Color our world: A pink-and-green bicycle stands out on a gray day outside of the GWP Building. Forecasters called for warmer biking weather in the next few weeks, although rain may keep cyclists indoors.

Joel Baker to chair Science Panel

UW Tacoma Professor Joel Baker has been selected to chair the Puget Sound Partnership’s Science Panel.

Newly appointed to UW Tacoma’s Port of Tacoma Chair in environmental science, Baker is one of nine members of the Science Panel, which will provide independent, scientific advice as the Partnership develops a comprehensive plan to clean up and protect Puget Sound.

“To do an effective job of restoring this jewel, Puget Sound, we must have the science to back up our work,” Baker said. “I’m pleased to chair this group of leading scientists; each one brings a different area of expertise to the table.”

Research by Baker and UW Tacoma students will play a major role in the work of the Puget Sound Partnership. The agency’s offices will be located in Tacoma’s Urban Waters facility, a marine research center to be located on the Foss Waterway that will also house Baker and other UW researchers. The facility is expected to become the headquarters of the study and clean-up of Puget Sound pollution.

Organizer Kim Davenport stands between a Tacoma Fire Department display about Lt. George Hill, foreground, and UW Tacoma’s new display about the firefighter, who was killed in February 2008 during a fire in the GWP Building.

UW Tacoma honors a fallen firefighter

Almost exactly 100 years to the day after a firefighter was killed during a blaze in what’s now the Garretson Woodruff Pratt Building, UW Tacoma commemorated the once-forgotten fire and honored the fallen firefighter.

Dozens of Tacoma firefighters and police joined UW Tacoma staff and faculty members at the ceremony Monday, Feb. 25, on the GWP terrace. Tacoma Fire Chief Ron Stephens and historian and lecturer Michael Sullivan spoke, and bagpipers filled the atrium with the sounds of “Amazing Grace.” A permanent display about the fire was unveiled and now hangs on the third floor terrace.

"Firefighters today take advantage of the modern technologies available," said Tacoma Fire Chief Ron Stephens. “To be on a ladder five stories up, and on a hill, is amazing. We pale in comparison to what firefighters faced 100 years ago."

On Feb. 24, 1908, a fire erupted on the top floor of the building, then occupied by furniture company Davis Smith & Co. Employees spotted blue sparks shooting from electrical wires on the fifth floor, and the fire quickly spread to the furniture and consumed the top floor. 

One of the first firefighters up the ladder, Lt. George Hill, entered the building. The flames, heat and smoke forced him to retreat, and he lost his balance on the ledge and fell to the street below.

The event was organized by Joe Chynoweth (Facilities) and Kim Davenport (Urban Studies).

Distinguished Service Awards

Do you know a UW Tacoma staff member who inspires students, demonstrates excellence in job performance, or makes a significant contribution to the community? Nominate them for recognition. The UWT Staff Association is accepting nominations for the Distinguished Service Award (DSA) through Friday, March 21.

Every year, UW Tacoma recognizes two staff members for their outstanding contributions to the campus with the Distinguished Service Award. The recipients will be honored with a $1,000 cash award and a framed certificate during a celebration event this spring. A committee of staff, faculty, students, and one 2007 DSA recipient make the selections.

• Learn more about the Distinguished Service Awards or submit your nomination

NIU Vigil

UWT students, staff and faculty wrote down their thoughts about the Northern Illinois University shootings at a commemorative display this week. Sponsored by ASUWT, the display includes photos and biographies of the five students killed by a gunman on Feb. 14. The book will be sent to NIU. The display is located in the GWP atrium.

Mary Mann paintings on display at UWT gallery

The paintings of Mary Mann are on display at the UW Tacoma gallery until March 18.

Drawing inspiration from the works of masters such as Raphael, Botticelli and Vermeer, Mann’s recent paintings explore the ideas of blessing in the midst of chaos. The central painting in the exhibit, “Stone Offering,” deals with humanity contemplating dignity, the moment of tension while both sides acknowledge the existence of the other.

The gallery is located on the ground floor of the WCG building. Gallery hours are 2 to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. For more information, call the gallery at (253) 906-8233.

Faculty and staff notes

• Stacy Miller, who had been an admission adviser in Enrollment Services, has been hired as an academic counselor in the Milgard School of Business.

• Joe Contris has been hired as program administrator in the
  Institute of Technology.

• Nancy Geier has been hired as events assistant and administrative coordinator in the Chancellor's Office.

• Valerie Mediate-Urevig has been promoted to program coordinator in Nursing.

Administrative Snapshot:
A look at issues and projects at UW Tacoma

If you are working on a project of interest to the UW Tacoma community, tell us about it at uwtnews@u.washington.edu.

Choose a topic:

• Diversity Web site
• Global Honors course open to freshmen and sophomores
• Faculty searches
• Free newspapers
• Minor in Business
• New program proposals
• Faculty professional development
• Social Work 10th anniversary reception