Features
Moolenaar Announces Winners of 2025 Congressional Art Competition
LANSING, Mich. - Congressman John Moolenaar announced the winner of the 2025 Congressional Art Competition last week at a reception held at the Green Charter Township Hall. Nevada Draper, a 12th grade home schooled student from Hesperia, won the competition's grand prize with her painting, "One Generation Away." Her artwork will be placed on display at the United States Capitol for the next year where it will be viewed by visitors from around the world.
"I congratulate Nevada on this wonderful accomplishment. Her artwork will represent our district well as it is displayed in the U.S. Capitol this year. Thank you to every student from our district who participated in this year's Congressional Art Competition. I am grateful to see so many talented students showcase their skills and present exceptional artwork," said Congressman Moolenaar.
-courtesy story
MSU Launches New Technology Engineering Degree Program in Response to Industry Demand
LANSING, Mich. - The Michigan State University College of Engineering officially introduced its new Technology Engineering, or TechE, undergraduate degree program to media, industry partners and the campus community at an April 17 event held in the MSU STEM Teaching and Learning Facility.
John Papapolymerou, interim dean of the MSU College of Engineering. Credit Kendra Horvath.
College of Engineering Interim Dean John Papapolymerou introduces Technology Engineering as the college’s latest undergraduate program. Credit Kendra Horvath. Technology Engineering, the college’s newest bachelor of science degree program, was developed from the ground up with extensive input from industry. It blends mechanical, electrical and computer engineering with computer science to prepare students for modern engineering challenges in a multidisciplinary, interconnected world.
“It’s always exciting to showcase how academia and industry can collaborate to prepare students for the complex challenges of our time,” said John Papapolymerou, interim dean of the College of Engineering. “We pride ourselves on being a trusted talent pipeline for industry in Michigan and beyond, and this new program is a testament to our commitment.”
Students choose from concentrations in mechatronics and embedded cybersecurity or a smart agricultural systems minor.
Courses in hardware cybersecurity, electronics and embedded systems, sensors and signal processing, robotics, and automation and controls are taught in state-of-the-art teaching labs and designed to leverage hands-on, real-world projects that integrate cutting-edge technologies with a strong foundational engineering mindset.
Janet Brelin-Fornari, director of MSU Technology Engineering. Credit Kendra Horvath.
Technology Engineering Director Janet Brelin-Fornari explains the newest undergraduate degree program in the College of Engineering. Credit Kendra Horvath.
“The challenges faced by today’s engineers are becoming increasingly complex,” said Janet Brelin-Fornari, director of Technology Engineering. “Today, technology embeds itself into every aspect of modern life, and we must prepare engineers to navigate and solve the multifaceted issues of such an interconnected world.”
The TechE degree program was launched in the fall of 2024 and offers a unique blend of engineering and computer science, tailored to address the engineering challenges of coding and computer science integrated into modern engineered systems.
It serves as the college’s latest response to industry demand for practice-ready engineers and aims to bridge the gap between engineers and computer scientists across product development teams.
“TechE fills a significant and growing void in the market,” said David Sanders, general manager and managing director for Microsoft’s global business with General Motors. Sanders is a member of the college’s multidisciplinary Technology Engineering industry advisory board tasked with providing ongoing insight into the needs of industry. “I am confident the TechE curriculum will provide employers with the critical engineering skills and capabilities that they desperately need.”
The TechE degree program’s first graduating class is expected in 2026. Graduates will be well prepared for opportunities spanning diverse sectors of the economy. The skills cultivated in the program prepare them for industries encompassing biomedical technology, automotive manufacturing, agricultural innovation, cybersecurity, autonomous mobility, aerospace engineering, computer device development and more.
The launch event featured comments from university and college leaders and members of the Technology Engineering industry advisory board.
-courtesy of Michigan State University
MDHHS seeking proposals to provide transitional supportive housing to abuse victims
LANSING, Mich. - The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has issued a Grant Funding Opportunity (GFO) to provide transitional supportive housing and related services to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and abuse by caretakers.
The Transitional Supportive Housing program focuses on a victim-centered approach to provide safe, single-family housing coupled with supportive services that assist victims in maintaining affordable housing for up to 24 months as a bridge between a violent crime and securing permanent housing. Successful programs provide a wide range of flexible and optional services that reflect the individual needs of victims and allow them to choose the course of action that is best for them.
Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) non-profits, federally recognized Michigan tribes and universities.
The initial grant period is from Oct. 1, 2025, to Sept. 30, 2026. The total amount available is $5.7 million. All applicant agencies must register for the EGrAMS system and request an application by 5 p.m., Thursday, May 22. Grant applications for the Transitional Supportive Housing Program GFO must be submitted electronically via EGrAMS by 3 p.m., Thursday, May 29. Technical support is available until noon that day through the EGrAMS Help Desk.
A pre-application conference will be held to discuss this funding opportunity and provide instruction on using the EGrAMS system at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, May 1. The conference will last about 90 minutes and can be accessed at https://bit.ly/4jA7UMQ .
For more information or to apply, visit the EGrAMS website and select "About EGrAMS" link in the left panel to access the "Competitive Application Instructions" training manual. The complete GFO can be accessed under the ‘Current Grants’ section under the “Bureau of Community Services” link and selecting the “TSH-2026” grant program.
-courtesy of MDHHS
All State Police Posts to Participate in National Drug Take Back Day on April 26
LANSING, Mich. - The Michigan State Police (MSP) is once again taking part in a national initiative that encourages residents to dispose of expired, unused and unwanted prescription pills. All of MSP’s 31 posts will participate in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 26. This event is one of two annual events held in partnership with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and other police agencies.
“It's Springtime, which is the perfect time to clean-up your medicine cabinet of unneeded medications and safely dispose of them,” said Col. James F. Grady II, director of the MSP. “Unused or expired prescription medications are a public safety issue. Proper disposal of unneeded drugs saves lives, protects the environment, and our overall community.”
All collected pills will be destroyed; no questions asked. Liquids, inhalers, patches and syringes will not be accepted. Anyone unable to participate in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day can anonymously surrender prescription drugs at any MSP post, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., excluding holidays. To search for a Take Back Day collection site by county, city or state, visit DEA.gov.
-courtesy story Michigan State Police