DATE: May 1-5, 2006

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 11 Michigan cities this week.

The 1,300-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:

8:15-9:40 a.m. Visit Focus:HOPE, 1355 Oakman Blvd.

10:05-9:40 a.m. Tour Detroit City Airport to learn about aviation and security.

11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. panel discussion on emergency preparedness with officials from the Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, the Red Cross and the Detroit Police Department, Sinbad’s Restaurant.

1:15-3 p.m. Port Authority tour with Curtis Hertel, director of the Wayne County Port Authority.

Flint:

6:30-9 p.m. Reception and dinner at U-M-Flint, University Center, 303 E. Kearsley St.

TUESDAY

Flint:

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

Lansing:

12:30-1:30 p.m. State Capitol meeting with State Sen. Mike Goschka, Sen. Deborah Cherry and Sen. Liz Brater.

East Lansing:

2-4 p.m. Visit Michigan State University’s Diagnostic Center for Population and Animal Health.

Grand Rapids:

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

WEDNESDAY

Grand Rapids:

7:45-10 a.m. Tour and meetings at Steelcase, 901 44th St.

Muskegon:

11 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Tour Grand Valley State University’s Water Resource Institute, and hearing a presentations on Muskegon’s historic preservation efforts, 740 W. Shoreline Dr.

1:30-3:45 p.m. Tour Muskegon Correctional Facility, 2400 Sheridan Road.

Traverse City:

7:30-10 p.m. Reception, dinner and tours of Dennos Museum Center, Northwestern Michigan College, 1701 E. Front St.

THURSDAY

Suttons Bay:

8-9:30 a.m. Tour the Cherry Bay Orchards.

Glen Arbor:

10-11 a.m. Learn about retailing and tourism at the Cherry Republic, 6026 S. Lake St.

Empire:

11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Tour Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Pierce Stocking Drive.

Traverse City:

2-3:30 p.m. Visit Great Lakes Maritime Academy, 1701 E. Front St.

St. Ignace: 5:45-6:15 p.m. Learn about the Mackinac Bridge, Mackinac Bridge Authority.

FRIDAY

St. Ignace:

7-8:30 a.m. Meet with Dennis West, president of Northern Initiatives, discuss the economic climate of the Upper Peninsula.

Pellston:

9:15-10:45 a.m. Presentation and tour at U-M Biological Station.

Alpena:

12:30-3 p.m. Tours and presentations at the Thunder Bay Marine Sanctuary, 500 W. Fletcher St.

WEB LINKS:

Michigan Road ScholarsMichigan Road Scholars current tourFollow the trip via the Road Scholar blog