Latest News
 Announcing the Spartan Scholarship Challenge
From now until December 31, 2010, MSU will match $1 for every $2 you donate! Thanks to one very generous anonymous donor who directed $7 million toward scholarships at MSU, this is a rare chance to turn $7 million in endowed scholarship funds into $21 million. Every gift is substantial, no matter how big or small. Most importantly, these gifts enable the MSU to help students with a critical need for financial aid. For more information contact: mckean@msu.edu, or call the LBC Office of Development & Alumni Relations at (517) 353-4869. Spartan Scholarship Challenge website >>>
 Meet Briggs Senior Patrick Foth With the average number of jobs per household in Michigan declining, Patrick Foth is doing his part to increase the average. Foth is a full-time preveterinary medicine senior in the Lyman Briggs college, but he also has six paying jobs (including working as an international model for Saab), an internship, is a member of nine organizations (both at MSU and in the local community) and is a volunteer at four charities. View The State News Article by Sean Cook >>>
Announcing the Mary Margaret Schroth Endowed Scholarship for graduates of the Battle Creek Area Mathematics & Science Center (BCAMSC). This new scholarship has been endowed by Mary Margaret Schroth because of her affection for the students that she has taught at the Battle Creek Area Mathematics & Science Center (BCAMSC). Mary attended MSU's Lyman Briggs College and earned bachelor's degrees in mathematics and microbiology in 1981, where she was also a member of the Honors College. She received her master's degree in applied mathematics at MSU in 1985. During her career, Mary has taught at Olivet College where she was chair of the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science at the BCAMSC where she works as a mathematics specialist. Mary has been a lifelong Spartan and grateful for the education that she received at MSU/LBC. She actively promotes LBC to her students and has numerous attending her alma matter. For more information on establishing a named scholarship contact: mckean@msu.edu
Applicants are asked to write a brief statement of how the BCAMSC has helped to prepare them for Lyman Briggs College. For more information on establishing a named scholarship contact: mckean@msu.edu.
 Catherine Westfall, PhD has been elected an American Physical Society Fellow. Election to Fellowship in the American Physical Society is limited to no more than one half of one percent of the membership. Election to APS Fellowship is given to recognize outstanding contributions to physics. The citation, which will appear on her Fellowship Certificate, reads: “For her pioneering historical research on five American national laboratories, and for her organizational work in the history of physics, especially in the productive ongoing series of Laboratory History Conferences.” (11/2009)
 The "American" Psychoanalytic Hospital in the Making is an article recently published in the Harvard Review of Psychiatry by visiting assistant professor Naoko Wake, Ph.D. Looking at the files from Sheppard-Pratt Hospital, a private mental hospital in Towson, Maryland, Dr. Wake examines the integration of a psychoanalytic approach into psychiatric practice that occurred during the 1920s and 1930s. During this period there began an "encounter between the clinical and the cultural" which is examined through the clinical dialogue files at Sheppard-Pratt from June 1922 to April 1930. This is a fascinating study of "psychoanalytic psychiatry-in-the-making" can be viewed at Harvard Review of Psychiatry (subscription required) >>> Dr. Naoko Wake >>> (11/2009)Formulating a Vision for Fish Health Management in Fishery Conservation: Bridging Knowledge Gaps - is the research topic recently funded by the US Fisheries and Wildlife Service Multi-state Conservation Grant Program. LBC faculty member, Dr. Cheryl Murphy is a co-principal investigator of the project. The objective of the research is to increase the background information on fish, shellfish health and disease control among fishery technicians, biologists, managers, and veterinarians involved in fishery conservation programs. The goal is the development of sound disease management strategies. (10/2009)
 Dr. Kenneth Schepler ('71) Named a Fellow of the Air Force Reseach Laboratory. A member of Briggs' first graduation class, Dr. Schepler is a Principal Scientist with the AFRL Sensors Directorate and is an internationally recognized leader in the development of solid-state laser sources for military applications including infrared missle countermeasures (IRCM), eyesafe laser radar for combat identification, and remote sensing. He performs leading research on the spectroscopy, lasing efficiency, and optical properties of solid-state laser and nonlinear materials. (10/2009) Read more >>>
Dr. Michael VanRooyen ('84) visited MSU/LBC with his wife, Dr. Julia VanRooyen, to receive the MSUAA Distinguished Alumni Award. Dr. VanRooyen was joined by many LBC emeriti, faculty, and staff. We were priviledged to have both Michael and Julia offer talks to the LBC community about their work with the Harvard Humanitarian Initiative. The celebration also brought out many Briggs alumni and retired faculty/staff. View pictures of the award ceremony and talks >>> Clinton County Press story >>>
The History of Physics: Outing the hidden curriculum? This article written by Briggs faculty members Gerd Kortemeyer and Catherine Westfall, describes the history of physics course that is co-taught by both a physicist and a historian of physics. Dealing with the complicated quantum and relativity revolutions of the early 20th century, the article discusses how these instructors work together to, Teach the basics of a standard physics curriculum (e.g., laws of motion, electrostatics, magnetism, etc.) and convey an appreciation for the nature of physics." The course has been taught both as an on-campus course and in Europe as a part of a study abroad program.
Infinite Loneliness: the life and times of Miss Congo - is the theme of a recently published paper by LBC faculty member Georgina Montgomery. Appearing in the September 2009 issue of Endeavor, Dr. Montgomery studies Miss Congo, a female mountain gorilla, who was at the center of a early twentieth century curiosity about gorillas in the public and scientific community. Miss Congo arrived in America in 1925, and was the first mountain gorilla to be seen on American soil. Dr. Montgomery shares an appoint with the Department of History. (10/2009)
 LBC biology junior Christine Sarikas is thrilled to share an experience of a lifetime. Sarikas and a group of students accompanied LBC faculty member Gerald Urquhart to do research in Nicaragua. Undergraduate participation in faculty research is one of the benefits students receive at Michigan State University’s Lyman Briggs College, a residential college for the study of science in the context of society. Study Abroad programs help Briggs students gain valuable research experience that makes what they learn in classroom come to life. Sarikas says that this is one of the reasons why she chose Lyman Briggs; “It gave me a step-up in regards to research. I got to start researching my first few weeks on campus, which very few other schools offer.” (10/2009) Christine shares these excerpts from her journal >>>
 A Call for Partners In Research - Undergraduate Research at the Core of the Briggs Experience - Meet Max Braverman, who became involved in his current research project by showing interest in chemical research and frequently attending Dr. LaDuca’s office hours, his professor in general chemistry in the Lyman Briggs College his freshman year of college. Participating in research has benefited Max in many ways. He developed a mentoring relationship with his professor, which has provided him with perspective and guidance in times of need. Reflecting on these benefits, Max commented, “The experience has given me the opportunity to grow on a personal and intellectual level, which will benefit me for the rest of my life.” Also, because of the successes of his project, he is now the co-author on several peer-reviewed scientific publications. Max says he has “enjoyed the personal interaction as much as he has enjoyed the research itself.” Max is now a medical student at Midwestern University, Arizonal College of Osteopathic Medicine in Glendale Arizona.
Undergraduate research at the core of the Briggs experience - Participating in science research at MSU gives students practical skills and knowledge that will jump-start their careers after graduation or as graduate students. Working in a research laboratory provides a deep understanding in a scientific area while gaining hands-on experience working in a laboratory. (09/2009)
LBC is looking for Partners In Research, gifts of $1,000 will go directly to research scholarships supporting a Briggs student. Donors will receive information about the student and the project receiving their support. For more information contact:mckean@msu.edu
 GoodSearch.com is a new Yahoo-powered search engine that donates half its advertising revenue, about a penny per search, to the charities its users designate. Use it just as you would any search engine, get quality search results from Yahoo. GoodShop.com is a new online shopping mall which will donate up to 37 percent of each purchase to Briggs! Every time you place an order, you’ll be supporting Briggs. Just go to www.goodsearch.com and be sure to enter Lyman Briggs College as the charity you want to support. Spread the word!
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