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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.

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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

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1 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.

Yom Ha’Shoah at Flint’s Temple Beth El April 30, 2008

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30 April 2008, Temple Beth El, Flint Township, Michigan:

I had the honor of serving as guest speaker for a Community Holocaust Remembrance Program, “Yom Ha’Shoah Day of Remembrance” Commemoration and Candle Lighting, held at Temple Beth El. Sponosoring the program was the Flint Jewish Federation, along with Jewish Community Services, Congregation Beth Israel, the Ivriah, Temple Beth El, and Chabad House of Eastern Michigan.

“Yom HaZikaran laShoah ve-laGvura” is “Remembrance Day for the Holocaust and Heroism.” I shared with the audience the experiences of Leibish Kamerfuks, a survivor of the Holocaust. Tonight was the first time I publicly shared this story, revealing that Leibish Kamerfuks became Leon Kay, my father. I told about how my father, born on 14 November 1914, or perhaps ten years earlier, in Grodzik-Mazowiecki, Poland, lost his home, business, and possessions when the Nazis took over his town. I chronicled his experience in the Warsaw ghetto, where his father, mother, wife, and child were murdered while he was restrained by SS troopers. I recounted his experience in the Buchenwald concentration camp and his heroism in feeding others and helping others escape. Telling this story was hard for me, but I am convinced that my father’s story must be told–that the world must be reminded of the Holocaust so that such evil never happens again. Despite the unthinkable evil my father experienced, he continued to do good and to value life. My father was indeed a hero.

ABC12 covered the ceremony. Click here for video (commercial comes first).

Catching Up April 30, 2008

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30 April 2008, Flint, Michigan:

Th last seven days have kept me so busy that I have not been able to keep up with the 15 minute a day blog commitment. I will put in some extra time to get caught up and bring readers details of the wonderful commencement week that it has been. Be patient: entries will occur soon, using the event dates for the blog entries rather than the post date.

Congratulations Graduates April 27, 2008

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27 April 2008, Perani Arena and Event Center, Flint, Michigan:

The day was perfect to honor the first members of the University of Michigan-Flint class of 2008. I was thrilled to shake the hand or greet every one of the approximately 525 graduates. All students receiving graduate degrees were hooded as they crossed the stage. All undergraduate students were called to the stage to receive their diploma tubes. One of the little but great benefits of the University of Michigan-Flint is the personal attention students receive at commencement, having their name announced as they cross the stage. I sure saw a lot of smiles as I extended my hand and said, “congratulations, great job!”

Commencement is a special time to say congratulations and thank you to many people. The graduates are, of course, the focus of attention. But we also expressed thanks to the faculty for their commitment to excellence and their commitment to student learning and success. Thanks were also given to our staff for their important assistance. Another thank you was issued to the parents, families, friends, and other supporters of the graduates. To all, I express my thanks and to the graduates I again offer my congratulations. I am proud of you.

Graduates had a special treat. Jim Abbott, a Flint native who was graduated from Flint Central High School in 1985, gave an inspirational commencement address, calling upon all to “never give up, never miss an opportunity.” Jim played baseball for the University of Michigan and went on to play professional ball. Remarkably, Jim was born with only one hand. Despite this physical challenge he persevered and succeeded, making the most of his abilities rather than letting his disability get in the way. Jim was awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws. At a special ceremony in Ann Arbor, Ernie Harwell, also receiving an honorary degree, stated, “Jim Abbott is my hero.” Shown below from left to right is Regent Olivia Maynard, Jim Abbott, Regent Julia Donovan Darlow, and yours truly.

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A special congratulations goes to our Winter 2008 Maize and Blue Scholars:

Brian Wice was selected as the Student Speaker and gave a moving speech.

Blog Stats Update, Major Blog Change Coming April 23, 2008

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23 April 2008, University of Michigan-Flint, Flint, Michigan:

My “Great Times at the University of Michigan-Flint” blog is now 4 months old. I have been having a lot of fun with it and have greatly enjoyed sharing the many wonderful things happening on campus and in Flint. As I transition from Interim Chancellor back to Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs over the next several months, my blog name will change as will its focus. The Provost is the chief academic officer of the university. Therefore my revised blog will highlight the academic achievements of our faculty, students, and staff. I am seeking a name for the new blog and would appreciate your suggestions. Please use the “add a comment” above or email me at jackay@umflint.edu.

Today I celebrate over 4,000 unique visitors to my blog. The blog has been visited by 4,033 unique individuals from 41 countries who have viewed 11,501 pages and have left 77 comments. The blog has received visitors from:

Celebrating Academic Success April 22, 2008

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22 April 2008, Michigan Rooms, Harding Mott University Center Building, University of Michigan-Flint, Flint, Michigan:

Commencement week is the second most enjoyable week I spend on campus (the first most enjoyable week is the first week of classes in the fall when we welcome students back to campus). I enjoy commencement week because during it we celebrate the academic success of our students. Academic success comes from hard work on the part of students, faculty, and staff, and often comes from that special bond that forms between a student and his or her faculty mentor.

Tonight I gave congratulations to students in the College of Arts and Sciences at their Academic Honors Recognition. A very special part of this ceremony was when Dean DJ Trela called students to the stage by department and a faculty member from each department shared with the audience a glimpse of the success of each honoree.

Congratulations to each of the honorees. I look forward to seeing you at commencement on Sunday.

Michigan Flag Raised on New Residence Hall April 21, 2008

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21 April 2008, Murchie Science Building, University of Michigan-Flint campus, Flint, Michigan:

Drum roll. Eyes go to the maize and blue M-Flint flag unfurling in the wind on top of the new four-story University of Michigan-Flint residence hall. The University of Michigan-Flint Wind Symphony, under the direction of Professor Lois Alexander, plays a rousing rendition of “Hail to the Victors.”

Today’s press conference celebrated substantial completion of the exterior of the building, introduced the theme of the community that will begin on the August 24, 2008 move in day, allowed us to meet the RAs who will be nurturing the new community, and gave the media and the public an inside peak at the first floor of the building.

I had the pleasure of introducing Jeanine Bessette, our new Director of Housing and Residential Life, Quiana Smith, our Residence Hall Director, Deb Beattie, assistant in the Office of Housing and Residence Life, and Dr, Mary Jo Sekelsky, Vice Chancellor for Student Services and Enrollment Management. I thanked them for the great job they have been doing in preparing for a great residential life experience for our new 24/7 residents.

I also was proud to introduce Tim Herman, CEO of the Genesee Regional Chamber of Commerce and Mr. Art Hurrand, Honorary Chair of Partners for Progress.

We were all pleasantly surprised to be joined by Chancellor Emeritus Juan Mestas, the inspiration and relentless proponent of student housing for the University of Michigan-Flint.