Duke Federal Relations: The Duke Digest

The Duke Digest - January 29, 2010

In Today's Issue:

Divinity School Dean to Become Senior Advisor for International Strategy at Duke
Duke Researcher to Testify before House Committee on Science and Technology
Head of Defense Threat Reduction Agency Visits Duke

DIVINITY SCHOOL DEAN TO BECOME SENIOR ADVISOR FOR INTERNATIONAL STRATEGY AT DUKE
L. Gregory Jones, who has served as dean of the Duke Divinity School since 1997, has been named senior advisor for international strategy effective March 1, and will step down as dean at the end of the current academic year, President Richard H. Brodhead and Provost Peter Lange announced Wednesday.

Richard Hays, the George Washington Ivey Professor of New Testament at the Divinity School, will serve as dean for a two-year term while a national search is conducted for Jones’ successor.

“Greg Jones is an exemplary citizen of Duke University,” Brodhead said. “It’s great news that he has agreed to take on this vital position. As Duke expands its global presence, the need for imaginative leadership and prudent judgment is essential. I am certain that Greg’s accomplishments in this arena will match the considerable legacy he has built at the Divinity School, and I look forward to working with him as Duke embarks on its next phase of international engagement.”

Read More:
Divinity Dean to Become Senior Advisor for International Strategy (Duke News)

DUKE RESEARCHER TO TESTIFY FOR HOUSE COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Dr. Robert B. Jackson, Nicholas Chair of Global Environmental Change and professor of biology, will testify before the House Committee on Science and Technology on Thursday of next week (Feb. 4th). Rep. Brian Baird (D-WA), chair of the Energy and Environment Subcommittee, will lead the hearing, which will explore the scientific and engineering background of geoengineering strategies. Thursday's hearing, "Geoengineering II: The Scientific Basis and Engineering Challenges," will be the second in a series of three intended to explore geoengineering as a potential method of counteracting climate change.

Dr. Jackson's research focuses on ecology and biochemistry, global change, energy and environment, and water resources.

HEAD OF DEFENSE THREAT REDUCTION AGENCY VISITS DUKE
Kenneth Myers, director of the Defense Threat Reduction Agency, visited campus on Tuesday to meet with students, faculty and administrators. During his visit, Myers spoke with students about careers in public service and guest lectured to a public policy course on politics and the media. Myers also met with faculty from the Sanford School, Political Science Department, Duke Medicine, and Engineering to discuss Duke research and public policy issues.

The Defense Threat Reduction Agency safeguards America and its allies from weapons of mass destruction (chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and high yield explosives) by providing capabilities to reduce, eliminate, and counter the threat and mitigate its effects. Myers also serves as director of the U.S. Strategic Command Center for Combating Weapons of Mass Destruction (SCC-WMD). The Center integrates and synchronizes Department of Defense-wide efforts in support of the combating WMD mission.

Read More:
Biography of Ken Myers