Date set for Detroit Independent Film Festival
The Detroit Independent Film Festival is getting ready to put on its second big event in the city. It will happen March 9-12 at the Burton theater and on the Wayne State University campus.
In the news
Wayne State targets biz-minded artists with new program
The Artrepreneurship program is expected to give creatively-inclined graduate students at Wayne State University the business skills necessary to turn their artistic passions into viable careers. The program, which originated out of the university\'s Arts IMPACT incubator in TechTown, is set to begin recruiting students and building an advisory board now. Classes should begin in the fall with forums that mix business people with local artists. \"These people who are ready to make that commitment have a lot of energy and passion,\" says Anthony Lake, head of Wayne State\'s Master of Fine Arts Theater Management program. \"I always tell them you don\'t need to be an accountant but you need to understand what the accountant is saying.\"
Karmanos Cancer Center offers free prostate cancer screening tests at Kroger in Ferndale, Saturday, Jan. 29
The Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Center and Kroger are teaming up to promote prostate cancer awareness and early detection with free prostate cancer screening tests from 1-5 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 29, at the Kroger store in Ferndale. One in six men will get prostate cancer in their lifetime. "Early stage prostate cancer usually does not have any symptoms, so it's important for men to get the blood test that can alert a health care provider to the presence of cancer," said Dr. Elisabeth Heath, director, Prostate Cancer Research and Associate Professor of Oncology at Karmanos and Wayne State University School of Medicine. "The test that we'll be providing is fast and easy. We encourage everyone to be proactive when it comes to cancer screenings."
Wayne State University names Carolyn Shields dean of the College of Education.
Michigan Tech News, 1/25; The Free Library.com, 1/27; Topix.com, 1/24
Wayne State Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Ronald Brown announced the appointment of Carolyn Shields as dean of the College of Education effective July 1. Brown and Shields are quoted in the articles.
http://www.mitechnews.com/articles.asp?id=12674
http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Wayne+State+University+Names+Carolyn+Shields+Dean+of+the+College+of...-a0247345348
http://www.topix.com/colleges/wayne-state-university/2011/01/carolyn-shields-made-dean-of-the-college-of-education-at-wayne-state-university
Yes there are grocery stores in Detroit
A blog highlighting grocery stores in Detroit mentions farmer's markets in various neighborhoods around the city, including "a nice one on the campus of Wayne State University in Midtown (one of Detroit's most walkable neighborhoods)." A photo of the Wayne State Farmer's Market area is included.
In Guernica, WSU professor dissects 'Detroitism'
An article includes a review and excerpt of the work of Wayne State professor John Patrick Leary who takes on the topic of ruin porn; specifically, the works of Andrew Moore\'s Detroit Disassembled, Yves Marchand and Romain Meffre\'s The Ruins of Detroit, and Dan Austin and Sean Doerr\'s Lost Detroit. Leary's essay was published in the January edition of Guernica.
Former Ford Vice Chair becomes WSU President
A front page story discusses the unanimous election of Allan Gilmour as Wayne State University's 11th President. "He is an active leader," said Gov. Tina Abbott, (then) vice chair of the Board. "He is a problem-solver and making a difference." Governor Paul Massaron, who chaired WSU's Presidential Search Committee, agreed, adding, "Wayne State needs a president of Allan's stature; he knows how to lead." Gilmour, who will continue as president through the 2012-2013 academic year, said that higher education is a great calling. "These five months at Wayne State have been energizing and challenging. I am delighted to continue in the role of president, and honored by the confidence the Board has expressed in me." A photo of President Gilmour is included.
Arab-Americans to address scrapped award
A brief states that metro Detroit Arab Americans plan to address the Wayne State University Board of Governors about its decision to remove Helen Thomas\' name from a journalism award.
Wayne State University Board of Governors sworn in
A brief recaps the swearing-in ceremony of Wayne State University Board of Governors members Diane Dunaskiss, principal of Pine Lake Elementary School in Lake Orion, and Danialle Karmanos of West Bloomfield Township, chief executive officer of the nonprofit Work It Out. Photos of Dunaskiss and Karmanos from the ceremony held at WSU's McGregor Memorial Conference Center are included.
Wayne State University names dean of education college
Wayne State University today appointed longtime Canadian educator Carolyn Shields to be dean of the university's College of Education. Shields replaces interim dean Steven Illmer, effective July 1. Most recently, Shields was a professor in the department of educational organization and leadership at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. "With nearly 20 years of experience in K-12 education and numerous feats in the post-secondary sector, Carolyn Shields is an ideal candidate to lead the College of Education at Wayne State University," Provost Ronald Brown said in a statement.
Universities recruit more to keep enrollment up
With Michigan's population decreasing, the state's 15 public universities are battling to keep enrollments steady. Migration out of Michigan, mainly because of a higher-than-national unemployment rate, has outpaced migration into the state. According to enrollment reports by the Presidents Council, State Universities of Michigan, four public universities saw a decrease in enrollment last fall: Michigan State, Wayne State, Northern Michigan and Michigan Technological Universities. Mike Boulus, executive director of the Presidents Council, said universities are starting to tap into different pools of potential students. "You are going to see not only the traditional students coming out of high school, but many nontraditional adults re-entering college to reposition themselves in the workplace and the knowledge-based economy," Boulus said.
Suicide bomber at Moscow airport
Aaron Retish, Wayne State University history professor, commented about the suicide bomber attack on Monday killing at least 35 people and wounding 180 at Moscow's Domodedovo airport. Responsibility for the bombing is blamed on Chechen militants. Retish said in an earlier sound bite that security will be beefed up at the airport particularly in light of future events scheduled such as the 2014 Winter Olympics in Siberia.
Unions seek ways to link with younger workers
Union activism has dropped among younger workers, a trend that may bring innovation into union management. The drop in union activism isn't uncommon, said David Reynolds, labor historian at Wayne State University. Union activity regularly goes through cycles, Reynolds said. When unions' influences are ebbing, they have less of a presence in new industries and jobs, which is where the majority of the younger workers are, he said. When unions grow, they generally grow in the same new areas and with a strong young worker presence.
Southfield promoting health care corridor in region and statewide
The city of Southfield Downtown Development Authority, commonly known as the Cornerstone Development Authority, is pursuing its Healthcare Corridor economic development strategy and is recruiting new development for the area. Wayne State University is mentioned as one of the institutions in proximity to the proposed location.
President Obama announces more key administration posts
Theresa M. Pouley, Wayne State University School of Law graduate, has been appointed to a key administration post by President Barack Obama as a member of the Indian Law and Order Commission. Pouley is currently the Chief Judge of the Tulalip Tribal Court, an Associate Justice of the Colville Tribal Court of Appeals, and a member of the Colville Confederated Tribes in Northeast Washington.
President Gilmour guest on the "Warren Pierce Show"
Wayne State University President Allan Gilmour was a guest on WJR's "Warren Pierce Show" Sunday morning. During the interview, Gilmour mentioned that an announcement will be made soon about a new capital campaign launch. He also discussed retention and WSU's tripling of financial aid over the last few years.
Week on the Web
A brief notes that Allan Gilmour was elected by the university's Board of Governors to be the university\'s 11th president, effective immediately.
Live Midtown: The Midtown Detroit housing market
Eric Johnson, 28, a Wayne State University student and employee, became one of the first people to apply last week for financial incentives to live in Midtown Detroit.
The engineering student made the move on Monday from Farmington Hills into his new studio apartment that\'s within walking distance of campus and dozens of restaurants, bars, entertainment venues and Detroit\'s pro sports stadiums. Midtown\'s three largest employers, along with some matching funds from the state and various
foundations, will put $1.2 million on the table for employees who decide to rent or own in Detroit\'s Midtown area. The program is called Live Midtown.
Baby-making another hard-hit Michigan industry
The Michigan economy has taken its toll on another manufacturing sector -- babies. Just 117,309 babies were born in Michigan in 2009, the smallest supply of newborn Michiganders since the end of World War II. That\'s 11.8 babies per 1,000 Michiganders, the lowest birthrate since the 1870s. \"We\'ve had patients in the middle of treatment when one spouse lost a job, and they\'ve had to the drop treatment in the middle of a cycle,\" said Dr. Manvinder Singh, who works with the Wayne State University Physician Group.
Startup biz fund defies early parochial fears
The launch of the $5 million First Step Fund last March was preceded by more than its share of politicking and turf defending. The New Economy Initiative put up the money to fund startup and very early stage companies up to $50,000 with the aim of letting them grow enough so they could attract more money from venture capitalists.
TechTown folks were adamant that the money should go to Detroit companies and the fund be housed in their Wayne State University-affiliated incubator.