A gift for fellow alumni: Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and his wife, Dany Garcia Johnson, pictured above with daughter Simone, recently gave $2 million for the Dany and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson Living Room in the Robert and Judi Prokop Newman Alumni Center.

University receives
$2 million from Dwayne
“The Rock” Johnson and Dany Garcia Johnson
They met on campus, and now their gift will help warmly welcome fellow alumni visiting the University. Dwayne Johnson, A.B. ’95, the actor and former wrestler also known as “The Rock,” and his wife, Dany Garcia Johnson, B.B.A. ’92, founder of the Miami-based wealth management firm JDM Partners and a member of the UM Board of Trustees, have given $2 million to the University to name the living room of the much-anticipated Robert and Judi Prokop Newman Alumni Center.

The gift will be formally announced Friday, September 8, at the Miami premiere of the film The Gridiron Gang, in which The Rock stars as a football coach who uses the game to teach discipline at a juvenile prison, and is based on a true story.

The donation will name The Dany and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson Living Room, which will be a regal space with 26-foot ceilings, stone floors, comfortable furnishings and a fireplace. It will be the heart of the Robert and Judi Prokop Newman Alumni Center, the “home away from home” for more than 143,000 UM alumni.

To learn more, click here.

Malcolm Gladwell to speak at Fall Convocation tomorrow
Malcolm Gladwell, bestselling author of The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference and Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking, will share his provocative thinking on behavior and business with students tomorrow, Wednesday, September 6. The event was to occur on Tuesday, August 29, but was postponed due to Tropical Storm Ernesto.

Gladwell, a staff writer for The New Yorker magazine, will speak at the UM Fall Convocation at 6:30 p.m. in the BankUnited Center. The free event is open to the University community, and a ’Cane Card is required for entry.

A follow-up roundtable discussion about Gladwell's presentation and Blink will feature Dean Sam L Grogg, Vice Dean Sanjeev Chatterjee, and Susan Chang from the School of Communication and Mike McCullough and Fred Frohock from the College of Arts and Sciences. The program will be podcast and available for download beginning at 5 p.m. on Friday, September 8 .

To learn more, click here.

SACS assessment update
UM’s SACS reaffirmation and academic and non-academic program assessment are well under way. The Office of Accreditation and Assessment is currently collecting and analyzing data on the University's institutional effectiveness to meet the criteria set by SACS.

“This is a crucial year for preparation,” says Andy S. Gomez, assistant provost and chair of SACS accreditation. “This is the year that matters, and we continue to ask for feedback from our faculty, students, and staff as we work to improve the academic integrity of UM under President Shalala’s leadership.”

The Office of Accreditation and Assessment invites employees to visit the SACS assessment Web site and send any comments or suggestions to sacs@miami.edu.

Welcoming New Faculty New University faculty members and their families were invited to an afternoon of fun at the home of President Donna E. Shalala on Sunday, August 27. The annual New Faculty Picnic allows new academicians to meet one another and converse directly with the president in a beautiful garden setting. Along with great food and conversation, faculty members' children were entertained by a magician, face-painting clowns, playful games, and some time to cool off in President Shalala's swimming pool.

Fire prevention demonstration Thursday
The Office of Environmental Health and Safety and the Department of Residence Halls will present a live burn demonstration of two mock dorm rooms on Thursday, September 7 at the UC Green from 12 to 2 p.m. September is Campus Fire Safety month, and the objective of this demonstration is to show how quickly a fire can spread as well as the importance of evacuating during a fire alarm and not tampering with smoke detectors, fire sprinklers, and other safety equipment. The Coral Gables Fire Department will be on hand. For more information or questions, call 305-243-8463.

Get tickets for UM Employee Day at the Orange Bowl
UM Employee Day at the Orange Bowl is scheduled for Saturday, September 30, when the Hurricanes take on the University of Houston. All regular, full-time employees are eligible for one free admission ticket and can purchase up to five additional tickets for $1 each with a valid ’Canes Card.

Starting Thursday, September 7, ticket sales representatives will be available from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday. Sales will take place in the Whitten University Center breezeway on the Coral Gables campus and outside of Au Bon Pain on the medical campus. In addition, ticket sales representatives will be available at the Rosenstiel campus on Wednesday, September 13 and Wednesday, September 20 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Visit the Hurricane Ticket Office in the Hecht Athletic Center for tickets as well. For more information, call 305-284-CANES.

EAP sponsoring Conflict Communication Skills workshop
Participate with the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) in a workshop designed to help attendees learn to communicate more effectively in conflict situations.  The course is designed in a blended format, combining a prerequisite online computer-based training component with a live workshop where participants can strengthen their skills through practice. 

• Medical campus: Tuesday, September 19, from 2 to 4 p.m. at 155 Dominion Parking Garage
• Coral Gables campus: Tuesday, September 26, from 2 to 4 p.m. in room 139 of the Max Orovitz building
• Marine campus/RSMAS: Thursday, September 28, from 2 to 4 p.m. in the Library’s Map and Chart Room

To register, visit netlearning.miami.edu.  For questions about registration, call 305-284-5110 (Coral Gables and Rosenstiel campuses) or 305-243-3090 (medical campus). For answers about course content, call 305-284-6604.

Lunch, learn, and win with Travel Management and Contracts Management
Join Travel Management and Contracts Management for a brown bag lunch session and learn how to maximize your University and personal travel budgets. Also, review the correct policies and procedures for submitting contracts to the Department of Business Services for effective authorization and approval. Participants will have the chance to win restaurant lunches, restaurant brunch vouchers, hotel weekend stays, T-shirts, and exciting raffle prizes. The lunches occur on the following dates:

• Medical campus: Thursday, September 7, from 12 to 1 p.m. at the Lois Pope LIFE Center, seventh-floor break-out room
• Coral Gables campus: Thursday, September 14, from 12 to 1 p.m. on the second floor of the University Center, Flamingo Ballroom D
• Rosenstiel campus: Friday, September 15, from 12 to 1 p.m. in the Dean’s Conference Room

For more travel information, call Travel Management at 305-284-1087 or e-mail travel@miami.edu. For more business services information, call 305-284-5550 or e-mail tlmoore@miami.edu.

Information Systems Institute offers Microsoft Visio training
The NGJ Information Systems Institute is now accepting registrants for a seminar on Wednesday, September 13 on Microsoft Visio. Visio helps individuals design detailed diagrams and flow charts. This class will also explore additional uses and applications of the software. The class is $250 and will be held on the Coral Gables campus. For more information concerning location, time, and registration, call 305-284-2100 or e-mail f.freire@miami.edu.

Gifford Arboretum to honor Robert Kelley
Attend a tree planting on Saturday, September 9 in memory of Robert Kelley, associate professor and associate chair of the Department of Mathematics and an active member of the Gifford Arboretum Committee, who was dedicated to teaching about the natural environment in South Florida. In his honor, the arboretum will plant a specimen of the Mexican Alvaradoa (Alvaradoa amorphoides), a rare native tree that is host to the Dina butterfly. The ceremony will take place at 6:30 p.m. in the Gifford Arboretum. Visit the Gifford Arboretum Web site for directions. Later that evening, Frank Cooper will pay tribute to Kelley at a harpsichord concert starting at 8 p.m. in the Maurice Gusman Concert Hall. For more information, see the details in the “Time Out” section below.

Fascinated by China? Begin building Mandarin Chinese skills
Beginning Tuesday, September 19, the University’s Intensive Language Institute Chinese for Business courses begin. This dynamic program for beginning Chinese language students consists of two courses. Each six-week evening course focuses on survival language skills in Chinese, including communication, comprehension, and cultural tips for successful business interactions. Eligible UM employees can receive a 40 percent discount on tuition. For more information and to register, visit the course Web site or call 305-284-4727.

Chávez and Cuba's Future “It looks like Chávez has a stranglehold on what's going to happen in Cuba. Cuba is dependent on him.” Susan Kaufman Purcell, director of the Center for Hemispheric Policy, on the oil trade deal that Venezuela has with Cuba. According to reports, Venezuelan president Hugo Chávez has provided $300 million to $500 million in credit for a number of Cuban projects. The Miami Herald August 30 On forecasting storms “The first thing to do is to just think about how forecasts are made, it's not just somebody looking at a map. You need a very high-resolution model to resolve the inner core of the hurricane, which comprises the eye and the eye wall and the outer rain bands.” Sharan Majumdar, assistant professor of meteorology, on the difficulties predicting the path, duration, and intensity of tropical storms, even when using today's advanced tools. Sun-Sentinel August 28   Teachers and diversity “The idea is for students to encounter a diversity of role models. It matters not only to boys but also to girls. It's an unspoken message that counters the stereotypes and helps them later when they encounter something that is not the dominant experience.” Walter Secada, professor and chairman of the Department of Teaching and Learning in the School of Education, in an article about the relatively low number of men entering into the teaching profession and the effect diversity in the teaching population has on students. The Miami Herald August 28

Thursday, September 7 Game Face Closing Reception. The Lowe Art Museum will hold a closing reception for Game Face: What Does a Female Athlete Look Like? in conjunction with the monthly LoweDown Happy Hour from 7 to 9 p.m. Enjoy music by DJ PG-13, hors d'oeuvres courtesy of Chartwells Catering, and a full bar compliments of Bacardi. For more information, call 305 284-3603 or visit www.lowemuseum.org.

Thursday, September 7 Tierra Firme, New Works on Paper and Sculptures. Casa Bacardi will exhibit a series of new works on paper and bronze sculptures that focus on the archetypal and powerful female body from artist and sculptor Laura Lane through Wednesday, October 25. Casa Bacardi is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. General admission is $5; admission is free for UM students, faculty, and staff.

Saturday, September 9 Multiple Harpsichord Concert: Bach and McLean. Frank Cooper, Catherine Lan, Biljana Milovanovic, and Maryna Radyushyna will perform from 8 to 10 p.m. in Maurice Gusman Concert Hall to benefit the Frost School's Harpsichord Purchase Fund. Admission is $20. For more information, call 305-284-5813.

Various Dates Sesame Street Live: Elmo's Coloring Book. Pre-sale tickets go on sale tomorrow, Wednesday, September 6, for this show being held at the BankUnited Center from Thursday, November 30 through Saturday, December 2. Elmo and friends join Professor Art and his helpers, the Palettes, as they travel into their drawings to ancient Egypt, the land of the dinosaurs, and a very musical junkyard. For more information on ticket prices, seating, group packages, and the exclusive passcode for pre-sale access (limited time only), visit www.BankUnitedCenter.com. General public on-sale begins Saturday, October 7.

Wednesday, September 6 “Climbing the Ladder of Success.” The School of Business Administration hosts a special panel discussion at the Storer Auditorium beginning at 1:15 p.m. on the Coral Gables campus. Topics will include improving resume, interview, and networking skills; preparing for internships and dressing for success; and strengthening time and conflict management skills. The panel will include Sonia Harty, vice president of human resources with the Miami Heat; Maritza Marti, human resources manager at Nordstrom; Gloria Romero Roses, director of community and employee relations with The Continental Group, Inc.; and Leigh M. Rothschild, chairman of the board at Connected Media Technologies, Inc. For more information, call 305-284-4052.

Thursday, September 7 “Gynecologic Cancer Genetics.” An educational program will be presented by Talia Donenberg, certified genetics counselor. The event will occur from 12 to 1 p.m. at UM/Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, conference room 1301. Lunch will be served, and parking will be validated. The presentation, part of the Conversations about Cancer series, is free. To register, call 800-545-2292.

Saturday, September 9 Luminare Awards Gala 2006. The fourth annual Luminare Awards Gala for the University of Miami/Life Alliance Organ Recovery Agency (LAORA) will be held at the Miami Beach Resort and Spa at 7:30 p.m. Humberto Cortina, WQBA-AM radio personality and former state representative, will emcee the evening event, which honors medical professionals for their support and dedication to saving lives through organ donation and transplantation. The event will feature world-renowned tango dancers, fine food and drink, dancing, and a silent auction. Tickets are $85 per person.  All proceeds will benefit LAORA’s community and donor family services programs. For more information, call 305-243-7588.

Wednesday, September 13 Faculty Lunch and Learn Session. You may have heard of Wikipedia, but have you thought of using a wiki in the classes that you teach?  Do you know what a wiki really is?  Gina Maranto, acting director of English Composition, will share her experiences using a wiki to enhance learning in her classes. The session will take place from 12:20 to 1:10 p.m. in Whitten University Center, room 226 A and B (Flamingo Ballroom A and B), on the Coral Gables campus. Lunch will be served. Registration is required. For registration and information, visit www.snurl.com/wikiway or call 305-284-2008.

Wednesday, September 13 Gail F. Beach Memorial 2006-2007 Visiting Lectureship Series. The series hosts John Steeves, professor, leadership chair, and director of the International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries. Steeves will present "Challenges of Clinical Translational Research in SCI: Who, What, Where, When, Why and Let’s Not Forget, How!” at 12 p.m. in the Lois Pope LIFE Center, seventh-floor auditorium. For more information, call 305-243-7108 or visit www.miamiproject.med.miami.edu/x381.xml.

Tuesday, September 19 Nursing Your Stress. Stress is a normal response to any type of change. A certain amount of stress can actually help performance. But constant, uninterrupted stress can lead to chronic health problems and burnout. The Employee Assistance Program is offering a relaxing seminar aimed at helping nurses and caregivers manage stress. Participants will learn how to identify the difference between normal and harmful stress, how to address the factors that influence amounts of stress, and how to to use effective stress management techniques. The workshop will be held from 12 to 1 p.m. at the Professional Development and Training Office, Dominion Parking Garage, Suite 155 on the medical campus. For more information, call 305-243-3090.

Tuesday, September 19 Human Subjects Protection Educational Seminar. The topic for this seminar is “Question and Answer Session on the Use of Electronic Records in Research,” which will be presented by Kathy Roach from the Office of Research Compliance Assessment, and Audra Lazarus, assistant general counsel. The event will be held at the Mailman Center, Room 3023, from 12 to 1 p.m. To register, visit https://netlearning.miami.edu. For more information, e-mail mvalero@med.miami.edu.

Thursday, September 28 Frontiers in Vision Science Seminar. Badri Roysam, professor at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, will be the guest speaker at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute’s Frontiers in Vision Science Seminar at 12:30 p.m. in the Retter Auditorium. Roysam will speak on “Bayesian Approaches to Automated Analysis of Changes in Retinal Images.” A lunch reception will begin at 12 p.m. in front of the Retter Auditorium.

Various Dates Certificate Program in Healthcare Management. The Koubek Center is now accepting registrations for its new and updated Certificate Program in Healthcare Management. Classes start Monday, September 25 for Risk Management Essentials in Healthcare and Wednesday, September 27 for Healthcare Law and Ethics. These classes meet every Monday and Wednesday for five weeks. The eight-course program, 15 hours each, is $495 per course. For information on each course, visit www.educationmiami.com and click on Courses at Little Havana campus. To register online, visit www.educationmiami.com. For more information, e-mail mlozano@miami.edu or call 305-284-6001. University of Miami employees may be able to qualify for tuition remission.