NEWS .Research vice president will forego position at Purdue The Michigan Daily - Monday, July 12, 2004 - 3 By Farayha Arrine Daily News Editor After vacating the vice president of l research position at the University three months ago, Fawwaz Ulaby announced that, due to personal rea- sons, he would not be taking the same position at Purdue University as origi- nally planned. Purdue expected Ulaby to step in as vice provost for research at a time when its expanding research program is benefiting from increased state and private funding. Ulaby was scheduled to begin Sept. 1. "While I regret the challenges that my decision to withdraw from the position may cause for Purdue, I know it is the right decision for me and my family," Ulaby said. "I wish Purdue the very best, and I intend to continue to serve Michigan to the best of my abilities" Although Ulaby will not resume his previous research position at the Univer- sity, he will continue to be a professor in the electrical engineering department as *he has been for the last 20 years. University spokeswoman Julie Peterson said Ulaby will continue to hold the vice president position until a decision is made regarding his succes- sor. She added that the University will conduct a nationwide search to find a replacement. Ulaby said he will assist in the process. "I will be working with President (Mary Sue) Coleman and Provost (Paul) Courant over the next several months to ensure that (the University's) research agenda continues uninterrupted, and to provide for a smooth transition as the search for a new vice president goes for- ward," he said ina written statement. Purdue Provost Sally Mason said the university in Indiana was disappointed to learn that Ulaby would not be join- ing them in the fall but is respectful towards his decision to do so. " ... Our first reaction was concern for him and his family. I have great con- cern and sympathy for Fawwaz and (his wife) and know that this decision was extraordinarily painful for them. Although this is a disappointment, this is not likely to set us back in the research progress that is underway" she said. Mason added that Purdue will con- duct a national search to fill the position and Charles Rutledge - the former dean of pharmacy, nursing and health sciences at Purdue - will continue to serve as interim vice provost for research, a job he has held since 2002. Purdue is currently undergoing changes to its research programs in order to increase sponsored program activity in the next five years. "We expect that we can increase pro- ductivity by at least 10 percent each year. This year we topped 12 percent growth, so we think we're heading in the right direction," Mason said. She added that Purdue will be adding 300 new faculty members to contribute to "enhanced research activity." Ulaby would have joined Purdue as the vice provost for research and led its research programs to achieve the desired growth, he said in an earlier interview. Under Ulaby's reign, which began in 1999, the University saw a growth of 14.3 percent in its research spending and was ranked first in the nation by U.S. News and World Report for undergraduate research. Friends, peers remember student leader ii outdoor memoril service Justin Miller -Daily Staff Reporter Spicy, fearless, kind, great, a power- house and unstoppable were just a few of the adjectives people used to describe Magali Padilla. The LSA junior and her mother died in a car accident in June while drivng to visit relatives in Jalisco, Mexico. A memorial service for Padilla was held at Nichols Arboretum yesterday. $More than 50 of Padilla's friends, fam- ily, classmates and advisors spoke about the junior at the event, amidst ceremonial smoke and chirping birds. Friends gathered in a semi-circle around a small photo collage, behind which Abbott performed a ceremony. Visitors recalled Padilla's enthusi- asm for issues close to her heart such as the environment and the Latino community. Her passion for such things was always discussed whether it *was in class, at student meetings or even over dinner, friends said. EDWARDS Continued from Page 2 and ending in North Carolina Saturday. They will be officially nominated at the Democratic National Convention in Boston, which begins July 26. Kerry's announcement ended a *earch for vice president that began with about 25 candidates and included Rep. Dick Gephardt (D-Miss.), Gov. Tom Vilsack (D-Iowa) and retired Army Gen. Wesley Clark. "Magali was driven by a compulsion to make the world free of hate and fear." - Pete Woiwok LSA senior "I'm very humbled to be here," said Steven Abbott, an advisor to Padilla and the memorial service's leader. "Our prayers go out for this ener- getic, intelligent, passionate human being that has left us," said Padilla's friend Elizabeth Delgado, in an e-mail. Padilla's fervor for involvement at the University led her to do many things, including assisting in the effort to keep the crisis line running for the Universty's Sexual Assault Prevention and Awareness Center. She also tried to help fill the position of Latino coordinator at the Multi-Eth- nic Student Affairs office when the Uni- versity failed to report that an opening was available. "Magali was driven by a compulsion to make the world free of hate and fear. She had a vision for the beauty of things and therefore fought for them," said LSA senior Pete Woiwok. "Anytime she saw someone struggle you see her soul well-up and take it on her shoulders. She wanted to spread love," Woiwok said. The news of her passing surprised many. "It's always shocking and tragic when someone with so much potential goes unexpectedly," said Abbott. Padilla's funeral was on June 25 in Jalisco, Mexico. She is survived by her brother Ramiro, 22, sister Chiquis, 10 and her father Ramiro Padilla. $ Every Tuesdayis Calming.and -/ College Night! restorative *the sooth ing SOne Hour surroundingsof CUB SPERTYMANAEMENT a Oa well-tended So kfrrII garden setting... Soak for TWO: spacious and private, I , ' r I Sunday-Thursday . a sparkling clean No alid n oas o wsssekens hottub and the uso t'aa N "vai wit "ayotes ofeCor s g t oudoors 1 22 m1,2 &3bdrmapts. avaif Expires 8-15-04. Must be 18 with ID.. Call for reservations. "EXPRiEN E TH ED EREN E" - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - n.:- - I ~l OT TU A DD N 734 663 9001 g~gjgg