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NEWS

Molding Motown

Brian Charlton
April 28, 2006

His legacy echoes across the radio dial every day, all over the world. It's hidden behind those catchy songs on oldies stations, permanently placed on jukeboxes and playing on the speakers at grocery stores — the ones everyone knows the words to. In a way, the music from Motown Records has become the soundtrack of our lives, especially in Michigan. It's there on the hard baseline on "My Girl" before the Temptations launch into their famous song, on the upbeat tempo of Martha Reeves & The Vandellas' "Dancing in the Street" and in many of the powerful tunes that reflected a time of social upheaval in the 1960s and '70s. While the names of Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson and Diana Ross are known in every household, Berry Gordy Jr.

SPORTS

A dream job

Tom Keller
April 28, 2006

Oh sure, he grew up playing baseball in Royal Oak, played for a year at John Carroll University and then started for three at Dayton.

COMMENTARY

Non-Muslims should be angry about letter

I am glad The State News reported on the prejudiced e-mail, "Prof's e-mail angers Muslims" (SN 4/25), against Muslims by MSU Professor Indrek Wichman to the Muslim Students' Association, or MSA. At the same time, I am a little disappointed by the heading given to the article, which indicates anger among Muslim students, although it should state anger among MSU students. Here are some reasons why we all should respond to it equally: If Nazis stage a congregation at the Capitol and 800 anti-Nazi demonstrators can gather, why can't several Muslims express their feelings about something they think is blasphemous by gathering at the rock and painting it? Apart from worrying about timing when registering for our classes, should we start looking at professors' "religious understanding" ratings as well? I have never felt any sort of discrimination by any faculty member at MSU, but should I start worrying about my grades in IAH class because I am affiliated with a certain religious group?

COMMENTARY

Prof explains reasons for offensive e-mail

I am writing to clarify and explain the e-mail letter I wrote on Feb. 28 to the MSU Muslim Students' Association, or MSA. To my regret and chagrin, I wrote my e-mail using tactless and hyperbolic language that is common to quickly composed e-mails, not to slowly and carefully crafted compositions.

COMMENTARY

Islam doesn't equal terrorism, uncivilized

I just read John Bice's "Islam doctrine should be modernized with 'Enlightenment' ideas" (SN 4/24). To be honest, I am sick and tired of defending Islam because people just don't understand the point of view I am presenting. Bice says that according to a book he read, "Muslims have been embroiled in violent conflicts all over the globe, fighting various Christian sects ?" Thanks for the insight, but there's another country at war all the time, all over the globe.

MICHIGAN

CSI: East Lansing

Gabrielle Russon
April 28, 2006

At a crime scene, it appears to be just a table. Yet with the MSU police department's new technology, it could hold key evidence invisible to the naked eye. On Thursday, crime scene investigators learned how to use a mini crime scope — a bright light with a pair of goggles designed to find hidden evidence.

MSU

MSU employees' kids come to work

Melanie Thomas
April 28, 2006

With "passports" in hand and ready to get a view of the real world, children of MSU faculty and staff took over the second floor of the Union on Thursday for the annual Take Your Child to Work Day. Roughly 200 faculty members and their children participated in the event, which introduces children to the workplace, family responsibilities and community involvement, said Jodi Roberto Hancock, education program coordinator for the MSU Women's Resource Center. The national Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day also was Thursday, launched by the Ms. Foundation for Women in 2003. It originally was designed for daughters to explore career options, Roberto Hancock said. "People's values are changing," Roberto Hancock said.

SPORTS

Bell: Billups should be MVP

Ethan Conley
April 28, 2006

The State News caught up with former MSU guard Charlie Bell on Thursday over the phone. Bell is now playing in the NBA for the Milwaukee Bucks, who are battling the Detroit Pistons in the first round of the NBA Playoffs.

MSU

WEB EXTRA: MSU advocacy coordinator wins national award

Carmen Lane means a lot of things to many people. When asked to describe Lane, an MSU advocacy coordinator, colleagues described her as "dedicated," "articulate," "committed to social justice" and "a visionary." Traits such as these are what earned Lane widespread recognition by receiving the National Award for Outstanding Response to and Prevention of Sexual Violence from the National Sexual Violence Resource Center in Enola, Pa., earlier this month. "Carmen's probably the best trainer I've known," said Ann Flescher, associate director for multicultural and clinical services at MSU's Counseling Center, where Lane coaches sexual assault advocates.

FEATURES

Former 'Felicity' star hits big screen

Elizabeth Swanson
April 28, 2006

Keri Russell and her famous long, curly hair are probably best known for playing a coed on the WB drama, "Felicity." Now, refreshed and raring to go, Russell will be on the big screen opposite Tom Cruise in "Mission: Impossible III" next month. In a phone interview with The State News and other media, Russell commented on learning how to assemble a machine gun blindfolded in 13 seconds and jumping off buildings with Cruise.

MSU

WEB EXTRA: The State News sits down with MSU's senior diversity advisor for Q&A

This school year saw racially charged events in residence halls and a growing concern about an initiative that could eliminate affirmative action agencies. As it draws to a close, many on campus hope the issues they have highlighted will continue to spark dialogue in the MSU community. Paulette Granberry Russell is one of those people. As the senior advisor to MSU President Lou Anna K.

MICHIGAN

WEB EXTRA: Mich. residents to march for American dream

Corinne Devries
April 28, 2006

Citizens from across the state of Michigan will meet at the Capitol building at 2 p.m. on Saturday to march for the American dream. "The rally is to impress upon our elected officials to stop the outsourcing of American jobs, the need for universal health care, a secure life for our senior citizens and a better future for our children and grandchildren," said organizer Art Reyes, of Flint.

NEWS

Simon heads to Kuwait City for 36th annual conference

Josh Jarman
April 28, 2006

MSU President Lou Anna K. Simon will visit the Middle East this weekend to be the keynote speaker at a health conference in Kuwait City, Kuwait. The Penner Blood Coagulation Conference on Sunday is a collaboration between the MSU's Division of Thrombosis and the Medicine Health Sciences Center at Kuwait University. The topic of the conference, in its 36th year, is "Clotting and Fibrinolysis: Risk Factors for Cardiovascular Disease in Women and Men." According to the conference's Web site, the event is a chance for physicians and scientists from across the globe to meet and share their experiences with blood disorders. Simon will speak about the role of education and today's global challenges, university spokesman Terry Denbow said.

MICHIGAN

Nazi rally costs add up

Ken Osborne
April 28, 2006

The April 22 neo-Nazi rally cost the Michigan State Police and Lansing police a total of $258,390.55, most of which was related to overtime expenses for police officers. In addition, the city-sponsored diversity rally cost about $13,000 to hold, said Randy Hannan, deputy chief of staff for Mayor Virg Bernero. About $5,000 of that money will be paid for through private fundraising, with the rest paid by the city of Lansing, Hannan said. "It was worth every penny," Hannan said.

MSU

Officials to decide college's name

Kristen Daum
April 28, 2006

The new residential college in the arts and humanities already has an acting dean selected and its curriculum approved — but no official name. University officials said the college won't receive a formal name anytime soon, since it won't open for another 16 months, but they are looking at options. "It probably is, at this point, just important to give it some time and spend some time thinking about it because once colleges are named, they don't very often get renamed," said June Youatt, associate provost for undergraduate education and dean of undergraduate studies. Construction begins May 8 on the residential college, which will be housed in Snyder and Phillips halls.

SPORTS

Eyeing the next level

Steve Highfield
April 28, 2006

During this weekend's NFL Draft, you'll hear familiar names like Reggie Bush, Matt Leinart and Vince Young called early in the first round. But for MSU fans, there could be other recognizable names in this year's draft.

SPORTS

Tennis tourney

Women: No. 6 seed MSU vs. No. 11 seed Wisconsin What: Big Ten Tournament preliminary round matchup When: 2 p.m.