Central Michigan Life

University denies claims made by LaBelle in hotel lawsuit

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 05:00:00 GMT

Central Michigan University officials filed a formal answer last week with the Isabella County Circuit Court in response to a lawsuit against the CMU Board of Trustees by Labelle Limited Partnership.

LaBelle filed a lawsuit Nov. 4, stating the Board intentionally violated numerous contract agreements when it gave University President Michael Rao full authority at its July 17 meeting to sign a lease with Lodgco Management LLC.

CMU's Carbon Footprint - Central doing well comparatively

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 05:00:00 GMT

Editor's note: This is the first article in a five-part series looking at local initiatives to become more environmentally-friendly.

Calculating Central Michigan University's carbon footprint is the first step in deciding where to concentrate efforts to increase campus sustainability.

Up to eight inches of snow expected

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 05:00:00 GMT

A winter storm warning for Isabella County that was declared Sunday will be in effect until 4 p.m. today.

Not that it was not obvious by looking out of a window.

Six to eight inches are expected in the Mount Pleasant area for the duration of the warning.

Rao: Projected physician shortage in state confirms medical school project

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 05:00:00 GMT

University President Michael Rao said he was skeptical about having a medical school in Mount Pleasant when the concept came up four years ago.

The projected shortage of doctors in northern Michigan has since replaced his skepticism with passion.

"This is something that my human gut, based on a lot of information I've gathered over the last two years in particular, continues to point to," he said in an interview with Central Michigan Life.

Student remembered for his loyalty

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 05:00:00 GMT

Family and friends of Evan Michael McCord will always remember his quiet demeanor and love for learning.

"We call him our still water," said his mother, Pam McCord. "He was a quiet person, very inquisitive, and was always trying to figure out how things worked.

SGA vice president attending seminary after graduation

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 05:00:00 GMT

On a typical Thursday night, Brad Sjoquist is at St. Mary's Catholic Parish, kneeling among his peers while leading them in the Rosary.

The weekly gathering of the Catholic fellowship group is practice for what he will devote his life to.

In May, the Student Government Association vice president will graduate with Spanish and psychology majors and a philosophy minor.

Late semester start date will not affect class time spring schedule

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 05:00:00 GMT

To returning students and staff, the holiday break may seem longer than usual.

But what looks like a late start is actually right on schedule, said Registrar Karen Hutslar.

"It really isn't a late start; we always begin the Monday after the university reopens," she said.

State's economy drives graduates out of state

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 05:00:00 GMT

Southgate senior Andrew Walton will be graduating this month and is forced to look out of state for jobs because of Michigan's economy, he said.

"(Finding jobs is) harder now than two years ago when we thought (the economy) was bad," Walton said.

There is a great economic impact on finding jobs right now, he said.

Printmaking display starts today in Charles V. Park Library

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 05:00:00 GMT

Students looking to indulge themselves in some new art will be given the chance during the next few weeks.

Charlotte senior Evan Breithart and Hancock senior Sarah Pelto will be displaying exhibiting their artwork in the Charles V. Park Library Extended Study Hours Room.

From 'SIB' to co-chair, student comes full circle

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 05:00:00 GMT

Sandy Burkhardt had an interest in Sibs Weekend as soon as she arrived on campus her freshman year.

"I had an interest in the program because I had never experienced it before ... I knew that it was such a huge event on campus," said the St. Clair Shores senior, who is helping to plan the 46th annual event.

HP dean finalist stresses technology

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 05:00:00 GMT

Denise Oleske, current dean of the School of Health Professions at Davenport University, believes business and technology courses are an integral part in training successful health care students.

Oleske interviewed at an open forum Nov. 24 in Health Professions Building Room 2255 for a position as CMU's next College of Health Professions dean.

Profs honored for mentoring, teaching

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 05:00:00 GMT

Geography professor Michael Libbee was surprised when he heard he received the Distinguished Mentor Award.

"Normally, this award is given to faculty mentoring in graduate and Ph.D programs," Libbee said. "I mentor teacher consultants within the Michigan Geographic Alliance.

Psychology professor releases novel

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 05:00:00 GMT

A dream inspired associate psychology professor Larissa Niec to write her fantasy novel, "Shorn."

She also works with traumatized children, whom she credits as her inspiration.

Niec released her novel, "Shorn," on July 19.

"I've been interested in playing with fictional ideas since I was little - there is so much potential to explore how humans deal with difficult situations in science-fiction," Niec said.

Applications for 'Gear Up' program due today

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 05:00:00 GMT

The Central Michigan/Flint Community Schools Partnership is looking for six to 10 students to serve as mentors to high school seniors in the Flint Community Schools.

Applications are due at 4:30 p.m. today and can be dropped off at the Center for Excellence in Education, Ronan Hall Room 207, or can be e-mailed to matyo1pm@cmich.

University roundup

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 05:00:00 GMT

Ferris State University

Matt Glowacki, a man who experiences diversity firsthand, traveled to Ferris State University on Nov. 20 to give a lecture on diversity, racism, and body image, utilizing shows like "South Park" and "Family Guy" to make his points, the Ferris Torch reported.

Life in brief

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 05:00:00 GMT

School of Music

Performances on Tuesday

The School of Music will host Honors Recitals at 11 a.m. Tuesday and Thursday in the Music Building's Staples Family Concert Hall. The School of Music also will present a performance by the CMU Symphony Band and University Band at 8 p.

None more active in county, city politics than the Lings

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 05:00:00 GMT

For nearly 40 years, David and Kathleen "Kathy" Ling have largely defined community involvement.

The couple, who met in the 1960s at Wayne State University, have been steeped in local politics for years, each having served or sought positions as Isabella County and Mount Pleasant City Commissioners.

Mixed-use the future of Mission Street

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 05:00:00 GMT

The City of Mount Pleasant will be hitting new heights in development along Mission Street during the next budget year and beyond.

An ordinance re-write could be completed as soon as next spring, said Jeff Gray, director of planning and community development.

New hospital CEO says it is an 'exciting time' to be in Mount Pleasant

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 05:00:00 GMT

Bill Lawrence has a passion for health care and a passion community.

Paired together, the two tendencies earned him the title of newly appointed Central Michigan Community Hospital chief executive officer, said George Dunn, chairman of the CMCH Board of Directors.

Emma's Basement Boutique flourishes just below the radar

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 05:00:00 GMT

Editor's note: This is the fifth article in an occasional series on businesses that have established themselves in Mount Pleasant.

Kim Lovejoy noticed the vacant space on Broadway Street and envisioned a store that sold everything a girl could want and more.

Winged attachments will help snowplows clear roads faster

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 05:00:00 GMT

The snowplows of Isabella County are getting wings this winter, literally.

Tony Casali, Isabella County Road Commission manager, said the county has attached side wings on their snowplows and they will use liquid calcium chloride to help melt snow faster.

Pisanello's offers unique taste

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 05:00:00 GMT

Editor's note: This is the sixth in an occasional series on businesses that have established themselves in Mount Pleasant.

Jim Jacobs isn't worried about the challenge posed by the various other pizzerias which dot Mount Pleasant.

"Nobody's ever tasted a pizza like this," boasted the proprietor of Pisanello's Pizza, 110 N.

Report: county homeless rates on the rise

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 05:00:00 GMT

A local Salvation Army report shows a 42 percent jump in Isabella County homeless persons since 2005.

According to the report, the January 2007 count showed 52 homeless individuals living in the county, while there were only 22 reported cases in 2005.

"There is no emergency housing for anyone is this town," said Corey Hilliard, housing assistant at the Mount Pleasant Housing Commission.

Ways to stay entertained over winter break in town

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 05:00:00 GMT

Students stuck in Mount Pleasant over break needn't worry about having little to do during the holiday season. There will be several holiday and non-holiday related events going on throughout the city this December. Here are some of them:

Soaring Eagle Casino

The Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort, 6800 Soaring Eagle Blvd.

'Christmas Outreach' stands-in for Santa for families in Isabella County

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 05:00:00 GMT

The 29th annual Christmas Outreach of Isabella County is expected to help more than 700 families rthis holiday season.

Families registered for the program can take a cart through the mounds of donated items and choose what they need. Appointments are made to avoid crowding, and everything donated gets put to good use.

Road Commission updates county light outage procedures

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 05:00:00 GMT

Winter is approaching and the Isabella County Road Commission wants drivers to know the procedure for dealing with blacked-out traffic signals.

"You have to come to a stop and yield to the person on the right," said Commissioner Jaclyn Conrad.

The refresher in basic right-of-way driving procedures was part of the commission's regular meeting last Wednesday, where they approved a new official policy to respond to blackened traffic lights.

MAC Meltdown

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 05:00:00 GMT

Very few people saw the last two weeks coming for the CMU football team.

Prior to its Mid-American Conference West showdown with No. 14 ranked Ball State, the team was 8-2 overall, 6-0 in the conference and held 13 votes in the Associated Press Top 25 poll.

CMU squanders halftime lead

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 05:00:00 GMT

The lack of a sustained post presence cost the men's basketball team its third loss of the season Saturday.

The team lost 77-67 on the road against the University of Illinois-Chicago After holding a 35-33 halftime lead, Central saw it dwindle and was down by 15 as late as the 3:51 mark in the second to let the game slip away.

Central defeats BU in Consolation Game of Buckeye Classic

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 05:00:00 GMT

The women's basketball team completed a split at the Buckeye Classic in Columbus on Sunday with an 84-72 win against Boston University.

The team fell to Dayton 78-76 on Saturday, but coach Sue Guevara saw an improvement out of her team in the consolation game.

Freshmen finish 7-2 in matches

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 05:00:00 GMT

The freshmen class for CMU wrestling did not disappoint at the Northeast duals with seven wins in nine matches.

"The freshmen did pretty well," said CMU coach Tom Borrelli. "But we have a lot to learn."

Freshman 125-pounder Scotti Sentes finished with one win and one loss over the weekend.

Wrestlers win three of four at Northeast Duals Saturday

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 05:00:00 GMT

With freshman 125-pounder Scotti Sentes leading 5-0 in the third period against two-time All-American Charlie Falck of No. 1 Iowa, it seemed No. 17 CMU was poised for the start of an upset.

However, Falck would pin Sentes in the third period and CMU would go on to lose the next three weight classes, and only win two matches during the dual against Iowa.

'Raving Rabbids' challenges players to use their rears

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 05:00:00 GMT

Of all the innovative ways the Nintendo Wii allows games to be played, never have gamers been required to use their butts.

Ubisoft wants to change that.

The company's newest title for the Nintendo Wii, "Rayman Raving Rabbids TV Party," utilizes your glutes to sled on a yak, surf in space, break it down on the dance floor and enjoy all the pleasures you never thought you could have in the self-proclaimed "first game in the world that you can play with your rear end.

Tale offers glimpse at greed, corruption

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 05:00:00 GMT

By Beth Kieda

Staff Reporter

Jordan Belfort's episodic autobiography, "The Wolf of Wall Street," is an almost unbelievable tale of greed, addiction and non-stop action.

Advice to the audience - read the prologue. Knowing that Belfort was once a normal guy with a lot of humanity helps balance his actions during the book.

Respect your rivals

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 05:00:00 GMT

CMU football coach Butch Jones called it unacceptable.

EMU coach Jeff Genyk said Jones started all of it.

Either way, last Friday's scuffling between CMU and Eastern Michigan showcased a lack of sportsmanship and was an embarrassment to the integrity of the Mid-American Conference.

Arabic aspirations

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 05:00:00 GMT

Though the university's pilot course in introductory Arabic is going well, the fate of the program remains uncertain.

CMU should continue offering - and even expand - Arabic courses.

Demand for Arabic speakers is exceptionally high. The U.S. remains intertwined with nations in the Middle East, and the government needs employees who are able to speak the language.

Pick up the rainbows; get to work

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 05:00:00 GMT

Harvey Milk, an activist and the first openly gay person to hold major office in the U.S., spent his short life fighting for equal rights for all people.

Milk, gunned down 30 years ago last week at the age of 48, knew something I didn't.

Almost two years ago, I wrote a column in Central Michigan Life criticizing my brothers and sisters in the gay community.

For Obama, 'whatever it takes' will prove dangerous

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 05:00:00 GMT

Doing "whatever it takes" is the stance that the Barackstar advocated for fixing the economy as mentioned during his interview with "60 Minutes" following the election - coalescing with his campaign of change. The problem is that change isn't always positive, and within the context for which President-elect Obama wishes to implement it, it is downright dangerous.

Central Square

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 05:00:00 GMT

VIDEO: Sports Line Episode 21

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 05:00:00 GMT

VIDEO: Play-by-play of CMU football team's 56-52 loss at EMU

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 05:00:00 GMT