In This Section:
Pulitzer award-winning alumnus offers challenge to graduates
Bruce Stave to write comprehensive UConn history
Guggenheim architect selected for School of Fine Arts design
A downtown for Storrs, complete with stores
Five faculty selected for University's highest honor
Championships, individual honors for winter and spring terms
'It's one of the greatest stories in NCAA history'
UConn's transformation continues

Payne: Avoid apathy and indifference.

Les Payne '64 (CLAS), one of the nation's most honored journalists, addresses the class of 2003.

School of Law professor Thomas Morawetz in the procession at the School of Law during commencement exercises.

Alumnus and Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Les Payne '64 (CLAS) cautioned over 3,400 undergraduate and 1,700 graduate and professional students about the dangers of apathy and indifference, and challenged them to strive for success in their professional lives.

"The scourge of apathy must be ridden down and driven away," said Payne during May commencement ceremonies. "To accept it is to welcome defeat and tyranny."

Arthur Levitt, Jr., former chairman of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, offered a similar message to graduate and professional students, challenging them to embrace change in their professional lives and to take risks. "Search out new opportunities and then seize them," urged Levitt, "even at the cost of so-called job security."

One hundred seventy-two juris doctorates and 30 master of law degrees were awarded at the UConn School of Law. Albie Sachs, appointed by Nelson Mandela to the Constitutional Court in South Africa, addressed School of Law graduates. In light of recent international events, Sachs stressed the need for a cohesive global community.

Dushanka Kleinman, deputy director of the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research at the National Institute of Health, addressed the graduates of the Schools of Medicine and Dental Medicine, which awarded degrees to 78 physicians and 32 dentists.

During the undergraduate commencement, Payne received an honorary doctor of letters degree; at the graduate ceremony, Levitt was awarded an honorary doctorate in law. Other honorary degree recipients include Frederick Fennell, a recent inductee into the American Classical Music Hall of Fame; John Kluge, chairman and president of Metromedia, Co.; Daniel Dennett, director of the Center for Cognitive Studies at Tufts University; Henry Lee, chief emeritus of the Connecticut Department of Public Safety; Gordon Parks, award-winning photographer, film-maker, musician and writer; and Philip Lederer, director of the Harvard Institute of Human Genetics.

The University Medal, one of the University's highest honors, was awarded to Harold Löe, dean emeritus of the UConn Dental School, for his work in the field of dental medicine.
- Bilal Khan '05 (CLAS).

Undergraduate commencement in Storrs featured some additional touches to caps and gowns. From left, Talia Thiesfield, Lindsay Benner, Ryan Burhart and Addie Friend-Gray, all School of Fine Arts graduates.

The UConn history to be written by Bruce M. Stave, distinguished professor of history emeritus, is supported by contributions from several sources, including the UConn Alumni Association, the UConn chapter of the American Association of University Professors and the University of Connecticut Foundation.

The last full history of UConn was published in 1931 to mark the 50th anniversary of the Connecticut Agricultural College. A more recent history was the 2001 book of historic photos researched and written by Mark J. Roy '74 (CLAS), a member of the editorial committee of faculty and staff that is advising Stave and his group of student research assistants. The editorial committee is led by Richard D. Brown, Board of Trustees distinguished professor of history and director of the UConn Humanities Institute, who conceived the project.

Stave says he has uncovered "treasure troves" of material as he reviews papers and files written by historic University figures.

"The presidential papers, along with other collections and sources, including oral histories, illuminate numerous topics, such as undergraduate life, the role of women and minorities, academic freedom controversies, the development of research at Storrs and the establishment of regional campuses," he says.

World-renowned architect Frank Gehry won the architectural competition for the design of the UConn School of Fine Arts building, which is part of the plan for 21st Century UConn. The proposal by Gehry, best known for designing the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain, was selected by a jury of architects and University representatives at the culmination of a competition that attracted top names from the architectural world.

Early next year, plans will be in place to transform downtown Storrs into a vibrant town center with stores, restaurants, offices and apartments. The new

An early architectural concept for the future development of downtown Storrs

The Mansfield Downtown Partnership, an independent nonprofit organization, was established three years ago to create plans for the town center, as well as to coordinate improvements for Mansfield's other commercial areas. The Partnership is an 18-member board led by Philip Lodewick '66 (BUS), '67 M.B.A. that includes representati on from the town of Mansfield, UConn, local residents and businesses as well as alumni.

The town center identified for development includes 45 acres of land adjacent to the main campus near the intersection of Route 195 and South Eagleville Road.

Residents, businesses and members of the UConn community, including students, have provided ideas and suggestions for the downtown area. A developer is expected to be selected later this year, says Cynthia van Zelm, executive director of the Mansfield Downtown Partnership.

"It's a natural fit to what is going on at UConn with all of the improvements to the campus," Lodewick says. "We hope to make the downtown area a destination offering food, shopping and other activities."

Five faculty who have achieved exceptional distinction in scholarship, teaching, and service have been named Board of Trustees Distinguished Professors, the highest academic title for a member of the UConn faculty.

They are: Gary English, professor of dramatic arts; Deborah Fein, professor of psychology; Debra Kendall, professor of molecular and cell biology; Philip Marcus, professor of molecular and cell biology and Robert Weiss, professor of chemical engineering.

English, a stage designer with creative work in regional theater, Broadway, off-Broadway, television, and University theater has achieved national and international recognition in his field.

Fein is considered a pioneer in the study of autistic disorders and one of the leading pediatric neuropsychologists in the nation. She has been conducting research on autism for about 25 years and has obtained more than $7.5 million in grant support during her career.

Kendall studies the structural properties of membrane proteins, which are integral to their biological function. Her research has received external funding totaling about $3 million.

Marcus, a distinguished virologist, is considered a pioneering leader in the field of interferon, commonly used in treatment of various illnesses, including certain cancers. He is interim director of the Biotechnology Center.

Weiss' research has centered on ionomers - ion-containing polymers, liquid crystalline polymers, and polymer blends.

A leader known for his important breakthrough in characterization of ionomer structure, he is the author of 15 patents and more than 300 research papers, book chapters and conference papers.

All-America recognition during both seasons

The winter and spring seasons for the UConn Huskies were highlighted by head coach Geno Auriemma and the women's basketball team winning their second consecutive national championship. See the opposite page for the story.

Will Thomas '04 (ED) finished second in the decathalon at the NCAA Track & Field Championships.

Diver Melissa Kull '03 (CLAS) qualified for the NCAA Swimming & Diving Championships.

Taliek Brown '04 (CLAS) led the men's basketball team to its ninth Sweet 16 appearance.

The men's basketball team, led by head coach Jim Calhoun, won the East Division title in the Big East, advanced to the championship game of the league tournament and then made a run to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Championship for the ninth time since 1990, finishing the season at 23-10. Sophomore center Emeka Okafor '05 (BUS) was named to the Verizon Academic All-America Team and was honored as the Big East-Aeropostale Scholar-Athlete of the Year.

The women's ice hockey program, under head coach Heather Linstead, qualified for the first-ever Hockey East Women's Tournament, playing to the semifinals.

Head coach Greg Roy and the UConn men's indoor track and field team finished second at the Big East Championship and also won the school's 10th-consecutive New England indoor championship. Will Thomas '04 (ED) (pentathlon), Joe Mendel '03 (CLAS) (400 meters), Mike Deibler '03 (ED) (high jump) and Chris Mazza '04 (CLAS) (pole vault) won Big East event titles. During the outdoor season, the men's track team also finished second at the Big East Championships as Thomas won the decathlon and was named the championships' Most Outstanding Performer. Paul Pisano '04 (SAH) won for the javelin throw. Thomas, Pisano, Deibler and Mendel earned All-America rankings. Diebler was also named to the Verizon Academic All-America Team.

High jumper Deirdre Mullen '04 (SFS) was the winter's star performer for head coach Jackie Adams and the women's indoor track and field team. Mullen earned All-America honors at the NCAA Championship in the high jump and also won the event at the Big East Championship.

Diver Melissa Kull '03 (CLAS) qualified for the NCAA Championship to lead the women's swimming and diving season for head coach Bob Goldberg. Dustin Rogers '04 (BUS) winning the 100-meter butterfly at the Big East Championship highlighted the men's season, also led by Goldberg.

A familiar face left the Husky dugout as Andy Baylock retired after 20 years as head baseball coach. He will remain at UConn as the director of alumni and community affairs for the football program.

By Jamelle Elliott '96 (ED) '97 M.A.

Jamelle Elliott was a key member of UConn's undefeated 1995 championship team and was only the second player in UConn history to surpass both the 1,000 career point and 1,000 career rebounding milestones. She has been an assistant coach for the Huskies for the past six years.

Naismith Player of the Year Diana Taurasi '04 (CLAS) holding the NCAA championship trophy.

Freshman Barbara Turner '06 grabs a rebound during the national championship game.

When I first arrived in Storrs in 1992, UConn basketball was not what it is today. I remember playing in games with football players walking through Gampel Pavilion on their way to study hall, sitting wherever they wanted and watching for few minutes. It went from being able to take any seat to playing in front of a packed house. I feel blessed to have witnessed the growth of this program firsthand, having spent the last 10 years as part of the best women's basketball program in the country.

Heading into the 2002-03 season, I sensed that it would be the most fun I've had as a coach. The coaching staff expected to work hard, to squeeze every ounce of talent out of a young, inexperienced team that did not really know how good they were.

With Diana Taurasi '04 (CLAS) as the only player who had played significantly during last year's championship run, it seemed the returning players like Maria Conlon '04 (CLAS), Ashley Battle '05 (BUS) and Jessica Moore '05 (CLAS) felt that they had something to prove, that they weren't riding the coattails of their former teammates. They had not played much last season and knew expectations across the country were that they could not take the team back to the national championship. That really made them hungry.

When the 55-game winning streak took on a life of its own, it got to the players. No one really talked about it, but you could feel the pressure hanging over them. As Coach Geno Auriemma has said, the loss to Villanova in the Big East Tournament was probably the best thing that could have happened to us. Afterward we were a different team; we were focused.

Coaching the post players, I had a running joke with our freshmen forwards Willnett Crockett and Barbara Turner, teasing them that they never played well together on the same night. But it is amazing how players evolve within just one season. Their efforts really paid off. Barbara and Willnett were totally different players by the time we reached the Final Four than they were in October. It was a real joy to see them grow and mature.

Maria was our unsung hero, getting the ball to the right people, making big shots, getting to the free throw line. She plays with the same expression on her face, in command and control, whether we are up 10 or down 10. That's poise.

As the nets were being cut down in Atlanta after defeating Tennessee for the NCAA championship, I was awed by what this team was able to achieve. To see such a young group win the national title is one of the greatest stories in the history of the NCAA.

I still don't think it's really set in yet.

Classrooms, residence halls and cultural centers underway

UConn's nationally unprecedented building program - UCONN 2000/21st Century UConn - continues to transform the University dramatically. Among the renovation or new building projects underway or nearing completion are the Student Union, School of Pharmacy, Undergraduate Center, William Benton Museum of Art, Husky Village (fraternity and sorority residences), Charter Oak Apartments and Suites, Towers Central Dining Facility, Gentry Building, Nafe Katter Theater and the UConn campus in Waterbury.

Below: The new Biology/Physics Building provides quiet study areas for students.
	Above: Renovations to the Student Union will expand space for student activities and services, including a new 500-seat film theater.
	Below: UConn's new campus in downtown Waterbury has been designated to enhance and invigorate the city's revitalization efforts.
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