CHSBS News
U.S. Sen. Carl Levin will discuss integrity in politics
Speech to inaugurate speaker series for integrity in politics at CMU
A Central Michigan University audience will be engaged in discussion about the possibilities of bipartisanship with U.S. Sen. Carl Levin Nov. 22. Sen. Levin will be the inaugural speaker for the CMU Philip A. Hart and William G. Milliken Endowed Speaker Series for Integrity in Politics, which encourages political compromise.
Sen. Levin's speech, "Keeping an Ethical Course In a Political Storm," will take place at 7 p.m. in Moore Hall's Bush Theatre. The event is free and open to the public.
Levin, the choice speaker of former Michigan Gov. Milliken and Sen. Hart's widow, Jane, will encourage interested parties to approach politics in a way that embraces America's diversity of ideas and perspectives, just as Hart and Milliken had.
As chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Levin has earned a reputation as a supporter of national defense and as a fighter against wasteful government spending.
Levin has gained respect from both parties for his attention to detail and knowledge of policy, which has resulted in Time magazine naming him as one of "America's 10 best senators."
The endowed speaker series honors the distinguished careers of Hart, a democrat, and Milliken, a republican, and their ability to work together with members of opposing political parties.
"We are incredibly fortunate to be able to house an endowment that will allow students, faculty, staff and community members to benefit for many years to come," said Pamela Gates, interim dean of the College of Humanities and Social and Behavioral Sciences. "This endowment encourages us to learn from others whose actions in politics emulate the commitments to integrity and ethical standards as demonstrated by Gov. Milliken and Sen. Hart," said Gates.
For additional information on the endowed speaker series, visit http://www.cmich.edu/chsbs.
ROTC observing Veterans Day with skydiving, tailgate cookout
Posted By Connor Sheridan On November 11, 2009
Football fans can expect a surprise from the skies tonight at Kelly/Shorts Stadium.
In honoring Army veterans and celebrating future soldiers on Veteran's Day, the Central Michigan University ROTC has coordinated skydivers to come in.
The "Fastrax" Army skydiving team will descend into the stadium with lit flares on their legs, leaving colorful, smoky trails.
One parachuter will carry the game ball and deliver it to the officials upon touchdown.
"I just hope they don't get hung up on the uprights," said Maj. Ryan Finley, a member of the "Chippewa Battalion's" cadre, jokingly.
Before the Veteran's Day game at 8 p.m. today against Toledo, cadets will be outside Kelly/Shorts Stadium to serve classic tailgate sustenance to veterans in attendance.
"We're cooking hot dogs and hamburgers for all the veterans that show up," Finley said.
The ROTC is expecting about 500 veterans and their families to come to the game. Tailgate begins at 5 p.m.
New and old
Many cadets involved in the celebration today are excited to partake in the experience.
"Parachuting that football into the stadium is going to bring a lot of attention," said Cdt. Cpl. and Eaton Rapids freshman Nick Vandermoere.
Cdt. Col. Jennifer Howell, graduating in December, is looking forward to having a big send-off at her last football game.
"I'm excited (the parachuting is) finally going to happen, weather permitting," the Mount Pleasant senior said.
During halftime, the cadets, veterans and new army enlistees will take to the field to be honored for their future and past commitments and sacrifices.
"The concept of it is you have the new standing next to the old," Finley said.
He said cadets do not get to see enough of the continuity of the military.
Brigadier General John Kulhavi, a '65 CMU graduate, Vietnam veteran and former Board of Trustees member, will lead the group, and the Michigan Army National Guard Band will be on hand to perform.
Article from Central Michigan Life: http://www.cm-life.com
URL to article: http://www.cm-life.com/2009/11/11/rotc-observing-veterans-day-with-skydiving-tailgate-cookout/
Students step away from a textbook to learn about the Holocaust
By Lonnie Allen, CM Life
It was a time in Germany where people where enthusiastic about killing Jews.
It was that comment Holly senior Christine Hadley said stood out to her Monday night as Holocaust survivor Gerhard Weinberg spoke to a packed Bovee University Center Auditorium.
"It was surprising to me hearing people felt that way," Hadley said.
Weinberg, a 2009 recipient of the Pritzker Military Library Award for Lifetime Achievement, shared his experiences and knowledge of Adolf Hitler and Germany during World War II.
Weinberg has written many books about Hitler and WWII, and even edited for publication a book that Hitler himself dictated in 1928 but was never published.
Monday night Weinberg discussed the relevancy of the annihilation of the Jews with Hitler's plan for war.
Weinberg said Hitler planned to destroy all the Jews in Germany and Europe when addressing the German Parliament on Jan. 30, 1939.
Students and guest unable to get into the auditorium huddled around the entrances of the doors listening in to what Weinberg said in his lecture.
Reed City graduate student Emily Miniear said she was impacted when Weinberg talked about the destruction of his synagogue during Kristallnacht, the Night of Broken Glass.
Of all the horrible events throughout the Holocaust, this night affected him the most and remains with him still, Weinberg said.
"I felt that this was extremely powerful," Miniear said. "It was the moment in his childhood that he lost faith in humankind. He spoke about this with great remorse, as if it was something he'd never regain."
The world today is very much related too the events that took place in the period of 1939 to1945, Weinberg said. He believes the United Sates today grew out of the events from WWII.
He said education and teaching is key so that no one can forget what happened to bring the world at war.
"I lecture on this topic and time period because of the world today," Weinberg said. "It is important to understand the Holocaust and war are the same."
Weinberg's entire address will remain with her, Miniear said.
Ever since she read "The Diary of Anne Frank," she realized the importance of education, she said.
"What else do we have left as individuals if not the ability to educate those generations that can make the difference?" Miniear said.
Stevensville freshman Josh Brummett was not really sure what to expect from the lecture, but he appreciated being able to get a first-hand experience on the time period without reading it in a textbook.
Weinberg said he knew at a very young age he wanted to teach.
"It was when I was kicked out of school in Germany at age 11," Weinberg said. "We went to England and the teachers there were so nice I said then I want to do that."
Miniear said one must always remember that education is key, and what Weinberg has done throughout his lifetime is a testament to that belief.
<View article on the CM Life website.>
'Teachers teaching teachers' focus of National Writing Project site at CMU
Friday, November 6, 2009
Written by Tracy Burton, CMU University Communications
Photos by Robert Barclay, CMU University Communications
After 29 years of teaching high school English, Kathy Kurtze returned to her classroom this fall with a set of fresh ideas and resources she gathered from her experiences with the Chippewa River Writing Project -- a site of the National Writing Project now at Central Michigan University.
Kurtze was among 13 teachers representing K-12 school districts, Mid Michigan Community College and CMU, who participated in the first CRWP institute.
"The most exciting part was being introduced to new teaching approaches," said Kurtze, who teaches at Carson City High School. "The whole aspect of bringing technology into the writing process was brand new to me. Now, I'm excited to bring it into my lessons. I want my students to do podcasts and learn about how this enhances our writing."
Sharing resources is one of the main goals of the National Writing Project, which operates with the concept of teachers teaching teachers and a mission to improve the teaching of writing and learning among kindergarten through college students.
During the institute, teachers share their best practices and ideas with one another. They participate in a number of hands-on activities such as teaching demonstrations and writing groups using innovative technologies.
The experience was equally beneficial to new teachers.
"I've gotten a chance to grow not only as a writer but also as a teacher," said Ashley Patton, a 2006 CMU alumna who teaches at North Elementary in Ithaca. "I have new ideas to teach writing, and I've been able to learn from other teachers who have so much more experience in the field."
CMU English faculty member and CRWP director Troy Hicks said a new institute with another group of area teachers will take place next summer at CMU.
"The first Chippewa River Writing Project summer institute was, by all measures a success," Hicks said. "We had a diverse cohort of talented teachers from area schools, including one participant who traveled from northeastern Michigan to be a part of this institute."
Ashley Patton, (left) who teaches at North Elementary in Ithaca, works with Penny Lew, a middle school teacher in Farwell, on developing a new writing lesson.
Once teachers complete a summer institute they become National Writing Project teacher consultants and can go on to be mentors and teacher leaders in their school districts and communities.
A grant from the National Writing Project and funding from CMU's College of Humanities and Social and Behavioral Sciences, the College of Education and Human Services, and the College of Graduate Studies all support the CRWP site at CMU.
Today, more than 200 National Writing Project sites are organized at colleges or universities across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S Virgin Islands. Thousands of teachers participate in summer institutes each year.
To learn more about the Chippewa River Writing Project at CMU contact Troy Hicks at 989-774-3236, troy.hicks@cmich.edu or visit http://chippewariverwp.org
To view a video about the CRWP, visit http://chippewariverwp.wikispaces.com.
Olsen recites some of his best work at CMU
Posted by The Morning Sun on Friday, November 6, 2009.
Lance Olsen, an accomplished contemporary fiction writer, read for Central Michigan University students Thursday.
The university library auditorium was full of students eager to hear Olsen read from his latest work, "Head in Flames," among others.
Olsen is author of nine novels, one hypertext, four critical studies, four short-story collections, a poetry chapbook, and a textbook about fiction writing. He is also editor of two collections of essays about innovative contemporary fiction.<Read full article>
Griffin forum discusses policy change in Michigan
Posted By Maryellen Tighe On October 28, 2009 on www.cm-life.com
While panelists at Tuesday's Griffin Policy Forum agreed changes in state policy are needed, they provided a variety of perspectives.
The forum "Michigan's Economic Future; Is There a Light at the End of the Assembly Line?" also discussed how to make Michigan a more welcoming job environment.
It was facilitated by Craig Ruff, senior policy fellow from Public Sector Consultants and former Griffin Endowed Chair, and planned by Maxine Berman, Griffin Endowed chair and director of special projects for Gov. Jennifer Granholm.
"Businesses create jobs. That's the challenge we've all been talking about," said Cindy Douglas, vice president of business development and attraction for the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. "If there aren't business to create jobs to employee you and me, we don't have a tax base."
Stanley Pruss, director of the Michigan Department of Energy, Labor and Economic Growth, felt the key upcoming jobs would be in energy, life sciences and homeland security.
However, the panelists did not agree new jobs would be the only thing the state needs to improve its economic state.
"There are a small, but growing, number of employers that would say we are suffering from self-inflicted wounds," said Rich Studley, president and CEO of the Michigan Chamber of Commerce.
Tax problems
Studley said one of the self-inflicted wounds is the Michigan Business Tax, another is spending more on corrections than higher education.
"There's only four states... spending more on corrections than higher education," said Michael Boulus, executive director of the President's Council of State Universities of Michigan. "We lead the country in disinvesting in higher education."
Several panelists said the movement of people out of Michigan because of a lack of jobs is creating a crunch in tax dollar investment.
"I like what (Boulus) said about how we cannot have both a low tax and high investment in higher education," said Niles junior Grace Volrath.
Pruss said Michigan residents are going to be forced to make difficult decisions on the state's future economy.
"What do you ultimately value? There is no easy solution here," Pruss said.
http://www.cm-life.com/2009/10/28/griffin-forum-discusses-policy-change-in-michigan/
Griffin Policy Forum to discuss Michigan's economic future
Posted By Maryellen Tighe On October 26, 2009 @ www.cm-life.com
The Griffin Policy Forum is returning after a year-long hiatus to discuss job opportunities in Michigan.
The forum, "Michigan's Economic Future: Is There a Light at the End of the Assembly Line?" will take place at 7 p.m. Tuesday in Warriner Hall's Plachta Auditorium. Griffin Endowed Chair policy forums are designed to address timely issues including politics, economics and the environment.
"There are a lot of discussions going on these days about our current position as a state," said panelist Rich Studley, president and CEO of the Michigan Chamber of Commerce. "I encourage those who attend to be involved in this statewide dialogue to improve communities and our state as a whole."
Studley will join Michael A. Boulus, executive director of the President's Council of State Universities of Michigan; Greg Main, president of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation; and Stanley Pruss, director of the Michigan Department of Energy, Labor and Economic Growth.
The panel was selected by Maxine Berman, Griffin Endowed Chair and current director of special projects for the Office of Gov. Jennifer Granholm.
"I wanted people who could bring in different perspectives," Berman said. "I hope that what (attendees) will learn here is that the state will turn around."
Michigan will have jobs for young people and it will have greener industry and a vibrant economy, but it will not be the economy it was, she said.
"Those four people on the panel are certainly four of the best strategists," said Craig Ruff, panel moderator and senior policy fellow at Public Center Consultants. "These folks are working hard to create a strong job environment in our state."
Lead the discussion
The panelists hope to discuss higher education, environmental jobs and the Michigan Business Tax.
A greater emphasis on higher education could help Michigan attract and retain knowledgeable, creative and entrepreneurship-oriented individuals, something the state has been struggling with, Boulus said.
"I hope (attendees) walk away with, by and large, Michigan's future is in higher education," he said.
Michigan has the opportunity to become a leader in green energy and take advantage of national stimulus money by diversifying its economy, Pruss said.
"There's a huge potential where we can leverage our existing strengths," he said.
One area that Michigan can use its car industry technology in is wind turbine construction, Main said. There are 8,000 parts required to make wind turbines, and those parts can be easily manufactured by companies that used to make parts for car companies.
"We are also pursuing defense as an option for Michigan manufacturing if they want to diversify out of the auto industry," he said.
Studley hopes to explain how to make Michigan a more welcoming environment for businesses by improving the regulatory and tax climate.
"I hope that attendees will come away with a level of confidence that Michigan can restore jobs and that Michigan can retain talent," Ruff said.
The Griffin Chair had been vacant since Gary Peters left in December 2008 to take a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, representing Michigan's 9th District. Berman, the first woman selected as Griffin Chair, replaced Peters in July.
ROTC cadets compete in Western rivalry
Posted By Connor Sheridan On October 19, 2009 @ www.cm-life.com
Free submarine sandwiches, loud music and Central Michigan University spirit were all in supply Friday in front of the Bovee University Center.
Students, as well as several Mount Pleasant businesses, gathered for a pep rally to support the football team as it prepared leave for Western Michigan for the rivalry game Saturday.
The marching band played and the cheer and dance teams performed.
At one point, a call for a push-up contest between an ROTC cadet and cheer squad member was put out. Tyler Thibo, a Bay City junior and cheerleader ran to the stage and was joined by Cadet Pvt. Jon Shaffer, a Mount Pleasant freshman exuberantly "volunteered" by his peers.
Central Michigan University ROTC Cadets start the first 6-mile leg of their 69-mile run to Ionia State Park for the annual Rivalry Run where ROTC cadets run the game ball for the Central Michigan University v. Western Michigan University football game from Mount Pleasant to Kalamazoo. Ionia State Park is the halfway point between both cities where the CMU ROTC cadets will hand the ball off to the WMU ROTC cadets as they complete the trip with the game ball ending in Kalamazoo. (Chris Bacarella/Staff Photographer)
As the push-up contest ensued, "Eye of the Tiger" was played over the speaker systems by 95.3 WCFX. Eventually, Thibo emerged victorious with 100 push-ups to Shaffer's 94.
"It was intense, I just wasn't going to let myself lose. I thought he was going to get me," Thibo said.
While Shaffer was somewhat disappointed, he still enjoyed participating.
"It was fun, (but) I feel like I could have done better. I was already a little tired." Shaffer said.
He said he had ROTC physical training that morning and had already put in several dozen push-ups.
Head coach Butch Jones later took the stage to thank those who came out for the team.
"We're looking forward to supporting everyone who bleeds maroon and gold. We're going to go down there and rent Waldo Stadium for four hours," Jones said.
CMU beat Western 34-23 Saturday, its fourth consecutive win in the rivalry.
ROTC excitement
The ROTC stayed involved throughout the rivalry weekend.
Two cadets guarded the Victory Cannon, a trophy created jointly by CMU and WMU to be awarded to the victor of the rivalry game, presented the trophy to the football team, who then began to load into their buses.
Several ROTC cadets also ran the game ball on a 69-mile "Rivalry Run" to Ionia State Park, halfway between Mount Pleasant and Kalamazoo. The ball was handed off to WMU's "Bronco Battalion."
Cadet Cpl. Mike McNichol was in attendance Saturday at Waldo Stadium.
"It ended up being a good time," the Madison Heights sophomore said.
He said it was a memorable experience to watch the ball he and his fellow cadets had run from Mount Pleasant be used during the game.
"It was a good kind of team-building for us," he said.
Shaffer was unable to attend the game, but he did get together with several other ROTC students to watch the broadcast Saturday.
"I am ecstatic that we took the trophy back, it was definitely one of the highlights of the semester," Shaffer said.
http://www.cm-life.com/2009/10/19/secret-rso-at-cmu-studies-religious-traditions/
SECRET RSO studies religious traditions
Posted By Joe Borlik On October 19, 2009 @ 5:50 am at www.cm-life.com
The word "religion" can mean different things to different people.
One registered student organization wants to discuss these differences.
Members of Scholars Exploring Cultures Religious Experiences and Traditions, or SECRET, dedicate themselves to furthering the knowledge of religious traditions.
"We all need to accept and love each other and that's what this group does," said Harbor Springs sophomore Caleb Ross, the group's publicist.
The group meets at 5:45 p.m. every other Tuesday in Pearce Hall Room 108.
Adviser and assistant professor of philosophy and religion Talat Halman said the group discusses religious topics such as festivals and holidays, watches movies on religion and has visited the Buddhist temple, the Dhammasala Forest Monastery, near Perry.
Group members are planning on co-hosting a screening of the movie "Religulous," starring Bill Maher with another RSO, the Non-Religious, Atheist, Free Thinker and Agnostic Alliance.
Midland senior Ashley Taylor has been the group's president for three semesters and is majoring in religion and philosophy.
Taylor was raised Catholic, but said she now agrees with the way Buddhists view the world, although she does not consider herself Buddhist.
A range of religion
The group has around 10 members, many of whom are religion majors.
"I'm a religion major, so it's nice to be among fellow religion scholars," Ross said.
Ross does not follow a specific religion, but considers himself Rastafarian above others.
Harbor Springs sophomore Forrest Worthington is not a religion major, but goes because he loves studying religion.
"You can't go through history without looking at religion," Worthington said. "Religion has played the biggest part in history."
Algonac freshman Kelly Mytinger joined this semester out of an interest in studying other cultures.
"I like the openness of this group and how they aren't judgemental," she said. "The town I come from people are very judgemental toward other foreign cultures and religions."
The group also plans on hosting a forum titled "Sex, drugs and rock and roll" on Oct. 27 at a to-be-announced location.
"For me, God is like music," said Halman, a Sufi Muslim. "Maybe you can hear the music, maybe you can't. If you can hear the music you can dance."
http://www.cm-life.com/2009/10/19/secret-rso-at-cmu-studies-religious-traditions/
MPA student wins graduate paper award
Public Administration graduate student James Garner II received the Michigan Conference of Political Scientists graduate paper award for best paper by a graduate student during the MCPS 41st Annual Meeting in October. The conference was hosted by the Delta College Political Science Department. CMU alumnae and Delta College faculty member Lisa Lawrason (MA '04) presented the award to Garner.
Garner's paper, "African American Youth: An Analysis of Political and Electoral Participation," can be viewed here.
CHSBS welcomes new visiting professor
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
A ceremony Monday evening welcomed Eddie Benton-Benai, the first visiting professor to fill the Olga J. and G. Roland Denison Visiting Professorship of Native American Studies.
Donations from the Denison family established the endowed professorship in Native American Studies to enhance the capability of the Native American Studies Program at CMU. The program will bring in a noted scholar, artist or practitioner to CMU each year to teach, research, lecture, serve the community and participate in other activities of the program.
Benton-Benai is a member of the Lac Courte Orielles reservation from northern Wisconsin, part of the Ojibway nation.
Native American drummers Steve Pego and Nathan Isaac participated in a welcome ceremony for Benton-Benai prior to the start of his first class. Benton-Banai is teaching a four-week course entitled "Being Indian Today: Identity and the Contemporary Anishinaabeg" (HUM 197A).
CMU hosts summer writing institute for teachers
Teachers became students during the Chippewa River Writing Project's first summer institute.
The CRWP, a site of the National Writing Project, was established at CMU in the spring of 2009. The National Writing Project, a federally funded professional development program with nearly 200 sites, provides more than 7,000 programs for K-16 teachers across the country, reaching more than 135,000 participants in 2008.
"The first Chippewa River Writing Project summer institute was, by all measures, a success," said CMU English faculty member Troy Hicks, director of the Chippewa River Writing Project. "We had a diverse cohort of talented teachers from K-16 schools in the area, including one participant who traveled from northeastern Michigan to be a part of this institute."
The four-week summer institute, which took place June 22 to July 16 in Anspach Hall, consisted of 13 participants and three facilitators. Participants took part in various writing sessions, teaching demonstrations, writing and reading groups and much more. The extensive use of technology throughout the institute introduced participants to a variety of technologies that they can incorporate into their own classrooms.
Participants felt that they learned many valuable skills and lessons from the institute.
"This has awakened a new need for me to know my writing and make changes," said Kathy Kurtze of Carson City who has been teaching at Carson City-Crystal Middle School for 29 years. "From being students again, we all seem to have a renewed empathy toward our own students."
More information on the Chippewa River Writing Project can be found on the project's Web site.
CMU names Maxine Berman new Griffin Endowed Chair in American Government
Former state representative, Granholm special adviser first woman to serve
July 13, 2009
Years of Michigan legislative and executive branch experience will enhance the education of Central Michigan University students through the appointment of CMU's next Griffin Endowed Chair in American Government. Maxine Berman, a former state representative and current director of special projects for the Office of Gov. Jennifer M. Granholm, will serve as CMU's fourth Griffin Endowed Chair and will be the first woman to hold the position.
As chair, Berman will teach two political science seminars and organize two forums each year that address public policy and political issues throughout Michigan.
"This is a tremendous honor, and I hope that my contribution to CMU continues the fine example of the public service of Robert and Marjorie Griffin," said Berman. "Public service has been my avocation and vocation for most of my life so to be able to take that passion to the classroom is an opportunity most people never experience. I hope my students leave the course with a renewed interest in, understanding of and respect for public service and just importantly, make the decision to serve in some way."
Berman, who spent 14 years as a member of the Michigan House of Representatives, received a Bachelor of Arts in English and teacher certification from the University of Michigan. She has held teaching positions at Oak Park High School and Walsh College, along with working for the Michigan Women's Health Network and the United Cable and Tribune-United Cable Television companies. She also has extensive experience working on and running political campaigns.
As director of special projects for Gov. Granholm, Berman works to encourage regional collaboration among municipalities, counties and educational institutions. She researches and promotes issues related to women, particularly women's health, and other statewide concerns such as affirmative action and stem cell research. She also is currently working with an advisory group to create a realignment of Michigan government.
"Maxine Berman is the ultimate public servant and a great choice for the Griffin Endowed Chair at CMU," said Gov. Granholm. "Maxine is a friend, a no-nonsense leader, and has long been a mentor to me. While Maxine has always been a brilliant teacher -- now she will be able to share her insightful, humorous lessons with a new generation of young leaders. I congratulate CMU and her future students on this terrific selection."
The Griffin Endowment honors distinguished CMU alumni Robert and Marjorie Griffin. It was established in 1999 through private donations to CMU and provides continuing support to fund the salary and associated costs of a government and public policy expert who serves as a faculty member in CMU's political science department. The Griffin program seeks to build interest and increased engagement in politics among young adults, faculty and the general citizenry.
"We are delighted to have Maxine Berman join us as the next Griffin Endowed Chair," said E. Gary Shapiro, CMU's interim executive vice president/provost. "She brings years of political experience to the position, and I am confident that she will continue the success of those who held the position before her."
Berman's three-year term as the Griffin chair will begin Aug. 17. She will continue to work in Gov. Granholm's office but will reduce her time spent in the position.
CHSBS dean appointed CMU's interim provost
Monday, June 29, 2009
E. Gary Shapiro, dean of the College of Humanities and Social and Behavioral Sciences, has been appointed Central Michigan University's interim provost. Kathy Wilbur, interim president, announced the appointment today noting that Shapiro also served as interim provost in 2007.
"Gary Shapiro has proven his ability to be an effective leader as interim executive vice president/provost," said Wilbur. "He has served admirably in this role before and his track record makes him a logical choice for the position."
Shapiro has been a CMU sociology professor since 1978 and an administrator since 1989. He has served as director of institutional research, assistant vice provost of institutional research and planning, and associate dean of arts and sciences. Shapiro also was interim registrar in 1994-95 and was appointed CHSBS dean in July 1997.
Prior to coming to CMU, Shapiro was a member of the sociology faculty at the University of Iowa from 1972 to 1978. He has a bachelor's degree from Wayne State University and a master's degree and a Ph.D. in sociology from the University of Michigan.
"I am honored to be selected to serve as interim provost again and look forward to working with Interim President Kathy Wilbur," said Shapiro. "I am confident that under her direction the university community will come together to address the challenges facing us as we continue to deliver excellent education to our students."
Shapiro replaces Julia Wallace who will become the provost and chancellor for academic affairs at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay. His interim appointment becomes effective July 1.
Summer 2009 Newsletter now online
The summer 2009 edition of the CHSBS newsletter, Under Discussion, is now available online. This edition features articles about students involved in community service projects and the new Harold Abel Endowed Lecture Series in the Study of Dictatorship, Democracy and Genocide.
CMU becomes site for National Writing Project
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Michigan teachers will benefit from professional development in writing and technology through a new site of the National Writing Project at Central Michigan University. The establishment of the Chippewa River Writing Project makes Michigan the third largest network of National Writing Project locations in the nation.
The National Writing Project, a federally funded professional development program with nearly 200 sites, provides over 7,000 programs for K-16 teachers across the country, reaching more than 135,000 participants in 2008. The CRWP was one of ten new sites established in the U.S. this year.
We aim to develop programs unique to CRWP that will distinguish us in the state and nation by addressing the issues that face us in northeastern Michigan. We will do so by utilizing technology for distance learning and building on the strengths of the English department and interests of local teachers," said Troy Hicks, a CMU English faculty member and director of the CRWP.
Hicks is optimistic about the impact the writing project site will have on teachers in the area.
My goal is to establish the CRWP as a site that partners with teachers in suburban and rural settings throughout northeastern Michigan, utilizing technology to both support their professional learning as well as to become a key component in their own teaching," Hicks said.
Along with the focus on technology, the site will differentiate itself from other sites across the state by partnering with other CMU departments and programs to create topic-specific workshops.
"The focus of individual sites is really based on the interest of teachers," said Bruce Penniman, former director of the Western Massachusetts Writing Project and one of two representatives from the National Writing Project who visited CMU as part of the CRWP's initial site development work in February. "As their interests develop, the strengths of the site develop as well. If a university has a particular strength, it is natural to focus on utilizing that program."
The first summer institute will be held from June 22 to July 16. Participating teachers will study successful classroom strategies for teaching writing, read and discuss research, and improve their knowledge of writing.
CHSBS Excellence in Teaching Award
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Political science professor Joyce Baugh received the 2009 Excellence in Teaching Award presented by the College of Humanities and Social and Behavioral Sciences. The award recognizes a faculty member who goes above and beyond what is expected in creating exceptional learning opportunities for students.
A committee of faculty representatives from each department in the college chooses the winner. Dean E. Gary Shapiro and Associate Dean Pamela Gates surprised Baugh with the award presentation April 22 during one of her classes. <Read more>
Hartshorne, Fattah receive top CMU research awards
March 17, 2009
The President's and Provost's Awards are Central Michigan University's most prestigious awards for outstanding research and creative activity. The President's Award recognizes the career achievements of senior faculty members, while the Provost's Award honors the accomplishments of junior faculty members. This year's recipients include two faculty members from the College of Humanities and Social and Behavioral Sciences.
President's Award: Tim Hartshorne, psychology
Tim Hartshorne is an international leader in research on CHARGE syndrome, which is the leading cause of congenital deaf-blindness. His work has been featured in numerous publications, and his presentations around the world have created awareness among the medical, psychological and educational communities about the complications of CHARGE. Hartshorne also is a past recipient of the Excellence in Teaching and Faculty Distinguished Service awards from CMU, making him only the second person to receive all three awards.
Provost's Award: Moataz Fattah, political science
Moataz Fattah is a leading analyst in Middle Eastern politics and Islamic studies. His research focuses on the relationship between Islam, democracy and democratization, as well as the difference in economic philosophy between Islamic and Western countries. His book, "Democratic Values in Muslim World," was deemed one of the best academic publications in 2006 and has been widely adopted by professors and universities throughout the world.
