News briefs

Campus Briefs:

PROFESSOR WINS COVETED AWARD – The UVU Foundation recently presented its 2008 Distinguished Faculty Award to David Heldenbrand, chair of computer science and pre-engineering. The Distinguished Faculty Award is an annual honor first given in 2006. It is granted to a faculty member who has distinguished him- or herself in a particular field of study and has an exemplary record of teaching and service. This particular year, professors across the UVU campus were asked to write about their teaching philosophy. Heldenbrand’s answer proved to be the award winner.
“When I wrote about my teaching philosophy I told them that I view myself as a coach more than a teacher,” Heldenbrand said. “I am in a position, because of the courses that I teach, where I can develop a long term relation with my students, more so than most faculty.”
Heldenbrand holds a master of science degree in computer science from John Hopkins University, and a bachelor of music education from James Madison University. He specializes in networking theory courses, including Fundamentals of Data Communications, Advanced Topics in Data Communications and TCP/IP Internet Architecture.
His professional interests include Internet infrastructure and security, faculty recruiting, curriculum development and student career advisement. After accepting the award, Heldenbrand will present a lecture focusing on his experience with Internet privacy.

BEFORE YOU STUFF YOUR FACE, COME RUN THE RACE – UVU is holding a 5K Turkey Trot on Nov. 24 on campus. Registration is from 3 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. with walkers starting at 3:45 p.m. and runners at 4 p.m. The cost is $10 for pre-registration and $15 the day of the race. All proceeds go to the Utah AIDS Foundation. Sign up at the UVU Intramurals office in SC 108h or call (801) 863-8797. To make a donation, go to Campus Connection or visit www.utahaids.org or call (801) 863-8797.

BALLROOM DANCE COMPANY TO HOLD ANNUAL WINTER CONCERT – The UVU Ballroom Dance Company will be holding its 17th annual Winter Concert. The returning Blackpool finalists will be presenting a new show this fall, featuring the championship medleys that competed at the Open British Championships in Blackpool, England. This year’s concert features new fox-trots, cha-chas, west coast swings and many other ballroom dance favorites. Tickets may be purchased at the door, from one of the team members or by calling 863-8797 (Campus Connection). All seats are $10, with a special $8 matinee. The performance will be held at the Ragan Theatre in the UVU Sorensen Student Center on Dec. 4, 5, 6 and 8. All performances start at 7:30 p.m. The matinee performance will be held on Saturday, Dec. 6 at 2 p.m.

National Briefs:

LEAN CUISINE DINNERS RECALLED – Nestle Prepared Foods Co., the makers of Lean Cuisine, has recalled nearly 900,000 lbs of the frozen food dinners due to blue plastic chunks found in three separate meals. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service said that at least one person has reported an injury. The blue plastic has been found in Cafe Classics Pesto Chicken with Bow Tie Pasta, Spa Cuisine Chicken Mediterranean and Dinnertime Selects Chicken Tuscan.

EIGHT-YEAR-OLD BOY CHARGED WITH MURDER – An Arizona boy has been charged with murdering his father and another man who rented a room in their home. The boy gave conflicting accounts and initially denied any involvement but later told police that he came home from school and shot his already wounded father “because he was suffering.” Officers asked the boy if he was mad at his father but his response was not audible. The boy has been charged in juvenile court with two counts of murder.

MICKEY MOUSE CELEBRATES MILESTONE – Disney’s famous cartoon character Mickey Mouse celebrated his 80th birthday last Tuesday. The character has not only become one of the world’s most recognizable animations but has evolved into the company’s official mascot. Mickey’s first sound-synchronized animated cartoon, “Steamboat Willie,” appeared in New York on Nov. 18, 1928. Walt Disney, the creator of Mickey Mouse, originally wanted to name the cartoon mouse Mortimer; however, his wife preferred Mickey.

World Briefs:

SOMALIA – Recently, Somali pirates hijacked a supertanker carrying more than $100 million of crude oil, the largest ship ever to be highjacked by the group. The increasing amount of pirates in Somalia can be seen living in stone homes, driving luxury cars and marrying beautiful women. As the country is in extreme poverty, piracy is being embraced because it is the only real business available and is improving the country’s financial situation. According to reports, pirates have pumped $30 million into Somalia’s economy in this year alone. The money comes from ransoms that owners pay to get their ships back.

IRAQ – According to reports by the Associated Press, the number of U.S. military deaths in the Iraq war has reached 4,200. This is since the war began in March 2003. The figure includes eight military civilians killed in action and 3,393 military personnel who died as a result of hostile action. The British military has reported 176 deaths; Italy, 33; Ukraine, 18; Poland, 21; Bulgaria, 13; Spain, 11; Denmark, seven; El Salvador, five; Slovakia, four; Latvia and Georgia, three each; Estonia, Netherlands, Thailand and Romania, two each; and Australia, Hungary, Kazakhstan and South Korea, one death each.

CHINA – In the center of the latest food safety controversy, China’s government announced that the dairy industry will be overhauled to improve the system. The overhaul will include the whole dairy supply chain, such as production, purchase, processing and sales. The health ministry said it will revise the quality and safety standards of dairy products and that the agriculture ministry will draft examination standards that will check for melamine and other toxins in animal feed. The government is also planning on installing a tracking system that will record the flow and delivery of dairy products.