Michigan State University will host former Gov. James J. Blanchard as the first Canadian National Railway (CN) Distinguished Lecturer at the inaugural CN Forum Thursday, Oct. 6, from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the Kellogg Center Auditorium on the MSU campus.

James J. Blanchard, former U.S. ambassador to Canada and governor of Michigan, will give the keynote address at the first annual CN Forum, to be held on the MSU campus Thursday, Oct. 6, 2005, from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. The Forum, titled Strengthening Canadian-U.S. Relations, which will take place in the Kellogg Center auditorium, is free and open to the public.

MSU has reached a major milestone in its 44-year relationship with the Peace Corps more than 2,000 MSU alumni have now been Peace Corps volunteers, including the 81 alumni currently serving in 33 countries around the world. Story by Jay Rodman, International Studies and Programs.

President Simon's Sesquicentennial Convocation address articulated the vision of MSU as the university that defines the relevance of the land-grant mission for the 21st century world. Article by Tom Oswold, University Relations.

MSU's Institute of International Agriculture's project - Partnerships for Food Industry Development (PFID)-Fruits and Vegetables - brings a consumer-driven system to small farmers in Nicaragua and other developing Latin American and African countries. Special Report by Sue Nichols, MSU University Relations

MSU began offering its Muslim studies specialization during the 2004-05 academic year and is in the process of introducing new courses dealing with Muslim societies and polities. Four new faculty positions have been created and, this year, three new hires were added. Article by Meredith Mescher, University Reloations

MSU biotechnology research that helps turn crops into an environmentally friendly chemistry has become a high-profile export with an announcement on Aug. 30 by a Michigan company and a French firm. French President Jacques Chirac joined Diversified Natural Products (DNP) of Scottville, Mich., and Agro Industrie Recherches et Dvelopements (ARD) of Pomacle, France, in announcing a joint venture to produce succinic acid from green sources. By Sue Nichols, University Relations

MSUs Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies (CLACS) begins the 2005-06 academic year with a new acting director, Peter Beattie, associate professor and Brazil scholar in the Department of History.

MSUs Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies (CLACS) begins the 2005-06 academic year with a new acting director, Peter Beattie, associate professor and Brazil scholar in the Department of History.

MSUs Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies (CLACS) begins the 2005-06 academic year with a new acting director, Peter Beattie, associate professor and Brazil scholar in the Department of History.

The 2005 MSU / East Lansing One Book, One Community Program features The New York Times bestseller The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini. The novel follows a young Afghan boy, Amir, and his struggles growing up in the tumultuous Afghanistan of the 1960s. The series of August and September events kicks off with a lecture and book signing by the author at 7 p.m. August 24 at the Hannah Community Center. Article by Meredith Mescher.

Two internationally acclaimed scientists present sweeping evidence that Chinas challenges from polluted air and water to making and consuming goods to family life already are making a big impact on the environment and human well-being in China and other parts of the world, including America and Europe. Story by Sue Nichols, MSU University Relations.

Two MSU alumni, Terese and John Hart, are working to foster conservation in the midst of armed conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Terese is currently the director of the Wildlife Conservation Societys (WCS) operations in the DRC, and her husband John heads up a major wildlife inventory and monitoring initiative in that country involving the Okapi Wildlife Reserve and several national parks.

In 2004, the MSU Federal Credit Union established a $2.5 million endowment for MSU study abroad scholarships. This endowment has greatly increased available scholarship funds for MSU students studying abroad. Forty-seven students were awarded scholarships to study abroad during winter break 2004-2005, spring semester 2005, and summer semester 2005. Below are the scholarship award recipients (with major, program, and destination) announced during the endowments second year.

In 2004, the MSU Federal Credit Union established a $2.5 million endowment for MSU study abroad scholarships. This endowment has greatly increased available scholarship funds for MSU students studying abroad. Forty-seven students were awarded scholarships to study abroad during winter break 2004-2005, spring semester 2005, and summer semester 2005. Below are the scholarship award recipients (with major, program, and destination) announced during the endowments second year.

In 2003, the MSU Federal Credit Union established a $2.5 million endowment for MSU study abroad scholarships. This endowment has greatly increased available scholarship funds for MSU students studying abroad. In 2004-2005, forty-seven students were awarded scholarships to study abroad. For the list of the scholarship award recipients (with major, program, and destination) announced during the endowments second year, see complete article.

In 2004, the MSU Federal Credit Union established a $2.5 million endowment for MSU study abroad scholarships. This endowment has greatly increased available scholarship funds for MSU students studying abroad. Forty-seven students were awarded scholarships to study abroad during winter break 2004-2005, spring semester 2005, and summer semester 2005. Below are the scholarship award recipients (with major, program, and destination) announced during the endowments second year.

During the week of April 14, ISP hosted four current and former ambassadors on campus for a series of events celebrating the universitys tradition of international engagement: Willard Bill A. De Pree, Riina Ruth Kionka, Roger A. Meece, and Thomas G. Weston. All four have Michigan connections and three are MSU alumni.

The 15th Annual International Awards Ceremony was held April 20 in the Delia Koo International Academic Center. This years ceremony, designated an MSU Sesquicentennial event, was dedicated to Professor Gill-Chin Lim, former dean of ISP, who died recently at the age of 58. Twelve individuals, including MSU faculty, staff, students, alumni, and volunteers, as well as community members received six distinct awards.

Katherine Pitsch, a James Madison College senior, has been selected as the MSU recipient of a prestigious graduate fellowship sponsored by Diplomatic and Consular Officers, Retired (DACOR), an association of retired U.S. Foreign Service officers with offices in Washington, D.C. Pitsch is majoring in International Relations with a specialization in Muslim Studies. She has studied Arabic and Kazakh at MSU, and is also fluent in Spanish.