. garden features plant varieties than one an from more directed the Plantations basis for interim folter invested much of his time in his and is excellent hundred years ago example of man's in year and a half. the University searched for Meanwhile, someone to pet project — garden which featured are a Chinese medicinal herbs. "There permanently replace former director Robert Cook, who now supervises the Arnold Arboretum at Harvard Uni versity. In choosing Affolter, Cornell could not fluence on plants. Affolter sees such a garden inspiring interest in topics such as evolution and ecology. Several classes in the ag college cur rently use the Plantations for some of their laboratory classes. But Affolter said the Plantations' leaders will need to take the initiative to more areas have found someone who knows plants any better. Affolter was edu cated in plant taxonomy and received his classes to explore encourage even the natural around Cornell. his PhD from the University of Michi gan. But what was it that beckoned him away from Berkeley? "Cornell is a great Affolter, however, realizes education is not the only purpose of the Planta tions. The beauty of the gardens and gorges cannot be denied, and the scen ery can serve as a place to reduce stress and university with an excellent program in plant science. I'm interested in how we can use the botanical gardens here for research and education, particularly with respect to conservation of environment." our forget important is to be a place and take a troubles. "One of the most functions of the Plantations where or people a can come five- ten-minute walk and Affolter said he nation of was also attracted to just relax," he said. "It's sad fact that Cornell because of the areas run unique combi the Plantations. by many students go through four years here without realizing all the Planta tions has to offer." In addition to the botanical and the FR. Newman gardens Arboretum, the Plantations also maintains over 2,000 acres With his tremendous the world of background in plants, new educational it is ob of the natural areas in Tompkins Dr. Jim Affolter took over as ideas, and the director of the concern for ecology, County, including the gorges and Bee be Lake. Affolter would like to add to vious that Affolter has a lot to offer Cor Cornell Plantations in June, 1990. nell as well. ■ 10 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday w E A T H E R FOR CENTURIES, PEOPLE HAVE ASKED, what's the weather going to be like tomorrow? it worked for our forefathers, to it should work for us." Another reason folklore is the out proaches within 24 hours. According to Emrich, farmers that cobwebs on believe Nowadays people see turn on persists, according there Wysocki, the television to What about the latest forecast. belief that "some unknown force is the grass are a sign of fair weather and that "when dew is on the grass, rain will come to pass." Em rich explained that both items are true. He wrote that cobwebs can checking cobwebs on the front lawn or cutting up an onion on New Year's Day? Are these off-the-wall ideas, or do they actually predict the coming weather? According to the 1991 Ithaca weath er calendar, people still have trouble forecasting the weather. Though data bases, computers and satellites now controlling the weather." Some people believe animals and plants are in contact with this force. be seen on popular myths sur rounds the groundhog. Every year on February 2, people wait for this animal to emerge from its hole. Legend has it that if the groundhog sees its shadow, winter will be around for six more One of the most the grass only when covered with dew. a wind Since two perfect conditions — less and cloudless night — create the fine dew, Emrich concluded that a weather will continue for at least or more. day aid meteorologists in observing the weath er, many legends from centuries ago still theme of this with persist. Weather folklore is the year's weather calendar. One piece of folklore which deals predicting the weather for the up coming year involves the use of an on ion. According to Duncan Emrich's book Folklore on the American Land, on New Year's Eve, follow this proce dure: cut an onion down the middle Rarely do people follow up on furry creature's "prediction." Groundhog Day is a popular media event, not a very good forecasting tool. How about the familiar adage "April showers bring May flowers"? According to Wysocki, things "happen to work out that way." He said that in the north east, this saying has some validity; dur ing April and May, winter officially ends, the ground thaws and plants weeks. the Another good forecaster is the crick et, an animal the weather calendar calls "a poor man's thermometer." According to show that the number of experiments chirps in a 14-second period, plus 40, is the air within one degree temperature Fahrenheit. the calendar, scientific Intrigued? One of the ing pieces of unfounded more interest folklore in the calendar is that the date of the first and remove 12 half onion shells, for each of the 12 months of the year. Place one teaspoonful of salt on each shell. At 6:00 to as a.m. on New Year's Day, according blossom. Even fruits and other crops are used to predict weather. According to the calendar, one unfounded legend is that snowfall in November tells the number of snowstorms for the entire winter ahead. For falls ca example, if the first as snow on November 12, it did in Itha Emrich, read the forecast for the year follows: if the salt is moist, that par ticular month will be moist. Meteoro logically speaking, this theory has to be tough apple skins foretell a hard winter. Wysocki noted that tough skins form in response to conditions during But this year, 12 snowstorms will occur for the rest of the winter months. Wysocki challenged readers to test the the summer, such nutrients. The seems to as a lack of rain or theory winters. this winter and in future grain Why does such folklore persist? Meteorologist Mark Wysocki MS '89, an instructor in the Department of Soil, Crop and Atmospheric Sciences and a taken with of salt. adage persists sense — because it make thick skins insu late the plants from are a cold winter. people their The weather calendar encourages to test out these theories and own co-editor of the weather calendar, to According meteorologists can't Wysocki, predict weather flawlessly, people fall back on folklore and often challenge scientists to prove the legends wrong. Wysocki added that people assume "If reasons. offered several just tall tales, some ancient legends are, according to the calendar, "meteorologically valid." For example, when a halo is present around While many the moon, the weather will be wet and rough. The weather calendar explains folklore as well. Readers have already folklore. of these written to Wysocki with new Experiments may prove some folklores to be valid. new when The 1991 Ithaca weather calendar is available from that cirrus clouds, which are responsi ble for these halos, are forerunners of storm Ithaca, NY 1113A Bradfield Hall, 14853. The price is $6.00. systems. A storm generally ap- by Jeffrey S. Popow '91 LEGENDS n The naked mole-rat is a virtually hairless mammal about three inches in length. naked mole-rat colony. found to J This average coefficient was be a mother and extremely high. While \ her relatedness of .50, results of show that members of a naked! study mole-rat colony, on the average, have a i relatedness of .81 (±.10). "It is have a child, which share half their genes, ; the^ the^ I highest coefficient of relatedness of any mammal in nature we know of/' saidf Sherman. But how does this relate to or more altruism, specifically, reproductive altru , ism? For years scientists have been struggling to explain altruistic behavior in light of Darwin's hypothesis of evo lution by natural selection. Reproduc tive altruism, the behavior exhibited an individual forsakes its pd% reproduction to help others re produce, seemingly contradicts Dar win's reasoning that an individual's?! when sonal The Altruism by Maria Politis '92 SELFISH ALTRUISM: AT FIRST the idea seems chief editor of a recently published book about naked mole-rats. THOUGHT, case absurd. But in the a For nine years, Sherman has kept colonies of naked mole-rats in clear plastic tunnel systems under dark, hu primary reproductive interests are its3 own. According to Darwin, individual^ should strive to reproduce and will na^ urally compete to do so. But, naked mole-rats do this model; few mate and not follow of the naked mole-rat, three-inch-long mid conditions their To get their ed DNA hairless mammal from Africa, the con cept is not as far-fetched as it sounds. How so? A recent designed underground burrows samples to simulate test in nature. results, the researchers discovery about the genetic relatedness of individuals with in colonies of the group-living, highly social, subterranean naked mole-rat, or Heterocephalus glaber, goes a long way in answering this question. The discovery, the result of a team ef fort of Cornell behaviorists and geneti cists, led by doctoral student H.Kern Reeve reveals that individuals within taken from 50 naked mole-rats that died of natural causes. The DNA relatively reproduce. Only one female per colony ovulates, mates and repro duces, having four or five litters of individuafe| samples as then underwent a about 10 young each per year. In fact, the queen behaviorally and chemically,! process known "fingerprint ing." According professor of population genetics and develop ment Charles F. Aquadro, in whose lab to associate DNA prevents other females from ovulating. These females as well as other colony members of both sexes help to feed and protect the queen and her young, which are often their brothers and sisters. \ ■'■ the genetic gerprinting" cuses on work is a was done, DNA "fin technique which fo underground naked mole-rat colonies arc nearly genetically identical, that is, almost like -hones are a-, e :•>.,<.; ;■■ ! he n-.tked mole-rats the variation in parts of DNA that typically are highly variable. Be cause of a high rate of mutation, he ex plained, there will be lots of variation among individuals. This variation, continued Aquadro, was key to the study; it was the varia tion between "fingerprints" which was measured to or ft'ftft-. '-■■•-'.' ■. ftftfftf ;>■■■.•• •■.K::.il!y >is laboratory f.,ft ftft--. '.ni.spririg ol' a ft, puzzle was, why doesn't the in (naked mole-rat) reproduce?" said Sherman. "Why this extreme form of reproductive altruism?" In order for altruism to "agree" with Darwin's the "The dividual ory, it must be beneficial to the in dividual's genes in the end. In the case of the naked mole-rat, it is. Because of its ness ner ''■'>ft<^ ftfti' rated tor (1 > gv-neraftfftf:..fti\ftf .is'vaeiate professor of >ftftft\- ftjfti and behavior Paul W. -..\-.uft i ■ determine the Sherman, director of the study and average a coefficient degree of relatedness in high level of with other members of its related colony, naked mole-rat, in essence, doesn't really need to reproduce personally. In a produce on one's own, especially since the queen will suppress her offspring's out, by disease, for man. example, the tunnel system may remain," explained Sher stead, others sisters it can perpetuate its genes in with directly by working together This to to insure that its brothers and (the queen's young) survive. reproductive sacrifice is similar that of some insects, such as termites, ants and some species of bees and wasps, which also cooperate to raise the queen's young. In the latter three groups, sisters are more closely related than are mothers and offspring. "Help ing raise siblings is reproductively self ish," said Sherman. In essence, he con tinued, "It takes the altruism out of reproduction attempts. The same ecological conditions that favor group living promote inbreeding within the colony. Because naked mole-rats stay within their colonies, few if any, foreign males will be present in the colony, and the queen will mate with native males already closely relat ed to her. "There is inbreeding because they're forced into it," said Sherman. Besides discovering a high level of genetic relatedness among naked molerats within a colony, the researchers also found that colonies located within two miles of one another are similar ge colony broke their way into colony had previously occupied and then isolated themselves, a If tunnels another he reasoned, then what appears separate colonies were to be two originally just one. Basically, the fissioning of one colony into two has occurred. Current and future plans include studing the levels of relatedness among colonies located further apart than altruism." The behavior of the naked mole-rat is comparable in concept, he said, as the individuals are also very previously considered. Aquadro and Sherman hope that further study of the genetic structure of colonies over large geographic regions will provide insight into the ecology and evolution of this remarkable mammal. ■ netically, leading them to believe that nearby groups stem from a common ancestor. closely related. According to Sherman, this extreme ly close level of relatedness originally in hard dirt, they if a "Since the tunnel systems are can last a long time. So even colony has been wiped that Isn't stems from the ecological conditions in which the naked mole-rats live. For ex ample, the species, native to the east African countries of Kenya, Ethiopia and Somalia, live in isolated groups of about 75. What they call home is a vast, intricate tunnel system where mem bers, like the social insects, work to gether to survive. Smaller, younger naked mole-rats of both sexes will dig the rock-hard tunnels with their promi nent teeth, forage for food, build the nest and larger, keep the tunnels clean while older members defend the colo ny against invaders and predators. As a result, a naked mole-rat living on its own would have a very tough time surviving. So, most of the time, naked mole-rats stay put in the colony where they were born. "An individual just doesn't leave," said Sherman. "So, what is it going to do? It can't reproduce on its own, but rather If the mother, can through its siblings." supply a large num these re ber of genetically it pays to work toward than try to siblings' survival rather siblings, continued Sherman, Associate Professor Paul W. Sherman holds two naked mole-rats in clear plastic tubing such lab. The tubing is used as an artificial tunnel system for the animals. as that in his 13 » Une Deuxieme Langue % Second Language Una by Chris McManus '91 Segunda Lengua would be able lish with to communicate in Eng a contact with a professionals, who have university education. Few field work IMAGINE ATTENDING AN INTERNA- tional conference a on nutrition in the Third World in Mexico City and not un being derstanding said with the exception of uno, dos, tres. Worse yet, picture finding a study word of what is that you need subjects, on the other hand, would be able to speak English. Garza himself worked in a pediatric hospital in Mexi co. He said that only a few doctors were fluent in English and none of the tech nical staff were. non-English speakers. "In setting, you may only be ad ministering a study and may not be in the field. It is still important to be in command of the language to better un derstand what is going on. Think about how language influences culture and work how culture influences lisk said that gualism, agricultural tech niques in Mozambique or in the Ivory Coast and not being able to read it be on cause you don't understand French. have Languages even separated cultures, centu coun in the area of research, for ries. Many non-English speaking tries now require all students to learn Despite obvious advantages to bilinthere is no language require ment in the ag college. Coordinator of Student Services Donald Burgett '62, explained that although foreign lan guage proficiency is not necessary for a degree in the ag college, there are no limitations for ag students on language courses offered in other colleges and many students do take advantage of them. Guatemala language." Con speaking Spanish while in opened up a new way of may seem more thinking for her. A foreign language relevant to some areas of study than others. Prof. Richard A. Ledford, PhD. '62, chair of the Department of Food Science, said that unlike the nutrition division and rural sociology depart English to overcome this barrier. Be cause English has become the universal language, many Americans opt not to study a second language, assuming that they can get by with English. Several professors and graduate students from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences disagree with this idea. Professor Cutberto Garza, head of the Division of Nutritional Sciences, stated that Cornell students from every ment, the food science department does not have programs or field stud ies in the Third World. Still, Ledford Prof. George J. Posner from the Department of Education stated that he believes the ag college, of all the col leges at Cornell, should have a foreign language requirement. Posner said he believes that Cornell's future is international scene. on strongly encourages all of his advisees to take up a second language at Cornell, especially for students who expect to work abroad research are or deal wdth international topics. the Garza said that French and Spanish The ag college has international ties, through re strong search and projects, with the Third especially important for research in the Third World. Spanish is necessary Latin America for and even Brazil, World, he said. Furthermore, the Col where it is spoken in addition to Por college should learn a second is and added that most American Spanish language especially distinct useful in the nutrition field. He said that students are at a lege's interest in agribusiness increas ingly requires an understanding of the global economy. "Most of the graduates from Cornell do over tuguese. French is useful for work in Africa. "I would be equally pleased if all not go home and take students learned German, Chinese or Japanese, but at least one other lan disadvantage because they don't speak a foreign language. "In business it is much The more effective own to deal with family farm anymore," he said. "Cornell is producing international leaders in agriculture." A second lan the guage," he said. In fact, Garza even sug that students try to be trilingual. gests He added that eastern languages have become foreigners conducts in their language." division countries 22 nutritional research Latin sciences in guage would be useful for many stu dents who will inevitably deal with increasingly important. a Garza career said students should make non-English speakers. Graduate student Elizabeth Conlisk '87 spent almost two choice first and then choose throughout America, Africa, Asia and the South Pacific. A second lan guage is especially useful in field work, which often deals, with non-profession years in Guatema a language. Burgett said that he doesn't foresee a language requirement for the ag college la, researching the effect of improved childhood nutrition on a in the near als, workers student <.' hr'ncrs. In most i< eases ;,no •_,. luates working abroad life. She agrees that a crucial for students who person's adult foreign language is anticipate any Garza, dents to Posner are future. In the meantime, and numerous other professors encouraging une their stu ■ learn deuxieme Ian-Rue. 14 GEROW D. BRILL: Agricultural Missionary A WESTERN UNION TELEGRAPH SENT Gerow D. Brill, class of 1888, on July 8, 1897 read, "Government Wuchang to Brill accepted, come immediately] to — by Catherine G. Healy '92 But Brill's biggest frustrations were that land Zhang on had not yet procured any which to build the model farm no one and that the without assistants." The cable, which seemed to have the in the government authority to assist lies in the Brill Collection of Cornell's archives, had been written by Sidney Partridge an Episcopal missionary liv ing in Wuchang, China representing Zhang Zhidong, governor general of Hupei and Hunan provinces. This mes sage would change Brill's life, for he had been accepted to go to China and become a missionary one of the first Americans to share western technology with the Chinese. Brill came equipped with the latest knowledge and farming techniques from the Cornell University College of Agriculture. — — — a Stross says that Zhang of Hupei took middle-of-the-road stance on the is College's leader. Brill wrote to Zhang for months, getting little re sponse. On April 8, 1898 he wrote, "As yet nothing definite has been done in as sue: he believed that Chinese tradition the way of securing land for a farm; and my assistant will soon be out with etcetera I am should be preserved, but also realized seeds, trees, to very anxious improving his peoples' lives with new ideas. He began inviting westerners to bring their knowledge into Hupei. Zhang's interest in reforms extended beyond agricul ture. the foolishness of not have someplace to set them. At best it will be very late in the season." Two years some elapsed before Zhang secured land, but the military appropriat after. One of Brill's last letters his frustration: "I ed it to soon New ideas in other fields also Zhang expressed job at age 33, was chosen for the of starting China's first agricultural school and model farm. According to Brill, caught his attention. At Partridge's urging, Zhang that an decreed The Stubborn Earth Brill's in background by Randall Stross, included "the latest training and practical agricultural experience, and he was academic Hupei for two or three years to be in charge of teaching students in agriculture. The new school, named the Hupei Agricul ture College and Experimental Farm, founded to introduce American methods of cultivation and American was American be sent to wish to say that I have no fault to find with anyone in particular, but the sys tem under which we are working is en tirely wrong. ..." Stross explains that and Brill early the in 1900, Zhang end agreed at that Brill would his contract school six willing to go to China." Not everyone was willing to go to live in China at that time, for at the cen turn, China was a country of un distrust of foreigners plus Chi na's need to modernize led to widely about the future of tury's crops. The farm, wrote Brill later, fo cused on experimental work and illus trated "the teaching of agriculture and its allied branches to the students that rest. A later may come there." differing opinions the country. A History of the World by Marvin Perry describes the situation: "Al though they respected western tech nology, many Chinese officials still jected western ideas." The Chinese re feared that westernization would wipe on out ancient traditions, and bring and like pollution problems of technology, The people were unemployment. and provincial or split on this matter, often left to local governments were make the decisions. According to Stross, Brill arrived in Wuchang in the fall of 1897 full of high The Chinese hopes which soon fell. was in turmoil, unrest was government brewing, and Zhang seemed to ques tion his decision to employ Brill. Brill's problems began in the school's first se mester, when only ten students, most ly city boys with no knowledge of agriculture, matriculated. This first class of students also knew no English and .to lacked discipline. Brill wrote, ". teach English and other elementary studies is not really our work." . Hupei province to travel in China as an agricultural ex plorer for the United States Department of Agriculture. Gerow Brill had put in a noble effort at the Hupei Agricultural College and Experimental Farm. The college lived on under the direction of Japanese agriculturalists for eleven years. Perhaps the time had not been right for a westerner to open a college in China, or perhaps the provincial government a was too months early. He left preoccupied see with be China in turmoil to that the the Hupei for College Agricultural strengthened. Whatever should reasons complished Brill's shortened stay in China, he ac a great deal by building a foundation for agricultural trade be tween the nations, and made Cornel lians proud to call Brill one of their own. ■ 15 SUPE R Today are SPROUTS: THEY ARE EVERYWHERE! it seems in no matter what sand or entree you order there always sprouts nearby. These sprouts are just one sampling of the al wich, salad falfa industry in the United States. Your a product of alfalfa, glass by cows into a healthy drink. processed Sprouts, milk and alfalfa are three different parts of the agricultural in dustry. Cornell University, considered one of America's leading research institu tions, is also a member of the agricul tural industry. Ever since the first chem of milk is also ical formula was mixed in a Cornell a laboratory, continually Cornell researchers have made strides in wide spectrum of fields ranging from the im provement of machinery for cars to the development seems of that whenever areas improved tomatoes. It a breakthrough is of science, health or made in the agriculture there is inevitably a Cornell connection. What is the connection between al falfa sprouts, your glass of milk and the scientists of a leading research institu tion? A team of Cornell scientists has six new just developed alfalfa varieties. These varieties have the withstand attacks capacity to by up to five alfalfa- attacking fungi or bacteria. by Kathryn Lancioni '92 The defensive new varieties is fa is grown silage and pasture for their farms. Alfalfa capabilities of these important because alfal by farmers to produce hay, across hay is grown the United States These with about 88 million tons of alfalfa produced annually by growers. 88 million tons translate into approxi mately value. seven billion dollars in market varieties were The newest developed by ed a team by of Cornell researchers head scientists Donald R. Viands and William Pardee, both members of the Department of Plant Breeding at Cor nell. Four of the new varieties — Medal were lion, Pinnacle, Saber and Victory released These to — companies companies, in turn, produced seed in 1989. seed for commercial sale in the spring of 1990. These varieties were sold to growers in the northeastern section of the U.S. Seeds of the other two varie plug the alfalfa plant's "plumbing," preventing water and nutrients from reaching the upper parts of the alfalfa plant. internal isms attack and amount of pesticides used to grow and maintain alfalfa crops. Pardee said the ability scientists now have, as shown by the new varieties, of Eclipse and Majestic are cur rently being produced and will be avail able to growers in the spring of 1991. Within the huge alfalfa market in the U.S., explained Pardee, "We need many ties — — Because of their resistance, the new resistant to disease will come some alfalfa varieties have surviving the new a better chance of than varieties susceptible to the soil-borne diseases. Scientists hope develop varieties help them over these problems. "We to now must work on so sect resistance, growers ways to increase in can reduce different varieties of alfalfa." Each alfalfa productive reducing variety has its own special properties, making some varieties more appropri ate will extend the life of alfalfa crops, bringing increased income to alfalfa growers and varieties the amount of kill pesticides they need to crop-destroying bugs," said Pardee. than others for certain new areas of the been country. The varieties developed have producing milk. Alfalfa research and development has been an important program at Cornell since the cost of The newest varieties from Cornell's alfalfa research program were devel oped using breeding stock known for their by Cornell researchers designed specifically for eastern the climates and soils characteristic of the north section of the U.S. ing to the development of numerous of alfalfa as 1946. Cornell scientists, accord Pardee, have been responsible for varieties for their ties will top-notch forage production and ability to survive in a variety of new climates. Pardee feels these varie Among the well as strains of clover, The six varieties, for example, Victory and Eclipse are the most winter-hardy mak suited for grasses and other forage legumes. ing them the best cold climates. These new extremely a varieties contain bred-in resistance to the five most serious soil- borne diseases affecting alfalfa sprouts. Soil-borne diseases, because they actu ally live in the soil surrounding the plant, cannot be controlled by pesti cides. Three diseases the are um guiding objective of this research and development program since its onset, according to Pardee, has been to de velop crop varieties that can resist in and diseases, improve crop sects production and enhance the en vironment. "improve the farmers' ability to remain competitive and produce a high quality product." The new varieties are, in fact, examples of a rapidly emerging group of new alfalfa varieties with mul tiple disease resistance. These new va rieties are coming from alfalfa research and development projects underway all team over the U.S. Pardee said the Cornell research Two of the program's biggest new varieties resistant to are verticillium, fusari- challenges, during its 46-year life, have been to find ways to increase plant re sistance to diseases attacking alfalfa crops and to attempt to reduce the working to improve the nutri tional quality of alfalfa varieties. In up coming months, the team plans to re is also lease additional varieties of alfalfa with built-in resistance to ers an even and bacterial wilts. These organ larger spectrum of diseases. Cornell research also have an active program aimed ene at producing varieties resistant to mies of alfalfa like the alfalfa weevil. Cornell's research and development of alfalfa will continue for a long time. Many of the alfalfa varieties developed at Cornell over the past 46 years have by breeders all over the U.S. as "breeding materials for developing other commercially useful varieties," been used said Pardee. next time you encounter a of sprouts in your sandwich or clump you drink a glass of milk, think twice about what you are digesting. Those products stem from one of a farmer's So, the most valuable crops and one of a Cor nell research team's most important ■ Alfalfa seeds for cows. are from hay for fields to pasture used to manufacture many different types of products ranging projects. P AMONG THE STRAWBERRIES PEST CONTROL HAS ALWAYS BEEN said Pritts. "The interseeded crop for farmers, commer cial growers and others who choose to grow their own gardens of fruits and concern of great vegetables. Scientists and commercial growers have known for many years that there are certain plant species, that when grown as cover crops, act as poor hosts for crop diseases. These plants also efficiently suppress the growth of destructive weeds and repel insects. can during winter, leaving nothing but strawberry plants in [the] spring. This is essentially what a straw berry grower would want." So samples of marigold, fescue and sudangrass were seeded between rows after berry harvest. would then die (Poast). In order not to kill the grass, ap proximately one-twentieth of a normal dosage must be used and it is applied when the grass is about the same height as the strawberries. This method has presently proven successful in control ling the height of the sudangrass. Interest in this system of weed has con However, although these cover crops have proven satisfactory for many or chards and vineyards, their use in small fruit crops such as strawberries has not been extensively explored. years ago, Professor Mar vin Pritts, from the Department of Fruit two Unfortunately, not all the samples proved successful. The marigolds com peted with the strawberries for water and thus weakened the growth of the crop. The fescue grass also competed with the strawberries for the various nutrients in the soil. "The trol in strawberries The an mensely. growers use grown im of sudangrass offers alternative to use. heavy herbi cide and chemical The ultimate goal of such research will or eventually lead to reduction some ence elimination of sudangrass pests while also reducing interfer with About be the most ideal," said Pritts. Although it did not necessarily to seemed strawberry crops. If the sys and Vegetable Science, began research ing and experimenting with various preplant cover crops for strawberries. The ideal satisfy all the ideal requirements, the sudangrass successfully suppressed nematodes and weeds. The grass posed one problem, however it grew too — successful, growers might be able to eliminate all pre-emergent her bicides and fumigants from strawberry tem is cropping systems. There ever. are still some concerns, how crop would have to prove efficient in reducing weed levels, reducing nematode levels and improv cover tall. Thus, the result was an over shadowing would have of the strawberries which ing Pritts is still in the process of find out what effects the adoption of ing soil nutrient ter content. It a status and organic mat as would also have to act non-host for insects and diseases. Finally, this plant would have to be easy The next and inexpensive to establish. phase was choosing several cover crops to test. "The [cover] crop eventually led to a slow de cline of the strawberry planting. Currently, Pritts is working on a few solutions for the problem of height control in the sudangrass. He suggested that grass planted later in the season may mow eases. this system will have on insects and dis The results could be either posi tive or negative. One effect may be an increase in the insects and crop dis eases. But it is also possible, explained Pritts, that the strawberries may be harder for the insects to not grow as tall. One could also find. But, all in would grow between the strawberries and out-compete the weeds or displace any weeds that might try to grow, yet not compete with the strawberry plant," on a the grass to about twelve inches regular basis, but this would be all, the final objective is "to anticipate the future needs of growers," said Pritts. time consuming. A faster and easier way was found with the use of a selec tive grass herbicide called sethoxydim by Wendy E. Austrie '91 18 by Dana A. Celentano '91 LITTLE MISS MUFFET IS PROBABLY still the only person to use as a di whey etary staple. Since the 1970s, though, scientists have been studying ways to use A Future dairy center The project 'examines foaming property of whey and its application in whipped products. To obtain the whey proteins betalactoglobulin and alpha-lactalbumin, the the the lactose, salts and fat must be re moved from the whey, said Phillips. The protein solution is freeze-dried to this byproduct of cheese tion. Researchers in the produc Department of Food Science and in the Northeast Dairy Foods Research Center at Cornell University are currently developing uses for whey in the food industry. Whey is the liquid solution of lac protein and minerals that remains making cheese. About 85 to 90 percent of the original quantity of milk is whey; for instance, 100 pounds of milk yields ten pounds of Cheddar cheese and 90 pounds of whey. Historically, whey has been consid ered a waste product; the cheese indus try often disposed of it by dumping it into streams. By the 1950s, there were fewer but larger cheese plants, and the dumping practice was lethal: the algae population in the streams exploded, and fish died from the pollution. Twen ty years ago, environmental protection laws against this method of whey dis posal prompted serious study of prac tical uses of whey, according to Jona than Hopkinson, a graduate student in the Department of Food Science. Whey tose, after for Whey feels 5 percent moisture at neutral filtered. The resulting solids be pH, can then then sandy and leaves a gritty feeling in the mouth that won't go away." Hop kinson pointed out that the Cornell dairy plant cream. does not use whey in its ice Currently, whey research at Cornell primarily involves using sweet whey in baking. Whey varies in its composition and its functional properties, said grad uate student Lance Phillips. "When we talk about utilizing whey, we have to understand it said ical on whipped "right up out of the bowl," as Phillips put it. How can the foaming function of whey be applied in baking? Bread is a solidified foam, Phillips explained; it contains air. Egg white is often the main ingredient for holding the air in breads or cakes, but whey protein is less ex pensive than egg. Industries that use whey protein instead of egg can oper ate at lower cost and give more busi ness to the dairy industry. A problem Phillips has seen is that companies do not share information for fear of competition. When scien tists research and report improved processes, "We end up reinventing the wheel a lot of times." Phillips noted that, although the United States Depart ment of Agriculture does support food research, it emphasizes study in the field much less than other nations do. "In New milk most the chemical level," had sometimes been used as animal feed, but to a now the goal was to use process it in human Phillips. Understanding composition of whey is one of the biggest challenges in the three-year proj ect Phillips is co-investigating through Understanding the makeup and characteristics of beta-lactoglobulin helps scientists develop uses for whey proteins. the chem Zealand, they make dry nonfat products, and the U.S. imports quality suitable for food. Cheese-making produces two kinds of whey, sweet and acid. Making Ched dar cheese yields sweet whey; cream cheese yields acid whey. The propor tions of the components of whey vary as well; the solids in sweet whey from Cheddar cheese manufacture are typi cally 80 percent lactose. Hopkinson, a former product tech nologist for the dairy producer Dairylea, explained the use of sweet whey in the manufacture of ice cream. "Whey protein aerates the ice cream. That adds to its stability. Whey is used boost the solids content of the ice cream, and it's less expensive than milk solids," he said. He noted the draw backs of using whey: "It adds a 'whey to products like Coffee Mate Whip. Technological ad vances made here are not usually ap plied to industry," he said. "Industries need to hire technical people to trans late [technology] into something they of it for and Dream can use." Phillips added that the existence and work of the dairy center can help the food industry as a whole. "If a compa to maintain ny doesn't have the money research and development group, we are a good source that's often over looked," he said. "Companies that a don't utilize whey don't make money," he said. "They may break even, but won't make a profit because of the they waste-treatment costs." technology has finally improved upon an old nursery rhyme. Little Miss Muffet would be pleased that dairy research is making whey an important ingredient It seems that caught up with and flavor— slightly cheesy, slightly oxi a in many foods, and she would be ■ im dized, able lactose and little rancid. It adds consider not much protein. It pressed with the benefits of whey utili zation to the environment. 19 BEASTLY BEE FILMS THAT YOU CAN pick up at your local video store in- been to clude The Swarm, Terror Out of the Sky, The Savage Bees and The Killer Bees. In moving northward at a rate of 200 300 miles per year since its accidental escape from captivity in Brazil in the aggressive Africanized bee sole reality, — as on film, the stars of late 1950s. The more bees races these horror movies— the Africanized honeybees are swarming toward a have that displaced European were previously the at city near you. Though the press, the United States Department of Agricul- honeybees ca in North and South Ameri- and have least temporarily disrupt- ptimistic ture and (USDA) and American beekeepers entomologists are concerned, these bees aren't as scary as Hollywood makes them look, according to Profes sor Roger Morse '50, MS '53, PhD '54. Morse, professor of apiculture in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences' Department of Entomology, has studied Africanized bees for ed apiculture in every country into they have advanced. Though Mexico marks the northern most extent of the bee's spread, swarms of Africanized bees have occasionally which been found in the United States since 1984. The and killed most recent one was trapped into by the USDA in Texas in Oc is immi 19 years. He believes that with proper and the management breeding, Africanized bee will not or tober, 1990. The entry of the bee the U.S. in nent ers significant numbers are and the USDA, the press, beekeep de threaten the and entomologists roots concerned. beekeeping, agriculture Morse's is a public The of this concern are health in the United States. cades old. Morse has traced alarm over saying some we are minority viewpoint. "I'm going to work our way are ex Africanized bees in the U.S. in the to an article around this situation and there that say we 1965, issue of September Time which first used the phrase "kill 2-i. Time took the can't do that," he er plained. the All this controversy centers around tiny, but feisty, Africanized bee, a bees" in this country. Morse believes phrase from propaganda the sor in Brazil military government then in power produced to discredit Profes (Kerr had hybrid of the African honeybee (Apis mellifera scutellata) and the European honeybee (Apis mellifera). According to "The Africanized Honeybee," an article by Morse and Scott Camazine in the September-October P)88 issue of s\merican Warwick Kerr, the scientist who in certain actions of the troduced the bees into Brazil. protested Since regime.) the Time article, an four horror movies, books and have been written with occasional article the "killer Scientist, the hybrid has bees" theme. canized bees were introduced into Bra zil, they rapidly displaced European A small swarm of Africanized bees surrounds the bad as people thought, one wouldn't be caged queen bee in this student's hand. "If things doing things like that," Morse said. were as Concerned groups have three prin cipal fears according to Morse. First, they believe that the bee's aggressive ness will be a public health hazard. Second, they fear the tendency of Africanized bees scond more scare ther away from people. The absence of stories about Africanized bees in Brazil and in their native Africa is evi dence that these a to swarm and to ab bees. techniques work. Like Morse, Marcia Pirmez, who was commercial beekeeper in Brazil for before see honeybees, and the country's beekeep ing industry declined. Over the next several years, Brazilian beekeepers learned to use breeding and the man agement techniques that Morse advo cates to work successfully with the hybrid. Today the beekeeping industry in Brazil is flourishing. Honey production takes place in areas where it did not was easily European Third, they think the Africanized bee as than eight years does not on, you the bee's moving to New York, aggressiveness as before and is ten times greater than it prior to the introduction of the good a honey producer European bees it will displace. Morse readily admitted that African ized bees are more aggressive than Eu ropean bees. Though an individual sting from an Africanized bee is no worse than that of a European bee, as will not be problematic. can the "Once you put the clothes work [with Africanized can Africanized bee. Both pessimists and optimists agree that the Africanized bee's resistance to bees] as well as you [bees] here," she said. work with Africanized bees can react three times faster to an intruder, can inflict ten stings and will pursue ag gressors over longer distances, Camazine and Morse explained in their American Scientist article. "They are as times many Proper management techniques also reduce swarming and absconding, Morse said. When a colony swarms, the queen bee and half the colony leave the nest. Swarming is a response to over crowding of a hive. When bees ab scond, the entire colony seeks a new nest site. Absconding is a response to adverse conditions such cient food as an jacobsoni, a parasitic Asian an advantage over European bees. While Robert Stevens, president of the Empire State Honey Producers' mite, is Association, estimated that 1,000,000 colonies were lost to Varroa and tra cheal mites in the U.S. in 1989, bee keepers in Brazil don't even treat for Varroa. "We find [Varroa] in every colo ny where we Varroa insuffi weaken look for them in Brazil, good defenders of their homes," Morse said. "That is in animals." is supply. and yet no one is concerned about them," usually a trait we admire Swarming absconding Morse said. aggressiveness unmanageable. "The truth is that they can't be managed using exactly the same techniques we use in North America," he said. Stinging incidents can be reduced, Morse explained, by using larger smokers (devices that inter rupt bees' senses) and wearing better protective clothing than beekeepers in the U.S. now do, by breeding for gentle ness, by developing public education far programs and by placing apiaries Morse denies that this commercial bee colonies and increase feral populations which compete with commercial bees for nectar and pollen. Both can be reduced by harvesting "The USDA has stated a policy— we will not learn to live with the African honeybee," wrote author Kim Flottum in an article in the October, 1989, issue vocates honey once a month, by feeding sugar syrup to bees during poor nectar flows and by dividing large colonies, Camazine and Morse wrote in their Gleanings in Bee Culture. Morse ad the opposite approach— as we cannot stop the bee's migration, we of with the Africanized 1988 must learn to live article. In response to fears that Africanized bee. Morse is convinced that, though it bees will be poorer honey producers, Morse noted Brazilian beekeepers' suc cess with Africanized bees. When Afri may take a few years, the beekeeping in dustry will adapt to the hybrid and the general public will never notice changes in the bee population. ■ the 21 courage rural CCESS IN MANY Valley "the own portunities man home to pursue educational op at Cornell. He is known as youth around his Hudson from Cornell" and, at his trans expense, has personally WAYS, THE EXCELLENCE on to of an institution is best reflected success of its alumni, and the accomplishments of the alumni by the judging by state spend two years as director of operations and two years as secre governor. He left state serv ported many students to college open houses and arranged interviews with the admissions office. He is also a valuable member of the ALS Alumni Association. In 1986, he set tary to the honored at the College of Agriculture ice in 1974, spending two years in Washington, D.C, as a part-time assis tant to up the dean/alumni are now and Life Sciences Alumni Awards Ban quet on November 16, 1990 the New President Gerald Ford. career held get-togethers that throughout the state. Hurd's honors has York State College at Life Sciences of Agriculture Cornell is certainly and a including brought him many the Rockefeller Award Since then he chaired the ALS Alumni major player. involvement Celebrated for their leadership and on behalf of the College, success or for Excellence in Public Administration in 1981, and an honorary doctor of law Auditorium Task Force, which raised more than $700,000 to furnish and equip degree by of the S. the trustees of SUNY. In addi was tion, in 1987 he the first recipient Career the auditorium, and is a member of the ALS Development Committee. Call remembers sharing an office recognized professions deavors and in their businesses, en Kenneth Howard with Gellert while they as were both Ac other vocational significant contributions to Achievement Award of the American Society for Public Administration. working cording u ^mm on their master's degrees. a to Call, even student, the betterment of society through hu manitarian endeavors, the recipients of the 1990 Outstanding Alumni Awards were Donald M. Bay '55, T. Norman Hurd PhD '36, Philip D. Gellert '58, MS '60, Herbert R. Kling '36, MS '40 and Charles P. Bailey '84 who received the Young Alumni Achievement Award. Among the notable alumni is Hurd, who has had ;«l Kim , 3 «*■ was Extension -ft -Reseat '"* » 1 li X BBayf B/y X Hrj Jt ■'i •,< distinguished career in education and public service and is one of the most admired and respected figures to arise from the New York state government. Hurd began his career as an assistant professor of agricultural economics at Cornell in 1936, but left a IF m *x y■piKiL3 ! """ltf-t^i 1 wL F5RvP^^ifeifl %■pr j| J-y; ■.*■;":?. M?;.fi * J * ^^ Sf-AAft :S£Sy vtw ^L ^■^Jg-Jsj the tor University in 1943 to serve as Direc William A. McKee 71, chair of the ALS Alumni Association awards committee (far left) and Stephen B. Teele 72, president of the association (far right) with: (left to right) T. Norman Hurd PhD '36, Herbert R. Kling '36, Manpower Service. taught until 1950, when he was appointed as Di rector of the Budget under Governor Dewey. He once again returned to Cor nell and taught from 1954 to 1958, when he was persuaded to join Nelson He returned to Cornell and of the State Farm Charles P. Bailey '84, Philip D. Gellert '58 and Donald M. Bay '55. Since D. Gellert graduating from Cornell, Philip '58, MS '60, has been a suc businessman, a a Gellert had hundreds of and businesses cessful committed enterprises going at once. Call often found himself acting as Gellert 's per sonal secretary, and threatened that if Gellert did not give him a cut of the profits, he would stop answering the alumnus and Rockefeller's administration. David Call tells a '54, Dean of the College, humorous story of how he was the teaching assistant under Hurd for an champion of education. Gellert joined his family's business, Pine Lane Poultry Farm, upon gradua tion and assumed presidency in 1967 Under his leadership the company's an nual sales soared to nearly $10 million. He retired from active management of the company in 1986, turning the phone! Dean It is clear that at some point was Call was the one who telephoning Gellert. introductory ed to to course in business eco was These alumni of the nomics in 1958. When Hurd invit Albany by Rockefeller, he left Call by himself with one day's notice. As Call puts it, "I taught the class right out of the textbook, and teach the class not presidency owner over to and his son, and is now president of the Northern culture and Life Sciences, the past recipients of College of Agri together with Outstanding very well, I'm afraid." Hurd spent eleven more years as director of the budget, and then moved Empire Land and Livestock Company, a development firm with one of the largest land holdings in eastern upstate New York. Alumni Awards, have achieved life suc cess, and their recognition gives us an opportunity our to reflect on alumni make us on the impact important issues we facing en- today, and those that ■ will Gellert has also worked hard to face tomorrow. by Hilary Nagler '91 22 mmsm CAPSULES Hansel Named the Distinguished Professor off Animal Biotechnology William Hansel, the Liberty Hyde Bailey Professor Emeritus of Animal Mackin said. "I firmly believe that if you don't remember the past you repeat it, and historical fiction is Seem Appointed Associate Director Robert C. Seem, an associate profes of plant pathology, has been Physiology and a member of the faculty since 1949, has been named the Distinguished Professor of Animal Biotechnology at Loui siana State University. Hansel, who is 71, will leave for Baton Rouge in Cornell October animal to very useful for bringing this across." In her Comstock Hall office, she writes about the latest research in sor appointed Associate Director of Cornell child development, consumer eco nomics, financial management, gardening, gerontology, nutrition, home sumer University's New York State Agricultural Experiment Station in Geneva. He will spend half of his time as design and safety for the Con NY associate director and the continue his research in teach der an development. He will also undergraduate course un News Service. Mackin grew up in now Geneva, a and in 1970. She graduated from Ithaca College shares 20-acre art an endowed professorship sup farm with her ported by the agriculture and veteri nary colleges and the Department of Veterinary Science at LSU. husband, Cornell professor Steve Poleskie. Cornell Student Wins Trees Pearson Promoted to Professor of Plant Pathology Roger Pearson, has been promoted to professor of plant pathology at Cornell's New York State Agricultur al Experiment Station in Geneva, NY. Pearson has the statewide continuing his research assignment on plant pathology problems. He works on quantitative epide miology of diseases of fruits and vegetables. This includes studying such diseases as apple scab, cedar apple rust, grape downy mildew, and common maize rust. He is cur other half rently working tree with Dr. Alan an Lakso, Scholarship Patricia has won a Horticultural Sciences, on simulation project. apple Lindsey, Cornell student, $25,000 scholarship from the New York Board of Trade in a statewide competition. Lindsey's Search for Excellence Award Presented to Rakow and Weir Donald A. Rakow and Richard Weir III have been presented the Search explores how much soil is by large trees in urban set tings. She also hopes to recommend a soil mix that will give trees more space for root growth but still with stand heavy pedestrian use. Lindsey is a doctoral student from Raleigh, NC, studying under Cornell profes sor of urban horticulture, Nina needed research responsibility for research tension on fungal diseases in New York. and ex of grapes A native Californian, Pearson received his Ph.D. from the Univer Davis. He came to Cornell in 1973 as a research asso ciate of the department of plant sity of California, for Excellence Award in the catego ry of Urban Development Programs for their Cornell Cooperative Exten sion Publication "An illustrated Guide to Pruning Ornamental Trees an Bassuk. pathology and was promoted associate professor in 1981. Pearson has won to and Shrubs." Donald Rakow is assistant Book-of-the-Month Club Alternate Jeanne Mackin, staff writer for the Cornell sumer recognition for his research on powdery mildew, the most important grape disease in the world. A paper published in 1987 by Pearson and his colleagues showed that the spores that infect professor ture of in Cornell's landscape horticulture Department of Floricul and Ornamental Horticulture. Richard Weir is horticulture pro gram leader for Cornell Cooperative Cooperative Extension Con extension, Nassau County, New York. News Service, has had her first novel selected as an alternate by the Book-of-the-Month Club. Her grapevines every spring in New York originate from small overwin tering structures that survive the winter in cracks He has on Magazine Wins Consumer Education Materials Contest "Alive! Food and Fitness for Life," one-issue to a novel, The Frenchwoman, vine bark. at has been termed "imaginative, fast- spent sabbatical leaves paced and impassioned" by Kirkus Reviews. The book is about sian woman young Pari who becomes a seam a major grape-growing area research stations in France, Germany and Switzerland. Pearson's reputation led him to be asked to edit the Com magazine published by the Division of Nutritional Sciences promote attitudes and behaviors for good nutrition and health stress for Queen Marie Antoinette. "Good historical fiction isn't fairy pendium of Grape Diseases for the American Phytopathological Socie ty, a among teenagers, is a 1990 winner in the Food and Drug Administra tion's Third Annual National Con sumer tales, it's a way of exploring the world and how people fit into it," book that describes all the known grape diseases in the world. Education Materials Contest. 2^ MANN LIBRARY earch Heart HEART DISEASE IS THE LEADING CAUSE >r ACQUISITIONS SI0N DIVISION ethics in all of his is to believe the connection between of death in the United States, to according fers Squib indication of the the American Heart Association. For cholesterol levels and heart disease. There were also "commercial interests" tunately deaths decreased for due the to American pub h hear# disease lit has had on the fiel lobbyists, said Zilversmit. "They ^wanted proof befor^s^fthp scientists) of 40 pere 25 years, raaorts Tho his book He by It over the is J. Moore Isearch and heart dis Tse. In 1959, the American Heart As ■^ociation Jvised the no RjjJaii^nPefSj^ially, ^ything, d I have cause ofifris decline c | One poss be attribJ •dge of |how it appointed: film to th subsL post of "For career to our causes irflfcfced h B kno w| most#r my si J^estigator really it doubt about the ben .'^bolesterol and but I career, I have heart dis-ei i Zih^piit. j^ientists were cai generous Tport from the prevente Dr. Heart Assoc Zihci tion," said Ltes of Ddi.ik) emeritu professi liochemistry nit, ?en at National In* awarded grar these two soj have been, this reseai Zilvej^^t. Heahj^ay^wso T Am^tai aware o degree ^correlation t t a between correlato Zilver«rt. is Cornell front of "He w; the fort of s«port^Fwould to "^prnout tion does be a cause-and-e he diffjMlt piped irry out Recently, t InpP^^ by why, ate re ic has in the last als in who "ciemonstr u sen In addfflftn to iart Iwresearcwregarding become very terol. "I am year or so, said Zilversjpit es; it Ted with choles- cholesterol ended our ig depositee arteries," sai director of the Sciences. A the arteries, calledMhfflosclerosis, can lead to heart eventually heart attacks. Divi|iqf§[of buildup (jf cholesterol "No%ne'%as ■Ttberto Garza, Nutritional in ■d'raease, Z|persmi^^Kloped a ..„theinatieal equation used i$ tracing changed," are no quick fix to has disease^|nd equation d^gwbesfln ternll foe rateslt wliich vario JasotopicallwaBeled compounds in me body are ram)acttvel^roele(Mubsta«^ matrOTiatical converted or "The take^rprol making^iese li said, mtaf^ lestegramcliMe ingMrd eat ed commitment style changes." nges ch to he c lower choas things exercis- sure of this Garza transferred," he said. bds low in saturated before his pioneStingtr-work," "It describes the dynamics of metabo the chair of fat»"Like^:v ising," very to he said "you lism On November the in smit's contribution was Award for recognized by Bristol-Myers Squibb/Meadjohnson l,%99WLpr. Zilver- il|| quantita^e-Rnse." the can^ An do strenuously and Regarding derson said, equation, the selection committefmG. Harvey then no»xp Zilv heart «ea Aire mov exercise again." "Thisftiewopment had ward-winning work or a milepost in medicine new Distinguished^chiemn Nutrition Research, ^teJuetfai ;ir profound consequmcemfor medical science well beyonamearndisease." However, Zilversntit's tljain research has been or area h^-ever, Ol .") the scientist has research. "I'm de re o $50,000. "I think it is well deserved Andre of it helrt mgaiew project which is 1% retired more c»ease. "His >reticp," said Zilversmit. who from the Bensadoun, professor )rk is very central towhe j»eral field smd Bensa- colleges biochemistry at the C Agriculture and Life Sciences thing, it is long overdue." "I was very pleased," said member of the selection commi is a tional cardiovascular co"" wor wor an in loun^fcle has played mry r«ful roi lmnTw^inp the info^nat a o 1 disease," rgricumire rman^?cology. and Life Sciences and Hu "It has to do with the 1 ! i ath the hy Athesspm is to one of the premiere prizes. H g very illustrious group of resea Besides being an outstanding sc^htist, he has very high regard for,-! ethical standards. He combines scientific rigor a n'^ft^useBl wi^yjumaiwwic a those w various ways in which people preset! •Search findings." If his past accom ishments are any indication, the we>rld of science can soon did expect exeit what n't be donji#nn and ing things from his new arena. ■ Donald Zilversmit it hum^ For years, the American even some public scientists seemed reluctant by Karen E. Clements '92 New York S^e >. =^ > ^SiSue ma Life Sciences, a Statutory College of the State University, at Cornell Universi . CORNELL ._ WMfRYMM A MAGAZINE OF AND ABOUT THE PEOPLE OF THE NEW YORK STATE COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE AND LIFE SCIENCES Contents Reuse, Reduce, Recycle and Respect Shawn Vargo '91 14 Continued Education from Ithaca to Istanbul Tim Whitney '91 Bound by Superstition 15 16 Greeted by Snow Jeff Grant '91 A Voice in the Wilderness Elaine Bloom '91 Renee Hunter '92 Cornell's Grass: Safe Joshua Z. Kantro '91 to Sit on? Saving Trees Who has the to Save Lives 18 Drawing History on Creativity Deborah Steuer '91 Benjy Kile '92 Stuff? 'Right 19 20 in an Eggshell It Takes More than Grades Hank Grezlak '92 Stephen Will '92 10 Sweet Research at Lake Placid Beth P. Goelzer '91 Studying Abroad in Wartime Elizabeth Heaton '92 About the Issue 22 Pesticide Cut-Back Though ing to a close, it doesn't mean that we are out of danger yet. Hundreds of oil wells are burning in Kuwait, and be cause of land mines, firefighters are un able to the War in the Gulf is draw 11 Health Foods: Don't Believe the Hype Cheryl Jacobson 24 From '91 to Olugbemisola Amusa-Shonubi '91 12 Oregon Oxford Brett D. Mendel '91 The Other War in the Gulf Susan Green '92 CORNELL. reach them. Even more than that, millions of gallons of crude oil are contaminating the Persian Gulf, and in the process, severely damaging a the en vironment. There is still battle to be see fought, a war to be won. For more, page 12. What's in staff has a March 1991 Volume LXXXVIII Number 5 name? The been Is our Countryman struggling with that sexist or or Editors Beth P. Goelzer Photo Editor Cher-yl Jacobson Art Directors Hunter; p. \6 Cornell Daily Sun; pp. 5, 19 Department of Manuscripts and University — — Susan Green Hank Grezlak question. ic, we a Archives; p. 20 — name time-honored tradition want gener a stub born throwback. The name of point here is that your opinion! Should the this magazine change? The Assistant Editors Benjy Kile Stephen Will Lynch-Benjamin; tography. The Cornell Elizabeth Heaton; p. 22 David p. 24 University Pho — — Olugbemisola Amusa-Shonubi Layout Staff Renee Hunter Brett D. Mendel Jeff Grant Z. Kantro editorial staff urges our readers to send us their comments and suggestions. Elizabeth Heaton Joshua Brian Tim Deborah Steuer Shawn Schilling Vargo Whitney On the Cover: Editorial Staff Kile Graphic by Benjy Olugbemisola Amusa-Shonubi, Beth P. Goelzer, Jeff Grant, Susan Green, Hank Grezlak, Elizabeth Heaton, Renee Hunter, Cheryl Jacobson, Joshua Z. Kantro, Benjy Kile, Brett D. Mendel, Lorella Sabatini, Brian Schilling, Deborah Steuer, Shawn Vargo, Stephen Will, Tim Whitney. Countryman (ISSN 0010-8~82) is published six times a year from October through May (combined issues for January and February. and April and May) by the New York State College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, 32-4 Kennedy Hall, Cornell University. Ithaca. N.Y. 1-48S3. Second class postage paid at Ithaca, New York 1-48S3. Printed by Midstate Litho. Inc. of Endicott. Subscription Rates: S 10.00 a year; S20.00 for two years. Postmaster: Send change of address to Cornell Countryman. 32-4 Kenne dy Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y. 1-4853. Editorial content gathered and written by majors in the Department of Communication. Honorary editor: Edward L. Bernays 12. Faculty advisors: Jane E. Hardy 'S3, Jane Earle. Picture Credits: Cover— Benjy Kile; pp. -4, S— Department of Rare Books, Cornell University Library (illustrations); Rustin B. p. 6— Courtesy Anne LaBastillc; p. 7 Howard; p. 8— Steve Will; pp. 8, 9— Chris Bra — dy; p. 10—John Kelley, Department of Natural Resources; p. 11— Kikelomo Amusa-Shonubi; Dr. Robert Howarth; p. Li— Susan Creen; p. 13 \> I i It is the policy of Cornell I Diversity actively io support equality of educational and employ-mem opportunity No person shall be denied admission to any educational program or activity or be denied employment on the basis of .mv legally prohibited discrimination involving, but not limited to, such factors as race, color, creed, religion, national -Cornell's Adull University; p. IS— Renee or ethnic origin, sex, sexual age. or handicap. Ihe University is committed to the maintenance of affirmative action programs which will assure the continuation of such equality of opportunity preference, WHEN ONE LOOKS AT STATISTICS concerning the trash situation Ameri cent of their total trash. It is anticipated that the program will work at maxi mum Reuse face today, it is almost alarming to realize how little we do to help our selves. The Department of Residence cans efficiency after four years. This will allow the program to reach all of the new classes as they arrive. Life with • Recycling a Committee came list of 'Amazing Facts" are some up about Contamination remains kranz's one of Furn- recycling. Here excerpts. Reduce Americans throw away ten times their weight in trash every year. • primary concerns. "It is very important that students know what is to go into each bin," he said. "Proper participation by the students and the success In 1989, Americans threw away office paper enough build • (4 million tons) to residence hall staff is needed for the of this program." If a person is not familiar with what be recycled, it might be in the best a 12-foot-high wall that would stretch from New York to Los The amount of Angeles. we can garbage state pro duce in New York would a cover an year entire football field to in one interest of the program if that person did not use the bins. It is better not to depth of almost five miles. cilities Furnkranz, Residence Life Fa Manager of Training and Quali ty Assurance, reported that Cornell University residents generate 180 tons of trash per month. Of that, almost half is potentially recyclable. January 1990 not only brought forth a new semester at Cornell, it brought with it a program that will change how many students look at their lifestyles. A large-scale recycling program has been introduced at Gerald recycle than to contaminate a contain er. It only takes one person to com pletely negate the efforts of others. Students will be able to monitor their progress during the semester with the aid of a recycling thermometer that will be placed in the Cornell Daily Sun. Furnkranz noted that the total tonnage of mixed paper, plastic, glass, metal and corrugated cardboard will be recorded. Paper makes up about 41 percent of trash that is produced. At this time, Furnkranz hopes to reach around 40 percent of residents. Education within the halls plays an im the residence hall level, where students will have the opportu nity to see what differences they can make. Furnkranz oversees portant role in accomplishing this. this large scale CORNELL UNIVERSITY "The program has been in stituted into all of the undergraduate fa cilities, and into several of the graduate operation. Through hall programming, knowl edge about the proper use of the bins can be provided. "We have seen considerably more success in the halls where program halls," Furnkranz said. "Plans are in the works to reach the rest of the graduate units." Each ming has reached a majority of the stu dents," he noted. "Knowledge is the key to solving the problems of contami nation." Ramona McGee, a resident of Schuy ler House, welcomes recycling. "I think that the program will be very beneficial to the students of Cornell," she said. facility received six bins apiece recyclable trash. Each bin has been designated for a different materi al such as: dry newspaper and news for their print; computer paper, stationery and Recycle & notebook paper; tainers and cans; and laundry/bleach con shampoo bottles; green, food chance "This program will to become give the students can a more aware of the do to brown and clear glass; metal and corrugated cardboard. environment, and what they help." recycling program becomes popular and successful, Resi dence Life looks to expand the pro like to see gram further. They would As the more Each container within the residence hall is labelled with directions as to what materials can and cannot go into Placing the wrong materials into the bins leads to contamination in a and will cause the trash to end up landfill and not at the recycling fa the bins. cilities. the program include a new bin to han dle magazines and be extended to the family housing units. ■ Respect Initially, to see residents the program directors hope recycling about ten per by Shawn Vargo '91 BOUND BY Books at Olin by Jeff Grant '91 "MUCH READING AND RESEARCH on Library. This extensive dure and never punishment. wrote "I realized as collection consists of roughly 2,700 were before," White, "how volumes, in most of which written much dogmatic theology and eccle- witchcraft can be done satisfactori ly in any of the great libraries of the scholars western must ter make their of ultimately pilgrimage to the cen learning high above Cayuga's world, a but England, Germany ing the fifteenth through the seven teenth centuries. Although less than ten percent of the books are in English, there are France and dur siasticism have done to maintain the most develop and frightful features in penal law." still over 200 volumes acces a sible to those without command of that, as justification for their actions, people argued that ". since the Almighty punishes his erring . . White noted waters." So reads line from noted field foreign language. James Tyler, books librarian at Olin, warned that the rare children assistant by tortures infinite in cruelty expert Rossell Hope Robbins' introduc tion to the Catalogue of the Cornell Even so, and eternal in duration, earthly authori Witchcraft Collection . focus of the collection could be different from what one a bit ple ties may justly imitate this divine exam so far as their finite powers enable The Cornell cludes books on collection, which in topics such as theolog might at first them to do so." And in A Science with expect. "When people hear 'witchcraft History of the legal disputations, witchcraft trials and demonic possession, is housed in the Department of Rare ical and collection,' they think of turning their boss into a frog, changing lead into gold or casting spells. But it's not that type of thing," insisted Tyler. "It pretty much stays away from subjects like the occult; rather it tries to make some sense of what people do to each other and why." According to Tyler, the main purpose of the collection is the church. this to published tering the Theology in 1896, in Warfare of Christendom, further White truth chastised the church for its role in fet pursuit of seem science. Lest it that he was through being unduly to harsh in his assessments of the issues at hand, and perhaps examine the persecution of supposed witches by "People don't realize that labeling "godless" university because of its lack of religious affiliations, White wrote that he sought ". .to strengthen reli gious teachers by enabling them to see . the unofficial in response of Cornell as a persecution was analogous to some of the evils in the past something like the Holocaust during World War II," he added. "Two hun dred years is to a a the sake of religion which, for itself, they ought to go on that mistake." that so long time for something people later decided was na guard against in the future." Although White provided the impe tus for starting the witchcraft collec tion, he was not alone in the task of ac new a It was this darker side of human ture intrigued Cornell's first president, Andrew Dickson White, that he set about assembling the collection in the late 1800s. Commented Tyler, "White was fascinated with the prob lem of reason versus superstition. As a historian, he viewed witchcraft as, basi cally, a delusion of society." In his published autobiography, White mentioned that during the win ter quiring George White's books for the Lincoln Burr, collection. librarian and strumental in the personal assistant, was in project. Said Tyler, "[The two] crisscrossed Europe look ing for interesting pieces to add to the collection. There were a lot of items to be found and back then the books weren't too expensive." In fact, most of the current collection was assembled by White and Burr. Like his time in Title page from a European witchcraft book published in 1656. of 1877 to 1878, he devoted much of Stuttgart to the study of the history of criminal law, and White, Burr had both personal interest in the collection. and In scholarly especially an article that the appeared in the De development of torture in proce cember 1902 issue of The Bibliogra- SUPERSTITION pher entitled "A Witch-Hunter in the Book Shops," Burr wrote of the hard work involved in tracking down items the long for the collection: "Aye vacation tours by rail or foot through . . . ing to the rather detailed account he in scribed in the manuscript, this particu lar copy was printed in 1467 (later determined to be 1471) and was "... originally the property of the ancient imperial abbey of St. Maximin." Burr went on to write, "It may be interesting to all those book-rich lands, now thread- know that the lessons of the . . . witchcraft on portion . . . were not wasted use of the collection. Findlay, taught a freshman writing seminar entitled "Writing About Witches" dur ing the spring 1990 term, became in the monks of St. Maximin. Nowhere in all Europe did the persecution of extensive these unfortunates rage with greater virulence than within the jurisdiction of this old who abbey during the last de cades of the sixteenth century. From its twenty villages or so hundreds were sent to terested in witchcraft as a result of ma studying English towards women. Renaissance attitudes the stake." She feels that the The Fortalitium Fidei is just one of many rare volumes in the collection. The collection also includes 14 editions jor strength of the collection is its "very thorough holdings in sixteenth and seventeenth century English witchcraft treatises." David W. Sabean, a professor in the Department of History in the College of Arts and Sciences, agrees that the collection is A. D. White, founder of Cornell's witchcraft Maleficarum, or Ham of the Witches, sort of a "handbook for exterminating witches," said Tyler, which was obtained by White himself in 1878. This work, first printed in i486, was tabbed by White as the book that "... had caused more suffering than any other product of human pen." According to Tyler, who has been with the Department of Rare Books for over 18 years and is responsible for pur chasing items for the witchcraft collec tion, the collection is considered by of the Malleus mer "probably the best in the world." While teaching his class "Cul tural and Social History of Absolutism" during the fall 1990 semester, Sabean introduced his students to the collec tion by suggesting that each of them question some documented delved into therein. of the witchcraft cases The students collection. ing windings noster Row, now stopping for a grain the cluttered of Pater its kind many experts to be the best of "There's a lot of material in the world. in archives in Europe and in Salem, topics including the inter relationship of religion and witchcraft and various Sabean gender issues. as an sees the collection im of wheat in the waste of chaff which litters the quays of Paris, now locked from morn till eve in the back-street ware Massachusetts, but Cornell's collection has purposely been developed to pro house where a Bologna bookseller vide exhaustive coverage of a limited subject area. It's virtually unique." Because of the richness of the collec as a valuable re number of members of the by Cornell community, as well as by visit and feels portant study in "unreason" that the texts are "valuable tools in en about a number of larger is sues." He added that he plans to make as use of the collection in the future, well. as quiring ..." But it was a job which also yielded great satisfaction. Burr's own handwrit ing can be found on one of the opening keeps his reserves tion, it is source regarded a Fidei, Fortalitium copy of the pages of a book he or Fortress of Faith, a rare purchased in Europe in 1886. Accord ing scholars. Heather Findlay, a gradu ate student working on a PhD in Eng lish, is writing her dissertation on witchcraft in English drama and makes there is little doubt that as long in people share A.D. White's interest breakdown in human think this Truly, tragic make the pil ing, they will continue to to Ithaca to study the witch grimage craft collection. ■ 5 A Voice in the Wilderness In the fall of to 1990, LaBastille returned than we're Cornell to speak about her ex chain. aware of, right up the food Top predators are being affected: Anne LaBastille's her. companions in the woods greet THE PEOPLE OF GUATEMALA CALL her "Mama Poe" for the she rare native bird periences at Guatemala's Lake Atitlan. "My story is a tragedy," she said of the long war she waged against the forces of habitat degradation, natural disasters and political unrest which eventually destroyed the conservation plan and grebe sanctuary she built. LaBastille's experiences in Guatema la and other Third World countries have loons, fish. otters and other animals that as a eat Maybe it's affecting humans, too." commis LaBastille, who served sioner for 16 years for the Adirondack Park Agency, declared the Adirondacks "the worst hit place in the country." She said that action is needed immedi ately to stop the damage and that she fought to save from extinction. To she is thinks that the direction. recently-passed a Clean thousands of readers the stripped her of her "First World" sees Air Act Amendment is step in the right "Woods woman" of the Adirondack naivete. LaBastille overpopulation Mountains, who lives an almost mythi cal existence alone in the log cabin she built herself. But to fellow warriors in the battle to save and the poverty that accompanies it as the most critical problems facing world Another threat LaBastille loves estate to the mountains that She views so much is massive real the wildlife and wildland does to a today. an "What development. the world's wildlife, mother or care if she kills she animal she is Anne LaBastille '55 PhD '69, au for food torches off a piece of forest November 1990 defeat of New York state's Environmental Bond Act as a thor, conservationist and ecologist. LaBastille's books about her and have plant corn as long to as can keep devastating blow to conservation in the we can solitary of fans her little babies alive?" she asked. "The Adirondacks. "Unless buy the independent won her a large following — life in the mountains day sue that I and it came face face with this is who yearn to live as she does close to nature and without electricity and oth er in Guatemala tional we really hit me was when I was doing an article for Na Geographic," the ecologist said. a wildland and put it aside now for the people of New York state, I don't think there'll be much left in another ten modern amenities. Woodswoman "We drove to where we'd been assured would find beautiful last remnant years. 'God ain't she anymore,' " making said, land like that quoting Will sequel Beyond Black Bear Lake have inspired readers to treasure and preserve this country's wilderness areas, particularly New York's 6-millionacre and its Rogers. In Adirondack Park. But to as a conser vationist, LaBastille is unable full-time to retreat near her beloved home Black Bear Lake. Worries about loss of around the wildlife and habitat in this country and globe keep her frequently involved in Adirondack ture organizations such as the Park Agency, The Interna tional Union for Conservation of Na and the World Wildlife Fund. LaBastille's latest book, Mama Poe: An Fcologist's Account of the Extinc tion of a Species, tells of her 24-year struggle to save the giant grebe— 'poe" in Mayan that lived only on a single— lake in Guatemala. virgin cloud forest with resident quetzals (the national bird of Guatema la). But the whole side of the mountain was in flames." Confronting two native men who were burning and chopping down trees to prepare a cornfield, LaBastille demanded to know why they were destroying the precious wildlife habitat. 'We have to eat,' the men said soberly. That did more to get the idea in my head about what we're up against as conservationists than anything I've ever read," LaBastille said. At home, in the relative affluence of the United States, there are more prob lems to combat. The toughest one, in LaBastille's opinion, is acid rain. "It kills things," she said, "Fish, amphibians, spruce trees. It's killing more things " of between environmental battles and zine writing (she over books and is the author of five 130 journal and maga servationist/author finds articles), the award-winning con respite in her to isolated cabin. No road leads her door; the only access hiking most trails. Her by boat and by only companions, is of the time, are her two German shepherds (her "best friends") and a chain saw, she said. It is there in the woods, among the trees and the wild life she loves, that LaBastille finds the strength to carry on the battle. ■ by Elaine Bloom '91 Saving tree w iwm Save Lives by Deborah Steuer '91 called microtubules, thereby preventing the cell from dividing. structures Although optimistic about taxol tak straight from a tree, Ettinger said he is a bit skeptical about taxol cultured in a laboratory. "Taxol is a very difficult drug to make. The question is will [the cultured taxol] be the same drug exact ly," Ettinger said. To answer this question, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is test ing the cultured taxol in clinical trials. en Since taxol is still in the experimental on cancer Howard said he expects the FDA to ap prove the new method within two to four years. If approved, the process will be able to provide an endless supply of taxol to the stages, it is only being tested marketplace. Until cut then, down pa patients who have had unsuccessful treatments of standard chemotherapy. EACH YEAR ovarian researchers will continue to yew trees in order to tients. treat cancer 12,000 WOMEN DIE OF women drug cancer, but this year many may live longer thanks to a new called taxol. Taxol, heralded as an Over the past several years of clinical trials, taxol has been shown to shrink the tumors in 30 percent of these pa tients with ovarian cancer, according to But this may present a few problems. The 30-foot-tall Pacific yew trees, found in the Pacific northwest, take 200 to "all-natural" drug, is extracted from the bark of the Pacific yew tree. However, nature's medicine is hard to come by; two to three yew trees are needed to patient alone. Rustin B. Howard MBA '89, president of Phyton Catalytic in Ithaca, and his treat one cancer Professor David S. Ettinger, associate professor of oncology and medicine, who is researching the effectiveness of taxol in the treatment of cancer patients at The Johns Hopkins Oncology Center in Baltimore. 300 years to mature. Petitions have been sent to the federal government to protect the tree as an endangered spe cies. "It's a very slow growing tree and probably doesn't reproduce very read ily. If it was cut down at extremely high Taxol is administered to patients chemo rates, it would be lost as a minor com fellow researchers have found replenish the limited resource They have developed a way to coax the yew tree's cells into producing taxol in the laboratory. Cells are grown in stain less steel vats containing a nourishing liquid medium, which is composed mainly of sugar and hormones. The cells are constantly reproducing, so theoretically cell cultures derived from only one yew tree could produce an infinite amount of taxol. "We're trying to save people and to save trees. It will also put the United States at the front of a newly emerging technology," Howard said. way to of taxol. a every three weeks through ponent in the forest fairly quickly," said The knack of this new technology is getting the yew tree cells to produce taxol. The cells produce taxol in re Christopher techniques. L. Prince, Rustin Howard, and Venkataraman Bringi, Phyton Catalytic researchers, display their sponse to an attacking enemy, often a fungus. When threatened, the cells pro duce compounds, called secondary metabolites, which counterattack and destroy the researchers attacking fungus. at Phyton Catalytic into The add fungal cell to extracts the culture into medium trick cellls an arming in the themselves against attack. therapy treatments. Like conventional chemotherapy, taxol has the same side effects. Ettinger said common side ef fects include nausea, vomiting, hair loss and lowering the white blood cell counts, which are needed to fight infec tions. But the battle seems to promise a greater chance of victory over cancer. "This is one Timothy J. Fahey, professor in Department of Natural Resources. tween the For now, a choice must be made be the life of a woman and the life a tree. of In the future, the scientists may save at Phyton Catalytic both lives. But the future sometimes seems a long Once the taxol is produced of the most effective way off. "At least a dozen women with ovarian cancer have called me, and I can steel vats, it faces the challenge of a new enemy the cancer tumor. Delivered intravenously to the tumor site, taxol — agents in the cer. treatment of ovarian not can hear the tears on the other end of It's showing promise ovarian cancer only in the phone after I tell them I can't too give treating but in other them taxol," Howard said. Perhaps the far away. ■ enters a tumor cell and binds to protein cancers as well," Ettinger said. future isn't 7 KT7T1 T T a 1 ^~J vv no JnLcis cne * )^ in KiP"h1" Stiirt It Takes More Than Grades AS SPRING APPROACHES, MASSES OF freshmen huddle cant. Some claim that the admissions together on Cornell's campus, listening inatten tively to their tour guide's cheerful voice explain Cornell's colors. But, in stead of seeing red and white, visions of donning Cornell sweatshirts and strid ing confidently up McGraw Tower to hear "far above Cayuga's waters" being prospective chimed dance in their heads. The staff SAT's the most. Others say it is rank in class or extra-curricular ac weight tivities. These rumors float about Cor statues nell like the legend of the of A.D. White and Ezra Cornell shaking ating applicants, "We're also looking for leadership capacity and the ability of the student to play a useful role in society. Is the person a leader or a follower?" Susan hands. But what criteria do the admis sions staff actually use to determine who will be in the class of 1995, and why do they use these criteria? "When dents we guide changes subjects to talk looking consider at a about Cornell's great academic past and promising future. Images of interviews, prospective stu variety of factors," director of ad said Richard Church missions for the SAT's, and applications race through their minds, and they wonder what name will actually decorate their cloth ing next year. "Do I really have what it takes to get into Cornell?" they ask themselves. "Do I have 'The Right Stuff?" But '64, College Murphy '73, said dean of admis of Agriculture sions and financial aid for Cornell that the admissions in each and Life Sciences. "We feel that the University, committees important ones are strong grades and academic preparation, high school performance and rank in class. But, tied in with these and just as important is appropriateness how good a match most — of the colleges can check for leaders and students who make a difference. "We're in some or looking for to students who've contributed the community be who does have "The Right between we one a student's interests and what Stuff"? Most Cornell students and prefrosh do not know exactly what the ad missions office looks for in an have to offer." For example, some seeking training in physical therapy appli- would be advised to go somewhere else because Cornell does not offer that hopes possessing this attribute will, upon arriving at Cornell, continue to have a beneficial impact on the com munity, and then go on to "make a sig that students school, home way church." She — whether it specific major. Appropriateness flows over into checking for students with an aim in their academic nificant contribution to the an world." However, just because applicant pursuits, Church not someone want said. "We're ed looking for focused and direct who's to possesses this attribute does not neces sarily mean he or she will be admitted. The admissions staff immediately weed individuals, students who have determined their plan of action and see Cornell as a way to continue that tally undecided. We plan." Church claimed that the ag college places so much emphasis on appropri ateness a because the college is more of professional school, and focused stu students whose transcripts are "peppered with C's" or whose written application is poor. "A couple of years ago," Murphy said, "a very good aca demic student applied, but he mis spelled 'agriculture' throughout the ap plication and wrote a paragraph and a half that didn't really say anything. He out dents reap more benefits from their classes. "Our goal in the class of 1995 is to get the approximately 650 students divided into the shot himself in the foot." While some students find themselves right number for each major." In addition to appropriateness and high school performance, David L. Call '5*4, dean of the College of Agriculture A tour group is led Kennedy Hal!. f clones of the original trees made < said best captures the essence of the Uihlein field station is on the back: Kelley "Receipts are used to support sugar ma ple research and extension programs." Health Foods: Don't Believe the Hype JNUl 1UU LUINCj ACjU, HHAL1H FOODS rain were mainstay of Mr. and Mrs. nola, who wore tie-dyed shirts, the Gra- bow headbands, and bell-bottomed jeans. Now, the craze has caught on with the children of the flower chil dren, and this has become a land of health-conscious Or has it? eaters. only do manufacturers claim products contain natural in gredients, but also that they are organ ic. A report by the Institute of Food Technology said that all food from a vegetable or animal source is techni cally "organic"; this simply means that the food ". .is derived from a living organism and contains carbon in the that their . Not We may believe that by eating Tiger's Milk bars and taking mega-vitamins, we chemical structure." There is no feder al definition or standard for "organi will look and feel like super heroes, but in many cases consumers are being duped. In the September 24, 1989, is cally-grown" reported, nor use foods, is there the Institute of the term regulation of the "organic" on food of the Detroit News, dietitian Beth Lyman was quoted as saying, "A lot of sue labels. In the October 1990 edition of the sumer health tious food store products contain labeling or that says they are more nutri more healthful but that's not the case." State necessarily New York Department of Health's Health Food Primer indicated that "... Americans approximately 40 use million health Cooperative Extension Con Service, Metta Winter wrote, "Surveys show that consumers believe organic food to be safer and healthier; and they at least say that, in spite of its higher price, were it more readily available, they would buy News Cornell be that health food store operators could prosecuted for illegally dispensing "medical" advice. could also violate Tribune Giving such drug laws. advice fraudulent more." The Institute of Food Technolo products some each year." And it warned that of the most common forms of also ad health fraud include "false nutritional gy's report, however, said, "The claim that organically produced foods are nutritionally superior to conventionally grown foods has not been scientifical schemes." Consumers as were vised to watch out for buzzwords such ly established." "natural ingredients" that often dis guise unproven health claims. David Harpp, is professor Sciences, in the visiting chemistry College of Arts and somewhat skeptical about a City quoted natural food store man ager Ernie Shelton as saying, "Buying this [natural] kind of food is an invest ment it is placing an emphasis on maintaining good health." But Harpp is not convinced. Harpp's idea of a truly ... A 1985 article in the Salt Lake healthful diet? Eat a variety of tradition the labels "health food" and "health food store." He believes that some so- al foods, minimize salts and pickled foods, avoid overcooking vegetables, and reduce fat intake. He also advised called health foods, especially health herbal eating teas, may actually lems. "This is a fad that is cause prob highly When it favorite foods in moderation. comes to deciding where to what to . . problematic," Harpp Harpp describe said. shop and people ". over buy, Harpp said that . . also noted that it is to a frighten- ." themselves out food additives that have not been stress ingly easy go into a health food store, health problem, and receive proven harmful. And, he added, many "natural" foods have "natural" ad ditives. advice from Diet Association proprietors. The American (ADA) agreed. In the So, the next time you jog over to the January 1989 issue of Nutrition Forum, Claire Aigner RD, MS reported that the ADA was "... people harmed tion advice collecting case reports of by inappropriate nutri from bogus 'nutritionists,' health food store for an energy bar or some carob-covered nuts, take a closer look at the nutritional information. You may do and get just a as well if you ■ keep jogging Snickers. health food store operators and others." From 1986 to 1988 about 100 such cases were documented. Aigner added by Olugbemisola Amusa-Shonubi '91 le Other War in the Gulf A CORMORANT the water's surface. It FLEW LOW OVER was searching for are with polluted when toxins that interfere respiration are absorbed through because their habitats food. After spotting something, it dove down into the water only to come up coated with a layer of oil. The oil soaked its plumage and the bird's feathers lost their impermeability. The cormorant grew cold because it could insulate itself, and tired be no the shells. Such eggs will fail to hatch. Birds and aquatic life are affected the worst by oil spills and the food they rely upon are Animals such as dol altered greatly. and whales might be able to leave sources phins the rect longer area. cause it had lost its buoyancy. it For days "Some fish may also escape di contamination but they will most receive toxins W. it drifted, and all the while ingested meta likely James and inhaled toxins from the oil which taminated called ment by consuming con organisms," said Professor a course damaged its respiratory, digestive, Gillett, who teaches in bolic and excretory systems. The amount of biological damage an creates in an environment de oil ecotoxicology the Depart of Natural Resources. spill pends on the characteristics of the as and of the environment. In the impact an oil spill, such cent one in on spill assessing the re ganoleptic," they in an "Some chemicals, however, are or said Gillett, meaning that can be perceived by Animals a sense organism. are organ able to de the Persian Gulf, will have tect the environment, factors such as the species of organisms involved, the chemical composition of the oil, the lo cation of the sometimes food sources tainted with these chemicals and will avoid those that are sitive at spill and the climate are more important than the magnitude comes of the to close spill itself. Animal life disappearing from a floor. can heavily oiled ocean A full recolonization recovery five to ten years. An oil take from foul-tasting. Sea animals are more sen detecting tainting than humans. Stephen James Lewis, in his 1982 thesis on the effects of oil spills on birds, said experiments have shown that some birds like mallards and red phalaropes are also sensitive to tainting and can de tect oil once they encounter it. Animals not negatively affected by oil include marine animals that have mucus spill to does some of its greatest cor turtles, which have on damage birds that dive for their as been known to feed a tar. Other food, such penguins, auks, natural sea coating of can gers er morants, grebes and sea ducks. Birds that come into contact with oil can die (such as the anemone) survive because the oil won't stick to from being waterlogged and also from them. but out the toxins that pass through their skins. They can also develop hypothermia and become of drinkable Research ment Algae also have this advantage, heavy spills will temporarily wipe K. Bulloch, in seaweed, said David phototoxicity in daphnia and oth Phototoxicity is the ability of light to form a toxin in an or ganism's body. Fish that feed off these organisms will starve when their prey are killed through phototoxicity. Even invertebrates. if their prey are not killed, the fish will obtain the toxin when it is mobilized dehydrated water. due to the lack Environ his book The Wasted Green. The amount of damage an oil spill in by the Natural flicts on an environment is related to from The the prey into their digestive hydrocar Research Council found to that still those birds that make oil but are contact with the can the type of oil spilled. Crude oil, the kind dumped in the Gulf, is more tox ic to certain refined systems. polynuclear aromatic are lucky enough to fly bring 12 the oil back their nests Eggs species than diesel fuel, a oil, said Gillett. Crude oil trig bons found in crude oil particular said ly persistent in the environment, Gillett. water's more Organisms that contact surface, like cormorants, more the are to known form "stable water-in-oil emulsions accord as 'chocolate mousse,' " In seashore addition, applying nutrients to the can stimulate organisms to physically affected by the thick, solu persistent crude oil than the ble fuel oil. ing to the Natural Environment Re search Council. These emulsions will remain for long periods of time with out grow on oil. Certain bacteria can be introduced onto the oil's surface and Much of the oil in the Gulf spill will form tar balls that will sink to the bot tom. dispersing. can worsen The wind and the tide the These tar balls will then become colonized by organisms, like mussels and coral, as if they were rocks, said Gillett. Made of large molecules that do not biodegrade quickly, tar balls can last for decades. place will long slick that flows with the wind, collecting all of the birds swimming ahead of it and trapping them against the shore or against a passing ship. damage. spilled one a Oil in actually biodegrade the oil. For the Gulf spill in particular, sun light helps degrade it and winds from the southwest have helped to disperse it, said Gillett. The Gulf areas drift downwind and form spill a outside may not radius of directly ten affect miles, but indirect er effects production losses shallow may include great in marshes and oth that Fish When oil with sand it ment cause comes can persist ashore and mixes in the environ waters make and good inver for up to thousands of years be the sand is not rich in organisms and nutrients that can degrade oil. But the sand in the ocean that bounced in these waters are very vulnerable to oil pollution. The spill in the Gulf may cause acute toxic breeding grounds. tebrates that lay eggs gets around the by the tide can actually grind tar balls, said Gillett. One method used to combat oil spills is to burn them. "When the slick but may have less damaging effects some lower level but chronic spills that have long term effects on organ ity than isms, populations, and the availability of nutrients. "We can't will burned, some particles go up into the stratosphere and are broken down by ultraviolet light," said Gillett. "Others become dust particles and re-enter the environment in rain." is predict how big the impact be," said Gillett. "That's anybody's guess. This could have very long-term effects. Like the war, it's a stress on the environment some that's worse no worse than ■ using dispersants, nontoxic, biodegradable detergents which break up the thick, physical layer of oil on Another method is and a lot than others." the water's surface. Although toxin exposure is lowered by using dis persants, the toxicity of the oil is not reduced. by Susan Green '92 Spills in the open ocean (or a water way like the Persian Gulf) have less of an ecological impact than more shal low, enclosed areas such as harbors that can't clean themselves out as easily, said Lewis. In warm can climates, the toxic elements be lost in oil rate quickly. Gillett said that many of the toxic chemicals evapo off the water's surface, reducing the oil to almost harmless residues. But at lower temperatures the oil may persist weather will cause it and longer rough A barge called "The Florida" floats near the New England coast during "The Florida Oil Spill" of September 1969. 13 Continued Education Worldwide FOR MANY PEOPLE, GRADUATION from college means a swift change. A door closed door tunities. on an larger concentration A trip to domestic programs, Janis said. was canceled and several trips to Turkey until the sit Europe have been delayed result in a of these uation becomes "We won't go more stable. anywhere that the State thinks is dangerous," ex Department plained Helen Hamilton, associate director of CAU. So far, the situation in the Middle East has not affected pro gram registration, "but ing the deadlines for Hamilton said. we are extend cancellations," "We won't have any programs where there is "There a problem," Janis explained. lot of domestic are are a trips still planned and there what so are now known opened on a are old way of life and a new world of oppor to now named because span several weeks. "study tours," many of the trips as go that aren't East." anywhere many places to near the Middle And what will this "college after col eager Many lines for registration and cannot put the long even longer some Participants have taken trips to such places as Antarctica, the Galapa gos Islands, Egypt, Central Asia, India varied and East Africa. "Our choices for locations on a are lege" offer alumni and others in the future? walks to class behind them. But ship abandon the allure of fellow and learning with fellow Cor based nellians. University (CAU) was founded with this in mind. During CAU's first year in 1968, the program consisted of one class held in Ithaca for one week. Since then, the program has Cornell's Adult Janis said. "The interests and experiences of various faculty play a major role. We also get number of things," hundreds of ideas from past and cur rent participants. We even do our own keep asking ourselves: 'are we offering a range of programs in many different fields at many different price ranges?' "Janis said. "We want to main "We tain contact between alumni and the University." "In the future, I hope at alumnus and alumna will that every least know developed into one of the country's largest alumni colleges, with four oneweek multi-class sessions in Ithaca dur ing the summer and over 25 education al vacations in the United States and every year. throughout About 2,000 alumni and friends register for CAU every year and over 100 faculty teach classes in subjects ranging from fine art to the world investigation into places we think might be of interest." Sometimes the trips may be more ad venturous than the participants expect ed. One group went to Egypt just days after the Achille Lauro hijacking. "The people in Egypt were actually a lot friendlier than we thought they might be," Janis said. "They are so eager to maintain the tourism that the program exists," Janis said. "We want people to realize that four years is just the not enough has time to discover all of wonderful to things offer." that ■ Cornell University by Tim Whitney '91 business that fine wines. But what is the allure of CAU? And popularity grown so much the past two decades? "Our purpose is to provide ways for faculty and alumni to meet one anoth why has its over they made us feel more welcome than they probably would have otherwise." Another group, on a trip to The Gam bia, found themselves paddling a sink ing fleet of dugout canoes in an effort to er. reach an island in the middle of a riv and learn together," said Ralph Janis '66, the current director of CAU. "Many people think that there is a contradic er The river, as they learned halfway across, was filled with alligators. Janis, however, is quick that CAU does not exotic locations. In to point out emphasize travel to tion in terms between 'education' and a fact, most of their 'vacation', but it's actually combination." Some very natural off-campus trips take ed States. Recent on place in the Unit trips have included participants find the "natural Cornell's Ithaca cam combination" pus studies of cultures in the upper Rio Grande Valley in New Mexico, investi during gram ff>f7ftftf however, wish to pursue -. CAl Cs popular i-l■' summer gations of life and a in the Florida Everglades -ftft-.'f-f ..•>.-, i !v- bulls of ivy series of short programs at Cor nell's Shoals Marine Laboratory in Maine. "There is just as much to learn in Professor Howard Evans -- '.. : • ■■!■!■:-. ■ >.u, bv --.I i;„ mo i /Vixona as there is in France," Janis said. snorkeling in St. Croix. ., : . .■< ■.-. ■■. <. li (j >< Uecent events in the Middle East mav M by Renee Hunter '92 WHEN STUDENTS ENTER CORNELL, Greeted they are supposed to enjoy the "only week of sun in Ithaca," spend days hav ing fun while getting to know the oth er new students that seem to be every settling into the dorm. Unfortunately all new students do not have this experience. About 250 stu where, and dents — both transfers and freshmen — entered Cornell in January 1991, and have had a different introduction to the by faced, the struggles are Snow Stacie Heck worthwhile. '93, who came to Cor University. In January, new students were greet ed by little sun, even less warm weath "Obviously people happy where they were, so you know things can only get better," she said. But weren't nell in January 1990, explained that of ten the students who come in during January hang out together, partly as a sharing their plight, and difficulty registering for classes. The seven Cornell undergraduate colleges enrolled a total of 239 students in January, with each college welcom ing anywhere from a single student to 90, according to the Cornell University Office of Undergraduate Admissions. Being a January transfer or freshman is not that easy, according to Derek er, far fewer Meierbachtol takes solace in support group and partly because it is harder to meet students who have al knowing he was up for the challenge of coming in mid-year. "From what I un derstand, they [the admissions office personnel] look at specific people to see if they can handle going in as Janu ary freshmen," Meierbachtol comment ed. "There's a lot to adapt to and not everyone could cope." January freshmen received admis sion to the enter ready seen, been at Cornell. "From what I've January people are a lot closer, need it more," Heck stated. "Even they it turns out you though you fight it are better friends with the people in ... your same position." new Since about half of the students do not live Meierbachtol '94. "The most evident problem is that it's difficult to get into the swing of things," the January fresh man said. "When was we came in, everyone and to already in their relationships had all their friends. It's hard your way in." press University provided they during the second semester. Transfer students, on the other hand, applied to enter during the second se mester, or simply did not meet the deadlines for fall registration. "When I applied, it was too late to get in for the fall and I wanted to come soon as I as campus, it was hard for the orientation staff to get in touch with on them, resulting in some students jump ing into Cornell life on their own. Myers, one of those students, chose to live in an off-campus apartment, which has been a barrier in meeting people. a dorm, I'd have met more Myers related. "It is going bet people," "If I lived in January freshmen and transfers also find the academic pace of Cornell to be could so I didn't wait for next ter now. I've met some friends in my an challenge. Donna Myers '93 said her chemistry class has been difficult and a fall," explained Amy Tangorra '93. Once the new students arrived on campus, there was a week of orienta tion events to help assimilate them to classes." Other students also did not have active role in orientation because made her realize course at her former to par with prerequisite college was not up Cornell's. "I'm realizing that I should know but the they chose to there is more don't, added so on I'm having a lot more work '92, coCornell of the Orientation Steering chairperson Committee, said about 50 orientation life. Gloria Lee "Jumping to catch up," she said. Meierbachtol explained there are other problems for him as a freshman. "I had no idea what it was like to go away to school and live in a dorm," he stated. "As a freshman, I'm having the just counselors (OC's) were on hand to aid the new students. "The main focus of but it got Allen '93. "I learned a lot about the has campus and now being in a house been helpful. There are older sisters al rush Cornell's Greek system. into rush was overwhelming, me into campus life," said Liz training the OC's January students Lee was to emphasize a that ways there to answer questions." have different needs," smaller are commented. "There's number than in August and they same problems making the transition as But by every other freshman has had. now freshmen that entered they [the during August] niche." have already found a their ex New students who participated in the orientation program praised the "Orientation program for its usefulness. said. "I was was Oratovsky spread throughout campus." Julie Oratovsky '93, plained that despite transfer able helpful," to spend Adjusting to Cornell has been no problem for some students while it has required great determination for others. But most realize the experience has been meaningful. "The struggle is going to help me grow as an individual and help me grow independent," em phasized Myers. "I have to rely on my self and be more a lot of time with other in touch with every ■ the problems transfers." thing else going on." 15 Cornell's Grass: MATTHEW HENDERSON '91 WAS LYING on cologist quad one sunny morning during September 1990 enjoying the weather. Suddenly someone ap Henderson and urged him to proached get up off the ground. The concerned passerby informed Henderson that he had been lying on poisons. Henderson, along with dozens of other students, did not notice the yel low 5 V2 -inch by 8 Vi -inch signs scat tered across the quad which read: "Per the arts sons are Department of Natural said, "If they are done properly, pesticide sprayings do not pose any danger to the Cornell commu nity. Very small amounts [of pesticides] are used and they are applied infre in the Resources specifically cides on seeks alternatives to pesti campus. of the John McGroarty grad, also a member Greens, added, "I am more con cerned with the long term effects of the quently." In addition, Hal Craft, associate vice pesticides. I do not want to worry about the possibility of getting cancer from pesticides. Also, I do not want my future children president of Cornell's Facilities and Business Operations, does not feel that the sprayings put anyone in danger. In a being born with birth defects." Gillett said that the risks associated with letter to a student's mother who had about the cautioned not 28 to enter this complained wrote: sprayings, Craft property. Pesticides have been applied on "Cornell's Office of Environ pesticides are infinitesimal. He also said that if one supposes maximum. contact (i.e. rolling around in the grass) ber 28 September . . ." mental Health and the Gannett Health Center have advised two with the chemicals used in the This early morning pesticide spray concern across that, during the the ing raised the Cornell week period following cases [Sep were campus about the potential dangers of lawn care chemicals and pesticides in tember no 28] lawn treatment, there Septem spraying, the cancer risk is something like IO"16. "This is like the chance of the sun falling out of the sky," added Gillett. general. urging the use Petitions with hundreds of sig the administration to natures were sent to the University discontinue on of toxic chemicals Cornell pesticide-related health problems reported to them. Nor should we have expected any." Responding to Craft's statement, Sue Eisenfeld '92 said, "People might not go to Gannett because the symptoms of pesticide contact are not that unusual. known of Cornell maintains that it only uses pesticides approved by the Environ mental Protection Agency. David Nut ter, an environmentalist, does not think grounds. sity and The Times. Concerned students, faculty and parents wrote letters to the Univer E.P.A. approval a is always meaningful. to He wrote letter The Ithaca Times publications such as Cornell Daily Sun and The Ithaca to local Headaches, for example, are fairly com mon things. People might not realize that a pesticide was responsible for their discomfort." Eisenfeld is a mem which highly pesticide policies. was critical of Cornell's Nutter wrote: "The fact that the At the heart of the issue is the follow ing question: are pesticides safe to use on campus grounds? Professor James Gillett, an ecotoxi- ber of the Cornell Greens, a campus en vironmental group. Within the Greens, she works on a E.P.A. has not yet banned a substance does not prove its safety. Many of the sub-committee which heavily used agricultural chemi including lawn treatments are known to be hazardous to people and the environment, yet they are still on the market because of litigation and lobbying by those who profit from most cals — — their sale, the slowness of an overbur dened, underfunded E.P.A., and the as sumption that applicators can and will prevent exposures to environment." people and the Nutter recommended in his letter that, ment as a last resort, the should lems. adopt Integrated Pest University Manage for any documented pest prob I. P.M., which is used by the University in most situations, is a goal oriented program which uses a combi nation of selected pesticides, cultural practices and careful timing nate to elimi pests. use I. P.M. minimizes the by limiting On sunny their a use to of pesticides specific loca has been I. P.M. is tions where days, many students relax bv sitting on the arts quad grass. specific pest identified. Gillett said that 16 Safe to Sit On? probably the "safest, least expensive Grounds Department run a has been in said that it will experiment with the a and most efficient method of control structed to more conservative ling pests." Despite the scientific evidence that "proves" that pesticides when prop erly used are safe, there are still many people who do not want pesticides — — program. This means that Cornell will be using even less pesticide for "cos metic" reasons soap, but it cannot guarantee elimination of Roundup. The Greens have also the total than is recommended University create I. P.M. However, to many people's dissatisfaction, the University said that by tions for students proposed that work-study posi to pick weeds by not hand. Osika feels that this would as be added to the environment. Henderson said, "When you introduce pesticides, you are tampering with the environ ment within it and the many complex processes such as the food web. I don't — pesticides. Dennis Osika '64, the superintendent of the Grounds Department at Cornell, said that he follows the principles of an use it cannot ban the of all think scientific studies can predict all the effects of pesticides. There are just many variables to consider." Another student, Karen Murray '91, feels that pesticides are an unnecessary too risk. "Using pesticides is like getting a face-lift. Sure you might look better, but it's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. "Faculty in the ag college have been teaching students about pesticide use for years. It would be hypocritical for a university to teach one method, yet practice its own affairs differently," Osika said. Members of the Greens have suggest ed many alternative methods of main I. P.M. program faculty in the as well as the advice of using pesticides. He cautioned, however, that "money is not the whole issue." Safety, he said, is his number one priority. Osika, who often comes in contact with pesticides him cost-effective as self, feels confident that he is not put ting himself, his workers or the Cornell in any danger. letter to a concerned parent, Craft wrote, "We must continue to recognize that an attractive campus is community In a very important to a large use number of our something you could do Pesticides might help make more without. students, faculty, staff, and alumni; the grass attractive but I could live with a challenge amount so here is to the the minimum taining not the lawns on campus which do of chemicals, messier, more natural, and pesticidefree environment," she said. The University the has use concern over responded of pesticides to the for "cosmetic" purposes. The Cornell "dangerous" chemicals. One suggestion involves using herbiciinstead of a more poisonous dal soap product called Roundup to maintain sidewalks and gutters. The University involve — — that enough,' campus looks but not to overdo it." properly applied, 'good ■ by Joshua Z. Kantro '91 17 Drawing on by Benjy Kile '92 landscape ar to study chitecture student who chose Lambert is sketching techniques. "Jack influential one of the most John Tomes '91 is a perhaps professors sesses not He pos I have had to date. only his students his but he can the ability to instill in for creativity, passion a provide clarity of explana Creativity MAGAZINES, SKELEand copper wire by students of former classes, it is a machine with imaginary functions that serves as an tion for even the most frustrating of techniques," When Tornes said. Jack Lambert retires, the fu and waterture of the freehand drawing color classes will be uncertain. For now, draw FULL OF OLD plumbing tons, and odds and ends, Jack Lam bert's studio is a cross between a garage sale and an attic. Students sit at their a example drawing room. tables in circle around the become. Another find Lambert of how creative students can day, students may they remain an opportunity to freely and explore the possibili ties of drawing media. Valued by many students, the classes provide opportu nities which they may not be able to find outside the ag college. "Students might not be able to take another drawing class while at Cor nell," Lambert said. Other drawing classes are Before them lie purses, violins, jars, plants and books; a wealth of sub ject matter for them to capture on pa per. In the midst of it all stands hand. nearly motionless, pipe in typically those overcrowded or his mouth, seated in front of a con structed background of cardboard walls and studio furniture. He is Jack Lambert, eyebrows raised, pencil in for portraits, to be posing critiqued by the the classes for majoring in fine arts. Also, the experience just would not be the same. By giving students the free dom to experiment, Lambert creates limited to model himself. in the the to R.J. Lambert Jr. '50, professor Students opportunity to let ideas take come control. Department of Floriculture and Or different new reasons. on Some enroll to try namental Horticulture, graduated from the ag college as a conservation major. Sunlight become angles are use, such as techniques they already sketching or rendering. some Lambert's studio shines in the windows of now. Soon spring will zoology and an thropology from the University of Michigan in 1951. He returned to Cor an He received MS in Others er there to learn areas basic skills for their of interest, wheth art they be advertising or direction, summer and another group of students will leave the Lambert Pump Company. But, Lambert will be there in nell two years later to teach freehand drawing and watercolor classes. scientific illustration architectural fall semester, ready to minds free with creativitv. ■ the set new drawing. In the advanced drawing When class is in session, it is called "The Lambert Pump Company," a class, students can concentrate on one specific ing or medium or mythical corporation for the entire that sets a mood entire semester, such semester. Lambert is the pen and ink technique for the as pastel render sketching. "president" and his students are the "employees." There are few limitations and enormous benefits. Students and a are given project guidelines pointers. They are also given the free dom to experiment with different me dia, including watercolor, pen and ink, pastel and pencil, students are also free n"v various approaches to drawing 1 few 1 !' f matter ft ■ ■ ■■ i ihe > • possibility i of yan in -.. ■ Si u ■ i 1 1 ni< | lies and skills include • ' 'Afts. •■ \y-t ! seme; n.s n >< ■< ij_.-t| || ,c i ■, >vers, advi -ri i and >ks Most students also hud themselves having never On fun. In Lambert's class knows what will happen one next bert whim, he may pull out "The Lam Pump," a symbol of the Lambert Pump Company. Built of masking tape, a AS' Pen and ink sketch by Professor Jack Lambert. 18 by Hank Grezlak '92 Rice was put in charge of the newly es tablished Department of Poultry Hus ONE HUNDRED YEARS AFTER ITS birth. Cornell's Department of Poultry and Avian Sciences is about to become extinct. The tributed ture department is being redis through the College of Agricul York State cine. and Life Sciences, and the New College of Veterinary Medi With the disbanding of the department imminent, it is only ap propriate that the department's history be recounted. It is a history rich in innovation and scholarship. "It will be sad to see bandry. He had to wait until 1913 before a larger, more adequate building was constructed and named, appropriately enough, Rice Hall. The early days of the department put a heavy emphasis on practicality. At the time poultry farming was seen as noth ing more than a side hobby. It was Rice's intention to develop it into a profitable industry. It is because of this that he is referred to as turkeys could prevent perosis, a crippling disease that affects poultry. At the time, perosis was a major problem for poultry farmers. Physiology professors A. van Tienhoven and C. E. Ostrander successfully proved that a precisely timed two- to four-hour period of light was all that was required to promote normal egg production. And Professor F. B. Hutt, the second chair of the department, wrote Genetics of the Fowl, which is still considered the definitive avian text on and the "father of poultry husbandry." was a genetics. After Rice's retirement in 1934 there shift toward performing more re around four Baker Professor Robert C. '43 dominates the list of achievements in the field of food science. Baker devel new poultry and egg products, almost 30 of which were tested in retail markets. Some of these products were chicken hot dogs, chicken sausage and scene," said Professor Richard it pass from the E. Austic search. The oped '63, its the current chair of the nation depart world- department program devel disciplines: nutri tion, genetics, physiology and food contributions to oped 58 ment. "The in department the is the oldest of science. These four divisions would all kind and make famous. It helped build the poultry in huge farming. poultry hard-cooked egg Will the dustry The sor into what it is today." was program's E. Rice founder in Profes in 1891 For instance, in 1937, three Cornell professors in the nutrition division, Herbert S. yolk. department's disbanding re bring think an James 1890, who Wilgus, Leo C. Norris and search? Austic does end to all this innovative not think so. see "I taught the first course poultry hus bandry before leaving in 1893 to start a poultry and fruit farming business. Director Liberty Hyde Bailey called him Cornell in 1903 to name him as sistant professor of poultry husbandry to Gustave F. Heuser, discovered that add ing manganese to the diet of chickens you'll department ten to professors to from this re continue to conduct search related A little poultry for twenty years," he said. history will be the next to an back coming end that soon. But rather than mourn the under the Department of Animal the summer Hus loss of the now department, is Austic believes to bandry. During the time honor its of 1904 the department's structed and ters. building was con named Poultry Headquar an first achievements. "One way you can look at the disbanding is this: This depart ment has helped point ■ build the It featured a museum a slaughterhouse, feeding and roof of incubator cellar, room, offices dustry it's at into what it is poultry in today. And now the two-story all crammed under the structure. By 1907 respects, take our care where it can, in many of itself. We've done job." 19 IN DECEMBER 1988, A FEW DAYS BEfore Christmas, a number of Syracuse University students boarded Pan Am to cision Flight 103 in London, England. After having spent a semester studying in En gland and traveling through Europe, they were eager to return home to their families and friends back in the United States. decide. I think we made the final de around four [in the afternoonl on the sixteenth of January," he said The decisions not to go abroad were based on several concerns, the The problem of getting accurate in formation about the status and safety of programs abroad was one faced by all being terrorist attacks. in a foreign country, dents aimed are biggest As U. S. citizens all Cornell stu Cornellians considering study abroad. Richter called the Syracuse program to get some answers, but the answers were difficult to find. "I wanted num possible targets for violence They never made it. A terrorist as bomb blew up the plane Lockerbie, Scotland. it flew over hurting the United States. Many study at institutions that are made up almost entirely of U. S. stu at bers. I wanted to know how many stu dents had backed out and why. All that information said. was 'confidential'," she dy, Three years after the Lockerbie trage the United States found itself on the war dents and are housed in one or two Cornell Abroad's ent buildings. One such institution is the brink of with Saddam Hussein and Syracuse Iraq just planning tions all as to many Cornellians were board planes with destina the world. One program in Florence, Italy. Amy Richter '92 had been planning to enroll in the Urbain DeWinter. "We do not make the decisions for [the students]. We give them all the information we have so that policy had a differ approach, according to its director, over question Syracuse program when she and her they can make an informed deci- STUDYING ABROAD Amy Richter Hall. '92 intended to be studying as in Florence this semester. Instead it's classes usual in Warren kept running through to their minds and the minds of their parents: To go or not go? Victoria Gyimesi '92 day before made the deci on sion not to go to Paris parents learned of bomb threat letters received by the school in Florence. "When we first heard about the threat letters in December, we decided that sion," he said. This information includes what the State able Department from the local says, the facts avail embassies and January 14, 1991, maybe I shouldn't go," then we a Richter said."But that one the United States' to heard later on deadline for Hussein leave Kuwait. maybe it wasn't "My parents really became concerned on the Friday before the fifteenth. The rumor on real terrorist group. No consulates and the information avail able from other colleges and their one seemed to have heard of Students who were Wall Street war, was that [the group]. returning early programs. Bayer had planned on attending we were going 'f > she said v/ho IC Mark be in y.'.rs z ' Bayer ft-2, Paris, is w . ■.:,-: ,o: ,-( , -.-F- dec ( , iceled plans -aon .■, few from the program because their parents pulled them out said it was completely safe. Richter and her parents eventual " EDUCO. the Cornell/Duke University program in Paris. "I was in touch with bef^t-.- ly decided not was ur_ 'My \:>:\f- ft -ftft te ■ r gt ;. up toiii iS.;. end to take the chance, but trying to determine what really going on in Italy. not before They said everything okay, but they never said go or don't go," he said. Attitudes toward Gyimesi 's program, also in Paris but run by SUNY, seemed looked Cornell Abroad. f) change daily. "When we talked to on Friday, they said everyone was still going everywhere," she recalled. "On Monday, when I canceled my plans, they said that about four other people had already canceled. I couldn't even speak to the [SUNY] director because he was in a meeting discuss ing the possibility of canceling the to plans. is Andrea DelDuca '92 had them wanted to now spend a semester in always Italy. She student is in Florence study fulfilling that wish. Having made plane reservations far in advance, she left almost a full two weeks before the deadline for Saddam to leave Kuwait. "The first few going ahead with his plans to in Paris. Chris McCollum '93 said, "I'll go if I'm accepted. I don't think days they warned ment, things are apart like that," she said. "But now. us to stay in our [the war] really affects my plans." Since studying at a French univer sity, he feels it will be easier for him to blend in. For him, there is no reason to be overly concerned, as long as ade he will be program." Obviously abroad. it was things easy task for decide not to go no pretty normal We go these students to out, we're careful." Some students were when the Gulf rived in crisis was war quate security measures "Most people think that won't be a are taken. problem," year it McCollum said. out by next Many had planned from the very beginning of their college, or even high school, careers to spend a semes ter or two in a country overseas. Some students canceled and returned for a already abroad began, having ar McCollum's statement points the September 1990 when the Gulf just beginning. For them, the main change has been increased secu rity. According to DeWinter, EDUCO possibility that by the time next year's programs begin, the war may be over. For Bayer, who still hopes to spend his summer in come turn of Paris, this would be a wel events. For Gyimesi and Wartime Fall 1990 EDUCO students celebrate a traditional Thanksgiving dinner at the Paris Center. regular semester at Cornell. Others has became interested in the possibility of going elsewhere. Lisa Lederman '92 and Lisa Sloe '92 were stepped up security. Students at now Richter, there remains the hope that receive EDUCO identification cards, they will carry out their a plans to study most and there are guards posted enters the door. abroad semester late, though Everyone Despite sen who or the center must originally supposed to be in Spain this semester. When they and their par decided that this to was not a present his her ID. ents safe the war, one student has cho to remain in Israel, DeWinter said. be, they called CU Abroad. Lederman said, "I said 'Well, we're not going to Spain. Where else can we go?' And they said, "How about Australia?' " place "She is committed to being there, and consulting with her parents and us, she decided to stay," he said. Cornell after Abroad has remained in contact with For Lederman and Sloe, Australia it Other students, knowing that would have few other was. they opportunites to cancel their her, and by all reports she is doing well. For other students, mostly members of the class of '93, the decision to go abroad has yet to likely only if the terrorist threat no longer exists. Perhaps by next semester, the threat will be lifted, or perhaps students returning from abroad will be able to allay parent and student concerns. "There will be some waiting to see what will happen with the war in the Gulf. It's too soon to tell," said DeWinter. Until then, he said, "We sug gest that students do not go to the Mid dle East, especially Israel and Egypt." ■ study abroad, opted not to be made. At least one by Elizabeth Heaton '92 Pesticide Cut-backs said. by Cheryl Jacobson '91 "We cited over three hundred papers on different methods of crop ping. Based on those papers, we came up with the techniques and estimated reduction methods which to are available THE "MAGIC OF PESTICIDES," to cure ONCE thought al to be able to all ills, may do more harm than agricultur good. reducing pesticides." research, Pimentel and his students found several practi cal, economical and safe alternatives to costs involved in example, rotating crops can reduce the build-up of insects, weeds and plant pathogens. And using viruses, bacteria, fungi and other natu ral enemies can farmers. For Through their reduce pests without chemical pest control. The Pest Integrated harming the environment. The suggestions made in the study could increase crop production costs overall from about $4 billion to According chemical several recent studies, pest controls seep into ground water, pose a threat to wildlife and public health, and cost billions of dollars in governmental regulations. With over 700 million pounds of pes ticides used in U.S. agriculture every year, cutting back poses a major prob lem for researchers and agriculturalists. A new Cornell study may shed some light on the solutions. The study, which is now a chapter in 2,300-page Handbook on Pest Management in Agriculture, suggests that substituting nonchemical techniques for chemical pest controls could reduce up to 50 percent of the pesticides used in the United States without the latest edition of the Management system is one of them. One part of IPM is scouting, or monitoring the pest populations of crops to about for $5 billion a year. What this is an means consumers estimated increase of most a price people would reduce pesticides. determine the most effective can 0.6 percent in food costs, Pimentel believes be reduce up to 70 percent of the insecticides needed to time to treat, and treat willing to pay to peanuts. However, this are cost increase does not "A lot of routine pesticides applied on a include the schedule, whether they are needed or not," explained Pimentel. vironment and potential public benefits to the en health. "If you a stopped, obviously pes ticide use is significantly reduced." One of the newest techniques men tioned in the study is a sex pheromone against the harmful grape berry moth. Studied for twenty years, the pheromone has become available that works "When that is took those into account, ticides would result in Pimentel stressed. The that ment reducing pes net profit," study claims pesticide damage to the environ and public health, such as human poisonings, a and animal costs about $2 billion to $4 billion yields. The raise the reducing crop proposed reductions would price of food by less than one a grape growers for the first time this season. The technique limits the need to for pesticides by interrupting the mat ing cycle of berry moths so they cannot percent, claimed David Pimentel PhD profes sor in the departments of entomology and agricultural sciences. The idea for the study began when the '51, who led the study and is reproduce. nique to be "We have found this tech every bit as effective as in secticides," said Tim Martinson MS '88, PhD '91, a post-doctoral research as sociate at the New York State Although hope that their study will encourage the reduction of pesticides through im proved education, training and govern mental incentive programs, they do not know when this will happen. "It is dif ficult to predict something like this," Pimentel said. "My general feeling is that it will take five we see year. Pimentel and McLaughlin to ten years before Agricul Geneva, government of Sweden invited tural Experiment Station at Pimentel to reduction help formulate a pesticide policy in response to grow concern over New York. Pimentel and his students also high major pesticide reduction policies adopted in the U.S. However, almost everybody is concerned about pesticides. The public wants these any reductions now." ■ ing public the effects of lighted a variety of other pesticide chemical pest controls. "Trying to re duce pesticides in Sweden made me wonder if we could achieve the same we results in the United States, and, if could, what the costs and benefits would be," Pimentel recalled. He and and group of ten graduate students in a undergraduate a course called environmental search the looks at policy decided to re topic further. "Our study we can how reduce the major — — herbicides, in groups of pesticides secticides and fungicides in about 40 major the Lori crops," McLaughlin, Department of U.S. Pimentel a explained. PhD candidate in worked with Pimentel ed Natural Resources, on the study Professor Pimentel, standing in the produce section of Wegmans supermarket, led environmental and economic effects of reducing pesticides. a "Each person in the group concentrat on three or four crops," McLaughlin study on the 22 MNVHUfl CAPSULES New Environmental Center Proposed A new Bjorkman is a member of several societies, including the American has Association for the Advancement of Science, the American Society of Budget Cuts Due to state budget cuts, Cornell faces the prospect of losing some $8 million in state aid within the next environmental center been proposed by the Provost's Committee on the Environment. The committee, co-chaired by Dean David L. Call '54 of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and Simon Levin, a professor of ecology and systematics, submitted the proposal to Provost Maiden C. Nesheim. From there the proposal Horticultural Sciences, the Ameri Society of Agronomy and the American Society of Plant Phys can year, with up to $5 million iology. I960 graduate of the of Rhode Island and received his doctoral degree in Durst is a coming out of the four state-assisted colleges and schools, including the College of Agriculture and Life assisted University Sciences. In response, the statecolleges have issued 67 fore the will be put up for consideration be Faculty Council of and the Board of would new center analytical chemistry from the Mas sachusetts Institute of Technology in 1963. He has taught at MIT, Bos ton College and the University of Maryland. Most recently he was the supervisory research chemist and layoff notices and 30 other statefunded positions have been held vacant. Also, the undergraduate tuition for state residents may be increased to as much as $6,310. Representatives Trustees. The have three goals: to increase the Cornell community's awareness of environmental issues through new academic programs, to increase campus environmental research and to Kelley Named Extension Forester Professor provide assistance to extension com programs outside the Cornell John W. Kelley of the Department of Natural Resources was recently named by the Cornell Cooperative Extension as the New York State Extension Forester. Kel munity. ley 's aimed at education program will be teaching New York's owners a Geneva Station Appoints New Professors Agricul Experiment Station at Geneva recently appointed two new profes sors. Dr. Thomas Bjorkman was named an assistant professor of vegetable crops in the Department tural of Horticultural Sciences, and Dr. Richard A. Durst was named profes Cornell's New York State 500,000 private woodland how to thin vest mature trees. forest and how to har Kelley is also the director of the Arnot Forest, of the Uihlein Sugar Maple Research-Extension Field Station at Lake Dr. Thomas Placid, and of the of the American Bjorkman New York chapter group leader of organic sensors at the National Institute of Standards Chestnut Foundation. chemistry and director of analytical laboratories in the Depart sor of ment of Food Science and Tech nology. Bjorkman, a 1979 graduate of the University of California at Davis, received his doctoral degree from Cornell in 1986. He worked as a Technology before being ap pointed to the Geneva station in September 1990. Durst is designing and conducting a research program in analytical problems associated with food production and agriculture. and He has received a bronze medal for federal service from the National Institute of Standards and Technolo Honors Professor emeritus Nelson Shaulis NASA research associate at the Agricultural Experiment Station at Geneva was the recent recipient of the 1990 Award of Merit presented by the American Wine Society. The award was in recognition of his outstand ing contributions to the advance ment of the New York State University of Washington before joining the Geneva station faculty in July 1990. He is responsible for the development of a research program in the physiology of vegetable crops that will enable scientists to gy and also a a silver medal from the U.S. of viticulture. Department of Commerce. He is The chair of the Fruit and American member of the American Chemistry Society, the Association for Clinical Chemistry, better the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and sever al other professional societies. Department of Vegetable Science, Profes sor Elmer E. Ewing, was awarded a lifetime membership in the Potato Association of America. It is the understand how different vegetables grow under a variety of conditions. association's highest recognition. "M iii':!',!! LI IT I or TGI m situation Oregon to get it to IT SOUNDS LIKE A PLOT FROM A comedy: a kid who grew up tending cattle in Oregon goes on to study policy, politics, and economics at Oxford. Sitcoms aside, Wesley Sand '91 living this story, thanks to the Rhodes Scholarship he was awarded in Decem is ber 1990. Oxford to the regional level in Seattle, Washington, where four finalists were eventually chosen as Rhodes Scholars, on an College major in the Agriculture and Life Sciences, became only the twentieth Sand, an animal science of Cornellian to receive a Rhodes Scholar your head, economic swer to them?" and "Off the top of can you devise a national ship in history. Sand "I the award's illustrious 89-year If anyone expected him to be Cornell's next Rhodes Scholar, Wes was not one never "But if you plan?" truly didn't know the an something, you just said so," was no lege honor bestowed upon seniors each year. just 32 col of them. I'd get said Sand. "There these way to fool his the thought elected," he said. "I just other applicants." During the whirl out didn't think I fit in with the people." According to Sand, he owes award to his father, who taught him learned while Upon arriving in Seattle, the finalists' had a reception with the Rhodes com mittee. Although the setting was infor mal and he did have some interesting conversations with the a < wind interview sessions that rounded value of hard work. The lessons he few committee application process, Sand felt stumped by an alarming number of questions on politics and economics. He admitted that he was the at times "creative" such as response "Does everyone in to questions deserve a growing up on the farm have carried him through life to where he is now. "That was the atmosphere at home: everyone putting in long hours, all the neighbors working together," he said. members, Sand still felt unworthy of scholarship. "After the room reception, I went back to my parents. I It thought and called my it was over," he said. was not until the final round of in health insurance plan and how will you major influence on Sand has advisor at Cornell, Dale Bauman, a professor in the Department of Animal Science, whom Sand calls "a been Another his terviews, where the committee asked personal questions, that Sand felt good about his chances. "Basically, I was say ing, 'This is Wes Sand. Take him or leave him.' " fantastic advisor and a fantastic per son." Now a research assistant for Bauman, Sand met him after transfer ring from Oregon State University. "Wes is a And now, just a few months after receiving the scholarship, Sand eagerly anticipates Oxford, hoping some day to make and a contribution to his community very outgoing individual, a young student, and a very capa man," said Bauman. "I was surprised to hear of his scholarship, but his excellent academic credentials, to ble young with his personality, made him well qualified for the award." very The scholarship process began back in the spring of 1990, when Sand received a letter from Cornell bright perhaps the world. "You Rhodes you dream about a Scholarship and about going to a know, Oxford, and for derstand ars while I couldn't un gether why I got it," he said. After of the former Rhodes Schol about the committee's reasoning, Sand was told that he was "basically asking one just "I an him that he notifying the in a Rhodes Scholarship. might qualify for After sending this extremely nice guy" hope this shows that awards like are open to all people who put to their minds personal statement and several letters of referral, Sand was then invited to attend Wes Sand 91 ant z it," he said. ■ trierai.1 iiokfi 'jfne ay college. the first round of interviews. I le survived two rounds and moved by Brett D. Mendel '91 University, at Mew YosT if ftjivG; College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, a Statutory College of the State Cornell University CORNELL 1 J s no 1 01IRYMM A MAGAZINE OF AND ABOUT THE PEOPLE OF THE NEW YORK STATE COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE AND LIFE SCIENCES C2lc .(, ALBERT R. MANN LIBRARY MAY 2 3 1991 9? I 'THACA, NY 14853 the Puffins mora CORNELL Contents 3 4 Chief Executive Interns Elizabeth Heaton '92 14 Creating Tim Your Own World Whitney '91 Plastics Bringing Back the Puffins 16 17 Not-so-degradable Deborah Steuer '91 Beth P. Goelzer '91 6 7 Speak Stephen Out! Will '92 Seen any Tagged Crows? Shawn Vargo '91 Up for Debate Brett D. Mendel '91 18 Chivalry Benjy Plant Brian is Alive and Well Kile '92 8 Making a Positive I.D. 20 Hunting Adventures the Susan Green '92 Schilling '91 10 Committed to 4-H Renee Hunter '92 22 Return of the Puffins About the Issue What are Seeing page 4 Different Ag College Light in a 1 1 Mann Displays Change 24 Our Olugbemisola Amusa-Shonubi '91 Blue Ribbon Hank Grezlak '92 Jeff Grant '91 Organization the students in the College of 12 Disappearing Before Cheryl Jacobson '91 Eyes Agriculture and Life Sciences up to? Learn about their various activities in this issue of the Countryman. Read about debate club members, corporate interns, 4-H members, and duelers donning suits of armor to re-live the past. The Countryman also examines CORNELL. puffins, tagged crows, biodegradable plastics, and the award-winning bridle club. April/May 1991 Volume LXXXVIII Number 6 Editors Photo Editor Sha-wn Jeff Grant Will Vargo Deborah Steuer Stephen Art Directors Susan Green Benjamin; p. 17 Kevin McGowan; pp. 20, 21 Department of Manuscripts and Archives, Cornell University Libraries — — Assistant Editors Hank Grezlak Renee Hunter Lorella Sabatini Layout Staff Beth P. Goelzer Cheryl Jacobson Brett D. Mendel Brian Tim Elizabeth Heaton Schilling Whitney Joshua Z. Kantro Benjy Kile Olugbemisola Amusa-Shonubi Editorial Staff Olugbemisola Amusa-Shonubi, Beth P. Goelzer, Jeff Grant, Susan Green, Hank Grezlak, Elizabeth Heaton, Renee Hunter, Cheryl Jacobson, Joshua Z. Kantro, Benjy Kile, Brett D. Mendel, Lorella Sabatini, Deborah Steuer, Shawn Vargo, Tim Whitney, Stephen Will. Picture Credits: Cover, pp. 4, 5— Stephen W. Kress; p. 3— Benjy Kile; pp. 7, 14, 15, 18, 19— University Photog Countryman (ISSN 0010-8782) is published six times a year from October through May (combined issues for January and February, and April and May) by the New York State College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, 324 Kennedy Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y 14853- Second class postage paid at Ithaca, Ne-w York 14853. Printed by Midstate Litho, Inc. of Endicott. Subscription Rates: S 10.00 a year; $20.00 for two years. Postmaster: Send change of address to Cornell Countryman, 324 Kenne dy Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y. 14853. Editorial content gathered and written by majors in the Department of Communication. Honorary editor: Edward L. Bernays '12. Faculty advisors: Jane E. Hardy '53, Jane Earle. The Cornell It is the policy of Cornell University actively to support equality of educational and raphy; Ithaca p. 8— Kenneth A. R. Kennedy; p. 9— 16 — employment opportunity No person shall be denied admission to any educational program or activity or be denied employment on the basis of any legallv prohibited discrimination involving, but not limited to, such factors as race, color, creed, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual preference, age, or handicap. The University is committed to the maintenance of affirmative action programs which will assure the continuation of such equality of opportunity Journal; pp. 11, 21— Shawn Vargo; pp. David 12/H -Frances Fawcctt; p. Lynch- CHIEF EXECUTIVE INTERNS by Elizabeth Heaton '92 WAKE UP AT NOON EVERY DAY. TAKE a This course, now once recommended and day cause off every now and then, just be you feel like it. Wear jeans only in area. of all interns, teaches stu dents about the operation of a small required the office the ideal For most people this is business. Hudson feels that it is an situation: you make the rules, you follow your own schedule and you work hard. For numerous career invaluable aspect of learning all there is to know about becoming an entrepre knowledge to students. interning students pro vide the participating companies with some welcome help. They have a student who can attend to specific projects or free up other employees to pass along their In turn, the entrepreneurs all over the country, this is their situation. Not surprisingly, many Cornellians would like to make it theirs too. The Personal Enterprise Internship Program is designed to aid students in achieving that goal of owning or man aging a small business. The program was established in 1987 as another facet they've gone through the they're ready to gain field experience [as interns]," he said. The course, which is taught in the spring, the internship and the Small Business Counseling course, which follows in the fall, provides a three-step program geared towards entrepreneurship. "It's one year for a student to identify where [his or her] interests lie, get experience neur. "After do more. "An intern can come in, take a course, then of the Personal Enterprise Program, providing students with the opportuni ty to get hands-on experience in the small business environment. Diana Mastel and come back and make a contribu tion," said Hudson. more '91, Intern Coordinator Apparently, the program is becoming popular. "This year we have six times the amount of internships availa ble and three times the students who project and spend eight or ten weeks working specifically on that one proj ect," Hudson said. Many companies participate in order to offer students opportunities to learn, never realizing that they may get more out of the experience than the student. Gene Samburg '63, as quoted in the Personal Enterprise Program Brochure, stated, "Although I originally thought that our company was doing students a favor by providing them positions, our experience has proved that we were just as much the beneficiary of the pro gram been not as were for the program, said, "Students spend eight to ten weeks during the summer in a the interns." small business, often working interested," said Mastel. One such hopeful student is Laura Kenny '92. "I are For the students, the program has of informative and nothing short directly or with the company's president heard about the took a opportunity when I invaluable. Their limited to CEO." They learn about how the day-to-day aspects business works, get involved with the of running a small a company and are often given project to work on during the the can a specific of course couple of Professor Hudson's courses. He emphasized what a great experience it would be, and I became interested." Now through with the application process, she hopes to hear from job duties are gophering, filing and en summer internship. However, be sent in to everyone work with the CEO of not small company. Who would make a good intern? "We are looking for juniors, are with an occasional senior, that open-minded and eager to learn," described Mastel. The program draws a participating busy making their final decisions. The sponsoring small busi nesses vary greatly in both location and function. Students can find internships in a range of businesses from Challenge companies are a company soon. While Kenny waits, the tering data into a computer. Instead the jobs are challenging, resume-building and interesting. Quoted in the pro gram's Guide to Intern Sponsorship, M. learned Mei Tschang '89, said, "I . . . about all aspects of the small business, from production to marketing and sales." Her experience is not unique, as many express the same view when commenting on their summer intern from pool of interested students, Industries in Ithaca, New York, to R&B ships. And, though they may been able to set their own not have many of whom have taken the Personal Enterprise and Small Business Man agement course taught by Professor Michael A. Hudson, director of the Personal Realty in Los Angeles, California, are to hours and Flavors and ni Fragrances in New York City. Many sponsors who, having been successful with their own Cornell alum are dress code, the internship program is a big step towards achieving their goals of someday owning their own busi Enterprise Program. small businesses, eager to nesses. ■ 3 Bringing DOES SPENDING YOUR SUMMER ON a Back ply waiting for the puffins to mature. The birds spend the first two years of their life at sea. Then, they visit islands for the next two summers or so before are one The Puffins rocky, unpeopled a beginning to breed. Once they breeding, each pair only produces chick In a year. a addition, puffins face myriad of in population-threatening problems, cluding oil spills and disturbance nesting sites by humans of and other on a island 20 miles off ed in 1973 by Stephen W Kress PhD 75 as an effort to restore the Atlantic puffin and Arctic, common and roseate terns to historic island habitats off the Maine coast. Human animals. "Birds concentrated few islands are by 12-foot plumbing or electricity sound appealing to you? It the Maine coast in cabin with no 12-foot running water, trophes Kress explained. This cent on very vulnerable such as oil spills and to catas disease," espe habitation of the islands extreme concentration is does to the 24 interns and volunteers and massive participate each summer in the Project, spending their vacations feeding puffin chicks, observing bird behavior and chasing away uninvited gulls and people. It is not hard to see how they be come fascinated with the puffin, a pigeon-sized seabird from the auk fami ly that looks like a clownish cross be tween an emperor penguin and a tou who Puffin can hunting during the 1800s caused sharp declines in puffin and tern populations there, and by the early 1900s, the birds sanctuaries and were are are cially evident Puffin in the terns, with 95 per tern of Maine's almost gone. Six now Most population living Project islands, said Kress. of that population is the result of of these islands designated part of the Puffin there ern the tern restoration program. In 1990, were 1,232 pairs of terns on East Project. Kress, who works in the Laboratory of Egg Rock alone, according to the 1990 edition of the Egg Rock Update, the Puffin stored Like the Ornithology, and his teams of summer interns and volunteers have and is immortalized no on hundreds of brought back the puffins to Seal Island and Eastern Egg Rock by flying almost 2,000 chicks from Newfoundland's Project newsletter. puffins, the terns were re using decoys and sound record souvenir items and smoking ("no The tern, a black-capped gray bird about the size of a robin, while not as wildly popular with the puffin") signs. puffin, is equally impor tant to the Puffin Project people. Co-sponsored by the National Au dubon Society and the Canadian Wild life Service, the Puffin Project was start public as the large puffin colonies to the Maine is lands and hand-rearing them. Because puffins usually return to nest in the places where they were raised, the Puffin Project is based on the premise that the birds will eventually recolonize the islands on which they were raised. However, merely being raised on an island is not enough for a puffin. Be cause puffins will nest only where oth er puffins are already nesting, Kress and his teams have to trick the birds by us ing wooden decoys and sound record ings of puffin calls to lure them to the islands. "Some of the returning puffins actually rub beaks with the decoys," Kress said. ings. Chick-rearing was not a part, however, due to the difficulties of handrearing terns, Kress explained. The restoration techniques have been a suc cess at four of the historic tern islands. Today, the 1916 Migratory Bird Trea ty Act protects puffins and terns from predators herring and great black-backed gulls. These gulls not only eat adult puffins and terns and their eggs and such as hunters, but not from natural chicks, but also compete for their nest ing sites. And since gulls stay in Maine year round while the puffins and terns migrate, the gulls usually have first choice. To reclaim the six islands for puffin and tern restoration, gulls already nest were displaced, primarily bv the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Be cause gulls, like puffins and terns, re ing there Project puffins were raised at Eastern Egg Rock in 1973. The puffins first began breeding there in 1981, and by 1990, there were 15 pairs at Eastern Egg Rock. The project was expanded to Seal Island in 1984. Puffins began returning Seal Island in 1986 but not in suffi cient numbers to hope for the start of a to The first Puffin turn year islands, gone, it once was after year to the same nesting the initial population was easier to said. gull-free, Kress the keep the islands contrast to have about 220 islands in Currently, the gulls puffins' and terns' six main islands colony until 1989, when at least 13 puffins were visiting the island. But, the puffins have not yet begun to breed, said Kress. A large amount of time is spent sim Making the islands an attractive place for terns and puffins to nest takes a tremendous amount of work and much of that work is done by the sum mer interns and volunteers Kress said Each summer, he hires a dozen full-time padded buckets terns and for seats, permit the in volunteers to observe birds them. to You get to know them, and when one without One disturbing stint is of the chicks dies, it's kind of sad." But just what is it like to be on such a devoted watching. er Records of which puffinpuffins go remote island for 12 weeks? "Per into which nesting burrows and wheth they bring fish into the burrows, a sign that they have a chick, are kept. "It's a by so quickly. fun shift. A four-hour shift goes You get to record the an a tics of these comic birds and listen to their calls. Puffin calls sound like chain saw being started up," Peterson explained. The other four-hour stint varies from island to island. On Eastern sonally, it's a lot of fun. You learn a lot about yourself there's a lot of inner reflection and soul-searching," Hartley said, echoing Peterson. "But when you hit the mainland [usually Rockland, Maine], you're psyched to get a soda and a pizza. And to do your laundry and take hot showers. Most people en joy going to the mainland, if for noth ing but to realize how good you had it — on the island." Egg Rock, it The interns typically work two to is devoted to the terns. Last summer, a study of their feeding preferences was Peter three weeks, from about 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week, before having Dully feeds puffin chicks in man-made burrows conducted. "You had bird had the to identify which at Seal Island. fish, what species the fish was, how big it was and then which of the tern's two or three chicks got it, all student interns additional 12 three weeks mer. to live and work to on the in a matter of seconds," Peterson said. islands from late on mid-August. An volunteers spend two to May the islands each sum are ex In addition to these volunteers and interns do from the tedious task daily activities, everything of weeding tall- All interns and volunteers to have some pected basic knowledge selective in sure of birds. "Steve know said been [Kress] is really growth plants (terns won't nest in them) to the challenging chore of put ting identifying bands on the legs of puffins and terns to collecting weather data. who he chooses. He makes you exactly what Anne Peterson, you're getting into," a fourth-grade Trumansburg a schoolteacher who has Mitschka Hartley, a junior in the Department of Natural Resources, has also worked with the Puffin Project the couple of days off. "You work really Everyone I know has been left with an incredible sense of accomplish ment," Hartley said. "And the hands-on experience is unbeatable." Despite the rigorous working condi tions, the Puffin Project is something of an addiction for many people. "It's amazing how many people go back year after year. Most people can't stay away," Hartley said. Apparently, neither can the puffins and terns. The long sought return of the Maine islands to their original diver sity is well on its way to full realization. Seventeen years of hard work have paid a hard. volunteer the past two summers. Peterson likes the Puffin Project be it means a past two summers as a student intern. "I got lucky," he said. "Most of the in terns are off. ■ cause few weeks without the "These islands are either masters few are or PhD candi basic amenities. dates. really spiritual places. You have time to Very Hartley's undergrads." Seal first summer was on reflect and get away from your every day life. It's a magical place," she ex Island, where he raised 200 puffin chicks. During his second summer, plained. And being gives people "You eat Hartley split without the amenities a his time between Seal Matinicus by Beth P. Goelzer '91 Island and different a perspective. little brown, broccoli that's Rock. "Matinicus is what Steve [Kress] would like all of his islands to be and you really pay attention to how much water you use," she added, not like," Hartley said. "It has successful populations of razorbill auks, guille mots, puffins, laughing gulls and Arctic and com mon ing that the islands get groceries and supplies only every three weeks. typical day for a volunteer or an in begins with a 6 a.m. count of the puffins, black guillemots, gulls, cor morants and any birds not usually seen A tern on terns." A significant part Project of ly the island, Peterson said. Fortunate the couple thousand terns are not the Puffin natural is the total immersion into the counted. Two four-hour stints in the birdwatching blinds follow. These tent-like structures, complete with the luxury of world, Hartley explained. "You start to feel like you're part of are used to lure terns to islands where colonies have not yet been their families [the terns']. Decoys established. 5 WHAT COMMON THREAD CONNECTS one of the sets of skills receiving said more talking patient before an operation, a lawyer delivering a closing argument, an en gineer explaining a new development these scenes?: a a doctor to attention nowadays," Charlotte Rosen, senior lecturer in management communications in the Johnson Grad uate School of Management. "More board of directors, a student debat ing the ethics of war with a professor and a manager presenting the to a corporate latest stock reports via satellite holders around the globe. these to share emphasis is being placed on it [public speaking], and there's more of an ex pectation that people will do it well." But why are schools and businesses now stressing public speaking? Recent research Trying to locate a similarity among everyday occurrences may prove challenging, but you do not have to be Sherlock Holmes ment to uncover proved that oral communica tion skills "make the most difference in if you can't effectiveness managerial — the ele that weaves these events The solution to this mystery lies under your "It nose. together. right do. effectively you can't plans," said Judi Brownell, implement associate professor of management communicate doesn't matter a Whether you're you manager, teacher, what communication in the School of Hotel Administration. Employees at all levels realize the im portance of public speaking, because out in the business world, "You'll be communicating tions," said Rosen. "I can't think of any position where they [oral communica in all sorts of situa Lately, the art of public speaking has become important, both in and beyond college. more SPEAK OUT lawyer, MPS tion skills] are not important." Tanya These crucial skills not only help managers and workers, but they also aid students. "Public you the to use Walter '93, the recipient of the 1990 4-H New York State Public Speak "It ing Award. tions. It helped me communicate speaking teaches one-on-one was clear, concise language and importance of structure," said Stepp. "Students say they're studying science so they don't need to know how to speak, but maybe someday they'll need to persuade someone to give them a research grant." At the very least, people living in a democratic so ciety need to know how to speak in public to express their views, she and in various group situa also a way to build my self- confidence." While in public speaking helps people school, in the marketplace and in so ciety, it can also give a competitive edge in the job search. "Employers of all sizes, types and descriptions always stress strong oral communication skills. I've heard it so many times that it sounds like a student or doctor, you have said Pamela to broken record." said Bill know how to speak," '80, a senior lecturer in the Stepp College Over added. Dianne Walter, a demonstration pro of Agriculture and Life Sciences and gram director of the Forensics Program. development leader for Tompkins County 4-H, emphasized the benefits Alberta MS '77, coordinator of the ag college's Career Development Office. He talks to employers ranging from For the past ten years, academic institutions and the marketplace have been placing an of oral communication skills. "Even if you're front never called upon to stand in increased emphasis on effective oral and debate communication. "Since 1980, the speech group, public speaking teaches you how to organize your thoughts. Personal communication a of companies to non-profit or ganizations to government agencies. "They all consistently list oral commu nication as one of the most important hiring criteria for all different positions. The only occupation that I can think of tune 500 program here at Cornell has been get ting bigger and bigger. Ten years ago it was skills are important no matter what you're basically we dead — I could two debaters. But we now it's only find caught on members, called upon to do." However, you could find an aren't where strong communications skills important for is 'hermit'." yourself in in Of course, work in front of this age, audience of millions. "In is most people live and society and, therefore, need to noses to and have about 40 active and in 1988 [the Cornell forensics team] won first place in the nation in speech and debate," said Stepp. The increasing popularity and im portance of public speaking appears not only on Cornells campus but also in the marketplace. "Communication is public speaking importance because of increasing look under their find the true the electronic value of oral communication. Accord revolution in the media," said Ralph Thompson, a senior lecturer in the Department of Communication. Public speaking can also reach peo ple on a more personal level. "It helped me ing to Stepp, "Public speaking works ■ in the real world." in every aspect ot my life," said by Stephen Will '92 6 Up for cover, and the research skills for the team tournaments, said Dumas. Aside from the northeast also apply to law." Former de baters have attended the law schools of Boston region cir cuit, which includes trips to Debate by Brett D. Mendel '91 ON A TYPICAL THURSDAY AFTERnoon, Harvard, Yale, Pennsylvania, Cornell, University, Syracuse and North an Plattsburg, western, to name a few. But one need not have law to the ious interest in participate at in debate. Currently, var Poughkeepsie, Boston and Baltimore, the team participates on the national level as well. In the past, they have made stops in the states of Kentucky, Washington, Kansas, West Virginia and Utah. not cover er. team consists of students from colleges Cornell, most of whom have had little or no high one school debate The team's monetary resources do all of their expenses, howev experience. team This is aspect of the from others that separates it In many instances, Cornell Clubs and individual alumni of different cities out around the country, said Coye, pointing that most teams consist of students or have been more than generous. "Without the Cornell network of Jamey Dumas '91 hurries a out of a who have debated for three four alumni, class and into on a borrowed van. With few other Cornell students, he embarks 10- to 20-hour drive to a far-off of he years in high school. Even so, the team has finished the season we wouldn't be able to go to at least half of these places," said Coye. ranked number one and num "The Cornell Club of Philadelphia, for example, arranged for our accommoda college. After a sleepless weekend speeches, arguments and rebuttals, ber three in the country within the last three years. Pam Stepp, the director of the Forensics been a makes his way back to campus as Sun day night fades into Monday morning. Program, has been in "She has tions, and the alumni in St. Louis paid our flight to that city. The sponsors have been incredible; they are critical for to our strumental to this Dumas. success. success." as days to organize his life, and by Thursday or Friday afternoon, the cycle begins again. Such is the life of a hard-core debater He has three tremendous fundraiser," said So what drives debaters such mas Du from the Forensics Program at Cornell University. Split into the two categories of speech and debate, the forensics team The team receives money from several sources, including alumni and different parts of the University, said the most abandon their social lives, cram a week's worth of academics and activities into four or Coye to morning on and go to sleep days, at five in Dumas, and Stepp has raised the sary funds team to as ments to neces five days and spend almost on send members of the end of the semester every week the road? sends its members to tournaments the country throughout the en tire academic year, vacations included. across many as six different tourna each weekend. Most of the several hundred While the team is officially part of the bate teams cannot Department of Communication in the College of Agriculture and Life Sci ences, any student can join and com pete as so ity to colleges that have de equal Cornell's abil simultaneously reach that many addictive," said Coye. "I get a high from arguing effectively, espe cially if we win." Apparently, the debaters have found a winning formula. ■ real "It's much or as little as desired. It happens, though, that the prevailing background of debaters is from pre-law studies. "Debate is great preparation for a ca just reer Victorious debaters after tourney: (top row, left to right) Justin Ward, Marc Kesselman, Alan Givens, James Dumas (bottom, left to right) Brian Housh, Josh Berman, Linda Coye, and Jeremy Rosen. late arguments da in law because you learn to formu quickly, think on your feet, and keep an open mind," said Lin Coye '93, a debater since her fresh man year. She is double-majoring in government and history with law school ambitions. "Debate requires a great deal of quick, analytical thinking, just like in law school or a law career," said Jeremy Rosen '93, also a second-year debater. "The large majority of committed debaters wind up cause at top law schools be research debate is extremely based," added Dumas. "There is a lot of precedent material for the topics we 7 ■ MB V€ I % III al^itun si JJ _^ %^ ositive I.D. "TWO INDIVIDUALS WERE IN THE wrong package, that's the bottom line," declared Kenneth A. R. Kennedy, said that the person who identified the human remains in this case was biased by a lawyer was who ecology and systematics and a forensic anthropologist. He was referring to a case where a funeral home mistakenly mixed up cremated professor of what she also saw a basically "told her going to find." Kennedy answer. remains. As a came up The attorney accepted his report but decided not to use it because it showed evidence the remains and he with different prove something. It would be unethical if the lawyer predicts the identification and you manipulate data to satisfy him." Kennedy's current research involves identifying markers of occupational out to stress or bone remodelling. wear For exam ple, "A dancer has unusual stress marks and tear on forensic anthropologist, Kenne damaging port "As was is often called upon to identify bones or skeletal material. Kennedy dy using the re according to Kennedy. a forensic anthropologist you're not to his client. Not which show the the ethical spinal column. Baseball and football players show interesting marks on the ulna," said Kennedy. Some musicians, like violinists and horn players, have unique stress marks on their clavicles and sternums. He has found and documented 150 markers of occupa tional stress. Today, only -i"' "certified" forensic anthropologists exist, said Kennedy. Forensic anthropology is the branch of physical anthropology in which an thropological data, criteria and tech niques are used to identify individuals from skeletal remains. This may involve issues of civil or criminal law. In 1C")~S. Kennedy pointed became member the of sixteenth ap the American Academy requires practical As a of Forensic Sciences, which members to take a written and exam as a in order to receive cer tification forensic anthropologist. forensic anthropologist, Kenne as a dy is available consultant to the may medical and as an legal fields. "You function when not expert witness in court you're certified," he said, "but its illegal to testify if you're not certi work." Professor Kennedy and John R. Lukacs PhD 76 excavate the fied, and it does o For a forensic anthropologist, mak ing a positive identification means comparing one's list of observations with the description given by the po lice, medical examiner or lawyer. "Fifty percent of the time you reach a positive identification," said Kennedy. vited him to be a field of ecology and faculty member in the evolutionary biol ogy. "They wanted someone familiar with the biology of the human being," said Kennedy, "but I teach strong human biology program," he said. Several undergraduates and gradu students who have participated in the program have gone on to become forensic anthropologists. The course, Laboratory and Field Methods in Hu ate Identification involves determining the age at death of the remains, time essentially though I'm in a different department." Kennedy also belongs to the Department of Asian the same courses even Studies and remains in the field of an elapsed ease since death, sex, stature, dis and trauma. Trauma or signs of thropology violence include blows, fractures or knife wounds. "Weapons leave charac teristic marks," said a Biology places an emphasis on anthropology. "I thought it would be fun to organize the teaching of forensic anthropology," said Kenne dy. The class consists of graduate and undergraduate students. forensic "We man Kennedy. "One of my spookiest cases involved house on Geneva Street, in Ithaca, York," he related. "There was a pitch the course to those with interests in archaeology and medical- New legal fields." A few students, like Leni Kaplan '91, plan to pursue careers in forensic sciences. to Celisa Mettler '93, going to find this kind of opportunity outside of medical school." The hands on experience from the laboratories is applicable to the real legend that the house was haunted and a grinning face appeared in an upper story window. Several years ago, electrician who was an According not "You're installing new wir opened up a panel and was frightened by a skull." The medical examiner called Kennedy to the scene. ing He identified it as a was in the attic life career "It's nice us to mummified skull and said that "It missing its lower anthropology. having a course that teaches actually do something," said Bill of forensic grinning. It was a young male, his dental pathol ogy showed that he was nutritionally stressed and the time elapsed since ... jaw it could not have been thropology, first and Grae '91. The course, cross-listed in an is limited to 16 students. "But this semester, 34 showed up the day," said Kennedy. Students were on selected death the basis of their class years was over 50 years. There head that never was not specializations. were much be a more I could say. It appeared to "There many people a I had to decapitated someone exclude," he said. "We have beautiful accom had put up there. They rest of the body." found the lab up in Stimson but it doesn't modate too many people." But he did notice remains of little "Forensic anthropology attracts at plants growing out of the skull's base, meaning that at one time the specimen had been buried, then exhumed. "This case was intriguing because of the chal lenge in establishing the time elapsed since death," said Kennedy. tention because it's snazzy stuff," he said. "People associate it with [the tele Professor forensic Kennedy holds a human skull from the anthropology case. He received his BA, MA and PhD Kennedy American not out often receives Native from mate crime related. specimens. "These cases are Usually we try to find a University of California, Berkeley and in 1978 became a Diploof the American Board of Forensic the character] Quincy!" But, Kenne so few people go into forensic anthropology because "It's a highly specialized study. There's a com mitment to knowing a lot of anatomy. In the forensic anthropology business dy feels that a vision if the location is and race." In that of burial site. The job is death, fied a to estimate time elapsed since one case a a he identi Anthropologists. As a graduate student, his major research interest became hu man paleontology in South Asia. In 1987 and 1988, he excavated at your time is not your own. You may get phone call to go down to the morgue at any moment. Everyone's always in a rush and it takes several days to do an skull found in as Native American Harap- young white fe male. "My hunch is that it was a white captive," he said. cemetery pa, Pakistan, a city of Indus Valley Civilization which goes back about 5,000 years. "I tion to see At Cornell, Kennedy teaches Labora anthropology my main contribu to be the study of tory and Field Methods in Human Biol human evolution in South Asia," said analysis." "The positive side is that it's very ex citing and you learn a lot from your col leagues," said Kennedy. "We're a happy organization," he smiled, "even if our topics are sometimes macabre." ■ ogy, Human Paleontology and Human Evolution. From 1964-1980, he was in the Department of Anthropology, then the Division of Kennedy. self Biological Sciences in Kennedy keeps him busy teaching future forensic an thropologists. "Cornell has a very Back at Cornell, by Susan Green '92 9 COMMITTED by Rene'e Hunter '92 DIANE IRWIN '94 VISITED CORNELL prior to entering high school. She bought her first Cornell sweatshirt years before she knew she would go to the University. Plus, Irwin has received mail from Cornell since she was in third grade. In fact, she has been involved was with Cornell since she eight years TO 4-H and is on a of Cornell." Another way Cornellians show their commitment to 4-H is by participating 4-H, a volunteer service in Collegiate to Adviser Barbara group, according Eshelman, a recruitment specialist with Cornell Cooperative Extension. "Colle giate 4-H can extend one's involvement with 4-H at the county level, but we are not exclusively for past 4-Hers," she explained. one "The group is open to any who is interested in to learning about old. The reason: she was in 4-H. community education For Irwin and other long-time to 4-H member of the portunity Collegiate 4-H members, the introduction came Cornell years ago as they learned about New York state's land grant institution op work with young people." The club has been a way for alumni to continue their involvement. "I was in 4-H for twelve years. It was or wants an campus. such a membership through organization dedicated to developing leadership and teaching life skills to youth ages 8 to 19. This early introduc an their in 4-H, For students who want to work with tion to Cornell is the reason some stu dents enrolled "I'm at the University. was basically here because I in 4-H, a variety of volunteer and paid positions exists. Cornell students can apply for jobs around the state at the Cooperative Extension offices in the 57 counties and 5 New York City boroughs. Volunteer work is available in many aspects of 4-H. Irwin is an assistant big part of my life that it was hard to im agine my life without it," said Jan Mer rick '93. "When I received a letter tell ing me about a 4-H meeting on campus, it was The Cornell sisted with go." Collegiate 4-H has as some Tompkins County so natural to troduced to Cornell when I was on a Cooperative E.A.S.E. Extension activities. Mem 4-H trip," explained Irwin. "I fell in bers volunteer with the "Ride with love with the scenery and surround ings. Plus, I got to see some of the re going on and learned about my major, agricultural and biological en gineering." Randy Decker '91 echoes Irwin's rea son for choosing the University. "I originally wanted to be an [Cornell search project leader for her former club and Tanya Walter '93 presents workshops on public speaking to Tompkins Coun ty 4-Hers. Ilene Kutin '92 started her 4-H in (Equine Adventure and Self Es teem)" program where they work with handicapped children as they learn how to ride horses. The Collegiate 4-H members also helped run an "unhaunted house" at the Pyramid Mall in Ithaca last Hal loween and the "Animal volvement when she volunteered to work with an Cooperative] there's no extension agent and through Though with the her Art the Ithaca 4-H program of Teaching class. Extravaganza" course ended, her work better place to go than to the has continued. "I it," he said. Some Cornell students, including Irwin, have learned that involvement in 4-H is still 'father' of kids," Kutin me really like working explained. "It's from all the stress this winter. The group also had a booth at the New York State Fair to promote 4-H. Eshelman fun and relieves hopes on the Collegiate as 4-Hers can work campus ambas Exten their possible even though membership ended at age 19. involvement volunteer sadors of Cornell Cooperative These students 4-H jobs, 4-H. continuing their through campus work and Collegiate are sion. "We're very 'under-marketed'. A lot of students do not understand what Extension is, which is applying educa tion and research to the community," she stated. Commitment to 4-H their involvement. runs "I didn't want to lose my involve ment with 4-H and I wanted some high at Cornell for those who have continued thing to do at Cornell besides school < Running into other work," said Eva Marie Nissen '94. When '.he arrive^ >n. <" -inn 4-H alumni is cial a common occurrence pus, after -.1.ft..v,h. _ spending Nissen which reminds students of their benefi membership Will in the organization. Steve '92, a member for eight years, noted, "I've run into numerous . . still vol o l"> I tlC > I III Schenec10 ■ci ho, on campus that were very involved in 4-H before. 4-H is ubiq people uitous . . . . m <_ ounty, on this campus." ■ MANN DISPLAYS CHANGE by Jeff Grant '91 NOT TOO LONG were AGO, COLLEGE students including being chided in the media for their supposed lack of polit ical backbone. But things appear to be taking a turn. Although the level of ac across the country, Cornellians, policy in this field. Although Mann will now present many of the displays itself, featuring unusual and important materials found in the library, other groups will still be given access to the cases. The new poli cy, though, stipulates that petitioners must now national tivism on the Cornell campus has not reached that of the late sixties and ear lege be connected with the Col of Agriculture and Life Sciences or the College of Human Ecology rather ly seventies, ably in the it has heated up consider last few months. Recent, than the Cornell community at large. dis Also, a strong tie-in should exist be well-attended rallies and open mikes have addressed issues including the War in the tween the focus of the play the and proposed library holdings. As Gulf, the right to U.S. flag, the right to burn the U.S. display the flag, of So what do the students think about change? expected, opinions on AIDS awareness and divestment University funds from South Africa. The heightened interest in political issues has led to more the issue vary. Amy Scanlan '92, an animal science major in the ag college, is against the new policy. "I don't feel the A woman eyes one of the lobby of Mann Library. displays in the downstairs students in the library needs to promote itself," she a the College sitting up and taking notice of a policy change at Mann Library. On March 1, 1991, the library amended its criteria for allowing Cornell-affiliated groups, po litical or not, to use seven display cases on the first floor of the building. For ed with the of Agriculture and Life Sciences said. "The area unrest on general environment campus." one, she thinks the of political should remain public a While Olsen feels the old forum," according to Suzy Loiselle '92, a biology major. Referring specifically good policy was change was graphic, controversial dis play presented by the Cornell Coalition to a rather necessary. She said the location of the cases in the library's downstairs lobby presents not the past several years, any group affiliat University could petition for Life, she added that the cases should be used for "presentation instead of library for permission to place a display in the cases. Exhibits ran for a month each and priority was given strictly on a first come, first served basis. The latest restrictions cases. the persuasion." Al Berger '92, a unique opportunity to reach only patrons of Mann, but others who are "just coming through," using the area as a walkway between Warren who studies agricultur and Plant Science halls. Olsen added al economics, agrees. "The function of the library is to provide information and not The policy places the use some new on of the display opinions." timing of the policy change fur ther complicates the issue. Some stu dents believe the change is a direct looking back, it "seemed gener allow Cornell groups to use such a heavily traveled space for exhibits," but now the time has come to raise the that, in ous to According to Jan Olsen MS '88, '91, Director of Mann Library, the emphasis is simply shifting back to the original purpose of the cases, which PhD was to result of the Cornell Coalition for Life's "showcase the treasures of the February display, the last to run under the old policy. Olsen disagrees, point ing out that the decision had been made prior to the display in question and that the exhibit was allowed to run for its full allotted month. She conced ed the library." Citing the February 1991 issue ot American Libraries, the publication of the American Olsen said that the Library Association, policy of displaying is library materials consistent with timing of the change was unfor noting, "The response to the display was more agitated because of tunate, impor preserving some of the rarer books in the library. Upcoming displays will feature books on ornithology, botany, lace making and agricultural equipment. Olsen predicts the new displays will be well-received by the public. But howwill students react? Will they show their political backbone and oppose this policy change? Are these changes really for the better? ■ public's tance consciousness of the of FOR E BETTER? n yip" %m H U^ C BEFORE OUR EYES However, insects phins and monkeys that can fit on palm of your hand. All are found in rain INCANDESCENT PARROTS, PINK DOLthe the forest, announced the recent Rain Forest Rescue Wildlife Fund. acre of rain Campaign by the World "Every second another forest is destroyed forever," By calculating the rate of deforesta entomologists estimate that insect species may disappear at a rate of 160,000 each year for the next 30 years. That is a loss of 456 species per day. tion, are not the only suffering from reduced biodiver sity in tropical rain forests and other areas facing destruction. "New species of plants are discovered only because we are destroying their habitats," said Jerrold Davis, assistant professor of botany in the Bailey Hortorium, a unit in the Division of Biological Sciences. "Recently, we have discovered some species of orchids in the tropics only because the trees they live on have group dolphins cal a the Fund claims, and with it the parrots, and monkeys. Within 30 years, experts on biologi diversity predict that we may live in fewer containing 25 to 50 percent living species. Even worse, some of these insects, plants, fish, birds, mammals and other groups of species world will become extinct before their exis tence is ever discovered. a "Biological diversity is decreasing at rate never before experienced in historical time," said Quentin D. Wheel er, professor and chair of the Depart ment of Entomology at Cornell Univer sity. "But we are suffering a double loss because not only are we losing species, but also all knowledge that they ever existed." been cut down. Who knows how many other undiscovered species remain," he added. Species of fungi, fish, birds, mammals and other groups face similar reductions. Although most people are not con cerned about the extinction of known insects and un examples biodiversity occurs among insects. Technological developments have recently enabled entomologists to collect and study insects living in trees 200 feet tall in the Amazon jungle. Ac cording to Wheeler, 80 to 90 percent of the species in those collections repre sent insect species previously un known to entomologists. Based on those collections, entomologists esti of reduced mate One of the most dramatic plants, researchers claim that studying and understanding the relationships between all species shed light on every other aspect of biology. "Unless we have an under standing of the evolutionary and histor ical patterns of relationships, it be comes "speciescape" the size of individual organisms represents the number of described species in the major taxon. Many species may soon become extinct— some before they are even In this discovered. difficult to understand almost anything biology," you might want to study in asserted Wheeler. "It would be very difficult to understand the evo lution of social behavior, for example, unless you had some sense of what behaviors that the total number of insect Systematists, whether they specialize botany, entomology, invertebrate zoology, herpetology, ichthyology, mammalogy or ornithology, find them selves in a race against time. "The rate of deforestation and species extinction seems to be accelerating," said Wheel er. "At the minimum we should sample and preserve as much material as possi in species is between 1.5 and 50 million. Only 751,000 species of insects are preceded other ones." Such historical frameworks among ble so scientists in the future can under stand what this diversity was and how presently "We do order of to described. not even know within an magnitude how many alteration of their ever insect species exist," declared Wheeler. "Due the natural species are generated by the discipline of systematics. "Systematics is really the study of diversity," Wheeler said. "It in volves coming up with formal systems of classification so that species can be grouped together based on common ancestral species were all related to each other." easy task. In 1989, fewer than 1,200 graduate students in the United States pursued degrees in sys no This is tematic biology, compared came to over 3,000 in 19^9 someone "cited Wheeler. up to me "Even if habitats, many of these become extinct before we chance to discover them." The insects will relationships. out It also involves have today and to a figuring are." what those relationships gave me all the funding new needed dis in cover ten million sure problem of disappearing species certainly is not unique to the tropics. For example, Wheeler has found an ob scure group of flightless, slime-mold feeding beetles in the Appalachian Mountains. "They arc possibly being driven to e::i' on. i< ■■ species of Systematics helps researchers make informed decisions about species, ex plained Wheeler and Davis. Under standing the relationships among spe cies can sects, I'm not sible to train that it would be pos and deploy enough people To before most of the damage is done," he added. assist It conservationists in complicate the situation further, choosing techniques ing species. •■■vide - best aimed at sav o .,,,;:: , •- .-- ■,-,• ,s ._, can growing ■■■■-■. tops," expo ■'. , ,..fl which also help scientists endangered species to and money to. many systematists discover a lack of desirable teaching and research posi tions once a ' >i' limiicd they graduate with PhDs. or time "When svstematist retires leaves his In light of this renewed interest in in the systematics and importance of understanding biodiversity, Cornell University recently developed the Cornell Institute for Biodiversity Studies. One of the Systematics and goals of this program, located within the Division of Biological Sciences, is to produce graduate students who become systematics professors researchers. will and "Projections show that there will enough systematists to meet needs of society as biodiversity be comes a not the be major issue within the next ten years," sor Crepet, profes Bailey Hortorium and a leader in developing the Institute. "We want to produce students who will be well-equipped to fulfill that need." Another goal of the Institute is to unite systematists who specialize in different fields throughout campus. "We want to bring together people who are interested in systematics from all departments such as the Bailey Hor torium, entomology, ecology and sys tematics, microbiology, physiology, neurobiology and others," said Crepet. and chair of the claimed William "We No. are not exclusive. If someone is in the Institute, terested in of Described Species participating in they 4,760 46,983 26,900 248,428 30,800 5,000 9,000 12,200 12,000 can." 0. Wilson, Ed., 1988. Biodiversity, Nat. Press, Washington DC. 1 2 3 4 Monera (Bacteria, Blue-green Algae ) Fungi Algae Plantae (Multicellular Plants) Protozoa Porifera (Sponges) Coelenterata (Jellyfish, Corals, Comb Jellies) Cornell, which probably has the strongest systematics community of any university in the country, accord 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 ing to Wheeler and a Platyhelminthes (Flatworms) Nematoda (Roundworms) Annelida (Earthworms etc.) Mollusca (Mollusks) Echinodermata (Starfish Insecta volved in Crepet, also is in joint graduate training pro 12,000 50,000 6,100 751,000 123,161 1 9 , 12 13 14 15 16 etc.) gram with the American Museum of Natural History in New York City. "This program allows graduate students to work in a major natural history muse um Non-insect Arthropoda (Mites, 056 SAA$ position for any reason, many institu tions close the position or fill it with someone in a related field who is not a 17 18 19 Spiders, Crustaceans etc.) Pisces (Fish) Amphibia (Amphibians) Reptilia (Reptiles) Aves (Birds) Mammalia (Mammals) 4.184 6,300 9,040 4,000 with other for part of their Wheeler. outstanding systematists research," explained race to Meanwhile, the lacked sound over a discover new theoretical methods. However, has been the last 25 years, there resurgence of theoretically species before they become extinct continues for systematists. 'As dismal as current rates rate is of deforestation are, the systematise" claimed Joseph McHugh third year PhD candidate in sys tematic entomology, who is concerned about career opportunities after he '84, a reproducible means of dis evolutionary relationships among species." sound and covering degree Although most people in systematics agree that the field experienced a peri od of decline, many believe that the fu ture of systematics looks promising. receives his from Cornell. that the Both Davis and Wheeler have found importance of systematics is likely to increase rather than re main constant," wrote Wheeler in an article appearing in the Annals of the Entomological Society of America. "There is no question that little un disturbed forest will survive into the second quarter of the 21st century. The "The image of systematics has begun to improve," explained systematics Davis. "In the past, has been perceived as an which old-fashioned form of science gaining recognition in other scientific fields due to improvements in method ology and technology. "Other biolo gists find that an understanding of the history of diversification puts their own work into perspective on more sound footing. They are now looking to sys tematics for information," Davis said. pressing questions instead will we " are—^What do?' and 'How ■ quickly will we doit?' by Cheryl Jacobson '91 13 Creating by Tim Whitney '91 A WORK OF FICTION WHERE THE Your This concept of a user-centered tech nology is reinforced by Dr. Geri Gay MPS Own World Charles Dickens' classic "A Tale of Two Cities." Instead of having just the nov el as a resource, the student is given a '80 and PhD in the '85, an multimedia program which allows the exploration not only of the text, but of a vast professor IMG. Department assistant of Com munication and the current director of sequence of come are events and eventual out decided not by the author, array of information regarding France in the late 1700s, revolutions in "Interactive multimedia is a conver but so the reader. A computer database flexible that each user can compile by other parts of the world and Dickens himself. The student is able to discuss not gence of the publishing, computing and video worlds. The computer has made that convergence possible. But until recently, the user has always been text, graphics and video images into research resources as unique as the users also only the contents of the novel, but why it was written and in what really a themselves. A classroom environ where the students dictate to a social and cultural context. "Multimedia is about a passive choices," as ment the work. We come, in a while the computer did most of want the users to be sense, the computer the breadth and depth of the explained Joan Mazur, sistant at IMG and in education. research pilot of their com knowledge they receive and in turn are motivated by the computer to explore a higher level of learning. Are these the stuff of science fiction? doctoral candidate "We want to shift the puter experience; to interact with the computer and create his or her own multimedia responsibility provide their for learning We from the want teacher to the learner. to program." Gay founded the facility to a need that in 1987 in Or perhaps just glimpses of a seeming the students with resources response in the she felt existed ly distant future? If so, then the future is being made today with the help of the Interactive Multimedia Group (IMG), located in the recently completed Kennedy Hall. At IMG a small team of researchers, theorists and designers are helping to shape the future of educa tion and entertainment with the aid of the latest computer technology. In a world where most of what we see, hear and learn is dictated by others, and information own so they may create paths through knowledge linking tion. Since its sued of computers and educa beginning, IMG has pur but has domains." independent research, The Foyer ~.\a-:is the to-yer , o: She hcujj* ■Tcoi.iiiris tjbledjsf.h-yins;.! collection, a ver; some ■.-riiftft.11 i-.i-ec! -jped-jl microscope, and et ; Look; relevant to cultural ! o n io i the concept of directing the course of your own entertainment and learning cl !e Io t s ke 0-5/ Click on the i closer look. From the access environment may The concept is seem foreign. simple, yet revolu foyer, you can the kitchen and the tionary. Rather than the standard media format, where one page of a book fol lows another or one scene of a film fol lows another, IMG presents the user with a web of interconnected media events, including text, video and ics. By allowing users to web and create living room, or you can go upstairs to see the small art collection on the landing. The graph explore the multimedia their own Map will gt-ve you access to any part of the house, but browsing re-wards you with the joy of serendipitous discovery. Enjoy! instant environment, they establish relation ships between the events, relationships which were previously dictated by teachers and te:- -'-book authors. Irnagirvt struct:a v ac ■ -ct- no. 7 sty-lent is y in \ screen Jrom the Macintosh version of "The E*«.>frjphv a boo): icpcri :hoe; Bughouse," IMG's most extensive 6. application to data also maintained important affiliation with both the Department of Commu Zeta lleg(p|p| Su Cuaderno La chica no -- Pagina 1 nication and Cornell Information Tech nologies (CIT). The group currently full-time staff, consists of six quiere dar su asiento al otr* p»sa jera. La otra pasajera quiere SU «*<* nio y por fin la chica le da «u ajiento. The wanted to sit in the see including researchers, programmers, designers and education al psychologists. In addition, the group may employ anywhere from four to ten part-time staff members depending on the number of programs being devel oped. Fortunately for IMG, none of the current state aisle so that she could lady the movie. chica. *La pelea a puftos4** Hay una pelea con Zulma la curiosa y otia ^ Unbolonsecayoyunhombrela empaque para el viaje*** un boton, fotos, una Have, '-garro. **tEl budget none cuts as will have an Zulma puso un effect on their work, Cornell Univer sity provides "Our three of their funding. are jmh 5"/i* Seen* Revind papel con sellos, un paquete en su baleta Tambien, adentro de la pina puso su "bebe" Flag ►► biggest contributors Apple, IBM and the National Science H< Foundation," said Gay. The group's most impressive work date is to a H to program called "A Field Guide Insects and Culture," developed in ** conjunction with the Department of Entomology. In the program, users em ploy touchscreen technology to guide themselves around a a pUr* u*n> jp*V InUrrtr* j DKtfcjnary HaqacM* ^@| H*lp use Assignment I Vntt Story "El Avion Hispano," an house filled with interactive program currently in in Spanish classes at Cornell. large sects array of information about in and their effects on cultures through the presented in ages. The information is many formats, including slides, video, film and audio, all on the same screen. "The Bughouse," as it is affectionately called, is currently on display at the Smithsonian National Demonstration Laboratory for Inter active Educational Technologies in Washington, D.C. Another recent project is currently in use by students enrolled in Spanish Conversation and Composition. The program, entitled "El Avion Hispano," allows students to piece together a se ries of incidents onboard a Spanish plane. The students watch on video as the events projects being pursued in application called "Japanese: The Spoken Language for Scientists and Engineers" which is modeled almost entirely after the FAL CON program for learning Japanese. The group is also nearing completion of a program called Discourse Jukebox which explores many different possi bilities for interactive multimedia appli clude a Other are getting a little more national cover multimedia based age than In its we expected." early years, however, the group trying to establish itself before gain ing publicity. "Just maintaining the group we have now is a big enough task," said Gay. But the future looks bright for Cor nell's IMG program. "We're trying to is stay out of the multimedia want to main cations. But stream," said Gay. "We its relative find the despite prominence a in the interactive multimedia to industry low There is IMG has managed campus. a maintain profile on leading edge of design technology. a big push now to work with the College of Engineering so it can focus on the technological aspects of "There's we unfold and after each event explained Gay. come very good reason for that," "The facility is small and issues of multimedia while the group focuses on design, theory, research and they are encouraged to establish rela tionships between events by looking into the minds of the characters or by requesting the help of an onscreen gyp sy, who looks into her crystal ball and gives out or space to be involved in too many projects." Assistance for those interested in don't have the time teaching. "There's a lot of designing interactive multimedia theory involved in appli as a means designing multimedia a applications can cations. We know that for be found in series of two classes important pieces the use of informa the tion about the characters on plane. stu offered during the school year. "The classes are designed to train delivering and communicating mes sages, the technology is very exciting. But, to tell you the truth, we really have no Through of the program, same people of the to develop their own interactive idea how far we can take the tech in the dents explore causal relationships be tween the events while at the time multimedia programs," said Cay "Many people in the classes are from expressed a nology." But if their near accomplishments learning Spanish in a contextual setting. IMG is also working intensively with the College of Engineering to create a which would in -grate computer simu -ring principles with lations of eng 'logy multimedia i groups who have desire to future are much like those in the incorporate multimedia into their teaching and learning programs." But sometimes fame is not easy to recent past, the Interactive Multimedia program on the history of technology Group could help to usher in the new millennium by opening the door to a world where the environment does not avoid. "Apple Corporation announced that Cornell was a place to study inter active multimedia," said Gay. "So we shape the individual, but the individu al shapes the environment. ■ 15 Not-so-degradaoie Plastics CONSUMERS BUYING PLASTIC PRODucts because they are labeled bio degradable may want to think twice. Once hailed as a remedy for over happens to it," Jewell said. styrofoam cup is biodegrad able, according to the scientific defini see and what a biodegradable substance— to normal If the tion, the bacteria will break the cup down into carbon dioxide and water in aerobic or stuffed landfills, plastics do not biodegradable actually break down most into their natural elements as manufac turers advertise. Researchers in the Department of Agricultural and Biolog ical Engineering recently discovered that the plastic materials in products packaged as biodegradable including some types of egg cartons, trash bags, disposable diapers and six-pack bever do not really biodegrade. age rings The $100 billion plastic industry — — ent, anaerobic conditions, without oxygen present. Materials were tested under the two conditions, with oxygen pres carbon dioxide and methane in conditions to simulate the environ ments In a of both compost and landfill. bioreactor, a biodegradable sub stance can decompose or within days, but in a landfill compost it may take plastic, hopeful that the starch and plastic would degrade together. The assumption was that the starch would break the long chains of plastic mole cules, thereby promoting degradation. "We, in fact, thought that would indeed be the case," Jewell said. But when this type of plastic was tested in the bioreactor, only the starch biodegraded or decomposed into gas. Although the plastic was broken into many pieces, its mass remained the same, Jewell said. Some several years. Before the bioreactor, researchers had to wait years for a sub stance to manufacturers these so-called use developed biodegradable plastics generates 15 percent of the material found in U.S. landfills. Non-degradable its degrade in order to measure byproducts. Because of this, past plastics were take up space but re lease toxic gases when burned. These problems created the need for a plastic plastics not only studies could not determine whether the because many states had banned the of plastics in some products. But the manufacturers' real motivation was to actually degrading target the environmentally conscious said Ellen that would break down harmless elements. The as new naturally into into gases or merely breaking down into tiny pieces, Jewell said. consumer, Harrison, the associate director of the Cornell Waste plastic products, marketed biodegradable, were tested in twoto foot-tall bioreactors "similar vats in the acid- problem lies in defining "biodegradable". Disregarding the scientific definition, plastic manu facturers say a substance is biodegrad the term able if it breaks up into tiny pieces, which creates more space in a landfill. Part of the Management ers Institute. Many consum may be more inclined to buy a product marked biodegradable. "Peo ple think that if it's labeled biodegrad the Batman film," said William Jewell, a professor of agricultural and biological engineering in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. The bio able, it's O.K. to throw away. That's simply not true," Harrison said. "They may be underneath the trying to squeeze in definition," Jewell said. Perhaps have cent it is not true in the United States, but European manufacturers reactors contained starved bacteria eager to consume any biodegradable material that was thrown in the reac McDonald's cup, put the whole thing into the reactor, tors. "We can take a able, should In an "If something is ten percent biodegrad we still consider it bio degradable?" attempt to "squeeze under — neath," manufacturers added starch Professor William Jewell (right) and graduate student bioreactor to test how quickly the strips decompose. Larry Krupp have attached plastic strips to their circular developed a plastic that is 100 per biodegradable, Jewell said. Unlike normal plastics made from crude oil, this new plastic is composed from milk or bacterial by-products. However, one setback may hamper its success in U.S. markets. "The cost of most plastics is one-tenth the cost of the European bac terial plastic," Jewell said. "The cost would have to come down a great deal can before any of these products be widely from used." future, efforts may shift away producing more degradable plas tics towards improving the method of recycling plastics. "Making a biodegrad able plastic is in many cases not desira ble," Jewell said. "We ought to demand recycling systems which are much more In the efficient than landfills." With the setbacks to current of so-called bio degradable plastics, soon try manufacturers may win over consumers with a plastic marked 'recyclable'. ■ by Deborah Steuer '91 Seen Ithaca, New York noticed crows Any Tagged Crows? order to IF YOU LIVE IN OR AROUND THE area, you may have continue monitoring their whereabouts. decorated with black wing tags. Students like Tim Whitney '91 have spotted some. He saw some tagged crows near his fraternity and white house to on Thurston Avenue. "We used some crows near we notice the house," people think of the "agricultural pest", this is not usually the case. While the potential for a localized problem from a flock attack on a farm or garden exists, total amounts of actual produce lost to crow as an While many outside the parents aid in the raising of This appears to be a paradox to the theories of modern evolution nestlings. which would rather see each bird try he said, "but recently tice the summer began to no on their wings." In the tags of 1990, approximately 45 wing tags are crows is minor. Crows to are more of a threat earthworms and beetle larvae crops. to than to corn American crows and three fish crows were According McGowan, the as crow marked with and col one has not been studied many other birds. He some ored leg bands. thoroughly as hopes to answer These markings a part of man's research. Dr. Kevin McGowan, research associate, Section of Ecology and Systematics in the Division of Bio logical Sciences, hopes to learn more about the crow's social systems and to gather basic information about the crow. questions concerning the crow through his tagging and monitoring procedure. He hopes to determine whether or not crows hold a territory, where they end up in relation to where they are tagged and how well they Of the 45 crows that were tagged in 1990, McGowan has still seen over 20 crows ing to pass on its genes to the next generation. The helper aids the parents to pass genes, not its own. Only about 300 species of birds out of 9,000 have this trait. McGowan hopes to be able to determine which crows become help ers and why. The odds of people in the Ithaca area observing a tagged crow will rise in the future, as tagging will continue over the next few years. Questions relating to crow demographics and nest success should be answered shortly. Figures concerning partial brood losses suf fered by the crows are already coming in. Information to on losses accountable survive. His research began with from the hunt for predators may become very important. Although test results are not in yet, McGowan showed ga some concerns on other factors besides local formation help of in flyers and per gained sonal searches, McGowan started plac ing colored bands on the legs of crow nestlings. One drawback to the leg bands was nesting sites. With the throughout the winter of 19901991. "This shows the variability of the He noted. "Some about the use of pesticides crow," have been known to be the winter." populations migratory in Heights area Through McGowan's research, the crow's social systems and demograph ics should become clear few years. ■ Cayu and egg hatchability the lawns in the Another that the a some interesting characteristic over the next that when the crows walked in the see grass, he Another crows was unable to the bands. exhibits, which has been focus of McGowan's work, is that in crow problem occurred when the instances four or five "helpers" by Shawn Vargo '91 sometimes removed the plastic bands with their beaks. "Last year I be This crow nestling has just been fitted with wing tips and colored leg bands. using wing tags along with the leg bands," McGowan noted. "Each tag is marked with two letters; this allows for gan easier identification." McGowan tag on when places one identification wing of crow nestlings are about 25 days old. they each McGowan said that the tags do not harm the crows. These tags allow McGowan to keep track of the birds as grow up and leave the nest. He would like to be able to tag free-flying adults, but because crows are a hunted they main species and are very smart, crows re extremely wary. But, once people know that the birds are out there, it becomes easier to no tice them. Tagged crows are known to many areas of the campus. McGowan encourages students to con frequent tact him upon sighting tagged birds, in Chivalry is Alive and Well by Benjy Kile '92 ON MOST With wooden shield and steel armor, an SCA member prepares to attack. throughout the country. They are a group of individuals with a common interest, holding weekly meetings and social events. However, unlike the ELKS Cornell dancing in the spirit of the Ages are the primary activities. Members of the society dress in authen tic costumes, most of which they have feasts and Middle made themselves. The tournament fea tures DAYS, VISITORS TO THE University campus drive past or Lions It Clubs, the SCA has can its differ ences. be Risley College for the Crea tive and Performing Arts, also known as Risley Hall, and admire its Tudor ar chitecture. But, on Sunday afternoons, they often park along the road to stay awhile and watch as a piece of history is Residential reenacted before their eyes. As the front doors of the tions that focus on organiza compared other periods of his to battles between are Warriors er. matched society members. against each oth tory, such "It is a as the Civil War. They for club," explains Mari anne Hansen, an Ithaca, New York, resi dent and member of the Society, "but, social it is also the medieval also prepare meals based on recipes. Risley is the perfect place ment. recreating a medieval environ With its red brick structure and only national forum in elaborate Church dining building which you can get support for medie val re-creation." at Oxford enhances the The val (a replica of Christ University), Risley atmosphere that the SCA hall open, fighters emerge from its castle like tower. Warriors meet on the front lawn grass to practice battling in the medieval tradition. Clad in leather and armor, they recreate battles that took place centuries ago. History is recreated whenever the tries to create. SCA meets. Each spring and fall at Ris ley, society call members hold what "events." they Fighting tournaments, dancing is also from the medie period. One example is the "paa vane", ple step. processional dance with a sim This dance was used to present costume one's elaborate in the Middle Many of those who venture past Ris ley on Sundays find themselves looking twice before they realize what they are seeing. Who are these people fighting each other in layers of heavy metal? They are the Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA), a group of over thirty students, faculty and Ithaca resi dents who preserve history by recreat ing it. In 1966, the SCA was formed in Berkeley, California and its popularity spread quickly. Today, members of this international society can be found across Ages. Another example is the "bransle" which is a more lively dance used in celebration. A summer event is also held at Camp Ithaca. Other tournaments and meetings take place across the near Barton mies of country, often involving medieval ar over 1000 warriors. One such tournament, the Pensic War, takes place every year in Slippery Rock, Pennsylva nia, and the Nineteenth War last year was attended The by over 6000 people. Society for Creative Anachro serves as an more the United States nism also extracurricular as well as in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and parts of Europe. The Ithaca society was formed in 1974 and found its home at Risley Hall. The society resembles other organiza tions such as lod',v:s or other national clubs which f: activity about for than two dozen stu the group to learn dents. Some enter history, by reading, talking to others and participating in the Society's events. Others enjoy the atmosphere and friendship of the group. "SCA A member ol the SCA suits up for = ■ .-nphi find sore-ad gives me an fighting practice. learn about the medieval opportunity period to in more detail than I could in history, literature or art history courses," said Janis Kohler '91, a student in the ag college, "We try to recreate aspects of and culture from original sources and archeological records whenever art possible." Some of the more adventurous members of the Society may find them selves trying to make their own armor. Robert MacPherson '81, an Ithaca resi dent and member of the Society since 1978, has become skilled in building mor ar from various time can Pherson Risley metal breastplate or weapon to be used in the Sunday fighting practices. He starts with sketches or pictures from books about the Middle Ages. He then draws his own plans for the suits of armor to be built. Using steel and leather and a lot of trial and error adjustment, Mac Pherson creates each piece of the suit to fit the body that will wear the armor. may take as many as 300 hours to build," MacPher son said, "More detailed suits may take "A basic suit of armor periods. working in the shop, creating a helmet, be found Mac Robert MacPherson '81 creates medieval armor at Risley Hall. students to the SCA. by a blow felt adequate as a "kill" falls to the ground accepting defeat. The primary weapons used for battling are swords, great swords and glaives, which are long poles with simulated ax-heads. All ing. to be A warrior who is hit They learn by older members in the group and work their way up to actually par listening to ticipating As new can in the activities. members grow and more learn, mem they become integral of the weapons are thick, strong vine made from rattan, a typically used to are much longer." fighting practice is held every Sunday afternoon and those who want to sharpen their skills in authentic battling styles meet to oppose one an other. The blows that they inflict upon The each other are make furniture. Most students who the interested in Society do not find themselves building their own suits of armor, how ever. In the beginning, newcomers to the group are expected to watch and learn. That is what draws many of them to the organization. The interest in the Middle society. Those interested in becoming officially enrolled in the na tional organization pay a $20 member ship fee each year. Those in the nation al organization can take one of the bers of the many offices within their local group. The Ithaca society meets twice each week at matters Risley. real. Each member is armor or or One meeting centers on of business and arts where or protected by the equipment that he sporting wear- members dance The other she may be Ages is the theme that brings presentations. fighting prac tice on the front lawn of Risley. The students who enter the society meeting is the hear often learn ry than more about medieval histo they ever expected. Learning by actually recreating history, instead of merely reading it, is an alternative way to gaining knowledge about the medi eval period. They also enjoy the com to the pany of those who are drawn group for the same reason. "I've always been interested in the Middle Ages," said Kohler, "It is nice to get together with people that share your interests but have a different per find the Soci spective." Every Sunday one can ety for Creative Anachronism at Risley Hall. When the sun begins to set, the warriors remove their suits of armor and return to the castle, tired from an afternoon of battle. But, they will re turn on the following Sunday, fresh and ready to not only fight one another, but Four "warriors," clad in medieval garb, pose during a break in the fighting. to preserve a piece of history. ■ 19 unting Adventures by Brian Schilling '91 WHILE THE LIFE OF AN ACADEMIcian is regarded as full of in Disregarding Gray's protests, how at ever, Bailey soon accepted a position matter as professor of horticul his alma ture and landscape gardening. Gray held horticulture in the lowest esteem, and he knew also that Bailey had al Bailey and extended him come the first an professor an offer to be of horticulture at Cornell, and in the United States. It was offer Bailey could not re generally fuse. Adams offered him a salary sub stantially higher than he could expect tellectual excitement, it is eminently safe in a physical sense. Rarely does the quest for knowledge or the drive to publish demand that bullets or the scholar But there dodge are ex tidal waves. training in the area. Skeptical ly, Gray asked, "What do you know about horticulture?" Despite the cool response from Gray, Bailey went back to Michigan and soon began to distin most no ceptions. Liberty Hyde Bailey, in fact, endured both during his long and colorful association with guish It himself in both teaching and re search. Cornell University as scientist, as author, as vi sionary architect of the College of long before word of the young Michigan professor spread to was not New York — to Cornell. Moreover, in Agriculture and as perhaps its greatest 1887, nell the Hatch Act had teacher. In each role, he but typical. was anything passed in New York state, just been giving Cor The mystery behind how Bailey ac complished so much and assumed so many roles is best explained by Bailey himself. When he took his early retire ment as $15,000 a year for agricultural ex perimentation. With money to spend, the President of Cornell University, Charles Kendall Adams, paid a visit to Michigan almost $3,000 a year! But more important, Adams offered Bailey a chance to build the horticul ture department of his dreams. As the first professor in the department, he would have full control over its growth and development. Also on the list of enticements, a $150 microscope. Bailey's arrival on campus was signifi cant enough to warrant a blurb in the New York Times announcing the event with the comment that Bailey would, "no doubt have a significant impact on the agriculture of the state." He did not disappoint. As a teacher, Bailey was impressive. from — the Director of the at College of age 55, he explained that as a young man about to enter college, he had drawn up a life-plan to spend 25 Agriculture training, 25 years in making a living, and another 25 years doing what he most wanted to do. Bailey complicated his own plan by living far beyond the allotted 75 years service years of his life in age of 94. The first stage of his life started out magnificently. After graduating from to the the Michigan State Agriculture College, Bailey went to work at Harvard Univer sity for the world's pre-eminent bota nist, Asa Gray. Gray had placed an ad for an assistant willing to "work long hours for little pay primarily for the love of the work." Bailey rose to the challenge. During his association with Gray, Bailev distinguished himself by preparing genus Car o tisilev's lobbying efforts convinced the state to fund the ag college's first buildings. Bailey had always believed that the best learning took place outside the class room, and he demonstrated this by fre quently taking his students on excur sions to the surrounding farms and orchards, often getting dirty right New York State at College of Agriculture at death and danger. On one of his many cliff a Cornell was that Day's outcry tory, and confident had antagonized enough neutral legisla born. Pleased his vic trips self al to on the Caribbean, he found him an the side of a exposed when he heard wave native shout that tid alongside room, the students. In the class students to exam Bailey forced give him the victory, Bailey hung a picture of Day on his wall with the mocking note, "The founder of the New York State College of Agriculture tors to at approaching. Trapped, Bailey resigned himself to his fate, but was somehow weathered the wave, minus all his equipment and the specimens he had collected that to to ine ideas and taught that crit thinking was essential to any study. Forever running out of time in the classroom, Bailey would enter the room talking, stop briefly for questions accepted Cornell" beneath. day. Still, he went on ical Over the protest and at the surprise of the trustees of the University, Bailey penetrate the dense jungle by taking the trees and travelling in Tarzan "retired" from his at position as director fashion from branch to branch to come let students catch up on their notes and finally end, still talking, by using the door as a period to cut him or to in 1913- The third stage of his life was hand, and it was time to move on. up with a rare species of palm. He later commented simply that, "I got what I was sumed the self off. But in 1903, Bailey he had to teaching when service as was give up pressed into Following a farewell party, Bailey as position of director of the Hortorium (now housed on the fourth floor of Mann Library) and almost im mediately set out to expand on his col- after." On another occasion, the trustees were alarmed to hear that the 79-year- old Bailey was open skiff on trapped in an high seas without 18-foot food or the new Director of the Col lege of Agriculture. At that time, the agriculture college was still a depart ment of the arts school, with no state funding and no real autonomy. Bailey saw room for improvement. Across the nation, many agricultural colleges were receiving all or most of their funding from their state govern ments. Bailey wanted to see that trend at Cornell, even if it meant giving up some autonomy over the agricultural college's affairs. The trustees and faculty objected, but Bailey champi oned the cause. Establishing the New York State College of Agriculture was to be Bailey's greatest battle. While opposition in Ithaca was quickly convinced of the need for more funding, opposition elsewhere flourished. Chancellor James R. Day of Syracuse University argued that state funds be distributed evenly to all colleges in the state with agriculture programs. Legislators balked at the $250,000 Bailey requested for the con struction of a new building. Even supporters questioned whether the amount was Bailey (right) lection. was active with the University for well into his nineties. Bailey's penchant taking in water. But again, Bailey emerged un quiry out of the lab and far away across the globe probably sprang from his childhood Mann scathed. In another sea-going adven ture, a crew member drew a gun on the too much for one building. Bailey took his cause to the state's farmers, and then to Albany. He was a one-man lobbying effort, marshaling support behind his bill. The opposi tion, however, did not sit still. As the But during which Albert R. wrote '04, "It was his constant ship's captain. Bailey, then in his 80s, desire to know the world in which he lived, to explore the caves and holes disarmed the mutinous crew member and helped throw him overboard. For a man who spent so much of his life classifying things, it is ironic that Bailey himself is so hard to classify. He was at once a and trees where the birds and animals lived." Bailey's travels ranged far be yond the woods of his native Michigan. bill drew near a began vigorously agitating distribution of On to state vote, Chancellor Day for an equal funds. Trinidad, Mexico, Bra the West Indies, the west coast, the zil, east coast, Europe, China and the He ventured to ministrator and great teacher, a great ad a great scholar. In the words of Cornell historian Morris Bish op, Bailey remains "an example of May 9, 1904, due almost entirely Bailey's efforts, the bill passed. The Caribbean to name only a few. Stories abound of his scrapes with productive energy that no one else has had the strength and genius to follow." 21 in A I ALMOST WENT TO THE UNIVER- Ag College Different Light But with these and other The benefits, sity of Pennsylvania. senior, I . . . was As a high school -disgruntled enough by the was why aren't more students of African fact that Cornell the Sciences? in Ithaca, NY, but College of Agriculture and Life My skepticism increased when I received my "We Grow the Ivy" button from the College. It did not seem like a "Black Thing." Other stu dents of African descent had similar descent attracted to the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences? Out of 3,041 undergraduate students in the College, only 87 are of African descent, according to fall 1990 registration figures. Catherine M. Thompson, associate coordinator of Student Services added that the enrollment of students of Afri can applicants of African descent to con sider the College. Thompson added that she would definitely like to see more students of African descent in the College, and add ed that "Black students are doing a lot university-wide, but I would like to see more college-based activities." The ag college may be an excellent academic and economic alternative for students of African descent. Students misgivings concerning the ag college, sur but many have been pleasantly prised after arriving at Cornell. "The ag descent has remained over relatively name stable college has a lot of opportu the past few years. However, many agree that the agree that there are many aspects of the College that high school students are unaware of, and aggressive program ming may increase the number of stu nities," said Angela Gaddis '93, a busi ness management major. She added that students of African descent should examine the of the "There College itself is a hindrance. is a stigma attached to agricul College's curriculum more closely to note the range of programs of study. Rey Hollingsworth '92 com mented that the College has majors such as tural fields and programs, and many of us, especially those from urban areas, believe that ral er we will be confined to ru studies," commented Martin. Anoth concern is a perceived lack of sup of at the College, adding to the College's popu lation diversity. This can only benefit the students, the College and the University. ■ dents of African descent therefore communication and business are which "Black own of particular importance. need ... port mechanisms for students African descent in the College. people to control their involved in their an Thompson pointed dents in out that there is Stu media and get more in business education in order to estab organization called "Minority lish economic independence communities," he said. Andy Martin '92 pointed out that in the ag college, "We are encouraged to put our education to practical use." College of Engineering to the ag college. He found the agricultural engineering program better suited to his academic needs. In out that the SUNY status of the College made economic Martin transferred from the Ag" that students are welcome to join and implement programs in. She added that COSEP (Committee on Spe cial Education Projects) attempts to help students of color "financially, so cially and academically." COSEP offers scholarships, dents of color. tutorial systems, social to stu activities, and student advisors addition, he pointed for students of African descent. of us are at an economic disad vantage and cannot afford the private sense Eulas Boyd '93, a communication major, pointed out that "There is not enough information put out in our communities about the ag college." These students agree that the College should seek out students of African de scent more "Many colleges' costs," he stated. John Steve Halaby '92, a student in the College of Arts and Sciences, regrets not transferring to the ag college simply because "It's cheaper." Tuition and fees for New York state residents are$5,994— about h-i-'fV,. ,...-.: .--, ■•,,-,.of the p."; j stated that "The to aggressively. Hollingsworth College must commit the Don cessful recruitment, retention and suc graduation of our students." number of si i Fleming '92 believes that the faculty and staff members of must African descent idn increase. These is try to network and encourage by Olugbemisola Amusa-Shonubi '91 (MMRYMM CAPSULES Construction Begins Indian House on American Emeritus Professor Honored Wine and Grape Foundation Dr. E. Fred by Plant Pathologist Promoted to Professor Harvey Hoch has been promot professor in the depart ment of plant pathology at Cornell's New York State Agricultural Experi Dr. March 1, 1991, marked the begin ning of the construction of Akwe:kon, the new American Indian residence program house. A traditional Iroquois tobacco- burning ceremony honored event. the The residence program build Taschenberg PhD '45, entomology at Cornell's New York State Agricultur al Experiment Station at Geneva, was recently honored by the New York State Wine and Grape Founda tion for his extraordinary contribu professor emeritus of ed to full ment Station at Geneva. Hoch is in charge of the research program in cell biology in the department and oversees ing will house 35 students plus faculty-in-residence and visiting scholars. Located at tions in viticultural research for the New York wine and grape the station's two electron industry. the corner of Triphammer center and Jessup roads, the will open in fall 1991 semester. a Taschenberg's research efforts on controlling minor and major grape pests. He carefully focused extracted the many new insecticides that became available after World War II. His treatment programs were followed strictly by New York grape In addition to residence Akwe:kon will have as facilities, library as well The computers and office space for the American Indian Program. intercollegiate program, with ap proximately 20 affiliated faculty members, offers students' Indian courses to growers and his recommendations avoided excessive pesticide residue on increase awareness of American the grapes and in the juice. When presenting the award to microscopes. Hoch's early research was con cerned with biological control of plant diseases. In recent years, he has developed an internationally recognized program that explains the processes by which parasitic fungi develop the structures needed to infect plants. Hoch is currently studying ways to control infections by interfering with fungal structures. heritage. means Akwe:kon in the Mohawk lan guage "all of us." "This house, built on historical Cayuga homelands, will be a supportive community for Native and nonNative students who in American Indian are interested American issues," said Ron Taschenberg, Jim Finkle of the Canandaigua Wine Company said, "What made Fred Taschenberg so special to the growers was his avail ability. Whenever anyone had an insect problem, whether it was something he was working on or not, Tasch was there to help." Food Scientist Receives Two Awards Robert Kime, a researcher in the Department of Food Science and Technology at Cornell's New York State LaFrance, director of the Indian Program. Agricultural Experiment Sta tion at Geneva, was presented with the 1990 Beekeeper of the Year New Apple Named by Cornell Award by the Empire State Honey Science Association Honors Three Faculty Members faculty Pardee, professor in the Department of Plant Breeding and Biometry; Ravindra N. Sudan, the IBM Professor of Engineering; and Paul F. Vellman, associate professor in the School of Industrial and Labor Relations— were among 280 scholars named as fellows of the American Association for the Three members—William D. Scientists Royal Empire is the name of a new apple variety recently introduced by Teeple Farms, Wolcott, New York, and Cornell's New York State Producers Association. Kime also recently won the E.A. Weiss Award Apicultural Society's wine) competition. Kime's research resulted in two for Best of Show in the Eastern mead (honey on honey has Agricultural Experiment Station at Geneva. The new apple is a variety of Empire, which was named by the station in 1966 and has become one of the popular varieties grown in the northeastern United States. Similar in taste and texture to the most U.S. patents, two patents pending and more than 10 publications. Kime's discoveries involve the use of honey as an antioxidant and clarifying agent in fruit juices and wines and a new method of Advancement of Science. A fellow is described by the association as "a member whose efforts on behalf of the advancement of science or making lectures mead. He on Empire, Royal Empire greater exhibits a its richer color that will enable a proportion of the apples to applications are scientifically socially distinguished." or qualify for the extra a sells for fancy grade that higher price in the stores. honey at local schools, civic organizations and national honey producers associ and ations. frequently beekeeping bees, 23 Blue Ribbi r Organ iza tion by Hank Grezlak '92 HAVE YOU EVER OWNED A PET? Maybe a cat or dog? Remember the has sle of taking care of it feeding and cleaning up after it day after day? Well, imagine caring for a steer weighing 972 pounds and still growing. The mem — courage activities that I feel are educa tional as well as entertaining," he said. The club's activities cover a wide range. In August, members take animals to for the New York State Fair to be judged prizes. Then there is the bull test in bers of the Block and Bridle Club are accustomed to it. late fall. Northeast beef producers bring their bulls to Cornell for the club to raise them as a group under the same environmental conditions. A select few are working with such According to Beth Wood large '91, the club's president the last two years, "It can be a little intimidating for some people. But that's what makes it fun. It's a real challenge." What is it like animals? The Block and Bridle Club claims to large economic invest are producers in New York that are happy to contribute for educational purposes," he said. This year the steer, named HippyChick, was donated by Sunrise Farms of Auburn, New York, and the two hogs i were donated by Misty Meadow Farm J of Romulus, New York, and Hog Haven | of donation is ment. But a there then picked, based on performance to be of Cortland, New York. Club members feed twice a the animals f and other important traits, sold at the annual bull sale. The week before the sale, club members will wash and be the oldest student campus. Professor 1881 of the animal ment organization Henry H. Wing, husbandry depart on established the club in March name of the Round-Up Wing decided to form the club after entertaining some students at his house one weekend. During the 1940s, 1907 under the clip these bulls. This can be an interest ing experience. "The old members help out the new ones to make sure they know where not to get their fingers caught. You have to keep on your toes, because each animal reacts differently," said Wood. The monthly to \ day weigh see if they are growing at the projected j weight. "Right now Hippy-Chick is gaining 3 85 pounds a day, so he should have no problem reaching 1,100 pounds by the sale date of April 20, at the Student Livestock Show. Right now the pigs weigh around 115 pounds, and ", and them we want them to get up to 215 pounds," J are auc- Club. said Thomas. task of the club is the At the largest show, the animals | j 1 preparation of the animal project for the Student Livestock Show held every April on campus. Mark Thomas '93 the , tioned off and then slaughtered and the club decided to associate itself with processed by the Student the national Block and Bridle Club. Not until last year did the Cornell group officially change their name to match the national organization's name. the students. The proceeds from the sales are split between j project chairman, has find someone some to go out and Livestock Show, the to donate a steer and not Willman 4-H Fund and the Block and Bridle Club. In er pigs. "It's easy since that type | | livestock club open to any student who wants to gain experience in all phases of meat The organization is a production from feeding the animals to washing and deboning the meat after the animal is slaughtered. "The club al lows students to gain in-depth knowl edge in working with livestock, and it gives them an opportunity to be ex posed to all different areas of agricultur — addition, the club holds many oth- j functions, including picnics in the j fall and spring, a winter banquet, | spaghetti dinners and square dances. It is open to any student wishing to join. | "The thing that makes this group so \ special is their enthusiasm. They are a ; very active group," said Green. Thomas agrees. "The nice thing \ " al work," said Bill Green, an advisor. Green has been involved with the na tional Block and Bridle Club since his about the club is that because of its : smaller size, everyone knows every- ^ body, and most of us are good friends. Most of we our college days time away from the club | i Montana State Universi ty, and has served as the Cornell club's faculty advisor for the past five years. The students, though, bear most of the at spend together anyway." club's 24 responsibility. "I just try to en " club member tends to "Go" and "Lucky." This camaraderie shines through when the 2 3 -person club works together all year caring for the livestock, and one another. ■ \ ■< ; CORNELL A MAGAZINE OF AND ABOUT THE PEOPLE OF THE NEW YORK STATE COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE AND LIFE SCIENCES •UiERT- R. A,yysi LIBRARY Sex as a Weapon p. 6 ^ACA, N.Y. U%* Computer-in-Residence p. 22 Cornell's Glass Menagerie p. 8 Beyond the As Quad _. CORNELL Contents Reach Out and Touch Women and the a Book '91 14 Lake Trout Revival Tim Olugbemisola Amusa-Shonubi Beth P. Goelzer '91 Whitney '91 Countryman 15 World Beyond the Hill: Alternative Spring Break Sex As a Weapon Hank Grezlak '92 Elizabeth Heaton '92 16 Tomorrow's Agricultural Think Fall for Fertilizer Shawn Leaders Brian 18 Vargo '91 Schilling '91 Cornell's Own Glass The Perfect Fit Deborah Steuer '91 Menagerie Renee Hunter '92 Beyond the Ag Quad About the Issue 19 to Far Bacteria's Fixation With Plants Susan Green '92 10 From Far Away Above 20 Brett D. Mendel '91 Traditional Farming Revisited 11 The Graying Market 22 Man Lorella Sabatini '91 Beyond the Ag Quad focuses on research ers and students, within the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, whose ef fects have been far reaching. The Coun tryman also looks at present-day and future developments that will continue to affect the world for many years. Joshua Z. Kantro '91 12 Computer-in-Residence Cheryl Jacobson '91 Irrigation's Traveling Steven Will '92 24 Head of the Class Benjy Kile '92 CORNELL. On the Cover: Cover design by Tim Whitney October 1991 Volume LXXXIX Number 1 Editors Elizabeth Heaton Photo Editor Brett D. Mendel Dolgen; p. 17 — David Emerson; p. 18 — — — Charles What's in a name? The Countryman staff has been struggling with that Cheryl Jacobson Shawn Vargo Art Directors Jeff Assistant Editors Tim Grant question. a Is our name sexist or generic, Whitney Harrington; p. 19 Susan Green; p. 20 Univer sity Photography; p. 21 Charles Harrington. University Photography; p. 22 Stephen Gagnon. p. 2h Benjy Kile; pp. S, 10 Department of Manuscripts and Archives. Cornell University — — — — time-honored tradition or a stubborn Olugbemisola Amusa-Shonubi Beth P. Goelzer Susan Green Renee Hunter point here is that we want your opinion! Should the name of this magazine change? The editorial staff urges ments our throwback? The Layout Staff Hank Grezlak Brian Libraries; p. 23 The Cornell — Communications Services. (ISSN Countryman times a 0010-8~82) is Schilling published six May and of Deborah Steuer year from October through (combined issues for January and February. readers to send us their com and suggestions. Joshua Kantro Benjy Kile Lorella Sabatini Steven Will Editorial Staff Correction: In our Olugbemisola Amusa-Shonubi, Beth P. Goelzer, Jeff Grant, Susan Green, Hank Grezlak, Elizabeth Heaton, Renee Hunter, Cheryl Jacobson, Joshua Z. Kantro, Benjy Kile, Brett D. Mendel, Lorella Sabatini, Brian Schilling, Deborah Steuer, Shawn December, 1990 article, "Killer Fun April and Mav ) by the New York State College Agriculture and Life Sciences. 3--+ Kennedy Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y. I-48S3. Second class postage paid at Ithaca. New York I-18S3. Printed by Midstate Litho, Inc. of Endicott. Subscription Rates: S 10.00 a year; S20.00 for two years. Postmaster: Send change o\ address to Cornell Countryman, 32-t Kennedy Hall. Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y. Dt8S3. Editorial content gathered and written by majors in the Depart ment gus From Japan," we incorrectly stated that the agent being studied to find a of Communication. Honorary editor: Ed advisors: Jane E. Vargo, Tim Whitney, Stephen Will. ward L. Bernays 12. Faculty Hardy S3, Jane Earle. policy ol Cornell I hihimU defense against gypsy moth a caterpillars is fungus. Researchers place soil carrying the fungus around trees in the caterpillar-infested areas; those caterpillars that encounter the fungus virus. Not so — Picture Credits: Cover— Bretl it's a 5 — Mendel; p. 3 Todd G. Day; pp. i, Cornell Countryman; p. b Communications — — — Services; p. 7 Bureau Shawn Vargo; pp. 8, 9 p. — David U.S. acn\ cly to support cqualit-v cmplo\ merit opportunity No poison shall be •.lenicil admission to ,iny 01liK.1lion.il program or acliv iiy or he denied employment kw the basis ol' ,iny legalb prohibited discrimination im oh ing, hut not limited to, sueh Lielors .is r.iee. li is the ol educational .nul Whiiehou.se, David Lynch-Bcnjamin; p. ol' ihe Census; p. I i — 1 I — color, creed, religion, 'national or ethnic origin, scv .sexual become infected. 12, I.1, — Michael E. IS — Waller; Tim Whitney; p. Tamar age. or handicap Ihe l'ni\ er.sil\ is committed to the maintenance of allirmative action programs which will assure ihe coniinualion ol such equality ol opportunity. prcrcrcncc, REACH OUT AND TOUCH A BOOK reading to and with them. have an early impact ... "We wanted to Pena. let something "They even wanted keep coming once the job to pay me to was officially hold," said McMillin. Ideas in hand, McMillin began to look for a group of students who would take on this project. The Inner City Lab pro gram in Ujamaa Residential College fit the bill. Students involved in this program natural take over." The students also worked with groups at community centers, schools, and transitional home centers. Sometimes they had to improvise by making up their of children own stories or usually eracy were did volunteer work, but the four summer write their own. "It by having the children was a challenge," said came students involved in the first Harlem Lit Pena. None of the Cornell students across Project during the of 1990 salaried in part by the President's Fund for Educational Initiatives and the couth on stereotypical angry, lazy, un inner-city youth seen in movies or were the Public Sendee Network. The neer television. "These kids motivated summer of 1990 one was was an exhilarat ing and frustrating 'teachers.' "It for the four hard to see pio chil the and very see that ers." bright," added Pena. "You could they were just not getting the attention they deserved from their teach The Cornell students also worked with dren who didn't have many of the that we take for granted and . . . things at by Olugbemisola Amusa-Shonubi '91 "IF A KID CANT READ A STREET SIGN, same time were so full of aspirations, goals, and the eagerness to learn," com mented Juan Pena '92, a student in the of Human College Ecology. aspirations about becoming CEO of a major company or President of the United States will obviously be shot down," mused Danielle Rembert '94. "By becoming involved in a literacy program, I will be helping my people and giving back to my community." To help combat the problem of illit eracy, Rembert participated in the Harlem Literacy Project during the summer of 1991. The project, which began in 1990, is sponsored by the Cornell Cooperative Ex tension in New York City. The idea behind the Harlem Literacy Project was sparked by a telephone con or his her Pena and the three other students in volved in the 1990 project began their training by becoming acquainted with Cornell Cooperative Extension and its Expanded Food and Nutrition Program. During this training period, they also col lected books "We to use over high school students and adults. though we didn't always deal spe cifically with nutrition or even literacy, we did the most important thing," ex plained Warner. "We reached out to people and they reached out to us." some "Even The throughout program is now in operation the year. After it received a $175,00 foundation grant, it was possible to train Cornell Cooperative Extension the summer. employees and Harlem residents to con really wanted books that Black and a tinue with the work in literacy a and nutri Latino children could relate to," said Pena. tion. "It has turned into full-time opera The Cornell students built library of tion," said McMillin. McMillin also sion of the books that reflected the cultures of the hopes to continue expan youth they met. Then the actual teaching began. carried out in Their group project by adding more Inner Lab participants and also developing City basic duties were versation between Cornell Professor of English Joseph Holland 78. Holland pushing to get approval for Scott McMillin and Cornell Tmstee and individual settings. "I was a little wor ried about the home visits at first," admit ted Tracy Warner '92, a student in the a similar program in the South Bronx. "I would like to see Cornell make a major commitment to cooperative extension activities in inner cities in New York state," had been programs College ning. of Architecture, Art, and Plan not he added. "Education is the Warner and the others felt that fami key out a to success in "I where Cornell students would become involved in urban areas. Both men be lieved that work in so lies would be receptive to book-toting a everything," pointed wouldn't be at Rembert. strangers. Cornell if lot of people their up the literacy was neces They close to were in for after further discussion, they de sary, cided to try and reach young children by "Everyone was so warm pleasant surprise. I really felt ... before me hadn't given back to communities. We have to keep the family I worked with," said tradition." ■ 3 The Women of the Countryman IN 1872 A YOUTHFUL CORNELL UNI- These women produced a Countryman either elected versity sent shock waves through the most prestigious echelons of higher education by formally opening its doors to women. Once in the doors, however, early female Cornellians had no guarantee of partici quite different from today's magazine. This smaller, thicker version was staffed by students who were or on example, during the two world wars and the Great Depression, the women's For pointed to positions, depending ap the editors included articles that focused on and ways to spend food money wisely make the best use of ration coupons. The position of women's editor survived pation in activities outside of classes — except those eamiarked for women only. Coeducation was one thing, coeducational written by year. Most of the articles were faculty and professionals in the field of The Countryman staff solic through tor to some the 1960s, varying to in name from agriculture. women's editor not home economics edi quite another. a few exceptions did exist and the Cornell Countrym an was one of them. activities Happily, ited and edited these articles and sold advertising space to local and national businesses, which was a major source of for the magazine. Countryman's early inclusion of women was unfortunately followed by a five-year period during which the maga revenue Women have been members of the The Doings editor, and in existing at all. years Almost all of the Countryman women were students in the College of Agricul ture, and many majored in home eco Domecon Countryman's staff from the time it be gan as an extracurricular activity in 1903 to today as a course in the Department of Communication in the ture zine had an all-male staff. But Katherine nomics, a department of the ag college until its 1925 elevation to a college. Rec ognizing the importance of home eco nomics, the in 1917 College of Agricul H. Mills '14 broke that trend in and Life Sciences. she assumed the newly created 1914, when position Countryman gave a new it a voice Countryman began publication with Mary C. Shepperson '04, '08 as its first female staff member, followed in the next few years by Florence M. Cook '05, '07, Louise P. Hastings '06 and Philena B. Fletcher '07. The of women's editor. Farm Home," The women's editors were primarily responsible for making the Countryman appeal to its female readership by includ female by adding targeted readership. Gladys column, "The specifically at the Marion Hess '17, the women's editor that year, intro duced the first "Farm Home" column in the June 1917 issue. It that goes to was to ing articles of a domestic which focused on nature, many of address "all — cooking techniques. good home good pictures. good the best books good health; [and] machinery labor-saving Although this new column gave women make up a food, good music, . . . more status in the Countryman, at no more than two women (as co-women's editors"! were ever on the staff the same time until 1920. During that year Elizabeth T. Cooper elected '21 and two other to women were the editorial staff. The follow year. Cooper became the women's editor. For many o\~ the subsequent fe ing male staff, this year as was a typical pattern: one one \ ear as editorial staff followed bv women's editor. In P)24 the staff women positions available to i i ffiifft m twotTien in journalism when it included Mary C. Shepperson as a star! expanded with the election of Florence H. Hershcy '2^ and Catherine A. Doyle '2d to the business staff. Both women represented "firsts" in other ways. too. Hershey, from Florin, Pennsylvania. was the Couuttyman's first female outof-stater, and Doyle became iK flrst fe_ male advertising manager two years after her debut on the business staff. The Countryman were The 1930 Countryman was Frederick '31 participated. one of many activities in which Erma R. Lewis '30, Beatrice E. Foster '30 and Jean 0. women of the 1920s remarkably busy people. Most be longed to at least four other organiza tions, including sororities, the Fanner's Week Committee, athletics, music and so drama, cieties. not to mention various honor to Opportunities for women tryman continued the 1930s. on in the Coun Adams to increase through Having five or more women keep [the Countryman] going. Bristow was our mentor and a big help to us. He was fantastic, and if he thought something was good, that was a gold star," recalled Wells, who is the David L. Call sister of in the present the staff became common. And more of the articles were being written by the Countryman. 1963 also beginning of a magazine planned, written and edited exclusively by its staff members. The changes of 1963 undoubtedly gave marked the women even more '54, dean of the ag college. staff, especially by ag In those enrolled in the courses. Lucha and Wells shared the editorial in the most coveted time college's journalism 1934, Elizabeth S. Foote '34 became the first female Fomier Student Notes edi tor, duties, but Wells had quite an advantage because of her contacts. "My father and all six of his kids went to Cornell, so I knew the a opportunities to serve positions. But by this the Countryman women did not extra opening women. up yet another position for Still, all this progress could not most lot of the professors or and local were boost. They and their pre already proven themselves capable equals. ■ need this decessors had famiers," Wells explained. These conceal the fact that continued to of the women people who wrote occupy the lower staff more tions, rather than the editorial and posi prestigious mation for the provided infor Countryman's articles, Wells added. The war by Beth P. Goelzer '91 managerial ones. provided women with unprec Not until 1937, 34 years after its begin ning, did the Countryman see its first female editor-in-chief, Julia B. Bockee '37. Winans credited Bristow Adams, a professor of journalism who was heavily involved in the Countryman, for her appointment. Describing her re Winans opportunities to serve in all of the Countryman s staff positions. Lucha edented and Wells were succeeded to as editors-in- chief by Marjorie R. Heit 'a3 in 1943- In fact, women continued hold the editornext in-chief As men position through 1945. began returning over the sponsibilities as the editor-in-chief said, issue. I , Winans few years, female editors-in-chief became less common, but the experience and foot hold gained by women as a result of the war "I talked to the board about each mainly managed meetings and held things together." As more articles were written by the staff, the tone of the magazine became less technical and For more had long-lasting effects. During the early 1950s, the highest position attained by women was, once again, the women's editorship. But by the end of the decade. Natalie L. Gundrey '58 and Brenda L. Dervin '60 had both served as human interest. example, Winans recalled a particu larly memorable human interest article she wrote about male dancers who trained on editors-in- chief, and several women had held upper local farms. was Winans the first and last woman to hold the editor-in-chief position until the editorial and managerial positions. In 1963, the Countryman became a way for students to earn the ag college's United States entered World War II in 1941. A year later, Margaret M. Lucha '42 and Marie C. Call Wells '42 became the required practice credits in agriculture. Competition for staff positions was elimi nated; instead the positions were rotated among members of the class, as they are Many Countryman women fondly recall Professor Bristow Adams' encouragement and praise. co-editors-in-chief. "We were struggling -> Countryman IN 1872 A YOUTHFUL CORNELL UNI- These women through versity prestigious echelons of higher education by formally opening its doors to women. Once in the doors, however, early female Cornellians had no guarantee of partici pation in activities outside of classes sent waves shock the most quite smaller, thicker students who different from produced a Countryman today's magazine. This version was staffed by either elected or on For and the Great example, during the two world wars Depression, the women's on editors included articles that focused were pointed to positions, depending ap the ways to spend food money wisely and make the best use of ration coupons. The — year. Most of the articles were written by faculty and professionals in the field of position of women's editor survived in name through tor to some the 1960s, varying from except those eannarked for women only. Coeducation was one thing, coeducational agriculture. advertising businesses, revenue The Countryman staff solic women's editor to home economics edi ited and edited these articles and sold space to local and national which was a major source of Domecon Doings editor, and in quite another. Happily, a few exceptions did exist and the Cornell Countrymanwas one of them. activities Women years not existing at all. Almost all of the Coi mtryman women have been members of the the time it be in 1903 The magazine. Countryman's early for the were students in the a College inclusion of ture, and many Countryman's staff from gan to as an women was extracurricular in today as a course activity the Department of unfortunately followed by a five-year period during which the maga zine had an nomics, majored department of of Agricul in home eco the ag until its 1925 elevation to a college college. Rec all-male staff. But Katherine Communication in the ture College of Agricul and Life Sciences. 1914, when she assumed the newly created position of women's editor. H. Mills '14 broke that trend in ognizing the importance of home eco nomics, the Countryman gave it a voice in 1917 by adding a new column, "The Fami Home," targeted specifically at the female readership. Gladys Marion Hess with Countryman began publication Mary C. Shepperson '04, '08 as its first female staff member, followed in the next few years by Florence M. Cook '05, '07, Louise P. Hastings '06 and Philena B. Fletcher '07. The primarily responsible for making the Countryman appeal to its female readership by includ were The women's editors '17, the women's editor that year, intro duced the first "Farm Home" column in the June 1917 issue. It was to address "all that goes to make up a good home good food, good music, good pictures. the best books good health: [and] . . . — ing articles of a domestic which focused on nature, many of cooking techniques. labor-saving Although this new column gave women machinery the more status in Countryman, at no more than two women 1 as co-women's editors) were ever on the staff the same time until 1920. that year Elizabeth T. Cooper '21 and two other women were elected to the editorial staff. The follow During ing year. editor. For many of the male staff, this was a \ear as Cooper became the women's subsequent fe typical pattern: one editorial staff followed by one positions available to expanded with the election of year as women's editor. In 102 a the staff women The Countryman recognized the importance of member in 1903, its first year of publication. women in journalism when it included Mary C. Shepperson as a stafi Horence H. 1 lershev '2- and Catherine A. Doyle 2(i to the business staff. Both women represented "firsts" m her ways. loo. Hcrshey, from Florin, IV- vlvania, , was the t Mater, and Countryman s firsi Doyle becanv \, (|e n f. r f ,_ 4 male advertising manager two years after her debut on the business staff. The Countryman women of the 1920s were The 1930 Countryman was Frederick '31 participated. one of many activities in which Erma R. Lewis '30, Beatrice E. Foster '30 and Jean 0. remarkably busy people. Most be longed to at least four other organiza tions, including sororities, the Fanner's athletics, music and Week Committee, drama, cieties. not to mention various honor so Opportunities for women tryman continued the 1930s. on in the Coun to increase through more Having were five or more women keep [the Countryman] going. Bristow was our mentor and a big help to us. He was fantastic, and if he thought something was good, that was a gold to in the present Adams marked the beginning Countryman. 1963 also of a magazine the staff became common. And of the articles being written by the star," recalled Wells, who is the sister of David L. Call '54, dean of the ag college. Lucha and Wells shared the editorial planned, written and edited exclusively by its staff members. The changes of 1963 undoubtedly gave women even more staff, especially by those enrolled ag In in the in the most coveted time college's journalism courses. 1934, Elizabeth S. Foote '34 opening became the first female Former Student Notes edi up yet another position for women. Still, all this progress could not conceal the fact that most of the women tor, duties, but Wells had quite an advantage because of her contacts. "My father and all six of his kids went to Cornell, so I knew the a opportunities to serve positions. But by this the Countryman women did not extra need this boost. They and their pre decessors had lot of the who farmers," Wells people professors and local explained. These were wrote or provided infor Countryman's articles, already proven themselves capable equals. ■ occupy the lower staff posi tions, rather than the more prestigious editorial and managerial ones. continued to mation for the Wells added. The war by Beth P. Goelzer '91 provided women with unprec Not until 1937, 34 years after its begin its first ning, did the Countryman female editor-in-chief, Julia Winans see opportunities to seive in all of the Countryman s staff positions. Lucha edented and Wells were B. Bockee succeeded to as editors-in- '37. Winans credited Bristow a chief by Marjorie R. Heit 43 in 1943- In journalism who was in the Countryman, for her appointment. Describing her re sponsibilities as the editor-in-chief, Winans Adams, professor heavily involved of fact, women continued hold the editorthe next in-chief As men position through 1945. began returning over said, held "I talked to the board about each issue. I mainly managed meetings and things together." As more articles were written by the few years, female editors-in-chief became less common, but the experience and foot hold gained by women as a result of the war tone of the magazine became less technical and more human interest. For example, Winans recalled a particu larly memorable human interest article staff, the long-lasting effects. During the 1950s, the highest position attained early by women was, once again, the women's editorship. But by the end of the decade, had Natalie L. Gundrey Dervin '60 had both seivecl '58 and Brenda L. as editors-in- she on wrote about male dancers who trained local farms. Winans was the first and last woman to hold the editor-in-chief position until the United States entered World War II in 1941. A year later, Margaret M. Lucha '42 chief, and several women had held upper editorial and managerial positions. In 1963, the Countryman became a way for students to earn the ag college's practice credits in agriculture. required Competition for staff positions was elimi nated; instead the positions were rotated among members of the class, as they are and Marie C. Call Wells '42 became the co-editors-in-chief. "We were struggling Many Countryman women fondly recall Professor Bristow Adams' encouragement and praise. -i SEX ASA WEAPON THE DEVIOUS FEMALE SEDUCING THE unsuspecting male in a is a prevalent theme pop culture. Related to this theme, group of Cornell entomologists have our come up with an environmentally sale neutralize the grape berry moth, the most harmful pest to grapes grown in way to the eastern United States. have which imitates the sex-attractant of female grape beny moths. The confused males fly in the direction of the entomologists synthetic pheromone The developed a pheromone expecting to mate. But Dr. Dennehy and Dr. Roelofs examine pheremone ties. ergy credits to families that conserved during the late 1970s," he said. in 1985 because the male moth cannot locate the female, the moths cannot mate, and there fore, they cannot produce the harmful larvae that can ruin up to twenty percent currently parathion. are not used as moth, such against the grape berry carbaryl and the more toxic are fuel "The ties safe because they vineyard's man responsible for this safe alter native to harmful pesticides is Dr. Wendell L. Roelofs of the Department of Entomol ogy at the New York State Experiment a of crop. put directly no The fore there is the grapes. There hamiful residue left on on Although the ties were first introduced they were not approved by the ■ them," explained In addition to Roelofs. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) until April of 1991 Roelofs blamed the six year wait with on being environmentally to the slowness of the EPA. safe, the pheromones have other advan tages over Station at Geneva. Roelofs first isolated insecticides. It takes six 12 the pheromone in the grape berry moth pounds of insecticide to treat an acre of in 1970. However, it took his staff about fourteen years to come up with the best method of dispersal. "We initially tried mass fore that said. trapping, then microcapsules, be settling on twist ties in 1984. After it was a matter of testing to see how was pheromone requires pound per acre. The ties are also waterproof and only need to be applied once per season, unlike insec ticides, which must be reapplied every time it rains. grapes, whereas the only two-tenths of a to take its time dealing applications coming in. Even though the pheromones are safe, they are still classified as pesticides, and still subject to extensive tests. A lot of the waiting was just bureaucratic bumbling. Our applica "The EPA likes tion got lost four was even or five times before it much needed and when," Roelofs are And where insects tant to can become resis registered." he said. Pheromones may soon be granted exemptions from such tests, which will speed up their chemicals, The twist ties long polyethylene enough pheromone to last 100 days. Vine yard workers attach the ties to the top trellis wires in the vineyard. "You don't need any special equipment to apply the ties, except a pair of gloves," said Roelofs. made up of eight-inch tubes, each containing will become Because the unlikely that they resistant to the pheromone. pheromone does not select it is for a specific enzyme, there is little chance for selection pressure to offer any resis approval. Will pheromones become a common weapon against agricultural pests? Accord ing to Roelofs it depends on the niche of a particular crop. "The reason the ties work on the grape be irv moth is because die grape berry moth is the only pest that has to be dealt with. If the grape had more than one pest attacking it. then growers tance. The real disadvantage to using the ties Timothy J. Dennehy, an associate professor ol entomology working with Koelofs. lias condru led field trials of the ties sinol , . Dr. i.s their cost. It would cost most grape growers twice as much to use the phero mones as ii would to use conventional insecticides. Acc< irding to Roelofs the costs would need mone a different kind o\' phero for each pest. That isn't DH5. 'AX hen >i:i<>tift. " ■ practical, moth v. ■<. • n. f lie asc a cIoik I will remain are ><- hr< ; >ugh< ■ ■ n :i ■ l vim/yards, ier< urn me high until the pheromones mass-produced in this country. In the growers as he explained. In the meantime the grape berrv -i'I i -i ' 1 1 ■' 1' | .-I M meantime, Koelofs favors the idea of MH; bccorn. ent low-are )i a d :r: - '.ir' |( |.S 'li |(.| ll K^/ ihe'u attempts io on.u A i.s, I >ennel ly sau I. I ing grape ihe cost. incentives giv for using will fall prey to his lust, wandering aim lessly in search of his mats.' 1 lowever, the The phi n .] • k >t ic is ai i en\'in >nnienlally safe alternative ft) chemical insecticides way to off-set the The government could give the growers some kind of tax write-off, much like the way Jimmy Carter awarded en pheromones culprit is not the devious ■ female, but man himself. by Hank Grezlak '92 Think FALL for Fertilizer WHEN SPRING ARRIVES, MANY HOME- water. Application areas of fertilizer to sandy, • Cut the lawn no shorter than two inches. cleaning the car and fertilizing the lawn. But hold off on feeding the lawn. According to Cornell University turfgrass experts, early fall is the best time to fertil ize lawns for optimal grass health and beauty. owners begin home, washing to think about the mild-weather lead to water leaching supply. Areas waters in the late fall may of nitrates into the ground A lawn shorter than two inches may promote weed invasion and make the 50 to to 100 miles from coastal areas tend be affected. The • studied had of Ithaca, New York that Petrovic sandy soil but harsh winters, prone to so were not large amounts of • susceptible to insects, disease, drought. Allow clippings to remain on the lawn in order to recycle nutrients and possi bly reduce fertilizer needs by one-third. roots heat and Many homeowners wish to get their leaching. Maintaining the quality of groundwater supplies is important. Nitrates in the wa ter lawns lush and green as soon as they get their first scent of spring. But most people do not Do not overwater your lawn; water is precious and too much watering may promote leaching. know that early spring fertilizing sum have been linked such as to human health • If you are detennined to fertilize in the may mer actually arrives. harm their lawn when problems ter "blue Early fall feeding may also where nitrates in the baby syndrome" baby's formula wa spring, Memorial help keep nitrates from contaminating groundwater. According to Martin Petrovic, associate professor of turfgrass science in the De partment of Floriculture and Ornamental Horticulture in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, "Fertilizers will pro mote excessive shoot growth along with dismpts oxygen transfer to the blood system and gives the infant a bluish skin color. According to Petrovic, groundwa ter provides about 50 percent of the nation's some May, around Day. Also keep nitrogen to a minimum in the spring (one pound nitrogen per 1 ,000 square feet of lawm to it should be in late area). According Petrovic, knowledge of drinking areas water on average, with to rural receiving up water 95 per proper lawn-care practices can lead to a decrease in problems. For example, know cent of their drinking from ground water. calibration of to early color. But these results could be a at healthy oped root system." Early spring heavy fertilizing will not allow the root systems to fully develop and can cause injury to the lawn, espe cially during dry summers. The roots are responsible for transporting water and nutrients to the lawn. To counter this the expense of and well-devel fessor of ment Norman W. Hummel Jr., associate pro turfgrass science in the Depart along with properspreader can elimi nate many problems. Lawrn spreaders tend ing the conect lawn size lawn a of Floriculture and Ornamental Hor ticulture in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, offers the following hints promote a healthy and beautiful lawn: ■• apply made become "looser" with age and tend to more product than the desired amount. to Proper adjustments should be the to spreader so "over-fertilizing" does care not occur. Spring is the best time to test soil. A soil Most homeowners receive their lawn- sample to should be taken to a garden information from lawn and These centers start so center or cooperative extension office centers. garden stocking fertil some gests a fall problem, Petrovic sug feeding around Labor Day. this time will allow for im find out or what kind of fertilizer is izers early in the year, most it may take needed soil has 7.0). • whether the soil's pH should time before the idea of fall feeding roots Fertilizing at be corrected a portant root growth and produce vibrant spring color. "This is because some of the nitrogen remains in the soil after the (grass grows best when pH reading between 6.0 and itself. Yet people will agree that ground thaws in the spring if a slow• release fertilizer is applied," Petrovic said. Early spring is a good time to apply a crabgrass herbicide (just when the forsythias drop their blossoms). Dandelion control is the fall than in the more giving up lawn work to enjoy a beautiful spring day is a small price to pay for a lush, healthy lawn. An idea most of us will find easy to get used to. ■ Petrovic is also concerned with the ef fects of nitrate contamination of ground effective in spring or summer. by Shawn Vargo '91 Cornell's Own Glass gene Made by the father-and-son team of Leopold and Rudolph Blaschka, these creatures were part of a set ordered by Cornell in 1885. by Renee Hunter '92 IN 1885, A CORNELL BIOLOGY PROFESsor Because no one at Cornell taught about students did invertebrates at the time of Eisner's dis not have ready access to invertebrates in classes because of the to store covery, arrangements were made for the collection to go on permanent loan to the inability reason some specimens. "The whole was the Blaschkas did these that ordered some "usual" equipment from Biology Company for classroom use. That usual equipment was actually a 500-piece collection of glass invertebrate sea creatures made by the world-famous father-and-son team the catalog of Ward's Corning pieces were restored before going on dis Museum of Glass. At Corning, 40 invertebrates have soft, squishy bod small ies. In alcohol, they contract into play in April 1991 as part of an exhibit focusing on the glass artistry of the Blaschkas. But Harvell and Paul man bodies and lose color," Harvell stated. "[The Blaschkas] tried to capture die splen dor of invertebrates in a medium diat could be a of Leopold ten and Rudolph Blaschka. Forgot of the Section of Ecology Feeny, the chair and Sys Glassworking pation permanent record." was a traditional As a occu for many years, the glass animals are finding their way back into use at Cornell after years of tematics, made arrangements for the col lection to return to Cornell this fall. Funds are sitting in locked cabinets. being to raised by the Development Of "They [the glass animals] came to Cornell University for teaching, but were forgot ten and boxed up," explained C. Drew Harvell, an assistant professor in Cornell's Section of Ecology and Systematics and curator fice pay for further restoration of the collection and to build display cases in the atrium of Corson-Mudd Hall, where the collection will be housed. While the youdi. family. Leopold, bom in 1822. studied painting and apprenticed under a goldsmith and gem cutter. He later began to work with his father as a skilled lampworker. With time, he began to make glass marine ani mals and flowers. Like his father. Rudolph, in the Blaschka display as will start off relatively re of the Invertebrates Collection. small, more of the 500 But about 15 years ago, Thomas Eisner, the Jacob ( iould Schurman Professor of will be added glass they are carefully to invertebrates born in 185^, was quite interested in natu ral history and became his father's assis tant. ■■'.iolog\ red :•-■.< )T ■■ /ere< I the g'tv. i' '< v,_.i<. i ■ - :es .hen abe <.entury-okl he pulled the Alt; be done," commented Harvell. "Tentacles are bro ken off or broken in half. Therefore, it will paired. "A lot still needs While the Blaschkas for their are glass flowers was in well-known Harvard ^msea versity's of Ware Collection of Glass >i < as ii. is ft.\'. ■- me les glass < -years re( >n >dueeucum- i lake < >n couple display." a ol years to get them up and Plants, it their glass Models animals ti< >ns ol - ai louft. ipe<. n, >l snail, squid, sea oetopus, llaiv,-..ber and jellyfish, anemone, were already broken. The Blaschka collection will prove uselul for Har\ ell's students in marine ecol ogy and invertebrate zoology. In the past, that first gave them fame. The first glass animals produced by the Blaschkas were commissioned in 1803 bv Ludwi° Reichenbach, director of the Ro\- al Nam- ral History Museum and Botanical Gar dens in Germany. After that, the glass animals grew in popularity and the Blaschkas made more sets in their family workshop models versities all near Dresden, Germany. The sent to were marketed and the world. uni over The Blaschkas created precise and de tailed works. The two men travelled all over the world to find animals to capture, glass body struc tures were made before the glasswork was started. The completed glass figures were so close to the real thing, that the Blaschkas prefen-ed to be called "natural history artists" rather than glass artisans. According to David Westinghouse, the deputy director and curator of ancient glass at the Corning Museum of Glass, Leopold Blaschka described the team's works in an English trade catalog: "[The models] which I at present produce con jointly with my son Rudolph Blaschka do not only supply object lessons for muse use as examine and models for their reproductions. Illustrations of ums, but also serve as means of instruc tion for universities, colleges, (technologi institutions), and other scholastic establishments. The models represent the respective animals in animate or live state as far as figure, form, structure, and color are cal mensions concerned, the species of larger di being full length pictures ones whereas the smaller have been ad equately magnified. The representations, C. Drew Harvell examines one which have, in many instances, been drawn from the very life, are the outshoot of a series of close observances and re searches instituted of the 500 glass animals in the collection. by me during a succession of years, both our own and my son, on the seashore and in aquarium, sub sequently in general, to judiciously con sulting the various monographies [sic] ex tant Many people animals. wondered how the team accurate could make such and detailed Leopold Blaschka once ex plained, "Many people think that we have some secret apparatus by which we squeeze glass suddenly into these forms, but it is not so. We have tact. My son, Rudolph, has more than I because he is my son and tact increases with every gen eration." Leopold the never trained another worker besides his son, so production of the Rudolph's death ended glass treasures. But because of the Blaschkas' meticulous work, the "lucky find" of Eisner and care ful restoration, their glass menagerie will live on. ■ After being on display at the Corning Glass Museum, Cornell's glass invertebrate collection will be housed in Corson-Mudd Hall. 9 From Far Away to Far Above by Brett D. Mendel '91 "DON'T tor!" background in farming, possessed only the highest regard for both Law and his a monella, lending his name to the disease FORGET THE HORSE-DOCto Thus, Law was put in a position to pioneer modern American veterinary field. science. salmonellosis. Another Law pupil, Arthur M. Farrington 79, headed the U.S. Meat shouted Ezra Cornell as Andrew Dickson White, White's Europe-bound Originally part of agricultural studies, veterinary medicine at ship pulled away from the dock in the New York harbor in March 1868. A mere Cornell rose from half-year from that day, in September 1868, the vision of Cornell meager beginnings. Law's laboratories consisted of fields and bams, and he used one Inspection Service. Law's foreign counterpart at Cornell's opening, Goldwin Smith, has gone down as one of the University's most beloved professors. Discontent with the English University would of the only four microscopes existing become reality. But, as White's ship set off to Europe in March, the fledgling insti tution still needed books, equipment, and political scene while still dealing with the suicide of his ill father, Smith was looking for a change. The concept of a radical. ground-breaking university7 in the United States appealed to Smith immensely. He hoped that the rustic, less sophisti-cated halls of Cornell would do him some good. In his book entitled "Reminiscences of of course, professors. White triumphantly returned from his travels that year, bringing to the faculty two highly distinguished science at educators: the "horse-doctor" James Law, veterinary professor of Edinburgh, and pre-eminent in Goldwin Smith of Oxford, the fields of two men Goldwin Smith," Smith recalled his inter action with American students as 'very interesting and pleasant." His fondness for them history and politics. These spilled over to the athletic field, en where Smith and his students often established, in the earliest days of the University, Cornell's sacred link to gaged in various sports. His brilliant people abroad. history by lectures, at once strengthened over time reputation as a pre mier institution of higher education. In the years preceding World War II, for example, scholars and scientists arrived at American universities in droves, fleeing Europe as Hitler rose to power. As a re sult, Nobel scientists Peter Debye and This link has articulate, witty' and sharply delivered. were attended students and listen to to towns along with Cornell's people ford alike. Ithaca hotels overflowed came to with those who die Ox professor. his fellow as as Smith endeared himself professors Dr. James Law, circa 1868. well, seeminglv happy Hans Bethe came to Cornell, while Albert in all of Ithaca. Struggling to gain respect for his field, Law finally managed to award the first Bachelor of Veterinary Science with his stay at Cornell as thev were with him. He admired and respected his col Einstein went to Princeton. Today, the International Students and Scholars Office estimates that Cornell employs 920 foreign academic staff mem bers. The departments of food science and leagues, and they likewise revered liim scholarly status. "In my chequered passage through life there is no happier incident than my con for his nection with Cornell," Smith ". . . once said, plant pathology contain some of the larger foreign staff constituencies in the area of agricultural studies. Such a vision nev<-r in degree (1871 ) and the first Doctor of Vet (1870) in no years of my life have been better erinary Medicine the United spent." Ask a student today about the names Goldwin Smith and James Law. and they a building on campus. recognize the importance of Cornell University's foreign connec tion would indeed agree thamhe days of Smith and Law could not have been bet States. The determination of James Law- resulted in another first: occurred to Andrew D. While back his equal status for I ;: ;(-'.;-',. veterinary medicine ■-'V !he lime ot ''"'' '-'-■■ arrival at <■ iomell -ft"-' f'"' young professor Law had ''"I diioeie with other sciences. The students of James haw learned a great deal from their professor. After their studies, they became researchers, educa tors, and leaders. Daniel H. Salmon 72, in addition to chartering the U.S. Bureau of may only recall But those who oeienec reputation in veterinary ah several books and articles Ezra already published. Cornell, who had ter Animal spent as Industry, went on to identify sal Cornell and they began the link between people abroad. ■ The by Joshua Z. Kantro '91 Btrt unlike the Graying Number Of Persons 65+: 1910 to 2050 THESE DAYS MARKETERS ARE GOING to the gray market to make a few bucks. (in millions) 80 67.4 underground black mar selling to the gray market is 100 per cent legal. The gray market is a category of older Americans which is increasingly being targeted by marketers. Businesses and advertising agencies have been doing their homework and have found that America is getting older. According to U.S. Census data, the olderpopulation persons aged 65 or over numbered 317 million ha 1990. By 2030, ket, — — 64.6 60 - 39.2 40 - 31.7 m 20.0 20 - ^^^^M-e Hi ^KM there will be about 65 million older per sons, two times their number in 1990 (see 12.3 4.0 ^M-^ 6.6 graph). "The number of older Americans is ^ ■tffl 1910 B! ft-^H 1950 ^B^-' growing steadily. People aged 85 and overare the fastest growing demographic seg ment in Hi 1990 2010 1930 1970 2030 2050 the U.S.," said Professor Emeritus Based on Year data from U.S. Bureau of the Census Phillip Taietz of the Department of Rural Sociology. Taietz, who has been research ing and teaching about aging since the early 1950s, teaches the course "Aging: Issues in the 1990s" during the summer session. increasing number of older people only half the story behind the graying market. The other key fact is that older people have most of the money. People aged 65 or over control more than 50 percent of the nation's discretionary in is The Nina Glasgow, a senior research asso ers over 62. A reservation agent for Trans ciate in the rural sociology department, World Airlines "We explained a ten over the tele agrees that many older citizens are welloff financially. However, she pointed out give percent discount phone, to senior citizens and to their compan ions — that "It is are and hold 77 percent of all financial assets, according to purview (a supple come mostly elderly white males who doing well. Women, minorities and rural residents have much higher rates of poverty." even if the an companion extra is below age 62. This is with us." incentive to fly But businesses must be careful w-'hen ment of pr reporter). a Glasgow senior lecturer in has researched — one aspect of advertising their Christopher Whittle, the "Older people the mature market Department of Communication said, generally have more money and more time to spend it than do younger people." Whittle, who teaches Advanced Advertising, emphasized that the older generation is probably the most impor tant target audience today. "Many retirees have the time to take long vacations. Younger people are lucky if they can munities. She wrote issue of American niral retirement com an article on the sub in the March market. Whittle products to the martrre explained that successful ject which appeared she 1991 advertisements "talk to the person and not the birth date. Research has found that older people feel 10 or 15 years younger than they actually are. Advertis ers shouldn't portray them as old and Demographics where reported that one-fifth of America's non-metropolitan counties are havens for rural retirees. In her article, she wrote: gray." Whittle, 61, himself is almost a member of the gray market. He and his wife, like many other people their age, have al "[Rural] retirement hot spots in all regions of the country. strong consumer are located have care, They demand for health take two weeks off from their jobs. longer need to support children and can spend more money on themselves. Dad buys that sports car he always wanted. Mom finally buys that fur coat she's been dream ing about," explained Whittle. addition, In older people no goods and services. For many businesses, they could be newmarkets that lie off the beaten path." According to Glasgow, the travel and leisure industries are also trying hard to attract the gray market. For example, most housing, and other ready put on their children and finished through college making mortgage payments own their house. Whittle summed up his financial situation wrhen he ex seven claimed, "Having raised and educated children, I now feel like a million aire." This is music to a major airlines offer discounts for custom marketer's ear. ■ 11 Traveling Man Irrigation's by Stephen Will '92 ON A LUSH, GREEN HILLSIDE IN PERU'S Sierra Mountains, two farmers tilled the Rwanda, Kenya and was Pern. His first ex tended stay in India from 1984 to 1985, when he worked as an irrigation advisor for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Walter worked in conjunction with five universities to Professor Michael F. Walter of the Department of soil with traditional foot plows. Agricultural and Biological Engineering (ABEN) approached the fanners to say good-bye after helping them improve their irrigation system. for a develop water resource He asked one a of the programs. Crucial to these programs was the need to make "students and faculty more sensi tive to the farmers where he could souvenir. buy foot plow the to systems," said Immediately one Walter the is not one of the farmers offered sionals in farmers people who were going to use Walter. "Many profes the Third World are as foreign as we are he was using, but Walter's even here at Cornell. Irri face, which always smiles when he told the fanner he would not accept the gift. The fanner ran to his hut and quickly returned carrying his son's smiling, gation systems are human as well as hy draulic." If engineers ignore the human aspect, explained Walter, then the irriga tion systems will most likely fail. The systems will also fail if communica tion breaks down. "You need to be sensi tive to the fact that people may not under stand you, or that you may not convey what you intend," explained Walter. "In India, when they say, 'No problem,' that Sprinkler system installed from subsistence farming, better water control. in a an effort to move away toy foot plow, which now stands like a high-tech adaptation for prized trophy next to Walter's fireplace. more en Since 1982 Walter has traveled to than 20 countries giving farmers and gineers useful information on how to ef fectively introduce new technology into old irrigation systems. "Technology has to complement, not replace," said Walter. The farmers and engineers, in return, give him applicable knowledge, as well as a few mementos, to help him continue his work in developing countries. Walter has spent most of his time over seas assisting farmers in the countries of ture International Institute for Food, Agricul and Development. "This energy and enthusiasm is characteristic of him." In 1988 Walter problem." Somehow, Walter always finds ways not only to communicate with farmers means a there is journeyed to Indonesia to where he visited several islands out find an what the Indonesians wanted in to to and to engineers but also to get them to to talk irrigation system and He most coordinate this each other. "He's able pull together with what the United States had offer. different aspects in order to come to a solution," said Tammo Steenhuis, an as sociate recently traveled to Sri Lanka in March 1991 wiiere he evaluated the professor in ABEN who has Lanka, the Philippines, Indonesia, Nepal, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Niger, Sri worked with Walter since they both came to teach at Cornell 17 years ago. "He's a progress of a program designed to reha bilitate a 2,000-year-old irrigation system. good catalyst because personalities together. Another he gets different " both major part of Walter's work, foreign and domestic, is going out graduate students and supervising their research projects. In 1986 Walter worked in Niger with a student in the middle of the Sahara Desert. "The student was trying to learn how the local into the field with people operated traditional irrigation sys tems, and she participated in the manage ment of modern ones," said Walter. "Dr. Walter has excellent relations with students because of his supportive na ture. Fie %fft^>s7 ■ft. ft ft- f-!..'ftift~ftjf!ir takes a personal interest in stu dents," said Paul Robillard PhD '86, assis tant professor of agricultural engineering at Pennsylvania State University who worked with Walter. "He is effective at coordinating particularly interdisciplinary ."/fjn-.y^.t/C^ research. He also has the veiy rare combi nation of academic theory and held expe rience to conduct these projects." "The two words most for iWallerJ are appropriate energetic and enthusiastic," said Norman flphoff, director of Cornell Water-lifting device (Bangladesh). 12 From working in all these countries, to Walter learned that, "There has be local participation throughout cess the entire pro and you always have to go into the coun try with the attitude that whatever is be ing done is being done for a good reason. Why tries? does Walter visit "Fie — so many coun [from planning to implementation!, The [farmers] are not fools," added Walter. people tively," really concerned both individually and s about collec said Gil Levine PhD '52, interim director of the Center for Environmental Research and years. a colleague of Walter for 17 Irrigation plays a critical role in increasing food production in Third World countries, Levine added. "Anyone work ing seriously to improve these [irrigation] systems has Walter that when to get so a sense of satisfaction." cares much for individuals Indonesian children stand in front of irrigated fields. Walter surveyed many islands to write up a development strategy for the country. happy he is not happy. traveling through Nepal, Walter encountered a mother, her little boy and a baby, recalled Levine. Walter took a picture of the baby, but as Walter walked away, the little boy clearly showed his displeasure at not being in cluded in the picture. "Mike felt disap pointed for days," said Levine. "I primarily [travel] because of the strong interest among graduate students to do they are not Once while work that relates to water resource man agement," Walter modestly explained. "By traveling I begin to tures understand other cul and learn from them, like how to live without using up so much of the natural world's about their In learning resources. technology I've begun to ap preciate why they do things." Currently, Walter is examining the in terface between government agencies and local people regarding irrigation systems in developing countries, the endurance of irrigation systems and take his current water quality Irrigation canal constructed of local material using modern technology. issues in New York state watersheds. He wants to research and all knowledge he has gained from his travels "and expand from irrigation into the natural resources and broader watershed issues in the Third World. I would also like to take the lessons I've learned in the Third World and apply them to water quality in the United States," he added. After nearly ten years of traversing the planet, Walter said, "The most rewarding aspect is that I've gotten to know people from other countries well enough that they give me a hug and vice versa." According to Levine, the greatest re ward for the people Walter has helped to is that, "He has influenced USAID think about issues associated with irrigation development more critically and broadly." He has also "utilize U.S. assistance their own helped fanners and engineers more effectively in "I wish we terms." Claimed Uphoff, ■ had more people Irrigated valley in Rwanda where Walter worked with a like him." graduate student. 13 THE PERFECT FIT THOUSANDS OF AMERICANS UNDERgo joint to alleviate the trauma replacement operations pain of arthritis, of an each year cancer or have been done to determine the new life But the engi expectancy of the implant. that the device could last up neers predisposing factor, but nobody's ever predict the accident. The surgery some helps patients regain their mobility — in major joints — shoulders, elbows, and on wrists, hips, knees and ankles 50 years. Once surgeons determine the size of the implant, they then face the task of inserting it precisely into the patient. The to proven this," said Rita Calvo, a senior lecturer in the Section of Genetics and Development of the Division of Biologi cal Sciences. The longer lasting implants give to new many occasions, enables them to walk again. These patients receive joint im volves plants bones an to replace worn-out cartilage, one the material that cushions the movement of preventing pain when or bends more elbow knee. fit the operation, which costs about $13,000, in cutting off the tip of the knobby end of the bone closest to the joint and inserting the implant into the hollow open ing. Replacing damaged cartilage, the im plant acts as a cushion for the joint. "The attachment of artificial material to a natu patients. Twenty years ago, the implant procedure was only available for elderly patients because the device lasted an average of five years. "As instrumentation improves, surgeons are more willing to attack diffi hope many of these young Surgeons implants precisely, thanks to researchers in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace can now Engineering at Cornell University. The engineers developed a computer system that designs joint implants tailored to fit each patient's body. The system allows surgeons to ral part of the body is difficult to achieve," Taylor said. The difficulty lies in preventing the bone from breaking once the implant is in serted. If the implant puts too much stress the bone, the bone will crack immedi ately. If the implant puts too little stress on on joint problems in younger people," Timothy M. Wright, the associate di rector of the Department of Biomechan ics at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York, which performs 2600 implants cult said a year. But the not trying to implant has its produce 'six patients Wright said. limits. "We're million dollar to tone visualize how the within the is implant men'. We want down will fit and fore the The move patient be program is operation performed. new the bone, the bone will not have enough calcium and will break after it encounters a their lifestyles," a For example, advantage of the moderate stress, such as a game of ten professional tennis star who receives an implant will still be able to play a friendly again compete in the that it enables surgeons to manipulate nis. "A pictures of three-dimensional bones and implants with a computer mouse, which can only move an object in two dimen sions up/down and left/right. "It was — the bone correctly shaped implant will give just the right amount of stress," a game but will never French Open. Most Taylor said. different kind of stress are Facing children suffering from juvenile rheuma toid arthritis. The disease the occurs patients, however, wish for things us that most of take for granted. "A lot of similar with to making a video game in 3-D only a joystick," said Dean L. Taylor, a professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering who designed the computer when these young patients just want to go to college and don't want to be debilitated body begins to attack its own joints, causing joints to become inflamed and often painful. Many of the victims cannot walk and need crutches This or by a disease that won't let them go to class," Wright said. The joint replacement procedure may someday give all of these teenagers the ability wheelchairs and into to a program. In the past, surgeons would choose metal implant for a patient from among number of standard-sized would then try to match with the one ones. a a or wheelchairs. disease afflicts 1 person in 10,000, and doctors do not know what causes it rare walk out of their ■ classroom. They how to prevent it. "There may be a by Deborah Steuer '91 an of the sizes A researcher in Dean Taylor's lab compares the see if the two will create the perfect fit. patient's joint on the x-ray. Since surgeons could only approximate the right size, many patients were often fitted with an incorrectly sized implant. As a result, the come computer-simulated image of a patient's bone and implant to implants painful new tended to loosen and be within 10 years. computer program tells the surgeon the exact size needed to match the patient's bone. In the system, data from scans The of the computerized tomography (CT) patient's bone are fed into the computer, which displays the bone in color, three-dimensions and dynamic motion to age. give the surgeon a useful im Using this $30,000 computer system, surgeons select the precise size and de cide if a customized implant is needed, as opposed to a standard-sized one. As a result, more implants are shaped to follow the contours of the bone, fitting like one puzzle piece into another. The implants are. therefore, better able to handle the stress of daily activities. Since the technique is fairly news no studies IS Bacteria's Fixation with Plants EVEN BEFORE THE IDEA OF CROP Ro tation was formally developed by the early by Susan Green '92 biology ences. Romans, fanners had been interested in maintaining die fertility of their fields. The Romans noticed the in the Division of Biological Sci ganisms benefit from each other's exist ence. In exchange for the help with nitro gen acquisition, microorganisms get a source of energy (carbon) and other nu ability of legumes, (die family of plants which includes peas, beans, peanuts, clover, vetch and alfalfa) Today we know this fertil ability of legumes as 'nitrogen izing fixation,' a process by which atmospheric nitrogen is changed into a form of nitro gen that is usable by plants. to enrich soil. thompsonianum bacteria were found in Virginia sand. They are able to make the photosynthetic pigment bacteriochlorophyll because they have genes associated with photosynthesis. These novel bacteria also have genes to enable biological nitrogen fixation. Since syn The P. trients. But why aren't all plants symbiotic legume plants ni trogen fixers? The Boyce Thompson In stitute showed that have about 30 genes that a are necessary to form nitrogen fixing symbiosis. were "Mutant pea In the 1880s, two German scientists, thetically getically costly Hellriegel gumes because and Wilfarth, showed that le plants they could, with the help of sym biotic microorganisms, fixate nitrogen on their root nodules. Hellriegel's and Wilfarth's data settled a 50-year-long de were different from other nitrogen plant and hazard ous to the environment, biologically fixed nitrogen is advantageous. P. thompsonianum will only fix nitro gen in those leguminous plants which have a symbiotic relationship with micro organisms. In a symbiotic relationship or ener fixed fertilizer to is the bate about the existence of nitrogen at fixation. In the late 1980s, researchers a Boyce Thompson Institute Ithaca, NY, made covery for Plant Research in major scientific dis fixation. to relating to nitrogen They discovered the first bacterium conduct photosynthesis and fix nitrogen symbiotically within a legume plant. The bacterium was tentatively named "Photorh izobium thompson ia n u m. Although Dr. Allan R.J. Eaglesham iso lated P. thompson ianumin the early 1980s at Boyce Thompson Institute, it was not " study the plants," said Tom LaRue, a biochemist at the Boyce Thompson Institute whose group devel oped the mutant pea plants. During evo lution, it is likely that only a few plant species are able to assemble all the genes required for symbiosis with rhizobia. According to Ralph W.F. Hardy, Presi dent and CEO of Boyce Thompson Insti tute, synthetic nitrogen fertilizers, along with chemical pesticides and genetic im provement, have been responsible for the increased crop yields of the last 40 years. During this time period, the use of syn thetic nitrogen fertilizer has increased more than 20 times its original amount. However, the environmental dangers of synthetic nitrogen fertilizers are even greater than those for chemical pesticides. "One reason for seeking biological alter plants purposely made to lack of nitrogen fixation in certain natives to fertilizer tive environmental nitrogen is the nega impact caused by syn Boyce by Eaglesham, Joan Thompson M. Ellis, Mariangela Hungria, Ralph W.F. Hardy and others at the Kettering Re search Laboratories revealed its photosynthetic characteristics. at until several years later that work Institute thetic nitrogen fertilizers," said Hardy. Since about only free half of the fertilizer ni to trogen put the rest into soil is used is by crop plants, either contaminate groundwater or fonn dinitrogen oxide, a greenhouse gas that contributes to global wanning. P. reduces the trogen fixer and therefore need for chemical-based, synthetic nitro Most photosynthetic bac gen fertilizers. in the ab teria conduct photosynthesis "These bacteria can sence of oxygen. thompsonianum is a biological ni probably not aware ecologically safe ideas for soil fertility would eventually evolve into seri were The Romans that their ous environmental concerns. But the dis covery of biological tists to be produce Tom Owens, assistant gen-contarning photosynthetic pigments oxysaid Dr. environments," in nitrogen fixers like P. thompsonianum show the effort of scien professor of plant environmentally as well as eco nomically responsible. ■ 19 TRADITIONAL FARMING MANY STUDENTS IN THE COLLEGE OF local examples trip Agriculture and Life Sciences spend on a years at Cornell and never set foot fami of any kind. Therefore, it is not sur four farms. The to of traditional American Shamrock Hill Farm in policy-makers ern have placed emphasis farming to on the shift from traditional mod Port Crane, New York and Northland Sheep Dairy in Marathon, New York practices. Because of that shift, the prising that for the past ten years most recipients of the Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship rarely had the opportunity to see the Fellows together with two local farmers who have made lifelong brought support system which the early twenti eth-century American farmers could and commitments to sustainable examples of traditional American tainable small-scale farms. Humphrey Fellows are profes sionals from developing countries in volved in the field of rural development who come to Cornell to study. In the past, The the Fellows' chance to which will main tain and support a farm over time without causing soil depletion or furthering the farming is the nologies and practices fanning. Sus adoption of tech rely on has been almost completely destroyed. As a result, today's small-scale did fanners crops are tition able to on a often forced to face a compe produce and distribute its without support. or larger scale "Many international students profes dependence on external "I wanted to make help. people realize that gain first-hand ex- low-capital fanns do exist in the United sionals often do not realize that smallscale farmers find it hard to make a living in this country, too," Schad said. "It is also important that [the students] are exposed to farming practices that are more similar to those used in their home lands." Schad could not have found more re sponsive and enthusiastic participants than the Humphrey Fellows. Some of them did to not know what to expect in their visits the local fanns. "I visited fanns in Ohio, Illinois, Michigan and Wisconsin. But I never would have expected to meet farm ers in this country who are facing similar- difficulties and frustrations as encountered by farmers in my own country," said Assistant to the Marilen J. Bavia, Executive Special Director of the Foundation in the the no According to necessity and Cooperative Philippines. Bavia, in the Philippines the detennination to are maintain traditional fanning practices longer issues within the field of rural development. "We have learned at the our A reasonably typical farm in New York state, similar to those visited by the Humphrey Fellows. expense of ers, soil's health that fertiliz pesticides and a variety of different technologies coming from the west could not perience on American farms was limited primarily on observing how the imple mentation of resource-oriented and tech States, too," said Stephan Schad '91 who be viable substitutes for our farmers' con nology-oriented farming systems creased the number of capital intensive and highly mechanized fanns in upstate New York. in But in March 1991, participants of the 1990-91 Cornell Hubert H. North-South introduced to Humphrey Fellowship Program were practices of organic fami took a field trip to two organized the visits. Schad, a Gennan stu dent in general agriculture in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, thought that field trips such as the one he planned for the Humphrey Fellows, could chal lenge the belief that small-scale farming is no longer practiced in the U.S. and that traditional fanning systems are symbols of underdevelopment and backwardness. However, for the last 50 years, scien tists, rural knowledge text in of the land," Bavia said. Bavia's argument finds a historical the or more three tance to policies implemented during decades of foreign assis the developing countries. Soon after World War II and up to the late 1970s, hundreds of aid programs tried either to fill the perceived 'technology gap' that western gap' or the 'resources the ng when thev development experts and governments, academics and develop ment specialists considered to be causing 20 EVISIT underdevelopment. These proaches required some level two ap of partici pation on the part of the beneficiaries of foreign aid. Yet, the fanners' skills and knowledge were not considered an asset, and a Humphrey Fellow. their decisions as However, the difficulties and the isolation of Shamrock Hill Fann and Northland in the field of rural professionals involved development. For Sheep Dairy from the June Richards, Senior academic world led Zainab Binte Tambi, Nutrition Officer for the Medical and Health Services Department in Planning Officer for Malaysia, the solution lies in the but rather traditions that stopped the country's natural nity.' die course toward 'moder Aldiough highly criticized by most of new generation of development spe cialists, these interpretations of the par ticipatory approach penetrated and modi fied the culmral background of many policy-makers both in the U.S. and abroad, interpretations that Michel Kayihura, Chief Development Section for the Presidency Republic of Rwanda and one of the Humphrey Fellows on the of the Rural of the field trip, believes elicited positive re sponses from agricultural officials in Rwanda who were trained in western uni versities. According to Kayihura, rural de velopment experts still push forward in tensive farming practices which rely heavily on fertilizers and pesticides. "I ers am astonished to meet with U.S. farm who, like Rwanda's peasants, com plain about the use of chemicals. These American farmers not the use of chemicals], are only argue [against but they also dem even onstrate through their endeavors that harm chemicals ful," unnecessary and Kayihura said. For farmers like Mike Kane, the owner of Shamrock Hill Farm, their work and commitment are proof that sustainable farming is successful and that economic efficiency can be acquired through prac tices that do not The '90-'91 Humphrey Fellows at the annual Fellows' they wore in the fields. reception. Their formal attire is a far cry from the clothing thetic fertilizers or rely on expensive large machinery. can syn "Mike said that he get what he gets from his farm because he knows the land. I agree with him because no one farm is like another. Every farm is a specific and of technol unique entity. The adoption of the soil, cannot preserve the health ogy it and at the same time, con regenerate carried tribute to efficiency, unless it is this awareness," said Vrinda out with Ministry of Natural Resources and En ergy in Swaziland, to consider the expo sure she gained through the field trip as an introduction to the other side of the the coin. "In this country there is so combination of different fanning prac tices. "There is a need to promote sustain able be farming," Tambi said. "Our work must much directed towards finding solutions which combine traditions and technol ogy. It is part of our job to help the farm ers integrate the level of technology that can research going on, so much infrastructure and facilities, yet there are farmers strug gling as much as those in my own coun try," Richards said. be sustained by ■ a fann with their economic needs." in Sarup, District Magistrate Junpur, India clay spent visiting the two farms, Humphrey Fellows to wonder how this experience will affect After a it was natural for the by Lorella Sabatini '91 21 Computer-i n- Residence AFTER WORKING FOR SEVERAL HOURS on a ment history to paper, Jeffrey at Carmona '94 a between Cornell and IBM to update and extend Cornell's fiber optic network to installed with the intention of later run ning data to across it." con decides letter to put aside his books and write Duke in Dickson every building on campus, including Because the campus network is his best friend room From his University. Hall, Carmona the residence types a quick note on his Macintosh com puter. But instead of printing out a hard copy and mailing it, he punches a few halls, claimed DeWolf. Without using a modem and tying up a phone line, stu dents in the pilot can trans mit and receive data nected networks, other national and worldwide students can communicate elec with tronically world. keys and within seconds his letter is on its campus, tional and worldwide computer networks. DeWolf explained that once data travel along na people throughout the "By expanding students' access Cornell's systems, to we are beyond allow ing them jump out to the world and way to Durham, North Carolina. Carmona and 327 other Cornell stu ling along the fiber optic ring reaches the onto determine what it dents living on the fourth and fifth floors residence halls, it is transferred unshielded twisted pairs of wires Ethernet using means to be part of the worldwide network," said DeWolf. So far student reaction to the project seems of Donlon Hall and the third floor of Dickson Hall networking protocols (UTP room positive. Eighty-eight students — part of the Computer Network Pilot Project (CNPP). These stu are can now access Ethernet). The data is then appropriate student up to the and received by the sent signed up during on-campus housing se lection in March 1991 twice the number dents high-speed opticalcompatible com working at his fiber communications networks for the "UTP Ethernet are her computer. essentially the same or of students who signed up for those spaces Macintosh, IBM, or IBM puters from their rooms. The fall 1991 semester marks the first program has been offered to students living in Cornell's residence halls. a copper wires that the phones work on," said DeWolf. "When the University in in Donlon and Dickson last year, claimed DeWolf. The remaining spaces were filled with freshmen and transfer students who stalled the time such cunent campus phone system [in March 1986], they provided every applied to enter CNPP over the summer. phone jack was with two pairs of wires. and the other One was "The purpose of this pilot program is to detemiine what students need," said Fred for the phone college within the University participate in the project, a fact that Charity Sammis, the Residence Hall Director for Donlon Students from every DeWolf '81, MBA '91, Director of die Com puter Network Pilot Project. "Before we decide to make the network available to all 6,000 students living in the residence helped foster a sense Hall, believes has of community among residents. "There is a broad base of people living here and they can help each other in halls, we want to find out what the stu dents in the Students gram have pilot use it for and if they find participating access it worthwhile." in the pilot pro library catalogs, learning how to use the By sharing their com mon interest in the pilot project, students begin to interact with each other on other software," she said. levels To as well. to information service (CUINFO), electronic mail and bulletin boards and other campus information sys tems, Cornell's on-line in CNPP, students pay an annual fee of $56 for the network connec participate tion and S50 to lease an Ethernet card. "Because this is a explained Gordon Suggs '85, MBA '89, Assistant Director of Workstation Sup pilot port Services for Cornell Information Tech nologies (CIT). In addition, students are also provided with low-cost laser printing versity will take a network this year," said ever, program, the Uni financial loss on the Sammis. How both Sammis and DeWolf believe that the costs of using the network will increase if the facilities, the opportunity puter at a to lease a com available to all reduced rate, assistance from project is eventually made 6,000 students living in at project coordinators for network-related problems and workshops on how to use software. residence halls. And if that happens is Cornell, the time approaching when students everywhere According to DeWolf, the University approved plans to implement the pilot program during the 1991-1992 academic year after several years of planning and revising proposals. i'-ob..- •.■ir.--?!--:. .■'- will have network connections in their rooms and zip codes will be replaced by electronic mail addresses. Michael Wilhelm '94 communicates with other students via a computer connected to Cornell's fiber ■ One important factor .: : dec:--.!.:-- an agree optic network. by Cheryl Jacobson '91 Series of Promotions at Geneva Station Dr. Thomas molecular and cell been named to a J. Burr was pro moted to a full at professor of plant pathology Cornell's Geneva on MIRY1HA1 CAPSULES disease, childhood fetal deaths. canine biology, has four-year term the Microbial Physiology and Genetics Study Section by the - on Department of Health and Services. Human experiment station. Roberts, who was selected on the Burr's research concentrates erythema and fruit crop diseases. Fie has achieved national acclaim for his findings on the crown basis of his competence and achievement, will review grant gall disease causes Nine, which of the grapedamaging losses According to Rossmann, the parvovirus is similar to RNA common applications tutes to the National Insti viruses like the cold, which of Health and survey the status of research in their fields of study. in New York and other regions are indicates that they may be related. around the world. Two other scientists Vaccines for the canine-parvovirus no also on are available but there is available who to specific the upswing at the Geneva station. an treatment combat the have the Entomology Names New Department Chairman Roelofs, Liberty Hyde Bailey Professor of Insect Biochemistry at Cornell's New York State Agricultural Experiment Station in Geneva, has been appointed chairman of the department of entomology at Cornell's Geneva station. Dr. Richard Straub, entomolo virus in dogs already Dr. Wendell gist at the station's Hudson Valley Laboratory in Highland, New York was promoted to full professor. Straub focuses a large part of his work on pesticide management procedures and alternative strategies for pest control. He began his work in the Hudson Valley in 1971 as a research associate. Dr. Susan K. Brown was disease. Father of Public Relations Celebrates Birthday With PRSSA Dr. Edward Bernays 12, Father came to of Public Relations, Cornell University in faculty pro of the and April public to join students, Roelofs station in began 1965 of at the experiment his relations profes as an assistant sionals in the celebration of his "First 100 Years." professor career, biochemistry. During on moted to associate horticulture sciences Brown 1985 and professor department. came to the department in was appointed as the new Roelofs has focused Bernays, whose list of former clients consists of historical figures such leader of the station's world- apple breeding program last year. Brown's research is geared towards developing improved apple varieties. renowned as Thomas Edison, Eleanor Roosevelt, Henry Ford and Presi dents Woodrow Wilson, Calvin Cornell's Technology Aids in Discovery of Virus With the Cornell Coolidge, Herbert Hoover and Dwight D. Eisenhower, presented the Keynote Address at PRSSA's Eighth Annual Awards Luncheon. In his address, the public relations founder advised students to establish their own personal niche in what ever studying insect sex pheromones. The newly appointed chairman, who is one of the leading scientists in his field, is frequently asked to present his findings at international symposia. Roelofs succeeds Dr. George Schaefers, who served as the depart ment chairman for eight years. high-tech help of the High Energy Source, one of most field they enter. an Bernays also presented award, the world's intense sources of X-rays, researchers across the which he established in 198a, to the student who has contributed the most to country discovered the threedimensional structure of the canine the relations. practice of public Bernays, who is also the the parvovirus virus, which causes a highly contagious and sometimes fatal disease in Researchers the dogs. at Purdue University, University of Alabama and the College of Veterinary Medicine's Baker Institute for Animal Health reported their findings in the March honorary editor of the Cornell Countryman, personally handed 1991 Edward L. Bernays Primus Inter Pares Award to Judith H. Germano '91. The PRSSA also other awards achievements in presented ten recognizing students' public relations. .«,- :.///. 22, 1991 issue of Science. Michael Rossmann, who led the team of researchers, said the discov ery of the Department of Health and Human Services Recognizes Professor's Achievements and single-stranded DNA virus will help shed light on human illnesses caused by parvoviruses, as such acute anemia, forms of heart Jeffrey Roberts, the chairman a professor of biochemistry, Wendell L. Roelofs n?WN library Head of the tal horticulture at suuisijwm ^VISION students is Chrissie Rizzo '92, an agricul ture education major with specific inter ests in horticulture. She teaches ornamen the BOCES Lakeside Onondaga-Madison Occupational Center in Syracuse, New York. Class by Benjy Kile '92 THE BELL RINGS AND STUDENTS RUSH in all directions. Lockers are Before the semester began, Rizzo met regularly with her "mentor teacher" to discuss classroom policies and decide which parts of the class Rizzo would teach on her own. "I'm also preparing lesson plans and gathering learning aids, such as work sheets and movies, for my topics," Rizzo said. In addition to the subject matter, stu dent teachers must be prepared to face a jobs available for those wish agricultural areas. "I see ing fewer teaching positions in agriculture at the high school level for at least ten years," said Woodworth. This decline in job op portunities is due to the fact that agricul ture is not a subject required by the state for high school curriculums. However, Woodworth believes that employment opportunities exist for those with an agri cultural education background in busi ness and industry at the employee train decline of to instruct in and books are taken out as head to their first class. As they enter the classroom, you sit at your desk and wait for them to get quiet. You take a deep breath. It is your first day as a teacher. This is the fate that awaited nine Cornell students in open the students flung classroom full of students. "I work with students of various capabilities and handi ing level. "I'm optimistic about the future of the profession," Rizzo said, "I believe there is a real need in industry and society in general for talented people to teach agri culture. It is up to well-educated teachers to change the public perception and un trying to teach them to function as a team. I face discipline problems, test writ ing and grading and being observed by caps, professors," Over the Rizzo said. derstanding of agriculture." Despite the difficulties facing the agri cultural teaching profession, students will still come early September, 1991 as they course of the semester, the student teacher will progress from merely "shadowing" the regular classroom to Cornell to challenge ture. of facing a prepare for the classroom of stu dents who Rizzo began the semester as student teachers in New York schools. The subject is agricul ture teacher out actually teaching the class independendy. "Each student teacher works to and this is the final test for those who the exact want to become teachers in the one agricul that said. they process with the teacher will be assisting," Woodworth learn about agricul pointed out the rewards she sees in teaching when she said, "I'll feel the satisfaction of helping someone un want to derstand a difficult topic. I'll be able to tural field. "Cornell is state of two institutions in the Overshadowing ing field this year the of New York that certifies teachers in are trends agriculture teach showing the watch my students grow in their knowl edge, technical skills and in their confi dence in themselves." ■ agricultural education," said Jan Held Woodworth, a graduate teaching assis tant in the Department of Education in Cornell University's College of Agricul ture and Life Sciences. Although there are few students major ing in agricultural education at Cornell, several students majoring in other areas attempt to become certified in the agricul tural field. come dents interested in According to Woodworth, stu teaching agriculture from many majors, including ani mal science, horticulture and natural re sources. During their senior year, these students are connected to schools across the state of New York in order to practice what they have learned about agriculture -ell as tej it teachir jre and Life Sciences, a Statutory College of the Stat&OnivGttity, atU6lYl6ll Uhltffcrsity CORNEL A IV!A(3A^iiIiA^ YORK STATE COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE AND LIFE SCIENCES /Si \. OEC 1 HACA, s 1991 N.Y. 1405- £^^=^sgg 1 !*%>F-C Sfc :~;*t£ "'^'.--"--. -"fsj pf;g^rs ^m-^susK^st It WM ^fg^ailt.'i.g'iiii'^M i •|t»,Di-',t v "ft* ■'ftft"- m>."ti*i>*"*ii ''<"'**" ^}^^0^T^M*^"^ t^^i^AA ^■w-'.^^HaBr-ft^-'v-i-ft'' -ra^aaafflKS .'■.■"*■- Tw. mmmtmmmsx .'■ml jiiiitwp ^ > v^i Contents 3 Starting Right, Starting Debra G. Birnbaum '92 Smart 12 The Eagle Has Landed Brett Ainsworth '92 Allan Wai '93 4 Invasion of the Quarter 15 Snatchers Leslie J. Gross '92 A Meatless Way of Life Joshua Z. Kantro '91 7 Transplanting Jeff Grant '91 Science 16 Waste Not, Want Not Bonnie Zucker '93 8 Old MacDonald Had Fish Farm a 18 The Wheat Smell of Success Erica L. Fishlin '93 About the Issue The environment is one Neeraj Khemlani '92 of the most vital 10 20 Teaching During Revolution the global issues. People everywhere are start ing to become future of their the more Paper or Plastic? concerned about the This issue of Janet M. Clesse '93 Monica E. Bernstein '93 surroundings. Countryman features stories on new strains of wheat, composting, paper and plastic, and raising fish in barns. This is sue .CORNELL also takes new a close look at the College's and Department of Cornell's Communication American Indian House. COITRMN November 1991 Volume LXXXIX Number 2 Editors Debra G. Birnbaum On the A cover: Art Director Brett Ainsworth photo of Akwe:kon, on the sity Photography; p. 14 Brett Ainsworth, Uni versity Photography; pp. 18, 19 Dr. Mark — — new American Neeraj Khemlani Sorrells; p. 20 — The Indian House North Campus. Assistant Editors Monica E. Bernsrein Layout Staff Janet M. Clesse Erica L. Fishlin Gift of John S. Metropolitan Museum of Art, Kennedy, 1897; pp. 21, 22— Monica Bernstein. Leslie J. Gross Allan Wai Bonnie Zucker The Cornell Countryman times a (ISSN 0010-8782) is published six May and of year from October through (combined issues for January and February, Editorial Staff Ainsworth, Monica E. Bernstein, Debra G. Birnbaum, Janet M. Clesse, Erica L. Fishlin, Leslie J. Gross, Neeraj Khemlani, Allan Wai, Bonnie Zucker. Brett April and May) by the New York State College Agriculture and Life Sciences, 324 Kennedy Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y. 14853Second class postage paid at Ithaca, New York 14853. Printed by Midstate Litho, Inc. of Endicott. Subscription Rates: $10.00 a year; $20.00 for two years. Postmaster: Send change of address to Cornell Countryman, 32-4 Kennedy Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y. I48S3. Editorial content gathered and written by majors in the Depart ment ward L. of Communication. Honorary editor: Ed Bernays 12. Faculty advisors: Jane E. Helaine Wasser. Hardy '53, Picture Credits: Cover, Allan Wai; pp. 4, 5, 6 Peter Morenus, Dave Maley, C. S. Blunden, Monica Bernstein, University Photography; p. 6 AU Photo; p. 7 Department of Manuscripts and University Ar chives; pp. 8, 9 Brett Ainsworth; p. 10 Univer— — — — l( is the policy of Cornell University actively to support equality of educational and employment opportunity. No person shall be — denied admission to any educational program or activity or be denied employment on the basis of any legally prohibited discrimination involving, but not limited to, such factors as race, color, creed, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual preference, age, or handicap. The University is committed to the maintenance of affirmative action programs which will assure the continuation of such equality of opportunity. NO ONE CAN TAKE GETTING INTO AN I\y League university for granted. For some minority high school students, such dream may be close to impossible. But Start Smart, a cooperative agreement be tween Cornell University and Tompkins a where The students will first attend TCCC, they will complete a two-year de gree in their chosen field. Once their requirements have been met, including above-average grades, the stu gies and continue their education at the college level. Recognizing the common goals of their ideas, Thompson and Marti decided to combine their thoughts and energies into a Cortland Community College, can help dents will prepare for transfer to Cornell University. At Cornell, they will fulfill bach elor program to increase the benefits for minority students realize the dream of degrees in their majors in the College college education. Created in December 1990, Start Smart strives to increase the recruitment and retention rates of of Agriculture and Life Sciences, the Col lege of Engineering or the College of Human minority students. The result was the Start Smart grant agreement, the first Ivy League university and community college col laboration of its sort a in the nation, accord Ecology. (The other expressed program.) colleges at ing to Berry. "It's small, but important coor under-represented mi Cornell have also the Start Smart at interest in nority group members at the two institu tions. By providing financial and other of support, Start Smart enables stu dents to pursue their education at both means step at the local level," she added. Randall K. Stewart 73, associate dinator of admissions for the The first three Start Smart students be College of TCCC and Cornell University. "The education of under-represented to minority youth us," is of great importance fall; Berry plans for seven gan more to begin in January. Jay Spaker, a resident of Elmira, is majoring in TV/radio writing and production. Marcus Small, a native of Jamaica now living in Ithaca, TCCC this Agriculture forward who will But to and Life Sciences, is looking working with the students, Cornell in the fall of 1993. enter responsibilities began once Berry identified and recanted qualified students. Stewart counsels the students about their transfer a his explained Michelle Courtney Berry MPS '91, who serves as program coordi nator of Start Smart and liaison between and Alfred Cornell III, an 18-year-old Ithaca High School graduate, are both to Cornell, serving work as studying engineering ance science. Cornell contact as they through Cornell University and TCCC. When Alfred Cornell's high school guid "Studies have predicted that by the early counselor told him about the pro the admission process. "It's a College and a twenty-first century, one-third of the U.S. workforce will consist of minorities," Berry noted. "It is therefore a en gram, he was quickly swept up with thusiasm for its potential. "I never thought national priority to I'd be able higher education of minori ties in anticipation of their increasing role in society. As a person of color, I find it promote the to go he exclaimed. to an Ivy League school," University goal to under-represented minority students," explained Stewart proudly. "Through Start Smart, we can help these enroll more students benefit from tion. We can a Cornell educa The idea for the program was bom from a meeting between Eduardo J. Marti, put an Ivy League education program." minority students from the upstate region of New York: Ithaca, Binghamton, Elmira, Rochester, Buffalo and Corning. A maximum of 15 fulfilling to work for this president istrators of TCCC, and at high-level admin Start Smart recruits Cornell, including Provost Maiden C. Nesheim, to discuss ways of grasp." By removing the obstacles that block the pursuit of higher education, Start Smart opens doors for within their qualified students who increasing minority both institutions. Meanwhile, Bill student retention at students per year will receive Start Smart's financial aid packages, including grant money from well as an anonymous other benefits. source as Thompson, Cornell University's Director of Equal Opportu nity, was developing a program to en courage minority high school students to prove themselves through a competitive selection process. But it's up to the stu dents to cross the threshold, to fulfill their potential for the future. ■ explore careers in information technolo by Debra G. Birnbaum '92 THEY ARRIVED IN 1976. WITHIN THREE our years, set they had invaded homes and that continues at an expo Today, just 15 years later, of they can be found in about one out American households while every four they flatten Americans' wallets by more off a craze that many people are wondering what effects these mesmerizing mazes and pow erful planets will have on children. Will these electronic fantasies turn dren into little monsters? Or will zes our | nential rate. chil they pre than four billion dollars a year. These plundering attractions allow their where users to enter a can the computer whiz pare them to become of the future? The Department of Communication which fantasy world — they fight evil, fly on magic helped to answer these questions at their Sixth Annual Cornell Communication Con vocation on September 6, 1991, which was and carpets, compete against Mike Tyson are video games. race in a Ferrari They have set off such a storm of popu — sponsored in part by Nintendo of America. The convocation welcomed the knowledge and expertise of six speakers | larity particularly with boys and girls, rang ing in age from six to eleven years old, who specialize in childhood education, communication, psychology, engineering | and media fields. Although many American parents worry that the video games will transform their children into violent creatures, the ex perts mom seem to j agree that can although video entertainment is a new area of research, and dad relax. The speakers j explained parents and children should be aware of some cautions, but they empha sized that people can learn a great deal from video games. Dr. Robert Thompson, ber of the a faculty mem Department of Radio, Televi sion and Film in the Newhouse School of versity, said Public Communication at Syracuse Uni many of the fears of the ef fects of video games stem from its new ness. "I think there's a time element here," Thompson dium said. "Whenever a new me up it sort of lets the other medium off the hook." Thompson explained that first there comes were fears about certain movies, books and television shows. Now people are me getting suspicious dium — of the newest video games. After defeating everyone in his age group, Robert Whiteman '94 became the 1990 Nintendo World Champion. Dr. Cynthia Scheibe 76, MS '83, PhD it kind of moves '87, from the Ithaca along without you. They psychology department at College, said that because playing to [video games] require you plan and to to think, to solve, and those are problem most video games appears watching television, the be similar to all useful skills that television in our public thinks that country does not require their effects will be similar to those that research has shown about television. "It appears to be the same on some Keynote speaker Silvern, from the Department of Early Childhood Education at you to do." Professor Steven Auburn Univer level, which is why I think people are things that hap now pened they're all going to happen again because saying 'Here are all the because of television and of video games,'" said Scheibe. "In five years we'll have something else new, and people will all be horrified. I think that people are trying to piggyback video game fears sion. on sity, agreed that video games teach chil dren many important skills. "They pro vide an opportunity for children to make hypotheses, to attempt to discriminate, to look for patterns," said Silvern. Results from a study he did on the effects of video games on aggressive be havior should ease parents' minds, Silvern said. In the the fears that came out of televi are study, he measured violent were [The effects of video games] not prob on behavior in children who involved ably going to be anywhere close." in three different activities: Scheibe, whose research focuses how children understand what on they see television, explained that when people video game the cartoon "The Road Runner," and gen eral playing. Silvern found that playing the "Space Invaders," watching watch the average three to four hours of television a day, this viewing displaces other activities they could be doing/You're getting less exercise, you're spending less time socializing with your friends, you tend to eat more, you're reading less," said Scheibe. However, with video game playing, these types of negative effects are not likely to be as powerful, Scheibe said. . . . aggressive behavior after the video game and the cartoon was almost equal, but it was significantly higher than general aggressive after play. playing video games than after watching Saturday morning cartoons. We're not talk aggressive "Kids are no more behavior after ing about turning kids into violent mon sters," said Silvern, who has done exten sive research on the effects of on play. "Video games cause are much more social be Student opinion the effects of video someone you're often competing against so you're actually talking to games came from Robert Whiteman '94, who has a special interest and expertise in video games. Whiteman is the winner them. Television is not. one Talking to some you're watching television is interference," said Scheibe. while of the 1990 Nintendo World Champion ship. addition, Scheibe said, video games require the player to be actively involved In The video game whiz was one of 500,000 contestants from all over the coun try who participated in the local part of and true can teach valuable skills. "It's video really that these games engage the tournament. After defeating everyone in his age group, Whiteman traveled to people," she explained. "That's not a small thing because it's not like television where it's just there to mostly entertain you, and California to compete in the champion ship at Universal Studios where he outplayed 30 other finalists. Whiteman said he started playing fomi of therapy, especially for Nintendo games only about a year before the tournament but has played other video five years old. He games since he was explained that many people misunder stand the effects of video games. People at video games when the often people in nursing homes or handicapped institutions where they feel they don't have much control ments. over their environ that video they blew up 100,000 of our guys they'd be terrible people," said Scheibe. Professor Michael Shapiro of the communication department it. And if said that finger point talking about their negative effects, said. "The sits in his he child who room play suggested playing could change the social hierarchy which exists in American high schools. Highly skilled video players can gain He a big problem with understanding the effects of game video games is that the field is so new. Asked what kind of Scheibe ing video games all afternoon, all week end, who doesn't call up his not "social currency," like those who adept Thompson. "The are at playing sports, now said idea is that a twen friends, . . . it's the fault of the video Whiteman "That games," said. some means tieth century model of technical profi model ciency can take the place of this said Thompson. of brute proficiency," Video games can also be viewed as for the new literacy, the . . . implications video games have, Shapiro responded, "I don't know, some good, some bad. It depends what you do with it." Another issue which concerns Gay is the fact that video games are mostly played by males. She said that the games are designed with males in mind. "Girls don't play these games . . . thing wrong." Whiteman disagrees with the theory else is Whiteman "on-job-training new skills being required in a world where all the rules are changed," he added. I don't think are women shoot brought up at things to or that video games prevent people from participating in other activities, like read ing or socializing. "I think it's the other way around," Whiteman said. "I think "When all is said and done, one can an ticipate this revolution of the young where these video game kids are able to be the take power or con trol over things," Gay explained. have to more "Men a only ones who can run the place." of dif they're not socializing so they're playing get hooked on video games. You video games." can However, the feeling that video games not harmful was not unanimous are among the panel of ferent outlook: how get power over or con trol the world The up that Whiteman said that a skill video games to develop is strong hand-eye co help ordination. "It can speakers. Some ar gued that dangers do exist. Dr. Geri around them. games are set Shapiro Gay way." Gay believes, however, that people can a make you a better driver," said Whiteman, who is a com PhD '85, director of the Interactive Multi media learn lot from video games. "It can be an interactive process. People can construct Group at Cor meaning for themselves and be involved," she said. So what is in store for these electronic Silvern puter science major. Video games can also be a confidence builder, he said. "It's a very simple reward nell, said that there should be some cau tion in playing these gold some mines in the future? According to games. "I want to make sure of the experts, the trend for the future is making the adventures and fan tasies on that a people understand that they are is a the screen as close to reality as system. You do something right and you get a score, you get points. That makes a person feel good." just little to small representation of life. Life we possible. ill-structured and messy. It isn't tidy game. Sometimes when neat try adding more realism is going to happen," said Gay. "When the system "I think Thompson, who analyzed the effects of video games from a humanities point of view, said they contribute to our cul Video games can be viewed as a form of art and literature, he said. "With ture. video games, very young children are together, we give people the impression they can control things and there's an outcome and things are fair and good," said Gay, who uses visual data bases to develop interactive multimedia educational applications. Scheibe also said the moral messages in video games are something to watch for. The prominent guy" theme, where the out put these programs gets more under stress, then we'll look more to life is have simple solutions. When it seems getting very complicated, as a relief few to go into the little worlds and try moments where we can con we can a trol getting a real huge body of oblique, minute, sophisti cated details about what is, after all, a form of storytelling," he things." anything can be predicted, it is that people will continue to enter the little If justified in "good guy, bad good guys are doing what they want and the bad guy deserves what he gets, is "a dan gerous lesson to take out in the real world," she said. "We nan worlds that video games offer. With sales at companies like Nintendo of America a jumping by almost one million dollars it is clear that the game is far from year, over. ■ explained. Thompson video also around and blow up 100,000 said games could be used as a Thompson Iraqis because they're the bad guys and we're the good guys and it's okay if we do by Leslie J. Gross '92 6 transplanting WALKING DOWN THE CORRIDORS OF estimated cost science may be to as high has as $75 into constraints. "The is a biggest problem [now] building has been some what difficult lately; long columns of labo ratory equipment line the hallways. "We simply do not have enough space," ex plained W. E. Fry PhD 70, chairman of the Department of Plant Pathology. "So some die Plant Science million, according Wing, run formidable obstacles. The instability of the state budget, coupled with the co existence of several extensive projects on campus (including the upcoming renova tion of Mann Library) which are receiving lack of interaction between research ers," he commented. "Tilings like the shar equipment has some to come out here. There's very nice stuff in this hall way." In order to remedy the lack of space for in Plant Sci major funding from the state, is delaying the appropriation of the necessary capital for the project. But Wing is confident that the changes in the Plant Science both ence, equipment and staff and to meet the need for techno pleted by the end of the decade. State building will be com Empha University of not logical improvements in the facility, the College has proposed a four-part plan. The plan calls for an addition at the south of Plant Science, renovation of the existing structure, construction of a east corner sizing that "The New York Construction Fund does like false starts," Wing pointed to money that has already been given to the College for the ing of ideas and technology are difficult." proposed plan, the plant pa thology and plant biology departments will move to the new ag quad structure while other academic units will be given more space in the renovated building. Dr. Andre Jagendorf '48, who chairs plant biology, sees both advantages and disadvantages in the upcoming changes. Recalling that his current office, Plant Sci ence 26l, is the same room where he was counseled as an undergrad in the 1940s, Under the he noted cal out regretfully the "break in histori He continuity" that will occur. pointed 200,000 square foot building on the site formerly occupied by Roberts and East Roberts halls, and the replacement of the greenhouses on Tower Road with new greenhouses and a conservatory. These changes are necessary now, ex plained Kenneth E. Wing '58, Associate Dean of the ag college, because, "We are greenhouse conservatory construction as proof of the state's commitment to this portion of the project. ing forward Fiscal considerations aside, Fry is look to the implementation of the which allows for his one planning stage of the and that any move of this magnitude is bound to be dismptive to ongoing projects for a us are while. But he also observed, "All of looking forward to the possibility of more modern quarters." ■ plan, be united "under experiencing a collision between new sci ence ment only has a working in Plant Science because of space roof." Fry's portion of its department to depart faculty by Jeff Grant '91 and old buildings." The Plant Sci building, which dates back to the 1930s, was originally designed to hold teaching laboratories, classrooms and of ence was fices. "Most research the done outside, in field," he said. But the facility quickly became outmoded with the rapid emer gence of biotechnology and the develop of team research. As a result, he said, "The academic departments [there] ment Built in the 1930s, Plant Science does not meet the needs of today's researchers and their equipment. have been The at a disadvantage." proposed plan, Wing continued, provides for a number of improvements, including more modern labs and class rooms, an environmentally safe and ef fective fume hood exhaust system, air conditioning and better wiring. The changes will benefit teaching and research in the departments of floriculture and or namental horticulture, plant pathology, and fruit and vegetable science, as well as the Division of Biological Sciences' Sec tion of Plant Biology and the Bailey Hortorium, added Wing. Funding for the project, whose total 'Z Ok MOVE OVER CHICKENS, HORSES AND pigs. A new animal will be moving into have on no the bam. That's right, they're fish. cialty, puff pastry." for the fish with problem serving them my spe a chardonnay sauce served Aquaculture experts in Cornell's Col lege of Agriculture and Life Sciences are helping an eager group of Finger Lakes residents in area Local markets also have great hopes success of the fish farms. Brian in in to build and manage fish farms Seely, a supermarket manager Wegmans in Ithaca, said, "Every day barns. you ask? Because these residents Why, are the winter, people come in asking for fresh fish. Let's hope this project works." will The fish the group plans to produce meet restaurant and supermarket stan also to hope jcants fledgling entrepreneurs. They provide their hometown restauand supermarkets with fresh, dards. uiaebrifamiT-pted fish all year long at pre mium prices. They are using abandoned dairy and cattle barns to house the huge fish tanks. Initially, the group will produce rainbow trout, weighing approximately one pound each. But growing 2,500 pounds of fish in 2,500 gallons of water doesn't give the fish much room to breathe, through their Eight residents in the Finger Takes re gion have banded7 together to fornf the? ' Northern Fresh Fish Cooperative so they can share expenses ana GOTlelTtechprol^ ogy. Professors here will teach the mem 2,500-gallon fish to Richard Marisa and his family stand in front of tank in their barn. a 1 gills, ogy that is. Here Cornell's comes to new technol- the rescue. the cooperative. They sold the idet and to teaches Professor Michael Timmons, who agricultural and biological engi hovpKf±feiW indoor, closed-system fish=4aQj£s\nat wmbe Ijfs^d to produce sJW-Qjamq^ 1 1 mSnths. at'swreerfe^^^igfer than what you occurring in ponds today," said M. Gilbert, chairman of the cooperative's board of director^: A Land see bers supermarkets based on top-notch restaurants the belief that their new, \®th Cornell's the product, inology, will be id. neering, co-directs the Cornell Aquacul ture Program. He and his team have de deanesLgnd f? serve ■9testaur$nt2wno nitelySinterested isl^w^r^efi- Laurene in the project and7 those techniques to maintain having to constantiy change the water, a costly expenditure that has financially destroyed many fish vised innovative fish farms without scape architect at Cornell and a Danby resident, Gilbert said that she is in the midst of building foot diameter. Fish farms' across the nation as who, didn't, wanted to get involved," Gil bert said. The cooperative expects to sell each fish for about $3. ' fanns. With so many fish in a cramped envi ronment, waste control can be a heavy burden. "Looking at die pound per gallon ratio, you can see that there's going to be a a circular tank with a \%-~ The Finger Lakes region is known for its fine food and wine cuisine. One of are closing project has a com fast as they open. But this unique bine character. Not only does it new technology a and boundless spirit, culinary gems, Turbaek's, is very interested in the cooperative. Turbaek's chef, Chris Chierchio, said, "Fish arc-more expensive in the off-season. Hi is coop erative will Ithaca's lot of waste," said Timmons. The centerpiece of their design uses a rotating biological contactor that removes wttsie quickly and inexpensively. The contactor is a 7i also has solid game plan. The operation of most fish farms suf fers from competition with fisheries in seasonal sales. These residents, however, were able to solicit prospective buyers of the fish before they committed themselves help to keep prices down."',! home for beneficial nitrify- Chierchio said that because Tthaea is not centrally located, it is very hard for fisheries to deliver fish in the off-season. 'irig bacteria, which, according to Timmons, literally eat the waste products from the fish. therefore have Fish to farm owners will less "In the winter, people come into Turbaek's asking for fish. If this project works, I'll change the water frequently. 8 VlacDonald Had \\ 7, a Fish Farm T^ © O In additionXOTemoving waste, the res tating conta<^-)rJ.j«a'ffit^iTfe^t^p.erfect temperature for fish to grow. "Near the contactor, bubblers in the tank will provide the fish with a steady soirrce of oxygen. The aquacufture mented with team finding the has also experi perfect type of fish feed. "A few years ago, people could hardly keep fish alive for over a few months because nobody knew what to feed them," said Gary L. Rumsey, a pro fessor of avian and aquaculture sciences. To solve the problem, Rumsey were ex plained scientists first learned what the basic nutrition requirements went for the fish, and then about creating the The perfect food. Again concerned with mini mizing waste in the tank, Rumsey said, "We are faced with creating an optimally digestible feed that will make fish pro duce little waste." The scientifically for mulated feed that will be offered to 2,500-gallon tanks housed in barns will be used initially to grow rainbow trout. He also said that the Cornell's stems hand-holding irlvolttment cooperative's de a from the lafik of experience within cision to use old barns is wise is in a move. the members of the cooperative, according to Rumsey, will consist mostly of soy beans and corn. Once the farmers grow the fish, how ever, they still face another hurdle. How the gf«Q!4P:ofa-esidents-^ALLthF coopera tive members have going forthem is high slump, acquiring used barns shouldn't be a prob lem," he said. "Because the dairy business hopes'bScked^with-sizeableirivestriients. Each resident will invest $12,000 in the project, according to Gilbert. The first tank went Although the cooperative will initially market rainbow trout, Scott said that in time, the fish farms will also salmon and jumbo shrimp. they prepare and distribute the fish to their buyers? Enter fish food technologist Joe M. Regenstein '65, MS '66, of the food science department, to save the game. "These people do not know how to clean fish," said Regenstein "They do nc it know how to filet --fish .They do not know . do September 1991 be created Scheduled to up in Danby in micland additional tanks will produce at a rate of one per month. open her tank in January, Ginny start a Fanner of husband and I have business on Lansing, NY, said, "My always wanted to die side." Fanner added in The cooperative's future looks pros perous. The Cornell Aquaculture Program plans to continue aiding the cooperative as it Aid tain moves past its preliminary phase. cooperative members show that cer that she expects profits just two years. spunk how to to distribute fish." Norman Scott, Cornell's vice president ness venture. associated with any new busi Fanner capttrred the essence I am Regenstein said members will learn how /cleanly c-ut-the heads off fish. "You cant just hack at it, it has to look attractive for research, also expects the project to be successful. He explained that America is on a fitness kick and he expects fish of the project's wild future when she said, crazy-, but I m "My daughter thinks that don't care." ;to:;the.:buyerA .The project must be carecan consumption also to increase fulTy^thoughr through optimize their they product's quality." so that country because, "Not throughout the only is it tasty, it's healthy." by Neeraj Khemlani '92 o r or IT HAS HAPPENED TO ALL OF US. Plastic? to tage of exposure the environment," tities of the microorganisms capable ofi The question strikes fear or in the hearts said Ganem. "Small shoppers everywhere. plastic?" The checkout clerk looks at you with that impudent I've-gotyou-over-the-coals-now look, chewing her gum and watching you squinn under time question's weight. You are surrounded by strangers who suddenly have their eyes riveted on you, boring holes through you. No matter what "Paper you answer, half of them will hate you for of diligent grocery the living days. But the paper or plastic issue is not as clear as some people would like to think. Both have advantages, of course, but these advantages must be weighed against their disadvantages. "I always get paper," said Rachel Grover '93- "At least it biodegrades. You can't say that for plastic." rest of your fragments [of a de graded plastic] may disappear into the soil or be rinsed away by the rain." There are two kinds of polymer degra dation (plastic decomposition), said Ganem: photodegradation, which de pends on light, and biodegradation, which relies on microorganisms to metabolize the polymer. Here plastics take a body blow. Photodegradable plastics simply are not going to degrade in a landfill, where no light hits them. For this reason, much research is focus breaking limit to down the plastic, "but there's ahow much people are to separate their garbage," explained willing "Hopefully, biodegradable plastics will! be safe," Ganem said. "Ideally, they would] break down to carbon dioxide, which is about not as Ganedjj safe as you can get." While plastics are much maligned fbH breaking down in landfills, their pa are not per counterparts much better at! landfill paper ing on cellulose-based plastics, which are These are plastics made from cellulose, which comes from trees. These plastics thus solve another en vironmental problem posed by con a degradation. bag has been developed whicl incorporates starch into its construction Starch is broken down quickly and easily by many different microorganisms For this reason, biodegradable. Ganem said. ventional While Grover's majority, it is opinion may be in the quickly being disproven. According to Professor Bruce Ganem, a professor of chemistry at Cornell with an interest in biodegradable polymers, much progress has been made recently in the area of biodegradable plastics. "What you want to plastics depletion of the ir replaceable resource of oil (which all conventional plastics are made from), as compared to replaceable trees. The cel lulose is chemically modified to form a plastic which is biodegradable by micro — Presently, scientists are conducting re" on making plastic out of whei and cornstarch, and even on fabricating plastic from table sugar. The problem encountered with many of these solutions is that the plastic is weakened by the addition of cellulose or search starch, and thus more of it has to be used^ which slows down the degradation pro^ cess organisms. again. on do is take advan possible, theoretically, to compost cellulose plastics with mass quan It would be Degradation concerns aside, plastic anc paper are still fairly even ground. Some people may choose paper bags becaus they stand on their own, while others opt for plastic bags because they have handle! Some people find it easier to reuse pape bags, while others reuse plastic bags mod Nanako Watanabe '93, for example, is proponent of plastic bags. "They're easie to hold," she said, "and the frozen sttu doesn't ooze out through plastic." a tic. Similarly, Todd Beck '94 chooses plasj "They work better in our wasteba| you're in line at the gro kets," he said. So next time cery store, keep in mind that die paper oi plastic issue is multi-faceted; the pros anc cons of each must be weighed before an knowl opinion is fomied. Not that this edge will save you from disapproving glares in Wegmans or Tops, but it may ease your conscience a little. ■ by Janet M. Clesse '93 ■- -J^$ V r*. r *v * a,'l>--: "WM ft^k V li/^W^MJ The NAMED AKWE:KON the Mohawk "all of us." Eagle means Has Lane community, explained LaFrance. "In the (A-GWAY-GOHN), a new residence on North Campus (at the corner of Triphammer and Jessup roads) seeks to represent a diversity of Native Americans and non-natives. Taken from adding that house members quickly gained familiarity with each other. Students living in dormitories or off campus don't experience a family-like three short weeks that these students have been together, they have become a func tioning unit," he said. Community, he said, language, Akwe:kon sity. Residents of the program reflect diver "Not only do we have many tribes represented like Eskimo, Pueblo and Choctaw but many non-Indians like Fili pino, Japanese and African-American," AKWE:KON. explained student. Brendan White '93, a Mohawk structure As director of the American Indian Pro gram, Ronald LaFrance MS '85, oversees the mission of Akwe:kon. Going to Cornell or Mohawk word meaning "all of us." It is also a building whose and decoration embody the essence of Native American culture. From the brilliant dashes of purple illuminating the house's exterior, to the intense earth tones captured in the grain of the wood used in the construction of the external walls, Akwe:kon strives to capture the sub It is a from the college should not feel like a break family, LaFrance said. To him, a family provides a necessary sense of com munity. Breaking from this community any stance The of the Native American way of life. design of the building is laden with on allegory to Native American culture. The likeness of the Hiawatha Belt is found in the several windows record of the the arrangement of hurts the student. building. The Hiawatha Belt is the founding Iroqouis Confederacy, according to the September 5, 1991 Instead, said LaFrance, Akwe:kon should serve as an issue of the Cornell Chronicle. extended family where can Indian and non-Indian individuals interact. "I see these individuals like a bouquet of flowers. They interact to make the bouquet, but one flower is not prettier than another," he said. Sunday commu nity dinners encourage unity among residents. an Furthermore, the most sacred record of the League's establishment, the Wampum, is replicated in the center window of the house. The Circle Wampum is a belt composed of fifty strings of wampum. As stated in the Fall 1987 issue of the Northeast Indian Quarterly, each string repre sents one of the original fifty chiefs of the Haudenosaunee, or 'Iroquois,' as Circle the French called them. interaction and Wampum, an important bartering device, signified wealth among cer Residents of the house bonded orientation during ally rolled out "The program re the red carpet," White said, period. widespread acceptance, wampum virtually guaranteed the sincerity of a message or vow, accord ing the same article. Purple, the color of wampum, is the only color used to accent tain Native American nations. Indicative of its the house's exterior. or Dust Fan Belt, also contributes to Akweikon's representa tional motif. This belt, depicted on the exterior walls of the house, symbol The Wing, izes an an '92, everlasting white pine tree. According to Stephen Fadden '89, MPS Akwesasne Mohawk, lecturer for the communication department serves as the glue that holds the house together. Heather Hill '95, part Ramapo, said that the house has especially helped her be she knows more upperclassmen than her freshman peers. Academically, cause tive for me," she said. Hill serves as secretary for Akwe:kon's council committee. The they are a helpful resource, she added. self-governing "Being in the house has been very posi- council, chaired by White and Tadashi Sakashita '94, has been reworking the house constitution. According to Hill, "The council will serve as a governing and cover support The body for the students." council's subcommittees other issues. One subcommittee formu lates house and consultant to the American Indian so policy on rules and regula house Program, this tree it, come tall that, "All nations of the earth can see that grows toward it, and take is one tions covering the residents. An extracur ricular subcommittee teams in sponsors shelter beneath its the tree." The branches, provided they bury weapons of war beneath structure that a intramural sports. Sakashita noted subcommittee plans on holding an building also holds great meaning. When viewed from above, Akwe:kon is shaped like an eagle. "The eagle is a sacred bird to us," explained Fadden. "It is a bird that sits apparently T-shaped atop of peace, a white pine. Each white pine tree holds five needles per cluster, each needle representing one of the Five Nations. The white pine used to be the tallest tree in the forest, and the eagle sat on top our tree of the event with Ujamaa, the African-American house. The students who wish to participate in the program apply to the selections sub committee of the council. Students in Akwe:kon then select the new members. The benefits that participants in Akwe:kon can to watch On the over us and warn us of danger. and " So a white pine tree grows in front of Akwe:kon. expect are academic assis Jessup Roads stands Akwe:kon, an Triphammer architectural monument to the achievements of the American Indian corner of counseling, financial assistance and participation in activities. LaFrance be tance, Program. to This a building is a testament to the effort and time spent in trying valid program and to recruit new students. Fadden, reflecting on the significance of the house, said, "It encompasses history, from our reverence of the past to our eye on the future. When I walk into that house, establish lieves that students will also learn to be accountable for their actions. "That is a k. part of life," he said. As part of the American Indian Pro indirect im gram, Akwe:kon will have an on the Cornell student body, accord pact ing to LaFrance. He feels that the house will in some ways affect the social ecol of students. About ten percent of ogy I feel like I've stepped into history." innovative archi Akwe:kon. For some, its structure is not just another example of tecture. It is the culmination of several efforts to finally make the dream behind the American Indian Program For some, Akwe:kon is home. ■ a reality. by Allan Wai '93 13 "I see these individuals like a bouquet of flowers. They interact to make the bouquet, but one flower is Top right: Perry Ground of the Onondaga tribe works the house computer room. not in prettier than another/7 Top left The inaugural council committee of Akwe:kon residents. Back row: Brendan White, Tadashi Sakashita, Stephen Belessis. Front row: Heather Hill, Garlen Capita, Tone Rawlings, Lora Lee LaFrance. Above: Ron LaFrance, Director of the American Indian Program, oversees Akwe:kon. MMmrrrrrrm undergraduates take classes in the Ameri can Indian Program, exposing them not to "a different perspective that is offered in high schools," said LaFrance. An unusual policy in Akwe:kon is that parents and family are allowed to stay in the house on visits to their children. "When one feel like they have parents visiting," said LaFrance. The attitude at Akwe:kon is that the program has something to offer to 'all of can us' as a community of family and friends. person's parents visit, all students by Brett Ainsworth '92 A Meatless Way of Life same MARTHA MILLISON '93 HAS CHOSEN TO FOLLOW THE diet that Leonardo da Vinci, Henry David Thoreau, a higher overall health consciousness. These factors to might is not also contribute the lower heart disease rates. It C.W. Post and George Bernard Shaw observed. Millison, like people who preceded her, is a vegetarian. Vegetarianism is not, however, limited to the intellectual elite. In fact, the eating trend is more popular than ever before. The number of American vegetarians has steadily die famous always easy to separate diet from other activities." are some Yet Miller does feel certain that there long-term health benefits associated with vegetarianism, particularly in terms of heart disease. "Vegetarians usually have higher to increased over according 1990. to the last twenty years to seven million today, a Washington Post article published in May intakes of dietary fiber. One type of fiber, soluble fiber, tends lower blood cholesterol levels. Also, vegetarians tend to less fat because meat consume has a higher fat content than cereals and more legumes," Miller said. More and people are choosing a meatless life for a variety of reasons. However, one of the most common mo tives for becoming a vegetarian is to promote personal health. Millison, a vegetarian since 1984, said that her vegetarian diet is more Science ians Professor Donald Beermann of the Department of Animal pointed out, however, that switching to a vegetarian not diet does automatically mean less fat in the diet. "Vegetar healthy than a diet centered around meat. "I am disgusted with the idea of eating something dead," she added. Christina DiGiusto, a librarian at Mann Library, stopped eating red eliminate meat ten meat years ago, and last year she decided to and fish entirely from her diet. She, too, is concerned about animal tries treat animals ers, she said. Like suffering. Many agricultural indus inhumanely to prepare them for consum Millison, DiGiusto feels that a vegetarian long-term health. But is a vegetarian diet in fact nutritionally sound? And can it really improve long-term health? The American Dietetic Association would probably an swer yes to both questions. The ADA has recognized that, "A growing body of scientific evidence supports a positive rela tionship between the consumption of a plant-based diet and diet is best for her prevention of certain diseases." Many studies have shown vegetarians are at a lower risk for many common Ameri can illnesses such as heart disease, diabetes, colon cancer, hypertension and obesity. But Professor Dennis Miller of the Department of Food Science cautioned that the relationship between vegetarian the that might increasing their fat intake because some tend to rely heavily on oils for frying vegetables and for salad dress ings. In addition, many rely on nuts for their protein. But nuts have higher saturated fat content than meat." Health benefits also depend on what type of vegetarian you are. Lacto-ovo vegetarians eat dairy products and eggs. Consequently, they have higher fat intakes than vegans, or strict vegetarians, who do not eat any meat or dairy products. In terms of daily nutrition, there are certain things vegetar ians must watch out for. They must consume adequate amounts of protein, iron, calcium and vitamin B-12. Millison and DiGiusto are very conscious of the food they eat. Both were anemic temporarily, but have had no other nutritionrelated health problems. DiGiusto now takes an iron tablet daily. "Vegetarians, especially vegans, need to be more careful in making food choices to insure adequate intake of vitamins be and rower minerals," said Miller. "Plant foods tend to have a nar nutrition profile while meats and dairy products are sources good of several vitamins and minerals." a Beermann and Miller both agree that vegetarian adult, good health is not as clear cut as many people make it out to be. Miller cited studies of Seventh Day Adventists ism and — whose diet is chosen from the four basic food groups, substi and welltuting wisely for meat, can maintain a healthy — balanced diet. ■ as an example of meat group which does not each much how conclusions can be misleading. a Researchers found that Seventh Day Adventists had a lower son. American per rate of heart disease than the average to realize that However, Miller said, it is important and have "Seventh Day Adventists are generally nonsmokers by Joshua Z. Kantro '91 15 If to a you were given a dollar for even,' tion, Smithers Cornell Dining, in less than nine months you would be a millionaire. Cornell According to Walter Smithers, Cornell University's Solid Waste Manager, of two tons of food waste pound of food waste generated by explained, makes com posting "economically more attractive by the minute." In addition to being a cheaper method for Cornell Dining to dispose of its gar economibage, composting will also be lot more sense to compost than to put the waste in a landfill where it takes up valu able space that could be used for other things," said Smithers, adding, "The com post will be a valuable commodity." It can be used by the Grounds Department, Cornell Plantations and Fann Services to enhance their soil Dining disposes every landfill, where it just sits and takes up is a more day. Currently, this garbage is taken environmen to organically. space. But there tally constructive alternative of this waste: a Other types of institutions and indus tries are also beginning to look to disposing technique called composting food waste. ons across as a means of disposing of Smithers cited about 30 pris the state and a YMCA in the composting. Regenstein '65, MS '66, a fish food technologist in the Department of Food Science, explained that Professor Joe composting is a process in which and other organic waste break down a more food into Catskills diat have begun food composting projects, all have which have been suc cessful so far. The Town of Ithaca has been encouraging residents to build their own usable can compound to called humus, to which rently, are looking work in conjunction with Cornell Dining. Smithers is now preparing a proposal to present to Cornell Dining, suggesting that the dining halls begin composting all the food waste they generate. He ex plained that if all of the food waste were composted, it would reduce the dining halls' total garbage output by approxi mately 45-50 percent. Smithers' challenge is "to come up with a program by which Dining can take the amount of money that they are spending to enhance soil. Cur other researchers at Cornell he and into how composting could be used yards, helping garbage out put. However, according to Regenstein, for home use, the composting of animalcompost piles reduce their amount in their of based food wastes is not recommended. Composting is also being used on an even larger scale. For example, American Composting Technologies (ACT) manu factures machines that compost waste from food companies and other indus tries. Hugh Hudock, vice-president of ACT, explained that his machines com pletely compost materials in 21 days, "something that would take nature 4 to 6 months to do on its own." Hudock and his associates choose not to compost meat cunently products to com get rid of food waste now, and convert to nrn a because of the potential odor and the equipment and labor composting program." He added, "Hope fully it will cost less than what they are spending now," in which case the plan for composting may become a reality. Tom Richard '87, of the Department of Agricultural Engineering, who has been working with composting for the past three years at Cornell, is rather certain that Dining will accept the proposal. The rea son, he explained, is that by January 1, 1992, Tompkins County will probably al most triple its tipping fees (the amount of money charged to dispose of garbage). "With the increase in the tipping fees that into we can problems bine the involved with having meat with other compost materi als in the proper ratios. "Food waste [containing animal prod ucts] is fairly critical in the first couple of it is still attractive to days because ... animals," Richard said. He the explained that the way to get rid of animal-appealing qualities of the mix a "get the material heated up in fashion in a contained man fairly rapid ture is to ner." According to Regenstein, and as soon as the waste is combined with oxygen, it car bon, nitrogen, as begins to produce a tem cally beneficial for Farm Services at heat. The entire mixture may reach start to make some significant savings [by using composting] even in the first year," Richard said. "And because it will be cheaper, I think it will happen." Smithers estimated that it Cornell cunently costs With the in Cornell, Regenstein explained. When the humus is mixed with the soil, it makes it better able to hold water, and also gives the soil important nutrients. Because this end product of composting is usable for Dining about $-48,000 annually to of its food waste. agricultural cost dispose crease over purposes, it may replace the of materials that are currently being a in the S 100,000. This tipping fees, that cost will be tipping fee escala purchased. "From social perspective it makes a high as 150 degrees Fahren heit. This heating causes the materials to decompose. Richard explained that the use of agricultural feed mixers will enable this to be done quickly for the Cornell Dining plan. Smithers added, "The key is to get the biological processes going so diat die food is breaking down." He cited a composting perature operation in Maine which involves fish waste which to fly over the area waste once composting. The many were not sea gulls pro the attracted the cess began at to work. composting Back Cornell, Regenstein and Ali worked this summer on Reich '93 composting a sample of food waste, con taining animal products, fromjansen's din ing hall in Noyes Center. The end product of the waste was something a which re sembled peat tem, moss. Regenstein used self-designed sys which consists of four-foot high cubed container's, called "totes," made from the food recycled plastic. Llsing this method, waste along with waste from the polo tom bams is put between a top and bot layer of peat moss, which, "because of its acidic nature, traps the volatile com pounds in the waste." The waste then breaks down into usable materials. Each tote can handle about 1500 pounds of waste, and can be used in doors. Regenstein explained that these would be used for smaller operations, such as retail fish stores and supermar they would not be suitable for the Cornell Dining plans. A main ben efit of the totes is that they can be put indoors. Cornell that has starts kets, and that currently is the a set of food only university composting plans, it will according to Richard. food serve as a "I think that if Cornell composting, definitely model for other universities," he said. Regenstein, Richard, and Smithers all project that Cornell Dining could realisti cally begin composting this spring. But nothing is definite. "Ultimately if this hap pens or not will be up to Dining," Richard said. "Dining is the one that has the bill for disposing of their waste." ■ Top: The SCAT machine which to is currently being used compost waste. Middle: Professor Joe Regenstein, food science, one of his composting totes, which is turned on its side. standing with Bottom: Uncomposted waste to the left of piles of composted materials. by Bonnie Zucker '93 The Wheat Smell of Success GENEVA. WHAT DOES THAT NAME to maintain and improve its agricultural be a In the case of Geneva wheat, the speci bring to mind? European capitals, Swiss base," Sorrells contended. Although New York is not bank accounts? Perhaps. But ask any considered to major fanner in New York state, and they'll tell you Geneva is a new wheat taking the agricultural state, it still must compete in the same markets as more farm-oriented states, such as Illinois. Wheat research is a highly specific field. "New York state crop varieties in are fanning industry by storm. soft, white winter wheat developed at Cornell's Department of Plant Breeding in the College of Agri a Geneva wheat is through. According to the 1991 Cornell Recommends for Field Crops, "Geneva has superior yield test weight, and virus resistance. It de serves its popularity with New York farm ers." This guide is prepared by research ers at ficity truly shines general and are Cornell, and farmers across New bred for local conditions to . . . York state trust its advice. culture and Life Sciences. Professor Mark Sorrells released the variety to the public in November adapted for this area," crops for the are This allows for scientists 1984, after more than seven of Geneva In its first explained. develop ideal particular environment they Sorrells Geneva also possesses very good mill ing and baking characteristics. Geneva's low protein content allows it to produce a years of research. Since then, the focusing on. has popularity heightened dramatically. year on the market, Geneva accounted for 8 to 10 percent of the wheat grown in New York state. high quality flour. This flour is perfect for baking, as it produces fluffier -doughnuts and lighter and bigger cookies. The flour is also useful for the baking of crackers, and the whole Now, 40 to 60 percent of grain one is used for shredded wheat. Geneva has wheat grown in New York is the Geneva variety, and Sorrells predicts possibly flaw that is character istic of all white wheat varieties higher figures for the season. cunently next year's planting What makes a variety "It all so cording to Sorrells, farmer's reaction case popular? Ac depends on the grown. White-kernelled wheat has a ten dency toward pre-harvest sprouting. This means to the variety." In the of Geneva, "The thing that really sold it was the high test weight," he said. possibly it may sprout before harvest time, while the seed is still on the The term test weight refers to the weight of the grain per unit volume. It is consid ered a measure of quality. Higher test weights indicate higher quality and a lower percentage of foreign substances, such as dirt or straw. Wheats which have high test weights, such as Geneva, go through the milling process quickly and easily, a fea ture very desirable to wheat millers. plant. is quite resistant to many diseases that often plague crops and vex farmers. For example, it is ex tremely resistant to wheat spindle streak mosaic virus, which can arm leaves yel low and weaken the entire plant. Geneva also has a slight susceptibility to common strains of leaf rust and powdery mildew, which may affect wheat plants. "One thing not apparent to people not However, Geneva in the business is that it's difficult to find stalks of the wheat In addition to the Geneva has wheats. And high test weight, a higher yield than most higher yields translate into superior varieties," said Sorrells. Through the breeding technology are used today, va higher profits for farmers, which is a top priority for government and researchers. The goal of his research is "to increase farmers' profits first and foremost," ex rieties new crossed in an attempt to create and crosses strains. And many must be tried before success is improved found. How do researchers decide which vari eties to select for their combinations? "We plained Sorrells. "It is extremely important for New York select out different genotypes and begin &4 T*Hy8ttb>"«ft^'*-^ft>*: *^i '.•» * ' • '»'••'•' ftl' :'''' UC. -'I'1- ,{-'■'< S* ■•'''•;!,'(.*■, ..- i'.i .,..'' <•)*.', V, C ' " .' .•',■ ."''' f "'A/' '''■'' l('l:rS-i:,..A<''u.:. ■'■ ■ ;, " Geneva, a soft, white winter wheat developed through Cornell's Department of Plant Breeding, thrives in New York state testing them," Sorrells explained. They tested for traits such as test weight, yield and maturity. Then, the chosen varieties are crossed, resulting in gene segregation and varia tion for important traits. Once a superior are ies are introduced to the market, replac combination of traits is found in a new Sorrells reported, work is being done to develop new wheat variet ies resistant to pre-harvest sprouting, a particular problem in the northeast. Caused by humidity or rainfall at harvest ing out-dated At Cornell, strains. general, "Custom-made varieties are being bred specifically for certain pur poses," commented Sorrells. This is ac In complished through molecular genetic research, a complicated procedure that uses tag, the to molecular markers, a sort of genetic select for important traits. by the Improvement Coopera tive and sold to seed companies. Then the seed is cleaned, treated and put in New York Seed selection, the seed is increased time, the disease ruins the wheat crop, the farmers for bags. Eventually, it is made available to purchase. Perhaps the variety will catch on and a become favorite among farmers. How ever, varieties do not usually remain popu tapers off," said and improved variet lar for more than Sorrells. Then, a few seasons. "A variety's popularity gradually new good only for livestock feed. Sorrells plans to release a new, more re sistant, higher-yielding wheat variety in approximately three years. In modem research technology, some new developments have been imple mented. Nowadays, Sorrells reported, "Most food crops are being bred for more specific purposes, using genetics." For in stance, some oil crops are being grown to making it just one example of accomplishments of the Department of Plant Breeding at Cornell. Explained Sorrells, "Working toward agricultural progress is extremely important for the fanners of New York state." ■ Geneva wheat is be lower in saturated fats. by Erica L. Fishlin '93 19 Teaching During the Revolution HIDDEN IN A BASEMENT ROOM IN THE depths College Agriculture and Life Sciences campus is a technological treasure. This room houses the most sophisticated Macintosh on of Warren Hall the of years, computer technology has expanded so that publishing on the com seven was Macintosh was at hand. One such person Professor Clifford Scherer of the De puter has taken over the communication of Com partment of Communication. Communication, basic industry. Department teaching its students tra ditional methods of visual design. Tools for learning included tissue paper, light boards, T-squares, technical pencils and munication was Before then, the Scherer teaches Introduction to Visual a course that teaches microcomputing center at Cornell — the only Macintosh computer laboratory in the College. For communication students in particular, this lab has made a vital change in their course of study. The Warren Hall lab is the only com puter center on dents design principles and introduces stu to desktop publishing. Before no one Scherer 's arrival in 1985, in the on College was teaching communication pica rulers. Computers had the no business Cornell computers. But Scherer his class in In the an began teaching in visual communication classes. But with IBM lab in Warren Hall. Cornell's campus that is foresight of a few professors, era equipped with desktop publishing pro students soon entered the of desktop grams and hardware. With its opening came a revolution in teaching visual com munication at Cornell. publishing. were Around 1985, people in the College starting to realize that the age of the beginning the technology was unsophisticated. Scherer only used com puters as a supplementary tool for teach ing visual communication. But, said "All rights reserved, The Metropolitan Museum of Art" Desktop publishing is widely defined as the practice of publishing on com puter. Before the development of the field did Macintosh computer in the mid 1980s, the not even exist. But in the last Scherer, puters more "As it became obvious that com on projects for non-profit organizations as a going to become more and important in producing visuals," he were and works "design firm" on to come up move his curriculum away from traditional methods and into the world of began to with graphic solutions for their clients' needs. the computer desktop publishing. At first this meant full-service tion, was using Pagemaker, a desktop publishing applica on the IBM computer. But Scherer having problems with the available facilities. He explained that there were no laser Toor is now able to spend more time critiquing her students' work. The com puter makes the designing go faster, she said. The more students design, the more opportunity they have to improve. Toor explained, "The more students design, the better this from printers and the machines a were not fast enough for such problems complex program. The they get. I never got results like design majors." demand for applied courses con to Lecturer Marcelle Lapow Toor faced tinues to grow, and Toor insists that stu similar when she joined the an dents have courses Department of upper level Communication in 1988. Toor teaches The Art of Publication, design course that concen trates on using desktop publishing for design. Although she was hired for her computer experience, she said there no were facilities to teach at desktop publishing Cornell. She spent when she arrived her first semester ciples able and on lecturing on design prin helping students design basic theory and applied they are to have a well-rounded knowledge of visual communication. Scherer agreed, stress ing the importance of understanding ba sic design. Visual design courses are not the only part of the Department of Communica tion that has been affected by the com puter age. Assistant Professor Geri Gay in their curriculum if balance PhD '85 teaches Interactive Multimedia: visuals to the computer before she was find a Macintosh facility in which Research and course Design, on a communication that focuses theory and prac she could teach. The establishment of the Macintosh lab tice in the design out of interactive multime dia for communication. College's campus in 1990 pro foundly affected teaching methods in the communication department. Both Toor on the Taught dia of the Interactive Multime Group's privately funded facilities, Gay course said her media provides students with an use and Scherer agree that the lab was the tool they needed to make their courses overview of the of interactive multi as technologies course communication complete. lishing, "It takes designing out of the realm of just artists. It gives people who don't have the dexterity for drawing a straight line the ability to design." Scherer teaches his visual communica tion course very differently than he did in the 1980s. Back then it was essentially an art course. Today he spends a good deal Scherer said of desktop pub tools. The taught through the communication department, but it attracts seniors and graduate students in engi neering fields as well as social sciences. is Most of her communication students to come the course with a strong either communication background in theory or graphic design. working on," Gay of her students. Together the Interactive Multimedia Group and Gay's students are working on the integration said of text, graphics, and motion video so that computers can be used as a sort of "The future is what we're principles discussing visual design. The rest of the time he spends teaching students how to apply those principles as they work with de signing on the computer. Both Scherer and Toor are quick to point out of time the basic of that the computer is just a tool. "sight and sound encyclopedia," plained Gay. She said that in the next ex five They emphatically explain that under standing design basics is fundamental to producing communicative visuals. Toor's teaching methods have also changed with the arrival of the Macintosh lab. "The past three years have made an her amazing difference," said Toor. Today students do all of their assignments on the Each semester her class takes years computer prototypes like the ones her students are now developing will be come commonplace in schools. Such com puters ums are already being used in muse Clifford Scherer like the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C. "It makes education a little more Marcelle Geri Lapow Toor exciting," she added. "As this country is networked, comput Gay computer. ing and communications technology will 21 he fused. Communication issues will need to be resolved," said to Gay. She suggested become more aware on ing visual communication has been successful ac«>rd»ng cc ^^ ■ that students need of what's happening in the world of com munication technology, and that courses in understanding and interpreting infor mation and in researching and visual lit eracy neec\ to be a focus of Cornell's munication curriculum. com "Desktop publishing takes designing out have graduated and moved ^ communication industry. and they are gating jobs are out there, learned rn the on the skills they b Keel sard Toor. "We're classes," . pointing to ^e number ot-s ^^ ^ , of the realm ^'rlmcauon edge. cutting right on the ■ Computers have greatly changed the way we communicate. The Department of Communication is doing its best to see that its students are of just artists." '93 by Monica E.Bernstein prepared to enter the "computerized" working world. Teach- In the Beginning original committee, the THE IDEA OP CREATING A MACINTOSH computer laboratory on the College of long-desired Agriculture and Life Sciences' originated mainly from faculty tions. Professor Lois Willett of the ment campus sugges Depart of Agricultural Economics, for ex ample, had been using a Macintosh in her office and had expressed to the College the need for an up-to-date Macintosh lab on Macintosh lab became a reality. The Col lege now has some of the most sophisti cated facilities on campus. The new computers are equipped with a range of software. "Traditionally the perform more func tions simultaneously, such as allowing more than one application to remain opened on the screen at a time. It is also 7 lets the computer better for educational purposes, said Blodgett, as it has an intricate "help" sys tem policy campus. Similar suggestions came from Tom of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences has been to support one word processor, one spreadsheet, a data base, and a statistics package" in its com puter labs, Blodgett added. "For anything that System 6 lacks. Currendy the Macintosh lab is equipped with 25 MacIICX's that have 40 megabyte hard drives, one black and white scanner (a machine that allows you to transfer a visual from paper directly into the com puter), two laser printers, and five Imagewiiters. While the Imagewriters will Hughes of Cornell Information Technolo gies (CIT) and Professor Clifford Scherer of the Department of Communication, said Florence Blodgett, who manages the com puter labs in Warren Hall. According to beyond that a professor usually has to find departmental funds," she said. Blodgett, a college-wide committee of sev eral faculty members was established to discuss setting up a Macintosh lab. In 1987 Blodgett drafted a proposal for a second IBM lab to be established in Warren Hall. This initial proposal was re jected for lack of funds, and it took an other year for the possibility to come up Though desktop publishing software is currendy not part of the official support policy, it has quickly integrated itself into the ingredient list of the well-stocked com puter lab. The funding for these labs the state. Recent comes print free of charge, the laser printers copy. of money that comes in on the laser printers proves to be larger than originally anticipated. The money received will pay for the machines within two years of their purchase. The facility is currently used as a teach ing lab for three education classes, three The amount charge 15 cents a from budget cuts have not slowed progress on keeping the lab upto-date with the rapidly changing tech nology, according to Blodgett. "Usually it's people that get cut, not equipment," she added. "We haven't suffered for new things." She reads computer industiy trade agricultural most economics classes and three — again. Responding faculty needs, Blodgett resubmitted the proposal, re questing a Macintosh facility instead of the originally proposed IBM lab. The pro to communication classes. Lab technicians of whom are undergraduate work posal, which was submitted to Dr. George Conneman, Director of Instruction for the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, was publications and surveys the faculty in order to keep the facility up-to-date and to continue satisfying faculty and student needs. The most recent upgrade in the lab was the switch from System 6 to System 7 which occurred over the summer. System hired to assist users and to facilitate the operation. The popularity of the Macintosh lab is study students — are In the fall of enthusiastically approved. 1990, with the help of die as more students find about it, said Blodgett. "I tell our stu dents not to tell anyone aboer the lab We like it quiet!" ■ increasing rapidly out . . . Moving Dr. to the Top where she was associate director of Douglas molecular ogy was C. Knipple, an insect biologist in the entomol department at the New York ilTHM CAPSULES principal gifts. Smith replaces is now Lael Carter, who associate director of major State Agricultural Experiment Station, an associate professor. Knipple, who has been at the made Geneva station since 1985, focuses his work on applying techniques of gifts for Cornell. productivity of a or the economic health or community region. The on new Honoring Alumni center conducts research to molecular biology and genetics to plant materials and problems relating insects. to controlling a crop varieties develops new improve agricultural ecosystems The 1991 CALS Alumni Awards Banquet was held Friday, November 15, at the Statler Hotel Ballroom at productivity Villani, soil in various Cornell. This year's ceremonies Dr. Michael G. worldwide. as honor four well as outstanding alumni as insect ecologist entomology department, was also promoted to associate professor. Yillani's main area of study is the biology and control of insects that reside in the soil and attack plants. in the Geneva Conferees looked at factors such the number of farmers who have the new the 1991 Young Alumni Achievement Award winner, who is Denise Patricia Merridith '73. The hosts of the evening are Marian adopted technology or variety; how the product or technol ogy affects costs, productivity and farmers; price effects for consumers; consequences for soil, water income for Enjoying the Rain In and biotic resources; and how Rippy '79, who is the newly elected president of the College's alumni association, and Elaine Newcomb '64, chairperson of the awards committee. Since the creation of these the research ultimately helps in February 1989, the state's Office of reducing poverty. malnutrition and rural awards, Rural Affairs established the Rural Assistance Information Network 54 of the College's 37,000 was alumni in have been awarded. The late Joseph (RAIN). This free computer service recently from ized a received its 10,000th call client. Environmental Center to Offer Solutions To find answers King '36 the first recipient The RAIN system is a computer catalog of more than 1,500 to environmental 1977. Honored this year: Robert C. Baker '43 is Cornell professor emeritus of food science, and more than 52 poultry and egg products and 28 fish and seafood products, and a consult technical and financial assistance programs offered adopt a problems, multidisciplinary approach. Cornell's new scientists need to inventor of meat by the state and Center for the Environment federal governments. These pro grams include grants, low interest loans and other services economic professors from various departments and tap into the exper will draw tise of ant seafood including development, transporta The service also offers current a visiting experts. new Former Senior Provost Robert who directs the Barker, tion, social services, and science and center, will on poultry and products and marketing. Alfred D. Longhouse '37, MS '38, PhD '47 is professor emeritus worldwide and former chair of the technology. Potential involved modem to Department at bulletin board of rural news. coordinate activities among 200 faculty members. Research at of Agricultural Engineering a West users can become messages via the Center will Virginia LTniversity, noted educator not and establisher of research and extension programs in by sending Albany. only look the RAIN computer but also biological principles, social and political factors. at agricultural County located in Center Evaluates Impact of New Research The Cornell International Insti tute for Food, Agriculture and Barker will also try to raise $40 million for the Center as a part of the University's $1.25 billion fundraising engineering. Judith Riehlman '80 is Clerk in Cortland, N. Y., a civic and political leader and partner in a 600acre campaign. family dairy a farm. Fenton B. Sands '43, MS '53, Developing with a New Director PhD '54 is leader in agricultural Development held June 1991 research to assess on a conference in the impact of Rebecca Smith has been named director of development for the development and world food problems who has worked abroad with World Bank and the Ford Foundation. Steve Smith '35 a retired teacher of vocational agriculture and high school principal, has served as raising the standard of is an living. "Sustainability" prime will important a issue to research because it is College, assuming the position in July 1991. As director, she will be responsible for the College's capital campaign, which has a five-year goal of $95 million. Smith comes to the College from Cornell's central development office, criterion for evaluating a consultant on vocational agriculture whether particular research focus for the New York State Education really improve agricultural Department. 23 - * - V"*" ftf- ;x^ftft- ft'ft-i^ ■±;WW. ; • *• -^^^s^ -^ ~^l$$im0i ^ $***£!£•■ University^ at Cor, !§ Life ScienceSi a Statutory College of the State CORNELL Contents 3 Big Red in the White 14 How the Ivy Grows Allan Wai '93 Brett Ainsworth '92 6 Dropping Neeraj the Pom Poms 16 Collecting Ag Culture Dana Khemlani '92 Nigro 93 Town-Gown 8 Admissions: Is It All Relative? Leslie J. Gross '92 18 Landscaping Relations Bonnie Zucker '93 20 Association of a Lifetime Monica E. Bernstein '93 11 A Byte of Possibilities Debra G. Birnbaum 92 About the Issue At 125 years-young, the 12 Mission: Paradoxical Erica L. Fishlin '93 22 Untraditional Tuition Janet M. Clesse '93 ebrates. The sues University cel Countryman examines is shed affecting the College at this water by looking at the evolving mission of the College as a land grant institution and the College's campaign for endow ment. Relevant are to the University's anni .CORNELL alumni issues. Our coverage versary includes the ALS Alumni Association, lega cies, and the Cornell Tradition Scholar ships. Also, the timeless topic of winter on the hill receives a light-hearted review. COITRMN December 1991 Volume LXXXIX Number 3 Editors Brett Ainsworth Art Director Janet M. Clesse The Cornell Bonnie Zucker Layout Staff Assistant Editors Erica L. Fishlin Monica E. Bernstein Allan Wai Debra G. Birnbaum Leslie J. Gross Neeraj Khemlani Countryman (ISSN 0010-8782) is published six times a year from October through May (combined issues for January and February. and April and May) by the New York State College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, 324 Kennedy Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y. 14853. Second class postage paid at Ithaca, New York 14853. Printed by Midstate Litho, Inc. of Endicott. Subscription Rates: $10.00 a year; $20.00 for two years. Postmaster: Send Cornell Countryman, 324 Editorial Staff Brett Ainsworth, Monica E. Bernstein, Debra G. Birnbaum, Janet M. Clesse, Erica L. Fishlin, Leslie change of address to Kennedy Hall, Cornell J. Gross, Neeraj Khemlani, Allan Wai, Bonnie Zucker. University, Ithaca, N.Y. 14853. Editorial content gathered and written by majors in the Depart ment of Communication. Honorary editor: Ed ward L. Bernays 12. Faculty advisors: Jane E. Hardy '53, Helaine Wasser. Picture Credits: Richanna Patrick, pp. 3, 4, 5, 12, 14, 17, 19, 22 University Photography; p. 5 Ken Singer; pp. 6, 1— Cornell Daily Sun. J. Eric — — — Cover It is the policy of Cornell University actively to support equality of educational and employment opportunity. No person shall be denied admission to any educational program or activity or be denied employment on the basis of any legally prohibited discrimination involving, but not limited to, such factors as race, Docktor; Family, pp. 9, 10—Courtesy of the Phelps Brett Ainsworth; p. 12 pp. 10, 14 De — — color, creed, religion, national or ethnic partment of Laboratory Manuscripts and Archives; of Ornithology; p. 17 — p. 16 Cornell — age, or handicap. The University is committed to the maintenance of affirmative action programs which will assure the continuation of such equality of preference, origin, sex, sexual opportunity. Countryman; p. 19 — Bonnie Zucker. Big Red in the White WINTER IN ITHACA. Sometimes it seems as if Ezra Cornell Cornell cam and paisley were very big back then." phrase conjures up a myriad of images: students walking to class bundled up in layers upon layers of clothing; waking up on bleak winter mornings and looking out your window to The very had specifically designed the pus to be a veritable winter haven for snow-filled fun. Then again, it often seems that the Cornell administration has clev Just as traying is prohibited by univer sity policy now, it was also condemned during the 1960s. However, the adminis tration of two decades ago seems to have erly ing is schemed to eliminate all these dar been vous more sympathetic to the mischie find a bank of snow staring back at winter activities. child inside each student. Weissbrot with you; Slope on a dining at breakneck speeds; watching your tray frosted breath linger in the cold morning air; snowball fights on the arts quad; and, for a few privileged folk, ice skating on Beebe kike and sliding down toboggan sliding down Libe For example, traying down Libe Slope forbidden. "Tray-riding was very big explained trees back then," said Gaiy Weissbrot '91, who studied at Cornell from 1967 to 1969, "You didn't bottom University lined the hay and set up bales at the of the slope, so people wouldn't that "The just steal a tray from the get hurt." Some students, however, agree with Cornell's decision slide. dining hall, you personalized it. You painted and decorated them. Peace signs afraid to go to ban traying. "I'm traying," admitted Jenn Nolte A Cornellian crosses the suspension bridge over Fall Creek gorge. 3 ,(-H, "1 knew someone who broke their when I was a though it is smaller, more shoulder blade sledding want to bland and kid. and I don't Yet another do that." One of the perhaps worst only remnants sterile, more of all, indoors. of winters with naiy a game played, the their way image of skaters making invoKea across Beebe Lake in game elicits a a real outdoor hockey lor a casualty in Cornell's calcu lated attempt to make winters safe is ice skating. Half a century ago, when winter came, so too came out past lies in the hills behind North Cam pus and in the slopes in the Plantations. People are still allowed to slide on them sentimental yearning simpler past. as the crowds. Through to today. Nevertheless, that in one the season, Cornellians flocked can't help but feel of its Rink skaters across Beebe Lake, ice skates in hand. Now, are no longer welcome to glide Beebe Lake's losing all these romantic tradi some tions, Cornell has also lost winter charm. icy surface. provoke strong people— those heated debate, Ithaca's winter conditions responses from many not be Ithaca's climate, however, may source of a as its past. The simple Also that missing is the old toboggan slide Before the construction of in 1957, the Lynah once dominated the south shore of Big on Red hockey teams ven who enjoy the cold months, and those who can't stand to bear the extreme temperatures. Warren Knapp, Associate Professor of during the winter. Gone are intrepid souls who stood in line at Toboggan Lodge, awaiting their chance to hurtle rapidly down the slide and Beebe Lake the shoot off across tured to play the natural ice of Beebe Atmospheric Northeast Science and Director of the Lake. Of course, due to unpredictable weather conditions, veiy few games were actually played, but the mystique of the Regional Climate Center, arrived 1969. He main are con in Ithaca from Wisconsin in tains that the "winters in Ithaca the lake's mirrored some sur face. Of course there has been token frozen lake lent a certain rag-tag, under dog chami to the hockey team that has since been missing from Lynah's sterile confines. siderably milder," adding that, threw sin out a "I finally winter coat I had in Wiscon recently because it was too heavy for compensation. Lynah Rink has since been introduced as the alternative skating rink, Ithaca." Though some seasons actually went by by Carla Shafer '91 is another undaunted Ithaca's reputation as a wintry waste land. "You know, I'm really starting to like them," Shafer claims. "I'm from Cali fornia and I just had to get used to them. My first winter was didn't know what hard." "It to very hard because I expect. But now I know what it's like and it's really not so Weissbrot echoes Shafer's sentiments, seems to me, quite honestly, to be evidence of much as milder," pointing to one example a kinder, gentler winter, to be a huge ice ball at the Taughannock Falls during the more "There used bottom of winter months. It's not there any because it's not cold enough." Not cold enough? Many to voices beg to differ. Nolte had this It's too say about Ithaca winters: "It sucks. There's nothing to do. hilly. You slide and fall on your butt." months to Michelle Sack '93 describes the winter as "cold torture. It's like biting into a York Peppermint Patty." She pauses reconsider her statement. "Well, it's actually more like freezing your face off." Stacey Dejonge '94 concurs enthusias tically. "It's freezing hell," she laughs. "It's a nightmare." When asked if she derived any plea sure from the long winter months, Dejonge replied, "It makes you appreci ate the sun a we whole lot more. Those few days that up under actually get sunlight, I bundle forty layers of clothing so I can enjoy the sunshine." same go out and Confronted with the Nolte The statue ot A.D. White sits answers question, "You rather sheepishly. serenely outside Goldwin Smith Hall. 4 dream of what you could be break." doing spring must be more brave souls there who aren't so intimidated by cold weather. What about the global warming trend which threatens to raise temperatures to the point of melting the out Still, there earth's In polar ice caps? attempt to explain this phenom enon and its effects on Ithaca, Knapp contends that "There's just too much varia tion from one year to another to docu an trends." In fact, Knapp goes say that there is no discernible difference between his first Ithaca winter ment winter so far as to in 1969 and his last winter in 1990. "The greenhouse effect," agrees Weissbrot, "in this number of years, is insignificant." Nevertheless, Knapp points out two notably cold exceptions. One is readily illustrated by the Ithaca Journal's Janu ary 18, 1978 headline, "15 inches buries Ithaca! Forecast sees another storm." This proclamation snowstorm announced Ithaca's largest in recent history. A second deviation lies buried in the brutal winter of 1989, which, according to Knapp, produced the coldest December tion history of Ithaca, since documenta began in 1879. Despite the bitter cold, the shrinking number of opportunities for daring ice escapades, and the long, bleak chilly in the A Cornellian trays down Libe Slope in 1961 , a tradition that still continues today. months, winter in Ithaca can still be an enjoyed and appreci ated. The number of people who enjoy traying, skiing, ice skating, and snowball fights don't seem to be fazed by the cold experience to at be all. "I don't think it's so bad," maintains Mike Zeliger '92, me so snows a "It's not the cold that bothers much, but the dampness. savor It's like it it does. For those who ■ little bit every day." the winter months, by Allan Wai '93 A student makes the legendary trudge up Libe Slope. Droppin A LOT OF THINGS CHANGE IN — 125 While all three presidents said that the now Cornell University. years especially Old buildings are torn down and new ones tower in their place. Methods of at government should reallocate military spending into education funds that an the Cold War has ended, they offered teaching are enhanced to offer more in teraction between students and faculty. The student is made up of greater percentages of women and minorities. body Funding ernments continues to from the state and federal gov decrease. But most the the Pom immediate solution to the problems. They spoke of better educating their alumni on versities and importantly, University is treating its alumni with greater respect. When more than 2,000 alumni from all over the world met in San Francisco for hardships challenging today's uni hoped that they will help their alma maters in these desperate times. "Our choice is clear. Either we pull together, drawing on our collective strengths to move forward, or we remain entrenched, weakening our choices of meeting educational challenges," Tien the four days in mid-October 1991 the to celebrate not said. from the university's 125th birthday, they had a only chance to rejoice and recall cherished memories with old friends, they also learned about the problems that Kenneth Blanchard '6l, who graduated College of Arts and Sciences, said these presidents were trying to mobi lize alumni support. "This isn't the rah-rah currently plague Cornell and its like a students. Besides fun-filled events speech they usually give us." One agriculture alumna, who requested anonymity, said, would call me cruise "I have felt used. Cornell me to around San Francisco Bay, the University up, ask remember offered various educational activities to the alumni. The largest, and most vital, event was the of this nature was a on broadcast National Public President luncheon, which Radio, Frank H.T. Donald glory days, and ask for a check for $5,000. That's not fair. Now that they are telling me that I can make a difference between a student getting financial aid not, I want should appeal or where Cornell President to donate $5,000. They Rhodes, Stanford to our intelligence, and Kennedy and Berkeley Chancellor ChangLin Tien spoke on the challenges that face undergraduate research institutions. "With an give us respect, instead of condescend ing to us." In fact, most of the weekend strayed economy in a recession and a by the government to offer extra Rinding, financial aid is at risk," said Kennedy. Rhodes chimed in by saying that the mission same reluctance Poms from the usual pep speech that alumni are used to. Many alumni said that for the first time, the University is genuinely try ing to infonn them of its actual problems. two research universities from factors will prevent fulfilling their training students to be tomorrow's leaders. "Stanford, Cornell and U. Cal. are facing the toughest of imaginable times. Cornell is facing a harsher period in the next five years than in the last 125 years. How are this period?" Rhodes asked we of Agriculture College is David Call '54, dean of the and Life Sciences, not College of said, "The trying to outright fund- to face raise, but friend-raise." He explained that by telling alumni about financial aid cuts, non-competitive salaries for faculty and budget shortfalls, they will see where the University really needs help und become true friends to the University. In the past, alumni were told how great to She added that she resented "I the like- the University was, what rank it held in University's rah-rah approaches. U.S. News and World well the football team Report and how was doing. Then alumni would offer donations to specific programs that they were affiliated with said that know the facts; I don't like to be kidded around," she said. Agreeing with her comments, Sarah Hurlburt 'SO, an alumnae of the agriculture college, said "This is good of days. Some alumni they gave money to the glee club because they once sang with the Cayuga Waiters. Others said they gave funding to the Plantations because they helped to beautify them when they were during students. "But the the first time that alumni are really noticing the real agriculture prob wish to University in many ways," added Carolyn Neuman '64, a graduate of the College of Human Ecology. The alumni diversity will help to per petuate a tradition of diversity within fu ture student bodies. Financial aid hinds, among other general purpose programs, the will hopefully grow with the rekindled lems that exist." Some alumni said that spirit they among alumni. After all, Rhodes said, "Cornell's alumni know even more about Cornell's head to are second to none, and that's one thing aches. "I would like details so know more of the now that hasn't changed during the last 125 that I can really help. From years." ■ getting alumni funding for non on, I'm giving my hinds to the ag school's specific programs such as financial aid has alwavs been difficult," according to Richard Ramin, Cornell's vice president for public affairs, who has been coordi nating the University's five year $1.25 bil lion so that they can free up funds for other programs that need aid," said Tom Clark '63 an agriculture alum general budget by Neeraj Khemlani '92 nus. William Boldt, an assistant dean in the fundraising drive. agriculture college, fundraising effort, said that the school Ann McCann, director of student aid development for the has spent the last five years trying to bet ter educate its alumni. "Alumni enjoy learn said, "We're lagging somewhat behind schedule." Rhodes said that he thinks that alumni donations toward ing about the colleges and the numbers general pro grams like financial aid will increase if administrators offer better recognition to donors. Several that alumni like to grams where their prove it. Five years ago we had 2,000 active alumni in our association, now we have 6,000. I guess education does not official said that the University officials explained give money to pro names degree." Another University new approach to alumni fully kicked in when the fundraising campaign began a year ago. stop with the will be associ ated with the donation, such as the Smith Center for the Arts, or the Smith lence. knowBut many alumni said that more about what the now John John always Aid from alumni, however, does not have to take the fonn of a check. can Fellowship for Engineering Excel they University help organize events, train faculty and advise the Llniversity in long-term planning, according to Jane Longley-Cook '69, a graduate of the agriculture college. "Even though students and many alumni cannot afford to Alumni needs, they will change the target of their donations. "Now I will financial aid; money to it doesn't have to be a contribute give specific of the group or program said Helen Harding Clark '36, arts anymore," a graduate college. economically, they can now contribute in other efforts," she added. "The diversity in the student body is reflected in the alumni body. This diver sity of interests and specialties can help Cornell President Frank H.T. Rhodes Stanford President Donald Kennedy Berkeley Chancellor Chang-Lin Tien ssions Is it all relative? WHAT WAS IT THAT GOT THEM INTO the freshman class? Was it her high SAT scores accepted if they do not match up to but it means a carrying on of history," said assistant director of alumni Cornell's standards. "We're not Liz Giles to '86, that got her in? Was it his excep tional grades on his high school tran going me bring somebody mom affairs. Church said that another cies are here only because of who is and dad reason lega script? Was it the fact that she was an are, and that to one of the chal officer of almost every club and organiza tion during high school? Or, was it the fact that both of their lenges for alumni children to believe is that they're here because of who they are, not Cornell is because of the financial contribution that the parents wanted at will give, but that it is not too important because of who their parents are," parents attended Cornell? said of Agri to Murphy. Viewbook, which is for the ag college as it is state-assisted. "Families that have a lot of Cornellians are According to how the College The Cornell given often good supporters of the Univer culture and Life Sciences treats its chil dren and lineal relatives of Cornell alumni, or legacies, academic standing is more one prospective of the application, students and contains part prepares inter sity. I don't think that's a key factor for the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. I think it's more ested students for the for that slight preference of an alumni support that net important during the admissions process than their parents' alma mater. Figures show that legacies school have about chance of getting a in the ag 10 percent greater are accepted than non-lega cies. Administrators agree that there advantages to accepting alumni children, indicating that they do have a slight edge in the admissions process. Despite this, admissions officers maintain that Cornell takes a firm stand in not sacrificing the legacies. being an alumni child is taken very seriously and when deciding between applicants who are about equal in qualifi cations, legacies may be favored. "What happens in a selective admis sions process is that there are going to be some qualified students to whom you have to say no and we try to look at our alumni children with a special care to have that not happen as often as pos The book informs students work," said Church. Church explained as more mem bers of Cornell families are alumni network becomes accepted, the tighter and more can powerful. "I think that where you accept somebody that's part of a family you gen erate a little more alumni and family en thusiasm for Cornell. As long as they're competitive and appropriate, it's a plus where we can add to families that are quality of its student body. "I think that it's clear that Cornell, along with all the universities, pays attention to their legacy children and admits those sible," said Murphy. According to Church, sons cause one of the rea already Cornellians," said Church. Murphy agreed that both financial and volunteer support from alumni can be factors in the legacies' acceptance. "For those people [alumni] who have legacies are taken seriously is be that are competitive," said Richard Church '64, coordinator of admissions in the Col lege of Agriculture and Life Sciences. In the ag school's class of 1995, 44.6 percent of the legacies that applied were accepted while the general acceptance rate was about 30 percent. of tradition. "Cornell and I think the College of Agriculture similarly have a lot of families that have had said Church. a tradition of having family members come to Cornell," "Any school that's relies a as given generously of their financial sup port and generously of their time may cause us to look at that son or daughter not old as Cornell with a lot special eye," said Murphy, "It's to on somebody sity there's think that you have who has attended the Univer tradition. Anytime Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid Susan Murphy agreed that the numbers do show a slight advantage for children of an emotional attachment. I a lot of it is long-term and a why the answer is yes, but it's probably going to result in a second or third reading of the folder that might not come with the others. More going reason are to be the alumni but added that legacies are never familial generation tie to the University doesn't just mean financial contribution, often than not, second or third readings the student's benefit." Giles explained that another reason legacies receive a slight edge is because they are usually a smart group of appli cants. "Students that are legacies tend to be generally outstanding students. What you find is that legacies tend to be out standing applicants because there's prob ably been a large stress on education throughout their formative years. Their parents obviously were well-educated and therefore there's Giles. a stress on that," said Murphy are said a factor in why legacies welcomed is because of the closeness of the Cornell community. "Alumni are members of our family. Our alumni chil family and we tiy to treat the differently than we may treat others," said Murphy. Murphy also added that "as an appli cant group, they're an interesting group of people. The students themselves bring are our a dren family little bit ViAtX£^ PM^y^j V ^TUlAAyU^^^^^ C^/>^6^-^ families and the ag college welcomes them because they seek more students in that area. "It's sort of a double benefit to get an appropriate agricultural-interest student who is also the member of a legacy fam ily," said Church. Murphy agreed that by accepting alumni children in farm families, the ag college is serving its mission through education. "We have a commitment as a land grant university to serve the people of New York state. A our that is through major way of doing extension efforts and to research. But I think it's also provide educational opportunities to the people of the state. If we've had a parent here because of the farm connection, it does said Murphy. Phelps '94, is an example of how the ag college can help to serve its mission through continuing the Cornell keep a pipeline," Vincent 9 I"; ,.h ;" ■;-»->•, ic1-; ''helps. who lives on and potential as we look test at the already par is ■■ >u ai and lias nad ih generation Cornellian least six relatives attend demonstrated performance as even and ticularly standardized scores. That Cornell. balance may not be with a non- prefrosh I knew more stories than the people giving the tours," said Phelps, whose father, uncle, grandfather, grandmother, great-grandfather and greataunt attended Cornell. Phelps said that he felt pressured into going here but has "As a legacy, a non-farm kid, a non-underrepresented minority," said Murphy. The slight edge may also come from the fact that the legacies' introduction to starts early on. Giles is the head campus-wide program designed to give alumni children an early introduc tion to Cornell by maintaining contact with them from the time they are in eighth or ninth grade. Giles sends general information about the college search and career options to children of alumni from about eighth grade to sophomore year and then during the junior year, she starts sending out materials specifically about Cornell. Although Giles does not play any role alumni child is as everyone else's, if an a special he or she will receive rejected, office and letter from the undergraduate the director of admissions informing the applicant that their credentials and Cornell connection were applications go through the same grind Giles said that an considered seriously. advantage of the pro Cornell a of gram is that children of alumni are able to weed themselves out of the pool more "learned "It to love Cornell." quickly than other students. was sort said Phelps, of expected of me almost," who as a legacy, represents are an "Students who maybe are not academi cally qualified about 12 percent of his class. Although Church said that these factors which make alumni children attractive group of applicants, done differently with the 107 Cornell will self-select themselves out of the process and not apply," said Giles. to come to But if they do apply, children whose nothing was legacies that were accepted out of the pool of 3,475 ag college applicants during the admissions process last year. family grees trees are can covered with Cornell de expect to be given a very care ful examination by the admissions staff. Murphy stresses that the other what not Murphy explained how legacies and special interest groups are treated during the admissions process: "I think do for alumni children, and it's unique to alumni children we'll do we — in the selection process, she monitors the also stand strong on their own, the family connection: "While legacies must despite we are legacies' progress through the admis sions cycle and answers any questions they may have. "My goal is to give them enough infor mation so delighted to be able to family tradition and that's piece of the admissions Cornell's of continue the an important it for farm kids, underpopulated majors — that their is as presentation of their as history, quality. "■ it's not process and of at the expense and to look ties under-represented ethnic groups is as strongly at the personal quali of accomplishment and motivation application Although strong it can possibly legacies' be," said Giles. Giles said that the by Leslie J. Gross '92 ^fU^Aj^Mitc f <^/rt^**^$LK f^ctp^l yvcOAAAAM 0dt~ f&tff/4~' faviA&j s\jUAsnJurrc A Byte of Possibilities ITH THE ECONOMY IN A RECESSION, THE JOB MARKET can seem more impenetrable than ever. But now^ new resource to (w) "There's SUNY' job-hunting students and alumni have a help them in their job search: an SLTNY service Search, electronic candidate referral SUNY (State Uni agreed, "It's an opportunity to assist students in job search. It's one more thing we can do to expose graduates to as many employers as possible. We can provide a service to both SUNY graduates and employers." Twenty-three of the 64 SUNY colleges are participating in the Zuckemian recently developed by versity of New York) career development employees. "It's unique, it's creative, it's on the cutting edge," this first year of SUNY Search. "Just like any new project, it's been trying for the past few weeks," admitted Zuckerman. "But now com that it's off the \ ground are and running, we're veiy excited mented Bill Alberta MS 77, coordinator of the Career Develop ment Office in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. about it." S tudents excited about the project, too. Their to so nothing else like it in the a country." SL'XY Search is computer database of information about I employment. and seniors, graduate students and alumni looking for At no charge to the students, the computer stores information about them, such as major, degrees, career interest geographic preference, in three databases (local, state and national). Once the student information has been positive about it," she said. "Because of the tight market, the timing couldn't be better." It's difficult to tell how many students have already enrolled, she said, because the project began so recently. But, she and we're hoping for [a total added, "We're inundated here 1 ■L v^) 0 I J 1 resPonse has been overwhelming, according Zuckerman. "The students on my campus are ^| & job . . . compiled, potential employers, local, state both public and private, can request searches of the and/or national databases for candidates who meet For a of] 7,500 to 10,000 students." At Cornell, student response has been are only about 20 students in the database certain generate S qualifications. a list of job lberta is \ modest fee, the computer will of SUNY Irvine, an office assistant in the as gradual. "There right now," said Sue College's Career Development more seekers who fulfill the desired criteria. with the I 1 /\ A I I ^^^^^J ^i don't have The potential delighted a big frustration helping students connect w^h employers," he explained. "There are eight million employers in this countiy, but only the large companies can afford to come to Search. "It's Office. Irvine, who serves the delay may be due to since been resolved. computer expert for the office, said few computer a problems that have ft^F campus. Yet the mid-size and small companies do the lion's share of the hiring. With this new database, they to come to Amy Benedict Martin, associate coordinator of the College's Development Office, agreed that student reaction has been slow. She said students should realize, "Although [SUNY Search] won't be helpful to them until the spring, it's important Career to have their information we campus." project was initiated three years ago by the SUNY Career Development Organization (CDO), a professional association of SUNY career services employees. One committee of the CDO headed the effort to create a system to cooperatively market the graduates of the 64 SUNY colleges. Said Stephanie of the Zuckerman, co-chair of the committee and director "We Career Development Center of SUNY College at Buffalo, SUNY students together rather than realized that by marketing to be more efficient with separately we could work together so emerged SUNY Search, which our tight budgets." And the database to information take as soon as possible, so we can market employers. The marketing depends on the have. Hopefully more students will decide to advantage of it; nice it's a wonderful resource." hope it works. I can't praying for the best." i a '92, who has already signed up for the database, agrees that SUNY Search is a good Levine idea. "It's a way of and medium-sized otherwise have the come getting in touch with small companies which I wouldn't opportunity to see," he said. a back for fifth year, so I'm officially began "It's an in September 1991. stu incredible concept," Alberta said. "Marketing has always been our biggest challenge. dents to employers facilitate the connection between employ Now we can better work. It's another mechanism for and students seeking ers Thanks to SUNY Search, the job search has entered the computer age. "We're using computers in a positive way," proclaimed Zuckemian. State-of-the-art technology is now play ing matchmaker. ■ by Debra G. Birnbaum '92 finding i"f's- MISSION: "IT IS EXACTLY THE SAME AS IT WAS 125 years ago, except it has changed com pletely." possible? According to Kenneth E. Wing '58 MEd '60 PhD '66, Associate Dean of the Col lege of Agriculture and Life Sciences, the mission of the ag college has undergone many changes throughout the last cen tury and a quarter, while remaining true to its original intention. The Morrill Land Grant Act of 1862 spurred the creation of a system of How is this people's colleges in every state. Funds provided specifically for the pur of establishing colleges which of pose fered education in the fields of agriculture were and mechanical arts. Gould Colman '51 MA '53 PhD '62, University Archivist and author of Edu cation and Agriculture, A Histoty of the New York State College ofAgriculture at Cornell University, explains, "The idea [of the Morrill Act] was to use the money derived from the sale of federal land to establish at least one university which provide military training and in engineering and agriculture." Through these funds, and with this pur pose in mind, the College of Agriculture would struction in was born. In 1888, the trustees at Cornell united the departments of agriculture, veterinary science, agricultural chemistry, botany, entomology, and horticulture into the College of Agriculture. Since then, expan sion and modernization have developed The ag quad then and now: The new Kennedy and Roberts halls have replaced the Stone and the old Roberts halls. The change in buildings represents just one of the College's many changes. college into the institution we know today, still offering instruction in subjects the original founders hoped to stress. Now, according to Colman, "What con stitutes agricultural education has been divided and specified." Features of an agricultural education are no longer re stricted to just planting and harvesting. Instead, it encompasses a huge base of the ag infonnation on any and every conceiv able aspect of agriculture. According to Dean Wing, there are four F's of agriculture: Food, Fiber, Fuel and Fun. These translate into producing all tvpes of products, keeping fanners in doing it all with enthusiasm and joy. As long as the four F's remain in mind, agricultural education won't stray business and too careers and experiences. The ag college has stuck to its original mission of education in the field of agri culture. However, its base has broadened potential consumer resistance. In the past, Dean Wing explained, the industry has made some mistakes. For far from its purpose. to Dean Wing explained that the original include every aspect of the industry. "The mission of the land grant universi Dean or example, "What are antibiotics?" Wing asked. They are gemiicides, intention of the land grant universities focused on meeting the needs of rural the people. This meant conveying to farmers knowledge they needed to do their jobs. Now, "It's much more than that. meeting the nee-ds of tiiose involved just as important today as it was 125 years ago," Dean Wing said. "Although science has always been the primary focus of a land grant university, the kind of science is different." Scientific research, always a top prior at Cornell, has led to great develop and ties is sion realized profes why "germ killer" would not be an acceptable name for their discov ery; any product bearing a name with such a negative and frightening connota tion could be ill-received by the public. temi germ killers. But the medical We're in The "antibiotic" was far more ac fanning and those involved in con ity ceptable. we sumption." That touches upon the needs of an enomious population. As simply stated by Dean Wing, "Everyone is involved in agriculture because we all eat." The audi ence has broadened. And the College strives to meet the challenge of serving everyone who would benefit from its wealth of knowledge. changes in agriculture. Radical innovations have changed the way sci ence is practiced today. These innova tions have allowed the college to further its studies and expand into fields that may not immediately appear to be agriculturments "The mission is just as as now asks, "Why have pesticides, 'pesticides'? Why not 'plant protectants'?" How would they be viewed today had the name been dif ferent, more innocuous? There has been so much misunderstanding in the agricul tural business, Dean Wing said, "because we have not paid adequate attention to So, Dean Wing called . . . our communication." country, producers percent of the population while con sumers make up the other 99 percent. According to Dean Wing, "We brag about account one In this for important it was 125 This is how all aspects of the College, such as the wide variety of majors of fered, really do work together for the efficiency." We marvel at how this one percent of producers can support the rest of the population. But, Dean Wing says, what we really should recognize that it now today years ally related, industry. They improvement tion of all play vital roles in the or or maintenance promo ago.'1 agriculture. of the the system. These ture." This is where the purpose behind all seemingly vast differences of the takes 99 consumers to support one producer. "We have an obligation to educate those 99 percent. These are the people who will: number one, eat and number two, vote. We have to do a lot more to educate that 99 percent because they want good play an integral part in developments are what Dean Wing calls, "science-fiction agricul but ag college springs to life. Wing said, "Communication and nutrition and con sumption and health and everything else as how to plant corn." college has modern science, an enlightened population, new- medical knowledge, and an expanding world population to work with. There are new challenges to be explored and met. As for the mission of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Dean Wing explained, "We've changed radically, and is just as important Science-fiction agriculture deals with matters such as transgenic plants and ani mals or biolistics: terms that cover many of the radical new concepts that are tak The ag good, products, products good and are good for them." as an According to Wing, "You, cated consumer, that look taste edu as need to know just much about agriculture as a farmer, but consumer agriculture is an era of that has already begun and is agriculture going to be mind-boggling." "Science-fiction As researchers come ing science by storm. Dean Wing said, what you need to know is of students .About ten percent side are the out with new and "We was yet, we're the ago, same as we were 125 years innovative concepts, Dean Wing said, in this to College because i, ning some go into pre form. But c [ion they are planagriculture in student belongs educated always assumed anything we did 'apple pie.' That is, it was good desirable." But covery is out not and serving the needs of society'. But society, and science, have changed, and that's what makes it exciting." ■ every scientific dis here because they consumed ;ave as tion the valuabf- the educaIn other words, college offers would be a Source to a huge variety of greeted with open arms; with appropriate publicity and marketing, the agricultural industry could not sur vive, as it would face episodes of strong by Erica L. Fishlin '93 13 How the for Dr. Bill Ivy Assistant Dean of Public Grows rated ASKING FOR MONEY F1AS BEEN EASY college of Boldt, try but is faced with agriculture in the coun changing sources of no a Affairs for the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. "The response from ag alumni has been overwhelming," he said. Boldt raises money for the College's 'We Grow the Ivy' campaign. As part of funding. saying that we are state-supported college but "We are longer a state-as University's $1.25 billion fundraising effort, Boldt hopes to reach the College goal of raising more than $100 million by December 1995. Dr. George Conneman '52, Director of Academic Programs, said that alumni have always been more than the generous. "About 57 percent of our goal has been raised so far. We are doing well," Boldt said. The campaign was announced about a sisted college," said Boldt. At the begin ning of the seventies the College relied on the state for approximately 60 percent of its funds. Currently the state supplies about 37 percent of the College's budget. Boldt said that the best-case scenario for the future is stable funding at the present level from the state. With dire hopes for state funding, the College plans to counter the losses with the current campaign. Conneman breaks the campaign into four areas: innovative teaching programs, endowed professor ships, student financial aid and a Center donating to the College's fund-raising campaign, hugs Dr. Boldt. Masud Mehran '46, an alumnus year ago in October 1990 but funds have been raised for about two years. Almost four years are left to meet the for the Environment. In the vein of teaching, supporting graduate saidents with endowed fellow ships will help maintain quality at Cornell. Providing funds for graduate students for the purpose of teaching and research is goal the which makes Boldt success of the optimistic campaign. "Even for in these times of recession alumni want to see give. They we are volunteer because they in need," he said. Many alumni networks while developed professional at Cornell. Boldt said that many alumni want to repay Cornell for their education outside of the classroom. the top priorty of the campaign, said Boldt. Graduate students provide much of Cornell's teaching assistance. Full and partial scholarship endowments for gradu ate keep alumni up to date on the needs of the Colllege at least 30 gatherings a year are held with a Dean or faculty mem ber speaking. "Alumni see how relevant our current curriculum is and help us keep up with the times," Boldt said. The feelings towards alma mater at Cornell are exceptionally high according to Boldt. Having earned his degrees else To students make up $13 million of the College's campaign. Boldt added that these endowments will provide a stable source of funding in state or to drops College. federal guard against further funding of the campaign Almost $34 million of the goes to program enhancement which in cludes funds for departmental use and where Boldt said that he had enced the one sense not experi of tradition and loyalty establishment of a Center for the Environ ment. The fomier Senior Provost, Robert gets at submits that Cornell. As evidence, Boldt just last year Cornell exceeded to Barker, directs the locations for the or new center. Potential reno use center include Rice Hall Extensive Harvard and Stanford for the number of individual donors for the first time come other poultry buildings. be vations may be necessary before the number one in the nation. of these buildings, though. The center's Rice Hall may house the Environment. new Center for the major fund-raising cam paign the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences has been involved in," said Boldt, ironically. He calls the fund-raising a cam paign to maintain excellence. According to "This is the first Boldt, Cornell has had the number one purpose provide a cohesive pro gram for environmental studies. Boldt said that interdepartmental courses would be offered through the center. The campaign has is to campaign. Most of that money is ex pected to go towards research and teach ing. By donating money corporations can money by healing damaged are environ ments, too. expect some direct benefits from well. A Faculty of the College goal of S5 million donating as $19 million goal for endowed profes a has been set, of which $2 million has been committed. Of Conneman that the en dowed professor said sorships. the emeritus faculty, 19 serve as solicitors of their 236 col ships will not only leagues. that the Boldt said free up money that would add prestige the College was only one at a toqualitv faculty'. An undergraduate attract and Cornell with col lege-wide fund-rais ing campaign for the student endowment of S 13 million would be put towrards three kinds of scholar faculty. Both Boldt and Conneman stressed that the advantage of ships. Two are Uni Ezra endowments is that versity scholarships called Cornell the they provide funds in perpetuity. Boldt said that about ten scholarship and the Cornell Tra dition scholarship. The percent earnings can be expected from an third is Scholarship specifically targeted for the College. As in the past, awards the Fund endowment. About four percent is used for the spending pur poses of the endow ment and the other the endow in will be need-based. six percent goes to Endowments are set aside for the li braries and facilities. The library plans to endow some wards ment to counter flation. Boldt said that of posi given the amount tions and create a book fund. Plans for the library include upgrading electronic systems of access and preserving rare money raised so far and the time left for the campaign, the goals of the College might be exceeded. An ideal level to at and endangered tain would be $110 to ar chival would older material. $120 million he That amount cover Money for facilities be said. would the put to wards renovation of buildings. University- The College. Any surplus would be used to develop a needs of the wide effort also goes by the label of a pemianent fund ing base for the Col 'friend-raising lege. research cam paign'. Boldt said that the College wants to develop longterm relationships with alumni. Pamphlets findings said Boldt. Some of the The campaign provides great prom ises to fill many needs. "This is the most keep many alumni informed College's goals and programs. Corporations are of the donate money is being directed to the Center for the Environment, too. "Many corpora tions have exciting position of Boldt. ■ my career," said reaped profits some from the to globe make expected to and want to give back," said Boldt. He will be able about 40 percent of the funds for the added that by Brett Ainsworth '92 is WHAT IS COVHAS 30 MILLION LKCV > feathers, lives underwater, pro duces maple syrup, ae '-.peaks in thou ' l '- answer: sands of different vr >ic just ex I a I. its and collec a few of the dred with > many tions in Cornell University's College of and Life Sciences. The Cornell University Insect Collec tion, the Ecology and Systematics Orni Agriculture thology and Mollusk Displays, the Arnot Teaching and Research Forest, and the Library of Natural most Sounds are some of the unique and=-extensive collections and facilities of their kind in the country. However, they still remain relatively un known to many of the students, staff and faculty at Cornell. Not for people who are squeamish about bugs, the Cornell University Insect Collection, part of the Department of En tomology, is one such example. The col lection totals about five million insects, ' j-epresenting about 200,000 species. This "~ is the second largest university-based insect collection in the nation,;. and" the Iargest at a land grant college, according to curator James Liebherr. The collection is irreplaceable as it includes many specimens of insects that dan no longer be accumulated, such as tropical butterflies from Indonesia. It also boasts 6000 type specimens, insects that observed by the person who named the species,. Liebherr said that several former Cornell professors have named were dragonflies, An insect display in the wasps and moths. Comstock Half, , open to everyone. The^riceless rtiaih research collection is not open to lpbby is the public though it is regularly used by Cornell and visiting scientists and gradu ate students. Specimens also go out on lpan; the collection fulfils between 60 and 70 requests each year from scientists around the world to borrow insects. Scorpions and spiders, with huge, ugly tarantulas are out of your worst nightmares, balanced by a number of dainty' but terflies. With, dazzling iridescent blues or elaborate patterns in more muted shades of brown, these butterflies won't be found fluttering around Ithaca. A large part of the display is devoted to ■fexotic beetles from Malaysia, Brazil, New Guinea and other far-off, and Big brightly colored vime songs are foreign shiny, locations. some are captured on tape at the Library of Natural Sounds. ominous, with imposing mandibles that | look as if they could take a firmer off Some of the species vils, the largest dom, and displayed are wee family in the animal kinscarabs, including? -\ Goliith ' beetle which in can reach up to four inches length. The beetles rightly deserve such a large part of the display since they make up 30 percent of all known animal species. Ordinary and undesirable insects are included, such stink as termites, horse flies and bugs. Whether exotic or common, species in the display are labeled with descriptions for sightseers who may be completely unfamiliar with entomology. While in Comstock Hall, visitors only have to go down the hall to find a display of mollusks and arthropods. Nautilus, queen conch and abalone shells sit side by side with .scallops and spiny oystefs. Along with the shells are photographs Butterflies like these demonstrate the many species in the collection. Many person who named the species. are specimens collected by the explanations of the killer cones w^hich "harpoon" fish and cotw*ie-"hens" which and sit oil their eggs. used by Cojyiell scientists to conduct displ^iforisists of mem arthropods which: ordinary beachgoers might terici to group with the mollusks. These include barpacies, bat rest The of the bers of the projects ranging from timber-yield sur veys to maple syrup production. The for ests, fields and streams are home to na tive wildlife including deer, great blue heron,. Coyote, bear and wild turkey. Although the forest is owned and oper ated horseshoe pressive sightsis a l^bster^lawlrom 1839; the claw is so lar^e that the .body of the lobster had to be at least two feet long. crabs and crabs. The most im Another hidden treasure resides in, tf^e first floor the lobby of Corson-Mudd Hall, bird display of the Section of Ecology and Systematics. This inconspicuous dis play contains specimens ranging from a human-sized emu to a thumb^sized Jium- by Cornell University, it is open to publicfor hiking, cross-county skiing, picnics Sricfother daytime activities. HuntThe most famous'sound the library'coning is allowed by permit', and hunLerK|^_:^ihS%-lhe^^_^nQwn recording of the asked to keep a journal detailing the ani voi-ee of -the-ivory-billed woodpecker, a mals seen and taken. species once thought to be extinct. Ac In the northeast corner of the forest, cording to Budney, recordings made of three selfrguided tours of the managed the ivory-billed woodpecker in 1935 were stands of oak, beech, sugar maple and crucial in the rediscovery of a race of red pine are being developed, said Don these birds in Cuba in 1986. If the record the , = unique research facility is the Laboratory of Ornithology. The lab runs the Library of Natural Sounds, the largest collection of its kind in the world, according to curator Gregory Budney. It consists of more than 80,000 tape recordings of bird songs and mam mal, amphibian and insect noises. About 4900 species are represented. Cornell Another . mingbird. Wrens, crows and gulls share the display with a toucan, a quetzel -with its ostentatious bright green feathers jgnd a lyrebird whose tails feathers resemble the ancient musical instrument. Schaufler, forest manager. Numbered up through different old field, young pole vegetative types: stand (6 to 10-inch diameter trees), and ings had would when not been made, the scientists paths have been set not have known what to listen for wept out in the they -field. albums and to Th-e saw timber trees. Those- interested in for can ^^rary - has produced are cassettes of these sounds^ including the" display in Corson-Mudd is part of larger, unmounted teaching collection at the Research Park. According to Kevin The a est management techniques of clear study the effects of cutting and selective well known Peterson's Bird Fjield. Quides Songs:1 The sbhndS alss. roster is published annually M y of state to helping association recognize outstand It alumni the connect with Cornell ing students and alumni. recruitment of new helps with the to researchers for information, professional College of Agriculture students the Col and Life Sciences Alumni Association pro vides a means for alumni to continue to be active members of the College com lege, aids students and alumni in career placement and information gathering, and promotes the image of the College. Yet the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Alumni Association is Currently, leadership for the organiza provided by a small core of sala ried staffers and 250 key volunteer alumni leaders who are posted throughout the tion is priority is to respond to the needs of alumni," said John Sterling '59, Director of the College of Agriculture munity. and Life Sciences Alumni Association. "We follow "Our top just one of several dozen Cornell alumni groups. Each of Cornell's separate colleges has thenown alumni association (except for the College of Arts and Sciences) whose main function is to serve the individual college and its alumni. These college associations are country. A Board of Directors who gen erally serve also as District Directors acts as association coordinators for their geo graphic areas. There are 22 New York state districts, four out-of-state districts and one that us . a . . through with every request College alumna or alumnus asks of we serve teams meet district for Canada. Leadership annually for planning and College the entire 37,000 person alumni base," he explained. just some founding in 1909 by then College Dean Liberty Hyde Bailey to "promote fellowship among all students, Since its in existence — of the many alumni groups groups like the Cornell As sociation of Class Officers, the University Council, and the various Cornell Clubs and associations that exist around the world. What do all of these groups have in common? training conferences. The College sup ports some of the organization's pro gramming, but 95 percent of the costs are covered by membership dues and event registrations. Over the last six years, in new approaches past and present; to advance the interests of the College in all ways; and to further the interests of country life," the organi zation has adapted and expanded its recruiting members have been initi ated. The result is a dramatic shift in newly all members of the Alumni Federation. formed Cornell They are membership demography. The tion saw an associa extreme rise in membership when it began offering two-year compli mentary memberships to new graduates. This, in conjunction with the standard dues paying two-year and lifetime mem bership offers, and a new four-year mem bership offer, helped the classes of the 1980s quickly become the largest portion of the association's total membership. However, along with this shift in mem bership came a need for the group to re examine its function. In response to this need, former College of Agriculture and what the College of Agriculture and Lifebefore large or too expensive to attend. Alumni Sciences Alumni Association is they leave campus," asserted Jeffers, One way the alumni association con nects with undergraduates is by conduct translating the real mis sion of the College." Both Sterling and Jeffers suggested that the task force will find that the association needs to develop a better way for alumni and students to communicate. Speaking from her personal experience, Jeffers ad (ill that void in ing Career Conversation days, in which College alumni come to campus and speak with students about their various occupa tions. Also, student approach graduating viting them to directors, like Jeffers, seniors by mail, in sign up for their two-year mitted, to Life Sciences Alumni Association presi dent force complimentary membership. In another attempt to make contact with undergradu ates, the Mann "Once I got this position I began realize just how valuable an asset alumni really are." She explained that alumni can help students with career advice and net working alumni Stephen to Teele 72 a conduct assigned a task five-pronged study of organization has an exhibit in Library during the spring semester a students, in turn, can give opinions about the state of the and advice saw on campus program how important alumni and College ming. the association. The task force is made up of College faculty, students, administra and alumni, as well as staff from other college alumni associations. tors This study examines the mission of the association; service aspects of the group in terms of career responsibility, student sign-up drive during the College's senior barbecue near gradua tion day. Additionally, Jeffers told of a proposal to initiate a "Spring Fest" type of function on the ag quad this year which would be sponsored by the asso ciation and "serve as a means for getting our name out and has "Once I involvement in couldn't College affairs was I along," grandparents have joined the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Alumni As sociation and my father State Coordinator!" in the next few months serves as but pass my enthusiasm revealed Jeffers. "Today, both my help Indiana clear responsibility to relate with students prior to graduation; pro gramming such as scholarships, Dean/ Alumni get togethers and on-campus for alumni (such as recognition programs for students, alumni and retir events recruitment and its there." Sterling indicated the importance of communicating with alumni, "Staying in formed about research and classroom tivities within the ac While the future will become as more the task force the associa asset to begins to report its findings, a ing faculty alumni); membership (encom passing dues structure, fees, role of dues package and membership levels), and lastly, organization in terms of future College is very impor tant to alumni." Beyond that he said alumni have a variety of specific interests such as acquiring information related to their ca reers and encouraging young people from their own tion continues to be strong the to College community. cate Efforts to communi the mission of the organization undergraduates should further strengthen its membership base. So take Jeffers' ad vice and get involved. As she can communities to attend Cornell. said, ■ "You development. keep growing without look ing at yourself," commented Sterling about the study, "Success brings changes with leadership 'You can't it." He said the association's intent is to recruitment and especially helpful in the re cruitment process," said Sterling, "The College isn't always portrayed accurately to students, particularly in rural areas. They're often told that Cornell is too "Alumni are learn a lot from alumni." by Monica E. Bernstein '93 make it easy for alumni to be involved and informed. "We need this task force to see if programs and services are keeping up with membership growth. If they're not. we need to rework them." one way the organization example, implemented its goal to get more recent graduates involved is by placing For has representatives on its board of Jeffers '93, one of two student representatives on the association's board, explained, "Most student directors. Andrea alumni don't get involved in the associa tion until later in life. It's important to cultivate the idea that the College alumni association is a valuable still as a asset while Cornellians are undergraduates." liaison between Jeffers functions alumni and students. She said that if the students association can demonstrate to involved the importance of being actively in College activities before they gradu want to stay ate chances are that they'll to understand involved. "Students need An alumna spends time with her classmates during the annual reunion. 21 tion and economics major, said the re have had no quirements of the Tradition or academic adverse effects on his social life. "I'd be involved in other things any he said. "It's way, so it's not time lost," not detrimental, it's fun." Klein does not work at Cornell; he plans complete his work requirement at home during the winter semester break. As for his community service, Klein is a member to Scott Klein '95, a business administra of the Tradition's Student Advisory Coun cil (SAC) and the Tradition's Special Events Committee (SEC). The SAC is Tradition Fellows body of (representing all the colleges and years of study if possible) that sets up committees to plan events for Fellows, for example, or to improve rela tions with faculty or alumni. The SEC plans a social at events for Fellows such as ice time Lynah Rink or a discount movie night at Klein doesn't seem to Cornell Cinema. mind devoting a time to the Tradition. "I think it's very useful, important program that tries to better the community," he said. "It makes Cornell Tradition Fellows take Ithaca children to a Big Red football game as a community service activity. people more active, more multifaceted." a Heather Toomey '93 expressed simi lar view of the program. "It doesn't inter fere. Actually, it broadened my horizons." Toomey works in the Life Sciences Career Agriculture and Development Office commu Untraditional Tuition CORNELL IS NOTORIOUS FOR MANY as a peer advisor and fulfills her service nity obligations through the the Agri culture and Life Sciences Ambassadors, where she this year. Students receive this money (each receives about $2,100) in the form serves as publicity chair of the steering committee, and through sorority. — things continuous construction, omni present canines, nonexistent parking not the least of which is tradition. Cornell — — of Fellowships, package. which replace or a portion Tradi of the student's loan in his aid her financial meet has got traditions tucked into every al cove, every nook, every crack in every wall of every building. Students who tion standards but do not demonstrate financial need receive book awards $250 — philanthropies for the Delta Delta Her job involves interact ing with students looking for jobs and internships answering questions, critiqu ing resumes and conducting practice in terviews. In addition, she is managing house Delta Many of these traditions are common knowledge, like Dragon Day, or the vir gin myths surrounding the suspension bridge, but others, like the Cornell Tradi tion, are hardly at the forefront of the typical Cornellians mind. The Cornell Tradition, headquartered in 101 Day Hall, is essentially a financial organization that recognizes students excellence, community ser vice, and paid work experience. In 1982, for academic anonymous group of alumni and friends pledged more than $7 million to get the program off the ground. an to cover the This sum of books and supplies. is credited to the student's bur cost are editor and editorial consultant for SUNY CDO, a statewide publication for career sar account. development great, but so are officials. The benefits the "I would have worked and been in standards. While maintaining a 2.3 grade point average, Fellows must complete 75 hours of community service during the of the academic year. In addition, upperclass Fellows must work a total of 250 paid hours, while freshman Fellows course volved for it." in the Toomey said, "so, community anyway. it's nice to be rewarded aid Last year the Tradition gave approxi need to work 200 hours during the aca demic year. The program supports 563 students, 176 of whom are students in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. These students find many ways to integrate the Tradition and its demands in their lives. The Tradition is one Cornell tradition to be removed from its crack in the wall in Day Hall and placed in the minds of Cornellians, right next to the that deserves suspension bridge virgin legends. ■ mately one million dollars to about -i50 students, and they have repeated this act by Janet M. Clesse '93 COMMM c a p~~s u TT~T~ Faculty in the News Receiving the Paleobotanical Society International Medal was Three Geneva Station Scientists Honored The American Award to Drs. Movie star Christopher by Iscol Reeve to an '74 was recruited H.P. Banks, the Liberty Hyde Bailey Professor Emeritus of Botany. The Chancellor's Award for Excellence in awarded State to Phytopathological on-camera do introduction for the Teaching has been Brian O. Earle by the LTniversity of New York. Earle com serves as a senior lecturer in munications for the College and as Empire State Food and Agriculture Leadership Institute. Paula Horrigan won the Distin guished Teacher Award from the National Council of Landscape Architects. Her selection was based on her innovative courses and director of the Society presented the Lee Hutchins Roger Pearson and David Gadoury of Cornell's New York State Agricultural Experiment Station at Geneva. They were recognized for their work on the powdery mildew disease of grapes. Caused by a fungus, mildew is considered the most serious disease of grapes in New York and the world. By creating treatments that eradicate the overwintering fungus, the development of mildew is video. Inexpensive Technique Assesses City Tree Populations Creating tions in easier. inventories of tree an urban area popula just became By using technniques adapted Ratings and the Gallup Poll, Steven Schwager, Nina Bassuk, and Richard from the Nielsen delayed. As a result, grape growers use. reduce their outstanding evaluations by students. Also honored Janet Knodel of the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station at pesticide by the APS was Dr. on Jaenson economized current tree surveying. The new method assesses diversity, health, growth status and Dennis Gonsalves for research planting patterns of urban trees. viruses that attack several fruit and Geneva received one of two outstanding ever given by the United States Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health vices. She serves as awards for contributions vegetable crops. The crops include tomatoes, apples, grapes, cucum bers, melons and summer squash. Gonsalves was also named a fellow Inspection Ser Survey Coordi nator of the Cooperative Agricultural Pest Program in New York State. Gamma Sigma Delta, the honor society of agriculture, awarded by the society. Geneva Station Introduces Three Plant Varieties Introduced by Cornell's New York State Agricultural Experimental Station at Geneva were a new Ripple, chair of the Department of Education, a certifi cate of membership "in recognition of high scholarship, outstanding achievement and service to agricul ture science." Richard E. Alumni Aid the Center for the Environment John Dyson '65 has been credited with taking a major leadership role and creating a fund-raising strategy for the center. strawberry variety, cherry variety and apple rootstock. The strawberry, named Seneca, produces large yields, large fruit size, and firm fruit. Growers in the Great Lakes Region should expect the variety to be well suited for shipping because of tough skin and firm flesh. new Kenneth Iscol '60 funded production which to to of a twelve-minute video titled 'Endowment for the Planet' for Foundation Dedicates Field Royalton, the cherry variety, has been noted large fruit and resistance to won a 1991 one Telly Award. He Laboratory The Marion A. and A. Percy Leon Foundation gave a $ 1 million gift the has also made establish a of the lead gifts visiting scholars disease. The rootstock, dubbed Geneva 65, dwarfs trees to about 30 percent the size of a normal tree. Trees with the new College's Research Farm at Aurora. Besides creating a field laboratory, the foundation provides financial aid for students. program for the center. Austin Kiplinger '39 is featured in the video about the center's rootstock mature early and fruiting begins years sooner than with normal trees. research, teaching and outreach activities. Another trait is increased disease resistance. 23 .-~^G> ". "f _-""7 '.■f - - ■;/ .,."'■■'1 €r CORNELL A MAGAZINE OF AND ABOUT THE PEOPLE OF THE NEW YORK STATE COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE AND LIFE SCIENCES MAR 1 •? 'W2 Udder Ingenuity page 6 Contents 3 Revitalization of a Community 14 A Page Out of History Monica E. Bernstein '93 Allan Wai '93 6 Udder Ingenuity Bonnie Zucker '93 16 Beyond the Turquoise Elevator Kris Petracek '93 8 Hanging Out, Ag Style Erica L. Fishlin '93 18 Belching Ain't That Bad Neeraj Khemlani '92 20 A Classroom Puzzle Leslie J. Gross '92 10 Mother Was Right Brett Ainsworth '92 About the Issue The 12 All the President's Women Debra G. Birnbaum '92 Agriculture and Life Sci ences takes great pride in the research it performs. This issue of the Countryman College of looks at two recent and very different projects involving cows. New findings re garding pesticides are studied as well. On the campus scene, we examine some of the college's current controversies, includ ing the potentials and problems of under .CORNELL graduate teaching assistants. On a less serious note, the colorful history of the Countryman, the work of the President's Council of Cornell Women, and the best places for facetime on the ag quad are all COlTi™ January/February Editors Monica E. Bernstein Erica L. Fishlin 1992 Volume LXXXIX Number 4 C. S. Art Directors Janet M. Cleese Neeraj Khemlani Blunden, University Photography. Artwork: — — explored. Finally, we will look at how a a landmark in need of local community. help revitalized p. 4 Tracy French; pp. 6, 7 Helaine Wasser, Andrew I. Rosenberg; pp. 12, 13 Debra G. — Leslie J. Gross Birnbaum; pp. 14, 15 — Allan Wai; p. 20—Janet Layout Staff Assistant Editors Debra G. Birnbaum Brett Ainsworth M. Clesse. Allan Wai Bonnie Zucker The Cornell Note: Traying activity and as illustrated on page 5 of the December 1991 issue is not underground supported by the University specifically prohibited. an Countryman (ISSN 0010-8782) is published six times a year from October through May (combined issues for January and February, and April and May) by the New York State College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, 324 Kennedy Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y. 14853. Second class postage paid at Ithaca, New York Editorial Staff Ainsworth, Monica E. Bernstein, Debra G. Birnbaum, Janet M. Clesse, Erica L. Fishlin, Leslie J. Gross, Neeraj Khemlani, Allan Wai, Bonnie Zucker. Brett Subscription 14853. Printed by Union Press Co. Inc. of Endicott. Rates: $10.00 a year; $20.00 for two years. Postmaster: Send Cornell Countryman, 324 change of address to Kennedy Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y. 14853. Editorial content gathered and written by majors in the Depart ment of Communication. ward L. Bernays '12. Faculty Honorary editor: Ed advisors: Jane E. Hardy '53, Picture Credits: Photos: Cover, p. 18 Brett Ainsworth; pp. 3, 4, Brian Earle; pp. 6, 7 5 Bonnie Zucker; pp. 8, Erica L. Fishlin; pp. 10, 11 9 Paul Davis, Michael Hoffmann, Elson Shields; pp. 12, 13 — — — — — — Helaine Wasser. It is the policy of Cornell University actively to support equality of educational and employment opportunity. No person shall be denied admission to any educational program or activity or be denied employment on the basis of any legally discrimination involving, but not limited to, such factors as race. proiiibited sexual — color, creed, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, Cornell Countryman; pp. Jon Reis; pp. 14, 15 16, 17, 19— Cornell Daily Sun; pp. 20, 21, 22— age, or handicap. The University is committed to the maintenance of affirmative action programs which will assure the continuation of such of preference, equality opportunity. Revitalization of a Community IT'S A STRAIGHT ROAD THAT TAKES you ten miles outside of Ithaca, New York, to (through the 1820s the area was, for some afford to town to the rural town there's not too way. But you'll of West Dryden and much scenery along the know when you get there. unknown reason, called Union Corners) and four years later plans to build a meet ing house to serve as a church for the give it to the Town of keep the building and was forced Dryden. The as a used the structure a storage facil Just look for the white church with the at the corner of West and Sheldon roads. You can't miss Dryden it, it is one of the only churches ever to silver domed roof have a structure planes steeple and it's the only of its kind for miles around. Even flying out of Tompkins County on as a a round Airport rely landmark terns. this 159-year-old national guide for their flight pat few hundred feet further the home of Department Society began. society purchased a parcel of land from Israel and Sally Hoyt and Chapman and Esther Fulkerson on what is today the corner of West Dryden and Sheldon roads. The builder, Peter Conover, was given strict instructions by the church as to the requirements for the building's construc tion. He lived up to their expectations, as the building still stands a century and a The half later. Until Union Drive and you'll be at of Communication's senior lecturer Brian Earle '68, MPS 71. ment church. 1948, the building served as a But in 1948, because West polling place during elections for the next eighteen years. In 1966, the Greater West Dryden Rural Community Association, Inc. was formed and began holding meetings in the old church. By 1970 the Association had bought the build ing from the Town of Dryden at the small price of one dollar and proclaimed it to be the "West Dryden Community Center," the name it still bears today. Earle explained that he "watched the West Dryden Community Association dis integrate," over the first ten years of his residence. But he and his wife felt cial a ity and spe When Earle, a lecturer in the Depart of Communication, and his wife Dryden's population was declining and churches in neighboring areas were con solidating, the society found it could not neglected struc ture that stood outside their dining room window. As it approached its 150th birthto responsibility the Jody moved to West Dryden in was 1972 there little in the way of a West Dryden community. The dilapidated nineteenth century structure that abutted their prop erty was owned by a group called the Dryden Community Association and sign hung above its sagging doorway that read, "West Dryden Community Cen ter 1966." But besides this worn out build ing and a small group of dedicated resi dent association members, West Dryden was a town with no sense of community. Yet West Dryden was not always like this. In 1811, under the guidance of the Reverend George W. Densmore, the first Methodist class in the Town of Dryden at a West West odists Dryden was organized. The Meth organized a church society that met building in members' homes for four years until a was built in 1815 to house school school and church sendees. As the com members saw a munity grew the society In 1828 need to erect a church building. to incorporate their the members moved society odist as Meth the Union Society of the Episcopal Church at Union Corners West Dryden Community Center in 1984, before the restoration efforts were underway. 3 day give they were determined to it the recognition it deserved. The Earles began their quest by speak in 1982 to and ventriloquist to Martin Castle has even a been known donate show at the old Cornell a church with the round steeple. ing with Historic Ithaca, a group that works with various Cooperative Extension has held youth organizations preserve his toric buildings. Earle said it soon became obvious that the structure was, "architec turally unique opposed to the usual pointed steeple] as a nutrition camp at the center and the building is currently being rented out to a dog training class and a cub scout it has round steeple [as group for their weekly meetings. Since the West Dryden Community Association is a United Way organiza tion, the United Way subsidizes the cost This allows the association and dates from the earliest years of settle ment in the area." He learned that the building might be worthy of receiving landmark recognition and set achieve just that. Earle turned to Jeff Cody, a visiting professor in the College of Architecture, Art, and Planning for help. Cody had stu to about of maintaining the community center. to make the building available at no cost for any dents in his Measured Drawings course construct a blueprint of the building while a youth or community oriented activity. The building is also available for private functions at $20 a day. The center is equipped with a kitchen facility and Earle said there have been a number of wed ding receptions and family reunions held there in the past couple of years. In November 1991 the community cel ebrated the church Surrounded a facelift. student in course Cody's Building compiled a survey of the building. student in the De Preservation Megan Shull '91, a partment of Communication, spent 1990 researching the history of West Dryden as part of the University's Faculty Fellows program. Earle, as her faculty fellow, spon conta-ct by scaffolding, the community center gets national landmark residents center. status building's receipt of by inviting all sored her endeavor, remaining in close with her as she conducted her have been working with the Earles and to a party at the community Earle said that members of the Fulkerson family were present at the event. the other members of the West Dryden want to "These Fulkersons are direct de research. She pored over old registers and spoke with residents, collecting an ecdotes and memories, to discover the unwritten history of West Dryden. Earle intends to share the results of Shull 's work with the greater West Community Association come true. to make the scendants Earles' dream They give and West Dryden back its community Chapman and Esther Fulkerson, the original signers of the Church at Union Corners's deed," he of exclaimed. Dryden drawings commu nity. The Earles took the and the survey done by Cody's students and sub mitted them as part of the application for the In they want the church at West Dryden to once again serve as the community's meeting place. The West Dryden Community Asso ciation has been working diligently to achieve these goals. Since the Community Center was declared a landmark, the and Sheldon roads group has conducted a massive awareness "Alpha in Gamma Rho was instrumental running last year's annual Halloween party at the center," said Earle, himself an alumni member of this Cornell agricul building to achieve landmark status. July 1991 New York State gave the building landmark recognition and that following September 1991 the federal gov ernment tural fraternity. "The brothers [and the little sisters] helped decorate the place the kids just and got all dressed up . . . did the same. Another member of the Cornell com munity, Corwin Holtz, who is a Dairy Management and Amimal Science instruc tor in the ag college, and his wife Debbie campaign within the greater West Dryden community. Advertising in the Ithaca Journal, the Ithaca Times-Monitor, the Grapevine, and a local publication called the Shopper, the group publicizes its annual "Old Home Days" and community suppers at the community center. West Dryden magician loved it," he said. The fraternity also helped with the building preservation last year as its members spent a day painting the ad joining 25-year-old playground, putting up scaffolding, painting the front of the church, and cutting overgrown brush. Christopher Hart '92, president of Al pha Gamma Rho explained his fraternity's involvement, "Brian is a member of our brotherhood. He needed our help and than pleased to be there for him and the West Dryden commu we were more Top: One resident volunteer takes a moment's working on the building. rest from nity." However, Earle said there is still work that needs to be done. One project will be to Bottom: An Alpha Zeta brother is decked out in costume to help with West Dryden's annual Halloween party. insulate the "We're building. looking century-and-a-half-old for grants right Agriculture and Life class, a course taught by Department of Communication lecturer Marcelle Toor, is helping Earle by Sciences' Art of Publication quickly." The College of designing tion a brochure that his organiza for 'The matching funds cancomeintheformof man advertising. "Doing a real project like this adds a lot of value to the work you produce in class," said one can use life of Toor's students. "It makes you feel good about what you're studying." Once these brochures are hours as well as distributed, residents Earle hopes a that West Dryden will have money.Weneed people to commit themselves much greater awareness of the association and all that the community center has to offer. But in the meantime funds still have to give their time and . to be raised and the work still has to get done. Earle said he is look ing for someone to donate a wrecking crew to be used "once the refurbishing starts." energy. ." Looking to the future Earle tells of his hopes for a senior citizens group to start meeting in the center, for more people to rent the building for private affairs, and for donations to preserve the building to start coming in. Earle is pleased with the Cornell now to make funding such community's response to his cause preservation and said he endeavors affordable," he said. Because the church is a National Historic Land hopes to get as great a re sponse from his West Diyden commu nity. At present the future looks bright mark, a matching funds requirement ap plies to any money received, explained Earle. "The matching funds can come in the form of We need man and the West Diyden Community Center ■ continues to revitalize its community. hours to as well as money. give to people commit themselves with help their time and energy . . . from a group like the fraternity we can fulfill the matching funds requirement by Monica Bernstein '93 Udder THE AGE OLD PRACTICE OF MILKING COWS IS SOON TO the age of environmentalism. Thanks to a new milking in the Department of system designed by Cornell researchers enter Agricultural and Biological Engineering, New York state dairy farmers could costs. was funded by the Electric Power Research the National Food and Energy Council and by New Institute, York State Electric and Gas, explained Professor David Ludington '56, MS '59, the principal investigator of the project. Ludington had three collaborators on the project: research associate Pellerin, Associate Professor Daniel save more than $2 million per year on energy This project Roger Aneshansley, and Fangjiang Guo PhD '91, who worked on the system for his PhD thesis. "The present conventional milking system functions all at right, but it is very conventional system full inefficient," Ludington explained. This pump which operates regardless of the actual amount of uses a vacuum capacity all of the time, air needed. "Fifty percent, or sometimes 80 percent of the air being pumped is [usually] not used. This is also referred to as reserve capacity," Ludington said. The vacuum pump removes the air which enters the system, to provide a stable vacuum, and is necessary for proper milking to occur. The stable vacuum serves other purposes, such as reducing the spread of diseases, like mastitis "That reserve — an inflammation of the udder. capacity is there for those instances when there is a disturbance, and all of the rest of the time it's being wasted," Ludington said. An example of a major disturbance, according to Ludington, is when a milking unit falls off the cow. In this case, considerable air will enter the must be removed quickly. But when there is current amount no system, and such distur bance this energy is wasted. According to Pellerin, the conventional of energy the milking system requires represents over 20 percent of the electrical usage on New York state dairy farms. But with the adjustable speed drive ASD/ dual vacuum system designed by Pellerin and Guo, this energy usage can be cut in half. vacuum The ASD/ dual system is not completely different a from the conventional system, but rather is modification of Ingenuity vacuum it, Pellerin explained. The adjustable speed drive matches the pump capacity with the air flow needs of the system. won't have an effect on milk prices for consumers. He explained price cow Under normal milking conditions, the pump runs at a de creased constant speed. When more air must be pumped out, such as during a disturbance, the motor speed is increased in many factors which determine the of milk in stores. The amount of energy used to milk the are that there a is just small fraction of every individual milk carton's vacuum price. The ASD/dual order to accommodate the the ASD a Unfortunately, own to cannot problem. respond To system is not yet commercially are maintain stable a vacuum. enough on its alleviate this problem, system which fast available, Pellerin explained. Currently there companies the researchers added dual vacuum reserve looking to license and market the system, and it has a patent pending. Ludington said the system may be put to commer cial use some gives the ASD "a boost," he said. time in 1992. lot less energy, but still takes care of the disturbances," said Ludington. He estimated the system would save an average of $500 each year to each dairy farmer "Our system uses a Because the system is most presently not on the market and or not dairy farmers are not aware of it, whether they it. That may not seem like a lot of money, but with about 10,000 -dairy farms in New York state, the savings could be quite substantial. There would be great savings even if only half the dairy farms adopted the system, Ludington using receptive to it can be based only on speculation. Dairy farmer Ron Space '53 of the Department of Animal Science, is will be knowledgeable offered a about the ASD/ dual vacuum system, and he optimistic outlook about its future in the dairy industry. Space explained, "[Dairy farmers] would be recep very tive because the energy cost is a explained. Pellerin added, "The application of [the milking system] is not just here in the U.S., but all over the world. .it . very significant component of at dairy farming." Space has been Cornell's seen could have cannot a wide range of influence." For the most part, this milking system is see perfected. "I dairy Teaching and a farmer for 35 years. He also works Research Center in Dryden, where explained any major problems with it," said Guo. He that he and the other researchers still want to work on a more energy efficient way to run the washing cycle, which operates after each milking. The washing cycle takes a fraction of the milking time, Ludington said, so the energy savings will not be as substantial as those from the milking of the testing of the system occurred. From what Space of the testing he concluded the system "seems to function very well and it looks very promising for commercial use." Space also said once the system is available on a commercial scale, he thinks dairy farmers will readily choose some has process. Nonetheless, they vacuum deem it an important area to pursue. Each ASD/dual system costs approximately $2500, payback for each farmer would take 4-5 years, Ludington said. Pellerin noted, "Some of these large [milking] therefore would facilities run almost 24 hours a day," and and the ... milking practices. optimistic about the future for the ASD/ dual vacuum milking system. "As long as it does the job) and and as long as it's cheaper [it will be a we're sure it does said Ludington. He added there are other benefits success]," of the system besides just conserving energy. He explained to use it for their Ludington is also — — experience a payback in a shorter amount are inter addition, Ludington explained that because utilities sometimes they give rebates for ested in saving energy, If utilities choose to give energy conservation practices. rebates to of time. In that the system will significantly reduce the noise level of the milking procedure and decrease heat and oil lost in the pump exhaust. Because of the work of Cornell researchers, milking proce energy efficient. And in their system is sure to be dures this are soon to become a lot more farmers who use this system, then these farmers environmentally conscious time, ■ would receive a quicker payback. turn out to be a cost-saving Although this system will said it probably mechanism for dairy farmers, Ludington well received. by Bonnie Zucker '93 Hanging Out, FACETIME. THAT POPULAR CORNELL Trillium, the student dining which center tradition of seeing seen people and being opened its doors less than two remains a favorite practice among years ago has gained great popularity Cornell students of today, and the stu dents of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences are no exception. Every day, the ag quad buzzes with among ag students. Conveniently located in Kennedy Hall, in the southwest comer of the ag quad, Trillium swarms at lunchtime with a seemingly never-ending army the sound of thousands of saidents on their way to and from classes or meetings. Brightiy colored jackets and backpacks dot the snowy quad in the winter, and students linger under shady trees, bring ing life to the area during spring. For the typical aggie, the quad hums with an excitement like Mann no hungry for lunch and eager socializing. The large, wooden tables and soaring, glass-cov ered walls create a friendly atmosphere conducive to conversation and good of students, some for serious times. After the difficulties of searching for a other part of campus. Library's lively McKay Reading Room. "There's bound into or to always something interesting happen up here. I always run I haven't seen table and elbowing one's way through the food lines are over, the fun can begin. Cara Bonomolo '93, customer so a frequent every someone a funny story or reported Allison Weiss '93gossip," The quad becomes almost a second I'll hear while, some juicy in a Trillium explained, can "Trillium is see great. It's open, you home to many students, who report spending large chunks of their days on campus. It represents the are body who's there all at once. It's a good place to socialize and it's right on the ag quad, so it's very convenient." Another notable feature of Trillium, is the food, which is reputed to be very good. Trillium diners choose familiar, some naturally, a thing which is appreciated when students far from home. Michelle Catanzaro '93 agreed. "The ag quad is really small [in the way that] you're very likely to from highly varied menu of entrees, soups, salads and desserts. As for the brown-baggers of the Cornell campus, bump into people you know, definitely big enough to keep esting." to but it's it inter dining Bonomolo added, "It's one of the only halls where you can bring your lunch and still sit with everyone else." When students don't have the time to through the Trillium crowds, the When ag students are lucky enough grab some free time between classes, wade Students stop to chat outside of Mann Library. where do they go? Alfalfa Room, located in the basement of Socializma in the Alfalfa Room Waiting in line for a quick bite at the Alfalfa Room. Ag Style Warren Hall, provides a less hectic alter students out, is hungry aggie. The worn, 60s decor proves an interesting backdrop to the steady stream of today's modem saidents, drifting in to grab a bagel or muffin before their couches line the next native for the gather to work or just hang keeping die sound level at a cheerful, buzz. All in of a lounge constant one a all, the atmosphere or cafeteria rather a than in library. familiar face class. Tables and Karen Hovorka '92 is walls, which feature a few traditional oil paintings and dated photographs of the ag quad. The Alfalfa Room represents a conve study break for many aggies. "I love the Alfalfa Room. We go nient and social McKay, the northern reading room. "I have fun in McKay you can talk, eat, and drink. The same people go there all . . . Yes, of the time, so it's kind of a social scene. I would say there are definitely McKay regulars." The theme of familiarity carries great weight with most ag students. Weiss explained, "The ag college may have over 3,000 students, but it doesn't really seem that large, especially if you break it down by major or by the people you It can be very and very homey, and that's what I love about it." ■ see ... there all of the time when we're sup posed to be studying in Mann [library]," laughed Judy Hudock '93. "Then we end up spending an hour in there, talking and hanging out." Bonomolo agreed, "It's a place to be social without leaving the [library] building." But Mann Library is more than just a place to study. It has become yet another place on campus to see and be seen in that facetime in your classes personal spirit. Hundreds of students pass through Mann Library's circulation desk every day on their way to and from class. Often, they stop peek into on greet friends or venture a one of the two reading rooms the main level. to There's always lots of facetime to be had while dining at Trillium. The areas flanked reading rooms by rows tables. Scattered large, open long wooden magazines and newspa are of pers add character to the area. Clusters of by Erica Fishlin '93 Walking to class across the ag quad. Mother Was Eight MOTHER NATURE HAS PROVEN HERself again. Researchers in the New York State the an pest's enemy in mass quantity, like Integrated Pest Management Pro insecticide, in hopes of overwhelm ing the pest. The natural enemy may die published by NYIPM. example of pesticide reduction provided in the report concerns the grape report An testify in her favor when battling against agricultural pests. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is "a comprehensive approach to pest control gram (NYIPM) will long enough to damage the agricultural pest population. Part of Hoffmann's job is to educate county off but live crop. By using funded partly growers use were a risk assessment program by NYIPM, participating able to reduce insecticide agents and growers in the use of IPM the to to that uses combined to means to reduce the practices. Davis status of pests tolerable levels while emphasizes pesticides, that despite 70 percent. The risk assessment up program explained how to monitor for the grape berry moth, a major pest, and to maintaining a quality environment," said Dr. Paula popular notion that IPM was created how Davis, assistant professor in eliminate IPM is geared determine when to spray, if even necessary. Reducing the number of to Department of Entomology. Over 300 projects have been under taken by NYIPM since the program's start in 1986. The program has done work in the areas of dairy, field crops, ornamentals, fruit, and vegetables. The 1990 NYIPM annual report states the wards alternatives that may reduce cide use. pesti sprayings and the save amounts on Pesticide reduction plays an important role in the NYIPM effort because it helps the farmer money penditures and labor. IPM sprayed can pesticide ex on practices have even been used on satisfy and the goals consumer of environmental health concern for safety. How and central factor golf courses. Pesticide inputs quality turf can be reduced high- about 46 the ever, the convincing goals of the program are to work on "the health of the environment, the wellbeing of growers and their products, for farmers is economic. Reducing pesti cide use through IPM practices can reduce costs for famiers according to the 1990 percent, the 1990 NYIPM report stated. Natural organic fertilizers have been used to reduce fungicide use by between about 20 to 40 percent. These reductions result in and the concerns of the consumer." used in IPM use Several programs, healthy golf courses while saving approaches are including the of crop varieties resistant to pest attack and the use and conservation of natural enemies money and pesticides. Davis's research may help farmers save money, too. Davis does about half of her research on the western com rootworm (biological control). Biological control which is may involve introducing natural enemies to control pests. Examples include the recent spreading into New York com fields. Her work detemiined how many rootworms are necessary to cause eco introduction of China, which are parasite of the com borer. Dr. Michael Hoffmann, assistant professor in the De partment of which wasps from the size of gnats, as a tiny nomic losses of crops. She monitored the density of eggs in the soil and found the Entomology, an does work levels of infestation that cause losses for silage and grain crops. With this knowl assesses natural enemies and their edge can in hand, farmers using IPM practices importance in agricultural system. Another method used in biological control is the inundative release of a natural enemy, according to Hoffmann. With this deteimine if and when a soil insecti cide needs to be applied. Avoiding indis criminate can approach, the fanner applies One of the objects of the I. P.M. project is to find ways to control alfalfa snout beetle. application of a soil insecticide reduce corresponding labor and chemical costs for the faimer, making his operation more profitable. An interesting With lead that came use from ma Davis's research involves the nure. of manure akin to traditional fanning, the rootwomi larvae are much less successful at spreading practices, finding which they feed. Davis hypothesizes that this is because manure releases carbon dioxide which the root com on roots womi uses to find the as roots. Thus, with manure womi fertilizer, the root get misdirected. She plans to de are neces applied termine what levels of manure sary for this effect and any corresponding troubles that may be associated with runoff from the different When The manure levels. applying pesticides, farmers benefit from reliable weather forecasts. New York Agricultural Weather Program, established in 1988, provides fanners widi information ciding cides, crops. when scout to plant helpful in de crops, apply pesti cut for pests, and and harvest Separate forecasts are made for ten agricultural regions in the state. In cluded in the forecast are daily weather up to information and extended forecasts for 90 days. A participant in I. P.M. practices inspects golf course turf for insect pests. "Researchers are not looking for bullet." a silver The use of IPM is a with each of the four year-round effort, seasons entailing different projects. Some projects in the sampling soil and analyzing nutrients, estimating previous yields, and fall include crop record-keeping. Winter projects, among others, entail IPM training and monitoring livestock for lice, mites and grubs. Spring and summer offer duties additional a to farming, as well. important to remember few things when evaluating IPM: "Re Davis said it is are searchers not looking for a silver bullet. Instead, they look for the use of In this multiple tactics to control pests." researchers look for sustainable ag way, ricultural methods to Don Song and Norma Bremes sieving for rootworm larvae in infested soil. satisfy consumers and farmers. ■ by Brett Ainsworth '92 All the President NEW IVY LEAGUE UNIVERSITIES AND the University of Pennsylvania. a England preparatory schools were once for old boys' networks. Men springboards who had gone to the same schools turned for jobs to each other after graduation and advice. Last year, Cornell Current members encompass broad and range of interests the "They are diversity accomplishments. wonderfully representative of at Cornell," said Eller. The ranks of the President's Council include University President Frank Rhodes agreed that it was time for Cornell to form such a network for women. He invited over 100 prominent alumnae to join the President's Council of Cornell Women. "I see the Council network more as a new an deans, attorneys, physicians, judges, ists, CEOs and state representatives well as a art as — NASA astronaut, a Pulitzer Prize winner, a major in the U.S. Army and an acting president of These women a major university. have agreed to band women's than old MS girls' net the President's atten together tion issues within the University that are to bring to work," said Martha Eller '90, director of particular interest to a women. "We see of the President's Council. "These are all women who are very accomplished and successful in their own right. They are Cornell alumnae who feel a real desire and commitment to help in any way they can the women coming behind them." The purpose of the Council, Eller ex plained, is to advise the President on the status supportive University, working with the President to effect change," Eller said. ourselves in role with the "Everything that happens here affects not a women," continued Eller. "We're separatist organization. I like to think that we are not just interested in the obvious women's issues, but that we bring that an important perspective of concern to to issues of all Cornell women students, staff, faculty, administration and alum — are everyone in the Enjoying a reception held last year at the Herbert F. Johnson I of Cornell Women. The council helped fund the museum's pu to nae. "These women want to assist in the University in all ways pos sible," she added. These ways include developing leadership opportunities for bettering Cornell community." In order to address all members of the Cornell community, the Council has di vided itself into six committees: member she promote gender diversity on campus," explained. "I see them as a strong in this effort." ally ship, programs, campus constituents all Cornell women, women attracting outstanding students, faculty and staff to Cornell, and providing career counseling and mentoring for students. 138 members of the President's Council, including a 15At (students and stafD, faculty and adminis tration, alumni and development. While the full The President's Council is particularly concerned about the relatively low rep resentation of women on the faculty and in high-level a administration. "I'd like women to present, there are membership of the President's Council gathers twice a year, each com mittee meets more frequently in order to focus its attention on specific areas. "We want to see greater proportion of in these Landis member serve as steering women trustees committee and the 13 of the University, who ex-officio members. Trustees hear from everyone students, so staff, faculty and administration — — positions," agreed Carolyn '65, a member of the Council's steering committee and chair of the membership committee. "We need to ensure Press that candidate pools an for high- that we can become more knowledgeable to level positions of include well-qualified alumna of the a Carey Stewart '50 and Lilyan Affinito '53, were the guiding forces be hind the creation of the Council. "The Patricia trustees about what's dent the ate as going on," Eller said. an women," said Landis, "The Council is advisor the presi College and the well as a resource for women on Agriculture president of IIHC, and Life Sciences restaurant wanted to find a way to involve at decision-making levels throughout the university," Eller ex plained. Their answer was the President's more women campus," said Joycelyn Hart, associ vice president for human relations. serves holding cil company. "The women of the President's Coun can serve as an Hart the Council as a liaison with important source of Council, which is somewhat based on other campus women's groups and as a resource for statistics and other informa tion. "A the Trustee Council of Penn Women at significant part of my mission is identify prominent women for open positions," added Hart. "Through the experiences and networks of these to referrals Women choices and what to expect in the work place. Council members also serve as individual mentors for students and as sponsors for can impact on the status of women at Cornell. The President's Council presents an op portunity for women who have not been active with externships, where students a spend anywhere from Cornell, who have devoted to their sponsors in their workplaces and learning more about a particular field. Council members are of fering 40 externships, which are open to all students in the University. Said Elise Rosenberg '93, a student ex-officio member of the Council, "I am excited to be involved in the Council that represents women, to find out what the President's Council trustee an week day to a themselves sional observing their business and profes become involved." The Council can serve these women, Eller said, as training ground for lives, to higher leadership positions in alumni affairs and throughout the University. "As these women get to and know about Cornell again, does for students." Rosenberg, an agri cultural economics major, is one of the 14 new members who joined the Council this year. She will serve on the campus constituents committee "I can they will be candidates for Cornell Coun cil, college councils and board member ships," Hart added. In meeting its objective of promoting the participation of all Cornell women, the President's Council is currently rais ing $100,000 to fund research and project initiatives. The money will be granted for either research on where, she said, have the most input about campus issues such as safety and rape awareness." Also concerned with women who have were s social issues or for project initiatives that focus on work at the University to enhance the experience of students and staff. "We're many members and friends of the President's Council by women artists. women, we offering some left the Cornell community, the President's draw other alumnae as grants of up Eller. "We to $25,000," we can commented Council wants to hope achieve can increase the pool of candidates." The Council plans to estab lish a bank of job candidates by compil ing the resources of its members. members of the University Council. Current members will serve two to three year terms, rotating to allow others to join. Invitations for back to the good money." Another project undertaken by the Council was with this President's helping of the art University's Herbert F. to "We encourage the appointment of "I think we're membership come from of Art last year Johnson purchase works Museum qualified women at all levels of the Uni President Rhodes himself. The member versity," Eller commented. ship committee of the President's Coun real progress. The new control ler of the University and the new director making of the cil accepts recommendations, and for wards its nominations to the President. "We look for a by women artists. The Council raised $15,600, matching a grant given to the museum by the National Endowment of Johnson the Arts. With the funds received, the Museum added four prints to its "The formation of the Council is a women. Biotechnology We're pleased Center to see are both women who have reached these ap level of stature within their chosen Eller collection. pointments." Eller continued, "I'd like to see abso lute parity in women's participation at all levels in the University. The presence of women explained. "We also especially look for women who have not previously been active in professions," positive step for Cornell," praised "We're Hart. very pleased as to have the in the classroom and in the administration sets a tone for all the in the University. appropriate the commitment that Cornell has made to . . . the cil University," added Eller. "The Coun was created as a vehicle to bring women President's Council women advocates. The ■ number of volunteer hours that these additional women to the University, give is a great gift." people to It's who have not been very involved. Our purpose is to bring these new women for 125 years In diversity." closer to Cornell." addressing the needs of students, the Council has sponsored speakers, ca reer panels and discussion groups on life Landis agreed, "I helped found the Council because I think it's important for professional women alumnae to have an by Debra G. Birnbaum '92 ^HHHHHHHHHH^ 13 HISTORY. It's what you hold in your hands now. In the right contributed by beginning, most articles were professionals and faculty course. the only If these requests were declined, viable alternatives would be to In December 1903, the very first issue of The Cornell Countryman was pub lished. In it, George F. Warren, for whom Warren Hall on the ag quad is named, the birth of this publication. announced "For some years there has been a grow in the agricultural field. The Countrymaris earliest credits feature the names of some of the most widely recognized and respected Cornellians: Martha Van Rens postpone publication indefinitely or to disband the organization. Needless to say, both recommenda tions were put into effect. First the selaer, George Warren, — Anna Comstock, and Albert R. Mann all immortalized the buildings named in their honor. The by establish an agricultural periodical Cornell University. Such a publication is necessary in order to keep the former students in touch with each ing desire to at other and with the college, and to present the advances in agriculture. This is the mission of The Cornell Countryman'' Thus the Countryman was bom. Warren intended for the contents of as an agricul journal, but in 1931, stu dents began contributing articles, a prac tice that would eventually take over. Only a few years later, Julie Bockee Countryman began tural research Countryman was adopted by the De partment of Communication. Later, pro ducing the magazine became a part of an accredited academic course, Print Media Laboratory. This is how the Countryman '37, the magazine's first woman editor, shifted the focus of the Countryman away from technical articles. As a result, the covers produced today. The goal of the Countryman is two fold, according to Jane E. Hardy '53, faculty advisor and co-lecturer for the print media class. The first objective is to teach students how to is put out a "real became more varied, emphasiz a each issue "deal with the larger prob lems of country life, the economic and social conditions, the rural school and to ing black and white photography and original For illustrations. This started tradi tion that still continues the fann home." Also of were significance investiga decades, the today. Countryman thrived, readership." The second objective is to keep readers in formed of what's going on in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. magazine a with real the "results of scientific as tions," dents." well as "news of former stu reaching out to readers with information about agriculture and campus life. But in February 1963, a series of unfortunate events feels that her '93, a Countryman staffer, Countryman experience has been a positive one. She explains that she "learned a lot about magazines and how the Erica Fishlin With current over readership numbering is one almost sounded In that a death knell for they are put together." '93, also a 2600, Countryman Cornell's longest-running publications. It also holds the distinction of being the only student agricultural publication in the the of issue, the editors publication. and staff of the Countryman warned in the an Bonnie Zucker member of Ivy League, as well as the oldest of continuous agricultural publication Country presently is facing one of the most critical problems of its history the magazine is suffering from an inadequate man . . . editorial that "The Cornell magazine's staff, holds a similar opin ion. One thing Zucker learned from helping to put out three issues a semes ter is that "There's a lot more work any school in the country. The title "Cornell Countryman" staff, was suggested by Liberty Hyde Bailey in 1903- Even though ten pages of advertis ing helped pay for the first issue, insuf ficient funds kept the first issue's cover illustration, featuring a farmer sowing seed, on the covers of the next several issues. a weak financial base, and a chronic lack of support from the student body." Citing a list of several problems, in putting together a magazine than I had anticipated." Still, she finds the process rewarding and worth the effort. "This class is a really good experience for me, involved in cluding vacant positions and lack of ad vertising, the staff made the following tors: particularly in because I want to pur sue a career magazines." recommendations to the Board of Direc that the responsibility of the Coun In zine trying to keep pace with the maga industry and changing technology, tryman be assumed by the Department of Extension Teaching and Information (now known as the Department of Com munication) and that the publication be converted into an accredited academic remained points steady. Hardy out recurring articles themes of constants In giving students the chance their work in a real magazine, to see Hardy practices which have become years, center are teaching. a "hands-off" approach to That is, she allows her students a through the "Fun, spring se career mesters, and the all popular sub jects, especially for seniors." Still, Hardy must make sure each topic is "new and differ ent" in order to avoid wide range of freedom in producing the magazine. Hardy reasons that "I don't need to leam how to put out a magazine, they do." Although proach try to she admits it's a an odd ap to running publication, Hardy to said that she wants students out new be able rehashing the same old things and to leam from their news. According to Hardy, the Cornell Countryman "reflects a tme historical picture and viewpoint." She said that the articles dents care are mistakes. To this extent, she does not even look at the final copy for the maga zine before it's typeset. Rather, she trusts the students' judgments, sends the ar ticles written about what stu to one ex about, pointing the in Countryman a ample of the political unrest of the 1960s being reflected in the articles of the time. As the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences the printers, then sees what what works, and what doesn't. In this way, the Cornell Countryman belongs to the class, and it is the class's out to happens, responsibility zine. to deliver a good maga 1988, adopted new design, calls "more With the Hardy looking, and better." arrival of graphic designer one current evolves, so too does the Cornell Countryman. In fact, Hardy said that "The magazine has had to change to Helaine Wasser, the present co-lecturer for the class, this year's issues have featured a more uniform and consistent keep up with the College." She notes that the principal enrollment of the college shifted from farmers to people involved with production agriculture, home eco as design. future, Hardy foresees the magazine moving slowly toward being As for the nomics, and research, the focus of rewarding experience of publica be geared toward students. After 16 years of working with thousands of Cornell students, Hardy explained why she still enjoys being faculty advisor: "Every class is different, which is really interesting. That's why I like teaching tion seems to The produced by desktop publishing. Al though she believes that being able to lay out articles on the computer allows students to explore more possibilities and to be more creative, Hardy insists that the Cornell Countryman "will never become a class in desktop publishing." She says that in the future, "Classes will continue to concentrate on the editing, Countryman articles similarly changed. Today the main audience of the magazine is primarily composed of alumni, students, faculty, and staff, though a number of issues are this class." The proof is in your hands. ■ sent to high a schools and co operative the extension offices. Kris Petracek '92, Countryman, said regular reader of she picks up her by Allan Wai '93 copy of the magazine because she's "in terested in finding out about what's hap in the ag school." Though she prefers the "anecdotal" stories to "latebreaking science pieces," Petracek agrees that the Countryman class is a good ex pening writing and design aspects of the magazine, leaving the legwork of physically putting a magazine together up to the printer." Even though a new class comes in every semester, the quality of each issue perience for everyone. "The Countryman provides a good opportunity for students to see their work in print and write for a specific audience." the Bailey Hortorium THE TURQUOISE ELEVATOR LURCHES upwards. Its trembling slowness and vibrant color show the age of the building: circa 1950. The doors open on the fourth floor hallway, painted a light yellowthe green. Through a door just beside elevator lies a large room filled with 171 cold gray metal cabinets lined in straight At the other end of the hall lies a similar room, but larger and denser, holding 435 cabinets, some that slide rows. knowledgeable in identifying plants, and it helps scientists and gardeners with questions about plant identification. People from around the world send in plant specimens to be classified. The questions concerning identification range from the ordinary: "What weed is this growing in my garden?" to the outra Ed geous: "Is this plant an aphrodisiac?" botanist at the Hortorium, Cope, extension occasionally receives the contents of a horse's stomach. He tries to find the plant parts and identify them to help find out In to 1935, Bailey donated his collection College of Agriculture. His gift nearly 125,000 plant specimens, 2,700 books, the building housing these collections and the land surrounding it, including a garden plot. These were lo cated at Bailey's residence at Sage Place, the included which still stands south of Stewart Av enue between Seneca Street and State Street, several blocks from the Cornell campus. As a condition of the gift, the back and forth With such on tracks to save space. seems surroundings, it hardly likely that the fourth floor of Mann Library contains one of the world's largest col lections of native New York state plants, pressed so they will last forever. Or that the world's largest assortment of seed catalogs dating back to the early 1800s in the Bailey can be found here — why the horse was sick. Another staff University promised to keep the Hortorium facilities at Sage Place while Liberty Hyde Bailey was still alive. The facilities and staff remained there for the duration of his life. to member had to appear in court once to identify the seed that a woman had bro ken her tooth on while eating at a restau rant. Just to one hallway side of the elevator in the leading to the smaller cabineted Hortorium. Behind the wooden doors, the Hortorium holds 900,000 pressed plant specimens. These specimens have been collected for shelves of seed catalogs from over the world that sell seeds and plants through the mail. The Hortorium collections add up to near room are companies all nearly two centuries and housed in the Hortorium for several through 130,000, with issues from the 1830s the present. Gardeners and pro early 1900s botany was devoted plants, not the cultivated plants found in the garden, which were thought unworthy of study. Bailey's views on garden plants were radical for the time. He thought cultivated plants were of equal botanical importance to wild spe cies and tried to move their study forward into the realm of "legitimate" botany. The In the wild types of plant research. The faculty and staff at the Hortorium concentrate on fessionals like Hortorium to landscape architects, can nurs collection he gave to the University was made up mostly of cultivated plants. It was erymen and foresters contact the plants These that as flower, called seed plants, get access to this informa name by the Andrew term reported in Liberty Hyde Bailey Rodgers that Bailey coined hortorium in 1935, when he plants to the opposed to algae or mosses. are helpful in studying the relationships of groups of plants, using state-of-the-art technology like specimens molecular and DNA and fems, tion, for example, to find the of a company that sells an obscure species of plant. Historians also use the collection. donated his collection of comparisons and Today's Hortorium is made up of what fifteen years ago was two separate insti tutions: the computer programs which determine how closely related a group of plants Bailey Hortorium and the Wiegand Herbarium. They both began might be. and before the turquoise elevator was even extremely im portant. Faculty graduate students study not only the relationships of plants, but of even the naming and classification plants newly discovered. "Botanists are still discovering new species all the Taxonomic research is thought of. The first collections of the Bailey Hortorium were compiled pri vately by Liberty Hyde Bailey on his travels throughout the world for his own date back Agriculture. This makes the unique. Upon accept ing the gift, the president of Cornell, Livingston Farrand, suggested the collec tion be called an herbarium, but Bailey insisted differently. "Call it an Hortorium," Bailey said. College name of "Hortorium" "An Hortorium? Where did you get that word?" asked Ferrand. "I comes a confused President time," said Professor Emeritus William These new species must be identified, named and classified in rela tion to other plants. Sometimes plants Dress. have been misidentified in the past. Ongoing research puts them in the right grouping with plants they But more are related to. than research goes on in the ft-ft-ftoyy',. CftTftrir fiftf^'ftftzs. involve inter~ftftft. specimens Bailey's teen years in Michigan. Bailey came to Cornell in 1888 as the first professor of horticulture. He gathered New York state plants here, later expanded to wider frontiers and traveled throughout the world searching for plant specimens. Many of his speci mens were collected during a 6-month to research. Some of the earliest just coined it," Bailey replied. "It from 'Hortus,' the Latin for 'gar den.' It is a repository for things of the garden. It is to be a place for the scientific study of the plants of documentation, their their are the garden their classification and — naming. That is what my wife and I giving you. Not just an herbarium." trip 1,000 miles in into the interior of China Even after donating his collection of plant specimens to the University, Bailey 1917. In 1921 Bailey traveled to ftft-ftftft 7ft f. ;".L1:~ 'ic. Tiic- staff is Trinidad, Venezuela, and Brazil. continued to collect specimens from all over the world. He made these travels at his own expense, but donated the fruits of his travels—the plants—to the Hor torium. His travels took him to Nova Scotia, Cuba, Haiti and throughout the — United States. His last trip outside of the countiy was in 1948 at the age of 90 — collecting 1954. torium rare islands in the jungles Caribbean. Bailey died plants in the of in Another part of what is today's Hor was the first to be founded, the Herbarium This herbarium has Wiegand a young botanist named Horace Mann, son of a famous educator. Andrew Dickson White its roots in die collections of bought the collection when Mann died from tuberculosis. Mann made extensive collections during travels through New England, White's Hawaii and Minnesota, (he took the latter trip with Henry David Thoreau). purchase included more than 14,000 sheets of plant specimens. A sec ond herbarium was started by Karl Wiegand, Cornell professor of botany, in 1913- These two collections were com bined in the 1920s and made a part of the College of Agriculture. This herbarium was named the Wiegand Herbarium and housed in the Plant Science building. Both the Bailey Hortorium and the Wiegand Herbarium moved into Mann The Liberty Hyde Bailey House on Sage Place was the first home new of the Bailey Hortorium. Mrs. a its collections. At least half of the Jamaica, you Bailey challenged, "I thought to specimens come from exchanges with were botanist." Thanks Mrs. about 100 other herbaria around the world. Dirig explained that when one type of plant is collected, several speci mens of it are gathered and the extras are then sent to sharing allows herbaria other institutions. This to broaden their Bailey's off-hand comment, one of Bailey's main objectives on collecting trips throughout the world was to find new species of palms and to classify known palms, a task at which he was very successful. Many of the rooms lining the hallway on the fourth floor of Mann are devoted to Library when the building opened in the early 1950s. The Hortorium collections were kept in the large room on the south end of the building, and the Cornell Herbarium collections the north end of the were range of plant specimens. Another way the Hortorium gets new specimens is through graduate students' and profes sors' research projects. When from various departments like entomology and horticulture are finished people botany, research. Today, the Hortorium is a leader in the field of discovering taxonomic relationships through the use of located on there is still a brass plaque on the building, where "Wiegand Herbarium" wall. Even though the two housed on institutions were the same using their plant specimens, they give them to the Hortorium. The third way the Hortorium gets new specimens is through collections by the staff. Dirig said, "We know the collections well molecular studies. This is a relatively new way of putting plants into groups and deciding how closely related they floor, assistant curator of the Hortorium Bob Dirig said the staff "had such differ ences enough to know where our weaknesses in approach, they rarely interacted." on The Herbarium concentrated wild and the Hortorium studied culti vated plants, and both performed indi vidually the same tasks of research and plants lie, and when something is unique and exciting." He would pick up these miss In ing plants to add to the collection. several years ago Dirig and Cope fact, noticed a plants, preferably plants have similar numbers of parts showing ad vanced traits they are closely related. The door to the large north room of collections closes quietly. Listening closely, sounds from other doors throughout the hallway reveal the gentle are. The DNA of are two live, compared. If the lack of conifer specimens So from answering questions for the public. They coexisted like this for years. more than twenty Finally in 1977 the Hortorium and Herbarium combined into cut today's on Hortorium, costs. plant specimens. Each contributed about 350,000 The collections were primarily to down integrated and filed together, the activi the staff was ties were combined, and the Bailey The curator of united com became curator of the Hortorium bined units. Allegany County, took the opportunity and gathered the needed specimens to fill the gap. Cornell's Bailey Hortorium is interna tionally known for several of its collec tions. The palm collection is one of the take two largest in the world. The palms half of the physical up 171 cases, nearly because palms space in the Hortorium, even when are generally very bulky, himself spent much of pressed. Bailey his life and travels collecting palms and researching their taxonomy. His interest in palms is reputed to have started after teasing from his wife. When he couldn't identify a palm they saw on a trip to New York. they hum of activity behind them: the mur mur of academics discussing research, the thump of boxes containing newbeing moved, the creak of specimens metal cabinets being opened. The elevator arrives and the doors hesitantly part and close again. From the fourth floor of Mann Library, ■ the elevator begins its descent. Hortorium adds Today the Bailey each year 9,000 new plant specimens about to by Kris Petracek '93 17 Belching Ain't That Bad "BURP!" "But don't excuse me," said the cow, adding that "Belching isn't as horrible a problem as most people perceive it to be." Bovine flatulence, which produces meth ane, has been given a bad name by those concerned with the possibility of the green house effect producing global wanning. Some scientists say that blaming cows for producing methane does not reach the major problem carbon dioxide from electric plants, cars and other sources. Chlorofluorocaibons, popularly known as CFC's, prob ably contribute to the problem. CFC's are — released from some aerosol cans, automo bile air conditioners and other sources. Aero sol cans with CFC's are banned in the U. S. but still produced in other countries. Re searchers believe that the CFC's contribute to global warming and also -damage ozone that protects us from ultraviolet rays. So people, not cows, are really the problem. Washington State University scientists have produced preliminary results showing that cows do not even produce as much harmful gas as people think. These researchers join a large number of scientists working on ways to prevent potentially detrimental global warming. Alice N. Pell, an associate professor in Cornell's animal science department, argues that s-cientists have to dispel the rumors. "First," she said, "people must know more about the facts surrounding global wanning. The earth is covered by a layer of gases that absorbs incoming solar energy. The amount " ofthis energy that is reflected back into spa-ce by the earth is, however, determined by the composition and concentration of these gases. Known as greenhouse gases, they include carbon dioxide, methane, CFC's and nitrous oxide. According to Judy Landers, specialist a research support to in the Cornell Global EnvironmentProgram, ifthese gases continue build up, less solar energy might leave the ■earth's atmosphere and there eventually human-induced alteration in global climate, most likely manifested as a could be "global warming." But what's so wrong with that? People could wear shorts more often, right? Landers said that the effects could be a lot Moreover, Pell said that if problems of carbon dioxide and methane production are State and Colorado State "According to some scientists, the year 2050 could bring an increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide and other gases which they estimate would probably cause the average global tem perature to increase between 1.5 and 4.5° Celsius. This could have serious implications for many of the earth's people. Agriculture would be affected, some more serious than that. solved, changing animal gas produc going to make as big a difference as addressing other areas. Sitting in front of pictures of cows in Vermont and a huge portrait of the Mona Lisa with a cow's head, to be tion is not defending them. these scientists aren't leaning cows on their shoulders and patting their backs, they have no objections to them Although burping. ■ Pell said hard." "People don't want to do what's ecosystems or Suggestions for solving the greenhouse problems, instead of blaming the cows, include encouraging legislators to allocate gas Students parade their treasured cows during the annual livestock show. an sp^ecies may die out, and there could be in-crease in natural disasters like floods and funds for research to develop CFC substitutes. Furthermore, people could stop producing so tropi-cal th-ese Some storms." much a What do innocent ol' cows have to do with landfills, gases. cloth garbage leading that has to be put in source of greenhouse at phenomena'1 Well, cow belches are Instead of using paper bags could use the made up ofboth carbon dioxide and methane. people advocate changing the type of feed given to cows so that they will burp less . supermarket, shoppers or string bags, and not put vegetables and fruits in clear plastic bags that will be thrown away. But much more reusable So researchers at Colorado State are on new University important is working types of feed. Scientists Donald Johnson, Mark Branine and Gerald Ward said that while cows usually eat hay and grass, their diet should be 40 percent shelled com if people want them to burp less. Pell said that the amount of methane cows produced and expelled would not be reduced this new feed. very much even if they ate in a cow's diet might affect Drastic saving energy. There are plenty of ways to prevent global warming, Pell said, but everyone wants to blame the cows. Not only that, but Pell said that Washington State University researchers now say that the government and big busi nesses have been overplaying the amount of methane that a new cows produce. changes the quality of the meat. that people Vegetarians counter by saying meat. Pell responds by don't have to eat can survive noting that not everyone alone. And some people cannot vegetables enriched vegetables like le grow proteinclimates. because of unsuitable gumes on Nevertheless, these findings have ignited the cow of surge of debate on the magnitude flatulence problem. Scientists say that if the world wants to prevent global warming, people had better stop their own vices instead of worrying about cow belch ing. Luckily for the cows, they have people like Pell and research teams at Washington by Neeraj Khemlani '92 19 STUDENTS IN THE COLLEGE OF AGriculture and Life Sciences pay between $6,000 and $12,000 per year to attend an world and are ahead of Where people who didn't do it." Ivy League institution, where they expect to receive instruction from some of the most Faculty members in the departments of communication, education and agri cultural economics said that undergrad qualified and respected professors in the teach in the country. But in many courses, their fellow students are up in the front of the classroom, assisting ing. At the same time, these undergraduate teaching assistants (TAs) are receiving the unique opportunity of gaining a practical, hands-on teaching experience that they could not get from any textbook or profit from the teaching experience. Cindy van Es, a lecturer for Introduc tory Statistics, relies on undergraduates and graduates to grade papers, teach sections and hold office hours. "They get a real appreciation for teaching. They TAs lecture. This situation raises the students because hear what goes on on the they other side, what a teacher has to listen to," said van Es, who gives her TAs the option of getting paid or receiving credit. more mature learn to be start to question of who really benefits from the ag college's policy to allow undergraduates to be Do In addition, van Es said that the TAs gain better knowledge of the subject matter and have valuable work experi ence TAs. Who is or getting the most out of a deal where students are receiving money credit for to put on their resumes. office hours tions? Is or grading papers, holding leading discussion sec it the undergrad TA, the teacher or the students in the class who reap the benefits from this agreement? Although faculty members in different departments of the ag college who use undergrad TAs agree that the system works well and provides benefits to everyone involved, disagreement does exist among some faculty over how professors should use their TAs or whether undergraduates should serve as TAs at undergraduates are more predictable. They've taken the course, they've graded for the course, I know their personalities. They know my nota tion. They know how I present things. They know whether they're going to get along with me. They've made a choice to work with me," said van Es, "I never know whether or not a graduate student is "For me, the going to be where I've been good. I've never had it displeased with an un major Kathy van all. Students dergraduate." Agricultural Amos economics one '92, who is of Es' five The ag college is one of the four colleges and schools (College of Human School of Industrial and Labor Relations and School of Hotel Manage Ecology, ment) undergrad TAs this semester said that TAing has improved her communication skills and helped her leam to think on her feet. Another one of van Es's TAs, Scott Goldstein '92, said the experience of teaching has helped prepare him for his at Cornell that undergraduates to be George Conneman, director of academic programs in the ag college, each de partment provides for the option of us ing undergrad TAs by offering a two or three credit teaching course. Students may receive up to a total of six credits for teaching experience. The way TAs are used, however, is left up to the department or faculty member to decide, said Conneman. "It's a very valuable regularly allow TAs. According to planned career. "It's really been joyable experience. I want to an en go to medical school, and it has prepared me for working one on one with people," he said. Senior lecturer Brian Earle '68, MS 71, undergraduate program coordinator and advising coordinator in the communica tion department, has used undergraduate experience. Students go out into the real Belong? TAs in Oral Communication, Business and Professional Speaking, Effective Lis- Earle agrees diat the students who TAs tening and Communication Perspectives. are rience with presentations," said Aplin. gain invaluable experience. "When you teach, you're learning the material twice. There's no question that they [students] become much more com petent in the subject matter. But more importandy they leam some of their own For this reason, other schools Arts at and Cornell, such Sciences, do to colleges and as the College of not allow undergrads be teaching assistants. guidance and discussions about teaching to make it a worthwhile experience. The professor added that he uses his under graduate TAs cautiously because he does not want to sacrifice the class for his students. Lynne Abel, associate dean of the arts college, said, "They [undergraduates] don't have the kind of breadth of ex posure and knowledge in the subject necessary for leading free-form discus quality of the to "The more I usually give them [the TAs] do the more interpersonal strengths. They become prepared for job interviews, they have a greater sense of confidence, they generally become better organized," said better Earle. I get worried about the students in the course and making sure they both sions." get what they paid for and what they However, some with Linda Van Buskirk, a communication lecturer who teaches Scientific Writing for Public Information, Organizational lege disagree faculty in the ag col using undergrad TAs. students also voiced similar opinions on this issue. Rebecca King '92, a government major in the arts college, said she feels more comfortable with Some bargained for," said Posner. Yet Ralph Thompson, senior lecturer and coordinator of the sections for Oral Communication said he firmly believes that undergrad TAs enhance the graduate more TAs because they have much to quality experience and commitment the of the class. The teaching assistants in Public Speaking help run sections, grade Writing and a communication speech outlines and coach seminar, never videotaping said that undergraduates should be used as teaching assistants. "I don't believe that an a rehearsal sessions. "I think the under anybody going to Ivy League institution should be taught amount substantial of the course mate by undergraduates. I think people are paying too much money. They de serve people with a full education, not essentially peer education," said Van Buskirk. The lecturer added that rial 'The people who are doing the teaching are from the same com munity as the people graduate TA is absolutely indispensable. People look at it as a potential dilution of quality in the course, and I don't think it's that at all. I think if anything, it makes Comm 201 a course shoulders over most that's head and other universities' doingthelearning.They understand their their prob stresses, lems and know their resources." having under speech courses," said Thompson. On the other hand, Van Buskirk said she believes that although the under graduates may be very competent, the only ones benefitting are probably the TAs themselves. graduates aiding in the classroom distorts the learning process. "It's a falsification of education to put the burden of edu cation on undergraduates. I think it takes away from the experience of the students as a whole. It reduces their contact with faculty and students, however, they felt that students in the class profited greatly from having under graduates assist in the teaching. "Peer said instruction Both has a dimension that you who are farther up on the edu cational ladder than undergraduate people teaching assistants," she said. some profes college like R.D. Aplin M.S. '51, PhD '59, use undergrad TAs cau tiously. Aplin, who teaches Introduction Sharing these concerns, sors in the ag Business Management, said that he only uses graduate students to teach his to they are teaching than the undergraduates. "It's their [graduate students] field of interest. They're getting a masters in it, and they're focused on it. A lot of under graduates are just being TAs because they're guaranteed a three-credit 'A'," said King, who is presendy taking The Art of Teaching in the education depart subject area which cannot get from supervisory instruction," said Thompson, "The people who are doing the teaching are from the same community as the people doing the learning. They understand their stresses, their problems and know their resources. As students they know them more inti mately than a graduate student or faculty member ever could." added that have the business that undergraduates lack. "It's experience the experience which shows up not only in and understanding of what sections because they ment. Thompson by having stu knowledge they [graduate teaching students] have more experience dealing with people and they've had more expe we're but also George Posner, one of the professors for The Art of Teaching, stressed that the teaching experience itself that students take part in is not enough to justify getting academic credit. Posner said that the dent TAs, the student-to-teacher ratio is lower than in most classes, and students are guaranteed at least weekly one-to- with another member of the staff. "No student is ever deprived of one contact faculty member should provide contact with the professor. It's not a 21 hierarchal arrangement where you have a distant professor and you have a bunch of peons running the sections," said seem to League school like Cornell. According to Kirsten Johnson '92, a Public Speaking TA, "We're coming more from their level. I know that three everyday problems of a Cornell student. I'd recommend it [TAing] to anyone." ■ Thompson. support having undergrad TAs. Posner said that all of the feedback on student evaluations of TAs has been very positive. "Some students that they're getting short may feel . . . prelims in to one day is Students also hard. I'm more connected the normal by Leslie J. Gross *92 changed, never the blind an leading the blind. I've had expression of that though," van said Posner. For the four years that on Es has been using undergrad TAs, their average rating 4.5 student evaluations has ranged from to a 5 out of a total of five points. more a Earle commented that students are much willing to dergraduate with a professor. "The TA approach an un problem than the really becomes a tremendous communication channel be tween the students and the teacher," he said. Van Buskirk, however, disagrees that students should even be needed to serve as a link to the professor. "If that's the case or then the teacher is not fulfilling his her responsibilities as a teacher," said Van Buskirk. Despite the disagreement among fac ulty, ag college students said they appre ciate having undergrads as their TAs because they can relate to students bet ter. "They're more approachable, you don't feel as intimidated. Sometimes they're more understanding. They're more flexible when you have bad crunches," said Pearl Hsu '93, nomics an agricultural eco major. Amitz Julie are '92, a mented that sometimes biology major, com undergraduates easier to understand than graduates. "They are more in tune with what under graduates' questions may be. They may not be as advanced in their studies and talk above students' levels," she said. Although there are different views among faculty members, undergraduate TAs may be just what students need in the high pressure environment of an Ivy :i is one of many ag undergraduates who receives credit for assisting in teaching Oral Communication CII311S CAPSULES Robert E. Robert E. Moody Moody has six years going through piles of infor mation to complete the book on the just completed his history of Rushville. York State Conservation Council Inc. and the New York Power Authority. He is a book, "The First Rushville". graduated from Cornell College of Aits & Sciences in 1918. After graduation Moody intended to be a farmer but die depression forced him to Moody University's College's Experiment Station Making Strides Cornell University's New York State Agricultural Experiment Station in Geneva, NY was presented the Lee director of the American Wildlife Research Foundation and has worked closely with the state's Fish and Wildlife choose a a new vocation. He soon became He and American captivating teacher of world history, English, and Latin. for 34 years at the Rushville and Mddlesex Valley High Schools and taught Hut-chins Award for the best research on diseases of fruit crops in St.Louis, retired in 1962. In 1965 Moody was elected Supervisor of the Town of Gorham. Presently, he is the historian of both Gorham and Rushville. In his book Moody shares the historical material he has gathered during his lifetime of almost 95 years. He addresses aspftects of Rushville life by the American Phytopathological Society. Drs. Roger Pearson and David Gadoury, both members of the Station's department of plant pathology, were honored for their pioneering work on the powdery mildew disease of grapes. Missouri In St. Management Board. Paula Horrigan, a lecturer in Cornell University's Landscape Architec ture Program, has won the Distinguished Teacher Award for Landscape Architects from the National Council of Landscape Architecture. She was elected by her peers for having innovative courses and outstanding student evaluations. Richard L. Quass, professor of animal breeding, received the 1990 J.L. Lush award in Animal Breeding and Genetics from American Breeders Louis, Dr. Dennis Service, a division of W.R. Grace and Co. Quass was cited as an expert in statistical including government, industry, business and the economic influences that took. place during the growth of the commu Gonsalves, a professor of plant pathol ogy at the Experiment Station was named a modeling. fellow of the American Extension Honors Lady Matilda R Cuomo was recognized for her commitment to New York families and for promoting lifelong health among school-aged youth. She First was nity. Every organization, including, social, fraternal, service groups and churches is covered with a history of its origin and the Phytopathological Society. Gonsalves conducts research on problems involv ing viruses that attack several fruit and personalities involved. The book vegetable leader on contains 462 pages and 400 photos and recognized controlling plant viruses. a crops. He is illustrations. This book will be author intended this Dr. Rosario Prowidenti, also a honored as one of two "Friends of this a resource tool for historians, researchers, and teachers. The professor of plant pathology at the Experiment Station was recendy awarded the Meritorious Service Award history comprehensive and a legacy to the people of the area and to future genera to be by the Bean Cooperative Extension" at a recognition banquet on Jan. 8 during year's conference in Ellenville. Cornell Improvement Cooperative. Cuomo initiated the "Nutrition For The award is for tion to the tions. outstanding contribu production and improvement Moody and his wife Oneta have spent many long hours during the last of beans. Prowidenti is a world re nowned virologist, known to many as "Mr. Virus." His work has identified new virus-es and resistances to them in many Life" classroom nutrition program in 1984. The teaching materials us-ed have already helped students in nutrition. more than 2 million more than 4,000 schools develop positive Dr. Helene attitudes toward crops. Other achievements in Geneva Dillard, associate include the introduction of varieties. two new fruit and a sweet They are a strawberry, Seneca cherry named Royalton. Faculty Achievements Harlan B. Brumsted, an associate professor of natural resources, was one of two people to be named the state's Robert E. Moody pathology at Cornell University's Agricultural Experiment Station, was recently awarded a "Special Citation for Extension Faculty." The award was made by the New York State Association of County Agricultural Agents in recognition of professor of plant outstanding contributions to the wellbeing of people in New York and her help and cooperation with coopera Dillard's tive extension programs. pictured above Conservationists of the Year by the New 2^ ■ -.. ft : ■ -Jft ■ Tit iff New York State College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, a Statutory College of the State University, at Cornell University CORNtLL 3 A MAGAZINE OF AND ABOUT THE PEOPLE OF THE NEW YORK STATE COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE AND LIFE SCIENCES UBJURY CORNELL Contents Sunny Side Up? Cozzette 16 Hefty Dana Heifers Lyons '92 Nigro '93 with a Mussels on the Move 18 Village Vision David W. Marston Jr. '92 Melissa Glim '93 Mothers in Aga-demia 20 Something's Brewing in the Basement Jeanne A. Gretchen Leigh Metzger '92 Naujeck '92 Biology Teaching Jill Rackmill '93 101 22 Cate Thompson: Advocate, A-dvisor, Administrator R. 10 Taking Care of Small Business Hollingsworth-Falu '92 Jennifer Perillo '93 About the Issue This issue of the Cou ntryman celebrates people helping people, whether through 12 23 The Rotten World Around Us Jadam Kahn '92 Ag A. PR Gets Top Billing McKiegan '93 technological expertise, educational ad vancement or the caring advice of a professional friend. Within these pages professors help biology teachers and as piring health professionals; an adminis trator guides students of color; a pro gram educates small business owners; agricultural specialists aid farmers; ex consumers on food safety professor inspires his students to study the fungal world. The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences continues to be a source of professional knowl edge and personal support. 14 Prescription for Jill Steuer '92 Success .CORNELL perts inform and a masm March 1992 Volume LXXXIX Number 5 Editors Cozzette Photo Editor Lyons Perillo G. Stewart Dana Nigro Jennifer Mary-Jo Art Directors ReyA. Hollingsworth-Falu Jadam Kahn p. 13— Gibbs and Soell, Inc.; pp. 14, 16, 21, 22— Dana Nigro; pp. 18, 19 EcoVillage at Ithaca; p. Bill Mollison; p. 20 19 Al Concepcion; — — — p. 23 — Melissa Glim. Assistant Editors On the Cover: A. Designed and illustrated by Melissa Glim. The traditional quilt designs used are, counterclockwise from the top: Schoolhouse; Hens and Chickens; Red Cross; Drunkard's Path. Jeanne McKiegan A. Naujeck Layout Staff Melissa Glim David W. Marston The Cornell Jill Rackmill fill Steuer Jr. Gretchen Leigh Metzger Countryman (ISSN 0010-8782) is published six times a year from October through May (combined issues for January and February, and Apri 1 and May) by the New York State College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, 324 Kennedy Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y. 14853. Second class postage paid at Ithaca, New York 14853. Printed by Union Press, Inc. of Endicott. Editorial Staff Melissa Glim, ReyA. Subscription Rates: $10.00 a year; $20.00 for two Hollingsworth-Falu, Jadam W. Marston Kahn, Cozzette Lyons, David Jr., A. years. Postmaster: Send Cornell Countryman, 324 change of address to Kennedy Hall, Cornell McKiegan, Gretchen Leigh Metzger, Jeanne A. Naujeck, Dana Nigro, Jennifer Perillo, Jill Rackmill, Jill Steuer, Mary-Jo G. Stewart. University, Ithaca, N.Y. 14853- Editorial content gathered and written by majors in the Depart ment of Communication. Honorary editor: Ed advisors: ward L. Bernays '12. Faculty Jane E. Hardy '53, Helaine Wasser. Baker noted the occurrence of institutional outbreaks of salmor ellosis among the elderly in KGGS can ing homes and hospitals and the very sick who have weak mune fr nurs among im be de as 140°F for three and a scribed wolves systems. of the recent half to in In light media J J cover minutes sheep's clothing. Innocent-looking eggs could be contamina age of salmonella outbreaks/ /m people to eat are wondering if them. Risk factors one out uncooked with approximately 10,000 eggs even / / it is safe / /show that of x^\. every eggs, bacteria. These pasteur ized kill safe to eat are eggs without is ted ium the once bacter Salmonella enterieaten, illness in known as an tidis, which, can at-risk eggs can safe to eat if people make N. \sure to cook them thoroughly and \\ avoid eat contaminated^^*- But s^^ue \\ salads \\ the fear of salmon ella infection. Baker and his cause ing humans eggs and foods \Vprepared with raw eggs such as cake batters, raw colleagues University formed at Cornell per work have extensive salmonellosis. The follow to are cookie dough, Caesar and ing facts are not panic consumers, intended awareness meant eggnog. eggs can ^\ also the chances of salmonella infec tion in control. Safe practices include but Proper handling of related to the problem of salmonella in eggs in New York state. They conducted a to promote greater of food safety and keep egg survey of New York state farms to find the proper food preparation. Just how do eggs become contaminated with these bacteria? Professor Bob Gravani PhD 75 of the Department of Food Science at SUNNY SIDE ClbS washing one's preparing the eggs prevalence of S. enteritidis. The study used a sample of 46 commercial egg farms repre 80 percent of the eggs produced in the state. One hundred eggs from each farm senting over Cornell the egg University said, was text it was "In the old stated that the interior of along feed None with the were poultry manure and sterile, but knowledge of the window." Scientists cause tested for S. enteritidis. transovarian transmission throws that were found in or on the birds' theory now out know that the bacteria that salmonellosis can chickens and then before the shells "This can first move are a infect to even adult eggs, feed or feces. Cornell has about 8,000 hens which are free of Salmonella enteritidis and the eggs formed. produce at up to 4,000 eggs every day. used for research However, many of the eggs produced Cornell are result in sound Grade A hands before and after eggs, cracks quality egg with salmonella said Gravani. inside," the the is using or Grade A without leaks and in purposes and do not have a great effect on the commerical market. Salmonellosis results The when in storing eggs Baker's in their ingested intestinal bacteria tract. multiply by the main section own original cartons of the refrigerator. at Food vani science scholars like to Gra con and Baker continue illness and studies in Cornell on characterized diarrhea, nausea heat ture tolerance a bacteria have abdominal and of cramps produced set vomiting. Cornell's bacteria but Professor recommendations of time and tempera for cooking insight to the body of knowledge about salmonella in the poultry industry. They hope dissuade unnecessary panic among the public, but they also hope to heighten public to awareness tribute their Emeritus Robert C. Baker, also science food eggs. Scrambled eggs, he said, should be cooked at 250° F for seven minutes department, does death in said not this cause healthy people, from sal death fried over-easy eggs cooked at 250° F for three minutes on one side and two minutes on the other side. An alternative to fresh Grade A eggs are and safety reduce of nesses which the concerning food can greatly occurrence foodborne ill monellosis is pos sible in the very young or the liquid eggs which have been heated to nationally. elderly. by Cozzette Lyons '92 ^w on invaded our the a move SMALL FRESHWATER MOLLUSKS WITH alternating light and dark stripes have lakes and presented problem of immense proportion. Like barnacles, zebra mussels attach to most hard surfaces and reproduce rapidly. Females are capable of producing from 40,000 to one million eggs each during a single spawning can season. Adult mussels grow and form clusters as dense to two inches as long 200,000 mussels per square meter. First sighted in North America in June, 1988, the mussels were probably intro through the bal ships. In less than four years, the mussels have spread throughout the Great Lakes and beyond. They were recently spotted in Seneca Lake and the north end of Cayuga Lake. "They're spreading extremely fast," duced into our waters last tanks of European Two typical zebra mussel shells. said Michael P. Voiland Jr., associate director of the New York Sea Grant algae. Since utilities require a con supply of water, the intake pipes offer a constant supply of food. tinuous Over the next ten years, Sea Grant and New tube within the water intake York, recently installed a small pipe which releases chlorine, one of the few chemi to Program at Cornell University. "If it seems suddenly they've arrived, and sud denly they've became a problem, it's because they have. In biological terms, four years is a very short period of time The Sea Grant Program of Cornell University and the State University of like " . cals known kill zebra mussels. officials estimate that utilities will spend $1.5 billion on the zebra mussel prob lem. "And ultimately," Voiland said, "the power utility or a water utility has to bear to deal with the zebra mussel cost a While that since water is water utilities, might seem reasonable normally chlorinated by Assistant Professor Samuel in the School of Mechani that Landsberger, cal and gets passed water down to the user on your New York funds a number of coastal bills and research studies and its extension pro gram at Cornell provides public educa tion on Nationally, tween on your electric bills." Sea Grant has funded be Aerospace Engineering, said treating unfiltered water with chlorine gives rise to potentially carcinogenic chemicals like trihalomethane which is currently on the Environmental Protec tion $2 and $3 million in research over coastal problems like the zebra the last mussel. According water to brown mussel is Voiland, the yellowa major headache for two years, and some of that money went to professors at Cornell working on the zebra mussel problem, Agency's or list of Even dangerous toxins. though these chemicals have utilities "Either are we known suspected bad side effects, Voiland said. utilities and power plants because it is one of the few freshwater mollusks that attaches to Currently, common chlorination is the most solid objects. Intake pipes vide at water an and power utilities pro ideal habitat for the mussel on and effective way of control ling zebra mussels. Anticipating the spread of the mussels throughout Ca Landsberger said the water essentially telling the EPA, put in the chlorine or you don't water." get any to Landsberger build vrce a i.s yuga which filter- feeds microscopic plants Lake, the Bolton Point Water Treat ment Plant on East Shore Drive in Ithaca, that would pipe-crawling currently working submersible deand clean intake inspect pipes colonized by zebra mussels. The project is funded by Sea Grant and the Erie County Water Authority. "The no tion is to provide an alternative to chemical treatment so there is a safe way of keeping pipes clean without poisoning the customers," Landsberger said. The first prototype, which is near completion, weighs about 100 pounds Even if such the a device becomes a Ontario. They conducted two experi reality, sels crowded ment disposal of dead zebra mus creates a problem at already over landfills. MS ments; in the first, they composted mus sels just as they were when they removed them from the electric Professor Joe M. plant. In the Regenstein '65, Sea '66, of the Depart second, they composted mussels that were Grant-sponsored of Food Science, is conducting research into the ground up in a hammer mill. effectiveness of composting dead zebra mussels in the same way you compost leaves in your Regenstein said the zebra mussel compost from both experiments would be used tend to as a use soil enhancer. "We don't term and is roughly the size of a lawn mower. The device uses a high pressure water jet to blast zebra mussels without damaging the pipe surface, and it may include a backyard. is anaerobic the fertilizer because is not Composting digestion materi the content of nitrogen high that mixes carbon and nitrogen so als with air and moisture that bacteria Regenstein will con duct other experiments with zebra mus- enough," he said. BP^g^BPI^^lPl mU^sM^mktM ■Smm W« g^HpK>.f^..^fc^ HP" Wfflk '"-■-'.ft Se' -*';. -JHw«8fti ;':lBPft^ft. 7m IjL.. jln m&^P> ft^^^Lx pP^^ J^^f^w^mmfBjS% gg^r ^r **^PS r^p v" \% 4s toI^^C^'vj% yffls'''' ft-H ft *"* J wSL 4 WftW^gM ***■' "'7-7~ f^L\ JM mJP^k i*7L 3mtem 7/Jak '' - S$$BBf - ft^^U Sw ■y-yXi Wm iTm A Guild f-s A coMnywny EnTSK A££. CWAN6EP ANP Animals are imte/?a£idr5> oF FLAMT5 AND ANlMAE-5. TREE CoMTRolS H^ALT^ AMD OlEMICAL W£56^6-3 TO TH£ <^HB amp mb^enob^, and distributors of nutri&4t5. ± oxm^ spECIES EcoVillage at Ithaca is considering using permaculture to create an integrated agricultural system. All the elements, such as plants, animals and soil nutrients interact to support each other. Another system the mittee is examining a is as agriculture com permaculture, or Smith described "just good farming," it. Permaculture is people design and create a process by which whole agri as waste can really be useful." example, by first breaking down wastewater using natural systems, nutri ents can be used as fertilizer on hay think of they must pay higher prices more up front for cost- For systems that will be effective and efficient, fields, while animal for waste can can be used as environmentally sound in the long run, while maintaining their commitment to affordable housing and equity. In order to meet these cultural ecosystem. The different ele ments in this technique are interrelated and thus support each other in which chickens feed — for gardens. Methane be used some fuel social cooking and farm vehicles. to a an degree. orchard Walkinshaw described different of the For example, Smith described wastewater treatment systems bugs and fallen eating grass, fruit, thus reducing com trees the group is studying, such as using aerated tanks with floating aquatic plants. In another petition and disease for the while system, designed by Dr. Wil fertilizing the soil and producing quality eggs and poultry. Smith and Jennifer Bokaer feel there are many practical ways to cut waste and reduce the amount of work for the farmer. Creative management of waste prod liam J. Jewell, professor in the Depart ment of Agricultural and Biological En gineering, wastewater runs through greenhouse marshes, cals. in which microbial action cleans the water without chemi goals, EcoVillage at Ithaca is actively looking at ways to fund the project, including seeking out grants, and using economical building supplies. As to whether these ecovillages will spread throughout the country, Jennifer Bokaer affirmed, "It's definitely the way of the future it has to be. People have to change the way they live; they have to change the way they live with the en vironment and the -way they live with — According improving to to Walkinshaw, these each other. And if these we can — do both of that's major concern for EcoVillage at Ithaca. According to Patrick Walkinshaw, an EcoVillage at Ithaca committee mem ber, the group is looking at ways to "close resource loops" by using waste products for fuel and fertilizer. Smith pointed out that, "Many things [people] ucts is a systems while conserve energy and cost less, water quality to levels treatment things ■ at once really great." comparable plants. conventional Members of EcoVillage at Ithaca are working hard to make this community a reality. Financing is an issue because by Melissa Glim '93 jKjZfESB) tk-kfi^^dW?) 19 ARE YOU SEARCHING FOR A NEW nice thing hobby that is creative, inexpensive and satisfying? If your answer is "yes," con sider learning to brew your own alcoholic beverages. Homebrewing beer is easier than you may think. What is more, the beer you make could be the best you'll ever taste. want in is you can put anything you it," he said. Though McLaughlin steeping crushed malt in water to pro duce a sugary liquid called wort. Hops are likes his to experiment with putting fruit in beer, he said that one can make good boiled in the consumes wort to and add flavor and Yeast aroma to preserve, clarify the beer. beer with basic, said D wight Beebe, The processes of homebrewing are so a homebrewer and postdoctoral student in plant biol ogy, that "If you can boil water, you can make beer." For a simple ingredients. ingredients in beer are water, malt, hops and yeast. German beers contain only these ingredients, as mandated by an ancient law, and the The four critical produce when no the sugars in the wort to ethanol and carbon dioxide oxygen is present, Hunter explained. This initial fermenting process takes about young care to a week at room temperature. Next, the brewer adds sugar to the homebrewer can create many varieties of high-quality beer simply by varying Beebe, homebrewing is way to combine his background in biochemistry with his interest in cook ing, which can result in some strange brews like the pumpkin ale Beebe cre ated in October of 1991 Steve McLaughlin . ingredients. The process of brewing is easy to master. Assistant professor Jean Hunter instructs an agricultural and biological engineering course in which students brew beer in a simple lab experiment to amounts the of these beer, fills bottles while taking avoid exposing the beer to air a and allows the beer to condition for week. Conditioning is the process by re which carbonation is created when learn about enzymes and the fermenta tion process. A brewer's first step is vet '91 agreed. "It's a creative outlet. The maining yeast ferments the added sugar. The last basic step in beermaking is to allow the beer to age for several weeks. Homebrewing became legal in the Somethings Brewing in the 20 Basement United States for anyone of drinking age 1978, said Therese Goddard, who, with her husband Bob Goddard, owns the Summer Meadow Herb Shop in Collegetown. The Herb Shop is the only local supplier of homebrewing equip ment and ingredients. Goddard pointed out that the difference between her in then, Beebe has experimented with changes in ingredients and brewing technology. Subsequently, his cost per batch of beer is higher than most brew ers' costs. products and the end result lies in the beermaking process itself. The Summer Meadow Herb Shop does not sell alco hol; the ingredients are food products until they are brewed. Goddard said she became interested in Beermaking is a craft with many levels of involvement and the membership of the Brewers' Union reflects it. Members range from beginners with no equip edge in terms of technical weirdness," according are ment to those who "over the to Beebe, who counts himself among the latter group. He and other members even grow their own yeast. Members brewing 11 years ago friend's suggestion that the through a shop carry to at share their knowledge through the "Adopt-A-Brewer" program, in which are Steep yeast, consumes malt and hops in water. Yeast homebrewing supplies. her customers are She said most of introduced and novices perienced the trade. brewers matched up with more ex to learn the tricks of malt sugars to produce ethanol and carbon dioxide in an airtight container. homebrewing through friends tributes a recent increase in sales to mer Though beermaking is an ancient skill which relies on a natural process, the few years have brought a revival of past interest in homebrewing. Goddard at word-of-mouth publicity about the its of homebrewed beer. Why is homebrewing becoming so popular these days? One benefit is that it is cheaper to brew your own beer than to buy it. A basic equipment set-up costs about $50. After the initial investment, the only cost is that of purchasing in tributed the awareness growing popularity to through word-of-mouth by enthusiastic brewers. "Most realize scale people don't they can make beer on a home until they come into contact with who does," Goddard said. Beebe offered several expla gredients. Goddard said that the cost to produce a batch of beer (about 54 bottles) ranges from $13 to someone Dwight nations. 25 to 50 cents per $25. That's a cost of bottle, compared with com The first is the overall im provement in the quality and variety of 65 cents for mercially More an average bottle of brewed American beer. important for taste. "I some is the dif ference in think the can surpasses anything you Dwight Beebe. "I don't make beer be cause quality far buy," said it's into my cheap. I dump a lot of money ingredients and equipment." ingredients available today, which results in better-quality beer. The second is the economic success of brewpubs and micro-breweries. The third is "a tendency in society to want to recapture the good old days. Before Prohibition there was a brewpub in every town," Beebe said. Whatever the reason After a week, add sugar. Carbonation occurs when the remaining yeast ferments in the added sugar. for the revival of Beebe extends his enthusiasm for, and knowledge of, homebrewing through his involvement with the Ithaca Brew ers' Union, a club of about 90 area homebrewing, homebrewers find the practice of the ancient craft creative and satisfying. Some things, including homebrewing, never do change. ■ homebrewers. The Brewers' Union meets a month to taste brews, share recipes and discuss methods. Beebe said about 30 percent of the members once are affiliated with Cornell, either in graduate studies or faculty positions. Beebe co-founded the Union two years Ithaca from the ago when he came to of Wisconsin, where he had University been a member of a similar club. Beebe's to when, as brewing roots go back 1983, he learned about an undergraduate, homebrewing through a friend. Since by Jeanne A. Naujeck '92 Fill and cap bottles and allow the beer to age for three weeks. CATE THOMPSON Advocate, Advisor, Administrator TO STUDENTS OF COLOR, CORNELL'S and Life Sciences of College Agriculture may seem like an intimidating As ment, but Catherine Thompson '81, sociate Coordinator of Student Services, is environ major universities such as students of color often slip Cornell, through the cracks. But Thompson serves "the ag as a role model and insures that is held responsible for the stu school is do-able." In successfully graduate students of color," and she has taken it visits to heart. Thompson and other where she advises community meetings students and their parents on how to get high schools, churches making it a friendly one. Amid the blur of administrative paper work, the mad dashes for course selec tion and the never-ending demand of scheduled meetings, a student of color can find refuge in the office of this Cornell dent of color population." All the COSEP associates meet weekly, bringing together different experiences to solve common problems, such as students' academic difficulties and low motivation. college education, whether it be at Cornell or elsewhere. Thompson also advocates on behalf of, and votes on, every folder concerning students of color that includes African in the ag college a — Thompson sometimes con Americans, Latinos, Native Americas and Asians. graduate. Thompson, known as Cate to her associates, has been in the ag college for nine years and working sults with Janice Turner, COSEP Associ ate and Assistant Dean of the College of Thompson's role as Associate Coordi nator of Student over only full-time professional per is the son of color in her a has the years to allow her more flexibility. She Services changed department. past under graduate in the ag college, and a As woman is not only counsel ing students, but also making policy of African relate to that decisions, which will have an impact on descent, Thomp son can the lives of of stu- dents color. the problems students of color are experiencing is Thompson working with all ag college depart ments to today. "Having enough money to attend Cornell was make sure always a concern," said Thompson, "but my fit concern. as a students of color are taken care of and well re that Cate Thompson at her office in 140 Roberts Hall. was ceived. "If a to depart Black female also a Arts and Sciences, gain from her 18 ment has You lose your anonymity as a Black student here [Cornell University], It was hard being the only Black person in a years of experience in this field. Not only does Thompson work in the still true students of color, which is today, then I take a look at that no Student Services but she also area a classroom. I know what that is like." plays heavy of the ag college, role in the Thompson has had a history of being admissions office. Dr. Donald Burgett, a department to see what going on there," said Thompson. Nicole Harris, a senior majoring in the Department of Educa tion said, "She was very helpful through out involved in ag college activities dating back to her undergraduate years. "I got involved in ag-related clubs," said Coordinator of Student Services in the ag all four of my years at college said, "Having role in admissions is Cate play larger "I've felt very welcome key. Retention [of Thompson. dor and a She served as an Ambassa Minority Student Advisor, participated in the recruit ment and counseling of students of color. With this valuable experience at her disposal, a year later she became COSEP Associate for the College of Ag where she riculture and Life Sciences. COSEP students of color] is a responsibility of the COSEP associate, and Cate has played strong role in that." The freshman acceptance rate into the ag college has increased this year by 7.1 percent for a Thompson. Establishing a tionship with students is so important to Thompson that she often ventures away from her desk into a dining hall or library just out Cornell." here," said friendly rela to talk to their needs. students of color and find Regardless of whether or Special Educational Projects) offers financial, academic and career counseling for students of color. on (Committee students of color, as compared to a 13.3 percent decrease in the same area for all other schools. With Thompson's input, the school has increased its effort assure she is in the admissions office Student Services, Cate Thompson is an example that hands-on involvement color at to can make a difference in the lives of students of that a bright, qualified fair shake. students of Cornell. ■ color get As a COSEP associate, Thompson must "ag convince every student of color that Thompson's original job description read that she would "recruit, admit and by Rey A. Hollingsworth-Falu '92 22 fHE ROt tEN WORLD AROUND US MOST STUDENTS STUDYING even a THE fungi, level are not studied much in lower their LIFE sciences (and those who aren't), can plant and animal the producers and con kingdoms sumers in the living world. However, — infomiation tell you on the great wealth of Hudler, "We wanted to expose more people to what plant pathologists do, but we courses. According to needed That's what this very few it be that can reveal the — secrets of the Can added, way to show that. is about. Mullin "I hate when people walk along a good own pet slime molds if they wish. Demonstrations on beer, wine and food preparation are the most popular sections and the last day of class fea tures a feast of edible mushrooms and " course beverages prepared by a fungal kingdom we life's the staff. Hudler became interested in fungi as decayers. have a cultural bias against to campus and kick mushrooms. It shows the lack of fungal knowledge in our senior at the University of Minnesota. death and decay, choosing more instead study the "beautiful" forms of culture. Mushrooms are interesting and fun. This class gives people a chance to see After years of floundering around in different majors, he decided to take a course in forest pathology and soon life? Will students always stay away from the mysterious rotten world around them? Not another side of mally do not see." coined biology they nor found his passion for the fungal world. He worked part-time studying tree dis eases according to the people in the Department of Plant Pathology. The department was overwhelmed new '"Shrooms," the course nickname by many students, is different and continued on to get his Masters degree from many other biology courses taught in the ag Minnesota and plant pathology at then his PhD in plant in college. The class consists of with Cornell students' interest in its lectures and demonstration/discussion sections. Lecture pathology at Colorado State University. Hudler currently teaches "Pathology of Trees and Shrubs" and "Plant Disease two-credit course, "Magical Molds," • topics way are taught does in a Mushrooms and Mischievous introduced in the non-threatening the material. The and — one not spring semester 1991 need two years of biology to understand Diagnosis" in addition to '"Shrooms." During a lecture in spring semester 1991, Hudler stated his love for fungus. Now in its second semester, class en rollment is near 200. Professor George William Hudler attributes the popularity of the course to are general off to the fact that, "People in curious about the natural are topics are interesting to everyone's own directly experiences with the world. They in clude fungi as decayers of matter, as pathogens of plants and animals, as related sources as people who gets completely dead tree." Students are beginning to develop the same appreciation for fungus that "I am one of the few excited when I see a world around them and often put courses. by the a high-tech science mind of food (such as cheese) and altering chemicals (such as Hudler has. Zack Rabinor '93 said, "I never realized the importance and in This class has This is low-tech and low-stress class encourage students to take a first step into this obscure world." Peter Mullin, a teaching assistant for the course, alcohol and LSD). Hudler is a great fan of fungus and brings his excitement and enthusiasm to the ethyl pointed out that "There is We a growing interest in plant disease agents and mushroom cultivation. more see lectures. Chris Botnick '93 took the in the spring of 1991 and re called, "I like the way Professor Hudler course relates the material stories and edible mushrooms on the market now than we did a few more and years ago." Most classes in the through personal episodes. The lectures are always entertaining and a good learning experience." "Much of this stuff does until you is not fungi have on our lives. opened up a new world for me." Though the plant pathology department has no follow-up course planned, Hudler suggests that those interested in decayers look into "Field Mycology," "Introduction to Mycology" and "Introduction to Plant Pathology." fluence that For those students who have not yet the taken "Magical Mushrooms," to Hudler to College of Agri on sink in sec expects lectures add more visual aids culture and Life Sciences focus either animal actually see it in person; that other plant biology. kingdoms, protista, monera or The and why a we have demonstration two using slides and movie projec tors, and to write a textbook for the course. ■ tions," Hudler said. teach class of "I also don't like to hundred people a and not meet any of them. This is great way to meet my students." In these sections, students get to view a variety of different fungi ranging from the microscopic species ones. to the much even larger Students can raise by Jadam Kahn '92 JTRYMM CAPSULES Ag Awardees G. David ment Blanpied of the Depart Vegetable Science won the Golden Apple Award for his research on controlled atmosphere (CA) storage for apples. Blanpied's of Fruit and work has led to Veterinary Medicine. The hot line, officially known as the Dr. Louis J. Camuti Memorial Feline Consultation and DiagnosticService, is the only caster poser, illustrator, designer, broad and educator Jack Delano visited campus from February 16-29 as the A.D. White Professor-at-Large. telephone service specializing and 2 to in feline health research a.m. to noon and education. From 9 Delano, whose sponsors included Department of Communication, gave a public lecture, "Art for the improvements in CA 4 p.m. eastern time, Mon can Goodness Sake: Politics and Devel storage technology, which preserves apple quality even after months of storage. The award, day through Friday, 1-800-KITTY-DR to callers dial opment studied in Puerto Rico." was speak with Dr. Delano born in Russia and presented to Blanpied by the Western New York Apple Growers Association and the New York Cherry Growers Associa tion, praised his work for its impor tance to the apple industry. Wheat and grass research won David L. Grunes the title of Senior James R. Richards. Questions frequently art at the Pennsylvania 1946. His center Academy of Smithsonian Years of Fine Arts but has lived around infectious diseases or behavioral problems. When in Puerto Rico since exhibit, and on a "Contrasts: Forty in Richards, a doctor of veterinary medicine, cannot answer a question alone, he consults with one or more of the 25 faculty members in the vet college who are affiliated with the Feline Health Center. Answers also available are Change tour. Puerto Rico," is to Continuity three-year national talents Delano has used his Research Scientist for 1991. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricul tural Research Service prompte social change and development in Puerto Rico, and to portray Puerto Rican culture. Delano was presented the through experts at the general manager of award to Grunes for his work with Cornell-based New York State Puerto Rico's first television an station, one grass and wheat pasture tetany, a magnesium deficiency disease that sheep. The title recognizes Grunes, a professor in Department of Soil, Crop and Atmospheric Sciences, as the top senior scientist in ARS's North affects cattle and the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. The service will answer simple questions free of charge; more complex inquiries, those that require consultation or important figure in Puerto Rico's rural development program and of its earliest film directors and producers. diagnosis, cost $25. Atlantic states. Region, which includes 12 Assistance for Rural Areas A new International Economy Paid sor in the Eberts, an associate profes Department of Rural won an Rural Alliances Initiative Sociology, Innovator Award from the New York State Association of Counties. Eberts earned the award for his organization of the Social Trends and Outlook Conference, which allows academics and tioners issues. to developed at Cornell targets unem ployment and decreased standards of living in New York state's rural areas. agreement between and the Universidad Nacional Pedro Henriquez Urena (UNPHU) will foster closer links between educational institu Cornell An international University The Initiative unites Cornell tions in the U.S. and Latin America. practi discuss racism, welfare and other policies, child abuse Cooperative Extension with regional planning agencies and county-level government associations. Together, they will provide educational and technical assistance to local govern ment officials and other community leaders. This assistance will help rural areas The agreement, established between the Departments of Natural Resources the major Cornell and UNPHU, private university in the at Phoning in for Felines Pet owners, veterinarians and others with cat curiosities can now have their questions answered over the standing plans. evaluate their economic and develop improvement Republic, concerns ecological conservation and sustain able development. Both UNPHU and Cornell will advance ecological concerns by supporting student and faculty exchanges, training programs and collaborative interdisciplinary research efforts. In institutions will Dominican phone, thanks to a consulting service provided by the Cornell Feline Health Center in the College of Delano Visits Campus Photographer, film-maker, com addition, both develop mutually supportive graduate curriculum development efforts. New York State College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, a Statutory College of teg^J^Xto'^Csi^t^Cornell University ty CORNELL ill ALBERT R. MANN LIBRARY MAR 0 5 m< A MAGAZINE OF AND ABOUT THE PEOPLE OF THE NEW YORK STATE COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE AND LIFE SCIENCES ITHACA, NY 14853 CORNELL Contents 3 Shades of the Past Jeanne A. 14 Perfect Timing Gretchen Naujeck '92 Leigh Metzger '92 4 The Great Indoors Jill Steuer '92 16 Picture This Cozzette Lyons '92 Into 6 4-H for the FutLire A. 18 Slimming Spring McKeigan '93 vs. Jennifer Perillo '93 8 Ecology Economy ReyA. Hollingsworth-Falu '92 Back in the Barn David W. Marston Jr. '92 20 Underwater Indicators Melissa Glim '93 About the Issue 10 22 Time for a Change Jill Rackmill '93 Spring is an exciting period for students, faculty and staff at the College of Agri culture and Life Sciences. This issue of the Countryman is dedicated to spring 12 Art for Goodness' Sake Dana Nigro '93 23 Commencement Blooms Mary-Jo G. Stewart '92 everything it has to offer. This a change in elm trees as well as a new listening device for bird enthusiasts. Art also brings change in this issue accompanied by the changing face time and spring brings .CORNELL of the 4-H program. The issue also fea tures the Big Red Barn, changing biol ogy, tors. sheep births, Returning to the economy and some the underwater indica ecology versus COUNTRYMAN April/May 1992 Volume LXXXIX Number 6 Editors Rey A. lighten weight spring theme, we piece on losing for springtime and finish with it up with a the Art Directors Hollingsworth-Falu A. McKiegan A. David W. Marston Jr. Dana Jeanne Naujeck commencement ceremonies. Nigro Assistant Editors Melissa Glim On the cover: Jadam Kahn Cozzette Lyons Layout Staff Jennifer Perillo Jill Rackmill Jill Steuer Wood; p. 23—Aardvark Studios; p. 24—N.Y.S. Agricultural Experiment Station, Geneva. Art work: pp. 4,14 Jadam Kahn; p. 9 Ann Peters, CUSLAR; pp. 10,11— Dana Nigro; p. 18—Jill Rackmill; p. 20 Cheryl Hughs (reprinted from The Journal of the Kansas Entomology Society.) — — — The Cornell Countryman (ISSN 0010-8782) times a is published six May Artist Jack Delano captures the beauty of Landscape in his 1981 photograph "Early morning in the valley the Puerto Rican Photo Editor Gretchen year from October through (combined issues for January and February, Leigh Metzger of Cayey, Puerto Rico." as a Delano, known educa commu and April and May) by the New York State College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, 324 Kennedy Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y. 14853Second class postage paid 14853. Printed by Union Endicott. at Ithaca, New York Co., Inc. of for his talents tor, photographer, profiled on Press broadcaster, filmmaker and is Editorial Staff Melissa Glim, ReyA. Hollingsworth-Falu, Jadam Kahn, Cozzette Lyons, David W. Marston Jr., A. nity developer, and 13. pages 12 Subscription Rates: $10.00 a year; $20.00 for two years. Postmaster: Send change of address to Cornell Countryman, 324 Kennedy Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, McKiegan, Gretchen Leigh Metzger, Jeanne A. Naujeck, Dana Nigro, Jennifer Perillo, Jill Rackmill, Jill Steuer, Mary-Jo G. Stewart. gathered ment 14853. Editorial content in the Depart of Communication. Honorary editor: Ed N.Y. and written '12. by majors Faculty ward L. Bernays advisors: Jane E. Picture Credits: Cover, Jack Delano; p. 3 Department of Manu scripts and University Archives; p. 7 Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County; p. 8—Quentin D. Wheeler; pp. 10, 11—Bruce Wang; Cornell Labora p. 12—Jack Delano; p. 16, 17 tory for Environmental Applications of Remote Sensing; p. 19 John Valentino; p. 21 Susan L. — — — — — Hardy '53, Helaine Wasser. It is the policy of Cornell University actively to support equality of educational and employment opportunity. No person shall W denied admission to any educational program or activity or be denied employment on the basis of any legally prohibited discrimination involving, but not limited to, such factors as race, color, creed, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual to age, or handicap. The University is committed maintenance of affirmative action will assure programs which preference, the the continuation of such equality of opportunity. 2 Shades of the Pnst OUS CORNELL HAS UNDERGONE NUMER changes in the past 40 years, but have drastically affected of the campus so much as the beauty death of its 800 elm trees. Majestic elms once graced the campus from Central perhaps none the Avenue to the ag quad, making Cornell university," as described in .-4 Century at Cornell pub lished by Tlftie Cornell Daily Sun. But the the "once most beautiful elms fell prey to diseases that have all but wiped out the American elm Dutch elm disease and elm yellows. — fitting to speak of Dutch elm epidemic because it infects and decimates whole populations of trees, including Cornell's once magnifi It is more disease as an arbors. George Hudler, associate professor in the Department of Plant Pathology, said that the disease was first cent The is identified in this country in Ohio in 1930. particular outbreak which hit Cornell thought City, to one have York of the first originated in New major disease centers in the country, Hudler said. Dutch elm disease spreads rapidly from Agents of infection are the native and European varieties of elm bark beetles, which spread the fungus tree to tree. Shading the way to another was Uris Library: Elm trees used to line the sides of Central Avenue back in the 1940s. disease, elm yellows, which said that the American elms within a disappeared today is a first identified in the United States frame of about ten years and the of them on Ophiostoma ulmi breeding eased in through their habit of already weakened or dis elms, said Hudler. Emerging from the wood loaded with spores of the fungus, newly-matured beetles then fly during the 1800s. According to the Co operative Extension leaflet "Dutch Elm Disease and Elm Yellow," yellows is only few to trace campus some seedlings. Though European healthy trees to feed and deposit their deadly cargo. to The beetles affect only certain variet ies of elm trees. Of those, the American variety which grew at Cornell is the most susceptible to the disease. Almost every American elm that is exposed to O. ulmi dies from Dutch elm disease, Hudler said. Infected trees can distinguished by its cause, mycoplasmalike organisms, and by its method of transmission, the leafhopper. Leafhoppers become in fected with the yet-unidentified patho gen by feeding on the phloem of leaf veins of infected trees. They disperse as adults to live in and infect healthy elms. Elm yellows spreads more slowly than Dutch elm disease and is from Dutch elm disease and Asian elms show greater resistance elm diseases, Cornell's American elms have been relatives, different But replaced by zelkovas, elm the arts quad, and by many tree species on the ag quad. on the grace and majesty of the American elms have not been Time and replaced. disease- technology will tell if the elm a more will return to campus in resistant variety. Until then, the elm will localized be remembered nostalgically for making most be saved, but the disease must be detected early. Often infected branches must be removed, and the tree must be treated with fun geographically. Symptoms may occasionally be halted otic cure. of yellows Cornell the "once beautiful uni with antibi versity." ■ injections, but there is no permanent Unfortunately, the American elm is to gicide and insecticide to kill the patho gen and control the beetles, said Hudler. The most important step is to remove all traces of affected elms from the area so susceptible both diseases, and Hudler said that the tree is not likely , to survive much past the shrub stage. Robert Mower '56, PhD '6l in the a professor beetles and are deprived of a ground were to mate Department of Floriculture and pick up O. ulmi. Some of Cornell's elms killed by Ornamental Horticulture, was on cam pus when the last elm died in 1977. He by Jeanne A. Naujeck '92 3 The "IT'S LIKE BINOCULARS FOR YOUR ears." A riddle? Not exactly. Brian A. Fenner, a manager with the Cornell Laboratory's nature shop and catalog] would sell. We suggested several different types of microphones for his device," Grotke said. University Traffic Bureau and part-time inventor, has created a device that pro vides people with a new way to hear birds sing. He and other business-minded Cornellians are now watching the out come According to Grotke, the Laboratory sound technicians advised Fenner to use microphones which could resist the rigors of weather year round and also be sensitive enough to pick up wanted sounds without transmitting background weather noises that could interfere with bird calls. Grotke said Fenner's device had to be frequency fine-tuned to accommodate the many facets of bird sounds. "Bird song is very demanding," Grotke said. "Birds, sing over a wide range of fre of a business — plan based upon a simple premise enhancing the nature lovers' experience can spark profitable enterprise. Back in 1988, Fenner built the first prototype of his NatureSong™ remote nature transmitter device to sell to bird enthusiasts. Fenner's invention was an electronic box which could be installed near a feeder to send outdoor bird calls into FM stereo a quencies. Their singing starts with a receivers in people's homes, much as music. radio station transmits rapid impulse, and they can produce different tones simultaneously. Birds can also be very elusive. You can't tell to aim at the microphone." a bird Fenner said his device neat solution to an old presented a problem. When friends, birdoff from the watching their feathered lovers often must remain trapped behind windows and walls, cut According to Fenner, the current mi crophone system is a gem. "When I first hung it next to my bird feeder, I could hear birds' wings fluttering, seeds snapping in their beaks. You crow symphony at of calls which birds outdoor feeders. new the outdoors whole Fenner's produce "NatureSong™ brings indoors for people it's a — can dis tinguish device, a a from a robin with the cardinal from experience," idea Fenner said. Once installed a jay," he said. outside, the battery- Cornell's Laboratory first took shape at of Ornithology in operated device transmits bird calls to FM receivers located up to 50 feet away Ithaca. There he noticed the microphone from the box. Armed with a system through which the bird calls from the outdoor feeders enter the Laboratory's indoor viewing room. solid technical design, Fenner turned next to the Cornell Re Fenner decided to consult the experts at the Laboratory to help him determine the best technical which had design for his device. glass through their hardwired system. I thought something similar could work inside my own "I heard the birds outside the Incorporated (CRF), helped patent some of his past inventions, to help develop the device. "Development of NatureSong™ took a lot of time and money," Fenner search Foundation said. "I couldn't have without the accomplished it Robert the house," he said. Grotke, a sound engineer of the CRF office." Richard Cahoon, assistant director of help at ornithology laboratory, said he and others at the Laboratory have consulted with bird researchers across CRF, said Fenner's invention caught his eye for its potential marketability and the inventor's passion behind it. But, Cahoon said, he and Fenner both knew that the device's commercial develop ment the world but regarding sound recording devices, was Fenner's grassroots project for the Laboratory. "He unique needed to follow a clear-cut — mar [Fenner] approached the Lab of to keting strategy. "We didn't call the shots Brian did," Ornithology something work jointly to develop [the Cahoon the Crow's Nest explained. "We [CRF] had a supportive, advisory role in commer- Great INdoors cializing to the invention." met Cahoon was too with the director of CRF a then worked with Joseph G. Zonin '91, student in his small business course, to Fenner said Hudson, the project to gave Zonin a chance the discuss Fenner's device. The design obvious to win a patent, Cahoon so help plan. develop a solid business apply his education to tackle types of marketing problems that explained, ing they focused as on Fenner's invention develop an original, high-quality device, not a toy. "It was a marketing problem, pure and simple," Cahoon said. He explained that while inventions do not always need patents to personal enter prise class to speak about his device," Hudson explained. "Joe selected it to work on. Brian's big question was how came "Brian face real-life business entrepreneurs. into my Fenner said although NatureSong™'s sales suffered a delay due to the wait for Federal Communication Commission be successful, market matters — position definitely similar an inven marketplace. Joe was able to draw on his knowledge and experience to help Brian come up with a business plan." to get it into the the approval (just granted in January 1992), coming year promises good business. "I'd like to sell 500 units this year," tion should enter the market ahead of products in order to establish recognition among consumers. Cahoon first analyzed the market for nature my contacts." His strategy includes finding a sales representative to introduce NatureSong™ to retail stores throughout the east coast. on Fenner said. "It depends Fenner's invention and discovered that He also hopes to place the device in a Maryland store owned by The Nature Company in May 1992. upscale seemed catalog businesses promising. He and Fenner then sent promotional information and pho tos of the device to potential customers. Cahoon said he and Fenner also discussed ways to improve the device's market attractiveness. "Brian's version was "I heard the birds outside the glass through their hardwired system. Crow's Nest Heather Gerhart, the manager of the Birding Shop at the orni said thology laboratory, now NatureSong™ at appears on page five of the Crow's Visitors to the Nest Spring/Summer 1992 catalog Ithought something similar could work inside my own house." $119 for non-members. ugly, Wood housing metically] for the device, but I told Fenner to maintain the highest quality in but it worked," Cahoon said. was much better [cos ornithology laboratory can also see the device on display in the shop, Gerhart said. Debbie Wood, an employee at the the electronic guts of it." After trial and error, Fenner created the final high-quality cedar wood box, Crow's Nest, said she plans to purchase the device for her elderly mother, who cannot better see well, so her parents can enjoy the birds at their feeder. "It which included screw-eye for inner a rust-proof solid brass hanging and a plastic picks Zonin researched the nature up the birds up on fairly sharply for its protect the parts from The device's "facelift" also included a new name, which Cahoon himself coined. Fenner and CRF filed for a trademark in the summer of 1991; casing to and retail reach Hudson's store business to catalog identify and Under price," Wood said. and pick "It's easy to install the radio station." a weather damage. NatureSong™ is now Fenner's logo. Cahoon explained that CRF takes special interest in helping industrious inventors like Fenner to develop and market their ideas — ideas which range from new chemicals to lasers, supercon ductors and new varieties of grapes and potential supervision, Zonin drew up a business plan, which Fenner then ap plied to his distribution company which handles NatureSong™. According to Hudson, NatureSong™ presented some unique challenges to himself and Zonin, due to its high qual ity workmanship and $179 retail price. "It's a costly device," Hudson said of NatureSong™ "The cost positions it in a customers. Wood said she herself has heard variety of birds with the device. she In fact, her hopes NatureSong™will help the detect the tiny, elusive warblers' seasonal apples. Following CRF's development help, NatureSong™ was next taken on by Michael Hudson, director of the Cornell Personal Enterprise Program which is housed within the Department of Agri cultural Economics. Cahoon told Hudson about Fenner's new device. Hudson very restricted market." Another question, Hudson was ornithology laboratory. profits will return for Fenner's company as surely as the spring birds, Fenner said that he and his family will continue to enjoy the two NatureSong™ transmitters installed in their own home. "I get personal pleasure from it," he said. "I just click the stereo return to Whether or not added, version button on and listen to the birds." ■ whether a second cheaper of the device would be profitable. "Use was a difficult issue to address," he said. "We tried to exhaust alternatives to get a sense of where it could go." Aside from valuable help to Fenner, by Jill Steuer '92 -) 4-H4THEFUTURE THE MOST APPROPRIATE DESCRIPtion of 4-H in 1992 would be "head, heart, health, hands... and change." Cornell Cooperative Extension has been making exciting changes in its 4-H cur culture while planting the three sisters, bers and it is tive important that the coopera agents take from the to will be discussed. Eames-Sheavly is hoping that the children will realize the of agriculture in the estab extension importance programs what is applicable county," said Eames-Sheavly. Some newer their riculum. "The program is no longer limited to teaching kids how to milk cows and lishment of the Iroquois culture. "The Three Sisters" also introduces the children to the concepts behind the cook," said Marcia Eames-Sheavly '83, extension support specialist in the De partment of Fruit and Vegetable Science at importance of plant breeding and genetic diversity. "This program goes beyond just teaching the kids how to plant the seeds. It teaches them about another culture and ties in scientific concepts which are 4-H programs have been for their local re Gruttadaurio volunteers to develop gion. programs locally for Tompkins County Cooperative Extension and is Cornell's designed specifically Cornell University. Donald Rakow MPS 4-H natural resource program developer. Gruttadaurio has chaired the success ful 4-H Natural Resources Appreciation 76, PhD '87 and taught in school," Eames- Joann Gruttadaurio 73, MPS 78 both work in the Department of Floriculture and Ornamental Horticulture. All three are Sheavly said. Program for Tompkins County since 1980. For three days, Buttermilk Falls. Robert H. Treman and Falls state to "Grow With the Flow: Hydroponic Gardening den in the has teaches in the Classroom" and "Gar "Grow with the Flow" members of the 4-H Plant Science City" are two programs Rakow method of growing plants Taughannock parks, along with Cornell and six other sites, host anywhere from 1,200 1,400 Ithaca school children for les sons Curriculum Development Committee at Cornell. This committee works with supported. a new provided by gained volunteer instructors Cooperative Extension agents from in water instead of soil. It explains how food concerning the gram has Last year we environment. "The pro developing programs Eames-Sheavly, Rakow and Gruttadaurio specialize in programs dealing with plant science and natural and goals for 4-H. resources. around the state hydroponic gardening in areas can create that, due soil, ordinarily sustain poor soil or lack of would not be able to to plants. to offered an The program will be all 4-H clubs and school-age so much popularity. had 900 school children sign up on the first day their teachers received the registration forms," said Gruttadaurio. The three have made effort to children. It could be used urban 4-hers who do soil not extensively by have as introduce programs which will give 4-H members and other youth a more in- much Volunteers, students and the business community have enabled the program to depth understanding of science and how it applies to their lives. The latest pro grams are more complex than some of the older ones. "Our newest programs have the children doing fun projects which also teach them about other cul tures, new scientific discoveries and their environment," said Eames-Sheavly. to work with as their suburban and rural counterparts do. "Grow With The Flow" ties into the "Garden in the City" program which grow larger than other 4-H natural resource programs in the state. Fifty different lessons will be offered this year and the teachers select the three their in 1987. "Garden in the City" teaches urban children how to use small plots to make a vegetable garden. "The began "The Three- Sisters" is program has the capacity to teach urban children an approach to hydroponic gardening Exploration, Recycling and Equine Extravaganza just a few of the many offerings. "This 4-H program is related school's science to students will participate in. Ecology Sources and Conserva The Four R's of tion, Stream Webs, Energy are a new project implementing this year. 4-H members and other children will learn how to grow corn, beans, and squash which comprise the three sisters in Iroquois culture. However, the pro gram does not stop there. The students will also learn about the cultural im Eames-Sheavly is different from the one they learned in the 'Garden in the City' project," Rakow said. the curriculum," Grutta is that daurio said. "The big difference Discovering programs which can be adapted to fit the needs of different 4-H clubs across the state is important to the will be used and we the lessons encourage discovery of our out natural resources through actual ■ door experience." committee. "We expect that the programs differently in each county encourage this. Each county portance of corn to the Iroquois. Customs and stories, which evolved in the Iroquois provides different resources for its mem by A. McKiegan '93 6 Tompkins County 4-Hers try to avoid getting wet as they participate in the Tompkins County Natural Resources Appreciation Program. ECOLOGY THE RESURGENCE OF ENVIRON- mentalism in the world seems like Mother Nature's dream come true. Due to the growing demand for energy and tech technologically advanced society. But something had to be done to take care of the earth. Middle ground had to be found." nology, the earth has increasingly become a wasteland. Chlorofluorocarbons ozone (CFC's) destroy the layer and ground is called "sustain development" which tries to pro mote technological growth while mini The middle able "Sustainable theoretical. pollution threatens the world's oceans, vegetation and animal inhabitants. Realizing these dangers, countries are taking action. In 1972, 113 of the world's nations discussed environmental issues at mizing relies its effects on the environment. It economized Stockholm and drafted the first — large global interdependence and technology; some compa nies are making moves toward this po sition now. "Sustainable development is theoretical. Implementing policies is on development is Imple menting policies is hard." scale international report on development and the environment on vs. hard," said Nogueira. Policies are now the Founex Re being tested on third port. At the forefront of the discussion environmentalism was "frontier economics". "deep ecology" world countries, and this has Nogueira, a Brazilian native, fuming. "The first world on claimed, "The third world the main ones messing up the environment." However, statistics countries are David Duke wants to practice its theories out "Environmental problems must be defined historically. The relationship between man the third world. They are saying, 'Do what we say. Not what we do.'" But researcher Pollock Shoe in 1988 show that first world countries contribute 84 percent of the CFC's to the compiled by and the environment is a Republican presidential candidate atmosphere, while third world countries problematic one, but must be discussed," explained Jorge Nogueira, Visiting Fel low in the Department of Agricultural Economics at Cornell University. Nogueira is a professor in the De partment of Economics at the University of Brazil. He has been dealing with the when he the "ecology/economy" question since 1978, completed his PhD thesis on economics of natural resources conservation at the University of London. Nogueira explained that environmental growth is protection involves trade-offs between economic and ecology. Frontier economics economic prosperity without consideration for the Human dominance over ecology. are nature, material all realization, and pro-growth goals themes of frontier economics. Deep ecology is diametrically opposed the economic themes. Harmony with nature, biospecies equality, opposition to growth and small scale technology are all ecology themes. "There are many to are things about economy and ecology that directly opposed," explained Nogueira. "Industrialized countries re garded deep ecology as a bad joke by third world countries. was Eco-development to sustain a impossible when trying s s. ECONOMY think the economic contribute only 16 percent. Nogueira explains that first world countries are logic behind dump we ing a load of toxic waste in the lowest trying to control the resources and policies of the poorer countries. "When the English and the Swedish destroyed all their forests, they didn't ask us what to do," said Nogueira. "Now they are trying to save our Amazon wage country is impeccable and should face up to that." minister of Brazil said in a the smallest ten percent of the farmers owned 2.4 percent of the land, while the richest ten percent owned 45.8 percent. Joao Paulo Dos Reis Velloso, planning 1972 interview can . . . in The New York come forests. The Times, "Brazil the importer of pollution. a be Amazon puts more carbon dioxide into the air than oxygen. It's a big waste not? We have lot left to Why pollute. They produced more goods! equal economic distri bution create more balanced production from land, thereby increasing benefits to world ecology? Nogueira said yes. "If Would a more But the poorest poverty, and the environment, were land." But some world leaders still feel that [developed countries] don't." Nogueira explained that environmen tal problems are related to poverty. While he lectures in the United States, he uses Brazil as a case study. According to statistics released in 1991 problems to everybody, it would be solved in 24 hours. The wealthy must push to improve ecological standards. must third world countries should take the blame and the Third world elites understand that responsibility. In the February 8, 1993 Lawrence issue of The Economist, Summers, chief economist of by Sant'Ana, in the World Bank of view a said, "... From this point given amount of health-im in the 1989 the poorest 20 percent of the Brazilian population received a 2.3 per centage share of the household income, while the richest 20 percent received 67.5 percent. In 1980, according to Al empowered to gain ecological goals. When we speak of sustainable development, to whom are we speaking? We can't have it for the must the poor be richest 20 percent. My priority is to pairing pollution should be done country with the lowest cost, which will be the country with the lowest wages. I design policies percent." Is there an to benefit the poorest 20 buquerque and Nicol's 1987 research, effective middle and ground frontier de between deep ecology Nogueira is economics? The issue is still being bated. But sure that third Distribution Of Income Within The Brazilian Population--1960 to 1989 world countries should decide their own futures. Whichever position they adopt, it should benefit their poor people. "The money from the World Bank is not going to Percentage Share of Brazi Poorest Class Year 's Total Household Income solve this world problem," said Nogueira. Middle Class Richest Class (bottom 20%) 3.5 3.2 (middle 60%) 42.1 (top 20%) 54.4 62.7 61.0 1960 1970 1981 34.1 36.1 34.0 eco-villages be a pos "Eco-villages are closer to deep ecology," said Nogueira. "Third world countries have been living in ecovillages for four centuries." These countries are trying to reach the point where they can have the luxuries of Could massive sible solution? 2.9 2.8 2.5 2.7 solar energy, automobiles and industri alization. 1983 1985 1987 1989 63.2 64.1 63.3 67.5 Whatever the that answer is, it is obvious not 33.4 34.0 30.2 with deep ecology will feed and 2.3 \ advance these third world countries, and frontier economics will not further the merits of a clean healthy earth. Source: Sant'Ana (1991) Table 2 p.7. Reprinted permission. Nogueira and others are looking for the Perhaps sustainable develop an ment is the answer. Imagine that movement sponsored by ecology answers. — Mobil. ■ i by Rey A. Hollingsworth-Falu '92 IT WAS BUILT IN 1874 TO SERVE AS A An carriage house for Cornell President drew Dickson White. Later it became an automobile garage. But the biggest change occurred in 1955 when it was renovated and named the Big Red Barn. Cornell trustee Allan H. Treman '21 and other alumni funded the renovation and used the Barn as a place to socialize. to The Henty was located in the lounge of Sage Hall and named after Henry W." Sage whose portrait hangs over the fireplace in the lounge. Although widely used, Boedo said The Henry was too small ate to meet the needs of all the gradu and professional students. After an $830,000 renovation project, Sandwiches were served for alumni prior football games and other athletic events. The food service expanded in 1981 when the Barn began offering lunch service to the entire Cornell But in December community. of a new 1989, after the opening facility named Trillium, dining Barn shut down. more the Big Red Today, Barn than two years after the closed, Trillium is overcrowded. Unable to find seats, many students sit on the floor or eat their lunches else where. So it may not come as a surprise that in February 1992, the Big Red Barn reopened to as a Cornell "You don't feel like a cow Dining facility. coming in a graze, you actually a feel like human Victoria coming A. in to have meal," said Blodgett, This time manager of the Big Red Sharon Boedo, former manager of The Henry, speaks during the Big Red Barn opening day ceremony. Barn. is more around, however, the Barn than just another dining hall to at the Big Red Bam became the new lessen the crowds Trillium. The Barn BACK IN renovated Big Red at newly replaces The Graduate Center. and Professional Student Henry In as the Graduate and Professional Cornell. mem "Our focus is really as a supportive Student Center bers of The 1990, the graduate student atmosphere for graduate and professional students as they go through their aca demic careers at Henry Steering as a Committee identified the Barn for graduate activities. possible space They petitioned adding that the open to the Cornell," Blodgett said, Big Red Barn is actually entire Cornell community. President Frank H. T. Rhodes and Pro vost Maiden C. Nesheim for permission THE BARN 10 funding to renovate the facility and a graduate student union. "The graduate and professional stu dents didn't really have a place of their own on campus," Blodgett said. "They make it didn't have - and "As much as RPU is only for under graduates, and as much as Noyes is only for undergraduates, the Big Red Barn is only for graduates," Blodgett said. "We don't ask for ID when you come in here and we don't ask for proof of student status." Straight or an RPU those are all designed for the undergraduates Sharon Boedo, graduate student a Noyes " . or a Willard Big Red Barn has two main functions, Blodgett explained. From 7:30 AM until 2:00 PM, Cornell Dining serves The continental breakfast and lunch. At 2:00 staff take member of the steering committee, formerly manager of The Henry, the closest thing to a graduate student union on was PM, Blodgett and the graduate student over and provide snack ser vice until campus. closing at 11:00 PM. Blodgett and the fourteen members of her staff also graduate arrange programs for students at the Big Red Barn. Blodgett article was said a incorrect when it previous newspaper suggested was a which oversees the administration of the Graduate student groups are invited to hold meetings, dances, parties and other social functions at the Barn. A recent speaker from California ad dressed the issue of intercultural and Big Red Barn, also participated in the that the Big Red Barn bar for students. "There is no bar," she said. "And right now the beer's locked up in the office and no one can get it." If beer is made available at the Barn, graduate renovation process. She said converting the second floor into an open mezzanine level added about 60 seats to the floor plan. able the In dating and marriage. Blodgett noted that this subject is of particular interest to graduate students since there are interracial couples in the graduate interracial Blodgett said, "It'll be a mobile keg unit that will sit by the cash register and graduate students will be able to buy a cup of beer and that's it. You will not get choices of beer and undergraduates will not This additional seating makes the Barn to better accommodate the needs of community. In contrast to other graduate and professional students. addition, the Barn is also available for private individuals to rent for weddings, departmental functions, meetings and luncheons. the Big Red place where graduate and professional students are invited to come, bring a newspaper or As dining facilities at be able are to Cornell, the newly renovated Big Red Barn offers a unique setting. As Boedo described, "It provides a rustic atmo sphere. People enjoy coming here be features of cafeteria There purchase alcohol." roughly 6,000 graduate and Blodgett explained it's a dining hall. It combines style service with a relaxed pub-like atmosphere." According to Blodgett, the Barn will eventually serve beer when their liquor license is approved, but she added that cause it's not a professional students at Cornell, and while the Big Red Barn provides more room than The Henry lounge, it only seats 150 people. But according to Blodgett, crowds have not been a problem at the Big Red Barn, unlike at other Cornell dining facilities, and she estimated that the Barn serves 500 lunches Barn, "Basically, their work, get bagel and sit in a a nice cup of coffee and a atmosphere with ■ colleagues and friends." daily. Bodeo, who expects to have a con tinuing role on the steering committee alcohol is not the primary focus at the Big Red Barn. by David W. Marston Jr. '92 Cornell President Frank H.T. Rhodes and members of The Henry steering committee gather around the Big Red Barn opening day cake. The graduate and professional students on the committee petitioned President Rhodes for permission and funding to renovate the vacant Barn. 11 Art for Goodness A WHOSE PHOTOGRAPHER Smithsonian exhibit is on a national tour. A composer whose musical com some World's Fair in recently performed by Temple University Chorus and the Temple Symphony Orchestra. A com munity educator who fostered local pride positions the were among mral Puerto Ricans. What do these people have in common? Jack Delano. He fills all these roles and many more: filmmaker, designer, illustrator, newest photos will appear at the Spain. He spends much of his time travelling and speaking where his work is being shown. Delano's busy schedule was kept up during his February 1992 visit to Cornell. He signed copies of his book, met with faculty, showed some of his films, held discussions and gave lectures on pho tography, community education and Puerto Rican development. of his An est musician and educational broadcaster. unassuming man, Delano is mod Delano, Cornell University's Andrew Dickson White about his long list of accomplish Professor-atuse Large, has put his social many talents to for ments, both past and present. He is hardly the image of the striking, flam change in mainland United States boyant and Puerto Rico. "The purpose of all art is to enrich the human spirit," he said. "I don't feel I am important in my art. I sit around contemplating my bellybutton and trying to figure out what is going on inside me. Whatever I do, I do for other people." don't artist. Rather he possesses quiet humor and calm dignity, the same dig nity with which he endows his portraits of others. His voice is deep, slow and measured, his varied tones resonant with the cultures of born, Because he has done background. Russian under call up images of the place he was and traces of Spanish rhythms English. Philadelphia; my so much, in enliven his was not 1991, Cornell a trustees named six-year term as an Delano to Andrew Dickson The program, of Cornell's first to "I grew up in family White Professor-at-Large. name endowed in the the campus president, brings outstanding people to meet with students and faculty during well-to-do." Delano began his story. "We moved there from Russia when I was nine." In high school, he was good in music, art and science, but was not sure what he wanted to do until he received an annual two-week visits. art culture and Life Sciences nominated Departments face stiff competition try ing to win one of these prestigious appointments. The Department of Communication in the College of Agri was scholarship Pennsylvania Academy The stage not was set from the of the Fine Arts. for his future, but Delano, who councils, grams at departments, institutes, supported by other only in terms of his career. At the Academy, he met and fell in love with Irene, who eventually became his wife and partner in many of his artistic en deavors. Early on, he and Irene used their artistic talents for social museums, administrative units and pro Cornell. Currently, Delano's Smithsonian photography exhibit "Contrasts Forty Years of Change and Continuity in Puerto Rico" is on a three-year tour around the United States. He recently published a book of photos from that exhibition, — painting signs change, Although Rockwell, received a and posters for protests Delano wanted to be a .' millionaire illustrator like Norman his plans changed after he scholarship to study art in shown "Puerto Rico Mio." His exhibit has been extensively in Puerto Rico, and This was the first time he had many famous works of art in the original. He especially admired the painters whose religious murals taught Europe. seen "In a Shirt Delano's work Factory in Las Piedras." This photograph, K currently on tour in the United States. 12 •lake history to illiterate people. "All people were doing the kind of art I was interested in, art about ordinary people. I wanted to say something about society, but I felt I was not a good enough painter so I tried to do that kind of work through photography." Delano began his photographic career during the Great Depression with the Federal Arts Project, documenting the lives of unemployed coal miners in Pennsylvania to increase awareness of their plight. In 1940, he got a job with the Farm Security Administration in Wash ington D.C, taking pictures primarily of migratory farm workers in the south. these A week before Pearl biblical The films and became were a shown in the open air popular community event. According to Delano, once he was showing a film near a train track and the engineer of a passing train stopped and stayed to watch the whole film. "I think the films were so effective because they were done with great respect for the people we were trying to reach," Delano said. "There was no talking down. We were teaching them but we were learn ing from them also." Delano went on to manage the first many live Puerto Rican educational television sta tion. The station produced shows, including the first children's pro gram, broadcasts of concerts and and a press interview show. Harbor, he was plays, assigned to the islands of St. Thomas and Puerto Rico. After the United States de Now, when not on the lecture and clared was war and although the Caribbean swarming with so German Irene sailed down to were U-boats, join him. They teaching circuit, Delano is composing music and finishing a children's story about a black man who ran an integrated school out of his home in nineteenth century Puerto Rico. impressed by the pride and dignity of the people in Puerto Rico that they decided to visit again if they had the chance. "They were so warm, so friendly, generous and hospitable," said Delano. "We had never met people like that before. We had met wonderful people everywhere, but we were never invited into their homes. In Puerto Rico, we Delano said he has accomplished so much because he is a workaholic. "Sharks have to keep moving to get enough oxygen to live. I feel I have to keep working or I will die," he explained. "It's comforting to know I will never be bored. If I get stuck writing music, I can develop film. There is always something waiting for me." couldn't stop anywhere without invited into the house to have being some coffee and sit down and chat. Many people became close friends of ours and we are But, as work for he has said, he doesn't do the himself, he does it for others. still did friendly come after forty years." time to stay. In They 1946, back, this "The greatest reward for an artist is the appreciation from others. Satisfaction is not as Delano received do a award Rico. to book of He was then a Guggenheim photos of Puerto offered a job by observing my work a much from the creation, it is from how others react." Governor Luis Munoz Marin of Puerto Rico, who was trying to transform the "The best comment I have heard about was not from a critic, not from recounts. writer," Delano "I came out island from an agricultural society Delano to an of a supermarket in San Juan, industrial was a one. Because adult education of problem, helped establish the Division of Community Education to take social action messages to the rural, almost inaccessible Because so me was a young woman children. She looked at me and said, You're Mr. Delano aren't you? I've seen and ahead with three your picture to towns. wanted people were literate, highly visual material to get its messages across. They dealt with health issues and building local pride. Delano headed the country's first film department and trained people to be film technicians. He produced such few the division used works the to as "A Drop of Water," a importance of boiling drinking water preciate Rico.'" in the paper and I just tell you how much we ap what you've done in Puerto He thanked her and asked her who she I'm was. "She a replied, 'Oh, I I'm nobody, was just greatest compliment housewife.' That ever the had. She film about the didn't realize when she said she was nobody, that she's exactly the kind of nobody that I do all my work for." ■ prevent disease. Irene ran silkscreen shop that produced the ad ac vertising posters and booklets that companied the films. by Dana Nigro '93 Perfect THE PREVENTION OF Timing useless studies and to compare the re sults of its work with those of other scientists. Primates are a PREMATURE birth in humans would eliminate sev enty-five percent of neonatal deaths, according to Professor Peter Nathanielsz of the Laboratory for Pregnancy and Newborn Research in Cornell University's College of Veterinary Medicine. These neonatal deaths may be avoid able in the future with the application of the lab's recent research few steps closer no to humans on the evolutionary ladder, similar however, there has been experimentation performed on primates findings. a In September 1991, showing after nine years of research, the lab published study that a sheep fetus and not its mother determines the time of its birth. "The fetus is is born at a a "We often learn just as much from differences as we do from similari ties." to said, "A lot of groups primates," because starting offer the advantage of a reproductive they date. McDonald are to work on system that is more similar to that of very clever individual... it ^ humans than of sheep. In the face of that argument, however, Nathanielsz holds to a specific philoso phy about using sheep: "We often leam time when it is adequately just as much from differences as we do mature," Nathanielsz said. probably no single actually triggers the start of labor and delivery, the focus of the laboratory research was a key Although structure or event that there is sociate in see veterinary physiology, was was to from similarities." Additionally, Nathanielsz sees no reason to believe that a system of labor and delivery such as the one they have explored would have derailed on its if the PVN needed for labor and normal term evolutionary voyage system that may rule these functions. This key element is the a element within delivery to occur. The fact that the lambs were not from sheep to humans. He calls the born at showed In the paraventricular nucleus (PVN), a tiny but complex collection of nerve cell bodies. The PVN is located bilaterally in the hypothalamus a small but impor — the involvement of the PVN. absence of this structure, "We don't know if [the mothers] would have de system that triggers birth in sheep "very clever" and "beautiful," and cannot see that it would be drastically different in people. As evidence to this effect, McDonald stated, "Anatomical evidence would tant part of the brain. In surgeries, researchers used electrode to a radio livered, ever," McDonald said. Sheep, of all animals, have been chosen as the subjects for practical as well as suggest that a system similar to that of frequency lesion the PVN's of fetal lambs. The lambs were then allowed to remain in the womb ten days the date of statistical significance past the normal term of 147 days. A — — Practically, docile, "a very convenient size" and carry only one or two babies at a time, compared to sows, which might carry thirteen to sixteen. reasons. theoretical said McDonald, they are sheep cal guide primates." sheep brain used as a referent in this theory was mapped out by Dr. Peter Gluckman of New Zealand in 1982, and was the starting point for to exists in The anatomi the study of the brains' tissue structure was then done to make sure that the PVN's were removed successfully. Additionally, the presence of PVN-produced hormones was On the theoretical side, McDonald said, "There examined in related neural structures. The goal of the experimentation, said Dr. Thomas McDonald, a research as- body of scientific literature that has been pub lished on sheep labor and delivery." Prior knowledge, he said, helps the lab to plan worthwhile experiments, to ask intelligent scientific questions, to avoid is a tremendous at Cornell nine years ago. Research done further back in time, in the 1960s, has provided background for research the Cornell lab as well. At that time, researchers determined the involvement of Cortisol and the stress hormone ACTH in the initiation of labor and delivery. 14 Cortisol and ACTH are produced by the adrenal and pituitary glands, other ele ments in the PVN system. active intestinal polypeptide (VIP), on in the tern brain," said McDonald. "The pat circadian rhythms, or "the biological clock." McDonald said, "Fetuses spend a lot of time terns." At a of appearance changes over time." Another project involves the direct Such background not only assists in breathing later in PVN-oriented studies, but projects centered on related the development of in point in the temporal pat study, he study of labor. "We have done many recordings of uterine muscle contractions, to see will attach small electrodes to the dia the patterns of activity for normal the fetal brain and the timing of labor and delivery. If in fact there is no single phragm lamb's of a fetal lamb. Because of the trigger for birth, as studies in the lab suggest, then birth is a natural conse quence of the fetus attaining a certain critical level of development of the sys tems it needs to survive. For example, the lamb's muscular system must be sufficiently developed for it to be able to get up, walk on its own and nurse. Its mother will not help it. McDonald is also currently studying the effects of the neurotransmitter, vaso varying breathing rates, different readings will appear on the attached oscilloscope or physiograph. McDonald will then use these readings in a search for normalcy in fetal breathing patterns. Respiration is an extremely important aspect of fetal development, because of the implications for prenatal muscular development. VIP will also be used as a subject for development studies. "We are looking at when and where hormones first appear and abnormal labor," Nathanielsz said. Studies such as these conducted in the vet college may clear the path to un derstanding human birth. Nathanielsz said, "If you could find out what signals birth, new solutions to problems could be offered. The idea is, that [this system] is going to be proved the same in humans as in sheep, with different wrinkles." ■ by Gretchen Leigh Metzger '92 ^^^^^^T^pTrTTanielsz examine McDonal and Dr. Thomas Dr P mechanism in the fetal brain oi sneep uiuyc ^^^^Jtl h'ope a slide projection at Cornell to determine which They are conducting experiments human reproduct.on. these experiments with sheep will also explain of a human brain. 15 ROBERT his own JAMISON WANTS TO START manufacturing business. He mental ment, quality and economic develop especially in New York state. The activities in remote wants to determine the best location for his business and thus needs certain infomiation. He needs to find out about the transportation networks of this par ticular area, the level of training of the labor force for that region and the ap point for Cornell sensing, University resource inventory and Geographic In formation Systems (GIS). CLEARS is primarily supported by CfE unit is the focal being on the ground; it gathering from a distance. Using the remote sensing process scien tists can acquire data through imaging or out touching or is information nonimaging sensors, such as cameras, radars and lasers, operated from space craft, aircraft, the ground or the labora tory. Remote propriate land use and land cover infor college space external contracts and grants. The ag and the engineering college sensing can improve the ac mation, among other things. The Cornell support staff positions and in provide found. the Laboratory most for Environmental Applica which the CLEARS are staff, curacy of land use, crop, forest and soil resource inventories. It is used to moni tor urban, agricultural and engineering development. "Resource inventory uses remote sensing to collect information tions of Remote Sensing (CLEARS) has of the answers Mr. Jamison needs. one equipment and library William D. sor Philpot, associate is profes CLEARS is of six units within the in the School of Civil and Environ Center for the Environment (CfE), the an mental Engineering, presently _.^..^,,,,;% organization that focuses cal and mans on physi biological on environment of hu the program leader in the remote sensing division .$§. and humans' interactions with of CLEARS. Remote .xg the environment. Established in CLEARS is the a 1984, sensing is the detection, ment measure merger between the Resource Information Laboratory in a result of and then puts this inforjmation in a form that others can understand," said Eugenia M. Barnaba 77, program ; leader in the resource and Agriculture and Life Sci ences and the Remote Sensing Program in the College of Engineering. CLEARS seeks to improve inventory, analysis and management of environ College mental resources of inventory division and senior extension associate. evaluation,,^.. of signifi-J^ feasur- Barnaba that this '&*£| tures on th(^\vp cant explained resource data can earth's for increased environ face with- '0. j|| then go into GIS. &&4M"' ii, Stephen D. De is? Gloria, program leader in GIS and as, _ sistant professor in Department of $0$ Soil, Crop and AtmoyyW*. the ||§|§ spheric the ag Sciences in college "GIS ex- lained, rocess is the of visualizing, and manag III analyzing ing environmental data related to climate, soil, vegetation, water, agri cultural and other natu ral resources." Resource A computer digitized representation of New York State. CLEARS can produce repre sentations like this one from an aerial photograph, using a computer. inventory a data is converted into hard copy [paper] map from the interpretation of remotely sensed data. 16 "This data can be encoded in the various com and various forms of instruction and communication. "I work erative extension agents, state and fed puter, digitizing and points, lines primarily on eral polygons, to create a computercompatible map," explained DeGloria. outreach activities, but also consult with students on their class projects, theses and agencies, local governments and private consultants who are doing envi The whole process gives an end product that can be used to visualize environ mental resources and to develop differ ent planning scenarios on ways the land can of basic concepts," said Barnaba. Members of the staff offer development ronmental assessments," said Barnaba. "Anybody who has a need for any of the areas of expertise that CLEARS." ■ we have can or support some academic through Cornell's departments. CLEARS also of courses come to be used. The data bases be used to fers financial support to students produced by out CLEARS are through research assistantships or hourly work. CLEARS to can find what lands suitable for growing certain kinds of "Farmers crops. DeGloria commented, need to know the range of possible suitable for types of cropping systems their land that won't degrade soil or water resources." Farmers could use provides assistance not to only the Cornell community but outside coop users as well. "CLEARS is used by by Cozzette Lyons '92 non-degrading environmental practices by using GIS maps to locate land suit An aerial miles. CLEARS. The able for diversified cropping systems. Located in Hollister Hall, the CLEARS library houses aircraft and spacecraft mainly of New York state and the photograph of Central New York before a computerized representation was produced by of 250 photograph was taken by astronauts on NASA's Skylab in 1973 from a distance images northeastern United States. The aircraft images span some 40 to 50 years of environmental change. The majority of spacecraft images sors are acquired by sen Landsat satellites, and photos from the earth-orbiting satellites Skylab and Seasat are also available. These images are used for historic studies such on as time profiles to detect landfills, changes or development. assess land use monitor stream in col channel CLEARS is presently working of land laboration with the Putnam County, New of Planning on the York, Department development cover a use and land inventory. The two groups are trying to determine what the land use or land cover is for every single acre of land in the county; if land is used for a farming, will be drawn around that area and labeled agriculture to distin guish it from the adjacent land use. had similar data for CLEARS boundary already Putnam County that to was a done in 1968 1991 inventory proposed with which to make statistical compari and trends sons. Observing the patterns and do of change over the 23-year period with help the planning department resources will its decision-making for managing county cooperative research, support through Cornellfaculty,staffandstudents services with The staff of CLEARS interacts SLIMMING Into FOOD LOVERS, Spring the amount of group. REJOICE: BLUEBERRY muffins, chocolate pudding, pizza and ice cream may not have been fare before — but now typical they are. diet All food intake: they ate about ten percent more food than usual. "That was not sufficient to compensate for the reduction of calories on the low- weight as the control a new low-fat appear on the menu of diet formulated by researchers from Cornell University's Division of Nutri tional Sciences. On average, diet lost five out to subjects pounds in on the low-fat Levitsky explained. "Conse quently, these people lost weight throughout the duration of the study." In the study, published in the May 1991 issue of the American Journal of fat diet," Both groups were given breakfast and at Cornell's Human Nutrition Research Unit. For these meals, all sub jects received exactly the same foods, only the low-fat dieters' foods contained dinner less fat than those of the control group. Subjects were allowed to eat as much 1 1 weeks with calories. According Levitsky, a professor of nutritional sciences, the low-fat plan works primarily because it makes diet having to count researcher David Clinical Nutrition, 13 women dieted for total of 22 weeks. Researchers randomly assigned the women to one of two diets: either a control diet, which contained a food In as they liked. addition, subjects chose their own lunches and snacks; the wrappers and leftovers from these meals to were brought ers limit their intake of fat, rather than ad or calories. vocated about 35 to 40 percent of calories as fat, or the low-fat diet, in which only 20 to 25 percent of the calories came from fat. the researchers so they could record the women's total food intake. "Currently, the only techniques by either medical people are Overall, the low-fat subjects lost twice low-fat foods. Surprisingly, the dieters enjoyed the According to Levitsky, the nutritionists low-calorie diets," Levitsky said. "They reduce the volume of food, the calories. The way I read the literature, these diets simply don't work." Levitsky explained diets do a that low-calorie Low-Fat Menu Breakfast Granola body has adjusts to calorie depletion by increasing hunger; thus the hapless dieter may respond to a lowcalorie diet by eating more, and not losing any weight. The researchers explored alternatives to low-calorie diets by first examining whether a reduction of dietary fat would not work because the that mechanism Lunch Turkey sandwich Blueberry yogurt Tuna sandwich Dinner Chili w/ corn muffins Carrot-raisin salad Chocolate pudding Chicken stir Monday ^ Banana muffin Milk Tuesday \xt Strawberry yogurt Blueberry muffin fry cream Oatmeal cookies Waldorf salad Chocolate ice have the at same effect. Wednesday rr-,, , a j Pineapple yogurt Bagel Blueberry yogurt Cheese sandwich Vanilla yogurt Macaroni w / tomato Glazed cairots Fruit salad sauce "We're looking how well the body compensates calorically for the reduction of fat," Levitsky said. "If it turns out that the body is smarter Thursday rilUciy Fr^rln^ Turkey ApPie muffin sandwich Oatmeal cookies Lentil stew Broccoli and biscuits Vanilla ice cream Pizza than you are, you should get hungry and increase the volume of food that you eat, and your intake should go back to what it was If that's Granola Tabouli salad Blueberry muffin Pineapple yogurt Chicken salad Banana muffin Cole slaw Oatmeal cookies Pasta previously. the case, then low-fat diets shouldn't work." Saturday ^unaay SnnHflv ^evry y°gurt primavera Cucumber salad Cookies & cream ice cream Luckily for dieters everywhere, the low-fat plan did work. While on the diet, Vanilla y°"urt Apple mulTin Peanut butter & jelly Oatmeal cookies Chicken-rice casserole Squash & biscuits Tropical fruit salad - Information courtesy ofDiivul LevilW subjects experienced only a slow rise in The information in the graph was supplied by David Levitsky. I.s low-fat diet received a slightly higher "palatability" rating than the control diet. "One of the things we were concerned about was, what if they didn't like the low-fat foods? They would reduce their intake, but because they didn't like the food." The palatability rating, however, suggested otherwise. Almost anyone can go on the diet for any length of time without fear of health risks, Levitsky added. Although not it has been tested as should prove women. yet, the diet effective for them as for on men a Age is also not almost all ages can factor. Adults of follow a low-fat regimen without risk. Levitsky did cau tion, however, that the diet could pose health problems for children. that unlike certain fad Another benefit of the low-fat diet is diets, the low-fat plan does not cause a deprivation of any on other nutrients. While the low-fat Low-fat dieters, Dr. David Levitsky (left), Dr. Barbara Strupp (right) the and their son, Michael. diet, Levitsky said, subjects' protein, never carbohydrate and changed. What about the itself? According to micronutrient levels world? Levitsky thinks the answer is yes, and body's need for fat Levitsky, government experiment, which he calls the "community study," supports his a second could time community study liked the diet, they not continue it for long periods of because they to couldn't get their conclusion. family a guidelines of calories recommend that 30 percent in the diet come from fat. However, no studies suggest that dropping below the 30 percent level is community study, the research merely told subjects to reduce their fat intake; the subjects were still able to ers In the go along with it. "If you want to affect the fat content of family, you have to understand some members choose their actually harmful. "They don't say there's a foods and prepare them any way they liked. Thus the own thing about the dynamics in a family unit get everyone to change. That's what we're working on now," Levitsky said. to hazard. As far said. as I know there is none," Levitsky community study approximated reality more closely than the first experiment, in which some Anyone interested can start one in a low-fat diet "The one problem may be with fatsoluble vitamins," he added. "There may be a decrease in the absorption of fatsoluble vitamins as you decrease the amount meals were prepared for the subjects. study was by buying foods. "Unfortunately, right have to he added, just low-fat versions of everyday fairly easily, One result of the that sub jects lowered their fat intake until only about 25 percent of their calories came from fat, even less than the government now you calculate the percent of calories in food as fat," Levitsky said. "I recom that as of fat." However, he mentioned the low-fat diet emphasizes con sumption of vegetables high in fat-soluble vitamins (A, E and D), dieters' levels of those vitamins may actually increase. Another health concern involves the very thin. Can people risk losing too much weight on a low-fat diet? Levitsky doesn't think so. "Eating is like a mecha nism to prevent you from getting too thin. Our evidence so far suggests that guideline of 30 percent. Said Levitsky of the government regu lation: "The argument that the govern ment uses for not making it lower is that that's can as low as the American population go." Clearly, with the subjects of community study, this was not the mend that you eat as much as you can of foods that contain less than 20 percent of calories as fat, and as little as you can of foods that contain over 20 percent of calories meat as fat." that intake of desserts Levitsky also suggested high in fat and red be minimized. not to Although conclusive results about the low-fat diet have it the yet been reached, answer, to a case. just may prove ■ be the Secondly, jects were as the community study sub dieter's dream. thin people respond by getting hungrier. A final, crucial health benefit of the low-fat diet stems from the fact that it " Having taste, universality and healthfulness, question remains: can does not merely promote weight loss; it also helps prevent heart disease, cancer, stroke and arteriosclerosis, Levitsky added. examined the low-fat diet's one at weight loss as laboratory counterparts. "They lost exactly the same amount of weight as we found in the laboratory, which is further evidence that simply lowering successful their your fat intake is sufficient to cause a reduction in body weight, Levitsky said. " A final finding, however, suggested said that a potential Levitsky drawback of the low-fat diet. it work in the real although subjects in by Jennifer Perillo '93 19 o O o O O O o o o „ o o o o o O O O UNDERWATER INDICATORS O O TO SOME, MAYFLIES AND STONEFLIES water quality. As a result, students gain careers which lead may not in a seem like the most And creatures to study. glamorous swishing about valuable skills for mental fields. in environ to their inability to repro duce and maintain their population. The creek on a may not seem crisp January afternoon like a great activity. Yet addresses intriguing ques tions concerning the insects' adaptation Peckarsky their challenges insects must face are over looked by many people. Peckarsky noted, "[The insects] don't get much ink in that sexier. area students in Freshwater Invertebrate Bi ology find that spending an afternoon in to aquatic environment: How do because the fish are much chestwaders, surrounded by bugs, is an exciting way to study insects and their important role in the environment. Freshwater Invertebrate course in the has proven loving students. Professor Barbara L. Biology, a Department of Entomology, very popular with insectin Peckarsky students succeeds her sharing for with the enthusiasm ecosystem's often forgotten members. In class, Peckarsky discusses the bi ology of aquatic insects and their role in the ecosystem. Rather than give a dry recitation of each insect species' vital statistics, she covers topics such as evolution, body structure, life histories and behavior, using different species as they breathe in or out of water? How do they defend themselves? And how do they find mates? For example, aquatic insects have complex life histories, meaning they spend part of their life in water, and part of it on land. Thus the species had to evolve distinct solutions to adapt to the different challenges presented by each habitat. These solutions can be quite extraordinary. For instance, water scor pions spend most of their lives in water, but still disperse on land. Instead of organs for breathing only in water, these insects actually have a sort of snorkel projecting from their body which allows them to breathe air while they are in the water. Everyone cares about the fish: no one cares about the mayflies. Many people just think bugs are a nuisance." Bugs are not just a nuisance, however. Aquatic insects play a vital role in the environment, and their destruction could have disastrous effects tems, on their ecosys Peckarsky said. Aquatic insects are well known as fish food. But, they are not at the very bottom of the food chain. Rather, they are firmly intertwined in the whole ecosystem. Many species feed on algae, insects and dead and decaying organic matter which has been colonized by proteinacious fungi and bacteria. The decomposers play an important role in processing leafy materials that collect in the water examples. She also shows students how can useful the insects be for testing vation of The class also examines the conser aquatic insects and the factors and threaten the to choke waterways. Although degree 20 of their importance depends on other conditions such as temperature and water flow, insects do the stream's natural a resources as to serve as basis for comparison the project help speed decay by serve a digesting other the leaves. insects Aquatic number of functions such as in the ecosystem. Peckarsky pointed situations out that in mucky insect lake project, Peckarsky, Icthyological Associates and Cornell undergraduates are using biological in dicators to help with the University's efforts to progresses. In another floors, up nutrients that would otherwise settle and be lost to free- larvae kick clean up an old chemical swimming organisms. She described the larvae as the "earthworms of aquatic habitats." Researchers certain water are now are aquatic insects finding that also excellent quality indicators. Traditionally, people have tested water quality using tests to disposal site near Tompkins County Airport. The Department of Maintenance and Service Operations is building a treatment plant on the site where they will contain potential toxins and treat groundwater to make it drinkable. "I'm impressed by their hard work and sincerity," Peckarsky said of the University. "They've been very respon sible and serious in their efforts." expensive chemical search for prob lem they faced, Peckarsky explained, is that many "...toxins are transient. They get diluted so when you test for them, they don't show up. But their residual effects remain." toxins and fertilizer residues. The Although Peckarsky and her students biological indices to test for chemical effects on creeks and streams, they can also test for physical stresses. She noted that physical disturbances, such as chan use Sitting that on the bank of a explained signs of pollution year, their the insects She bugs will show one '92 examines Virgil Creek, David Stagliano newly caught insect. nels, dams and often much more water diversions, be are harmful than chemical can effects for about approximate life span. Thus can indicate a problem that disturbances which Cutting down trees, diluted. patterns and all water, to altering erosion changing light intensities otherwise would go unnoticed. Although using insects as indicators drastically affect the conditions of the killing some species. Altered water complete their life requires an intimate knowledge of the families, genera and sometimes species, and the evidence they show is indirect, still find them very practical. Their small size and year-long life span temperatures may not allow many insects cycles, and in creased erosion makes the stream floors people make the insects useful as biological in Ithaca, Erik Silldorf '92 collects underwater indicators. mucky decreasing the water quality. Peckarsky is dealing with physical stresses in Colorado where large cities divert water indicators. Because from the mountain are streams. aquatic an insects have such Knee-deep in the waters of Virgil Creek She and her colleagues convince attempting to once understanding of their biology and ecology is a handy skill students can bring to their future careers. Students seem pleased to gain valuable expertise in this field. Peckarsky noted practical uses, people to leave the natural flow in the streams because the damage is done, Peckarsky noted, "The outlook for recovery is real bleak." She added that once a stream has been that the information her students learn makes them ment more agencies hireable in govern and environmental firms. Susan L. Wood '92, a natural resources major with a concentration in aquatic irreversibly affected, "You reduce water quality or quantity, get fewer organ isms forget trout. We are seriously jeopardizing the habitats." — The lessons learned in Freshwater sciences, added, "Entomology for a allows Invertebrate which lie tem. Biology are important ones, the base of our certain amount of specialization." near ecosys innova has been involved in a number of projects which used aquatic insects to test water quality. One local Peckarsky And Professor Peckarsky's project concerns Cornell University's building expansion into the Orchards. Peckarsky is acting as a consultant for an environmental impact assessment of Cascadilla Creek. She, along with Ichthyological Associates, Inc., an envi ronmental consulting firm, will test the area and make quality assessments of style is turning students on to the aquatic insects, showing them, as Wood pointed out, that "A bug is not a bug." ■ just tive lives of by Melissa Glim '93 21 TIME FOR A IN to sswwwss 1968, MARIJUANA AND A RISING OPPOSITION were a The proposed terms revision would reduce the number of are the Vietnam War about to in vogue. The United States on facts and was put man the moon and the was increase the required to memorize and emphasis placed on major biological students new assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. sparked concepts and ideas, Tulloch said. In addition, the racial riots around the nation. Richard M. Nixon elected New York state wrote president. Against this backdrop of change, a high school biology syllabus. quarter of to a Almost continued century later, the world has syllabus has undergone some say too modification. Much of it only slight much of it is still in use at high schools around the a change, but the — H syllabus would take a more unified approach to biology. Instead of a "laundry list" of mandatory, compartmentalized topics, the syllabus would show stronger links between biology's major underlying threads and themes, Tulloch said. Rather than en couraging mere memorization, the new syllabus would invite students to consider the human condition and its — state. But the Cornell Institute for the New York State Education to Biology Department recently Teachers and applied for a joint National Science Foundation grant completely revamp the state's high school Regents Biology syllabus, on which annual Regents exams are based. CIBT, to an outreach program University's Division of Biological Sciences, developed by Cornell is designed help high school teachers catch up with recent advances in biology through lectures, workshops, field trips and innovative take-home lab exercises designed for direct transport to the average high school class room. The attempt at syllabus revision is an outgrowth of CIBT's summer program for biology teacher en hancement. The state A technology and the environment. organized a three-day confer ence to study the syllabus and its shortcomings. The conference, held at Wells College in Aurora, New York, was attended by more than 75 people, including high school teachers, state officials and professors from Union, Barnard, Manhattan and Hamilton colleges. Bruns called the attempt at syllabus revision a "daunting undertaking." "When I think of the size, scale and politics, I back relationship to Last summer, CIBT away from it. When I think of what should be done with it, I want to go through with it," he said. has since at syllabus was last overhauled in 1968 and undergone only slight adjustments, said '68, an Bruce R. Tulloch associate in science education the New York State Education Department. Minor adjustments in 1982 and 1983 updated a few topics, but "Essentially, we haven't had any dramatic changes in the overall syllabus in 2t years," Tulloch said. Since there is no money available for syllabus reorganization, the State Education Department has been unable to move beyond preliminary review of the syllabus, he added. Without the sorely needed revision, New York state high school biology teachers remain shackled by a syllabus that some claim emphasizes memorizing hundreds of definitions, rather than ap plying broad concepts. Cornel] first approached the state about revising the syllabus in the summer of 1990. The Division of Biological Sciences reviewed the state syllabus in preparation for CIBT's summer teaching program, which invites high school biology teachers to the Cornell campus for three weeks of teacher enhance ment. When looking over the syllabus, CIBT coordi N originally applied to the National funding and although NTH supported the proposal, it deemed the project inap propriate for NIH funding. NIH then directly submitted the proposal to the NSF and Cornell is awaiting a response. If approved, the almost $1 million grant would be used over approximately three years. During Institute of Health (NIH) for CIBT and the state the first year, a team of writers would draft a new The revised edition would then undergo two years of pilot testing. syllabus. be Any attempt to revise the syllabus will undoubtedly a cooperative effort between Cornell, the state education "Sometimes Bruns said. department and New York University scientists get context. state teachers. in and don't understand the We need to work together," G Some teachers agreed that the syllabus needs a major overhauling. Nancy V. Ridenour '65, the former president of the National Association of Biology Teachers and an Ithaca High School biology teacher, is among those working with Cornell on the syllabus review. "I think it's sorely in need of a revision," Ridenour said, adding that the last Regents exam was "a series of trivial pursuit questions and did not reflect conceptual learning. "The Regents exam is fraught with details that are critical nonsensical to the students' lives and do not support learning during the year," she said. If Cornell's is find that much of the material was outdated and some of it was completely wrong. "We first saw the syllabus back then and we were nators were to amazed shocked," said of Peter J. Bruns, director of the "It It was was Division Biological Sciences. emphasis was terrible. exam poorly organized, the basically a vocabulary E joint grant proposal school times. biology ■ system may approved, New York state's hi»h finally catch up with the and there were real errors." by Jill Rackmill '93 Commencement (Blooms EARLY SATURDAY MORNING OF Commencement weekend, a team be gins to assemble red and white gerani ums around a large tent for the Board of Frank H.T. Trustees and President Rhodes's breakfast reception on the arts quad. At the entrance of the tent, they white a flowing stream of red and geraniums, palm leaves and dracaena spikes to provide a fountain ef fect. Among the team members are pro fessors, technicians, research specialists, assemble students, and their spouses, children and friends. They work color and excitement As to together to add every gradua tion weekend at Cornell. the new students arrive every year, returning Cornell campus in late August members of the Department on and of Floriculture and Ornamental Horti culture in the College are of Agriculture and Members of the Life Sciences preparing for the Department of Floriculture and Ornamental Horticulture and volunteers stand by the floral University's May Commencement cer emony. They take part in growing and preparing the floral arrangements that appear at the Board of Trustees and President Frank H.T. Rhodes's reception, arrangement at the 1991 Commencement. University. The Cornell red color continues to together be at at graduation to added make it work," a Stewart said. "This is sort of family Convocation, ROTC Commissioning, Baccalaureate, Commencement, and represented emony by descendants of the coleus plants used in the 1940s. 1947, cuttings have the Commencement cer operation," and Kumpf. Both Stewart same Kumpf in credit Professor Fox for the Since enthusiasm ment during graduation. John Kumpf, a research support specialist with the floriculture department is involved in all aspects of the floral decorations. other activities the weekend of from the coleus in plants generated by the depart decorating Cornell's Com Fox's involvement is — been grown the University mencement. "Dr. greenhouses tion for the every winter in prepara essential is to our effort even though he May ceremony. "About 400 "The whole de partment puts in many an effort, including grown every year to provide decorations for both the Commence plants ment are retired, he acts as a consultant and is actively involved every year," Kumpf said. Cornell people come who have to graduated us — they back help at Com ceremony on and Convocation in Schoellkopf Field Bailey Hall," Fox geraniums that University's Commencement Coordinator Connie Mabry has worked mencement," said Kumpf. The floriculture said. The red and white has been closely with the floriculture department department providing 44 Commencement weekends floral arrangements for over at Cornell. to grace the Board of Trustees and Presi dent Frank H.T. Rhodes's breakfast re ception, ment are Convocation and Commence for three years. "Dr. Fox, John Kumpf and Barbara Stewart are the caring people behind the beautiful floral arrangements. According Raymond T. the late emeritus professor Fox 1940s, '52, PhD '56, in '47, when the Commencement MS Every also grown in the greenhouses. year an alumnus of the ag college, They make perfect for sure that all the details are ceremony was department stage with dron six to held in Barton Hall, the decorated the large indoor branches of rhododen Robert J. Oglevee '50, donates over 300 geranium cuttings to the University for Commencement weekend. during Com mencement weekend," Mabry said. On Sunday morning, the same team every event cut imported from Pennsylvania. The eight-foot tall branches were ar ranged in pails as part of the backdrop of the stage. Large white peonies and chrysanthemums were placed on the platform in front of a red curtain that ran behind the stage. "We always tried to technician with the floriculture department, supervises the care of the geraniums when they arrive in the fall, ensuring that they will reach Barbara Stewart, a assembles the red and white floral deco rations on an outdoor platform on Schoellkopf Field. Rows and — rows of flowers in bloom the perfect size in time for Commence red and white gera niums, white caladiums, and red coleuses descend in perfect order, flanking a grow the type of geranium variety commonly seen in family gar dens by the driveway or in large patio ment. "We large red and white centerpiece in the middle of the stage. Floral preparations for another Cornell Commencement are bring in the red and white theme," Fox said. In front of the stage, Fox and his team arranged window boxes full of coleus plants whose leaves are a dark that was deemed "Cornell red foliage red" and therefore containers, so we are forcing them to ready once again to grace the graduation ceremony. ■ grow in different ways," Stewart said. The involvement of the department of floriculture at Commencement is a co operative effort. "Graduate students, staff and their kids — representative of the a lot of people come by Mary-Jo G.Stewart '92 23 CAPSULES Jay Hyman Professor George the V. Kollias, professor of The current technologies usually transfer the problem and depend on long-term isolation in landfills or "dilution as the solution to pollu wildlife and medicine at of Florida, has been University appointed to Cornell as the first Jay zoological The aim of the journal is to new work on the public dimensions of science and technol "present ogy in a way that is accessible to all who may be interested in it — Hyman Professor of Wildlife Medicine in the nary Medicine. College of Veteri tion," Jewell said. The biodegradation process natural scientists and social scientists, science policy makers and developed by the industrialists, media analysts Kollias, whose research focuses on the pathogenesis of neonatal infec tions in a birds, will develop and lead a Cornell group, however, detoxifies the carcinogenic compound. The research was supported by the Gas Research Institute. and museologists, educationalists an and historians," said Durant. Bruce Lewenstein, assistant comprehensive, multidepartmental program in wildlife medicine. He is DVM graduate of the University of Missouri. Robert F. Becker Robert F. sor of communication at Cornell and United States editor of the journal said, "This journal crystallizes a field really bits of professor — Cornell Cornell Agricultural Engineers have in the Becker, associate profes Department of Floriculture fields — that have been or developing for 15 years so." agricultural engineers developed the first known bioreactor system that can completely break down toxic chlorinated solvents into common salt, water and carbon and Ornamental Horticulture and an extension specialist at Cornell's New York State Levin Elected to Academy Simon A. Agricultural Experiment Station in Geneva, received two awards at the 1992 New York State Levin, professor of sciences and one biological systems, is members American Vegetable and Direct Marketing of seven ecological faculty dioxide, thereby purifying highly contaminated water. water into drinking Conference held January 27-29, 1992 in Rochester, New York. William Jewell, the professor of agricultural and biological engineer According to Carol MacNeil, cooperative extension agent and this year's planning committee chairper son, Becker had been ing who designed the bioreactor said that the used new responsible technology could be for to treat thousands of sites these statewide veg etable conferences from 1967 until chairing newly elected to the Academy of Arts and Sciences. Fifty Cornell faculty members are currently members of the Academy. It was founded 212 years ago by John Adams and other intellectual leaders promi nent in laying the philosophy for the United States. around the countiy that are polluted by millions of tons of industrial last year. Becker has been with Cornell since 1959 and conducts extension chemicals. Study stances of Toxic Cleanup to programs, variety evaluation, fertility, and tillage research. The histoiy of The health effects of toxic sub and methods clean up a vegetable production vegetable varieties is of special interest to Becker, who has taught classes on this subject to horticulture students at and heirloom waste sites using biological methods will be the substance of be funded study to by a $2.4 million grant Cornell. from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. tered The program will be adminis by the Cornell Institute for. Becker received his BS horticulture and his MS degree in degree in plant pathol&gy from the University of New Hampshire.' /'■ -'-v- Understandii%^t)Tence A new Comparative and Environmental Toxicology and the Cornell Biotechnology Program. James W. Gillett said the grant will fund basic research initiatives into journal' $&^d\l^bTic*Under' founded in, January 1992" by John Pur^tf assis l tant directctf*^y;Jie Science Tvtiistupi standirig of Seieliee, Library was biomedical problems that relate to as toxic substances such PCBs, Robert Becker received two awards at NY State a recent of the united Kingdom. heavy metals, techniques to and bioremediation remove toxics from Agricultural Conference. the environment. New York State College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, a Statutory College of the State University, at Cornell University JIMMY HOFFA'S SHOE FOUND I IMAnJAi CORNELI A MAGAZINE OF AND ABOUT THE PEOPLE OF THE NEW YORK STATE COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE AND LIFE SCIENCES PII.'.l.'All!MJ/tt*i:i.iaa.iiK'i.ii.'g.nj.»j.in.i.]/.t Contents 3 Lice and Men CORNELL Or, Why We 14 Avian Airways Don't Speak French Jadam Kahn '92 ^ .46 Melissa Glim '93 «%$"* £ EZRA CORNELL'S 16 4 Little Garden of Horrors Jennifer Perillo '93 18 Exploring the Cutting Edge GHOST PLANTS POISON IVY! ff«t5^ft.-^srT,. Jill Rackmill '93 What's the Buzz? Dana 6 A Trip Down Jill Steuer '92 Memory Hall 20 Nigro '93 Gobblers Garbage Gretchen 8 Professor Antonie Blackler: Leigh Metzger '92 "Frog Man" Cozzette Lyons '92 22 A Conversation With the Archivist About the Issue Behind the thin veneer of prelims and lectures, the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences is home to a wealth of 10 Forest Park: How Ezra's Farm Mary-Jo G. Stewart '92 24 Fellow Excellence A. Became Jeanne a University '92 Naujeck McKiegan '93 intriguing histories, man studies and laborato 12 Treemendous Tributes David W. Marston '92 ries. This issue of the Cornell Country explores the lesser known facets of ag college life. Historical articles show case the role of lice in history and Forest Park, the articles as .CORNELL roots highlight of the University. Other such interesting nooks veterinary college's poisonous plants garden, and the beekeeping labs. exam the COUNTRYMAN October 1992 Volume LXXXX Number 1 Editors Melissa Glim Gretchen A number of articles in this issue ine some fascinating lege, ranging from finding organic ways to decompose waste products to the at secrets research the Col Assistant Editors David W. Marston Alison Harrington, Dana Nigro; pp. 20, 21 Gretchen Leigh Metzger; p. 22 Sol Goldberg; p. 24 — — — Leigh Metzger McKiegan Perillo Gene German. of migratory bird navigation to Jeanne Naujeck Jennifer Jill Dr. Antonie Blacker's studies of Our feature article shows off the trees to Steuer frogs. new Art Directors Rey Hollingsworth-Falu Jadam Kahn Layout Staff Dana The Cornell which were honor our the ag quad alumni in the spring of planted on Nigro G. Stewart 1992. Photography Cozzette Editor Jill Mary-Jo Rackmill Lyons Countryman (ISSN 0010-8782) is published six times a year from October through May (combined issues for January and February, and April and May) by the New York State College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, 324 Kennedy Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y. Editorial Staff 14853. On the cover: Jimmy Hoffa's shoe found in the Alfalfa Room? A graduate student swallowed by a Melissa Glim, Rey A. Hollingsworth-Falu, Jadam Kahn, Cozzette Lyons, Gretchen Leigh Metzger, Second class postage paid at Ithaca, New York 14853. Printed by Union Press Co. Inc. of Endicott. whale? What could these headlines A. McKiegan, Jeanne Naujeck, Dana Nigro, Jennifer Perillo, Jill Rackmill, Jill Steuer, Mary-Jo G. Stewart. David W. Marston, Alison Subscription Rates: $12.00 a year; $24.00 for two years. Postmaster: Send Cornell Countryman, 324 change of address to Kennedy Hall. Cornell possibly mean? Designed by Rey Falu, our University, Ithaca, N.Y. 14853- Editorial content gathered and written by majors in the Depart ment Hollingsworthcarries out our October cover ward L. of Communication. Honorary editor: Ed Bernays '12. Faculty advisors: Jane E. Helaine Wasser. theme of quirks as on the quad. Perhaps as an Picture Credits: Cover, Dana Nigro, Jadam Kahn; pp. 4, 5 Larry Thompson; p. 6,7 Reprinted with permission, Cornell University; pp. 8,9 Dana Nigro, Antonie — — — Flardy '53, nothing quite ghost sighting Cornell, but as outlandish Ezra's at has actually taken place are we are sure that some of the W. out-of-the-way sights unusual, and just and studies just as interesting. Blackler; pp. 10,11 courtesy of Cornell Department of Manuscripts and Archives; pp. 12,13—Keely Barber; pp. 14,15— C. Hadley Smith, L.R. Snyder, Charles Walcott; pp. 16, 17—Peter — Morenus, Jeffrey Kidder; pp. 18,19 — Charles It is the policy of Cornell University actively to support equality of educational and employment opportunity. No person shall be denied admission to any educational program or activity or be denied employment on the basis of any legally discrimination involving, but not 1 imiit-cl to, such factors as race, color, creed, religion, national or ethnic origin sex sexual preference, age. or handicap. The University is committed to the maintenance of affirmative action pT ogranis which will assure the continuation of such equality of prohibited VPoriunity. 2 UC8 ANB MEN Or, Why one We Don't with Speak French French army outnumbered the deaths from wounds and starvation. army, the EVERYONE HAS BEEN FAMILIAR AT time or another with lice, the pesty insects which may infiltrate the tops of our heads and live in our hair with the folklore and interpretation." Beginning a story about human evolution, he said anthropologists have discovered that many modern grooming, which is hope of producing offspring. Through thousands of years of human in volvement with this creature, many his torical events have occurred. Several of out primates practice essentially picking According to a member of the Russian typhus situation was so bad at that soldiers burned the Due the Battle of Moscow of lice-infested their the lice these events owe their outcomes not only to the people involved in them, but also to the lice inhabiting their bodies. Edgar M. Raffensperger, professor emeri tus in the Department of Entomology and former instructor of a course along opposable thumb. Grooming is believed to be one of the factors leading to the evolution of the opposable thumb and hence the human Sometime of the hair of others. This act, with the use of tools, requires an out clothing to species. in AD 1 170, Thomas a — liquid content, Raffensperger said, when lice heat up, they explode and make a popping sound. Raffensperger said that he interprets the cannon firing in Tchaikovsky's 1812 troops. Overture to as — later, one of the first musical as pieces — Becket, the Archbishop of Canterbury a — include the sound of the but cannon not called "Cultural In Entomology," discussed the very controversial and political fig ure was put to death. In those days, gunfire, burning and exploding Moscow. the sound of the lice in the fires of louse itself and its role in human history. said not Raffensperger, layers of the cathedrals was a were discussing the louse itself, Raffensperger said that lice are wingless, obligate parasites, with flat bodies and hook-like feet which allow them to cling to heated and there need to wear When lost at Napoleon's army fought and many human hairs. Once on attached, lice feed blood, using their piercing and suck ing mouthparts. They have a relatively short life cycle of about one month. Raffensperger said people may be come infested by two kinds of lice that are human host-specific to humans and the body temperature: Pediculus humanus capitis (head lice), and Pediculus humanus humanus (body clothing during clothing created a per fect environment for the lice on his body to multiply and feed on his person. As his corpse cooled, people noticed lice abandoning it. The crowd of men sur rounding his body got into an argument about whether the Archbishop was a saint for bearing the insects or a fool. According to Raffensperger, the debate ended in a big fistfight in the cathedral. Lice have greatly influenced human wars, in the guise of typhus. "Typhus is months. Becket's the cold Waterloo, over 40 percent of his surviving troops were sick from typhus. Historians have speculated, Raffen sperger said, that if his army had been in better health, England might have lost the battle, Napoleon might have con quered the world, and we might all be speaking French today. The Crimean War in 1854 also saw many cases of typhus in both the British and French armies. British soldiers with lice). Lice rarely leave the warmth of their hosts and thus spread only through close physical contact between hosts. considered to be a disease of war," said typhus were treated in unsanitary hospi tals where the disease spread even fur ther. When Florence Nightingale began implement sanitation measures in war hospitals, Raffensperger said, she inad vertently stopped the typhus. Throughout the twentieth century, to importantly, these insects transmit deadly microorganism-caused disease called typhus. For this reason, among others, lice have played an important role in the history of humans. Lice have also added to the English language. Raffensperger states that "louse" is singular for lice, but has be come a slang word for scoundrel. "Lousy" originally referred to someone who was a Most Raffensperger, "in which many people are packed tightly together, allowing lice infestation to develop quickly." Ac cording to Raffensperger, the Battle of Bosworth in 1485 pitted two armies against one scientists have come to learn about lice another in an attempt to take control of the with English throne. On both sides, however, troops became very sick microorganism they carry which causes typhus. Raffensperger pointed out that "Today typhus is still around, and the but now we have a better way of control ling the insects and thus the disease." To all his stories of the role of lice in infested with lice, but has come to mean dirty or disgusting. The term "nit-picker" also originated from lice, he said, now meaning "one who picks out tiny de tails." Eggs of lice are typhus. Eventually there was a victor, but years passed before the win ner could finally take control. Raffensperger pointed out that similar typhus-related incidents occurred at the Sack of Rome in 1527 and in the Thirty Years War from 1618 to 1648. history, Raffensperger added an inter esting point that "Blacks are seldom infested with head lice because of the character of their hair. The occur rence of louse-borne diseases such as coarse The 1812 invasion of Russia leon and the French was a by Napo called nits. of failure that typhus in black history are quite rare."B the following stories about lice are not based on scientific fact, but rely more on Raffensperger explained, "Many dashed Napoleon's dreams of taking over the world. According to Raffen sperger, typhus-related casualties in the by Jadam Kahn '92 3 LITTLE GARDEN of HORRORS added when lems come new RHODODENDRON FLOWERS SWAY gently in the breeze; the moonseed's issues in poisonous do take the plant ingestion up, arise. "As different new prob which focuses poisonous plants course, on the garden and its purple fruits beckon; colorful hyacinths delight the eye. Though their names are familiar and their appearances entice, don't be fooled: these plants are danger ous. plants will be intro duced," he said. He added that the introduction of new inedible inhabitants. The course exam ines the effects of poisonous plant inges tion on beef and dairy cattle, horses, Each has a place in the W. C. Muenscher among them a certain kind of soil. These conditions must be plants particular needs, is not easy: each plant has its own sheep and goats, said Thompson. In addition, exotic animals such as llamas also being studied. Thompson said that the course is not primarily directed at dogs and cats simply because these animals are infre quent victims of poisonous plant in are now Garden, in the New York State College of Veterinary Medi Poisonous Plants cine. The approximated when a new plant is added. Workers from the Cornell Plantations are 50-by-100 foot garden, which responsible for the care contains sonous a species of poi plants, offers veterinary students more than 100 den, Thompson said. maintenance: "The He praised of the gar their garden is very well- gestion. "There with and cats are chance to identify the fearsome flora on and learn their effects animals. According to a brochure about the garden published by the Cornell Planta tions, professor Walter C. Muenscher started the garden in the late 1940s by transplanting toxic specimens from the wild. Muenscher hoped to educate stu dents so opinion." All veterinary students root through the garden at some point during their education, if only to study for exams. "In licensed veterinarian, you have to pass both a national and a state board examination," Thompson said. to a kept in my fewer deaths associated in poisonous plant ingestion than there are dogs in the grazing order be that the poisonings could be pre tions deal with vented. "Many of the questions on the examina poisonous plants." Most veterinary students, however, animals, because dogs and cats don't eat plants for food. They just kind of nibble on them out of curiosity more than anything else," he said. "It is uncommon to have a life-threatening poisonous plant ingestion in a dog or cat." Poisonous plants that cause death Today, same garden serves much the purpose. "Plant poisoning is an important part of the curriculum," said Larry Thompson, a clinical toxicologist with the veterinary school's diagnostic laboratory who assists Dr. Mary Smith in teaching "It's a "Poisonous Plants." very difficult thing to teach, because slides or pictures only represent one point in a plant's life and students should be familiar with each growing stage. "That's was one of the the started here: look tant through and see reasons the garden they can go out and plants that are impor them at different stages of growth." The poisonous plants garden is diver sified by specimens of poisonous plants from across the nation. "We try to pre pare the students not only for veterinary practice in New York or in the New England area but also elsewhere," Thompson said. Generally, the garden's contents re main the same from year to year, are Thompson 4 said — though species A stone at the entrance to the W.C. Muenscher Poisonous Plants Garden announces the to educate students. immediately after ingestion are rare, Thompson said. "A lot of these toxicplants will not cause death in the ani mal," he explained. "There's a whole continuum of clinical vere signs, from very mild gastrointestinal upset to more se most symptoms. By and do not cause large, death." of the plants Indeed, many of the plants situations. "Some to in the garden are only poisonous under certain plants have been found extenuating circumstances only," Thompson said. "A small amount of these plants in a normal, balanced diet usually will not cause an upset. But if you get extenuating circumstances, then you can have a problem." As an example, Thompson mentioned black cherry trees, whose leaves contain be toxic in cyanide. have any the same "Most of the time, you will not problems with, say, a horse in paddock as a cherry tree," he said. "The dry leaves are usually not very hazardous, so they fall and the horse no big deal." eats a couple — One of more than 100 lethal to horses. species of poisonous plants on display in the garden, the boxwood is potentially upon The black cherry's toxicity, then, hinges a very specific set of circum One ance is the exception to this rule of toler Japanese yew, an extremely stances. "You need a storm, you need a horse and you need the poisonous plant," circumstance Thompson Another says. "Plant poisoning extenuating amount is an important part of the curriculum. That's oneofthereasonsthe garden was started here: students can go out there and look throughtheplantsthat are important and see them at different stages of growth." ingested. paraphrase a famous quote," Thompson said, "Everything is toxic; it just depends on the dose." Apple seeds present an example of Thompson's rule which can be explained in human terms. Though apple seeds contain cyanide, a 20 to 30 pound child would have to eat more than a cupful to become poisoned, Thompson said. Just as a cupful of apple seeds would "To seem involves the of toxin dangerous hedge positioned in the cen ter of the poisonous plants garden. One pound of clippings from the yew con tains enough toxin to kill an adult horse or cow, Thompson said. Occasionally, a plant that harms ani mals poses a threat to humans as well. The white snakeroot plant, located at the back of the garden, ended the lives of many settlers back in the pioneer trembles in cows, who then toxin along in their milk. days. The plant caused a condition called passed the "Especially in the midwest, almost a entire settlements would have major unappetizing to the average hu man, animals too find most poisonous times ani death loss from milk sickness," said Thompson. Indeed, the description plants unappealing: "Many mals will avoid the poisonous plants, if given the choice," Thompson said. In many cases of poisonous plant in gestion, the animal was forced to eat large amounts of a toxic plant, which under normal circumstances it would have avoided. One reason for such poisonous plant ingestion is insufficient pastures. Cows, for a alongside the white snakeroot plant in the garden mentions that during the 1800s, it killed nearly half the residents of some areas of the United States. The extenuating circumstance in this involves the leaves of the trees, which begin to release their cyanide Should very soon after they begin to wilt. some of the tree's branches fall to the a storm, and should the case example, can be poisoned by large cow can amounts of nitrates. "A tolerate Today, poisonous plants do not pose the same threats as they did back then. According to Thompson, the number of plant poisonings is decreasing, thanks to better agricultural practices and increased education. Cornell's garden continues to help uncover the secrets of poisonous plants: W. C. Muenscher would be proud to certain amount of nitrate in its diet," learn of the contributions of his ven ground during horse begin to munch Thompson said. "But if you put the cow in a poor pasture and all there is are these be omous vegetation, a on the wilting leaves the results could be disastrous. high nitrate plants, poisoned." the cow could by Jennifer Perillo '93 5 A "IT HAS BECOME PROGRESSIVELY in New York recognized that the fundamental scien tific problems of medicine are biological Stimson Hall may continue problems . . . and space, the funding City enjoyed college in Ithaca was Almost wide im solely University-supported. the Ithaca facility's cramped mediately, space on a closer integra tion of all the biological work of the to be available but with a became the top floor of White Hall liability for the instructors and a University." Following the Board of Trustees' 1938 decision students alike. Luckily, University friend was came to close the Ithaca division of Cornell University Medical College, but to maintain the New York City facility, to the rescue; Stimson Hall chartered Secretary B.F. Kingsbury issued this vi sionary, if not sober, eulogy in the President's Report. But the Trip through an Sage, the ments son $80,000 donation by Dean of Henry Sage. The 1902- 1903 Cornell Medical College Announce hailed the completion of the yet unnamed structure: "... The to erect a forty-year tale of the medical University has been enabled college entirely. Cornell remained loyal to the building it left behind. In fact, it foresaw a produc tive future for the sandstone structure in Ithaca did not end building especially designed for anatomy, histology, embryology, and The general form is that physiology. of an E, 157 feet long and 50 feet wide, . . . which was named in honor of surgeon and Cornell medical educator Lewis with Atterbury Stimson (1844-1917). Opened in 1903, Stimson Hall housed rooms Down As it is wings 40 feet square." today, Stimson Hall was di vided into five floors. The cellar pro vided a space for storage, embalming and cremation. The first floor held the coat rooms, medical laboratories and lecture for 35 years. It supported various scien tific research and a total of 1,515 medical students. library and offices. On the second floor students studied and histology ca physiology. on Students dissected During its period as a medical college, Stimson Hall was davers But the third floor and X-rayed revered as the most bones in the attic. advanced medical training facility was even in the country. The building tempo rarily converted into an emergency hos pital to battle Ithaca's infamous 1903 typhoid epidemic which killed 29 and forced the evacuation of one-third of Cornell's students. chartered in 1898, the same year in which Cornell launched the colleges of medicine in Ithaca and New was Memory Hall by the time Cornell had erected its colleges, the 'old school' of medical education was dying. Both Johns Hopkins and Harvard universities had two medical cut basic science from their curricula saw to demand undergraduate pre-medical that Stimson preparation. Educators also medical schools needed ing hospitals cient clinical in order adjoining teach to provide suffi new York a City. The University had designed stu training. attitudes, two-step system for its medical The result of these The college at Ithaca gave two years of basic science and medical in struction following which students could dents: according to Morris Bishop's 1962 book A History of Cornell, was that the Ithaca division began to feel pressure to pull up its stakes. The situation was transfer Even to complete the New York their training. City facility to expedited redirect its by the University's need to their creation, however, Cornell's sister medical colleges were at not equal. Whereas the hospital-college toward the booming New York facility. By 1938, all medical instruction was permanently transferred to the New resources York campus. kSA. (S^7;yM \%yjf'l~ •5 i%^£ & P^(^^M^ P "*> ^"S 6 Nowadays Cornellians can know only history of the world that once occu pied Stimson Hall. But Cornell adminis tration helped to ensure that the build ing would embody the University's land mark decision to create a biological sciences program independent of a the built, most recently the Biotechnology Building in 1987." Stimson Hall is no longer a research facility, he said. Today, classrooms and laboratories share the building with teach ing rooms, the Behrman Biology Center, the biology learning skills center, the were facilities ground-floor biology center now con tains the stacks elevator. Also, part of Stimson Hall's north side has been walled off to make room for the extension entrance. medical curriculum. Following Stimson Hall's takeover by the new Department of Zoology which — office, the University ombudsman, an autotutorial study center, and two computer labora tories. Division's academic affairs Stimson's new neighbor marks the beginning of yet another period of change in the building's 90-year history. ■ has since been absorbed into the Divi sion of Biological It now Sciences — the build ing continued to function as a teaching of the nessed And since 1990, the building has wit a new kid moving in next door exten — — facility7. portion division, which was formed in 1964. Harry T. Stinson, Associate Director a houses the Carl A. Kroch sion to the Olin marked for underground Library stacks which is completion by the fall of for Academic Affairs and Administration for the Division, said that "the building's uses 1992. The have been reshuffled as the Divi structural library extension has prompted changes in Stimson Hall itself, was once sion itself developed and new biology Stinson said. Half of what the by Jill Steuer '92 *C#* """-ft- ■£'..-:• was Students studied on considered to be the most advanced facility in the country for medical studies when it housed the Cornell Medical College. and then went to New York City for the rest of their medical training. The building now contains part of the Division of Biological Sciences, campus for two years, adjoins the new Carl A. Kroch Library, built underground next to Stimson. Stimson Hall 7 Professor Antonie Blackler: "Frog HE'S KNOWN ON CAMPUS AS THE Man" He has age students to do research. "Frog Man." But Professor Antonie W. Blackler is just your average Cornell with worked with many aspiring undergradu ate biologists in the laboratory. Blackler's work is sors biology instructor frog-rearing talents. extraordinary Born and raised in London, England, noteworthy in that many profes prefer only graduate students to assist them with their research projects. from the Cornell research on of chromosomes; others show sex traits. Many of these labo ratory frogs are sterile. Blackler's frog studies, now span extra sets abnormal Blackler received his PhD in the biology at University of London. Blackler first brought his research skills and witty teaching style to Cornell's former De partment of Zoology in 1964. He now teaches in the Section of Genetics and "Frog Man" community because of his renowned expertise and published "I've worked Blackler earned the title ning almost forty years, are also inspired by his personal agenda to save endan gered species. His work involving spe cies transfer may someday contribute to the restoration of wildlife. amphibians. with amphibia of various toads from South Africa, from South America as kinds such as horned as frogs Development in the cal Sciences. Division of Biologi well the native always been involved in teaching biology at the introductory level. He started Cornell's first introductory biology course for non-majors in 1971. "At the time, there was only one course, that had 1,100 majors along with nonmajors. This was too many students," explained Blackler. Blackler's commitment to undergradu ates also includes taking time to encour Blackler has North American ones," said Blackler. He finds that these animals are easy to raise in the laboratory. good genetic subjects as fruit flies, but I can get them to lay eggs at any time of the year," explained the "Frog Man." "You can cross different species or hybrids to get some unusual abnormali house, feed, and "They're not as Blackler explained, "One can take undeveloped, immature embryonic sex cells from an endangered species and put those cells into an embryo from an unendangered species, expecting this unendangered embryo to become an adult and produce the sex cells of the endangered species." Using this tech nique, Blackler attempts to make unendangered species produce the sperm or eggs of endangered species. So what does all this have to do with saving endangered species? "Well, if you can ties," continued Blackler. From certain transfer those species crosses, the offspring frogs gain across broadly different embryo ancestor cells amphibia, maybe Professor Antonie Blackler with "The Captain," an African bullfrog. "In many coun tries, frogs eliminated tion. Tree tat." being by pollu cutting is are destroying their habi you can do this in birds or mammals as successful teaching. "There's always an who have been transformed — — well," said Blackler. Blackler, although affectionately called the element of the theater involved when by the Cornell critical that I "Frog Man," does not himself iden with frogs and never keeps them as tify pets. Besides his concern for preventing species extinctions, Blackler sees other important applications for his work with these creatures. "In many countries, frogs are being eliminated by pollution and habitat destruction. The destruction and frequency of amphibia is a useful index of the level of atmospheric pollution in South America," said Blackler. Blackler also detailed the history of teaching before a large lecture. I tend to be more flamboyant and use anecdotes to experience in their attitude and get the students' attention," said as a Blackler. Blackler believes that the func tion of the lecture is to act "transfer zone" between is "A successful lecture learning. teaching diverges from what and approach to life make me feel played some part in all this." Blackler, although satisfied with his work and his relationship with the stu dents and faculty at Cornell, is critical of the lack of effort that the into University puts presented in the textbook," he said. In smaller classes, however, Blackler talks students on a more to personal level and undergraduate education and facili ties, especially in the underclass years. He criticized Bailey Hall for its hard seats, and characterized Warren Hall 45 as a has greater interaction with them. Blackler thinks highly of European standards of teaching and learning. He "hot pit" — neither of which have improved since he first arrived at Cornell in 1964. frogs in pregnancy testing. "The Xenopus frog was used in the original pregnancy test for women around the year 1937," he added. "They injected urine into this particular frog and if it laid eggs, then the woman was pregnant." This strongly rejects pure memorization as a learning tool. "I believe the ability of a student to go beyond memorizing and to apply concepts distinguishes the A, B, and C students from each other," mented Blackler. com amphibian studies, of Blackler may be renowned for his but this European- bred intellectual also possesses a wealth insight into what is best for students. pronounced test was "early three rabbit" usually repeated of the was with three frogs. If one or more frogs laid eggs, the woman said to probably be pregnant. Outside of his work with amphibia, Blackler has a As a teacher's final accomplishment, Blackler acknowledges the students who keep in touch with him after graduation as Perhaps the frogs, in their own way, find him endearing to be around every day. We humans should be so lucky. ■ his proudest achievements. "Those philosophy concerning students make me feel I've made an impact," said Blackler. "These students by Cozzette Lyons '92 Forest Park: How Ezra's Farm Became a University to THE LAND ON WHICH once CORNELL'S should have tural access to the latest as a was agricul one free pursue agriculture set in earnest. part of Ezra buildings Cornell's 300-acre farm. This much is known by most Cornell students, but stand was knowledge. gained him recognition a His first step, that Once again, he about improving the farmer and standards of community leader, Society. few realize that Ezra's incredible fore refound the tural helping to Tompkins County Agricul on sight and generosity were crucial founding of the University. Between to the agriculture in Tompkins County, raising a purebred herd of short horn cattle and purchasing pedigreed Southdown sheep and Berkshire pigs. At this But Cornell would not stay the time, he found area farmers more Gorge (which North Campus from Central separates Campus) and Cascadilla Gorge (near Collegetown), lie approximately 300 acres Fall Creek long, for he became involved in the newly-invented telegraph and fol lowed its development, wrote Dorf. Cornell foresaw nications and a farm for receptive to the idea of breeding stock. Using census figures, Cornell calculated the rising butterfat average of the county's cattle as one revolution in became commu indicator of the area's which used De Witt until they were family in 1793 and cleared for wheat planting. In Forest Park, Stephen Jacobs writes that the west densely bought by the to be forested wisely one of its foremost proponents. Not many people in those days believed that the telegraph would be moted it, success, but Cornell pro invested in it and helped to a agricultural success. He encouraged not only the farmers of Ithaca, but those in other areas of the region, to improve farm, bounded on the their crops and livestock by learning new farming methods. His farm became by extending what is more today than East Avenue and a mile eastward, remained in the De Witt family until Ezra Cornell and his brother-in-law Orrin Wood decided Ezra Cornell to buy a the land. develop telegraph technology. When Cornell finally decided to retire on a farm in Ithaca in 1857, he was making his fortune from the telegraph, and was in a position to finally buy the De Witt farm from his brother-in-law. production and Cornell as position of leadership in the community as president of the county agricultural society and the founder of a model of a sumed the Farmers' Club of Ithaca. His was self-made states man. accomplishments a were noted by Biographer Philip Dorf in The as a Builder that Cornell started out mechanic and miller in the Ithaca area and engaged in some land speculation bought the property, named it "Forest Park" and settled his family in the large farmhouse, which was located on Cornell what is now others in New York state as well. Cornell Stewart Avenue. With his political stature. president of the New York State Agricultural Society and served He was gained great deal of elected during a boom prices fell and in the 1830s. But when financial burdens relieved, Cornell was as chairman of the Committee on Agri- his employer, Jeremiah Beebe, for whom Beebe Lake is named, sold his mill, Cornell found himself in need of an occupation. a He became farmer on the land he had leased north of Fall Creek. Cornell raised sheep, cattle and not mented with breeding herds, and would He experi improve his hesitate to spend hogs. to the money on a quality breeding animal. Cornell knew that area farmers could have higher herd yields if they crossed their stock with better breeds, but he found it hard to convince them of this. According to Albert Smith in his biog raphy, A Character Study, Cornell rec ognized a need for agricultural educa tion early in his life and determined that he would someday help farmers im prove their lifestyle. Cornell had edu cated himself largely through books and he thought that the farmers of the area K) State Education Committee and fellow lion dollars. Cornell its doors in Cornell and White, though op posite in background and temperament, shared a common interest in education. senator. 1868, and University opened today, his gift continues to endow the school. The of its ness White great believer in the classi cal education with which he had been was a to a man University stands as a monument of service and charity. The story does not founding in Ezra reveal selfish privileged, while Cornell desired to ex tend knowledge, especially agricultural, those who could not afford it. To gether they formed a plan to relocate to character, but rather the unparalleled generosity and Cornell's strengthened people century. ■ benevolence that have educated and for more than a Ithaca's sented it before the State Agricultural College, and pre Legislature. versy to Smith's book chronicles the contro over Cornell and White's request buy the state's entire land grant to as fund what would be known Ezra Cornell, circa 1865. was Cornell own University. Among other charges, Cornell accused of speculating for his gain. Despite his well-known philan thropic nature and the many gifts he had given culture. In 1861 he State was to his own town, his motives in elected to the founding the university were questioned by some. "Ezra Cornell wanted to improve farmers' lives by ex Legislature. Cornell wanted to use his position to improve the general education of the public. With the fortune that he was bringing in through his Western Union stockholdings, he built a free public library on the corner of Seneca and Tioga streets. The library, generous gift though it was, would be overshadowed by the larger gift Cornell would make through his own wealth. Cornell new never Eventually, the doubters were silenced legal wrangling with the state, Cornell was permitted to buy up all of New York's land grant. Not only did and after tending agricultural knowledge to those who could not afford it." fortune the Cornell offer up $500,000 of his own to buy the land grant and hold profits for the University endow ment, but he donated his own farm as the site on which to build the college intended to create a campus. Cornell's financial experience had apparently taught him much, for the land's value increased to over college. He lent his support to the newly-created New York State Agricul tural College at Ovid as a trustee, but the college would see less than one year of service, Dorf s biography states, because of the outbreak of the Civil War. The five mil by Jeanne Naujeck '92 college would its financial never reopen because of difficulties, yet Cornell be gan a campaign to save it by requesting land-grant money through the Morrill Act of 1862. '53 PhD According to Gould Colman '51 '6l, University Archivist, stipulation that MS the to Morrill Act "allocated federal lands each state with the prof its derived from their sale would be assigned to colleges teaching the sub jects of engineering, agriculture and military tactics. New York's share of the was federal land grant huge — about ten percent of the whole based on its large number of representatives in Congress." Cornell tried to gain part of those ben efits for the Agricultural College but those efforts failed. It was at this time that Cornell met Andrew Dickson White, chairman of the Early map showing Cornell's farm land and early layout of the University. 11 Tributes MANYALUMNI PROBably remember the ag With this consider Adleman ation in mind, selected 15 trees from the Halka Nurseries in Englishtown, two New Jer list included sey. His trees, quad 1950 the way it was in when gigantic they have grown beyond our expecta tions. They look like they have been there many more years than they actu plums, six and a Kentucky lindens, three zelkovas trees were coffee tree. Three additional pagoda Thundercloud three Silver ally have." But the trees east were American elms lined the way to Mann Li brary. These magnifi cent trees were and central areas planted only in the of the ag quad, planted back in a can in two rows 1932, opy to provide over the east-west the library. 1960s, Dutch entrances to west end sparse in anticipa of the construction of the new tion Roberts and Kennedy halls. The Ag Campus Beautification Committee, headed by Adleman, was established by the dean's office to develop short-term leaving the But in the and long-term plans to for the beautifica elm disease devastated the American elms tion of the ag campus. According priority was a throughout the Cornell associate dean of the Kenneth E. Wing '58, College, "The first commemo campus, and in 1974, the last American elm was removed from the ag design for the rative trees for the west end of the quad. quad. The funds have been accumulating over the past ten years for these commemo rative trees, but we Professor Marvin I. Adleman, then head of the Landscape Archi tecture Program, held a couldn't plant any until were Kennedy Hall and Roberts Hall new an completed." 1987, construction of the build active In student competition ings began, role in and Adleman took to select the best de sign for replanting the ag quad. A senior land Vita 77, scape architecture stu dent, Donald won the competition with a design that called protecting existing trees on the "I play an advocacy role in cham quad. pioning the cause of trees," he said. "I've been actively involved in promoting tree protection standards for the College and the University." When construction was completed in 1990, Adleman and the committee de for informal groupings of trees and species signed the a new plan to finish planting L. diversity. "We didn't want to ever commemorative trees in the west end of quad. According to Maya Gasuk, for risk quad one become bare so disease, again species diversity having the ag as a result of was an Assistant Director of Development the ag objective," Adleman said. "Alumni and friends of the College trees of in Agriculture the funds honor to and Life Sciences provided college, alumni and friends gave gifts to the College after the first planting in 1979, for the purpose of dedicating trees in the next planting. Adleman said his new plan continued the concept of informal and species diversity a — plant and dedicate tree groupings areas of, of, friends and loved ones," Adleman added. The trees planted in 1979 included red oak, sugar or in memory design already established in the east and central of the In quad. plan include a large open area in quad to accommodate maple, red maple, American linden, purple ash, tulip, European ash, littleleaf linden, Kentucky coffee and several cultivars of honey locust. The trees have done end that it is hard was addition, the dean's office requested of the that the the tents center for commencement, so well in the east reunions and other social events, receptions, Wing space for selected from other at sources and planted the same time. to believe the quad said. "That also students or provides eat a barren less than 13 years ago. As Adleman said, "The oak trees in particu lar have found the site so to play frisbee, lunch, study just sit in the sun," he said. "We think an suitable that that's important part of the quad." The trees were five to six inch caliper with root ball diameters of up to five feet, Adleman said. "Normally, you want a plant pit two and a half times the i: diameter of the ball. I simply made it three times, to enhance the growth of the trees," he said, that because Com ing the utilities. Cayuga Landscape a design for the west end of the quad a new adding David Fernandez pany, firm headed by former student of Adleman's, sub called for four commemorative wooden benches outside Roberts Hall and walk between Tower Road and Van 78, a' of the maze of utilities under the ag it was often difficult to dig a quad perfectly quad circular hole for each The maze tree. of utilities under the includes steam, water, gas, electric, tele phone lines as and well fiberoptic as sewer communication mitted the lowest bid and was con tracted to plant the trees in April, 1992. President Frank H. T. Rhodes and many honorees and donors attended the dedication ceremony for the new trees on May 16, 1992. But only 14 of the 18 commemorative trees were Rensselaer Hall. The work additional were on these projects was completed in the Two of the four benches spring of 1992. two are installed and dedicated; the other pipes and many dedicated at available for dedication. Adleman said the committee has other long-term plans, but he added, "Things only long-term until somebody funds them and then they become immediateare term. "The most immediate need in the ag adequate lighting," he said. "From a life safety standpoint as well as from an aesthetic standpoint, it's a real concern. An important part of our plan but that is to properly light the quad must be given a higher priority." The committee's long-term plan for the ag quad also includes other im provements. For example, Adleman said quad is — the walk system needs to be revised to accommodate new circulation patterns. where the he said. the paths don't always go people go, and that is obvious from the muddy trails in several places," "Right now addition, the committee is consid ering creating a plaza in front of Mann In Library, where students can sit and read. It also wants to spruce up the entrances to buildings on the quad and create additional display gardens along Tower Road, Adleman said. But for now Adleman is content to watch the latest commemorative trees we'll come grow. "Every few years through and raise the canopy by remov the lower branches to try and get that ing column and canopy effect back," he said. The ag quad may never look the the American elms way it did when towered overhead, but the committee's to return beauty and plan promises splendor to the ting together a once-barren quad. As Associate Dean Wing said, "We're put to comprehensive plan of have the most beautiful quadrangle school in the world." ■ any ag by David W. Marston '92 others, Adleman said. "We leftover up planting in the small between utility lines." often wind spaces that time. Wing explained Campus Beautification that the Ag Committee with David Burnett, facilities engineer Facilities and Busi the Department of spent four days locatness planted several extra trees to complete the design and he added that those trees are currently available for dedication. In commemora A Fresh New Look: This plan for new was tive trees in the west end of the ag quad Marvin Adleman. The west end was designed by Roberts and barren for a number of years while Operations, addition to the new trees, the Kennedy halls were completed. 13 Avian AS THE FALL MONTHS GROW COLDER, masses Airways "sort of belt and suspenders approach." their journey south. of birds fill the airways and start How do these birds find their way back and forth? A startlingly complex array of natural cues, If conditions are not appropriate for using celestial cues, for example, birds may still be capable of using their sensi themselves? Walcott has followed up on the late Dr. William a discovery by Keeton PhD '58, who found that homing pigeons can use the earth's magnetic field as a tivity combined with the birds' inborn abili ties, act as a system of road signs to help the birds home. magnetism. The cues migratory birds use to orient themselves are quite extraordinary. Nu to merous compass, but only did so under forma north- overcast skies. Except field runs in areas where the rock Researchers at Cornell University are unraveling the mystery of bird naviga tional techniques. Dr. Charles Walcott PhD '59, Professor of Neurobiology and can studies have shown that birds orient to sun patterns in the day, the can tion has been disturbed, the magnetic the along planet on a including The birds glow that follows sunset. compensate for the sun's Behavior, and Executive Director of the south axis, forming gradients of inten sity. Walcott and his colleagues found that pigeons from certain lofts became disoriented in areas where the magne tism was Laboratory of Ornithology, recalled that bird navigation was once thought to be a simple question of flying north and south. However, birds' travel plans have been found to be not so random. By tagging birds caught in fine mist nets, researchers found that the same birds returned to the same breeding and win tering grounds year after year. "It isn't just a question of north and irregular, until they found their way out of the affected area. Pigeons from other lofts flew through the irregu lar areas without any problem. Walcott pointed out that the current suspicion is that "Birds raised in magnetic gradients learn about them, and find them useful in navigation." south," Walcott explained. "It's 'I winter in Belize, how 'bout you?'" Navigating the path from a farm in upstate New York America is must no Several theories attempt to explain just how birds can sense the magnetic field. Studies have shown that pigeons, for example, have deposits of magnetite in their heads and necks, which may make them sensitive to magnetism. Re searchers have also found indications that the birds' visual systems may be to a farm in South easy task. have some destinations. mechanisms have found combination way of While the still a Migratory birds locating their birds' exact adapted Walcott A Swainson's thrush is fitted with ter for tracking. a to noticing magnetic clues. that the nerve are puzzle, scientists that the birds rely on a of physical cues, such as sun explained to "see retina is can radio transmit adapted the field. You electrode in the cells that the location of the and magnetic gradients. found evidence of these and stars, smells Researchers have cues apparent movement through the sky by by study using their internal clocks. can response sity," he added. Some to optic change their firing rate in to changes in magnetic inten put an and find ing migrant birds, and homing or racing pigeons which are bred to return home. "You can take a homing pigeon out in any direction hundreds of miles from the loft, and it will circle around and fly Birds relation also orient themselves in star pigeons use their sense of smell back," said Walcott. He noted that the birds must accomplish two things in order to find their home lofts. First, they must figure out in which direction home lies. Second, cues to make tion. Stephen Emlen, Professor of Neurobiology and Behavior, conducted an elegant study inside a planetarium. He found the birds knew to use key stars such as those near the North Star as guideposts when traveling. The birds then learned a refer to — — patterns. Dr. find their way home. Italian research ers found this out by numbing their birds' and sense of smell with When same an anesthetic were releasing them: the birds in re deed disoriented. searchers tried the own German study with their ence pattern, so they could choose their these across they sure must use they fly compass in that direc to a direction in relation Of course to constellations moved many — areas key stars as the sky. do not always can birds, however, Walcott said, "The Frankfurt pigeons clicked their heels, saluted briefly and flew straight home." What could have in lofts which were explained this differ were raised protected from wind ence? Well, the Gemian birds currents, so Birds use a variety of compass cues have clear skies as Ithacans birds attest. orient themselves. Walcott called it What other ways can use to orient they may not have been 14 sensitive new to different smells. By raising a group of pigeons on a roof, where they building to able. If the bird meets a headwind, it lands." This skill has important conse quences for birds from the eastern U.S. who fly across the Gulf of Mexico, a 600 mile stretch with no place to land. "In were exposed breezes, German researchers proved this theoty of the connection of smell to orientation. Birds which could not smell could not orient either. While migratory birds do use many of these cues in various combinations, they face a much different task than does the early fall, cold fronts sometimes peter out and the birds encounter a headwind over the gulf," Emlen said. To reach land they have to use some. fat reserves and then up all their The birds homing pigeon. Pigeons are trained to go home, whereas migratory birds are not. Emlen noted that migratory birds leave their breeding area of their own volition and travel from 2,000 to miles. "They have no motivation turn 4,000 to re straggle onto shore thin and weak. "You can just pick them up, because they are too weak to fly away." Luckily, migratory birds are adept at evaluating winds. Emlen's research team had the see opportunity to trace birds using can for six months, then [their inclina tion to return home] engages," he said. "For 90 percent of the trip the bird is not NASA's rocket tracking radars. "You the He images of birds," he expounded. explained that the group would a Maybe at the end there is a shift into homing." In other words, for most of the trip, migratory birds use their navigational techniques simply to stay on their programmed trying to course. go home. attach radio transmitter to a a bird's A homing pigeon pokes out of its cage. wing, release the bird from weather balloon way up in the air and then track it. "We learned that if the bird is released altitude where the winds are not favorable, it will sample other altitudes in an birds, such as swallows and seabirds, a travel tremendous distances in single day while Emlen have a explained that migratory birds until it finds Once a good one," Emlen said. birds need return to searching homing abilities nests. for food. These in order to they built-in program for migration; innately know to fly for a certain a bulk migratory birds complete the of their journey, they still have to in on their Therefore, homing and to number of hours in He described an certain direction. home their exact destination. migration do not necessarily go hand in hand. Scientists still have much unravel in the great bird compared three experiment in which he closely related species Walcott noted that very little is actually known about the birds during this stage navigation mystery. One thing, however, is certain. It's of birds which known to fly very by placing them in cages and preventing them from migrat ing. "They start nocturnal activity, emu lating actual migration," he said, "and the species that flies to Florida stops first, followed by the one that flies to Central were different distances of the journey. Emlen suspects they may shift into a homing phase near the end of the other something to marvel at while watch ■ ing the flocks fly overhead this fall. flight. "I think migrants as are with the same cue systems playing pigeons or animals," he stated. Of course intermediates do exist. Some by Melissa Glim '93 America and can so on." This behavior alone to bring the bird very close its final destination. One of the most conditions cern a important physical migrating bird must con must itself with is the weather. It to be able adjust if it is blown off course. Emlen complimented their skill in me teorology. "Birds are probably much better than said. our TV weathermen," he they ing. want pay attention to winds and correct their position. It's like sail "They You turn the bow past the point you to reach and get blown in the direction." Birds also pay attention to weather fronts which are associated with predict correct able winds. This way they can generally precious fly with a tailwind, and save "There is a energy. Emlen noted that selective pressure for the very strong ability to detect winds. The birds stay on the ground until conditions are favor A researcher "tosses" or releases homing pigeons. They will use a variety of cues to find their way home. 15 EXPLORING the __ Cutting Edge CORNELL CAN BOAST SEVERAL WELL- "Explorations" invites freshmen to time and their labs to freshmen. Kidder connection" to to established freshman traditions man datory swimming tests, the dreaded first — leave the classroom and on enter a Cornell said he and Glase who had any surveyed "anybody sell prelims name a can and the line few. Freshman a new at Hot Truck, to lab for hands-on exposure to research the cutting edge of biology. Every remote biology. "I biology students experience to the list, "Explorations," a program developed by the Division of Biological add courtesy of Sciences. introductory class for prospective biology majors must attend at least one "exploration" in a Cornell student in the said. "Many The really people tried me came them," he back and said 'Great idea. Count in.'" work research lab. In the program, students alongside faculty members whose specialties rat to study range from the naked mole human infertility to necropsy, the of the dead. In 1991-1992, more three-year pilot project began in the fall of 1991 and is funded by a grant from the Ford Foundation Undergradu ate Scholars Program, through the Office of the Vice President for Academic Pro grams and Campus Affairs. than 70 faculty members lab doors each semester to opened their the approxi Participation three percent of are in the program counts as a student's grade in the course. mately 700 students who took the course. The project is the brainchild of Jeffrey Kidder, a PhD candidate in zoology and a former teaching assistant for the course. Kidder said the idea came to introductory biology Students guaranteed credit for attending, as long as they hand in an evaluation sheet. most common The response from stu him when he started a volunteer trip to the Cornell dents, Kidder said, is that they usually ask if they can attend more than one Plantations several years ago. Few stu dents in the class knew about the Plan tations and Kidder said he realized that exploration per semester. At the beginning of each students receive a semester, many of the University's resources going unused and unnoticed. "A lot of were booklet listing the choices for Explorations. Students pick their top seven choices from the more than 70 more undergraduates this aren't aware of all the resources on campus," said Kidder, who won a 1990 Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award from the Col lege of Agriculture and Life Sciences. "Their world very much focuses . . . the offerings. Some explorations are popular than others, but during spring 1992 semester, 93 percent of the students were matched with one of their top three choices and 74 percent on the dorm, the dining halls and Collegetown they're not really a part of the larger sphere of the University," he said. Kidder, a former high school teacher, took his idea Glase '67 PhD 72, a senior lecturer in the Section of Neuro biology and Behavior. Glase coordi to Jon C. nates course got their first choice, Kidder said. The booklet for the spring 1992 semester listed 72 different choices. The average exploration accommodates about 10 stu dents and two some are limited to as few as freshmen. most One of the ences last the labs which accompany the and helped turn Kidder's idea spring was popular lab experi certainly not tar into a reality. was finding out if members would volunteer their The first hurdle geted at those with weak stomachs. "The Necropsy-Key to Living," conducted by Prof. John M. King, veterinary pathol ogy, were faculty attracted 40 students. Those 40 the lucky ones 150 students ap— 16 plied for a spot in King's lab, which, according to its description in the book let, allowed participants to handle "ac tual fresh but pathologically affected organs and tissues" from dead animals. King said he led the students through a "storytelling" session, where he displayed diseased organs from dead animals and explained why were and how the animals affected by their illnesses. Although allowed to students were touch the diseased organs, many declined the opportunity. "If they [want to] take time to touch it and look at all of it, there are gloves available," King said. Daniel S. tended the Zuckerbrod '94, who at King's exploration, called the experience "gross," but entertaining at same time. "We trekked up to the vet we watched as this guy held slabs of parts of animals on this big metal tray," Zuckerbrod said. "It was interest I had never seen anybody take ing school and ... parts of animals and just rip them up." For students who are unsure of their study, the Explorations program offers a close-up look at a wide range of specialties and may take stu dents in directions they never knew existed. "It gives you an idea of what you major in," said Daniel Rabinovitch '95. Kidder said that some freshmen enrolled in upper-level courses for fur want to eventual field of ther study in the field so they explored, interested in the now Freshman biology students search for evidence of genetic biologist at the College of Veterinary Medicine, looks on. imprinting as Dr. Douglas Antczak, a molecular while others became in the lab topic they explored that they The as a work in labs man they Explorations to visited. program may come freshmen who feel lost does University-wide. The typical fresh not usually come in contact learn ment more about early embryo develop through hands-on research. Stu blessing in one of Cornell's largest courses. Al with Cornell research and may have no idea of its size or scope. Glase said that students often repeat studies that have already been done, but in dents learned modern procedures on re equipment being used in current most 800 students started the introduc regular labs, they tory class in the fall of 1991 and just under 600 followed through to the spring of 1992. an when work alongside are a University search. Foote said the Explorations pro gram exposes students to areas they might be interested in and also lets them know that he and other Cornell "Large introductory courses are researcher, they current "at the frontier of facultyto unfortunate situation. I think it's ... not knowledge." members see are accessible. a a lot of good teaching method students get lost in the cracks," admitted Prof. CarlD. Hopkins, neurobiology and "Cornell University is a research uni versity." Hopkins said. "The purpose of the Freshmen also get the opportunity Explorations we behavior, taught the class in 19911992. "When Jeff [Kidder] proposed this idea I was very enthusiastic about it and urged him to go ahead." Hopkins said Explorations program is a step in the right direction, since many "students have been anesthetized by large classes." "It was nice being in a smaller group," said Traci R. Vogel '95. "It kept me more the attentive." who is what program is to say, 'This do. This is what goes on here. scientists in action. Students learn what a research lab is and what a scien tist really does, Kidder said. "They are rec This is Cornell.'" In order for the program to continue, professors and faculty members must be willing to continue volunteering their labs. Most ognize that these people beings," Foote said. human faculty members who partici pated in the program said they would be willing to do it again. Prof. Robert H. Foote, the Jacob Gould Schurman Pro fessor of Animal Physiology, and Xiangzhong Yang, a senior research associate in the ably glad But would students be exploring Cornell's research labs if they weren't required to? As Rabinovitch said, "I prob wouldn't end up doing it, but I'm I was forced to do it." ■ The program not only puts students in smaller setting, but also gives them a glimpse of the research being conducted a Department of Animal to Science, invited about eight students by Jill Rackmill '93 17 What's the Buzz? IF THE SOUND OF BUZZING AND THE sight of yellow you a and black stripes makes little nervous, you might want to avoid the stretch of Cornell property along Freese Road in Ithaca. Home to the Dyce Laboratory for Honey Bee Studies and Liddell Labora tory of Animal Behavior, this area is a hive of activity for honey bee research from practical beekeeping to colony behavior to the uses of honey. "The study of honey bees is a small area. There are only a few of us who work with it so we're very adaptable in terms of our research," said Roger A. Morse '50 MS '53 PhD '54. A professor of apiculture in the Department of Ento mology, Morse has been the sole faculty occupier of Dyce Laboratory since it was built in — 1968. Morse has extension so, much In addition to his search, bilities and teaching and re responsi — around practical problems. He focuses a of his work centers beekeeping methods on reproduc tion and social order, but he has also wine developed honey production process, studied "killer" bees and worked with Cornell food scientists on the use of honey to keep apple juice clear. Recently, he and K.H. Steinkraus, pro fessor emeritus, have studied the control of a honey bee disease-causing mite, Varroa jacobson i, in the United States and abroad. This destructive mite, found in the U.S. in 1987, has killed thousands of colonies of bees. Some colonies in infested with the areas working resistant on help breeding them to develop a strain. "It will probably take to have survived, and Morse, of outside beekeepers, is three is to five years achieve this, but it preferable to chemical control, which can be costly and time-consuming," he said. He Professor Morse removes a colony of honey bees varroa to bees resistant to destructive get a closer look. He is trying to develop a strain of mechanism is quite groom mites. explained that the resistance simple. "The bees off, bite, maim and carry the 18 When a forager bee finds a food source, it returns to the hive to recruits. It communicates gather location by the stored in the hive. Nurse bees, who feed brood, will feed pollen to foragers also if enough is stored. If there is a "waggle" dance; direction is by the bee's orientation in the hive, distance by duration of waggling and quality by the number of circuits in a dance the better the source, the longer doing a indicated shortage, foragers go without. When the bees feel hungry for the protein in then they know to collect more. Camazine has also used mathematical computer models to figure out how the pollen, — the dance. placement pattern of Originally, researchers believed that bees compared dances going on in the easily observed. You can't ask for anything better." Though Morse receives a large num ber of phone calls and requests for infomiation on beekeeping methods, honey processing and beeswax, he jokes that he doesn't have many visitors. "Be cause there are always a number of mites outdoors. It's in the hive arises. comb looks honey and pollen Although the honey "Bees to hive and selected the best source, said Seeley. But he found that each bee chooses a dance at random and follows it. More bees go to the richer source counter organized, he said, put don't know where things. The simply because more are likely to en the longer dance. "The deeper message here is simplic ity," explained Seeley. "Each individual is honey and pollen near the brood get eaten quickly. A pattern is formed only by the way things are taken out." are dumb," Camazine claims. argues this point with him; he thinks that they are poorly informed, not "Bees Seeley dumb. beehives afraid out front, some people are operates with limited information. No one to come visit me," he said. However, he does have a few close overseeing the process, but orga nization arises." He said these control processes paral lel those of many other organisms, down to the cellular and molecular level. "Or der often develops from individual com neighbors who aren't scared off — the researchers just down the road at Liddell Laboratory. Thomas Seeley, associate professor in the Section of Neurobiology and Behavior, and Scott Camazine, one of the section's PhD students, have both worked with Morse on a number of occasions. responding to local cues," he studying bees, we are learning something general about bio logical organization." ponents continued. "In Camazine 's Seeley ing. and Camazine research bee related work increases behavior rather than practical beekeep fascinating be behavior," said Seeley. "The study of the honey bees can answer some basic questions in biology "To me, the bee is cause of its rich social understanding of how bee colonies work as a whole. He has studied how colonies regulate intake of food sources to achieve the right balance for nourishment. a Regardless of the debates between rest about animal societies and animal munication." com Bees collect two types of food: nectar, carbohydrate for energy; and pollen, a bee researchers, the thing for sure bee — of us know one stings hurt. Most of About half of their research is done at Liddell lab which has been set up with indoor that glass-walled observation hives so connect to the outside the bees can come and go freely. The other half is done in the Adirondack Mountains nourishing growing protein They default to collecting nectar unless pollen is needed. So how do the foragers know what to do each day? "Imagine you had to buy milk for everyone in the Empire State Building," Camazine explained. "You would need some for bees. where few flowers grow, so researchers can control food sources. sort of a system. But one bee cannot keep track of the whole colony." has discovered that bees indi probably would worry about work ing so closely with bees, but the re searchers do not mind. How do they feel about the hazards of the job? "People who are not stung frequently just don't understand how small the problem is," said Morse. "Commercial beekeepers may get stung from ten to one hundred times a day, and it doesn't bother them. It's not the kind of thing us Seeley is studying how a honey bee colony as a whole chooses where to collect its food. "Food sources He bee handlers talk about when we get rectly, rather than out through direct obser together. much." ■ We just don't worry about it vary tre vation, figure how much pollen is profitability," colony is faced with the problem of deciding where its forag ers should go. The most foragers should be sent to the largest, richest source." "The mendously said Seeley. in size and by Dana Nigro '93 19 Garbage BIOLOGICAL WASTE MANAGEMENT is a In new an effort to find solutions to this research support specialists Yarrow are challenge faced daily by Professor Jewell Department of Agricultural and Biologi cal Engineering, at Cornell's College of William and his associates in the of problem, the Gas Research Institute Chicago, Illinois funded the "Energy Recovery from a Nelson and Donna Fennell complet ing at work in and Biomass ter" Wastewa industry Both — Riley-Robb Hall also aimed in particular, users of chlo are project in greenhouse next door to rine-laden solvents. Agriculture and Life Sciences. principal investigator Jewell's waste management projects is to investigate approaches to waste man agement problems that do not involve chemical engineering. Said Jewell's re search associate Bob Cummings, "We look to take advantage of what nature's you'll find that natural already doing . . . The mission of Ithaca's sewage treatment Professor William Jewell raw plant. With as principal out to treat an projects concerned with re investigator, researchers set sewage by constructing artificial a ducing the toxicity of chemical waste, though Richards' project is concerned with reducing the volume of waste be fore wetland with roots plants grown in hydro dumping, and Nelson and Fennell's ponic setting. They found that the plants' filtered out projects are that's and retained suspended up dissolved nutrients. currently in the pro- at cleaning up a mess already pervaded America's drink aimed solids, and took Researchers are ing water. The newness of Richards' project, begun this year, indicates not only that gas companies are becoming more interested in keeping the are environ ment clean; but, as Richards said, that environmental regulations tighten ing. "There are spinoff environmental prob lems when you drill for and produce natural gas," said Richards. Side effects include "produced waters" which emerge with the gas and are hazardous due to their high salt content. These waters, said Richards, have in the past been for evapora tion in lagoons, or surface dumping. "There is no easy way to drop out the trucked to treatment sites salt," he said. alternative solution, however, this new project con sists of the use of halophytic (salt-toler As an the proposal for ant) plants in increasing evaporation rates, resulting in a smaller volume of a more concentrated waste. Currently, a Research support specialist Brian Richards stands secrete salt taken up from waste waters. near cordgrass. The plant has glands which purify and small-scale system is set up in the green house consisting of several channels. At the first-stage channel, full of cat systems often tails, water with a salt content capital costs; efficient than provide means to reduce they can be as or more highly technical alterna as tives, and don't require power." Interest in such much man writing up their final report; but even now, Cummings estimates that Jewell receives at least three phone calls per day from around the world, from cess of equal to that of the "produced waters" is intro a tank. At the second-stage channel, full of smooth cordgrass (a salt- duced from farmers is to members of small communi are loving plant), water with a salt content of up to four times the previous amount is introduced. In the last channel, filled with various plants, the salt content is moved up to ten times that of the water introduced into the first stage. The object of the project is to find out whether or not the plants up the evaporation of stomata biological systems ties, who their own currently on the rise, due in particular to the federal government's decision to halt funding to sewage treatment plants. The sewage treatment plant in Ithaca, New York, built in the fall of 1987, was one of the last plants to be built with federal funding. At a cost of $40,000,000, it is easy to as see interested in constructing artificial wetlands for sewage treatment. sewage treatment project has also interested the gas indus try, but for a different purpose. Research This hydroponic support specialist Brian Richards is cur rently working benefit of gas in the why communities such to extension of the last Ithaca may in the not be able said greenhouse on an project which would In another water, the water up their stems and out their into an actually speed by bringing afford new plants 20 future, primarily the ecological situation companies. project, environment." In "evaporation-friendly Richards will also Cummings. the process, Gobblers »» discover which particular plants are happy to do this. Richards said that the cattails have grown to only one-third of their normal height. He characterizes them as salt-tolerant not salt-loving like the cordgrass, which actually has salt on its leaves which release salt — The biological slant on cleaning up expectedly cancerous chlorinated com pounds, found in these solvents, lies in "This is analogous to a natural wet land, which is one is anaerobic down in the near muck and aerobic the surface — this using bacteria to do so. Nelson and Fennell have built versions of a Cornellpatented device called an expanded why provide pollution control," he said. With hope, the combination of these reasons of the wetlands glands bed, and to measure the effect of anaerobic two bacteria will be successful in the first construction pure strated. As the enough to eat, as Richards demon project progresses, Richards might look to a bit of engineering tech nology in the form of air jets, to increase evaporation rates further by blowing air up through the canopy. In comparison an methanotrophic bacteria on the compounds. Nelson said that these compounds were thought to be non biodegradable until 1985. The expanded bed increases the amount pilot-scale beds, at of expanded the Department of Energy's duction Savannah River nuclear weapons pro plant in South Carolina. Results of this pilot project will be available in of contact the wastewater has 1993. with open-water control channel, the has already shown that the plants project do speed up evaporation rates. As well, tests of water in the "before" and "after" tanks have shown that the salt concen tration increases after passage through the channels; the plants have done their job by releasing water for evaporation and reducing the amount of liquid waste. larger The final result of this process on a scale would be a greatly reduced amount of water with a very high salt be to concentration. Richards estimated that at that point, remaining water might truck boiled off, leaving less a lined landfill. at mass to Fennell and Nelson, two researchers the department's lab in Riley-Robb to use Hall, have been working together under the direction of Jewell bacteria in bioremediating spills such of toxic solvents, reactor. Bacteria inside the reactor eat Research support specialist Yarrow Nelson with his methanotrophic at toxic solvents. away as those used for degreasing or dry cleaning. These solvents have been spilled into the earth after train wrecks, and after use in households and indus try. They are extremely potent: even a five gallon spill can contaminate many square miles of groundwater. But research in the ag college should be helpful in cleaning up some of the more than 1,200 sites in this country that with the bacteria, which stick to bits of is sandy earth, according to Nelson. Air Meanwhile, at Cornell, Jewell as pumped stimu up through the device, that contact. Said Nelson, "The lating use to break down enzyme the bacteria food is also the one that breaks down paring project ends. The to publish is pre his role in the agricultural and biological engi neering department is very optimistic. Said Fennell, "This is one of the largestscale studies which has demonstrated that this particular biological process will work. We are optimistic that largerscale demonstrations will be success ful." ■ have been affected by millions of gal lons of such spills, and designated by the Environmental Protection toxic waste toxic He compounds continued, — an accident of to na ture which we're Agency as trying capitalize "A key element of the on." having 1980 tries to to severe problems. began in The EPA's expense of are Superfund effort areas clean these up, at the clean up after themselves, and fund like Jewell to industry. Therefore, indus looking for cost-efficient ways teach them bed process is the combined methanouse of anaerobic (specifically and aerobic (specifically methano genic) bacteria. The actions of these expanded trophic) two ing researchers how. can tary, meaning that together they a wide variety of toxic break down types of bacteria are complemen by Gretchen Leigh Metzger '92 21 compounds. A CONVERSATION WITH THE WHILE ARCHIVIST — DOING RESEARCH FOR AN independent study project at the Cornell Llniversity archives, I came to meet and enjoy interesting conversations with the archivist, Gould P. Colman. It was to then for human beings. Countryman: How did you become interested in the College of Agriculture the implications I have feel like I have studied with him thirteen cubic feet of his mail in the read archives! He linked human life with the and Life Sciences? Colman: always a pleasure to ask Mr. Colman a question about archival material be cause an interesting anecdote usually with the answer. Colman '51 MS '53 PhD '6l has worked for the University as a historian for the came Through erty Hyde Bailey. the writings of Lib a His idea of to me. rural was evolution of cultivated plants and do mesticated animals, and investigated the connection between the days and life times of both. civilization no appealed There clear course, though, by which I became interested in the College. As a child, I grew up in a family that was not people to Bailey wanted to gear the American Indians do, live in sync with the rest of nature. Of up, as formally religious, ings the farm and them and at but on Sunday morn College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, and Oral as my father and I would walk around environment is built, but the builders should be informed. He recog nized that education in agriculture would course our director of the Cornell Program in History. book, Education and Agriculture, A His tory of Agriculture the New York State and Life Sciences. He is the author of the pull up the plants, look at the animals and speculate were only help society by keeping the long term in view. about were. was why they There to growing as they College of were rarely answers, but it •Countryman: How did you come to be the University archivist? Colman: I came ask the questions. Countryman: Are you still involved fun with the ag college? Countryman: Bailey was the founder of this magazine. Colman: Yes, it was originally written by faculty for an informed audience of students and faculty. Then, they started to Cornell and studied Colman: Sure. In history; all my degrees are in history. After completing my undergraduate work I worked in the 1965 I moved to the University Library while continuing to University archives as an a assistant archivist because I needed job. Countryman: So degree... and then — went on to a you got your masters PhD? Colman: A lot of archives work is ma terials handling I wanted to spend more time looking in the boxes! So in 1954, after working at the archives one and a half years, I started PhD work. I sort of fell into it; I had was — no and is — a nice plan. Also Ithaca place to live. I got study farm families as I had done in the College. I have lots of information in the form of interviews that I am working into a book. I am looking at what has not changed in farming, why farming has remained family-based. How do we get this incredible productivity? I am also looking for patterns among Iowa and New York farmers and I'm finding them they are unmistakable. They show how producing crops and animals is inte grated with reproducing farming fami lies. shipping it out to alumni. It started out Bailey. Later, Bristow Adams, a major figure in journalism, oversaw it and other ag college publications. He with had a corps of assistants that would go through faculty manuscripts, preparing them as experimental station or exten sion bulletins. Countryman: What do you think of the modern Countryman magazine? Colman: It works well as a tool for students. Of course, it is a very different publication today, but how does one recreate what the Countryman did in — 1903 mentioned or 1904? Is it even hold of 50 acres in 1954 about three miles from Ithaca. I have been able to do more in Ithaca than I think I could have possible? one Does even Countryman: You Hyde Bailey earlier. Liberty the audience exist? Would want to? ■ done elsewhere. Colman: I thought I was going to be the world's greatest secondary school teacher and do what Countryman: into" a How do you "sort of fall Liberty Hyde Bailey did! I by Mary-Jo G. Stewart '92 PhD? Colman: Well, I wasn't planning to do the thesis. One day a colleague was talking about his brother's experience at the Putney School in Vermont an alter — native school that learning tant integrated academic and farm activities. The assis was headmaster going off to re model another school I along Putney lines. applied and was there three years. The chairman of my department urged me to do a centennial history of the College of Agriculture as my thesis. By the third year I was taking on administrative work, which I disliked, so I came back. Later on, the ag to do some history. I college offered me a chance fascinating work in oral documented the beginning of artificial insemination in the U.S., among other things, and one could already see l,,*htr,I2i!!I!J,Vlit 0ou,d P* Co,man Md fom,,r manutBrt'rt vmtmwt Geri Solomon oxtmlne manuscripts 22 Outstanding Alumni Awards Six alumni of the College of Agricul ture and Life Sciences were honored at the 1992 Alumni Awards Banquet COITOMM CAPSULES the ag Way campaigns five years, and at the Maine, where he served University as of dean for in October. Five Outstanding Alumni Awards and one Young Alumni Achievement Award were given during the banquet. Winners at Cornell. Addition served on the Board of Directors of Cornell Rural Schools Program since 1985, and has chaired the Cornell Plantations ally, Wing including college and LEAD Advisory of the Outstanding a Alumni Awards variety of back experiences. grounds W. Keith Kennedy M.S. '41, Ph.D '47, served as one of the most represent and wide NY, the Empire State Food and Agriculture Leadership Institute, which he was Board since 1988. For three years, Wing and his family lived in the respected professors tors at and administra of director. Paul F. "Rick" Zimmerman '78 received the award for Young Alumni Achievement for his work Residence Halls the as Faculty in Residence participants in Program. Professor Promotions Dr. when University, from 1949 he joined the faculty as an the advocating Albany and the concerns of rural residents and farmers in both agronomy professor, to his retire ment in 1984 as provost and profes sor Washington. Reginald H. Walter has been promoted to full professor at Cornell's Agricultural Experiment Station in Geneva, New York. Walter, a professor of food science in the Department of Food Science emeritus. He continues to serve Grape Center Created Cornell State the Ithaca community as vice- president thropic Service Company, Inc. As the proprietor of Duelwood Fami in Schaghticoke, New York, Raymond E.Johnson '54, served as a of the Atlantic Philan leader in both local and na tional he dairy associations. In was instrumental in addition, recruiting M.S. University and Pennsylvania University have joined forces to create the Lake Erie Regional Center for Grape Research and Extension. Designed to make the New York, Pennsylvania and Ohio grape industry more competitive, the center will provide a single, central facility for research and Technology has been working improve food processing economics by using the waste products such as crushed apple and grape pulp. on and ways to Dr. David M. Soderlund, also of the Cornell students from his district. Solomon Cook '42, '47, industry develop extension programs, and a Ph.D '50, the first Native American to receive a doctorate from Cornell, served as a role model and educator to youths on the St. Regis Akwesasne Mohawk Reservation in upstate New York. In addition to his coordinated research program involving Cornell and Penn State faculty and on-site staff. Dr. David L. Call, dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Science stated that in light of roles as teacher and guidance decreased public funding for grape research, "the formation of a multistate Agricultural Experiment Station, has been promoted to full professor as well. A professor of insecticide toxicology in the Department of Entomology, Soderlund is interna tionally recognized in the field of insect toxicology, and often speaks at symposia. Most recently, he has been working on the application of molecular biology to the study of insecticide toxicology. counselor, Cook served as Chief of the tribal council, helping the community recover from periods of unrest, and as an active researcher and farmer. research and extension the center [would offer] greater efficiency and agricultural capacity in delivery of programs." development and Ralph Hardy Appointed to Agricultural Research Board Ralph Hardy, president of the Boyce Thompson Institute for Plant Research been at new information and During his 33 years with Farm Family Life and Mutual Insurance Albert J. Beard, Jr. '52 became well known to the farm community for his kindness and Wing Named President at SUNY Cobleskill Kenneth E. Wing '58, Associate Dean for the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences was named the ninth president of SUNY Cobleskill. appointed Cornell University has to the board of new directors of the tive Company, Agricultural Federal Alterna Research and Commercialization Center. The nine-member board will oversee an served on the school board and was a member of the Milford Rotary Club. He also sat on professionalism. An nity member, Beard active commu organization industrial which will uses During his tenure at Cornell, Wing was responsible for faculty and staff concerns, such ment, development and While at as the board of the ALS Alumni recruit agricultural products. They will emphasize the use of non-traditional products that are not used for human or promote new for Association. In addition to planning. was animal consumption. The performing the Cornell, Wing in many duties of district administrator for Key Bank of New York, Douglas S. Broadie '55 has worked tirelessly as a projects including Alumni Affairs, Intercollegiate activities and deeply involved and committees, admissions. He chaired the United organization will try to develop more projects which will create increase rural economic jobs, development and diversify agricul tural material markets. fundraiser for many organizations, 23 WHAT DOES IT MEAN WHEN YOU can eat McDonald's in Bangladesh, see in France, and watch the Marlboro Man ride his horse in Japan?.. Mickey Mouse means It that more and more businesses are finding markets abroad. Globalization new has become the hot "buzzword" in business, describing the increased trend toward international marketing. This buzzword has also found a place in the vocabulary and curriculum of the De Agricultural Economics in College of Agriculture and Life Sci ences. Giving outstanding students an opportunity to comprehend the magni tude of opening food industry markets in the world is the goal of the department's new Food Marketing Fellows Program. the partment of The 1991 Food Marketing Fellows stop tor a picture before boarding their flight in Germany. "Support from alumni and other in dustry leaders has enabled the develop ment of a program for outstanding ag college seniors interested in food indus try. After an application process, we select 10 undergraduates to be desig nated Food Marketing Fellows. This title allows them to participate in activities which will increase their interest in and Annual Convention in convention is the Chicago. This largest educational the program food industry conference in the country. were there with 35,000 food industry. The most exciting field trip of the year will be the Fellows' visit to Europe during the January 1993 break. In Eu The Fellows leaders in the global McLadghmi developed during the summer of$99'L ^ "As a graduate of th^fSolIege it\was natural for me to have agE interest*?!*!S improving the agriculturaT-economics department," said Lgbe$iH Lebeau and To see McLaughlin picked students to if the program was feasible, a small number of rope, industry leaders will share infor on industry agricultural economics department professor Ed ward McLaughlin. knowledge international market," said An of the food and its mation with the students trends in the European and global food markets. For example, in 1991, the Fellows met in Paris with the senior vice president of discuss strat be 1991 Fellows. McLaughlin thought the test run was so successful, they decided to select 10 fellows for 1992 after a formal applica tion process. Seniors Amy Bushey, Daniel and Lebeau interesting curriculum has been con the Promedes Company to planned for the nect Fellows which will their class work with what is enroll in a one hap en egy planning, international expansion, retail pricing, profitability, and the dif ferences between the Fellows met went to pening must in the "real world." All fellows European and Paris, the credit course American food markets. After titled "Food Marketing Colloquium" for Mulhiem, Germany and Hooker, Andrea Jeffers, James Leggiero, Melchionda, Eric Peschke, Brad Schoenfield, John Schultz, Ann Wang and Julie Wojcik were selected to par ticipate. "The department does consider it an honor to be selected to participate Kim as a both semesters of their senior year. Guest speakers from international food-related Aldi with the senior management of the Company to discuss aggressively markets. a Fellow. It is not a econ major but required to be an ag strong major is highly an companies will come to class to speak expanding European The Aldi motivated and has shown rela the food interest in with the students. "The majority of the speakers I asked to participate for the Company has special 1992/93 year have already responded tionship junction with the program. Aldi, in con with the ag college, sponsors so industry," said McLaughlin. McLaughlin would like to see the 'yes'," said McLaughlin. course At the end of the to the Fellows that they can afford to to program grow and encourages students inquire about the program next year. each Fellow will have on an area give a presentation by one of the of study covered participate in the year's activities. Timo thy Lebeau 77, president of the Ameri can "The Food Marketing Fellows Program many speakers. trips to conven Fellows will also take field various food companies and tions. The with 1992/93 group started their in Company, worked creating the pro stu gram. "I think it is important that dents become aware of the increasing division of the Aldi has enabled me to gain valuable experi ence and knowledge of the food indus McLaughlin in try outside the classroom," ■ said Sandy Freiberg, 1991 fellow. fellowship tended the Food May 1992 when they at Marketing Institute international Lebeau. nature of business," said by A. McKiegan '93 _j fork State College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, a Statutory College c fthoCtotQllniuA^;*.. "sity ■—— CORNELL COUNTRY A MAGAZINE OF AND ABOUT THE PEOPLE OF THE NEW YORK STATE COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE AND LIFE SCIENCES Contents 3 'Woof Ma, No Cavities' Lauren Oelkers '94 14 On the Fast Track Dan Masonson '94 4 From the Ag Quad to Asia 16 The Debate Over Animal Use in Science Daniel W. Simon '93 Ann Chi Lau '93 6 Making Jacqueline 8 Cents of Numbers K. Lurie '93 18 The Quincentenary: Cause for Celebration? Dacia M. Morris '94 Searching Treasures for Chemical Lesley J. Wright '93 10 20 The Grape News About Wine Steven Dickey '94 About the Issue This issue of the the Global Warming: Winners and Losers Richard Ginn '94 22 Countryman marks 90 years of reporting stories for and about ences. Honey Does an Alison Oshinsky '93 Apple Good of Agriculture and Life Sci The basics of some of these sto ries have been around since we began, but how they have changed! Who would have thought that our early stories about College 12 AgSat Takes Orbit Jennifer Rabin '94 .CORNELL dogs would evolve into stories about pet dental care? This issue covers professors traveling and learning abroad, new ways businesses use statistics for profits, and the quest for new uses for natural sub stances. The winners of global warming are November 1992 Volume LXXXX Number 2 Editors Richard Ginn introduced and a new method of of today's Photo Editor teaching is discussed. star Meet one Lesley J. Wright Art Director Lauren Oelkers athletes. Revisit the debate over ani mal use in science and the new debate over Jacqueline K. Lurie Alison Oshinsky Assistant Editors Ann Chi Lau terly, Fall 1990; p. 19 terly, Fall 1990; p. 20 Photography; p. 23 tural — Northeast Indian — Peter Morenus, Geneva. Quar University — New York State Agricul Experiment Station, Columbus Day celebrations. Finally, sweet news swing into some about fruit. Layout Staff Steven The Cornell Dan Masonson Dickey Rabin Countryman (ISSN 0010-8782) a is Daniel W. Simon Dacia M. Morris Jennifer On the cover: year from October through May (combined issues for January and February, and April and May) by the New York State College published six times Editorial Staff New studies of grapes and other fruits may be cause for sweet celebration. For good news about grapes, read "The Grape News About Wine" For an more Apple pages 20 and 21. sweet news, read "Honey Does Good" on page 22. on Dickey, Richard Ginn, Ann Chi Lau, Jacqueline K. Lurie, Dan Masonson, Dacia M. Morris, Lauren Oelkers, Alison Oshinsky, Jenni fer Rabin, Daniel W. Simon, Lesley J. Wright. Steven Agriculture and Life Sciences, 324 Kennedy Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y. 14853of Second class postage paid at Ithaca, New York 14853- Printed by Union Press Co. Inc. of Endicott. Subscription Rates: $12.00 a year; $24.00 for two years. Postmaster: Send Cornell Countryman, 324 change of address to Kennedy Hall, Cornell content University, Ithaca, Picture Credits: p. 3 N.Y. 14853- Editorial in the gathered ment — and written by majors Depart University Photography; Dr. J. Mayone Stycos; p. 6 Bruce pp. 4, 5 Wang, University Photography; p. 8 New York State Agricultural Experiment Station, Geneva; New York State Agricultural Experiment p. 9 Station, Geneva; John Pachai, University Pho — — — — Peter Morenus, ward L. of Communication. Honorary editor: Ed Bernays '12. Faculty advisors: Jane E. Robin Moss Hinchcliff. Hardy '53, It is the tography; pp. 10, 11 Carbon Dioxide Informa tion Analysis Center; pp. 12, 13 AgSat; p. 14 Cornell Sports Information Office; Andrew Gatt; — — denied admission denied discrimination policy of Cornell Universicy actively to support equality of educational and employment opportunity. No person shall be to any educational program or activity or be employment on involving, the basis of any legally prohibited but not limited to, such factors as race, or — color, creed, religion, national ethnic origin, sex, sexual p. 15 — versity Andrew Gatt; p. 18 Chris Hildreth, Uni Photography; Northeast Indian Quar — age, or handicap. The University is committed to the maintenance of affirmative action programs which will assure preference, the continuation of such equality of opportunity 2 'Utoof Ma, No Cavities' "THERE'S ONLY ONE THING WORSE than bad breath and that's no breath at Whether a liver the an owner can pooch prefers tuna, mak or easily learn to brush using spearmint, be as all," according to Dr. John E. Saidla, chief of dental services at Cornell University's College of Veterinary Medicine. Halitosis pet's teeth. Avoid it creates too much salivation. ized tooth brushes oral rinses are can Special purchased and into an quite an offensive odor and usu ally a sign of bacterial invasion in and around pets' teeth. This is just a taste of what students taking Small Animal Dentistry Laboratory learn. The lab experience gives them can be effective too. Without literally venturing animal's mouth any of Saidla's students may work on the periodontal disease program he developed for the IBM. There is even another program of graphics and was developed for the Macin by Stephen D. Rutherford of the veterinary college. This program serves as a medical record of the animal. By interacting with the program the orth odontic problem can be identified. Stu dents can record a history of each tooth on a computer-generated diagram of the to to exposure to dentistry yet is not designed teach proficiency, but rather the ability text which tosh handle and utilize instruments and aware become of variations in the mouths of small animals. Practically to as every dental procedure available vided for animals humans is pro well. to as Saidla, often referred of small animal the "father mod "No I'm dentistry," might retorting, estly deny that label mandible and maxilla. Moving from the upper to the lower jaw, users indicate not, I'm the father of three children!" His interest in academic medicine brought College of Veterinary Medicine student Jennie a him to Cornell University in the fall of 1988. He is the author of Small Animal Dentistry. Saidla began as a base veteri narian in the air force at Hancock Rubenstein, and Dr. John E. Saidla clean teeth at the small animal clinic. Small animal cat's tooth which dog's any tooth and a history record folder is displayed. This allows the veterinarian to keep notes. The program's pencil draw ing tool can be used to specify the area on dentistry goes hits beyond hole in a a nerve. the tooth where erosion has occurred. Field, aesthetics. Erosion will cause a Syracuse, first got New York. This is where he eventually The Macintosh program includes proce dures, prevention and standardized no an introduction to human den tistry. Regarding pet dentistry he said, "I was real intrigued by it." He has since been in practice for 30 years. Now, over 300 dentistry cases a year pass through the small animal clinic at Cornell. "Stu dents are my driving force and I like Any human can empathize with the in tense pain generated by such a malady. Tartar, in many instances is a source of infection for the heart, kidneys and joints. Joint disease, for example often starts with infection in the mouth of In some an menclature. The only thing the program doesn't do is beg for a hard biscuit when the examination is through. ■ animal. are cases, the canine teeth helping owners," Saidla said. Students study hypothetical cases, such as this one involving the dog 'Jean's Queen.' Mrs. Williams (a breeder of cocker spaniels) is unhappy because Jean's litter had several puppies with genetically in herited crooked teeth and narrow jaws. need careful ethi cal and genetic consideration by the vet erinarian and owner. According to The American Kennel Club standards for deal Cases such as removed from the dogs to disarm them. "If an owner wants an alternative to eutha nasia, this procedure is without Saidla. This allows the massive lacerations in In addition to creatures a option," stated dog to still bite wounds or leaving puncture victim. dogs and cats, other this one such as hamsters, chinchillas prairie dogs are treated at the small animal clinic. Rabbits are often treated for overgrowth of their front teeth. If left and uncut, the teeth vation. ing with genetic disease, correct it is unethical to eventually cause severe malocclusions inherited in a par ticular breed. The animal would need to be neutered before any dental work This ensures on malocclusions and the rabbit dies of star would be performed. the genetic trait is not passed that through breeding. people, cats' and dogs' teeth spaced far apart, which eliminates the need for flossing. There are a variety of toothpastes palatable to the animals. Unlike are by Lauren Oelkers '94 AG EVERY YEAR CORNELL STUDENTS GO to study, work or play. They back filled with stories of their adventures and a new outlook about the world. Perhaps what is less known is that QUAD D. Colle, Chair of the abroad come many members of Cornell's faculty also work, teach or take sabbaticals each year and come back with new and enriching experiences. With this in hand, they in corporate what they have into their classes and experienced a lectures, bringing bit of the outside world into the Cornell campus. This past year, faculty of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences have worked in different parts of Asia. Many have returned to share their work, research and experiences with the Cornell Royal Department of Communication, meets with high school students in India. community. One such person is Royal D. Colle PhD '67, Chair of the Department of Communication. Colle's extensive work and experience abroad makes him a wealth of information countries. In his most recent concerning Asian trip in July at 1992, he collaborated with educators Nanyang Technological University in Singapore to help develop their School of Communication Studies. Colle spent two weeks at Nanyang Technological University making recommendations for the curriculum and Development Program in the Department of Rural Sociology, studying the knowledge and beliefs of India's adolescents concerning family planning and AIDS. The study is measuring the current level of knowledge of adoles cents on these topics and will include an intervention component designed to in crease that awareness. The study has tion and strategy are vital parts of development programs. When asked how Colle's experience abroad has affected the communication department he answered, "Well, has convinced me I think it that leaders in the field of communication need to under stand communication beyond the Atlan and Pacific borders of the United on to say that anyone who wants to be in the forefront of tic revealed room to so far that, "There is substantial about States." He went proposing courses increase awareness family specifically relating to the Singapore's high technology cations needs of planning India," communi among high school students in said Colle. Colle will return to to advertising, public relations or business has to expand their knowledge beyond the confines of the U.S. Another member of the society and its multi-cultural popu lation. As a result of Colle's work abroad, an India in October 1992 plan communi cation intervention activities. Department of educational exchange took place when Colle feels that his research and work Dr. Eddie Kuo, Dean of the School of abroad brings at relevance to a course that Communication who spent time in Asia is Associate Professor Daniel McDonald. a sabbatical in Hong Kong for six monuhs in the spring of 1992 at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. At Chinese University, McDonald lec tured in the Journalism and Communica tion Program teaching a course in Re Communication Studies at Nanyang Tech he teaches Cornell, Communication in course McDonald took nological University came to the commu nication department in September 1992 to give a series of lectures in collabora tion with the Department of Modern Languages and Linguistics and the South east Asia Program. Colle's work emphasizes the need for planning and strategy in communication programs for developing countries. His interest in this field stretches back 23 the Developing Nations. The deals sec with how communication relates to tors in a developing nation's society such as health, nutrition, agriculture and fam ily planning. Students in the course for mulate their egy for uses one own communication strat search Methods and Mass Media and of these sectors. Colle draws from his work and research abroad and case Society. He found his sabbatical a a conve nient way to further study he had been re years when he first went to India to an help agricultural university establish an aca demic, research and service program in the communication field. More recently, Colle has been working with Dr. J. Mayone Stycos, Director of the Popula the countries he has worked in as studies. Colle said his work in Asia, "Makes [him] feel all the stronger about how conducting emotion in at Cornell. McDonald's His search involved the role of mood and important communication is in de daily life. Hong Kong residents subjects or were and he found that, velopment activities and at the same time somewhat frustrated." He commented that there are those who still do not believe communication planning and emotions, people turn to media to change theii mood." For example, McDonald said, "In face of certain moods people would listen to music in order tc 4 become more relaxed. no years. He also said McDonald, who speaks the dialect that even Cantonese, tive to students tries." spoken in Hong Kong, found though his students spoke En glish there were still some problems teach ing. "For one tiling, I didn't have any examples," he said. McDonald stated that cultural differences between him and his students made it difficult for his students to relate to examples from the U.S. How ever, McDonald that, "I'm more sensi coming from other coun McDonald sympathized with the associated with liv language problems ing spent time studying the food distribution system in Japan. One of the main con cerns of German's research involved how to distribute American products in Japan. Until last year, the Japanese government held tight restrictions on building large in another part of the world. One of McDonald's most memorable experiences came during a conference at Chinese University with educators from China. A group of them were having a discussion. "I'll never forget that retired impressed his students with the Cantonese he did leam during a student presentation. The student was from China's face as we discussed freedom of the press his face was uncomprehending," said McDonald re man ... such as supermarkets. Approval of local and federal government was neces sary and not forthcoming because the traditional food distribution system is made up of many small grocery stores stores rather than large supermarkets. These talking about a particularly to difficult con ferring to the tight control the Chinese small groceries carry mainly locally pro duced products and very few foreign cept and explaining it the other stu dents in Cantonese. McDonald knew in stinctively what the student was discussing and realized that the other students were government keeps on the media. The retired man's face brought to mind a passage from an article written by Charles products. American companies have had difficulty getting into these Japanese mar kets. Due ernment to pressure from the U.S. gov to over Cooley in the 1890s that stated that new however, Japan has agreed the having difficulty grasping the concept. He intervened in English over the trouble some area and when he finished a si technologies would alter the world, making democracy inevitable. McDonald hopes to return to Hong Kong communication to continue to relax its laws next few years, can making it possible for Ameri mar companies to access Japanese lence fell leaned over the class. A student then attend a conference next summer. kets. German's work and research in is over and asked McDonald when Professor Gene German PhD 77, in the Food is Japan he had learned Cantonese. McDonald feels that though being in Industry Management Program, another member of the College with to Asia. He incorporated in seminars at Cornell's Hong Kong was not on helped "I'm me focus easy, "Going away the broader aspects considerable ties spent in Au annual Food Executive Program, of which he is one of the directors. He also applies gust to December of 1991 Japan. two of communication." As teaching Intro differently, using to result he said, Mass Media a little a German's trip was sponsored by different McDonald has been examples." teaching Introduc seven tion to Mass Media for the last Japanese retail companies, which he worked for during his time there. A former Cornell student in Japan helped set up the position for German. German also experience to classes such as Food Industry Management, Food Merchan dising and Food Marketing Colloquium. his German stated that his most memo rable warm moments in Japan came from the reception he has received from former Cornell students who have re turned to Japan. One former student who is man now a business show made it to producer at a weekly possible for Ger on appear Japanese TV in a segment comparing Japanese and U.S. food distribution. German has return to no immediate plans to to Asia, but he will continue share his experiences ■ and work in Asia with his stu dents. There is substantial room for increased awareness about family planning among high school students in India. by Ann Chi Lau '93 Making ACCORDING MRP Lents because of the of Numbers TO PETER sources FRANCESE are frequently asked to speak around the on '68, reputable such as The country to are New York Times frequently cite his maga zine because it reports consumer trends describe the emerging trends. When asked firm, Francese said, "We of consumer company's narrow focus and experience. This enables American Demographics to publish American information on years before anyone else does. For example, articles in the Octo one to two publishers products." information these trends well before other sources. ber 1992 issue examine the spending patterns of little-discussed population segments like children and opinion lead ers. In case you is not the wondering, Francese publisher of today's hottest were fashion caster on magazine or a financial fore a winning streak. He is the of American publisher to Demographics, a But what exactly is demography? Demography is the statistical study of changes in populations over time. Ac cording to Professor Thomas A. Hirschl of the Department of Rural Sociology in the College of Agriculture and Life Sci ences, much of the demographer's time is spent identifying the impact of these changes on relevant institutions. Using statistics gathered from data able data and to Demographics uses identify consumer to avail trends can analyze the impact businesses have on the pur chase behavior of their customers. This application of demographics to the pri expect these trends vate sector is unique because tradition ally, demographic research is used in academic sist in For or government settings decisions. to as unique Ithaca-based magazine devoted reporting "consumer trends for busi ness collectors like the United States Census Bureau, demographers go through a com leaders." plex as a process of identifying and interpret making policy example, Hirschl studies popula tion changes in New York state for Cornell Cooperative Extension. By analyzing and identifying the changes in populations vided monthly issues of the magazine, American Demographics also publishes books on demographic topics, various catalogs of demographic prod ucts, a monthly newsletter and editors In addition to ing trends. The Francese refers to this process "learned art." vast that affect the educational programs pro by Extension, Hirschl ensures that the services As a majority of consumer trends are reported in American discovered at American Demographics Demographics needs of the provided are population. in line with the result of its unique focus, Ameri- From left, Brad Edmondson '81 editor-in-chief of American and Barbara Bryant 47, director of the U.S. Census Bureau. , Demographics, Peter Francese MRP '68, publisher of American (f> can 35,000 Demographics currently subscribers, a has over American base of readers that top and middle level corporate management. These leaders, according to Francese, read American Demographics to better continues to grow. Seventy-two percent of these subscribers hold in base also includes like Hirschl who Demographics' circulation demography teachers, use American Demo positions understand the markets they serve. This enables them to improve the effective ness of their company's strategic plan ning, marketing and advertising efforts. teaching tool to illustrate "real-world" applications of demography. From its beginning, American Demo graphics has had a loyal following of approximately 150 journalistic leaders attracted by the "scoops" it offers. American Demographics' well-estab graphics as a Did You Know? to the Times Mirror Center for the People and the Press, in November 1991, only 48 percent of all Americans believed that the government was "run for the benefit of the people." According Knowledge of the consumer is in creasingly important to businesses in today's markets. According to Francese there are no mass as lished position among business leaders "The Source" of information on con markets seems secure. sumer American markets anymore. among pears Demographics' reputation scholarly demographers also ap Hirschl reads American Thirty years ago, it was possible to mar ket soda to the general population since the soda market was still growing. Today, however, the market for many secure. In 1990, the average working woman's salary was 71 percent of the average man's in the U.S., because it has a lot of useful information that is applicable to his own research for Extension. Accord Demographics according Bureau. to the U.S. Census general product categories The demand for is saturated. is no soda, in general, ing to Hirschl, the work American De mographics does is solid as is the analy sis of data used to support the trends. At its core, the research American De Sixty-one percent of America believes American cars are "in."* longer growing. As a result, companies can no longer appeal to the mass market and continue to grow. Instead, compa nies target their advertisements to spe cific consumer segments in order to cap ture mographics does is not that different Men Who Give Flowers to additional market share from competitors. products may, thus, be marketed in very different ways. For example, Pepsi Cola advertising is aimed at Similar from the work people like Hirschl do. Each merely addresses different inter ests. "If students are interested in sociol ogy," said Hirschl, "they go to the sociol ogy department. Students interested in business go to the business department." When he founded American Demo Women 18-30 31-44 45 & up (by age)t 83% 75% 59% to the young consumers. Its slogan is "The choice of a new generation." Schweppes graphics in 1978, ics would reach Francese estimated that ginger ale, to a more on the other hand, is targeted the circulation oi American a Metropolitan Company, in 1990, Japan had the highest life expect According Life Insurance ancy of 15 industrialized nations. The United States ranked elev enth. 1. Demograph 25,000 market segment. Its advertisements stress the product's sophisticated maximum of taste, which is sodas. As a not as sweet as most other on result, up-to-date information who specific products has be come increasingly important. American Demographics serves as a "targeting tool" used to "enlighten marketing people consumes subscriptions. Circulation has already sur passed this estimate. With future plans to expand by publishing additional catalog items and possibly spinning off industryspecific magazines the company's future looks bright. ■ Japan 11. United States 78.9 years 75.4 years about their customers." by Jacqueline K. Lurie '93 In 1991, the average American spent 39 hours each week on leisure activities, two hours more per week than in 1989.* According to the 1991 American Kitchen Life Survey, the kitchen is AMERICAN used more for household conver sation than for eating. DEMOGRAPHICS Male Use of Hair Care Products, to Mediamark Re search, Inc. according Shampoo Hair spray Hair color 92% 30% 8% *Source: The Roper Organization tSource: Gallup Organization 7 Searching for Chemical Treasures "CHEMICAL INTERACTION IS THE OLDest later form CIRCE played a role in the type of biological interaction," said Thomas Eisner, professor of neurobiol ogy and behavior at Cornell. "Chemical negotiations. In September of 1991, Merck and INBio signed million an agreement. Merck pledged $1 years to happened before there was [interaction through] sound or smell or anything." interactions Nature had millions of years to de over two search for chemicals of help fund a potential phar maceutical use in Costa Rica's rainforest. INBio, a non-profit organization, em non-scientists to go into the forest and collect biological samples. INBio then sorts and catalogs the species, most of which are wholly unknown, and extracts velop and our chemical should signals, he explained, learn to ploys we turn to nature to about chemicals that might be used benefit. Exploring the compounds which are responsible for such basic phenomena as finding food, finding mates or repel ling predators is at the heart of the disci pline called chemical ecology and is the idea behind the organization founded in summer 1992 by Eisner, chemist Jerrold Meinwald, Jon Clardy professor and chair of the Department of Chemistry and Wendell Roelofs, professor of insect bio chemistry and chair of entomology at the N.Y.S. Agricultural Experiment Station at , chemicals from them for studies of com pounds that could be developed into marketable products, such as drugs or insecticides. In return for Merck's $1 millon donation, INBio sends promising samples to Merck's laboratories in the United States for further analysis. important aspect of Perhaps Female moth the most this collaboration will come later. Scien tists at Merck will work to develop com protrudes its sex pheromone gland. Geneva. ing CIRCE, Eisner, Meinwald, Clardy and Roelofs are The Cornell Institute for Research in laying the foundation for a a Chemical ted to Ecology, exploring chemical interactions between all types of organisms, to pro tecting biological diversity and promot ing conservation, and to finding new solutions to problems in medicine, agri or CIRCE, is commit successful future of cal sciences. division of biologi In order to establish any programs, however, CIRCE must raise money. They pounds from INBio into marketable prod ucts. The profits from any resulting products will be shared with Costa Rica to help fund conservation efforts. Nothing has been developed through this merger yet. "The first samples are just now going to Merck. Finding a drug is a long term proposition," said Clardy. Fifteen to 20 years is not an need culture and environmental science. The funding to establish training pro grams and field courses, and money to endow professorships. "We would like to unusual time a founding scientists have several to find individuals or foundations or busi accomplish these goals. The organization plans to offer a number of courses, including a field course in chemical ecology not only for Cornell students, but for students from all over the world. The field course will be modes of action that would be interested in sup porting us," said Clardy. "I could see an nesses giving us money to up the field course at the Archbold Station. Funds for an endowed profes set industrial foundation drug. develop a single new drug is incredibly large," said Meinwald. "A good estimate might be $250 million," added Clardy. "You can't do this inexpensively or quickly," con period in which to develop "The investment needed to cluded Meinwald. One successful sorship have to come from an individual." This year, an anonymous donor will match funds donated to endow profes uct, out however, can pharmaceutical prod bring in an incredible taught in at the Archbold Biological Sta a tion central Florida. Cornell has working relationship with this 15,000 acre preserve and some chemical research conducted by Cornell scientists is cur sorships, giving donors an opportunity endow a professorship for consider ably less than usual. to of income. If such a find comes of the Merck and INBio agreement, it could have a profound and wonderful amount rently underway In two at the Archbold Station. to at CIRCE also seeks to promote vation conser impact on the tiny country, whose bud roughly equals that of Cornell, ac cording to Eisner. get Even the experts can't guess addition, CIRCE hopes endowed establish Cornell. professorships An important aspect of CIRCE's ambi tions is to ensure continuity of chemical ecology as a field. No one promises that chemical by helping establish cooperative projects involving developing nations, Cornell and industry. The first collabora tion was set up between a major phar maceutical company and a small country with a great deal of biodiversity to offer. The collaboration between Merck & what, if anything, might come out of the Costa Rican rainforest. "It's like tickets," Clardy said. "A buying lottery major drug could a ecology will continue to exist bring are in a billion dollars when the members of CIRCE retire, "which in my case is the year 3020," said Eisner. But by sharing their knowledge and love for their work, and by establish- very few major Eisner made an note. once drugs." do not year, but there So far. on important point become Co., Inc. and Costa Rica's Institute of Biodiversity (INBio) was an amazing ac this less Samples use INBio and Merck evaluate them. new complishment, and the men who would "Ten years from now, there will be 8 traveling to various countries to talk about forming institutions like theirs. INBio is essentially independent of the govern ment, but is charged with preserving the biodiversity of the country. "Conservation ment of natural For unique bioassays to screen for compounds, other than insecti in insect control. cides, useful of biodiversity is not Roelofs explained, a bioassay could be developed to look for a chemical that could prevent female in example, just putting a fence around pristine land," said Eisner, "but also exploring the chemi cal and sects from attract producing the pheromones that biological diversity of the land." insects males, thus preventing the from mating. Many scientists believe that the major ity of the world's species live in the tropical rainforests. However, science does not know how many species exist on earth, even to the nearest magnitude. In fact, most species on earth today are unknown identified. A female sex pheromone sample attracts moth which flashes its sex organs. a Roelofs feels that CIRCE should help develop these types of tests, such as those that could be used for biological pest control, and train ecologists in other countries to use them to look for are un known new. biological fact, activities. not to science, and remain to be The ideas behind CIRCE In all Eisner and Meinwald have male "I could go to Brazil and collect samples come for to two days," said Eisner, "and back with 20 methods and science will be able is no new species." collaborating on work in chemical ecology since I960. What is new and vital is the idea of institutionalizing this type of work and carrying their knowl and expertise deep into the rain forests and other unexplored habitats on earth. CIRCE has opened the door to a been find Rainforests and other natural habitats compounds that we can't find now. There obsolescence here." No Merck will find might nothing really useful," said Meinwald, "or you could find something in the first few weeks. You'd learn a guarantees that INBio and anything useful. "You look for a hundred years and find one being destroyed even as you read this, and along with those habitats, entire species are dying. An insect with the clue are edge that could lead to a cure for AIDS may have just become extinct. cal fascinating and promising field. Chemi ecology promises to bloom in the future like so It's vital that science learn about and many orchids in the rain ■ lot of science explore unknown species for compounds that may help us, not only in medicine, but in many fields. For example, the fourth forests today. in the hundred years, in any case." The founders of CIRCE would like, founding mem in insect chemi and expect to see, other collaborations worldwide like that between INBio and Merck. ber, Roelofs; is an expert Representatives from INBio are cal communication systems. He sees an important role for CIRCE in the develop by Lesley J. Wright '93 Tom Eisner and Jerry Meinwald and a graduate student examine a plant that may contain useful compounds. 9 Global Warming: Winners and Losers IF OUR GLOBAL CLIMATE WARMS IT will produce major consequences that will affect agriculture for centuries to Is it year of bad weather can mean a bad year for crop yield, but with planning and forethought farmers can sometimes avoid a warming for this study, "Each generation will not notice it. Some regions will adapt better than others. The cooler north will come. possible major to adequately plan premise total disaster. Professor Duane experience benefits, while the south will for centuries of bad weather? This founded a Chapman causes focusses suffer losses." The human study conducted by researchers in the College of Agricul ture and Life Sciences. They studied the potential impact of global environmental change on agriculture. What happens to agriculture if the earth's climate gets warmer? Although many indicators give evidence that glo bal warming exists, no one can predict new his research on the to of climate gradual pace of the change in change, and how a said that it is deal with them. He matter of "dealing with versus terms is an important factor, since plants need time new declining income improved envi cultivar's to adapt. As a particular yield decreases, scientists can ronment," since humans produce many engineer varieties, and also trans global warming, repair the damage could have major eco nomic of the effects of and to impacts. "Climate ies change is gradual," said As the future climate with one certainty, and no sistant Professor knows this better than farmers. A Harry Kaiser, who stud the agricultural impacts of global plant heat-adapted varieties further north. Agricultural scientists have done this over the last 100 years. "Although," said Kai ser, "there is obviously an absolute up per limit for engineered plants." "It is important to note that the pace Global carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuel cement production and gas flaring, 1880-1990 burning, gradual in human terms, but not in planetary terms," said Jon Erickson '91, "This is perhaps the most rapid onedirection change in the history of the planet. We are taking carbon that took millions of years to fix and are releasing it into the atmosphere over a few centu ries." may be The scientists also explore the possi bility that global warming may actually provide possible benefits. According to Kaiser, the agricultural sector will change crops, cultivars and practices. However, there will be gainers and losers; it simply depends on the magnitude of the changes. Northern farms might benefit, while southern farms may already be marginal producers now. The northern lake states have adequate water, and with a longer growing season could grow longer-ma turing, higher yielding varieties. Better soils exist could the north, and the com belt as the climate warmed. In the north double cropping becomes to move north to a possible due However, southern farmers longer growing season. are already and southern farms water stress. are double-cropping, 1860 1880 already experiencing 1900 1920 Hotter 1940 1960 1980 2000 and drier weather is bad news for farm ers, and the analogy is global: The northem areas are gainers and the southern Year areas are losers with global warmin-cr. on Southern crop adaptation depends the severity of the wanning and on the 10 availability of water. The climate models predict the in any particular region. precipitation These models, interpreted for this study by Assistant Professor Dan Wilks, are called general circulation models. Even by utilizing the most advanced super study cannot used in this Global annual temperature anomalies, 1880-1990 computers, the models do the less not agree on + 1.0-. predicted amount of global precipita some tion. Some models show more, precipitation. The problem is that general circulation models lack the ability to accurately model the oceans and clouds, and that is why a precipita tion model is lacking. the Kaiser said 9 to + 0.5- .9? 75 E (0 that, "General circulation hardware to models need rate; see more be 0.0a) accu perhaps in five to ten years we will great improvement." For the present, however, the consensus is that global precipitation and temperature will rise, but there is no consensus on 15 8. E -0.5- regional precipitation, and availability of water is a critical factor in agriculture. The study also analyzes claims of an additional benefit from induced a 1.0-1 1850 1900 Year carbon dioxide This is called over global wanning. 1950 2000 the carbon dioxide fertilizer effect. Plant scientists have known for in 100 years that increased carbon dioxide a greenhouse produces increased yields under controlled conditions. tions from these Extrapola carbon di lies the not greenhouse problem. Erickson points out: the world's on agriculture is analogous to oxide tests indicate that increased two global — "The carbon dioxide fertilizer effect is crop yields are possible. Carbon dioxide plays to roles one gases as just carbon dioxide: other harmful come along with the package, such your car's exhaust to fertilize relying your home garden." In addition, Erickson said that fertilizer water and nutrient availability plant growth along with other greenhouse (GHGs), to contribute to global ing. enhance and the other, gases warm tropospheric (ground level) sulphur Erickson further states limit the benefits of the carbon dioxide oxides and ozone." effect, and offset any remaining ben that, "Claims frame efits are by climate changes, en about the carbon dioxide fertilizer effect must hanced ultra-violet radiation from ozone The combustion of fossil fuels pro duces most of the GHGs, of which car bon dioxide is the most common. Therein be viewed in an ecological depletion are and additional harmful GHGs. answers work." He said that, "Relying on carbon dioxide from industrialization to fertilize What does all this mean? "The speculative of at best," said we Kaiser. "The a question amount is should devote our resources to prevent huge glo Northern Hemisphere Southern Hemisphere bal warming?" answer us. The to that question might are surprise cause Since scientists believe that carbon dioxide and other GHGs the of global warming, we duce these gases in an sensible way. What is our best strategy for might re economically carbon dioxide emissions? "It is reducing Chapman said, know what ■ boring. We already to do: Energy conservation." 60°S by Richard Ginn '94 ii IMAGINE TAKING A COURSE IN Kennedy Hall while your professor is lecturing via satellite from Ohio. If you had a question, you could either call a toll-free number, and have it answered during class time, or fax the question before class begins so the professor could throughout the world, such as Honduras and Uganda, where Cornell has ties with agricultural institutions. Dean David Call '54 of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences described Cornell's use of AgSat as being threefold. As a member of AgSat's Board of Direc tors, Call has defined the services to be academic programs, cooperative exten sion programs and shared research pro on an international level. Professor George Conneman '52, As sociate Dean for Academic Programs in rable to office hours. In order to make the participants comfortable with the im personal setting, Sutphin sent Newcomb a Cornell bear and a Cornell mug, which Newcomb placed on the bookshelf be hind where he was being taped. Agricultural and biological engineer graduate stu experienced last spring when they took "Teaching Methods," taught by Professor L.H. Newcomb of Ohio State University at dents and response. prepare That is exactly what 60 a faculty members grams ing Professor Louis Albright is one of three professors teaching "Engineering Plant and Animal Environments" over the AgSat network during the fall 1992 semester. The course, Albright and two jointly taught by professors from the Columbus. This interactive course was the College of Agriculture AgSat and Life Sci an through Agricultural Corporation, commonly known as AgSat. The satellite network joins together 38 offered the Satellite ences, feels that will result in land grant universities across the coun try, and distributes and shares academic enhancement of the academic program ming Cornell already has, "With AgSat, there's a potential to offer a course that we University of I-daho and the University of Nebraska, is being received by the Uni versity of Idaho, the University of Ne braska, Utah State University and the University of Kentucky. Professor Albright, who wrote the text do not currently offer." Conneman to courses instruction, cooperative extension pro added that AgSat would be used prima gramming and agricultural research in formation. Cornell is one of the charter institutions in this corporation, and is currently experimenting with this excit ing new form of telecommunication. rily as taught a supplement Cornell. already book for the course, places an emphasis on architectural design. The coordinator at Professor Dean two Sutphin, chair of the was Department of Education, one of local coordinators for last spring's AgSat originated in 1989 at the Univer sity of Nebraska at Lincoln with funding from both the United States Department of Agriculture and the Department of Commerce. Cornell has had the "Teaching Methods" course. He said that graduate students had the option of tak ing the course for one, two or three credits. The variable credit hours allowed Sutphin and Professor William Drake to capabil ity to receive through a first began. Currently, they are installing a satellite uplink which will enable Cornell to produce courses and seminars that can be transmitted over AgSat to places and seminars satellite downlink since AgSat courses administer sessions where students had the opportunity to practice teaching in a small classroom format which called Sutphin "micro-teaching." Cornell had 60 people taking the a course, which had total enrollment of 11 180 people throughout universities. Above left: services. Above AgSat teleconferencing and extension During the two-hour lecrtire, Newcomb opened the floor for questions which were asked by phone same or fax. Students could call that number during a set right: AgSat satellite dish. time each week, which were compa AgSat affiliates bringing W' 12 rakes JIT of the ment course asked the Albright to supple the lectures with his first-hand lectures knowledge of first ered two were subject matter. The which Albright deliv sent to feels is the foremost expert on the topic. Grossman felt that the course covered material already taught in Cornell courses, but stressed that AgSat will be beneficial to the Cornell curriculum by providing courses sions. The other extension offices have had to to locate other local sites the network. Dik own hopes county offices will their soon hook up that 15-20 be able to obtain to taped and because Cornell did not the schools have its uplink equipment. Media Services in highly specialized fields taught across director David Watkins said that four capabilities lite. Some so lectures will be installed yet. sent live courses Albright's over later by experts AgSat the country. as major academic video conferences have been Media Services. the satel is also being used by Cornell for well as planned through extension purposes AgSat have been taped, individual segments can be shown to classes in the future. The tapes of "Teach enhancement. Jane McGonigal '50, PhD '84, is Cornell Cooperative Extension's Assistant Director for Staff "AgSat, because of Cornell's invest ment, at least gets programming here," said McGonigal. "Things that have a ing Methods" Mann sessions were put on reserve at Library so participants could they had missed. Cornell professors have already see had an opportunity to review courses shown over AgSat. Professor Dale Grossman an reviewed agricultural law course last Development particular in terest in its use of AgSat. Cooperative Extension's mission is to spread and fos ter the application of research-generated knowledge and leadership techniques to individuals, families and communities. Cornell Cooperative Extension reaches and Recruitment and has more longer life will be put on tape for re peated transmission." McGonigal said that through Dean Call's involvement, "We are more able to de velop a state-wide network to use for both program and in-service education. I hope that in the long run, faculty in year which was taught by Professor Neil Harl of Iowa State University, whom she than 7,300,000 individuals each volvement in seminars and presentations will help to move us ahead." not year. "Cornell interests in first is Cooperative AgSat," said McGonigal. "The making programs available to as number of Extension has two The financial aspects of yet been fully explored. to AgSat have "AgSat pro and vides the vehicle not send cost out courses seminars, but the had to large across a people as possible Coop spe New New York state. The second is in-service education for providing cialists." York satellite. erative Extension agents and state area AgSat essentially brings closer together, an united by covered," said pay a $10,000 initiation fee to join the network, and now pays a $5000 annual fee. "To gain access to a course over AgSat, an institution has to pay $500," said Dean Call. Call said that the fee is low in order to attract as production is McGonigal. Cornell of many a example program unification. A maple syrup pro duction seminar was previously led by McGonigal one offered of this institutions as Additional possible. ftunding has come from person who travelled to 10-12 sites cost-sharing program with the ment of Commerce, and Call is into Depart looking across the state. Now, the course can be taught once neously to all David and transmitted simulta of these locations. Assistant Director of Media vide a more gaining industrial partners to pro support. Eventually, Call hopes student, per credit, the course. ■ system will be established where insti to Dik, tutions will pay per Services, said that about four county extension offices the school providing colleges closer together. link ability to receive currently have the down AgSat transmis by Jennifer Rabin '94 13 On the Fast Track IT WAS ON A day in MILD, LATE NOVEMBER Tucson, Arizona that Pam Hunt one fei.. ^ r*^ '94 became of the elite NCAA Divi sion I distance Hunt, then a butterflies." Pre-race Before the race, sophomore, got "more than runners. W+jd ,y%^77mM ^^H^hH ■ izv^dBti^k ' W^ut^M hi S 4iffl^/^^^^^^^^^^^^l ■ft' ^^«ls H8 ■■■. T< y^E^^^^^^^^^M jitters were com monplace for the 5'2" carrot-top Bloomsburg, Pa., but this was no nary race. It was for the NCAA country championship. This was an in which Cornell, fielding its best from ordi cross f ■** event cross mi 1 35 squad in history, would set a precedent, creating a standard for future country success. J "It was a very hard race," she recalled. 1 "It seemed that you just had to sprint all the way." Pam did just that, placing sixth leading the Big Red to its schoolrecord shattering fourth place team finish. By virtue of her standing, Hunt received Ail-American status. But that late fall day was symbolic in more ways than one. Sure it represented the emergence of true and ^r%MH ' ^B^al^^^&^S*; Pam Hunt, cross ' , Imfelst* m Jfk woman en route to victory in November 1991 was the second consecutive Cornell country Heptagonals. She was seventh in 1990. , to win the both Pam Hunt and Cornell University as national cross country powers, but was there something deeper. haps best symbolized by the name It is per of the championship meet's site: The El Con quistador Country Club. Like the merci less 16th century Spanish conquerors of the Americas, Pam has vigorously waged war on tial became evident that she had the poten to do amazing things. In the last two years, she's gone from being one of the best in the Ivy League to one to of the Cornell record books. best in the at country." As cross a freshman, she was seventh the Last year, Pam captured the Heps cross well as country Heptagonals (a league meter com posed of Army, Navy, and the Ivy League), and first in the 5,000 outdoor in country outdoor 5,000 crown as its indoor and meter was indoor and holds the March, Hunt titles. This past the top American Heptagonals. meters Pam Cornell frosh indoor and outdoor records the 5,000 and the outdoor finisher in the World Junior Cross Coun try Championships in Boston, placing 15th in a field of 104. The reasons for the mark in the 3,000 meters. In addition, she represented the United States at the 19-year-old Hunt's her coach. "In success are evident to World Junior Cross ships in Country Champion Antwerp, Belgium. As the third runners. American finisher Hunt field of 124 seventh NCAA named All-American placed 23rd in a Finally, she was by virtue of her the 5,000 at the Loren compete," cross country Duesing said, "she trains harder." That training consists, on average, of 50 miles of running per week. loving to and track coach Lou place finish in Championships. Teammate and captain Mooney fresh be '93 recalled Pam's emergence man, "She came in very Pam Hunt '94 as a powerfully, coming the best on the team in her events by the spring track season. It not decelerate Simi hard from the very begin and holds her gear longer than opponents. She's also smarter than most important, he does Pam runs his races, he finds another gear. But most Furthenriore, the coach explained, it's her consistency that makes her great. "Look at Carl Lewis," Duesing said, "in larly, ning 14 of the people she It is that mns against." which an example . . . There's no place for intelligence the forefront Hunt's balancing academics and athletics. "The Greco-Roman ideal was sound mind and brings to greatest challenge: those animals to live." With all the time spent is not lost on on athletics, academics, and related interests, humor Ohio, the University of Pittsburgh, and Cornell University. That summer, she came to Ithaca for the week long Big Red track camp. After falling in love with Cornell's rolling hills, she caught the eye of assistant coach Mark Bilyk. "Mark did an excellent job in seeing a talent in her that perhaps no one else Pam or her teammates. In sound body," Duesing commented. now, it's sound mind or "But — fact, face teammates make light of Pam's pre sound body frivolity. a take your nitely With Pam, that's defi not the case." pick. Hunt is tion in the majoring in Wildlife Conserva College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Last fall, to her surprise, she earned Academic All-Ivy honors, exceed ing the 30 grade point and contributing athletic team member requirements. "I didn't know until it came newspaper," she chuckled. out in the preoccupied with the race at hand," Mooney recalled. "I find that if we just laugh at her enough she'll relax. She's definitely entertaining." Pam, Mooney added, is very superstitious be fore a big event. "Pam gets new socks from her dad before big races. She has to get the right socks," Mooney continued. At age eight, when the right socks didn't matter, Pam's parents entered her in races and signed her up for soccer. She "She gets little saw," Duesing, who, like Hunt, came Cornell in the summer of 1990, said. to to classroom, it is her field work that is most intriguing. This past summer, for instance, she as Despite her success in the Duesing feels fortunate that Pam came Cornell without first knowing the iden tity of her head coach. "Too often, in college, many people run solely for the scholarship," Duesing concluded. "Ideally, academics come first and sport is extra-curricular. Many ath letes lose sight of that fact. Those things aren't the in case enjoyed After the running, spurring her to try out for the sisted in a North Carolina marine a biologist team. high school cross country suffering a stress fracture, draw the of a there has been some with Pam. I think that serendipity for me come having With Pam choose to here." repopulating which was decimated scallop community by toxic algae. The Pam Pam didn't you'd expect American. recruiting crush future college Ail- previous summer, worked at a Cornell USDA lab collecting with natural pesticides. bugs to test On campus, Pam hopes to work endangered species with the Cornell Greens. "The biggest problem with en dangered species," she said with her facial expression changing to one of on "What frequently happens," Duesing explained, "is that those who are most gifted by the accepted gauges of state championships, fast track times, and trips to years down and two to go, one thing is certain. If Pam Hunt's selec tion of Cornell was an "accident" then the Cornell Department of Athletics and two the ag college are hoping for many like it in years to come. ■ more the Kinney Nationals, are are recruited. Those was qualifications Pam didn't have." concern, "is habitat loss. The rainforest is However, after her junior year, Hunt interested in attending Miami of by Dan Masonson '94 The Cornell women's cross country squad celebrates its Heptagonal cross country championship in November 1991. IS The Debate Over Animal IN TODAYS SOCIETY, on A CONTENTIOUS debate focuses whether the ethical question of Scientists often adhere to principles of animal welfare in their treateient of re or not scientists should utilize animals in their research. The advances that researchers make in science and technology However, ous border on the miraculous. numer search animals. This view basically states that humans have a right to use animals, but they must not let the animals suffer. In addition, humans must provide for the needs of the animals under their care. Hintz, Chair of the Department of Animal Science in the College of Agri Dr. H.F. regulations." adequate legislation, people often disagree over, what constitutes cru elty to an animal. The basic question of als to make these Even with one must consider the ethical new questions that accompany whether an animal in a given situation feels pain or not can be quite a subjective judgement. Sometimes animals exhibit no overt sign that they feel discomfort, even these innovations. issue creates very This highly disputed culture and Life Sciences have the strong opinions in the people who favor the use of animals in research and those who do not. People on either side of the issue can hold both extreme and moder ate views. Even when people agree in right to use stated, "We animals, but not to benefit care for situations. the they are clearly in painful Traditionally, scientists used animal's "level of production" to de when abuse them." actually they provide optimal If a Scientists directly an if animal. scientist uses a healthy animal in principle, they issues. often differ to on specific However, it is crucial for the concerned people debate. in this way can the ethical issues involved. Only engage in rational one resolve research, fewer variables affect the re experiment than if the animal were diseased. In addition, researchers sults of the can was under stress or felt discomfort. The level of production con siders variables such as weight gain, re productive rate and overall growth. Some scientists believe that one should not depend solely on the level of production to measure an animal's health. Hintz termine if it animals in at Dr. A. van Tienhoven, who teaches the senior seminar Ethics in Animal Sci ence reliable data if all the group experiment function their optimum level. In addition, federal and state legisla produce a more stated, be the "A fall in production should not only indication that an animal is in pain. One should do behavioral tests as well, for verification." Critics of animal use in the Life Sciences these issues, common College of Agriculture and stated, "In order to dispute one tion require that scientists follow certain in science often procedures when they use cover animals in many as needs to establish a research. These rules suggest that people utilize other meth ods to teach or do research; these in clude computer simulations, plastic mod els, cadavers and epidemiological data. Hintz stated, "I approve of the use of other methods whenever it is ground, to other, and lows on have respect for each respect the law." This al pects of experimentation, which range from the animals' living arrangements to the number and kind of scientist can people with ions to still argue one widely divergent opin rationally. If extremists to tests that a perform on an animal. The possible to either side refuse basis for a accept the law as individuals who create these regulations "We need get the truth." In addition, people op of animals in research common ground, then face quite a formidable task. For this posed to the use any kind of debate becomes very diffi reason, Van Tienhoven stated, cult. well informed, well intentioned individu often claim that scientists excessive number of tests perform on an animals. fe It Wrong to Use 16 Use in Science Scientists frequentiy cases a respond that, in some study requires a large number of tests to obtain statistically significant data. Many of the people who object to scientific experiments that use animals consider themselves animal rights advo beliefs vary in the extent to which they believe that animals possess individual rights. Their views range from cates. Their clude mice, rats and other species that people could not identify with so easily. One common ception of techniques or practices in criticism of the animal scientific research often differs dramati cally from those of the scientists who use animals in research. Hintz cited the "need focuses on the radical elements within it that carry out some quite extreme actions. The animal rights rights movement for an informed as public." He favors the idea that scientists establish such zations movement has undoubtedly exposed of mistreatment of ani cases they also to The American numerous cases mal Scientists. to organi Society of Ani These organizations help of these issues to those who an see having household pets to as mals. However, in some did tremendous damage search. Radicals treme even scientific the re ex explain public. the use some the unacceptable other species, change or eliminate the current practices in the meat industry. Some of these people are quite rational in their arguments and actions, while others engage in radical behavior. Animal rights advocates often criticize scientific research as "speciesist" since researchers imply that humans are supe rior to other animal species when they use an animal in research. However, many scientists view speciesism as inher ent to the predator and prey relationship in nature. Van Tienhoven sees subordination of an those who wish to went to Given the intensity of emotion over of threatening people's it is lives. Al though to an such actions may draw attention issue, ethically able behavior. Van Tienhoven highly question quickly of animals in scientific research, it seems remarkable that people really only began to debate theses issues over the last fifteen years. Van Tienhoven stated, "In the past, scientists did not pointed out that "such threats are an unacceptable divergence from the law," and if that kind of behavior were toler ated, it would ultimately lead to anarchy. Critics of the animal rights movement also state that it is too dependent on emotional appeal. If one argues emo really consider the issue, it was not delib erate or cruel, but people just basically did not give it much thought." The debates over the use of animals in research will surely continue as science the progresses. The ethical questions of to which humans can use animals degree are it as, "an inevitable consequence of civilization." Speciesism even exists in the legisla tion used to Originally, protect animals in research. legislation over the use of on animals focused the animals that tionally, through inflammatory language, or by depending upon graphic photo graphs as the basis for an argument, one cannot reach a rational or objective deci sion on an issue. Van Tienhoven stated, "There would probably be more sympa thy for the animal rights movement if they used more rational tactics." These debates ment over not easy to answer. One should confront and respect different views on these issues in the attempt to create a sound ethical judgement. ■ monkeys, cats, people dogs and rabbits. Only recently did legis lators expand these regulations to in identified with: the ethical treat and complex. of animals are clearly In addition, the public's per use by Daniel W. Simon '93 These Animals? 17 THE RON LAFRANCE SAID IT BEST WHEN QUINCENTENARY: not have a a chip on he the remarked, "The Quincentenary is like doesn't mean he is Superbowl: a there has to be a winner past, past that is are shoulder, but that going to forget the quite difficult to forget. his loser." From the looks of it, the Europeans are under the impression that and "There some are things we have suf fered, but we going a to drag this they have come out on top. After all, if it weren't some for Columbus, us would have civilization, as think, would not the New World. no new baggage around?" Though Ruth Ramos, nutrition major have been introduced to of Chickasaw and Mexican descent, said she doesn't think anyone should be cel There would have been land to ebrating ter the Quincentenary, she isn't bit exploit, and no new a LaFrance, conquer. Mohawk Indian and direc peoples to about it. "I can't think of anybody tor of the American Indian Program at Cornell, doesn't see what all the hoopla is about, but he isn't about to join the who is bitter about it [the Quincentenary]. To be bitter and angry doesn't get you anywhere. It's just too late to be rehash ing things. The problems that we we have, most of Columbus bashers. "All it does is make people mad. When you're mad, mass should tackle them now." on to Ramos went add that what was a you don't talk, you don't resolve deeper issues that need dialogue," he said. LaFrance hastened to irritates her is the perpetuation of the great hero. myth that Columbus are add, however, that not this statement as should on be misinter very educated people that are determined to keep this myth alive. And "There it preted amnesia his part. He may really bothers me. It's one thing for Ron La France, the Director of the American Indian your average per son to be mixed up, it's Program will get thing another when very straightened out in the history educated people, in books." Even today, 500 years since Columbus stumbled onto America, children are learning from history books that Colum bus indeed "discovered" America (why?, was it lost?). If we are to accept this as people know, mined truths ate to or the deter are conceal perpetu lies." When asked if the of fact, do there we responsibility enlightening are un were then also deny the truth that people inhabiting the region those that aware before Columbus's arrival? We must keep in mind that there is more than one side to of the facts lies in the hands of American Indi ans, this story. an article written for the Northeast Indian Quarterly, now known as the In Ramos re plied, a "I think it's Aivke.kon Press, John Mohawk argued that, "The obvious fiction of a 'discovery' little bit of both. owe We so it more own to our people to know how things really are. we of lands occupied by millions of people for tens of thousands of years under scores the ethnocentrism evident in most historical accounts." ever, does one read an of the number of American Indi ans diat died as a result of Columbus's said "discovery." Ask a child what he/she learned about Columbus in school and Very rarely, if And I think account An artist's depiction of the European conquest of American Indians. need to keep bringing up the subject so that it 18 Cause for Celebration? he/she may very well echo what Ramos remembers learning about the explorer: "He discovered America, a pioneer, and we owe a taken we to increase awareness and under standing. But after the at look back celebration, when the "marriage" between in Barcelona and our about the great pioneer's "discovery", is it likely that anything will change? Or will it be, as Ron LaFrance ■ said, "Business as great deal to him." In an article written for the Northeast Indian Quarterly, Robert Venables, a pro fessor in the Department of Rural Sociol "In the Western Hemi ogy, writes that: sphere in 1492, there were an estimated 72 million to 112 million American Indi ans. Columbus's statue usual"? very own statue of liberty, after we've been blinded by fireworks, after we've sat through not one, but two movies by Dacia M. Morris '94 In 1980 the count was approxi mately 28 million, 264 thousand." The large percent of deaths was due to dis ease introduced by Columbus and his crew and the other Europeans that subsequentiy followed. The cruel treatment suffered by Ameri can Indians at the hands of Europeans was a result of the widely held belief, among Europeans, that they were supe rior to anyone else. It is a belief that is perpetuated still. But perhaps something positive develop to can out of this celebration. The is the Quincentenary increase Karen perfect opportunity awareness. people's Medville, a Cherokee Indian in the vet so. and environmental toxicologist thinks college, certainly anything positive If there's out that can come of this celebration, she said, it is educating others about Native Americans and the role in the colonizing of America they played by Europeans. Medville added that she would like to see people, "Have more respect. That's kind of my key thing. Have more respect for Native People's wisdom. They haven't been lis tened to, not only on what their concerns are, but how to solve problems and issues." Ramos, ers as well, believes educating oth a could be stated that she are definite plus. She also hoped, "The people that celebrating the Columbus Quin not centenary should and should not LaFrance be to too enthusiastic forget the repercussions or [of Columbus's arrival he America]." rather some certainly believes, hopes, that there will be steps The oldest Christopher Columbus woodcut, published in 1577. 19 The Grape News About Wine cases was a Jg£J*g IT SEEMS AS IF EVERY DAY A NEW *#%>r that process the alcohol increases and the alcohol assists in the extraction of the colored material and tannin material in the skins. And, it also extracts resveratrol." study steals another pleasures from the American dining ex perience. Long gone are bacon and eggs for breakfast and cheeseburgers and fries for lunch. The public has been sen tenced to lowering its cholesterol and medical one of life's when you buy wine off the shelf it tells you what the variety is and it tells you where it was produced," he said. "In many it yard it library, tells you what vine produced in. It was like a even Creasy's discovery of resveratrol has shed some in wine recent library of information wine." was on we could light on another get just by analyzing His research study conducted in France. In that study, four re saturated fats via rabbit food and Whatever water. happened to just laying off cigarettes and booze? Will all of life's its high resveratrol content, red wine is fighting back. Resveratrol is a natural pesticide produced by plants to ward off disease. It has also been shown to reduce the risk pleasures fall victim to science? Maybe not. Thanks in part to February in Enology and Viticulture. Of the 30 wines he analyzed, only the reds had high concentrations of resveratrol. The data last published the American fournal of wine French subjects of wine who drank three a to glasses -day substantially duced their cholesterol levels and coro nary blockage. According to Creasy, the wines they consumed were similar to the wines that had of heart disease in Dr. laboratory rats. concurred with one of his previous dis coveries that grapes produce resveratrol only in their skin and seeds. According to Creasy, "All red wines are made by fermenting in the presence of the skin. In high concentrations of study. The connection may partly explain why the French have a significantly lower incidence of heart resveratrol in his disease than Americans, in spite of hav- Leroy Creasy BS '60 MS '61 of the Department of Fruit and Vegetable Sci ence discovered resveratrol in wine last year. According to Creasy, resveratrol has been known for 50 to 60 years, and was discovered in grape leaves in the mid-70s. Creasy, however, is the first to discover the chemical in grape berries and their products. He started searching for resveratrol in grape berries five years ago, because he was concerned that the development of more disease-resistant plants by vineyards might their lead to toxic levels of the chemical in the berries and While Evan products. searching for information on resveratrol's toxicity, Creasy's assistant, Siemann, uncovered a ten-year-old study describing its effects on rats. In the study, resveratrol significantly reduced the rats' cholesterol levels and rates of platelet aggregation, linked to which have been heart disease. As for no toxicity, the rats suffered apparent side effects, despite the enormous administered. in wine wine two a dosages they were Creasy began searching for resveratrol was years ago. "We decided nice place to look because Pictured left to right are: Evan Siemann and Dr. chemical that reduces the risk of heart disease. Leroy Creasy. Last year Creasy discovered resveratrol a 20 ing diets higher After in fat. releasing of the him to his and resveratrol, Creasy was flooded with letters from people searching for other sources findings on wine prompted chemical. The letters look into grape juice. 18 Creasy analyzed samples of Welch's grape juice and found they all contained n^ore resveratrol than 60 percent of the wines he had analyzed thus far. He also were ex a found that their concentrations tremely consistent. However, person would still have to drink eight to nine glasses of juice a day to receive the same amount of resveratrol consumed by sub jects in the French not study. be as In addition, effective as wine because it lacks alcohol, which has been shown to fight heart disease in other studies. grape juice may The future in fighting heart disease? decided wine was a nice place to look because when you buy wine off the shelf it tells you what the variety is and it tells you where it was produced. It was like a library, a library of information we could "We intentions resistant are to develop more disease plants, they will also be making a resveratrol available in wider range of foods and in greater concentrations. When asked to comment on resveratrol, members seemed most of the medical to know nothing about it. never even community In fact, heard of it. industry? Surely they would be interested in fund ing research. Creasy has an explanation for this as well. "I really get the feeling the wine industry is controlled by very large corporations regardless of how small the alcohol with beneficial effects. But what about the wine doctors had reason on winery may The is that there has been little tnie in New be," he said. "This isn't York, but at least in Califor are research done several resveratrol. Creasy gave nia and France. There huge corpora explanations why the promising chemical has been seemingly ignored. First, the medical community may be reluctant to endorse resveratrol because of its association with wine. Creasy pro vided a tions, and among the huge corporations' other holdings is distilled alcohol, and they that don't want to cial from might everything support any research separate wine being benefi else an get just by analyzing wine." scenario in which a doctor ad moderate eficial. But that's not being ben opinion, you can't vises his amount patient to consume a of wine, and the patient sues the doctor after having an automobile acci dent as a result of excessive drinking. really prove that fact." Creasy will continue resveratrol with vate some his research on support from pri industry. a a He is Creasy also said, however, that he Resveratrol may eventually become available in a pure form, such as a pill, but Creasy doubts this will happen any time soon. a re with ceives mail from people whose doctors duct medical group clinical study cunently working preparing to con on the chemical, on have told them to drink wine, but in moderation. only which will be the first of its kind. As for now, the verdict is still out He explained that it would Second, there is Patent owners a patent on resveratrol. re great deal of time and money before the chemical could receive ap proval from the Food and Drug Adminis tration. He take must withhold their resveratrol. Its effectiveness and has not been proven in a clinical On the other safety study. also mentioned, however, that a friend had recently seen a Red Bordeaux wine extract for sale at their local health store. The extract's label stated that it was public in order to protect their product. Therefore, it is unlikely the patent's owners will release their findings search from the on hand, all the evidence thus also high in resveratrol. Researchers are currently working to introduce the gene which synthesizes resveratrol into other anytime soon. The patent discourages other corporations from investing money into resveratrol research, because they cannot sell the chemical. Lack of government funding is the resveratrol to far suggests it will become an important part of the healthy diet. Hopefully, resveratrol's researchers will have as much success tackling bureaucracy and research they have had in revealing its potential. ■ costs as third obstacle research it is on resveratrol. also trying to resveratrol in plants. They are increase the production of plants already capable of According cult to to Creasy, receive extremely diffi government funding in synthesizing the chemical. While their the U.S. for research on alcohol, or in this case wine, which is intended to associate by Steven Dickey '94 21 BEAUTIFUL AUTUMN DAYS FINALLY have replaced the heat and humidity of Ithaca summers. a dase, the fruit or A walk through campus colorful array of greens, reds and browns stretched high above the Cornell architecture. As you stroll to work the wind blows lightly and birds reveals chiq^, Honey Does an value. Honey softens and loses nutritional to hinder brown reacts with the oxidase contains a high reactions. Honey also vegetable turns brown, ing sugar content, as do fruits, nor so neither a leaves fall a gracefully from die trees above. to What better addition this fine day than crisp, office you shiny, red skin, but you quickly become engrossed in the day's agenda and are forced to place the apple on the comer of your desk. When you reach for the apple on your first break you notice that delicious fruit has transformed itself your into a juicy apple? Once inside your sink your teeth into the apple's Would the honey solution be as effective for vegetables on salad bars? "We haven't tried it on vegetables yet because consumers will taste the honey. I don't think change in taste texture appears. people would buy sweet lettuce," port Lee said. In Geneva Lee and his research sup specialist, Bob Kime, carried out their experiment by dipping sliced apples, bananas and grapes in honey solution and then placed the treated fruits in a conventional hot-air dryer to dehydrate. The results were much lighter and better quality dried fruits than those without the honey treatment, said Lee. Lee and Kime brown ball of mush. to Ways prevent or control the chemi cal reaction that just took place before the food indus your eyes have plagued try for years. These enzymatic browning reactions occur when one slices the skin of fruits and vegetables and the enzymes and phenolic compounds in the fruits come in contact with the air. The results of enzymatic browning reactions are com mon to all fruits and vegetables: brown, wilted lettuce, unattractive fruit slices and Apple Good performed a similar process to make wine. "Before we crushed the grapes we added honey, then we crushed," said Lee. "That added honey prevented brown ing." Although Mayer Brothers apple juice company in Buffalo uses the honey solu tion as part of their juicing process, Lee's method is not yet commercially used. Since the federal mit a discolored wine. Until recently, food processors relied on sulfite (sulfur dioxide) treatment to government does per prevent browning and softening. How certain amount of sulfur dioxide in ever, sulfur dioxide has certain harmful qualities that trigger adverse allergic reasons re actions in asthmatics and other individu als. For these and toes. in 1986 the Food use dried fruits and wines, consumers are unaware of other healthier options. Also, sulfur dioxide is cheap and effective in small doses, Lee said. Ascorbic acid (vita min Drug Administration banned the on of sulfites salad bars and frozen pota Other processes, such as the dehy C) and citric acid deter the browning process, but each of these is an expen sive as option. Honey is not as economical dration of fruit and wine production, of sulfites to prevent oxidation. In order to make prunes, dried apricots and wine available for consump tion by sulfite sensitive individuals, Cornell Professor of Food Science and Technol require the use sulfur dioxide. Unlike sulfur dioxide, honey is an all natural food. According to Lee his honey solution probably will receive discovery recognition most once by Alison Oshinsky '93 more concrete evidence surfaces about sulfur dioxide's harmful effects. "I don't know about the Lee, and visiting scientist, ogy, Chang Jan Oszmianski, worked to develop a Y. future," he natural sulfur substitute. "Because there are that certain products that to we cannot we produce without sulfur a dioxide, tried to find produce them ways without said. using using sulfur dioxide," way the traditional Lee possible honey solution retards the enzy matic browning reactions in apples, apri cots, yellow raisins, pears and bananas. According to Lee, honey contains several a that sulfur dioxide is very, very bad and the indus try will have no choice but to substitute said. "Maybe they'll find out with properties that make for a it a viable candidate marketable sulfite substitute. The University New York State Agricultural Experiment Station in Geneva, New York, the duo discovered At the Cornell honey protein prevents a reaction with polyphenoloxidase, one of the enzymes present in fruits and vegetables. When tissue damage activates polyphenoloxi- something else, such as honey." Perhaps there will come a day when a simple precautionary step of adding a solution to a crisp, juicy apple will pre vent the inevitable browning and soften ing that ruined your apple on that unfor gettable autumn day while you sat at work. ■ 22 COUNTRYMAN Dr. Malcolm C. Bourne Dr. Malcolm C. CAPSULES agricultural economics professors Bourne, professor of food science and technology at Cornell University's New York State More ogy ture Grapes Smith, in the a Richard D. Aplin, MS '52, PhD '59 and Daniel G. Sisler, PhD, '62. The Robert H. Agricultural Experiment Station, the the 1992 Interna tional Award presented by the Institute of Food Technologists is junior pomol of College of Agriculture and Life recipient of major College Agricul Sciences initiated the funds at the (IFT). This award is one of the most the 1992 recipient of the Nelson J. Shaulis Advancement of Viticulture Award. This award was established in was and Life Sciences urging of their former students. The funds will be used to im prestigious honors that can be received by a member of IFT, the largest professional society of food scientists in the world. Bourne devotes considerable time 1979 to honor Nelson at Shaulis, a professor emeritus, contributions State As for his many Cornell's New York Agricultural Experiment recipient of the award, Smith summer at the Vineyard undergraduate teaching by new graduate teaching fellowships. As the funds grow, they may also be used to endow gradu ate fellowships, support lectureships and possibly professorships. prove supporting Station, Geneva. spent the "Doc and Dan have established processing solving preservation problems around the world. He studies problems related to food and standards for excellence in that deserve in teaching lasting recognition," new to food texture and post harvest technology in areas like the Philip pines, India, South America and Western Europe. In his research Cornell, Bourne also studies tional food Laboratory in Fredonia developing growth curves for grapevines. These curves will help grape growers determine how much fruit to to remove said Assistant Dean William G. Boldt announcing the funds. with "They are enormously popular at by mechanical thinning students and have received many teaching awards. Establishing funds that will be used to interna ensure development and the processing and quality factors of fruits, vegetables, legumes and protein foods. Bourne is a frequent lecturer on Cornell rity their crops reach full each year. matu improve under graduate teaching appropriate their contributions is way to Extension Awarded for Cost certainly an acknowledge to the College." Savings Cornell won a University's on main campus courses where he has taught and Cooperative Extension $1,000 prize in the 1992 Cost Norman R. Other Awards Around Campus Scott, vice president for workshops post harvest food Reduction Incentives Awards systems and food rheology. Bourne has been a faculty member in Geneva since 1962 and was named a full professor in 1974. Program. With entries from almost 140 colleges and universities annually, this competition is credited with inspiring savings of over $367 million since it years ago. was research and advanced studies, has been named president-elect of the American Society of Agricultural Engineers, a worldwide professional and technical organization dedicated to the advancement of to engineering established 17 was applicable Cooperative Extension recognized for creating a training handbook to be used for extension volunteers. Extension estimates that biological systems. Ronald B. Furry, professor and chair of agricultural and biological engineering, has been elected a fellow of this same organization. Dr. Lee W. Riley, a physicianscientist in the Division of Interna annual savings from staff time reductions made possible by the handbooks will exceed $900,000. Cornell also received an honorable mention for a tional Medicine at the Medical one one College, has been named 1992's PEW Scholars. As America's 20 most of of promising Transportation Demand Management Program developed in concert with the city of Ithaca and biomedical researchers, Riley will be awarded $200,000 over the next four years to help support his research on the intestinal bacterium that is the most common cause of Tompkins County. Endowment Funds Honor Professors Two Dr. Malcolm C. Bourne new endowment funds have been established to honor longtime infantile diarrhea. The wood floor in Akwe:kon was named a floor of the year by the National Wood Flooring Association. 25 Covering The The Cornell Countryman Past The Cornell 90 Years 1905 Till! Volume XXV DECEMBER Number 3 Cornell Countryman 1927 ~%,,-$ 1953 < oicm:i i COl *TKY31Aft GLOBAL ISSUE 1952 1967 In celebration of 90 years of the Cornell Countryman, we dedicate this issue to the artistic on the covers impressions that have been of our magazine over the years. While the world has many ways since the early changed in days of the our Countryman, the themes of remain consistent. Shown cover are articles on this back past Countryman come covers that pertain ject that the to articles in this issue. Ninety years have matter in the and gone, but the sub Countryman reveals people today still enjoy reading about same subjects that interested our predecessors nine decades ago. New York State 1968 and Life Sciences, a College of Agriculture Statutory College of the State University, at Cornell University CORNELL a A MAGAZINE OF AND ABOUT THE PEOPLE OF THE NEW YORK STATE COLLEGE OF A^Rjfggpfft JpJD LIFE SCIENCES FEB 18^ SX~'"^Yfft'-f- ft a,, j. wm-'M- mm ill •-^4_~- |i i Focus on "' 777', -ft"1 ■ 'yy'ft Research «>w , CORNELL . fAll \TD\ *mmn '■US9 11 MMflil11! *mn$ OS V 'MBS! « A li Contents ■nfBBB >it! 9 In Pursuit of Parasites Lauren Oelkers '94 12 Report from Cape Canaveral Lesley J. Wright '93 To Expand Mann's Base Jennifer Rabin '94 16 From Computerized Spritzer Scales to Knudsen Dan Masonson '94 6 Targeting a Deadly Bacterium ■*** . Ann Chi Lau '93 Eating on Common Ground SHI About the Issue Research Focus 8 Jacqueline K. Lurie '93 n^^ffli Research | Super Milk from Cornell Cows Alison 20 Oshinsky '93 on Suffolk County's And More ture — Agricul Daniel W. Simon '93 plays a vital role in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. On the cover is the Biotechnology Building lo cated of the a on 10 Shedding Light Greenhouse Richard Ginn '94 the Perfect Countryman focuses the Cornell campus. This issue on research and features articles involving detecting .CORNELl food-bome bacteria that can lead to death, witnessing the launch of the Mars Observer, perfecting greenhouses and profiling life a researcher who has spent her pursuing parasites. On a lighter note, the topic of food is explored with the rise of sumers food stores in Ithaca. Con of kosher and halal foods may also soon be given a greater variety of specialty December 1992 Volume LXXXX Number 3 Editors Ann Chi Lau Art Director Richard Ginn Rabin foods to choose from with the new laws Jennifer 15—Donald Stephenson '94; p. 17— NYS CALS, Grapevine Press; p. 18 The Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations; pp. 20, 21, 22 Daniel W. — — governing accepted standards of prepa ration. Focusing on the Cornell campus, the Albert R. Mann Daniel W. Simon Photography Editor Dan Masonson Simon; pp. 8, 9, 10, 11 — Richard Ginn. Assistant Editors Library looks to the future with its expansion and Cornell cows win a Super Milk award. Jacqueline K. Lurie Layout Staff Richard Ginn Lauren Oelkers The Cornell Lesley J. Wright Countryman (ISSN 0010-8782) times a is published six May of and April and Alison Oshinsky year from October through (combined issues for January and February, May) by the New York State College Agriculture and Life Sciences, 324 Kennedy Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y. 14853. Second class postage paid at Ithaca, New York Editorial Staff Richard Ginn, Ann Chi Lau, Jacqueline K. Lurie, Dan Masonson, Lauren Oelkers, Alison Subscription Cornell 14853- Printed by Union Press Co. Inc. ofEndicott. Rates: $12.00 a year; $24.00 for two Jennifer Rabin, Daniel W. Simon, Oshinsky, Lesley J. Wright. change of address to Countryman, 324 Kennedy Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y. 14853. Editorial content gathered and written by majors in the Depart ment of Communication. Honorary editor: Ed ward L. Bernays '12. Faculty advisors: Jane E. Hardy '53, Robin Moss Hinchcliff. It is the policy of Cornell Universify actively to support equality of educational and employment opportunity. No person shall be denied admission to any educational program or activity or be denied employment on the basis of any legally prohibited discrimination involving, but not limited to. such factors as race, years. Postmaster: Send Picture Credits: Cover University Photography, David LynchBenjamin, Charles Harrington, Chris Hildreth; p. 3 Lauren Oelkers; pp. 4, 6, 7, 16 University — — — color, creed, religion, national or ethnic Photography; p. 5 — Susan Barnes; pp. 12, 13, 14, preference, age, maintenance of or handicap. origin, sex, sexual assure The 15— NASA/JPL; pp. 12, 13— Lesley Wright; p. affirmative action programs which will the continuation of such equality of opportunity. University i.s committed to the In (pursuit ofParasites AT 19, PREMA ARASU to KNEW SHE wanted go into veterinary medicine. She grew up in Malaysia and graduated from The National University of Malaysia in 1978. She attended the International Conference on Malaria in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, where she learned of the biotechnology "They They had received a was 19 years old when she bachelor of science degree in a company New England Biolabs. They were looking for a post doctoral fellow so she flew out to Massachusetts. were young girl, Prema's father took her around to the veterinarians in biology. the in As like a family, I liked that. area. They discouraged However, as her interest nouveau lab set ups, not walls. It was an open format with a greenhouse effect. It was infonnal and we did fun things together on weekends. Most importantly, they seemed to be doing good science, veterinary medicine because of her a second genera tion Sri Lankan, Prema grew up with an ingrained value to do well for herself. gender. She of several considerations because of its international pursued biochemistry. Cornell University was one I decided to go for it!" Prema said. For three years, Prema identified diag nostic reagents in the filarial parasite so Bntgia malayi which to is closely related reputation. However, Cornell did cept Prema's not ac application and she ended up at the University of Wyoming. "It was a foot in the door for me, they promised me half of an assistantship," Prema said. It was came another 12 years before Prema to Cornell. Prema worked at the Univer in meat science and "I did biochemical presented her work at an international meeting in Aus tralia and made field trips to Indonesia and Malaysia. In the field trials she used DNA from the parasite as a probe to look for filarial parasite infection in human blood. Regarding the field trials, Prema said, "They were important trips for me. They gave me a feel for the imbalance between the research that is done in a lab and what is really needed in a clinical situation." heartworm in dogs. She In 1978, sity' of Wyoming biochemistry. ses on analy bone muscles in and comparison to marrow mechanically deboned meat," she said. This work helped to ward federal approval of mechanically deboned meat meat. to For the next two years, Prema was a research fellow basic at Harvard University in a nema studying stay in development was Prema looking through a microscope at T. spiralis, which is found in undercooked pork. Prema's studies have taken her to Indonesia. Prema's advisor wanted her tode. This research New related "The to the at Malaysia, Harvard and science but she believed that bio parasites she had been working on technology and genetic engineering were becoming very exciting. By 1980, Prema had received a masters England Biolabs. first six of science months I felt overwhelmed," she said. Prema wanted to understand the funda mentals of wards cause from the University of Wyoming working as a doctoral candidate under a molecular biologist at Hahneman Medical College in Philadelphia, Penn degree and was This would development in a nematode. provide a logical path to attacking parasitic nematodes that many diseases. She realized that of infectious diseases with animals," she said. In addition to school, Prema does post doctoral research at The James A. Baker Institute of Animal Health with sylvania. mentor or "I feel I I never really had a studying tode in and got it into my head but I got this position and it clicked," Prema why basic development in a nema itself, would be a lifetime of work "I wanted more. said. She chose to work on malaria be cause of its endemic proportions in Ma ing more closely at the gratification work applied end of things," Prema stated. At that time, she "There was a certain arrogance just to be studying molecular biology," she stated. For instance, with the malaria laysia. knew infectious disease, parasites and molecular biology were her route. To complement her research ground Prema went back to her back initial project, the parasite was just a tool and a model to do genetic engineering. At that time, Prema's work was more basic rather than the larger picture of trying to find a cure veterinary medicine. She now pur sues a doctorate of veterinary medicine at Cornell University's College of Veteri love: nary Medicine. "I didn't want a career in pure lab work. Clinical medicine gives me Judy Appleton. "Judy studies mucosal immunity to parasites using Trichinella spiralis as infections in the rat model." she said. This project keeps Prema ac tively involved in research while she studies clinical medicine. "It is going to be exciting when I graduate in two years. I'll actually bring research and clinical medicine together. On an international level, it will really give me a foot up," Prema said. ■ for malaria. Prema finished her doc torate in molecular biology at Hahneman Medical College in 1985. In 1987, Prema the option of actually doing research by Lauren Oelkers '94 3 THE YEAR is 2000, ONCE A FAR-OFF We TO fantasy, just around the corner. fantasized about such futuristic expecta tions of life in the 21st century, but now, we accept the absence of many drastic changes. Cornell's Mann Library is the exception to this re alization. By the year 2000, Mann Library renovation, Mann will be better able to as they be cope with new technologies come pleted in five to seven years. With this available. Why is all of this change necessary? "The primary goal of the construction is to provide for our collections," said Peter Schrempf, Mann's administrative man ager. The library, completed in 1952, contains EXPAND Barnes, head Services tronic Division. will not be the "We're same. that does creating books. self-supporting stack structure not adequately protect the Schrempf said the entire structure a the library of the 21st century," said Susan of Mann Library's Public "It will would incinerate if a part of the stacks caught on fire, due to the outmoded style of construction. the utilize elec a MANN'S BASE technology, but it will be combi Additionally, many of 650,000 volumes Mann holds need preservation due to the combination of nation of the most advanced technology and Mann's traditional collections." In about two years, Cornell breaks acidic paper and the unfavorable envi ronment they are housed in. The new addition will extend out the back of Mann's present structure into what currently is a parking lot. After the ground which on a 75,000 square-foot, four- to Albert R. Mann Library, primarily serves the College of Agriculaire and Life Sciences and the College of Human Ecology, as well as the Division of Biological Sciences and story addition completion of the rest of the addition, a renovation of Mann will take accommodate advanced telecommunications use place to computing and and to to technology, the Division of Nutritional Sciences. Mann will also renovate its current facility to dur space more effectively. The introduction of computers study li ing this project, scheduled be com- brary management has had an indelible effect on Mann's day-to-day operations. Cornell has created lists an online system that holdings of all nineteen units of the Cornell University Library System. Not only are book and reserve checkouts computerized, but the overdue books billing system, the interlibrary loan ser vice and the card catalog are all con trolled by computer. In fact, all of Mann's volumes are listed in the online catalog, so they are moving the card catalogs into the basement more to make more room for ac computers. These computers will access to provide cess self-service, public at databases. Mann Library advantage explosion of computerized information. "Five years has taken The administration of the ago, we owned just ERIC and AGRICOLA (educational and agricultural databases, respectively)," said Barnes. "Now we own Computers made to about 120 databases." it easier for find books, and people subsequently, stack use has increased. Cornell is not the only university re sponding to the call for technological renovations in the library system. In 1988, Electronic Learning described how the University of Southern California mated its The renovation of Albert R. Mann Library, which stands at the eastern end of the ag compete with the finest research libraries in the country. auto library. University Librarian, to quad, will enable it to Dean and Vice Provost Charles Ritcheson said, "Libraries will have be prepared 4 options in need for an for education in the library information. "There i.s a advanced technology center use of the electronic library. Workstations will be spread throughout the library, including the stack areas," said Schrempf. Mann's popular reading rooms, traditionally used for facetime, will remain, but will contain these workstations. Campus network con nections will also be provided for stu bring their own laptop com puters to the library. Mann will also begin to publicize an The more dents who newly expanded computer facilities databases and online computers. on the second floor of Albert R. Mann Library now accommodate other innovation called the tem. Gateway sys a Anyone who has can a computer and modem not only in to invest large sums in electron ics but also to increase their tures expendi acquiring books in the traditional format." Mann Library continues to buy books and periodicals in print, because they only lease the databases, and will lose all the files if they discontinue rent ing them. Also, the longevity of magnetic tape, the material compact and computer made of, has not proven to be than that of books, which can be maintained for decades. disks are longer important to emphasize that we are converting Mann to be computeraccessible, but we don't foretell the de mise of the printed book," said Sam "It is library staffing level has remained relatively stable. However, the staff is called on to do new and different things. They are constantly trained by the new information technologies section of the Mann Library staff, as well as outside seminars and workshops, so they can teach students, faculty and staff to use the library's facilities effectively. Is this prompting a trend to phase out books altogether in the library system? "The new technologies do not replace the printed word. They supplement it by making searching better and more effi cient," said Schrempf. Demas said that the introduction of The get a user ID to log on to this collection of databases without walking into a library. Currently, Gateway holds eight databases, and it is expanding quickly, adding such popular databases as Periodicals Abstracts (an index to gen eral-interest magazines) and ABI/Inform (a business database). In the one year since Gateway was introduced, faculty users. over 2700 and students have become active process, This system facilitates the research so all people have to do when Mann is go to the stacks to are they come to retrieve the books Why ten no will they people go to Mann looking for. Library matter years from now? Barnes believes that how computerized library re Demas, head of Mann's Collection De velopment Division. "It is unbeatable there for certain kinds of are a uses. We will still be collecting printed materials, whole lot of different to us." are but now options avail optical disks and magnetic storage has complicated the job of selecting publica tions for the library. "Now, we have to detennine not only whether the content is appropriate for this library, but which format is better for which audience," said Demas, who agrees with Barnes and search gets, there are still uses for writing and reading. "Students use Mann to ob tain educational resources and also to socialize, network and share infonnation about classes," said Barnes. "They will have a able one wired to Mann's collections invaluable when be able work library where together." students will ■ realizes some of its holdings. Jan Olsen, director of Mann Library, said in a previous issue of Countryman that in a Schrempf necessity that printed books are still a and a treasure. number of instances, Mann owns the only copy (or one of the very few cop ies) of a scholarly work in the United States. Demas feels that this now The renovations to Mann will better accommodate these new and different by Jennifer Rabin '94 pride should extend not only to Mann's print collections, lections but to its new electronic col Education as well. The Chronicle of Higher published vations in many articles over the past several years discussing the library research. costs to many inno It also re ported that rising and budgets ing cuts force libraries make dwindling damag in collections and services. Mann has fortunately kept stable, but inflation and unfavorable for eign exchange rates have forced it to cut some journal subscriptions and at times, to decrease the level of book buying. Library's budget What will the library of the future look like? Mann the principal medium for library research. Library administrators believe that print will always be 5 Targeting a Deadly FOOD SAFETY HAS ALWAYS BEEN OF concern to consumers. a Bacterium to food borne bacteria, have led in For the average individual, result in more. a most cases of food poisoning few days in bed and nothing However, food safety has become creased interest in developing detection methods. In 1985 to mid 1989, England, Wales, and Northern Ireland experienced a near doubling of the incidence of hu man genes. Since then a more general tech nique has been developed that can be used as to detect L. monocytogenes as well re other bacteria. are Sponsors of this search the Cornell Biotechnology Pro Dairy Foods increasingly important among the rising population of immunocompromised in dividuals, those individuals with tion a listeriosis. condi Associate Professor Carl Batt, of the Department of Food Science in the Col gram and the Northeast Research Center. suppressing their natural immune systems. These individuals are predomi nantly dominated by HTV infected people, lege of Agriculture and Life Sciences, has been working on research involving rapid detection of the bacteria Listeria Historically, L. monocytogenes was pri marily a threat to livestock, however, evidence of it being a cause of human disease became apparent in the 1920s. L. monocytogenes is the bacterial species causing listeriosis, transplant patients, nant women the elderly and preg monocytogenes. This bacteria is and their fetuses. found in dairy and meat Academic and commercial sectors have seafood and etables. A raw and products, fruit, processed veg written in demonstrated through their work the need for greater diligence in establishing levels of food safety and methods of ease Countryman article October 1990 called 'Detecting Listeria,' noted the use of monoclonal antibodies or prevention. Recent outbreaks of a dis called listeriosis, contracted through antibodies geared toward a specific responsible for causing abortions, meningitis and septicemia among both animals and humans. "This organism is found everywhere but only affects cer tain types of people," said Batt. As a soil bacteria, he added it is natural that this most antigen in the detection of L. monocyto bacteria is found in many foods. Exposure to the bacteria causes more no than influenza-like symptoms in an average person but could lead to death immunocompromised individuals. A study conducted by the Centers for Dis ease Control during November 1988 to December 1990 reported that in an aver age population of one million people, only 7.4 cases were reported. However, the mortality rate of those infected with L. monocytogenes was twenty-three per cent in and other studies have shown as a mortality rate of as high L. to thirty percent. monocytogenes is a difficult bacteria detect because it occurs in very low levels in food and is similar to other species within its genus. "The problem with this organism is that at the time we started this work were seven years ago, there not a lot of distinguishing signa tures," said Batt. Batt described signa tures as aid in in the Carl Batt, who is an associate professor in food science, and graduate student Andrew Jamieson analyze DNA sequences to determine if [..monocytogenes is distinguishing characteristics that differentiating between, in this species of bacteria belonging genus. L. mo nocytogertes occurs food, the presence of one case, two same Even though present. in low levels in 6 bacterial gene could be a problem be cause under the right conditions, it could played ment a substantial role in the develop of this method. multiply. The bacteria can incubate for 30 days making it difficult to determine a link between the contaminated food and The decision to use LCR came about because, "we were looking for the po tential for devising a strategy that would be symptoms. Batt's work involves to generic," said Batt. Barany and Batt developing a way both felt the need to other distinguish L. monocytogenes from species in the same genus which are not pathogenic. His work consists of finding distinct signatures or distinguish ing characteristics that are unique to this bacteria. In collaboration with Francis that could be used develop a technique to distinguish other bacterial The to a with ate pathogens. technology has also been applied plant pathogen, Erwinia stewardii, the help of Wendy Wilson, a gradu Department of Plant been student in the has also Barany, a microbiologist at the Cornell ITniversity Medical College in Manhattan and the inventor of ligase chain reaction, LCR. the route to use Pathology. "LCR licensed from of LCR became the chosen L. monocyto easily distinguish genes from other Listeria species. "LCR gives you the ability to detect the difference between two DNA sequences that differ College by a company called Applied Biosystems," said Batt. "Applied Biosystems manufactures in stalments used in molecular biology. One of those instruments separates DNA mol ecules Cornell Medical by electrophoresis." Electrophore separation of molecules princi said Batt. single nucleotide," Nucleotides are the building by only a sis is the blocks of DNA. By examining bacteria pally based upon size and the instniment is equipped with a laser scanner that facilitates the discrimination between two different DNA molecules. The starting assay materials of the LCR are short pieces of probe DNA and the product of a Professor Batt performs a ligase chain reaction L. monocytogenes, which is a common bacteria found in virtually all foods. on through LCR, it is possible to look at one nucleotide out of approximately three billion and distinguish between two a cies of Listeria. Martin Wiedmann, spe visit of ing fellow from Germany in the College Agriculture and Life Sciences has also positive reaction, one where L. monocytogenes is present, are joined pieces of cess DNA. The laser scanning pro makes it easy to distinguish be tween joined and unjoined pieces. He Twinkie for L. monocytogenes, Batt said the procedure would not be practical. "If say that Emily Winn-Deen at Applied Biosystems, based in Foster City, California, is leading the group that is working with this technology to expand went on to you're testing end products then it doesn't make a whole lot of sense," said Batt. He felt that identifying and modifying those parts of the food processing procedure that may be most sensitive to contamina tion would be the most realistic use of this the uses of their instniment. were eco Batt commented that there nomic and determine the this political issues that would practical application of technology. "There are then com going to technology. most "It all comes down to economics. You want to test those areas that will Batt. likely be a problem," said mercial considerations that will deter anything with prohibitive costs of using this procedure could prevent its application in the food industry. Since it is virtually impossible to eliminate L. monocytogenes from food products, the question arises as to what levels of the bacteria in food are safe. Presently, the mine if we're do Until the food this." He feels that technology is applied in the industiy, the Centers for Disease Control has recommended that all con sumers avoid the consumption of unpas teurized milk or foods made from unpas teurized milk. with high risk, those immunosuppressive conditions, People at should avoid eating soft cheeses and levels of bacteria that are sufficient to cause infection are not known. "The global issue is one of what is undergo dietary counseling. ■ Carolyn Hutton, a research technician, loads a sample onto a gel electrophoresis unit so that she can separate and analyze DNA sequences. safety problem," said Batt. only affects a small num ber of people in a population, requiring higher food safety standards must be weighed against the economic costs in volved in implementing regulations. really a food Since listeriosis If the process were used to test a by Ann Chi Lau '93 iiper Milk From And so began another day at the dairy department of the teaching and research center in Harford, New York. According to Ron Space '53, the Chief of Operations for the Department of Animal Science, to Cornell is home animal care the largest accredited facility in the United States. Day to day activities include caring for the cattle, milking and feeding the cattle and carrying out the hundreds of experi ments that take place at this center. Currently Wayne Daniels at work in the 400 cows roam the premises One of the young calves peers out from its home. milking parlor. WHEN THE NEWS SPREAD ABOUT THE birth of a baby boy, the employees at the Cornell University Animal Science Teach ing and Research Center reacted with the of the teaching and research center. Each of these cows produces approximately 100 pounds of milk daily at peak lacta tion. The milk is then sent to the food science honor awarded to milk makers. The department where it is processed award commends the enthusiasm that usually is generated and sold as ice cream, cheese and milk at Cornell stores, or served in Cornell's din quality of the milk. award is high and pure "Basically," said Gladys among the friends of a new parent. Friendly gossip could be heard between ing halls where it is ment to a wonderful comple chocolate chip cookie. a no Birdsall 78, the Dairy Coordinator, "the an indication of the overall health of our herd." While the cows in offices and it took staff to no time for most of the new The milk that campus is cows hear about the kid in town. Yes, it was true. After nine pregnant months, Pee Wee finally had given birth to a 92 pound bull calf. Empire State Mastitis Council Super Milk Award, the highest 1991 the received the eventually arrives on ordinary product. In fact, in milk produced by the Cornell themselves obviously play a major role providing this exceptional milk, the unsung heroes are the staff members who devote their time to insure that Cornell's facility and its cattle keep up the tion high an standards that make the opera success. udder Gerry Phelps, the milking crew super visor, has been working at the center for 20 years. His tasks include maintaining the milk house and overseeing the entire milking operation. Phelps also monitors the intricate computer systems that regu late milk quantity. "It's very nerve-wracking and tedious around here," he said. Stress is particu larly high when the state and federal inspection teams come to examine the equipment and the center. Since these visits six are unannounced and center an occur every to months, Phelps works diligently the environment. keep healthy immaculate and Lynn Goddard is another of the center's hardworking staff members. Goddard Gerry Phelps is the Dairy Coordinator for Cornell. Here he pets Cookie, who is one of his favorite cows. spends her days feeding the calves, tak ing care of the newborns and treating the calves when they are sick. Since she knows the calves on a personal level, she also plays a key role in picking Cornell Cows calves for research projects. She said her work is very satisfying; it is almost like she is a mother to the animals. "I try not to can't become attached, but sometimes you help it," she said. "Some of the calves just have such a nice personality. I even call them my kids sometimes," she said with a smile. an Tom Muscato, helps agreed that it is difficult not to become emotionally attached to some of the cows. When you spend all day with them, you cannot help picking favorites, he said. Muscato, with the help of Birdsall, coordinates research with the research experimentalist who on dairy cattle, professors. Since the center projects with Cornell opened in 1972, 500 projects have been imple mented by the staff in conjunction with Cornell the professors. to Results of the studies often lead innovative discoveries in This modern milking parlor is the place where the Cornell way into campus dining halls and Cornell dairy products. cows get milked. Eventually, the milk makes its dairy field that filter down from the professors conducting the experiments to the everyday dairy farmer. Often the results set new precedents in the field. One of the studies at the center examines the currently underway changes in cow center is so successful as are crystal clear. As long they the cows remain at the can milk quality when the is milked center in Harford they be assured atten a three times per day as opposed to the usual two times per day. Several en zymes exist in the milk that may begin to break down the milk while it is in the cow's that will receive world class from their tion from the staff. Not to mention few baby gifts "parents." ■ udder; researchers are testing whether removing the milk more fre quently will reduce the enzyme activity and improve the quality of the milk. day-to-day activities vary little at the center, the employees never seem to tire of their responsibilities. Part of this enthusiasm flourishes simply from Although the workers' love for the cattle. the by Alison Oshinsky '93 Many of the staff members grew up working on their families' farms and continue to do so. Space said his of this interest in pursuing to a career sort relates back his upbringing. "I'm just a common little dairy farmer," he said. Phelps, Birdsall, Muscato and Goddard all expressed simi lar sentiments. For example, Birdsall grew up on a dairy farm in Delaware County, New York. Judging from the sincere and concerned attitudes that the staff A mother cow mem Lynn Goddard, animals, feeds licks her newborn calf clean. bers express for cattle, the reasons the the person responsible for the young one of the calves. 9 Shedding Light on the Perfect Greenhouse THE GREENHOUSES OF THE FUTURE are $240,000 per acre annually from the 9,300 acres dealing CEA is a with excess water run-off in a Environment today. Agriculture, or name given to both this leading-edge agricultural technology and the new pro gram of study at the College of Agricul ture and Life Sciences. The CEA study at Cornell focuses on researching intensive, year-round crop production in state-ofthe-art stmctures, while at the same time training the people who will successfully here at Cornell Controlled CEA, is the in flower production. Professor problem. at Robert CEA MS '54, PhD '56, the Program Director, believes food Langhans, Researchers two Cornell are exploring recircula crops can also be profitably grown yearround in the northeastern United States basic types of zero run-off systems. One is a zero run-off system for crops grown in soil. The other is a using properly designed and managed CEA systems. "Up cause to CEAs has this point, food production in failed," cautions Langhans, "be implement and manage this in the future. technology of CEA in Currently, Over 350 the major use New York state is flower acres of production. greenhouse area pro at big business looked at CEAs as 'simple' fanning. They didn't realize how detailed and sophisticated a CEA was to operate. Growing quality crops consis tently is very difficult, but a successful CEA is a hydroponic, system. While both systems attempt to provide an optimal growing environment, free from pests and diseases, with perfectly timed and abundant daily harvests of fresh food, tion, or each system seeks to address different agricultural problems. duce crops valued acre. $94 million dollars annually, averaging over $250,000 per The U.S. national average is about because no money machine." CEAs fail one is trained in the com plexity culture of Controlled Environment Agri operations, he said. For example, Martha Jensen stirs up a tank of undissolved nutrients which are eventually used to feed lettuce plants. Martha Jensen, technician working on the project, reads the pHs of nutrient solutions that are used in the hydroponic systems. The nutrients circulate throughout the system and are as needed. a replenished 10 The zero prevent excess run-off system is designed to fertilizer from polluting the environment. Over 2,000 pounds of nitrogen fertilizer plied usual to an acre per year can be ap of greenhouse under greenhouse conditions. Outdoor farming, by comparison, uses 150 pounds of nitrogen fertilizer per year, or less. In a conventional greenhouse about 62 per cent of the fertilizer leaches out to sur to face and ground water. According Professor Thomas Weiler, MS '67, PhD '69, a CEA faculty' member researching the closed-cycle nutrient flow in the CEA study, fertilizer over-use is not a financial issue, as the cost of fertilizer is only a few percent of the greenhouse budget, but it is an environmental issue. then tested Lettuce plants used in the CEA project are grown under supplemental lighting conditions. These plants periodically to determine their maximum growth potential. are cycle it through a constmcted wetland un late the this amount inside the water population of harmful ones. In greenhouses, where the near-optimum of available environment the limited retention time of nutrient-rich allows aquatic plants and their to associated microbes absorb and other wise metabolize nutrients and becomes factor." To maxi mize this final factor the CEA study uses sunlight the "limiting growth Salt-tolerant pesticides. plants (halophytes) then tran spire absorbing and concentrating pure water back into the air, further the nutrient supplemental lighting. They are also test ing a state-of-the-art light source that produces very little ultra-violet and very little heat; a great percentage of the en ergy is converted to visible light. This new lamp has no electrode; it is powered salts in the wetland. Chris Pickerell, a graduate student, who has built just such a constmcted wetland within a green by microwaves. part of the CEA project, re searches how well such a system oper ates. Pickerell said there is always some as house Part of the future of CEA may be out of this world. NASA has asked the Cornell CEA group to nutrient waste left over, however, and to Controlled tem, CELSS are the CEA waste. industry needs devise some study the feasibility of a Ecological Life Support Sys or CELSS, for a colony on the Moon. CEAs within a kind of on-site treatment process for the humans. As as Langhans puts no total system for it, "Without Chris Pickerell stands among several of the 96 Just the zero replicates of the reconstructed wetland system used designed to meet run-off CEA system is the needs of today's CELSS there will be lunar colonies, only such a lunar station that is resupplied, are to evaporate greenhouse drainage. Using principles tion and nutrient integrated irriga management, by calcu of hydroponic CEA system is being designed to meet the needs of the future. According to Weiler, plant growth is subject to the "law of limiting factors". Optimized growth is a CEA goal, but optimum In the growers, the as the Antarctic stations that supplied lunar with food every six months." Who is going to build and operate the CELSS? Cornell's ronment Perhaps graduates of College of Agriculture and Life Think of even lating exactly plant exact how much fertilizer each is very difficult to achieve. hydroponic CEA almost every Sciences, trained in the Controlled Envi it: require, and providing that amount mixed into the soil, there will environmental factor is computer con trolled. Crops are not grown in soil, but in a Agriculaire program. working on the Moon, or ■ on Mars. will be no excess fertilizer to leach out of the system. Sub-irrigating the crops, rather than watering from the top down, also liquid nutrient solution. The tem perature, carbon dioxide and humidity are precisely regulated, or and no pesti leaching. In those greenhouses cess irrigation is released, helps avoid cides where the it is ex are herbicides are used. Insect pests Pest Man to controlled by Integrated possible to agement, using beneficial insects regu by Richard Ginn '94 n Canaveral A A Titan III launch vehicle. 12 FIRE WELLED UNDER THE ROCKET, <. and a huge pad. launch cloud billowed around the The spacecraft lifted slowly fi'.? and climbed into the sky. Several sec onds later, the noise of the ignition across the water hit us. The craft rose and .:3M*v\ws\ $$%*> *%*., ' ■ . • fWm'-s- >sw dissolved into the clouds, the deafening mmbling of the rocket boosters pounded the air between us and the spacecraft itself. The noise, the fire and the excite ment was compounded by the cheers of the spectators, and was more awe-inspir ing, emotional and thrilling than I can possibly describe. on spacecraft Friday, September 25, 1992. Two days earlier, I had been standing on launched a corner The Mars Observer (MO) ■ >.rjflw- *rs^ -*«V; -m f..i ftfft 7 *' .- ^ wttvs* ""' " ' ■ in Ithaca at 7:00 am, with my suitcase. Two friends of mine picked me up, and we began the long drive '-.*;- /^-*v- '!,' ft-if' 'C to Cape Canaveral. I was alive with the excite ment of this opportunity. Here I was, headed for the launch of what will, hope fully, become one of the most important «**1tib$& were to meet ^'^4 Valles Marinaris is the enormous canyon complex that runs for nearly 5,000 kilometers through the equatorial region of Mars. This picture is a mosaic of Viking Orbiter images. spacecraft missions in the history of space exploration! I was thrilled to be able to go. I'm a senior in the communication department of the College was of Agriculture to and Life Sciences. I the was able attend since I travelling companions and I up with other people from the Cornell astronomy department, both undergraduate and grad students, and My two our party, all of us tired and grumpy from the trip. A swim in the so we ocean seemed in order, walked down from our was only for a 100 yards the beach, hotel, and went to the MO launch because I have worked in boss, Associate Professor of As swim. The water Department of Astronomy a freshman. My boss is a to mission tronomy, Steve Squyres BA 78, PhD '81. All in all, about 10 people from Cornell attended the MO launch. Mars Observer is mission. The entire surface of the a warm, and the on night was clear. unbelieveably Standing could see scientist and he invited the students who hip deep in launch pad the next the ocean, we the Cape Canaveral, where work for him attend the launch. global mapping will look at the Mars Observer spacecraft waited for Members of the Cornell astronomy department the bus from Space Center to the launch site. on spacecraft planet the with various journey types of scientific instruments, enabling scientists to locate and identify even surface features, minerals and for centuries, but to even individual missions elements. Astronomers have studied Mars after two Mars in the 1970s, Mariner and Viking, begin its planet. The weather and water were so pleasant, it seemed to me an indication that everything would go smoothly the next day for the launch. We went to bed nervous just the same. It wasn't too late for something terrible to happen and destroy the mission. day to when it would another relatively little is known about the red planet. Mars Observer will provide a tremendous our The Launch amount will the neighboring aid, through comparative studies, in understanding of how Earth was begin mapping planet, however, it has to get of information about world, much of which Friday morning, got ready for the we awoke at 6:30 and big day. Bleary-eyed, we found the registration site for guests of the mission and picked up our infor mation and passes for the launch. We then headed for the Kennedy Space Cen ter formed and evolved. Before MO can even the red for a briefing and the launch. we were there. The actual launch of the spacecraft was what prompted several students as sociated with Cornell's astronomy de At the space center, onto loaded busses and taken to partment, including myself, to leave Ithaca during the first round of exams this se mester and drive to Florida for the week end. We arrived in Cocoa we awaited news launch. We had not yet received official word that the launch would take place as scheduled. The scientists were watching the wind, hoping to hear that the launch where the causeway, of the 12:30 pm Beach, Florida at could proceed. morning was around 10:00 pm the night before the launch. We met up with the rest of our The wind that in the wrong direction. The blowing spacecraft, 13 Report from Cape Canaveral encased in a Titan III launch east vehicle, earth was ears intent on the audio broadcast. was a not sit in see that room for 40 minutes and we going before on to head in an orbit Mission Control ceive word from being propelled towards Mars by were into space and expecting to recouple of different transmission from Steve look that way. A half hour later, returned to the another rocket east to booster. The winds west. ground stations of a blowing die Transfer Orbit that the toxic fumes, should the launch vehicle explode dur ing or shortly after launch, would be meant This Stage (TOS) rocket theatre. As we I heard cheers and a approached the entrance, applause. I broke into booster, which gave the spacecraft the extra push to escape earth's gravity and head for Mars. When space heard. Time mission center we run. doors, On my way up the stairs to the I was nearly knocked over by arrived at the blown west: across inhabited areas of Florida. MO could not be launched if there was a risk to populated areas. At news about 11:00 am, we got official theatre, nothing had been passed, and still no trans from the TOS, nothing indicating was were burst out of the theatre and the steps in his excitement. He ran down grabbed my hand and yelled, "We got xband!" He ran out of the building. Steve,' who the flight we that the winds had shifted and the launch could go on as scheduled. Ex cited and relieved that our long drive would across Faces proceeding as planned. falling at an alarming rate. a While I had not gone, the spacecraft (which exploded) continued on its sched was Then, heard over transmission. An air uled trajectory. At a certain, and to us ex plane flying oed back the the Indian Ocean radi pected point, Mission Control meant "acquired that the not be in vain, we sat in the grass the Banana River from the launch to Mission a Control that they x-band," which had observed pad and waited for ignition. sky, at bright, orange about the expected flash in coordi room. spacecraft at itself had started time and was just the right transmitting place. When it be was The launch actually took place, after only slight delays, at 1:05 pm. Several of us snapped off some pic tures as nates of the craft. that transmission came received, An indescribable silence filled the apparent that the spacecraft the vehicle took off, but as it cleared the lauch clown and voices either pad, rose. cameras came spacecraft blown up before even leaving its home planet? I looked over at Steve, hoping for hope, Had the Mars Observer and my heart broke. The expression on his face revealed his dismayed and shat travelling toward Mars as planned. The problem had only been that the TOS Everyone was jumping up and down, cheering or staring with their mouths open. It was truly amazing and terrific to see, hear and feel the Mars Observer, inside its Titan III launch vehicle pull away from earth, never to be seen again. And then . . . tered heart. Clearly, Steve thought the mission had gone up in smoke. It would be 40 minutes before the next stage at which Mission Control could know any thing for sure. I was not yet personally attached to MO, because in the preparatory stages, The emotions were about to to turn. Im there was little for an undergraduate to mediately our after the launch went we boarded busses and screen back we the Kennedy on a do. However, I have worked for Steve for three years and I could not bear to see Space Center, where movie sion watched him in such obvious pain. His ex the live broadcast of Mis scientists pression might he been tears on have been the I asked same had Control were from Houston. watching my his house burn. With one me. There about 500 people in the cheeks, for a theatre, all eyes glued to the screen, all friends to ro walk with of my I could Titan III with M0 as it took off from Cape Canaveral. transmitter had failed. The orange flash was the TOS rocket boosters igniting, as scheduled. The After-Launch Celebration Upon returning to the hotel, Steve suggested a party to celebrate the day's success. We all agreed, but after the long day, with its emotional ups and downs, we were hungry and ragged. Before any kind of celebration, we needed to eat! I The northern hemisphere of Mars. This region ot Mars is dominated from the heavily cratered highlands of the southern went hemisphere. by plains which differ considerablv consiaeraDi) students day. dinner with a group of celebrate and talk about die We found a cute little Chinese resout to to li Report from Cape Canaveral over a buffet dinner and spent hours eating and talking and laughing. I think it was the best dinner I've ever had. taurant with two my career interests and When I After dinner, we stopped and picked up supplies for the celebration to take place that evening at the hotel. We filled the bathtub with ice, clear-cut. I I would fill every free credit hour with biotechnology and related courses. When I goals. applied to Cornell, it was would study communication; biotechnology industry. That goal has now been pushed aside in favor of plan etary science. When I applied to Cornell, I didn't know Venus from the Sun. My job in the champagne and would go to work for Merck and Co., Inc. or Genentech and write about scientific advances in the graduated, I astronomy department and especially the opportunity to etary missions at be involved with plan the level of cutting- An artist's conception of the MO at Mars. Mars Observer is predicted to arrive at Mars in August, 1993 research has opened to me a new and wonderful world. Being allowed to attend the launch of the MO was edge just my another way my career job has influenced intents. I will graduate from and leave Cornel] before Mars Observer reaches Mars, and therefore may never see the data sent back by this magnificent spacecraft. Even see are if I don't stay in astronomy and I only what few results of the mission that published in popular science magazines, I will always be thrilled and proud that I was given the opportunity to experience this landmark in the history of space a exploration. by Lesley J. Wright '93 beer and invited the GRS room to team to our share the happiness. After the toasts and introductions, I had the opportunity to meet and talk to some Mars Observer The Mars Observer mission has three wonderful people at a the launch mission, and were of about 10 meters. professor from University of California at San Jose about my upbringing and education in New York state, compared to his in Europe. We talked about my faculty ad the celebration party. I spent the evening talking with a great deal of basic scientific objectives: to identify and In the lower and medium resolution map the elements and minerals found on the surface, to measure the height of images returned to by MOC, researchers will be able over observe weather and surface features and tational field of the to define the gravi planet. All of these objectives will be realized through global mapping with seven different instruments. Each instniment has a visor, my not I career interests and whether or should go on to graduate school. (On this point we debated back and forth for what seemed like days. He team of scien re tists devoted to studying are the data atmospheric changes periods of days, weeks, months and years. The highest resolution system will be used to image only certain features of special interest due to the high volume of data required for each image. The GRS will related surface and trieved sors by that instniment. Two on profes on strongly encouraged me to go on imme at Cornell mission teams: emitted rays are by measure the gamma rays the surface of Mars. Gamma diately to earn master's degree. I said, what? I don't know what to "In His Professor Joseph Veverka works the created by either the radioactive study!" Just do Mars Observer Camera (MOC) team, and decay of response? "It doesn't We was never matter. it." did agree, but the conversation fun and veiy interesting.) Professor Steven Squyres BA 78, PhD '81, works on the Gamma Ray Spectrom eter chemical elements, or by the interaction of elements with cosmic rays. (GRS) team. I also had the opportunity to talk to Steve outside of the office. I was de The MOC will of Mars. The camera photograph the surface is capable of photo energy and number of rays, the GRS will help mission scientists detennine the surface composition of Mars at the level of individual elements. By measuring the lighted to have the chance to especially about my career years, but I wonder if he talk to him, I graphing a at interests. measure several resolutions, which is of the size of the smallest be seen have been working for Steve for three ever object In the that can in a photograph. really highest meters understood what I'm trying to do with my life. I doubt he understood the tre mendous influence my of 1.4 resolution images, objects (4.6 feet) will be visible. Other instruments aboard MO will the thermal radiation of the surface and atmosphere, determine the pressure and measure the measure Previously, of Mars the highest resolution job has had on were obtained from the images Viking atmospheric height of mountains and depth of valleys to provide an accurate topographical map of the surface of Mars. 15 From Computerized Ithaca's Specialty Food Market Scene A YOUNG Scales ganic foods are are Hawkes, an an Extension Associate in the economics the featured fare of many agricultural department state and smaller markets. Such grown without are author of the New York food products, which pesticides or fertiliz aren't harmful for study. "Specialization nature area. is a function of the of the New York metropolitan ers, safer for the environment. In addition, organic foods There have there." always been specialty BOY AND a HIS GRAND- stores father walk down corner city street to a small an Elizabeth ment Boggess, Greenstar Produce they pass elderly woman shuffling through the fruit at a local produce stand. Just across the street, die butcher's window sign is flipped to "open." If you are from New York City or any other major metropolitan area, the afore mentioned scenario is probably taken for granted. Specialty food markets, like those bodega. listed above, have been operating for decades. However, while these stores once are On route, head at Depart Cooperative, fur people who are chemically sensitive. For example, liquid ammonia, which pays off immediately when used as a fertilizer, may hinder the soil in the long run. on thered Hawkes' a lot of money in come people York point. "Certainly there is Ithaca," she said. "Many here from places like New However, while farmers save money City where there is a greater selec tion, and they appreciate receiving that selection here." "Ithaca is a specialized market," a ex plained Peter Oasis Natural Sayet, Grocery. partner in the "It's very upscale of cus and educated." While income and tomers ous primarily only cities, they becoming increasingly successful else existed in schooling success, impact markets' causes numer where in the country. other exist. First and foremost Agricultural economists have supported this trend with their findings. The State of New York Food Industry a study issued in February 1992 by the Cornell Food Industry Management Program in the College of Agriculture and Life Science's Department of Agricultural Economics offered firm statistical backing. It reported that supermarkets (classified as grocery — — is the previously noted health issue. Or agriculture, the price of organic produce won't drop because more labor is involved in its growth. Oasis, said Sayet, sells grocery items with no preservatives, chemicals, or arti ficial flavorings. In fact, he noted, their best selling item is Knudsen Spritzer, an all-natural carbonated fruit beverage. Greenstar and Ludgate Produce Farms also sell organically grown produce. In aa effort to compete, according to Assis tant Store Manager Brian Seeley, Wegmans Food Pharmacy, an 89,000 chemical-free stores with an area of more than 5,000 square feet) account for only 14.5 per cent of the 12,395 food stores in New York state. Excluding permarkets of food New York account — for City where su only 8.3 percent — stores New York state groceries less than 19 percent of are considered supermarkets. Moreover, although the Central Region (which includes Ithaca) of New York has the highest percentage of supermarkets in the state, they make up only 22 of 100 food venues. While today's society is becoming in creasingly health conscious, there is a more meaningful reason for small mar ket prosperity. This is especially the case in Ithaca. "Specialty stores are not a new phenomenon by any means," said Rod The Wegmans produce section: Wegmans is 89,000 square foot supermarket. an 16 These organically grown fruits and vegetables are the 'featured fare' of many specialty food markets. marked. A store such as the 2,400 square foot Oasis, for example, can't afford scan ning unless the a marked price decrease. In these cases, the small markets turn to service and technology undergoes unique items to woo consumers. Oasis offers an international vegetar ian deli. Greenstar co-op, which has 3,000 members, allows its members to make product line decisions. "It's the ultimate form of democracy," Boggess said. "Now we even have a referendum about and some controversial ucts we meat packaged prod carry." like Greenstar, allows Ludgate Famis, its customers to purchase products in bulk are we to save tend to money. "A lot of people think that specialty food stores expensive," Ludgate reasoned, "but really work at trying to keep the prices competitive." Furthermore, Ludgate added, in compliance with New York state's food labeling law, his store has a square foot supermarket, bakes organic whole wheat bread on site and uses actually product." can see the processing of the unbleached flour in the process. Mike Ludgate '80, general manager for his family's business, explained his pur Boggess continued this line of thought. more cheese if people see you cutting cheese," she reasoned. "People "You sell products sold. "It sure Ludgate noted. Finally, "please the con sumer" gesture, Ludgate Fanns' business policy doesn't require customers paying by local check to show identification. "Once in a while we get a bad check," Ludgate admitted, "but it's friendlier and people really appreciate that." ■ saves us a computerized ingredients of scale which knows the all lot of time," in another chasing strategy such for as sweet corn and large volume crops pumpkins. "We like to see how the It makes people feel that produce is prepped. products are brought by Dan Masonson '94 register at try to find a farmer who'll grow and deliver the crop just for us," he said. less the mysterious." eye-it and buy-it to Extension Associate Hawkes Ludgate added that and the other small marketers issue full circle. Patti Arsenault at the Farms. Ludgate Produce they prefer to buy produce locally when in season. "Of course in the "That's the ing copy with its dead of winter, we, like everyone else, ments in philosophy Wegmans is try perimeter depart bakery, cheese, meat, deli, and changing to buy food from Florida or California, which is available through the Syracuse Re gional Market," Boggess noted. Wegmans, on the other hand, gets its produce seafood," he said. Aside from suit the spe cialty customer, Hawkes noted that the supermarkets do have benefits. "Perhaps the greatest advantage the supemiarkets have over the specialty stores," he opined, "is the ability to track their sales using computerized checkout scanners." In addition, supermarkets have the ability to buy in larger bulk and Wegmans' credit card technology is consumer friendly. The specialty store response has been through a buyer in the chain's main must rely on a more rigidly structured, decentralized hierar chy, the reasons for its competitors' suc cess are office in Rochester. While Wegmans not lost on Assistant Manager Seeley. "They want to create a Europeantype market," he said, "where everything is open and visible to customers so they 17 aai AT AN INSTITUTE OF FOOD TECH- of all kosher-marked nology symposium addressing etary laws of different religions, put his Muslim arm the di a intentionally in the U.S. products purchased are purchased by steel food containers. As U.S. manufacturers have rabbi a around the shoulder of The two Jews. The bulk of the other two-thirds of the $1.6 billion worth of intentionally result, many stopped using a these coatings and manufacturers are in other countries speaker. sat, leaning purchased kosher-marked products con- beginning to stop as well. the similarities, there are sev Despite areas toward each other, for 15 minutes. While between news conversing quietly eral in which kosher and halal laws differ. Even though unique of this both sets of laws stories about the clashes require a live and humane a slaughter, Jews and Muslims are all too familiar, some members of these reli gions are learning to work together to make more each has set of rituals for the food products meet their %## This sign indicates that a product was prepared under the supervision of the Islamic Food and slaughter. Under the Jewish laws, the shochet, or slaughterman, says one performance prayer and then kills for a dietary regulations. '66, of in the Professor Joe M. Regenstein '65, MS the Department of Food Science period of time, whereas the Muslim slaughterman prays to Allah before each animal is killed. College is an of Agriculture and Life restric Likewise, although both restrict the use Sciences expert in the field of of pork, sets of laws the restrictions kosher laws, the Jewish dietary Nutrition Council of America (IFANCA). imposed by halal laws are stronger than tions. Regenstein is involved in exten sists of sion activities with experts in halal, the Muslim dietaiy restrictions. These activi ties are designed to help make kosherproducts better meet the dietaiy stan approximately equal numbers of Muslim and vegetarian consumers. There are many similarities between kosher and halal laws. For example, both provide for meat Eating slaughter of on the humane dards of those who observe halal. Kosher-marked foods are big business in the United States. Over 20,000 prod or $30 billion worth of products, are kosher-marked. The Dannon Company, ucts, Inc. and Coors Brewing Co., have con ducted market research studies in recent years documenting the positive impact of kosher markings on sales. As a result of its consumption of pork. In fact, under halal law, Muslims may accept kosher products in the ab sence of halal products. These similarities have united Jews and Muslims in organizations, like Certi fied Inc. and both restrict the Shipping, Packaging and Transport, (CPST), that have brought about study, Coors currently makes the only kosher beer in the U.S. Making kosher-marked foods meet halal dietary needs is important because, according to Regenstein, only one-third in food-related industries. In CPST, representatives from kosher and halal certifying agencies work together with steel and lubricant manufacturers to changes stop the use of coatings that contain animal-based fats in the production of Professor Regenstein does extension activities to make kosher products meet the needs of halal consumers. mVtf IS : S :,_j? A those imposed by kosher laws. Any con tact whatsoever with pork is unaccept to the Muslims. Jewish law, on the other hand, pemiits limited use of pork gelatins, such as precipitating agents in fMJ\ results of the efforts to prevent the use of animal-based fats in steel containers have been approved by both Jewish and Mus lim able certifying agencies. juices, because the gelatin is not a part of the final food product. Even these differences, however, are uniting Jews and Muslims. Most of Regenstein's work, for example, focuses of "interface" between ko sher and halal laws. Slaughter practices on The "OU" is one of many symbols which indicates that a product was prepared under kosher Despite their differences, these projects provide an opportunity for Jews and Muslims to work together in the U.S. on common ground. According to Regenstein, "Members of each group have been able to the areas supervision. from this focus on their common needs and avoid those areas where and die area are use of pork gelatins fall into this ally not portion of the animal are usu processed into kosher meat they might disagree." As a result, at a recent where kosher and halal CPST press practices However, they are acceptable under halal laws. This would conference in similar, but also have significant provide Muslims with cuts a differences. larger sher selection of meat and an Regenstein hopes to establish a set of guidelines for change so that kosher Pittsburgh, Jews and Mus lims who observed religious dietary re strictions ate food acceptable to both at one alternative less expensive than many ko cuts. table, while everyone else ate "regu lar" banquet fare at another. ■ Common Ground products will meet the dietary needs of the other groups who consume kosher products. Ideally, these guidelines, which In addition, Muslim-supervised kosher Regenstein refers to as "Regenstein's Ten Commandments," will be publicly stated and enforced by both rabbis and mem bers of the relevant food-related indus tries. Products meeting the higher stan dards set forth by "Regenstein's Ten Commandments" would be marked with a "hooked R" to symbolize the hooking of other religions to the kosher laws. slaughters would ideally be provided at the slaughter plant. A Muslim would be present while kosher slaughter takes place to say the appropriate blessings. Finally, the plant would operate on the Sabbath, the Jewish day of rest, as a halal plant with a Muslim slaughterman. Jews and Muslims are also working together to develop a gelatin that meets both kosher and halal "Kosher marked foods are big busi ness in the U.S. Over requirements. As a 20,000 products, or $30 billion worth of that these standards may be put into practice. Ideally, the plant would do three things. First, it would make the hind-quarter of beef available to Muslim markets. Cuts of meat Regenstein are planning slaughter plant so area and others to working in this a renovate beef result of these efforts, two companies now make fish gelatins that meet these needs. In addition, two laboratories claim they have produced more versatile fish products are kosher marked." gelatins These than those currently available. efforts of Jews and Mus joint lims have both apparently been accepted by religious communities. For example, by Jacqueline K. Lurie '93 mmmm SS. ■ , ■., ■ nVro 19 Suffolk County's Long Island: land of hairspray, shopping malls and sports cars? People rarely consider the important ag ricultural component of Long Island, New York. Cornell Cooperative Extension in Suffolk County' provides programs to sup port agriculture on Long Island, as well as a tremendous variety of other pro grams, including those in economics, have in nutrition and the environment. What Cornell possible interest could Cooperative Extension A Brief History: Congress established the Cooperative Extension Service primarily agricultural community, although were nearly a century ago. It addressed the needs of the there as home economics programs well. This national extension system some was administered means to at the versity in every state, and land-grant uni provided an new A Cornell Cooperative Extension Horticultural Research Laboratory on Long Island. effective promote techno logical and agricultural advances. today differs dra matically from those early days. Jane W. McGonigal '50 PhD '84, a former editor of the Cornell Countryman, is the Direc tor of Staff Development and Recruit Extension education ment this on sod and period, "development of the nursery, greenhouse industries increased" Long Island. To keep abreast of rising taxes In Suffolk County, Cornell Coopera on tive Extension focuses three of these property had to and labor costs, farmers of Cornell Cooperative Extension. leave produce more profitable crops or agriculture. Vineyards, which pro premium vinifera grapes, evolved of the on Environmental Quality, Economic Development and Develop ment of Human Potential. Kathleen De key issue areas: Marco, a Cornell Cooperative Extension She stated, "There is a change from a focus on fann and home production to where to one duced as one more lucrative agricultural must solve issues as well." industries Land Long Island. agent in Suffolk County stated, "We still do the traditional agricultural and marine extension work, but we incorporate them under these three issue areas." McGonigal people attributed part of this change 1900, the overall decrease in the number of involved in agriculture. "In i5 percent of the population was associ ated with agriculture. Today only two and other pressures society have forced extension services to deal with many other issues. use changes of a modern consumer percent of the population is in ture an agricul Long Program Areas: related field." a In similar trend, agriculture on Across New York state, Cornell erative Extension education Coop Environmental Programs: The fragile ecology of Long Island, with coastline on both Long Island Sound and the Atlantic Ocean, engenders extensive Island changed dramatically over the years. Early settlers primarily focused on livestock, hay and the export of firewood. Later, fruits and vegetables provided the principal sources of agriculture. Accord ing to a flyer published by Cornell Coop erative Extension, "The peak production of potatoes [on Long Island] occurred just after World War II, when acres were focus • programs and principal issues: Agricultural Competitiveness on six environmental programs. DeMarco cited the importance of exten sion agent Emerson Hasbrouck's work Profitability • • Children and Youth Economic Vitality at Risk for the maintenance of water quality in Suffolk County. A clean water source is critical to Long Islanders since much of the population on local wells • Environmental Protection and Enhancement depends • for on cultivated in 120,000 all crops." After over Individual, Family water. and Community Weil-Being • Other marine programs focus the preservation of wetlands which as a act Nutrition, Health and Safety natural pollutants. filtering system for Agriculture-And More The Suffolk County precise Extension Asso extension program attempts to educate ciation also addresses ways to make pes the public are to the fact that the the two ticide use more on tive effect limit its nega the environment. Cornell to types of fish essentially same. Cooperative Extension is the lead educa tional organization for "Integrated Pest Management" as an efficient and effec tive way to control pests. Human Service Programs: difficult economic condi tions throughout Suffolk County; New are There association Another program of the Suffolk County helps consumers learn to re waste York Newsday recently reported that duce die "environmental scribed this as they produce through shopping." DeMarco de a 100,000 jobs were lost on Long Island. As a result, demand for human service pro grams increased. For example, DeMarco project which alerts people cery ics to excessive packaging this home in gro stores. Through econom described food education efforts that help people who have limited resources but do not qualify for food stamps. Other programs explain nutritional information, credit basics and budgeting skills for endeavor, to extension encourages people that have purchase reusable products minimal or recyclable packaging. individuals and households. The Suffolk County association also provided aid for victims of the hurricane in Florida in The Economic Vitality: DeMarco also mentioned several pro grams that aid the economic develop ment August, 1992. There were 21 cabbage crop represents one example of the agriculture which exists on Long Island today. traditional collection sites of Suffolk on County7. tuna One program tuna focuses coast ance the commercial Island has fishing off the throughout the county for food, clothing and baby food. The sup plies were gathered by a 4-H group in Suffolk County and distributed through a 4-H group in Dacle County, Florida. Other human service programs focus on ents, schools and students. This pilot program recently won an award from the National Association of Counties. industry'. of Much of the caught a Long when it is displayed red appear in retail fish health issues such distributed at as the AIDS crisis. markets. However, another common va riety has a lighter color. Although the two A flyer the Suffolk County Communication of Programs: Cornell Cooperative Extension depends on extension office stated, "Long Island has effective communication for the suc types are sumers often do tuna colored essentially not purchase the palebecause they think it is same, con a the the incidence of AIDS of any American suburb." A new program, which originated at Cornell University in the highest cess of its programs. McGonigal stated, in "Extension is unique using non-formal spoiled. As a result, the wholesalers who monetary loss. The College of Human Ecology, targets the education, which includes workshops, demonstrations, self-directed learning, sell the fish suffer need for communication between par- computer learning and volunteers as multipliers." The Suffolk tension office relies County Cooperative Ex on a variety of com munication methods to disseminate its infonnation. DeMarco said that the Suf folk office works closely with daily and weekly newspapers, radio and television stations to launch news releases on ex tension issues. In addition, current tech nology allows for satellite teleconferences, computer databases and audio "on-line" communications. For Suffolk residents, the Extension Association provides: Home Horticulture Diagnostic Lab, Consumer Line, Marine and Sea Grant Pro and the Expanded Food and Nutri gram tion Education Program. Help Sod farms are often found on flat areas in the eastern parts of Suffolk County on Long Island. 21 SUFFOLK COUNTY'S AGRICULTURE-And More The Cornell Link: involved in extension work. In many man addition, of Hu the ex ship Cornell University provides the leader for the entire Cooperative Extension departments Ecology devote in the College to research local level because the state lacked ad equate funds. McGonigal predicted that the extension system will depend more on system throughout New York state, yet it is a highly decentralized system. Cornell tension service. DeMarco stated, "This grants and contracts from a range of research base is crucial in the extension programs on delivery of agencies and organizations ments University establishes the program guide based lines which the county offices carry out on their local needs. McGonigal the local level." govern face greater economic difficulties. However, she also emphasized that ex tension would first determine the issues as said, "Local control kept the organization viable for the last 75 to 80 years." county extension association elects its own board of directors, hires its own staff and receives and manages its own funds. Cornell University influences the amount of state and federal funds that a particular county receives, but each association is sible for Cornell Each Funding Cornell funds sources. for Extension Services: from Cooperative federal, state and county Extension receives and programs, and then search for ap propriate sponsors. eral funds remained According to McGonigal the fed fairly stable, but have occurred on Future Trends: budget cuts the state on McGonigal emphasized the need for and local level. "The biggest impact an the number of extension been positions has extension extension agents to communicate closely with the faculty at Cornell. The extension completely respon by attrition. When agents serve as "reality checkers" to see acquiring funds from county extension admin legislators. University's and istration unit which sets the agent retired, no one was hired to fill that position," said McGonigal. However, the effect of situation varies since it which extension programs are needed and how well they work. In addition, she mentioned the critical need for ments ministrative general personnel policies ad is budget cuts at the county level depends on the financial of a particular locale. was a depart to within a university to work headed by Director Lucinda A. Noble There '54. More than 150 faculty in the Colleges of Human Ecology and Agriculture and Life Sciences are responsible for program funds allocated not 30 percent reduction in to the Suffolk County association between 1988 and 1991. "It's development used across the state. In the College of Agriculture and Life Sci ences, the departments of animal sci ence, agricultural economics and soil, crops and atmospheric sciences are very everywhere." fees In state to the 1980s anymore; money is tight stated DeMarco. The Suf on gether. Many of the broad issues which face people today require a multi-disci plinary solution. According to McGonigal, departments are increasing their collabo ration on mutual goals. The cooperative folk staff relies grants, cuts. a contracts and continue to face new extension system will issues as they arise. combat these cases, some usually program which the funded was financed on the McGonigal gave the environmental move ment as an example. "Five years ago, there was little emphasis on the environ ment, now it has evolved into a very important sees as issue." She added sion will continue to its that, "Exten reflect what society a major needs." DeMarco held similar view of the seivices of the Suffolk County to Extension office. "We will need tailor the programs to the modern needs of our county residents." ■ Cornell 3 Cooperative Extension , wide variety of orchards and vineyards, similar to these peach orchards, thrive in Suffolk County by Daniel W. Simon '93 22 More Grape News Committee will COITRMN CAPSULES Awards of Excellence Soest, Professor of Animal Science, has been presented with the 1992 International Dairy Production award. Van Soest's work in developing the detergent system of fiber analysis which is used worldwide earned him this recogni tion. His techniques have been adapted to almost fifty species of animals. Robert H. Foote, the Jacob Gould Schurman Professor of Animal Science, was honored with symposium in which all eleven a The Lake Erie Regional Grape Industry Advisory include fifteen grape industry representatives from New York and Pennsylvania. The committee was formed as Peter J. Van part of an agreement between Cornell University and Pennsylvania State University to combine grape research and exten sion programs. "The advisory committee's goal is to Wild Apples Cornell, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and scientists from the of Kazakhstan are seeking to collaborate on a joint expedition to the remote Dzhungarian Alps in state help guide the efficient delivery of extension programming for growers, while suggesting ways that needed research information can be search of wild apples. Herb Aldwinckle, Professor of Plant Pathology at the Geneva integrated into growing practices," said committee chair Doug Moorhead of Moorhead Vineyards, North East, Pennsylvania. Moorhead went on to say that remain to Agricultural Experiment Station, helped facilitate this collaboration when he visited Kazakhstan in 1989"The purpose of our visit was to speakers students of his. Foote explore tions of some of the wild popula competitive with growers in other regions of the United States and the in apples growing in the graduate taught one of Cornell's most popular courses, "Animal Reproduction," over four were former mountains of Kazakhstan and decades. He will retire and an next world, must Lake Erie area neighboring regions," invest Aldwinckle endowed lectureship name year will be producers an be willing to said. Aldwinckle was established in his to allow aggressive research and to extension effort. "We need to find ways add value to our cut increase costs." yields, and product, production because for disease resistance or other genes useful traits that can be incorporated into commercial apples. He returned apples searching for wild they often contain outstanding reproductive biologists to present lectures a at the annual meeting of The professional society. Chicago Board of Trade with 10,000 seeds for the national Educational Research Foundation presented William G. Tomek, Rural Education Members of the Department of Education represented New York at the 1992 National Congress on Rural Education. Richard E. Ripple, Professor of Educational Psychology and Dalva were apple repository at Geneva. Previously, the Dzhungarian Alps which lie in both Kazakhstan and China were inaccessible because of the Chairman of the Department of Agricultural Economics, with the unwillingness to of Chinese authorities grant entry permission. Earle M. Combs Jr. Award. The award was given in recognition of significant contributions to knowl edge of futures and trading options markets. Hedlund, Associate Professor of tee nominated and Counseling Psychology, by a state commit selected by the National Graduate Students Honored Graduate students in the Section of Ecology and Systematics were recently honored. Ulrich G. Mueller and Manon R. Preest were presented with the Robert H. Whittaker Award for the best oral Rural Education Association. The rural civic, 500-member Congress consisted of education, business and leaders from the United States. The Congress which con vened in Traverse City, Michigan, legislative Decker Named to Research Position Daniel Decker 74, MS 76, PhD '86 has been appointed associate director for research in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. His research has been in the area of human attitudinal and behavioral The aspects of wildlife management. author of 60 journal articles, 25 book presentation. Honorable mention went to Scott R. Smedley. The LaMont C. Cole Award for most addressed issues and concerns related to the advancement of educational excellence in rural communities and worked toward the formulation of solutions that could impact national policy as state and federal legislation. as outstanding paper went to Ben jamin B. Normark. A College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award was chapters and more than 200 two other research and extension Decker has edited publications, awards. well awarded to Rob Roy books and been given numerous Ramey. ' ?ftfr ■%' .ft 'iC^.'-i'w'v".V- 9r*AS^ ;T%!?W®^SfA^-': ftyft' ■.; >. If.■ -* **. '■" m yy 'rs.Kft^'T-t—'ft IS V fit [-^-., N&: 3^"r '.^ *SB& CORNELL A MAGAZINE OF AND ABOUT THE PEOPLE OF THE NEW YORK STATE COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE AND LIFE SCIENCES »s>% Contents 3 Mulch To Do About Plowing, Planting and Pruning Lauren Oelkers '94 12 Planning Cornell's Jacqueline Future K. Lurie '93 14 4 Whey to Go! City Dwellers Ann Chi Lau 93 Lesley J. Wright '93 16 Throwing Ali It All '93 Away 6 A Brief History of Cornell's 18 Oshinsky Gorges Richard Ginn '94 Tending the Gardens Jennifer Rabin '94 8 Urban Horticulture in Russia Daniel W. Simon '93 About the Issue This issue of the Countryman focuses on environmental issues on the Cornell cam pus. We examine the people responsible for keeping Cornell such a beautiful home, we 20 Par Excellence Dan Masonson '94 10 The Ever-Expanding Supermarket Jennifer Rabin '94 big at green issues in expose current student attitudes about the whole environmental take a closer look we cities and .CORNELL movement. Correction: The November 1992 Countryman ar ticle, "The Quincentenary: Cause for Cel ebration?" contained incorrect informa tion. The correction is as Jan/Feb 1993 Volume LXXXX Number 4 Editors Dan Masonson Art Director follows: Jacqueline K. Lurie Ali Karen Medville, a Cherokee Indian Oshinsky Lesley J. Wright Assistant Editors Richard Ginn Lauren Oelkers Layout Staff Ann Chi Lau Department of Manuscripts and Univer sity Archives; p. 20 Sol Goldberg, University Photography; p. 21— Chris Hildreth, University Photography; back cover Charles Harrington, p. 19 — — — physiologist vironmental and graduate student in en toxicology shared her opin ion on the quincentenary. If there is anything positive that can come from reflecting on the past 500 years it will be because of educating others about Na tive Americans and the issues and chal University Photography. The Cornell Countryman (ISSN 0010-8782) is published six times a year from October through Daniel W. Simon Jennifer Rabin May (combined issues for January and February', and April and May) by the New York State College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, 324 Kennedy 14853- Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y. lenges to see we continue to face on a daily Editorial Staff basis. Medville added that, "I would like everyone have a greater respect for Native peoples' wisdom and counsel. I believe that this is are a Second class postage paid at Ithaca, New York 14853. Printed by Union Press Co. Inc. of Endicott. Rates: $12.00 a year; $24.00 for two Subscription key issue. Not only the concerns of our communities Jacqueline K. Lurie, Dan Masonson, Lauren Oelkers, Ali Oshinsky, Jennifer Rabin, Daniel W. Simon, Lesley J. Wright Richard Ginn, Ann Chi Lau, years. Postmaster: Send Cornell Countryman, 324 change of address to Kennedy Hall, Cornell in the University, Ithaca, N.Y. 14853. Editorial content gathered ment and written rarely listened to or appropriately ad dressed, but additionally our intelligence and perceptions on how to solve prob Picture Credits: Cover — of Communication. Honorary editor: Ed ward L. Bernays '12. Faculty advisors: Jane E. Hardy '53, Robin Moss Hinchcliff. by majors Depart lems and issues It is my Charles are never hope that acknowledged. through education we Harrington, University Photog Reis/PHOTOLINK; p. 4— — — — raphy; Patricia p. 3—John Il is the policy of Cornell University to will be able to increase the level of respect for the wisdom and Lindsey; p. 5 Nina Bassuk; pp. 6, 12 University Photography; p. 7 Cornell Planta tions; pp. 10, Peter Morenus, 11 — of educational and denied admission actively to support equality be employment opportunity. No person shall any educational program or activity oxue that exists within Native American cul ture, as well as respect for The knowledge People." Richard Ginn; pp. 14,15 — University Photography; p. 18 David Lynch-Benjamin, University Photography; Charles Harrington, University Photography; — employment on the basis of any legally prohibited discrimination involving, but not limited to, such factors as race, color, creed, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual the preference, age, or handicap. The University is committed to denied maintenance of affirmative action programs which will assure the continuation of such equality of opportunity 2 MULCH TO DO ABOUT Department works College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Faculty experts in inte grated pest management, floriculture, ag ricultural engineering and agronomy have been helpful in providing technical rec The Grounds closely with the ommendations which support the PLOWING, PLANTING, AND University's environmental goals. "I like working in the University setting as we have the advantage of accurate technical information," Osika said. joined the Grounds De eight years ago, he's increased mechanization, upgraded facilities and equipment, and improved departmental partment human the resources. Since Osika Almost one-third of an associate's de gree. Some have undergraduate degrees from Cornell as well. Osika said, "I tell crew has at least PRUNING CAN YOU REMEMBER CORNELL UNI- a my crew 'think while you work.' It's both mind and body effort." Pride and loyalty play commitment of the big part in the grounds crew. "Our a versity closing due to inclement weather? Probably not, thanks to the University's people are our most valuable and re warding resource," Osika said. "They The grounds crew grounds crew. "I've been in this position for eight prunes the ivy. make all the difference in the outcome. "I'm in the service business," he con years and we've never closed the Univer sity for an entire day yet," said Dennis Once winter ends, the grounds crew Osika '64, Superintendent of Grounds. Snow, Osika explained, is one of the tinued, "to shepherd the environment, improve our surroundings and give ser vice to our campus community." For greatest challenges. Cornell spends approximately $250,000 a gears up for the new season. "Spring clean up is a fury of activity," Osika stated. Osika's crew must dig up dead year on snow cals, labor and are De-icing chemi equipment, and overtime removal. the major expenses. a From labor 10 to crew in the cold has its spending snow, the standpoint, working disadvantages. After 14 hours a day in wet out plant summer flower mowing season, grit which accumulates along walkways dur ing the winter months must be removed. Winter damage to underground utility walkways and landscaping is repaired. beds. Before the — flower bulbs and — Leaves are removed from window-wells is anxious for winter's in its work. "If you end, but takes pride drive our damage roads through surrounding jurisdictions, are the first being cleared," proud of that." Osika said. "We're single plug-up can min or library or underground me chanical room," Osika explained. Moreover, pruning the campus-wide Boston ivy and Virginia creeper is ex a and drains. "A pensive. These vines have a detrimental The grounds crew clears 20 miles of sidewalks, 5060 times annually. effect on gutters and roofs. Raccoons and skunks, Osika added, sometimes climb the vines on the buildings. For aesthetics on Osika, the number one goal is exceeding customer expectation. "Anyone who calls us and tradition, ivy remains on the older is entitled to an explanation. Our care goal and campus. "Some people pre buildings fer the privacy ivy affords and ask us not to is to treat each person with respect," ance, he said. prune it," Osika said. Prior to graduation day, areas over are 100 acres of trees and shrub mulched. Trust, integrity, vision and persever Osika noted, are the most impor tant characteristics of a leader. "The chal Labor and equipment cost nearly $25,000 for each time the crew mows and trims the campus. "Mowing eats up 50 percent of our operating budget as it is very laborKim Klein, a grounds worker, helps Cornell's campus attractive. to lenge is being good enough to deserve that responsibility," Osika concluded. By the looks of Cornell's campus, he's earned that respect. ■ keep intensive. It also entails high equipment and fuel costs," Osika explained. by Lauren Oelkers '94 3 Dwellers City A New Look at Urban Trees most When cars, people think of big ing or cooling costs. Trees also provide a tall as New York, Bos Chicago, they think of buildings, and crowded streets. cities such ton or habitat for birds, that would otherwise be missing in a city environment. According to Bassuk, the average life of a When Nina Bassuk sor in 74, Associate Profes the Department of Floriculture and by concrete downtown or city tree surrounded on all sides is approximately a Ornamental Horticulture in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, thinks of urban areas she thinks of the trees. Bassuk is the program leader of the Urban Horticulture Institute at Cornell 7-10 years. For tree with a parallel strip alongside it, the average life span is 30 years. These statistics are disturbing when contrasted with the av of grass erage life span of a tree in a rural setting. can University. "Where pavement exists, you have urban horticulture," Bassuk ex Trees in their natural environments live up to 80-150 years. plained. In October 1992, she was pre sented with the Urban Beautification Award from the American Horticultural Society. The award recognized the institute's research efforts and work in ENVIRONMENTAL STRESSES Various reasons exist for the short lifespan under ■*■ of urban trees. Most trees are sur some sort of stress from the the area of urban horticulture. "It set was the ft-~--^V^fft.^.,. efforts into the plant estab lishment phase. put our 4- / ■*. ft v' » >" Since most urban trees receive little planted, it is critical planning takes place. "Mu nicipal budgets being what they are, we need to put our efforts into the plant establishment phase," said Bassuk. The first phase in planning for trees is care once are they \_ that proper W. • site assessment below and above the pavement. type of tree is going those conditions. It is critical to consider what to Professor Nina Bassuk examines the roots of a little leaf linden under stress. The roots cannot extend under the pavement and are contained within an insufficient amount of space. survive best in proper trees plant The second step is selection because certain and survive better in certain adverse Accommodating the tree, through site modification, is the next step. Finally, the proper transplanting of the tree conditions. time, it growing," said Bassuk. During this is critical to insure water uptake lem with vandalism has been in the of Collegetown and the area area below Ithaca is the last step to insure the best and encourage new rently, the Institute is chance for survival. the root growth. Cur working to shorten period of transplant shock. College," he explained. "Up in Collegetown, particularly on Dryden Road," said Schmohe, "any der seven tree that's branched un Transplanting is to 90 percent of a before transplanting. "A a critical step since up tree's roots are cut off a tree period called transplant proximately three years before goes through shock for ap it is back URBAN PLANNING Bassuk's work at the Institute has in cally feet gets those branches basi ripped off," he added. Most of the vandalism is not malicious, the trees fluenced the city government to look at city forestry and urban planning in a new according to do are Schmohe. Some people just not realize the fragile state light. According to Schmohe, ing for urban horticulture in the budget the City of in. awareness In order to increase about Ithaca has increased from $7,000 in 1987 to $18,000 in 1992. "We've had some the importance of trees, Bassuk and care Schmohe work Citizen closely with a group called of A change in the way people look at trees," Pruners, who help take trees. said Schmohe. the reconstruction of Hudson in During the Street located downtown Ithaca, Schmohe and Bassuk worked with citizens in tree closely planning. "We vis ited with each and every homeowner and discussed whether a tree could go in a particular spot or not," he said. Homeowners also pilot program called Ithaca Tree Works is being developed for this spring. Volunteers will plant trees and will be responsible for taking care of the trees in a designated area. Bassuk hopes that fifty trees will be planted through this program. Urban trees are a vital part of making a city's city environment more habitable. Bassuk's work will ensure that urban trees receive the attention and care necessary for their survival. ■ ety from an successful — picked out a tree vari approved list. "It's been very it's changed the way the city a major reconstuiction like that," he added. However, even with the increase in funds, the city has not been approaches able trees to maintain the present number of Part of the in Ithaca. problem is vandalism. "The trees population as a whole respects highly," said Schmohe. "The prob by Ann Chi Lau '93 J2 (Briefhistory of SPECTACULAR GORGES FORM AS THE waters forms washed into the sea and settled in sea level, about 200 million years ago the age of the of Cascadilla and Fall Creeks carve their way down through the rocks be neath Cornell's campus. The creeks be gan layers on the sea bottom, eventually form ing the shale layers that make up the gorge walls and the bedrock upon which the Cornell campus sits. John Chiment, an editor with the cutting today's gorges roughly 15,000 as years ago, way the waterfalls uphill, again, are and haven't sculpted their stopped. dinosaurs, so we longer accumulating any rock, were no longer burying any fossils. In stead we've been slowly eroding away ever since, filling in the new hole that's were no during These only the first gorges to be here, the most recent, for the history of not Cornell Mathematical Sciences Institute, is a paleontologist who was drawn to Ithaca because embedded in the of shale under Ithaca richest found are are some now fomied over in the Atlantic basin. layers of the to We don't know how much accumulated at one time above our heads, and has now the gorges stretches back nearly half a billion years to a time when the land Cornell sits ancient on was at been eroded away." the bottom of an pre-dinosaur fossil beds anywhere on earth. These to be fossils ocean. Mud from ancient land- also used layers, date the age of the shale and the story that Chiment re an About 200 million years ago, as Chiment continued the story, "There seems to be some indication that there were some drainages York that counted is ancient a one. A walk down were into the gorges is walk back into geo drainages saurs of rivers in this part of New flowing south, and those during the time of the dino away to the was until logical time: The deeper layers are pro gressively older. How old? Said Chiment, and since the time of the dinosaurs have steadily drained things sort one w$& fS-.M. .-^..-' ft '•" "The rocks A' at the bottom of Cascadilla south. That's of how life '->>Sf) ft" ''"-',' >',,*V'1',i ,\ ■$■' ft-^. and Ithaca gorges may be one million years older than those at the top." A million years, though, is only the begin about glaciers started million years ago, when the to accumulate in central miles Canada." ning: The shale extends approximately Ice, up to two thick, under ^M>^Vfl| %f half pres mile further down. "The basic story that we a area was sea sure, started piece together is that this flowing down the river val leys, pushing a lot of debris in front of it. just a little river gentle valley, the Cayuga River, flowing south," as Chiment related the story, "and the glacier comes in and fills this whole valley and under the weight of this the rock is all chunked up and we go from a gentle valley to a much was cient shallow covered by an an about 300 to 400 mil sea "At that time there a down here in lion years ago," said Chiment, "The dried up leaving layers of leaving more layers of shale. Eventually it completely dried up. This area was then raised slightly above salt, it re-flooded occasionally snow. The 90 degree fracture pattern shows throuqh the g^g'el^ bV ,he interSec,ion of the modern Fa" Creek W with an ancient 6 Corndi's (gorges deeper valley. There are still creeks that that used The ice then melts away. come into this to valley, creeks flow into this little river. All of a sudden they're flowing into this much deeper basin. These little creeks now have a lot more power be rock rubble in front of it again and completely fills these gorges in, so that you can't even see them today. They're there, but they're buried. Then the gla cier melts back and the start same they are a feature of the shale. There are cracks that develop in the shale and propagate upward. If you look at a big map of New York, and you look for those cracks (and people do this) and you little creeks flowing again, but as chance would they are going down a much greater drop, and so they start carving back the rock, cutting gorges back into the sides of the valley. cause have it, in most cases they don't flow in exactly the same spot, and so they start plot them, it turns out that there are actually two series of cracks. They radi ate out from two points north of Ithaca, digging formed," said gorges Chiment, speaking of a time 100,000 "These are another gorge. Those are the gorges that we see today." This is not the whole story, and does not fully explain what we see in the we and it turns out that right in this area, in at Ithaca, the 90 two sets of cracks intersect degrees, but in most other places they don't, so they're not so dramatic. Right here in Ithaca the shale breaks into rect years ago, "and a second down from Canada, glacier comes pushing a big pile of gorges today, and Chiment resumed, "So have this buried set of gorges that are maybe 100,000 years old, and we have angles." Aha! Another vexing gorge mys tery revealed! On the surface of those perfectly rect angular slabs one can often see the ripples of the ancient muddy sea bottom, and these modern gorges that are 15,000 years old, and there are maybe a few places where those two gorges intersect. When the creek is digging through this ancient shale, hard rock, it makes water falls, steep-sided gorges, but when the creek find fossils from before the age of the dinosaurs. With every torrential spring thaw the creeks carve their record into happens to intersect the buried these gorges as they have for the past and gorge, which is only filled with sand gravel, it doesn't have that problem and it makes a big bowl: That's what Beebe Lake is. Beebe Lake is where the gorge systems intersect." two 100,000 years. Presentiy, the responsibility for Cornell's gorges rests at with the University. "Every body "There are very few places on the shores of Beebe Lake that you can see hard rock," said Chiment. What you see smooth shores, but there are is Cornell feels that the gorges should be preserved; they are one of the significant features of the campus. Every body who conies here and goes away gentle remembers the gorges, if nothing else," said Peter Marks, chair of the Natural Areas Committee of the Cornell Planta few cliffs there "There are right on the lake. a few places where the never two intersect," Chiment gorge systems recounts, "like Taughannock Falls. That's why drop because the ancient gorge is still buried off in the woods, whereas almost all the other state in the Finger Lakes have falls above, Falls has the modern gorge at one big 200 foot Taughannock tions, which oversees all of Cornell's natural areas, including the gorges. Marks said that it is the policy of the Natural Areas Committee, and of Cornell's Board of Trustees, to preserve and maintain the here is preserva gorges. "The big issue tion," he said. "How do you allow on the while one hand for flexibility and growth, hand keeping these gorges on the other intact parks are then a big swampy spot where the gorges intersecting, and then another set of see and preserved? It's an ongoing waterfalls down below. You the same process." thing got over in Fall Creek, where you've you've got the falls in Forest Home and the environments Ithaca Falls down below and Beebe Lake in between." Why are the sides of the gorges verti cally fractured, and why do the rocks in the gorges break into perfect rectangles? Again, Chiment knew the answer. "The fractures are not a feature of the gorges, Under Cornell's stewardship the gorge should remain in their and Fall present natural state. Cascadilla will continue cawing the shale Creeks until a them up third ice age again, and comes and covers geological history ■ repeats itself once more. Creek gorge. The upper set of falls in Cascadilla by Richard Ginn '94 Urban Horticulture THE DRAMATIC POLITICAL CHANGES in the fonner Soviet Union have un in Russia dous economic were generally programs and the enthusiastic about the suggestions from the impact throughout all to aspects of society. According Eames- doubtedly produced efits for the Russian their transition toward is tremendous ben people. However, a democratic state tremendously difficult, and numerous problems have evolved as well. A major concern, particularly for urban residents, ability involves the decrease in the overall avail of food. Small plots and gardens for 25 percent of all food grown in the fomier Soviet Union; yet, garden agricultural delegation. Eames-Sheavly said, "The people were so receptive that it was almost overwhelming. They seemed hungry for any printed information about topics ranging from basic gardening to the marketing of crops." In St. Petersburg and Moscow, 21 teachers will introduce the "Radishes to Riches" program within the year. appeared to lack consumer products found in most many U.S. households, such as detergent, di verse food products and appliances. The poor economic conditions in the Commonwealth of Independent States also hinder agricultural production, par Sheavly, most families ticularly in the distribution of produce. account commonly practiced in the cities. An urban gardening program could be a partial solution to hunger in St. Petersburg and Moscow. In September 1992 a group of Cornell faculty and other professionals from the ing is not The inefficiency of the state-funded agricultural system in the foniier Soviet Union reflects problems within the po litical structure as a whole. "The political The increase in fuel prices and in vehicle maintenance has led to extremely costly transportation and food storage. Although collective farms produced the same quan in tity of crops this year as will reach the 1991, less food United States travelled overseas to the system faces numerous difficulties be cause it does not have the people's trust," said Kozlowski. Since the fall of commu nism, inflation has risen dramatically while the average salary has remained rela tively static. This has produced a tremen since the govern ment cannot distribute it effectively. Not people former Soviet Union. The group focused primarily on urban gardening in St. Pe tersburg and Moscow as a means to provide a more reliable source of fruits and vegetables to inner city residents. The trip was organized by the Center for Citizen Initiatives, which promotes the non-profit exchange of ideas between citizens in the United States and the former Soviet Union. surprisingly, people's faith in communal farms has eroded. Currently an expan sive black market distribution system ex ists for a wide variety of goods. This Cornell to Bob Senior Extension Asso ciate in the Department of Floriculture and Ornamental Horticulture, and Marcia the LTniversity granted leave faculty members involved. a time Kozlowski '65, Eames-Sheavly and port Specialist in the "Master Gardener" an Extension Sup Department of Fruit Vegetable Crops, introduced the '83, and "Radishes to Riches-A Produce Youth" programs, W. Keith Kennedy, Professor Emeritus of Marketing Project respectively. Dr. for Agronomy in at the group. He inner Cornell, also accompanied was particularly interested learning more about the soils on which The city gardens might be established. people in the former Soviet Union dacha outside St. Petersburg uses all available land to grow food for the family that runs it. H black market contrasts markedly with the state-run stores, which generally sell only said, was one type of produce. Kozlowski "A state store would have 50 to lined up the people buy bread, simply because it only place to get it. The people to would dien have to vegetables or fruit." Eames-Sheavly and Kozlowski get meat, go to different stores Both com mented on the tremendous amount of to time and energy that people devote obtaining their basic food items. To decrease dieir dependence on prod ucts from die communal farms, people often grow fruits and vegetables in dachas. Dachas are small plots of land usually shared by an extended family, used for small scale fanning. Eames-Sheavly said that diese dachas are 15 times more productive than the famis controlled by People frequendy plant pota they can grow widiout daily care, in poorer soil and can be stored for a long period of time. However, people grow other crops as state. toes on the A recently established plot of dachas. There are 300, 50 foot by 50 foot dachas in this area. the dacha since well, such as carrots, beets and onions. In addition, people frequently grow ten der crops, such as tomatoes and cucum bers, under makeshift plastic greenhouses, which shelter the a plant strawberry and garlic crops in an attempt to discourage insect pests. The willingness to experiment allowed for an enthusiastic exchange of ideas between the Americans and their hosts plants from the cold of short In growing season. from Russia. the past, dachas were primarily reserved for high ranking members of the Communist Eames-Sheavly marketing projects for youth teachers in order to focused to on leaders and agricultural programs. According to Eames-Sheavly, "Two rooftops and four pieces of property would be designated as demonstration gardens." Another way to improve the future of urban agriculture in the Commonwealth of Independent States lies in the estab lishment of Kozlowski States a expose them price eco common research base. that the United Party. However, accessible to Boris strategies, competition and other pointed a out Yeltsin, the made dachas Russian more president, recently the popu nomic issues. Her "Radishes to Riches" maintains strong horticultural commute to some of them, however, can be quite lengthy. Kozlowski said, "Some of the older dachas are rela tively close to the city 45 minutes lace. The project combines a variety of skills, rang ing from money management and busi ness techniques to plant pathology and entomology. This program was origi research base through the land-grant sys tem. In the former Soviet Union, the different disciplines of the agriculture research community are completely in dependent of one another. Their system lacks the cohesiveness of research insti tutions in the — away while others can be a four to five hour train ride outside the city." A popu lar sentiment that crops will not grow in the cities contributes to the widespread — nally large number The than intended for youths as but attracted well. a of adults were people slightly less recep to U.S., which inevitably hin between and home gar tive to the "Master Gardener" program ders the sharing of knowledge they were to "Radishes Riches." agricultural professionals "The interest in use of dachas. The belief that the urban Kozlowski stated, "The Master Gardener to catch program may take a bit longer hold. Though most Russian gardeners were very open and outgoing in the confines of their homes and gardens, are still hesitant about sharing infor deners. However, Kozlowski observed, environment is contaminated has a ratio nal basis since some urban areas were moving to a free market dump sites. Kozlowski sees a definite need to determine the extent of this pollution, "Space for gardening in the inner city is not the limiting factor. The difficulty is finding objective infor mation about contamination used for they He believes mation and ideas in their communities." that, under the communist possible pollution problems." a and soil system, a people were forced now to "share" seem as production system is definitely there. We just need to help them recognize how production skills, technical knowl edge and experience can be quickly and efficiently shared." Additionally, in orderto meet the short temi goals and to simply feed the people, Eames-Sheavly food "commune" and they to believes, "Increasing the number of In order to cope with variety of a instinctively resist communal endeavors. people be who are actively gardening will ■ hostile environments, people adopt Eames-Sheavly predicted ter that the Cen beneficial, particularly in the cities." very pragmatic approach to gardening. "Fertilizers, lime or pesticides are not available to home gardeners," said Kozlowski, "so they rely on organic agricultural for Citizen Initiatives will increase roots programs at the grass readily techniques." For example, people inter- level. The mayor of the Moscovsky Dis trict in St. Petersburg has already agreed to reserve areas of the city for urban by Daniel W.Simon '93 9 The Ever-Expanding SHOP. DAN JONES USED TO HATE TO last month he volunteered to However, do the week's shopping. His wife's jaw dropped. Jones drove to the local shop food on his list, ping plaza, bought the his a paycheck that included deposited some lunch, Christmas bonus, grabbed refilled a got his holiday film developed, and rented some videos for prescription, his children like these to watch that evening. Errands usually drive people crazy, and take all day to complete. Jones, with a smile on his face, finished all his chores, without ^ * ™ wSjeSt ^ '-ft3*" •-« leaving his local Have you noticed what's supermarket. happened to a ■ti0')0 *f4 supermarkets? Originally just pick up the week's groceries, kets have evolved into where are an one place to supermar all-in-one store l<<% fy * -^ of the many just groceries and services available. products Like discount department drug chains, supermarkets have been growing bigger and have evolved into stores and Supermarkets have perishable food. an advantage over wholesale clubs because most club stores do not sell what food retailers call super-supermar kets. Some occupy up to 70,000 square feet almost two football fields! As they — A lished in grow larger, supemiarkets more are incorpo mer rating to product mix to lines into their chandising their keep people coming American consum stores. By the year 2000, ers can supemiarkets grow ing even larger and shifting their empha sis from primarily dry groceries to fresh foods, including brand-name produce, deli salads and seafood. Shoppers are looking to purchase ready-to-serve items, take-out food that only requires reheat ing, and higher quality foods. This cre ates a challenge for supermarket man agers who want to attract shoppers to expect to see Industry Forecast," was pub September 1991, the second, "Wholesale Club Stores: The Emerging Challenge," in October 1992. McLaughlin reported at the December 1991 Cornell Agribusiness Situation and Outlook Conference that food industry executives expect sales in produce, deli, bakery and seafood to expand, doubling current levels or even tripling from through the end of the decade. Further more, he said, "The trend toward brandname faiits and vegetables in particularoffers local produce suppliers an exciting opportunity to develop brand names and differentiate their product from others." Food about the conference sumers as ready-to-eat custom-cut fruits and vegetables and cheeses and meats." The 1991 study, conducted by Mc Laughlin and research support specialist David Russo, found that compared to 25 are ex years ago, take-out food sales for 15 per pected to triple, accounting cent of supermarket sales in 2000. Also, consumers can to be introduced expect many more items to the market. In 1990, more than 13,000 new products became available, and these numbers are ex pected to increase at least through 1995. Virtually in sales all fresh foods sold in super markets will experience a strong growth their ate stores. A Cornell News Service press release reported, "As con McLaughlin, a Cornell Associ Professor of Agricultural Economics in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, co-authored two reports for the Cornell Food Industry Management Pro gram. The first, entitled "The Year 2000: Edward become increasingly to health-con scious, the expanded fresh food ments are depart the expense of shrinking meat and dairy sales. The new items will be complemented by expected be at specialty mini-shops with services such through the end of the decade. This growth is expected to come at the as expense of non-perishable food sales, these products are now commonly sold in stores other than supemiarkets. Supemiarkets are responding to these changes by redesigning and expanding their buildings and floor space, catering to the emphasis on perishable items. The 10 c ■ ipermarket because January 1992 issue of Progressive Grocer Eagle supermar reported ket in Latrobe, Pennsylvania colorfully decorates the beginning of the traffic pattern in the store, which houses the deli, florals and produce departments. It pointed out the several types of lighting, diat the Giant large package sizes membership fees. How ever, these shoppers said that the club stores give a better value for general merchandise, health and beauty aids and dry grocery items. That wonies grocers. In response, supermarkets are devel and the annual they dislike tions merchandising, decor customer services to changes spark sales and increase traffic. Supermarkets once only sold food. use inventive and added Now, all the week's enands can be com including spotlights over produce. a Aw nings, hanging lamps and tiled back oping "club store" the layout of club market owners are sections that mimic stores. Other super people appreci ate the accommodations supemiarkets are making, or will they segment their shopping by purchasing non-perishable one store. pleted in Will wall accented the deli department, and floral, seafood and meat departments were highlighted by handmade, sand blasted wooden signs. Latrobe Giant Eagle owner Jack Bache explained that his store is opening their own versions of club stores. Many supermar kets have bulk food items, and package their items in different sizes, also keeping full, unpacked cases on their shelves. items at wholesale clubs and mass mer chandise outlets? Dan Jones probably will continue going to his supermarket, but others quality perishables image, acknowledging that these depart ments account for a high percentage of a striving for his total sales. Supermarket to owners like Bache used be most concerned with the pricesensitive shopper. Now, they also have Supermarkets also routinely use fre quent shopper programs and database software to track purchase patterns and demographic data on consumers and allow them to launch "micro-marketing" programs for particular products to spe cific customer segments. Progressive Gro cer reports that retailers in unusual loca might discontinue shopping at supemiarkets altogether. One fact is in disputable: supermarkets in the 21st cen tury will not be the same. ■ to bigger drug stores, allstores like K-Mart, Walmart and purpose Woolworth's, as well as the new whole contend with by Jennifer Rabin '94 sale club stores, which sell groceries and traditional supermarket non-edibles. These ten stores force grocery more owners to make their prices competitive, of losing money on some products to keep consumers coming to their stores. McLaughlin's 1992 report defines "wholesale clubs" (also known as 'ware house clubs' and 'membership clubs') as a retail store that limits access to busi mem nesses and individuals who become bers of the club. Small business opera tors are attracted to wholesale clubs for the economy and convenience of the clubs' "cash and carry" nature, enabling the consumers to get the products and quantities they same want. Wholesale clubs have response not received the across the country. in New McLaughlin's study concentrated York and New Jersey, and although most clubs' shoppers are pleased with the of shoppers there ex a arrival, minority plained that they don't join the clubs Shoppers can choose different kinds of coffee beans and commonly offer free samples to entice customers. mix their own blends at supermarkets, which 11 Planning Cc LIBRARY SLOPE, THE ARTS Preservi QUAD, TFIE gorges and the clock tower pressed against the sky are images that, to many, symbolize the Cornell experience. Con struction vehicles and gaping holes in the In ground are also sights familiar to Adopted by the Board in 1972, the Principles of Planning and Design define the guiding objectives of the pro cess. The University updated the 1972 principles in its Campus Plan of 1990 which included policies for physical evalu Basic ation of the campus. These objectives include maintenance of the University as a most Cornellians. just the past decade, close to two million square feet of new space were added to Cornell's campus. Yet during this same period, Cornell's characteristic open spaces and long views were pre served by the campus planning process. coherent whole, preservation of out door spaces and views and protection of designated special areas and buildings. "It's our job to make Cornell a unified attractive campus," said Roscoe. According to Lewis Roscoe, Director Campus Planning, planning the Uni versity campus is a complex process that of prepared by special Uni identify specific prop versity erties that should be preserved. For ex ample, the Special Areas Report provides a guideline followed by the University. This report, presented to the Board in 1990, identifies special buildings and ar Documents committees eas on buildings Mansion. arts Cornell's campus. Among the on the list are Uris Library and Tower, Sage Chapel and the A.D. White Special areas listed include the quadrangle, the gorges, Library Slope and Beebe Lake. With the list of special areas are the key natural areas, like the gorges, identified by the Natural Areas Committee. These natural areas were selected because they have particular A symbol of the Cornell experience. creates solutions to satisfy the needs of all parties affected by a proposed project. Thus, the Board of Trustees considers not only Cornell's expanding physical needs, but also the potential visual im vegetation that is potentially use teaching and research. The Board's principles and the proper ties specified in the Special Areas Report are merely advisory guidelines. It is diffi cult, if not impossible, to anticipate the future needs of Cornell University. As a result, campus planning is intended to be ful for a natural What central campus will look like in 30 years. (Propo flexible process. pact of structures, before construction approving any project. Lrlyan Affinito '53, Chairperson of the Building Properties Committee, wrote in the 1990 Cornell Campus Plan that the plan ning process "enables us to provide for program improvements within a frame work that preserves the best qualities of and Emeritus to Nancy H. Goody, Cam Planner, the planning office "facili tates review of proposed design projects on campus." Goody refers to herself as a "professional advisor to the administra According pus tion." Essentially, Office guides the Campus Planning planning process, gath the campus environment." The Board's policies and the policies and exper tise of faculty and staff members create the framework in which planning deci sions are made. own our ering the input from all the affected parties to develop a project's final design requirements. The intended stmcture are users of a proposed only one of the affected by any given project. Future users of a structure, other students, fac ulty and staff, Cornell's neighbors and many groups A campus transition: the construction of Kenne 12 leil's Future the Past interest University, For by proposed changes. instance, Nancy Ostman, the Natural Areas Coordinator for Cornell Plantations, plays an advisory role in the develop ment of plans for both the proposed Mann Library expansion and the Johnson Graduate School of Management expan sion because those projects may affect the forested slopes along the north edge of these sites, important natural areas. In order to identify and address the interests of different groups, project plans are reviewed by many parties and fre also be affected groups and specific parts of the like Cornell Plantations, may now, sonal Goody offered image. the following per The campus will be a little more dense around existing green spaces. For ex ample, the underdeveloped areas Tower Road may be sites for further development. Similarly, there will be sen sitive additions to current con along buildings, tinuing the trend exhibited Library expansion. with the Olin quently changed comments. a in response This makes campus process. to their planning time-consuming The focus of campus planning objec tives on the preservation of campus views, campus coherence and special areas and buildings means that the functional needs of a project's intended users are only one of many factors considered during this review process. The impact a have on these environmental project will objectives is also an important consideration. It took almost three years for the plans The arts quad remains an for Kroch Library to cept stage appear in progress from con the final detailed plans. to open space. red.) During and this period, librarians, students "There is a strong sense of landscape faculty who would eventually use Kroch Library were consulted on issues of location and function. It needed to was here that makes the campus cohesive," said Goody. As a result, the campus will deter be more cohesive with better visual and mined, from this input, that the addition be adjacent to Olin Library. in this When other groups determine the impact location would have was were a consulted to building the open spaces and views of the arts quad, the decision on political connections between its various buildings and spaces. Historical buildings and spaces like Uris Library and Tower, Library Slope, the arts quad and Sage Chapel will re main, preserving the Cornell experience. The class of 1993 has seen the comple Library ground. The benefit of preserving the open areas and views of the arts quad outweighed the additional costs. Today, Kroch Library is a functional underground unit, the result of planning, to made build Kroch under compromise and creative solutions. Kroch Library is an example of successful plan stmcture Kennedy halls on the agriculture quad, the Theory Center on the engineering quad and Kroch Library on the arts quad. The class of 1993 has also experienced the open spaces and long views that mean Cornell. Given Goody's predictions, it seems that the tion of Roberts and ning. It is only the a new that meets but not class of 2043 ■ wtill share a similar needs of its users also open experience. preserves Cornell's characteristic spaces for all to enjoy. s halls. When asked to speculate about what Cornell will look like fifty years from by Jacqueline K. Lurie '93 13 Whey to Go ! MAYBE onto LITTLE MISS we MUFFET WAS rather than discarded. ing process, whey should prove useful in whey, the waste a something curds and whey don't know. That snack of hers wasn't a bad idea. Two researchers in the Depart ment of Food Science in the College of lot of money to get rid of whey," said Hawks. Whey contains pro tein and milk sugars, and can't just be "It costs a many industries. In order to turn Agriculture and Life Sciences have found out some interesting things about whey. Lance Phillips, PhD '92, a postdoctoral researcher and Scott Hawks, a research support specialist, have found a method of making whey, the waste product of cheesemaking, into foam. From the foam, any number of products may be devel oped, from edible shaving cream to pack ing material. "We might even be able to make a fire fighting foam," mused Phillips. Each year, the cheese industry pro duces about 4.5 million tons of whey. The National Dairy Board funds research, including Phillips' and Hawks' project! on various ways whey can be used, dumped into water supplies. "Most big cheese plants have their own systems of disposal, like waste treatment plants or lagoons." In a lagoon, air is pumped into the whey "Just like a Jacuzzi," said Hawks and microbes digest the whey. Eventually, only clean water remains. Today, half of the waste whey pro — — uct, into whey, one of many Phillips and Hawks developed prod products, foaming ethyl process that incorporates air and alcohol into the whey. "Typically," explained Phillips, "pro tein foams aren't veiy good at carrying ethanol. One of the things we've done is duced each year is used: one quarter goes to animal consumption and one figure out a way to put ethanol in a foaming material, which makes it useful for alcoholic beverages and desserts." to The ethanol also each year. There's a lot of it, it's inexpen sive and with Phillips' and Hawks' foam quarter to human consumption. Pow dered whey isolate is used in foods like salad dressings, infant formula and high protein diet shakes. But that still leaves over 2 million tons of whey to dispose of gives the foam the flavors a wide ability to carry other tilings, like or fragrances, so it can be used in variety of products. "The " reason we talk about shaving cream, Phillips, "is because it shows people the duality of this product." Whey said can foam be used in the food industry in 14 breads, cakes and dessert toppings, to name a few. On the other hand, said Phillips, the foams can also be used in gels and foams, or as an alternative pack ing not material. Phillips' and Hawks' research benefits only consumer products industries, but also biochemistry. By researching the unfolding properties of whey pro teins, they are expanding the knowledge of protein properties in general. "My main interest is in protein chemistry," said Phillips. "It just so happens that we have an application for this." From their research on protein chem istry, Phillips and Hawks have both The idea of scientists shaving each other's faces with a cheese by-product may not strike the public as "normal." But, what better way to develop a prod uct, argue Hawks and Phillips. "Most of the time we tein information about the structure of a pro as a piece of biochemist's machinery costs that $200,000! to Thanks Phillips. "It's when . . . just enjoy what we do," said people get all upset that you can't get any and Hawks day be shaving Packing material fertilizer for rains. our that mixer, we may all one with edible products. may serve as a fine and serious thing done." Along these lines, Phillips agree about confusion in the scientific arena. "Often, scientists want this mys tique. They want everybody to be so confused that the scientist looks real biodegrade into Phillips' and tainly stands to have on lawns, because it will whey proteins when it Hawks' work a cer noticeable impact the cheese as industry ■ and many related fields well. smart," said Phillips. "There's nothing worse things about the science of and developed a patentable proteins, process. Cornell has filed a patent appli cation for the foaming process, naming Phillips and Hawks as the inventors. learned new in science than confusion." These researchers don't like that "con fuse 'em" philosophy. For example, when by Lesley J. Wright '93 The researchers don't expect to get rich from the patent, but they enjoy their work nonetheless. "We understand things the molecular level," said Phillips. a molecule's 3-D structure and how we can modify it. Once we on talking about the unfolded protein in whey, Phillips describes it as looking like a "frizzy hairdo." Hawks said some scien tists are upset by that comment and say it is notz frizzy hairdo, but instead they use some long word. Said Hawks, "Come on! It's a From Milk to Cheese The process differs from kind to kind of cheese, but the basic idea is the same. In this country, most of the cheese consumed is cheddar cheese. The process used to produce cheddar cheese is a good example of cheesemaking. First, cheesemakers heat milk up to 100 degrees Celsius, said Scott Hawks. Then they add some starter cultures. The cultures are bacteria that produce lactic acid, which lowers the pH level of the milk. The next thing added is a cheesemaking some perm!" "We look at There is little and Hawks' glamour about Phillips' understand that, we take the next step. In this case, that was finding a way to research, interesting and impressive as it is. Their equipment is a perfect example. The primary instrument in their "You Identifying prac applications is the last step. They developed edible shaving cream in about a day, according to Hawks. They changed the formula little by little tical and tested the results on make the stuff carry air." this foaming research: a kitchen mixer. know," said Phillips, "we hate thing. It's not sexy. And what's frus is the amount of we Hawks' face. Although he said his face hurt by the end of that day, he smiles when he talks about that day. interesting infor they would love to find some big, impressive, "sexy" machine, with flashing lights and knobs, the Sunbeam mixer does the job. In fact, the mixer gave them the same trating mation get out of it." While proteolytic milk to enzyme that fonn a curd. causes the it "Then they take that curd and cut (Left) Scott Hawks, left, and Lance Phillips shave with a whey foam. (Below) Whey foam, left, compared to the same amount of plain whey. up into small cubes," said Hawks. "That's when most of the whey sepa rates from the mass of curd. Then they stir it up for a while, before draining off this whey. All that's left is curd." Now the curd is ready to go through the to "cheddaring process." According "It's a period of time when they raise the temperature of the curd to 106 degrees. That causes some acid production and it actually causes the curd to mat together." At this point, it begins to look more like the cheese you recognize. The producer then slices the cheese it up and puts it into a mill to grind into small pieces. Those pieces dien go into containers called hoops and are which can be any shape pressed. The remaining whey is pressed out of the cheese at this point, Hawks, — — and when the process is finished, you have a block of cheese. IS .\\iowi0e It give up by measuring changes tudes toward 35 in atti specific items in five major categories: foodstuffs, household items, transportation, personal items and recreation. dents All A w a AS THE BELL TOWER STRUCK 12 NOON, the crowds began to file into the Cornell dining facilities. Outside of Trillium, share lunch and to two friends met to the up on the weekend's gossip. Among delectable selections on each of their plates were a chef salad, a chocolate chip cookie and a bottle of Snapple diet iced and catch Lunchtime passed too quickly the friends were off to classes. But wait, what did they do with their garbage? Did their recyclable Snapple bottles find their way to the recycling bin tea. soon Gigliotti discovered that stu today are less willing than students in 1971 and 1981 to make personal sacri fices. "The results are not really upsetting to me," he said, "although I would have hoped that students today would be more willing to give things up." Students in 1991 were more willing to give up only six of the 35 items on the list including: an oven in the home, prewrapped fresh foods, frozen foods, mo torcycles and beef steaks. Material items that students were unwilling to part with include telephones, clothes dryers, de odorants and canned soft drinks. Gigliotti noted that his study also measured mate rialism and environmental concerns as trade-offs. That is, he hypothesized that since the publication of his first study, increased cans a y provided by ment, some Cornell recycling? Dining establish rushed in to In another Cornell a young man food before his technology has granted Ameri grab next exam. Since he did not have time to sit down and materialistic way of life, a way of life in which people rarely worry about the impacts that their new-age more enjoy his meal, he asked for the food "to go" and ate on the run. When he arrived at his exam with a pile of garbage in his hands he could locate in which to stereo will have on the environment. for the environ the im Gigliotti ment further predicted that in order to concern achieve greater only one trash can during a times of increased material as dispose labeled of his waste. The but wealth, message emphasizing or trash can was "recyclables," portance of other values such family since the student had neither the time nor life, public fillment interest concerns the patience to locate a more appro priate trash bin, he disposed of his trash in the narios most must be of American concern. brought to Similarly, self-ful the forefront an envi recyclables acting out can. sce Are the students in these two of the ordinary or are con ronmental message that focuses on how a clean environment can aid in the attain ment of these other values needs to be students more concerned with formulated. From his an venience and comfort than with environ evidence, Gigliotti observed mental issues? ducted According to a study con by Larry Gigliotti, a research interesting and crucial attitude change associate in the mstm ^ r:'w"^, -k- ■h>li>.F. Department of Natural Resources, Cornell students are not ready to make personal sacrifices in order to benefit the environment. Gigliotti ran that reflected societal influences on indi viduals. Gigliotti singled out the willing domly surveyed 1,500 pare current students to com of students in 1991 to give up beef as a major indication of the neces for increased environmental educa sity tion. Beef steaks, he said, were a favorite ness steaks XSyft?\77ftift ■■..:.!=-::. ;": . ',,>:.:-: ;, : < attittides about the environ ment with conclusions from similar studies done in 1971 and 1981. The study fo cused on food item of students 20 years ago, but since then die health industry has been mandating reduced fat and protein in takes from red meat. -■','[' f.--l'| ■ what students were willing to >-:- ti tfjftft i-.i^fcft*^' ■S ■:->; ft -fS ft ff 16 _ ". . . recycling ognizes the importance of branching and out cerns, Gigliotti's study discovered that to and environmental concern has to be part of your heart. It must come from within or change will not last." educating the Cornell campus about recycling. Fuess, with the help of 130 Ecology House members and the Cornell Greens, works closely with dormitory recycling efforts. "I think it's important for everyone to realize that recycling is something for all of us. You can't take a neutral stance nor can Cornell students' views tend mirror Referring back to the sometimes missing Cornell recyclable and non-recyclable bins, Gigliotti faults the organizers of the campus movement, not the students, for the ineffectiveness of the program. "I think it's a lack of under standing of human nature," he said. "Sure, those of Bobis. you choose to ignore it, for then you just become part of the problem," said Fuess. Part of Fuess's attempts to organize recycling in the dorms includes the addi tion of the sign, "When in doubt, throw it out," above all recycling containers. "Some will they understand that you must have re cycling, but they have to make it easy for students. Keeping students' laziness in mind, they have to make those facilities more available and more accommodating." Fuess agrees and she also believes that It certainly seems that likely result if a clearly explains relate to and message is the consequences and as change specific people "We're one want to recycle, don't have the benefits of individual actions "Similar to they the individual, his report said. the benefits from eliminating tire trying to pizza box will contaminate the en newspaper box, so it's better to just they simply knowledge," she said. teach these people that but beefsteaks from the diet, people need to see a personal benefit in helping the get rid of it in the trash." Julie Wieczkowski '94 resides in the although society has come a long way with regard to recycling, the journey has just begun. Education must start at an early age and recycling must become an integral part of life. The older generation may be set in its ways, Gigliotti said, so the hope lies with the next generation. "The environmental work "Here at Cornell we Ecology House and is the on chairperson for con movement has to environment," Gigliotti said. For example, if people were fined stiffly for not com for the committee in-house educa to beyond knowledge," get a said Fuess. tion. Wieczkowski is responsible lot of cognitive recycling laws, Gigliotti pre dicted that more people would recycle. Education also needs to begin to teach the concept of recycling as the one and only option. "The United States lifestyle plying can't be continued far into the with tacting guest speakers who house to come the knowledge, mental heart. It will not but recycling has and environ lecture about environmental a concern issues. Her decision to become resi must come to be a part of your from within or change dent in the Ecology House centered around her interest in the environment and her desire to last." ■ future," out live in an environmen said Gigliotti. "We have to start planning of now. We can't wait until we mn resources." tally friendly atmosphere. As for recy cling, "I don't consider it a sacrifice," she said. "Recycling is something we have to do. There is no Currently, Gigliotti is working in con junction with the Department of Envi ronmental Conservation on designing environmental LJnfortunately, choice in my mind." not all Cornell students education materials for share Wieczkowski's environmentally conscious attittide. Whereas Wieczkowski will walk around with Coke cans and she newspapers in her backpack until finds an appropriate container, Allison Bobis '93 just doesn't see the point. "Of course I know that this whole environment elementary curriculum for fourth school students. So far, the graders has re ceived favorable reception from both teachers and students in New York state. "We have to make the environment a framework around which every curricu lum is thing i.s extremely impor taught. We can't teach it as a separate topic. Our goal is to teach young students how to live within the environ tant, but I guess you can call it laziness that I am not willing to search for the garbage can. Also, I don't really perfect ment," said Gigliotti. On a more local level, environmental education efforts at Cornell quickly are becoming a top priority. Connie Fuess, the Director of the see how I can make or break the envi ronment," Bobis said. sound Although an ideal environmentally college campus would consist of con Ecology House, rec students who share Wieczkowski's by Ali Oshinsky '93 17 Carl Gortzig: Tending the Gardens AT THE END OF CLASS, PROFESSOR '52 does not leave Plant Carl F. when Life College of Agriculture and Dean David to "I have a under very strong interest in Gortzig Sciences Call '54 asked on graduate teaching," fessor in the Science 37 until he answers students' students in his Introduction to Horticul tural Science course, one can see why, questions. Watching all of his him talk to Gortzig be the new director of the Cornell Plantations, he accepted only the condition that he could continue said Gortzig, a pro College of Agriculture and Life Sciences' Department of Floriculture and Ornamental Horticulture. "I think it is teaching. of the University." a Bachelor of Gortzig, orna Science degree in floriculture and the Cornell mental horticulture, joined in 1965. He received the Master of a high priority who earned faculty Science and Doctor of Philosophy State de grees from Michigan After serving as an officer in the United States Army from 1952-1954, Gortzig University. briefly taught horticultural mathematics For most of the next at a science and Buffalo ten high school. years, he served as assistant, then associate, county agri cultural agent in Erie County, New York, with responsibility for the commercial and consumer horticulture programs. be Effective January 1, 1993, Gortzig came director of the Cornell Plantations, the arboretum, botanical garden and ral areas of the University. He succeeded Affolter, who previous director James M. of left Cornell to teach at the University natu Georgia. an enjoy "Serving as director will be Plan able challenge," said Gortzig. "The where the collections tations is at a point are increasingly well developed. to Former directors have done much In the winter, the grounds of the Cornell Plantations are used enjoy sleighing out by the arboretum. get funding heavily by cross country skiers. Visitors also for the An specific gardens." $8.5 million fundraising campaign 18 for the Plantations will continue through 1995. "We are primarily funded by gifts from alumni and other donors," Gortzig reported. "The University and the ag college both provide support as well, and we also have a number of endow giving is the primary source of money for operations, and collection development is supported by special ments. Annual gifts." Gortzig is not a stranger to the opera tions of the Cornell Plantations. He served as acting director from 1989-1990, as Chairman of the Cornell Plantations Com mittee (now the Advisory Board), a fac ulty advisory body, continues as a member from 1980-1984, and or consultant member of the group. Gortzig has held sitions at Cornell many leadership po including chairman of department from 1975-1988. He won the 1989 New York State Gold Medal of Horticulture given annually by the New York State Department of Agriculture his Liberty Hyde Bailey's and Markets and the New York State version of the Plantations land used for research and teaching, its natural collections. was areas that it would contain all the University's agricultural such as the gorges and all of the permanent plant Nurserymen's Foundation. In addition, Gortzig is president of the Cayuga Cham ber Orchestra. As Director of the horseshoe embracing Plantations, Gortzig aware Gortzig. "It would be the campus," said managed for edu ways in which students can become involved with the nearly 3000-acre more area. hopes to increase undergraduates' ness cation, research and extension. "Our purpose now of what the Plantations has to offer. is to involve under The Plantations, along with Sapsucker Woods and the Herbert F. Johnson Mu seum "Essentially, tions is to the concept of the Planta be an outdoor laboratory on "We're graduates admitted. to a far greater extent," Gortzig of Art, are three Cornell-sponsored to "Through classes, independent units that are resources the University campus," said Gortzig. cause lucky be gardens The many schools have their botanical far from campus." study and Plantations-sponsored pro gramming, I hope the Plantations can actually reach out more into undergradu ates' lives." One of the first to for teaching, research and extension. come "Alumni will back to Cornell and for the sometimes discover these places Cornell Plantations, which has existed since the early part of the 20th projects Gortzig plans first time," said Gortzig. This semester, Gortzig teaches Horti cultural Sales and Service Business Plantations The "Our to century, was named by Liberty Hyde considered to Bailey, who is widely be undertake is the Cornell Plantations Path, which is a concept introduced by former director Affolter. It begins at Triangle, which is at the end of Op erations. He is excited to promote the the Father of North American Horticul ture. "Bailey was once dean of the ag the Cornell community. that Treman resources are here," said Gortzig. ensure college, and wras into every aspect of horticulture," said Gortzig. "He wrote on every subject, including two large ency clopedias of horticulture and agriculture. "There is a famous picture of Bailey with all of the books he wrote. Cascadilla Gorge. The path extends up the gorge, out and across horticultural and historic sites on campus to Beebe Lake, and finally through the Plantations and to goal will be to faculty, staff and students ence of its exist and exciting possibilities for pro are aware ■■ viding enjoyable learning experiences." They "By the eastern end of the arboretum. installing marker posts and signs stacks each about 12 inches taller than Bailey who was about six feet tall." equal two with educational and interpretive mate rial, this path will introduce students and visitors to the different aspects of the Gortzig was an undergraduate Cornell, the Plantations were not as organized as they are today. "But, the at When collections were heavily used," said Gortzig, who visited the Plantations fre quently to see the plant collections and to go hiking. Gortzig added that in the winter many University, including the Plantations," said Gortzig. "The Cornell Plantations isn't just a park or a place to jog," noted Gortzig. "It's a collection of plants scientifically assembled to provide a teaching resource and environment. It also contains geo logic and other natural history resources for educational purposes." The people skiing through the Plantations. "Bailey saw the Plantations as enjoy cross-country a managed large Plantations staff is cunently exploring by Jennifer Rabin '94 19 IS^K JU.4 " f w^v W[77~Ts7 W J/-7 YlL&Jm 'ft *V^P ^^v M^^ ml. f£. f ' U0S" ■.-*,#?■ -- f v-^# • "ftJsS. 7fft. .VlfcV.i, 'ift.ftf.ii*' ■.s.pPffi. -"-vy .'■»■• «Mft ■3?"*^»'';. fcft.:.^...■•■■■ , --' ^^-K: ■ 'y . -J' '■ p A. - -.ff. ,- * . ?%. j, ^7; .>&**<.' f^P.-.' •' '.••■/,.* tl'.' ,-*»*■*," , '-.-"** ■ ... ft.'."-. -7 v-'-'.i.'JW ,:-,■•? •».'•%•'•,. Si'Wfar'Tir'r—."^****^1 ■■■I'.- 'if'.' • ^Sii».m ft|S%»." ''■ iit '• -j. / ' »..'#.■!""*" *-i*r*. ■•>" 20 Par Excellence ON A MID-MAY AFTERNOON, YOU remove a Titiist white dimpled sphere tribute from your fingers on bag. Next, after pricking your all the three-inch pencils you've a to both Robert Trent Jones special '30, and Dick Deibert, Cornell Univer ag ren sity Golf Club superintendent. With the intention of course amassed, you retrieve two-inch tee. Finally, you yank a titanium-shafted driver from your bag. After placing the ball on the tee and lining up in hitting position, you swing club head whooshing as it glides through the air and connect on a picture-per fect 200-yard drive. The ball is nestled in the middle of the lush fairway, creating a — — his becoming a golf designer, Jones literally created own major in Cornell's College of He took as courses opened in 1941 $43,000 as compared to today's average price tag, as estimated by Deibert, of $250,000 for nine holes. Jones, who was designing courses course roads. The and cost a mere Agriculture. diverse in such early 1950s around the U.S., returned to Ithaca in the and constructed an addi tional nine holes east areas surveying, hydraulics, of Warren Road landscape architecture, horticulture, agronomy and communication. As re ported in Good Sports, a chronicle of Cornell athletics written by the late direc tor of athletics Robert J. Kane to '36, Jones perfect who lie for the next shot. wanted make a name for himself in For most beginner and novice golfers appropriately dub themselves "hack golf architecture. ers," the aforementioned is a dream se quence. However, when playing Cornell University's Robert Trent Jones Golf Course, a praiseworthy shot is in fact rewarded personally designed two mu nicipal courses," Kane wrote, "but hoped that one for his alma mater might attract more "He had (presently holes #1 through #9). In 1954, after spending a collective $173,000, Cornell possessed a magnificent 18-hole golf course. "So many times, people change the terrain and make it into what they want," Terry Mallett, an avid golfer and Cornell's Director of Golf and Special Operations from 1988-91, explained. "Jones took what Mother Nature gave him and modi fied it." "He attention." Jones built a nine-hole course (now played as holes #10 through kept by a favorable lie. This is a #18) between Pleasant Grove and War Deibert the land the way it was," added, "using the natural terrain the and keeping existing topography." assistant football Mallett, who coach for the was an Big Red from 1971-88, on expounded tects further the course's el senior archi egance. "One of Mr. Jones's who had been with him for about 30 years, walked the course with me about five years ago," he recalled. "When we got to totally amazed the back nine, he was just at how Mr. Jones had course used the land." Credit for the doesn't beauty, however, to belong solely Jones. Deibert, who has maintained Cornell's links since 1974, has received warranted accolades. "Considering course the amount of play the gets from students and recre it's in ational golfers, outstanding shape," said Pat Breen '93. Breen is a four-year lettennan for the Cornell golf team and its Low Score award in each has captured of the past two facilities are just seasons. as "The practice he con impressive," the driving range, tinued, referring practice sand trap and three putting to greens. "Through Deibert's knowledge, ability no and hard work, there's questron that An aerial view of Cornell University's Robert Trent Jones Golf Course. 21 Par Excellence we New have the finest greens in central rs York." Mallett boasted. "Everybody we have." envious of the kind of greens is the fact that Furthering that envy Deibert's yearly maintenance budget (es timated between $285,000 and $300,000), the Department of Athletics, is as set by low when has told me," Mallett try clubs. "Mr. Jones he couldn't believe the continued, "that Deibert was doing on this course compared with private coun job with the limited "I budget he has." agree," Deibert gloated, deservedly, when asked to comment on Jones's re mark. "I take special pride in the greens." Aside from his greens, Deibert has undertaken numerous maintenance and beautification projects. Over the years, tree on loss has been a problem. was A large oak the 11th hole, which killed when Cornell's 10th fairway following the drought of 1991 (above). The same fairway after it was planted with rye grass, Fall 1991 struck by lightning, has been replaced. A pair of elm trees, on the eighth and 13th holes, killed by Dutch elm disease, has with combinations of oak, been (below). replaced maple, mountain ash, evergreen, Scots pine, Douglas fir and spruce trees. In addition, Deibert has planted pe rennial and annual flowers around the and has replaced the conven tional tee markers on the first hole with potted begonias. Deibert estimated that approximately nine percent of his bud course get is spent on beautification. budgeted money is used for maintenance and staffing. Presently, Deibert is developing elongated and wid Most of the ened greens and tees for all holes. He has also been replanting two or three fairways per year, using a mixture of three perennial rye grasses to replace the present Kentucky bluegrass. These rye grasses, already planted on fairways #1, #10 and #18, are particularly effective for the Cornell selection was course. "Our our based on the fact that irrigation to poor," Deibert said, alluding the fact that fairway irrigation is non is the blades Future on the grass mowers in prepa ration for the next season. While the New York state high school championships tournaments existent and those tees and greens which "The rye grasses tend to hold up in the heat, humidity, and drought conditions of the summer." In the antiquated year-old galvanized piping. are use serviced 50- to 60- winter, according to Deibert, inclement weather threatens the greens. "Too much compacted snow and ice on a green kills the grass underneath in about 40 days," he noted. "We have to go out we plans include the installation of irrigation system and the addition of certain elements to compensate for today's technological advances. Deibert offers the par four 405-yard first hole as an example. "Now, with new technology providing better clubs, and balls which travel further, any good golfer can pop it over the sand trap from the blue [profes sional] tees," he explained. "We might an and various other junior are held at Cornell, the ba sic premise set forth by Jones remains. "Every hole should be a hard par and an easy bogey," he stated. Next time you step up to tee off then, step back and revel in the brilliant design, maintenance and beautification of the Robert Trent Jones Golf Course. Then pull out your scorecard and pencil take a in a birdie for Jones and Deibert. ■ They've there and don't chop it up very carefully so damage the green." In addition, sharpen put sand trap further out and to the left side of the fairway to make the hole we don't want more challenging. But a . . . earned it. Deibert's maintenance staff must to punish the golfer." by Dan Masonson '94 22 New Endowed Positions John P. Dyson '65, Ronald P. Lynch 58 and J. Thomas Clark '63, MBA '64 recently gave gener ous donations to the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences to establish new ■TRIM U LT~S endowed positions the to within the College. Dyson's gift will create Agricultural Economics Kenneth L. Robinson in the establishment of the com puter laboratory in the Clara Dickson Residence Hall. In in involved in a variety of extension activities and research projects. Dr. Edward H. Glass former growers throughout New York state and the other parts of the country. Agnello is also actively apple program that has benefitted many Professorship Sutphm was honor Professor Emeritus Ken Robinson. The chair holder will be involved in the Center for the Environment and will teach and conduct research in resource and environmental president-elect of the American Association of Agricultural Educa tors. addition, recently designated chair of the Department of Entomol ogy at Cornell University's Agricul tural Experiment Station in Geneva was named a Fellow of The Ento mological Society of America. This is the highest award that the society grants to one of its members. Glass A New Vitamin Text Gerald F. Combs Jr. MS '71 PhD '74, a professor in the Division of Nutritional Sciences, is a nutritional The donation from Lynch will create the Ronald P. Lynch Deanship of the College of Agriculture and Life policy. station in 1948 and served there for 34 years before he retired in 1982. However, in 1991 joined the Geneva Sciences; money from the fund will supplement state funding for the deanship position. Clark's gift, which was biochemist who wrote what he believes is the first textbook on vitamins. His he assumed the position of the Executive Director of the Consor tium for International Protec Crop tion. made with his wife MEd book, The Vitamins: Fundamental Aspects in Nutrition and Health. (Academic Press, 1992) Throughout contributed his career Glass Nancy Williams Clark '62, Clark '64 will establish the J. Thomas Professorship ship will and Personal in EntrepreneurEnterprise. This concept-based learning prin ciples developed by Cornell educa tors. This new approach is designed to increase the readability and usefulness of the text. Although the book is written as a uses greatly to the biology and control of apple pests. He also served as a consultant for tropical pest problems and developed innovative approaches to pest control in help join activities of the College's Personal Enterprise Program with the Johnson Graduate School of Management's Entrepreneurship Program. general. He became a college-level text, it could also be used by physicians and other health profes sionals. strong proponent of integrated pest management (IPM) technologies, and contributed greatly to their implementation around the world. Sutphin Chair Dean is Named Education ALS News Wins Contest Agriculture Alumni and Development Association Conference in Portland, Oregon, the Agriculture and Life Sciences News received a first place award for excellence in the quality of their publication. This was the first time that the national association held a National Research Council Dale E. Bauman was At the National recently a Sutphin was named chair of the recently Department associate appointed second as Vice-Chairman for term on of three-year the Education. He is an professor of agricultural, extension and adult education. Sutphin came to Agriculture PhD '62 National Research Council/Board on and Norman R. Scott was appointed for an initial himself Cornell in 1982 and distinguished as a leader in educational He has focused on technologies. primarily development of agricultural technologies curricula in high schools and colleges. Sutphin is presently co-coordina for Agri-Tech Prep 2000, which will provide a comprehensive tor the competition to recognize the quality of news publications. The ALS News was among 17 other land-grant agriculture colleges' publications take part in the competition. three-year term. The Board on Agriculture focuses on science and policy issues that affect the agricul tural, food and environmental systems. Bauman was also desig nated as a member of the Animal Health and of the to Veterinary of Medicine Medi Committee, along with Hollis Erb Honors at Geneva At Cornell College Veterinary cine. approach to teaching agriculture and related fields between high school and two year colleges. In the spring of 1992, Sutphin helped State in University's New York Agricultural Experiment Station Geneva, Dr. Arthur M. Agnello Harold F. Hintz MS was '6l, PhD '64 chair of the recently appointed on teach the first satellite based course ever offered in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Sutphin also '74 was promoted from assistant professor to associate professor of entomology with tenure. Since he joined the station in 1986, Agnello has built a Animal Nutrition, which addresses problems and Committee needs in all aspects of domestic animal nutrition. also Danny an G. Fox was appointed on for initial threecommittee. played an integral role tree fruit extension year term the same 25 ■*■:*!■ ifi Cornell =**j in mind, Keeping the theme of this issue of the Countryman cover to illustrate several scenes of we design our back natural beauty that we Cornellians hold dear to our hearts. The gorges that surround our campus and decorate our town provide a relaxing addition to an otherwise stressful environ ment. Just a simple look at the breathtaking scenery of trees can brighten up the dark days of winter. And healthy just hearing even keep the rushing water ringing in our ears soothes the most distracted mind. We love our gorges. Please them beautiful so that the next generations of Cornellians can '%* ;77zM f^-iMSffl ■>■■ and Ithacans benefit from their therapeutic values. lMMSSkft%g£, sim .\ffti. ftft. Ml ;S- o V ■W: S-^i &&&&*-: G n :3&L is-jserj: Z£~..*****a^iz '-*." **- "*£:*; 25s* <■■■■ ■ ^*& J^ JM ft'' ,-■-•-"** "- -5---' ,A0 ," t K$m 'M .pi4 ^t£lP New York State College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, a Statutory College of the State University, at Cornell University WPw **\!& f CORNELL com™ A MAGAZINE OF AND ABOUT THE PEOPLE OF THE NEW YORK STATE COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE AND LIFE SCIENCES nnRMFi i IUJJ MfllTlil Friend or fftll ITRV 111 li Foe? Contents What a Tradition! 12 Exercising — Sheepishly Fat From Meat Dietre D. Richael '95 J. Eric Docktor '94 14 4 Dr. Trimming the Stanley A. Zahler: An to Daniel W. Simon '93 Eyewitness Change 16 A Trip to Panama Chris Beatty '94 Mary Kate Conroy '94 Jr / ^^msl • . ;i7y*^\ 6 Pay Homage to the Insects 18 Antonio Belen Santana '93 To Preserve a Secret Garden Marc A. Merlis '94 8 Ursus: The Big Green Bear E. Kurt Lienau '95 20 About the Issue Students in the The Sciencenter and Cornell: Working Hand in Hand Dineen Pashoukos '94 College of Agriculture — 10 The Woman Behind and Life Sciences find themselves under taking projects in all walks of life and Empire Farm Days 24 Roberts Reincarnate Marc A. Merlis '94 Karen Wickham '94 all parts of the world. This issue of the Countryman follows students on a field trip to Panama, as well as exploring .CORNELL some of their undertakings here in Ithaca. some We also will look at interesting research, including findings about red meat, the benefits of insects, and take a look at a on study a that involves sheep run ning Also, meet some members of the Cornell community who are putting their talents to special use on treadmill. iwrnaw March 1993 Volume LXXXX Number 5 Editors J. Eric Docktor E. Kurt Lienau Art Director Antonio Belen Santana Division of Rare and both Finally, and off the Cornell campus. meet a professor who has wit and Manuscript Collections; p. Sylvester/WASA; pp. 20, 21, 22—The Sciencenter; p. 24- Jane E. Hardy, Division of 19—Marcy — nessed the evolution of the college, tween soon to explore the agriculture relationship be Sciencenter, Karen Wickham Layout Staff Chris Beatty Rare and Manuscript Collections. Assistant Editors Dineen Pashoukos Mary Kate Conroy The Cornell Cornell and the new Marc A. Merlis open in downtown Ithaca. Dietre D. Richael Countryman (ISSN 0010-8782) a is Daniel W. Simon published May and of year from October through (combined issues for January and February, six times Editorial Staff Chris Beatty, Mary Richael, E. Kurt Kate Conroy, J. Eric Docktor, Lienau, Marc A. Merlis, Dineen Pashoukos, Anronio Belen Dietre D. W. Santana, Daniel Simon, Karen Wickham. Picture Credits: Cover, Illustration by 15 — — April and May) by the New York State College Agriculture and Life Sciences, 324 Kennedy Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y. 14853. Second class postage paid at Ithaca, New York 14853- Printed by Union Press Co. Inc. of Endicott. Subscription Rates: $12.00 a year; $24.00 for two years. Postmaster: Send change of address to Cornell Countryman, 324 Kennedy Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y. 14853. Editorial content gathered and written by majors in the Depart ment of Communication. Honorary editor: Ed ward L. Bernays '12. Faculty advisors: Jane E. Hardy '53, Robin Moss Hinchcliff. It is the policy of Cornell University activel-y to support equality of educational and employment opportunity. No person shall be denied admission to any educational program or activity or be denied employment on the basis of any legally prohibited discrimination involving, but not limited to, such factors as race, color, creed, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual preference, age, or handicap. The University is committed to the maintenance of affirmative action programs which will assure the continuation of such equality of opportunity. Antonio Santana; pp. 3, — University Photography; p. 4, 5 Chris Beatty; pp. 6, 7 Illustrations by Antonio Santana; p. 8 — E. Kurt Lienau; p. 9 — Cover courtesy of Ursus; pp. 10, tos; p. 11 — 11— Empire Farm Don Hunt 17 Docktor; pp. 16, — Days file pho Aerials; pp. 12, 13—J. Eric Roland Kays '93; p. 18 — Printed on recycled paper. 2 What WHEN ASKED WHAT A "TYPICAL" college student was, most students made such comments as, "one who parties all a Tradition! a during their upper-class years. They must be involved for minimum of 75 hours weekend, goes to class occasionally, sleeps late, studies when necessary and plays a lot of sports." No mention was community service in campus activities that contribute to the University and its mis sion. All Fellows must also maintain a 2.3 projects, and cumulative time in volunteer work in shorter than an internship. He spent sev eral weeks working with Cornell Coop erative Extension of Yates County, en abling him to prepare for his future career in education. possibility of a student volunteering, participating in working, clubs or maintaining decent grades. Surely there are many students who fit such stereotypes, however these quali made about the ties do not Bay added, grade point degree program. average in a full- fellowship "I think it is great to have a that awards those students not that work hard that might have just high grades." summer necessarily pertain to those students Senior J.J. Schultz spent six weeks last in the Ukraine visiting various named Cornell Tradition Fellows. This year is the tenth anniversary of die Cornell Tradition, an alumni-endowed program that recognizes approximately 600 students annually for their outstand demics. On this ing achievements in and outside of aca anniversary the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences boasted 185 students; each received up to replacing some or all of a loan. Cornell Tradition Tradition $2,500, Janiece Bacon Oblak, Director of the stated, "The Cornell farms and processing plants. It was interesting experience for him in that it tied very closely to his food industry management major. Not only did he learn some unique ways of processing milk, but also learned many valuable lessons he could apply directly to his own life. I never thought I could ever do something like this. I learned a lot about myself. I also learned that the more you give, the more you get in return. The world needs people who will volunteer, share; I found it all comes dairy an " was established in 1982 by a of alumni and friends who were group concerned with the high level of debt that students were facing while working back to you ten-fold." Oblak predicted that to the Tradition will only be able continue offering aid to 600 students annually. However, she is the toward their Cornell degree." organization is maintained by fund ing provided by alumni and friends, indi vidual families that establish scholarships for certain types of students, and special Cornell clubs and alumni organizations. Senior and reunion classes have also A Tradition Halloween The optimistic about the continual growth of endowment, and looks forward to each Fellow having a personalized fel lowship from additional donors. Her optimal goal is to establish more between Tradition alumni to create area more cunent contacts and Fellows in order The Cornell Tradition offers a sup contributed to the fund. Without these great port groups, along work and service with funding, sponsorships the Cornell Tradition would not be able to help as many as they do. Heather Toomey, a senior communi cation major, received a fellowship her freshman year and has maintained it her time at Cornell. "I was very excited when I first learned of re ceiving this scholarship because I was not sure reduction in the level of debt students opportunities. acquire and provides opportunities for each student to get to know several small group to Schultz summed up the Tradition pro gram very nicely. "The Cornell Tradition is a faculty members through are phenomenal activities. Many Fellows take advantage vides students not program in that it pro only with financial the Ukraine. The throughout of internships that strictly designed in support, but with the kind of support that enabled Tradition is been a me so provide extended experience or out to visit side their how I was going to finance my specific field of study. "Perhaps the most important goal to create a service-oriented. It has in of of guiding light program." helping not me get education. All of my other college choices involved a lot of loans. This program has allowed me to get a high quality educa tion with minimal debt." the Tradition is are sense through Cornell. I could are too one are say enough to community and identity with people who about this doing the same things within the So before you quick place re Students who are chosen to receive this prestigious award not only excel in but contribute many hours of volunteer service to the communities in which they live. In order for Fellows to maintain their Cornell community," stated Oblak. Mark Bay '93, received a Tradition all students under stereotype, member those who academics, fellowship for the first time this year. He developed a strong work and ser vice background during his time at Cornell, making him eligible to apply. Bay participated in the Fellowship pro had gram, which is yet another opportunity the Tradition offers to students who want working, volun teering, getting good grades, and still having a lot of fun; remember the Fel ■ lows of the Cornell Tradition. scholarships, they must complete at least 200 hours of paid work during or their freshman year at Cornell 250 hours experience that is career- related, yet by Dietre D. Richael '95 Dr. Stanley A. Zahler An presented Eyewitness to Change toral HE IS A MAN WHOSE WORK HAS BEEN published by Science, Nature, the fournal of Bacteriology, Genetics and Gene, just to name a few. He was present at the symposium in which James D. Watson his model of the structure Chicago to pursue his masters and doc degrees. Zahler received his PhD in 1952, just one year prior to the discovery structure with Watson. "He eccentric and was rather odd and a spoke with very strong of the of DNA. He worked as a post-doctoral fellow of in the lab of Salvatore Luria, the famous DNA. He has worked with science greats such as Salvatore Luria. He is a legend at virologist who received the Nobel Prize. Prior to Luria and his co-Nobelist Max Cornell University. During his 33 years at Cornell Univer sity, Dr. Stanley A. Zahler, Chair of the Section of Genetics and Delbruck's discoveries, it was not clear that bacteria had genes and mutated like other In Development the Division of Biological Sciences, has been in three buildings, two different departments whose names have changed — in organisms. 1953, as a post-doctoral fellow, Zahler, while working with Luria, went to the Cold Spring Harbor Symposium. It was at this symposium that James D. Watson five times — and has witnessed numerous presented changes long in the field of genetics. In the a the structure a 20-minute talk on of DNA which rocked the was spring of 1994, Zahler will and fruitful career. retire after science world and the one prelude "it to molecular biology. "No doubted it was Zahler has bacteria and always been interested in how they function, so as a from the first instant," said Zahler, graduate student he studied microbiol ogy. At that time there was little known about the genetics of bacteria. In fact, electrifying, incredibly inspiring." One scientist at the symposium actually left and caught a plane back to his lab at the University of Michigan, told his lab tech nician how to test the DNA model that Zahler only took one genetics course during his undergraduate years and none as a graduate student. After completing his bachelor's degree at New York Uni versity, he went on to the University of Watson had proposed, rest and then flew stu back for the Watson of the Dr. Zahler has witnessed many changes throughout his career in research at Cornell University. was Luria's first symposium. graduate to meet dent, so Zahler was able and talk English accent even though he was origi nally from Indiana. He was twenty-three but looked about seventeen. He wore shorts and sneakers as we all did but he never tied his shoelaces. Someone from Luria's lab actually knocked Watson — — down and ripped on out his laces so he wouldn't trip them," Zahler said, over the recollection. When he first came to Cornell, in 1959, Zahler worked in a microbiology lab which was located in the dairy science chuckling department Division of went to Stocking Hall. In 1964, the Biological Sciences was cre in ated. In 1972, Zahler left microbiology, Bradfield Hall and joined what was then the Section of Genetics, Devel opment and Physiology, which was changed, in 19"7?, to the Section of Botany, Genetics and Development. And in 1980, the section . Stanley Zahler examines a petri dish as one 0? iifr daily routines tor his research. changed once more, and is Genetics and Devel opment in Biological Sciences Over the years, Zahler has watched today the Section of 4 the field of genetics get "enormously bigger." However, it has not divided into many subsections. "You could [at Cornell] were intertwined." A student of Zahler's, Ramiro Gutierrez people from genetics and development, four from biochemistry and about three from microbiology and even though we work on different research projects we all speak the same language," said Zahler. Since he first learned to work with Bacillus subtilis, while on sabbatical leave in California in 1968, all of his research take eleven '94, who took both microbial genetics lecture and the lab, said that Zahler was constantly available, helpful and very is comfortable in many areas of science," said Wolfner. "But, most of all I will miss his personal side, his wisdom in dealing approachable. a "At each class we received handout containing references and dia grams with all of the lecture material credited so that students could go and look up any reference they needed. Each handout was about five pages long and people and his sense of humor. He special person, greatly loved and respected. And underneath that some times gruff exterior he has a heart of gold," she concluded. Zahler will work at Cornell through the spring of 1994, finishing up his present is a with very two lab efforts. One has to do with single spaced," said Gutienez. "Dr. Zahler has been with this species. He works on the control of genes and their expression also gave us a historical perspective on the material we were learning. His lec tures were more and studies bacterial enzymes through chemical reactions. "The field of genetics has been very full of anecdotes, and much interesting than learning from a textbook." On the last career synthesis of amino acids; the other is studying how bacteria break down sugars after they have stopped growing. "It is very unusual. Bacteria are supposed to just sit around after they stop growing," said Zahler. What will Zahler do after he retires? "I have six no bacteria and their useful in teaching who were are us about we and how ourselves; work," said day of Zahler's teaching Zahler. At present there is immense tur moil in the genetics field due to the last semester, his colleagues in the Section of Genetics and Development came idea. Maybe I'll sleep for the first into his class to celebrate his retire ability to clone genes. "We now have the ability to produce any kind of material that animals and plants make," he said. Present-day techniques allow for much deeper insights. The technology has be come very complex. Zahler added, "I leam all of the new techniques from my graduate students." Mike Charissis '94, an undergraduate student who has worked at ment with him and his students. ate a They and a months," he jokes. Eventually he plans to do some writing, perhaps a book for teens on the subject of genetics. For now he has not no toasted with cider and Zahler received both cookies, and concrete plans, but he does at long, hearty Dr. round of plaque applause. '74, a intend to stay involved Cornell. Mariana Wolfner present colleague microbial and former student took the genetics lecture in the fall of 1973 when she was an undergraduate student in the College of Arts and Sci ences. Zahler's lab She brought went to the lecture handouts for almost three years, tells of how he got his job. "I attended an open house for she received in Zahler's class with her when she graduate school at biology majors when Dr. Zahler happened I was a freshman. to be there and I asked him how I should go about getting a job. He told me to go to his office the next Stanford University. "Those notes were invaluable," said Wolfner, "they had hun dreds of helpful references, not just from books but from the original research papers." Now, as his colleague, Wolfner has observed those in the notes day. day he gave me a job in his lab. He made me feel like I was next That and references his his Dr. Zahler, peering out at the Plant Science building, is retiring after many years of service both a researcher and professor. important, and not just an insignificant making. "He [Zahler] spends many little freshman." doing his research Zahler has taught microbial genetics for the past 32 years. "I really enjoy teaching. I wouldn't like to do just research," he said. Zahler enjoys teaching 400-level In addition to courses are library making sure classes are up to date and he updates reference lists every year." Since Wolfner came hours in the as to Cornell, nine years ago, she has worked on the same floor as Zahler, both in Bradfield and now ing because "you get students who really interested in the topics. Work with young people keeps you alert," in the was a Biotechnology Building. as "At first it hard little difficult to think of my years is enough," he said. When Dr. Zahler retires he will be missed by many. He said that the secret "Thirty-five former to professors colleagues. as It was of his success was that "I kept doing as the smiling. Over the years his lec ture class has increased from ten stu dents are he said think of Dr. Zahler 'Stan', and things chair, that interested in his me the world not 'Dr. Zahler'," said Wolfner, "But Stan around changed." Leaning back in his to as high as 110. His lab class has averaged around students, all of whom undergraduates. Upon Zahler's re 11 made the transition very easy for me. He is very easy to talk with, and very inter ested in snaring ideas." The Section of Genetics and technology had asked spacious office in the Bio Building, he smiled. "If you back in 1955 what I wanted me tirement, over Dr. Valley Stewart will take the microbial genetics lecture, but the microbial genetics lab will no longer be offered. "No one is interested or Development is group. As he does it Chair, Zahler retires sets a tight-knit policy, "but to do in life my answer would have been exactly what I have done for the past by asking us," the said Wolfner. thirty-eight years." ■ When he he will be sorely equipped to take over the class," said Zahler, "The lab took a great deal of time and effort. My research and the course missed by genetics section. "I will miss him ics, as a teacher of microbial genet scientist and resource person; he as a by Mary Kate Conroy '94 5 WITH cannot SPRING IN OUR MIDST, ONE fusion, they do be so ,n -h such infinitesimally in* help contemplating all of the wonderful things that come to life as a new generation of leaves, flowers and animals appear all around us. Spring is a reminder that life is plentiful patiently waiting to sprout and exhibit its beauty through its many lb mis. Unfortunately not all forms of life are welcomed with open arms. Spring is — small individual amounts ^^ collect it wtthout the honey virtually impossible required tor ^ n honey bee is to make 40,000 one ^ The to 80,000 trips to distance a With the average mile and a quarter for every trip, the the distance honey bee travels twice synthesize pound of of honey. around the globe to produce one pound often associated with the re-introduction of insects into our valued ecosystems. Insects return in such an abundance that of honey. Silk is another insect mentioning. more Silk is spring is often coupled with swarms of occa gnats flying around our heads, sional mayflies penetrating the best of screens lucrative of though silk may lose product that merits definitely one of the insect products al — some of its aes and the ever-threatening bees and wasps that evoke fear in the minds of the otherwise joyful children. Insects have seldom held a warm place in our hearts. With the exception of the thetic value in the minds of people when they realize that it comes from a caterpillar's spittle. The silkworm excretes silk which cocoon serves as the casting for its at the termination of its larval cocoon stage. Each is constructed from only remember nega entomologists, tive images of insects, such as locusts devouring whole landscapes, valuable we between 800 and 1,200 yards of silk which is spun around the caterpillar to form its temporary home. crops being utterly destroyed by Japa nese beetles and killer bees dangerously making their way up north. These im ages have been perpetuated through our lifetime with no mention of the incred ible benefit insects have been to both Caterpillar spittle or not, 75 million pounds of silk are produced in Japan, Italy, China, India, France and Spain which amounts to a very profitable $1,300,000,000 industry. There are other commonly used prod ucts humanity and the environment. After conversing with entomology that many fail to realize come from stu insects. Shellac, for example, home. is produced the sub dents at Cornell, it was obvious that insects have had a bad rap. In light of this by the lac insect which uses stance as a coming spring tant season, it seems impor (at least for the insects' sake), that creatures use these for the receive some recognition they have been to humanity. Although it would be impossible to mention all of the benefits we have gained from insects, it is possible to briefly men some of their more notable contri butions. Metcalf and Metcalfs Destruc tive and Useful Insects devotes an entire tion chapter have States to the many forms of useful been insects that exist long sects' hard work. planet. Humans profiting from the in According to the United on our for Dairy products Association insects account that sell for more than $300 Although these products are truly ben profitable, they are insignifi cant compared with the benefits some insects provide by destroying others. These insects, or entomophagous insects as they are called, have long been con sidered advantageous by entomologists. But it has not been until recently that they have received the attention and recognition they deserve. Entomophagous insects are divided in two distinct groups: parasites and preda tors. Metcalf and Metcalf'mentions that predatory insects catch and devour smaller or more helpless insects where as para eficial and sitic insects make their homes in and million in the United States alone. The most feed off larger, stronger insects. Both, profitable insect product in the United States by large is honey, which is currently a $273 million industry. Al though honey is an almost ubiquitous item in our households, the labor re quired to create what we so happily consume is often undemiined by the threatening manner in which hard-work ing bees portrayed. Although plants secrete are however, are equally important in die fight against devastating insect pests. a The ground beetle is considered to be fanner's best friend because of both its predaceous habits and large appetite. In the 1980s, Calosoma sycophanta (a type of ground beetle) was introduced to die New the nectar in pro- England area in an effort to control dangerously growing gypsy modi caterpillar population. These ground beedes each destroy sev eral hundred caterpillars in their lifetime. The beetles' large appetites for gypsy moth were effectively put to use as gypsy moth populations were substantially re duced in the New England area. While not as ferocious as predators, insect parasites are just as lethal. Insect an parasites ment attack their victims in assort of ways. Some inject their eggs into the bodies of their hosts, others become inhabitants of their hosts for most of their lifetime, while still others live on the surface of the victim's body. Most of the valuable parasites are con tained in the aculeate Hymen optera, which includes what we consider sting ing insects like wasps and bees. The cause us stinger, however, pain. It is not is always used to actually a modified egg laying apparatus which is conveniendy used to inject eggs in the hosts. The Scelionidae, for example, deposit their eggs via their stingers (ovipositor), into the eggs of insect pests where they grow to maturity. The Scelionidae's total life cycle requires only 11 to 23 days, the conclusion of which means inevitable death for the host. Because of the brevity The farmer's best friend, the wasp's life cycle, there are ap proximately nine generations of parasitic wasps each year many dead hosts. same — of the which translates to ground beetle, feeding on a gypsy moth larva. Many parasitic species work manner, in the eliminating hundreds and management of pests by parasitic insects is astounding. Ron Gardner of the Inte thousands of harmful insects as genera tion after generation of wasps mature in the bodies and eggs of their hosts. Beth B. Norton PhD mentions, in grated Pest Management Educational Pro gram at Cornell University made it clear that entomophagous insects are not only entitled "The Importance of essay Stinging In an sects", that the aculeates are the most important ness of the entomophagous insects because of the frequency and effective of their attacks. amount day be truly already companies profitable. that have incorporated the use of ento mophagous insects in pest management. One such is New York Integrated Pest Management, which is located in Locke, beneficial, but may There are one A big advantage in using insects in place of chemical pesticides is that in sects are not pollutants. Insects are al ready being used in place of some chemi cal pesticides. Gardner pointed out, however, that there are inherent prob lems when these insects are used in The of money saved from the New York. vegetation that is processed as food. Although the insects do not contaminate the produce, their presence does add to the insect body count when the food is processed. Helpful or not, dead bugs are not a desirable item in anyone's salad. Unfortunately, no article is long enough to mention all of the benefits in insects are provide their lifetimes. Insects beneficial to us in terms of fmit produc tion, the control of weeds and pests and in the role they play in scientific research and medicine. This is not to mention the insects' aesthetic value as we watch diem fly gracefully over flower-covered mead ows all as summer. begin to blossom and chirp, let us not forget begin the thousands of insects working dili gently for our benefit; let us pay homage So the daisies to the birds A full-grown silkworm. A helpful creature many of us take for granted. to the insects. ■ 7 Ursus : THERE'S A HOLE IN THE OZONE LAYER. The Big come a long way since we we've filled every posi Green Bear elect for the fall 1993 issue. As Lienau put The last of the Pacific are old-growth The forests Six being destroyed. so water in like Ursus would provide an ex cellent writing outlet for this vast cache of ecological knowledge. As he toyed journal it, "We've started, tion I mean Mile Creek foams much that one can with the notion it was met with much scoop the frozen ooze from the ice and admire mankind's handiwork, and as approval. Connie House and advisor sor Jerry Garcia, guitarist for the Grateful Dead said, "This space is getting hot." "What to do, what to do?" one might ask. A concerned Cornellian named Mark Fuess, Director of Ecology (the position of advi her to Ursus is now in was an job descrip we can think of!" She feels that the forum owes its success to simple word of mouth communication. This advertise ment system is actually extremely effec tive copies of Ursus have been found — tion), original the to advocate of the on the west coast of the United States! accom plan. from She has seen organization grow of its advi with As for what she feels she has Urbanski ag '92 asked just that in the fall "infancy adolescence." As Ursus more of 1990. His answer was Ursus, a smdent founded and nin organization that ex environmental issues of any sort in its biannual publication. becomes more independent job plished in her year and a half as editorin-chief, Lienau said that there has been more sors, Fuess becomes content plores her role. "An advisor's is to make that than ever input from regular staff members before, and the magazine has creative job, in essence, obsolete," she said. She seen a explosion new are because of it. Urbanski said that Ursus to was created feels that the recognized at Cornell University. "There is such a diversity of expertise at Cornell. I lived at Ecology House and I was surcounded by experts a fill need that he between students and publication faculty is a as bridge well as Now when the issue of Ursus is distributed, people waiting eagerly " between students of different academic backgrounds. What Urbanski stressed was for its release. "It's great to hear someone say 'I've been waiting to see this!' said Lienau. It was not the in several dozen fields." He felt that a magazine's " commitment to objectivity. always this way however, as Printed in every issue are these words, Ursus is a student publication at Cornell University offering students a multidisciplinary forum for the expression of their diverse perspectives on environ mental protection, ecological understand ing, and appreciation of natural life," which convey his sentiments. Ursus, The Cornell Forum for Environ mental Issues (previously The CornellJour nal ofEcology and the Environment) is to a forum which anyone may submit eco logically oriented ideas. "Ursus ac cepts submissions from anyone at Ursus, Box 28 Ecology House, Cornell Univer sity, Ithaca, N.Y. 14853," said Urbanski. To attend a staff meeting today is to witness all of the hustle and bustle char acteristic of a professional publication. Staff members as the current critique prospective pieces editor-in-chief, Jenifer Lienau '93, leads the discussion that makes or as breaks the article. Suggestions, as well jokes, are fielded from the 20 or so staff members. "Interest is constantly rising," said An thony Carpi, a graduate student in envi ronmental toxicology and editor-in-chief Current eii'tor-hi-cms* z' U.ffvt Jeniier Connie Fuess is advisor to Ursus. Greg Berger '93 attested. with a "We . . . started staff of five people meetings would go five to sLx hours." In those days all of the articles in die publication were consequently the task of publication was a fomiidable one. After losing gallons of sweat, Urbanski, Berger and clan finally produced the first issue of Ursus. How were they rewarded for their heroic efforts? Said Berger, "As we were handing out the first issue, some one asked 'Is this a religious thing?' Now that people are aware of what " staff written, Ithaca, NY Volume 1, Number 2 Fall, 1991 The Cornell Journal of Ecology and the Environrrre Ursus is and stands According reigns to in the He expand. two new for, what comes next? Carpi, who will take the fall, Ursus is about ready to points to the fonnation of branches of Ursus as evidence of this. One is Ursa-Minor, a product of Donald issues and the other is the Stephenson '94's intuitiveness, availability of back of the Forum on the University's computers in Martha Van Rensselaer Hall. Ursa-Minor is a publication devoted to increasing public awareness of environ mentally oriented groups and programs on the Cornell campus. Said Stephenson, "Because of ignorance many people miss speeches and lectures that they are inter ested in. Now hopefully they won't." Among Carpi's plans for the future are expanding the number of copies pro duced from 2,000 to 3,000, increasing the subscription base, and slightly changing the genre of articles printed. "We've seen a lot of opinion, or philosophically ori ented pieces. I'd like to see more re search, or informative articles." To solicit such articles would require more people than Ursus has had access to until very recendy. With the increased interest of late it seems that Carpi may just get his wish. Also on the proverbial table is an idea that will further validate Ursus claim to the title of Forum. Berger, Carpi and Lienau all expressed enthusiasm for Ursus' Energy and The face of Ursus magazine conscious person. can now the Environment campus. The be sponsored forums far off — recognized on magazine caters to the environmentally to be held an on "any seems raw thing environmental," but as idea that they have shown, determination and hard work can ac complish the astonishing. The road that Ursushas traveled is a long one, one that was forged, according to Carpi, "in the jungle with a few machetes," and has, as Berger said, "meandered through the administration of Cornell" (Ursus is funded by the Student Activities Fund) to finally open up black and smooth before them. As Anthony Carpi slips behind the wheel of the vehicle that is the Forum, one by E. Kurt Lienau '95 anticipates its coming of age. ■ 9 The Woman Behin Empire Farm Days DARK DREARY CLOUDS LOOOMED IN sky on a chilled August morning. Rain drops streamed down, overflowing eveiy puddle, making the site look like one of the Finger Lakes. It was early but a few tnicks were fish-tailing up the the main road in an related institutions such as the New York State College of Agricul ture and Life Sciences and American Agriculturist. Exhibitors construct elabo agriculturally Wickham was a writer and photographer for the Farm Forum, an ag publication out of Auburn, N.Y. She spent the next two years as manager of the production attempt to escape the displays, show live demonstrations show-goers with the latest in agricultural equipment, techniques and rate and "wow" muddy sea. Everywhere you looked there were yellow rain slickers dotting the site like dandelions in a field. They were parading through the mud, slipping and sliding. Mud was the word of the day at the opening of Empire Farm Days 1992. Empire Farm Days, the largest agricul tural trade show in the northeast, is a 350-acre show with over 400 exhibitors from all parts of the nation. The show is hosted by a prominent agricultural fam programs. There are many people behind the scenes who make Empire Farm Days the premiere farm show of the northeast but the one in charge of it all is Melanie a department at the New York State Agri Experiment Station in Geneva, N.Y. She was responsible for all of the publications that were generated from the Experiment Station. Her main duties were editing and research. Her next move took her to her present position as man ager of Empire Fann Days where she is cultural Wickham '82. Wickham, who holds BS entering her seventh year. in communication arts, began working with Empire Fann Days in 1986 when it held in Pompey, N.Y. That year she assistant manager to Richard Amidon, who was planning to retire. She worked was was Making the transition to manager was relatively smooth, Wickham said. "Any challenges I may have encountered weren't gender-related, but I followed a man who managed the show for more than twenty years and I came in whde in my mid twenties. People thought I was young and seemingly inexperienced." She also noted that "There were some ily on a site designated by the Empire in Days Committee. For the past five years the show has been held in Seneca Fads, N.Y. and hosted by the Rodman Lott and Sons Farm. The Fami for the tele. conjunction with Amidon to get a feel show, its exhibitors and its clien Before becoming involved with Em Empire State Potato pire Farm Club, Inc. is the sponsor of Em Days in cooperation with other pire Farm Days, Wickham gathered much experience throughout the local agricul tural media industry. During 1983-1984 generally, everyone gave me a chance to prove myself." She cer tainly has proved herself and she is praised by many throughout the agricultural in dustry. She is currently a member of the New York State Agricultural Society which is a group of prominent people from within the industry. Bob Martens, Empire Farm Days Com mittee member, praised Wickham, "She began working for Empire Fann Days when the show had fallen into a stagnant rut. She brought new and fresh ideas with her that have consistently improved the show." Martens has known Wickham since she first began to work the show and stated, "She has earned the skeptics, but respect of the her ments people she works with through professionalism and her accomplish with the show." Jason Finnigin, Empire Fann Days field crew member, stated that, "Melanie is Srt'.eni-fS' if-jMul d>. ^nvaire iatn Days attracts many interested show- very confident while working under stressful conditions. She is alwuvs on die i0 Wickham and her staff. contract Early June is the deadline for guaranteed space at the show. Wickham then moves her permanent office in Stanley, N.Y. to a trailer on the show site in Seneca Falls, N.Y. From in the he grounds the was nor could he read the signs marking of roadways on the site. Thus, no help unloading equipment not because he could lot. "We would find the exhibitor's July until the end of the show Farm August, all Empire Days busi ness is conducted in the confines of that him what street to go to and what exhibit to look for and the next thing you know he would be in the absolute wrong spot, dispatch him, telling 20-foot construction trailer. Three weeks before the show the 350-acre site is staked out, exhibit by exhibit, with baling twine and wooden stakes. Wickham and her field crew use tape measures and "the luck of the into small just sitting there," Wickham said. As opening day of the 1992 Empire Farm Days drew to a close, the last group of eye" to transfomi the field people boarded a bus to head back to parking lot in town where they had parked their cars. One gentleman in a the straw eager to house each exhibitor and their products. After this Melanie Wickham, Show Manager, in conference with a colleague. Dean David Call is at left. plots hat with bib overalls and to a a cane mumbled his wife about what Farm tedious task has been completed the contracted tent company, Lafayette Tent and Awning out of Indiana, assembles many of the tents that will plots. Finally, for the three cover good job the Empire Days show staff did these of the days show in early August, 100,000 people Seneca Falls. Wickham states dealing with the rain and mud. The sun peeked through a cloud to make its first appearance in days. Exhibitors dispersed, leaving their exhibits for a glorious din ner paid for by their company's expense account. It was ball, taking a proactive approach to flock that to five o'clock, quitting time everything." Wickham stated that her throughout this she is "busy". "It for most of the work force. Wickham and much work to job is a bit doesn't slow down until all of the ment is equip different than that of a nine-to-five office "There are certain things you have to do at certain times, regardless of weather or any other circumstance that may arise. You can plan and prepare but you never job. moved off of the site, my office is put back together in Stanley and the many thank you notes have been writ ten, her staff though, had cleaning up the mess downpour. "Here's to crew do after a an afternoon one as long night," another member said their to usually the end of September." clanged another know what is actually going to happen until you are in the middle of it." She noted, "The stress level is comparable to any other job but it concentrated time." comes in such a experi ences as manager of Empire Fann Days happened on the first day of the show, August 4, 1992. Wickham stated that the week before the show, Seneca Falls had been One of her most memorable Pepsi cans and piece of cold pizza they grabbed for on their dinner break. The word of the first may have been day mud, but the word of the 1992 Empire Fami Days was success. ■ dumped plans on as by heavy she had at to rainfall. Her make alter Many people do not realize the magni tude of the planning that goes into the three day show. Wickham, who is also Executive Secretary of the Empire State Potato Club, Inc., is busy with various publications and meetings associated with the Potato Club throughout the fall and winter months. Empire Farm Days, though, is her major concern. Through out January and February she is busy compding information into an organized packet that is mailed to prospective ex hibitors. This mailing is generally sent out in late March or early April to past exhibitors and any prospects who fit the criteria of the show. "We try to preserve the favorable agricultural image the show carries job intensified native cars. for parking the show-goers' point as by Karen Wickham '94 She stated that that it was obvious that the fields used lots parking more might on not withstand much scene rain. She observed this early in the morning in the opening day 1992. the north stomi a "As I sat golf see cart in parking our lot I could the rolling way and I had to make move to decision on the plan B which was show-goers cars' off site. the spot to parking all of This was the first time in the 59 years of the show that this type of circumstance had come up and it was major," she said laughing. "Now when I look back I see tiiat every thing was a went by only allowing agriculturally our the smoothly, so, of course, it right choice but at the time I was related exhibits into the show. Since main ment concern is to provide farmers with the most innovative techniques and equip tempt within the industry we must at to keep within this boundary," bit worried." Another memorable inci happened in her first year with Empire Fami Days in 1986. "The Monday before the show, one of the dent she cited most Wickham stated. beginning The first contract mailing marks the of a chaotic five months for hectic days, we found out that one of the forklift operators was illiterate." She noted that this was quite a problem since he couldn't read the printed map of For the past six years Empire Farm held on this 350-acre site. Days has been 11 ELVIS HAS GOTTEN INTO THE EXER- during strenuous exercise. student Pauline Entin can study the ef fects of exercise. Entin 's lab, which doubles as her of fice and a home to around a dozen Eyeball Freckles. They are sheep that spend their days walking on a treadmill so graduate cise craze. So have Scooter, and While die mother sheep is running on two the treadmill, Mottola is looking for blood flow to the fetus primary things: and temperature of the fetus. Entin said that blood flow to the fetus during exer lower than the normal cise is usually flow, which has obvious physiological ongoing sheep, actually studies on the effects of exercise. She, is to home three repercussions. However, Entin said the along of the with David Robertshaw, chairman physiology department in the Col of Veterinary Medicine, and Richard are looking for the biological that triggers the body's cardiovas signal lege E. Rawson go and now, cular system into high gear. "When you actually look for the signal that tells the brain 'O.K., we're exercising you better get oxygen consump tion up,' it's ready hard to find," Entin said. She is also not that signal what scientists investigating whether or is "hard-wired," which is call any innately known at biological system versity of the minute of birth. at Professor MicheUe Mottola of the Uni Western Ontario, is looking the effects of exercise on fetal develop ment. Specifically, Mottola is examining the rate relative effect of the blood loss on fetal the of blood flow to the fetus whde development results have is not known yet as are other parts of the body indicate that they in high need of blood. "When you're Entin not been analyzed. exercising," said, "there's more of a The fetal temperature also has reper cussions on further development. "It can demand for blood. The fetus is where in the said the some be detrimental if the ferns gets Entin said. too hot," hierarchy," although Entin legs wdl get the highest priority The only way a fetus can lose heat is Above: Pauline Entin is feeding Elvis and Eyeball some food to give them energy for their workouts. In order for this research to be accurate, the sheep have to be kept healthy in many ways. A few sheep look on in the background anxiously awaiting their meal. Right: Eyeball is running on the treadmill that measures how quickly she is breathing and the amount of C02 and water that is released. This apparatus is quite similar to those found in a gym, yet Pauline Entin, treadmill. a graduate student, and Eyeball the sheep share a friendly glance as Eyeball exits the accommodates the size of the sheep and has many attach ments. 12 - Sheepishly through the mother, so problem during exercise. is heat gain is a ever a message is a sent to a skeletal the — "If the mother muscle, heart any — hotter," Entin said. This can have severe repercussions tfthe fetus is too hot during a period of brain development. While it may be tough to measure hot, then the fetus is parallel message is sent to and lungs telling them what if increase in circulation is needed. However, Entin said that theory falls actual harm done to a fetus apart when you do "involuntary exer cise." Studies have been done to show that when ("How do you test a sheep's memory?" Entin jested), there are some proteins too electrodes, tem released when the temperature is that may signify tissue damage. a muscle is stimulated by the autonomic nervous sys hot The results of experiments on fetal with respect to its mother's exercise becomes relevant to humans when you consider the number of preg development still increases heart rate and blood flow in response to that exercise. Entin said researchers all over the coun try are looking for the mechanism that creates stand how the this response. "Once you under something works," she ex go back and look at nant women are in the workforce. "Women not necessarily leaving their jobs until plained, "you can pathologies." they go into labor. We need to know what the effect will be, especially of doing something like waiting tables or exercising while you're eight months preg nant," Entin said. look at pregnant sheep, Elvis (a female sheep who was named after a bad shearing job left her with sideburns) and her compan to So, in the name of science, Elvis, Eye ball, Scooter and Freckles all exercise on a treadmill (sometimes researchers monitor unwdlingly) whde physiological re While Mottola continues sponses to various stimuli. While all these studies are taking place, Elvis and friends becoming cally fit sheep are some of the most ■ physi in the world. ions continue to exercise on the tread mill while Entin looks for the signal that tells the heart and lungs to increase blood by J. Eric Docktor '94 flow. A logical theory states that when %^^/Sftx^. -^IH^- rSS] ■ A mother sheep and her one-week-old lambs look on with curiosity. 13 rimming the Fat YOU ARE IN A PLEASANT RESTAURANT well-founded nutritional reasons for but it requires more careful planning." scanning the menu before dinner.The idea of a well cooked sirloin steak sounds delicious, but you remember the warn avoiding limit the portion ate meat in the diet, but we should size that we eat." Associ H. Professor in Animal Science and Food Donald have a such as vitamin B-12 must come from an animal source (such as meat, eggs or milk), since they do not Some nutrients, exist in ings, "Don't eat too much red meat!" You a Science Beermann said, is a plants. Other nutrients, such are as order chef salad. When the salad ar rives, it is drowned in dressing which in fact contains more fat than the lean steak, which you could have ordered. The 1992 Statistical Abstract of the United States, published by the Depart ment "People fatty food, perception a that meat the minerals zinc and iron which is tation." However, the meat broad misrepresen industry has of retail an decreased the fat and most meat content cuts products in attempt to of Commerce, shows an overad decrease in the per capita consumption of red meat in the United States between 1970 and 1990. consume Although one should not satisfy consumer demands for leaner meat. According to Beermann, a greater variety of lean meat and low fat meat products exists today than ever before. Meat provides an excellent source of protein and many of the essential vita mins and minerals required in the hu man are plants, but are more readdy they come from meat. In addition, meat also contains a high concentration of protein, although it does not contain as much as some bean products. However, according to Beermann the average adult in the United States sumes more more present in utdized when con protein than necessary, but the average adult also much fat. Meat products importantly, too hardly cause diet. People generally seem to view red meat as unhealthy, which according to Dennis Miller PhD 78, a professor of food science and nutrition, is not sarily the case. He stated, "There neces are no much red meat, there is to exclude it from one's consumes too diet. Furthemiore, these nutrients in a readily accessible source when meat. not present the only reason for this discrepancy. Beermann stated, "For ex ample, in nuts there is a higher percent do present in ents in a Miller stated, "It is cer tainly possible to get the essential nutri compared age of calories that come from fat, as to lean meats. The facts are well balanced vegetarian diet there, but the public perception is differ ent." Miller considers one means to portion control as prevent this disparity be tween what people need and what they consume. "A 12- to 16-ounce steak is not such is a good idea, more three-ounce serving appropriate," he said. a Food Guide A Guide to Pyramid Daily Food Choices The United States Department of Agri culture (USDA) recently recommended that people limit the fat in their diets to Fats, Oils, & Sweets Q Fat (naturally and added) USE SPARINGLY occurring □ Sugars (added) Th«se symbols show fats, oils, and added sugars in foods. 30 percent of their total caloric intake. To these consumer demands, the fat content in meat has changed dramati cally in the last 10 years. Beermann re ferred to surveys conducted between satisfy Milk, Yogurt, & Cheese Group 2-3 SERVINGS Meat, Poultry, Fish, Dry Beans, Eggs, & Nuts 1990 and 1992 which showed that pork has 31 percent less fat and beef has 20 to 25 percent less fat than was present 10 Group 2-3 SERVINGS Fruit Today, workers trim retad cuts closely to remove much of the fat. In addition, meat animals today, espe cially beef cattle, simply have a lower fat content diroughout their body than was years ago. more Group 2-4 SERVINGS present 40 years ago. Additionally, consumers can also choose between various cuts of meat that contain different fat concentrations. Processed meats such as salami, bolo Bread, Cereal, Rice, & Pasta Group 6-11 gna, breakfast sausage and some kinds of hamburger are high in fat, while a round roast, for example, contains rela SERVINGS retad tively little fet. However. Beemiann suited, 'If one takes a composite profile of all cuts of meat, they contain onlv 14 from Meat seven to nine percent fat on average." If someone is concerned about the level of production level change in the fat there is content an impressive of the animals fat in the diet. Miller stated, "One does not need to give up meat, just control the portion size, choose 'select grades' and trim the fat." In 1992. the USDA made significant a changes in the to stmcture of that go to market. Beef animals of the 1950s were extremely fat; today's ani mals are much leaner due to government recommendations and public demand." Some of the techniques that research ers recom use to produce leaner meat include mended diet insure adequate nutri tion, minimize fat intake and control the breeding superior animals, improving the animals' diets ments levels of sugar and salt. Researchers re placed die idea of "four basic food groups" with die a and to match nutrient require using compounds which im prove the metabolic ent use efficiency One can of nutri "food guide pyramid". at as Food prod for growth. breed and ucts are described different levels of to pyramid they tion that diey the propor should represent in the relate diet. The bread, cereal, rice and pasta group lies at the base of the pyramid where one servings. fruit and At the next level needs the greatest number of one finds the group. The next genetically select for animals that natu rally use nutrients more efficiently by producing muscle tissue instead of stor ing nutrients as fat. In addition, one can "fine nine" animal diets so that they gain muscle as quickly and efficiently as pos sible without consuming a excess energy. vegetable up includes dairy products, try, fish, dry beans, eggs and at level meat, nuts. poul Finally group of scientists in the United Kingdom discovered that Beermann said that the top one finds the sweets which one should fats, oils and use sparingly. guide pyra mid", the USDA emphasizes that each group provides nutrients required for a healthy diet, and that no one level is more important than another. An additional way to limit the quantity In the brochure for the "food published nutritional re for pigs were incorrect and quirements that intake of specific amino acids, or total protein intake was deficient for some some of the Today we are seeing leaner cuts of meat compared to those of ten years ago. modern genotypes. ducted firmed by Dean Boyd Experiments con in the Department at food-bome dlness, not chemical residues. Last year out of the 400,000 analyses of Animal Science here these results. Beermann stated that Corned con conducted for chemical residues in poul In addition, of fat in the diet is consume. to reduce the concen pork carcass today the average consists of 46 to 50 percent try and livestock, only 0.36 percent were in violation. This was mostly the result of inadequate holding ter. We time before slaugh tration of the fat in meat that people Although come tremendous reduc tions have simply trimming the retad cuts more closely, there are other more sophisticated approaches as well. According to Beermann, the eco nomic incentives to explore different options only re-emerged in the last five years. Today a producer receives pay ment through a price scheme that is based a from muscle, percent bone and 30 percent but it is possible to have 60 percent fat, muscle. He believes that, "There is a lot 11 need effort to help tremendous educational consumers understand the a safety of these technologies, and it will of latitude diet." improve pork carcass com position simply through genetics and the to be difficult." the Through a variety of new technologies meat industry has responded to con demands for leaner be able as a Another means to improve lean muscle of sumer meat. How growth are lies in the a use products which ever, Beemiann to pointed out that, "People to metabolism modifiers. However it need track sources of fat in often takes on the composition of the animal; premium is paid for leaner animals. Beermann explained that a great source of inefficiency occurred in the past, when animals were or long period of time for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to approve the use of compounds devel oped for use in animal production. In addition, sumers their diet cumulative effect as on a daily and basis, one not just one food is good a food is bad. There is also great need for universities through not their exten Beemiann believes that con sion programs to educate the public." have a fed libitum "to a grain-based diet ad appetite" so they could often use strongly or new resist the idea of Although ounce one should 16- chemical food that erate quickly causes achieve market weight. This production. He technologies in cited the example a excess than is more energy consumption, needed for rapid muscle, bone some consumer groups will not tol to and organ growth. The animals then fat converted much of their feed into trimmed which would subsequently get Miller stated, "At the off after slaughter. large used surface irradiation of food on scale even though it was proven days a week, there is no need to swear off pork chops for the rest of your life. Beermann sensibly stated, "Moderation is still the best policy." m steak five be effective and on safe, and is currently stated, of cause strawberries. Beemiann are "Bacteria the number one by Daniel W. Simon '93 i- A Trip to PANAMA DURING THE 1993 FALL SEMESTER A both undergradu group of 13 students, ate and graduate, met to discuss ways to study various the wdd. Led neotropical organisms in by Professor Steve Emlen and Professor Paul Sherman, both of whom are in the Section of Neurobiol ogy and Behavior, the students prepared projects and experiments that they would use later when they went to Panama for an eleven-day field excursion. to the funds received from the of Arts and Sciences, each mem College ber of the course Neotropical Field Be Thanks havior On to pay $100 for the trip. 11, 1993 the class flew to January only had Panama. After landing in Panama City the group travelled to a nearby town called Gamboa. They were told that they would be were staying a in an old abandoned worst. school house and feared the "We ■ ^^^ —_ — ML a expecting rundown old place," said Banett Klein '93- "However, the schoolhouse turned out to be quite spa cious and nice for it had recently been Roland Kays '93 examines break in January 1993. spider, one of the group's many encounters, while in Panama overwinter renovated Cornellians by the Smithsonian." These the at were a the first semester to stay in the the trip. "Everyone was either looking up sky for birds or looking at the for ceived dent experimental designs. During the eleven-day stay each was stu budding. the class field After was of to planning, ground bugs." able to study each of the four finally ready were was go into the to to test their ideas. used examine Two main sites field, the students applied the experiments they had designed in the classroom, and they hoped they would be able to Once in the organisms that were chosen by the group. While in the field, the group would split up and One gather information. the wildlife. One the Pipeline Road and figure out how to correct their tropical moist forest that the road penetrated. The other was a site located on the Chagres River, not far from the Panama Canal. Every day the diverse group of stu dents who had interests ranging from failed experiments. "The idea behind the trip was to go into the field with your preplanned preconceptions for the con ducting of behavioral research," said Klein, "and face the consequences so that you are surprise the group encountered while in the field involved the social spiders (Anelosimus eximuius). While the members of the group had prepared experiments for this organism whde in Ithaca, they did herpetology (the study amphibians), venture see of or to insects reptdes and birds, would was the spot and make alterations to your designs and plans." Several factors, like inclement weather, to on forced work finding the creatures off into the wild. "It However, while Road, members of the group noticed hope of during their stay. walking along Pipeline so with little a funny to the Klein, the group walking to a site," said one of the students who went on inability to locate an organism of study, and the unexpected appearance of predators could affect these precon huge hammock-shaped web. This dis some covery enabled the students to try of their experiments. 16 * . Yf5'^ K-:^.4$*, ^f^s^M ^£^^~ -*■- -^j'c-rs^v*^ Two Cornell students, Jim Dale and Betsy Warden, navigating a canoe, look into were an interesting contrast to those found in the United States. a field at many of the native creatures that live in Panama. These Another organism that was was studied bringing rate back vegetation to their elabo on to capture to a female and try to better golden collared manakin. With this organism, the group was limited to mainly observational research rather than manipulative. The reason was that there was a low sample size and the bird appeared infrequently. One organism that was not scarce was the the leaf "While could a and which complex fungal gardens they feed." Students observed ant understand its behavior. When unable do so, they were the traffic patterns of the behavioral patterns. The other was and various was traps and cage Each they had to alter the designs. However, they one a still couldn't catch of the birds. organism that studied To out night, after long day day's in the at the polyandrous to wattled jacana. field, the group would get together dinner and talk about the "One of the most study on this bird, the group would go the a work. cutter ant (Atta columbica). said Klein "one ants motorboats walking around," line of the consisted of tion on see a tree or walking gathering debris from the ground, off of which study site, which patch of floating vegeta the jacana lay their eggs. for their experiment was did was pool our important things we ideas and thoughts," said Klein. "There with different The main goal were so many people backgrounds who offered insight and new approaches to the stud ies of the organisms," said Klein. Roland went to Kays '93, another student who Panama, said that both under graduate and graduate students benefited immensely from the class. Undergradu ates who plan on going into the field of biological research got an idea of what type of research is being done in the neotropics while graduate students were able to get started on their own research. Kays also said that just the actual research was exploring that the group did in the area. "It was important for us to see this part of important as the hiking and as the world since we are interested in preserving it." ■ This white school house served as the "hotel" for the students while staying in Panama, to. Irom the Holiday Inns many were used a slight variation J_ hy Qhf jc BeattV '94 > 17 A S'LCKIBT QMRp'EDt IN A SECLUDED COURTYARD WITHIN the Plant Science building, there is a secret garden. garden is situated in the The secret southeast wing of Plant Science, hidden behind the conservatory and greenhouses which line Tower Road. One can only access seems the to area by be a tool shed either entering what near Plant or through an building's basement. Once long ago, the secret garden was a haven for hundreds of exotic plant specimens. In 1993 however, having un dergone more than 60 years of weather ing and neglect, the garden is wilting. Its plants are overgrown and species diver sity is rapidly declining. In addition, the wads of the courtyard are cracking, the Science's southeast wing, obscure door in the lintels at the first floor windows are se The secret garden is nestled in the courtyard located in the center of the Plant Science action is being taken to preserve it. building. Currently verely rusted and garden's brickwork many joints in the have opened. Fortunately, Marcy has been to assess Porter Sylvester '82 Sylvester's father — Charles Porter '56. given the unique opportunity the condition of the secret Charles Porter added that his father budt ponds, bridges Gardens which and dams for the old Test ran garden and to make recommendations regarding how it can be preserved and properly maintained in the future. The situation is unique because in 1932, it was Sylvester's own grandfather, the late Professor Joseph Pullman Porter '17, MLD '19 who was the original designer and landscaper of the garden. Professor Joseph Porter, of the Depart ment along areas also two designed small Fad Creek. He of Stewart and is at Dewitt Parks and Buttermdk Falls. Now, generations later, Sylvester tempting to restore and preserve areas many across grandfather the ag campus which her had originally created. of Floriculture and Ornamental Hor ticulture in the College was of Agriculture most active and Life Sciences, the landscape designer on campus through out his 27-year professorship at Cornell. Besides creating the secret garden in Plant Science, Porter also laid out and designed most of the trails around Beebe Lake and up through the New York State Professor Joseph Porter who designed the secret "The garden is unique in that it lies below ground level and is confined on all sides." garden in 1932. College of Human Ecology, according to IS singled Hall in out Plant Science and Wanen as v.--i%.'ft.ijfe-^.^M -A buildings which original ar chitectural splendor." Sylvester added, "It's outstanding that both buildings still have the original light globes from when they were built." Sylvester said she is hopeful that the two particular, still "maintain much of their Joseph Porter frequently used pergolas in his designs. This one is in the secret garden. University will take the necessary steps toward preserving such historical rarities. In this way, she said, the campus can continue to educate and inspire future generations of Cornellians. Sylvester also said the ag college's needs for expansion to comply with re strictions imposed by the new Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) "require cre ative solutions." However, Sylvester is confident that "in the future when Cornell is going to make changes, Cornell will maintain its Specifically, Sylvester tural is an architec garden's plantings preservationist and a graduate of the New York-based R.E.S.T.O.R.E Ma sonry Preservation Skills Program. Presendy, she is working for Wank Adams grow in the cold Ithaca climate. Professor Mower has cited to sensitivity the old to the old build for instance, that the garden houses En glish ivy (Hedera helix) and the only Albizzia (a rare genus) on campus. plantings." If all goes as planned, the information Sylvester has gathered wdl be applied to to a ings and Slavin Associates (WAS A), a New York Sylvester assessment City-based architecture, engineering and preservation firm, which in conjunction with Sasaki Associates, has been con tracted by the College of Agriculture and scaping, as has already completed her of the condition of the land well as her assessment of the Master Plan representing the ideal de velopment of the ag campus for the 2010. Maybe then Sylvester wdl be to year able interiors and exteriors of the buildings continue to admire the elaborate and Life Sciences assessment to perform the ag an in-depth throughout the quad. WASA will soon be recommending appropriate methods of restoration and preservation to the Uni versity in June. Despite the deterioration of parts of of the conditions of the build on ings and sites include Porter's secret quad. These sites garden. uniquely diverse landscape and architec ture throughout the ag campus and be proud that her own famdy had a hand not only in its creation, but in its preser — vation as well. ■ Although Sylvester aims to preserve many of her grandfather's original cre ations throughout campus, Sylvester said she "hopes Corned wid be able to pre serve all of its wonderful gardens." Sylvester named many sites such as the Cornell quad, such as the garden designed by her grandfather, Sylvester stressed that the "majority of the ag buddings are actually still in good condition." She the by Marc A. Merlis '94 Plantations, the Andrew Dickson White and the Minns Garden which she feels "must continue to be gardens maintained because they serve as living laboratories for the plant identification classes, and are loved for both their historical and sentimental Sylvester den as one cited her significance." grandfather's gar campus which such site on "deserves preservation attention, specifi cally because the garden [fosters] an ex tremely unique growing climate." "According to Professor Robert Mower [of the Department of Floriculture and Ornamental Horticulture]," said Sylvester, "the garden is unique in that it lies below ground level and This structure to warm is confined a on all sides." which in allows for the freeze/thaw cycle turn courtyard, allows for an unusually large diver sity of flora to thrive there. It would otherwise be impossible for many of the Marcy Sylvester, sitting in a natural environment, similar to the one she wants to preserve has grown to enjoy these "secret gardens ". She is documenting areas on the ag quad. at Cornell. She 19 ncenter Working ALMOST TEN YEARS AGO SCIENCE teachers Debbie Levin and lima Levine of Idiaca had a dream: that students of all to ex ages would have the opportunity perience the wonderful world of science. Their dream took form when the Sci a and Hand explained. summer demand, and we had to grow." moving several times from do nated storefront to donated storefront, lot of After environmental engineering. Many of the museum's more than 2,000 volunteers are somehow affiliated with the Univer the Sciencenter has grown its manent home. so much that a sity, '92, Trautmann supporters decided it needed per encenter opened shop in an abandoned Today, greatly spuned unteer on by the vol downtown Ithaca storefront in 1983- goal was simple create a non community-based organization that profit, would provide exciting hands-on exhib — Their its and to continuing educational outreach the Ithaca community. And it has worked beyond their wild dreams. "When we efforts of Corned students, faculty and staff, Ithaca's first hands-on science museum, the largest of its kind, is poised to open the doors to a $1 midion facdity on Route 13 designed by local architects Robert S. Leathers Associates. "It's not a JuUe Arnitz biology major in the Col lege of Agriculture and Life Sciences who is now pursuing a master's degree in science education. As an undergraduate, Arnitz devoted an entire summer to plan a One of those volunteers is former ning science-related activities for elemen tary all school-aged campers. Arnitz said she would definitely do it Cornell est . started, we didn't as draw on the organization, but we resources of Cornell," said again. "I loved it," she said. "I had the opportunity to work one-on-one with kids of all different ages, and envision it would be it has a as well-received been," Levine explained. "But after was Charles H. Trautmann PhD '83, execu tive director of the Sciencenter and a Corned research associate in civd and personadties backgrounds." chddren, Arnitz focused couple of years, we realized there For younger ie Sciencenter building is located downtown and is being built bv many volunteers from the community, as well as volunteers from Cornell Un iversity. 20 Cornell: in Hand on simple activities, such as the aerody namics of paper airplanes or the chemis try of making butter. Older campers budt toothpicks and marshmalexperimented with the various acids and bases commonly found in the kitchen cupboard. All age groups partici pated in odier activities, such as making green slime as a lesson in polymers. Arnitz praised the Sciencenter's broadbased appeal. "They're really bringing bridges lows and science to the with Other volunteers from the College's community getting ev eryone involved, not just a certain seg — Department of Education recall similar experiences. During the fall 1992 semes ter, several education students fulfilled their field work requirement by teaching participation goes beyond teaching. Department of Communication students have earned credit by putting their skills to But student work. One class did and a "great ment of the population." planning the She added that while the science of sound activities could be difficult at times, see ing the excitement in the campers' eyes made the experience worthwhde. "It was hard, but definitely enthusiasticady explained. was it worth it," she to third graders at a nearby elementary school. According to graduate student Cary Capurso, the students worked with the Sciencenter to develop a curriculum for the first part of the semester, then put the theory into practice by visiting the school once a job" researching designing the museum's membership brochure, while another developed a three-year public relations plan, Trautmann said. Students interested in science writing worked to develop a system for writing the signs to explain the museum's exhib its. Assistant Prof. Bruce Lewenstein, who headed the project, said the work "fit every social, personal and professional interest I could find." He ing week for the semester's remain seven weeks. Projects included al students to use lowing stethoscopes as a to added, "Ithaca a listen for their own heartbeats lesson is my son community. use I have six-year-old making music from glasses filled with varying amounts of water as a lesson in pitch. "It really was a great experience," Capurso said. "It was a good opportunity It made to help out the community. Cornell look good, too." Capurso's group was advised by Prof. ... in directed sound and who will wanted to help the Sciencenter, and I ensure it would be there for him." Students in the Codege of Agriculture and Life Sciences are not the only ones to contribute to the Sciencenter. According to Trautmann, a class in entrepreneur- ship the in the School of Hotel Administra Wdliam S. Carlsen, himself an active vol unteer for the Sciencenter. Carlsen, for merly the chairperson and stid a member tion used its skills to raise donations for museum. In addition, several classes of the museum's Education and Out reach Committee, sees the Sciencenter as an College of Engineering have de veloped exhibits. The ever-changing nature of the mu in the seum makes it easier for all students to become involved in short-term projects. "So much of what students can bring is ideal opportunity for his students. "The way the Sciencenter is set up invites student participation," Carlsen said. In the case of the education department, and earn by definition transient," "It is a Carlsen explained. to A volunteer from Alpha Phi Omega takes part in the painting of trim around a window. fulfill requirements credit while furthering the Sciencenter's educational mission. Levine called student volunteers the "backbone" students can lot easier for a student volunteer Cornell for two weekends full time rather than was every Thursday for two years." Because the newly-built museum of the Sciencenter's outreach program. planned as an expansion of an existing 21 TheSc and C "Cornellians have been involved with every aspect of the Sciencenter, from knocking down contribute to the museum's advi board—Prof. Carl Sagan, Prof. Emeri sory names tus Hans Bethe, a Nobel Laureate, Presi dent Emeritus Dale Corson, for whom Corson Hall is named, outgoing Dean of Faculty for Academic Programs Affairs Larry Palmer. The Sciencenter has Walter Lynn and Vice President and Campus walls to teaching elementary stu dents." come a long way beginnings in an aban doned storefront. "It's really not our ac complishment anymore," Levine said, speaking of herself and Levin. "It be longs to the entire community." from its humble Without a doubt, Cornellians have been to instrumental the continual the Sciencenter. Co-founder Levine exist if Cornell growth of readdy admits that the Sciencenter would not were not here both she — down there," said Robert Stevens '94, project chairperson for Alpha Phi Omega. i-ctot^'- "a;ia and Levin are in Ithaca because their Robert Stevens paints a window. though people won't know that we're the ones who painted that ceiling or wall, they'll see the freshly painted "Even husbands are Corned faculty members. "If we were in a larger city, we prob ably wouldn't need a large research uni walls and abandoned labor the even was appreciate the work that went versity nearby," Trautmann concluded. "But in a city the size of Ithaca, without those resources building, to needed intensive volunteer empty and prepare into it." [Corned provides] we we Besides the and budding before the Sciencenter could be budt. Much of that work lent physical work of budding maintaining a community museum, couldn't do what do." ■ itself to student participation. many Cornell-affiliated Ithacans have given their time and money in support of Cornell fraternities have been active in every stage of the new budding's demo the Sciencenter's mission. Many famdiar by Dineen Pashoukos '94 lition and renovation. Members of Delta Upsdon fraternity last spring helped with emptying the old budding and preparing it for reconstruction. "They came down with crowbars and sledgehammers and spent a weekend basiling walls," Trautmann recalled. Members of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fra uted to the structed ternity and other students also contrib budding process. In all, 95 percent of the budding has been con by volunteers, Trautmann said, are many of whom in connected with the the University way. Most recently, members of Alpha Phi Omega, a coeducational service frater nity on campus, have volunteered to put some finishing touches on the structure. Armed with sandpaper and paintbmshes, students worked for several weekends in February 1993 to help ready the museum for its projected late spring "We put on opening. gathered up our work clothes, gloves and jeans and tromped Cornell students volunteer their time to hammer away toward the completion of the students put away the books for the afternoon to help a great cause. Sciencenter Thp 22 ctnuiv CAPSULES New Associate Deans Two new Plant Biology The Plant Division new Has New Director Biology Section of the of Biological Sciences has a a Appointed director. Peter J. Davies, associate deans in the Geneva Station Scientists Honored Three members of Cornell Univer sity's New York State Agricultural College Agriculture and Life Sciences assumed their positions recently. Brian Chabot became College's associate dean, while the of professor of plant physiology in College of Agriculture and Life the Sciences, has written several books and has had over 80 articles pub lished in scientific journals. In Experiment Station in Geneva were honored with national awards in December of 1992 by the American Ronnie Coffman assumed the post of associate dean for research. Phytopathogical Society on — a sional society of scientists profes working is the Chabot was formerly the director of research in the College of plant diseases. Herb Aldwinckle, who at chainnan of the plant pathology Experi a department ment the Geneva was Station, elected Fellow Agriculture and Life Sciences. He replaced Kenneth Wing '54 on December 1, 1992. Wing left Cornell to become the president of Cobleskill Agriculture and Technical College of the State University of New York. addition, he is the editor of the professional journal Plant Growth Regulation. Davies teaches classes on plant functions and plant growth that are geared for horticulture, agriculture biology students alike. As well teaching and writing, Davies is currently studying the effects of different hormones on plant growth and stem development. as and of the Society. The honor recognizes achievements in outstanding Coffman, a Aldwinckle 's work in plant pathol ogy. At the Geneva Station, Aldwinckle has worked on develop and breeding and college, was also named director Cornell's Agricultural Experiment Station in Ithaca. The station's professor of plant biometry in the ag of Davies has had success with his studies in the past; one of his former research projects resulted in a patent on a process that extends the shelf life of tomatoes from an average of four or five days to an ing new varieties of apples are major apple rootstocks that resistant to diseases. Helene Dillard received the responsibility is to fund programs throughout the University, although it favors the statutory colleges. average of 10 to 12 days. Society's Extension Award for Robert R. excellence in extension plant on Population Program Takes New the First Palm Scientist Chosen Granados, a virologist at and director of Plant Protection the pathology. Dillard, professor, control of an associate has concentrated Direction The Population Program and has new and Development director Boyce Thompson Institute for Plant Research, was named the first Charles E. Palm Scientist. well as vegetable diseases as biological and ecological was is under a new direction. concerns. Wayne Wilcox awarded the Ciba-Geigy Award for plant patholo gists who have made contributions to the study and control of plant diseases. Wilcox, also an associate professor, in apples, cherries, peaches, straw berries and raspberries. Jerry Uyemoto, a former mem ber of the Geneva department of plant pathology (from 1968 to 1977), received the Hutchins award has worked with diseases Douglas Gurak, a professor of rural sociology, became the new director last fall. Since taking over, he has oriented the program's efforts towards sub-Saharan Africa, which Gurak sees as a region with rich cultural and social heritage. Gurak says sub-Saharan Africa is often portrayed by the media as a war-torn, drought-ridden area, but he sees more to on Granados has focused his career the biological control of insects. he has edited three Over 90 of his articles have been published, books and has delivered upwards of 150 lectures around the world. He is currently researching the ability control insect pests through the of viruses. The endowed to use position was it than those broad created with funds provided by the Agway Foundation of Syracuse, for advances in virus diseases of fruit crops. This is the third year in a row that the award has gone to someone who has been affiliated with the Geneva Experiment Station. generalizations. Previously, the its efforts on program focused Latin America and, to a N.Y., along with an anonymous gift. The post is named after the former dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Palm currently serves as an adviser to the institute's current lesser extent, Asia. But the focus began to shift with the arrival of Gurak and several other population president, Ralph W. F. specialists in the 1980s. Hardy. 23 ISAAC P. a ROBERTS on HALL HAS LEFT quite mark the history quad. Roberts Had was along Tower Road at the southern end of the quad. The building was a site of education, inspiration and beauty to campus. Then in 1990, faced the pressures of College increasing needs for expansion, Roberts of the ag first built in 1904 MANN LIBRARY IVISION ACQUISITIONS Comedians as across the Hall was torn down, leaving a space once on the quad where the huge open budding — stood. Meanwhile the old Roberts replaced by the new one this time along Garden Avenue on the west side of the quad. The new budding in the Hall was new From left to right, Stone, Roberts and East Roberts halls as they stood in 1904. Each connected to the one next to it by straight, covered walkways. building was location, along with adjacent now Kennedy Hall, provides space for administration, landscape architecture, communication and education classes and offices. Roberts Hall stdl maintains a grandeur from years ago. ■ Landscapes digging holes to plant trees behind the auditorium of Roberts Hall, circa 1904. Roberts Reincarnate Roberts Hall as it stands today. The new quad Roberts Hall stands along Garden Avenue at the western end of the All that was stages of tearing down the left of Roberts Hall after the initial building in iggg New York State College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, a Statutory College of the State University, at Cornell Un iversity A MAGAZINE OF AND ABOUT THE PEOPLE OF THE NEW YORK STATE COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE AND LIFE SCIENCES s 1 \LBERT R. MANf LIBRARY JUN 1 8 19b j ACA, NY 14853 Contents 3 An Apple Way a Day — Made Just 12 Bridge to the Past Your Chris Beatty '94 Dineen M. Pashoukos '94 14 The Evolving Dairy Industry 6 in the Bug Business Daniel W. Simon '93 Mary Kate Conroy '94 Big 16 7 Detecting the Bad Apples Karen Wickham '94 International Research: Separate and Unequal E. Kurt Lienau '95 18 Ninety Years of Sheep OntheFarm 8 Dietre D. Richael '95 Meeting the Needs of Migrant Workers Antonio Belen Santana '93 20 Futures Shock J. Eric Docktor '94 About the Issue The College of Agriculture and Life was Sci 10 ences bring state the latest originally founded to help technology to New York George Hudler: Fungi Marc A. Merlis '94 A Really 24 Does Anyone Know? E. Kurt Lienau '95 farmers. In this issue, the Country man takes a look at the fami, past and present, and what Cornell has done to help with technological advances in the farming process. First, we'll study changes in apple farming techniques, following one family as it mns an orchard over three generations. Next, we'll examine the latest advances in pest control, Inte grated Pest Management (IPM). We'll also look at the plight of migrant fann workers, and study the evolution of the dairy industry. Then, we'll see how the Editors Marc A. Merlis Dineen M. Pashoukos .CORNELL COUNTRYMAN April/May Art Director Antonio Belen Santana 1993 Volume LXXXX Number 6 19 — Courtesy of Douglas at — E. Hogue, Dept. of technology allows farmers to de produce quickly and easily. Finally, we'll leam about futures trading, the newest way to invest in agricultural latest tect Daniel W. Simon Photography Editor J. Eric Docktor bruised Cornell University, Beth Ann Fisher; pp. 20, 21, 22 Knight-Ridder Financial Publishing; p. 21 Shearson Lehman Bros.; p. 22—J. Eric Docktor. Animal Science — Assistant Editors Chris Beatty Layout Staff Dietre D. Richael Karen Wickham The Cornell E. Kurt Lienau Countryman a (ISSN 0010-8782) is published May and crops. year from October through (combined issues for January and February, six times of April and May) by the New York State College Agriculture and Life Sciences, 324 Kennedy 14853. Note: Daniel W. Simon '93 served as Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y. photo Editorial Staff Chris E. Second class postage paid at Ithaca, New York 14853. Printed by Union Press Co. Inc. of Endicott. Kate Marc editor for the January/February 1993 issue. Beatty, Mary Lienau, Conroy, J. Eric Docktor, Subscription Rates: Si 2.00 a year; $24.00 for two A. Merlis, Dineen M. Richael, Antonio Belen Santana, Daniel W. Simon, Karen Wickham. Kurt Pashoukos, Dietre D. years. Postmaster: Send Cornell Countryman, 324 change of address to Kennedy Hall. Cornell University, Ithaca. N.Y. 1 (853. Editorial content gathered ment and written '12. of Communication. Picture Credits: Pp. 3, 4 t, ward L. of 5 — Courtesy Joseph Nicholson Jr.; pp. Dineen Pashoukos; p. 6 University Pho — — — — Bernays Hardy '53, Robin by majors in the Depart Honorary editor: Ed Faculty advisors: Jane E. Moss Hinchcliff. tography, IPM Labs Inc.; pp. 8, 9 University Photography; pp. 10, 11 Kent Loeffler, Jane E. Hardy, Courtesy of George W. Hudler; pp. 12, 13 — Courtesy of Grant Musser; p. — 14 — NY State College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Cornell University; p. 15 Richard Ginn; pp. 16, 17 Karen Wickham; p. 18—John P. Williams; p. — It is ihe policy ol Cornell University actively to support equality of educational and employment opportunity. No person shall be den.ed admission ... any educational program or activity or be denied employment on the bas,s of any legally prohibited discrimination involving, hut not hm,i,.,i , i nmiicii to. .such .• factors as race. , ii color, creed, religion, national or ethnic origin sex sexual preference, age, or handicap The Inix .',' , , ' maintenance^ affirmative' actio, pl^llS'T^ W'" the continuation of such ,l,tv I S opportunity. eou i ''' Z ni> oi Printed on recycled paper An Apple a ilade Just Your Way an FIFTY YEARS AGO, APPLE FARMING double that of years ago. in unpredictable endeavor. Large overshadowing trees would be grown from grafts on rootstock, taking ten or more years before producing usable fruit. was an Tall ladders cause were ing, and fruit quality the trees necessary for harvest was variable. Be so Today, thanks large part to agricultural advances developed at Cornell, New York state is second only to Washington in its apple production. The Nicholson family has witnessed this change. Since 1959, their Red Jacket Orchards in Geneva, N.Y. have been an old-style 90 acre fami to a technologically advanced op The and a pair, along with older brother younger sister, would be the third generation of Nicholsons to tend apple orchards. Their father, son, Joseph J. Nichol Jr., began learning his farming skills family moved to Geneva in 1959 when his took up much space, farmers often grazed sheep on the grasses surrounding the trees to supplement their income. About 600 bushels of apples per acre was considered a good yield. Today's apple orchard looks almost nothing like its counterpart a half-cen tury ago. Dwarf-style trees, though also built by grafting onto rootstock, yield sizable fruit in The compact a mere transfomied from eration employing 30 to 50 workers and room to spanning more than 340 acres, with expand in the coming years. an "Today, you almost need a PhD apple farmer," explained to be Mark Cornell's experiment station helps the Nicholsons stay on top of the latest two or three years. Nicholson '94. "The stereotype that farm ers are stupid yokels is absolutely false — technology. trees can be planted in you need to greater numbers than their old-time coun terparts, and produce better quality fruit genetics and chemistry vive in the understand economics, in order to sur from "It Harvesting longer requires large ladders, which consider ably reduces labor involved, and hence, no in a smaller space. major in the apple business." A pomology College of Agriculture and Long Island. was fascinating for to come me, a kid from reduces costs. And in farmer can count on a a good yield year, the of about Life Sciences, Mark is at Cornell to learn the latest advances in fruit science. His identical twin brother, Brian Nicholson '94, is an agricultural economics major here. If they decide to return to Red Long Island, fruit to upstate New- York," Joseph recalled recently. "I thought fanning would be the — gentleman's 1,000-2,000 bushels per acre, almost Jacket Orchards after graduation, they This photo shows a small portion of the Nicholsons' land at the Nicholsons' Farms store in Geneva, N.Y. plant a few trees, spend way to fami the winters in Florida. But it's heavily involved on a year-round basis." In hope their Cornell education will them lead the fami into the 21st help Century. fact, Joseph did not following in his father's always plan on footsteps. After m 3 An Apple cult a Day Made Just on Your Way at times. "Superimposing different each other it can relationships be very stressful," he said. "But beautiful, too." And he can be very jokes that even if his children to Red Jacket, decide against returning he can sell the farm for a large profit and become a world traveller. "I've always dreamed of having a passport with every on it." country in the world stamped While Joseph has not yet realized his dream of traveling the world, his apples have. The Nicholson farm ships 14 differ ent varieties of apples all over the world, including large markets in South America and Europe. Apples are also trucked all over the United States, and a small por tion is sold fresh at his on-site store. In all, Red Jacket ships about 120,000 bush This sign welcomes shoppers to the Nicholsons' Farms store. apples each year, totalling more than $2 million in sales. While that large figure is somewhat deceiving Joseph said most of the money generated from els of — at Cornell. The process allows farmers to Joseph Nicholson Jr. shows off some of the fruits of his labor. He is in the area where apples are sorted before they are put in boxes. sales is reinvested into equipment and personnel it reflects the scale of this — "medium sized" orchard. Joseph periment vances credits Cornell's Geneva Ex Station with much of the ad bring their apples to a "hibernated state" by removing most of the oxygen from the air and storing the fruit at nearfreezing temperatures. "We take them right on the edge of survival to ensure crispiness," Joseph explained. Freezing the apples would destroy the tissue struc ture of the fruit, making it mushy. But storage at room that have allowed his orchard to temperature also allows as can receiving work on a bachelors ics from Villanova degree in econom University, he went to grow. "Cornell research and training have been invaluable to the agricultural indus for poor quality apples, the New York return to Wall Street. He grew to dislike City hassle, and decided to Jacket. "Life's journey is funny. You think when you're a student you know you want to Red do something and it turns out to be what you expected," he said, explaining his decision to return to Geneva. "I don't think, for me, there is not "They help us profitable, competitive and environ mentally friendly." For example, the controlled atmo sphere storage process that allows Red Jacket and other orchards to sell freshtasting apples year-round was developed be try in this state," he said. rotting the apples' flesh. the agents in the air oxygen and break down Cornell scientists have worked since early 1900s to genetically improve apples. According to Dr. Susan Brown, a scientist and associate professor of horti cultural sciences at the Geneva Experi ment Station, the main goal of the breed- anything more rewarding [than manag ing Red Jacket]." Now, Joseph hopes some of his chil dren will follow in his footsteps and take over Red Jacket when it is his turn to retire — not to want but he makes a conscious effort force them into the role. "I don't someone here who doesn't want to I be here," he explained. "Above all, want some my children to be happy, and for that might be an off-fami career." tries to follow a nese Joseph said he philosophy Japa of family businesses. "You send them [his children] out to get the best education they can, and to work for the best," he said. "Then if they come back, they are very prepared top-notch business." He admits that to run a being your children's can boss as well as their father be diffi- ■i An Apple a Day Made Just Your Way The Nicholsons benefit from ing program is to produce excellent qual ity, profitable varieties with reduced reli ance on The was development of the of dwarf root stock being experi one most important steps located in the ment station. same town as the chemical control. To reach that goal, researchers combine classical breed ing techniques with genetic engineering towards modern orchards. The various varieties of apples are grafted onto spe Because Cornell's test or cially-developed techniques of on to maximize their likelihood success. project at the station is focusing mapping the genome of the common apple. In doing so, researchers hope to be able to identify markers for the genes that influence flavor, crispness, juiciness, browning and perhaps most importantly, resistance to disease. So far, researchers have discovered more than 400 genetic One roots, which force the tree to stay small. The old-time, naturally grown large trees were not conducive to producing large numbers of apples. Larger trees were "almost parasitic" on the apples growing cause the trunk of the tree, be the shading of the outer leaves did near not allow sufficient sunlight to reach fruit farm, Joseph said he can almost count on getting similar results when using new technologies developed at the station. Because the technology has improved so much, Joseph is more "businessman" than the stereotypical farmer. He con centrates on marketing Red Jacket pro duce, while working managers tend to are so near chards the Nicholsons' markers. The breeding program will use these markers to aid the development of apples resistant to the tree's four biggest en emies, apple scab, bacterial fire blight, cedar and mildew. Experi on another variety that has lower levels of the enzyme that causes the fruit to turn brown, she said. growing on the interior. Harvesting was also more difficult. In old orchards, trees reached heights of up to ten feet, and harvesters had to climb on precarious ladders to recover fruit from the uppermost branches. The dwarf trees, which grow to a maximum height of about four feet, eliminate the need for the orchards, the retail process. But store and the packing ultimately, Joseph is constantly dealing with people. apple rust ladders, making harvesting both safer and menters are working quicker, Mark said. rchards 275 ACRES IN ORCHARDS OVER 100000 FRUIT TREES ANNUAL PROOUCTIONo.c^lOOOOOBu STORAGE CAPACITY H5.00CW 14 WRIETIES 0E APPLES C VARIETIES OF PEACHES S VARIETIES OF STRAWBERRIES ORIGINAL FRUIT TREES PIANTEDJZ OWNED « MANAGED.*™ NICHOLSON FAMILY FOR TWO GENERATIONS. OVER 30PE0PU EMPLOYED YEAR ROUND ..ADDITIONAL EHPLOYEES-HMI WOLDISIRtBUir FRUIT .OVER 100 WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS-^ N0R1HEAST «, In all, Cornell has named 62 and seven varieties of Orchard owners have also taken a much different view of pest control in recent years. In the past, many chemicals were apples, of those are industry standards today. trees just indiscriminately thrown on the including many we now know to be poisonous, such as arsenate of lead and DDT. Today, apple growers take a — chemically-oriented approach to eliminating bugs and diseases. Through integrated pest management (IPM), chemical use is greatly reduced. IPM entails scouting an orchard for dying trees and ridding the orchard of dead less material before insects use it as a breed ing ers site. The IPM to techniques allow farm monitor pest levels and react to A specific problems used is to before they get out of hand instead of the guessing approach of the past. In addition, the chemicals that "Our are are more sign tells customers about the store. sophisticated. con goal quality fruit produce superior, high with minimal chemical trol," Brown said. "By reducing and monitoring pesticide usage, we "Growing up, I did a lot of it myself," said, explaining that he worked in the orchards, sorted and packed fruit, loaded trucks, went on selling trips in the north he east and generally helped out wherever hope to keep our orchard a he in was needed. "That's how you leam." balanced ecosystem," Mark explained. Often, too much pesticide use can kill off, in addition to pests, beneficial insects which eat these pests. The result may be a thoroughly enjoys being charge now, there are some beautiful his days when he would love to just get hands dirty again. "Sometimes, I wish I But while he was out bigger pest problem "Reducing pesticides than the is not original. better there myself." ■ But IPM prevents that problem. just for the environment, it makes economic sense, too," Mark said. His father echoed Joseph Nicholson Jr. firmly believes that you should not buy his apples until you have tasted them. Red Jacket apples wait to be sampled. the sentiment. "I don't want to spray my apples any more than I have to; it costs me money," Joseph said. by Dineen M. Pashoukos '94 the Bin cal sprays into YOU CAN PURCHASE A CLIP for only $10 or 2S of a management ladybeetles program. Glenister's company started in i million nematodes for S20 or else choose among a wide vari insects ety of other beneficial depending on your individual needs for pest management. IPM Laboratories Inc. in Locke, New York provides a variety of 1981 as IPM Services with Glenister as the sole employee. Today at IPM Laboratories Inc. there are six employees. Turek Fanns in King Ferry New York was Glenister's first customer for sweet corn products and services in the field of integrated pest management (IPM). Carol Glenister MS '82, the owner of IPM Laboratories Inc. are stated, the "As far as I know we only beneficial insect suppliers in New York. There is only one other pro ducer in the northeast." Integrated pest management utilizes a variety of biologi cal and chemical management practices, which focus on the use of beneficial insects to combat insect pests. Cheryl Francis, manager of IPM Laboratories Inc., described the advantages of using According to Glenister, it is also un likely for negative effects to develop from the use of biological control mea sures. The parasites used in biological control are quite species specific, so they are unlikely to attack non-target organ isms. Furthermore, fairly strict federal and state laws govern the transport of insects between states to provide an ad ditional "I was pest monitoring in 1981. Some of Glenister's other early clients included people at Cornell University who in 1985 wanted certain insects for a se ries of experiments. Kreher's Poultry Farm was another client that wanted a specific strain of insect for poultry parasite man agement. IPM From these early customers, Laboratories Inc. has greatly ex panded. Today they sell beneficial in sects to greenhouses, nurseries, research ers, arboreta and a variety of clients in the different parts of the livestock indus beneficial insects for pest management, "Beneficial insects control pests without Glenister harming the environment, animals." Glenister also emphasized the need for IPM and stated, "We simply must use it." humans or of safety. explained her start with IPM, determined to do something to measure try. Presently, the company serves most of the United States through mail orders for insects. help growers use beneficial species." Glenister described how at first she worked on and distribute wide. Others such as Glenister stated, "We produce a variety of insects nation are a wide Glenister explained that one can tively use control pests through of chemicals in addition to effec the careful which ranged from variety of projects participation in gypsy produced in other places biological moth formulation trials to pest manage ment in sweet corn, apples and cabbage. Holland, then we ship them nationwide." In addition, IPM Laborato ries Inc. provides a wide array of consul controls. In this way, one can utilize both the natural predators that live off the pest species, and the beneficial bugs intro duced extent tors to through that IPM. In the past, to people an being got started; initially we just provided a ser vice," said Glenister. We would do pest monitoring and make recommendations was "No IPM done when we tation services for their clients. The beneficial insects are used in dif ferent pest management programs which include the control of spider mites, tlirips, used chemical insecticides such for a client's specific needs. These rec they killed the natural preda the pests they were attempting to eradicate. This eventually made people ommendations could range from rotat ing certain crops to incorporating chemi depend even more on chemical insecti cides. Today, to maximize the effective ness of biological control in IPM, people are instructed to use chemicals that are compatible In with the biological programs. em addition, IPM Laboratories Inc. a phasizes variety as of management strate accurate mealy bug, whitefly, scale, aphids, crown gall fungus gnats and flies in New York state. Twenty-two different insect spe cies are used to control these problems. These species range from Aphidoletes aphid imyza, which according to the IPM Laboratories catalog, "... kill the aphids by biting their knee joints, injecting a paralyzing toxin and sucking out thenbody contents.", to beneficial nematodes which attack insects in As a gies, such cal control There as the identification diverse group of less dramatic fashion. a more ot pests and the correct measures. some arc timing of biologi to clear benefits insect IPM IPM a means to control IPM pests. A industry becomes more comprehensive, the field is expected to expand rapidly. Glenister commented on the increase of IPM use nationwide, "Even the big chemical companies toclav are towards the use the IPM catalog produced by Inc. Laboratories stated, use "Good practice opti mizes ol your resources, minimizes moving going to use ol beneficial is contamination of your environment and that, oi your neighbors and prolongs the life )( available chemicals for pest con trol by delaying the onset of resistance." ■ insects. IPM of skyrocket." beneficial species «*■ Carol Glenister owns IPM Labs Inc. in Locke, N.Y. by Daniel W. SifTlOn '93 6 $® INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH 90 doing. Henke also said that when farmers do her about 93" contact hedging, "They call the shots. Farmers know which way their markets are going. Most of them who engage in futures »% trading. trading have more sophisticated computers than we do." And the farmer's desire control creates over Priceboards like this one list the to maintain prices of products bought and sold in the afternoon commodities his or her futures dealings "It's hard to be yet another logistical problem. "Commodities tie up capital that could be put towards other business uses," Henke said. "Farmers not at a are out objective," said Cal Snow, who for a a was farmer in Brooktondale, N.Y. involved in the futures market in the field, few years. "I couldn't be." computer screen." Aside from running into logistical prob lems while hedging, farmers also must fight some tough psychological barriers. futures position that "It may be very difficult to maintain a is in the red," Streeter "Even saw more problems with trading when classroom theory was applied to the real world with real money. "Everything doesn't work as well as it's taught," he said. But Snow to protect yourself, but you could doubly screwed," Snow said. Although Streeter pointed out that such fluctuations are removed over the long nan by the forces of supply and demand, was get futures sometimes small farmers cannot afford to play In the game over "the long mn." fact, when Snow engaged in hedg saw ing, he the futures Snow said that while he in futures was involved rise while the cash price of his grain price declined. And explained. to though you might say trading, were he witnessed situa while Snow was dissatisfied with hedg yourself 'Okay, my cash market gains are that,' you may not feel that tions where the cash market and the offsetting or or futures market way, way, feel that your spouse may not feel that your partner may not directions. For instance, the was rising in the futures moving in opposite price of corn market but way." dropping in the cash market. "The idea ing, he saw that it did have its place in the agricultural world. "It's okay for big companies," Snow explained "because they have the capital to deal with [such fluctuations], and it's insurance against a n j j 988 989 1990 99 21 iitures Shock big mow." One other .1 practical they try gainst Snow and other factor that goes central New York to If Prices Go Will lie offset Up fanners when tion. hedge, is loca Net Ix>ss in Futures Market Prices determined in the futures CO by highe r-thanreceived for crop. -xpected prices in market reflect the value of the goods from Chicago, quite a distance away central New York. Theoretically, if New will make money by selling high and buying low in the futures market. The profit from the futures market and the loss in cash sales then cancel out. If prices rise in the futures market, they also rise in the cash market. The prices then equalize through supply and demand. If the price of a commodity falls, a person York New prices York to are farmers' lower, Snow and other crops could be However, due to the few actually ship the Pm If Prices Go Down Net Gain in Futures Market ,_ shipped Chicago. expense and hassle, goods to the midwest themselves. Rather, an they sell to a local distributor (called Offsets loss due to lower-than- Plant Harvest expected prices CO ■V received for crop. j^v "elevator operator" ) that ships large quan tities of goods to buyers. The shipping Time Pm >> > f Theoretically, producers can lock in prices for their crops long before they take their goods to the market. HowFarmers Use Futures Farmers and other commodity pro ducers often must make decisions about how much crop to plant, long before the value of a crop can even be I CQ Plant Harvest Time prices are low and sell when they are high). Hedgers use the same principle as speculators, but they are less inter determined. This fanners, is as can be very risky for sometimes the price may ested in which direction the commod ity price will go. If the producer plans to and the profit margin of the eleva play a role in the price they can pay producers, so New York farmers often receive a price quite different than the futures price. costs tor drop so low by the time the produce ready to be sold, that the crop is hardly worth the cost of production. Producers can avoid having their profits eroded by price changes by "hedging" in the futures market. When outsiders look at sell a certain amount of corn on the open market in the upcoming months, he may hedge against a bad price by When that selling corn to the futures market now. producer is ready to actu ally sell his corn, he will buy that futures contract the futures Sometimes, the difference makes even tougher to hedge. Nonetheless, it a market, they see exchange in Chi cago will tell you that plenty of specu lators and hedgers are willing to en gage in futures trading. Looking beyond all practical and theoretical problems, these people are hoping to use simple quick glimpse at the trading people take delivery on the commodities they buy in the market because they turn around and sell them back before the whole lot of people over nothing. Very few money who enter the futures market a price of corn goes down, back. That way, if the he has made money in the futures market (remem ber: he bought low and sold high) to counterbalance to a loss of money due the devalued com. Even if the futures market does not delivery date of the commodity. versely, people who agree to sell modities on Con com even go in the producer's favor (the price goes up after he sold the corn future), economic make money on the price fluctuations on certain commodities. to ' factors the futures market the his unexpected corn increase in value of ■ tually buy their produce the delivery date. back before will counterbalance the loss in the futures market. This market system allows anybody to enter into the market. Speculators sell corn just like producers do, and then by J. Eric Docktor '94 the it back with will go down price and they will make a profit. Such profit-seekers are called "speculators" because they try to make money by speculating in which direction prices turn around and that the buy Essentially, when a fanner or pro ducer engages in a hedging opera tion, he is locking his price in before the crop is produced. As long as he lifts his hope hedge when the cash an transac a tion occurs, neither increase nor decrease in value of the crop will affect the price. Only changes in the relative price between cash and fu tures ^^s^sstfK^if^ia^p^i ! will go, and then '^Z&&Z5B2f3SX& .selling to or buying when markets can influence his locked- accordingly (they try buy in price. 992 COiTRYMM CAPSULES Department of Plant Pathol Herbert S. Cummins has been A Wonderful Year Cornell's Forensics Team is about to With ogy thon Central professor Dr. council's complete its best year ever, according Aid-winkle, of his highest exemplary Schools, received the honor in recognition service to public to the team's advisor, communication department senior lecturer Dr. Pamela Stepp. than 50 members finished third in the nation in the Cross Exam Debate Association's The team's more annual competition. About 269 schools participate in the tournaments, and each team's six best competitions are the final averaged together to determine rankings, Stepp said. The speech and debate team apple rootstocks in the largest breeding, selection and orchard testing program of its kind in the world. "Geneva 65," a rootstock which produces a dwarf apple tree resistant to bacterial fire blight, crown rot, apple scab and mildew, was introduced last year as the first commercially available rootstock developed from the pro gram. Other rootstocks are due out in the near future. These are the first developing disease-resistant education. Handling Garbage With help leaders for can from Cornell, local business leam the latest techniques the messiest part of their handling — garbage disposal. Through classes offered jointly by the Waste Management Institute, Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering and Coopera tive business Extension, leaders can leam the competes in other national competi tions as well. For the first time ever, Cornell took first place in the annual disease-resistant apple rootstocks latest developed in the United States. In addition to his research, Sigma Rho tournament, spon sored by the Delta Sigma Rho foren sics honor society. Delta While Cornell has finished as Cummins has Ithaca taught at Cornell's campus, lecturing on nursery developments in the field of garbage engineering, making garbage disposal cheaper and more environ mentally friendly. The tion course roster includes incinera as high management, orchard management and land propagation. He also serves as an a design and ash management; landfill design and closing practices; municipal composting; recycling collection and separation technologies and environmental third before, Stepp said the indi of the team associate editor for HortScience, vidual perfonnances ever. professional journal. members is what makes this Cornell's best year monitoring for soil, Danyelle Coleman '93 is this Peer John Recognition G. water and air quality. years' national champion in the dramatic interpretation category. And debate partners Jeremy Rosen '93 and Marc Kesselman '93 took third place in debate. Seeley, professor emeritus was recently appointed an honorary member of floricultural science, of Project PigeonWatch Despite the fact that city pigeons always seem to be underfoot, little known about the birds' behavior is the International Society for Horticul tural Science. Seeley became one of only nine of the society's honorary patterns. But the Cornell Laboratory of has yet to compete in several smaller national competitions. team The members worldwide. Professor of soil, crop and atmo spheric sciences Gary W. Fick was elected a Ornithology plans to involve inner Geneva Retirement Department of Horticultural Sciences Fellow of the Crop Science professor Dr. James N. Cummins recently announced his retirement from Cornell's New York State Society of America at the CSSA's annual meeting in Minneapolis. A leader in multidisciplinary city school children in a research project to change that. Project PigeonWatch, one of three science-education projects supported by a recent grant from the National Science Foundation, will benefit both Agricultural Experiment Geneva. Station in Cummins, a world authority on fruit tree rootstocks, has been a leading researcher at the experiment station for 25 years. Under his newlyacquired title of professor emeritus, Cummins will continue his research on a smaller scale while a suitable forages, Fick has helped develop crop growth models for use in integrated pest management and the prediction of forage quality. On Oct. 1, 1992 Michael Joseph Jr. was awarded the Distinguished research in Service Award from the New York State Council of School research young students and Cornell ers. While the city schoolchildren learn techniques of scientific observa tion, the otherwise unobtainable data they gather will be analyzed by ornithologists. Students in New York Washington to DC and Superinten City will try detennine replacement is sought. the executive director of the Rural Schools Program and of the Mara fonner dents. Joseph, the effect of different colors and feather patterns on the pigeons' superintendent breeding and feeding success. 25 MANN LIBRARY ACQUISITIONS DIVISION THE COUNTRYMAN STAFF WAS partition the that was being removed frorr to an interesting albeit frustrating surprise recently. Six awards were pre sented to the magazine in the fall of treated staicture. 1992, and while the staff of that year undoubtedly not merits praise, they were the ones for whom these plaques by Sigma Delta Chi and Pi Delta Gamma Understandably curious, we at the Countryman wondered how these things came to be inside a wall. LTpon checking the history of the home, we found that it had been designed by William H. Miller Treman were intended. Each celebrates excel lence in journalism; one, presented by 1878 for Robert Treman in 1903. The subsequently sold the family the Farm Journal is a first-place award for "General Excellence Anong Agricul tural for the best feature article of 1941-43. The frustrating part of this otherwise home (then at 4ll LTniversity Avenue) to College Magazines" in 1948. An pleasant surprise out has been trying to figure Cornell LTniversity in 1944. It was rented to the Phi Sigma Delta fraternity. Perhaps a other (undated), given by Capper's Fanner celebrates the Countryman's ". use of . . just how we've come to possess these antique awards. We know that brother has our answer. best material of interest ot the awards were to women." Three they were discovered in the house at 64O If you think you have some infonnation regarding our little mystery, please contact us. ■ presented by Suc Stewart Avenue cessful Fanning magazine in recognition of superb cover design in the years 1954, 1959 and 1961 and one was presented involved in the by contractors who were remodeling of the build to ing. According son, Priscilla Noetzel-Wilwere the plaques located inside a by E. Kurt Lienau '95 New York State College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, a Statutory College of the State University, at Cornell University