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MSU

Trustees, committee to vote on scholarship

Amy Oprean
June 16, 2006

A scholarship for English majors studying creative writing will be voted on for recommendation by the MSU Trustee Finance and Audit Committee today. The scholarship came in the form of a $30,000 donation by Arthur Athanason, an English professor who died at 70 years old in September 2005 after battling pancreatic cancer. Athanason, who taught playwriting and other literature classes, wrote in his will that he wanted to establish a scholarship for students with strong academic and professional goals in creative writing. "He was diagnosed with terminal cancer and knew this was a legacy he could establish after he passed away," said Kristin Peterson, director of development for the College of Arts and Letters.

MSU

MSU to study spirituality's effect on cancer patients

Amy Oprean
June 15, 2006

Finding a possible link between spirituality and health will be the focus of a study by MSU researchers beginning in September. Michael Boivin, associate professor of neurology and ophthalmology and principal investigator in the study, will use a $1 million grant from the Templeton Advanced Research Program to study the connection between spirituality and breast cancer patients' resilience throughout chemotherapy. "I think we are finally at a point in human history where we have the tools to adequately explore the relationship between (spirituality and health)," Boivin said.

MSU

MSU exhibit heads to Smithsonian

Andrea Byl
June 14, 2006

One MSU Museum exhibit is bound for the nation's capital. More than 1 million people are expected to view the MSU Museum's American Indian basket weaving exhibit, "Carriers of Culture: Living Native Basket Traditions," at the 2006 Smithsonian Folklife Festival, June 30-July 4 and July 7-11 in Washington, D.C. The festival is an annual event held by the Smithsonian Institution at the National Mall featuring three main exhibits showing different cultural traditions.

MSU

Mosquito population climbs to 30-year high

Stephanie Pittman
June 14, 2006

When Natalie Warrick moved to MSU for the Summer Research Opportunity Program, she didn't expect a rousing welcome — from a platoon of blood-thirsty mosquitoes. After her first night at Owen Graduate Hall, Warrick woke up with five red lumps, the result of mosquito bites. "It's irritating me.

MSU

Ground grown energy

Stephanie Pittman
June 12, 2006

In the search for alternative energy sources, MSU researchers have discovered switchgrass as a valuable resource in producing other forms of fuel. At the MSU Extension in Presque Isle County, researchers are studying how to make fuel pellets out of switchgrass, which is a variety of prairie grass that grows quickly and can survive harsh weather conditions.

MSU

Worthwhile worms

Stephanie Pittman
June 7, 2006

Thousands of worm eggs in a glass of a sports drink could provide relief from bowel disease symptoms, MSU and University of Iowa researchers say. Linda Mansifeld, a professor of microbiology, is leading a study on how whipworms can be used to treat inflammatory bowel disease. Whipworms are thread-thin parasite worms, about an inch long when full-grown, that burrow their heads into the walls of the large intestines.

MSU

Teddy bear fix-up

A green cast covered Barry's right leg Saturday afternoon. The teddy bear also wore protective plastic sunglasses for her lazy eye and a colorful Band-Aid covered one of her wounds. Sarai Garcia's stuffed animal went through a lot at the MSU/Mid-Michigan Children's Initiative, or MSU/MMCI's, Second Annual Teddy Bear Picnic, which took place off of Service Road, across from the Clinical Center. "She had a broken leg," the 8-year-old Lansing resident said.

MSU

Organic farming

Ten acres of MSU's vast agricultural fields are reserved solely for growing organic food. The MSU Student Organic Farm, 3291 College Road, in Holt serves as a place not only to grow certified organic food, but research organic farming techniques as well, according to its Web site. The farm focuses on Community Supported Agriculture, or CSA, in which the produce from the year-round farming is divided into shares and sold before the food is harvested. A share feeds up to about four adults and is not limited to one family, said farm manager and instructor Jeremy Moghtader. Shares are sold in spring, summer and fall and cost $460 per share, said Holly Markham, an environmental policy and anthropology senior, who works at the farm.

MSU

Strutting their stuff

Vinnie stomped the ground. The chestnut-colored horse was having his hooves shoed and shaped by farrier Kirk Lucas on Thursday afternoon at the west end of the Pavilion for Agriculture and Livestock Education. Sparks flew as Lucas shaped Vinnie's new horseshoe.

MSU

MSU students graduate with more debt

Andrea Byl
June 2, 2006

Lonnie Moore expects to have about $40,000 worth of debt by the time he graduates in December. "Frankly, I see myself out of debt when they sell my body to science for dissection," the philosophy and history senior said.

MSU

Gas line hit, Olin evacuated

Lindsey Poisson
June 1, 2006

Construction workers hit a gas line Wednesday between 1:50 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. while working on the new parking ramp near Olin Health Center and Morrill Hall. Employees of Olin Health Center were evacuated, but there were no injuries, said Debra Dodd, spokeswoman for Consumers Energy. "The fire department thought it was best to evacuate the building since it was so near," Dodd said. No other buildings were evacuated, MSU police said. Consumers Energy officials were called to the scene to inspect and repair the damaged gas line.

MSU

Touring around town

Over the river and through the bike trails, MSU is home to acres of flower gardens, galleries full of one-of-a-kind artwork and dozens of ancient fossils — all for the public and all for free. This weekend, area officials hope to remind people of hidden jewels in their backyard as the Greater Lansing Convention & Visitors Bureau presents its annual "Be a Tourist in Your Own Town" event. Tracy Padot, vice president and director of marketing communications at the bureau, said about 15,000 people participate annually. "We hear tales that people haven't been to the Capitol Building since they were in fourth grade," Padot said.

MSU

Professor joins national board

Stephanie Pittman
May 31, 2006

For the next five years, MSU Professor Thomas Linsmeier's job will be to ensure financial reports from companies all over the United States are clean, clear and transparent. Linsmeier was recently appointed to the Financial Accounting Standards Board, a national body that creates and determines corporate financial reporting guidelines.

MSU

Graduates receive arts award

Justin Kroll
May 31, 2006

Two MSU graduates were the recipients of the Louis Sudler Prize in the Arts, a renowned national award for their achievements in the arts. Karen Myers, an studio art and art education graduate, and Veronica Fitzpatrick, an English graduate, were informed in April that they would be receiving the prestigious award. "At first I didn't realize how big the award really was," Myers said.

MSU

MSU hosts German language camp

Rebecca Mcnulty
May 30, 2006

Elementary school students interested in learning about Germany's culture and its language can sign up for a two-week day camp hosted by MSU. The camp will run Monday through Thursday, 1-4 p.m., from July 24 to Aug.