February 22, 2008

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Michigan News

President Mary Sue Coleman is leading a delegation to South Africa and Ghana to extend existing collaborations with several universities and forge new relationships. The delegation will discuss initiatives that can be incorporated into U-M's newly established African Studies Center and explore proposals that extend many long-standing projects undertaken by the more than 120 faculty members across the University involved in scholarship related to Africa. Coleman will deliver three lectures during the trip and meet with leaders in both countries, including Ghana's President John Agyekum Kufuor. The trip begins today and extends through March 5.

AAUM Member Benefits

The powerful Michigan network is coming to your neighborhood. Don't miss the Alumni Association's career-focused events held across the country, featuring prominent speakers offering inside information and the latest workplace trends. You'll have networking opportunities and a chance to learn how to put the Michigan network to work for you. We'll be in Chicago; Detroit; Washington, DC; New York City and more. Visit www.umalumni.com/careerevents for details and to reserve your spot.

Ever wonder what happened to your old roommate? Or do you know a classmate you meant to keep in touch with whose email you lost? The Alumni Association can help you re-connect with U-M alumni through inCircle. You can search for jobs with a Michigan connection, network with fellow alumni and meet new friends through inCircle, our online community. Not only is it uniquely Michigan, but it's free—brought to you by the Alumni Association. Visit www.umalumni.com/incircle for more information.

The Alumni Association is hosting Thirsty Thursday happy hour and networking events on February 28 and April 24 in Ann Arbor. These free happy hours run from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and will be held at the Celtic Room at Conor O'Neill's Irish Pub. Events feature complimentary hors d'oeuvres, a cash bar, chances to win prizes, and music by DJ Matt Styles. More than 150 alumni attended the last happy hour. Please bring business cards if you're interested in making connections. Not in Ann Arbor? Check with your local alumni club; many host happy hours and other events regularly so you can make connections in your area.

The AAUM, in partnership with Giant Campus, now offers members a discount on Cybercamp, a week-long summer computer and technology program for children ages 7 to 18. Kids are taught fun technological skills, such as Web design, Flash animation, programming, game design, robotics and more. Members receive $50 off the first week of Cybercamp and $100 off every additional week. These discounts may be combined with any other discounts being offered, allowing members to save even more. Discounts can be used at any Cybercamp location, including U-M. Visit our Web site for more information.

Research

The U-M Library has just put its millionth digitized book online. The Michigan Digitization Project is a partnership with Google that will digitize the Library’s entire printed collection. It will provide full-text access to works that are in the public domain, creating new ways for users to search and access U-M Library content. As a leader in digital archival and preservation efforts among research libraries, the U-M Library has been digitizing material for many years, but the partnership with Google allows the University to accomplish the task faster and on a scale that would not have been achieved alone. No other library has yet scanned this many books.

Science & Health

U-M scientists have patented a device that can help detect eye disease before symptoms occur. When retinal cells die, certain proteins become fluorescent. The scientists have designed a unique imaging system equipped with state-of-the art cameras, filters and electronic switching, together with customized imaging software and a computer interface, that can accurately measure these changes, which before could only be observed microscopically. The testing is noninvasive and takes less than six minutes to administer to a patient.

True Blue Travel

Immerse yourself in the charm of Switzerland on our journey to the "Swiss Alps and the Bernese Oberland." Your trip starts with an introduction to Switzerland, complemented by a tour of Kandersteg. Then you board a cable car for a ride up the mountain to Oeschinensee Lake to marvel at the panoramas. Spend a day admiring the scenery in the town of Interlaken and another exploring Bern, Switzerland’s capital city. Take a scenic rail journey to the resort of Zermatt and board a cable car for glimpses of the famous Matterhorn. To learn more about this and other trips, visit True Blue Travel.

Sports

On the strength of his recent performances, freshman basketball player Manny Harris was named Big Ten Conference Player of the Week. Harris averaged 21.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 2.0 steals in the last three games—victories over Penn State (68-63), Iowa (60-52) and Ohio State (80-70). The Wolverines (8-17, 4-9 Big Ten) hope to keep the winning streak alive on Thursday night when they travel to Minnesota to face the Golden Gophers at 9 p.m. Eastern. The game will be broadcast on ESPN2.

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Alumni Association of the University of Michigan, 200 Fletcher St., Ann Arbor, MI, 734.764.0384, 800.847.4764, malumni@umich.edu