STATE UNIVERSITIES
WSU cognitive neuroscientist awarded $2.3M grant
Wayne State University neuroscientist Moriah Thomason was awarded a five-year, $2.3 million grant to study the functional development of the human fetal brain and correlate it to behavior at age 4. The grant is an Innovative New Scientist award through the National Institute of Mental Health of the National Institutes of Health, reserved for productive, early-stage investigators implementing high-impact, novel research.
EMU foundation ends 2016 fiscal year with $11.6M
The Eastern Michigan University Foundation announced the close of its highest giving year to date, with a total of $11.6 million. Major donations this year included a $3.2 million gift from Delores and Bill Brehm, and a contribution from the Diane and Bruce Halle Foundation that will enhance their established endowment.
MSU selected as site for NSF Undergrad Research Experience
Michigan State University has been selected as a site for a National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Undergraduates program. The $360,000 grant runs for three years, and began Aug. 1. The first cohort of 12 students will participate in the 10-week program beginning summer 2017.
PEER INSTITUTIONS
UMN receives $1.75M gift for philosophy department
The University of Minnesota’s Department of Philosophy recently received the largest donation in the program’s history. Dr. Stephen Setterberg of PrairieCare — a local psychiatric health care provider — donated more than $1.2 million to the department. The donation will be endowed by the University of Minnesota Foundation and the resulting interest, coupled with the Provost’s Office’s decision to match $500,000, will be used for programming efforts.
U. Nebraska-Lincoln’s sponsored research hits record highs
Sponsored research funding at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln reached a record high this year, increasing more than 12 percent to $146.9 million, according to the UNL Office of Research and Economic Development. Total sponsored funding, which includes all external funds awarded for research, instruction, public service and student services, also set a record at $267.8 million, an increase of nearly 23 percent in the fiscal year that ended June 30.
Northwestern unveils model for University Commons
Northwestern University unveiled a model showcasing a major construction plan to replace the existing Norris University Center with a new, modern facility called the University Commons to serve the wider university community. Plans call for the new building to be approximately 209,000 gross square feet, which will be 41,000 square feet larger than Norris Center and a 21 percent increase in usable space, to further enhance student engagement and community.
