Our Michigan, Our Future at U-M

New plans for Michigan's future are in the works -- on the campus of the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.

WWJ Newsradio 950 moved our newsroom to campus, broadcasting live all day during a special Our Michigan, Our Future event -- gathering fourteen straight hours of interviews and information about the exciting prospects for the future now taking shape in Ann Arbor.

Click play at right to listen to interviews with:


Dr. Valerie Castle, Head of Pediatrics -- talks about the half a billion dollar Mott Hospital project and the role of the U-M Health System in the state.


Ann Arbor SPARK CEO Mike Finney -- talks about the economic development organization's work to bring new jobs to the Ann Arbor region and on the future of the Pfizer site as they work to lure new companies to the state while working to keep top talent in Michigan.


Amaizin' Blue -- U-M's oldest co-ed a cappella singing group.


Donald Grimes, Sr. Research Specialist with U-M's Institute of Labor and Industrial Relations -- talks about labor costs as they relate to the future of the auto industry in Detroit.


Doug Kelbaugh, Dean of U-M's Alfred Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning -- talks about the importance of neighborhood revitalization, transportation, and that state of things downtown versus the greater city of Detroit.


U-M VP of Research Steve Forrest -- talks about his quest to make the state more entrepreneurial, to beef up research and tech transfer, turning research into new business opportunities.


 Levi Thompson, Engineering -- talks about U-M's push to develop fuel cells and other forms of alternative energy, the Phoenix Project and the Holy grail of finding the energy to power the cars and cities of tomorrow.


Lloyd Johnston, ISR -- talks about his Monitoring the Future study that has interviewed 1 million young people from two generations over the past third of a century. 


 U-M President Mary Sue Coleman -- talks about the future of U-M, our role in the economy, creating jobs, etc.. 


LSA Dean Terry McDonald -- talks about his upcoming trip to China and the US/China competition, the new $200 million North Quad project, the new Undergrad Sciences Building and the new ways they are teaching at U-M


 U-M Librarian Paul Courant -- also an economics/public policy expert, talks about the Google Project. As an economist who has written about Michigan's economy and a former provost, he can also talk about the University's role in economy and Michigan's economic prospects as well as Google's efforts to take every book in our library and make the content searchable online.


 Enoch Brater, English/LSA/theater -- talks about the impact of the new Arthur Miller Theatre and answer questions about Miller and the impact cultural offerings can have on an area. 


Gerald Meyers, former CEO of AMC and current business school faculty member -- talks about the auto industry, where its going and the opportunities for the future.


Sean Morrison, Life Sciences -- talks about the work of U-M life sciences and the stem cell debate.


U-M Dean of Education Deborah Ball -- talks about education, her work on the White House panel to improve mathematics, the need to improve math and science skills to be competitive.


Don Scavia, a U-M professor of natural resources and the environment, he is director of the Michigan Sea Grant Program and a renowned expert on the Great Lakes. Scavia talks about the future of the lakes, which many see as our most valuable resource particularly if predictions related to climate change come true.