Things to Do: geneseefun.com February 28, 2008
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28 February 2009, Flint, Michigan:
Want to find out what’s happening in arts and culture in Genesee County? You will be amazed at the quantity and array of activities identified in the new web site, geneseefun.com, brought to the community by the Greater Flint Arts Council (GFAC), a nonprofit organization connecting residents and visitors to arts and culture to enrich the Flint region of Michigan.
Enjoy and please visit the site frequently!
Math Field Day Success: 41 Years and Counting February 26, 2008
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26 February 2008, Flint, Michigan:
I was delighted to greet almost 200 students and teachers from throughout Genesee County and beyond to the 41st Annual Math Field Day, organized by the University of Michigan-Flint Department of Mathematics, and sponsored by Rowe, Incorporated and Gabriel Roeder Smith & Company. Kudos to the faculty and staff of the Department of Mathematics for the great work they do in challenging the students and making math exciting. I enjoyed watching Professor Robert Bix explain a complex Venn diagram and receive applause from the students.
A special thank you goes to Grand Blanc High School, for 41 years of attendance. Congratulations to all attendees and award winners. Shown below are students from Detroit County Day School, overall winner of the day. They are flanked by University of Michigan-Flint Professor Robert Bix (right) and Professor Kenneth Schilling (left).
Remembering Doug Fraser February 26, 2008
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26 February 2008, Flint, Michigan:
Mr. Doug Fraser died last Saturday at the age of 91. He served as President of the United Auto Workers from 1977 to 1983. I had the great fortune of working with Mr. Fraser when I was the Interim Dean of the College of Uran, Labor, and Metropolitan Affairs at Wayne State University where he was Professor of Labor Studies. I remember fondly the lunches we had where Doug discussed the future of labor and the need for universities to study the labor movement.
President Irvin Reid of Wayne State University said that “Mr. Fraser devoted his life to improving the workplace by ensuring workers receive fair pay, enjoy job security and are in a safe environment. He believed everyone must be treated with dignity and respect at work, and his example is one we all can follow.”
Doug Fraser will be missed. My thoughts are with Doug’s wife Winifred and his family.
Southwestern Academy Students Take a Stand February 26, 2008
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26 February 2008, Flint, Michigan
The denounce the “N-word” initiative is alive and well at Flint Southwestern Academy. John Davidek’s Sociology students are selling t-shirts that call for the word’s ban. They have been busy with sales, scheduling speaking engagements, and media interviews. Profits will go toward helping Davidek’s school in South Africa, where he was a U.S. State Dept. Fulbright teacher on an exchange program. Two-thirds of proceeds earned will benefit Norkem Park High School, Kempton Park, while the other one-third will be utilized toward an educational purpose at Flint Southwestern Academy. The students have involved Flint City Council, which recently adopted a resolution denouncing the use of the “N” word. One can readily hear the Zimbabwean Shona word “Mukoma” (respected brother), being used in hallways and classrooms at Flint Southwestern Academy, so the enthusiastic campaign is alive and well at the school. Sales have gone to states as far away as California and Florida. Some of the t-shirts have been sent to South Africa, Zimbabwe, and even Iceland!
Small, Medium, Large, and X-Large are $13. XX-Large go for $14; XXXLarge are $15. XXXXL and XXXXXL are $18. Arrangements can be made for pickup at FSA, or they can be shipped for $3 a shirt (overseas shipment costs vary). For more information call the school: 810-760-1400. Mr. Davidek can be reached at: 810-471-8592. You can also FAX the school at: 810-760-7772, attention J.Davidek.
Life-Saving “Everyday Heroes” February 25, 2008
Posted by Jack Kay in : Uncategorized , add a comment25 Febrruary, 2008, Flint, Michigan:
University of Michigan-Flint Recreation Center employees Gary Parr and Chris Clolinger have been selected to receive the American Red Cross Salute to Everyday Heroes Workplace Good Samaritan award. Each year, the Red Cross solicits nominations from the community in order to honor individuals who have shown exceptional courage, kindness, and unselfish character by their acts of heroism. They will receive the award at a special celebration on May 16.
Parr and Clolinger helped save the life of a Recreation Center member who collapsed with a heart attack, using an Automated External Defibrilator and performing CPR. The man has since recovered from heart surgery.
Thank you Gary (left) and Chris (right). We are proud of you.
New College Town Page—Your Comments are Invited February 24, 2008
Posted by Jack Kay in : Uncategorized , comments closed24 February 2008, Flint, Michigan:
I have added a new page, accessed above on the c-town tab. The page seeks suggestions from all who read this blog on what Flint and Genesee County needs to do to attract and retain young talent. To encourage participation I will award $25 Barnes & Noble gift cards to two people selected at random out of the first fifty unique people who post suggestions.
Please make your comments on the c-town page, not on this post, which I have closed to comments.
I look forward to seeing your suggestions.
Jack Kay
The Michigan Times February 24, 2008
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24 February 2008, Flint, Michigan:
Have you read The Michigan Times lately? Our student newspaper (”the student voice of the University of Michigan-Flint”) is filled with news about campus and the community. I congratulate Editor in Chief Mike Stechschulte and his staff for focusing attention on the University of Michigan-Flint campus and the city. To read the paper online go: http://www.themichigantimes.com. I look forward to future issues, even if they take on the administration!
Victory! M-Flint Club Hockey Defeats Jackson February 23, 2008
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23 February 2008, Flint Iceland Arena, Flint, Michigan:
How sweet it is! University of Michigan-Flint Hockey Club players and coaches savored their first victory of the season, defeating Jackson College 15-7 in a game where the intensity of our men in blue was evident. The 2007-08 season was the first for the club, coached by Bill Golling. The players have worked hard all year as they battled teams with more experience. It may be that what really matters is how you play the game, but today’s win was indeed sweet. Hail to the Victors and Go Blue!
To find out more about the club go to their MySpace page at http://www.myspace.com/uofmflinthockey
Mid Michigan Marketplace February 23, 2008
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23 February 2008, Perani Arena & Event Center, Flint, Michigan:
Welcoming faces from the University of Michigan-Flint greeted visitors to our booth at the Genesee Regional Chamber of Commerce 2008 Mid Michigan Market Place. We joined over fifty businesses and organizations to showcase what our region has to offer at this business expo. Deb White of the Office of Extended Learning, Becky Pettingill of Institutional Advancement, and Kendra Atwell of the School of Management spent the day sharing information about the many things the University of Michigan-Flint offers our community.
War and Peace Musical Reflections February 21, 2008
Posted by Jack Kay in : Uncategorized , add a comment21 February 2008, Flint, Michigan, St. Matthew’s Church:
I Dream a World by Andre Thomas
I dream a world where man
No other man will scorn,
Where love will bless the earth
And peace its path adorn
I dream a world where all
Will know sweet freedom’s way,
Where greed no longer saps the soul
Nor avarice blights our day.
St. Matthew’s Church provided a perfect showcase for the War and Peace Concert presented by the University of Michigan-Flint Chamber Singers under the direction of Conductor Gabriela Hristova and the Wind Symphony under the direction of Conductor Lois Alexander. Concert goers were treated to a powerful collection of musical reflections that included Kirkpatrick’s Fanfare, Ubi Caritas, I Dream a World, and Each Time You Tell Their Story. Sanctuary was dedicated to the members of the Northern Illinois University Wind Ensemble and their conductor, Dr. Ronnie Wooten. The students did a wonderful job handling many difficult and challenging selections.
Bravo! And thank you Chamber Singers, Wind Symphony members, Lois Alexander, and Gabriela Hristova.
To learn more about performances by the University of Michigan-Flint Department of Music go http://www.umflint.edu/music/calendar.html
