RESOLUTIONS REDUX: UW psychologists studying the factors that best predict success in keeping New Year’s resolutions report that multiple attempts are often necessary. Alan Marlatt, director of the UW’s Addictive Behaviors Research Center, and Elizabeth Miller, doctoral candidate in psychology, say that only 40 percent of people they studied last year were successful in keeping a New Year’s resolution on their first try. The others required multiple attempts, with 17 percent of those studied reaching their goal only after more than six tries. Marlatt, who has looked at the topic of resolutions for more than 20 years, believes it’s important to look at the process in a positive light. “Take credit for success when you achieve a resolution, but don’t blame yourself if you fail. Instead look at the barriers that were in your way; see how you can do better next time and figure a better plan to succeed.”

LAWRENCE EXHIBIT: Striking pen-and-ink drawings created by Jacob Lawrence for an edition of “Aesop’s Fables” are on display at the Tacoma Public Library’s Handforth Gallery. The 23 black ink drawings appeared in the original 1970 book published by the University of Washington Press and recently reissued. One of America’s most celebrated artists, Lawrence retired from teaching at UW’s School of Art in 1983. His work graces museums and private collections throughout the world and has been widely acclaimed since his first major solo exhibition in 1944 at the Museum of Modern Art. The Handforth Gallery is located in the main library building in downtown Tacoma. The exhibit runs through Feb. 27 and is open for viewing daily except Sunday.

LIEBERMAN FUND: The School of Library and Information Science has established a fund honoring the life and work of Dr. Irving Lieberman, Professor Emeritus of Librarianship and director of UW Libraries from 1956 to 1973. Remembrances may be sent to the University’s Lieberman Faculty Continuing Education Fund, School of Library and Information Science, Box 352930, Seattle, WA 98195.

KUDOS: Affiliate Physics Professor John W. Cahn, a fellow at the National Institute of Standards and Technology in Bethesda, Md. is one of nine National Medal of Science winners recently honored by the White House. Cahn, in receiving the highest scientific honor in the United States, was cited for his work as a theorist in materials science Professor James Holton, atmospheric sciences chairman, was awarded an honorary degree recently by the University of Stockholm. Holton was one of four people to receive an honorary doctorate in sciences Sept. 25 at Stockholm City Hall with the king and queen of Sweden in attendance. His award was for lifetime achievement in atmospheric sciences. Holton also recently was named an honorary professor of the University of Bueonos Aires by the Argentine institution’s faculty of Exact and Natural SciencesProfessor Emeritus of Electrical Engineering Akira Ishimaru has been selected to receive the 1999 Heinrich Hertz Medal from the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, described by colleagues as “the Nobel Prize” in his field of radio waves research. The award cites Ishimaru’s “fundamental contributions to the theories and applications of wave propagation and scattering in random media,” which have led to advances in imaging, remote sensing, object detection and communications. The prize, which includes a gold medal and $10,000, will be presented in June at Whitehall Place in London. ¶