Fans celebrate 'Star Wars'

Matthew Kapell, a Wayne State anthropologist and historian, was quoted on America's obsession with Star Wars firms. It\'s not just something they do on weekends,\" says Kapell, "It\'s almost a religion.\" The \"Star Wars\" franchise has been successful because creator George Lucas stuck to a simple, universal story about good vs. evil and a hero\'s attempt to save the day. Today through Sunday, thousands of \"Star Wars\" fans will arrive in Indianapolis for \"Star Wars\" Celebration III, a prelude to the May 19 release of \"Revenge of the Sith,\" the sixth and final installment of the \"Star Wars\" series.

April 21, 2005

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Vicki Thomas filed a report from the College of Nursing's Health Care Summit, held Wednesday at McGregor Memorial Conference Center. "Dr. Barbara Redman, dean of Wayne State University\'s College of Nursing, says there\'s a seven percent shortage of nurses, and in the future it will be about 15 percent," Thomas reported. The segment aired throughout the day.

April 20, 2005

What's going on

The Sarah Applebaum Nederlander Award for Excellence in Theatre gala, honoring actress Phylicia Rashad, is April 26 at the Masonic Temple. The celebration, sponsored by WSU and the Nederlander Company, will feature a cocktail reception, seated dinner, strolling dessert, Detroit premiere performance of the musical \"Hairspray\" and the Apple Award presentation. Tickets are $250 and proceeds will benefit WSU\'s Department of Theatre.

April 19, 2005

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A 6 p.m. lecture at the Bernath Auditorium in the David Adamany Undergraduate Library tonight will feature Kirk Bloodsworth, former death-row inmate, and John F. Terzano, president of the Washington, D.C.-based justice project. It is part of a series sponsored by the Criminal Justice department.

April 19, 2005

Robert Goodman: Taught geography with photos

Robert Goodman, a popular 86-year old, Wayne State geography professor, died April 15 of complications from colon cancer. His lesson plans were mixed with enthusiasm for his topic and a dry sense of humor that kept students\' attention. During Mr. Goodman\'s life, he created more than 10,000 photo slides from his trips to Asia, the Middle East and Europe to show his geography students. Some of his photos captured the geography; others told the story of the how the people used the land. Mr. Goodman won numerous accolades including the Wayne State Excellence in Teaching Award in 1979.

April 19, 2005

Wayne State entrepreneur event draws lots of would-be moguls

WSU filled the student center Monday with 150 people for it's first Entrepreneur Day. Guy Kawasaki, a venture capitalist formerly with Apple/MacIntosh, was the keynote speaker.

April 19, 2005

New Venture Fund

Wayne announced the formation of the New Ventures Investors' Circle within WSU to make seed and pre-seed investments in companies that are associated with the university. Fred Reinhart, assistant vice president for Research and Technology Commercialization, said the fund aims to raise $5 million and will make investments up to $250,000 per company.

April 19, 2005

Wrongful conviction lecture at UGL

Frank Beckman invited Kirk N. Bloodsworth, the first death-row inmate exonerated by DNA and John Terzano, president, The Justice Project, based in Washington, D.C., to give an introduction to their talk about the problems of wrongful convictions in America. The two said they were invited by Wayne State\'s Criminal Justice department to give an open public lecture last night in the Bernath Auditorium of the Adamany Undergraduate Library.

April 19, 2005

Genistein May Help Overcome Cisplatin-Resistance in Ovarian Cancer

Dr. Solomon, from the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute at WSU, found that the addition of genistein, a soy isoflavone, alone to cisplatin-sensitive and cisplatin-resistant human epithelial ovarian cancer cells had significant cytotoxic effects. Dr. Solomon said additional in-vitro and animal studies on the effects of genistein in platinum-resistant cancers are planned, \"which can easily and quickly be translated into human trials."

April 18, 2005

Symbolism marks conclave's start

Professor Marc Cogan, Wayne State University humanities professor, commented about the gathering of cardinals at the historic Sistine Chapel to select a new pope. \"It\'s at this moment that you discover that the Vatican is not just a tourist stop." He said it comes as a bit of a shock to some people that some of the greatest art in the Western world must take a back seat to other business.

April 18, 2005

IN DEFENSE OF SECRECY: As Catholic cardinals gather behind closed doors in Vatican City, it's time to speak up for privacy

Professor Jerry Herron, director of the honors program, says the conclave is \"the sort of secret that\'s only fun to have if you advertise it. If it\'s a real secret, there\'s no news story. You have to blow your cover if you want to get attention. It\'s like when a friend says, \'I know something, but I just can\'t tell you.\' \"

April 18, 2005

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A report on WDET said that Wayne State was closing its College of Urban, Labor and Metropolitian Affairs effective next fall. Interim Dean Jack Kay was quoted explaining that the move would eliminate a layer of middle management while maintaining academic integrity and Wayne State\'s urban and labor outreach missions. He said that students and programs would be absorbed by other departments.

April 18, 2005

Attorney pick sets strategy

Peter Henning, a former federal prosecutor and Wayne State University law professor, commented about Stephen J. Murphy III's nomination for the U.S. attorney post in Detroit. Henning said Murphy\'s biggest priority is restoring the trust of defense lawyers and judges. \"The question is going to be two years down the road, has he healed the wounds with the defense bar and judges. The level of mistrust among the defense bar is very high. The effect of the (terror trial) is going to be felt in Detroit for another couple years.\" Murphy said.

April 18, 2005

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A brief notes that "Entrepreneur's Day" is being held at Wayne State on Monday, April 18, 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the McGregor Conference Center. Another brief mentions the "Detroit Tech Security Conference" to be held on Thursday, April 21, 9:15 a.m. to 1:45 p.m., at the McGregor Conference Center.

April 18, 2005

Tech Venue

"DataConnectors: 2005 Detroit e-Security and Technology Conference" will be held Thursday, April 21, 9:15 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at the McGregor Memorial Conference Center. The conference will focus on e-security and compliance issues with technical security expert Andre Berkuta of McAfee Security/Network Associates.

April 18, 2005

The Business List: Upcoming events

A calendar item notes that "MoneySmart Week" will be Tuesday, April 19, 2-5 p.m. today and Wednesday at Wayne State University's Bernath Auditorium.

April 18, 2005

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The newsletter features a guest column written by Wayne State\'s Julie O\'Connor on nanotechnology. O\'Connor is manager of research operations and communications at Wayne State University.

April 18, 2005

WSU program assists disabled youth

Most people are confident in their ability to handle routine daily tasks, but for children with special needs going to a store or the movies can be daunting. Wayne State's College of Education is helping children with special needs master these tasks and others in collaboration with the Jewish Friendship Circle through the Ferber Kaufman Life Town, a 20,000 sq. ft. facility that includes a miniature village where these life skills can be mastered.

April 18, 2005

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\"Leaders on Leadership\", co-produced by WSU SBA and Detroit Public Television, featured Anne Parsons, President and Executive Director of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. Parsons\' answers to questions by the host, Larry Fobes (SBA), and the WSU student audience highlighted the challenges of leading the business side of a major symphony in a time when the basic business model for such organizations is changing. The program will be re-broadcast on Wednesday, April 20, at 5:00 pm.

April 17, 2005

From microscopic materials, potential industrial revolution Northwest Ohio ventures into nanotech

John Bedz, director of the state-funded Michigan Small Tech Association, said Michigan is ahead of Ohio in research now mainly because it has been more proficient in commercializing nanotechnology research. Much of that, he said, is led by the University of Michigan and Wayne State University. Nanotechnology involves building specific materials molecule by molecule, enabling a company to remove defects, increase a material\'s performance nearly tenfold in some cases, and give products properties never before possible.

April 17, 2005