Nine students of graphic arts professor John Francis will host an exhibition at the Student Union called “Worlds of Gods and Goddesses.”

The campus community is invited to the opening from 5-7 p.m. Thursday, May 9, in the Student Union Atrium (between the food court and the Boise River Café). The exhibition runs May 7-20.

The exhibition contains posters of planets and is based on the concept that humans use both science and religion to explain the unexplainable. Each of the planets has a mythology, usually Greek, that is related to the planets and the names of its moons.

The typography used for each poster is related to statistics and facts about that planet. Video and audio related to the still images are visible using an augmented reality application. By downloading the Android or IOS Layar app from www.layar.com you can view media related to the mythology behind each planet’s name.

Project designers are students in the spring semester Art 385 Advanced Typography class: Alex Aldecoa, Chris Becker, Paige Coyle, Leah Cronen, Kellie Fox, Leah Fuhrman, Cody Hanawalt, Amy Rawson and Cory Varland.

Francis developed a short-term study program on art and design in Japan and has taken students on the program eight times. He will discuss his experiences developing and cultivating international connection and how he started an international exchange program with limited connections abroad. The program has grown to be a dynamic and multifaceted exchange between two universities. He will share his experiences leading students to Japan, creating art exhibits on two continents, and discuss his new project with an institution in Germany.

Francis is a faculty fellow for the Office of International Learning Opportunities. He supports Boise State faculty with all aspects of internationalizing course work. He is an associate professor in the Art Department at Boise State and has taught graphic design there since 2002. He has traveled to England, Hong Kong, Spain and Japan.

For more information, contact Corrine Henke at International Learning Opportunities at 426-4045.

TypePlace, an exhibition of work from an international exchange that occurred between Boise State and the University of Applied Arts and Sciences in Hildesheim, Germany (HAWK), will celebrate its public opening from 6-9 p.m. on First Thursday, Dec. 6, in downtown Boise.

The exhibition will be in the Boise City National Bank Building, under the Fork Restaurant at 8th and Idaho streets. The Boise City National Bank Building is one of four buildings that student teams from Boise State and HAWK researched as the basis of a type design project. The project was led by associate graphic design professor John Francis in partnership with assistant professor of sculpture Ryan Mandell, as well as faculty and students from the areas of typographic design, 3D design and lighting design to compliment and inspire each other during the working process at each of the universities.

Participating Boise State students include Stephen Barrett, Stephanie Carlson, Thomas Fassino, Rikki Harvey, Tiffanie Hsu, Mariana Gutierrez, Artem Jegaline, Amaura Mitchell, Glenn Rummler, Amela Subasic, Nathan Shaw and Keenan Seipel.

HAWK opened a public exhibition on Nov. 19 that features the work by students at both universities. In addition to the Boise opening, Francis and Mandell will present the project at an international conference put on by the American Institute of Graphic Arts Dec. 13-15 in Hawaii.

If you’ve got a great idea for adding an international twist to your coursework but just don’t know how to make it happen, John Francis can help. The associate professor of art is Boise State’s first-ever International Learning Opportunities Faculty Fellow.

Francis has been taking art students on two-week visits to Japan for several years, has organized cross-cultural art exhibitions, and has made connections and forged a formal international cooperative agreement with Japan’s Nagoya Zokei University.

“Students need to understand that while yes, there are cultural differences between people, we are all human beings and are inter-connected in this world,” Francis said. “We share certain fundamental feelings and experiences in life. It is important that students be exposed to and know that.”

“We live in the world so we need to be out in the world and give students a chance to experience that,” added Corrine Henke, associate director of International Learning Opportunities. “We’re more interconnected than ever and it’s important to bring that to students in an affordable way.”

Francis’s job is to help faculty set up short-term study abroad programs spanning days or weeks, or bring in visiting faculty from other countries, based on their individual strengths.

“It can seem like an overwhelming task if you don’t have the connections,” he said. “I can talk about how to make those connections.”

He also can help write letters of introduction, address how to develop a budget and offer tips on keeping the costs down so more students can participate. Ideas may include using volunteer guides, connecting with another university or utilizing homestay options.

Faculty considering creating an international component to their pedagogy should begin by reading the International Learning Opportunities guidelines online.

For support or to learn more, contact Corrine Henke at chenke@boisestate.edu or 426-4045 or Francis at jfrancis@boisestate.edu or 426-3995.

The event is free but registration is required. Register online at alumni.boisestate.edu or call 426-1959 by Thursday, April 12.

Top Ten Scholar is one of the highest honors awarded to a Boise State student. To qualify for consideration a student must have a 3.8 or higher grade point average. Qualified students are then reviewed based on academic breadth of coursework, research, creative works and publications, presentations at professional meetings or conferences, and extra curricular community and campus service.

“The Alumni Association is proud to honor these Top Ten Scholars for their academic success and volunteer service on campus and in the community,” said Mark Arstein, executive director of the Alumni Association. “After hosting these awards for more than two decades, we continue to be inspired by the commitment and dedication of the recipients.”

This year’s honorees are:

Concepcion Yeng Chi Martinez

Chi Martinez, from Mexico, is a graphic design major and a chemistry minor. She has been a graphic design intern in various Student Affairs’ departments and won first place for design for the 2012 Steal this Idea brochure and 2010 Undergraduate and Research Scholarship Conference program cover. Chi Martinez has exhibited artwork in the Nampa Hispanic Cultural Center’s 2010 Viva el Arte! exhibition and in the 2011 inaugural Latin American Arts Festival, which she also coordinated. Being a passionate student leader and activist, she has promoted a diverse and equitable campus as Multilingual Student Advisory Board president, 2010 ASBSU Financial Advisory Board member, Legacy Corps director and 2011 MLK Living Legacy Committee student chair. She received the 2010 Larry Selland Humanitarian Award, 2011 Women Making History award and 2011 HERO Award for her commitment and service to the missions of the Women’s Center and Multicultural Student Services. She is grateful to Boise State University, Jack Spencer and Abel Morel for the opportunity to obtain valuable, life-changing education. She has enjoyed her undergraduate experience and will continue toward a graduate degree.

Honored Faculty: John Francis, associate professor, Department of Art

Amy Jo Claffey

Claffey, from Boise, is a psychology major with an emphasis on childhood trauma and dissociation. She currently is doing research in this field with Rose Barlow. She is a teaching assistant for Advanced Statistical Methods and Research Methods, and has also assisted in Abnormal Psychology and Psychology 101. She presented her research project on the negative effects of pornography on body image and self-esteem at the Rocky Mountain Psychological Association in 2011. She also presented research at the Idaho Black History Museum in spring 2011. She is vice -president of both the Psi Chi honors club and the Association of Psychology Students. She volunteers at City Light, where she talks to women who call for shelter in the most desperate time of their lives, and with the Agency for New Americans, where she helps refugee families learn to adjust to life in Boise. She is on the Boise State Service-Learning advisory board as a student representative. Claffey plans to go on to graduate school in counseling, to help those who have a history of trauma and to raise awareness of the long-term effects of childhood abuse.

Honored Faculty: Carol Pack, adjunct professor, Department of Psychology

George Fenton

Fenton, from Seattle and Post Falls, is majoring in economics with a minor in mathematics. He competed with distinction as a member of the Talkin’ Broncos debate team as a freshman and sophomore and will graduate through the Honors College. Fenton spent the summer of 2010 studying at Georgetown University and interning at the U.S. Treasury Department. In the summer of 2011, he studied at the London School of Economics. He currently is interning for Brad Wiskirchen, CEO of the Boise technology firm Keynetics and director of the Federal Reserve Bank of Salt Lake City. Fenton is pursuing opportunities for graduate study and research in economics. Outside of school, he enjoys snowboarding and playing guitar.

Honored Faculty: Dr. Kelly Cobourn, assistant professor, Department of Economics

Carly Gerard

Gerard, from Boise, is an exercise science major with a biomechanics emphasis and biomedical engineering minor. She has worked as a student research assistant in the Center for Orthopaedic and Biomechanics for four years. During the last two years, she has worked primarily on a project studying the ergonomics of diagnostic medical ultrasound transducers and possible designs for more ergonomic scanning devices. She had the opportunity to present this research at the 2011 Northwest Biomechanics Symposium and will travel to Minneapolis, Minn., with another student working on the project to share further findings at the 2012 Design of Medical Devices conference. In addition to Gerard’s involvement in research, she also has been involved in Boise State athletics as a member of the cross-country, indoor, and outdoor track teams. She has been a WAC All-Academic Team honoree during each season of competition and served as a team captain on the track team during the 2011 and 2012 seasons. She plans to pursue a master’s degree in mechanical engineering.

Honored Faculty: Dr. Lynda Ransdell, professor, Department of Kinesiology

Jessica Minick

Minick, from Boise, is a materials science and engineering major and a recipient of the full-ride Thelma and Dean Brown Honors scholarship. She worked as a research assistant with the Nanoscale Materials and Device Group for three years and led the DNA Chemical Networks Team in studying the operation of a DNA-based nanomachine in biological media toward early diagnosis of cancer. In 2010, she earned an IDeA Networks of Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE) summer fellowship and in 2011 she received honorable mention for student posters at FNANO as one of a handful of undergraduate students. During her junior year, the Idaho Society of Professional Engineers recognized her as the Outstanding Junior in MSE. Minick has been highly involved in community activities, including Discover Engineering Days, World Relief, Special Olympics, Project Angel Tree, Race to Robie Creek, Discovery Center of Idaho, MSE Club and International Students Inc. After graduating from the Honors College, she will begin the biomedical master’s program at the University of Oxford in fall 2012.

Honored Faculty: Dr. Elton Graugnard, assistant research professor, Department of Materials Science and Engineering

Anjannette Monroe

Monroe, from Boise, is a double major in criminal justice and social sciences, with an addiction studies minor. Monroe She is a first generation college student and a single parent. She is a member of Lambda Alpha Epsilon, Phi Kappa Phi, the Boise State Student Success program and the Boise State McNair Scholars program. She enjoys volunteering for Boise State’s Victims’ Rights Week and the Idaho Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence. In addition, she participates as a volunteer for the Corpus Christi House and the Banquet at St. Michaels Episcopal Church. As a McNair Scholar, Monroe presented research at the 20th annual National Ronald E. McNair Research Conference and the14th annual Undergraduate Research Symposium. In summer 2011, she was selected to participate in the Committee on Institutional Cooperation Summer Research Opportunities program hosted by Ohio State University. She also has been a teaching assistant for Lisa Bostaph’s research methods and policing classes. She is in the process of applying to social work graduate programs and hopes to obtain a master’s in social work and then move toward doctoral studies.

Honored Faculty: Dr. Lisa Bostaph, associate professor and graduate coordinator, Department of Criminal Justice

Eric Schuler

Schuler, from Meridian, a double major in economics and accountancy, dedicated his undergraduate career to getting involved and enhancing student life at Boise State. He co-founded the Delta Upsilon social fraternity and partnered with the Honors College to establish the Friday Forum, a weekly student-led discussion series that addresses topics ranging from food security to the Arab Spring. A committed environmental advocate, he has actively been involved with the Sustainability Club and has worked to raise awareness about the benefits of a plant-based diet through cooking demonstrations and documentary screenings. As a senior, he served as vice president of the student body and helped create a new grant-based funding model for student organizations that enabled them to spend more time planning events and less time fundraising. Upon graduation, he plans to attend law school with an emphasis in environmental law.

Honored Faculty: Allen Dalton, adjunct professor, Department of Economics

Aaron Smith

Smith, from Meridian, will graduate from the Honors College with a bachelor of science in mechanical engineering and minors in biomedical engineering and dance. He is the recipient of several scholarships, including the National Science Foundation Scholarship, the National SMART Grant, the Mechanical Engineering Department Scholarship and the Kathy Troutner Dance Scholarship. His creativity, enhanced through dance, benefited his research on developing an application for Ni-Mn-Ga, a magnetic shape memory alloy. Using this unique material, his research ultimately led to the invention of a micropump (patent pending), which will be used in microfluidics and biological applications. Along with his research, he has volunteered and performed with several local dance organizations, including Idaho Dance Theatre, Off Center Dance and USA Dance. Smith will travel to Savonlinna, Finland, after graduation where he will continue researching and developing applications for Ni-Mn-Ga while pursuing a Ph.D. at Lappeenranta University of Technology.

Honored Faculty: Dr. Caile Spear, professor, Department of Kinesiology

Amy Tompkins

Tompkins, from Boise, is a viola performance major and a recipient of the Presidential Music Scholarship. She has given three solo recitals at Boise State, played on the first stand in the Boise State Symphony Orchestra since freshman year, and won first place with her quartet at the Boise Chamber Music Society String Quartet Competition in spring 2011. She began subbing with the Boise Philharmonic during her freshman year and currently plays with the Boise Baroque Orchestra and Opera Idaho. As president of the Boise State Viola Club, Tompkins helped organize visits to public schools to provide lessons to students who otherwise would not receive private instruction. She also has visited schools to give sectionals and work with students on orchestral music. In addition to maintaining a private teaching studio, she has been adjunct faculty at the Sun Valley Summer Symphony music workshops, a quartet coach for Boise State Music Camp, and faculty at the Idaho Viola Camp. She will pursue her master of music beginning fall 2012 at the University of Colorado, Boulder.

Honored Faculty: Dr. Linda Kline-Lamar, associate professor, Department of Music

Efren Velazquez

Velazquez, from Mexico and Teton Valley, is a psychology major who is a member of the international Psi Chi honor society and a McNair Scholar. He has had the opportunity to present his research, “Generational Status, Sexual Behavior and Alcohol Use among College Students,” at the 20th annual National McNair Research Conference and Graduate Fair in Milwaukee, Wis., last fall and at the National Conference on Undergraduate Research in Ogden, Utah, this spring. He also will present his research at the 92nd annual WPA Convention in San Francisco, Calif., and the 2012 Boise State Undergraduate Research and Scholarship Conference. Currently he is a research assistant for Eric Landrum and will be involved in three poster presentations at the 84th annual MPA Conference in Chicago, Ill. He has volunteered at the Pioneer Community Center and in last year’s Boise State Undergraduate Research and Scholarship Conference as a moderator for a presentation session. Upon graduation, Velazquez plans to pursue a Ph.D. in health psychology at Virginia Commonwealth University.

Honored Faculty: Dr. Elizabeth Morgan, professor, Department of Psychology 

The latest issue of Explore, the university’s flagship research publication, is now available at boisestate.edu/research. A limited number of print copies also are available and may be ordered by clicking on the “subscribe” button on the website.

“The strength of Boise State’s research programs, and the excellence of our faculty and students, are the underlying theme of this issue of Explore,” said Mark Rudin, vice president for research and economic development and the magazine’s executive editor. “I hope our campus community, as well as the larger community, enjoys reading this issue.”

The cover story features biology and criminal justice professor Greg Hampikian and his research in DNA forensics, including his role in the release last fall of American college student Amanda Knox from an Italian prison after her murder conviction was overturned. The case received international media attention, and Hampikian was interviewed on CNN, Nightline, Good Morning America and other media outlets about the role DNA evidence played in the Knox case and why his analysis showed it was suspect.

A story on the fusion of research and teaching features the research of geosciences professor Kasper van Wijk, marketing and finance professor Doug Lincoln, chemistry professor Ken Cornell and a number of others. Another story focuses on energy-related research at Boise State, including engineering professor Darryl Butt’s research in advanced materials, political science professor Susan Mason’s research on urban environments and biology professor Kevin Feris’s research to develop biofuels from algae grown in manure slurry.

Boise State research to develop a game-based learning platform, led by educational technology professor Lisa Dawley and lecturer Chris Haskell, is explored in an article titled “A Quest for Fun.” Also featured is an article on a new book by history professor Jill K. Gill, titled “Embattled Ecumenism: The National Council of Churches, the Vietnam War and the Trials of the Protestant Left,” and stories on student research ventures, art professor John Francis, psychology professor Pennie Seibert and other faculty.

In addition to the online issue of Boise State Explore, copies of the print edition are mailed to research universities across the United States, distributed by university faculty to their peers at national and international conferences and technical meetings, and made available to deans’ offices at Boise State. The magazine is produced by the Division of Research and Economics with support from the Office of Communications and Marketing. Boise State Explore is a member publication of the University Research Magazine Association.

Toyotsugu Itoh

The Boise State Arts and Humanities Institute will present a free exhibit of Japanese art March 5-30, featuring visiting artists from Nagoya Zokei University in Japan.

The artists will discuss their work from 6-8 p.m. March 6 in Room 106 of the Liberal Arts building on the Boise State campus. An opening reception will be held from 6-8 p.m. March 8 at the Arts and Humanities Institute Gallery, 220 E. Parkcenter Blvd. in Boise. All events are free and open to the public. Gallery hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Artist Toyotsugu Itoh teaches graphic design at NZU and is a practicing professional in Japan. Toyotsugu will exhibit poster designs from the years 1992-2012. His experience is representational of the design and culture of Japan and will provide valuable insight to graphic design and illustration students, as well as to the Boise professional community.

Ryosuke Kobayshi

Ryosuke Kobayshi teaches various media at NZU and is currently working in photography. He will be exhibiting large-scale landscape photographs. His insights into Japanese art and culture are important in creating a greater international understanding of a larger, non-Western perspective on art across discipline lines.

Boise State and NZU share an international partnership that includes student and faculty visits, exhibits and other intellectual and artistic exchanges. Boise State graphic design professor John Francis has visited Japan 10 times, helped establish the cooperative agreement with NZU and has taken more than 50 students and several fellow faculty members to Japan.

The Arts and Humanities Institute was formed at Boise State not only to sustain the traditional work of arts and humanities, but also to champion their importance. Its mission is to bridge the arts and the humanities in transformative ways; promote creative and humanistic collaborations across all areas of inquiry; embody and advance the cultural, ethical, and aesthetic values necessary to flourishing democratic societies; exemplify engaged, life-long learning for our students, our faculty, the community and the region.

For more information, visit http://www.boisestate.edu/research/ahi/index.shtml.

For the Typotecture Project, seven students in Art 385 Advanced Typography selected a downtown building and designed a typeface based on research into the history, function and architectural style of the building, taking into consideration the materials, texture and colors of the structures.

Each designer has created a banner that shows photos of the building they chose, text about the building and a complete alphabet of their typeface design based on their research.

The banners will be hung in the windows at 1005 Main St. at the corner of 10^th and Main, and will be displayed through November. The students — Stephen Barrett (whose poster is picture above), Stephanie Carlson, Amanda Houts, Tanya Huff, Beth Layton, Glenn Rummler and Jade Wong — will be available from 5-7 p.m. Thursday at the building to discuss their work.

Across the Pacific Ocean, more than 7,000 miles from home, Boise State art professor John Francis is on the clock. He is on sabbatical in Nagoya, Japan, studying the cultural and philosophical issues that shape and make Japanese graphic design unique. His research involves visiting galleries and museums, observing graphic design classrooms at Nagoya Zokei University (NZU) and interviewing native designers and artists.

When Francis returns to Boise State’s College of Arts and Sciences, he plans to create work that will reflect the fruits of his research. While in Japan, he is helping build an academic bridge between two countries and vastly different cultures.

First there was the exhibition he arranged at NZU Sept. 17-25. The work was by Boise State art students and included examples of painting, printmaking, photography, illustration and graphic design. Francis said the exhibition was preliminary to “Transit at NZU,” a program that will bring 10 Japanese students to Boise State next March to collaborate with art students and create a joint campus exhibition. Boise State assistant professor of art Dan Scott will teach the exhibition class.

Francis also was asked by NZU to make a presentation as part of its “Super Lecture” program. Called “Graphic Design Education in the United States,” his presentation profiled graphic design programs in American universities and art schools and covered the history of graphic design education in the U.S. In addition, Francis discussed his own design education pedagogy, using student work to illustrate.