What’s Happening @ UofL

A weekly look at what's going on at UofL

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Arts-cultural partnership will link UofL to community groups

UofL has joined an alliance of regional arts, history and cultural institutions to enhance community life and UofL students’ educational experience. Participating organizations will share knowledge, expertise and programs and work together to create a vibrant artist and cultural environment. Peter Morrin, director of the new initiative, explains on the UofL News site.

Leadership lessons from The Simpsons

What can TV cartoon characters Homer, Marge, Bart and Lisa Simpson teach us about leadership? Paul Cantor, an English professor at the University of Virginia, will explore that topic in a lecture, “Learning to Lead through The Simpsons,” at 1 p.m. Feb. 12 in Chao Auditorium, Ekstrom Library. Cantor, whose academic interests range from American pop culture to Shakespeare, is giving the free public talk through UofL’s McConnell Center. For more details, contact Wanda Taylor, 502-852-3323 or by e-mail.

What’s the next big idea in green business?

UofL’s College of Business is hosting a regional competition for the Wal-Mart Better Living Business Challenge Feb. 13, room 336. Students from UofL and five other universities will present their ideas for new sustainable businesses and products. Winners will compete in the finals in Arkansas in April. For more details, contact Van Clouse at 502-852-4782 by e-mail.

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ASK THE EXPERTS

Faculty experts at UofL can offer insight on the issues of the day and are usually willing to do news interviews. They include:

Electrical lines

With Kentucky still reeling from a record power outage, some are saying that communities should start burying their electric lines underground. What are the pros and cons?

• Tom Rockaway, director, Center for Infrastructure Research, 502-852-3272, or e-mail Tom Rockaway

Proposed cigarette tax hike

Gov. Steve Beshear is proposing a 70-cents-per-pack increase on cigarettes in order to help the state deal with its budget shortfall. UofL has many experts who can comment on tobacco policy, taxation, and the health effects of smoking. Experts include:

• Richard Wilson, chair, Department of Health Promotion and Behavorial Policy, can discuss tobacco tax policy, cross-border cigarette commerce, smoking cessation and smoking behavior.
• Rodney Folz, chief, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Disorders Medicine, can discuss the health implications of smoking including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, hypertension and asthma.

To contact Wilson or Folz, contact Ellen de Graffenreid at 502-852-7504 or by e-mail.

Lincoln bicentennial

President Abraham Lincoln’s bicentennial birthday is Thursday, and his native Kentucky has several celebrations planned this year. A Danville symposium Feb. 12-14 features a performance of UofL’s African American Theater Program’s production “Abe Lincoln and Uncle Tom at the White House” and a keynote presentation Feb. 14 by UofL’s Blaine Hudson, who heads one of the sponsoring groups.

What is Lincoln’s legacy on issues of race, slavery and freedom, particularly for Kentucky African Americans?

• Blaine Hudson, College of Arts and Sciences dean, Pan-African studies professor and chair of the Kentucky African American Heritage Commission, 502-852-2233, 502-852-2234, or by e-mail

What can be learned of Lincoln through his speeches and writings? What was the political climate in Kentucky in the Lincoln era?

• Tom Owen, archivist who leads Louisville history walks and has produced video tours of historic neighborhoods, 502-852-8790, cell 502-314-2565, or by e-mail

A complete listing of UofL experts is available in The Expert Source.

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