Nominations sought for Candace J. Johnson Award
Nominations are due Oct. 31 for the Candace J. Johnson Award for Staff Excellence, which recognizes U-M staff members whose commitment to excellence, teamwork and a supportive environment has a positive influence in the workplace. All regular staff members on the Ann Arbor campus are eligible and may be nominated by colleagues, supervisors or a combination of the two. Candy Johnson, a longtime staff member in the Office of the Provost, was dedicated to U-M and the people who support and further its mission. Johnson strove for excellence and inspired others to do the same. She recognized the gifts and talents of her colleagues and was unfailingly supportive of them. When Johnson died in 2003, the Provost’s Office chose to honor her contributions to U-M by establishing this award in her memory. Gifts from Johnson’s friends and colleagues support the award, which includes a $500 prize.
Ann Arbor campus named Silver-level bicycle friendly
The League of American Bicyclists, the oldest and only grassroots advocacy organization for people who bike, has honored U-M’s Ann Arbor campus with a Silver-level Bicycle Friendly University award in recognition of the university’s achievements in promoting and enabling safe, accessible bicycling on campus. The Bicycle Friendly University program now includes 208 colleges and universities and is part of the League’s Bicycle Friendly America program. U-M encourages bicycling and provides amenities such as bike parking, lockers and storage. For more information, go to the Bicycles page at ltp.umich.edu/transportation-alternatives/bicycles/.
Professor, students create innovative kirigami joint patch
Max Shtein, professor of materials science and engineering, macromolecular science and engineering, and chemical engineering in the College of Engineering, and professor of art and design in the Penny W. Stamps School of Art & Design, collaborated with students to develop a flexible patch that uses electronic sensors to measure joint function. The patch was influenced by kirigami, the Japanese art of creating 3-D structures from cut paper. It can hug the curves of a joint and yet can be manufactured flat. Erin Evke, a doctoral student in materials science and engineering, laser cut a thin sheet of plastic into a labyrinth of concentric ovals. The shape pulls apart almost like a Slinky, and the cuts open into a lacework over the shoulder. The team envisions the patch could be used by physical therapy patients, enabling them to log exercises and see their progress through a smartphone app.
Faculty, staff invited to talk on diversity in the workplace
Scott E. Page will talk about the power of diversity in the workplace during his lecture, “How to Create High-Performing Teams: Leveraging Diversity.” The lecture will be offered twice, at 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Oct. 29, in the ballroom at the Kensington Hotel, 3500 S. State St. All members of the university community are welcome to attend. Page’s research has shown that teams that include different kinds of thinkers outperform homogenous groups on complex tasks, producing what he calls “diversity bonuses.” These bonuses include improved problem-solving, increased innovation and more accurate predictions ― all of which lead to better performance and results. Page is the John Seely Brown Distinguished University Professor of Complexity, Social Science, and Management, Williamson Family Professor of Business Administration and professor of management and organizations in the Stephen M. Ross School of Business; and professor of political science, economics and complex systems in LSA. He will discuss how we can change the way we think about diversity in the workplace and tap its power to create excellence. To register for the lecture, visit sessions.studentlife.umich.edu/track/event/4794.
New Seven10 East Café now open at Ross School
A grand opening celebration took place Oct. 21 for Seven10 East Café, the first establishment on U-M’s campus to serve products from Zingerman’s Community of Businesses. The café is on the first level of the Stephen M. Ross School of Business Executive Learning and Conference Center at 710 E. University Ave. The café sells sandwiches, baked goods, coffee and other items.
Michigan Innocence Clinic awarded $275,000 DOJ grant
The U.S. Department of Justice has awarded the Michigan Innocence Clinic, which is part of the Law School, a $275,000 grant to help litigate forensic science cases. The two-year funding will be used to hire a full-time attorney who will assist MIC in handling cases of wrongful conviction involving forensic science. The attorney will work with students enrolled in the clinic and serve as the clinic’s point person in working with conviction integrity units at prosecutor offices throughout Michigan about potential wrongful convictions involving forensic science. The grant will also enable the clinic to hire consulting experts and administrative support, as needed. This is the second grant the Innocence Clinic has received from the DOJ.
— Compiled by Ann Zaniewski, The University Record
