Contact: Andy Henion, University Relations: (517) 355-3294, cell (517) 281-6949, henion@msu.edu

EAST LANSING, Mich. — Just as Michigan State University’s turfgrass scientists are busy building the portable athletic field for the Beijing Olympics, the university has launched a Web site highlighting this and other high-profile projects relating to China.

The site, at http://special.news.msu.edu/msuinchina, includes special reports, news releases, a listing of media experts, links, facts and other information about MSU’s work in – and about – China.

The site also includes a special section on MSU’s presence in the Beijing Olympics, which start Aug. 8. In addition to helping build the portable turf in Beijing National Stadium, MSU also has a doctoral student competing in the high jump for Canada and a faculty member serving as team physician for the U.S. men’s and women’s gymnastics teams.

Michigan State established its Asian Studies Center in 1962 and sent its first official delegation to China in 1980. Today, MSU partners with Chinese institutions on teaching and research programs ranging from education to environment to health care.

The university also has more than 700 Chinese graduate students and visiting scholars on its East Lansing campus. In addition, there are nearly 1,900 MSU alumni currently in China.

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Michigan State University has been advancing knowledge and transforming lives through innovative teaching, research and outreach for more than 150 years. MSU is known internationally as a major public university with global reach and extraordinary impact. Its 17 degree-granting colleges attract scholars worldwide who are interested in combining education with practical problem solving.