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Top storiesVCU ranked eighth in nation for community outreach
VCU ranked eighth in nation for community outreach The criteria for Dobelle’s list included long-term commitment, the amount of real dollars invested from endowments, the relationship with city officials, the continuing student and faculty involvement and the sustainability of the projects. The top 10 schools chosen by the study were: University of Pennsylvania, University of Southern California, University of Dayton, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Rhode Island School of Design, Case Western Reserve University, Clark University, Virginia Commonwealth University, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and Emerson College. All of these institutions have figured prominently in lengthy cooperative efforts with community leaders to rehabilitate the cities around them, using their money and expertise to further projects. Faculty in the College of Humanities and Sciences participate in a wide array of community engagement and service programs. Initiatives range from K-12 learning and service activities to centers for prevention of youth violence and environmental studies. To learn more about the College’s involvement in Richmond and the surrounding communities, contact Dr. Kevin Allison at kallison@vcu.edu or visit the College’s Web site or Community Engagement Activities. CPSD honors dean and provost If you are interested in touring the CPSD, contact Sonia Banks, director, at srbanks@vcu.edu or 804-828-8069. New professor integrates science and history In addition to her research and teaching, Rader is pioneering a new initiative in science, technology and society. Part of the initiative includes the lecture series "Art, Science and Nature." The first program in the series, entitled “Butter and Mercury: Art, Science, and Craft in Early Modern Europe,” was presented Sept. 29, 2006, by Dr. Pamela Smith of Columbia University. The next lecture is scheduled for Nov. 17, 2006, at noon in the Forum Room and features Tony Robbin, author “Fourfield: Computers, Art and the Fourth Dimension.” For information on other College lecture series, visit www.has.vcu.edu/alumni/college-lecture.html Puru Jena: developing alternatives to fossil fuels
Hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe and considered an ideal energy carrier. When hydrogen burns, it produces only water and, thus, does not pollute the atmosphere. For this reason, it is considered an ideal alternative when discussing theoretical alternatives to fossil fuels. Jena explains that the buckyball is a soccer ball-shaped nanoparticle containing 60 carbon atoms. Essentially, the lithium buckyballs absorb the hydrogen, which means that one lithium atom can store five hydrogen molecules. According to Jena, the theoretical buckyball that was designed using computer modeling has 12 lithium atoms and can store 60 hydrogen molecules.
This research is part of the Hydrogen Fuel Initiative, which was set in motion by the U.S. government in 2003 to address the limited supply of fossil fuels and the subsequent rising demand and costs. Jena collaborated with Qiang Sun, Ph.D., who is affiliated with the INEST Group at the research center at Philip Morris USA; Qian Wang, Ph.D., an associate professor at VCU; and Manuel Marquez, Ph.D., also with the research center at Philip Morris USA.
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In a new study directed by Evan Dobelle, president and CEO of the New England Board of Higher Education and former president of the University of Hawaii, Virginia Commonwealth University ranked eighth among the nation’s universities for its community engagement and outreach programs. Dobelle’s study recognizes the “extraordinary efforts” made by American education institutions in contributing to educational, economic and community revitalization. 
At a Sept. 28, 2006, breakfast, Dr. Stephen Gottfredson, provost and vice president for academic affairs, and Dr. Robert Holsworth, dean of the College, were recognized for their support of the newly renovated building now housing the Department of Psychology’s 
Karen Rader, a new associate professor of history at the College, brings research in the history of science as well as museums to the university. Rader recently received a National Science Foundation Career Award, which will fund her research of life science exhibitions in American museums from 1920 to 1980. The advances in science, technology and changing social values have impacted the role of the museum in modern life. Rader is the first historian to examine this relationship.
Scientists at VCU have come another step closer in the exploration of alternative fuel sources and methods to store hydrogen fuel. In the Journal of the American Chemical Society, published online on July 6, 2006, VCU physics professor Dr. Puru Jena and his team describe the theoretical composition of a material — a lithium-coated buckyball — that may have the potential to serve as a storage vessel for hydrogen atoms. 
