GROWING STEMBusiness and education partner to create tomorrow’s workforce p. 28

OVERCOMING FAILURE“Bouncing up off the bottom” is more important than how we handle successp. 22

DO CLIENTS, COLLEAGUES, AND VENDORS GET YOUR MESSAGE?Write emails that get read p. 36

Learn more at: www.mcfta.org/leonardo

Did you know...

On exhibit now - May 17

A major exhibition making its ONLY stop in Michigan!

Leonardo da Vinci invented the parachute?

Make a parachute at home with your family!You will need: • plastic grocery bag • ruler • scissors • small light toy or cork • tape or stapler • string

Instructions:1. Take grocery bag and cut a 9 inch square. 2. Cut a string into 4 pieces each measuring 8 inches and 1 piece of string measuring 6 inches. 3. Tape or staple 1 piece of 8 inch string to each corner of the square. 4. Tie all hanging pieces of string together into a knot. Take your little toy or cork and 6 inch string and tie it to the knot attaching it to the parachute.5. Lift the parachute above your head and release it. Watch it fill up with air and float down to the ground.

Experience genius and be inspired by one of history’s greatest artists, scientists and inventors! This exceptional exhibition showcases interactive invention models, artistic masterpieces replicated to scale and much more!

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The exhibition Leonardo da Vinci: Man-Inventor-Artist-Genius is organized by EMS Exhibits, Vienna and distributed by Exhibits Development Group, USA.

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Better cancer treatments right here

M U H A M M A D M O I D , M D – K A R M A N O S M E D I C A L O N C O LO G I S T

There’s no need to leave the region for state-of-the-art cancer services. Receive leading-edge care right in Bay City from the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute at our new dedicated cancer facility, located on McLaren Bay Region’s West Campus. One of only 41 National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer centers in the U.S., Karmanos has been recognized for excellence across oncology research, patient care and community outreach.

Get better treatments and better outcomes right here in Bay City. To learn more, call 1 (800) KARMANOS (527-6266).

Better treatments. Better outcomes. More moments.

BARBARA ANN KARMANOS CANCER INSTITUTE at McLaren Bay Region, West Campus 3140 W. Campus Drive Bay City, MI 48706

JACK B. TANY of Saginaw is employed at Outfront Media. The former sports editor enjoys spending time with his two sons.

SCOTT MERROWis a Saginaw native and Saginaw Valley State University graduate. He is currently a graduate assistant in the Writing Studies Program at the University of Minnesota.

MIKE THOMPSON is a retired Saginaw News reporter. He writes about local government, politics, education, neighborhood groups, and nonprofit social services.

RYAN RICHARDSis a freelance writer with a background in nonprofit communications. He lives in his hometown of Midland.

CONTRIBUTORS

INBOX

Publisher: Marisa Horak Belottimarisa@greatlakesbaymag.com

Editor in Chief: Mimi Bellmimi@greatlakesbaymag.com

Associate Editor: Jackie Zinggjackie@greatlakesbaymag.com

Art Director: Chad Husslechad@greatlakesbaymag.com

Designer:Suzy Drousesuzy@greatlakesbaymag.com

BIZ Scene Coordinator: Jen Wainwrightjen@greatlakesbaymag.com

Photographer: Doug Juliandoug@greatlakesbaymag.com

Contributors: Eric Gilbertson, Daniel Handley, Nancy Sajdak Manning, Beth McMall, Scott Merrow, Terrence F. Moore, Ryan Richards, Melissa Russell, Martha Spizziri, Jack B. Tany, Mike Thompson, Jen Wainwright, and Jackie Zingg

Advertising Director:Marisa Horak Belottimarisa@greatlakesbaymag.com989-891-1707

Senior Account Manager:Jeff Larsen jeff@greatlakesbaymag.com989-529-1130

Advertising Sales Administrative Assistant: Allison Kitchenads@greatlakesbaymag.com989-891-1783

For information, email:

info@greatlakesbaymag.com

Great Lakes Bay Business, Volume 5, Issue 1, February 2015 (ISSN 1550-8064) is published by Great Lakes Bay Publishing, 1311 Straits Dr, Bay City, MI 48706. Periodicals postage pending at Bay City, MI. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Great Lakes Bay Publishing, 1311 Straits Dr, Bay City, MI 48706. Copyright © 2014 Great Lakes Bay Publishing. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without permission is prohibited.

Letters must be signed and include the writer’s name and address. Please send to: Great Lakes Bay Business, 1311 Straits Dr, Bay City MI 48706, or email jackie@greatlakesbaymag.com.

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

4 | V1 2015

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safely and sooner. After all, the best way home

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36

28GROWING STEM Business and education partner to create tomorrow’s workforce.

CONTENTS

MESSAGE RECEIVED!Customers, colleagues, and vendors don’t always take the time to read each email closely. Here are some tips to cut through the clutter and get a response.

6 | V1 2015

Building Opportunities

We put More Than Construction into

every classroom and lab we build,

because the spaces where students in

the Great Lakes Bay Region learn are

as important as what they learn.

T R C c o m p a n y . c o m9 8 9 . 6 3 1 . 9 7 2 6 | M i d l a n d , M i c h i g a n

More Than Construction

DESIGN/BUILD

GENERAL/MECHANICAL CONTRACTING

CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT

STEM project in partnership with Meridian High School and Northwood University

41156

DEPARTMENTSCONTRIBUTORS

EDITOR’S NOTE

THE CLOSE

4850

42

44

WHO GIVESGiving to the Community from the StartWith charitable initiatives, Warner Norcross & Judd LLPhits the ground running in the Midland area.

LAUNCH

ON THE MOVE

EXPOSURE

BIZ SCENE

STARTUPSPlay Ball!An entrepreneur turns his passion for sports into a unique business venture.

INVEST IN...Expand Your NetworkProfessional association membership is a key component of enhancing career development.

COACHINGThe Seven Principles for Effective InfluenceA leader who hears everyone, creates team synergy, and guides teams toward the best outcomes is highly respected.

WOMEN IN BUSINESSThe Missing 33 PercentIs that what’s holding you back from being successful?

THE LONG VIEWOvercoming FailureHow we “bounce up off the bottom” is more important than how we handle success.

PEOPLE AND ORGANIZATIONSThe Dilemma of Low MoraleWhile an organization must engage its employees, the employees must be accountable for keeping themselves engaged.

18

20

22

24

16

14BIZ 101

CONTENTS

8 | V1 2015

www.greatlakesbay.orgYour next business success is waiting by the Bay.

Recently, I had the pleasure of visiting Bay-Arenac ISD Career Center. There are over 1,100 students from 21 high schools in Bay, Arenac, Midland, Iosco, and Saginaw counties who spend half their school day at the career center.

It was an absolutely enlightening visit, as I had the opportunity to see firsthand the wide array of STEM (science, technology,

engineering, and mathematics) programs offered at the career center. The center offers

manufacturing programs such as welding, precision machining,

electronics, and robotics, as well as six health programs,

including veterinary science and dental occupations. All 23 programs have advisory committees made up of area professionals who help provide direction for each program.

I started my tour by visiting the physical

therapy/occupational therapy programs. The level

of sophisticated equipment and hands-on experience

afforded to students through this program is unmatched. Through conversations with students, it’s clear that classroom instruction at the career center, coupled with direct experiential learning opportunities at facilities throughout the region, help garner significant career interest.

Other highlights of my tour included the award-winning welding program, where students earn college credits and professional accreditation. I visited the engineering drafting program, where students completed various projects while working on 3-D printers. I even had the opportunity to visit the annual career center house build, where students were working alongside teachers to construct a new home on the West Side of Bay City.

Project-based learning at the Bay-Arenac ISD Career Center is one of many educational gems in the Great Lakes Bay Region. The

career center is a shining example of how STEM education can be delivered in an extraordinarily effective manner.

The Bay-Arenac ISD Career Center will host an open house Tuesday, February 10, from 4 – 7:30 p.m. Be sure to visit and see the programs firsthand!

Matt FelanPresident & CEOGreat Lakes Bay Regional Alliance

Sponsored Message

Bay-Arenac ISD Career Center

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EDITOR’S NOTE

oes writing an email, rather than a business letter, invite us to gorge on emoticons—the likes of :) & ;) & :( ? These cute little fellas are best reserved for messaging pals—not the chairman of the board, or the hiring manager, or your parole officer.

Marketers sent more than 838 billion emails in 2013. As HubSpot’s Niti Shaw points out, that’s nearly three times the number of stars in the Milky Way. And the average office worker receives upwards of 80 emails each day. With that volume of electronic correspondence, it’s clear that email is an accepted and influential method for business communication. See our story, “Message Received!” (page 36).

Granted, I’m prone to cringe with little provocation, but emails I receive—many of them, unfortunately—have me cringing as readily as I sneeze when I shake black pepper on my salad. Business emails are frequently peppered with embarrassing spelling errors, run-on sentences, and a lack of pleasantries.

Sure, writing an email is a quick way to efficiently convey a message to colleagues or customers, but professionalism still has its place in the process. And the messages you send are the reflection of your own professionalism and attention to detail, so a certain level of formality is needed. It starts with slowing down and being attentive in composing your thoughts. Don’t be in such a rush to hit send. And don’t be on a mission to Veg-O-Matic your emails down to Twitter’s measly 140 characters. Say what you need to say, in a structured—albeit brief—way. Just like your elementary school English teacher told you, a message—yep, even an email one—needs an intro, a body, and a conclusion (no matter how brief these are). And before you hit send, proofread the email. And again. And yet again.

If it’s worth writing, isn’t it worth writing right?

Mimi BellEditor in Chiefmimi@greatlakesbaymag.com

DOut, Damned Spot. And Colon, Semi-colon, and Parenthesis.

V1 2015 | 11

Fabiano BrothersDistributed by:

STARTUPS p.14 | INVEST IN... p.16 | COACHING p.18 | WOMEN IN BUSINESS p. 20 | THE LONG VIEW p. 22 | PEOPLE AND ORGANIZATIONS p. 24

BIZ

101

V1 2015 | 13

Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.

Rick Glaza is living proof of that old adage. After working in the radio industry for 10 years

covering basketball and football games for WLEW in Bad Axe, the Ubly native saw a need for sports coverage in the region. At the time, only one radio station (ESPN 100.9 FM) was covering local sports.

So, Glaza took the proverbial leap and started the Internet-based Great Lakes Sports Network (GLSN), where he streams live audio of local high school sports games.

Glaza began his new venture in 2011 by streaming one high school football game on his website, www.greatlakessportsnetwork.com, every Friday night. Forgoing a traditional business plan, he invested personal funds into laptops, headsets, mixer boards, and Internet access.

As Glaza considered how to staff his new business venture, he relied on friends, family, and word-of-mouth to find a few people who would be interested in doing play-by-play analysis during the games. He hired one analyst to broadcast

the games with him and assist with some of the behind-the-scenes legwork.

Since then, GLSN has grown rapidly and now covers an average of 30 to 35 live events for each football and basketball season. During the 2013 high school football season, the network added a second and third play-by-play crew. Each crew covers a local gridiron game, making GLSN the only media outlet in the region that has more than one game streaming live on a Friday night.

Glaza admits that broadcasting games on the Internet is considerably different from his days with the radio station.

“Instead of going to the station manager with a problem, everything falls on my shoulders now,” says Glaza. “Being the owner is nice, but it comes with a lot more responsibility. Advertising was sold for me for all the games I covered at the station. Now I have to handle selling advertising during the summer months.”

“This is an Internet-based outlet for listening to games [that] are available to anyone with Internet anywhere in the world,” Glaza continues. “A radio station, however, has a limit on how far its FM signal may reach. The thought of owning my own business—while living in an area with

very little radio coverage and no online streaming coverage—was intriguing, and the reason behind starting GLSN.”

The bulk of Glaza’s listeners are from the Great Lakes Bay Region. However, GLSN attracts listeners from around the state, out of state, and, Glaza notes, from around the world.

“We have a stat tracker program on the website that registers hits to our webpage, and [it] can tell us how many people are listening, for how long, and where they are located,” explains Glaza.

Glaza, who works alongside Cole Martens, prides himself that the games are streamed live without a hitch. He and Martens spend a lot of time fine-tuning the mixer board to get the audio output crystal clear and everything else just right.

“I want the product we put out there for people to be top notch,” says Glaza. “Fans like the sounds of the game coming through our coverage. The sound of pads and helmets cracking or a referee’s whistle and crowd reaction are keys for a great listening experience.”

The entrepreneur’s website also features top sports stories, schedules, game results, blogs, and advertising. •

101 STARTUPSBIZ 101

by Jack B. Tany with Jackie Zinggphoto by Doug Julian

An entrepreneur turns his passion for sports into a unique business venture

PLAY BALL!

Cole Martens, Rick Glaza, and Brandon Deacons broadcast at a high school football game in Midland

14 | V1 2015

800-WOLGAST | www.wolgast.com

855-WOLGAST | www.wolgastrestoration.comEMERGENCYHOTLINE:

Design/Build ● Construction Mgmt ● General Construction Building Automation

Serving the Great Lakes Bay Area

Commercial & RestorationWater & Mold ● Wind & Storms Fire Smoke & Soot ● VandalismBio Hazard ● Vehicle Impact

Insurance Restoration Services Remediate and Rebuild

Serving the Great Lakes Bay Area

Professional Construction Servicesfor Commercial Buildings

Solid Foundations...Solid Results...The Wolgast WayFor Business Owners that want it done right the first time, our systemized approach and

construction professionals consistently deliver a quality building on time and within budget.

When Mayhem Strikes...We Strike Back!Construction and Insurance knowledge together will get your home or office back to normal quicker.

We will guide you through the insurance process while mitigating damage and restoring your building.

Before FireRestoration

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by Scott Merrow

Professional association membership is a key component of enhancing career development

INVEST IN...BIZ 101

S ometimes the best investment you can make is an investment in yourself. Because of the invaluable resources and networking opportunities it can provide, becoming a member

of a professional association may be one such investment.

A professional association is an organization that supports people employed within a particular career field. “Being a member of a professional association lets you know you are not on an island,” says Chris Maksym, director of pharmacy and home care operations for the University of Michigan Health System in Ann Arbor. Maksym, as a member of several professional associations and serving on the executive board of the Lansing-based Michigan Pharmacists Association, knows of what he speaks. “Professional associations provide industry-specific information that helps members build skills and networking capacity,” he says.

The benefits that professional associations offer individuals also extend to employers. Many career fields require continued education. Professional associations deliver access to continued education programs that afford members a hassle-free way of maintaining their livelihoods.

“Professional associations advocate for a profession and build a community of professionals who can turn to each other for advice,” says Linda Wacyk, director of communications at Michigan Association of School Administrators in Lansing.

All of this means that the individual benefits gained from professional associations translate into an overall benefit for employers. In addition, professional association membership can make an individual more attractive to a potential employer when he or she is looking for a job. So, whether someone has secure employment or is testing the job market, membership in a professional association is a wise investment.•

EXPAND

YOUR NETWORK

Benefits of Joining a Professional Association to Employees and EmployersEmployee Benefits

• Network with professionals in your field

• Share best practices to become more knowledgeable within your your career

• Get advice from peers on dealing with issues or problems that commonly arise in your profession

• Become an advocate for professional advancement

• Participate in invaluable professional development opportunities, such as conferences, certification programs, and continued education programs

Employer Benefits

• Act as an advocate for your profession and/or industry

• Get access to certification and continued education programs for employees

• Receive special discount pricing on products and services

16 | V1 2015

wildfire…for commercial lending

for second chancesmore square feet

Other commercial projects funded by Wildfire Credit Union:

Your savings federally insured to at least $250,000and backed by the full faith and credit of the United States Government

National Credit Union Administration, a U.S. Government Agency

Dist inct ive ly Bet ter

For many men and women, a successful stint at Saginaw’s Tri-Cap Community Corrections Program is all that stands between them and prison. The facility provides non-violent offenders with an opportunity to “get it right” — once and for all — while receiving support, counseling, training and oversight.

When Tri-Cap decided to add a 25,000-square-foot addition to nearly double its capacity, the organization was looking for a commercial lender to “get it right” as well.

Executive Director Gary Davis offered five financial institutions the opportunity to provide commercial financing proposals.

He selected Wildfire Credit Union.

“Deb VanDeventer was the first to respond with a quote, and she and the business services team have been hands-on ever since, even attending our groundbreaking,” Davis says.

In addition to great rates, Wildfire offered Davis no penalty for early pay off – something he was specifically interested in receiving.

“All in all, Wildfire was genuinely excited to work with us,” he explains. “They deliver great customer service and the whole process has been seamless.”

With its new addition, Tri-Cap will nearly double its staff of 30 to between 50 and 55 employees. Construction is expanding the facility’s kitchen and dining areas, while adding classrooms, dormitories, bathrooms, recreation areas, and security cameras.

“It’s been a huge undertaking,” Davis says. “But with Wildfire, the last thing I have to worry about is the financing.”

If you’d like to speak to the commercial lending professionals at Wildfire Credit Union, call, click or come by any branch in Saginaw, Midland or Bay City.

A few other commercial projects funded by Wildfire Credit Union

WF_TriCap_GLBbiz.indd 1 4/11/14 12:23 PM

COACHINGBIZ 101

by Daniel Handley, regional president & CEO, Dale Carnegie Training®

Recently, I read research in Fortune magazine on the skills that will be in highest demand over the next five to 10 years as specified by employers. The article stated: “Those [in-demand] skills did

not include business acumen, analysis, or P&L management. Instead, relationship building, teaming, co-creativity, culture sensitivity, and managing diverse employees were all near the top.” The research stated that “building the skills of human interaction, embracing our most essentially human traits will play to some people’s strengths and make others deeply uncomfortable. Those people (the latter) will be in trouble.”

To help with this, of the many principles in Dale Carnegie’s book How to Win Friends and Influence People, here are some simple, yet highly effective pointers for leaders who want to build relationships and influence people in the global business world in which we operate.

1. “Remember that a person’s name is to that person the sweetest and most important sound in any language.” Learn how to pronounce people’s names accurately, and

remember their names, regardless of language difficulties. For example, address them by their real name and not a nickname. It builds immediate rapport, which is the prerequisite for trust.

2. “Make the other person feel important—and do it sincerely.” Learn certain phrases in the foreign language, such as hello, goodbye, please, thank you, won’t you please, and would you mind.

3. “The only way to get the best of an argument is to avoid it.” Particularly in cultures where saving face is paramount, losing an argument can destroy rapport with the winner. “You can’t win an argument in many situations because if you lose it, you lose it; and if you win it, you lose it.” Why? Because nine times out of 10, an argument ends with each more firmly convinced than ever that he/she is absolutely right.

4. “Begin in a friendly way.” It’s a timeless principle applicable to any culture, as demonstrated by Aesop, who in one of his immortal fables wrote how the sun can make you take your coat off more quickly than the wind. “Kindliness, the friendly approach, and appreciation can help others change their minds more readily than all the bluster and storming in the world,” wrote Dale Carnegie.

5. “Let the other person feel the idea is his or hers.” This, too, is a timeless, international principle, as demonstrated by the writings of Chinese sage Lao-tse, 25 centuries ago: “The reason why rivers and seas receive the homage

of a hundred mountain streams is that they keep below them. Thus they are able to reign over the mountain streams.”

6. “Ask questions instead of giving direct orders.” Asking questions makes requests more acceptable, stimulates the creativity of people, gives them a feeling of importance, and saves their pride. Say things such as: “Do you think this will work?” or “You might consider this.”

7. “Make the other person happy about doing the thing you suggest.” Here are four specific steps recommended by Dale Carnegie:

• Be sincere; concentrate on the benefits to the other person.

• Know exactly what it is you want the other person to do.

• Be empathetic. Ask yourself what it is the other person really wants.

• Match the benefits to the other person’s wants.

A leader who is seen as proficient at hearing everyone, creating team synergy, and guiding teams toward the best outcomes is highly respected in an international environment. By earning respect in this way and by being inclusive and using good influence skills, a leader will be heard and followed.

For more ideas on improving leadership, employee engagement, and organizational performance, visit www.dalecarnegie.com, or contact Dan Handley at dan.handley@dalecarnegie.com, or call 989-799-7760, or 1-800-518-3253.•

COACHINGBIZ 101

THE SEVEN PRINCIPLES

FOR EFFECTIVE INFLUENCEA leader who hears everyone, creates team synergy, and guides teams toward the best outcomes is highly respected

18 | V1 2015

uncommon relationships. uncommon results.

OUR WORD MATTERS. RELATIONSHIPS MATTER. HANDSHAKES MATTER. That’s the way we do business.

We make sure each advisory team handles a relatively small number of clients - fewer than typical financial advisors - which results in a higher level of personalized service.

The bottom line? Uncommon relationships deliver uncommon results.

W E A L T H M A N A G E M E N T | P O R T F O L I O M A N A G E M E N T | R E T I R E M E N T P L A N S E R V I C E S

800.888.7968 | S Y M .com | 414 Townsend St. , Midland, MI 48640

WOMEN IN BUSINESSBIZ 101

to truly lead, you must have some level of understanding and comfort with “the numbers” and business and organizational strategy. Knowing how to tie what you are doing in your own job role to those two things means you are making a real business case—and meeting your goals. You then are taken seriously as a leader, regardless of gender. And, ultimately, you influence your organization and its people.

How is it that we come up short? Despite controlling P&L for our business and/or household finances, women don’t always receive mentoring like men do, either formally or informally, in business leadership and managing financials.

If you’re missing the 33 percent, the solution is to seek out ways to improve yourself. Take an accounting or finance class, find a coach who understands both business strategy and people leadership, and learn more about your organization’s strategic and financial goals. Doing so can mean completing the success equation for you.•

ability, and self-promotion. All good counsel, but something big is missing. And what’s missing completes the leadership equation.

In her 2014 interview with Diversity Executive magazine, Susan Colantunon, author and CEO of Leading Women, discussed what prevents us from reaching our full potential. Colantunon stated:

As women move up, we get to a point where further opportunities rest on our perceived potential for leading the business, not just leading the people. When determining whether a woman can lead the business, executives look for business, strategic, and financial acumen. This is what I call the missing 33 percent of the career success equation for women—not because women don’t or can’t have business, strategic, and financial acumen, but because very few women are told how essential these skills are for reaching the top.

Having both coached and been coached by mentors, I know that regardless of your role,

THE MISSING 33 PERCENT Is that what’s holding you back from being successful?

There’s great news for women that will finally help us bridge the gender and pay gap and break that glass ceiling. It’s the “aha” that will help make us a successful leader. So what is this revolutionary

discovery? A little background first.For many years, career coaches and mentors,

as well as business books and articles offering advice on professional advancement, have encouraged women to leverage our intuitive and collaborative abilities and people skills, while improving personal confidence, negotiating

by Beth McMall, vice president, client advisor and site team lead, First Merit PrivateBank, and advocate for women at work, financially, and in their lives

20 | V1 2015

Saginaw Valley State University has a strong tradition of preparing graduates for careers in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics). Many alumni have leadership roles with companies and organizations in the Great Lakes Bay Region and beyond. As Michigan’s need for STEM graduates has become more

acute, SVSU is partnering with leading regional employers and foundations to do even more.

Thirteen middle school and high school teachers from Midland to Millington participated in the Dow Corning Foundation-SVSU STEM Community Partnership. During the 2014-15 school year, hundreds of middle school and high school students engaged in an impressive list of hands-on STEM projects.

The Dow Science and Sustainability Education Center at SVSU was launched this past summer, following a speech by Andrew Liveris, president and CEO of The Dow Chemical Company. Six SVSU faculty members led research teams that involved regional middle and high school students and teachers, as well as SVSU students.

“Today’s life-changing innovations are developed at the intersections of many different sciences, such as chemistry, biology, and materials engineering,” Liveris said in his speech. “This is why we must invest more in STEM education, especially at universities like this one.”

SPECIAL ADVERTISEMENT

The Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow Foundation recently awarded $5 million to establish the Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow STEM Scholar Network at SVSU. The initiative will target middle school and high school students through summer camps, and will fund undergraduate research projects by SVSU students.

“We are pleased to have SVSU as a partner in this most vital effort,” says Macauley Whiting Jr., president of The Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow Foundation. “There is a pressing need to expand the STEM pipeline and SVSU addresses this by reaching students at three critical junctures.”

SVSU knows more can and must be done to prepare students to succeed locally and compete globally. Deb Huntley, provost and vice president for academic affairs at SVSU, enjoyed a 14-year career as a research chemist before joining the university. She sees a bright future for SVSU students, STEM-based employers, and the region as a whole.

“The students who study STEM at SVSU are going to have a range of new opportunities for undergraduate research that will give them a competitive advantage when they seek jobs or apply to graduate schools,” Huntley says. “The best part of these programs is that we are working together with employers and with K-12 schools—providing resources for both of them to meet their needs. That’s what we should be doing as a regional public university, and I see us doing even more in the coming years.”

Stephanie Brouet, a former research chemist and current associate professor of chemistry, works directly with SVSU undergraduate students on STEM research, while also directing outreach activities at the K -12 level through the Dow Corning Foundation— SVSU STEM Community Partnership. In 2015, Brouet was named a RUBY Award recipient.

SVSU Answers the Region’s Challenge to Educate More Students in STEM

“Success is going from failure to failure without losing enthusiasm.” ~ Sir Winston Churchill

General George Patton was considered by many to be the greatest military commander of the 20th century. What isn’t so well-known is that he failed to get into West Point on his first attempt

and spent a year as a freshman at Virginia Military Academy. Even after his West Point acceptance, he had to repeat his first year. Consequently, he spent three years going through the trauma and trials of being in the first year of a military academy.

Patton understood something about failure. He said:

“Life is not fair and it never turns out exactly according to your plans. During a person’s lifetime, there is no way to avoid problems, mishaps, and failure. Everyone experiences personal and professional setbacks, difficulties, and obstacles. These hindrances are unimportant, though, except as learning opportunities. What is important is how you react to them. If you want to feel sorry for

yourself and give up, that is your perogative. You always have the option to be a failure. If you want to be successful, however, accept these difficulties, learn from them, put your past behind you, and get on with your life and career. It takes personal strength of character and resilience to focus yourself and continue toward your objective in spite of the nasty little hurdles and barriers life puts in your pathway. If you really want something badly enough, nothing will stop you from getting it.”

One of the better books about failure (especially job loss) is Andy Andrews’s Traveler’s Gift. It’s a fictional series of short stories about a man who has lost his job, but is meeting people from history—all who faced challenges that made them famous. The book outlines seven worthwhile lessons toward overcoming failure and being successful.

1. Take responsibility for the past. “It is not my fault” should never come out of someone’s mouth.

2. Vow to seek wisdom. Choose friends with care, and listen to the counsel of others while developing a servant’s spirit.

3. Be a person of action. As Rev. Rick Warren says, “We can focus on our purpose or we can focus on our problems, but we cannot do both.”

THE LONG VIEWBIZ 101

OVERCOMING FAILUREHow we “bounce up off the bottom” is more important than how we handle success

by Terence F. Moore

4. Have a decided heart. Be passionate about your vision for the future. Be up early and be exhausted when you lay your head on your pillow at night.

5. Choose to be happy. That may be a tall order when so many people suffer from some form of depression—especially when they’ve failed. Nonetheless, it’s important to smile at people you meet, be grateful, and be appreciative.

6. Greet each day with a forgiving spirit. To live your life according to the opinions of others is to be a slave.

7. Persist without exception. You know the outcome you desire. Stay the course. Do not quit—never, ever. You are a fighting man or woman.

We can use our failures to empower us or imprison us. NBA star LeBron James had a high school classmate who was also an outstanding basketball player. That classmate wanted to go to Duke University when James went to the NBA—but he was turned down. Asked by a reporter if he was saddened about being rejected, James’ teammate said, “Absolutely not. I put that rejection letter on my refrigerator as a reminder to work hard so that they are going to regret not recruiting me.” He used the experience to empower himself.

To comment on this article or share your own observations, or to schedule a presentation, contact Terence Moore at 989-430-2335 or tfm43@speednetllc.com.•

22 | V1 2015

Thank you to The Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow Foundation for your $4 million commitment to STEM education.

Thank you! of Delta’s certificate and degree programs

are STEM related.

85%

What does the grant support?

• Increasedscience,technology,engineeringandmath(STEM)educationformiddleandhighschoolstudents.

• DeltaCollege’sSTEMExplorer,a38-footcustomizedvehicleoutfittedwithstate-of-the-artequipment,forproject-basedlearning.

• CollaborationwithK-12teacherstoexpandwhatisavailableintheirclassrooms.

• Hands-onlearningthatwillengagestudentsinawidevarietyofSTEMareasandexposethemtopotentialcareeropportunities.

The generosity of The Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow Foundation over the years has provided Delta College with resources that truly make a difference in people’s lives.

Partner with us!•DeltaCollegefaculty•K-12teachers•Areabusinessambassadors (emailus:STEMexplorer@delta.edu)

STEM jobs will need to be filled in Michigan by 2018.

274K

Years ago one of my kids returned from an unhappy sixth-grade day and pronounced that our family, in general, and this individual, in particular, suffered from abysmally low morale. To

compound my guilt and shame, the blame for this unwholesome situation rested squarely on my multifarious oppressions and ungenerous resource allocations (read: allowances and wardrobe acquisitions).

Even offerings of a copious allowance enhancement or lavish shopping binge seemed to promise only temporary relief for this dilemma. Whether the problems (real, perceived, or imagined) were caused by my despotism or, perhaps, my

child’s pre-pubescent angst, seasonal disorder (it was February), or other mysterious forces, I puzzled then and as I do now about these matters.

Ever since, there have been similar allegations and complaints expressed within the organizations I’ve tried earnestly to lead. And I feel just terrible about them. Really. But what to do about the morale problems of others?

In most human organizations—from the federal government to a local fire department, from Fortune 500 companies to mom-and-pop businesses, and even churches and colleges—there are pockets of good cheer/high energy and despondency/negativity. But neither of these is always found in expected places.

Morale problems sometimes persist precisely where the tasks are least demanding and compensation most abundant. Often those complaining the most about work are doing the least of it. Paradoxically, attitudes may be sanguine when the work is hard and the remuneration modest: Those people are too busy to wallow in self-pity.

This doesn’t suggest that soaring spirits are the inescapable result of lousy workplace conditions. The intentional infliction of misery would be a management strategy of dubious wisdom (e.g., “The beatings will cease when morale improves”). But it’s also merry nonsense

PEOPLE AND ORGANIZATIONSBIZ 101

THE DILEMMA OF LOW MORALEWhile an organization must engage its employees, the employees must be accountable for keeping themselves engaged

by Eric Gilbertson

to assume that cheerful esprit will be assured by minimal exertions and bounteous compensation.

It’s more complicated than that. People are more complicated than that. And attempts at easy fixes—money or leisure or praise—rarely provide lasting solutions.

What is clear, however, is that the state of morale for an individual or group is often the product of intangible human factors—insecurities, envies, or disappointments—as much as objective circumstance. And while an organization can relieve conditions that are unfair or unfeeling, in final analysis, grownups are the custodians of their own moods.

Of course, morale problems cannot be ignored: They are dangerously infectious and probably best kept quarantined. But, alas, there just aren’t compassionate strategies or miracle elixirs that can guarantee contentment in others.

So what’s to be done? Perhaps better to focus on those pockets of positive people and energy. Time and support spent sustaining enthusiasm where it exists is probably more productive than worrying excessively about what can’t or won’t change.

Eric Gilbertson teaches organizational leadership and constitutional law at Saginaw Valley State University. To comment on this article, contact him at erg@svsu.edu.•

24 | V1 2015

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28 | V1 2015

BY RYAN RICHARDS | PHOTOS BY DOUG JULIAN

BUSINESS AND EDUCATION PARTNER TO CREATE TOMORROW’S WORKFORCE

S T E M

FEATURE

THE REGIONAL STEM STUDY: BUILDING THE ROADMAP

In early 2014, the Great Lakes Bay Regional Alliance Education Council’s STEM Task Force entered a three-month collaboration with two firms, Accenture and Innovate+Educate, to conduct a STEM study for the region. The study included over 150 interviews with key regional stakeholders as well as focus groups, surveys, and economic and workforce data analysis.

In the end, the study uncovered four key facts about STEM education in our region:

1) Our region’s economic vitality depends on the industries and jobs that require STEM skills; 2) Businesses must speak a common language about the specific STEM skills they require; 3) Education and training systems must produce the STEM talent required to meet and sustain economic growth; and 4) Our region needs an effective STEM pipeline to retain jobs and attract new businesses.

According to Carolyn Wierda, interim associate dean and executive in residence, College of Education, at Saginaw Valley State University, these results have strong implications for regional educators. “It puts pressure on us to really be sure graduates in our region are prepared to walk into those available STEM jobs, or to go on to further training to be able to achieve in a STEM economy,” she says.

The study gives the region a STEM “roadmap” to help prioritize those opportunities strategically. For several years, however, some STEM-specific efforts in regional education have already been underway.

or several years, the term “STEM”—an acronym for “science, technology, engineering, and math”—has

echoed through business and education alike. There’s a pressing need to fill STEM-related jobs and, as a result, the need for STEM education to train workers has become crucially important. The Great Lakes Bay Region is positioning itself to compete in this arena, with business and education partnering to build the workforce for these jobs of the future.

FEATURE

F

30 | V1 2015

BRINGING STEM TO A DISTRICT

Science teacher David Brown is the K-12 STEM coordinator for Bullock Creek Schools just south of Midland. He has taught various classes since 2009 that focus on project-based learning, with students collaborating in groups to solve engineering-type problems. Starting last fall, Bullock Creek has instituted project-based learning as a district-wide model.

Under this model, students work in groups to carry out all project steps, from brainstorming ideas to building a finished product. “We have projects like building solar-powered cars, building wind turbines, testing those out, and again going through modifications,” Brown says. “There are various tools the students are able to use to measure the output of these things, and to go back and see if they can make it more efficient, [and] make it work better.”

Brown says the goal of this model is to connect students’ classroom learning to real-world applications. “We’re trying to model this as much as we can after real-life processes that would happen in a job,” he says.

Although the district has worked with area businesses to institute the project-based learning model, Brown would like to increase the collaboration even more. “We’re looking at bringing professionals in to talk to the students and bring some activities for them,” he says. “Hopefully, we’ll be able to take the students to various manufacturing businesses so they can actually see firsthand what happens in a facility like that.”

STEM IN THE CLASSROOM: THE BIKE GENERATOR

In the summers of 2013 and 2014, Freeland Public Schools teacher Scott Harrison attended two week-long intensive programs on energy and biodiversity at the Smithsonian Science Education Academies for Teachers, with his trips sponsored by The Dow Chemical Company. Upon returning, Harrison created a “bike generator” for his classroom to help him teach an energy unit in his science class. His students helped him build the generator, which is powered by the energy generated by a rider on a stationary bicycle. The generator in turn lights three different lightbulbs, visually demonstrating how work is converted to energy and how different lightbulbs require different amounts of power to produce light.

The project was a tremendous success. “My students absolutely loved the bike generator,” Harrison says. “The experience they have riding it for just 30 seconds is worth more than a day’s worth of lecture.” Harrison notes that the generator instantly teaches the concepts of energy transfer and energy conservation. “It’s a nice feeling,” he says, “to see my students’ huge smiles when the lightbulb literally goes on for them!”

Freeland Public Schools students Trey Gleason, Jessica Kelsey, and Tyler McLaren, along with teacher Scott Harrison, test out their bike generator project

Kaylee Monville, Faith Johnson, Kalli Emeott, teacher David Brown, Zachary West, and Austin West build a wind turbine at Bullock Creek Middle School

SUPPORTING TOMORROW’S WORKFORCE: OUR REGIONAL EMPLOYERS

These efforts to increase the depth and breadth of STEM education in the classroom are supported by regional employers. Rob Vallentine is The Dow Chemical Company’s global director, corporate citizenship, as well as the president of The Dow Chemical Company Foundation. In the past, he says, STEM education was seen mainly as a philanthropic gesture. “Now, companies are starting to align to build the workforce of tomorrow. We have to work with the schools to make sure the talent is prepared for the jobs.” As a result, the corporate focus on STEM education has increased heavily in recent years.

Dow’s newest effort to help support classroom learning comes in response to local educator requests for classroom involvement. The Dow STEM Ambassadors Program will allow interested employees to volunteer to contribute their expertise in educational settings and at education-related events throughout the region.

“A lot of Dow employees are already out there volunteering at events with a STEM focus,” says Jeff Martin, community relations leader. “We want to build a coordinated volunteer effort with employees who have a real passion in the STEM area.” Dow will work closely with local universities to engage STEM ambassadors in the community. “The key word is coordination,” Martin says. “When we’re not filling a need and we become aware of it, we can drive our ambassadors toward that need.”

The STEM Ambassadors Program will work in addition to the regional education partnerships Dow currently supports, from the Fast Start program at Delta College to train displaced workers for currently

available technology jobs, to its partnership with local schools on the FIRST Robotics and You Be The Chemist programs, both of which engage students in hands-on, STEM-focused learning. Dow also helps to sponsor the New Tech Program at Meridian High School in Midland County, a project-based

learning environment where students partner with local businesses to work on solving real-world problems those companies face. The company is also working closely with local universities on “much more significant partnerships now than we ever have,” according to Martin.

FEATURE

According to the National Girls Collaborative Project, women constitute 47 percent of the total workforce, but only 27 percent of the science and engineering workforce. A National Science Foundation study found the science and engineering workforce consisted of only 6 percent Hispanics and only 5 percent African-Americans in 2010. In addition, African-Americans, Hispanics, and American Indians earned only 17.8 percent of science and engineering bachelor’s degrees in 2010, and only 6.9 percent of science and engineering doctorates.

According to Marlene Searles, director of Great Lakes Bay Early College, students’ problem with STEM careers is not necessarily a lack of interest, but, rather, difficulty with foundational skills those careers require. “Our students will take a biology class and love the material, but they’re having trouble with the lab reports and tests and quizzes,” she says. “We’ve found that’s due to reading abilities and math computation. We teach strategies and skills for students to retain their math learnings, and we emphasize reading strategies with our students across all the disciplines.”

Pam Clark, executive director of Institutional Advancement at Delta College, says the trouble often starts in middle and high school, when girls and minorities “self-select” away from STEM education. “It’s definitely not that they’re not smart enough, but when they do look at STEM areas, they don’t see anyone like them,” she says. “Then even if they get to college and say ‘I want to be a scientist,’ they haven’t built the knowledge and proficiency for college-level work.”

To combat this self-selection, Delta College is pioneering a regional outreach initiative it calls “STEM Explorer,” funded by a grant from the Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow Foundation. “We’re buying a 38-foot vehicle and outfitting it with all kinds of scientific equipment,” Clark says, potentially including portable welding and CNC machines, EKG machines, 3-D printers, and other hands-on activities. Getting students physically involved with these STEM activities makes the crucial connection between classroom learning and career experiences, Clark says. As part of the program, she hopes to have volunteers from STEM-related businesses involved when the vehicle comes to a school in their area.

FUTURE OF STEM IN THE REGION

The number and importance of STEM jobs only continues to increase. As Vallentine notes, “We have 12 million unemployed people in the U.S., but we have four million open jobs. That’s the opportunity: Do we have people with the right skills prepared for the workforce?”

From the educators’ side, according to Harrison, the biggest challenge is the education of teachers about STEM. “To effectively incorporate STEM into your classroom, it’s as if you need four majors just to teach science,” he says. “Teachers see the value in STEM, but it’s crucial that teachers who need that STEM training can have access to it.” Harrison hopes for more STEM training programs, such as the Smithsonian programs he attended, “to travel to us so that more teachers can have the same experiences I did.”

Vallentine summarizes the goal for STEM partnerships in an equation: “Uninterested kids + unprepared kids = unrealized opportunity,” he says. “If we take away the ‘un,’ we end up with kids that are interested, kids that are prepared, and that’s when the opportunity is realized. We have to have kids who are interested in and prepared for these jobs.” •

BY RYAN RICHARDS

DEDICATED PROGRAMS PROMOTE SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, AND MATHEMATICS TRAINING TO THE MINORITY WORKFORCE

S T E M FOR ALL

V1 2015 | 33

Mike Rehberg (middle) is one of several FIRST Robotics mentors who dedicates hundreds of hours every year to help students, such as the ones pictured here, foster important STEM skills. Photo provided by The Dow Chemical Company.

With the rapid advancement of technology, engineering, and computer automation in our world today, careers in these areas are in high demand. Although opportunities in these areas continue to grow, there is a shortage of properly trained employees to fill the openings, largely due to a lack of interest in STEM areas: science, technology, engineering, and math. Some

specialized groups and corporations are doing everything they can to spark interest in STEM, hoping to improve our ability to compete in the global economy. Dow Corning is one such corporation making a large difference in the Great Lakes Bay Region.

One special way Dow Corning is impacting the area’s workforce is through a partnership with Delta College to help train students for in-demand jobs in STEM fields. Chemical Process Fast Start Training is a 12-week, 480-hour training program that prepares participants for careers as chemical process operators.

Dow Corning also promotes STEM from a very grassroots level, encouraging employees to spread their passion for math, science, engineering, and technology in the Great Lakes Bay Region. The company provides flexibility in employees’ work schedules, allowing for participation in local STEM-related activities that fall during normal workday hours. These events could include Junior Achievement, giving classroom demonstrations, or providing one-on-one math mentoring to area students. Many employees at Dow Corning also participate in local organizations that support STEM, such as the American Chemical Society and American Institute of Chemical Engineers.

Perhaps the most important way Dow Corning makes a difference in STEM passion and awareness in the region is through the hiring of exceptional and passionate employees, such as Katie Erikson. Erikson graduated from Kansas State University with a degree in chemical engineering in 2005 and joined Dow Corning that same year in the Science and Technology Process Engineering department. Since then, her passion for STEM-related areas and for our future generations has become evident.

SPECIAL ADVERTISEMENT

DOW CORNING SUPPORTS STEM EDUCATION

Q&A WITH KATIE ERICKSON

Q. Why do you feel training and education in STEM is important?A. Without education and training in STEM, our progress would halt in areas such as medicine, agriculture, engineering, manufacturing, social sciences, and many more.

Q. What made you passionate about STEM?A. I have always been inquisitive and asked a lot of questions when I was in grade school. I had a fourth-grade teacher who explained to me that most things in the world had to do with math. I was good at math, so she encouraged me to pursue a career in it.

Q. In what way(s) have you been involved with STEM education, research, and/or planning?A. Since 2005, I have participated in taking science demonstrations to

local grade schools. From 2006 through 2008, I participated in a math mentoring program at Jefferson Middle School in Midland, where I mentored sixth graders once per week during their lunch hour. During that same time, I was also the Education Outreach Co-chair for the Mid-Michigan Chapter of American Institute of Chemical Engineers. I have also been a judge for the Future Cities Engineering Competition every year since 2004. I attended the recent STEM Summit at Central Michigan University and participated in discussions with educators and other professionals.

Q. What advice do you have for young people interested in STEM courses?

A. I encourage all young people to pay attention to math. We use it every day. I encourage them to ask their parents what things they pay attention to that have to do with math, such as prices on groceries and gas, the stock market, and miles on long trips.

Q. What can parents do to help their children develop a love and appreciation for STEM subjects?A. Technology powers our world. I like to point out to my kids how everyday things have changed with technology over time. The way we get our news is a great example to show the different technological advances with time. And, I explain to kids that engineering is a discipline that pulls all three subjects (science, technology, and math) together.

I also encourage parents to look over their children’s homework and stay involved in their education from a very early age. Science can answer any question a 5-year-old (and older) could ask, including, “Why is the sky blue?”, “Where did birds come from?”, or “Why do I have to eat my vegetables?”

Received!message

BY MARTHA SPIZZIRI

CUSTOMERS, COLLEAGUES, AND VENDORS DON’T ALWAYS TAKE THE TIME TO READ EACH EMAIL CLOSELY. HERE ARE SOME TIPS TO CUT THROUGH THE CLUTTER AND GET A RESPONSE.

hen you’re sending an email—whether it’s to a colleague, a client, or a prospective customer—you want your message to get through

the clutter and get a response. Two things can keep email from being

opened and answered quickly: It doesn’t look relevant, or reading the message seems as if it will be time-consuming.

“We don’t even have time to process what we’re currently seeing before we get new stuff,” notes Melissa L. Hobart, assistant professor of communication at Saginaw Valley State University. “If you just send off an email and don’t really think about it from their (the recipient’s) perspective, they’re super likely to hit the delete button. But if you say ‘Hey, look, this is why this matters to you,’ then all of a sudden you have their attention.”

A good email starts with the subject line. That’s the first thing people see, and it determines whether people will want to open your message. The subject should be both specific and concise.

W

FEATURE

36 | V1 2015

“Instead of writing ‘Hey’ or ‘Monday,’ you might say ‘Monday’s meeting: Bring a snack.’ That would alert somebody to the more important reason to read the email,” says Jennifer Luzar, associate professor of business communications at Northwood University.

Once the recipient opens the email, the message should be as short as possible. People are less likely to read if they have to scroll down past a single screen. If you must write a longer email, Luzar suggests adding a one- or two-sentence

synopsis at the top of the body of the email. Then draw a line below it and write the body of the email. This way, the recipient can either come back to the message when she has time to read it fully, or scroll down just then to get the information she needs.

Another time-saving tool for the reader: Break text into chunks. Use headings and short sentences. “We recommend bullet points instead of paragraphs,” says Luzar. “[Do] anything you can do to make it more readable for the eye in this fast-moving world.”

SENDING EMAIL TO MULTIPLE RECIPIENTSWhen sending email to a group of people, make sure everyone you’re sending it to really needs to see it. If you routinely send people information they don’t need, they’ll learn to tune your messages out.

The blind-carbon copy feature can be extremely useful when sending to a group. There are two main reasons. First, brevity: A long list of email addresses takes up a lot of space, forcing

people to scroll to see the actual message. Second, if you don’t use blind copy, every recipient will be able to see every other recipient’s email address. That’s a privacy concern. In some cases, it can even result in legal action against the sender’s company.

There are other advantages to the blind-copy function. “You hear those horror stories: Oh, somebody hit ‘reply all,’ and now there’s trouble,” says Hobart. Maybe someone replies with an inappropriate joke that goes to everyone on the list. When you put recipients’ email addresses in the ‘Bcc:’ field instead of in the ‘To:’ field, Luzar explains, people don’t see that anyone else is receiving the message, and they’re less likely to reply to everyone. “It’s a nice little tool to avoid that messy situation,” Luzar notes. Another bonus: Even a form letter can seem personal when it looks as if you’re the only recipient.

Of course, there are times when you want people to reply to all—for instance, if you’re planning the company picnic and want to know

who’s bringing what. In that case, says Luzar, “make it clear: ‘Reply to all so we don’t get double the amount of paper plates we need.’”

There are rules for forwarding messages, too. Ask the original sender for permission first.

EMAIL ETIQUETTE FOR CLIENTS AND VENDORSMany people see email as an informal mode of communication, but, especially when corresponding with people outside of your company, a bit of ceremony is required. Follow the same rules that you would for block-style business letters, says Luzar. That starts with the format: Flush left, with double spaces between paragraphs. Avoid using fancy text or colors, because they may not display on the recipient’s system. You may be using a lot of highlighting to make a point only to have the highlighting disappear.

When contacting someone for the first time, always use a salutation, and address him by his title

and last name: “Dear Mr. Jones.” And always end by signing your name, even if you use an automatic signature. “Say something like ‘warm regards’ or ‘sincerely,’” says Luzar. “You have to realize that people still expect a certain amount of decorum in business writing, even if it’s through email. A lot of people will be judging you (and your company) by that, so you want to make sure you put your best foot forward.” Making a good impression is especially important these days, when we tend not to deal with people face to face, she adds.

It should probably go without saying, but “when you’re establishing rapport, no emoticons, no all caps, and no texting language like ‘TTYL’—talk to you later,” says Luzar. “You can’t assume that people on the other end are going to know what that means, or not be offended that you’re being more informal than you should be.”

All these rules may sound overly rigid, but, of course, you don’t have to stick to them blindly. If a correspondent invites you to use his first name, by all means, do. Still, says Luzar, “It’s better to

A good email starts with the subject line.

FEATURE

38 | V1 2015

be safe than sorry when we’re communicating and trying to build our business and our clientele.”

Finally, take the time to proofread your email before sending it; spell check doesn’t catch all errors. Luzar tells her students to proofread backwards. “We read so fast, a lot of times we read errors as correct,” Luzar explains. That’s because our brains fill in missing or incorrect information from the context. Reading backwards short-circuits this tendency.

BLASTING MARKETING EMAILSFor email marketing campaigns, the same rules apply: Use specific subject lines and concise, chunked copy. But for marketing emails in particular, you’ll want go beyond mere relevance and tell the recipient what’s in it for them if they read your message. If you’re making a special offer or running a contest, say that in the subject line: “Enter to win $50.” And keep in mind that people respond better to a dollars-off offer than a

percentage discount. “That way they don’t have to do the math,” explains Luzar.

Action words in a subject line can improve open rates, but often-used phrases such as “act now” or “free” can trigger spam filters. Other words to avoid: “help,” “percent off,” and “reminder.” They don’t set off spam filters, but they do reduce open rates, according to the email-application provider MailChimp.

One of the main reasons people don’t read emails is when they get too many from a particular sender. To solve that problem, combine information into fewer emails that you write, using bullet points to make each topic stand out. “Then people won’t have the feeling of ‘been there, done that’ with the sender,” Luzar says.

PROCEED WITH CAUTION WHEN USING VISUALSGraphics can add impact to an email message or campaign, but beware. They can be tricky,

especially when working with customers. “There can be compatibility issues [between the sender’s computer and the recipient’s computer],” says Luzar.

If recipients have to load a large graphic just to read your message, they might not wait, especially if they’re paying data charges. Keep image file sizes small. Simple graphics with flat colors will load faster.

Finally, remember that people will be viewing your message on different types of screens: computers, phones, and tablets. A low-resolution graphic might look fine on a phone, but appear blurry on a larger screen. Even a message that’s all text can cause problems if it uses different colors and font sizes. “This is a place where I especially see small businesses really fail,” says Hobart. Test emails on different devices before sending. Yes, it takes extra time, but less so as you figure out what works. And it’s worth it to make sure your message is heard loud and clear. •

The number of seconds it should take a recipient to get the gist of the email. If you have a lot of information to get across, you can still hit the 10-second mark by including a summary at the top of the message. Bullet points and the headings also help, by making the message easier to digest at a glance. Including lengthy documentation as an attachment can keep the body of the message even briefer. PDFs work best, “because there’s inevitably going to be some receiver that has Word ’03 and hasn’t updated,” says business communications pro Jennifer Luzar. “If you have it in PDF format, anyone can access the information.”

The maximum number of hours that should go by before you reply to a message. “If you don’t have the answer, you [should] just reply and say ‘I’m working on this,’ and that way they’ll at least know that you’ve read it [and] you’re not blowing them off,” Luzar says. Now that people constantly have their smartphones with them, people may want a reply even more quickly, but Luzar says a reply within 24 hours is still acceptable. That said, if you can answer more quickly, it’s a big plus. “That’s the type of thing we want to do for our customers, to make their day with a quick reply,” she says.

The maximum number of characters that should be in your subject line, according to the email application vendor MailChimp. There is an exception to the rule, though: email marketing campaigns that go to a very targeted mailing list. In that case, readers tend to be receptive to a little extra information.

That stands for the number of minutes that you should wait before writing a reply to an email that makes you angry. An hour should be enough time to let you cool down and compose a rational, businesslike response.

BY MARTHA SPIZZIRI

WHEN WRITING EFFECTIVE BUSINESS COMMUNICATIONS, COUNT ON THE POWER OF 10 – 24 – 50 – 60

Email by the Numbers

When sending email, it’s helpful to remember these four numbers:

10

24

50

60

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WHO GIVES p.42 | LAUNCH p.44 | ON THE MOVE p.48 | EXPOSURE p.50

BIZSCENE

V1 2015 | 41

Philanthropic and charitable giving is off to a strong start at the Midland office, which opened two years ago, of the longtime statewide law firm, Warner Norcross & Judd LLP.

Executive Partner Jeffrey A. Ott says, “Our philosophy is that to get involved in our communities is fundamental to the way we do business.”

Hometown roots are a key to local community service initiatives. Ott is a 1982 graduate of Dow High School. Partner Jonathan E. Lauderbach, a former circuit judge, is a 1987 product of Midland High.

Therefore, when Grand Rapids-based Warner Norcross & Judd opted for outreach into the Great Lakes Bay Region, Ott and Lauderbach were prepared to hit the ground running.

“We literally drove around town to pick temporary office space,” Ott says, “and we started calling on potential clients who we knew from in and around the area. It was a lot of legwork, but it was fun.”

Each of the law firm’s eight offices receives a budget share for giving, and decisions are made regionally by personnel who are familiar with their communities. In turn, attorneys and staffers are encouraged to choose worthy causes that are of personal interest, and to volunteer time, including pro bono legal services.

“Many smaller nonprofits cannot afford legal services,” Lauderbach notes. “When they don’t have to pay lawyers [for legal services], this saves money that they can put into their programs.” •

BIZ WHO GIVESBIZ SCENE

GIVING TO THE COMMUNITY FROM THE STARTWith charitable initiatives, Warner Norcross & Judd LLP hits the ground running in the Midland areaby Mike Thompson | photo by Doug Julian

Attorneys and staff at the Midland office of Warner Norcross & Judd LLP provide volunteer time for an array of worthy causes, often backed with financial donations. Here are some examples:

Jonathan E. Lauderbach, partner: Eagle Village, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Great Lakes Bay Region, and ShelterHouse of Midland and Gladwin counties.

Christin Petroski, senior counsel: Stevens Center for Family Business Executive Council at Saginaw Valley State University, Zonta Club of Midland, and Midland Downtown Development Authority. Beth O’Laughlin, associate: Midland Young Professionals, Personal Assistance Options, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Great Lakes Bay Region, Ask the Lawyer, 100 Young Professionals Giving Circle, and Young Leaders United. Ann Horowitz, client development manager: ShelterHouse and Ten16 Recovery Network.

WHO GIVES TO WHAT

Morgan Banks, Beth O’Laughlin, Ann Horowitz, and Jonathon Lauderbach wrap presents for families in need during the 2014 holiday season

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WHO GIVES TO WHAT

No matter where you live in Michigan, you are never far from a Karmanos cancer facility and access to the clinical trials, cancer program development, research, genetic counseling, and other services such a network can provide. As the largest cancer research and provider network in the state, Karmanos provides access to the latest treatment services at multiple locations. McLaren operates in 53 counties in Michigan, including nine

radiation therapy facilities and its newest cancer center on the West Campus of McLaren Bay Region. The plan was simple yet profound: Provide comprehensive cancer care as close to patients as possible. And that’s exactly what they’ve done.

With breast services, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and physician specialists on one campus, area patients have access to the latest treatment protocols, research, and service quality on McLaren Bay Region’s West Campus on Midland Road in Bay City. Surgical services, the other major treatment option, will remain at the Main (East) Campus at 1900 Columbus Avenue in Bay City.

Karmanos’ network of cancer centers is unifying oncology care plans in order to assure that treatment guidelines are the same for all patients. Karmanos treats 12,000 new cases of cancer each year throughout Michigan. Individualized care plans are developed for each patient using the latest trials, protocols, and best practices.

“Now is an excellent time for our new cancer center,” says medical oncologist David Cook, MD. “The electronic health record is in place, and we have been working for months developing uniform order sets so

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that standardized treatment policies are in place. It’s like a pilot’s checklist,” explains Dr. Cook. “We can assure that no details are missed.”

The center will also be home to four local oncologists’ offices. In addition to Dr. Cook, Jonathan Abramson, MD, Muhammad I. Moid, MD, and Shalini Thoutreddy, MD, will be located in the new facility. “This is a very valuable improvement,” says Dr. Cook. “Having physician offices in the infusion (chemotherapy) clinic means we can see patients immediately if needed. Our (office) staff has 30 to 40 years of experience treating cancer patients. That’s a wealth of knowledge to employ for our patients.”

Newly diagnosed patients and their families will have immediate access to staff for appointments, a library of medical information, and Internet access. They can learn about their disease under the guidance of social workers and other caregivers. Radiation therapy is also located on the West Campus at the Jeppessen Radiation Oncology Center, just across the parking lot. James Littles, MD, is the radiation oncologist.

“The partnership of Karmanos Cancer Institute and McLaren Health Care has created the largest cancer network in Michigan,” says Stephanie Leslie, oncology program manager at McLaren Bay Region. “We are working to elevate the quality of cancer care, improve patient outcomes, provide education, integrate clinical trials, and continue research initiatives. What that means for the Great Lakes Bay community is access to a world-class cancer care network that is innovative, compassionate, and dedicated to the prevention, early detection, treatment, and, we hope, the eventual eradication of cancer.”

An exterior view of the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute

Wayne State Universityat McLaren Bay Region

Better Treatments. Better Outcomes. More Moments.Karmanos Cancer Institute at McLaren Bay Region Offers World Class Cancer Care

Bavarian Inn Lodge receives national awardThe Bavarian Inn Lodge in Frankenmuth received the 2014 Family Vacation Favorite award from Family Vacation Critic, a popular online resource for parents looking for a family-friendly place to spend a weekend or a longer vacation. Traditional Home magazine recognizes Alden B. Dow Home & Studio The Alden B. Dow Home & Studio was designated one of “The 25 Best Historic Homes in America” by Traditional Home magazine. The article celebrates the home and studio on a national level, and assigns significance to its part in the history of American architecture.

Tom Johnson Agency expands The Tom Johnson Agency, an insurance company based in Freeland, opened a new location at 430 North Saginaw Road in Midland. The Freeland office will remain open.

Wound Treatment Center opensThe Wound Treatment Center opened at MidMichigan Medical Center in Midland. It offers advanced therapy, treatment, and comprehensive care for chronic wounds and the conditions that cause them, such as diabetic or pressure ulcers, infections, surgical wounds, and other injuries.

Gallagher Everitt & Associates opens new locationLaw firm Gallagher Everitt & Associates opened a new office at 115 McDonald Street in Midland. Its existing offices in Alma will remain open.

Michigan Health Information Alliance, Inc. selected as field testing siteThe National Quality Forum has created an NQF Action Guide 1.0, a handbook designed to support communities in their journey toward better health, and selected Michigan Health Information Alliance, Inc. as one of its 10 field testing sites. The guide is intended to support coalitions that

are working to promote and improve population health in a long-term, sustainable manner.

Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute opensThe Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute opened on the campus of McLaren Bay Region as part of a new partnership between Karmanos Cancer Institute and McLaren Health Care.

Davenport University launches new programDavenport University, with campuses in Midland, Saginaw, and Flint, now offers a competency-based Master of Business Administration program. The program is designed for business professionals, allows credits for skills already gained, and provides opportunities for participants to learn more in-depth skills.

Warner Norcross & Judd LLP named “Most Feared”Warner Norcross & Judd LLP was named one of

LAUNCH Great Lakes Bay Region Business Groundbreakings, Expansions, Initiatives, and Industry Awards

The Bavarian Inn Lodge received the 2014 Family Vacation Favorite Award from online resource Family Vacation Critic

BIZ SCENE LAUNCHBIZ SCENE

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Great Lakes Bay Region Business Groundbreakings, Expansions, Initiatives, and Industry Awards

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The F.P. Horak Company recognized for cross-channel marketingThe F.P. Horak Company received the Sappi North America Printer of the Year Silver Award for cross-channel marketing for its custom magazine, Bottom Line. Bottom Line is published three times a year by Great Lakes Bay Publishing.

Central Michigan University College of Medicine honored The Central Michigan University College of Medicine received the Corporate Award at the

annual Great Lakes Bay Regional Chamber Summit. The CMU College of Medicine is the nation’s 137th medical school, created to address an anticipated shortage of 4,000 to 6,000 physicians in Michigan by 2020.

Construction plans at St. Mary’s of Michigan approvedThe Central Michigan University board of trustees approved a $12 million construction/renovation plan that will provide space for internal medicine and senior health care clinics and a neuroscience center in a 17,100-square-foot facility connected to St. Mary’s of Michigan. Construction will begin in spring 2015, and is expected to conclude in summer 2016.

The plan also includes the renovation of a 9,679-square-foot portion of the St. Mary’s Health Education Center.

The project is in addition to the $25 million, 46,000-square-foot main education building for the CMU College of Medicine that is currently under construction on the campus of Covenant HealthCare in Saginaw. It is expected to be complete in May 2015.

Warner Norcross & Judd LLP expands Warner Norcross & Judd LLP opened the Data Solutions Practice Group, making it the first firm in Michigan to provide an integrated team approach to managing client data.

New Beginnings Gym opensNew Beginnings Gym opened at 481 North Tuscola Road in Essexville. The gym is open 24 hours a day to members, and is staffed between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Farm-to-table restaurant opens Bradley’s Bistro opened at 216 Federal Avenue in downtown Saginaw. The restaurant focuses on seasonal and locally-sourced foods.

Two businesses open in one locationBancroft Coffee & Tea and Bancroft Wine & Martini Bar opened at 101 South Washington Avenue in downtown Saginaw. The interiors of both businesses have a historical 1920s restored ambiance.

Yeo & Yeo CPAs & Business Consultants recognized Yeo & Yeo CPAs & Business Consultants was named one of Michigan’s Best and Brightest in Wellness. The initiative recognizes quality and excellence in worksite health, highlighting companies that promote a culture of wellness.

Midland SmartZone plans approvedMidland SmartZone will be managed and used by Midland Tomorrow to create and promote the development and attraction of high-technology companies to Midland.

Covenant HealthCare listed for high achievementThe American Heart Association/American Stroke Association included Covenant HealthCare in its annual U.S. News & World Report congratulatory ad. For a second time, Covenant HealthCare earned a “Gold Plus” status, the highest achievement ranking.

BIZ SCENE LAUNCHBIZ SCENE

Shaynie Feinauer, marketing manager forThe F.P. Horak Company, received the Sappi Printer of the Year Silver Award on behalf of the company for its custom magazine, Bottom Line, published by GreatLakes Bay Publishing

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MidMichigan Health ear, nose, and throat specialists open Bay City practiceMidMichigan Health physicians opened a new Bay City office at 1620 South Euclid Avenue, serving ear, nose, and throat patients. The practice is part of the MidMichigan Physician Group, which has offices in Midland, Clare, Gladwin, and Mount Pleasant.

Craft brewing certificate program coming to Central Michigan UniversityCentral Michigan University officials are planning a certificate program in fermentation science within the College of Science and Technology. The program, expected to enroll its first class in fall 2015, would be the first of its kind in the state to provide a hands-on education focused on craft beer brewing.

Saginaw bar named one of “Michigan’s Best” The Big Ugly Fish, located at 1418 State Street in Saginaw, made MLive’s Top 10 List in the search for “Michigan’s Best Neighborhood Bar.”

Central Michigan University board of trustees approves bonds Central Michigan University’s board of trustees approved the issuance of general revenue bonds. The bonds will finance a portion of construction costs for the $95 million biosciences building and the design and construction of an $8 million lacrosse/soccer field and student recreation facility.

Junior Achievement of Northeast Michigan receives national honorJunior Achievement of Northeast Michigan received one of Junior Achievement USA®’s highest honors: the Star Award. The award recognizes staff and boards that meet Junior Achievement USA’s national standards in operational efficiency.

New Executive Mortgage, LLC opens new locationNew Executive Mortgage, LLC opened a new office at 711 Bayliss Street, Suite A, in Midland. The company’s Saginaw-based office moved to 4055 State Street, Suite B, in Saginaw Township.

Zehnder publishes second cookbookDorothy Zehnder, Bavarian Inn’s 92-year-old matriarch, released her second cookbook, From My Kitchen to Yours. The 196-page edition features 195 family-favorite recipes, kitchen tips, and memories from her home and restaurant. Her first cookbook, Come Cook With Me, was released in 2011.

Saginaw County Land Bank purchases empty buildingThe Saginaw County Land Bank paid $105,000 to purchase the empty building at 219 South Michigan Avenue in Saginaw. The Saginaw County government intends to use the property as an expansion for its main campus near Saginaw’s Old Town district.

Marshall M. Fredericks Sculpture Museum completes digitization project The Marshall M. Fredericks Sculpture Museum at Saginaw Valley State University completed a yearlong project of digitizing drawings in its archives collection. The project was funded by a Museums for America grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

NETWORKING EVENTSBay Area Chamber of Commerce: Eye Opener Breakfast. Held most months on a Tuesday. Held at Bay Valley Resort & Conference Center, Bay City; 989-893-4567, www.baycityarea.com

Bay Area Chamber of Commerce: Business After Hours. Held most months on a Thursday, 5 – 7 p.m. Members only. Bay City; 989-893-4567, www.baycityarea.com

Midland Area Chamber of Commerce: WakeUp! Midland. Held on the first Friday of most months. Held at Great Hall Banquet and Convention Center, Midland; 989-839-9901, www.macc.org

Midland Area Chamber of Commerce: Chamber Connection. Held most months on a Wednesday, 5 – 7 p.m. Members only. Midland; 989-839-9901, www.macc.org

Mt. Pleasant Area Chamber of Commerce: Business After Hours. Held most months, 5 – 7 p.m. Mt. Pleasant; 989-772-2396, www.mt-pleasant.net

Saginaw County Chamber of Commerce: Percolator Breakfast. Held the first Thursday of most months. Free for members. Held at Horizons Conference Center, Saginaw Township; 989-752-7161, www.saginawchamber.org

Saginaw County Chamber of Commerce: Business After Hours. Held most months on a Thursday, 5 – 7 p.m. Free for members. Saginaw; 989-752-7161, www.saginawchamber.org

Great Lakes Bay Regional Hispanic Business Association. Meets the second Monday of each month. Saginaw; 989-753-1999, www.mmhba.org

Great Lakes Bay Region/Inforum. Lunch program meeting held the second Friday of each month. Saginaw Club, Saginaw; www.inforummichigan.org

Want your business news included here in the June 2015 issue of Great Lakes Bay Business? Email information no later than February 15, 2015, to jen@greatlakesbaymag.com. •

V1 2015 | 47

Pickelman joins Tri-Star Trust BankJon Pickelman joined Tri-Star Trust Bank’s Saginaw office as an investment associate. A Saginaw native, Pickelman has a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a master’s degree in trust and wealth management. He is pursuing a Certified Financial Planner certification. AMPM, Inc. hires FosterJulie A. Foster was hired by advertising and marketing agency AMPM, Inc. in Midland. Foster will work in the client services and support department, managing projects and leading the firm’s social media strategy and execution.

McMahan, Thomson and Associates hires JacobsNathan Jacobs joined the services department of McMahan, Thomson and Associates in Midland. Jacobs, a

2013 graduate from Calvin College, has degrees in accounting and political science, and is pursuing a Certified Public Accountant certification.

Saginaw Valley State University welcomes Decker Saginaw Valley State University named John Decker associate vice president. Decker will also serve as general legal counsel to the university. He comes to SVSU from Braun Kendrick, where he worked as an attorney for 34 years and was a managing partner for the last 12 years. Decker has been on the SVSU Foundation board of directors since 2002. Reynolds joins MidMichigan Medical CenterR. Kevin Reynolds, MD, joined the Center for Women’s Health at MidMichigan Medical Center, an

extension of his existing practice at the University of Michigan Health System. Reynolds specializes in treatments of cervical cancer that keep fertility options open, and laparoscopic, robotic, and conventional surgeries.

Wildfire Credit Union hires one, promotes oneWildfire Credit Union hired John Harken, who will serve as vice president of business services. He has 28 years of experience in the financial industry. Courtney Douponce was promoted to commercial loan officer. She has been with the credit union since 2010, and has 10 years of experience in the industry.

Saginaw Bay Underwriters advisors earn designationBill Koepke, Tom Baskins, and Scott Withrow of Saginaw

Bay Underwriters earned the Certified Authority on Workers’ Compensation (CAWC) designation. The CAWC program was created by Accident Fund Insurance Company of America and Olivet College, and offers in-depth training for business insurance professionals.

The Dow Chemical Company Foundation president retiresBo Miller, global director of corporate citizenship and president of The Dow Chemical Company Foundation, retired after 37 years of service. Miller played an instrumental role in developing and implementing the company’s global corporate citizenship strategy.

The Dow Chemical Company Foundation welcomes VallentineRob Vallentine, director of STEM

ON THE MOVEBIZ SCENE

Great Lakes Bay Region Executives Hired, Promoted, and Recognized

ON THE MOVE

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Kyle Chapple, Tri-Star Trust Bank

Jon Pickelman, Tri-Star Trust Bank

John Decker, Saginaw Valley State University

J. Michael Day, Banner-Day

Bo Miller, The Dow Chemical Company Foundation

Stacey Gannon, Saginaw Art Museum

Nancy Ridley, City of Mount Pleasant

Mike Bacigalupo, Temple Theatre

education and North America Site Public Affairs for The Dow Chemical Company, was named director of corporate citizenship and elected president and executive director of The Dow Chemical Company Foundation. Vallentine will also serve as the director of corporate community affairs for the Great Lakes Bay Region.

Mount Pleasant city manager appointed to board of directorsMount Pleasant City Manager Nancy Ridley was appointed by the Central Michigan University board of trustees to the Central Michigan University Research Corporation board of directors.

The Dow Chemical Company announces leadership changesHoward I. Ungerleider was

named chief financial officer of The Dow Chemical Company; James R. Fitterling was named vice chairman of business operations; and Joe E. Harlan was named chief commercial officer and vice chairman of market businesses.

Bill Weideman, executive vice president and chief financial officer, and Dave Kepler, executive vice president, chief sustainability officer, and chief information officer, retired. Each dedicated nearly 40 years of stewardship and provided expansive leadership contributions across The Dow Chemical Company.

McElgunn hired as business consultantPatrick McElgunn joined the Small Business Development Center Great Lakes Bay Region as a business consultant. His new role involves helping mid-Michigan small businesses connect with resources

toward training, market research, business counseling, and mentoring.

Tri-Star Trust Bank hires ChappleKyle Chapple joined Tri-Star Trust Bank’s Saginaw office. He brings more than four years of experience in finance and 10 years of experience in customer service to the job.

3S International welcomes Van Fossen3S International, an electronics recycling company based in Mount Pleasant, hired John Van Fossen as president and chief operating officer. Van Fossen will oversee management and daily operations, and plan for the company’s future growth and expansion.

Day elected to board of directorsJ. Michael Day, president of Banner-

Day, was elected to the Bakery Equipment Manufacturers and Allieds (BEMA) board of directors. Day has been an active member of BEMA since 2003.

Saginaw Art Museum and Temple Theatre Foundation form collaborative leadershipThe Temple Theatre Foundation and the Saginaw Art Museum announced changes in leadership structure, fostering heightened levels of collaborative management. Stacey Gannon, executive director of the Saginaw Art Museum, was named executive director of the Temple Theatre Foundation. Mike Bacigalupo, chief operating officer of the Temple Theatre, will continue to manage day-to-day theater operations.

Want your business professionals’ news—new hires, promotions, board service, or industry awards—included here in the June 2015 issue of Great Lakes Bay Business? Email information no later than February 15, 2015, to jen@greatlakesbaymag.com. •

V1 2015 | 49

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GREAT LAKES BAY REGIONAL SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING FESTIVALSaginaw

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5. Kevin McDonnell, David Carbajal, Charles Filipak, and Terence O’Neill

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8. Keith and Brenda Rowley, and Eric and Eileen Curtis

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f you look at students from all over the world, how would students from the United States stack up against the competition when comparing math and science skills? Well, let’s put it into an equation and find out. A majority

of U.S. students are uninterested in and unprepared for higher levels of math and science education, which leads to unrealized opportunities: Uninterested + Unprepared = Unrealized Opportunity.

Additionally, the United States is not even ranked in the top 10 when it comes to mathematics and science, which is why there has been a large push recently to advocate for STEM—a word that may have seemed like a fleeting buzzword, but really is here to stay.

STEM stands for science, technology, engineering, and math. These areas of study have become crucial to the future of not only our communities, but to our nation as a whole.

Unfortunately, there is an overwhelming trend today for young people to avoid studying STEM-related courses. Whether they feel the courses are too challenging, lack interest in these areas, or just don’t recognize the value of these fields, students aren’t opting for STEM, and it is showing in today’s workforce.

Anyone still not convinced that STEM is the way of the future should know: STEM jobs grew at three times the rate of other jobs in the past decade and are projected to grow by another 17 percent by 2018, as reported by the U.S. Department of Commerce. Perhaps even more convincing is the data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which reports the average annual mean wage for a STEM job is $79,395—nearly 71 percent higher than the average for all occupations and industries.

While we can hope these statistics entice more young people to pursue degrees in

STEM-related areas, figures from the National Center on Education Statistics suggest otherwise. It reports that only 16 percent of all college graduates major in science, technology, engineering, or math. With the nation relying on STEM to maintain international economic leadership, it is clear that something must be done to help grow the STEM-based workforce.

STEM IN THE GREAT LAKES BAY REGIONThe Great Lakes Bay Region is driven by a STEM-focused economy. The region has several large STEM employers, and each places a heavy emphasis on manufacturing and health care. Roughly 38 percent of the region’s economic output is driven by these two industries. A tradition of strength in science and manufacturing gives the Great Lakes Bay Region a head start in the race to STEM excellence. Discovery and innovation are in the very soul of this region and its people.

As a world leader in science and innovation, The Dow Chemical Company has a special connection to STEM education. This region, including Dow, is dependent on having enough people with the skills and passion that the modern world demands.

Dow, in partnership with regional businesses, education, government, and non-profit organizations, supports a broad range of STEM efforts, both financially and through employee volunteerism. In the Great Lakes Bay Region alone, Dow employee involvement includes:• Dow Great Lakes Bay

Science and Engineering Festival

• FIRST Robotics regional organization and district competition

• Great Lakes Bay Regional Science & Technology Fair

• You Be The Chemist regional competition• Dow Science and Sustainability

Education Center on the campus of Saginaw Valley State University

• Delta College “STEM Explorer” mobile teaching center

• Great Lakes Bay Region National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers Science Bowl

• Education Day with the Saginaw Spirit hockey team

• American Institute of Chemical Engineers mid-Michigan Section scholarships

• National Society of Black Engineers Summer Engineering Experience for Kids

• Delta College Fast Start program

Dow’s efforts in STEM reach far beyond the Great Lakes Bay Region. Dow supports several national programs, such as the STEMtheGAP Teacher Challenge, National Science Teachers Association New Science Teachers Academy, National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering, Smithsonian Science Education Academies for Teachers, Change the Equation, and Chemical Heritage Foundation.

I

DOW PARTNERS TO STEMTHEGAP™ IN THE GREAT LAKES BAY REGION

DOW, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH REGIONAL BUSINESSES, EDUCATION, GOVERNMENT, AND NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS, SUPPORTS A BROAD RANGE OF STEM EFFORTS, BOTH FINANCIALLY AND THROUGH EMPLOYEE VOLUNTEERISM.

Due to its rich STEM background, the Great Lakes Bay Region has an opportunity to become a national leader in developing STEM talent that will drive not only this area, but also the entire nation, toward prosperity. In understanding this pivotal time in education, engineering, manufacturing, health care, and technology, leaders from the region have begun a more transparent relationship of cooperation between employers and the many people who are dedicated to building the workforce of tomorrow. This atmosphere of cooperation, virtually unheard of in other areas of the country, inspired the Great Lakes Bay Regional Alliance, a non-profit organization that fosters cooperation on the part of leaders from across Bay, Isabella, Midland, and Saginaw counties, to lead an effort to study the STEM preparation available to area students as well as possibilities for aligning that preparation with the needs of the region’s employers. The alliance established the STEM Task Force, which in turn launched the Great Lakes Bay Region STEM Impact Initiative.

GREAT LAKES BAY REGION STEM IMPACT INITIATIVE SUMMITOn November 13, 2014, at Central Michigan University, more than 400 educators, businesspeople, and STEM advocates gathered to learn about the findings from the Great Lakes Bay Region STEM Impact

Initiative. After a thorough investigation of student performance, current educational opportunities, and employer demands, the Great Lakes Bay Regional Alliance shared its findings and recommendations to help close the gaps between STEM education and the ever-evolving job sector.

The recommendations set forth at the summit include:• Specify needed technical and workplace

skills and competencies for high-demand positions.

• Forecast near-term demand and aggregate STEM workforce requirements.

• Improve fifth- through eighth-grade math achievement.

• Increase in-classroom, research-based K-12 STEM-aligned programming with evidence of increasing student interest in science.

• Increase the number of out-of-classroom experiential STEM learning opportunities.

• Align programming and curricula with employer requirements.

• Scale STEM experiential learning opportunities.

• Change perceptions and increase interest in STEM.

• Eliminate barriers and incentivize students and job seekers to pursue STEM careers.

In an effort to continue the momentum established at the summit, researchers recommended establishing four new groups that are dedicated to keep these efforts moving in the right direction and that will ultimately make the Great Lakes Bay Region a global leader in workforce talent.

THE DOW STEM AMBASSADORS PROGRAMThe Dow STEM Ambassadors program is a nationwide effort to engage the passion of Dow employees in building the workforce of tomorrow by supporting teachers and sparking an excitement for learning in students. The Dow Ambassadors are scientists, engineers, and technicians with educational backgrounds directly aligned with STEM fields. This group also includes people who use other areas of expertise to support STEM at Dow, such as those in communications who tell the stories of innovation and technology, or human resources leaders who support building Dow’s strong STEM workforce. The Great Lakes Bay Region is one of the primary sites in developing this program and will serve as an example for other sites around the country.  

Ambassadors achieve their goals through involvement in after-school programs such as mentoring FIRST Robotics teams, coaching Science Olympiad, or participating in outreach through local professional

Special Advertising: The Dow Chemical Company

organizations. Ambassadors also get involved through classroom activities such as leading a discussion on career opportunities or facilitating a hands-on experiment.  

Many ambassadors are involved behind the scenes in designing the classroom activities or connecting specific technology areas to classroom topics. An exciting new direction for the Dow STEM Ambassadors program is to involve STEM professionals in teacher development programs, helping teachers to connect content to real world challenges.

MIND TREKKERSMichigan Technological University (MTU) has also joined efforts with Dow to instill in students a love for STEM areas through the development of a program called Mind Trekkers. This group of college students and leaders specializes in wowing crowds at festivals, fairs, and similar gatherings with a variety of STEM-related, interactive displays and activities that encourage learning and discovery.

Mind Trekkers partnered with Dow to lift math and science out of the textbook and put it

into practice in everyday life. Stephen Patchin, director of MTU’s Center for Pre-College Outreach, says, “In our STEM compound, participants and their parents could experience the ‘wow!’ of areas from chemistry to robotics. They could walk on water, eat ice cream made in 60 seconds right before their eyes, race a computer to complete a puzzle, and even have a conversation with the roaming Dow computer, Dowbot. The ‘aha!’ moments produced as young minds discovered the science behind the mysteries were contagious.”

THE CLOSEBIZ SCENE

by Nancy Sajdak Manning

For 115 years, the owners of Utermalen Furniture, at 921 North Johnson Street (now), Bay City, have insisted on offering their customers fine medium- to high-end furnishings and unique items at fair prices. In 1990, the Utermalen family sold the store to current owners Jay and Mary Lynn Pearsall. Mary, who has an interior design degree, was previously a longtime Utermalen employee.

The photo pictured, likely from 1906, which hangs above a service desk at Utermalen’s, shows (background, left) founder Louis E. Utermalen (1864-1939) and (further left) his wife, Margaret (1868-1927), at their newly-constructed location at 923 North Johnson Street, Bay City. Louis sits at a rolltop desk ($14 then), and Margaret sits by an open safe ($75), holding the handset of a candlestick-style telephone. Similar-type furnishings are notably displayed in rows.

An early store ledger reveals that Utermalen’s 1906 stock was provided by about 40 suppliers, including Baker & Co. (bookcases, Oliver china cabinet); Herzog Art Furniture Co. (music cabinets, desks, tables); Murphy Chair Co. (assorted rockers, chairs, stools); Stenglein Mfg. Co. (chiffonier); Ottawa Furniture Co. (dressing tables); and Simmons Mfg. Co. (beds, springs). Also disclosed is an early growth of business assets from 1902, when the assets list includes a wagon ($20), harness ($10), and horse ($100). In 1903, a carriage ($120) is added, and a cutter ($10) and sleigh ($15) are added in 1904. A safe ($75) is added in 1906. A truck ($1,391) appears on the 1921 list.

Today, the store interior pictured is located in the north end of Utermalen’s expanded four-story building (921 North Johnson Street), where inviting broad showcase windows and 10 half-level floors display furnishings in relaxed room settings. Photo courtesy of Utermalen Furniture.•

MAINTAINING

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MAINTAINING

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- Cameron Brady, HABITAT FOR HUMANITY, President