Briedly Noted

Pitt Lecture to Urge Public, Private Partnerships for Global Security

Will security worldwide improve if private businesses combine efforts with government agencies? Scott E. McHugh (CAS, CGS ’76), vice president for global asset protection and security at Wal-Mart, believes so, and he will outline his reasons in an Oct. 6 lecture titled “Global Public-Private Partnerships for Risk Management Improve Security for All and Need to Become the Norm, Not the Exception.” The talk, which is the kick-off event for Pitt’s Center for National Preparedness Seminar Series, will take place from 3 to 4 p.m. in Room 528 Alumni Hall.

Prior to assuming his position at Wal-Mart, McHugh served as a member of the U.S. Department of State and pioneered the development of proactive terrorist surveillance detection tactics that are used today in the global war on terrorism. He taught courses on issues associated with terrorism for the National Defense University, FBI Academy, the Defense Intelligence Agency, and the U.S. Army Special Operations Command.

McHugh now manages all risk- and security-related issues outside of the United States for Wal-Mart Stores Inc., the world’s largest public corporation. He earned a bachelor’s degree in administration of justice and in psychology at the University of Pittsburgh and a master’s degree in strategic intelligence at the U.S. National Defense Intelligence College.
—Lauren O’Leary

History of Art and Architecture Sets Symposium for Oct. 10-12

Frick Fine Arts Building

Pitt’s Department of the History of Art and Architecture (HA&A) has set its 2008 graduate student symposium for Oct. 10-12.

Embracing the theme of the 2008 Carnegie International, Life on Mars, the symposium is titled “Storytelling: Playful Interactions and Spaces of Imagination in Contemporary Visual Culture.” It will explore contemporary art’s and the screen media’s use of open-ended stories, fragmented narratives, references to literary texts, and the design of fantasy environments that undermine contemplative viewing experiences.

In addition to the Carnegie Museum of Art, sponsors include Pitt’s Film Studies Program, Cultural Studies Program, Global Studies Program, Latin American Studies Program, and Office of the Provost. More information is available by calling 412-648-2400 or visiting http://vrcoll.fa.pitt.edu/haasymposium2008/Index.html.
—Sharon S. Blake

“Pitt Steps It Up” Program To Start Oct. 13

The University of Pittsburgh, seeking to promote healthy lifestyles among its faculty and staff, is kicking off Pitt Steps It Up, a six-week, pedometer-based walking challenge, from Oct. 13 to Nov 21. The challenge is Pitt’s latest Fitness for Life health initiative.

The walking program is designed to increase physical activity by having participants log the number of steps they take each day. The challenge’s overall goal is to have participants work up to taking an average of 70,000 steps per week. Similar to past Fitness for Life health initiatives, contestants will have the option to join a team or participate individually.

The program is sponsored by Pitt’s Department of Health and Physical Education and Department of Benefits. For more information or to register, visit www.hr.pitt.edu/fitness/pittStepsItUp.htm.
—Anthony M. Moore

Call for Nominations for Pitt’s Bellet Awards

Tina and David Bellet

The University of Pittsburgh School of Arts and Sciences will accept nominations for the Tina and David Bellet Arts and Sciences Excellence Awards from Oct. 1 through 31.

The Bellet Awards were established in 1998 with a $200,000 donation from Arts and Sciences alumnus David Bellet (CAS ’67) and his wife, Tina, to recognize outstanding and innovative undergraduate teaching in Arts and Sciences. A committee appointed by the Arts and Sciences associate dean for undergraduate studies evaluates teaching skills as evidenced by student teaching and peer evaluations, student testimonials, and dossiers submitted by nominees. Fulltime faculty who have taught in Arts and Sciences over the past three years on the Oakland campus are eligible. Applicants must receive three or more nominations. Each award recipient receives a $5,000 cash prize.

Faculty and students may submit nomination letters to Arts and Sciences Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies Juan J. Manfredi, University of Pittsburgh 140 Thackeray Hall, 139 University Place, Pittsburgh, PA 15260. Electronic submissions can be sent to clynch@pitt.edu, but must be followed by a signed paper duplicate.

For more information, contact Carol Lynch at clynch@pitt.edu or visit www.as.pitt.edu/teaching/awards.html#bellet.
—Patricia Lomando White

Call for Nominations for Pitt’s Ampco-Pittsburgh Prize

The University of Pittsburgh School of Arts and Sciences will accept nominations for the Ampco-Pittsburgh Prize for Excellence in Advising from Oct. 1 through 31.
Arts and Sciences annually recognizes outstanding faculty advisors with the prize. The winner will be selected by the Arts and Sciences Undergraduate Council on the basis of demonstrated excellence in academic advising. Each award recipient receives a $4,000 cash prize.

Fulltime Arts and Sciences faculty—assistant or associate professor, professor, lecturer, senior lecturer, or instructor—who have been a departmental advisor for at least three years on the Oakland campus are eligible. Faculty members who receive a nomination from their department chair and from two or more undergraduate students whom they have advised will be considered.

A letter from the department chair should explain the advising model used in the faculty member’s home department, including a perspective on the advising appointment and case load, and describing how the faculty member has demonstrated excellence. The student advisee letter should describe when and how the faculty member’s advice has impacted the academic and career goals of the advisee.

Faculty and students may submit nomination letters to Arts and Sciences Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies Juan J. Manfredi, University of Pittsburgh, 140 Thackeray Hall, 139 University Place, Pittsburgh, PA 15260. Electronic submissions can be sent to taylor@as.pitt.edu.

For more information, contact Z Taylor at taylor@as.pitt.edu.
—Patricia Lomando White

Job Seekers in Action

Pitt’s Annual Fall Job Fair, held Oct. 1 in the Petersen Events Center, attracted about 3,000 Pitt students and 236 employers, making it the largest job fair in the University’s history. Pitt Chancellor Mark A. Nordenberg made welcoming remarks during the Student Leadership Networking Event, held prior to the job fair. Pitt Provost and Senior Vice Chancellor James V. Maher and Vice Provost and Dean of Students Kathy Humphrey also attended, networking with employers to express appreciation for their partnerships with Pitt.