ALLENDALE, Michigan, June 16 -- Grand Valley State University issued the following news: A Grand Valley alumna led a group of local artists to create meaningful murals on the many boarded-up businesses in downtown Grand Rapids. Some businesses were left with broken windows and other damage following a night of unrest after the death of George Floyd while in police custody in Minneapolis. Jasmine Bruce, '18, is one of the organizers of the Windows GR activation project. The project was develop more PR

MOUNT PLEASANT, Michigan, June 15 -- Central Michigan University issued the following statement by President Bob Davies: In recent days, current and former black and African American students have reached out on social media to share their experiences with racism at CMU. I am deeply saddened by their stories; the incidents they describe should never happen to any person, and they certainly should never have occurred at a university that seeks to be an inclusive community of scholars. I know th more PR

JACKSON, Michigan, June 16 -- Consumers Energy issued the following news release: The Consumers Energy Foundation announced $100,000 in grants to support the Black Lives Matter movement, fight racism, shape systemic change and create opportunities in Michigan. The grants are part of the company's commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, and are in response to the recent tragic events causing widespread protests across the country. "We hope these grants will have a real impact and continu more PR

DETROIT, Michigan, June 18 -- DTE Energy issued the following news release: The Detroit Regional Partnership (DRP) announced Maureen Krauss will become its new CEO. Krauss replaces Barry Matherly, who will be leaving the region due to family relocation requirements. Matherly, who joined DRP in November 2018, was DRP's first CEO and was hired to establish and staff the newly formed organization and develop an economic development strategy (now complete) to diversify Detroit's regional economy.  more PR

YPSILANTI, Michigan, June 19 -- Eastern Michigan University issued the following news on June 18: Amid the stark background of the worldwide health crisis, Eastern Michigan University maintained its focus on supporting student success and investing in high-demand academic programs in adopting a General Fund budget Thursday (June 18) for the coming academic year. The EMU Board of Regents approved a general fund budget of $288 million in revenues and corresponding expenses for the 2020-21 fiscal more PR

YPSILANTI, Michigan, June 18 -- Eastern Michigan University issued the following news: J. Nick Smith has been named assistant professor, associate director of bands, and director of the Eastern Michigan University Marching Band. Smith will begin his responsibilities in July. Smith recently completed his Doctor of Musical Arts degree in wind band conducting with emphasis in choral conducting at the University of Minnesota. Prior to that, he received his Master of Music degree in wind band condu more PR

YPSILANTI, Michigan, June 20 -- Eastern Michigan University issued the following statement on June 19 by President James Smith: There is no more important day to show support for the Black community than Juneteenth. Juneteenth recognizes and celebrates the day that slavery was abolished in Texas on June 19, 1865. The deep challenges and the important dialogue underway across our nation and here in our community about racial inequality and social justice makes this a unique time in history, espe more PR

GRAND RAPIDS, Michigan, June 16 -- Grand Rapids Community College issued the following news: Grand Rapids Community College is waiving online fees for courses offered through distance learning during the 2020-2021 academic year as part of a $112.9 million budget approved unanimously by trustees today, part of an effort to keep college as affordable as possible during challenging times. The move will save students $16 per contact hour, or about $50 for a three-credit class. Students would still more PR

GRAND RAPIDS, Michigan, June 17 -- Grand Rapids Community College issued the following news: Grand Rapids Community College trustees selected Daniel Williams, president and CEO of the West Michigan Center for Arts and Technology, to fill a board vacancy. Williams was selected unanimously from 11 applicants to fill the remaining term of Deb Bailey, who passed away in April. The six-year term expires at the end of December. Williams has headed WMCAT, a nonprofit education and training organizat more PR

ALLENDALE, Michigan, June 19 -- Grand Valley State University issued the following news: Celebrating the annual holiday Juneteenth will be different this year for Takeelia Garrett and her son. Due to the global pandemic, they will be participating in a celebration held virtually by ExperienceGR. Juneteenth is a holiday that brings people together to celebrate community, listen to speakers, sing and enjoy food. Garrett, the student ombuds and co-chair of the Black Faculty and Staff Association more PR

ALLENDALE, Michigan, June 20 -- Grand Valley State University issued the following news: Due to COVID-19, contractors and subcontractors working on campus construction and renovation projects could not perform work for six to eight weeks, but a major project is scheduled to open on time. Construction of the Daniel and Pamella DeVos Center for Interprofessional Health on the Health Campus in downtown Grand Rapids resumed after the governor allowed construction projects to begin again across the more PR

ALLENDALE, Michigan, June 17 -- Grand Valley State University issued the following news: Six school districts in Michigan have been selected for grants under a Grand Valley-related program that will teach elementary through high school students about the Great Lakes, Michigan watersheds and the impact people have on water resources across the state. The From Students to Stewards Initiative is a collaboration among the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE); Michigan more PR

ANN ARBOR, Michigan, June 20 -- The University of Michigan issued the following news release: While COVID-19 has been garnering the attention of leaders around the world, the transition period for Brexit ends Dec. 31, 2020. A group of researchers, including Holly Jarman and Scott Greer from University of Michigan's School of Public Health recently analyzed the negotiating position in assessing the potential impact on health of the United Kingdom's future relationship agreement with the European more PR

HOLLAND, Michigan, June 16 -- Hope College issued the following news release: Dr. Ernest Cole of the Hope College English faculty has been honored by the African Literature Association as author of the best article in African literary studies published in a major peer-reviewed journal in 2019. Cole, who is the John Dirk Werkman Associate Professor of English and chair of the Department of English at Hope, has received the association's Abioseh Porter Best Essay Award (https://africanlit.org/be more PR

HOLLAND, Michigan, June 17 -- Hope College issued the following news release: Recipient of a seventh consecutive grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, the NEA Big Read Lakeshore (http://bigreadlakeshore.com/) organized by Hope College will journey back in time this fall from Nantucket, Massachusetts, to the South Pacific for the 200 th anniversary of the real-life sea story that inspired Herman Melville's "Moby Dick." Running concurrently, the Little Read Lakeshore will travel to the more PR

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana, June 19 -- Gov. Eric J. Holcomb, R-Indiana, issued the following news release: Governor Eric J. Holcomb and fitness icon Jake Steinfeld announced the three Indiana schools that were selected to each receive a $100,000 DON'T QUIT!(R) fitness center from the National Foundation for Governors' Fitness Councils (NFGFC). The NFGFC Review Committee has named Perry Meridian Middle School in Indianapolis, Martin T. Krueger Middle School in Michigan City and Southside Middle Scho more PR

LANSING, Michigan, June 18 -- Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, D-Michigan, issued the following news release: Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced that Michigan schools may resume in-person learning in phase 4 of the MI Safe Start plan, with strict safety measures in place. The governor also announced that on June 30th, she will release an executive order and a robust document called "Michigan's Return to School Roadmap" that will provide details on what will be required and what will be recommended for s more PR

LANSING, Michigan, June 18 -- Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, D-Michigan, issued the following news release: Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-124 extending her previous order which gives pharmacists increased operational capacity and expands access to prescriptions for Michiganders who need them. "Michiganders have stepped up and done their part to bend the curve and slow the spread of this virus, but there's more work to do to protect the heroes on the front lines and lower the ch more PR

LANSING, Michigan, June 19 -- Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, D-Michigan, issued the following news release: Governor Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-127, which extends the state of emergency declaration related to the COVID-19 pandemic until July 16. In doing so, Governor Whitmer joins nearly every state in the country in maintaining a state of emergency to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic. This executive order will allow her to continue taking action to protect Michigan families and workers. "The  more PR

LANSING, Michigan, June 19 -- Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, D-Michigan, issued the following news release: Governor Whitmer signaled her support for SB 690 which puts more than $850 million in federal Coronavirus Relief Fund monies into action across the state. The supplemental budget bill includes $120 million for direct care workers, providing an additional $2/hour from now through September to ensure direct care workers receive additional money, and it provides $125 million in day care subsidies to more PR

LANSING, Michigan, June 18 -- Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, D-Michigan, issued the following news release on June 15: Governor Gretchen Whitmer sent a letter to President Trump requesting a major disaster declaration in response to the catastrophic flooding and dam failures last month in Arenac, Gladwin, Iosco, Midland and Saginaw counties. "Last month's flooding and dam failures upended the lives of thousands of Michigan families and business owners at a time when we were just beginning to reopen ou more PR

LANSING, Michigan, June 18 -- Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, D-Michigan, issued the following news release: Governor Whitmer signed House Bill 5164 and Senate Bills 172 and 306 into law. House Bill 5164 makes it unlawful to operate a boiler under pressure without a valid inspection certificate. Violation of this section of the Skilled Trades Regulation Act is now a misdemeanor, with fines calculated daily. HB 5164 also extends the validity of inspection certificate for hot water heating boilers and ho more PR

LANSING, Michigan, June 19 -- Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, D-Michigan, issued the following news release: Governor Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-125, which clarifies Workers' Disability Compensation Act (WDCA) eligibility during the COVID-19 emergency, replacing emergency rules issued by the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity in March 2020. Under this executive order, individuals who work within the secured borders of a penal institution, including correctional officers, medical staff more PR

LANSING, Michigan, June 19 -- Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, D-Michigan, issued the following news release: Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-126, which extends existing safety measures to protect consumers and employees at grocery stores and pharmacies. "Michigan has emerged as a national leader in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, but there is more work to do to protect families from this virus. This executive order will help us continue to protect employees and customers at grocer more PR

LANSING, Michigan, June 18 -- Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, D-Michigan, issued the following news release: Governor Gretchen Whitmer issued a proclamation declaring June 19th as Juneteenth Celebration Day in Michigan. Juneteenth commemorates the day in 1865 when slavery was abolished in the United States. "Juneteenth is a crucial day in our nation's history to remember how far we have come and recognize how far we still have to go," said Governor Whitmer. "During a time when communities of color are  more PR

LANSING, Michigan, June 16 -- Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, D-Michigan, issued the following statement: Governor Gretchen Whitmer released the following statement after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that Title VII protects both gay and transgender people from being fired from their jobs on the basis of their sexuality or gender: "In a landmark ruling, the Supreme Court confirmed what we already know - that nobody deserves to lose their job because of who they are or how they identify," said Governor W more PR

EAST LANSING, Michigan, June 17 -- Michigan State University issued the following news release: There is more to science than meets the eye. Take an ordinary Michigan landscape -- white pines, black-eyed susans, white-tailed deer and a few chickadees -- just random points of nature to the casual observer. But through the eyes of Michigan State University's Phoebe Zarnetske, assistant professor in the College of Natural Science's Department of Integrative Biology, the natural world contains ne more PR

EAST LANSING, Michigan, June 16 -- Michigan State University issued the following news release: Nwando Achebe will be the new Associate Dean for Associate Dean of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, or DEI, for the College of Social Science. Achebe will be leading college activities that will enhance and maintain a diverse, equitable and inclusive culture. She will begin her new position on August 16. Achebe has been a leader on campus when it comes to diversity for many years, as she leads our D more PR

EAST LANSING, Michigan, June 16 -- Michigan State University issued the following news release: Marilyn Amey, professor of higher, adult and lifelong education and chairperson of the Department of Educational Administration (https://www.education.msu.edu/ead/) at Michigan State University, has been appointed interim associate provost for faculty and academic staff development, effective July 1. Amey will provide leadership for the Academic Advancement Network (https://aan.msu.edu/) and succeed more PR

EAST LANSING, Michigan, June 17 -- Michigan State University issued the following news release: Educators across Michigan should now be planning strategies to reduce the spread of the novel coronavirus when K-12 schools resume in the fall. Though there is no way to reopen without some risk, a new guide from Michigan State University can help leaders prepare their schools and communities for a range of realities while learning during a pandemic. The guide, released by the Office of K-12 Outreac more PR

EAST LANSING, Michigan, June 17 -- Michigan State University issued the following news release: Five Michigan State University researchers from the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB) and the Department of Statistics and Probability (STT) are participating in a new $3.7 million National Science Foundation (NSF) project to advance nuclear physics experiments. The multi-institutional effort will develop software to create more accurate models of scientific phenomena -- from what happened in t more PR

EAST LANSING, Michigan, June 16 -- Michigan State University issued the following news release: Five literacy scholars from the MSU College of Education have been named incoming editors for The Reading Teacher, the flagship journal of the International Literacy Association, or ILA. Each of the scholars -- including early, mid and established career researchers -- have made significant contributions to the field. They include: * Tanya Wright (https://education.msu.edu/search/Formview.aspx?ema more PR

EAST LANSING, Michigan, June 19 -- Michigan State University's College of Natural Science issued the following news: Five Michigan State University researchers from the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB) and the Department of Statistics and Probability (STT) are participating in a five-year, $3.7 million National Science Foundation (NSF) project to advance nuclear physics experiments. The multi-institutional effort will develop software to create more accurate models of scientific phenomen more PR

EAST LANSING, Michigan, June 15 -- Michigan State University's College of Social Science issued the following news release: Nwando Achebe will be the new Associate Dean for Associate Dean of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) for the College of Social Science. Achebe will be leading college activities that will enhance and maintain a diverse, equitable, and inclusive culture. She will begin her new position on August 16. Achebe has been a leader on campus when it comes to diversity for man more PR

EAST LANSING, Michigan, June 16 -- Michigan State University issued the following news release: Beginning in the fall 2020 semester, the Michigan State University Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities will provide electronic braille displays to all incoming blind students. MSU is the first university to make this technology broadly available to students at no cost. "The transition to online learning during the pandemic has been especially difficult for braille readers. Previously these more PR

EAST LANSING, Michigan, June 18 -- Michigan State University issued the following news release: Hidden vulnerabilities in the global supply chain are now in clear view due to the global health crisis. In response, companies have started reevaluating the supply chain to create a more resilient model. Michigan State University and Maine Pointe, a global supply chain and operations consulting firm, released a white paper that reveals the immediate need to address supply chain weaknesses, as well a more PR

EAST LANSING, Michigan, June 18 -- Michigan State University issued the following news release: The saying, "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger," doesn't necessarily hold up when it comes to military mental health. Michigan State University is the first to examine veterans' personalities before and after deployment to measure psychological changes resulting from combat. The study, published in Journal of Personality, was born through a partnership between MSU and the United States Army b more PR

EAST LANSING, Michigan, June 20 -- Michigan State University issued the following news release: Alex Dickson is an assistant professor at MSU in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. He and his group of researchers are using computer simulations to gain greater insights into the structure, dynamics and interactions of biological molecules. One interaction of interest is between the ACE2 enzyme in human cells and the S1 subunit of the spike protein in COVID-19. The spike protein more PR

HOUGHTON, Michigan, June 19 -- Michigan Technological University issued the following news: Michigan Technological University will host the annual conference of the International Association for Great Lakes Research in May 2021. With its proximity to Lake Superior and world-class limnological research facilities, Michigan Tech is an ideal place to host the International Association for Great Lakes Research (IAGLR). The annual IAGLR conference brings together researchers who study the Great Lak more PR

SPRING ARBOR, Michigan, June 19 -- Spring Arbor University issued the following news: Spring Arbor University (SAU) launches an online Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) in Strategic Leadership program along with three online Post-Master's Certificates during a pivotal moment in the healthcare industry. The DNP program is designed for working nurses looking to advance their careers in the most highly sought-after areas of the advanced nursing profession, while the Post-Master's Certificates offer more PR

SPRING ARBOR, Michigan, June 17 -- Spring Arbor University issued the following news: Spring Arbor University alumna Elizabeth Kanagawa has been named the 2021 Michigan School Counselor of the Year by the Michigan School Counselor Association. Kanagawa has been a school counselor for nine years and currently serves at Patrick Henry Middle School, in the Woodhaven-Brownstown School District in Woodhaven, Michigan. Kanagawa earned both her bachelor's (2006) and master's (2011) degrees at SAU. T more PR

ANN ARBOR, Michigan, June 17 -- The University of Michigan issued the following news release: A team of researchers including two University of Michigan ecologists has called on the international scientific community--and especially those in leadership positions--to support the retention and diversity of early career scientists during and after the COVID-19 crisis. In a letter to the journal Nature Ecology & Evolution published June 3, the 19 scientists say the COVID-19 pandemic poses major ch more PR

ANN ARBOR, Michigan, June 16 -- The University of Michigan issued the following news release: Picture 500 million cars stacked in rows. That's how much carbon--about 1,000 petagrams, or one billion metric tons--is locked away in Arctic permafrost. Currently, scientists estimate that 5-15% of the carbon stored in surface permafrost soils could be emitted as the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide by 2100, given the current trajectory of global warming. This emission, spurred by microbial action, coul more PR

ANN ARBOR, Michigan, June 17 -- The University of Michigan issued the following news release: Everyone knows it: An entire box of Girl Scout cookies counts as one serving, right? That's at least how it feels, and a University of Michigan study in fruit flies finds why this might be: a high-sugar diet muddies the neural circuit that allows you to feel the sensation of satiety and causes you to overeat. Foods with more intense flavor and structure induce sensations of feeling full--a phenomenon more PR

ANN ARBOR, Michigan, June 17 -- The University of Michigan issued the following news release: The risk of early-onset neonatal bacterial sepsis increases with maternal obesity, according to a new study of University of Michigan and the Karolinska Institute in Sweden. Lead researcher Eduardo Villamor, a professor of epidemiology at U-M's School of Public Health, said the study builds on previous research into exposure to motherly obesity and health risks to the baby. The study has been publishe more PR

ANN ARBOR, Michigan, June 19 -- The University of Michigan issued the following news release: Three innovative drug discovery projects targeting cancer, fungal infection and vision loss are moving forward at the University of Michigan with early-stage funding from Michigan Drug Discovery. "We are excited to help advance these important projects in diverse areas of significant unmet medical need," said Michigan Drug Discovery Director Peter Toogood. "I congratulate the selected investigators an more PR

ANN ARBOR, Michigan, June 19 -- The University of Michigan issued the following news release: Gary Harper is a professor of health behavior and health education at the University of Michigan's School of Public Health. His research and community work focuses on the mental health and sexual health needs of adolescents and young adults who experience varying degrees of oppression and marginalization. He discusses the implications of this week's 6-3 Supreme Court decision that states that LGBTQ+ i more PR

ANN ARBOR, Michigan, June 17 -- The University of Michigan issued the following news release: As lockdown requirements ease, COVID-19 is changing the way we use indoor spaces. That presents challenges for those who manage those spaces, from homes to offices and factories. Not least among these challenges is heating and cooling, which is the largest consumer of energy in American homes and commercial buildings. There's a need for smarter, more flexible climate control that keeps us comfortable  more PR

HOUGHTON, Michigan, June 16 -- Upper Peninsula Power, a subsidiary of Integrys Energy Group, issued the following news release: As the Upper Peninsula transitions to Phase 5 of Governor Whitmer's COVID-19 MI Safe Start Plan, Upper Peninsula Power Company (UPPCO) announces that it is reopening its campground facilities at Bond Falls, Prickett and Boney Falls. These campground facilities will be available for recreational use by the public beginning Wednesday, June 17th. "UPPCO's top priority co more PR

KALAMAZOO, Michigan, June 18 -- Western Michigan University issued the following news: The Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation announced that Western Michigan University is one of 60 providers from 29 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico to receive accreditation for their educator preparation programs. The spring 2020 review by the CAEP Accreditation Council resulted in 60 newly-accredited EPPs, bringing the total to 341 providers approved under the CAEP Teacher Pr more PR

KALAMAZOO, Michigan, June 19 -- Western Michigan University issued the following news: Protesters marching through the streets. Confederate relics toppling. A collective cry for police reform. Citing recent high-profile violence against black Americans, the American Psychological Association says racism is a pandemic in America--and children are not immune. "When something big happens in our country, they're going to hear about it. There's no way we can protect them from it; it's out there. So more PR