Now we can call it The Hole: Demolition crews tore down The Shed last month to make way for the new assembly hall. Construction is scheduled to begin in August, and a groundbreaking ceremony will be held Aug. 28.
What happened to the Dawg Shed?
The latest construction project at UW Tacoma is turning heads as the demolition of the Dawg Shed has left a temporary hole on Pacific Avenue.
What was once an empty shed under a corrugated metal roof is now an empty lot, providing a clear view of the Washington State History Museum from the UW Tacoma Library. It took only five nights for a demolition crew to knock down the building, which will be replaced by the university's new assembly hall.
Construction of the assembly hall, at 1914 Pacific Ave., will begin in late August and is scheduled for completion in fall of 2008. The architect for the assembly hall is Thomas Hacker Architects; the contractor will be selected this month.
The new 20,000-square-foot assembly hall will provide a much-needed large multi-purpose gathering space at UW Tacoma, hosting world-class public lectures, arts events, performances and classes. The building will also provide a student commons area, collaborative study rooms and new retail space along Pacific Avenue. The $12 million building will be funded by $7.5 million from the state budget and $4.5 million in private donations. The campus community is invited to a groundbreaking ceremony at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 28.
From left: Rushing, Wagshul-Golden, Howard and Levy
Leadership changes at UW Tacoma
Two key administrators began work at UW Tacoma in July: Beth Rushing, vice chancellor for Academic Affairs, and Susan Wagshul-Golden, director of Campus Safety.
Dr. Rushing has worked extensively with first- and second-year students as dean of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Georgia College and State University and has experience in developing retention and general education programs. She was previously assistant dean of Arts and Sciences at Ceorgia College and chair of the department of Sociology, Anthropology, Criminal Justice and Social Work at the University of Tennessee at Martin.
Wagshul-Golden has 14 years of public safety experience in urban college environments, most recently at Hunter College in Manhattan, the largest college in the City University of New York system.
Three other campus administrative changes were announced recently:
Cedric Howard will assume his duties as associate vice chancellor of student affairs in early September. Howard comes to UW Tacoma from the University of South Florida St. Petersburg, where he is currently director of student affairs. He has a rich background in student affairs and diversity issues.
Derek Levy, currently interim associate vice chancellor for student affairs, has been named interim associate vice chancellor for enrollment services and director of admissions. This is a one-year appointment with the possibility of renewal. Levy, in addition to leading the university's student affairs unit during the 2006-07 academic year, has been a key member of the Enrollment Management Committee.
Elise Ralph has been named assistant vice chancellor for sponsored research. She will provide support to faculty involved in research at UW Tacoma. Ralph has been an associate professor at the University of Minnesota Duluth and an oceanographer and associate program director at the National Science Foundation. She is scheduled to start work on Sept. 4.
Strategic plan draft released
A draft of UW Tacoma's strategic plan has been released to the campus community. Developed by a committee of staff, faculty, students and community members, the plan defines UWT's values, vision and goals as the campus evolves into a four-year university.
The campus community will be invited to discuss the draft strategic plan this fall, according to Special Assistant to the Chancellor Jim Coolsen, who led the committee.
Math, Science, Leadership camp offers formula for success
For the fifth year in a row, a group of middle- and high-school students will converge on campus for the Math, Science and Leadership program, which is offered by UW Tacoma's Institute of Technology. The program, which starts Aug. 6, is a summer camp designed to strengthen the skills of students who might not otherwise have a chance to intensively study and succeed in math and science. It is targeted toward first-generation college students, underrepresented minorities and girls—students who might slip through the cracks before they can explore their budding interests in science and math.
In the four-week program, the students—in grades 7 to 11—will study the fundamentals of math and the scientific process, robotics, environmental studies, service learning and urban design. The program stresses positive reinforcement, and the students learn about good leadership skills. Nearly 100 students are enrolled in the program this year.
Pottermania at the University Book Store
Whether you get there by floo powder or walk in like a muggle, check out Wizard Week at Tacoma's University Book Store July 13-21.
The seventh and final installment of the Harry Potter book series will be released next Saturday, and the University Bookstore is celebrating with eight days of activities. Participants can have their pictures taken with the Hogwarts gang, predict Harry's fate, make a magic wand with Mr. Ollivander and catch up on a great Harry Potter movie in the week before the new book arrives. For details, visit www.bookstore.washington.edu.
- Potter pictures, all week: Stop in any time during Wizard Week and have your picture taken as a Harry Potter character.
- Potter predictions, all week: Where are the Horocruxes? Will Hogwarts reopen? Stop in any time during Wizard Week to record your predictions in the Harry Potter journal.
- Ollivander's wand-making, Monday, July 16, all day: Craft your own wand using unicorn hair, phoenix feathers or dragon heartstrings.
- Movie matinee, Wednesday, July 18 at 2 p.m.: Relive all the drama of the Triwizard tournament in a special afternoon screening of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.
- Live music, Saturday, July 21 at 1 p.m.: Pick up your copy of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows and stick around for the folksy disco house rock of Firenze and the Centaurs of the Forbidden Forest.
