Inside Clemson

Inside NOW: Role of research in concussions; Tessendorf’s water simulation software; new technology development director

Scroll down to read the following articles:

  1. Stepping Up to the Plate: The Role of Research in ConcussionsStepping Up to the Plate: The Role of Research in Concussions
  2. Jerry Tessendorf’s water simulation software has major impact on film industry
  3. Welcome Mike Gara! Clemson names technology development director at CUBEInC
  4. Box: Clemson’s new cloud storage solution
  5. Extended through Feb. 28-Call for nominations: Women’s Commission Awards
  6. Last call – Staff Senate food drive through Feb. 28
  7. Seeking nominations: Safe Driver Award
  8. Know outstanding faculty, staff and students? Nominate them for Clemson’s annual spring awards
  9. Parking/Transit information
  10. Obituaries

1. Stepping Up to the Plate: The Role of Research in Concussions
https://blogs.clemson.edu/discovery/2013/02/22/stepping-up-to-the-plate-the-role-of-research-in-concussions/

If you have not read Concussions and Our Kids: America’s Leading Expert on How to Protect Youth Young Athletes and Keep Sports Safe by Dr. Robert Cantu and Mark Hyman, you absolutely need to.

I assigned this book to my Advanced Sports Communication students at Clemson University and as we discussed this book in class, I was struck by the role that communication plays in the concussion issue, and the need for academics, in particular communication researchers to get more involved. Clearly, the medical research community is leading the way, but I hope to advance some areas that I feel warrant attention and discussion in the concussion conversations that are currently getting little, if any attention.

One of the arguments Cantu and Hyman make in their book is that we, as a society, need to engage in honest dialogue about sports and how to make them safer. It seems to me this is not happening, so why not? My experiences with classroom discussions suggest that we are reluctant to give up the cherished traditions we associate with sports, in particular, football. Why is this so? Is it because our fan identity becomes so important that we rationalize safety issues with statements like “that’s what they signed up for?” We need to ask why we are so resistant to have these discussions? Understanding that will help move much needed dialogue further.

For example, the Sports Legacy Institute issued a press release during the Super Bowl calling for high schools to end full-contact drills during the off-season. This is likely to be a difficult discussion for high school principals and athletic directors to have with parents and coaches, particularly as the chief criticism of this move is that it would skew competitive balance. What kinds of persuasive messages could be constructed to achieve parent support?

The role of the media in the concussion discussion cannot be discounted. There has certainly been an increase in the attention and coverage being given to concussions. However, one of the more notable comments about concussions came from former player Deion Sanders when he asserted during the Super Bowl pre-game that many players involved in the concussion litigation against the NFL are in it for the money and not for health issues. There is debate about how persuasive the media is in changing people’s opinions, but they clearly play a role in what people think about – known as agenda-setting, based on the frequency and positioning of news stories. We need to be paying close attention to how concussions are being talked about in the media, especially, how those who are suing the NFL are framed. Are they portrayed as greedy, as Deion suggests? Or is health and safety being featured?

Parent identity is another very relevant issue here. Many parents are heavily invested in their children’s sporting experiences. There is nothing wrong with this, but it can become detrimental. Dr. Lindsey Mean and Dr. Jeffrey Kassing conducted a research study of parent behavior at sporting events and found that a prominent message enacted by parents was to downplay injuries (e.g., “shake it off”) or my personal favorite, “you still have four fingers.” Certainly there are parents who put their children’s safety first, but clearly there are those who do not. Understanding how parent identity supersedes the health and welfare of their children when playing sports absolutely needs more attention.

Whereas there are parents who do value health and safety, these parents may face difficulty in communicating these issues to coaches, particularly if the coaches are confrontational. Clearly there are parents who have no issues with this, but what about those that do not? What kinds of strategies and messages can be used to help parents feel more confident in approaching coaches and league officials to discuss safety issues? Do tools like the Heads Up app from USA Football help parents feel more confident in both identifying concussions but also addressing them with coaches? These questions need answers!

At the end of the day, people need to realize the concussion issue is not going away. While much of the attention is focused on the collegiate and professional levels, there is a great need to examine what is happening at the youth level. Do parents consider flag football as an alternative? Why or Why Not? Do sports leagues offer any education about concussions and head trauma? Why or Why Not?

The research agenda is lengthy to be sure, but making this research a priority will ensure that scholars are acting in the public interest. Time to get to work!

2. Jerry Tessendorf’s water simulation software has major impact on film industry
https://blogs.clemson.edu/creative-services/faculty/2013/jerry-tessendorf-water-simulation-software-has-major-impact-on-film-industry/

Roll out the red carpet — an Academy Award winner is in town.

If you’ve seen some of Hollywood’s biggest blockbuster films, chances are that you’ve seen the work of Clemson’s own Jerry Tessendorf. The director of Clemson’s Master of Fine Arts in Digital Production Arts (DPA) program, Tessendorf has made extensive contributions to the film industry with the development of his water simulation software. He received an Academy Award for Technical Achievement in 2008, and his software was used in the 2012 film Life of Pi, winner of the 2013 Academy Award for “Best Visual Effects.”

Tessendorf’s work with this type of software began during his days in the defense contracting industry where he developed tools for creating a natural environment simulation specifically of the ocean.

The tools he developed became widely used in filmmaking. In fact, his software was used in films such as Waterworld, Titanic and Django Unchained.

Tessendorf was introduced to Clemson and its DPA program during his time at Rhythm and Hues, a Los Angeles-based visual effects company, which employs a number of Clemson graduates.

“The DPA program has sent people into the VFX [visual effects] industry for 12 years. At Rhythm and Hues, I worked with many of them, and had lunch with three of the best every day,” he said.

Tessendorf took the helm of Clemson’s DPA program in 2010. Clemson’s program stands out because its curriculum includes two VFX components — art and technology. While most schools focus on one or the other, Clemson prioritizes both.

“The DPA program is unique among digital media programs in the country in producing graduates with the ability to fit into many parts of the production process,” Tessendorf explained. “DPA alumni hold many different technical and creative positions: software developer, pipeline technical director, technical animator, lighter, production manager, matte painter, match mover, FX technical director and more.”

The program’s broad curriculum has produced graduates who find jobs in the entertainment industry’s top visual effects companies.

“The first DPA students graduated in 2001, and were hired by Rhythm and Hues, Industrial Light and Magic, and Pixar,” said Tessendorf. “Every year since then, multiple DPA alumni have been hired into those companies and Sony Imageworks, DreamWorks Animation, Double Negative, Framestore and other companies.”

Currently, more than 50 graduates of the program are employed in the entertainment industry, working on 15 to 25 new feature films per year, making a combined 130 films in the last 12 years. And some of those alumni joined Tessendorf on the visual effects team for Life of Pi.

3. Welcome Mike Gara! Clemson names technology development director at CUBEInC
http://www.clemson.edu/media-relations/4704

Michael J. Gara has been named director of technology development for the Clemson University Biomedical Engineering Innovation Campus (CUBEInC).

Located in Greenville, CUBEInC strives to develop high-impact medical technology and devices for disease management, then oversee the transfer of this technology from bench to bedside.

“Clemson has a long and rich history in medical technology commercialization,” Gara said. “Upstate South Carolina, nationally known for its high quality of life and business-friendly environment, is home to more corporate headquarters than any other region of the state. CUBEInC is a vibrant constituent of these knowledge economies.”

At CUBEInC, clinically driven technology and treatment methods are developed and health system optimization practiced with an aim to help practitioners provide improved health-care delivery.

According to Gara, this facility “stimulates closer collaboration between clinicians and health-care providers from the Greenville Hospital System with Clemson’s engineering and scientific talent. As a result, focused research projects have a meaningful clinical impact and are attractive to the industry and investors as new product opportunities and startup life science companies.”

Employed in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries for more than 30 years, Gara has worked for numerous pharmaceutical companies in the areas of research and development, manufacturing, product development and business development. In addition, Gara has managed translational research programs in biomedical engineering at major universities across the United Sates.

Currently, Gara’s position with Clemson University’s life science incubator involves the creation, funding and commercialization of life science companies in Upstate South Carolina.

4. Box: Clemson’s new cloud storage solution
http://www.clemson.edu/ccit/learning_tech/ccit_training/cloud_storage/box/index.html

5. Extended through Feb. 28- Call for nominations: Women’s Commission Awards

Call for nominations: Women’s Commission Awards

The President’s Commission on the Status of Women annually honors individuals who have made outstanding contributions to improve the status of women. These awards include:

  • Outstanding woman academic faculty member
  • Outstanding woman classified staff
  • Outstanding woman graduate student
  • Outstanding woman undergraduate student
  • Distinguished contributor
  • Thea McCrary Student Award for Outstanding Service, named in honor of the late Thea McCrary, former captain of the Clemson University Police Department and a former chair of the President’s Commission on the Status of Women

Complete nomination packets for all awards must be submitted to the Women’s Commission office in 603 Strode Tower by 4:30 p.m. Feb. 28.

Honorees will be recognized at a reception March 13.

6. Last call – Staff Senate food drive through Feb. 28

Staff Senate to hold annual food drive Feb. 1-28

The Clemson Staff Senate will hold its annual food drive Feb. 1-28.  Drop your cans, boxes and non-perishable foods at a number of convenient campus locations, including:

  • Administrative Services Building
  • Barre Hall
  • Center for Applied Research
  • Clemson House
  • Cooper Library
  • Eagles Landing
  • Fike
  • Information Technology Center
  • Madren Conference Center
  • Poole Agricultural Center
  • Redfern
  • Sikes Hall
  • Tillman Hall
  • University Facilities
  • University Union

Last year’s food drive raised more than 900 pounds of food. The Golden Harvest Food Bank, serving Pickens, Oconee and Anderson counties, will distribute the food to grateful individuals and families.

For questions, contact Karon Donald at 656-9000.

7. Seeking nominations: Safe Driver Award

Seeking nominations: Safe Driver Award

Nominations are now being accepted for South Carolina’s State Government Safe Driver Award Program, recognizing employees who safely operated state-owned vehicles in 2012.

Nominations for this award are being accepted for the calendar year 2012.

Employees may qualify for a certificate for each calendar year of safe driving, and a lapel pin for each five years of consecutive safe driving.

Each department should select the drivers based on the following criteria:

1. To qualify for the certificate, the employee must have:

  • operated state-owned vehicles for the period of one year (calendar year 2012) without a chargeable accident or moving violation.
  • completed an approved driver training course within the past three years.

2.    To qualify for the lapel pin, the employee must have:

  • operated state-owned vehicles without a chargeable accident or moving violation for a period of five consecutive years
  • completed an approved driver training course within the past three years.

This is an ideal opportunity to recognize university employees for the safe operation of vehicles.

Review and submit all candidates for the Safe Driver Award to the risk management office by Friday, March 15. To nominate someone, include the following required information:

  • Department name
  • Department number
  • Employee name
  • Employee’s Clemson University Business Systems (CUBS) ID number
  • Employee’s number of years of service
  • Whether you are nominating for a certificate or lapel pin

An employee may receive a one-year certificate for consecutive years, but lapel pins are awarded only in five-year increments.

Send the required information to Denise Godwin at godwinp@clemson.edu, via mail to E-306 Martin Hall or by fax to 656-4558. Contact Denise Godwin at 656-3365 with any questions.

8. Know outstanding faculty, staff and students? Nominate them for Clemson’s annual spring awards

Know outstanding faculty, staff and students? Nominate them for Clemson’s annual spring awards

It is again time to nominate outstanding and deserving students, faculty, staff and community members for the following university awards.

NON-STUDENT AWARDS

  • Frank A. Burtner Advising Award: This award includes an annual cash prize for the adviser of students or student organizations who excels in developing students in the area of leadership, devotion to duty and service.
  • Click here to nominate a faculty or staff member for Frank A. Burtner Advising Award. Nominations are due by Friday, March 8.
  • Click here to nominate someone for the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Non-Student Award. The form should be returned along with a nomination letter addressed to Dr. Gail A. DiSabatino, vice president for student affairs, who serves as chair for the selection committee. Letters should be no more than three pages in length and must provide evidence of the nominee’s selfless commitment to meritorious service. Nominations are due by Friday, March 8.
  • Algernon Sydney Sullivan Non-Student Award: Recipient should have an interest in or be associated with Clemson University and live within the State of South Carolina. This award will be presented when the selection committee brings a qualified and approved candidate forward.

STUDENT AWARDS

  • Norris Medal: Given to the best all-around graduating senior student (who graduated in August or December 2012 or will graduate in May 2013). The Norris Medal is considered the most prestigious award given to an undergraduate.
  • Matt Locke Award: Awarded to one student for outstanding leadership with regard to service and devotion to mankind and Clemson University.
  • Frank A. Burtner Scholarship: Given to a student (rising junior or senior) who displays exemplary leadership qualities and has an outstanding academic record.
  • Algernon Sydney Sullivan Student Award: Presented to senior students (one male and one female) for service to campus and community.

Click here to nominate a student for the above award(s). Nominated students will be invited to complete an online application. Students may also directly apply for awards. The submission deadline is Friday, March 8.

For questions, call 864-656-1400.

9. Parking/Transit: Closures tomorrow at Littlejohn and Portion of C-1 closed Saturday

Avenue of Champions closing Thursday at 4 p.m. for basketball

The Avenue of Champions will be closed to traffic and parking in between Centennial Boulevard and Perimeter Road Thursday evening (Feb. 28) at 4 p.m. The road is closing to allow for set up for the men’s basketball game against North Carolina in Littlejohn Coliseum.

CAT buses will continue to operate. However, they will be re-routed and will NOT pick up riders at the Littlejohn tunnel. Riders should board the bus at the corner of Centennial Boulevard and Avenue of Champions, across from the IPTAY offices at Memorial Stadium.

Sikes Parking Lot (E-2) reserved Friday, March 1 after 7 p.m.

The Sikes Parking Lot (E-2) will be reserved from 7 p.m. Friday, March 1 through 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 2 for the International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella Quarterfinals occurring Tillman Hall Saturday, March 2 at 7 p.m.

10. OBITUARIES:

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