Wayne State University released its annual list of words it says should be used more often. The university's Word Warriors series promotes words that are "Some of the English language's most expressive -- yet regrettably neglected." The annual list is distilled from the series' Words of the Week, which are picked by administrators with help from the public.

Wayne State University's Board of Governors has voted to combine the dance and theater departments, effective this month. The board's decision creates the Maggie Allesee Department of Theatre and Dance. It's part of the College of Fine, Performing and Communication Arts. Dean Matthew Seeger says the move allows economies of scale and helps people in the two performance fields learn from each other. The dance program has 93 undergraduate majors, while the theater program has 176 undergraduate, 39 graduate and seven doctoral students.

Wayne State University has released its annual list of words it says should be used more often. The university's Word Warriors series promotes words that are "Some of the English language's most expressive -- yet regrettably neglected." The annual list is distilled from the series' Words of the Week, which are picked by administrators with help from the public. To see the full list of weekly entries, or to submit a word for consideration, visit wordwarriors.wayne.edu or "Word Warriors" on Facebook.

Victor Chukwueke, a 2011 graduate of Wayne State University who has neurofibromatosis, a genetic disorder that causes tumor growth in the nervous system, has taken a giant step forward toward realizing his dream of becoming a surgeon. He was accepted in the University of Toledo College of Medicine. The news caps a tremendous year for Chukwueke, whose mom sent him to America with missionary nuns to have surgery on the tumors when he was 15. She expected never to see her son again. In May, that separation ended when -- thanks to Wayne State University, a U.S. senator and a millionaire businessman -- Chukwueke's mom, Mary, landed at Metro Airport hours before her son's WSU graduation. He gave a well-received speech at his commencement and pushed for his dream of becoming a doctor. Photos of Chukwueke at the May commencement proceedings are included.

The Detroit Lions have signed Joique Bell to the active roster from the New Orleans Saints practice squad, according to several reports. The former Wayne State University running back agreed to a two-year deal. Bell was an undrafted free agent in 2010 and originally signed with the Buffalo Bills before moving on to Philadelphia, Indianapolis, spending another stint with the Eagles then landing with the Saints last season. Though Lions head coach Jim Schwartz wouldn't comment on the move, as it was not official, Bell bid farewell to Saints fans on his Twitter account. During his four-year career at Wayne State, the 5-foot-11, 220-pound Benton Harbor native rushed for 6,728 yards and 88 touchdowns on 1,181 carries. A photo of Bell is included.

Renowned political strategist, author and syndicated columnist Donna Brazile will deliver the keynote address during Wayne State University's annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Tribute at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2012, at the Max M. Fisher Music Center. "The King tribute gives us an opportunity to honor the life and legacy of Dr. King while celebrating diversity, the arts and the many contributions of our community," said Victor Green, WSU director of community relations. "We are excited to have Ms. Brazile as the keynote speaker. She is a powerful leader whose work personifies the spirit of the King observance. The 2012 tribute is sure to inspire all who attend."

Great Lakes Innovation and Technology Report (CBS Detroit) editor Matt Roush takes a look at a month-by-month recap of the top stories from nearly 200 editions published in 2011. Among Wayne State stories mentioned are: March: New Wayne State University cancer research tricks cancer cells into killing themselves; April: Wayne State researchers say simple low-cost hormone gel can sharply reduce premature birth; September: A Wayne State University professor, Aloke Dutta, gets $2.15 million from the federal government to study better treatments for Parkinson's disease; October: RetroSense Therapeutics, a Michigan-based company, licenses new gene-therapy approaches for treating blindness developed at Wayne State University; and Wayne State research shows that chemicals found in soybeans can make radiation treatment of cancer tumors more effective while protecting nearby healthy tissue.

While many people are scrambling to wrap up their holiday shopping, new research from Wayne State University shows that women and men are distinctively different when making purchase decisions, even at a preconscious level. William Jones, assistant professor in the School of Business Administration, just completed the first neuromarketing study of consumer brain activity and math anxiety during purchase decisions. Results indicate that math anxiety, promotion format and gender combine to influence consumer purchase decisions.

A story talks about Warriors coach Paul Winters and his decision to remain as head coach of the football team following a very successful season. Winters is finishing his eighth year at WSU with a record of 36-14 over the past four seasons. He was named GLIAC Coach-of-the-Year in 2006 and 2008. The Warriors had nine wins in 2010 including eight conference victories. Included in the story is a quote from Wayne State University President Allan Gilmour's statement: "I am pleased to report that head football coach Paul Winters has decided to remain at the helm of the Wayne State Warriors. In signing an extension of his contract, Coach Winters has withdrawn his name from consideration for the position of head coach at the NCAA Division I University of Akron, where he played football himself."

Detroit 2020 aired a special episode about their efforts to address the challenges facing the region highlighting stories that aired in 2011. Wayne State University is featured in several segments including the Live Midtown initiative and WSU's involvement ("A Year Into the Future - Pt. I" cue to 2:20); Wayne State anthropologist Jacalyn Harden talked extensively about race ("A Year Into the Future - Pt. II" cue to 1:15); and Detroit 2020 teamed up with Habitat for Humanity of Detroit to build walls for habitat homes on the east side. More than 150 volunteers, including Wayne State University students, picked up hammers and built the walls ("A Year Into the Future - Pt. II" cue to 3:10).

Financially troubled Pontiac -- perhaps foreshadowing what's in store for Detroit -- tried to tell its residents at a public hearing Tuesday that it was putting most of its assets up for sale. Land experts doubt that there will be a great clamor for property in Pontiac or other distressed cities. "Generally speaking, a municipal building probably would have little value to a developer," said Wayne State University law school professor John Mogk, who specializes in land-use issues. "Unless there's a way that the asset can generate some profit." That might be the case for the city's golf course or parking lots, Mogk said.

A group of minority advocate organizations in Detroit are calling on Wayne State University to review a proposed toughening of admissions standards they say could unfairly shut out some minorities. New admissions guidelines are being considered by Wayne State which, if approved by the Board of Governors, could apply to students seeking admission in fall 2013. Board of Governors member Eugene Driker said he does not understand the criticism. "The whole thrust of what we are trying to do is to increase the success of these students," he said. "Nobody in the university is suggesting we abandon our urban mission." WSU spokesman Matt Lockwood said the university received the letter and is taking all suggestions seriously.

Wayne State football coach Paul Winters turned down an offer with the University of Akron and has signed an extension through 2016 to stay with the Warriors. Akron officials drove to Detroit on Sunday night to meet with Winters, and they offered him a contract. Winters thought about the Division I offer overnight, but told Wayne State athletic director Rob Fournier on Monday morning that he was staying with the team. "We are ecstatic that he decided to stay," Fournier said. "This is an early Christmas gift for us." Winters guided the Warriors to the Division II championship game, where they lost, 35-21, to Pittsburg State on Saturday. Wayne State earned its first trip to the postseason, then reeled off four consecutive road wins to make the title game. This season, the Warriors finished 12-4 and tied for second in the GLIAC. They advanced through the playoffs as a 33 seed.

Wayne State University today announced the appointment of Patrick Lindsey to vice president for government affairs, effective Jan. 1. Lindsey replaces Harvey Hollins III, who was appointed director of the Michigan Office of Urban and Metropolitan Initiatives by Gov. Rick Snyder in August. Lindsey, who is also the pastor of Greater Bibleway Baptist Church in Detroit, comes to WSU from Detroit-based nonprofit Focus: HOPE, where he served as director of external relations and development since August 2009.

WWJ-AM, 12/19 Holiday diet tips WWJ health reporter Pat Sweeting talked to Dr. Herbert Smitherman, assistant dean of community and urban health at WSU's School of Medicine, about maintaining a healthy diet during the holiday festivities and keeping blood pressure levels down. He points out that avoiding extra portions of food and limiting salt intake are key to staying on track.

This extensive feature story focuses on the Wayne State University Police Department's (WSUPD) efforts in maintaining a safe campus through several techniques including technology. WSUPD's programs are called innovative, tech-heavy, crime-fighting efforts that are now beginning to pay off. Along with installing cameras and using CompStat data to constantly refine deployment to ever-shifting crime hot spots, the department has embarked on an ambitious crime-mapping project with the university's Center for Urban Studies. WSUPD Chief Anthony Holt, who comments throughout the piece, has also made it a priority to heavily engage his department with local business owners and security officers from all the major institutions in his jurisdiction, including the Detroit Institute of Arts, the Detroit Medical Center, Henry Ford Hospital, and the Detroit Public Library. "All of these activities have resulted in a major reduction in crime," Holt said. "Crime overall in Midtown is down 15 to 25 percent, break-ins are down 29 percent, and dangerous drugs are down 47 percent. This is directly related to technology and the partnerships we've formed with the community and other agencies." David Martin, research director for the Urban Safety Program in WSU's Center for Urban Studies, also comments in the story. A photo of Holt is included.

A report highlights a Wayne State University study published in The Journal of Pain, which found that chronic pain suffered by one spouse can affect marital communication and influence the partner's ability to cope with a chronic pain condition. Researchers from WSU and the Norwegian Center for Addiction Research tested how the sequences and base rates of couples' affective interactions related to pain and emotional adjustment in both partners.

Wayne State University's Saturday loss to Pittsburg State was bittersweet to the crowd that had gathered at Z's Villa in Detroit. "We've been waiting 40 years for this opportunity to watch a tremendous program on T.V. as a team," said Mark Paruszkiewizc, a former WSU football player. He was an offensive guard from 1972 to 1976 and was a member of the team that won the GLIAC championship in 1975. Wearing their old jerseys, Paruszkiewizc and several former team members shared memories and pride as they watched the Warriors give their best on the gridiron. A photo is included.

New findings were announced about a research study conducted with Wayne State University's School of Medicine, which could significantly reduce the number of infant deaths due to premature birth. Craig Fahle speaks with Dr. Sonia Hassan, professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology in the Wayne State University School of Medicine, and associate dean for Maternal, Perinatal and Child Health.

A national USA Today feature story highlighted the Warriors and their quest for the NCAA Division II championship. This is the fifth week in a row we'll be getting on a plane," says coach Paul Winters. "Our guys have really been embracing it." Says senior running back Josh Renel: "It's been remarkable, the feeling around campus. I think there are some students who never really knew we even had a football program. Now, you walk around campus and hear cheers, professors are announcing congratulations before classes. It's been an amazing turnaround." The achievements of the "Road Warriors" figure to be remembered for a long time, whatever happens against Pitt State. Warriors coach Paul Winters is quoted.