Chronicles

John A. Silander Jr., a professor of ecology and evolutionary biology, is one of the recipients of The Ecological Society of America's prestigious award honoring the best published paper of the year. The 1997 George Mercer Award for the most significant publication in any field of ecology by one or more young ecologists was given to the paper entitled, "Forest models defined by field measurements: estimation, error analysis and dynamics," which was published in Ecological Monographs in 1996.

Silander was one of six authors of the paper. Four of the other five authors are also affiliated with UConn: Charles Canham is an adjunct professor of ecology and evolutionary biology, Steve Pacala is a former faculty member, and Richard Kobe and Eric Ribbens earned their doctorates here under Silander.

The award was presented at the society's annual meeting held in Albuquerque, N.M., on August 12. RKSA

David Walker's tour through Germany did not require him to sing or play an instrument; instead, he was asked to share his expertise.

Walker, a professor in the Institute of Public and Urban Affairs, traveled to five different cities this summer to discuss America's welfare reform and the added responsibilities that states have taken on with it.

Walker, whose lecture tour was sponsored by the United States Information Agency, met with members of the German parliament, the media and students during his 14-day stay. LM