PURSUIT OF IDEAS OFF THE BEATEN PATH
Curt Gridley and Tracy Hoover look to the past to improve the future
One of the ways Curt Gridley and Tracy Hoover open doors to future success for Wichita State University is by researching the past, but they also rely on others as pioneers.
Curt and his wife, Tracy, have been donors to WSU for more than 25 years. They are WSU Foundation Fairmount Society Life members. Curt and Tracy also share their time and talent. He is a WSU Foundation National Advisory Council member and serves on the investment committee. She is an adjunct faculty member in the School of Music. Both are WSU Alumni Association Life Members.
Within the past seven years, Curt and Tracy have narrowed some of their giving to selected areas of interest that may be considered nontraditional, but groundbreaking.
"The university was open to us inserting our own interests, to utilizing our backgrounds," said Curt.
Curt graduated from WSU in 1980 with a bachelor's degree in philosophy and mathematics and a minor in Spanish and then received a master's degree in mathematics from Dartmouth College in Hanover, N.H., in 1983. Tracy graduated in 1981 from Wellesley College in Wellesley, Mass., with a bachelor's degree in English and computer science.
"I was interested in the history of science and technology," said Curt, "the day-to-day technology used in the past and what influenced it."
Curt followed the history of computers back to the Jacquard Loom and Charles Babbage. The loom used cards with a pattern of holes in them to weave designs. Charles Babbage later modified the cards into computing punch cards. Curt was interested in these ideas and how they evolved.
From their academic degrees and personal interests, the pair established the Curtis D. Gridley Professorship in the History and Philosophy of Science, which was awarded to Niall Shanks in 2005. He continues to hold that distinction today.
"In addition to conducting high quality research and engaging in high quality teaching, the professorship also should communicate the ideas and issues derived from the history and philosophy of science to the broader community," said Niall.
He has delivered 40 public presentations of his work since he was awarded the Gridley professorship. In addition, Niall has published eight research articles on various aspects of the history and philosophy of the life sciences. He also has had two books published about evolution.
"Curt takes the long view, which sometimes focuses on unusual topics," said Tracy. "He looks for different, not run of the mill projects to support."
Another example of an idea that isn't "mainstream," said Tracy, is the Gridley-Hoover Pilot Research Program–Institute on Aging.
"We like to fund things where it is a start up—get something going," said Curt.
The pilot research program provides initial funding for WSU scholars interested in aging research. Positive results from the research could attract additional research awards.
"It was an opportunity to have a health focus on rural Kansas," said Tracy.
"Curt and Tracy have been enormously supportive," said Teresa Radebaugh, Carl and Rozina Cassat Professor in Aging and director of the Regional Institute on Aging. "Through their own exploration, they saw the possibilities and the importance of aging research for older Kansans and were, therefore, willing to take a chance on a new research institute and an unfamiliar scientific area."
To date, there have been six Gridley-Hoover Pilot Research projects awarded. Two more will be awarded in early 2010, providing important research seed support that will ultimately lead to research grant applications to federal agency programs and to scientific papers in peer-reviewed journals. Another important benefit of the pilot research program is the opportunity for WSU graduate students to be involved in faculty research activities and to develop an understanding of the research process by participating in it.
Curt and Tracy also appreciate the good fortune of building and nurturing the relationships with the program's candidates.
A project they didn't initiate, but that they are passionate about is WSU's Biological Field Station.
"We were drawn in to the aspect of preserving part of Kansas that's fast disappearing or is gone," said Tracy. "We wanted to be a part of re-creating the wilderness."
Curt has been working on the idea to set up a Web cam at the field station, using his technology background. In addition, he and Tracy are reviewing the opportunity to fund a wind turbine there.
One common factor with Curt and Tracy's connection is that they value the cross-disciplinary input achieved when multiple WSU colleges are involved.
"Faculty from multiple fields expand the breadth and increase the various perspectives of a single topic," said Curt. "The most creative work is done when you get all (colleges) to participate."
What is next for Curt and Tracy? They have some ideas brewing.
"Ideas we're taking into consideration are topics that affect children, especially around the ages of ours — fifth grade to middle school," said Curt.
Many items come into play when Curt and Tracy decide on future projects.
"It's important to us to fund programs that are meaningful to us, will allow others the opportunity to explore and are significant to WSU because of the vision to fulfill needs," said Curt.
"It's the difference between getting something done and not getting it done. That's where we want to come in."