News Briefs

Hammond
confirmed as NEA chairman
…………………………………………………………………

The U.S. Senate
unanimously confirmed Shepherd School of Music Dean Michael
Hammond as the new chairman of the National Endowment for
the Arts Dec. 20.

Commenting on
the honor of the nomination, Hammond said, "As Americans,
we are all heirs to an incredibly rich and diverse artistic
and cultural heritage. I shall work to increase [the NEA’s]
role in making the arts an evermore valuable part of our
lives, connecting us to the past, illuminating the present
and inspiring our future."

Hammond has served
as dean of the music school since 1986.

EESI
changes name
…………………………………………………………………

EESI
now stands for Environmental and Energy Systems Institute.

"The name
change was made to more clearly represent the institute’s
strengths and priorities in the area of environment,"
said director Mark Wiesner, professor of civil and environmental
and chemical engineering.

EESI formerly
was called Energy and Environmental Systems Institute.