Thursday, October 8, 2026

Take a peek behind the curtain and test drive the NEW StateNews.com today!

Campus

MSU

Two MSU grads win Sudler Prize for artistic success

Jennifer Orlando
May 25, 2007

Five summers ago, Jonathan Sage began working at the Ohio Light Opera as a carpenter. Now, the 2007 theater design graduate has worked his way up to technical director for the company located at the College of Wooster in Wooster, Ohio, where he is preparing for an upcoming production of the "Sound Of Music." Sage has Kirk Domer, associate chair and head of design of the department of theater, to thank for bringing him to Ohio all those summers ago and for nominating him for the Sudler Prize in the Arts award. Sage caught wind that he was nominated by Domer but was unsure he would actually receive the award. "I had heard my nomination was through," Sage said.

MSU

Secretary of State closed on holiday

Cash Kruth
May 24, 2007

Branches of the Michigan Secretary of State office will be closed on Monday in observance of Memorial Day. Licenses and plates that expire on the day the offices are closed can be renewed the following day without penalty.

MSU

Jazz band invites listeners

Craig Trudell
May 24, 2007

Toes tapped, fingers snapped and heads swayed as Caleb Curtis' fingers busily ran up and down the keys of his golden alto saxophone. With eyes closed, the jazz studies senior's face slowly turned red as the quick, clean tones of the Caleb Curtis Quintet filled the dimly lit room at Gregory's, 2510 N.

MSU

Legislation supports scholarship fund

Brian McVicar
May 24, 2007

U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., and Barack Obama, D-Ill., have introduced legislation to create 350,000 $1 coins marking the passage of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. Proceeds from the coins will go to the United Negro College Fund's scholarship program.

MSU

Community band offers free concert

Brian McVicar
May 23, 2007

The MSU Community Music School will hold a concert at 7 p.m. today. The New Horizons Band will present its Spring Concert "Music for All Ages" in the school's auditorium, 841 Timberlane St. The concert will feature the works of Mozart, Holst and "The Music Man."

MSU

Emergency teams train for worst

Brian McVicar
May 23, 2007

When a toxic chemical spill occurs, every second counts. Emergency response workers have to be ready to clean up spills within minutes before the chemicals cause harm to workers and the surrounding environment, said Pete Eiter, an instructor for MSU's Emergency Response Solutions. Eiter timed how long it took Ford Motor Co.'s emergency response workers to assemble the parts of an oxygen tank during the Ford-MSU Emergency Response Team Challenge at the MSU Pavilion for Agriculture and Livestock Education on Tuesday.

MSU

MSU trustee celebrated

Colleen Maxwell
May 22, 2007

As an MSU student in the 1950s, George Perles went on a rebound date with a girl who had just broken up with her boyfriend. Just before the date, she and the guy got back together. Perles, now an MSU trustee wasn't completely out of luck.

MSU

Encouraging abilities

Craig Trudell
May 18, 2007

When power lifter Mary Stack isn't bench pressing 260 pounds, she's pushing her motorized wheelchair. While 4-foot-9 Stack is able to walk, she uses a wheelchair because of a disorder that affects her balance. Stack is an athlete, coach and volunteer for the 32nd Michigan Victory Games, which are being held on campus this weekend. The Michigan Disability Sports Alliance, or MiDSA, hosts the games, which provide recreational and competitive sports opportunities for athletes with disabilities. A 2001 inductee into the Athletes with Disabilities Hall of Fame, Stack said she never would have been in sports if she hadn't started as an athlete in the games at 16. While Stack, 33, wants to continue to compete, she also enjoys watching from the sidelines as a coach and volunteer. "To see the expressions on the kids' faces when they complete a course, beat somebody in track or do something they didn't think they could do - it's really cool." About 80 athletes ranging from ages 7 to 70 will compete this year, said Stella Husch, director of the games. "A lot of times, individuals with disabilities don't have the opportunities to prove themselves or to negate stereotypes.

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.