Common Wows Audience at MFUSE Concert April 16, 2008
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16 April 2008, Parking Lot A, University of Michigan-Flint Campus, Flint, Michigan:
The spring evening featured perfect weather as Common took stage at about 6:15 p.m. to perform before approximately 2,500 students, faculty, staff, and community members. Incorporating information about Flint in his presentation, Common employed hip-hop and rap to promote his message of social consciousness and the need to address urban challenges.
Prior to his appearance at the University of Michigan-Flint, Common performed at Michigan State University. Later this week Common will perform at Georgetown University in Washington, DC.
Common’s commitment to social consciousness is manifested in the Common Ground Foundation that the artist established.
Mission Statement: The Common Ground Foundation is dedicated to the empowerment and development of urban youth in the United States.
Vision Statement: The Common Ground Foundation was created by Hip Hop artist, actor and children’s author Lonnie Rashid Lynn, known as “Common”. Common’s social-conscience message serves as inspiration for equality, opportunity and hope among youth in underserved communities. The Foundation is committed to empowering youth in urban neighborhoods and providing life skills needed to achieve their dreams.
I thank the many people who helped make this concert happen. Everyone from Facilities to Public Safety to Student Services to Student Government to University Relations, to name just a few, did a terrific job. I apologize to anyone who was inconvenienced by the lot closure.
Bioethicist David Magnus Addresses Critical Issues Forum April 16, 2008
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16 April 2008, Northbank Center, University of Michigan-Flint campus, Flint, Michigan:
Dr. David Magnus, Director of the Stanford University Center for Biomedical Ethics at the Stanford Medical School, talked to a full house at the second 2008 Francis Willson Thompson Critical Issues Forum. Dr. Magnus discussed a number of issues, ranging from stem cell research to ethical decision-making in medicine. He pointed out to the audience that most of them had their DNA on file, even though they might nopt realize it.
Following the presentation and Q & A, I interviewed Dr. Magnus for a new television show the University of Michigan-Flint hopes to place on cable access: College Town News. The show’s executive producer is Dr. Mike Lewis, Assistant Professor of Journalism and Director of the Journalism Program at the University of Michigan-Flint.
After taping the show Dr. Magnus and I talked about storing DNA by retaining a portion of the umbilical cord following birth. Dr. Magnus described the practice as worthless in the vast majority of cases, calling the pitch to do this as “snake oil”
Dr. Magnus is editor of the book Who Owns Life? For more informaion about Dr. Magnus go to his page on the Stanford web site.
National Honor Society at Genesee Early College High School April 15, 2008
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15 April 2008, Michigan Rooms, Harding Mott University Center Building, University of Michigan-Flint, Flint, Michigan:
Instead of going home early tonight to finish my tax forms I chose to attend the inaugural induction ceremony of the National Honor Society chapter at Genesee Early College High School. I like historic events and it was exciting to be at the first induction ceremony taking place at the end of the first year of the Genesee Early College. Although the school is operated by the Genesee Intermediate School District, it is very much a part of our campus and I am proud of the accomplishments of the 16 wonderful students who were inducted tonight into the National Honor Society. Shown above are the inductees and, from left to right, Dan Cypher (Assistant Superintendent, GISD), Thomas Svitkovich (Superintendent, GISD) and me.
This is the first year I have not filed taxes on time. That is what happens when there are so many great times at the University of Michigan-Flint.
Honoring Dr. Femi Osofisan, Professor and Playwright from Nigeria April 14, 2008
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14 April 2008, Ross House, Flint, Michigan:
Tonight I had the pleasure of hosting a reception for Dr. Femi Osofisan, Professor of Drama, playwright, and poet. One of Africa’s most gifted artists, Dr. Osofisan received the 2006 Fonlon-Nichols Award from the African Literature Association (USA), awarded annually to an African writer for excellence in creative writing and for contributions to the struggle for human rights.
Professor Osofisan is the sixth visitor to Flint as part of the Renowned African Writers’ Visit Series, a collaboration between the University of Michigan-Flint Department of Africana Studies and the Flint Public Library, with funding from the Ruth Mott Foundation.
In toasting our guest of honor, I spoke about how vital visits such as his are in internationalizing our campus. Students, faculty, and visitors were offerred many opportunities to interact with Professor Osofisan and gain deep understanding of his insights into Nigerian culture. Last Friday Professor Osofisan presented a workshop for teachers. Today he gave a public lecture on campus and a dramatization of one of his plays (Once Upon Four Robbers) was performed.
Professor Osofisan’s final two events in Flint include a Teen-Author Forum (with high school students from the Genesee Intermediate School District), Tuesday, April 15, 10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m. (Flint Public Library), and a Conversation with Femi Osofisan, Tuesday, April 15, 7:00 p.m. (Flint Public Library).
Thought question: Why are there no heroes in the author’s plays (or are there)?
Blog Stats Update April 12, 2008
Posted by Jack Kay in : Uncategorized , add a comment12 April 2008, The Madison Concourse Hotel, Madison, Wisconsin:
Today I celebrate over 3,000 unique visitors to my blog. The blog, now almost 3 months old, has been visited by 3,121 unique individuals from 36 countries who have viewed 9,245 pages and have left 69 comments. The blog has received visitors from:
ARMENIA
AUSTRALIA
AUSTRIA
CANADA
CHINA
DENMARK
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
FINLAND
FRANCE
GERMANY
GUAM
ICELAND
INDIA-
INDONESIA 
IRAN, ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF
ISRAEL
ITALY
JAPAN
KOREA, REPUBLIC OF
MALAYSIA
MEXICO
NETHERLANDS
PHILIPPINES
POLAND
ROMANIA
RUSSIAN FEDERATION
SERBIA AND MONTENEGRO
SINGAPORE
SPAIN
SWEDEN
TAIWAN
THAILAND
TURKEY
UKRAINE
UNITED KINGDOM
UNITED STATES
Central States Communication Association Conference April 11, 2008
Posted by Jack Kay in : Uncategorized , add a comment11 April 2008, The Madison Concourse Hotel, Madison, Wisconsin:
Today was my third day away from campus, presiding at the Central States Communication Association Annual Conference. Today was the end of my year as President of the Association. The term has been very enjoyable and rewarding. This year’s conference was one of the best ever. I presented on a number of panels.
This morning I joined senior scholars in a discussion of “Did we Really Matter?: Exploring the Impact of hte Communication Discipline in our Lives and our World.” Panelists talked about the role of the communication discipline in confronting such issues as social injustice, racism, prejudice, and health disparities.
Also this morning I chaired the panel “Activism on Campus: Roundtable on Confronting Hate and Intolerance.” Participating on the panel were two former Ph.D. advisees of mine, Mike Lewis, now Assistant Professor of Communication and Director of the Journalism Program at the University of Michigan-Flint, and Priscilla Meddaugh, Assistant Professor of Communication at Millikin University. Panelists talked about troubling incidents on their campus and how the campus community responded.
Later in the afternoon I participated in a Spotlight Panel: Communication Scholars in University Administration.” I joined the Chancellor of the University of Wisconsin La Crosse, a Vice President for Academic Affairs, and three deans to explore how our communication backgrounds shaped our administrative lives.
This evening I was joined by 300 members of the association at the President’s party. The event was billed at “Party Down at J.K.’s Crib: Celebrating the Presidency of Jack Kay. The music of the 60s and 70s was featured, and participants did see me on the dance floor—a rare occurrence! I saw some cameras on the dance floor but hope that there are no photos of me!
Tomorrow I present a lecture titled “Changing Channels: A Critical Analysis of Infotainment and Political Information.” The presentation focuses on the growing influence of entertainment as a source of political information in campaigns.
Ken Burns Receives Standing Ovation as First Speaker of 2008 Critical Issues Forum April 10, 2008
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10 April 2008, Northbank Center, University of Michigan-Flint, Flint, Michigan:
Written by special guest blogger Dr. Kristen Skivington, Vice Chancellor for Institutional Advancement, while I am away from campus at the Central States Communication Association as President.
Ken Burns, renowned producer, director, and writer, was the first speaker of the 2008 Frances Willson Thompson Critical Issues Forum today, April 10. A very gracious and unassuming individual, Mr. Burns mingled with Forum attendees, answering questions, commenting on his various documentary pieces, and sharing insights and thoughts on jazz, baseball, history, and the local economy. It turns out Burns lived in Ann Arbor for a while, graduating from Powers High School before going to college in Massachusetts. He pointed out another Flint connection: until recently, GM was the sole sponsor of his PBS documentaries.
Mr. Burns talk was about history and our need to remember and learn. He focused on World Ward II, the subject of his most recent documentary, “The War.” Called by him a “necessary war,” he said one of the most important lessons to be learned from the war was that no nation should go to war without “understanding what its cost will be and without a certainty that its objectives are really worth the fearful price.” Though we fight many unnecessary wars, in his opinion, we must only wage war when it is “necessary.”
Mr. Burns received a standing ovation from the audience, quite a rarity in the series. Many people admitted to very emotional reactions to his talk— tears of remorse, sorrow, and remembrance of family members and friends who shared memories of the horrors they faced.
Burns explained that one of the reasons he felt compelled to produce The War about WWII, was that 1000 veterans are dying each day. Coincidentally, yesterday’s Flint Journal had an obituary for a local veteran who died on Sunday. It seems there are many local veterans dying each week. WFUM television has collected personal stories from local veterans; these can be found at www.michigantelevision.org/, search under “war.” Following his luncheon speech, Mr. Burns joined a small group of students, faculty, and community members for a dialog about war, his work, and the state of society today.
The next speaker in the series is Dr. David Magnus of Stanford. His topic will be “Who Owns Life?”
Lt. Governor Addresses Greater Flint Health Coalition April 7, 2008
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7 April 2008, Genesys Conference & Banquet Center, Grand Blanc, Michigan:
Today I had the pleasure of attending the Annual Business Meeting of the Greater Flint Health Coalition. This organization, of which the University of Michigan-Flint is a sponsor and is represented on the board by Austin Agho, Dean of the University of Michigan-Flint School of Health Professions and Studies, has had a major impact on improving the health of our community. Senator Deborah Cherry, Chair of the Coalition, presided at the meeting. She introduced her brother, Lieutenant Governor John Cherry, who delivered an excellent keynote address. Governor Cherry identified the health care challenges facing business and emphasized the importance of change and innovation in finding the solutions to handle the complex challenges faced by employers, health care organizations, and government. Both Lieutenant Governor Cherry and Senator Cherry are graduates of the University of Michigan-Flint. We are proud of both.
The power of partnership lies at the heart of the Greater Flint Health Coalition—a partnership between providers and purchasers of health care, consumers and committed citizens, government representatives, insurers, and all who are concerned about the well-being of our community and its residents.
Mission Statement: Improve the health status of our residents. Improve the quality and cost effectiveness of the health care system in our community.
Strive for College Fun Night April 5, 2008
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5 April 2008, Recreation Center, University of Michigan-Flint, Flint, Michigan:
Who says 6th grade is too early to get excited about going to college? I welcomed nearly 200 6th through 8th graders to Strive for College Fun Night. The fun took place at the University of Michigan-Flint Recreation Center and featured swimming, basketball, volleyball, dancing, video games, live bands, a D.J., board games, pizza, and, oh yes, information about college.
I greeted the group and discovered that many already had ideas as to where they wanted to go to college. I was delighted that the first person I asked said she was planning on going to the University of Michigan-Flint. I told the group about the importance of college in a world where acquiring new knowledge is vital. I also told the students about the studies that report people with a college degree earn $1 million more in their lifetime than those with only a high school diploma; those with a masters degree earn $2 million more; and those with an advanced professional degree earn $4 and 1/2 million more.
The event was organized by Saab Signature Blue Scholar Dawn Demps in collaboration with University Outreach at the University of Michigan-Flint and Leadership Development in InterEthnic Relations.
The event featured keynote speaker Rafael Turner, Assistant to Congressman Dale Kildee and University of Michigan-Flint alumnus. Rafael spoke to the kids about success, talent, responsibility, insight, values, and Education. The event also featured performances from the following local artists: Lucky Leoni (Hip-Hop artist), Theory (Hip-Hop artist), Dancin’ Jeff and BAM (Break-Dance group), Shana (Spoken Word artist), Jon Connor (Hip-Hop artist).
The students all received materials to help them prepare for college including a poster that maps out steps that students and their families can take to prepare for college as early as the 6th grade.
Psi Chi Inducts New Members April 5, 2008
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5 April 2008, Atrium, Francis Willson Thompson Library, University of Michigan-Flint, Flint, Michigan:
I had the pleasure of presenting the keynote address at the induction ceremony of the University of Michigan-Flint chapter of Psi Chi, the National Honor Society in Psychology. I joined faculty, staff, parents, friends, and family of the inductees in congratulating the likely future leaders of the psychology profession.
New Psi Chi inductees are: Hilary Gerow, Audrea Hook, Jason Jarvis, Nikeya Johnson, Ashley O’Neill, Andrew O’Shea, Shannon Page, RuthAnn Park, Yallonda Scheidler, Helena Sillman, Emily Smallwood. Erin Tahvonen, Robert Zarins. Previous of Psi Chi are: Brianna Furze (President), Dan Getty (Vice President), Michael Wojtkowicz (Treasurer), Erika Pike (Secretary). New officers include President Erika Pike and Vice President Jamie Sarka. Congratulations!
I talked to the group about the importance of social responsibility in our professional lives and spoke about the work I do in opposing the actions of hate groups.
