Multimedia Features | The University Record

April 30, 2022

Rackham Graduate Exercises

After two years in which the COVID-19 pandemic either canceled the Rackham Graduate Exercises or pushed them online, master’s and Ph.D. graduate students were able to celebrate in person April 29. Another returning tradition was the procession of graduates and faculty members from the Rackham Graduate School to Hill Auditorium. (Photo by Eric Bronson, Michigan Photography)

Graduating at Elbel

Graduation ceremonies for the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy, School of Public Health, and School for Environment and Sustainability will take place at an Elbel Field venue that will allow graduates and their families to attend without the restrictions and concerns associated with large indoor gatherings. This time-lapse video shows the process of building the stage and seating area.

Read more about the Elbel Field graduation venue

April 28, 2022

MAP turns 30

The Multidisciplinary Actions Projects program — commonly known as MAP — at the Stephen M. Ross School of Business is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. Far from quietly easing into its third decade, however, the cornerstone of action-based learning at Ross continues to expand and enrich the experiences of students and sponsors. In this photo, MAP team members and MBA candidates Will Want, Ji Hae Oh, Eric Chun, Nikita Eliseev, Rachel Sze and Adam Kerlin visit the Blue Origin spaceflight company. (Photo courtesy of Eric Chun)

2022 TIP winners

Recipients of the 2022 Teaching Innovation Prizes are, top row from left, Michelle Bellino, Timothy Cheek, Josh Pasek and Elle O’Brien. Bottom row, from left, are LIFE team members Olivia Anderson, Thomas Bishop, Debra Mattison and Laura Smith.

Read more about the winning faculty projects

April 21, 2022

Morphable aerial drones

Vasileios Tzoumas, assistant professor of aerospace enegineering, is using his expertise to mentor students from the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program to develop the next generation of drone technology. This video explores how the UROP students are helping to develop morphable drones that are efficient during takeoff, maneuvering, and landing, resilient against the elements of nature, and agile in cluttered and dynamic environments.

Read more about the morphable drone project

April 20, 2022

Science meets art

Perennial, a new art installation that hangs in the School of Dentistry’s three-story atrium, consists of more than 900 gold-leafed elements to form a 3D rendering of a columbine flower. Created by award-winning artist Ralph Helmick, it brings a distinctive addition to U-M’s campus art portfolio. In this video, Helmick and his wife, Nan Niland, discuss the origins of his creation.

Read more and view more images of Perennial

April 19, 2022

Earth Day cleanup and recycling

Earth Day comes twice a year for U-M chemistry professor Anne McNeil and her lab — at least, it has since last year. On Earth Day 2021, the McNeil lab organized the inaugural Huron River Watershed Cleanup and the event was so successful that the group repeated the event in the fall. The community cleanup days felt like a natural extension of what McNeil’s lab focuses on: the chemical recycling and upcycling of plastics. This video highlights the work of Huron River cleanup volunteers.

Read more about the cleanup days and chemical recycling

April 18, 2022

Math games

The first five years of a child’s life are considered the most critical for development. But learning opportunities lag for many children, particularly those from low-income households. A math enrichment program called High 5s, developed at U-M to help close the achievement gap, is being implemented in the Taylor School District. In this video, Taylor School District teachers and students, and U-M’s Robin Jacob talk about the program that makes learning math fun.

2022 UROP symposium

Elizabeth Tower, a junior majoring in international studies, talks with mentor Samer Ali, associate professor of Middle East studies in LSA. The two have been working together through the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program. UROP’s annual research symposium will return in a hybrid format from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. April 20 at the Michigan League. (Photo by Sean Carter Photography)

Smarter 3D printing

Standard metal 3D printing methods cause products to warp, which can make them unusable in the aerospace, automotive, and biomedical industries that rely on them. A U-M research team led by Chinedum Okwudire, associate professor of mechanical engineering, developed thermal-model-based software that directs printer lasers on the optimal scanning sequence to reduce warpage. This video shows how the process works.