UVSC Center for the Study of Ethics announces annual fellow -- The Ethics Faculty Advisory Committee recently announced Dr. David Clark Knowlton, associate professor of behavioral science, as the recipient of the University Faculty Fellowship in Ethics for the 2008- 2009 academic year.

The purpose of the University Faculty Fellowship in Ethics is to facilitate faculty scholarship in interdisciplinary ethics, exploring moral challenges in a variety of disciplines.

Dr. Knowlton, a social anthropologist, has been actively involved in researching religious and social change in Bolivia as well as the development of supranational religions. Since his first conversations with rural Bolivians, who tutored him in their culture, Knowlton has been concerned with the ways globalized society impacts lesser-known areas of the world, such as Bolivia.

Dr. Knowlton will present his findings on his research and scholarship during his fellowship year as the University Ethics Faculty Fellow keynote address during Ethics Awareness Week in 2009.

UVSC to hold Technology Expo and 3D Derby event -- Utah Valley State College will host the annual Technology Expo May 12 at the Orem campus. The Expo is an all-day event with skills competitions for high school students in the morning, a 3D Derby and an exhibition for student projects. The project exhibition will be open to the public from 5 to 7 p.m. The public open house will be followed by an awards ceremony.

The Technology Expo event provides high school students with the opportunity to showcase their work in a variety of areas including technology, multimedia, trades, and the arts. More than 800 students are expected to participate in the event.

One of the events taking place at this year's Expo is a 3D Derby. The 3D Derby is a high-tech, large scale equivalent of a pinewood derby competition and involves contestants racing cars created and drawn with 3D solid modeling software and then produced on 3D prototyping machines. They will be judged on model design and drawing quality, as well as speed.

Skills challenges will be held in the areas of drafting, automotives, cabinetry and robot rally.

In addition to the skills competitions and derby, students will also be displaying projects in the McKay Center throughout the day. After the public open house, the students, whose displays will be judged by industry experts, will be recognized with awards and prizes. The winners of the skills challenges will also be recognized at the awards ceremony.

However, the Technology Expo is not just an opportunity for students to showcase their work. "The mission of the School of Technology and Computing is to prepare students for successful careers or advanced study in a dynamic, technology-based, global environment," said Ernie Carey, dean of UVSC's School of Technology and Computing. "At a time when there is a general shortage of graduates in all areas of technology, it is hoped that the Technology Expo will encourage students to continue their studies in technology."

The open house and awards ceremony are free and open to the public.

For a full schedule and information about contests, visit uvsc.edu/techcom/technologyexpo.

Layton Construction donating $38,000 to UVSC'S "Giving the Green" campaign -- UVSC's annual "Giving the Green" campaign raised just under $50,000 for the library. Almost 200 students, faculty and staff donated during the four-day March 17-20 campaign and raised almost $10,000. Layton Construction has agreed to make a four-to-one match of the student donations in the campaign, amounting to $38,000 on their part, totaling $47,000 for the campaign.

This was the third year of the campaign and the first year donations were given to the library. The funds raised during the drive the past two years have gone to the scholarship fund called the Student to Student Scholarship. This year's campaign was themed, "Leave Your Legacy in Stone," and each student who donated $50 will be named on a monument that will stand near the library. Faculty and staff also donated and were recognized if they donated $200.

"I think the students were thrilled to be a part of such a unique opportunity to not only give back to the school, but to be recognized as well," said Jay Fugal, president of the UVSC student alumni board. "We received an overwhelmingly positive response."

When the idea first came to mind with the planning committee, the general feeling was whether or not UVSC students, faculty and staff would donate, Fugal said. They wondered if they would get 100 people and they got almost 200.

"We are very pleased with the support from the students, advisers and the student government," said Fugal. "The idea of giving back to the school is catching on. This goes to show how much school spirit the students have with the phenomenal outreach we had in four days."

Volunteers awarded at annual UVSC banquet -- The Student Volunteer of the Year, Service-Learning Faculty of the Year and Community Partner of the Year awards were given out at UVSC's annual Volunteer Appreciation Banquet last month. This is the first year a Community Partner of the Year was featured.

"We try and highlight people here at UVU that have done an outstanding job incorporating service into their class, life and other's lives," said Melanie Sorensen, program coordinator for UVSC's volunteer and service learning center. "They are all nominated, which I feel gives greater meaning to the award than our department just choosing people."

The award for Community Partner went to Becky Miner. Miner helps the community with pre-schools, reading and tutoring programs and helps direct and open literacy centers in public and private schools, libraries and community centers.

The Service-Learning Faculty of the Year award went to DeWayne Erdmann. Erdmann teaches his students service and giving back to the community as an essential part of being a builder. His students give service each year by participating in the Sub Contractor for Santa and working with Habitat for Humanity.

The award for Student Volunteer of the Year went to Yazmin Montero. She was the program director for the UVSC food drive this school year, in addition to her involvement in the Latinos Unidos Club on campus which leads several service functions in the community.

"These awards showcase what is happening at UVU and within the community," said Sorensen. "Service is a wonderful way to get the community involved at UVU."