News and Events
MSU prof elected to National Academy of Engineering 
Percy Pierre,emeritus vice president for research and graduate studies and professor of ectrical and computer engineering, was elected to the National Academy of Engineering in February. He was recognized for his service as assistant secretary of the U.S. Army for research, development, and acquisition; his contributions to engineering education; and his leadership in creating the national minority engineering effort. Election to the academy is among the highest professional distinctions accorded to an engineer.
Pierre also received the 2008 Mentor Award for Lifetime Achievement from the American Association for the Advancement of Science at its meeting in February.
Pierre served as vice president for research and graduate studies at MSU from 1990 to 1995 and professor of electrical and computer engineering from 1995 to 2005. In 1998, he started the Sloan Engineering Program in the College of Engineering to support recruitment and retention of minority doctoral students. Pierre is recognized as the first African-American to earn a doctorate in electrical engineering. He has held many administrative posts in government and higher education.
ARRA update
Information about research funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA)is regularly updated at resfacil.msu.edu/. The Web site includes deadlines for submitting proposals as well as links to federal agency implementation plans and reporting guidelines.
Contract and Grant Administration (CGA) updated the federal cost policy information on its Webto highlight federal policies about charging summer salaries to grants. Tocharge three full months of summer salary to a grant, an investigator must work only on the grant project and take no vacation.
CGA recently announced changes in staff responsibilities in an effort to improve operations. Some highlights:
- The International, DOE, USDA section was split into two parts with NASA added: International and DOE, under the direction of Evonne Pedawi, and USDA and NASA under Laura Baese
- The non-federal section was split into pre-award and post-award groups with the post-award group reporting to Assistant Director Craig O’Neill
Other staffing changes are noted in the directory on the CGA Web.
New on line
A new OVPRGS Web site at went live in mid April. With a new design and navigation system plus regularupdates, the site aims to provide a focus for information about research at MSU. In addition, the new site offers a search function and meets accessibility guidelines. Feedback on the site can be sent to Loraine Hudson, director of the Office of Research Facilitation and Dissemination, at ljh.msu.edu or 432-4499.
MSU student volunteers in MSU’s Science Theatre develop demonstrations and arrange presentations that advance science literacy among elementary and middle school students in Michigan. Check out their recently updated Science Theatre Web and the “Elephant Toothpaste” demonstration on YouTube to learn more about their efforts.
International Studies and Programs launched a new Web site in March with information about global research, outreach, and education opportunities and activities.
The National Research Council launched a new Web site with information on the assessment of doctoral programs. The schedule for release of the assessment report and database will be announced on the site.