Briefs

Cook Awards: The Advisory Committee on the Status of Women (ACSW) is requesting nominations for the seventh annual Cook Awards. The Constance E. Cook and Alice H. Cook Recognition Award honors individuals (male or female) who deserve recognition for their contributions to the Cornell community, especially those who have influenced women and/or women's issues. The awards are named in honor of Constance Cook, Cornell's first woman vice president (now an Ithaca attorney), and the late Professor Emerita Alice Cook, founding member of ACSW. To make a nomination for the award, submit the person's name with an explanation of his or her qualifications to ACSW member Deb Billups, 130 Day Hall; e-mail dav5@cornell.edu or fax 255-6873 by April 1. An ACSW committee will consider all nominations and decide on the final awardees. An award presentation and luncheon will take place for all recipients and their sponsors Friday, April 23, in Balch Hall Dining Room.

Graduate student award: Professor Emeritus Donald L. Downing has established an endowment to support an award of excellence that will recognize an outstanding graduate student in Cornell's Department of Food Science and Technology at the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station at Geneva, N.Y. "Dr. Downing has always been a primary supporter of Geneva's role in the education of graduate students," said Mark McLellan, FS&T department chair. "To establish such a legacy is to forever recognize the importance of graduate student research here at Geneva." McLellan hopes it is the first of many awards that might be established by friends of the department and retiring faculty. The Downing Award will be given annually. Selection will be made by the department chair based on academic achievement, service to the department and leadership among students. The award is $250. "I was prompted to establish this award because there are several awards of this nature on the Ithaca campus," said Downing. "I thought it would be a good idea if Geneva had something similar. By establishing it, I thought it might motivate others to do the same." Downing was professor of food processing at Geneva from 1967 to 1998. He is credited with the successful establishment of the Food Venture Center (FVC) program at Cornell and served as its director from 1988 until 1998, when he retired. The FVC provides guidance to state residents seeking to introduce new food products and processes to the marketplace.

Volunteer educators: Cornell students and other members of the community are needed as volunteer educators for this year's 4-H Environmental Appreciation Days, May 7, 10 and 11. Organized by Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County, the Environment Appreciation program is designed to help local fourth-, fifth- and sixth-graders learn more about the natural environment and foster a sense of stewardship. This year's workshops will take place at Cornell Plantations, EcoVillage, local state parks, schools and other sites around the county. The event, which has been running continuously for over 20 years, has become an environmental tradition in Tompkins County. Last year more than 1,200 students participated, and a total of 70 volunteer instructors taught hands-on workshops about birds, trees, composting, geology, pond ecology and more. Instructors can volunteer for one, two or all three days and can either work alone or co-teach with a friend. No prior teaching experience is required, and teaching supplies and help in planning lessons are available from 4-H. To sign up or get more information, contact Sharon Anderson at Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County, 272-2292, ska2@cce.cornell.edu, or Joann Gruttadaurio at in the Cornell Department of Floriculture and Ornamental Horticulture, 255-1792, jg17@cornell.edu.