Lots of great things have been happening at Merit’s Member organizations. Here are some of the highlights.
CMU Honored with National Diversity and Inclusion Award
Central Michigan University was recently selected as a recipient of INSIGHT Into Diversity’s 2016 Higher Education Excellence in Diversity Award. The award recognizes colleges and universities that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion. CMU was one of 83 institutions receiving the award this year.
Central Michigan University was recognized for its outstanding
efforts and commitment to diversity.
Major NSF Grant Supports Comprehensive Study of E. Coli in Macatawa Watershed
For communities that border a lake, the presence of E. coli in lake water can be troublesome and lead to closures of area beaches. Dr. Aaron Best of the Hope College biology faculty recently received a three-year, $775,316 grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) for the first comprehensive study of multiple strains of E. coli that occur in non-host-associated environments. The goal of the research is to better diagnose when recreational contact with water should and should not be prohibited, based on the kinds of organisms found in a body of water.
Jackson College Receives ‘Veteran-friendly’ Gold Status
Jackson College’s commitment to the success of student veterans recently earned the school gold-level status from the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency (MVAA) for 2016-17. The Veteran-Friendly School program, created by the MVAA, recognizes higher education institutions form their dedication to student veterans and the dependents using their GI Bill or other educational benefits.
Invisibility Cloak With Photonic Crystals
Michigan Technological University researchers have been studying the science of making something appear invisible. Elena Semouchkina, an associate professor of electrical and computer engineering, and her graduate students have developed several novel approaches to making invisibility cloaks more practical. They have been exploring a promising new way to manipulate electromagnetic waves to make objects appear invisible.
Spectrum Health and GRCC Establish Health Care Scholarship Fund
Spectrum Health and Grand Rapids Community College have created the GRCC Health Care Professionals Education Scholarship Fund to assist students interested in health sciences or health care careers. The fund is made possible through a mutually beneficial arrangement, which includes the purchase by Spectrum Health of GRCC land and the establishment of a long-term fund that Spectrum Health will create in its foundation.