July 23, 2018

Georgia Tech’s Faculty/Staff Newspaper • Vol. 43, No. 15 • whistle.gatech.edu

NEWS BRIEFS

IN THIS ISSUEAgenda Set for 10th Annual Diversity Symposium | 2Updates from Human Resources | 3Inside the Postal Distribution Center | 4

ATDC Companies Exceed $56M in Investment CapitalStartups in the Advanced Technology Development Center’s (ATDC) current portfolio raised $56 million in investment capital in the first half of 2018. That’s more than three times the amount recorded at mid-year in 2016.

atdc.org

Second Cohort Completes Inclusive Leaders AcademyWith the conclusion of the second cohort, which numbered 78 staff and faculty members, more than 250 members of the community have now completed the program. Nominations for the next cohort will begin this fall. diversity.gatech.edu

VICTOR ROGERS INSTITUTE COMMUNICATIONS

David Knobbe says he “loves to watch things grow.” He’s referring to gardening, but the statement could just as easily be applied to his professional life.

Knobbe is the assistant director of Outdoor Recreation at the Campus Recreation Complex. A native of St. Louis, Missouri, Knobbe earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Missouri. After college, he worked for 16 years with an outdoor program that focused on teen leadership. In 2005, he came to Atlanta to work with a leadership initiative for teenagers that was sponsored by The Coca-Cola Company. In 2010, he came to Tech, where he coordinates outdoor recreation with the help of two profes-sionals and about 30 student employees —

not to mention a community of more than 200 student volunteers.

“They’re an essential resource that allows us to deliver the quantity and quality of programming that we provide,” Knobbe said. “They really make the magic work when it comes to leading trips and expedi-tions all over the Southeast and, frankly, all over the world.”

During the summer, Knobbe, his staff, and Outdoor Recreation Georgia Tech (ORGT) volunteers are busy coordinating Tech Treks, outdoor orientation trips that are an optional way for incoming first-year students to kick off their time at Georgia Tech. This summer, there are eight Tech Trek expeditions to Montana, Alaska, Corsica, and Canada, with approximately 30 student volunteers serving about 85

Shaping Leaders Through the Great Outdoors: Meet David Knobbe

see KNOBBE, page 3

Knobbe stands in front of kayaks in the Outdoor Recreation area of the Campus Recreation Complex.

Photo by Allison Carter

Mindy Millard-Stafford, professor in the School of Biological Sciences, studies exercise physiology, including how dehydration and exertion can reduce physical and cognitive performance. A new study reveals that just two hours of vigorous yard work in the summer sun without drinking fluids could be enough to blunt concentration. Researchers reported that after statistically analyzing data from multiple peer-reviewed research papers on dehydration and cognitive ability, the data pointed to functions such as attention, coordination, and complex problem-solving suffering the most. Read more about the analysis at news.gatech.edu.

Photos by Christopher Moore

AS WE SWEAT, COGNITION CAN SPUTTER

RACHAEL POCKLINGTON INSTITUTE COMMUNICATIONS

As the summer construc-tion season approaches its end, activity in the northwest sector of campus may affect pedestrian and vehicular access on several streets.

Ninth StreetDue to improvements

in electrical infrastruc-ture, pedestrian access and handicap ramps will be closed on Ninth Street between Turner Place and McMillan Street through July 25. In addition, this pedestrian access will be closed on McMillan Street directly adjacent to the Eighth Street Apartments West. Vehicular access will remain, but periodic interruptions are possible.

Due to the installa-tion of chilled water lines, Ninth Street is tentatively

scheduled to be closed to all on-street parking, vehicular traffic, and pedestrian traffic between Hemphill Avenue and Center Street through Aug. 1. Plating of the road will allow for some intermit-tent through traffic for essential vehicles only.

Center Street

Center Street will be closed to all pedestrian and vehicular traffic until Jan. 1, 2019.

Dalney Street

Dalney Street is now permanently closed to vehicular traffic. On-street parking on Dalney in the vicinity of the Dalney Building project site will also be unavailable. The sidewalk will be closed along the west side of the street adjacent to the site. A section of Dalney Street

Construction May Create Congestion, Closed Sidewalks

see STREETS, page 3

PAGE 2 • July 23, 2018 whistle.gatech.edu • THE WHISTLE

EVENTS continued on page 3

Calendar submissions should be emailed to editor@comm.gatech.edu at least 10 days prior to desired publication date. For more information, call 404-385-7061.

Archives are posted at whistle.gatech.edu.

Georgia Tech is a unit of the University System of Georgia.Georgia Tech’s Faculty/Staff Newspaper

Editor: Kristen BaileyPhotos: Allison Carter, Rob Felt, Christopher Moore

Published biweekly throughout the year by Georgia Tech Institute Communications.

comm.gatech.edu

EVENTS

ARTS AND CULTURE

Aug. 25 DramaTech Theatre hosts A Night

of Terrifying Tales from 7 to 10 p.m. at its black box theater on the back side of Ferst Center for the Arts. dramatech.org

Through Sept. 7 The Robert C. Williams Museum of Papermaking hosts the exhibit Golden Legacy: Original Art from

75 Years of Golden Books. Museum hours are Monday–Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.paper.gatech.edu

HEALTH AND WELLNESS

July 25; Aug. 1, 8, 15 The Biltmore hosts Namaste Wednesday with a free yoga class from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the Biltmore Courtyard (rain location: Biltmore Ballroom).

Through Aug. 8 Health Initiatives hosts a book club series to discuss Mindfulness: An

Eight-Week Plan for Finding Peace

in a Frantic World by Mark Williams and Danny Penman. Discussions take place on Wednesdays during lunchtime. Event details are available at:healthinitiatives.gatech.edu

WORKSHOPS AND TRAINING

July 25 Human Resources hosts a Be Well session on Saving for the Holidays from noon to 1 p.m. in Room 202, Scheller College of Business. ohr.gatech.edu/bewell

Aug. 22 Human Resources hosts a Be Well session on Planning for Your Georgia Tech Retirement from noon to 1 p.m. in Room 320, Student Center. ohr.gatech.edu/bewell

MISCELLANEOUS

July 23–24 FASET Orientation will take place for incoming fall first-year students. Additional FASET dates include:

• July 26–27• August 12–13• August 14–15

transitionprograms.gatech.edu

Mary Beran, director of the Office of Research Integrity Assurance’s Export Controls and Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee programs at Georgia Tech, has been appointed to the Department of State Defense Trade Advisory Group in Washington, D.C., for a two-year term.

Two Georgia Tech College of Computing researchers, Munmun de Choudhury and David Joyner, have been announced as recipients of 2018H1 Mozilla Research Grants. The winning proposals support Mozilla’s mission of “making the Internet safer, more empowering, and more accessible.”

The National Science Foundation — in consultation with the Department of Education, NASA, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration — has appointed Lizanne DeStefano as one of 18 inaugural members of its STEM Education Advisory Panel. DeStefano is the executive director of the Center for Education Integrating Science, Mathematics, and Computing (CEISMC). She is also an associate dean in the College of Sciences and a professor in the School of Psychology.

George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering Associate Professor Peter Loutzenhiser has been awarded the 2018 Yellott Award by the Solar Energy Division of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). Loutzenhiser received the award during the 2018 ASME International Conference on Energy Sustainability, held June 24–28 in Orlando, Florida.

Arijit Raychowdhury, the ON Semiconductor Junior Professor in the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, received the 2018 IEEE/ACM “Innovator Under 40 Award” at the Design Automation Conference, held June 24–28 in San Francisco, California.

Maryam Saeedifard, associate professor in the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, has been chosen for the 2018 IEEE Industrial Electronics Society’s J. David Irwin Early Career Award.

Zhong Lin (Z.L.) Wang, Regents Professor and Hightower Chair in Materials Science and Engineering, was elected as Academician of Academia Sinica by the 33rd Convocation of Academicians, held from July 2–5 in Taipei, Taiwan.

FACULTY AND STAFF

ACHIEVEMENTS

The Recyclosaurus recently on display on the first floor of Clough Commons was a wonder of recycled materials. The piece was made of recycled plastic bottles by Turkish artist Baris Karayazgan, who created it as part of an art therapy project with the Art Reach Foundation and the Clarkston Community Center. Georgia Tech’s Office of Solid Waste Management and Recycling donated around 1,000 of the 10,000 bottles needed for the project. More than 325 children enrolled in summer camp with the Clarkston Community Center participated in the creation of the Recyclosaurus over the course of two weeks. The Recyclosaurus was on display at Clough Commons for two weeks in July.

Photo by Allison Carter

BOTTLES BREED JURASSIC CREATION

Mark Your Calendar for 10th Annual Diversity SymposiumWednesday, Sept. 5, 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Georgia Tech Global Learning Center and Georgia Tech Hotel and Conference Center

The 10th Annual Diversity Symposium theme is “Building Inclusive Communities: The Path Forward – Together.” On the heels of a challenging year for the campus community, this event will explore both the progress made and the challenges that remain in the interrelated areas of academics, health and well-being, and student and community life.

The Diversity Symposium will provide a forum for robust, informed discussions among faculty, staff, and students, focusing on how we can support the Institute’s commitment to an inclusive, safe, and healthy community.

The morning sessions will include an opening keynote from Charlayne Hunter-Gault, an award-winning journalist and author, and panels on inclusion in higher education. The Diversity Symposium Awards Luncheon will include Diversity Champion Awards and Faces of Inclusive Excellence presentations followed by a luncheon keynote from Ange-Marie Hancock Alfaro, professor and chair of Gender Studies at the University of Southern California.

For more information and registration, visit diversity.gatech.edu/diversitysymposium.

Guests enjoy the 2017 Diversity Symposium. Photo by Digital Pictureworks

For a more comprehensive listing of events, or to add your own, visit calendar.gatech.edu.

THE WHISTLE • whistle.gatech.edu July 23, 2018 • PAGE 3

EVENTS

July 23–24 Final instructional class days for Full Summer Session.

July 26 Reading period takes place from 8 a.m. to 2:20 p.m.

July 26 – Aug. 2 Final exams take place for Late Short and Full Summer Sessions.

Aug. 3 End of term for all summer sessions.

Aug. 4–5 Summer move-out takes place in campus housing.

Aug. 7 Grades available for all summer sessions.

Aug. 7 At Underwater Robots and Ice

Sheets: Science at Ponce City

Market, graduates and faculty members from the School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences will talk with farmers market customers about science, from 4 to 8 p.m. at the BeltLine Shed.sciences.gatech.edu

Aug. 11 Early move-in begins for first-year students. All other students begin moving into campus housing Aug. 13. Official opening days are Aug. 18–19.housing.gatech.edu

Aug. 19 New Student Convocation takes place from 5 to 6 p.m. at McCamish Pavilion.specialevents.gatech.edu/about/

events/convocation

Aug. 23 The LGBTQIA Resource Center hosts a grand opening for its new space. The event will take place from 11 a.m. to noon in the atrium of the Smithgall Student Services (Flag) Building. lgbtqia.gatech.edu

Aug. 24 The deadline for students to register, make schedule changes, and/or drop courses without a “W” grade for fall semester is 4 p.m.

Aug. 27 Payment deadline for fall semester.

Aug. 29 Graduate Student Welcome will include a convocation ceremony from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. at McCamish Pavilion, followed by the Graduate Student Picnic from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Tech Green.specialevents.gatech.edu/

graduate-student-welcome

students. In addition, Outdoor Recreation runs six three-day Tech Trek sessions in the Southeast, serving another 80 incoming students.

“The outcomes of those experi-ences are long-lasting friendships, an understanding of what people do well and the strengths that set them apart, and a foundation for building a strategy for being more successful when they encounter the challenges of being a Tech student,” Knobbe said. “What is amazing about the trips is how powerful they can be in building awareness and shaping students’ career direction.”

Knobbe said that he and the ORGT volunteers often stress that a degree from Georgia Tech will get a graduate a very prestigious interview, but the degree alone won’t actually secure the job.

“It’s really the experiences that you build doing things other than coursework that seal the deal and get you hired,” he said. “We see students — who sometimes volunteer between 5,000 to 7,000 hours over four to five years at Tech — building leadership, communication, and coaching skills.”

Knobbe enjoys seeing students grow and find their way. It’s his favorite part of the job.

“What I like most is the impact that we have on the trajectory of students,” he said. “We have individuals who encounter us as shy, uncertain, unaware students. By the time they graduate, they are the sort of individuals who are impressive at every level. They understand their power to affect the trajectory of other students. They see their involvement with ORGT not as a way to ‘get outside,’ but as a way to serve the Georgia Tech community.”

While most Outdoor Recreation programs are targeted to students, there are opportunities for Tech employees to engage. Last year, ORGT operated 162 one- and

two-day adventure programs and 16 expeditions of approximately 10-12 days each. Faculty and staff are welcome to sign up for weekend programs but not the expeditions. For those seeking to structure their own outdoor adventure, Outdoor Recreation can help support that by offering boat, tent, and even backpack rentals.

In the past eight years, ORGT has led 95 expeditions to six continents. In December, ORGT will set foot on Antarctica, conquering the seventh continent. A small group of five students and one guide will meet in Chile, skirt the edge of Antarctica, fly back to Chile, do a sea-kayaking expedi-tion on the sub-Antarctic coast of Chile, and do some trekking across glaciers.

Away from the OfficeWhen asked what he does for

fun, Knobbe quickly replied, “I have three teenagers, and I enjoy hanging out with them.”

He is married, and their three

children are 17-year old twins (a girl and a boy), and a 15-year-old son.

An avid gardener, he prefers to be outside whenever possible. He points to a couple of jars of homemade pickles sitting on his desk.

“I grow cucumbers, squash, green beans, tomatoes, carrots, radishes, eggplant, okra, and collards,” he said.

Knobbe is trying his hand at writing, too. He’s writing a book about his experience hiking the Appalachian Trail 30 years ago. The hike took 160 days.

“I was in graduate school. It came time to work on a thesis project, and I just didn’t feel like it,” he said. “So, I hiked the Appalachian Trail.”

His book is titled 10,000 Better Days because approximately 10,000 days have passed since the hike. The book is based on the idea that the promise of any life-sized adventure done right is that every day thereafter will be just a little better than it might

have been otherwise.“I use this as the opportunity

to tell the story and share a little bit of insight,” he said. “I walked away with the idea that the simplicity and focus of that experience really is one of those things that drives success afterward. I can tie every good thing in my life back to that experience.”

KNOBBE, from page 1

(Above) Knobbe manages gear rental for Georgia Tech’s Outdoor Recreation programs, which are open to faculty and staff. (Below) Knobbe enjoys gardening and pickling vegetables during his personal time.

Photos by Allison Carter

Off-Cycle Checks

The Georgia Tech payroll policy regarding off-cycle checks has been updated to align with the University System of Georgia.

Beginning Aug. 1, off-cycle checks will no longer be allowed for special payments, extra compensation, or incentive compensation payments. Moving forward, these payments will be processed with the first on-cycle payroll processing date after supporting documentation for such payments has been received.

In addition, off-cycle checks will not be processed for late timesheets unless a financial hardship case is made. Employees and managers should ensure that timesheets are submitted and approved in a timely manner.

To learn more, visit ohr.gatech.edu/managers.

GradHiring

More than 500 graduate students will start jobs at Georgia Tech this fall, an onboarding that would normally exceed HR’s capacity. To meet the demand, GTHR brings the hiring process directly to the new employees by hosting a two-day onboarding event called GradHiring.

GradHiring will take place Aug. 15–16 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the third floor of the Clough Undergraduate Learning Commons. Graduate students and managers should expect direct emails with more information. To learn more, visit ohr.gatech.edu/gradhiring-2018.

HUMAN RESOURCES UPDATESbetween the Kendeda Building for Innovative Sustainable Design and the Dalney project site will be closed to all pedestrian, bicycle, and vehicular traffic.

State StreetState Street is expected to

reopen to all vehicular and bicycle traffic on Aug. 1. The sidewalk along the west side of the street adjacent to the Kendeda Building for Innovative Sustainable Design will remain closed. The sidewalk along the east side of State Street adjacent to the Nanotechnology Building will remain open.

Ferst DriveThe sidewalk along the

north side of Ferst Drive adjacent to The Kendeda Building for Innovative Sustainable Design will remain closed.

Farther to the east on Ferst Drive, the Georgia Tech Athletic Association is planning to re-sod Russ Chandler stadium beginning the week of July 18 and lasting until September. While no road closures are antici-pated, increased construc-tion traffic is expected on Hemphill Avenue, Ferst Drive, and Fifth Street. A flag person will be on-site supporting traffic flow during heavy congestion times.

For a map and details of the planned changes to street access, including parking areas, visit news.gatech.edu.

STREETS, from page 1

PAGE 4 • July 23, 2018 whistle.gatech.edu • THE WHISTLE

Ads run for at least three issues in the order in which they are received. Submit your 35-word-or-less ad to editor@comm.gatech.edu.

CLASSIFIEDS

REAL ESTATE/ROOMMATESFor rent: 1BR/1BA apt. in Grant Park. Completely renovated, light-filled, airy, and spacious w/ balcony, extra storage. Available immediately. Steps from future BeltLine southern extension. Owned by Georgia Tech faculty member, managed by truhavenhomes.com. $1,450/mo. 880 Confederate Ave., #304. See photos at news.gatech.edu/whistle/classifieds.

For rent: 2BR/1BA furnished apartment suite in private North Buckhead home, available Aug. 12. 12-minute walk to Buckhead MARTA station or 15- to 20-minute drive to campus. $1,100/mo. Email newstetter@gmail.com.

For rent: 1BR apartment w/ own bathroom and shared kitchen in Stone Mountain. $500 plus utilities. Call 770-262-0566.

For rent: 2BR/1BA basement apartment in Johns Creek, North Fulton County. Exceptional neighborhood, close to GA-400, I-85, I-285. $950/mo. rent only, or $1,100/mo. rent and utilities (except AT&T internet). Contact jstarnes3@gatech.edu.

One or two rooms for rent in East Cobb. Each w/ its own bathroom. Shared kitchen facilities. $450 for one room or $600 for both. Email bdespy@hotmail.com.

For rent: 1BR/1BA apartment in Home Park, duplex residence. Amenities include: washer/dryer, off-street parking, security system, A/C, ample storage. $925/mo. Contact 404-512-4618.

Custom designed beach house in beautiful Seagrove Beach, Florida, along Scenic 30A. Sleeps 8; no pets; no smoking; convenient to everything; Georgia Tech discount. See listing at: www.VRBO.com/581301.

VEHICLESFor sale: Cool, classy, 1990 Mercedes-Benz 560 SEL. Black exterior, leather interior. Runs great. Well maintained. All systems work: A/C, heated front and back seats, V8 engine. Mostly restored. Asking $3,200. Call 918-500-6579.

MISCELLANEOUSFree 9-week-old kittens. Two males and one female. The two males are black, female is gray. All have had first visit to vet. Contact pk2@gatech.edu.

For sale: Simmons Beautyrest “Firm” full mattress and Tempur-Ergo Premier Adjustable Frame (frame w/ warranty). 18 months old. Orig. $3,600, selling for $1,800 OBO. Contact pamaviga@outlook.com.

Looking for a carpool partner for the daily commute from East Cobb to Tech campus. Email bdespy@hotmail.com.

Email is immediate, but many people still

enjoy receiving cards, magazines, and packages via good old snail mail.

Proof can be found at Georgia Tech’s Postal Distribution Center, located at 711 Marietta Street. Depending on the time of year, employees process between 28,000 and 35,000 pieces of metered mail per month. Mail is distributed all over campus, including 10,480 mailboxes at the Student Center Post Office. Take a look inside at c.gatech.edu/postal.

Hidden Georgia Tech is a photo essay series highlighting places on campus that may largely go unnoticed but are sometimes hidden in plain sight. If you know of a place worth exploring, email editor@comm.gatech.edu. View more from the series at c.gatech.edu/hidden.

CHRISTI CAMPBELL INSTITUTE COMMUNICATIONS

Effective July 1, Steven P. French, dean and John Portman Chair of the College of Design, has been reappointed for a second five-year term.

As required by the Georgia Tech Faculty Handbook, a perfor-mance review of academic deans occurs at the fifth year of service. In December 2017, Provost Rafael L. Bras appointed

a committee to evaluate the progress of the programs under the leadership of Dean French, as well as to review his professional contributions and performance as leader and administrator for the College of Design.

“The committee commended Dean French’s commitment to advocating and honing the ongoing vision for the College of Design, as well as his leadership and investment in increasing enrollment and program offerings within the College, said Bras. “Based on their review, I have offered Dean French reappoint-ment for another term and am glad he has accepted.”

Reviewers praised French for strengthening

the College of Design, as well as improving cross-College communication and collabo-ration. Their report also noted that Dean French’s new and ongoing projects, including the Masters of Real Estate program, have solidly “connected [him] with the alumni, the faculty, the students, and the Atlanta community.” Enrollment growth in the past five years, as well as new degree offerings in the College, helped improve the College culture and helped it move forward overall into a newly refined and robust part of the Institute.

French’s new appointment extends through June 2023.

French Appointed to Second Term as Dean of Design

Steven French

THE POSTAL DISTRIBUTION CENTER

HIDDEN GEORGIA TECH

(Top) Courier Kenric White stands in the area where incoming mail is sorted by campus mail code for delivery. (Above) Kristopher Johnson, postal services clerk lead, puts mail into boxes at the Student Center Post Office. The beginning of fall and spring semesters are peak times for mail delivery.

Written by Victor Rogers // Photos by Rob Felt