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by Bernie Murphy |
This edition of PIRE News is dedicated to the creator of our corporate newsletter, Diane Williams, and the many significant contributions she has made to PIRE over the last 22 years. Diane is retiring after the July Board meeting on August 11th.
I first met Diane in the Air Right’s building in Bethesda in 1995. I was invited to participate in the PREVENT proposal development. As I walked around to Diane’s interior windowless office to share my letter of intent to lead the Navy project, I was struck by how elegantly she had decorated her space. A silk rose bouquet of flowers in a tall china vase was positioned in the corner, indirect lighting created a warm glow, and her desk was carefully organized with matching accessories. I was impressed, as we all have been, with Diane’s style and grace. From Bethesda, we moved to Rockville, then Calverton, and then to a second Calverton building. Now I am moving back to the 10th floor, as Calverton consolidates, while Diane moves on to retirement.
She will be missed.
Diane has an MBA and is a certified conference planner, and PIRE benefited immensely from her expertise. Her dedication to PIRE and helping create our branding and corporate togetherness was met with some appreciation but mainly resistance and apathy. She persisted with the PIRE logo, mugs, pens, shirts, and such. On the 30th anniversary of PIRE, some years ago, she organized Center dinner celebrations, and we each received PIRE logo framed plaques indicating our years of service. Her many PIRE events are renowned.
She also served as Corporate Secretary for the PIRE Board and organizer of Board meetings, logistics, food, wine selections (until she delegated to Board Director Brian O’Neill), and all the details that make a meeting flow smoothly. Her many organizational contributions to the Board are notable, as the Board expanded, changed, and transformed from a Founder’s Board to our current self-perpetuating Board. Most remarkable is her attendance; Diane never missed a Board meeting.
We thank you, Diane, and wish you well. Your many contributions are now part of the fabric of PIRE.
PIRE’s Special Edition: Journal of Primary Prevention—Marijuana
Well Done! Please note the Special Edition of the Journal of Primary Prevention (see Spotlight: Special Issue), Chris Ringwalt, Editor. Chris stepped aside for this special edition and Karen Friend, Bridget Freisthler, and Bettina Friese served as PIRE guest editors. This is an important contribution to PIRE’s continued expansion into drug research, especially as California readies for taxation on the sale of marijuana and the promise of new research funding. Thank you to the PIRE authors of original papers: Robynn S. Battle, Bridget Freisthler, Andrew Gaidus, Joel W. Grube, Paul J. Gruenewald, John H. Lacey, Mallie J. Paschall, William R. Ponicki, Eduardo Romano, Sue Thomas, and Robert B. Voas.
PIRE at the June Research Society on Alcoholism (RSA)
PIRE Staff reaffirmed our corporate commitment to alcohol research with their participation at RSA. Congratulations to Juliet Lee, Myra Parker, and Eduardo Romano for their collaboration and leadership for the second successful Alcohol and Health Disparities day-long workshop. The event was co-sponsored with the University of Washington. Thank you to H. Westley Clark, Vice Chair of the PIRE Board, for his participation and excellent closing remarks at this workshop.
PIRE Staff also participated in six symposiums and 15 posters.
Sunday evening at the Appaloosa Grill in downtown Denver, we held a reception that was well attended by PIRE Staff, NIH representatives, colleagues, and collaborators. Past Board Chair Barbara McCrady and RSA President Kenneth Sher attended. The PRC postdocs enjoyed an impromptu NIH seminar on grants writing by NIAAA staff, organized by Joel Grube. See photos in this issue. This was the third PIRE promotion and recruitment event this year. Several promising contacts were made at the event. Next year, RSA will be in San Diego; plans are underway.
PIRE Mid-year
At the mid-year point of our fiscal year, we are forecasting to be below our provisional fringe rate. The hard work of proposal development is producing results. There are also multiple applications under review.
Congratulations to Paul Gruenewald and the PRC team for their NIAAA center grant submission and reverse site visit.
July was very disruptive for two centers. The fire in Oakland, next to 180 Grand, impeded work. Staff are now able to go back and work in the building after a week of temporary repairs. The Calverton Central Business Office Staff are in the final phase moving to the 10th floor to consolidate space. I extend my appreciation to Staff for their patience and cooperation during these significant disruptions.
Please do take time to enjoy this summer and be safe. 
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