Grads

All Master of Arts in Liberal Studies (MALS) alumni, as well as current MALS students, are invited to attend the annual MALS Alumni Council summer meeting and lunch. This years event will begin at noon on Wednesday, July 10, in the Hayward Lounge at the Hanover Inn. Dean Stuart Lord of the Tucker Foundation will be the guest speaker. This is your chance to meet fellow alumni, talk with students about their experiences in the program and offer opinions and suggestions about the projects and activities of the alumni council. Please call the MALS office at (603) 646-3592 to reserve a place.The charge for alumni is $15. Graduate students will not be charged.

Have you noticed the purple loosestrife that is doing its best to take over the yards and fields of the Upper Valley? Peter S. White (plant ecology '76) shares your concern. White was one of four scientists who recently convened a national meeting to discuss the spread of invasive species with members of the garden, landscaping and nursery businesses (see story on him in the Newsmakers section of the May-June issue of DAM). He serves as director of the North Carolina Botanical Garden and is professor of biology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The N.C. Botanical Garden was the first in the nation to institute a policy to eliminate invasive species on its property. White is not against cultivating all imported plants, just those without the natural controls of pests and diseases that exist in their native lands. He is also concerned about the need to encourage the cultivation of plants that will thrive without extensive watering or the use of toxic fertilizers and pesticides. White believes that, "Gardening can be a healing process on the land."

Tom Onofrey (chemistry '96) was promoted from staff scientist to program leader in synthetic chemistry at Nanogen in San Diego. With a team of chemists reporting to him, Onofrey is responsible for evaluating new technologies as they are introduced and for supervising ail the developing chemistry projects. Though his new position takes him out of the laboratory, he is pleased that his projects have an immediate impact on developmental and product goals. You can reach him at tonofrey@nanogen.com.

Joseph R. Francica (earth science '80) started his own business, Geodezix Consulting, in 1999. This move was his creative solution to remaining in Huntsville, Alabama, after his position at Intergraph Corp. was eliminated. With his wife, Kathy, and four school-age sons, this was a high priority for Francica. His new company uses geographic information technology to select locations for retail development and to analyze the market for public organizations, retailers and research firms. Francica, who also earned a masters degree in business administration from the Edwin L. Cox School of Business at Southern Methodist University, is manager and part owner of Directions Magazine, an online publication.

175 Greensboro Road, Hanover, NH03755; (603) 643-3789; m.jane.welsh.adv98@alum.dartmouth.org