S. Epatha Merkerson, a Saginaw native who was raised in Detroit and studied acting at Wayne State University , won as bet actress in a TV miniseries or movie for her portrayal of a boarding house proprietor who takes in an outcast teen in "Lackawanna Blues."

Antidepressants like Prozac work in 50 to 60 percent of people, and light therapy is effective in as many as 70 percent of patients, says Dr. Alireza Amirsadri, a psychiatrist and SAD specialist at Wayne State University School of Medicine.

A Detroit judge's recent ruling in favor of a Wayne State University student who was arrested for carrying a ceremonial knife presents some interesting questions about whether people should be excused from following certain laws because of their religion.

Last month 29 Wayne State urban planning students interviewed business owners, researched legislation and statistics about Woodward to produce a report on what the thoroughfare needs to succeed. Robin Boyle, professor of urban planning, led the student's in their project. He said there were different opinions about Woodward's needs, but many were interested in the same few items: the need for mass transit; increased pedestrian safety; and a unifying authority. "They (business owners) felt that modernized transit would be an incentive for people to use their stores, that came out clearly," Boyle said.

The Wayne State University School of Business Administration will offer a free workshop Jan. 17 covering such items as the 10 hottest businesses for 2006, how to reduct tax costs, the 20 biggest pitfalls in starting and running a small business, how to price your product or service and other topics. A free workbook will be available at the program which is being held at the Best Western Sterling Inn in Sterling Heights .

This institute at WSU and the university's Academic College Enrichment Services are offering financial assistance for the cost of childcare to students through the U.S. Department of Education's Campus Childcare Grant Parents in School Program (CCAMPIS).

In Michigan this year, jobs are plentiful if you're in -- accounting, health care, sales, information technology and engineering. Nursing is also a field with plentiful jobs. Wayne State University 's college of nursing is trying to churn out nurses as fast as possible. The state predicts that there will be a 7,000-nurse shortage in Michigan by 2010 and an 18,000-nurse shortage in Michigan by 2015. The university is struggling to fill positions for nursing faculty, says Jim McFarlin, information officer at WSU's College of Nursing . "There's a huge nursing crisis in the state of Michigan ," he said. "There are hundreds of openings for nurses in metro Detroit . We can't begin to accommodate the response."

McNair Scholars from MSU, Central Michigan University , Grand Valley State University , Siena Heights University and Wayne State University will share their research findings with MSU faculty, administrators and other invited guests.

The Old Newsboys' Goodfellow Fund is closing in on its 2005 goal. After the Christmas packages, the nonprofit uses some of the funds it collects yearly to provide an emergency dental program and free shoes for children, summer camps for them and scholarships to Wayne State University.

Frank Wu, dean of the Wayne State Law School , was the keynote speaker at Western Michigan University 's Martin Luther King, Jr. observance. He told the audience they needed to engage with those who see MLK's birthday as just a day off work instead of a day to become involved in the struggle for racial equality. "Diversity is a lot like democracy - it's a process, not an outcome," he said. "To stop talking about it is not an option. We always need to talk about it."

Hybrid cars are becoming more popular, hence there is an increased need for mechanics with a working knowledge of their innards. Macomb Community College is training them, and other schools are studying the engineering of the new cars. Some of this effort is underwritten by the National Science Foundation through a three-year grant. Macomb gets $200,000, while Wayne State University will receive about $100,000 to research and teach hybrid engineering.

"Melancholia and the Human Psyche" features works by Jean-Paul Abou-Dib, through Feb. 15. The artist, who is currently pursuing his master's degree in fine arts at Wayne State University , focuses on the subtleties of facial and body _expression in his renderings.

Beaumont Hospital has given its research institute a mandate to transform its clinical trials and medical advancements into revenue-generating opportunities. Beaumont is sandwiched between major medical research centers at the U of M and Wayne State University . It also faces competition from Henry Ford Health System.

Four of Michigan 's state-funded universities plan next week to launch a partnership to increase the number of underrepresented minority students pursuing a bachelor's degree in science and mathematics. Wayne State and others will kick off the Michigan Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation Jan. 23 at U of M's new Orchestra Place office in Detroit .

This story on MLK Day and accompanying events mentions that Wayne State 's music department is hosting an African-American Composers Concert with the Delta Omicron Professional Music Fraternity at 3 p.m. in the Schaver Music Recital Hall in Old Main.

Detroit entrepreneur Don Barden is discussing the creation of an Entrepreneurship Institute to help train inner-city youth who aspire to business ownership with Wayne State University . Susan burns, WSU senior vp, confirmed that the university is in talks with Barden about such a program, and Barden's input could include funding, advice on the proposed program and curriculum, and a possible role as guest lecturer.

Thursday's 11 pm newcast featured the WSU men\'s basketball game at Matthaei. Two highlights were shown from the game: WSU students in the stands with \"GO WARRIORS\" painted on their chests and WSU basketball player Kris Krzyminski making a basket.

Dr. John Waller Jr., was the ever-vigilant crusader against urban decay and violence. As the former director of the Detroit Health Department, he was concerned that communities no longer belonged to the good folks. The bad guys were winning. His prescription for recovery called for rebuilding a foundation of support between neighbors, schools, churches and local groups. \"There are very few people in our community that had such a broad and tremendous impact and influence in directing and shaping public health policy and developing community systems of care for the City of Detroit ,\" said Dr. Herbert C. Smitherman Jr., associate chairman of the Department of Community Medicine in the Wayne State University School of Medicine. \"Dr. Waller defined the words principle, humanity, integrity and academic excellence..." Dr. Waller of Detroit died of complications related to diabetes and colon cancer on Jan. 5 at Detroit Receiving Hospital . He was 69. Dr. Waller joined the Wayne State faculty in 1984. For more than two decades, he was an associate professor and chair of community medicine in the WSU School of Medicine. Dr. Waller later became senior vice president of the Urban and Community Health Department at the Detroit Medical Center . Survivors include his wife, Mikki; two sisters, Royell Simpson and Zelda Richmond, and a brother, Victor. This article also included a photo of Waller.

Like a family facing its first big reunion after a period of anxiety and loss, metro Detroit is wondering how to celebrate the 2006 North American International Auto Show. We\'ve been through tough times before. But this year is different. This is do-or-die time. Is it also time to party down? We\'ll find out tonight. As of Thursday, hundreds of tickets remained available for the typically sold-out black-tie Charity Preview gala, the auto show\'s cochairmen said. What will the mood be as the crowds swarm Cobo Center ? The best possible outcome would be a week that revives metro Detroit \'s confidence -- and the spirit of one of America \'s great industries. During the auto show\'s media preview days, the domestic carmakers showed signs they are ready to do battle, amid the usual visits from stars like \"Desperate Housewives\" actress Eva Longoria. But to really improve the mood, what could really work is the attitude of Winston Churchill, said Jerry Herron, professor of English and American Studies at Wayne State University . Remember how Churchill pledged during World War II that Britain would fight on the beaches and in the streets and never surrender? Well, apply that to GM and Ford fighting on car lots and inside showrooms and promising never to give up the battle for market share. \"This is a global industry we invented,\" said Herron, whose wife works for Ford and whose father managed an Oldsmobile dealership in Texas . \"We should be proud of it. We shouldn\'t disown it.\"

Dr. Jacob Chason, a former professor and chairman of the Pathology Department at Wayne State University who was recognized as a leading authority in his field, died of complications from Parkinson\'s disease Nov. 22 at his home in Dallas . He was 90. For more than five decades, Dr. Chason served in every conceivable capacity in the field of pathology and was renowned for his range of expertise. \"His impact was enormous,\" said Dr. Margarita Palutke, professor of pathology at Wayne State University . \"He was one of the leading neuropathologists in the area. Just as importantly, he was always very supportive of the residents and younger staff. He set the grade as far as the field was concerned.\" Born in Monroe , Dr. Chason attended the University of Michigan where he received his bachelor\'s degree in 1937 and his medical degree in 1940. During World War II he enlisted in the Army as a battalion surgeon and served with the 81st Infantry Division in the South Pacific, attaining the rank of major. He was discharged in 1946. After the war he became director of laboratories at the Veteran\'s Administration Hospital in Allen Park . That same year he joined the faculty of Wayne State University School of Medicine as an assistant professor of pathology. In 1958, he was promoted to full professor. In 1966, Dr. Chason became chairman of the Pathology Department, a position he held until 1978.