MSU

COGS president steps down, treasurer up

James Ciszewski has stepped down as president for the Council of Graduate Students. Ciszewski, who resigned for personal reasons, had been reelected as COGS president in April. The position has been filled by mathematics graduate student Kimberly Yake. Yake will serve as COGS president for a year, ending her duties as the council's former treasurer. President commitments include chairing COGS meetings, acting as a student liaison with the MSU Board of Trustees and participating in various academic council committees. The council represents all graduate students in the academic governance system and provides services to students such as copying and loans. Stephanie Korneffel

MSU

Gardening grows new program, certification

The Horticulture Gardening Institute has joined forces with the American Horticultural Society to provide an online learning environment for gardening devotees. Since 2002, the institute has matched experts in the field with gardeners through the online experience. The institute is a collaborative effort among MSU Extension's Master Gardener Program, the MSU Gardens, MSU Global Institute and the Department of Horticulture. The new program allows the society to undertake online education opportunities as well as certification. The society is one of the oldest member-based gardening organization in the nation, which offers gardening resources through its self-published magazine The American Gardener, a book program and Web site, www.ahs.org. The first project formed by the collaboration is "The Art and Science of Container Gardening." The project will play host to the society's experts, a checklist of activities, potential resources, a review of the project and a co-branded certification of the project. For more information on the container project visit www.gardeninginstitute.com Stephanie Korneffel

MSU

'U' receives award for pioneering food laws

The MSU International Food Laws Certificate Program received the 2003 National Award for Excellence in College and University Distance Education. The award comes from the American Distance Education Consortium, a collaboration of state and land-grant institutions offering educational programs through the Internet. The MSU Institute for Food Laws and Regulations was the first worldwide program to provide international food laws through a Web site.

MSU

Alumna named new V.P. of human resources

Pamela Beemer will become the new assistant vice president for human resources in MSU's Office of Human Resources.Beemer has worked as MSU's director of benefits since 1999 after serving a 20-year tenure in other areas of human resources.Beemer earned her bachelor's degree in employment relations and psychology and her master's degree in labor relations and human resources from MSUShe gained valuable human resource experience while working for Oakland University in Rochester, in the private sector and at Lansing's Sparrow Hospital as director of compensation and benefits.Beemer will be in charge of supervising development, implementation and administration of various human resource initiatives on campus, as well as advise on human resource strategy with the offices of the president, vice president for finance and operations and the provost.She replaces Keith Groty who rejoined the faculty in the School of Labor and Industrial Relations after serving 30 years in the position.

MSU

Students studying less, receiving higher grades

According to a new study, high school seniors are slacking on homework time but still pulling off high grades - a sign grade inflation might be taking over. The study, conducted by the Higher Education Research Institute, showed a 26.5 percent increase in the number of high school seniors who earned 'A' averages.

MSU

More than 100 physically, visually impaired athletes compete in 28th Victory Games

Antonio Planas

May 19, 2003

When Justin Major set foot on campus, he had one goal in mind - win big."My goal is to break records and move onto the national competition," said the 26-year-old Pontiac resident.Major was one of 124 athletes with physical or visual impairments from Michigan and surrounding states who competed in the 28th Annual Michigan Victory Games.

MSU

Student death ruled an accident

A drug overdose has been determined by medical examiners to be what caused the death of a 23-year-old psychology senior.John Cornelius Eckhold III was discovered dead by his father on April 20 in his East Lansing apartment.

MSU

Student admits to crime; faces prison

Former MSU researcher Scott Doree plead guilty Friday to lying about the theft of his research fall semester when federal officials where investigating the case.Doree, a former microbiology graduate student, likely will face 10-16 months in prison once he is sentenced this summer.In September, Doree called campus police alleging materials for his $400,000 federally-funded research project had been stolen from the Biomedical and Physical Sciences Building.

MSU

Officers celebrate 75 years of keeping 'U' safe

Officers and former officers of the MSU Department of Police and Public Safety celebrated 75 years of safe-guarding the campus Sunday afternoon.Friends and family of officers were shown a video about the history of the department, newspaper clippings about the department and pictures of former officers taken through the years.Exhibits of officers riding on bicycles and motorcycles along with K-9 units and firearm displays gave visitors plenty to see.Richard Bernitt, police chief from 1960 to 1986, said there was limited technological options when he was a officer."In those days we had Colts and Smith & Wessons," Bernitt said.

MSU

Faculty receives honor from group

Soil biophysics Professor Alvin Smucker joins the list of MSU faculty who have been honored with the Humboldt Research Award.

MSU

'U' helps lure graduates to MI

Evan Rondeau

May 15, 2003

Researchers at MSU and other institutions across the state are working on ways to get more college graduates to come to Michigan. Many Michigan graduates find jobs in the state, but employers are hoping to attract out-of-state graduates as well, researchers have found. "Since 1996, 72 to 76 percent of Michigan grads have stayed in the state," said Phil Gardner, director of research at MSU's Collegiate Employment Research Institute.

MSU

Professor receives award

Yong Zhao has dedicated his research to bridging technology and the educational process. His work has now been recognized by the American Educational Research Association. Zhao, an associate professor for the Department of Counseling, Educational Psychology and Special Education, was awarded the Raymond B.

MSU

Police chiefs celebrate 75th anniversary

During anniversary celebrations of the MSU Department of Police and Public Safety on Sunday, four police chiefs will come together to celebrate 75 years of protecting the campus community. East Lansing police patrolled MSU's campus until September 23, 1947 when an independent campus department formed.

MSU

Victory Games kick-off Thursday at 'U'

The 28th annual Michigan Victory Games begins Thursday at IM Sports-West. More than 100 athletes with physical and visual impairments from Michigan and surrounding states will compete in events including table tennis, bocci ball, track and field, power lifting, cycling and cross country.

MSU

Bernero confirms run for Lansing mayor

State Sen. Virg Bernero, D-Lansing, confirmed his candidacy for Lansing mayor Tuesday morning."I'm running for mayor because I believe Lansing needs bold and effective leadership and we need it now," he said.Bernero said he plans to work toward increasing the safety of the city and revitalizing Lansing's downtown, Old Town and the Riverfront area.

MSU

Aid helps low-income students choose 'U'

University officials say a recent study regarding low-income students choosing not to attend elite universities does not reflect conditions at MSU.The study, conducted by the Century Foundation in Washington, D.C., found students who are accepted to universities choose other higher education options because they, along with their families, cannot afford to pay the increasing cost of tuition.

MSU

Construction chaos

Evan Rondeau

May 14, 2003

Traffic cones and ice cream cones will both be staples on campus this summer, leaving students stuck in lines both for treats and classes. Students traveling on campus will encounter detours and road closed signs on Farm Lane, Service Road and Brody Road. Dennis Hansen, construction superintendent at the MSU Campus Park and Planning division, said the construction is part of the university's maintenance program to improve the road conditions on campus.

MSU

Chairman charged in $25K slander suit

A chairman of the Department of Horticulture was ordered to pay $25,000 in a slander suit involving a former MSU employee.Joan Runkel filed a lawsuit in August 2001 against Ronald Perry, chairman of the department, after he made comments to other staff members accusing her of trespassing on his property, entering his residence and destroying property.

MSU

E.L. bars combat alcohol abuse, receive awards

Two East Lansing bar owners were honored for their commitment to encourage responsible drinking by the Responsible Hospitality Council on Tuesday.Joe Bell, owner of The Peanut Barrel Restaurant, 521 E.

MSU

Research sheds light on evolution

What happens when you put together a biologist, a theoretical physicist, a philosopher of science and a computer scientist?With the added help of digital organisms from a computer, the answer is a new way of dealing with Darwin's theory of evolution."You can think of (digital organisms) as being like computer viruses, but ones that can mutate and evolve on their own," said Robert Pennock, associate professor of philosophy for Lyman Briggs School.