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MSU

Pageant candidate strives to be an average guy

This is the last in a five-part series profiling the contestants of the Mr. Black MSU pageant. Maurice Turner thinks Mr. Black MSU should be less of a role model and more of an everyday man. “I got involved because I wanted to see a more well-rounded individual at least go out for the title and try to attain it,” the human resources and society senior said. The Mr. Black MSU pageant, sponsored by the Black Student Alliance, profiles black male undergraduates who stand out academically through their student leadership on and off campus. Marketing senior DeAndre Carter, founder and president of DCI Motivational Services, a motivational speaking business, was crowned the first Mr. Black MSU last year. In addition to being secretary of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. and a member of BSA, Turner also helps out at the Boys and Girls Club of Lansing, mentors two students at Everett High School, 3900 Stabler St., in Lansing and works with the Urban League in his hometown of Flint. BSA President Tonya Upthegrove said the title of Mr. Black MSU gives recognition to the unsung heroes of the black student community. “We put on this pageant to promote black male leadership and to honor those students who play an active role in the community, have achieved academic excellence and who represent the black community in their everyday actions,” the communication senior said. LaKesha Rawls, president of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. - Turner’s sister sorority - said Turner’s community service involvement at MSU, in the Lansing area and at home makes him “more than qualified” to become this year’s Mr. Black MSU. “He’s very caring and very concerned about the black community,” the political science senior said.

MSU

Professor excelled despite struggles

Mary Cookingham lived her life with dignity, grace and quiet strength. Cookingham, the first woman to receive tenure from the MSU Department of Economics, died of complications from multiple sclerosis Monday.

MSU

ASMSU supports groups use of recycled paper

ASMSU is looking to change its environment - indoors and outdoors.The undergraduate student government plans to support ECO, an MSU student environmental group, in efforts to convince the university to use 100 percent recycled paper.ASMSU’s Academic Assembly recently passed a bill, composed by ECO, stating the undergraduate student government will purchase only chlorine-free, 100 percent recycled paper for official usage.And ASMSU representatives hope MSU will do the same.“We want to be as conservative as possible, that’s the message we want to send out,” said Marcia Short, ASMSU Academic Assembly vice chairperson for internal affairs.

MSU

U administration pleased with virtual AP coursework

MSU is helping high school seniors advance toward college by providing a new link - Internet courses.Last semester MSU’s Virtual University began offering Advanced Placement courses to high school seniors in Michigan.The courses are administered through the Internet and are coordinated by MSU professors.

MSU

Groups celebrate womens day on campus

Two student groups are working to give International Women’s Day attention on campus.Today, a new student group, Feminists Ending the Misogynist System is holding a teach-in to recognize the day.“It’s important to recognize the struggle of women both nationally and internationally,” group member Sarah McDonald said.

MSU

Contestant hopes to be resource for students

This is the fourth in a five-part series profiling the contestants of the Mr. Black MSU pageant. Diondraie Robertson had a goal when he became a minority aide in Hubbard Hall for the 2000-01 school year. “I wanted to be a resource for African American students because they are at a disadvantage on this campus,” the humanities and pre-law senior said.

MSU

ASMSU considers bill to fund Angelous campus visit

Women’s Council is lobbying the university’s undergraduate student government to bring Maya Angelou to campus.The ASMSU Student Assembly will be considering a bill next week that would allocate $25,000 from the ASMSU investment account to cover speaking fees for the renowned author, poet and actress.

MSU

Experience key in contestants bid for title

This is the third in a five-part series profiling the contestants of the Mr. Black MSU pageant. Something is missing at MSU, said Jelani Still, the Black Student Alliance representative for Rather Hall Black Caucus. “There’s more leaders needed in the black community to take a stand and make things happen for the good of the community,” the urban planning and geography freshman said. And if Still becomes the next Mr. Black MSU on Saturday, he said he plans to help fill the void. The Mr. Black MSU pageant, sponsored by Black Student Alliance, profiles black male undergraduates who stand out academically through their student leadership on and off campus. Marketing senior DeAndre Carter, founder and president of DCI Motivational Services, a motivational speaking business, was crowned the first Mr. Black MSU last year. Carter’s active role on campus during his reign provided Still with inspiration for the moment he will compete for the title, he said. “I thought to myself ‘this brother is really active,” Still said.

MSU

New predator colonizes Midwest crops

MSU insect specialists are taking to the fields to research the effects of a new plant predator - the soybean aphid.“The aphid migrated here from Asia and was first detected in Wisconsin last July,” said Christina DiFonzo, an assistant professor of entomology.

MSU

Law experts discuss North American electoral systems

Law professors from the United States, Canada, and Mexico gathered at MSU-Detroit College of Law on Monday to compare electoral systems between the three countries.Gregory Tardi, professor of law at McGill University in Montreal, said the event offered insight not found anywhere else.“As a Canadian, I want to know why things happen in the U.S.,” he said.

MSU

Graduate students seek Pilot e-mail privacy by limiting outside access

Sam Howerton is hoping to offer more privacy to graduate students.Howerton, president of the Council of Graduate Students, is seeking to limit access to the MSU Web site’s Pilot e-mail directory, permitting access only to registered Pilot users.The move comes after Howerton received several complaints from constituents about excessive advertisements and solicitations in their Pilot e-mail boxes.“We get spam for all sorts of businesses that seem to have nothing to do with graduate student life,” he said.

MSU

DCL symposium to review labor laws

Northwest Airlines mechanics gathered in front of the White House on Monday protesting President Bush’s intervention in contract talks between their union and the Minnesota-based airline. Now, one day later, attorneys and high-ranking labor officials will take part in a labor law symposium on the MSU campus. The symposium, sponsored by the Law Review of MSU-Detroit College of Law, will be held at 7 p.m.

MSU

ASMSU proposes cutting sweatshop ties

In response to concerns voiced by Students for Economic Justice and other MSU students, ASMSU is considering a measure this week asking the MSU Board of Trustees to cut ties with the Fair Labor Association, and join the Worker Rights Consortium.“The fact of the matter is that students want Michigan State to join the WRC,” said Matt Weingarden, the Council of Students With Disabilities representative for the ASMSU Student Assembly.

MSU

U maintenance cleans grounds during break

While MSU students were away, the grounds crew definitely did not play.Gary Parrott, MSU Grounds Maintenance manager, said although the absence of students did not increase workloads, grounds crews had their hands full during spring break week.“The crews do have work to do,” he said.

MSU

Student addresses ecstasy myths

Angela Massingill knows there is a common perception that most college students use the drug ecstasy; but she’s working to change that.“Media exposure given to the drug has led to a popular misperception that everyone is doing it,” the human biology senior said.

MSU

Mr. Black MSU candidate to promote unity

This is the first in a five-part series profiling the contestants of the Mr. Black MSU pageant. Jason McGhee said Mr. Black MSU has an important function in the black student community. “He’s a leader and a role model to the black community - someone people look up to and respect,” the studio art junior said. McGhee, a minority aide in Holmes Hall, said he hopes to take on those duties by gaining the title Saturday. The Mr. Black MSU pageant, sponsored by Black Student Alliance, profiles black male undergraduates who stand out academically, through their student leadership on and off campus. Marketing senior DeAndre Carter, founder and president of DCI Motivational Services, a motivational speaking business, was crowned the first Mr. Black MSU last year. BSA President Tonya Upthegrove said the event recognizes students making a difference in MSU’s black community. “We want to dispel the myth of this being a beauty pageant,” the communication senior said.