Professional notes
Amy Gunty '07, a former Psychology Department educational assistant, was awarded the 2008 Donald G. Paterson Award in Psychology at the annual convention of the Minnesota Psychological Association last weekend in Bloomington. The association presents the award annually to the top graduating senior psychology major and aims to recognize and encourage high achievement in psychology at the undergraduate level. Award criteria include evidence of superior undergraduate achievement potential for further work in psychology. Each year, psychology departments throughout Minnesota are asked to nominate a candidate for the award; this is the first time a St. Thomas student has won it. Gunty will begin her graduate school program at the University of Minnesota this fall.
Dr. David Kelley, College of Arts and Sciences (Geography Department), attended the 2008 Association of American Geographers annual conference April 16-20 in Boston. Kelley presented a paper, "Nitrate loading to groundwater supplies in the Midwestern United States due to increased biofuel production: a GLEAMS modeling study in Minnesota."
Dr. John Spry, Opus College of Business (Finance Department), was appointed to the Governor's 21st Century Tax Reform Commission by Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty on April 23. Spry, a member of the National Tax Association and the Minnesota Economics Association, has published several papers on the economics of taxation. This commission will study reforms to the Minnesota tax code in light of recent changes in technology, business practices, demographics and the economy in Minnesota and other states. The commission will give its recommendations to the governor by Dec. 1.
Dr. John Wendt, Opus College of Business, with Dr. Todd Seidler and Dr. David Scott of the University of New Mexico, and Dr. John Miller of Texas Tech University, presented "Managing Risks for Sports Management Internships" at the national convention of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance in Fort Worth, Texas.
