ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ

James B. Piatt Jr. has been named vice president for university advancement at ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ. Piatt currently serves as vice president for college advancement at Mount Union College, Alliance, Ohio. He will succeed Nan P. Perkins, who retires this year after a 32-year career at ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ.

Political analyst Charlie Cook predicted a “photo finish” in this year’s presidential election during his visit to ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ Monday in which he also weighed in on challenges for Democrat Barack Obama and the choice of Sarah Palin as the Republican vice presidential nominee.

Ellen T. Ruff, president of Duke Energy Carolinas, comes to ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ on Sept. 9 for the first in a series of talks this fall by experts in the field of science and mathematics. Ruff will discuss her company’s efforts to develop renewable energy, new nuclear and other types of power generation to create solutions for the energy problem facing Americans.

Elaine R. Durr, a sustainability consultant from Decatur, Ga., has been named sustainability coordinator at ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ, a new position created as part of ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ’s sustainability master plan.

Technology upgrades, from video cameras in parking lots to new procedures for using library computers, have enhanced campus security as students return to the university for the start of the fall semester.

ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ President Leo M. Lambert welcomed employees to the new academic year on Aug. 25, 2008, with a speech that lauded past accomplishments while encouraging faculty and staff to "think beyond the walls of the campus" as leaders begin work on a new strategic plan for the school.

President emeritus J. Fred Young, retired professor John G. Sullivan and retired associate dean Lela Faye Coltrain Rich received ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ Medallions on Aug. 25, 2008, in an annual ceremony that celebrates the highest honor a person can receive from the university.