New technology park lures firms

TechTown, the university's research and technology park, is the focus of this article. Writer Tom Henderson points out that TechTown is "a cornerstone of a new research and technology corridor in a long-neglected swath of the city between New Center and Wayne State University. TechOne the first building to open, already has attracted nine tenants, including three announced in March. Asterand, a biotech firm, has become the anchor tenant, with 60 employees occupying 13,000 square feet. TechTown invested $900,000 in lab and office equipment to attract Asterand. "We'll get a return our investment, not just in rent but in jobs created," says Howard Bell, TechTown executive director. He indicates that 40 percent of TechTown's space will be reserved for incubator companies in need of support services. A photo of Bell in the Asterand offices accompanies the story.

March 28, 2005

Immigrants help offset loss of younger workers

Kurt Metzger, research director of Center for Urban Studies, comments extensively in a story about recent U.S. Census statistics revealing a continuing decline in Michigan's younger population. From 1995 to 2000, the state lost 10,697 residents with bachelor's degrees and an additional 7,687 with graduate degrees in the crucial 25-39 age group. However the census numbers do not necessarily tell the whole story according to Metzger. "While state leaders struggle to stem the exodus of homegrown young adults to the Sun Belt, the losses are partially offset by recently arrived immigrants - many with advance degrees and skills sought by high-tech companies," Metzger says.

March 28, 2005

Refresher courses strain colleges, students

Several Michigan universities, including Wayne State, say they are seeing increased enrollment in remedial classes. Patricia Bonsteel, who heads WSU's remedial math program, said students are often surprised that they need a refresher course. Wayne State has seen about a 19 percent increase in the number of students taking refresher courses between 1998 and 2004. "It is frustrating," said first-year WSU student Christine White. She is paying about $500 for a refresher math course for no credit. The article is accompanied by a photo of White studying in the Adamany Undergraduate Library.

March 28, 2005

Analysts weigh pros, cons of 'ownership' vision

High-income people who can afford the risk were most likely to approve of privatizing a portion of Social Security, according to a Wayne State University study of Michigan residents. "If it doesn't work, they'll still be able to eat," said survey director Lyke Thompson , who also is the director of the Center for Urban Studies in CULMA.

March 28, 2005

The Business List: Upcoming Events

Outsourcing: Good or Bad" is the title of a program Friday at Wayne State's Bernath Auditorium in the Adamany Undergraduate Library. The speaker will be Catherine Mann, senior fellow at the Institute for International Economics. Also in the Business List: Warren-based AVI Foodsystems and Wayne State University have announced the opening of a Subway restaurant in the Student Center Building and an Einstein Bros. Bagels location in the university's North Residence Hall.

March 28, 2005

Tower designs to test copyright law

WSU law professor Jessica Litman is quoted in a story about a copyright lawsuit filed by an architect against another architect regarding the proposed design of the Freedom Tower on the site of the former World Trade Center. The plaintiff claims the other architect stole his plans. The case promises to be "the first big case" in architectural copyright infringement, Litman said. "Nobody wants to design a monumental building that looks a lot like somebody else's monumental building," she points out.

March 28, 2005

Wayne State sets Entrepreneur Day

Entrepreneur Day, April 18, will bring together professors, students and venture capitalists for a business plan contest and a daylong conference featuring national-level speakers. Judy Johncox, associate director of the university's Technology Transfer Office, said the event will focus on providing attendees with new knowledge and skills that will enable the creation of start-ups leading to high tech jobs in the city and state. Registration information is included in the write-up.

March 28, 2005

Retiree finds way to help peers SOAR

This article explains the idea behind SOAR, the Society of Active Retirees. Sponsored by Wayne State University, the initiative provides educational courses for adults 50 and older. Most courses are offered at the Oakland Center. Martin Herman, a retired WSU humanities professor who teaches a course on "Detroit Experiencing Opera," said he enjoys "sharing what I know with friends, former colleagues and people in the community."

March 28, 2005

Student loan interest rate may rise

This article, which originated in USA Today, notes that rates on student loans for college students will likely edge about 5 percent in July, the highest rate since 2002. On a $20,000 loan, repaid over 20 years, the rate increase would add more than $4,500 in interest, according to one student loan provider. Some financial planners advise students to consolidate their loans now, before rates increase.

March 28, 2005

Republicans debate displaying Commandments

Dr. Robert Sedler, a WSU law professor, said four of the Ten Commandments have every right to be displayed on public property. It's the other six, he said, that violate separation of church and state. Sedler said the Ten Commandments on public property is the government's endorsement of Judeo-Christian religions and "the rest of you are outsiders." Sedler said keeping the Ten Commandments off public property isn't anti-religion, but protecting religion in respect to the First Amendment.

March 27, 2005

US Embassy brings classical pianist for recital

Professor Robert Conway of the WSU Music Department will give a private performance in Jamaica under the auspices of the U.S. Embassy next month. Renowned Jamaican violinist Steven Woodham also will be featured. The article does not give a date and time.

March 27, 2005

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Tom Wilson, President and CEO of Palace Sports & Entertainment, was the guest on \"Leaders on Leadership\", co-produced by the WSU School of Business Administration and Detroit Public Television. Wilson, a WSU alum, is widely acknowledged for revolutionizing the industry by developing a comprehensive sports and entertainment company that is the business model to emulate. The company he leads is the parent firm of the Detroit Pistons and Detroit Shock basketball teams, the Tampa Bay Lightening hockey club, Meadowbrook Music Festival, and DTE Energy Music Theatre. The WSU student audience participated in a Q&A session with Wilson.

March 27, 2005

WSU associate provost on WWJ

Jack Kay associate provost and interim dean of CULMA, commented during a news report regarding a public auction of KKK items. Kay has done research on hate groups.

March 27, 2005

Phylicia Rashad: A special interview for Women's History Month

A lengthy feature story on actress Phylicia Rashad, mentions in the first paragraph that she will receive the Apple Award for career excellence in theater in April. The award was established by Wayne State University and the Nederlander Organization.

March 26, 2005

Softball team ends competition at Rebel Games

The WSU softball team defeated Nova Southeastern, 3-0, for their second straight shutout at the Rebel Games in Kissimmee, Fla. Sarah Ytsma pitched a complete game, giving up only four hits and recording six strikeouts. The Warriors will compete against Ferris State on March 30.

March 26, 2005

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WDIV news ran a feature story, with video clips, during the morning news program about Wayne State University\'s Maggie Allesee Department of Dance offering its 76th annual spring gala concerts \"Dancing the Legacy\" at the Bonstelle Theatre, March 25 and 26.

March 25, 2005

WSU science group tackles 'forbidden knowledge'

Wayne State University's Working Group on Science and Sigma Xi will sponsor a talk on April 1 on "Forbidden Knowledge." Forbidden knowledge refers to the censorship or social control of knowledge that is controversial, taboo or politically sensitive. The guest speaker is Joanna Kempner of the University of Michigan School of Public Health. The event begins at 12:30 p.m. in Room 2339 of the Faculty/Administration Building.

March 25, 2005

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The artist spotlight on Dennis Coffey, famed Funk Brother and Motown Session guitarist, mentions that he has received two degrees from Wayne State University in the 1980s. Coffey played on dozens of Motown hits from 1968 until 1972. He appeared in the acclaimed 2002 documentary \"Standing in the Shadows of Motown\" and performs in the soon-to-be-released Four Tops 50th anniversary concert DVD, taped last summer at the Detroit Opera House.

March 25, 2005

People on the move

Christina Lovio-George, president and CEO of lovio|george|inc, has been nominated to the board of visitors at Wayne State University, Detroit. Lovio-George will be responsible for identifying and securing resources for the many programs in the College of Fine, Performing and Communication Arts.

March 25, 2005

Gallery

Elaine Jacob Gallery on WSU's campus presents "Contemporary Views of Landscape." Gallery hours are from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tues.-Thurs. and 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Fri.

March 25, 2005