Hamilton Dam Campus Conversation May 7, 2008
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7 May 2008, Michigan Rooms, Harding Mott University Center Building, University of Michigan-Flint Campus, Flint, Michigan:
Much discussion is taking place about the Hamilton Dam located on the Flint river in the middle of the University of Michigan-Flint campus. Today approximately 40 campus faculty and staff met to learn more about future hopes and plans for the dam. The City of Flint has commissioned a study to explore removal, restoration, and replacement of the dam. Suggestions for the Hamilton Dam range from replacement at its existing location with a walkway over the dam, replacement with a more natural dam that will permit a kayak park or run, to a new dam that will permit electrical generation. Although no consensus emerged from the discussion, there was strong support for the campus embracing the river and promoting its clean up and return to a natural riverbank where possible. Do you have thoughts on this subject? If yes, please add a comment.
Speaking at the Wayne State Debate Banquet May 4, 2008
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4 May 2008, Ritz-Carlton Hotel, Dearborn, Michigan:
I was honored to serve as keynote speaker for Wayne State University’s 74th Annual Delta Sigma Rho-Tau Kappa Alpha (DSR-TKA) Awards Banquet. DSR-TKA is the national honor society for debate and speech activities. I participated in debate and speech activities as an undergraduate at Wayne State from 1970-74, and then coached the team from 1975-1979. It was great to see so many alumni at the banquet and to meet the current students who had a great year.
After dinner speaking is not my best suit, but I came through and delivered a speech that seemed to entertain and delight the audience. I talked about the coming of age of debate and speech in our contemporary entertainment media–movies such as The Great Debaters, Listen to Me, Rocket Science, Debating Robert Lee, and Thanks to Gravity, all movies depicting debate teams. I shared some of my debate stories and told the audience how important my involvement in the Wayne State speech and debate program was to all that I have accomplished since leaving the program 34 years ago. I spoke of the tremendous support and mentoring given to me by George Ziegelmueller, the legendary debate coach and director of forensics who gave so much to me and remains a true friend. Finally, I urged the audience to continue to support the Wayne State program and to do all they can to establish and support debate and speech programs in our middle schools, high schools, and universities.
A Run for the Roses: Promoting University Outreach May 3, 2008
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3 May 2008, Flint Golf Club, Flint, Michigan:
Kentucky Derby fans from Flint who were not able to join the likes of Chelsea Clinton, Hugh Hefner, and Bill O’Reilly down in Louisville, Kentucky were able to attend Flint’s own Derby party at the Flint Golf Club. In addition to watching the Derby on big screen television, party goers got to stand close to University Downs and bet on Powertrain (GM Goodwrench), Appleseed (Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill and Bar), CARS 108 (CARS 108), Printer’s Delight (Riegle Press), Hard Hat Hussy (Sorensen Gross), Sparkles (Medawar Jewelers), C Marie (Connie and Robert Armstrong), Goyette Brings the Heat (Goyette Mechanical) Freddie Loeb (Stella & Frederick Loeb Charitable Trust), La Crazy Salle (Wade Trim), First at Four (ABC12), Scoop (The Flint Journal), We’ve Got the Plus (HealthPlus of Michigan), The Magic Man (Karen’s Carpetmax), Stingray (Paragon), and Star City (Marie Stewart).
The award winning hat shown above makes clear that the tradition of wearing festive hats continued. Go Blue!
The event benefited the University of Michigan-Flint Center for Applied Environmental Research (CAER), a multidisciplinary center within University Outreach. CAER programs include Green Arts, Greenlinks, and Southern Lakes Community initiative. A special aspect of this year’s “A Run for the Roses” was going green. The event was environmentally friendly by using locally grown foods, serving tap water instead of bottled water, decreasing throw away items, and wrapping gift glasses in a reusable tote that was made from recycled material.
Jim Koan, owner of a farm and orchard in Genesee County that emphasizes organic methods gave a wonderful address that helped the audience understand the importance of organiz farming. Pork from pigs on his farm was served, satisfying the taste buds of all those who selected that meal. Jim holds degree from both the University of Michigan-Flint and University of Michigan Ann Arbor. Go Blue (think green)! Jim is shown below with University of Michigan-Regent Olivia Maynard.
Special thanks go to the “A Run for the Roses” Committee: Susan Shaheen (chair), Kathleen Crosby, Tenley Himes, Kim Landaal, Tinsi Koski-Olds, Paula Medawar, Martha Sanford, Adrienne Wells, Shannon Easter White. The evening was spectacular.
Super Science Friday Under the Tent May 2, 2008
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2 May 2008, South Lawn near the Flint River, University of Michigan-Flint Campus, Flint, Michigan:
Almost 500 students from area schools attended University of Michigan-Flint’s Second Annual Super Science Friday. Students worked with University of Michigan-Flint scientists and students in a variety of labs designed to help the 6th through 8th graders experience the exhilaration of science. After lunch the students met under the tent with Professor Gizmo who demonstrated the fun of science. A special thanks goes to the many faculty, student, and staff from our campus who made Super Science Friday a great success. I also thank University Outreach for organizing the event and the Office of Provost for their tremendous support. Thanks also to the great students and teachers who participated from throughout the Flint area.
Carpe Diem: Professor Mark Perry’s Fascinating Blog May 2, 2008
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2 May 2008, University of Michigan-Flint campus, Flint, Michigan:
Blog readers who wish to experience a blog with many interesting tidbits of knowledge about economics and finance, among other things, should visit Carpe Diem, the blog of Mark Perry, University of Michigan-Flint Professor of Economics and Finance in the School of Management. In addition to finding out about such matters as 2008 starting salaries for various fields and that Exxon paid $3 in taxes for every $1 of profit, blog visitors can find the price of a pint of beer in 182 countries and where and why “Pussy Willow Sunday” occurs.
Professor Perry recently accompanied a group of University of Michigan-Flint MBA students on a 10 day trip to Russia. His blog offered updates on the great trip the group had. A sample entry follows:
While visiting the American Chamber of Commerce in Russia (in Moscow) yesterday, President Andrew Sommers told our group a wonderful story that really captures the old Soviet-era mentality towards customer service.
When McDonald’s opened its first restaurant in the Soviet Union in 1990 near Moscow’s Pushkin Square (pictured above, still the largest McDonald’s in the world, with 27 cash registers and seating capacity of 700), it went through an extensive training program for the new workers. Of course, customer service, which was a brand new concept for the Soviets, was extensively emphasized for the new McDonald’s employees.
After several days of training about customer service at McDonald’s, a young Soviet teenager asked the McDonald’s trainer a very serious question: “Why do we have to be so nice to the customers? After all, WE have the hamburgers, and they don’t!”
There’s still a little bit of that mentality left in Russia, and although customer service here is still not up to US standards, it’s gotten much better than my last visit in 2003.
To read Professor Perry’s blog click here.
Neighborhood Associations/University Meeting May 1, 2008
Posted by Jack Kay in : Uncategorized , add a comment1 May 2008, Ontario room, Harding Mott University Center, University of Michigan-Flint, Flint, Michigan:
Approximately two dozen members from Flint’s neighborhood associations gathered this evening to participate in the second Neighborhood Associations/University of Michigan-Flint Conversation about Community. I welcomed the group. Renee Zientek, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Institutional Advancement, announced that neighborhood associations would be able to reserve a “community room” in Northbank Center, at no charge, to hold neighborhood association meetings and a fund would be established to help support neighborhood association use of rooms in the Harding Mott University Center. Dr. Mary Jo Sekelsky, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, provided exciting news about housing on our campus, and Jeanine Bessette, Director of Housing and Residential Life, spoke with the group about various partnerships that were possible as housing opens on campus. The floor was then opened to questions and concerns. The comments were wide ranging, including opinions on reopening Kearsley Street, use of local workers on building projects, access to the University, involvement of the University in literacy and schools, and many other items. The group clearly stated their desire that these meetings continue on a regular basis. Flint City Councilwoman Jackie Foster Poplar (Ward 2) attended the event.
