From MSU Today on Impact Radio: MSU President Lou Anna K. Simon visits as spring semester and the 2007/2008 school year come to a close. She reflects back on the year and provides updates on the Year of Arts and Culture, the Broad Museum, the Residential College in the Arts and Humanities, MSU in Dubai, and other MSU initiatives.

She talks about the importance of ongoing fundraising efforts and about MSU’s Office of Biobased Technologies. President Simon talks about the pivotal role that science and technology play in the development of a new economy for Michigan and the United States. And she assesses the state of the world that MSU’s class of 2008 is entering.

Hosted by Russ White.

Hear the Conversation 20:37 - 11.8 mb mp3

From MSU Today on Impact Radio: Con and Steve Demos are putting together the definitive illustratvie history of MSU Spartan football in a book titled The Tradition Continues - Spartan Football.

The Demos project covers the three eras of Spartan/Aggie Football; MAC, MSC, and MSU. Over 124 years of football highlights are revealed, including many items never seen before by Spartan fans.

“It’s an illustrative history of the Michigan State football program,” says Con Demos. “It’s about 600 pages and includes 1,900 illustrations.”

Hosted by Russ White.

Hear the Conversation 17:33 - 10.1 mb mp3

From MSU Today on Impact Radio: MSU graduate student Adam Zemke is the operations manager for the MSU Formula Racing Team, a student-run organization whose purpose is to promote collegiate education through the design, manufacturing and marketing of a small, open wheel racecar for the Formula SAE collegiate competition series. The team is funded solely through cash and in-kind donations by sponsors and run entirely by students at MSU.

Zemke talks about the team and its goals. He tells of the team’s 2007 visit with Jay Leno and fills us in on the team’s involvement this year with the Make-A-Wish Foundation and the program Race for a Cause.

And from a student perspective he describes how Spartan Engineers are “built better.”

Hosted by Russ White.

Hear the Conversation 10:37 - 6.1 mb mp3

From MSU Today on Impact Radio: John Shinsky is a former Spartan football player who was an Academic All-American in 1973. He is an associate professor of education at Grand Valley State University.

Shinksy talks about his time as an orphan and about how that impacted his life - including he and his wife Cindy’s founding of Ciudad De Los Ninos De Matamoros (”The City of Children”), an orphanage in Matamoros, Mexico.

He reflects on his time at MSU and how it shaped the man he is. And he talks about the important issues facing the education of our children. “Education needs to transition into a new society,” says Shinsky.

Hosted by Russ White.

Hear the Conversation 21:11 - 12.1 mb mp3

From MSU Today on Impact Radio: Anil Jain is a University Distinguished Professor in the Departments of Computer Science and Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering, and Statistics and Probability at MSU. His research interests include statistical pattern recognition, data clustering, texture analysis, document image understanding and biometric authentication.

Jain describes biometrics and how they’re used in our everyday lives. He talks about the challenges in using face recognition technology to identify people. And he describes a new system he’s developed whereby tattoos can be matched to people in databases.

Hosted by Russ White.

Hear the Conversation 13:17 - 7.6 mb mp3

From MSU Today on Impact Radio: Harold Sollenberger is retiring after a distinguished 40-year career as a professor of accounting at MSU.

He talks about how accounting and the teaching of accounting have changed over the years, mainly due to advances in technology. He says students overall “have changed some and not changed in other ways.”

He discusses his research interest - financial management of credit unions. And he explains the difference between a bank and a credit union.

Sollenberger talks about the challenges and opportunities facing accounting and accounting education in the years ahead.

Hosted by Russ White.

Hear the Conversation 25:24 - 14.5 mb mp3

From MSU Today on Impact Radio: The John Truscott Group is a public relations, public affairs, government affairs, lobbying and business development firm with offices in Lansing and Grand Rapids Michigan. MSU alumnus John Truscott leads the Truscott Group and is one of the foremost experts in the area of public relations and politics in Michigan.

Truscott talks about the ever-changing landscape in media and public relations. He reflects on his time as the nation’s youngest then longest-serving press secretary for a sitting governor. Truscott discusses the reasons behind the recent opening of his firm’s Grand Rapids office. And he shares his views on the country’s presidential race and on Kwame Kilpatrick’s troubles in the Detroit mayor’s office.

Hosted by Russ White.

Hear the Conversation 17:11 - 9.8 mb mp3

From MSU Today on Impact Radio: Sunny Wilkinson has taken her place in that elite group of jazz vocalists who have stretched the boundaries and found themselves “one of a kind.”

Her performance credits are impressive, having sung with The Count Basie Band, Rob McConnell and the Boss Brass, Clark Terry, Mark Murphy, Milt Hinton, Curtis Fuller, and Edgar Winter, among others. Sunny’s latest CD release is a duo project featuring Los Angeles based pianist Tom Garvin entitled A Gentle Time – When Sunny Meets Tom.

MSU’s Jazz Studies area presents a CD release concert featuring Wilkinson and Garvin on April 11, 2008 at the MSU College of Music Auditorium.

Sunny performs regularly at jazz festivals and clubs across the country and is assistant professor of vocal jazz at MSU.

Sunny talks about the inspiration for A Gentle Time. She discusses her teaching role at MSU and says jazz is alive and well in the world today!

Hosted by Russ White.

Hear the Conversation 20:56 - 12 mb mp3

From MSU Today on Impact Radio: The Cuban rumba takes the lead in composer and MSU associate professor of music Ricardo Lorenz’s symphonic work, Rumba Sinfonica, written in collaboration with Jorge Gomez, musical director of the hit Cuban music group Tiempo Libre.

Rumba Sinfonica is a 30-minute sound travelogue exploring the full possibilities of a Cuban band and orchestra playing together and fusing the urban rhythms of past and present Cuban music with the sophisticated sounds of the classical symphony orchestra.

“It’s a coming together of two worlds that rarely come together,” says Lorenz. “The styles are very rich on their own, and they’re much richer together.”

Lorenz talks about his inspiration for the piece and about his relationship with Gomez and Tiempo Libre. He talks about what attendees of the performance can expect and describes how audiences and musicians have responded to the piece.

Hosted by Russ White.

Hear the Conversation 21:06 - 12.1 mb mp3

From MSU Today on Impact Radio: As the 2008 Beijing Olympics draw near, MSU professor Yong Zhao has created the world’s first comprehensive online video game that teaches Chinese culture and language.

The interactive game is called Zon/New Chengo. Creator Yong Zhao, University Distinguished Professor of educational psychology and educational technology, says the game is both educational and engaging.

“There is a general increase and demand for more opportunities to learn about Chinese culture and language,” said Zhao, a Chinese native. “This game offers a vicarious, virtual experience of China.”

As executive director of MSU’s Confucius Institute, which is based in the College of Education, Zhao and his staff work to meet the ever-increasing demand for Chinese education in the United States.

Hosted by Russ White.

Hear the Conversation 14:35 - 8.4 mb mp3

From MSU Today on Impact Radio: Ron Calhoun from MSU Extension and MSU’s world-renowned turf grass program shares his lawn care tips for Spring.

Calhoun advises on Springtime fertilizing, mowing, watering, and weed prevention. And he shares advice on dandelions and moles.

Hosted by Russ White.

Hear the Conversation 14:18 - 8.2 mb mp3

From MSU Today on Impact Radio: MSU President Lou Anna Simon shares her feelings on the need for an open marketplace for the free exchange of ideas in the wake of the arrests of four people charged with the 1999 fire at Agriculture Hall.

She also talks about endowments and what they’re designed to do. And President Simon describes the positive momentum that athletics provides for all of MSU’s constituents.

Hosted by Russ White.

Hear the Conversation 16:57 - 9.7 mb mp3

From MSU Today on Impact Radio: For the eighth time in nine years, MSU’s award-winning student radio station – WDBM-FM 88.9 FM the Impact – is the Michigan Association of Broadcasters College Radio Station of the Year.

Gary Reid - is professional general manager of the impact and also a University Distinguished senior specialist in MSU’s Department of Telecommunication, Information Studies and Media. Station manager Jeremy Whiting and program director Brock Elsesser are MSU grad students.

Impact’s braintrust describes WDBM’s mission and discusses what makes the Impact so good year after year. Reid also talks about the future of the Impact, which includes video and HD broadcasting.

Hosted by Russ White.

Hear the Conversation 24:23 - 14 mb mp3

From MSU Today on Impact Radio: Gerry McNamara is an associate professor of management at MSU’s Eli Broad College of Business. He is interested in how and why corporate leaders make decisions, especially under stress.

“I study why smart people make dumb decisions,” McNamara says.

He details his latest research, recently highlighted in The New York Times, about the fact that “early movers” in a merger wave do better financially than those who wait and ultimately succumb to jumping on the “bandwagon” at the end of a merger wave.

Hosted by Russ White.

Hear the Conversation 19:47 - 11.3 mb mp3

From MSU Today on Impact Radio: Mark Hollis is Director of Intercollegiate Athletics at MSU.

Hollis says he seeks to “gather and engage the community” through his “One Focus” vision for MSU Athletics.

He describes the five core values that guide and govern the department. His primary focus is to provide vision, manage resources, and lead MSU Athletics as he teaches, supports, and celebrates the 800+ student-athletes in their quest for excellence.

Hollis also gives his views on a college football playoff and the Big Ten Network. And he shares his philosophy on scheduling and on marketing MSU Athletics.

Hosted by Russ White.

Hear the Conversation 26:00 - 14.9 mb mp3

From MSU Today on Impact Radio: MSU professor of American Studies and Popular Culture Gary Hoppenstand is an international expert on popular culture.

Hoppenstand says popular culture is, well, everything. “It’s like water to a fish,” he says. “A fish lives in water but isn’t always aware that it’s there and having an impact.” Pop culture is more commonly thought of as mass-produced and mass-consumed items like television, radio,movies, and books.

He talks about MSU’s prominence in popular culture studies and about his role as editor-in-chief of the MSU-based Journal of Popular Culture. And he describes his award-winning Greenwood Encyclopedia of World Popular Culture.

Hosted by Russ White.

Hear the Conversation 15:33 - 8.9 mb mp3

In the constellation of MSU alumni clubs across America the Chicago Spartans stand out. Formally known as the MSU Alumni Club of Metro Chicago, this group of green bloods has banded together to create events that not only raise scholarship money, but attract hundreds of participants from throughout the Midwest. Ed Swiderski and Vanessa Moses join us from the Windy City to talk about The Sparty Ball and the Go Green - Be Green Benefit, their careers since graduation, and how to generate enthusiasm among young alumni.

Hosted by Scott Westerman.

Hear the Conversation 10:36 - 4.9 mb mp3

From MSU Today on Impact Radio: Chris Geith is an assistant provost at MSU and executive director of MSU Global, MSU’s entrepreneurial academic business unit that welcomes partners across the campus and across the world to develop and market online institutes, programs and services.

Geith says 20 percent of college students have taken an online course, some 3.5 million nationwide. MSU is third in the Big Ten in volume with 30 programs and 12,000 enrollments. She adds that online courses are the same or better in quality as the classes taught on campus and are getting better. “Flexibility and convenience are the advantages of online courses - for students and faculty,” says Geith. “And students can learn at their own pace.”

MSU Global provides consultative services internally for planning new online degrees and certificates, international dual-degree programs, and continuing education. And it builds new Ventures in partnership with MSU academic colleges.

Hosted by Russ White.

Hear the Conversation 18:21 - 10.5 mb mp3

From MSU Today: MSU’s global impact and innovation were addressed by MSU President Lou Anna K. Simon during the annual Founder’s Day celebration on Feb. 12, 2008.

In her State of the University address, Simon highlighted several of the university’s initiatives including its educational presence in Dubai, partnership with universities in the University Research Corridor, economic development and environmental stewardship initiatives, the Year of Arts and Culture, and talked about what’s on the horizon for MSU.

Hear the Address 19:59 - 11.4 mb mp3

From MSU Today on Impact Radio: Jessica Weiner is America’s “Queen of Self-Esteem.” For over 13 years, she has been on the front lines of women’s issues with visits to the boardrooms, classrooms and living rooms of women and teens around the world.

Weiner talks about her commitment to transforming the self-esteem of women and girls worldwide. She defines body image and talks about the causes of poor body image and poor self-esteem. Jess describes how body image controls the way many women think about their lives.

Weiner encourages all of us to heed Mahatma Gandhi’s advice to “be the change you wish to see in the world.”

Hosted by Russ White.

Hear the Conversation 14:44 - 8.4 mb mp3