AAA grant for driving assessment center / Michigan 22nd endowment /

Chien award / IRA rollover provision

A generous grant from AAA Michigan will enable CMU to purchase an advanced driving simulator, similar to the one pictured here. The purchase of the simulator is the final step in opening the CMU Center for Driving Evaluation, Education and Research, which will provide clinical services to evaluate an individual’s cognitive fitness to drive, along with education to improve the safety of older drivers.

CMU to open driving assessment center with AAA Michigan grant

A generous contribution by AAA Michigan will enable Central Michigan University to address a critical need for research on older drivers and drivers with attention disorders to reduce the number of fatal crashes involving these groups.

The $44,000 AAA Michigan grant will be used to purchase an advanced driving simulator from DriveSafety, Inc. This is the final step in opening the CMU Center for Driving Evaluation, Education and Research. The center will provide clinical services to evaluate an individual’s cognitive fitness to drive, along with education to improve the safety of older drivers.

“This grant formalizes AAA’s commitment to the center,” said CMU psychology professor and center director Rick Backs. “It permits the center to open, because without the simulator there was no center. It provides the center with a state-of-the-art tool for clinical assessments of cognitive fitness to drive and for research on driving, aging and attention disorders.”

The driving center is an interdisciplinary collaboration between CMU’s College of Humanities and Social and Behavioral Sciences and The Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow College of Health Professions. Both colleges also will match AAA’s contribution to fully fund the simulator.

“This center follows AAA’s goal of keeping senior drivers safely behind the wheel in order to maintain their independence as long as possible,” said Jack Peet, AAA Michigan community safety services manager. “AAA Michigan is preparing for a significant increase in senior drivers, and because a key component of the center’s research focuses on how driver attention changes as drivers age, AAA is very supportive of its efforts.”

Along with providing service for the public, the center will enable clinical and research opportunities to CMU students and faculty as well as establish community and university collaborations and partnerships to improve driving safety throughout the state.

The official opening of the DEER Center is planned for fall 2008 following the installation of the driving simulator and development of clinical assessment protocols.

 Return to top

 

---

The CMU Army ROTC’s first graduating class at Summer Camp in Ft. Campbell, Ky. in 1954. Left to right: Front row: Chuck Hurley, Jack Dillon, Ken Frazier, Rick Anderson, Ken Fegan, Jack Currie, Larry Abbott; Second row: Shirl Roberts, Joe Swallow, Ron Patrick, Herm Gorenflo, Lowell Frisch, Jim Williams, Al Tennant; Third row: Bill Sowle, Jerre Moore, John Frantz, Dan McBride, Kent Ward, Ralph Dulin; Fourth row: Dick Smith, Dick Glynn; Standing: MAJ Vernon F. Pressentin, Dr. Judson W. Foust and Ft. Campbell Cadre Sergeants.

New ROTC endowment honors

Denise Gallagher, Michigan 22^nd

In 1954, the first group of ROTC students from Central Michigan University attended summer camp at Ft. Campbell, Ky. This proud group of 22 cadets became known as the Michigan 22nd, and their commitment to the Army ROTC program at CMU has remained strong over the years.

One person who exemplifies the pride and dedication that the Michigan 22nd holds for the CMU Army ROTC program is Denise Gallagher, who served as secretary for the Military Science Department from 1979 to 2007. During a special retirement reception in Denise’s honor in July, the Michigan 22nd made her an honorary member of their group.

As a way to honor their achievements and to offer an opportunity for all of our distinguished ROTC graduates to give back to the program, CMU recently initiated the Michigan 22nd and Beyond ROTC Endowment Campaign.

The fund was created to tangibly honor the legacies of the Michigan 22nd and Denise Gallagher and will support future students within the CMU Army ROTC program through scholarships and program funding.

The interest earned on the initial endowment investment will provide funding in perpetuity to help CMU offer the military and leadership training that will enable our cadets to succeed in college, become Army officers and excel in their chosen careers.

We invite all of our ROTC alumni and friends to consider making a gift to this important endeavor. Please contact Lesa Smith, director of development, at CHSBS@cmich.edu or (989) 774-3354 for information about how you can participate in this campaign.

Return to top

 

---

Graduate student receives first Chien Scholarship

Ionia graduate student Scott A. Goodyear’s passion for learning and his interest in China’s economic outlook has earned him the honor of becoming the first recipient of the Gabriel Chien Memorial Scholarship.

Florence Chien established the scholarship to honor her husband, Gabriel, who was a history professor at CMU from 1970 to 1999. A $1,000 scholarship is awarded annually to the student who writes the best essay on Chinese culture, Sino-American relations, or a comparative study of China.

Goodyear’s application essay, “China’s Economic Miracle: Its Potential and Problems,” described the probability that China would become a superpower in this century and the challenges that may delay or prevent that from happening.

“My conclusion, based on my research, was that China’s rise to superpower status was inevitable sometime in the twenty-first century; but whether it would be the first quarter or the last quarter would depend on how effectively China can deal with the problems that have arisen due to rapid economic growth,” said Goodyear.

He will use the award to cover tuition costs while pursuing a master’s degree in history at CMU. He received a master’s degree in humanities from CMU in May and is a humanities instructor at Grand Rapids Community College.

“I am very grateful for this support, and I hope that my future work will bring honor to Dr. Chien’s memory,” said Goodyear.

Return to top

 

---

IRA rollover provision offers tax-saving opportunity

For CMU alumni and friends who are 70 ½ and older, I’d like to tell you about an exciting way to support the university. The Pension Protection Act of 2006 encourages financial support of organizations like the College of Humanities and Social and Behavioral Sciences through IRA Charitable Rollovers of up to $100,000 from Individual Retirement Accounts and Roth IRAs.

Not only is this provision beneficial to the charities that these gifts support, but donors also receive a benefit as their charitable distribution won’t be counted as taxable income. The IRA Charitable Rollover provision is intended to benefit donors of all incomes, as well as large and small nonprofits.

For example, suppose you have $75,000 in an IRA and have pledged to give that amount to CMU this year. If you transfer $75,000 to CMU from your IRA, you avoid paying income tax on that full amount. This is an easy way to accomplish your gift intentions to the college without tax complications and it allows you, and your spouse, to give a maximum gift of $100,000 each in the 2007 tax year.

Who qualifies?

Individuals who are age 70½ or older at the time of the contribution/transfer.

How much can I transfer?

$100,000 until December 31, 2007

When can I give this type of gift to CMU or CHSBS?

Contributions given before December 31, 2007, are eligible for the enhanced tax benefit.

From what accounts can I make transfers?

Transfers must come from IRAs directly to CMU. If you have retirement assets in a 401(k), 403(b), etc., you must first roll these assets into an IRA, and then direct the transfer from the IRA to CMU.

To what charities can I make gifts?

Tax-exempt organizations such as Central Michigan University.

Can I use the transfer to fund life-income gifts (CRTs, CGAs, PIFs or the like)?

No, these are not eligible.

Can I use donor advised funds or supporting organizations?

No, these are not eligible.

How will my gift be counted on my giving record?

You will receive credit for the entire IRA Rollover gift to CMU, just as with any outright gift.

How do I give this gift to the College of Humanities and Social and Behavioral Sciences?

Contact your IRA custodian to transfer your desired gift amount to the college and/or CMU.  It is wise to consult your tax professional prior to making the transfer.

How will my CMU contribution be used?

CMU will designate your gift according to your specific instructions.  You can give annual gifts to the department, scholarship fund, or special project of your choice and/or designate your contribution to a new or existing endowment fund.

Unlike other types of gifts, endowments continue to generate income. The principal provided to initiate the endowment is never spent. Instead, endowed funds are invested and professionally managed to produce additional income. As the principal grows, so does the income available to the award.

This is your opportunity to take advantage of a valuable incentive that allows you to provide immediate support to the program of your choice at CMU. Check with your financial advisor about transferring distributions directly from your IRA to make a contribution to the College of Humanities and Social and Behavioral Sciences at CMU.

For additional information contact Lesa Smith, CFRE, director of development for the College of Humanities and Social and Behavioral Sciences, at (989) 774-3354 or Lesa.Smith@cmich.edu.

Return to top

 

---