LIBRARY LORE: The UW Libraries was recently mentioned in a National Review book review, but not the way you might think. It seems Gilbert Bland, the thief who preyed on college libraries throughout the nation during the late 1990s, visited the Allen Library a few years ago, requested a 17th century book called Ogilby’s America and sliced out four of its maps with a razor blade. He hid the maps under his shirt and walked out. The UW was mentioned by the reviewer because of a John Muir saying that is framed and hanging on the wall at Allen Library: “Handle a book as a bee does a flower, extract its sweetness but do not damage it.” The book, The Island of Lost Maps: A True Story of Cartographic Crime, by Miles Harvey, chronicles Bland’s nationwide spree of library thefts.

MEMORIAL MASTER: UW Master of Architecture student Jason Cooper was a finalist in the national competition to design a Martin Luther King, Jr., Memorial in Washington, D.C. The competition - for professionals, not students - drew 871 entries from around the world, and Cooper was one of six finalists. His design didn’t win, but he’s in pretty lofty company as a finalist. Cooper hopes to specialize in memorial design when he completes his program.

MENTORING CHAMP: A statewide program designed to involve elementary through high school students in math, science and engineering has won a presidential award for mentoring. The Washington Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement program, or MESA, has been given the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring. MESA Statewide Director Patricia MacGowan received the award on behalf of the program during ceremonies in Washington, D.C. MESA was among 10 organizations and 10 individuals who received the annual award, established in 1996 by President Bill Clinton to recognize the efforts of individuals and groups to inspire youths to succeed in scientific endeavors. The National Science Foundation administers the award, which includes a $10,000 grant and presidential certificate.