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October 4, 2004
To some, Tom Griffin’s workday reads like a page out of a high-tech thriller: install new shock tubes, make sure the helicopter-blade testing site is up to OSHA code, tweak the fittings on the supersonic wind tunnel. But he’s no mad scientist or top-secret NASA employee; Griffin’s just living another day as Supervisor of Laboratory…
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September 27, 2004
We’ve all seen it happen: A gorgeous, old Victorian home (or schoolhouse, town hall, bank) sinks into dilapidation, or worse—undergoes a sloppy renovation. Cedar siding slowly sloughs off or gets covered by cheap aluminum. Rich mahogany doorframes rot or get a coat of thick paint. Stained-glass windows chip or get replaced by something more energy…
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September 20, 2004
Imagine this: It’s 2 a.m. You’ve been riding your bike non-stop for 18 hours. Your muscles are screaming. You’ve sweated all you can. People are dropping out all around you to sleep, vomit or just quit. Somehow, amidst all of this, you manage to be glad that you drove the four hours and forked over…
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September 13, 2004
It was the first week of classes, and scores of students realized that—oh no!—they needed software for their computers. And they needed it soon. They rushed into the Computer Showcase in the Union, in search of a deal and a quick way to cross one item off their to-do lists. Phil Harding, right, helps Bojan…
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September 7, 2004
Marcus D. Weemes is an easy man to recognize—big smile, friendly face and an unforgettably pleasant demeanor. But try to find him during student move-in at Mary Markley Hall and you’re in for a lengthy search. Marcus Weemes stays steady in the flurry of activity during student move-in at Markley Hall. (Photo by Martin Vloet,…
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August 16, 2004
She may not utilize the same four-letter flaunting that brought fame to comedy greats like Chris Rock and George Carlin. But with her brand of “clean comedy” and the help of her alter ego, Miss Spitfire, Kimberly Smith is lighting up smiles all over town. Kimberly Smith as “Miss Spitfire,” below, and in more traditional…
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July 19, 2004
If you had asked John Sargent five years ago what his hobby was, he would have had a hard time telling you. But with the help of a few good how-to books and plenty of trial and error, today Sargent is the proud maker of more than two-dozen archtop guitars. (Photo by Marcia Ledford, U-M…
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July 6, 2004
The year was 1900, the city was Paris and the Olympians from U-M won three silver medals in the city of lights. (Photo by Paul Jaronski, U-M Photo Services) Fast forward a century to Sydney, where a contingent of 15 Wolverines competed, including several who won gold and notched Olympic and world records. These feats,…
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June 21, 2004
Green felt stands out against dark wood paneling. The clack of the cue ball hitting the numbered billiard balls is followed by a soft thud as one falls into the pocket. U-M football teams, dating back to 1898, stare down from their frames on the wall. (Photo by Paul Jaronski, U-M Photo Services) This is…
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June 7, 2004
In recent decades, railroads have taken a backseat to jumbo jets and SUVs in the transportation world. Tom Cornillie is looking to reexamine the legacy of America’s railroads with a book investigating their role in forming communities, shaping regional economics and employing thousands of workers. (Photo by Martin Vloet, U-M Photo Services) “Railroads shaped communities…
