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MSU

U professor recognized nationally

After nearly 30 years at MSU, psychology Professor Bertram Karon is being rewarded.The International Center for the Study of Psychiatry and Psychology presented Karon with its 2000 Award for Contributions to the Ethical Human Sciences and Services last week at a three-day conference in New York.Throughout his career, Karon has been a proponent of psychoanalysis - a method of investigating a patient’s emotional psyche through free association and dream analysis - in place of excessive medication, shock treatment and other methods of treating patients.“There are problems with psychoanalysis - even Freud knew that - but I’ve found it helpful as a theory and as a treatment,” he said.He’s especially noted for his stance against using drugs to treat mental patients.Karon did his undergraduate studies at Harvard University and performed his graduate studies at Princeton University.

MSU

Aussie to speak to U

James Cowan has traveled the world, spending time in the wilds of Borneo, Aboriginal communities in Australia and tribes in North Africa.Now the Australian native will be saying “G’ day” to MSU.The Residential Option in Arts and Letters, a two-year program for freshmen and sophomores from different disciplines in humanities, will be hosting Cowan on Wednesday for a lecture in the Union Gold Room.“He’s imbued with a combination of European and Aboriginal perspectives,” said Arthur Versluis, acting director of the humanities program and associate professor of American Thought and Language.Versluis said Cowan’s speech will focus on the relationship between creativity and spirituality.First published in 1964, Cowan’s work has been translated into dozens of languages.

MSU

Homecoming promises fun

For more than six months, plans for Homecoming 2000 have been built and tweaked to help captivate students, community and alumni.Now, MSU is ready to celebrate.The theme “Champions 2000” reflects the success of the last year and the hope for more in the future, particularly during the Homecoming football game Saturday against the University of Wisconsin Badgers.Keith Williams, executive director of the MSU Alumni Association and a co-chairman of the Homecoming committee, said the week is always fun-filled.“We have raised Homecoming to a new level where it’s very popular,” he said.

MSU

Ghandi inspires student volunteers

Dozens of MSU students took to the streets Saturday, taking part in volunteerism events to commemorate the National Ghandi Day of Service.The Coalition of Indian Undergraduate Students and Into the Streets sponsored the activities, which sent student volunteers to 15 different sites throughout East Lansing and Lansing.The event, which is named for the late Indian leader Mahatma Ghandi, is seen as a way to share his charitable ideas among people, said Amit Agarwal, social chairman for the coalition.“This is a day to show appreciation for the important ideals of Ghandi,” the political economy sophomore said.

MSU

U expands online courses and programs

In an attempt to branch out and expand online learning programs, MSU recently introduced its newly established Global Initiative.The program, an extension of the university’s already existing Virtual University and University Outreach programs, will target off-campus working adults and other college students who want to obtain multidisciplinary certificates or receive degrees via the Internet.“We’re taking all the intellectual capital - faculty knowledge, research capabilities - and blending them with MSU’s interest in technology,” said Bruce Magid, director of the initiative.

MSU

Team to tackle concerns with trust strategy

A new group of MSU law enforcement officers, administrators, students and community members hopes to establish a trustworthy relationship between police and minorities.The new Strategy Team for Police-Minority Trust, which was set up by the MSU Department of Police and Public Safety, will aim at developing methods to improve communication between police and minority students.MSU police Chief Bruce Benson said the strategy team was created to confront the recent concerns that have surfaced between the police department and minority students.“I see some issues on campus this year with trust issues between police and minorities and that deserves some extra attention,” he said.

MSU

Mother Earth stars in ECO skit

Students heading to class Thursday might have seen “Mother Earth” walking around campus.She was marching with about 15 ECO students from the Union to the International Center to spread the word about global warming.The marchers also participated in street theater, performing a skit that featured Mother Earth tied up and gagged.

MSU

Colleagues mourn professor

People who knew Dr. Joseph A. Papsidero say he’ll always be remembered and respected.Papsidero, a former professor and chairperson of the MSU Department of Community Health Science in the Colleges of Human and Osteopathic Medicine, lost his battle with cancer Monday in Lansing.

MSU

Annual conference concentrates on development of students leadership skills

Hundreds of current and potential leaders will gather on campus this weekend for an annual seminar.The group of MSU and Lansing Community College students will attend the 18th annual MSU Student Leadership Conference in the Business College Complex on Saturday.“This gives students the opportunity to develop their leadership skills,” said Benardo Dargan, a graduate assistant in the office of Leadership Development and Campus Life Orientation.

MSU

Students protest labor conditions at job fair

Some corporate recruiters had a hard time doing their job at Wednesday night’s career fair at the Breslin Student Events Center.Students for Economic Justice, an MSU anti-sweatshop organization, stood in front of the Kohl’s Department Store and Target Corp.

MSU

Psychologist shares mind, body approach to womens health

More than 600 women gathered at Kellogg Center’s Big Ten Room to hear Dr. Joan Borysenko speak about a “mind-body” approach to health.Borysenko, who’s a psychologist and medical scientist, traveled from Colorado to give the annual Centerpoint 2000 lecture.

MSU

NBC health reporter to speak to U

An NBC chief medical and health correspondent will be on campus next week to lecture students.Dr. Bob Arnot, who reports for the network’s “Dateline” and “Today” programs, will speak Tuesday at the Wharton Center’s Pasant Theatre.Arnot was selected by the MSU College of Human Ecology’s Staff Advisory Council to participate in a series of programs designed to highlight issues such as nutrition and dietetics.

MSU

Guest lends advertising industry wisdom

The MSU Department of Advertising has a new face - well, this week it does.Rick Boyko, the high-profile president and chief creative officer of Ogilvy & Mather in New York, is instructing a class through Thursday this week.The department hosts two visiting professors each year in hopes to give students a new perspective into the advertising industry.“I think this will give students a broader perspective of what the business is really like,” Boyko said.

MSU

Vigil helps remember loved ones

General business sophomore Diana Yacob hasn’t spoken to her grandfather, who lives overseas in Palestine, for more than a month.And she worries that he may be in danger since violence has recently erupted between Israelis and Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.So Yacob, president of MSU’s Arab Student Organization, said she felt it was important to take time to remember her grandfather and others who live, or have died, in the area.“It saddens me that I’m way over here in the United States,” she said.