Issue date: Oct. 25, 2001

Campus Happenings

'Critterguy' hosts new Web site about wildlife

Relief is finally in "site" for those who have sought effective ways to get rid of bats in their attic or raccoons under their deck, or wondered how to tell the difference between harmless and dangerous snakes.

A new Web site developed by the MSU Museum has the answers to frequently asked questions about Michigan wildlife. Visitors can also find resources for learning more about natural wonders and backyard curiosities on the site:

critterguy.museum.msu.edu

The Wildlife and Natural History Q-Line is coordinated by the "Critterguy," Jim Harding, wildlife information specialist at the MSU Museum and the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife.

Visitors to the Web site can browse answers posted on the "frequently asked questions" page or submit their own questions about what is going on in or beyond their backyard. A search-ready database and links to government agencies, private and public interest groups, and conservation organizations provide additional resources for wildlife buffs.

The Wildlife and Natural History Q-Line is a collaboration of the MSU Museum, Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Department of Zoology and MSU Extension.

International students to share culture at festival

Global Festival at MSU offers a taste of world cuisine, entertainment and information from some 50 countries around the world.

The annual event, which gives MSU's international students a chance to share their culture, is set for noon to 5 p.m. Nov. 18 in the MSU Union. Admission is free.

Performances of traditional and contemporary song, dance, drama and fashion will be highlighted throughout the day. Students will also exhibit artifacts from their homelands and will demonstrate crafts such as Chinese paper cutting, Hungarian puppetry and Japanese paper folding. A special games and activities area just for children will also be offered.

Appetizer foods will be available all afternoon and a café featuring a la carte meals will be open from noon to 3 p.m. A world gift shop will offer unique international gifts, which have been donated with sale proceeds going to a scholarship fund for spouses of international students.

The Global Festival is co-sponsored by Community Volunteers for International Programs, the University Activities Board and the Asian Studies Center.

MSU Museum experts to help identify ‘finds'

Wondering about that intriguing shell from the beach, that curious fossil or some other natural history oddity?

Find out about such "finds" by bringing them to the annual Natural History ID Day from 2 to 4 p.m. Nov. 4 in the MSU Museum Auditorium.

Museum curators and specialists representing vertebrate paleontology, mammalogy and ornithology, as well as specialists in minerals and wildlife, will be on hand to help identify objects. In addition, interesting and unusual specimens from the museum's natural history collections will be on display.

The museum cannot provide estimates of the commercial value of any specimens, nor provide expertise on any manufactured artifacts.

Admission is free, and all ages are welcome.

For more information, call 355-2370.

Telecom leader to present first Quello lecture

John D. Evans, internationally recognized as a telecommunications industry leader and visionary, will present the first Quello Center Lecture on Nov. 8.

Evans' lecture, entitled "Science and Education in the Digital Age," will begin at 7 p.m. in MSU's new Henry Center for Executive Development.

The lecture is free and open to the public.

Best known as one of the co-founders of the Cable-Satellite Public Affairs Network in 1977, Evans is now chairperson and CEO of Evans Telecommunications Co., an investment, consulting and operating company in the cable television and telecommunications industries.

Evans also is founder of the John D. Evans Foundation, which supports AIDS and cancer research, protection of the environment and improving quality of life through technological innovation, education and the arts.

The annual Quello Center Lectureship will feature prominent individuals in the communication industries who have contributed to communications law and policy.

‘Safe Halloween' party set Oct. 26 on MAC Avenue

Miniature firefighters and police officers are expected to join the usual assortment of ballerinas, superheroes and witches at the annual Safe Halloween party sponsored by MSU fraternities and sororities from 5 to 8 p.m. Oct. 26.

MAC Avenue from Elizabeth Street to Burcham Drive will be blocked off to make way for a broad range of activities designed for young children, including games, craft stations, Halloween card making and food. A fire truck, a police car, a "bounce house," a Velcro wall, a slide, a dunk tank and a ball jump will add to the fun.

Five hundred fraternity and sorority members are involved in planning and hosting the event, which is free and open to the public.

Last year, more than 1,000 children participated.

Newseum leader to present annual Siebert lecture

Felix Gutierrez, senior vice president of the Freedom Forum's interactive museum of news called Newseum, will present the annual Frederick S. Siebert Lecture at MSU today (Oct. 25).

Gutierrez will speak at 4 p.m. in Gold Rooms A-B of the MSU Union. His address -- "One Freedom, Many Voices?" -- is free and open to the public.

Gutierrez is author or co-author of four books and more than 45 scholarly articles or book chapters focusing on technological and cultural changes in the media.

The School of Journalism established the Siebert lecture in 1968 in honor of Frederick S. Siebert, director of the School of Journalism from 1957 to 1960 and dean of the College of Communication Arts and Sciences from 1960 to 1967.

Wharton Center launches World View series

World View, a lecture series bringing renowned leaders and thinkers of the contemporary world to mid-Michigan, has been launched at Wharton Center.

Upcoming speakers are:

soprano Beverly Sills, the first woman, the first performing artist and the first former head of an arts company to become chairperson of the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, on Nov. 7.
nationally syndicated columnist Molly Ivins, the author of the best-seller Molly Ivins Can't Say That Can She?, on Feb. 5, 2002.
film-maker Spike Lee, a Hollywood success since 1986 when his debut film was nominated for an Academy Award, on March 21, 2002.

All lectures are at 5:30 p.m. in the Great Hall of Wharton Center. Tickets are $20 per lecture. Call 432-2000 or (800) WHARTON or visit the Web at: www.whartoncenter.com

Economic impact of Sept. 11 focus of Oct. 31 forum

"The Economic and Financial Implications of 11 September 2001" will be the focus of a forum set for 3 to 5 p.m. Oct. 31 in the Kellogg Center Auditorium.

The Department of Economics, the College of Social Science and The Eli Broad College of Business will bring together six experts for the forum: President Peter McPherson; Robert H. Rasche, director of research, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, and professor emeritus of economics; Donald J. Bowersox, dean of The Eli Broad College of Business and McConnell professor of business administration; Richard T. Baillie, Pasant professor of finance and economics; Mordechai Kreinin, University distinguished professor of economics; and Charles L. Ballard, professor of economics.

Marietta Baba, dean of the College of Social Science, will introduce the panelists.
The audience will be invited to comment on the formal discussion or ask questions of the panel.

For more information, call the Department of Economics at 355-7583 or e-mail wirick@msu.edu