Multimedia Features

  1. November 10, 2023

    Beaver dam

    A photo of a beaver dam

    This fall, Matthaei Botanical Gardens staff discovered a beaver dam being built at the Fleming Creek overlook, the first recorded occurrence of a beaver along Fleming Creek since the Botanical Gardens were established in 1907. Beavers are a native keystone species in Michigan and shaped waterways and wetlands statewide for centuries until they were nearly eliminated through trapping more than 150 years ago. The public can view the dam from the Fleming Creek overlook on the west side of the creek along the trail, but visitors are encouraged to stay on established routes. (Photo by Jeff Plakke, Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum)

  2. November 8, 2023

    Geo-exchange projects

    Photo of U-M community members viewing geo-exchange drilling efforts on Nov. 3 at the future site of the Central Campus residential complex.

    U-M community members view geo-exchange drilling efforts on Nov. 3 at the future site of the Central Campus residential complex. The housing and dining complex is one of three sites on campus where geo-exchange systems are being installed. The sustainable heating and cooling systems, which use the ground to extract and return heat in a renewable cycle, advance U-M’s efforts toward carbon neutrality.
    (Photo by Joe Borek, UMSocial)

    Read more about U-M’s geo-exchange projects
  3. November 6, 2023

    Concussion care

    The U-M Concussion Center has partnered with the Michigan High School Athletic Association to ensure that every coach, parent and athlete knows how to properly prevent and treat concussions. This video explores that effort, which currently reaches more than 750 high schools across the state of Michigan.

    Read more about the high school concussion protection
  4. November 3, 2023

    Elephant evolution

    A photo of a scientist with prehistoric elephant bones

    U-M paleontologist Bill Sanders poses with a newly discovered skull and skeleton of a palaeoloxodont elephant, which is about 1.2 million years old. Sanders has devoted his 40-year research career to tracking 60 million years of Afro-Arabian proboscidean — elephants and their ordinal relatives — evolution. In a recent project, he has traced the earliest signs of proboscideans in the fossil record, up until our modern elephants. Over the eight-year course of his project, Sanders watched elephants’ numbers slip to precarious lows, the demise of elephants underscoring a new urgency. (Photo courtesy of Bill Sanders)

    Read more about Sanders’ work and the history of elephants
  5. November 2, 2023

    Neubacher Award presentation

    Photo of Neubacher Award winner and honorable mentions

    The James T. Neubacher Award ceremony took place Nov. 1. Pam McGuinty (second from right), a senior budget analyst in the College of Engineering and co-chair of the Council for Disability Concerns, was presented with this year’s award by Rich Holcomb (right), associate vice president for human resources. Also pictured, from left, are three of this year’s eight honorable mention awardees: Melissa Sreckovic, associate professor of education at UM-Flint; Don Wirkner, instructional lab services manager in the Department of Mechanical Engineering; and Feranmi Okanlami, director of student accessibility and accommodation services. View the full list of honorable mention recipients. The Neubacher Award is given to U-M faculty, staff, students or alumni who have exhibited leadership and service in support of the disability community. (Photo by Scott C. Soderberg, Michigan Photography)

    Read more about Neubacher Award winner Pam McGuinty
  6. November 1, 2023

    Kraus Auditorium

    Photo of Mika LaVaque-Manty (left) speaking to attendees at a tour of Kraus Auditorium

    LSA celebrated the naming of the Biological Sciences Building’s new Kraus Auditorium on Oct. 27. The auditorium is named for former LSA dean Edward Kraus. Besides a formal naming ceremony, visitors had the opportunity to tour the new facility. In this photo, Mika LaVaque-Manty (left), director of the LSA Honors Program, Arthur F. Thurnau Professor, and associate professor of political science, of philosophy and in the Honors Program, speaks to attendees about the room’s features. (Photo by Scott C. Soderberg, Michigan Photography)

  7. October 31, 2023

    Winter Commencement honorees

    Composite photo of honorary degree recipients David Brooks, Robert Hass and Thomas Zurbuchen

    From left, journalist David Brooks, poet Robert Hass and astrophysicist Thomas Zurbuchen have been recommended for honorary degrees at Winter Commencement. Brooks, a New York Times opinion columnist and contributor to numerous other media outlets, will deliver the main commencement address at the Dec. 17 ceremony at Crisler Center.

    Read more about the honorary degree recipients
  8. October 30, 2023

    Parenting parents

    Photo of Mary Schlitt and her mother, Mary Sergent, working together on a jigsaw puzzle.

    Mary Schlitt, associate director of the LSA Barger Leadership Institute, is a caregiver for her elderly mother, Mary Sergent, with whom she’s shown here working on a jigsaw puzzle. Schlitt is among numerous U-M faculty and staff members who share that role with millions of other Americans. There are a variety of university-based resources to help and support them. (Photo by Andrew Potter, Michigan Photography)

    Read more about caring for elderly parents
  9. October 26, 2023

    Smashing pumpkins, smashing stress

    Photo of a student smashing a pumpkin in mid-air

    A UM-Flint student takes a whack at a stress-relief pumpkin Oct. 25 as part of an event hosted by Counseling and Psychology Services to help students blow off steam during mid-term season. Students were invited to write their stressors on a pumpkin and then take a baseball bat to them. Outside of the splash zone, CAPS shared additional resources regarding stress awareness and healthy stress relief strategies.

    View more smashing photos
  10. October 24, 2023

    Medal of Science recipient

    Phot of President Biden and Huda Akil at the Oct. 24 White House ceremony

    President Joe Biden leads the applause for U-M neuroscientist Huda Akil at an Oct. 24 White House ceremony announcing her as a recipient of the National Medal of Science. The medal is the nation’s highest scientific honor. Akil, the Gardner C. Quarton Distinguished University Professor of Neurosciences, was recognized for her contributions to the understanding of depression, anxiety, addiction and more. (Photo by Ryan K. Morris and the National Science and Technology Medals Foundation)

    Read more about U-M’s latest Medal of Science recipient