ANNALS OF HERRING: UW Genetics Professor, Jon Gallant, on sabbatical in Sweden, is doing some private research on that country’s cuisine and considering becoming a movie producer. According to Gallant, “Every second Swedish dish involves potatoes, onions and herring.” He says that dining out has been made easier by his “sharp” eye for English cognates, especially when perusing the herring offerings on the lunch menu at his local restaurant. “There is a particularly refined type in the Baltic called ‘stroemming,’ which swim in ‘gymnasia’ rather than ordinary schools. The more common form of the noble species is called ‘sill’ and comes in six species.” Gallant says each successive species is tastier than the last. “When I leave this country, I am going to make a profound, existentialist movie about a hitherto unknown species of herring and the meaning of life. It will be called The Seventh Sill.” If his movie plans don’t materialize, Gallant will have to fall back on his experience as a visiting researcher at The BioMedical Center in Uppsala.

DANCING ENGINEERS: Electrical Engineering Professor Mani Soma’s return from a one year sabbatical is good news for folk dancing enthusiasts. Soma is offering classes in folk dancing every Thursday during the noon hour in the atrium of the new EE building. “You don’t need to have a Ph.D. to turn out. If you have two feet, you’re set!” says Soma. He suggests wearing comfortable shoes and loose comfortable clothing for ease of movement. Professor Soma hopes faculty, staff, and students will all take part. “In dancing everybody’s the same, regardless of education or job title.”

KUDOS: Architecture Professors Emeritus Tom Bosworth and Wendell Lovett received commendations at the AIA Seattle Design Awards last month. The AIA Jury also handed out five separate design awards to Architecture Professor David Miller’s firm, The Miller Hull PartnershipA team of UW Business School undergraduates were runners up in the 1998 International Business Challenge held at the University of Texas, Austin. Thirteen teams from around the world competed. Associate Dean Philip Kienast notes that UW undergraduates won the championship in 1995 and now have finished second three years later, a record unmatched by any other competitor.

Do you know someone who deserves “kudos” for an outstanding achievement, award, appointment or book publication? If so, please send that person’s name, title and achievement to “Kudos,” University Week, Box 351207. ¶