State and nation fail universities when they are most needed

In an op-ed piece, President Jay Noren expresses concern about continuing cuts in state funding for public universities, particularly in Michigan. While noting that Wayne State has trimmed expenditures by more than $50 million in recent years and has maintained one of the lowest tuition rates among Michigan public universities, he points out that budget cutbacks could threaten WSU's ability to maintain its high ranking among research institutions. He also cites several initiatives the university has undertaken to make it economically feasible for students to attend WSU, including the Aim Higher for Students campaign to raise scholarship funds. At the national level, he calls for establishment of a National Higher Education Trust Fund.

July 12, 2009

Physician groups sign on to Midwest Health Plan

Midwest Health Plan, a Dearborn-based health maintenance organization that covers about 65,000 Medicaid and Medicare recipients, announced last week that it has signed a participation agreement with the Wayne State University Physician Group.

July 12, 2009

Livonia woman patrols Wayne State on motorcycle

Wayne State University is employing its first-ever motorcycle division with the graduation of WSU officers Eleshia Kelly and Shannon White-Thomas from the Detroit Police Department\'s 2009 Police Officer Motorcycle Certification Training program on June 9. A photo of the officers accompanies the story. Kelly resides in Livonia and White-Thomas in Grand Blanc.

July 12, 2009

Local historians contribute to book's research

Thomas Jankowski of Canton, associate director for research and training at Wayne State University\'s Institute of Gerontology, is among several local historians tapped for information by the author of Annie\'s Ghosts.

July 12, 2009

Wayne State to start orthopedics residency

The Wayne State University School of Medicine plans to start a new residency program for orthopedics Aug. 1 in conjunction with Oakwood Health in Dearborn. The program also will be affiliated with St. John Health, University of Michigan Pediatric Orthopedic Surgery and the VA Medical Center in Detroit. It has won the approval of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. Wayne State officials say the need for orthopedic doctors is growing as the state\'s population ages.

July 10, 2009

Performing arts

A preview of the Hilberry Theatre's rendition of Alice in Wonderland mentions that the classic tale has been modernized and set on the streets of Detroit.

July 10, 2009

People making news

Michael R. Shpiece, Wayne State University adjunct law professor, has joined the Kitch law firm. Shpiece teaches employee benefits law, and is published in the areas of employee benefits and insurance.

July 10, 2009

Alcohol & Pregnancy

An article about the dangers (to unborn children) of alcohol consumption during the mother's pregnancy includes comments by Ernest Abel, professor of obstetrics and gynecology in the School of Medicine. He is the author of a book on fetal alcohol syndrome.

July 9, 2009

Cockrel: City Has To Bite The Bullet On Layoffs

The Wayne State University Center for Excellence and Equity in Mathematics conducted a fun-filled class on mathematics for 5th graders at Bagley Elementary School in Detroit today as part of the summer learning academy. Detroit City Council President Ken Cockrel Jr. attended and spoke with students.

July 8, 2009

Editorial: Michigan must reform its spending

An editorial in today's edition addresses the gloomy jobs forecast for Michigan and criticizes the state for failing to adjust the size of government to its shrinking economy while at the same time slashing funding for higher education. "Before Michigan can significantly grow again, it must get serious about educating its citizens," the editorial states.

July 8, 2009

How Ferris State's tuition increase stacks up to other Michigan schools

Wayne State is among universities mentioned in an article that compares Ferris State University's 5.33% tuition increase to those at other state universities.

July 8, 2009

WMU unionization a growing trend

In an article about union organization efforts by part-time instructors and adjunct faculty members at Western Michigan University, Wayne State is mentioned along with other universities where similar efforts have taken place.

July 8, 2009

Joe Blundo commentrary: Detroit far more than a punch line

In a column about a recent volunteer service trip to Detroit with a group of high school students, writer Joe Blundo mentions that Detroiters are hospitable, citing the example of Wayne State University's allowing his volunteer group, which was working in a Cass neighborhood, to use showers in its "recreation center."

July 7, 2009

Goodbye, Casey Kasem

An article about radio broadcasting legend Casey Kasem, who left the airwaves recently as host of a nationally syndicated music show, notes that he is a graduate of Wayne State.

July 7, 2009

Wayne State medical school earns five-year accreditation

The WSU School of Medicine has earned full accreditation for the next five years from the Liaison Committee on Medical Education. LCME accreditation is required for medical schools to receive federal grants for education and to participate in federal loan programs. "Many people worked extremely hard on the effort to secure this distinction," said Dr. Valerie Parisi, acting dean. Dr. Thomas Roe, associate dean for undergraduate medical education, said the next LCME survey will take place during the 2014-2015 academic year.

July 7, 2009

The Entrepreneurial Spirit of Detroit

A story about up-and-coming business leaders in metro Detroit highlights Wayne State MBA student Katherine Abramczyk as one of five exceptional MBA/entrepreneurs in the region.

July 7, 2009

The engaged urban university

Wayne State University is the focus of a lengthy feature story that details the university's efforts to "transform Midtown into a thriving urban collegiate community" and engage its surrounding neighborhoods. The story highlights Wayne State's South University Village complex, TechTown and its initiatives to help Detroit's distressed public school system. Wayne State Vice President of Community and Governmental Affairs Harvey Hollins and urban planning professor Robin Boyle comment.

July 6, 2009

Enrollment soaring for summer college classes

An article about higher summer enrollment at Michigan colleges and universities profiles two current Wayne State University students. Photos of the students on campus are included.

July 6, 2009

Wayne State female officers make history

Two Wayne State University police officers will head the university\'s first ever motorcycle patrol. WSU officers Eleshia Kelly and Shannon White-Thomas will use their new position to enforce pedestrian and traffic safety on Wayne State\'s 203-acre campus. A photo of the officers accompanies the story.

July 6, 2009

Incubator association certifies TechTown unit for foreign firms

A brief mentions that TechTown's soft-landing center, which provides office space and translation services to foreign companies looking to expand their operations to Michigan, was named Thursday as a certified soft-landing center by the National Business Incubation Association.

July 6, 2009