UCR Palm Desert Newsletter- March 2010
Dear Reader,
I was reminded of an important concept recently when I joined a group of valley residents at the Phillip L. Boyd Deep Canyon Reserve administered by UCR near Palm Desert for a spring hike. Before we embarked, Dr. Al Muth, Deep Canyon Reserve's resident director, gave a brief talk on the value of "connectedness."
Everything in our natural world is connected in some way - we just have to be aware of the connections.
Most residents of the Coachella Valley are completely unaware of the extent to which UCR is connected to the region. Contributions by UCR to the Coachella Valley since the early 20th century have ranged from eradicating pests plaguing the citrus industry to the challenges today facing economic diversification and regional growth.
UCR has a global reputation in citrus and subtropical horticulture and the Coachella Valley has been the locale of much of this work to the benefit of similar regions around the world. UCR is also leading research on the study of salt and boron tolerance in farm soils, as well as reclaiming saline and sodic soils for farming. Turf grass seen on the hundreds of golf courses here survives our dramatic climate because of research done by UCR and work is underway to create turf grass with superior drought resistance and higher tolerance to the salts found in recycled water.
UCR research on endangered species habitats in the valley contributed to the Coachella Valley Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan, a roadmap for balanced regional growth that will conserve the natural heritage of the valley while also building a strong economy. Last year UCR actively worked with the Coachella Valley Economic Partnership to create an economic blueprint for regional job growth.
Recently UCR announced its efforts to establish a research center named in honor of S. Roy Wilson at UCR Palm Desert that will facilitate research on sustainable energy and environmental systems. The proposed multi-disciplinary center will define and develop methodologies and technologies that will improve air quality, transportation, water resources, environmental integrity and renewable energies in a sustainable manner.
It is hard to summarize the variety of ways that UCR contributes to the quality of life in the Coachella Valley - there are many examples I have been unable to list here - but one thing is certain: UCR has been long connected to the Coachella Valley.
Sincerely,
Carolyn Stark
Executive Director, UCR Palm Desert Center
MFA Brings Authors to the Desert
The Master of Fine Arts program at UCR Palm Desert is pleased to announce the Spring 2010 Arts & Letters lecture series. This series provides the Coachella Valley and its visitors with a unique opportunity to examine the work and creative vision of celebrated literary figures.
The series kicks-off on Saturday, April 3 with best-selling mother and son authors, Anne and Christopher Rice. Anne Rice
will discuss her recently released book "Angel Time: Songs of the Seraphim," which is the first novel in a new "Songs of the Seraphim" series. Her son, Christopher Rice, will read from his soon-to-be released book, "The Moonlight Earth." This book is a psychological thriller about a woman who must try to save her brother's reputation and life when he is accused of being involved in a terrorist act. A book signing and conversation, moderated by fellow author and UCR Palm Desert MFA Administrative Director, Tod Goldberg, follows. To register for this event, click here.
The remaining events in this series include a reading from the signature literary program of New York's Symphony Space, "Selected Shorts: A Celebration of Short the Short Story," on Monday, May 3. This live reading, broadcast weekly through National Public Radio, features Isaiah Sheffer, founder and artistic director of Symphony Space in New York City, and two actors reading contemporary and classic short fiction. Tickets may be purchased in advance for $25 by calling 760-834-0597
or by paying $40 at the door on the night of the event. No refunds will be given for this event.
The final event in this series is on Thursday, May 6 with #1 New York Times best-selling author, Debbie Macomber. Known for her romance novels, Macomber has more than 140 million copies of her books in print worldwide and her novels have been translated into 23 languages. Macomber will discuss her latest book "Hannah's List." In this book, she traces a widower's journey from loss to hope and renewal. Inspired by real events, "Hannah's List" is a story of the strength of love and its power to heal even the deepest wound. A book signing with the author follows the discussion. To register for this event, click here.
All events begin at 6 p.m. at the UCR Palm Desert Center and parking is free for the series. There is no fee for the Rice and Macomber events, however reservations are required.
The MFA program is offered in two formats at UCR Palm Desert; a traditional, full residency program and a new two-year low residency program where students come together twice a year for a 10-day residency period and interact electronically between residency periods. Visit MFA for more information.
An Evening witha Nobel Prize Winner and a National Medal of Science Winner
UCR Palm Desert is pleased to offer a free lecture to the public featuring Nobel Prize Winner Walter Kohn and National Medal of Science Winner John Prausintz on Friday, April 9 from 7-9 p.m. at UCR Palm Desert.
The lecture is presented by Engineering Directorate of the National Science Foundation and UCR's Bourns College of Engineering.
The lecture topics include: "An Earth Powered Predominately by Solar and Wind Energy," presented by Walter Kohn, Ph.D. (Nobel Laureate in Chemistry, 1998) and "Engineering and Humanity,"presented by John Prausnitz, Ph.D. (National Medal of Science, 2003).
Dr. Kohn is Professor of Physics at the UC Santa Barbara. He is a member of the National Academy of Sciences and a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1998.
Dr. John Prausnitz is Professor of Chemical Engineering in the Graduate School at UC Berkeley. He is a member of the National Academy of Sciences and the National Academy of Engineering, as well as a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. In 2005, Dr. Prausnitz received the 2003 National Medal of Science from President George W. Bush in the White House.
Parking is free for this event, however reservations are required. To RSVP, click here. To learn more about UCR's Bourns College of Engineering, click here.
EMBA Student Profile: Michael Castillo
Michael Castillo wants to either start his own venture or be part of a startup company. He enjoys putting things together and
giving life to projects. That desire led him to become a member of the inaugural Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) program offered at UCR Palm Desert in fall 2009.
Like his fellow EMBA students, Castillo had an established career in business before enrolling in the EMBA program. He has 14 years of experience in the business industry and earned his B.A. degree from the California State University, Los Angeles. He is the former CEO/CCO for Arrowhead Investment Center, LLC., where he was responsible for sales growth, brand development, product launch, firm expansion and operations efficiency goals. Today he is a consultant, working with various companies in developing products and assisting with compliance tasks.
The University of California brand was the first thing that attracted his interest in UCR's EMBA program, "and the fact that it was an Executive program," he said. "The schedule works out perfect with work and a family life. I like the fact that classes are held within a two day period keeping you focused and accessible to the college and instructors."
Castillo says he feels the EMBA will help him reach his career goals. "This program will allow me to gain the confidence and support that is needed when seeking advancement and looking to do more," he said.
Now that he's close to finishing his first year in the program, Castillo has advice for others looking into EMBA programs. "Understand what you want to do," he said. "Just wanting to get an MBA is not good enough. It will be most beneficial to you and your classmates if you have an idea where you want to go or what it is you want to do."
To learn more about the Executive MBA program, attend a free information session. The next session is Saturday, April 17th. The session begins at 10:00 a.m. at the UCR Palm Desert Center. Parking is free and refreshments will be provided. For more information or to RSVP, call 760-834-0975. To learn more about the Executive MBA program click here.
New Lecture Series from UCR Palm Desert Has Overflow Crowds
In January, UCR Palm Desert introduced a lecture series from the College of Natural and Agricultural Sciences to the Coachella Valley, "The Science of Evolution: Life, the Earth and the Universe." The lectures were free and open to the public and brought in more than 1200 people, the largest attendance for a lecture series to date.
The series featured faculty members from UCR's College of Natural and Agricultural Sciences (CNAS). Their topics included the following:
- "The Dance of the Genes: How Biological Evolution Works," presented by Norman Ellstrand, Ph.D., Professor of Genetics & Geneticist
- "The Evolution of Evolution: Darwin Then and Now," presented by David Reznick, Ph.D., Professor of Biology
- "Let There be Light: The First Billion Years," presented by Bahram Mobasher, Ph.D., Professor Physics and Astronomy
- "Life's Rocky Road: The History of Life on Earth," presented by Nigel Hughes, Ph.D., Professor of Geology
The dean of the College of Natural and Agricultural Sciences (CNAS) Dean Thomas O. Baldwin, invited the audience to join the Science Circle. This exciting initiative serves as a vital support group for CNAS that celebrates the extraordinary programs within the college and works to inspire the next generation of science thinkers - our students.
Look forward to an announcement this fall for our Science of Evolution II lecture series as well as a new lecture series, "Global Climate Change: Causes, Impacts, Solutions." Both lecture series will feature faculty from the College of Natural and Agricultural Sciences.
To learn more about UCR's College of Natural and Agricultural Sciences programs, visit http://cnas.ucr.edu/ . To become a member or learn more about the Science Circle, visit http://cnas.ucr.edu/sciencecircle.html.
NEWS FROM UCR: Raising Funds for UCR is Joel Munson's Top Priority
UC Riverside has a new Associate Vice Chancellor for Development. Joel B. Munson started his career in TV news, moved
into public relations and has spent the past 20 years in fundraising and campaigns for four U.S. colleges and most recently, one in England, the University of Southampton.
His first day at UCR was February 4. He reports to Vice Chancellor for Advancement Peter Hayashida and oversees private fundraising to support campus initiatives.
"Joel brings to UCR a keen understanding of how to grow a culture of philanthropy and a proven track record of accomplishments at a range of institutions," said Hayashida. "He also embraces the culture and values of our campus, making him a terrific fit for UCR and our community."
Before working in England, Munson was associate vice president for development at the University of Oregon, where he managed a $853 million fundraising campaign and directed annual and planned giving, special events, donor relations, prospect management and research, the corporate and foundation giving programs, and the University's constituency-based and central development office. Before this, Joel spent five years directing the first comprehensive $50 million fundraising campaign at Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Before that, he raised funds for and helped establish a charter school affiliated with California State University, Los Angeles.
To learn more about the UC Riverside Foundation, click here.
The Coachella Review Fiction Prize
The Coachella Review, the student run online literary journal for the UCR Palm Desert Center's MFA in Creative Writing and Writing for the Performing Arts program, is currently accepting work for its inaugural Fiction Prize.
Submissions will be judged by award-winning author Mary Yukari Waters. A $500 award will be given to the writer who submits the best, well-constructed, thoughtful, and experimental story of 6,000 words or less by June 1, 2010.
To submit your entry, attach a cover page that includes the title of your work, your name, address, phone number and e-mail address. Please do not include personal information on the manuscript, only title and page numbers.
For a confirmation of receipt, please include a self-addressed, stamped post card. Work will not be returned. There is a fee of $20 for all entries. Please make check or money orders payable to "Regents-UC."
For more information about the Coachella Review, visit www.thecoachellareview.com or find them on Facebook and Twitter.
What's Happening at UC Riverside
It's not just the world-class faculty and facilities that make UC Riverside the place to be - it's also the thriving arts community, the one-of-a-kind special collections and lecture series that attract experts from around the world. It's the concerts, film festivals, dazzling dance performances, and thought-provoking theater. To learn more about these events and more visit UCR Happenings.
Become a "Fan" of UCR PD on Facebook 
Stay connected with UCR Palm Desert and our more than 100 Facebook fans on UCR Palm Desert's Facebook page. Find us on Facebook.com by searching "UCR Palm Desert" or visit palmdesert.ucr.edu and click "UCR Palm Desert on Facebook," on the bottom right side of the page.
The University of California has been active in the Coachella Valley for nearly 100 years, initially supporting the agriculture industry and more recently impacting modern growth issues through research in areas such as transportation, air quality, and energy and water conservation. The UCR Palm Desert Center, established in 2005, provides graduate education to the Coachella Valley through its innovative Executive MBA and MFA degrees.