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.

Jerome Vaughn is returning to Detroit radio on March 5 as news program director of WDET FM 101.9. Vaughn, 41, spent 14 years at WDET before leaving in September to become news director of Michigan Radio, the public radio service from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. His primary job, he said, will be to bolster the local news content at the station. "I love Detroit," Vaughn said. "I couldn't resist (the opportunity to return to WDET). It's home."

In a story about Kim Lavine, author of "Mommy Millionaire: How I Turned My Kitchen Table Idea into a Million Dollars and How You Can, Too!" Terry Cross, executive in residence at the Wayne State University School of Business Administration, is noted. Cross is director of Green Daisy, Lavine's new entrepreneurial company.

Wayne State University Law School announced that David Scheffer, a former U.S. ambassador at large for War Crimes Issues, will deliver the 23rd Annual I. Goodman Cohen Lecture in Trial Advocacy on Thursday on Feb. 22. Contact information is provided.

Cherita Smith, point guard on the Wayne State women's basketball team, is featured in this article. She has impressed head coach Gloria Bradley with her style of play. "She has been a match up problem for our opposition," Bradley pointed out. "She has become the most improved player on the team because of her defense. The article includes photo of Smith during a game.

The Fisher Family Foundation has made a $500,000 grant to the Wayne State University Law School. The grant will be used for construction of the Damon J. Keith Classroom Building and Center for Civil Rights. It brings the total amount of money the law school has raised in its campaign to nearly $16 million.

Wayne State University's Dance Company One performed African dances for students at Ealy Elementary School in celebration of Black History Month. Photos are included of the performance and Dance Company One members Katie Kanigowski and Denita Gregory.

Wayne State University is listed in a sidebar accompanying an article about how local governments and school districts that consolidate could see additional state funding. WSU's state allocation for 2008 is pegged at $225.5 million under Gov. Granholm's budget proposal. Only U-M and Michigan State would receive more. The Department of Management and Budget is cited as the information source.

The number of students at Michigan's 15 public universities has dropped overall for the first time in five years, according to this article by Booth Newspapers' education writer. Two story sidebars compare the number of freshman at each university during the past two years as well as the total number of students. One list shows that WSU enrollment for fall 2006 was down by 155 students -- to 32,982 -- from the previous year. But freshmen enrollment was up by 66 students in 2006. The numbers are from the Presidents Council, State Universities of Michigan.