Criminal justice division rated nationally

No doubt, here, about where the "good guys" are. They're in UC's criminal justice division, which is rated No. 2 nationally in an analysis published by the "Journal of Criminal Justice Education."

The division, which awards associate through doctoral degrees in the College of Education, has grown rapidly since 1991 when a state challenge grant helped UC expand program offerings. Since then, 12 PhDs have graduated, and 50 doctoral students are currently enrolled.

The Center for Criminal Justice Research, founded three years ago, is also gaining ground as a major national service provider. This year the center is conducting 35 projects worth $3.5 million on issues of policing and corrections.

Current UC rankings

UC designs 'merit winners'

Grass-covered berms ripple around UC's Aronoff Center for Design and Art. A spiraling nautilus of stone commands the paved plaza of Library Square. These earth-shaping elements of the university's ongoing master plan are winning international acclaim.

"Landscape Architecture" magazine has named UC's designs as merit winners in a prestigious international competition sponsored by the American Society of Landscape Architects. Both were created by prominent landscape designer George Hargreaves.

UC's Library Square was recognized for its "dynamic quality" and "humor." The undulating landforms around the Aronoff Center were praised for complementing the building's "whimsy" and "mystery."

Interactive UC campus map

University gets top dollar

Record levels of external support at UC last fiscal year hit $116 million, a 7-percent increase over the previous year. The total moved the university up in the National Science Foundation research rankings, from 85th position to 53rd in the nation -- on par with such highly acclaimed research institutions as the University of Chicago.

The following factors contributed to UC's commendable position:

• UC researchers attracted nearly 75 percent of the total.
• The College of Medicine brought in the largest sum: 64 percent, $69 million.
• The College of Engineering was next in line: 22 percent, $18.5 million.
• Eighty-six percent of UC's total external support came from the federal government, roughly a 30-percent increase from two years ago.

Once again, UC's patent income remained No. 1 in Ohio, and the Association of University Technology Managers ranked it 34th in the nation, placing it ahead of such schools as Purdue. UC's 1998 fiscal year royalties, which are not yet reflected in current AUTM rankings, look even better: $3.27 million, or a 23 percent increase from '97.

UC leads all Tristate universities in patent income (2002)

Another $70 million

UC and the Barrett Cancer Center seem poised to go after a comprehensive designation from the National Cancer Institute, following two announcements in the spring: A new director was hired, and the College of Medicine acknowledged receipt of a trust fund of more than $70 million, which, ultimately, will be used to build its cancer research program.

More than 40 years ago, musician William French established the trust to recruit cancer research scientists. In '96, to honor the family, the college established the French Cancer Research Institute, to be part of the Vontz Center for Molecular Studies which opened in October '99.

The new director of both the institute and the Barrett Center is Dr. Kenneth Foon, a nationally recognized expert in the field of cancer vaccines and former director of the University of Kentucky cancer center.

An elite class

From paleontology to medicine to law, UC's PhD programs rank among the best in the country, according to the March 29 issue of "U.S. News & World Report."

The magazine's guide to the finest graduate schools placed UC sixth nationally in pediatrics programs, the highest ranking for an Ohio medical school. UC slid into the 35th spot in primary care and 45th in medical schools overall. The paleontology PhD programs earned a ninth, while the law school came in at 47th.

Current UC rankings

No dream too big

Dreaming again

Another alumnus's first novel may be headed for movie theaters. A production company co-owned by actor Patrick Stewart recently obtained an option to make a film of "The Kommandant's Mistress," by Sherri Szeman, PhD (A&S) '86. According to "Variety," Stewart plans to produce and star in the film.

Published by HarperCollins in '93, the book has sold 10,000 hardcover copies and 11,000 paperback copies. It also went into four printings and was selected one of the Best Books of 1993 by the "New York Times Book Review."

Szeman's book recounts the tale of a Czech woman taken to a Nazi concentration camp, where her parents are gassed and she is forced to fulfill the kommandant's sexual demands. The author is currently writing her second novel.

The Kommandant's Mistress on GoodReads.com

The Kommandant's Mistress on Amazon.com

A trying case

Prosecuting a serial killer is a pinnacle case for even a seasoned attorney.

Yet it became part of the classroom experience for 12 UC College of Law students earlier this year. Working with the Hamilton County prosecutor's office, associate professor Jack Chin landed an opportunity for his criminal appellate advocacy class to ascend to the apex of criminal law by researching and preparing actual casework against white supremacist Joseph Paul Franklin.

Franklin, convicted of nine murders and suspected of many more, was found guilty last year of the 1980 sniper-style shootings of two Bond Hill teens. The Hamilton County prosecutor agreed to allow UC students to prepare the first draft of the brief to be used against Franklin when his case goes before the Ohio Court of Appeals.

Not only impressed that the case was "challenging, consequential and important," Chin says, "I was pleased because of how they viewed the College of Law and the respect they have for the quality of education here."

Give a hand

How to make work sites safer and more productive? Try a UC industrial engineering team's new CD-ROM, "Industrial and Occupational Ergonomics: Users' Encyclopedia."

Several features make this electronic version superior to traditional handbooks. It is easy to use, concise and inexpensive. A search feature gives almost immediate access to a topic or problem area. It includes everything from preventing serious injuries to designing better hand tools.

Information and solutions were contributed by a long list of experts from six continents. Its $60 price tag is only a fraction of the cost of standard texts in the field -- and students will pay only about half as much.

Anil Mital, professor of industrial engineering and director of UC's Ergonomics and Engineering Control Research Laboratory, coordinated the electronic encyclopedia project. The publisher is the International Journal of Industrial Engineering.

Research at the University of Cincinnati

Try this on

Molecular laundry and digital fashions may influence clothing trends in the next century, say third-year fashion design students at the College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning. After analyzing scientific breakthroughs and popular culture, associate professor Margaret Voelker-Ferrier's students are making the following predictions:

New engineering dean

In May, the College of Engineering welcomed its new dean, Stephen Kowel, a former professor, interim dean and chair of electrical and computer engineering at the University of Alabama in Huntsville. Holding 11 patents, Kowel is an optics expert with experience in both holographic television and liquid crystals, which is a key component in building an optical super memory for computers.

New chairman of the board

Michael Barrett, A&S '74, JD '77, was named chairman of the UC Board of Trustees this year. He is a partner with the firm Barrett & Weber.