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UM-Flint receives largest alumnus gift

His degree was in a field he loved, physics. He started out as a teacher, but turned to insurance for a more stable future after the schools he worked at would lay him off in the spring, and then rehire him in August. Yet David Zick always said that if it wasn't for what he learned as a physics major, he would never have been able to achieve success in the insurance industry. Zick is the president and founder of Bingham Farms, Michigan-based Group Associates. He and his wife Francine are long-time supporters of UM-Flint. Now, the 1973 graduate wants to give-back in a big way—a pledge of $1.4 million dollars. This, added to previous gifts, brings the Zicks' support to over $2 million.

New Game Development Track at UM-Flint Builds Collaboration among Departments

Wii, Xbox, Nintendo, and the list goes on and on of video games that fill the hours for many kids and even adults. Now, University of Michigan-Flint students have an opportunity to learn what it takes to develop a video game.

The Computer Science, Engineering and Physics department recently approved a Game Development track within the Computer Science curriculum, and for students it is a chance to learn the basics of a very hot career.

UM-Flint students heading to Poland

The first group of University of Michigan-Flint students to participate in the Wyatt Exploration Program will leave for Poland on Monday. Twelve history majors and four history faculty members will be going to Krakow. The group will stay there until May 17. The Wyatt Exploration Program is made possible by the generous bequest of Dr.[…]

UM-Flint Students Receive Regional Addy Awards

Two University of Michigan-Flint students were recent recipients of Silver Addy Awards at the regional competition level. Both students are BFA Visual Communication majors in the graphic design concentration and created their work last winter.

UM-Flint Observes World Voice Day: Love Your Voice

On Friday, April 16, a multidisciplinary seminar, based on extensive experience in vocal training and rehabilitation, will be presented in Room 161, French Hall. It is designed to help all voice users protect and strengthen their vocal instrument. By participating, you will gain knowledge, techniques, and materials that will benefit you for a lifetime. Learn how to amplify your speaking power and expression while protecting your voice from injury.

The seminar is free and open to the public

UM-Flint examines ways to serve the development needs of children

The University of Michigan-Flint will join with other community agencies to explore better ways to promote the healthy development of infants throughout Genesee County.

On Thursday, February 25, members of the Genesee County Training Collaborative will spend the morning in the UM-Flint Michigan Rooms in University Center learning how a focus on attachment and social/emotional health can benefit a young child as they grow older, and interact within multiple environments and social situations.

UM-Flint Chamber Singers Pentagon Trip Rescheduled

Washington D.C. residents will have two special events to look forward to in March. At about the same time the cherry blossoms begin to bloom, the University of Michigan-Flint Chamber Singers will be performing at the Pentagon on March 25.

The snowstorms that hit the East Coast in early February led to the cancellation of the Chamber Singers invitation to participate in a special Black History Month observance at the Pentagon.

UM-Flint Chamber Singers Pentagon Trip Cancelled

The snowstorms that hit the East Coast led to the cancellation of the University of Michigan-Flint Chamber Singers invitation to participate in a special Black History Month observance at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C.
The 20 member group was to perform at a February 11 ceremony at which the three living members of the "Triple Nickel" 555^th Parachute Infantry Battalion were to be honored.

University of Michigan-Flint 43rd Annual Math Field Day

The University of Michigan-Flint Department of Mathematics will hold its 43rd annual Math Field Day on Tuesday, March 02, 2010. The math competition event brings together teams of five students from high schools throughout lower Michigan.

UM-Flint Chamber Singers Invited to Perform at Pentagon

The University of Michigan-Flint Chamber Singers have received an invitation to participate in a special Black History Month observance at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C.

The 20 member group will perform at a February 11 ceremony at which the three living members of the "Triple Nickel" 555^th Parachute Infantry Battalion will be honored.

UM-Flint to recognize Mott Community College's American Sign Language courses

The list of states that have passed legislation recognizing American Sign Language (ASL) as a foreign language, and permitting high schools and universities to accept it in fulfillment of foreign language requirements for hearing as well as deaf students continues to grow.

The University of Michigan-Flint is now the latest university to officially join the list. On January 27 2010, UM-Flint signed an agreement with Mott Community College (MCC) to allow the transfer of ASL classes students take at MCC.

Associate professor takes her Fulbright to Kazakhstan

"Today it must be -25. I took the bus to the institute, and my hands were so cold that I couldn't use them to get the 40 tenge bus fare out of my pocket." That is how Associate Professor Mary Jo Kietzman Gifford describes her first day traveling to her office at Semey State Pedagogical Institute. It is a teacher-training college in Semey (formerly Sempalatinsk) Kazakhstan.

UM-Flint Theatre Students Are Standouts at Kennedy Center Festival

The recent Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (KCACTF) held at Saginaw Valley College saw University of Michigan-Flint students win awards for their level of excellence.

"Our students traditionally win awards at the annual festival, but what made this year so special was 14 students were singled out for their work," said Lauren Friesen, chair of the Theatre and Dance Department.

UM-Flint Honor Society Prepares Care Packages

Psi Chi, a national honor society for psychology majors and minors at the University of Michigan-Flint, has been busy for the past several weeks collecting donations for personal care packages that will be distributed to needy persons in the Flint area. Members `of the society set up collection points at some area churches and stores to collect mainly toiletry items that were packaged into individual portions.

A Concert with a Twist and a Tweet

The University of Michigan-Flint Jazz Ensemble is encouraging the use of social media at its up-coming concert on Wednesday, December 9, at 7:30 PM in the University Theatre.  

This concert will have the added feature of "Twittering" during the program.  Interested members of the audience are encouraged to bring a laptop computer or web browser so that they may Tweet during the concert their questions, comments or dialogue about the music. 

UM-Flint focuses on Poland with Student Travel & Lecture Series

University of Michigan-Flint history students now have a unique opportunity to take their studies abroad thanks to the generosity of one of the founding faculty. An endowment by Dorothea Wyatt, Ph.D. will also bring celebrated scholars to campus for a "Guest Lecture Series."

UM-Flint Biology Professor Dies in Vermont

Botanist, biologist, birder Bruce D. Parfitt of Johnson, Vermont died at Vermont Respite House in Williston Thursday morning, September 3, 2009. He was 56.

Among colleagues at the University of Michigan-Flint he was a valued faculty member for 14 years, chair of the biology department from 2004-2007 and director of the university's herbarium, whose collection grew in size and value under his care.