I am pleased to announce the revitalization of a series that was once called the Provost's Roundtable. Newly dubbed "Scholars of the Round Table," this initiative will showcase faculty research twice a semester and from across the campus.

Unlike its original incarnation, each session comprising the new series will be conducted as a discussion among scholars and research partners around a table. Sessions scheduled for this semester focus on engaged research, i.e., research conducted by faculty in partnership with members of the larger metropolitan community.

Please join me for the series' inaugural event entitled: “Building Community Relationships that Strengthen Research and Teaching.” Researchers will describe collaborative projects with Detroit organizations highlighting links among scholarship, academic service learning, and community engagement. The discussion will examine the roles of faculty and community partners, as well as the challenges faced in both generating and sustaining community-based research projects.

• Lara Rusch, Assistant Professor of Political Science, will present with Vincent Tilford, Habitat for Humanity-Detroit. 

• Bruce Pietrykowski, Professor of Economics, will present with Minsu Longiaru of the Restaurant Opportunities Center.

The session will be held on Tuesday, February 22, 2011 from 2:30 – 4:00 p.m. in Kochoff Hall A. Please RSVP to Trisha Schlaff or call 3-6511 by February 17th. 

I look forward to joining you for what promises to be informative, insightful presentations followed by lively discussion.

Kate Davy
Provost