_ _ ._ -. LOCAL/STATE The Michigan Daily - Monday, January 12, 1998 -,3A -U' economics profs. honored *with awards University economic Profs. Robert Barsky, Thomas Juster, Miles Kimball and Matthew Shapiro were honored for an article they wrote. The four faculty members received the Certificate of Excellence for Outstanding Scholarly Writing on Lifelong Financial Security for their article "Preference Parameters and Behavioral Heterogeneity: An Experimental Approach in the Health and Retirement Study." The article, published in the Quarterly Journal of Economics last May, discusses a new way to measure hlow much money people will save and in which assets they will invest over their lifetime. The Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association and the College Retirement Equities Fund presented the certificate along with $1,000 for each author Award recognizes 'U' scholars The University has received the Truman Foundation's Honor Institution Award to recognize the University's continual success in garnering Truman scholarships. Eighteen University students have received the scholarships over the Truman program's 21 years. Every year, 80 college juniors across the United States are chosen to receive a $30,000 scholarship from the Truman Scholarship Program. Students selected must demon- strate a strong record of community service and must have chosen a career in government or some other public sector job. 'U' center to hold winter leadership conference The Winter Leadership Institute, sponsored by the University's Labor Studies Center, will be held Friday *and Saturday at the Ypsilanti Marriott. The conference will address joint labor-management processes, the role of unions in work-place change and union strategies in global competi- tion. Speakers at the conference will include Ernest Lofton of the UAW International Ford Department, Bob Baugh of the AFL-CIO Human IResources Development Institute and Greg Huszczo of Eastern Michigan University. Grants fund health studies The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation will award the University $138,783 in research grants. Grants for up to $52,000 were awarded to three University professors who will study obesity, diabetes, weight gain and other health concerns during pregnancy. Studies may evaluate an HIV/AIDS intervention program designed to reduce risk behavior of drug-dependent African American women who are at high risk for the disease. Art exhibit shows beauty, abuse of natural world To celebrate the Environmental Theme Semester, the University is sponsoring "Art and the Natural World," an exhibit that includes work by University faculty members, visit- ing professors, and local area artists. The pieces include drawings, paint- ings, ceramics and prints, all depicting forms inspired by nature. The free exhibit, located at the Slusser Gallery in the Art and Architecture Building on North Campus, will run through Jan. 28. - Compiled by Daily Staff Reporter Lee Palmer: MSU student missing since first of year By Jason Stoffer Daily Staff Reporter After going out for dinner and drinks in East Lansing on the evening of Dec. 31, Michigan State University student Ryan Getz split from his friends to usher in the new year vith his girlfriend. But after finding his girlfriend was not at home, Getz mysteriously disappeared, and friends and family have not heard from him since. Barry Leslie, an LSA junior and Getz's friend, described him as "very responsible" and said run- ning away would be out of character. "He's had a girlfriend for two years. He has a 2- year-old little brother and a sister in I Ith grade," Leslie said. "He was a happy guy." Getz, 21, of Lapeer, Mich., planned to transfer to General Motors Institute in Flint this semester. Michael Getz, Ryan's father, said his son was last seen in East Lansing's Cedar Village apart- ment complex, where his girlfriend lives, between 10 and 10:30 p.m. "Ryan was planning on meeting his girlfriend later that night, but he decided to leave his friends and drop by his girlfriend's apartment to see if she had left yet," Michael Getz said. "She was a not home and (Ryan) went to see some guys upstairs to call " her apartment from there. They were the last ones to see Ryan." Leslie said Getz was very drunk when he left to pick up Getz his girlfriend. He said Getz might have hit his head and suffered from amne- sia. Michael Getz said some leads indicate that Ryan may have been involved in a fight. "For some reason. no one has come forward," Michael Getz said. "We're very concerned that whatever happened involves people who've never been in a similar situation before, whether it involves a fight or something else. "We're not worried about prosecution for crime, we just want to find what happened to Ryan," Getz said. Family and friends hae posted a 55,000 reward, and there have been "spottings every- where around the state," said Lt. Lewis Munin of the East Lansing Police Department. But Munn said the case is highly unusual. "We get missing person reports where people may be missing for a day or two,' aMunn said. "But Getz just vanished off the face of the IEarth." Sgt. Larry Jerue of the Ann Arbor Police Department said missing persons are usually found within a day or two. Alcohol is ften iv olv ed because a peI'sonl can pass out and not come home. But in this case, there is reason tor concern, he said. "This is very unusual," Jerue said. "I would be very concerned. This missing person is in serious trouble, if not deceased.' Gietz's parents are directing the search for him out of the Last Lansing restaurant Evergreen Grill. Michael Getz said his son w as mature beyond his years, and that the possibility o f"'tOul play or an accident" concerns him. "he was the kind of kid who would call his grandim out of the blue just to see how shv was doimg," Michael Getz said. Persons With informattion regarding etz's w. hereabouts should contact Dave Vincent of the Fast Lansing Police Department at (517) 337- 1731, ext. 251 Muslim students observe holy month of Ramadan JOY JACOBS/Daily Engineering junior Derrick Faunce and Business junior Gabriel O'Keefe come out of mass at St. Mary's Parish on Thompson Street. Study 1ames U.S. m iousCoun By Greg Cox Daily Staff Reportcr For Muslims observing the holy month of Ramadan, sunrise and sun- set signify more than the passing of another day. Instead, most practicing Muslims spend the days of Ramadan fasting and abstaining from Earthly pleasures. Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, extends through Jan. 30 this year. During the religion's holiest time, all M usli ms capable of fasting are required to do so. Exceptions are made for the sick, the elderly, people who are traveling, pregnant women, nursing mothers and women who are menstruating. Those who miss the fasting due to temporary reasons are required to make it up at another time. Muslim Students' Association Social Chair Nauman Akhtar said Ramadan is a special time of year for Muslim students. "It's the most important month we have," Akhtar said. "We use it to fill our spiritual vessels for the whole year." Rackham student Rasha Stino said fasting applies on two levels. "Fasting has two dimensions - the In addition to the Listine a ss o c ia t e d With the llonth, all Muslims are expected to give a certain amount of money, called zakat, to the "We use it spiritual e the whole 3 Social chair, Muslim physical and the spiritual," Stino said. "Fasting serves to both cleanse the system and develop self-restraint." Although the strict fasting may seem difficult for students with heavy courseloads to endure, Akhtar said Ramadan is good for concentration. "l ven1 though VoI have the most to do, it's the most efficient month for studies." said Akhtar, an [LSA junior. the five basic tenets of Islam.- The other tenets are belief in Allah and his prophet Mohammed, praying the-f+.vP daily prayers, paying zakat to the poT and performing the [iajj, or pilgrinm age, to the city of Mecca. Despite its importance, not ,al Muslims participate in the fast lue tr the strains it places on their lives. "It's kind of rough:" said USA senior gue Berli. It ,s to fill our not tha not refigiou 3, sels for 1 just dot fast." /ear" Unmver ity - Nauman Akhtar Housing has u Students' Association con t ill u in g program tht a I o w 's Muslim students to apply for rebatcs for the uneaten meals. In addition,:thb Muslim Community Association 1r1- vides free dinner to Muslim students during the month. The Muslim Comnlmunity Association's Ann Arbor Mosque is located at 2301 Plymouth RoaaI across from the Northwood Ilouing fire station. By Susan T. Port Daily Staf Rporter The percentage of Americans who practice religion is higher than any other nation of comparable econom- ic standing, according to a recent University study. The results of the worldwide study show that 44 percent of Americans attend church every day, while only 27 percent of people in Great Britain, 21 percent in France, four percent in Sweden and three in Japan do the same. Political science Prof. Ronald Inglehart, a researcher at the Universitys Institute for Social Research, said the United States devi- ates from the decline of religious observance worldwide. Fifty-three percent of Americans say religion is an important aspect in their lives. "The basic values are changing as a process of broadening values and social development," Inglehart said. "Churches in Europe are empty and are being turned into museums and hotels." Inglehart said one hypothesis for the higher percentages of Americans who practice religion is that the United States was founded by those escaping religious prosecution. Pastor Thomas Firestone at St. Mary's Parish on Thompson Street said his church holds six masses on the weekends with a showing of 500 people per mass. Firestone described religion as "a part of an education." Firestone said upperclass students attend church with more regularity than first-year students. "Students begin to mature and begin to understand more about life," Firestone said. "In the educa- tion process of U of M, what you learn is what you want out of life. Obviously, the faith issue automati- cally comes into it." Rabbi Norman Roman at Temple Kol Ami in West Bloomfield said members of the congregation become more religious during peri- ods of transition in their life. "I understand why a lot of" college students do not participate in formal activities. I would like to see more people get active," Roman said. "Hopefully, you'll get new insights during this period of searching." LSA sophomore Rachel Schlenker said Judaism plays an important role in her life at the University. Schlenker said she tries to go to Hillel every Friday night. "I think that people either go oile of two routes," Schlenker said, "They either find religion on their own without the backing of their parents, or they find, since they are no longer in their parents' house, they no longer have to follow the convictions they have been brought up with." LSA senior Ali Khaleel said it is hard to practice the Islamic faith at the University. "First and foremost, you're a stu- dent," Khaleel said. "Religion gives me security, a wholeness to things. It shows how everything is tied togeth- er. Inglehart said religion is a main focus in many people's lives. Issues such as abortion and euthanasia relate to religious beliefs, he said. "You can understand people's polit- ical preferences knowing their reli- gious preferences," Inglehart said. He also said that Americans are more interested in issues of cosmic and philosophical importance, such as the future and origins of the uni- verse. LSA sophomore Ann Oberschulte said students are trying to find an identity through religion. But Oberschulte also said many students can be spiritual without fitting into traditional religious beliefs. "A lot of people I know who don't practice an organized religion still have spirituality. It's still an impor- tant part of their lives," Oberschulte said. "I don't like the whole organi- zation of structured religion, how superficial things are that I've noticed going to church." Schlenker said her time at Hillel provides the opportunity to reflect on religious convictions. "It gives me a chance to reconnect with other Jewish people and a chance to pray to God to try to for- get the hectic week, even if it's for only a moment," Schlenker said. poor before Ramadan's completion. The end of Ramadan brings the cel- ebration of Fid al-Fitr, or the festival of fast breakin . "for Eid, we usually get together with family and offer prayers with everyone before going house to house to celebrate,' Akhtar said. "It's really an ana.ing feeling." Fastiig during Ramadan is one of INTERESTED IN WRITING FOR THE DAILY? COME TO OUR MASS MEETING TONIGHT AT 7:30 P.M. AT THE STUDENT PUBLICATIONS BUILDING ON 420 MAYNARD ST. r U 4 ***a student organization fair*** T AY Michigan Union 11 :O0amw-4:00pm Remember FE STIFALL? Stop by and check out the student organizations on the University of Michigan campus! AND Sign up for the raffle! -w LPELLLNDKR What's happening in Ann Arbor today " _.__!I.. I I--1a L. fn.... -- 11 111) n KI ! f";wsevvw% ft[ww-rxa.-.c [ j"Whv Brains Are Important For Family Health Center, 1230 N.