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The Minuteman - 5/22/2020

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  • If you're an RMU employee, you shouldn't be reading this! In recognition and gratitude for your patience, dedication, and teamwork in spite of the challenges we have all faced these past weeks, President Howard has declared today, Friday, May 22, 2020 an unofficial Robert Morris University holiday. So go back to bed! However, if you're a subscriber to the Minuteman and not an RMU employee, or you're simply really interested in what's going on, then please, read on. 

  • Gavin Buxton, professor of physics, has developed a spreadsheet model of Covid-19 transmission that biology students can use in class to analyze projectile motion, evaporation, and dispersion of respiratory droplets. Buxton has published the model in the journal Spreadsheets in Education.

  • A team of RMU students -- Zack Kutchma, Lizanne Marshall, and Joshua Troiani -- came in third place in the National L’Oreal Brandstorm 2020 finals last month and will compete in the worldwide finals in June. Contestants were asked to propose how to build a plastic-free future in the beauty industry.

  • An inspirational video produced by the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh Foundation features a song performed by RMU student Sean Nolan, who is also a cancer patient at the hospital. You can watch it here.

  • This video by Leslie Koren, professor of media arts, and Monica Van Dieren, university professor of mathematics, about 3-D calculus modeling software won the People’s Choice Award and was ranked 5th among 171 submitted videos last month in the 2020 STEM For All video showcase.

  • The Center for Global Engagement announced their four 2020 Global Engagement Award winners at their virtual ceremony earlier this month. These awards recognize the students, faculty, and staff who embody the spirit of RMU’s global perspective by participating in activities abroad and/or supporting others’ journeys abroad or on campus.

    • International Student Award: Lakshmi Chaitanya Kakarla, data analytics

    • Domestic Student Award: Sydney Clark, political science

    • Staff Award: Marla Burgess, career coach/student employment coordinator

    • Faculty Award: Heather Pinson, department head of English and the humanities

  • The Bayer Center for Nonprofit Management (BCNM) would like all RMU employees to participate in their Covid-19 response survey, where they will collect data pertaining to how effectively the university responded to the pandemic. RMU's BCNM is conducting the assessment; therefore all data and information will be managed by the center. No identifying information will be shared.

  • The Massey Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation is proud to announce of the winners of The Virtual Hackathon on COVID-19 "The Post-Pandemic University."

    • FIRST PLACE: "Ready Together," A Health Safety Assessment Tool/Policy Innovation and University Campaign

      • Niki McClure, Junior,  Nuclear Medicine Technology

      • Olivia Ricci, Junior, Industrial Engineering

    • SECOND PLACE: "Colonial Dock,"  A Virtual integrated Information Platform for Students

      • Oliver Gold, Junior, Finance/Sports Management and Masters in Data Analytics 

      • Joseph Lavelle, Junior, Computer Information Systems/Masters in Cybersecurity 

      • Mario Schepis, Junior, Finance and Accounting 

    • THIRD PLACE: "The Post-Pandemic University", A New University layout utilizing virtual reality and operational changes

      • Rachel Schwartz, Class of 2020, Criminal Justice and Accounting

      • Danielle Wicklund, Class of 2020, Integrated Accounting and Cybersecurity 

    • HONORABLE MENTION: "Colonial Dash," An On-Campus Food Delivery Service 

      • Keaton Jennings, Sophomore, Finance

      • Morgan Llewellyn, Sophomore, Accounting and Finance

      • Owen McNulty, Sophomore, Finance

      • Julius Meir, Sophomore, Management and Marketing 

      • Matthew Windsor, Sophomore, Marketing  

  • WorkPartners is offering a virtual physical campaign - Home Run for Health. Home Run for Health is a nine-week campaign that encourages participants to log as many "home runs" (10,000 steps) as they can before the "game" ends. Register between May 11 and June 15. Employees enrolled in the RMU medical plan may earn $75 HSA dollars for the 20-21 TAHS program for participating.  Covered spouses who participate may also earn $75 HSA dollars. 

Editor's Note  -- The Minuteman now on its summer schedule, publishing every other Friday. The next Minuteman will come out on Friday, June 5.