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MSU

Pesticide effects on MSU inspire a new film series

Craig Trudell
May 30, 2007

Nearly 50 years ago, student Richard Snider heard a crunch with each step he took on, what were then, Michigan Agricultural College campus sidewalks. The crunch came from a pesticide called DDT, which was dropped over campus by World War II jets in pellet form to combat elm bark beetles and mosquitoes. Now an MSU professor, Snider recalls research conducted by one of his mentors that warned strolls through campus would be without the sound of chirping birds if the crunches continued. In a new documentary filmed and co-produced by nine, MSU students, "Dying to Be Heard" sounds off on research conducted by MSU Professor George Wallace on DDT, and its deadly effects on birds and other wildlife on campus. Findings from Wallace's research were used in Rachel Carson's "Silent Spring," a book that helped plant the seed in the modern environmental movement.

MSU

Highway construction closes US-23 lanes

Cash Kruth
May 29, 2007

Construction will begin at 8 p.m. March 29 on Interstate 96 between M-52 and M-59. The construction will take place at night Sunday-Thursday throughout June. There also will be a single lane closure starting at 8 p.m.

MSU

MSU trustees approve Dubai program

Ryan Beene
May 25, 2007

Palm trees and sandy beaches are not things that come to mind when thinking about MSU, but that will soon change. The MSU Board of Trustees unanimously approved the pursuit of degree and research programs in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, May 18. A group of deans from five MSU colleges visited the Southern Persian Gulf city in March to investigate starting programs in Dubai. "We've had an institutional interest to find a location in the Middle East to expand our presence in the region," said John Hudzik, MSU vice president of Global Engagement and Strategic Projects.

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.