Free speech experts question handling of Terry Jones protest

Robert Sedler, Wayne State University distinguished professor of law, comments about Dearborn officials denying Pastor Terry Jones a permit to protest this afternoon in front of the Islamic Center of America. The complaint seeks to make Jones post a peace bond, which is cash or surety deposited by a defendant to guarantee that they would not bother or threaten another person. If the terms of the bond are violated it is forfeited and the defendant risks arrest. "What they're trying to do is curtail the protest," Sedler said. "If there's not enough space then they move the counterprotesters. It is the responsibility of the police to protect the speaker."

April 22, 2011

Lansing police involved in two shootings since 2008

A story examining fatal police shootings in Lansing includes comments from Wayne State University criminal justice professor Brad Smith. Rates of shootings vary greatly, depending on the agency, Smith said. \"The chances that an officer will fire (his or her) weapon vary a great deal, depending on where they work.\"

April 22, 2011

'Made in Michigan' authors touring region

About ten authors published by Wayne State University Press will offer three days of literary events, topped off by a National Writers Series appearance from four of the wordsmiths at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 28 in Traverse City for a Made in Michigan writers' tour.

April 22, 2011

Detroit will encourage its residents to move

Wayne State University and Live Midtown are featured in the "Re-Made in Detroit" segment of the PBS series "Blueprint America" highlighting various incentive programs to increase the city's population. In order to entice employees to move to Midtown, the university, along with the Henry Ford Health System and the Detroit Medical Center, are offering huge discounts on rents and mortgages. Rasheda Williams, a WSU employee who grew up in Detroit, is considering moving back to the city.

April 22, 2011

Bonstelle's "Full Monty" a roaring success

A theatrical review describes Wayne State's production of the "Full Monty" as a success, noting that director Michael J. Barnes and choreographer Nira Pullin "worked with these student performers to present us with a highly professional production." The "Full Monty" continues through April 23, at the Bonstelle Theatre. (print edition only)

April 21, 2011

Wayne Law welcomes two new faculty members

Wayne State University Law School announced this week the addition of assistant professor Kirsten M. Carlson and assistant professor Eric C. Williams to the faculty. Carlson will teach Civil Procedure and American Indian Law beginning in fall 2011. Williams will direct the Small Business Enterprises and Nonprofit Corporations Clinic beginning in summer 2011. \"I\'m thrilled to welcome our new faculty members to Wayne Law,\" said Wayne Law School Dean Robert M. Ackerman. \"With the addition of Dr. Carlson, we expand our course offerings and faculty expertise in Native American law and public interest law. With Mr. Williams, we gain a permanent leader of our Small Business Clinic, a clinic that provides services vital to Detroit\'s redevelopment along with hands-on experience to our students. I look forward to working with each of them.\"

April 21, 2011

Earth Day, R.E.M., Tea Party, Big Oil, the future of wind and solar power in Michigan, America

On Friday, as part of Earth Week at Wayne State University, John Hartig, refuge manager of the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge, will talk about his book on the Cuyahoga and the other formerly red rivers. Hartig\'s lecture will be held from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. at the Office of Campus Sustainability, 5425 Woodward Ave. in Detroit. Other Wayne State professors also will talk about the environment, including Carol Miller on water quality and Kami Pothukuchi on sustainable food systems.

April 21, 2011

Earth Day gets early start on urban farms; Group builds rainwater collection systems for gardens in Detroit

Wayne State University's Office of Campus Sustainability (OCS) is mentioned in a sidebar for an article highlighting urban farms. The sidebar notes that the OCS, which focuses on recycling, greening of transportation, energy concerns and solutions, will hold an open house today, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The office is at 5425 Woodward Ave.

April 21, 2011

Wayne State chosen as Michigan's sole participant In EcoCAR 2

A team of Wayne State University students from the College of Engineering have been chosen to participate in "EcoCAR 2: Plugging in to the Future," a program established by the United States Department of Energy and General Motors. Wayne State's team, led by Jerry Ku, associate professor of mechanical engineering, will explore advanced vehicle solutions to minimize petroleum usage, energy consumption and reduce emissions through research collaboration with industry, as well as workforce preparation-oriented curriculum development.

April 21, 2011

Doctors', Crittenton hospitals team for residency program

Crittenton Hospital Medical Center is providing financial aid to Doctors\' Hospital of Michigan so the Pontiac facility can keep its long-standing residency program in family medicine viable. The teaching hospitals have inked a five-year agreement and today announced they are combining educational resources to ensure training of residents at both institutions. Crittenton\'s program is affiliated with Wayne State University.

April 21, 2011

Taubman gives $56M to U-M

An article highlighting A. Alfred Taubman's $56 million donation to the University of Michigan mentions his 2006 gift of $3 million to build Wayne State\'s Damon J. Keith Classroom Building and Center for Civil Rights. Taubman, 87, is the fourth richest person in Michigan with a net worth of $2.3 billion, according to Forbes magazine\'s 2011 World\'s Billionaires list. He ranks 512 on this year\'s list of 1,210 people.

April 21, 2011

Genetic testing allows for custom cancer treatments

A Wayne State University physician-researcher says he developed a personalized therapy to treat several cancers using a genetically modified human enzyme. Dr. Karli Rosner, assistant professor at Wayne State's School of Medicine, said the method uses genetic constructs that contain a genetically modified enzyme -- DNase1 protein -- to seek out and destroy cancer cells. The concept, patented by Wayne State University, was successfully demonstrated on melanoma (skin cancer) cells resistant to routine treatments such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy.

April 21, 2011

Thought leaders gather to examine challenges facing patients with primary immunodeficiencies

Thought leaders from the medical, scientific and patient advocacy communities gathered to examine challenges facing patients with primary immunodeficiencies. They found common ground between the U.S. and Europe on access-to-care issues such as early diagnosis and treatment of primary immunodeficiency disease and explored possible ways of improving patient care. \"Specialists cannot see a patient initially and then have the remaining care provided by a doctor closer to the patient\'s home and still be covered by insurance,\" said Dr. Richard A. Lewis, professor and associate chair of neurology, Wayne State University School of Medicine.

April 21, 2011

After 67 years, Ala lawmakers apologize to woman

Associated Press, Newsday, Sydney Morning Herald Numerous media outlets reported that the Alabama Legislature has officially apologized to an elderly black woman who was raped nearly seven decades ago by a gang of white men as she walked home from church. The Senate gave final approval Thursday on a voice vote to a resolution that expresses \"deepest sympathy and deepest regrets\" to Recy Taylor, now 91 and living in Florida. She told the Associated Press last year that she believes the men who attacked her in 1944 are dead but that she still wanted an apology from the state of Alabama. Taylor\'s story, along with those of other black women attacked by white men during the civil rights era, is told in \"At the Dark End of the Street,\" a book by Danielle McGuire, professor at Wayne State University.

April 21, 2011

UAW said to seek early agreements in contract talks with U.S. automakers

The United Auto Workers will seek early contract settlements in talks with the U.S. automakers this year, breaking a pattern of brinksmanship that stretches at least four decades. A review of UAW settlements with the U.S. automakers back to the early 1970s showed the union hasn't reached an agreement early in that time frame, said William LeFevre, an archivist on labor history at the Walter P. Reuther Library at Wayne State University.

April 20, 2011

Fifth Annual Trinidad Sánchez Memorial Poetry Festival, April 27

The Matrix Theatre Company of Detroit will host the Fifth Annual Trinidad Sánchez Memorial Poetry Festival at 7 p.m., Wednesday, April 27, at the Matrix Theatre in Detroit. The event is co-sponsored by Wayne State University's Center for Chicano-Boricua Studies, CLAVE (Community of Latin@ Artists, Visionaries & Educators), and EL Central Hispanic News. The aim is for each poet to read between 1 and 3 short pieces or 1 long piece.

April 20, 2011

Monroe's Whitman Center to showcase art exhibit

A brief notes that the Monroe County Community College Whitman Center is presenting a traveling display of artwork by notable African-American artist Jacob Lawrence through April. The John Lawrence and Legend of John Brown display, produced by the Wayne State University Library System in conjunction with the University Art Collection, is traveling to Michigan libraries and other nonprofit organizations through August. It includes digitized images of the original 22 silk screen prints, as well as informational text that puts the art into its historical context.

April 20, 2011

Wayne State softball coach Gary Bryce celebrates 1,000 wins

Wayne State University softball coach Gary Bryce celebrated his 1,000th career victory when his Warriors team swept a pair at Findlay yesterday. Bryce, in his 30th year with the Warriors, is one of only 20 softball coaches in all NCAA divisions combined that has reached 1,000 wins.

April 20, 2011

Henry Ford Health System, WSU team to aid training

Wayne State University and Henry Ford Health System have reached a new affiliation agreement designed to enhance clinical training of audiology students and better prepare them to provide high-quality hearing and balance care in Southeast Michigan. "This partnership provides students in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences a terrific chance to acquire state-of-the-art clinical training at a world-class hospital from the very beginning of their Doctor of Audiology program," says Robert Thomas, dean of Wayne State's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. (print edition only)

April 20, 2011

Breaking Barriers at the Net: The Robert Ryland Story

Robert Ryland, who is recognized as being the first ever black tennis pro, anchored Wayne State University's men's tennis team immediately after World War II. He played at the No. 1 singles and No. 1 doubles flights both seasons he was at WSU (1945-46), and also appeared in the NCAA National Championships at the conclusion of both seasons. Under WSU Hall of Fame coach Norman G. Wann, the Tartars, led by Ryland and Delbert W. Russell, re-emerged in 1945 as a Midwest tennis power. Eventually, the tennis pair were inducted into the WSU Athletic Hall of Fame.

April 20, 2011