Friday, March 29, 2024

News

MSU

Scholarship aids former foster children

Former foster care children may find a foothold for their future through a new scholarship program at MSU. The Foster Care Youth Endowed Scholarship Program will provide assistance to a limited number of incoming freshmen who spent some part of their childhood in Michigan court-ordered foster care placement. Less than 10 percent of young people who leave foster care at age 18 attend college, said Gary Anderson, director of the School of Social Work, which is directing the program. “Increasingly the states are realizing that this is a population that we need to pay attention to because education is so crucial for their success,” he said.

MICHIGAN

Residents grab petitions for race

Although an election for two seats on the East Lansing City Council isn’t until November, City Clerk Susan Donnell has had a busy week.Two candidates picked up petitions to run for two open East Lansing City Council seats late this week, bringing the total of possible candidates up to seven.Urban planning senior David Jirikovic also grabbed an application Monday.“We were kind of surprised that we have three in a row,” Donnell said.Donnell said it’s uncommon to have several candidates express interest during one week.Nicholas D’Isa, who stays at home with his two children, and Mark Van Remortel, a substitute teacher in the Lansing area, are the latest additions to the candidate pool.D’Isa, 34, has been a city resident for eight years.

MICHIGAN

E.L. program receives national accreditation

The East Lansing Recreation & Arts program has become the first organization in the state to receive accreditation from the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies.The program had to meet 154 standards set by the national agency for its human resources, finance, facility safety, program and instructor quality and diversity.“We had a lot of stuff in place already,” Executive Director Jim Crisp said.

MSU

Monkey ear research helps understand human hearing

If a tree falls in the woods, would a monkey be able to hear it?Michael Harrison, a professor of physics and astronomy, presented a paper to the American Physical Society last week during its five-day meeting in Seattle that could help explain why monkeys don’t hear as well as humans.“I began to get interested in these problems when I realized the subject I was working on, the mechanics of vibration, had a good deal to do with the way hearing takes place in mammals,” Harrison said.

MSU

Online training aids educational community

The State NewsStudents, faculty and staff at MSU who want to learn more about computers can clear up their confusion with access to more than 700 free online courses.MSU is just one of Michigan’s educational institutions that can utilize the Information Technology Training Initiative - a state-funded program intended to make computer training more widely available.Gov.

MSU

Professors research may help cure cancer

Sometimes the old saying is true - good things come in small packages.Robert Maleczka, an MSU professor of chemistry, has spent five years working on a project that could have a large impact for the future of cancer treatment and research.An all-natural compound was discovered by Jun’ichi Kobayashi, a professor at Hokkaido University in Sapporo, Japan, which could have far-reaching medicinal effects.

MICHIGAN

Chief prepares for duty

Roland Talifarro is quite nervous.When the 13-year-old walks into East Lansing High School this fall, he will be a new face in town - just like his dad, who’s the new face at the East Lansing Fire Department.Roland’s father, Randy Talifarro, was inducted into his new post as East Lansing’s fire chief this week, following 17 years of service with the Flint Fire Department.“I’m the only one in my family that’s nervous,” Roland said.

MICHIGAN

Demolition reveals E.L. past

As dust cleared from the corner of M.A.C. and Grand River Avenues, forgotten advertisements were unveiled sparking memories in the minds of East Lansing residents.Ads for Vernors ginger ale, Curious Book Shop, Michigan State College Supply and The Ink Pot were discovered on the side of the building that now houses the Curious Book Shop, 307 E.

MSU

Animals Day includes tours, fun

Small children will be visiting MSU’s small animals on April 28. The College of Agriculture and Natural Resources Student Senate is hosting its annual Small Animals Day on MSU farms. “It’s a day where the university farms open to the public to allow people to come in and see the animals,” animal science sophomore Lynn Voglsaid.

MSU

Intersex director visits U

Cheryl Chase, executive director of the Intersex Society of North America, will speak in the Minnesota Room of the MSU Union Thursday. The event, an effort to raise funds and awareness for the society, begins at 7:30 p.m. “The main issue of concern is trying to get past the point where intersex is treated as a shameful issue,” said a Lyman Briggs professor Alice Dreger.

MSU

ASMSU considers support for bill eliminating voter requirement

Although ASMSU’s election ends today, the undergraduate student government is working to remain involved in ensuring students vote.The ASMSU Student Assembly is considering a measure tonight which would give its support behind a proposed state House Bill to remove the law requiring voters to register 30 days before State of Michigan elections.

MSU

Professor earns science award

To MSU Professor James Trosko, cancer research isn’t about winning awards, it’s about helping people.Troskoa professor of pediatrics and human development, will be receiving the 2001 Scientific Achievement Award for his lifetime contributions to the field of science from the Society of Toxicology on Sunday, in San Francisco.“It’s a great feeling knowing that you’ve done something that’s moved the whole field of science,” Trosko said.