Notables

An article for a popular-press audience, written by Meredith F. Small, professor of anthropology, has been honored by inclusion in the book The Best American Science and Nature Writing, 2003 (Houghton/Mifflin), edited by Stephen Pinker and Timothy Folger. Her article, titled "Captivated," first appeared in Natural History magazine and describes her experiences watching Japanese macaques in the Central Park Zoo, a more convenient alternative to field observations of that species. Small also contributes commentary to National Public Radio, such as a recent essay about how her 6-year-old daughter perpetuates one of the ancient techniques that propelled human society forward -- making tools from stone.

Carl Lagoze, a senior research associate in the Cornell Information Science Program, is the winner of the Frederick G. Kilgour Award for Research in Library and Information Technology for 2004. The award is sponsored by Online Computer Library Center Inc. and the Library and Information Technology Association, a division of the American Library Association (ALA). The award is given to a person who has amassed a significant body of research in the field of library and information technology, and consists of $2,000, an expense-paid trip to the ALA Annual Conference in Orlando, Fla., Monday, June 28, to receive the award, and a citation of merit. Lagoze co-created the Open Archives Initiative Protocol for Metadata Harvesting, a protocol that allows the holders of digital collections to publish what librarians call "metadata," or data about the data, making it possible to locate and administer content on the Internet. He also co-invented the Flexible and Extensible Digital Object and Repository Architecture (Fedora), open-source software for creating digital object repositories used in various academic and corporate settings. Fedora is being co-developed by Cornell and the University of Virginia. Lagoze also founded the Cornell Digital Library Research Group.

During the convocation for the Cornell Commitment March 5 on campus^,, the third annual Debra S. Newman Cornell Tradition Community Recognition Award was given to Noel Desch. Desch has served on the Town of Ithaca board for 25 years. He was presented by Cornell Tradition staff with a certificate and check for $1,000 to donate to the service agency of his choice, and he designated the money to go to Longview's Quality of Life Fund. Desch's name will be engraved on a plaque to be displayed in the office of the Cornell Tradition in perpetuity. The Newman community recognition award was established in 2001 by the Student Advisory Council of the Cornell Tradition to recognize and honor a community member who has demonstrated a strong commitment to community service and/or leadership in a community service setting. The award memorializes Debra Newman, a 2001 Cornell graduate and former Tradition fellow.