DATE: April 30 to May 4, 2007.

EVENT: The University of Michigan Road Scholars, a select group of the University’s best and brightest faculty from a host of disciplines, will visit 10 Michigan cities this week.

The 1,100-mile journey is designed to better connect U-M researchers with the state they serve and has often led to further research and outreach efforts within those communities. Members of the tour will be available for media interviews and media are welcome to cover individual events along the route.

TIMES AND PLACES FOR MEDIA AVAILABILITIES:

TODAY

Detroit:
10:20 a.m. to noon: Tour Northend Initiative at The Bing Group Campus and meet with Dave Bing, chairman of The Bing Group.

12:20-1:15 p.m. Meet with educators and students at Martin Luther King High School.

Flint:
5 p.m. Tour U-M Flint campus.

6:30-9 p.m. Reception and dinner at the Buick Gallery at the Alfred P. Sloan Museum.

TUESDAY

Flint:
7:30-9:45 a.m. Tour the G.M. Truck & Bus plant.

Jackson:
11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Meet with Jane Robinson, director of Creative Industries, Jackson Enterprise Group at the Jackson Armory Art Gallery.

Lansing:
2:20-4:10 p.m. State Capitol tour and meet with state lawmakers.

Grand Rapids:
6:30-9 p.m. Alumni Scholarship Reception, Peninsular Club, 120 Ottawa.

WEDNESDAY

Grand Rapids:
7:30-8:50 a.m. Tour and meetings at Gerald R. Ford Museum.

8:50 a.m. to noon: Tour of Grand Rapids, including Betz Industries, the Van Andel Institute and Meijer Gardens.

THURSDAY

Traverse City:
9-9:45 a.m. Walking tour of Traverse City.

Empire:
10:55 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Tour Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Pierce Stocking Drive.

FRIDAY

Sault Ste. Marie:
8:15-10:15 a.m. Boat tour of Sault Ste. Marie with Lake Superior State Professor Susan Schacher.

St. Ignace:
11:20 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Tour of Mackinac Straits Fish Company, 109 W. Elliott St., St. Ignace, with founder Jill Bentgen.

12:20 p.m.-1:30 p.m. Lunch Forum at Upper Peninsula Perspectives Village Inn Restaurant, 250 S. State St., St. Ignace with speakers Dennis West, president of Northern Initiatives and Jill Bentgent of Mackinac Straits Fish Company

Grayling:
2:55-3:45 p.m. Tour of Hartwick Pines State Park with Greg Kasmer, Site Historian and Robert Burg, Park Interpreter.

Michigan Road ScholarsMore on the current tourMichigan Road Scholars blog