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| Vol. 17, No. 21 | Feb. 26, 1998 |
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| Vol. 17, No. 21 | Feb. 26, 1998 |
During the recent American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) meeting, undergraduate peer tutors (from left) Jay Lesley, Jennifer Hess, Jessica Horvath and Kurt Williamson discussed their efforts to assist UD faculty in problem-based learning classes.Nearly 1,000 journalists from around the globe were introduced to "The Technology University" and two of UD's key technology vendors during the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) meeting, which took place Feb. 12-17 in Philadelphia.
An unprecedented number of journalists attended the event to cover the latest scientific news, as well as an appearance by President Bill Clinton.
In collaboration with VoiceNet and Sun Microsystems, the University installed high-speed, web-connected computers in the AAAS press work room, where reporters prepared and filed stories throughout the event. The press work room sponsorship-proposed by the Office of Public Relations and implemented by Information Technologies-placed UD professionals in direct contact with many of the world's most influential journalists.
"UD's presence at this elite organization's 150th anniversary meeting should go a long way toward increasing our national visibility," said Ginger Pinholster, who coordinates national media relations in the Office of Public Relations and worked with reporters throughout the meeting.
Supervised by Leila Lyons and Karen Kral, IT-User Services, a UD team installed 12 high-speed Dell computer systems, as well as three top-of-the-line workstations from Sun Microsystems. All computers were equipped with Microsoft Word, Telnet for electronic mail access and Netscape, which allowed reporters to surf the World Wide Web. Several systems also provided reporters with access to e-mail via America Online.
Access to the web was provided by VoiceNet, one of the region's leading Internet service providers, which last year provided UD with higher-speed Internet connections.
In exchange for these contributions, UD, VoiceNet and Sun Microsystems logos were displayed on banners and posters at the meeting, and the AAAS set up special hot-link icons on EurekAlert!, a web site for journalists. The press work room also was staffed by Sig Andersen Jr., Paul Hyde and Evelyn Stevens who answered countless technical questions from reporters.
Nan Broadbent, director of the AAAS News and Information Office, reported being "thrilled with the reporters' workroom." Technical contributions from UD, VoiceNet and Sun Microsystems "made an enormous difference in the newsroom operation," she said.
"The dependence on e-mail, World Wide Web and general software programs by reporters and public information officers made the computer/work room essential for the broad dissemination of news coming out of the annual meeting," she said.
Reporters also offered favorable reviews of the work room technology. For example, Michael Woods, science editor for the Toledo Blade and Pittsburgh Post-Gazette commented that "UD [did] an incredible job," and Eric Stokstadt, editor of ScienceNOW (the on-line version of Science), said he had been "spoiled" by the press work room technology.
UD's participation in the AAAS press work room was made possible by a team of IT-User Services staff, including Craig Prettyman, Steve Timmins and Jian Chen, who handled transportation and installation of the systems. Anita Hoover assisted with system shipment; Ulrike Miklitz provided logistical support; Ronald Nichols configured the Dell computers; and Carol Anderer tracked down essential supplies, from cables to surge suppressors.
From IT-Network and Systems Services, Edward Pochomis provided special Ethernet cables, while Dan Grim and Shirley Cohen assisted with the delivery of the Sun Microsystems machines.
-Ginger Pinholster