VOL. 37, NO. 5 - OCTOBER 27, 2005

Biosecurity, disease to be focus of new center

Photo by Kurt Stepnitz Joan Rose, a world-renowned scientist and Homer Nowlin Chair for water research speaks at the unveiling of the Center for Advancing Microbial Risk Assessment (CAMRA). Rose was named co-director of CAMRA. Chuck Haas, an environmental engineer with Drexel University in Philadelphia is the other co-director.

MSU unveiled Monday the development of a new center that will help everyone from first responders to legislators deal with infectious diseases as well as bioterrorism threats. (Full Story)

Biotech researcher brings mushroom hunt indoors

Biotechnology often is heralded as the brave new future of Michigan’s industry.
But not often is biotech called tasty – even gourmet. (Full Story)

'U' board approves plan to boost financial aid

President Lou Anna K. Simon and the Board of Trustees have opted to move $1.6 million in state appropriation funds toward financial aid for resident undergraduate students. (Full Story)

Law president endows professorships with $4 million
gift

Clifton E. and Carolyn Haley of Drummond Island have made a planned gift commitment of $4 million to MSU College of Law to establish the law college’s first endowed chairs. (Full Story)

Faculty conversation with Yong Zhao, University Distinguished Professor of Education

(Full Story)

Founding Father 'unmasked' by MSU professor

When MSU political science professor Jerry Weinberger began work on a book about Benjamin Franklin 10 years ago, he had no idea the book would be published in the middle of a renewed national enthusiasm for America’s founding fathers. He also couldn’t have guessed at the sheer amount of work ahead of him. (Full Story)

Report issues recommendations for shaping future water policy

A lot of people are talking about water these days, be it about hurricanes and floods or beach closures, groundwater withdrawals, water contamination and the protection of the Great Lakes. But in Michigan, a major report released Oct. 24 says more talk is needed. (Full Story)

University and WJR announce 'historic' flagship agreement

MSU and News/Talk 760 WJR radio announced a five-year agreement that, in the words of Lou Anna K. Simon, “represents a mutually beneficial partnership with the Great Voice of the Great Lakes. (Full Story)

Animal Cancer Care Clinic opens at MSU

Just like people, more animals than ever are being diagnosed with cancer. And, just like with people, an early diagnosis can often mean the difference between life and death. (Full Story)

Wage gap follows women beyond the glass ceiling

A new study released by Inforum and MSU finds that top female executives earn an average of 49 cents to the dollar compared to male officers at Michigan’s largest public corporations. Women hold less than 6 percent of top-officer positions and less than 10 percent of board seats, according to the 2005 “Michigan Women’s Leadership Index.” (Full Story)

New York composer to premier song cycle at MSU

Who would think that 20 years after two struggling artists performed new compositions for their friends in a small apartment on the upper west side of Manhattan that they would be presenting a world-premier song cycle along with a 110-member symphony orchestra in Michigan? Those two artists, composer Ricky Ian Gordon and soprano Melanie Helton, will reunite on the MSU campus at 8 p.m. Oct. 29, in the Great Hall, Wharton Center to present a song cycle for soprano and orchestra. (Full Story)

MSU veterinarian recounts trip to Gulf Coast

On Sept. 19, Valerie Chadwick, an assistant professor of small animal clinical sciences, and a team of veterinarians, vet techs and students left East Lansing for the New Orleans area. Their mission: To help care for the animals that were the victims of Hurricane Katrina. Here is Chadwick’s account of what she calls their “odyssey.” (Full Story)

Team works to improve, update campus classrooms

A team assembled by the Office of Planning and Budgets is continuing improvements to classrooms on campus and offering classroom-related services to faculty and graduate teaching assistants. (Full Story)

MSU Global Online Connection expanding reach, programs

MSU Global Online Connection, the entrepreneurial business unit within the Office of the Provost, is becoming a leader in online continuing-education programs and is working to expand its global reach. (Full Story)

Interim manager of University Stores named

Karyn Pearl has been named interim manager of University Stores. Pearl began her career in University Stores as a student. After graduating in 1991, she was hired by Stores as a temporary employee and eventually became a full-time worker, office supervisor and assistant manager. Bob Eash, the previous manager of University Stores, recently retired after 37 years of employment in the division. (Full Story)

Researchers receive $4 million grant to uncover gene functions

A collaboration of MSU researchers will use a $4 million grant from the National Science Foundation to uncover the functions of genes in a plant – research which may ultimately lead to improvements in human health and agriculture. (Full Story)

MSU experience helps launch accessibility consulting service

A new southwest Michigan-based consulting service looks to link businesses to a burgeoning market by drawing on more than a half century of MSU experience helping disabled students, faculty and staff. (Full Story)

MSU Peace Corps participation tops 2,000

The number of MSU alumni who have served in the Peace Corps recently topped 2,000, a level of participation reached by only four other universities and a milestone in MSU’s 44-year relationship with the agency designed to promote mutual understanding between Americans and the developing world.
(Full Story)

MSU students among first to be awarded Hollings scholarships

Two MSU students are making history, as are their national scholarship awards from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). (Full Story)

Three new services designed to make a healthier campus

Three new services launched this semester by Healthy U, MSU’s Health Promotion Program, are all designed to make a healthier “U.” (Full Story)

Medical imaging topic of Spartan Saturday Seminar

James Potchen, the founding chairperson of MSU’s Department of Radiology and one of the nation’s foremost experts on medical imaging, will speak this Saturday as part of the MSU Saturday Seminar Series. (Full Story)

Presidents, first lady return to campus for Homecoming