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Social Sciences and Social Ecology announce new public policy graduate program

Now seeking applications for inaugural fall 2011 class

The School of Social Sciences and School of Social Ecology are proud to jointly announce a new two-year Master of Public Policy (MPP) professional degree program at the University of California, Irvine. The program is the first new public policy program to be launched in Southern California in decades, and will be uniquely situated to address a diversity of policy challenges ranging from local to international issues. Applications are now being accepted for the inaugural fall 2011 class. Learn more at http://mpp.web.uci.edu.

Sweet rebellion

Rachel Klemek, anthropology '91, smuggles healthy ingredients — and attitude — into her Blackmarket Bakery goods

She ditched Derrida for dough — pastry dough, that is. But first, Rachel Klemek '91, owner of Blackmarket Bakery and Marché Noir Foods, tried a more traditional route. After graduating magna cum laude from UC Irvine with a bachelor's in anthropology, she married her high-school sweetheart, David — also an alumnus, at UCI's University Club. Then she headed to graduate school at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

From tights to textbooks

Classical ballet dancer and teacher returns to the classroom to earn degrees in economics, receives 2010 Kassouf Fellowship for excellence

When Patricia Daria Burnes began her economics undergraduate degree in 2002, she says that plans for completing the major were a bit of a stretch. A classically trained ballerina and dance studio owner, Burnes had taken a 15 year hiatus from her educational pursuits as a UCI dance major in 1987. Her intent in returning was to take a few courses to help prepare for a business administration graduate program. Eight years later, with an economics bachelor's, master's and an expected doctorate in 2011, she reflects on her eclectic journey.

Weatherall receives 2010 Lambert Prize for paper on inertial motion

Honor recognizes outstanding scholarship in a foundational science topic

Jim Weatherall, logic and philosophy of science graduate student, has been awarded the 2010 Justine Lambert Graduate Prize in the Foundations of Science. The $2,000 prize, established by UC Irvine professor emeritus J. Karel Lambert, is awarded every two years for the best UCI graduate student paper on a foundational science topic.

Scholarship spotlight: Jaclyn Wong

Recipient of the 2010-11 Carole Creek Bailey Undergraduate Award for Excellence in Sociology

Jaclyn Wong, sociology undergraduate, is the 2010-11 recipient of the Carole Creek Bailey Undergraduate Award for Excellence in Sociology. Established in 2008 by the late Carole Creek Bailey, a former Capistrano Unified School District employee, the $1,000 prize recognizes Wong for her academic excellence and promise as a community leader. Learn more about Wong's path to UCI, campus activities and future plans.

Scholarship spotlight: Claudia Moya

Recipient of the 2010-11 Reza Zarif and Rufina Paniego Undergraduate Award for Excellence in Anthropology

Claudia Moya, anthropology undergraduate, is the 2010-11 recipient of the Reza Zarif and Rufina Paniego Undergraduate Award for Excellence in Anthropology. The award was established in 2008 by Reza Zarif Maddah, anthropology '91, founder of Probe Manufacturing, and member of the Social Sciences Dean's Council; and his wife Rufina Paniego who provides volunteer leadership at a local women's shelter. The $1,000 prize recognizes Moya's excellence in both the classroom and her community. Learn more about Moya's interests and research in anthropology, her work with Global Medical Brigades at UCI and her future plans.

Grofman receives honorary doctorate from University of Copenhagen

Honor recognizes political scientist for research expertise in voting theory and behavior

UC Irvine political science professor and Jack W. Peltason Endowed Chair Bernard Grofman has received an honorary doctorate in political science from the University of Copenhagen in Denmark. The honor recognizes Grofman, who also directs UCI's Center for the Study of Democracy, for his work on voting theory, voter behavior, electoral systems and parliamentary processes. Also a leading authority on representation and redistricting, Grofman has served as an expert witness in key court cases around the U.S and is currently spending the fall quarter as a scholar in residence at the New York University School of Law. Grofman was recognized at a November awards ceremony in Denmark which was attended by the Queen of Denmark (pictured center with the University of Copenhagen rector at right and Grofman at left) and the country's Prince Consort. Joining Grofman in receiving honorary recognition were seven others, three of whom included U.S. honorees from the University of California at San Diego, University of Chicago, and Harvard University.

Family matters

Americans' definition of the basic societal unit is expanding, says sociology assistant professor Catherine Bolzendahl

Catherine Bolzendahl has spent much of her professional life studying how divorce, remarriage, stepparenting, same-sex unions and other factors affect public perception of the modern family. Her most recent findings, conducted with a team of sociologists from around the country, are detailed in Counted Out: Same-Sex Relations & Americans' Definitions of Family, published recently by the Russell Sage Foundation. The most significant discovery, according to the UC Irvine assistant professor of sociology, is the change in Americans' attitudes toward same-sex couples. Between 2003 and 2010, three surveys conducted by the team showed an increase from 54 percent to 68 percent in the number of people who consider such committed pairs families.

Montoya earns recognition for commitment to community based research

Honored at annual UC Irvine Institute for Clinical & Translational Science Chancellor's Community Health Awards Dinner

Michael Montoya, anthropology and Chicano/Latino studies associate professor, was awarded the Outstanding Community Based Participatory Research Investigator at the UC Irvine Institute for Clinical & Translational Science Chancellor's Community Health Awards Dinner October 28. The honor recognizes Montoya, who is also a core faculty member in the Program in Medical Education for the Latino Community (PRIME-LC) and holds a joint appointment in UCI's program in public health, for his work with the Community Knowledge Project. Founded in 2005 by Montoya, the grass roots organization works to partner university level research with community action to address issues such as childhood obesity, diabetes, stress, and overall community health in poverty stricken neighborhoods in Orange County. Montoya was one of 11 award recipients to receive recognition at the annual dinner.

Remembering Frank Lynch, '96 economics alumnus and philanthropist

From the Corona del Mar Patch:

Longtime Corona del Mar resident Frank W. Lynch, who died recently, is being remembered by his family as a noted philanthropist who led a full life. Lynch died suddenly of natural causes at his home Nov. 21. He was 88. He spent the majority of his life working with the Northrop Corp. He started there in 1950 as a research assistant in the special-weapons division and rose through the ranks until he finished his tenure as president and chief operating officer when Northrop was developing the stealth-bomber technology. Lynch was also a noted philanthropist. He was a founding trustee of the Orange County Performing Arts Center and was on the board of trustees at the Irvine Barclay Theatre and several other U.S. arts organizations. Lynch was also passionate about education. He graduated from Stanford University with a degree in electrical engineering and political science. After retiring from Northrop in 1989, he enrolled at UC Irvine and received his third bachelor's degree, in economics. He also began working on a graduate degree, but his declining health prevented him from completing it. Kathryn Lynch said her father loved to be on the cutting edge of technology and had a passion for books. Pictured: Lynch with Barbara Dosher, social sciences dean, and Nina Smart, 2010 recipient of the Social Sciences Dean's Endowed Fellowship for Excellence, funded by Lynch.