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Computer science department wins GAANN award
The CAS computer science department has received a U.S. Department of Education Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need (GAANN) award totaling over $622,000, which will support Ph.D. fellowships in the department over the next three years. The purpose of the fellowships is to recruit talented U.S. citizens and permanent residents with strong academic records in computer science and provide tuition, a stipend, and allowances for incoming graduate students who plan teaching or research careers in the broad areas of computing systems. The GAANN award proposal submitted by the computer science department included support from faculty in the four research areas of the department — theory, systems, software, and applications. This is the fourth consecutive GAANN award won by the department.
Photonics Center and COM collaborate on science-savvy media girl-star
Lia, which stands for “Light in Action,” is the name of a spunky, animated 14-year-old female star of a new science “edutainment” project being developed by BU’s Photonics Center and the College of Communication. They have joined with Fablevision, a Boston-based children’s media firm, to collaborate on technology-based educational programming geared for television, the Internet, software, and published materials. Its goal is to generate interest in, and enthusiasm for, science and technology in girls from 8 to 12 years old.
GBYSO performs 46th season finale concert
On Saturday, June 19, the Greater Boston Youth Symphony Orchestras (GBYSO) Senior Orchestra holds its season finale concert at the Sanders Theatre in Cambridge at 7:30 p.m. Under the direction of Federico Cortese, music director and conductor, the orchestra will perform Brahms’ Symphony No. 3 and Ginastera’s Concerto for Harp and Orchestra, featuring Krysten Keches, a 16-year-old harpist who won the Senior Orchestra’s 2004 Concerto Competition, placed third in the 2004 Boston Symphony Orchestra Concerto Competition, and was first runner-up in the 2003–04 New England Philharmonic’s Young Artists Concerto Competition. The program also includes GBYSO’s Repertory Orchestra, under the direction of conductor Joel Bard, performing Medea’s Dance of Vengeance by Barber. (See Calendar for ticket prices.)
Boston Lyric Opera presents award to CFA student
Mezzo-soprano Stephanie Chigas (CFA’05), a member of BU’s Opera Institute, was given the Stephen Shrestinian Award for Excellence by the Boston Lyric Opera (BLO). The award assists young artists to further their professional development and training through BLO-approved advancement activities such as coaching a new role, paying a portion of graduate school tuition, or taking a movement, dance, or acting class. In 2003, Chigas was a Grand National Semi-Finalist in the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions. She appeared this year in the title role in the BU Opera Institute production of La Tragédie de Carmen. She debuted earlier this spring with the BLO as an ensemble member, appearing in Tosca, as well as with Opera New England, BLO’s education and community division, as Hansel in Hansel and Gretel. The Shrestinian Award was established in the late 1990s in memory of longtime BLO ensemble member and gifted tenor Stephen Shrestinian, who died in 1996 at the age of 29.
BUA senior on honor roll for SI’s All-American Teen
Rebecca Meissner, a 2004 graduate of Boston University Academy, was named to the honor roll of the Starter All-American Teen program, part of Sports Illustrated magazine’s 50th anniversary celebration. From July 2003 to July 2004, the program recognizes one exceptional 13- to 19-year-old per state who participates in organized athletics and is a peer and community role model. The magazine profiles the award winners on a biweekly basis, while top runners-up are recognized in an online honor roll for their state. Meissner, who started rowing two years ago, joined Boston’s Community Rowing Incorporated program and moved up to the first varsity eight. Last summer the boat took silver at the U.S. Rowing Youth Invitational. She is one of 35 athletes invited to the junior national team selection camp this summer and in the fall will attend the University of California, Berkeley, on a full rowing scholarship, the first BUA student recruited for sports by a Division 1 school. Meissner was head of BUA’s tutoring program, one of 10 prefects selected by faculty to help underclassmen, and the academy’s 2003 community service award winner.
Getting on Course for College
Boston University offers Getting on Course for College seminars to University employees and their children on June 30 and August 11. The free program provides students in grades 8 through 12 with guidelines for meeting college entrance requirements and covers college admissions, financial aid, beginning the college search process, and high school course selection and extracurricular activities. For more information, call Patricia Papetti in the Office of Personnel at 617-353-4480 or e-mail ppapetti@bu.edu.
23 April 2004
Boston University
Office of University Relations