Oh yes, he’s a great pretender

Don’t call him a ghostwriter. Shape-shifting biographer James Dale, BA ’70, prefers ‘co-author,’ as he pens the life stories of athlete Cal Ripken Jr., sports agent Ron Shapiro, and political activist Elijah Cummings, to name just a few.
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It was a wonderful life
After a dazzling turn with Jimmy Stewart in what would become an iconic holiday classic, Virginia Patton stepped out of the Hollywood spotlight. She traded the film industry for an illustrious life in Ann Arbor.
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U-M team recycles previously unrecyclable plastic
PVC, or polyvinyl chloride, is one of the most-produced plastics in the U.S. and the third-highest by volume worldwide. Until recently, it had a zero percent recycling rate in the U.S. But scientists at U-M recently discovered how to chemically recycle PVC into usable material.
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Healthy schools: Project reduces childhood obesity
More than 150 middle schools in 47 Michigan counties have implemented Project Healthy Schools since 2004. The community collaboration with U-M is one of the few school-based programs to demonstrate lasting improvements in participants’ health behavior and cardiovascular risk factors.
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New hospital to be named for D. Dan and Betty Kahn
The D. Dan and Betty Kahn Health Care Pavilion is scheduled to open in fall 2025. The $920-million facility will include 264 private inpatient rooms, a neurosciences center, specialty cardiovascular and thoracic care services, and much more.
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Community-builder Leon Pryor takes Detroit’s FIRST Robotics program to new heights
Having excelled in careers at Microsoft, Amazon, and now Meta, this 1997 electrical engineering alum and renowned video game engineer co-founded The Motor City Alliance to make Detroit a powerhouse for FIRST Robotics teams.
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Social media: Top setting tips to promote positive boundaries, mental health for young people
Experts share tech savvy ways to better manage and control social media use on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube for youth, teens and kids.
Columns
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President's Message
The value is inestimable
President Ono reflects on the dark days of the pandemic and celebrates the inestimable value of Michigan Medicine. -
Editor's Blog
Up in smoke, or should we say ‘vape?’
A devastating fire in Ann Arbor destroyed a restaurant that once was home to the iconic Canterbury House. -
Health Yourself
Nurturing your inner athlete
No need to train like an Olympian, but an 'athletic lifestyle' could help manifest your goals, says Vic Katch. -
Climate Blue
It depends on the second meeting
Ricky Rood reflects on President Ono's stated commitment to carbon neutrality and its challenges.
In the news
- Detroit Free Press U-M report looks at what police reforms work as Tyre Nichols' death spurs national debate
- WEMU Radio U-M researchers determine potential ways to recycle PVC plastics
- Michigan Radio University of Michigan could help develop one of four DOE-funded large-scale carbon capture factories
A vision in white
An old-school blizzard Jan. 25 set the stage for an epic snowball fight on the Diag. Enjoy these winter scenes from a spontaneous battle royale, as Marcin Szczepanski, lead multimedia storyteller in the College of Engineering, takes you to the heart of the action. Get a glimpse of the snowy frontlines from the comfort of your screen and send us some memories of your own wild and exuberant days on the Diag.