A report released last week by the Michigan Higher Education Land Policy Consortium (MIHELP) revealed that the condition of Michigan cities is "clearly unfavorable whether they are benchmarked against other cities in the nation, the counties in which they lie or the state in general." It is noted in the story that the MIHELP consortium has financial support from Wayne State University, the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, and Grand Valley State University in concert with Public Sector Consultants.

More information is provided in this brief about the Michigan Water Color Society's 60th Annual Exhibition at Wayne State University, running from June 22 through July 20. The deadline for entries is April 4. Prizes include $5,000 in awards. Contact information is provided.

Wayne State University is one of 11 American institutions represented in Kuwait City recruiting students to attend school in America. The fair was organized by the International Student Network Organization (ISNO), AMIDEAST and the American Embassy.

In a letter to the editor, Bryan J. Sebeck wrote that more than 200 universities across the nation ban openly Gay Lesbian Bisexual Transgender (GLBT) students and faculty - something that is "simply not acceptable." He concluded his letter with a quote from Wayne State University ethics professor John Corvino: "I want you to judge people not by who they love, but by whether they love."

The fifth Driker Forum for Excellence in the Law will be held March 8 at the Wayne State Law School's Spencer M. Partrich Auditorium. The topic, "Google in Court: Copyright and the Universal Library," examines the future of digital technologies for storing and disseminating text, music, video, visual art and other products of human creativity.

A study by Wayne State University economics professor Timothy Bates is referenced in a Q&A story on independent business versus franchise survival rates. Bates tracked 20,554 young firms from 1987 to 1991 and found about 65 percent of franchises were still operating in 1991, compared with 72 percent of independent businesses. His research further revealed that franchisees tend to have less education than independent business owners and be clustered in a few industries, which could help explain the lower survival rates.

Marcy White and her husband Andrew Trossman appeared on ABC's "Nightline" on behalf of their son Jacob, 4, who has Pelizaeus-Merzbacher (PMD), a rare degenerative neurological disorder that cannot be treated with any proven medication. Jacob's case came to the attention of Dr. Jim Garbern, a neurology professor and PMD researcher at Wayne State's School of Medicine. Garbern has begun testing a drug used for spinal cord injuries on PMD symptoms, using mice, and has received some positive results in the last month. "Where the mice that would normally, without any treatment, have a very exaggerated tremor in their hind limbs when they're walking, the animals, after about a day of treatment, had much better control of their limbs," said Garbern. "I'm guardedly optimistic that it's working, but I want to make absolutely sure of that before we review all of our data and present it to the pharmaceutical company," he said.

During this morning's Frank Beckmann Show, originating from Michigan State University, the host mentioned that President Irvin D. Reid and the presidents of MSU and U-M, will be testifying tomorrow before the Michigan House Appropriations Subcommittee on Higher Education. During an interview with Beckmann, MSU President Lou Anna Simon, mentioned that Michigan State, Wayne State and the University of Michigan banded together to form the University Research Corridor to promote high tech research that will help boost Michigan's economy.

Localizing an Associated Press story about the self-esteem of college students, WWJ reporter Ron Dewey interviewed students this morning on the Wayne State University campus. Today's college students are more self-centered than their predecessors, according to a new study conducted by five psychologists who said they worry this trend could be harmful to personal relationships and American society. Nearly 16,475 students participated in the study.

Most students in adult, continuing education, and professional programs at American colleges and universities rely on personal savings and employer-provided tuition assistance to pay for their education, according to a new report based on a survey of 25,000 current and prospective students. Of those surveyed, 50 percent said they used or planned to use cash and nearly half (48 percent) said they used or planned to use tuition assistance to pay for at least part of their college courses, while about a quarter identified federal student loans (28 percent) and scholarships (22 percent) as financial resources. Responses in those categories overlap because most of the respondents used at least two financial sources. The findings indicate that institutions interested in recruiting continuing education and professional students need to move beyond the traditional formula of grants, loans and scholarships used to help traditional-age students pay for college, said Sean R. Gallagher, a program director and senior analyst at Eduventures Inc., the research and consulting firm that produced the report. The study further revealed that workers in the utilities, manufacturing, and mining industries were the most likely to have employer-provided tuition assistance, while those in retail; arts, entertainment, and recreation; and accommodations and food services were least likely to receive tuition assistance. By field of study, students in subjects related to engineering, transportation, or business were the most likely to receive employer assistance.

Wayne State's College of Fine, Performing and Communication Arts will be honoring actor Tom Skerritt with the Dean's Award for Career Achievement during the 30th annual Ovation Awards on March 7 at the Ritz-Carlton in Dearborn. Longtime Hilberry Theatre leader Leonard Leone will receive the Dean's Award for Distinguished Service. Other honorees will include: Blue Cross Blue Shield executive Daniel Loepp, Detroit Public Schools executive Eunice Moore and Georgia State University professor emeritus Larry Walker. More information is available at www.cfpca.wayne.edu/awards.php. Contact information is also provided.

Physicians "Preclinical and Clinical Validation Studies with Novel Glutamate Receptors Modulators to Treat Anxiety and Schizophrenia" will be presented at Wayne State University's School of Medicine, John D. Dingell VA Medical Center Auditorium, on Feb. 28. Contact information is provided. Nurses "WSU College of Nursing Research Day" is March 28 at Wayne State's College of Nursing. Contact information is provided.

Wayne State University's Law School has opened the Small Business Enterprises and Nonprofit Corporations Clinic, which will serve businesses and nonprofits that cannot afford to pay for private legal services and represent clients in business transactions. Clients must pay expenses, such as filing fees, but legal services will be offered at no cost. The clinic will be staffed by law students under the supervision of two WSU law professors. A phone number is provided for further information.

A feature on the history of the Dodge Bros, Horace and John, includes a comment by Charles Hyde of the History Department, who wrote a book about the brothers who founded the auto company named after them. "They were a tandem of two brothers who really complemented each other," he said. "Horace was the factory man and the mechanical genius; John Dodge was the outside guy who handled sales and advertising."

The Leix siblings - Matt and Laura - helped Wayne State University win the men's and women's titles, respectively, at the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) swimming championships at Ashland University. Matt Leix was fourth in the 500 freestyle, sixth in the 1,650 free, seventh in the 200 backstroke, and was part of the men's 800 free relay team that placed second. Laura Leix placed second in the 200-yard butterfly, fourth in the 100 butterfly, and was part of the women's 400 medley relay team that placed third.

The Max M. & Marjorie S. Fisher Foundation's recent $500,000 gift to the Wayne State University Law School has increased the total amount raised for the Wayne First Law School Campaign to $15,950,000. The gift benefits the construction of the Law School's Damon J. Keith Classroom Building and Center for Civil Rights. Frank Wu, dean of Wayne State's Law School, noted that in addition to the Fisher Foundation gift, other philanthropists and foundations have been very generous in their support of the Law School. "In April of last year, we were fortunate to receive $3 million from A. Alfred Taubman, also for the new Keith Building and Center. And while local support has been crucial, we have also benefited from the generosity of national foundations, and numerous alumni and friends," Wu said.

A review is included about the "Shrinking Cities (?) Wayne State Responds" exhibit now at the Elaine L. Jacob Gallery through April 13. The exhibit is an insider's view at life in Detroit that the reviewer writes is through the creative filter of the arts. "The show's strength is in bringing out the voice of the people and environment that it addresses - not as subjects of a research project, but as individuals struggling to persevere, to make sense of life, in a place that often doesn't make much sense." Sousanis writes that overall the exhibition is a "quite satisfying visual and educational experience."

This Fox television outlet interviewed professor Michele Valerie Ronnick of the Classics, Greek & Latin Department about her photo exhibit titled "12 Black Classicists," which is on display at Huston-Tillotson University in Texas.

The Detroit Orientation Institute (DOI) at Wayne State University is now accepting applications for its spring session scheduled on three consecutive Tuesdays, April 17, 24 and May 1, 2007. The sessions are for area newcomers or for professionals who want to learn about the history and culture of the city and metropolitan area. Weekly class segments include talks with community leaders, and tours. Each participant also receives a CD-ROM of background information written especially for the institute. Tuition is $900 and class size is limited. Applications are available at the institute\'s Web site, www.doi.wayne.edu. A phone number is provided for further information.

An article about the Edgar and Marion Beck Foundation mentions that the organization raises funds in support of the Wayne State University Brain Tumor Research Program and other local charities. The foundation hosts about 300 events a year for 200 different charities, according to its development director.