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MSU

Museums observe "heritage"

Jon Schultz
May 18, 2007

From Hong Kong to New Zealand and all the way back to East Lansing, museums spanning the globe will celebrate the 30th annual International Museum Day, or IMD, today. "(IMD is) one of those things that I think can call attention to museums in general and some of those gems in the community that help us learn about ourselves, our neighbors and our global community," said Lora Helou, communications manager for MSU Museum. The International Council of Museums encourages its 23,000 individual and institutional members from 145 countries to hold special events commemorating the day, according to their Web site. This year's theme, "Museums and Universal Heritage," strives to raise awareness of museums' role to encourage responsibility for global heritage. The MSU and Kresge Art museums will host a joint reception honoring more than 1,000 volunteers from 4-6 p.m.

MSU

MSU student awarded funds to study culture worldwide

Jennifer Orlando
May 18, 2007

If you speak with Nick Micinski, you'll notice he's a soft-spoken guy. But he'll be the first one to tell you the world isn't as perfect as it could be. "I knew I couldn't ignore the problems of the world after seeing it firsthand," said the political theory and constitutional democracy and international relations senior, referring to a study abroad trip he took to Egypt last fall. Micinski will have an opportunity to make an impact around the world when he embarks on a 74-day globe-trotting journey. Thanks to a strong interview in front of the selection committee of the Michigan chapter of the Circumnavigators Club, Micinski became the recipient of its foundation grant - an award given to a student who will travel the world and, after the culmination of trip, report his or her findings back to the club. He was awarded $8,500 to fund the trip and was chosen as the sole winner among 25 applicants that included students from MSU, Wayne State University and University of Michigan.

MSU

Researchers design improved Cyclotron magnet prototype

Lauren Talley
May 18, 2007

To non-nuclear physics majors, what happens in the MSU's National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory is about as mysterious as nuclear physics itself. "Mostly, what we do here is basic science, how the universe works and how things are put together," said Geoffrey Koch, lab communications manager at the Cyclotron. Researchers at the Cyclotron recently designed a superconducting magnet prototype that can withstand high radiation environments, which will ultimately propel rare isotope science into the future. "It's important because it allows this next generation accelerator to move forward, and having been a part of that is really exciting," said Jonathan Delauter, a Cyclotron research and development physicist. Delauter worked on the magnet for his master's thesis - Radiation Resistant Superferric Magnets for Fragment Separators.

MSU

MSU joins state to aid economy

Colleen Maxwell
May 18, 2007

MSU unveiled another attempt to revitalize Michigan's economy with the creation of MSU Technologies on Wednesday. The vision for MSU Technologies is to translate research results from universities into a common marketplace, said Lisa Kuuttila, the CEO. "MSU Technologies will be playing an important role in the transformation in Michigan's economy," she said. Kuuttila said MSU-Tech will aim to help the economy in three ways: • There will be technology from the university that could increase the value for established companies already in the state. "New materials will be useful to existing companies looking to become more efficient, reduce costs or improve manufacturing," she said. • MSU-Tech could lead to the development of new companies. "Some may grow and stand alone or be acquired by an existing company," she said.

MSU

Orange everywhere

Colleen Maxwell
May 17, 2007

Those big orange construction signs all around campus — they're not lying. But, for one reason or another, most people want to test the waters for themselves, ignoring the bold lettering and bright colors of the massive signs, University Engineer Bob Nestle said. "They'll drive right past them, go down to the barricade and have to turn right back around," he said.

MSU

MSU racing team in gear to compete

Jennifer Orlando
May 17, 2007

Members of the MSU Formula Racing Team meticulously search for any small glitch in the car, carefully weighing and balancing the frame and tuning the suspension. Everything must be perfect for the next trial run. Brandon Goad patiently waits in the driver's seat as a swarm of his team members crowd Racecar 9 with tools in hand. The mechanical engineering senior's green and white helmet gleams in the bright sun, while he anxiously sits, waiting to take another spin through the makeshift track of orange cones located in a section of the Commuter Lot. Goad, one of the lead racers selected to drive for the team, and the other 21 student members traveled Wednesday to the Formula Society of Automotive Engineers' international competition held in Romeo. The team aims to top last year's finish of ninth place. "I don't think we have a good chance, I know we are going to win," said Nathan Crosty, a computer science senior and data acquisition team leader. There will be 130 teams representing colleges from all corners of the world vying for the No.

MSU

Bee loss affects Mich. crops

Kristi Jourdan
May 17, 2007

A quarter of the nation's 2.4 million honeybee colonies have been wiped out, and researchers are baffled in trying to figure out why they are vanishing. One MSU researcher said the availability of food could be jeopardized if the honeybee population continues to mysteriously decrease throughout the nation. Bee expert Zachary Huang received a $64,000 grant to begin researching why honeybees are disappearing, but nothing can be done until the weather warms up. "We cannot do anything unless we know what causes it," he said.

MSU

Professor known for animal research

Lauren Talley
May 16, 2007

To Ronald Nelson, work was more than a job — it was the importance of family. Nelson, 88, died Friday from what his daughter said could have been a heart failure. "He ran the department in a rather unique manner," said John Shelle, Nelson's colleague in the animal science department.

MSU

MSU education professor earns prestigious award

Rachael Zylstra
May 15, 2007

Robert Floden can add one more accomplishment to his esteemed résumé: membership in the National Academy of Education, or NAE. The 57-year-old MSU professor has been a part of the College of Education for 30 years. "It means I'm joining a distinguished group of people in the United States," the associate dean for research for the College of Education said.

MSU

Pfizer donates building to MSU

Colleen Maxwell
May 14, 2007

A building donated to MSU by Pfizer Inc. could be used for bioeconomic research, possibly yielding new fuels from crops and biodiesel additives. "The hope is that if things are able to be completed during the donation, it will provide additional opportunities for the university to contribute to the development of Michigan bioeconomy," said Paul Hunt, MSU's associate vice president for research and graduate studies. A bioeconomy is one that focuses on the dependency of renewable resources, such as plants, for energy and industrial purposes.

MSU

Residents get a lesson in biking

Jennifer Orlando
May 14, 2007

Geeked about safety gear, bike tires and various bike styles, about 15 cycling enthusiasts gathered Saturday at Bessey Hall to discuss and learn more about their favorite mode of transportation. Tim Potter, manager of the MSU Bike Service Center, opened his shop to the class.

MSU

Program contributes to sex education in MSU community

Brendan Bouffard
April 27, 2007

Educators from Olin Health Center promote safe sex on campus — and they have the numbers to prove it. Since the beginning of the school year, Olin's various sex education programs have given away nearly 80,000 condoms. Many have been given away through a program called Condom Connection which provides residence hall mentors with information on sexually transmitted diseases, healthy relationships and, of course, condoms. To fund the programs, the Residence Halls Association has granted Olin $2,000 per semester for the past few years, said Paula Wade, RHA director of health and safety. A 2000 survey reported 54 percent of MSU students used condoms the last time they had sex.

MSU

East Village plans downsized

Kristen Daum
April 27, 2007

The East Village redevelopment has been cut in half. Officials from the San Diego-based Pierce Company Inc. announced Thursday they will no longer be pursuing property east of Stoddard Avenue. But changing the plans doesn't deter The Pierce Company or East Lansing from their mutual goal of a redeveloped East Village. The project originally involved a mix of retail, residential and entertainment properties in the 35-acre region bounded by East Grand River Avenue, Hagadorn Road, Bogue Street and the Red Cedar River by 2011. Prime Housing Group's refusal to sell its seven properties in the region made officials downsize their intentions for the project, said Fred Pierce, president and CEO of The Pierce Company. "We do support their independent development of those properties," Pierce said.

MSU

STAND targets Sudan investments

Tara Thoel
April 27, 2007

Some MSU students want to use the state legislative system to help end genocide in Darfur, Sudan. In November, members of MSU's Spartans Taking Action Now: Darfur, or STAND, went to a conference at Northwestern University where they learned about how divestment could be used as a tool against the genocide. The targeted divestment calls for the stopping of financial investments in 83 companies that directly or indirectly help the Sudanese government continue killing its citizens, according to the U.S.

MSU

Student's research compares memoirs

Tara Thoel
April 27, 2007

Two different genocides: One during World War II, one that began in the 1980s. An MSU student found common links between the two. Jasmine Angelini-Knoll, a political science and anthropology junior, compared memoirs written by boys of the Holocaust and the "Lost Boys" of Sudan. The "Lost Boys" refer to children who were displaced, orphaned or both during Sudan's 21-year civil war that officially ended in 2005. "These groups of memoirs similarly engage you in imagining what it would be like to be in that situation as a child," Angelini-Knoll said.

MSU

Grad students negotiate funds

Sean Ely
April 26, 2007

Graduate students hope to get more benefits from the university when they renegotiate their contract this summer. "We really look to build on what we've been able to achieve so far," Lloyd said.