Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach recently dedicated its latest artwork -- an 18-foot-tall cast-glass sculpture in the Flight Operations building that opened in 2011.
Titled "Reaching for New Horizons," the sculpture was crafted by Glassfire Studios of Salt Lake City, Utah. According to the artist Kerry Transtrom, who was commissioned to create the sculpture, it is the world's largest kiln-cast glass sculpture as far as overall size. Kiln casting is a method of forming glass by using a kiln or oven to melt several hundred pieces of colored and clear glass into large slabs ( six in total) that make up the sculpture.
In keeping with the university's aviation theme, the colors fused into the three spires of the sculpture transition from green and brown at the stainless steel base, representing the earth and then into blue and white at the pinnacle of the structure, representing the sky. At night the lighted structure glows in a variety of colors. Deep inside the glass can be seen images of hands reaching upward.
The sculpture was made possible by a donation from Helen Wessel, a longtime friend of the university. She has funded the installation of other artwork at the Daytona Beach campus over the years, including the Wings of Change mobile and two outdoor pieces - a set of cascading fountains and the monumental Pathways to the Sky sculpture that depicts an eagle morphing into a spaceship.
In other area college news:
- STETSON UNIVERSITY: Stetson University in DeLand will host its third annual "Politics 101" conference Saturday, a free, one-day crash course on the nuts and bolts of political campaigning from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. . The conference is in the Stetson Room of the Carlton Union Building, 421 N. Woodland Blvd. Participants will learn how to build grass-roots campaign organizations, create winning campaign strategies, analyze data to make informed decisions, use social media, and fundraise. For more information about Politics 101 or to register, visit www.stetson.edu/politics101.
- EMBRY-RIDDLE: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University's Honors Program lecture series will have Sathya ("Dr. Zero G") Gangadharan of the Mechanical Engineering department speak on Sept. 11 at 7 p.m. at the Willie Miller Instructional Center on campus, 600 S. Clyde Morris Blvd., Daytona Beach. In the spring, he received the Outstanding Researcher award from the university. He will discuss : "Propellant Slosh and On-Orbit Propellant Storage/Transfer Research Related to Spacecraft and Launch Vehicles." The event is free and open to the public. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU), in collaboration with NASA (Kennedy Space Center), United Launch Alliance (ULA) and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is advancing innovative research in Fluid Management (FM) Technologies primarily in the area of propellant slosh and on-orbit propellant storage and transfer systems.
- DAYTONA STATE: From healthy living to Florida history, politics and astronomy, the Daytona State College Foundation's Wisdom in Senior Education (WISE) program kicks off its fall season next week. Volusia County Property Appraiser Morgan Gilreath will headline WISE's first program on Sept. 11, representing DeLand's three Rotary Clubs, which joined forces to organize the first Volusia Honor Air program flight. The program escorts World War II veterans free of charge to the new World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. On Sept. 18, Diana Fish will present on Florida Hospital's global initiative to build relationships with hospitals and medical clinics in developing countries. The Foundation created the WISE program to provide continuing education and cultural enrichment activities to senior members of the community. For more information, contact Kent Ryan, 386-506-4425, email: ryank@daytonastate.edu.
- EMBRY-RIDDLE: Mahmut Reyhanoglu, an engineering physics professor at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University's Daytona Beach campus, has been elevated to senior member status in the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). Only 8 percent of the organization's 416,000 members have achieved this rank, which recognizes the significant accomplishments and professional maturity of outstanding IEEE members. Reyhanoglu's research expertise lies in the areas of nonlinear dynamics, controls and robotics, with particular emphasis on application to mechanical and aerospace systems. Also at Embry-Riddle, Sergey Drakunov, another engineering physics professor, has been appointed associate dean for Research & Graduate Studies in the College of Arts & Sciences. He will continue his role in the Ph.D. program in engineering physics and will teach in the Physical Sciences Department on a limited basis.
- DAYTONA STATE: Daytona State College's Faculty Senate recently honored four educators and one staff member for outstanding achievement and service to students. Gail Beckwith, an administrative assistant in the School of Mathematics, received the Faculty Senate's Instructional Support and Encouragement Award. Lakisha Holmes received the Les Simons Award for Student Advocacy. The School of Mathematics instructor was recognized for her exceptional commitment to student learning and success outside the classroom. Gabi Booth, associate professor in the School of Mathematics, received the Dr. James R. Johnson Award for Teaching Excellence. Booth has taught mathematics at Daytona State since 2005 and also has served as a mathematics specialist in the college's Academic Support Center for 10 years. Casey Blanton, senior professor of English and chair of Learning Communities/QUANTA, received the Dr. John J. Guthrie, Jr. Award for Research and Professional Development. The award recognizes scholarly efforts that contribute to the body of knowledge within an academic discipline. Last year, Blanton was among the co-founders of the Center for Interdisciplinary Writing and Research. Andrea Reese, chairwoman of the Honors College and assistant mathematics professor, received the Faculty Advocacy Award, which recognizes those whose efforts demonstrate commitment to faculty issues and the desire to foster a professional, ethical environment conducive to high morale and professional excellence.
-- Compiled by Education Writer Deborah Circelli
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