STATE UNIVERSITIES
$1M gift creates professorship in honor of former MSU physicist
Michigan State University has announced a $1 million gift to the Department of Physics and Astronomy in the College of Natural Science from the family of former MSU professor Wu-Ki Tung. The gift will establish the Dr. Wu-Ki Tung Endowed Professorship in Particle Physics, to honor the memory of the internationally known particle physicist who taught and conducted research at MSU from 1992-2007. Tung died in 2009.
EMU, Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum partner on new STEM initiative
Eastern Michigan University and the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum are establishing a formal partnership to develop engaging science, technology, engineering and mathematics activities geared toward elementary-aged children and their families. The project is funded by the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services and The National Center for Science and Civic Engagement.
PEER INSTITUTIONS
$10M grant funds center to fight vector borne diseases at Cornell
The Cornell-led Northeast Regional Center for Excellence in Vector Borne Diseases will launch later this month, thanks to a $10 million grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The center will offer a new master’s program and develop new courses for Cornell’s Master of Public Health degree to educate a cadre of vector biologists and public health practitioners.
New University of Illinois online master’s to prepare brand leaders
A new interdisciplinary graduate degree from the University of Illinois seeks to arm future global brand leaders with the latest methods, techniques and strategies to market, advertise and deliver brand communications across diverse multimedia and technology channels. The online master’s degree in strategic brand communication, a unique joint program between the Urbana campus’ College of Business and College of Media, aims to prepare the strategic leaders of tomorrow in an ever-changing global digital-media environment.
Penn State researchers receive $7M to develop deeper crop roots
Researchers in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences have received a $7 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy to design a low-cost, integrated system that can identify and screen for high-yielding, deeper-rooted crops. The interdisciplinary team will combine a suite of technologies with the goal of enhancing the breeding of crop varieties better adapted for nitrogen, water acquisition and carbon sequestration.
— Compiled by Meg Bauer, The University Record
