1. Marquette receives nearly $900,000 to attract STEM teachers

Marquette has been awarded an $899,514 Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program grant from the National Science Foundation to attract and train 24 highly qualified STEM majors to teach in high-need middle or high schools.

The funding was awarded as a competitive grant from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, also known as the federal economic stimulus package. Recruitment for the Marquette program will begin in fall 2009, with scholarships awarded between 2010 and 2014.

The program will allocate up to three years of scholarships — $10,000 for the first year, $12,000 for the second and $14,000 for the third — to provide STEM majors with another incentive to choose teaching. In return, students must work two years in a high-need school following graduation for every year they accept the scholarship.

This new program will include intensive field experiences integrated with classroom instruction through a partnership between the College of Engineering and Helen Way Klingler College of Arts and Sciences and the teacher preparation program in the College of Education. In addition to these teaching cooperative education experiences, Noyce Scholars will participate in project-based learning activities during summer community outreach programs.

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2. Ghasemzadeh and Sem place second in governor’s contest

AviMed Pharmaceuticals, a collaboration between Dr. M. Behnam Ghasemzadeh, assistant professor of biomedical sciences, and Dr. Daniel Sem, associate professor of chemistry, was recently awarded second place in the life sciences category of the Wisconsin Governor’s Business Plan Contest. The company was also the “Best Overall Plan Runner-Up” in Marquette’s business plan competition, sponsored by the Kohler Center for Entrepreneurship in the College of Business Administration, earlier this year.

Together, Ghasemzadeh and Sem are developing molecules and proprietary technology to repurpose existing drugs to treat schizophrenia, a neurological disease that affects 2.4 million people in the U.S. According to the professors, the schizophrenia drug pipeline is drying up, and current medications treat only some symptoms and have significant side effects. As a result, 70 percent of patients stop taking medications after 18 months.

With more than 18 years experience investigating brain mechanisms in psychiatric and neurological disorders, Ghasemzadeh serves as AviMed’s president and chief scientific officer. Sem, an industry veteran, has more than 14 years of experience in pharmaceutical development.

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3. Robert McChesney video added to “The Difference Network”

Robert McChesney, co-founder of the media reform organization Free Press and professor of communication at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, has been added to the The Difference Network. McChesney presented “Intellectuals, the Media, and the Crisis of our Times” at the J. William and Mary Diederich College of Communication Nieman Lecture in April.

The Difference Network is Marquette’s online resource offering access to video of key thought leaders speaking at Marquette events. Other “difference makers” featured on the site include Raj Patel, agricultural scholar and author; Dr. Shirin Ebadi, Nobel Peace Price winner; Frank Deford, Sports Illustrated writer; Dan Fuss, vice chairman of Loomis, Sayles & Co.; Mike Wallace, vice chairman of Constellation Energy; and James Mulva, president of ConocoPhillips.

Marquette community members are encouraged to share the video site with colleagues and constituents who may be interested in viewing excerpts of the speeches.

New video content is added regularly.

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4. Office of the Bursar discontinuing check-cashing services

Due to widespread electronic banking options and duplicative services nearby, the Office of the Bursar will discontinue check-cashing and Western Union services beginning July 1, 2009.

US Bank, with a branch located in the AMU, offers check-cashing services, as do area banks within walking distance of Marquette. US Bank also provides Western Union services.

As additional banking conveniences, seven ATMs are located on campus, including AMU (2), Cudahy Hall, Department of Public Safety, Law School, Raynor Library and Straz Tower.

To reduce the risk of carrying large amounts of cash from cashing payroll checks, Marquette employees, including student employees, can have their Marquette pay deposited directly into their personal checking account. The Office of the Comptroller, Payroll, can coordinate direct payroll deposits with virtually any bank.

Marquette also offers the MarquetteCASH program, which enables students and employees to carry less cash by using their Marquette ID card as a debit card against their Marquette Cash balance.

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5. TIAA-CREF representatives available for financial counseling

A TIAA-CREF consultant will be available to faculty and staff for individual and confidential financial counseling Wednesday, June 24, from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. in AMU 362. The session can include overall financial advice, asset allocation, retirement income options, diversifying financial portfolios and learning about mutual funds, brokerage, life insurance and annuities.

Call 1-800-842-2005, ext. 255674, to schedule an appointment.

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6. Discounted Six Flags tickets are available

Human Resources has discounted Six Flags Great America tickets available. General admission tickets for those age three and older cost $32 ($56.64 at the gate for adults and $36.04 for children under 48 inches tall). Children age 2 and under are free.

Tickets are available in Human Resources, Straz Tower 185. Call 8-7305 for more information.

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