Striking a balance

More than a decade ago, CMU students planted a seed that has grown into something quite impressive. Starting with a simple composting pile, our sustainability efforts have flourished in many areas, from environmentally friendly projects and research to social initiatives. The best part: These efforts continue to be primarily led by students.

Our students believe sustainability means striving for and building a better and more equitable world, starting with CMU’s campus. In this issue, you’ll get to know May graduate Eric Urbaniak, who has made significant contributions to sustainability at CMU. In fact, he was recently selected as CMU’s first-ever Udall Scholar, due in part to those efforts. Eric is a prime example of what dedicated and passionate student leaders can do on our campus.

Sustainability focuses on meeting the needs of the present without compromising the needs of the future. Since its launch in 2020, our student-led Central Sustainability Office has institutionalized sustainability on campus. This included authoring a CMU purchasing policy that favors environmentally friendly products for everyday university operations, creating an on-campus ethnobotanical garden and continuing to increase recycling participation.

CMU is a national leader in sustainability. We have received several awards in recent years, including EPA University Partner of the Year, the WasteWise Sustainability Public Award and the highest rating from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education. Additionally, all our campus buildings have components of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED); seven have achieved some level of LEED certification. Since 2008, all building projects must meet certifiable standards established by the U.S. Green Building Council.

For students interested in a career in sustainability, CMU offers undergraduate and graduate academic programs focusing on the history, politics, economics, science and public health issues of environmental practices. CMU is also proud of ongoing academic initiatives to support sustainability and research. One new project set for this summer is the implementation of a pollinator garden, funded by grants from the College of Education and Human Services.

A commitment to sustainability is a commitment to a better future, and CMU is leading the way.

Be well and Fire Up Chips!

Bob Davies, Ph.D. President, Central Michigan University

CMU College of Medicine celebrates successful Match Day 2023

Annual event was held at Dow Diamond in Midland

BY ERIC BAERREN

More than half of this year’s graduating class from Central Michigan University’s College of Medicine will stay in Michigan.

Of the 100 fourth-year medical students, 53 were matched with programs in the Great Lakes State on Match Day, an annual tradition that pairs aspiring physicians with residency programs.

Two-thirds were matched with primary care programs.

CMU researchers are cleaning water one small drop at a time

U.S. Army Ground Vehicle Systems Center grant turns Mount Pleasant campus research into reality

BY ROBERT WANG

CMU College of Science and Engineering faculty members Itzel Marquez, Anja Mueller, and Brad Fahlman have been awarded a grant from the U.S. Army Ground Vehicle Systems Center for their work on developing materials that remove toxic compounds from water.

The team’s research aims to produce an alternative to current water purification systems that cannot meet required water quality standards.

The new materials will be created using specially designed polymers and an adjustable form of carbon that act as filters.

The top five specialties accounted for 63 students, with 20 in internal medicine, 19 in family medicine, nine in psychiatry, eight in pediatrics and seven in emergency medicine.

Twelve students were matched at programs on CMU’s main Saginaw campus or satellite locations. Three of those matches are part of the MIDOCS program, a partnership among four of the state’s medical schools, including CMU, which aims to attract and retain medical providers in Michigan’s underserved urban and rural communities.

Of the 12, eight will serve residencies in Saginaw, including five in psychiatry, two in family medicine and one in emergency medicine.

Two will move to residencies at Ascension St. John Hospital in Detroit and two to residencies at Corewell Health Southwest Michigan (formerly Spectrum Health Lakeland).

In addition, two will move to military residencies, one each in the Navy and Air Force.

It was one of the best match years yet for the program, said Dr. George Kikano, CMU vice president for health affairs and dean of the College of Medicine.

“This is all a testament to all your hard work, about the hard work of the faculty and staff we have at CMU College of Medicine,” he said during his remarks. “Our job is to take care of you and make sure you’re well-positioned to succeed in whatever specialty you choose.” •

The materials will provide a way to produce purified water, on-site without relying on bulk distribution.

The research team, which includes undergraduate students, master’s students and post-doctoral researchers, will use a portion of the grant to purchase state-of-the-art equipment for the synthesis and characterization of the materials. Read more about this project on Page 13. •

Annual awards honor faculty excellence

Seven recognized for nurturing strong connections throughout campus

BY AARON MILLS

Each year, CMU celebrates faculty members who set leadership standards by prioritizing student success, providing rich, knowledge-based experiences and nurturing strong connections inside and outside of the classroom.

Here are this year’s honorees.

Faculty Distinguished Service Award

Created by the provost in 2001, the award recognizes faculty members with a record of sustained and distinguished service at CMU. Nominations are reviewed by members of the Instructional Development Advisory Council, a subcommittee of CMU’s Academic Senate.

Emil Boasson, Business Information Systems Department

In 13 years as director of the Master of Science in Information Systems program, Emil Boasson has made extraordinary contributions, including working diligently to increase the total number of MSIS students from 63 in January 2010 to 612 in the fall of 2022. He has been the linchpin of the program’s success through a collaborative effort among faculty and staff while maintaining a smile and having time to support colleagues and students.

Excellence in Teaching Awards

Created by CMU in 1985, the Excellence in Teaching Awards recognize outstanding teaching efforts by faculty. Awardees are selected from faculty members nominated and supported by their peers and students, who then undergo a rigorous selection process by the Excellence in Teaching Awards Committee.

Jodi Brookins-Fisher, School of Health Sciences

Professor Jodi Brookins-Fisher is passionate about what she teaches and has a wealth of experiences that inspire her students. Her priority is to establish a climate of respect, kindness and decency to each other within each class, as this helps her lay the groundwork of clear and high expectations. She especially loves experiences outside of class that are beneficial for the students and community.

Robert Fanning, Department of English Language and Literature

Professor Robert Fanning strives to create a tight-knit community in his classroom by providing an environment of deep connection, respect, trust and empathy among all students. Fanning compares his class to “a large boat we’re launching out to sea, that we all must launch together, hop in and row, joyfully, in unison, to both appreciate the journey and reach our shared destination.”

M. Dawn Nelson, Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders

Professor M. Dawn Nelson’s audiology teaching centers on cultivating strong classroom learning communities. She is passionate about building positive relationships with students to successfully lead them toward mastery of the content. Nelson is known among students and colleagues for providing real-world applications and materials to supplement the course content. Her courses help students develop strong connections between theory and practice.

Kirsten Nicholson, Department of Biology

Biology Professor Kirsten Nicholson’s students speak highly of her and her teaching methods. One student offered that her teaching “fosters a sense of respect and belonging in students and encourages the mindset that they are all working toward a common goal.” A colleague shared, “She is extremely respectful of students in the classroom, and it shows in their willingness to ask questions and engage in discussion in class.”

Wendy Robertson, Department of Earth & Atmospheric Sciences

Associate Professor Wendy Robertson strives to foster a welcoming, respectful, inquisitive and collaborative classroom community. With her innovative pedagogy, she pioneers the development and real-world application of simulations and game-based learning to engage and inspire students. Robertson emphasizes applying knowledge and skills to students’ future careers through student-directed projects such as technical documents, data collection and analysis, making sound recommendations and proposals for broad audiences.

Lorrie Ryan Memorial Excellence in Teaching Award

Lorrie Ryan was a faculty member in human environmental studies and an awardee of the 2002 Excellence in Teaching Award. This award, established in 2006, is given in her memory each year to a faculty member who inspires students by building a sense of community within the learning environment and demonstrating a profound mentorship and respect for others.

Alejandra Rengifo, Department of History, World Languages & Cultures

Spanish Professor

Alejandra Rengifo is invested in building learning communities. Her teaching philosophy centers on creating safe spaces where students can identify the common goal of shared learning done through teamwork and social interaction. Students and colleagues affirm her commitment to student success. A colleague described her as “a positive role model … who deeply cares about student learning.” A student agreed, “This instructor is one of the most genuinely caring professors I have ever had.” •

MAC honors chemistry and biochemistry faculty member

Ben Swarts recognized for mentoring, developing outreach program

BY ERIC BAERREN

Ben Swarts, a faculty member in the chemistry and biochemistry department, this spring was named the recipient of the Mid-American Conference’s Outstanding Faculty Award for Student Success. The award honors Swarts’ commitment to supporting and developing students inside and outside the classroom.

Through the award, the MAC recognizes the teaching accomplishments of one faculty member at each of its 12 schools. Swarts was named the MAC’s top faculty member of the year.

“This award is a tremendous honor. It is truly a reflection of the wonderful students at Central Michigan University and other MAC institutions,” Swarts said in the MAC’s press release. “I am excited to continue working with our students in the classroom and research lab and supporting our great alumni.” Swarts received the award in part for mentoring students in the national McNair Scholars and American Chemical Society SEED programs. He also developed and currently runs a STEM education program and research training for students at community colleges in central and northern Michigan.

“Dr. Swarts’ commitment to student success is remarkably broad. From the classroom to his research laboratory to outreach activities for community college students, Ben creates intentional programs and supportive environments that help students learn and grow,” said David Ford, dean of the College of Science and Engineering at CMU.

Swarts also researches innovative ways to address tuberculosis, the world’s leading cause of death by an infectious organism. The research has engaged more than 60 students of all levels over the past decade. •