NEWS Wednesday, June 19, 1996 - The Michigan Daily - , Getting your head examined The curator of Biological Anthropology in the Exhibit Museum of Natural History, views a new dis- ay showcasing the reconstruction the head of a 10,000 year old Native American woman unearthed in 1983. Art Prof. Dennis Lee created a model of what the woman's head might have looked like based on standardized Asian facial tissue depth markers used in modern foren- sic reconstruction. Dow Corning financed the project. The actual skull is scheduled for repatriation later this year. University rofessors named MacArthur Fellows, to receive 545,000 grant money from foundation atie Wang yNews Editor Two University professors have een given the honor of MacArthur ellows by the John and Catherine acArthur Foundation. Vonnie cLoyd, a psychology professor, nd Thylias Moss, an English profes- or, were two of only 21 recipients of his distinction nationwide. "I never thought I would win this ard," McLoyd said. "A part of me slightly embarrassed because I now there are ther people who eserve this ward, but I'll try o get over my mbarrassment." The John and a the ri ne a r th u r ndation is one Sthe largest pni- tate philanthropic Thalylas oundations in the ountry. One of the goals of the founda- ion is to "seek lasting solutions to crit- ical problems by investing in creative eople and ideas." Both professors will receive a mone- ary award to be disseminated over a five-year period to continue their research and writing. SIcLoyd, who has actively studied t interactive influences of race, eth- nicity, family and economic hardship on human development, will receive $280,000. McLoyd said she plans to expand her research to study how dif- ferent types of policy affects the growth of children. "I want to focus on the social and educational impacts of policy on chil- dren's development and family fuinc- sing," she said. McLoyd described some of the reforms that the Republican Congress has proposed as "mean spirited." "People are concemed about eco- nomic issues, but not about how they will affect children," she said. McLoyd has done extensive research in attempting to link the psychological impact of economic deprivation on African American families and chil- dren. "(McLoyd) is a superb develop- mental psychologist who has turned her attentive eye and analytic mind to the critically important research question of how economic hardship affects the lives of American children and adolescents," said Patricia Gurin, chair of the University's Department of Psychology. Moss, who has authored several books of poetry, will receive $265,000 from the foundation. Vonnie Moss, who began writing poetry at the age of 6, said she was ecstatic and overwhelmed when she was notified that she had been named as a fellow. "Deep within, I've always main- tained a hope for recognition of what I say," she said. 'What encouragement this (award) is to write." Moss, who as a child entertained ideas of becoming a classical violin- ist or a geneticist, said she receives inspiration from many different things. "That which I do become aware of in a meaningful way inspires me," she said. "It can be anything." Some of Moss' books of poetry include "Hosiery Seams on Bowlegged Woman," and "Rainbow Remnants in Rock Bottom Ghetto Sky." Neither Moss nor McLoyd will be teaching at the University in the fall. McLoyd is currently on sabbatical as a visiting professor at Duke University, and McLoyd, who was also named a Guggenheim fellow, will be working on more writing pro- jects Write for Summer Dal.Cl 76Diy 'U' officials travel to South Africa to initiate research opportunities By Jennifer Harvey Daily Managing News Editor Several members of the University community spent last week in South Africa looking into building a research facility there. Vice President for Research Homer Neal, Business School Prof. Gilbert Whitaker, Institute for Social Research Director David Featherman, South African Initiatives Director Charles Moody and Flint campus Chancellor Charles Nelms made the trip. "We covered a lot of terrain," Featherman said. Featherman said he and the others made the trip to explore possible roles the University and ISR might play in rebuilding South African capabilities in social science, primarily at historically black and historically disadvantaged schools. "We're hoping (the University) can play some catalystic role in assisting South African universities with rebuilding their research infrastructure and gaining strength in social science," Featherman said. "Their social science capability has been destroyed by apartheid." "The country is at a time when it is imagining ways to transform higher educa- tion, but it has to contend with the legacy of apartheid," Featherman said. Developing cooperative educational opportunities with South African universi- ties is not new to the University. Moody said the South African Initiatives program has worked for several years to establish contacts and develop exchange programs with South African facilities. "We have a substantial pattern of exchange," Featherman said. "We have set up relationships to promote cooperative kinds of endeavors;" Moody said. Featherman said he expects to develop specific proposals for new social science research initiatives in South Africa in the next three or four months. Featherman said the proposals might include plans for several research bases to be located in regions in South Africa with a high interest level in research. Featherman said funding for the new research centers might come from South African universities and other South African resources, as well as from possible national grants. He also said the University and ISR sight invest monetary and faculty resources in the centers. Moody said the group visited University students currently in South Africa while on the trip, as well as the U.S. Ambassador to South Africa Franklin Sun and other government officials. Moody said exchange programs with South Africa are very beneficial to stu- dents. "It's a life-changing experience for them. It's been invaluable." Moody is scheduled to attend a conference Friday at the Detroit Athletic Club to explore further initiatives with Franklin, Detroit Mayor Dennis Archer, Port Elizabeth, South African Mayor Ncebe Faku and others. great scores... Law School Business School Dent School Graduate Schoo Medical School great teachers... Kaplan helps you focus your test prep study where you need it most. Our teacers wil [show you the proven skills and test-taking techniques to help you get a higher score. get a higher score* E .:p i 1-80 1'KA -TES or E-mail: padlnfo~umch.edu Don't Panic!! If you think you're pregnant... call us-we listen, we care. 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