STATE UNIVERSITIES
Eastern Michigan University launches virtual business platform
Eastern Michigan University recently announced Business Link, a virtual platform to link cultivating and initiating collaborations, partnerships and patent licensing between businesses, corporate entities and the university. By providing one central doorway for business, Business Link will assist businesses in navigating the complicated and large university system.
MSU receives $1.5M gift to establish first endowed chair of nursing
McLaren Greater Lansing has made a $1.5 million gift to Michigan State University to establish the College of Nursing’s first endowed chair position. The support from an endowment provides a dependable, perpetual source of funding to sustain the position, as well as the ability to conduct research and scholarship as new opportunities arise. The donation is the second largest gift ever given to the nursing college.
PEER INSTITUTIONS
Penn State will teach design online in new bachelor’s degree
Penn State will offer art and photography studio classes online for the first time as part of the new Bachelor of Design degree in digital multimedia design. The university is currently accepting applications for the new degree, which is being offered entirely online and combines coursework in the visual arts, information technology and communications.
U-Minnesota professor, Ohio State colleagues receive $2M from NSF
Priscila Chaverri of the University of Minnesota and two Ohio State University colleagues have received a $2 million grant from the National Science Foundation to examine endophytic fungi as agents to fight harmful pathogens within coffee plants. This is part of Chaverri’s quest to eradicate a devastating coffee disease called “Coffee Rust” — an issue that is plaguing Central American families who rely on coffee production to sustain their livelihood.
Purdue-related startup develops virtual cleanroom educational tool
A Purdue-related startup is developing the first USP 797 certified, virtual pharmacy cleanroom laboratory for students and other industry professionals to gain hands-on experience in creating sterile and quality pharmaceutical compounds to help prevent compounding errors. Penguin Innovations’ virtually interactive cleanroom reflects a realistic pharmacy environment and can help schools and other facilities save on costs.
— Compiled by Meg Bauer, The University Record
