STATE UNIVERSITIES
WSU receives $3.6M NIH grant to increase minority students in sciences
Wayne State University has been awarded a $3.6 million five-year grant from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences of the National Institutes of Health. The grant will support the Initiative for Maximizing Student Development (IMSD) program at Wayne State University. The program aims to facilitate the entry and success of underrepresented minority students into science majors. IMSD has seen success, with graduation rates at 87 percent as compared to 21 percent for a comparison group of underrepresented minority students at Wayne.
Ferris State establishes new industrial chemistry degree program
Ferris State University recently established a new Bachelor of Science program in industrial chemistry. The university has previously offered an associate degree in industrial chemistry technology since, but the new expanded program was founded in response to growing demands of manufacturers and the growing popularity of beer and wine industry.
Eastern Michigan to open Center for Jewish Studies
Eastern Michigan University is unveiling a newly established Center for Jewish Studies on campus. After the creation of the Jewish studies program six years ago, the center hopes to expand its academic and community outreach. The center will stand adjacent to the newly established Jewish Studies Library. It will serve as a facilitator of community organizations, academic grant seeking, lectures and seminars, and other community activities.
PEER INSTITUTIONS
University of Iowa receives $10M gift for early entrance academy
The University of Iowa recently received a $10 million gift from Mary Bucksbaum Scanlan and Patrick Scanlan, named in memory of Mary’s parents. The donation has established the Martin and Melva Bucksbaum Early Entrance Academy for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math. The early entrance academy for high-ability 10th-graders makes it among the first of such programs at a public research university in the nation. High-ability students will enroll in fall of 2016 as Honors at Iowa-qualified first-year students.
UMD launches new Center for Global Sustainability
The University of Maryland announced the opening of a new Center for Global Sustainability as part of the School of Public Policy. The center aims to provide solutions for climate, energy and sustainability policy and implementation. Research will focus on climate mitigation policy, energy pathways, resilience and adaption, and ecosystems and health, and will additionally establish international research partnerships.
