Congressman Calls for Tax Incentives to Promote Private Financial Aid

Rep. Ric Keller, the new chairman of the U.S. House of Representatives subcommittee that oversees higher education issues, used his first hearing to promote legislation that would allow businesses to reimburse their employees tax-free for up to $2,500 of their children's college education. Individual employees would receive the greatest benefits from the legislation, but business would receive some tax relief for not having to pay payroll taxes on exempted money. The bill falls under the jurisdiction of the House Committee on Ways and Means. To date, no action has been taken on it.

May 24, 2006

Dig for Hoffa could cost up to $500K

The search for the remains of former Teamsters president Jimmy Hoffa will cost a minimum of six figures and will likely top $250,000, according to several federal officials. While it is the federal government spending the money, officials concede that federal criminal charges in the case are unlikely. Law professor and former federal prosecutor Peter Henning said the search seems like an FBI mission. \"I get the feeling the U.S. attorney\'s office is willing to say to the FBI, \'If you want it, you got it.\' This would make someone\'s career. Everyone wants to play the lottery,\" he said.

May 23, 2006

Scientists to speak about dump in Uniontown

Four scientists, including Wayne State University professor Mark Baskaran, will be discussing their findings and recommendations regarding a toxic waste dump at a meeting in Uniontown, Ohio. The four were hired by Concerned Citizens of Lake Township to look at man-made radiation and groundwater at the 30-acre dump. Their work was funded by a $50,000 grant from the U. S. Department of Energy.

May 23, 2006

Merit Network sets annual meeting

John S. Camp, chief information officer at Wayne State University, is a scheduled speaker at the Merit Network Inc. annual meeting June 22 and 23 in Ann Arbor. Now in its eighth year, the annual meeting is a two-day seminar on best practices in networking and technology geared toward Michigan\'s education and research communities.

May 23, 2006

Invest in higher education to revive economy

Michael Boulus says in an op-ed that the Mackinac Center for Public Policy won't be happy until Michigan's public universities are in the same poor condition as its highways. Boulus references a recent article citing figures on state higher education spending from 1992 to 2001. He says the piece leaves out the huge budget cuts sustained by universities since then - which he terms as intellectual dishonesty at its worst. Boulus writes, "The states with the higher per capita incomes in our nation are those with the most college graduates - not the states with the lowest taxes. It is vital that Michigan revive key institutions like higher education if we are to emerge from the economic realignment with a path to prosperity for all of our citizens."

May 23, 2006

UM to focus on enrolling community college students

The University of Michigan plans to quadruple its enrollment of low- and moderate-income community college transfer students. U-M held a meeting May 23 with leaders of Michigan 's 31 community colleges to begin work on the initiative, which is funded by a $1 million grant from the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation and an additional $3.8 million from the university. The funds will pay for programs that encourage low-income students to transfer and for financial aid.

May 22, 2006

WSU ignores a problem; WDET chief please no contest

Calling it "one of the more curious imbroglios in local media," Crain's criticizes Wayne State for being "remarkably cavalier" about an embezzlement charge lodged against the general manager of WDET for incidents while he was employed at an Ann Arbor radio station. The business newsweekly also ran an article giving an update on the case.

May 22, 2006

Small biz owners expect slight hiring rise

Wayne State's Center for Urban Studies is mentioned for its support and participation with the Small Business Association of Michigan in the SBAM's quarterly Small Business Barometer. The most recent survey found that 30 percent of the small businesses in Michigan plan to increase their number of employees during the next 12 months.

May 22, 2006

People

Krystal Gardner has been appointed director of the Career Service Office at the Wayne State University Law School .

May 22, 2006

Wayne Briefs

The Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation has awarded a $72,000 research grant to the WSU Sociology Department and the Institute of Gerontology to improve techniques for identifying abused and neglected elders.

May 22, 2006

Rapid diagnosis of mini-strokes saves time, money

Researchers from Wayne State and Beaumont Hospital were acknowledged in this article for presenting their paper on transient ischemic attack at the 2006 Society for Academic Emergency Medicine Annual Meeting in San Francisco . Dr. Michael Ross, associate professor in the Department of Emergency Medicine at the WSU School of Medicine is quoted.

May 22, 2006

PRONUNCIATION FOR PROFESSIONALS: Accentuate the positive

A story about the Accent Reduction Institute in Ann Arbor mentions that the company owner has contacts with Wayne State and other universities that have programs to certify instructors in teaching accent reduction.

May 22, 2006

Review

Dr. John Flack of the WSU School of Medicine is cited in articles that appeared on several medical journal Web sites regarding treatment regimens for patients with hypertension.

May 22, 2006

Warkentien fits in on Warriors' pitching staff

A feature on Laura Warkentien, Wayne State freshman softball player, notes that she played in 21 games this season, compiled a 3-4 win-loss record and earned a team-low 2.33 earned run average. The Warriors finished 15-5 in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Conference, and 32-26 overall. A photo of Warkentien accompanies the story.

May 22, 2006

Business near you: TechOne building, near WSU, is home to 24 companies

TechOne is featured in Carol Cain's column on businesses in the Detroit area. Howard Bell, executive director, says $14.5 million has been spent, with another $6 million needed to finish the other two floors of TechOne. Cain refers to TechOne as the centerpiece of TechTown, a 12-block area of Detroit that is being redeveloped into a business and retail park. Further details about TechOne are provided in the article.

May 21, 2006

Instant impact

This community newspaper ran a story on freshman Wayne State softball player Lisa Seymour of Davison. While having difficulties at the plate this season, she excelled on defense and helped the Warriors make it into the 2006 NCAA Great Lakes region in Illinois . Coach Gary Bryce is confident Seymour will improve her offense next season. "It was one of those things that freshman go through when they get to college," he said. "It's a different type of game and the incoming freshmen need to get acclimated to their surroundings." While playing for Davison High, Seymour set a team record for hits, with 41 in her senior year, so she can't wait for next season with Wayne State .

May 21, 2006

Detroit Jazz Fest 2006 running on all cylinders

In a story about the 27th Annual Detroit International Jazz Festival, it is noted that the closing night concert will feature Diane Schuur and the Wayne State University Big Band. One of the largest jazz festivals in the North America, the Detroit Jazz Fest is scheduled to run Sept. 1-4 at Hart Plaza to Campus Martius Park.

May 21, 2006

AUA 2006-Bone - Targeted Prostate Cancer Treatment: Insights Into The Interaction Between The Cancer Cells And Its Environment

Dr. Michael Cher of Wayne State University is highlighted in a brief article about his presentation on prostate cancer treatment.

May 21, 2006

Roots festival preparation in high gear

An article about the visit of Gambian Secretary for Tourism and Culture Susan Waffa-Ogoo mentions that she was the keynote speaker at an International Roots Symposium hosted by Wayne State University . President Irvin D. Reid announced two scholarships for students from Gambia and expressed the university's interest in working with the University of Gambia .

May 20, 2006

Montgomery's prognosis is hard to pinpoint

Ohio Auditor Betty Montgomery, who has developed a rare neurological disorder called Guillain-Barre syndrome, says she will remain in the race for state attorney general. Dr. Robert Lisak, chairman of the Neurology Department at the Wayne State University School of Medicine, said it is thought that the affliction is triggered by infections, sometimes from a cold. He said the severity varies with each person and about 80 percent of those who are afflicted recover with no problems or with only minor complications.

May 20, 2006