struggled through introductory science classes over Zoom and in half-empty classrooms unsure whether biology was really the best fit for her She and a close childhood friend spent hours isolated in their NAU residence hall puzzling over how to make friends in the middle of a pandemic that first year wasn’t a sign of things to come and I was able to get out and socialize,” Sylvester said Shortly after a guidance counselor pointed her toward an introductory computer science class “I started looking into extracurriculars and learned about Women Who Compute.” That was the beginning of Sylvester’s five-year career at NAU one defined by compassion-focused computing projects and leadership A year after earning a bachelor’s degree and a Gold Axe Award she’s now set to graduate with a master’s degree in computer science Sylvester found “like-minded people” in Women Who Compute an NAU student organization aimed at uniting women and advocating for gender parity in computer science She soon became president of the organization she also secured funding from the women-owned company Openforce to send a handful of Lumberjacks to the virtual Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing the club’s faculty advisor and an associate professor in the School of Informatics said she watched Sylvester’s leadership reinvigorate Women Who Compute after the pandemic The organization’s growth allowed more computer science-oriented Lumberjack women to meet and bond with their peers “The world needs more Nicoles,” Vigil-Hayes said “She rises to every occasion—over and over again Not only that—others tend to rise with her I think everyone is more likely to bring their best to the table when Nicole is part of their team.” Women Who Compute wasn’t the only space where Sylvester created meaningful change while at NAU Working with Vigil-Hayes as an undergraduate she helped create the Resource Resilience Database a web application that connects Hopi youth with a wide array of mental health resources Sylvester trained and guided undergrads as they worked on the database But she spent the majority of her master’s year working on something equally important: a mobile app that keeps rural Arizonans entertained while gathering information on local internet speed “The idea for this was based on the Federal Communications Commission map that shows broadband speed,” Sylvester said “But the information comes from multiple sources and people aren’t always on the ground checking that this map is accurate We’re trying to find data that either confirms or challenges the FCC map.” Access to reliable mobile broadband coverage is crucial in rural poor or no broadband connectivity can cut them off from medical patient portals online educational opportunities and other crucial services By demonstrating broadband’s rural shortcomings Sylvester and the rest of the research team could help convince the federal government to fund improved connectivity in these areas “The basic speed-checker app is really boring so people have no incentive to use it,” Sylvester said “We’re gathering more data by making things more fun and engaging for the user We have a game called Scavenger Hunt where you can walk around your area and find local landmarks using clues your phone is taking mobile broadband measurements but you’re not just staring at upload and download speed numbers.” Vigil-Hayes said Sylvester took only a few weeks to convert the mobile app’s Android code to iOS code Her work will help the research team get the broadband testing app into more people’s hands “When I ask her if she is familiar with developing for new software environments but I want to learn how,’” Vigil-Hayes said “It’s a really inspirational and encouraging mindset to work with.” Sylvester returned to her biology roots by using her computer science talents to support public health At Flagstaff’s Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) she helped biologists translate their pathogen tracking data into accessible interactive charts that helped policymakers protect community health “One of the things the lab does is wastewater surveillance—they look for early signs of pathogens by looking at what’s in the wastewater,” she said “I make websites that help them share that data with the general public.”   Sylvester said that while her future is still open-ended she’d be thrilled to stay in Flagstaff and find a career in bioinformatics the field is a force for good—and when it comes to effecting positive change I didn’t have any direction and I thought everyone was much more knowledgeable than me,” Sylvester said “I never thought I’d be president of a club at NAU It goes to show that it’s important to take chances and never underestimate yourself.” Get The NAU Review email delivered to your inbox Sign up for The NAU Review now! The NAU Review is published by the NAU Communications If you have a news tip, share it with us! As Stallone tried to find his way into the movie business even having to sell his dog before he got Rocky made and began his climb to the top of the Hollywood mountain One might expect the actor to have endured a similar feeling of upcoming peril during those bleak moments but he has also endured such assured destruction during his time in the limelight D-Tox is remarkable for one sole reason: it is the only Stallone horror movie in his filmography. Though there might be a case for 1986’s Cobra to be considered largely because the villain is named ‘The Night Slasher’ the Rambo man has only ever put himself in one truly scary movie D-Tox isn’t particularly frightening because the characters are well-formed — Stallone’s Jake is one of his flatter roles — but because it is so entirely mundane Based lightly on the Agatha Christie novel And Then There Were None Stallone’s first and last foray into horror was a snoozefest He may have been desperately trying to branch out from his action hero roles but his portrayal of Jake is about as unremarkable as it gets A bad screen test seemed to confirm this thought and the picture remained unreleased by Universal until 2002 Stallone seemed to know that the movie was dead in the water long before that happened “It’s very simple why D-Tox landed in limbo,” Stallone explained and right away the film was considered damaged goods The studio let it sit on the shelf for many months and after over a year it was decided to do a re-shoot.” The re-shoot seemed to have the desired effect for some but Stallone seemed to recognise that the movie had long been too tainted to gain any sort of traction: “We screened it but the movie had the smell of death about it you could see celluloid buzzards circling as we lay there dying on the distributor’s floor.” While he knew the project was over pretty quickly the star did at least enjoy himself making the picture: “When we were met at the airport by the teamsters they’d have a sign in front of them saying DETOX and all these actors like Kris Kristofferson and myself looked like we were going into rehab rather than a film shoot.” Considering how difficult he had been with the movie’s release taking himself off for a few drinks was likely not too far away from his mind after suffering a heart attack two weeks earlier Julie also battled with depression and other health problems most of her adult life These struggles did not define her because of her limitless capacity to make those around her happy Julie grew up in Madison and lived a selfless life with compassion in her heart She loved dogs and made it her mission to rescue them She enjoyed nature and cared for all of God’s creatures She possessed many creative skills and used them to brighten the lives of others She was famous for her handmade Christmas and birthday gifts which displayed not only her genius for art She was a giver of unconditional love and beauty Julie may not have possessed a degree in education yet she taught and helped raise kids in her neighborhood The creative spirit she inspired lives on in many young people whom she cared for as her own Julie may not have attended nursing school yet she gained all the skills of a professional caretaker she ensured both her mother and father wanted for nothing and were able to enjoy their golden years at home She sacrificed her own independence to serve them and her siblings are forever grateful Julie’s legacy and how she lived her life cannot be taught She was a champion of the underdog and a provider to those in need Julie gave far more to life than she ever took and the world is a lesser place without her and her best friend Vickie Popanz of Portland please consider a donation to Albert's Dog Lounge Rescue in Whitewater or Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin Julie's memorial service will be held at Olbrich Botanical Gardens Julie will be interred alongside her family at Graceland Cemetery in Milwaukee on June 7 To view and sign this guestbook, please visit: www.ryanfuneralservice.com Ryan Funeral Home & Cremation Services To view and sign this guestbook, please visit: www.ryanfuneralservice.com Please select what you would like included for printing: Copy the text below and then paste that into your favorite email application Funeral services celebrating the life of Brad Michael Sylvester in the chapel of Mulhearn Funeral Home in West Monroe Interment will follow in Chatham Cemetery.  He was an amazing daddy to three beautiful kids who were the center of his world Brad was a member of Cedar Crest Baptist Church Those left to cherish his memory are loving wife Buffy Ardoin (Shannon); maternal grandmother Stacy Sylvester and Debbie Alleman (Ronnie); as well as a host of friends Honorary pallbearers will be Walker Williams and Dalton Morris Memorials may be made to Cedar Crest Baptist Church in West Monroe Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors 2025Men's Golfvs NCAA RegionalsLoad MoreRecent ResultsCompleted Event: Softball at No Named Director of Operations and Player Personnel for Runnin' Utes4/11/2025 1:09 PM | Men's Basketball for the director of operations and player personnel role with Runnin’ Utes The simple version of Sylvester Stallone's rise to fame has it that the young actor wrote "Rocky" and cast himself in the lead role, thus becoming a star overnight. Indeed, a 1978 Playboy interview began by recalling how Stallone had "burst upon the American movie scene like a Roman candle." As is so often the case with these things Stallone hadn't simply transformed his life overnight — he'd been struggling to break through for some time That very same interview with Playboy also detailed how Sly had "spent many years waiting in the wings for his career to take off," which wasn't just a metaphor. Stallone's acting career prior to "Rocky" consisted of him playing what he termed in a 1977 BBC interview to be "atmosphere." That is playing "the guy that was being the drunk that was being stepped over in the gutter," while supporting himself by working as an usher at a movie theater and by cleaning the lions' cage at the Central Park Zoo but things were much worse in the pre-"Rocky" years Sly had only been in a handful of plays and films one of which was a 1970 soft-core sexploitation flick named "The Party at Kitty and Stud's," in which he starred after being thrown out of his apartment and sleeping at the Port Authority Bus Terminal unlike his other projects from that same year which included a role in the "M*A*S*H" movie that might be the smallest part Stallone ever played alongside Elliott Gould as Captain John Francis "Trapper John" McIntyre and Tom Skerritt as Captain Augustus "Duke" Forrest all of whom worked as medical personnel stationed at the titular Mobile Army Surgical Hospital during the Korean War and the film that has been expected from director Robert Altman for some short time." Sylvester Stallone was pleased to have been a part of such a seminal film he would have been if he'd had a role even slightly larger than "Soldier Sitting at Camp Table" — uncredited but there's no denying that John Rambo himself became a cinematic icon and one of the most celebrated action heroes of all time Stallone had to content himself with playing "Soldier Sitting at Camp Table" in "M*A*S*H," a role that saw him depicted on-screen for a literal second after Donald Sutherland's "Hawkeye" arrives at the camp his character is seen wearing a green beret (check him out on the left side of the image above) and John Rambo was a former green beret himself Elliot Gould recalled how Stallone had spoken to him about his "M*A*S*H" role years after the fact: said he doesn't admit that he was ever an extra in any movie but he admits that he was an extra in 'M*A*S*H.' And when I told that to [Robert Altman] he said I don't accept that Sylvester Stallone was in my movie Beloved husband of the late Martha Louise Sylvester; cherished son of the late Jay Merle and Lelia Ella Sylvester; devoted father of Elizabeth A (Erin) Sylvester; loving grandfather to 10 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren Delano came from humble beginnings and dedicated his life to improving himself in every way he could He honorably served in the United States Air Force for 25 years assigned to 7 locations across the United States He was awarded a Master’s Degree in in Electrical Engineering from MIT Later as a program manager at McDonnell Douglas/Boeing particularly enjoying the cutting edge technology hard work and intelligence he built a successful life for himself and provided well for his family A semi-pro bowler and a Life Master bridge player building strong bonds with his Rottweiler’s and having the right touch to help feral cats learn to trust and feel safe Delano created a successful life for himself through sheer will and perseverance leaving a legacy of hard work and excellence He was dearly loved and will be greatly missed by all who knew him Memorials may be made in Delano's name to the American Heart Association Home  /  News  /  Clinical Care  /  Cancer “Our ability to provide radiation treatments in the same neighborhood that our patients live in offers a huge convenience,” says Sylvester Director Dr The 40,000-square-foot Sylvester Plantation facility already serves as a hub for leading-edge cancer services, offering state-of-the-art diagnostics and treatments for rare and complex cancers. The addition of the radiation oncology center increases Sylvester’s reach as the only NCI-designated cancer center in the region Patients can now access all non-surgical cancer services in one location outside of the main campus in downtown Miami “Our mission is to reduce the human burden of cancer for South Florida and beyond,” said Sylvester Director Stephen D. Nimer, M.D., the Oscar de La Renta Endowed Chair in Cancer Research executive dean for research and professor of medicine biochemistry and molecular biology at the Miller School “Radiation therapy is an effective method of treatment for many patients with cancer Our ability to provide radiation treatments in the same neighborhood that our patients live in offers a huge convenience plus access to world-class radiation therapists that are attracted to working at an NCI-designated cancer center.”   South Florida’s multi-cultural and aging population makes access to quality cancer care more crucial than ever. As cancer rates rise with an aging population, increasing radiation oncology services is essential to meet the growing demand “In a state with the second-highest cancer burden in the U.S. Sylvester is dedicated to improving access and meeting patients where they are bringing the best of academic medicine into the community,” said Javier Milian associate vice president of oncology satellite operations at Sylvester “We are expanding our centers beyond our main campus in a meaningful way identifying clinical gaps and developing tailored programs that address the specific needs of these communities.” Sylvester’s Plantation facility plays a vital role in expanding access to leading-edge clinical research ensuring that patients in Broward County can participate in groundbreaking clinical trials without the need to travel to downtown Miami Significant efforts have been made to equip the Plantation site with the necessary infrastructure and expertise to support high-quality research In the last year alone, more than 150 clinical trials have been opened at this location offering patients innovative treatment options close to home This commitment to expansion has led to more than 80 patients enrolling in studies at the Plantation site reinforcing Sylvester’s mission to reduce the burden of cancer “Clinical trials are the backbone of advancing cancer treatment, offering patients access to the most innovative therapies available,” said Jonathan Trent, M.D., Ph.D., associate director for clinical research at Sylvester and a Miller School professor of medical oncology “We are committed to expanding clinical care ensuring that more patients—regardless of location—can benefit from the latest scientific discoveries.” Sylvester Plantation has offered a full range of diagnostic and treatment capabilities in one location The facility is also equipped with two advanced linear accelerator (LINAC) systems that enable groundbreaking advancements in radiation therapy The Ethos system specializes in adaptive radiotherapy while the Edge system offers unparalleled precision in radiosurgery and advanced treatment techniques “Radiation oncology is advancing rapidly, and having these cutting-edge technologies in the heart of Broward County underscores Sylvester’s commitment to being South Florida’s premier cancer center,” said Markus Bredel, M.D., Ph.D., chairman and Sylvester professor of radiation oncology “These innovations enable us to deliver treatments with unmatched precision faster timelines and improved outcomes.” With specialists from across disease sites under one roof Sylvester Plantation streamlines care for both patients and providers Patients can receive radiation therapy alongside visits to medical oncologists This centralized model enhances communication and coordination discuss options and make real-time decisions to ensure comprehensive treatment plans “Cancer treatment often involves multiple modalities, such as chemotherapy and radiation,” said Alejandra Perez, M.D., director of the breast cancer program at Sylvester Plantation and associate professor of medical oncology at the Miller School patients can seamlessly transition between treatments without the added stress of traveling to different facilities.” reduces disruptions and eliminates the added burden of traveling for treatment Perez’s patients juggle daily treatments with jobs family and other responsibilities and struggle with transportation or symptoms like pain and nausea “Patients with cancer already face overwhelming stress and anxiety,” Dr understands firsthand the strain of long-distance travel for treatment Diagnosed with breast cancer in January 2025 she needed 15 consecutive days of radiation she endured a two-hour roundtrip drive to Deerfield for her 15-minute treatment with her husband taking time off work to accompany her “I’m incredibly grateful for the exceptional care I’ve received from UM and I’m thrilled that my neighbors in Plantation will now have access to this cutting-edge facility,” said Benkendorf The department obtained the prestigious ISRS certification of excellence for stereotactic radiosurgery treatments of brain disorders Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine has been […] The cancer center’s outreach programs use educational initiatives and cancer screenings to help at-risk communities Copyright © 2025 University of Miami Health System viewed as a sort of melodramatic ode to self-belief that was on the verge of tipping over into Hollywood hyperbole What stops it from doing so is the fact that you can tell that Stallone believed every word of it You've gotten to the point in your life where you're making $1.12 an hour to get pissed on by a lion.'" With a pregnant wife and the threat of being kicked out of his apartment looming Stallone committed himself to writing a movie that he hoped would provide him with the leading role for which he'd been searching ever since making the move to the Big Apple but when he did eventually court attention from a studio Asked about his motivation for writing "Rocky" in a 1977 BBC interview Sylvester Stallone spoke about his feeling that movies at the time "were at an all-time low," explaining and there was no one to root for." The way Sly saw it Hollywood hadn't "made any good old-fashioned type films where morality was at the forefront," and he was going to provide such a hero you can see the seeds of his famous 2006 "Rocky Balboa" speech but it was arguably his struggle to secure the lead role in his own movie that really solidified his "how hard you can get hit" mentality found buyers in the form of Irwin Winkler and Robert Chartoff and their Chartoff-Winkler Productions Chartoff-Winkler agreed to produce Rocky with United Artists." Stallone faced pressure to step aside and let an established star take the lead role and it seems there was one well-known "Gunsmoke" actor in line In an interview with the Los Angeles Times Irvin Winkler recalled the difficulties he and Robert Chartoff had in getting United Artists to agree to put up the money for "Rocky." "They gave us all the reasons the film would be a disaster," he said it seems the studio wanted an established star to lead "Rocky," and had one actor in their sights: Burt Reynolds It's unclear whether Winker and Chartoff pushed as hard for Reynolds or whether it was mainly United Artists he was pushing back against requests to cast bigger actors all the producers bidding for the script wanted a big actor and he moved on to more TV shows before landing his breakthrough role as Lewis Medlock in 1972's "Deliverance." He then fronted more hits including 1973's "White Lightning" and 1974's "The Longest Yard." As such Reynolds' involvement certainly wouldn't have hurt the chances of "Rocky" being seen by the masses but there's no doubt Stallone was the man for the job Sly already knew how to take the punches and keep moving forward even before he portrayed the Italian Stallion on-screen Beloved wife of Delano Jay Sylvester; cherished daughter of the late William Fletcher and Lula Fern Elliott; devoted mother of Elizabeth A (Erin) Sylvester; loving Oma to 10 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren and had a special love for her African Violets She dedicated 30 years of her life and touched many lives at Wentzville Holt High School helping children in need Martha took great pride in her home and in raising her family She was dearly loved and will be greatly missed by all who knew her Memorial gifts may be made to the Cardiology service at the Mizzou Veterinary Health Center in memory of Martha and in thanks to their care for her beloved rottweiler Checks should be payable to University of Missouri and sent to: College of Veterinary Medicine – Cardiology Fund Please indicate that the donation is in memory of Martha L This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page With deep sadness we announce the passing of our beloved sister She graduated from Tara High School and enjoyed a long career working for the State of Louisiana Renee held a variety of jobs including Lake Urgent Care in Denham Springs She had a passion for rescuing animals as well as a love for travel She was a devoted daughter as well as an amazing sister and aunt Trudy Breaux (Greg) and Lisa May; nieces and nephews Renee will be deeply missed by her family and friends A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date at UMass Memorial Healthcare-Memorial Hospital surrounded by his loving family he was the son of the late Norman and Elizabeth (Bolton) Sylvester He was educated in Westborough schools and was a 1957 graduate of Westborough High School He then served with the United States Army from 1959 to 1965 attaining the rank of SP4 Bobby was employed in the Shipping and Receiving department at Bay State Abrasives for 45 years prior to his retirement He also worked for a printing company in Hudson and did masonry work He was an active member of the John Boyle O’Reilly Council 85 Knights of Columbus where he served as Grand Knight in 1975 and again in 2000 he served as the bar manager and house caterer He started the annual Thanksgiving dinner at the K of C Hall which observed its 53rd anniversary this year.  Bobby was also a member of the VFW and enjoyed catering woodworking and model trains and an honorary Eagle Scout Relatives and friends are invited to attend calling hours on Monday Knights of Columbus will conduct a prayer service at 6:45 P.M His funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday donations in his memory may be made to the John Boyle O’Reilly Council 85 Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner speaks during a news conference about voting rights Tuesday Former Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner speaks during a Celebration of Life Service for Sheila Jackson Lee at Fallbrook Church on Thursday (Elizabeth Conley/Houston Chronicle via AP Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner speaks during a news conference Nov talks to former Mayor Sylvester Turner as Turner campaigns for a seat in the U.S House of Representatives at Lone Star College-Houston North Victory on Election Day is presented a proclamation from Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner declaring today Dusty Baker Day before a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners Wednesday While attending Trump’s speech to Congress Turner was taken to a hospital and later released “he died at his home from enduring health complications.” The family did not offer additional information on those health complications Turner revealed he had undergone treatment earlier that year for bone cancer in his jaw “Congressman Turner was the consummate public servant Thank you for your prayers,” the family said in its statement “The House Democratic Caucus family is shocked and saddened by the sudden passing of Congressman Sylvester Turner Though he was newly elected to the Congress Turner had a long and distinguished career in public service and spent decades fighting for the people of Houston,” House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries said in a statement Turner served as Houston’s mayor for two terms During Wednesday’s Houston City Council meeting Mayor John Whitmire announced Turner’s death and we’ve lost an outstanding public official,” Whitmire said Turner had posted a video on social media introducing his guest for the speech Whitmire said he was told that during Trump’s speech Tuesday evening went home and was later taken to the hospital Whitmire said he saw Turner on Saturday at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo parade and he “looked fine.” Greg Abbott called Turner “a man of character who served his fellow Texans for more than 36 years.” “Congressman Turner leaves behind a legacy of service to our great state,” Abbott said Turner served 27 years in the Texas House of Representatives Texas House Democrats said Turner “will be remembered as a champion for working families and strategic vision he brought to public service will continue to inspire generations of Texans committed to building a more just and equitable state,” said Texas House Democratic Caucus Chair Rep Turner was born and raised in Houston’s Acres Homes He earned degrees from the University of Houston and Harvard Law School before working as a trial lawyer and later founding his own law firm He was elected to the Texas House in 1988 and served for nearly three decades before being elected Houston mayor in 2015 “Sylvester never forgot where he came from I also will always remember he could light up a crowd,” Whitmire said We have the address for the funeral home & the family on file If you're not happy with your card we'll send a replacement or refund your money Sylvester Harris, 65, of Chattanooga, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, October 1, 2024, at his residence, leaving a legacy of dedication to his family and community. He was born on February 9, 1959, in Chattanooga, Tennessee to Robert and... View Obituary & Service Information The family of Sylvester Harris created this Life Tributes page to make it easy to share your memories Available by phone 24/7 (423) 622-8152 Copyright © 2025 Taylor Funeral Home of Chattanooga Gov. Greg Abbott has set Nov 4 as the special election date to fill the congressional seat left vacant by former Rep Sylvester Turner’s death — a timeline that leaves the solidly Democratic seat vacant for at least seven months as Republicans look to drive President Donald Trump’s agenda through a narrowly divided Congress Turner, a former Houston mayor and Democratic state lawmaker, died March 5 two months into his first term representing Texas’ 18th Congressional District State law does not specify a deadline for the governor to order a special election With Turner’s seat vacant, the House breaks down to 220 Republicans and 213 Democrats allowing the GOP to win a majority on the floor even with three defections from their ranks the GOP could withstand only two defections Democrats, including U.S. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, the Democratic minority leader, pressured Abbott to call a special election threatening to sue if the Republican governor continued to hold off on scheduling the contest Christian Menefee, the acting Harris County attorney and a Democrat running for the seat, had also threatened legal action if Abbott did not order a special election He recently called on the governor to set the election for June 7 the date of the runoffs for the May 3 uniform election — when voters will elect representation for many local governments across Texas Abbott had until March 18 to set the contest for May 3 He also could have declared an “emergency” special election which allows for an election to take place outside the May or November uniform election dates Jeffries said House Democrats are "actively exploring legal options to compel Governor Abbott and his House Republican co-conspirators to do the right thing.” He accused Abbott of working with the House GOP to "rig the system and disenfranchise hundreds of thousands of Harris County residents." Turner was elected to Congress last year after his predecessor and political ally, former U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, died of pancreatic cancer while also serving out her term She spent nearly three decades representing the deep-blue district which encompasses downtown Houston and several of the city’s historic neighborhoods including Third Ward and parts of The Heights and Acres Homes Isaiah Martin, a former staffer for Jackson Lee, also jumped into the race last month Menefee blasted Abbott for not setting the election for an earlier date “It is unconscionable to leave nearly 800,000 people in this district without representation in Congress for most of the year,” Menefee said and attacks on Social Security and Medicaid with no one at the table fighting for us Governor Abbott knows how to move quickly — he’s done it for other districts Abbott claimed that Harris County needed more time to carry out an election properly referring to the county’s election problems in 2021 and 2022 “No county in Texas does a worse job of conducting elections than Harris County,” Abbott said “They repeatedly fail to conduct elections consistent with state law Safe and secure elections are critical to the foundation of our state Forcing Harris County to rush this special election on weeks’ notice would harm the interests of voters.” including Harris County Clerk Teneshia Hudspeth have disputed Abbott’s portrayal of elections in the state’s most populous county In response to similar comments Abbott made last week Hudspeth said in a statement that her office has successfully run eight elections since she took over the duties in 2023 including the 2024 primary and presidential elections Issues in 2021 and 2022 prompted state lawmakers to abolish the Harris County elections administrator position which transferred election administration duties to the county clerk and voter registration responsibilities to the tax assessor-collector’s office The Secretary of State’s Office found that for the November 2022 election, the county had different numbers of registered voters than the state, and different numbers of absentee ballots sent out. That audit didn’t detail the causes of the discrepancies nor suggest they influenced the outcomes of any races That report also said the county ​​failed to adequately train election workers and failed to supply some polling locations with enough ballot paper the Texas Secretary of State’s Office told state lawmakers that the county had improved how it runs elections and credited Hudspeth’s leadership even prior to any of these audit findings being released that have been remedied,” said Christina Adkins the agency’s Elections Division Director during an interim House Elections Committee hearing on the state’s election audits in August “I have seen myself the changes in her training program that I think have prevented some of these issues from reoccurring.” Abbott called a special election to fill Wright’s seat on the third day after his burial Abbott called a special election to fill Jackson Lee’s seat just over a week after her funeral there were several months before the next uniform election date He called for an emergency election on June 30 Abbott pointed to the recovery from Hurricane Harvey as justifying an emergency election Disclosure: Texas Secretary of State has been a financial supporter of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune's journalism. Find a complete list of them here Tickets are on sale now for the 15th annual Texas Tribune Festival Texas’ breakout ideas and politics event happening Nov TribFest 2025 is presented by JPMorganChase Choose an amount or learn more about membership The movie stars weren't immune to Princess Diana's charms according to the new book "Dianaworld," exclusively excerpted by PEOPLE Janine Henni is a Royals Staff Writer for PEOPLE Digital covering modern monarchies and the world's most famous families Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty; Julian Parker/UK Press via Getty; kpa/United Archives via Getty He is survived by his children Joan (Mark) Eilers and Ross (Jennifer) Goessling; grandchildren Blake (Amanda) Eilers and Riley (Sonia) Goessling; twenty-two great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces He is preceded in death by his wife of 73 years Adele Goessling (nee Kunkel); grandchildren Abbee Goessling and Adam Goessling; parents Charles and Mary Catherine (nee Hempe) Goessling; and siblings William Goessling Sylvester was a lifelong member of SS Peter & Paul Church in Waterloo He was a US Army Veteran (1943 - 1945) and worked for the US Postal Service for 35 years the family prefers memorial contributions to:Donor's Choice 2025 at Quernheim Funeral Home in Waterloo 2025 at SS Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Waterloo IL     Father Linus Umoren officiatingInterment will immediately follow at SS Peter & Paul Cemetery in Waterloo Home  /  News  /  Grants and Awards  /  Cancer Immune checkpoint inhibitors have been a game-changer in oncology Tumors often have proteins on them that tell your immune system not to attack Checkpoint inhibitors — which work by blocking these proteins so your immune system continues to fight the tumor — have provided new options for many people with advanced or metastatic cancer who were left with limited options This includes when side effects first emerge whether they improve or worsen over time and how they impact patients’ quality of life and ability to continue their checkpoint inhibitor treatments The team will also use machine learning to predict which patients are at higher risk of experiencing side effects throughout treatment “Immunotherapies have revolutionized the way we treat many people living with cancer today,” said Dr. Lopes, Sylvester’s associate director and medical director for international affairs and professor and chief of the Division of Medical Oncology at the Miller School “This comes with new questions and a new set of adverse events and survivorship questions This is what we aim to assess and improve with our project.” director of cutaneous oncology services at Sylvester “Because these drugs stimulate the immune system most of the side effects that we see are related to overstimulation of the immune system which sometimes turns against your own cells That generated a whole new type of adverse event that we’re not used to.” Most of what is known about side effects on checkpoint inhibitors comes from clinical trials when doctors report their patients’ side effects patients won’t report milder side effects to their doctors even if they impact the person’s quality of life Or a doctor may not observe a side effect until it has escalated and become more serious That is why it is critical that patients are directly and regularly asked about their symptoms and side effects so that we “catch things much earlier before they become bigger problems,” Dr “If we catch patients early who report itching or skin changes then we may be able to ultimately stop a domino effect that results in a severe adverse event.” Clinical trials also tend to be narrow in scope because the researchers want the cleanest data possible they may not recruit participants who have illnesses other than the condition being treated meaning they might exclude patients with high blood pressure diabetes or other common conditions that can impact many people who will eventually take the drug once the FDA approves it “This limits the generalizability of the data and means we still need to learn more about what side effects patients experience on checkpoint inhibitors,” said Dr Very little research has directly asked patients how they feel while they are taking checkpoint inhibitors And the surveys that have commonly been used to assess symptoms and side effects among people receiving cancer treatment often don’t include many of the symptoms and side effects that are specific to checkpoint inhibitors Up to 95% of patients experience at least one side effect during treatment with checkpoint inhibitors Some of the more severe adverse effects include hepatitis colitis and other autoimmune reactions that may require immediate management or hospitalization Moreno and her team plan to recruit patients right before they start treatment with a checkpoint inhibitor They will review the patient’s health and quality of life before and throughout treatment for two years using both medical records and surveys known as patient-reported outcomes These detailed surveys will provide critical information about the side effects patients experience including rare side effects that can often be missed because they are unique to checkpoint inhibitors The new research will take place at Sylvester and the University of Texas Health San Antonio Mays Cancer Center Moreno and her team will recruit more than 400 patients of different races ethnicities and sociodemographic and medical characteristics to ensure representative results They will then use machine learning to analyze that data to predict who is likely to tolerate their treatment well and who experiences the most troublesome side effects then researchers can develop interventions that might improve quality of life during and after treatment for those patients “Our grant really focuses on trying to understand the risk factors for developing these kinds of symptomatic toxicities,” Dr What exactly are the symptomatic toxicities like what are their impacts on the things that we really care about whether or not someone has good quality of life whether or not they need to be hospitalized or visit the emergency department and even survival and the success of their treatment.” “It’s really about supporting patients and helping them live as well as possible while they receive cancer treatment,” she concluded • Frank J. Penedo, Ph.D. • Mariana Khawand-Azoulai, M.D., • Tulay Koru-Sengul, Ph.D., • Yue Pan, Ph.D., • Hemant Ishwaran, Ph.D. A look back at ongoing advocacy and efforts to help create and support meaningful cancer-related programs and policies nationally In a paper published in the high-impact Annual Review of Psychology researchers at Sylvester Comprehensive […] A new Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center study asks whether CAR T immunotherapy works on patients who went into remission before infusion we mourn the passing of US Congressman and former Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner (D-TX) and steadfast advocate for Houston and higher education guiding Houstonians through challenges with resilience Turner’s dedication to Prairie View A&M University was profound He served as PVAMU’s Spring 2016 and Summer 2023 commencement speaker delivering passionate speeches that left graduates and attendees inspired by his words of wisdom and a call to serve their communities with passion and purpose In recognition of his dedication to public service and community empowerment he was honored with PVAMU’s 2016 Humanitarian Award His support for PVAMU extended beyond the stage Turner announced the Wellness in Houston partnership (formerly the Healthy Houston initiative) between the City of Houston and Prairie View A&M University to address health disparities in underserved communities This initiative aimed to invest in programs and services that would tackle challenges impacting the state’s diverse socioeconomic populations reinforcing his dedication to equity and opportunity for all Turner further extended his support to the PVAMU community by serving as a speaker to several classes in the Community Development Program We extend our deepest condolences to his family for your remarkable contributions to Houston and service will continue to inspire generations to come Take a look at Turner’s powerful speech from PVAMU’s 112th Summer Commencement Convocation: By Bryan Luhn — 713-743-0954 a University of Houston alumnus and former mayor of Houston who was elected to Congress last year “I am deeply saddened by the sudden passing of Sylvester Turner,” said UH President Renu Khator who made a profound impact on our University he never forgot his humble beginnings and used his platform to uplift and encourage young people to chase their dreams earned his bachelor’s degree in political science at UH in 1977 Turner returned to Houston where he started his own law firm and occasionally lectured for the UH Law Center’s continuing legal education programs After more than two decades of service in the Texas House of Representatives Turner was elected mayor of Houston in 2015 and served two terms guiding the city through several challenges including Hurricane Harvey and the COVID-19 pandemic When his close friend and political ally U.S he successfully ran to replace her and was sworn into Congress in January Turner was a proud and vocal supporter of the University recognizing its symbiotic relationship with the city Turner received UH’s Distinguished Alumni Award the Elected Public Official of the Year award and the Pioneer of Public Service Award he was awarded the President’s Medallion The Sylvester Turner Academic Distinction Scholarship and the Sylvester Turner Scholarship Endowment Fund in the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences were established in his honor During a memorable commencement speech in 2018 Turner reminded CLASS graduates of the resilience and determination that define Cougar Pride But Cougar Pride don’t turn back,” he said “Live your life in such a way that when all is said and done Go Coogs – make your history as only you can.” Researchers at the University of Houston and the University of Cincinnati are using machine learning to create a clearer picture of how heroin affects the brain potentially opening new doors for addiction treatment a sophomore biology major in the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics at the University of Houston who is breaking new ground in cancer research has been awarded a Barry Goldwater Scholarship one of the nation’s most prestigious awards for students focused on research in natural sciences In a breakthrough that blends ancient design with modern materials science researchers at the University of Houston have developed a new class of ceramic structures that can bend under pressure — without breaking Your support helps make our show possible and unlocks access to our sponsor-free feed From February is Black History Month — and each week, all month, World Cafe correspondent John Morrison is here to talk about a different trailblazer and maverick of Black music These musicians took risks and pushed boundaries we're talking about a disco icon who defied expectations in everything he did "He kind of brought this broad approach to gender presentation you're not 100% sure if you're listening to a man or a woman or neither." music and the legacy he left on dance music and the culture at large "He sent an affirming message that there is no real limits to expression and that expression should be fearless and present," Morrison says This episode of World Cafe was produced and edited by Kimberly Junod Our programming and booking coordinator is Chelsea Johnson and our line producer is Will Loftus Become an NPR sponsor Find sanctuary city resources from the City of Portland's Immigrant & Refugee Program including free legal services and state resources for reporting hate crimes The City of Portland is excited to announce the hiring of Sylvester Donelson as the new chief procurement officer following a competitive nationwide search after Biko Taylor left the position earlier this year Donelson brings a wealth of experience in procurement and contract management having held several leadership roles in public sector organizations successfully leading initiatives to enhance operational efficiency and promoting equitable procurement policies.  Donelson will oversee the City’s procurement activities including ensuring public spending aligns with the City’s equity in contracting goals His most recent roles include director of procurement for the San Joaquin Regional Transit District procurement officer for Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency and chief procurement officer for the County of Santa Barbara.  Donelson spearheaded the creation of a five-year procurement strategic plan introduced innovative procurement strategies that resulted in substantial cost savings and enhanced efficiency and implemented new systems to streamline solicitation and purchasing processes His extensive background in managing complex procurement programs and fostering inclusive practices aligns with the City’s commitment to equity and sustainability in public procurement "I am thrilled to join the City of Portland," said Donelson “I look forward to working with the team to implement effective procurement practices that not only meet the city's needs but also uplift our local businesses and champion inclusive The chief procurement officer regularly presents reports at City Council meetings and works directly with the City's elected leaders bureau directors and financial and legal staff and external stakeholders including partner jurisdictions “Sylvester is an accomplished leader whose track record demonstrates his dedication to improving procurement practices and advancing equity,” said Sara Morrissey Deputy City Administrator for City Operations “His skills and vision make him the right choice to lead our procurement efforts and drive initiatives that support both the City’s operational goals and our values of equity and sustainability.” Donelson’s leadership experience and strong negotiation and strategic planning skills along with his innovative approaches to inclusive procurement processes will guide the City’s investments in construction projects goods and services—particularly by women-owned businesses and those owned by Black “I’d also like to extend my gratitude to Kathleen Brenes-Morua for her exemplary leadership as interim chief procurement officer following Biko Taylor's departure earlier this year ensuring a smooth transition during this critical time,” Morrissey added.” Donelson holds a Master of Public Administration from California State University and has completed extensive training in construction management and procurement best practices He officially begins his role with the City of Portland on Oct See something we could improve on this page? Give website feedback The City of Portland ensures meaningful access to City programs, services, and activities to comply with Civil Rights Title VI and ADA Title II laws and reasonably provides: translation, interpretation, modifications, accommodations, alternative formats, auxiliary aids and services. Request an ADA accommodation or call 503-823-4000, Relay Service: 711 503-823-4000  Traducción e Interpretación | Biên Dịch và Thông Dịch | 口笔译服务 | Устный и письменный перевод | Turjumaad iyo Fasiraad | Письмовий і усний переклад | Traducere și interpretariat | Chiaku me Awewen Kapas | अनुवादन तथा व्याख्या the management and staff of Mitchell-Josey Funeral Home and members of the Coe family announce the passing of Mr Visitation with family and friends will be held at the residence Funeral service will be held 11:00 am Saturday Interment with military honors will follow at Centerville AME Church Cemetery at his residence in the company of his loving family     Sylvester received his formal education in the Darlington County Public Schools graduating from Butler High School Class of 1964 He served his country for two years in the US Army of which he was honorably discharged      Sylvester was a member of Centerville A.M.E He was a Past Commander of the American Legion Post 210      He was gainfully employed with Georgia Pacific of Darlington      Sylvester was a very quiet spoken person ---- until conversation about the Pittsburgh Steelers came up or their game was on television.  He also was an avid tennis watcher      Those left to cherish his memory are:  his loving wife Evelyn Coe of the home; children: Mary Jett (Stanley) Pam Coe Eric Hodges (Sherri) and Michael Melton (Crystal); sister Louise Player; sisters-in-law:  Annie Ruth Coe Tracey Samuel and Jeanette Samuel Ogbu; brothers-in-law: Leroy Samuel Sheldon Samuel (Starleen) and Allen Samuel (Vondella); a very endearing great grand Isaiah “Buddy” Pearson; twenty-four grandchildren; fourteen great grandchildren; two friends that were of special importance to him: Aaron Bristow and Benjamin Martin; a host of nieces along with other family members that will truly miss him      Sylvester was preceded in death by: his parents and three siblings Sylvester Coe in your thoughts and prayers Home  /  News  /  Research and Innovation  /  Cancer A look back at the center’s ongoing advocacy and efforts to help create and support meaningful cancer-related programs and policies nationally In recent years, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center part of the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine has played a pivotal role in advancing cancer-related policies and funding at the national level Through the unwavering dedication of its physician-scientists Sylvester has helped shape standards aimed at improving patient care optimizing treatment outcomes and saving lives Here are seven ways Sylvester has helped impact policy In April, an advisory committee to the FDA voted in favor of a significant change in how the federal agency evaluates new treatments for multiple myeloma, following a presentation by Sylvester researcher C. Ola Landgren, M.D., Ph.D., director of Sylvester’s Myeloma Institute and chief of its Division of Myeloma They presented their groundbreaking work focusing on measuring minimal residual disease which could speed up the approval process for new therapies This advancement could bring potential life-saving treatments to patients much faster.  “This is exactly what patients need and want,” said Dr Landgren, who called the vote “a historic moment for the myeloma field.”  Prior to April, Sylvester had never had a nurse serve as president of the Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) Sylvester’s assistant vice president of advanced practice providers “I am honored to be the next president of the Oncology Nursing Society and look forward to contributing to this great organization that has supported me through the early stages of my career and beyond,” said MacIntyre MacIntyre sees this as a meaningful opportunity to advance cancer care and hopes her leadership will spotlight Sylvester the only NCI-designated cancer center in South Florida The ONS represents 100,000 nurses and has 35,000 members Department of Veterans Affairs under the federal government’s Cancer Moonshot initiative The survivorship care standards aim to help health care systems and organizations evaluate and enhance the quality of survivorship services Advances in early cancer detection and treatment have led to a rapid increase in the number of cancer survivors in the U.S. with the American Cancer Society projecting that this number will grow from 18 million to 22.5 million by 2032 “Our research at Sylvester provides strong evidence that unmet supportive care needs are associated with a lower quality of life along with increased hospitalizations and other challenges,” said Dr “Addressing these unmet needs in the primary care setting is crucial to improve outcomes particularly in racial and ethnic minority populations PanCAN is one of the country’s largest pancreatic cancer advocacy groups and has provided almost $200 million in research grants over the last two decades an associate professor of clinical oncology at the Miller School feels privileged to be a part of the group and is ready to help make a difference “My appointment is a product of years of research success and we believe we have the potential to make an even greater impact,” he said The board guides PanCAN’s research programs and plays a key role in the efforts to educate and support patients This nomination strengthens the longstanding and fruitful relationship between PanCAN and the University of Miami whose researchers have been recipients of several grants from the organization as the second representative from Sylvester to serve on the board “The White House wants to learn about the best practices nationwide so they can use the lessons and themes to inform policy on the highest level,” said Dr “We have a voice directly in the White House and can express what we need to improve cancer outcomes in our own community.” the roundtable gathers to offer perspectives on access to care and how to ensure all people get equitable health care regardless of such factors as race insurance and immigration status.  Mahal is the only participant to represent oncology and the only one practicing in Florida Patricia Moreno, Ph.D., lead of evidence-based survivorship supportive care, serves on the scientific advisory board of the National Minority Quality Forum Cancer Stage Shifting Initiative. In her role, she took part in a White House Cancer Moonshot briefing focused on improving cancer detection diagnosis and treatment in at-risk communities “I am thrilled to serve on the scientific advisory board of the National Minority Quality Forum Cancer Stage Shifting Initiative an initiative designed to support and closely align with the goals of the Cancer Moonshot,” said Dr whose research seeks to optimize health outcomes and reduce disparities in cancer prevention and control among Hispanics Sylvester researchers Sophia George, Ph.D., and Matthew Schlumbrecht, M.D., M.P.H. are making noteworthy contributions to ovarian cancer research. The pair have directed their efforts toward understanding the implications of African ancestry and ovarian cancer Their research includes a multicenter study evaluating the safety tolerability and metabolic processes of the ovarian cancer therapeutic niraparib This study is currently being conducted in the U.S. and the Caribbean they expanded their investigation to include Africa thereby gaining access to data from historically underrepresented populations in this area of study Pancreatic cancer care at Sylvester is tailored to each patient near where they live and provides access to expertise throughout treatment The Miami-Dade County chapter of The Charmettes reached a fundraising milestone in support of Dr Sylvester’s “Art is Medicine” will feature a new collection that highlights nature photography from the Everglades to Brazil U.S. Rep. Sylvester Turner state legislator and institution in Houston Democratic politics Turner's death comes two months into his first term representing Texas’ 18th Congressional District, the seat long occupied by his political ally, former U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, who also died in office last year amid a battle with pancreatic cancer Turner said in 2022 that he had secretly been recovering from bone cancer as he was seeking the nomination for Jackson Lee's seat Turner's family said he was taken to the hospital Tuesday night after attending President Donald Trump's speech to a joint session of Congress in Washington Turner was released from the hospital and later died at his home at about 5:45 a.m Wednesday from "enduring health complications," according to the statement Turner served as Houston mayor from 2016 to 2024 guiding the city through several federally declared natural disasters He served for nearly 27 years in the Texas House before making the jump to City Hall Gov. Greg Abbott can call a special election to fill Turner's congressional seat for the rest of his term State law does not specify a deadline to call a special election Turner's death comes at a critical time in Congress House Republicans have few votes to spare as they look to advance Trump's agenda With Turner's safely Democratic seat vacant Republicans now control 218 seats to Democrats' 214 — an extra vote of breathing room in the narrowly divided chamber Turner jumped into the race for Jackson Lee's seat with the backing of the late congresswoman's children who served out the final several weeks of her mother's term before passing the baton to Turner Turner vowed to be "a bridge from where we are now to that future generation of leaders" and said he would serve only two terms in office At a debate with other candidates for Jackson Lee's seat Turner said his cancer diagnosis had made him more motivated to fight for laws expanding health care access He also gave an impassioned defense of his health and ability to continue holding public office “Many people think cancer means cancel your life cancer does not mean the end,” Turner said That's why a lot of people don't talk about it Harris County Democratic Party officials picked Turner to replace Jackson Lee as their nominee on the November ballot last year narrowly selecting him over rival Amanda Edwards a former at-large member of Houston City Council who served alongside Turner at City Hall from 2016 to 2020 Edwards unsuccessfully challenged Jackson Lee in the 2024 primary and is seen as a possible candidate to succeed Turner Houston Mayor John Whitmire confirmed the news of Turner's death at Wednesday's Houston City Council meeting "This comes as a shock to everyone," Whitmire said join us in celebrating this remarkable public servant who has recently clashed with Turner over several political and policy issues said he and Turner were very close and had "been together in good times and bad times." The two overlapped in the Texas Legislature — Whitmire in the Senate Turner in the House — for Turner's entire legislative career House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said House Democrats were "shocked and saddened" by Turner's sudden death "Though he was newly elected to the Congress Turner had a long and distinguished career in public service and spent decades fighting for the people of Houston," Jeffries said in a statement Capitol on Tuesday evening for Trump's speech to a joint session of Congress To highlight his opposition to proposed Medicaid cuts Turner invited a constituent to the speech whose daughter has a rare genetic disorder In a video posted to social media Tuesday evening alongside Hernandez "Don't mess with Medicaid." Jeffries invoked that as Turner's "final message to his beloved constituents." a working-class and predominantly Black neighborhood in northwest Houston He was the sixth of nine children to Eddie and Ruby Mae Turner his mother worked as a maid at a hotel in downtown Houston; Turner later said his mother's perseverance and optimism left a mark on him into his years as a politician Turner began his path to law and politics at Klein High School once an all-white school until Black students — including Turner — began getting bussed to school amid an era of desegregation He earned degrees from the University of Houston and Harvard Law School and began his own law firm in 1983 several years before he was first elected to the Texas House Turner wielded outsized power for a Democrat serving in a Republican-controlled Legislature He spent nearly 20 years on the budget-writing House Appropriations Committee and at the time of his exit was the only Democrat to chair a budget subcommittee Turner also served for more than 15 years on two of the state House’s most powerful committees: State Affairs which oversees a sweeping range of key legislation which sets the agenda for bills heard on the House floor Turner was known for using an abacus as a prop to underscore his opposition to GOP tax cuts “When the abacus came out, I knew I was done,” State Rep. Greg Bonnen State Rep. Gene Wu a Houston Democrat and the House Democratic Caucus leader said Wednesday on the Texas House floor that he was “devastated” by Turner’s death “Sylvester was more than just a colleague for me When Wu began working as a legislative staffer in 2005 “there were only two names that I knew before coming to work here and that was [longtime Rep.] Senfronia Thompson and Sylvester Turner Because they were people who were outspoken for fighting for their communities and defending the poor and the working class and anybody who got stepped on.” Turner was elected Houston mayor in 2015 in his third run for the job Turner’s first mayoral term was largely defined by a successful push to overhaul Houston’s public pension systems along with the city’s recovery from Hurricane Harvey helped drive a bill through the Legislature that aimed to shore up the city’s failing pension funds by cutting retiree benefits and capping future pension costs The reform package won approval in Austin despite opposition from current and retired Houston firefighters who said the changes required too many cuts to their benefits even though their pension fund was in better shape than those of the city’s police and municipal workers The bad blood between Turner and the firefighters spilled over into another acrimonious labor dispute over how much firefighters would be paid the firefighters tried to resolve the stalemate with a ballot measure requiring them to be paid equally to police officers which Turner insisted would leave the city’s finances in shambles The measure passed but was struck down by the Texas Supreme Court; the matter was later resolved under Whitmire when Houston City Council granted firefighters hundreds of millions in back pay as part of a $1.5 billion settlement Turner also routinely butted heads with state leaders over how to administer the billions of federal dollars approved for southeast Texas’ recovery from Hurricane Harvey The state General Land Office eventually took over part of the city’s housing recovery itself blaming Turner’s administration for moving too slowly; Turner said the state agency was to blame for the slow distribution of federal aid Turner spent the first half of his next term steering the city through the COVID-19 pandemic At times, his final years in office were overshadowed by controversies. In 2021, Turner’s housing director accused him of steering affordable housing money to a firm run by the mayor’s former law partner Turner said he did not know about the law partner’s involvement in the deal and denied wrongdoing Turner also oversaw a limited number of police reforms in his final term after advocates called for wholesale changes in the wake of the police killing of George Floyd in Minnesota Reflecting on his legacy while presiding over his final city council meeting in 2023 Turner said he was leaving office knowing that “no other mayor in the city of Houston has dealt with seven federally declared disasters social civil unrest all at the same time.” You have to know what you have done,” Turner said then you can move forward with the assurance that all is well.” Turner's family said information regarding funeral services is forthcoming We can’t wait to welcome you to the 15th annual Texas Tribune Festival Step inside the conversations shaping the future of education Hear from our CEO, Sonal Shah, on TribFest 2025. Sylvester Turner’s death and just over a month before the state’s next uniform election Greg Abbott has not yet called a special election to fill the seat representing parts of Houston Turner, who previously served in the Texas House for nearly three decades before becoming mayor of Houston, died March 5 His funeral was held in Houston on March 15 Turner was elected to Congress last year after his predecessor and political ally, former U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, died in office after a battle with pancreatic cancer Abbott has the sole authority to call a special election to fill Turner's seat for the rest of the two-year term But the Republican governor has little incentive to send another Democrat to Congress Turner’s death — in addition to the death this month of an Arizona Democrat, U.S. Rep. Raul Grijalva — comes at a critical moment for Republicans who hold a razor-thin majority in the House and can afford few defections on any votes if all Democrats remain united in opposition Congressional District 18 is a solidly blue district encompassing downtown Houston and several of the city’s historic neighborhoods the House breaks down to 218 Republicans and 213 Democrats allowing the GOP to lose two votes and still win a majority on the floor The Republican margin would drop to one vote if the seat were filled Democrats blasted Abbott for not calling a special election arguing that he was depriving Texans of representation in Congress “Abbott is leaving 800,000 Texans voiceless at a pivotal moment in our nation's history,” state Rep D-Houston and Texas House Democratic Caucus Chair “The people of Texas need the governor to start doing his job — honor the memory of Sylvester Turner and give the good people of District 18 their constitutional representation back.” U.S. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, the Democratic minority leader, highlighted the delay on Tuesday. "Why hasn’t the Texas Governor called a special election to fill this vacant seat?" he wrote on social media “An announcement on a special election will be made at a later date,” Abbott Press Secretary Andrew Mahaleris said in a statement last week that did not address whether House Republicans’ margin was factoring into the governor’s decision The next scheduled election date in Texas is May 3. According to state election law and precedent Abbott would have had to order the special election by March 18 for it to take place in May The practical deadline to call a May 3 election may have also already passed due to how much time the state needs to program voting machines and prepare and mail ballots The Texas Secretary of State’s office did not respond to a question about how much time the state generally requires to carry out an election argued that there was plenty of time for the state to execute a special election on May 3 if Abbott ordered it While Texas law does not set a deadline for the governor to call a special election “the assumption of Texas laws is that the state doesn’t want to be without representation in Congress.” states were “eager” to ensure their entire delegation was present in Congress Extreme partisanship in the broader political climate has changed that “Rather than pursue the interests of their state,” he argued “some partisan governors are not moving expeditiously with replacement elections in these circumstances because they think that benefits their political party.” Abbott could also declare an “emergency” special election Strike Life Tributes Published December 8, 2024 1 Guestbook Entry 2024 at Our Lady of Peace Hospice after a five month battle with cancer A Memorial Visitation will be held from 4 – 7 PM Friday December 20th at Strike Life Tributes in Cambridge Katherine Ann Sylvester was born August 21 Minnesota to Roger and Barbara (Scheibel) Hinrichs She graduated from Saint James High School in 1981 Kathy continued her education earning her Bachelor’s Degree in Education at South Dakota State University She later earned her Masters Degree at Hamline University 1991 she married Robert “Mike” Sylvester and the made their home in Stacy Kathy taught Family and Consumer Science/Home Economics at Spring Lake Park and Coon Rapids schools for 25 years socializing and especially spending time with her grandchildren who loved being with her family and friends and she will be dearly missed Nancy Hinrichs-Haight (Bob); brother-in-law and sister-in-law John and Robin Sylvester; and by many other relatives and friends I worked with Kathy at Coon Rapids High School (retired school nurse) Between classes and after school I had the pleasure to visit with Kathy She always spoke so highly of her family and we loved to share stories She made soup suppers for staff during conference nights and I appreciated how much work she did so we all could have a nice evening and visit with each other Display to public Send privately to family You MUST check the Not a Robot field or your comment will fail to send Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" Video Copyright © 2025 Strike Life Tributes Greg Abbott will announce a special election and longtime Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner died earlier this month Several candidates have thrown their hat in the ring to succeed him as representative for the U.S Greg Abbott has yet to call a special election This week, Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee announced he would be running to replace the late Democratic U.S. Rep. Sylvester Turner for the 18th congressional seat. Turner died March 5. Former Houston City Council member Amanda Edwards also announced a bid.  Gov. Greg Abbott, however, has yet to declare a special election for the seat, and there is no set timeline on when he may do so “There is still already kind of a crowded field shaping up A couple of the top names that have come out so far is Christian Menafee who’s the Harris County attorney,” said Jasper Scherer “Menafee has been involved in a lot of voting rights lawsuits and going against the Republican state leadership going after the local Democratic leaders.  who has run for the seat before – both against Sylvester Turner and his predecessor So those are definitely two names to watch there whenever we get a special election.” “This is an overwhelmingly Democratic district so it’ll stay in Democratic hands and the winner could end up occupying the seat for decades based on past history with representative (Jackson Lee).” Hear more stories from the week in Texas politics in the audio player above ©2024 Texas Standard. A service of the Moody College of Communication at the University of Texas at Austin | Contact us And that has made all the difference.” – Robert Frost Sylvester Turner titled his speech “The Choice is Yours.” In that speech he encouraged students to make their own decisions about their future paths Turner joined Congress in 2025 after serving as Houston’s mayor for eight years His run for congressional office was spurred on by the passing of Sheila Jackson Lee who had been Texas’ 18th District Representative for 29 years The Texas 18th District Representative seat also holds a key historical significance the first Southern black woman elected to the United States House of Representatives Turner was a representative in the Texas House for 27 years A common thread through Turner’s journey as a public servant has been relationships and how developing those relationships has allowed him to make meaningful changes “It’s easy to work against what you do not know And it’s easy to vote against someone you don’t know It’s hard to work against and vote against people that you know and who become your friends,” Turner said Through all his opportunities in public service Turner attributes his continued desire to improve the lives of Texans due to his upbringing and the many relationships he has formed along the way He experienced integration in his high school years which he described as a “rough start.” His school was closed and he was bussed into what had been an all-white school But despite acclimating to the new reality became the first Black valedictorian for Klein ISD as well as student body president Turner attributes the foundation for his success to the educators he had Turner went on to graduate from the University of Houston and Harvard Law School and he spoke at Collins’ funeral which occurred while Turner was Mayor of Houston Haddock was the Director of Houston Public Works and together they used “an analytical approach” to allocate resources and implement programs that best served the community Turner places a special emphasis on developing public school systems due to his life experience of having access to a quality education “Congressman Turner’s power to advocate stems from his voice,” she said “His commitment to promoting education rings loud and clear through his story about his origin and journey.” “He works to lift people up and help them thrive by delivering accessibility to resources and education.” Turner believes one of the biggest responsibilities he’s held has been to set an example for future generations “It’s not about the buildings we construct or the roads,” he said “It’s about those young kids who are watching when we don’t even see them.” serving as Houston’s Mayor was the “highlight” of his career but that he’s always got his sights set on what’s next Turner had cancer in his jaw which required reconstruction what do you think about me going to D.C.?” Anderson do not treat and cure people for them to go to sit in a corner… Number one make life better for those that did not have the benefits that you received.” Turner is starting his new path as a congressman Mary Jane “MJ” Hamilton lived her life with passion As a University of Texas graduate having earned multiple degrees A self-described “firecracker,” Jeanne Paull-Turner is always taking the opportunity to tell people about the P: 1.800.880.1650 E: info@trta.org © 2025 Texas Retired Teachers Association (TRTA) and former Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner has died House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries said on Wednesday Turner had been in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday and attended President Donald Trump’s address before Congress READ MORE: Longtime Texas Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, who had pancreatic cancer, dies at 74 “The House Democratic Caucus family is shocked and saddened by the sudden passing of Congressman Sylvester Turner Turner had a long and distinguished career in public service and spent decades fighting for the people of Houston,” Jeffries said in a statement said he was taken to a hospital in Washington and died at his home on Wednesday morning after being released His cause of death was not immediately known filling the seat that had been held by longtime U.S who died last July after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer Turner served eight years as Houston’s mayor, leading the nation’s fourth-largest city through various challenges, including devastating flooding from Hurricane Harvey in 2017 © 1996 - 2025 NewsHour Productions LLC PBS is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization Subscribe to Here's the Deal with Lisa Desjardins Dennis Sylvester, Edward S. Davidson Collegiate Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE), has been named the Peter and Evelyn Fuss Chair of Electrical and Computer Engineering He will be the 16th Chair of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) continuing a history that offered its first program in electrical engineering in 1889 We offer here a few insights into Sylvester’s thoughts as he prepares to set the tone for the future of ECE at Michigan which is regularly acknowledged as one of the top Electrical and Computer Engineering programs in the country What made you interested in the position of Chair I became aware of the positive impact a Chair can have on the lives of faculty I was able to create new programs designed to solve specific pain points that the ECE community let me know they were experiencing One example is the Program for Undergraduate REsearch in ECE (PURE-ECE) Many of our undergraduate students want to experience the unique adventure of research and this year-long program allows them to work directly with faculty research groups.  I also enjoyed meeting and working with our alumni Engaging with them was fun and I learned a lot because our enrollment numbers are going up in both computer engineering and electrical engineering We are looking to expand our online educational programs This will allow us to open up our program to even more students while increasing the support we’ll be able to provide to our in-person students I want to make sure our faculty stay motivated to pursue grants because this helps educate our students and ensures that the United States stays competitive internationally.  I outlined many more plans and goals during my talk to the ECE community when I applied for the position and I look forward to seeing many of them implemented What are some of the major opportunities in ECE ECE has always been at the forefront of technological advancements, and that hasn’t changed. Quantum information science is a major area of focus. One of our faculty co-directs the U-M Quantum Research Institute, and we’ve introduced several new quantum courses at the undergraduate level We are now seeing a similar trend in the area of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) Our faculty are creating new courses that go from 1st year undergraduate courses to advanced graduate courses and expanding their research in these areas It’s important for specialists in a great variety of fields to understand both quantum and AI/ML tools Students throughout the university recognize this and many are taking advantage of our courses.  the success of hardware companies like NVIDIA show the current opportunities in electrical and computer engineering for our graduates And as I’ve talked about in the past, the revitalization of semiconductors through the CHIPS Act is an opportunity that sits right in the center of ECE.  What are some of the major challenges in the ECE discipline One challenge we have had at the graduate level is attracting more domestic students to the program We need more students coming up through our country’s K-12 programs saying ‘I want to be an engineer,’ or even better ‘I want to be an electrical or computer engineer.’ We also need to show our undergraduate students how cool the field is We created a number of courses designed especially for 1st year undergraduate students interested in ECE topics Among the newer ones are “Computational Machine Learning for scientists and engineers” and “Next Generation Computing Hardware.” These are being added to existing courses in “Autonomous Electronic Systems,” “Solar Energy and Self-Powered Wireless Systems,” and “Music Signal Processing,” all of which have been popular with students.  And of course the next thing is to keep these students here a little bit longer to get their master’s or Ph.D degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering ECE technology penetrates the everyday life of every person in modern society Smartphones are a good example: they communicate through a network as well as audio and camera systems; and a remarkable amount of data is processed in the apps Electrical and computer engineers contribute to all these systems ECE research ranges from semiconductors and physics all the way to algorithms and theory the University of Michigan has top 10-ranked programs in about 100 different fields and business school – along with engineering.  Our faculty are among the most collaborative individuals I’ve ever seen Just look at the papers written with multiple faculty members; it shows how we work together across departments And ECE produces more intellectual property than any other single unit throughout the university That’s saying a lot because this is a highly innovative university.  What would you consider to be an essential trait for a chair That was one of the surprising things I learned as Interim Chair and I’m going to try to cultivate my skills as an effective listener Tell us about your sabbatical and why it was so important My sabbatical was delayed when I took on the Associate Chair position and then again when I became Interim Chair I stepped down as Interim Chair before the search process was completed because I needed to take the sabbatical I spent the first part of the year in Dallas and I collaborated with the University of Texas at Dallas’s ECE Department in a couple ways One project was to advise them on their strategic planning process which I had overseen here at Michigan just a few years earlier Another was to work with a circuits colleague to help envision their research center’s 10-year plan But what initially brought me to Dallas was my son He was recruited to play soccer for FC Dallas’s MLS Academy My son wants to be a professional soccer player and this is where players come to be seen by recruiters from the best teams in the country He graduated high school early and is currently playing soccer for Notre Dame I am definitely continuing my research in low-power integrated circuits including related topics like machine learning accelerators and cryo-temperature CMOS to support quantum computing I recently bought a book on time management.  (Now I just need to find the time to read it!) I used to work at the Eta Kappa Nu donut stand with Larry Page Print Trump tapped Jon Voight Sylvester Stallone and Mel Gibson to be “special ambassadors” charged with boosting U.S productions.But the envoys have kept a low profile since their appointment and many in Hollywood say they have not heard from them Just days before beginning his second term as president Donald Trump called Hollywood “a great but very troubled place.” Then, with his usual aplomb and bombast, he named Jon Voight, Sylvester Stallone and Mel Gibson to be his “special ambassadors.” The actors would be his “eyes and ears, and I will get done what they suggest,” he wrote on his social media platform. Hollywood had “lost much business over the last four years to Foreign Countries,” said Trump, and his trio of envoys will help bring it “back — bigger, better, and stronger than ever before!” Three months later, many of those who work in Hollywood — industry players and officials who have been actively engaged in efforts to boost production — say as far as Trump’s envoys are concerned, it has been mostly “crickets.” Hollywood Inc. While Hollywood attempts to navigate the new Trump administration Ari Emanuel appears well positioned to maneuver through the next four years thanks to his longtime close ties to Donald Trump and friends “We have reached out to all three and never heard back,” said Pamala Buzick Kim, co-founder of Stay in LA a grassroots campaign aimed at spurring local film and TV production She said the lack of communication has left many wondering whether Trump’s envoys are “just a bumper sticker or are they going to actually understand what the needs and issues are and fight for the industry as a whole here in the States?” A spokesperson for the California Film Commission said its executive director had a “productive” conversation with Voight An individual involved with Mayor Karen Bass’ entertainment business task force formed last year said they were unaware of any contact with the envoys which represents the major media companies and streamers declined to comment on whether they have had any interaction with Trump’s ambassadors “I haven’t heard of anyone having any outreach from anyone from that group,” said Rep a former film producer and a longtime advocate for the entertainment industry Friedman announced a new push to bolster production earlier this month with members of various Hollywood unions and 10 other members of Congress “It doesn’t seem like a serious effort to me,” she said Trump’s announcement did put a national spotlight on the homegrown film industry, which continues to struggle to rebound following a trifecta of hits: the pandemic California has lost its competitive edge as film crews continue to be enticed by generous incentives — leading to an exodus of productions to hubs like Georgia and New Mexico and countries including Australia Although Gov. Gavin Newsom has proposed raising the amount of money allocated annually to California’s film and TV tax credit program to $750 million from $330 million the Legislature has yet to approve the measure and the industry remains under pressure In the first quarter of this year, on-location production dropped 22.4% compared with the same period last year, according to a report released in April by the nonprofit organization FilmLA, which tracks shoot days in the Greater Los Angeles region. “I think part of the problem with California is they came to take this industry for granted a little bit,” Ben Affleck told the Associated Press in an interview last week while promoting his latest film, “The Accountant 2,” in Los Angeles. Within the industry, the surprise appointment of the three actors as the president’s special emissaries was received with a mixture of shock, bemusement and eye rolls. “When they were announced, I think we were all curious about what those three think and what they think is the issue,” said Buzick Kim. “Because I don’t know if any of them have a history of speaking out on this front.” Indeed, it appears that no one was more taken aback by the appointment than the actors themselves. “I got the tweet at the same time as all of you and was just as surprised. Nevertheless, I heed the call. My duty as a citizen is to give any help and insight I can,” said Gibson in a statement. “Any chance the position comes with an Ambassador’s residence?” he quipped, in reference to the loss of his Malibu properties in the wildfires. Neither Stallone nor Voight has commented publicly. Representatives for the actors did not respond to requests for comment. As Hollywood goes through vast technological the state’s cornerstone entertainment industry and its workers face a hard reality: Lost jobs may never come back Following Voight’s appointment as ambassador, his longtime business partner Steven Paul, an independent film producer and chairman/chief executive of SP Media Group, issued a news release saying that the actor had tapped him as a “special advisor.” Along with Voight’s fellow ambassadors “we will be working within the industry to find ways to bring runaway productions back to America while working with the government to explore a potential federal tax incentive tied to a pro-American cultural standard among other initiatives that support independent American productions,” the statement said Paul and Trump had discussed a new “America first” initiative pertaining to film production over dinner in February A representative for Paul said he was not immediately available for comment They all generated celebrity wattage during the 1980s (said to be Trump’s favorite decade) — Voight was nominated for an Oscar for “Runaway Train.” It was an era when mainstream action films rose to prominence in popular culture (think Stallone’s “Rambo” and Gibson’s “Lethal Weapon” franchises) that promoted the idea of American strength and masculinity None has been known to be particularly involved in the nuts and bolts of Hollywood production issues of tax incentives and permits Although Trump’s announcement has largely been met with skepticism in liberal Hollywood many see this as an opportunity to bring needed attention to an important American industry “I don’t know if any one of those three can move the needle but the fact that it’s being discussed at the federal level is a positive,” said Gregg Bilson whose Sunland-based ISS Props has served the industry for three generations Bilson is a member of the California Production Coalition, a group that voices the concerns of the small businesses serving the film and TV industry. Amid Hollywood’s ongoing struggles, a coalition of local production businesses has formed to advocate for increased tax credits and other incentives to improve and support filming in California. Although few believe the actors will roll up their sleeves on the issues — at least so far — their appointment has renewed interest in the idea of implementing federal tax credits. “If Trump is willing to fight for all these other industries with tariffs, what’s he doing for us? What’s he doing to ensure that our jobs are protected here in the United States?” asked Rachel Cannon, an actor who had a recurring role on “Fresh Off the Boat. ” She later moved back to Oklahoma City, where she founded Prairie Surf Studios and more recently Rock Paper Cannon, a venture to bring television production to Oklahoma. Cannon, a production advocate who helped recruit “Tulsa King” and the film “Twisters” to Oklahoma, sees a federal incentive as a path to making the American film industry more competitive with nations whose generous rebates have shifted the axis of power away from Hollywood to the U.K., Canada and other countries. “I think what we really need to be doing is banding together and asking for a federal rebate program that can stack, because that can help subsidize these productions to stay in America. States can only offer so much that you need to have some federal support,” she said. Friedman, who has long supported the idea of a federal film tax credit, agrees. “L.A. still has to be that dream factory, that place where people go to make it in the movies or TV. That’s incredibly important to our local economy,” she said. “But we also have to recognize that we are losing not just to other states, but we’re losing to other nations. And we have to do something about that.” For now, everyone is waiting to see what Trump and his chosen trio will do. “I don’t know how much Trump has really drilled into the desire for that program that he said he wants to keep Hollywood here at home,” Cannon said. “I just want to make sure there’s a policy that follows up to ensure that it happens because, throwing out a press release with nothing behind it — it’s not going to help us.” Times Washington bureau chief Michael Wilner contributed to this report. Politics California Business Subscribe for unlimited accessSite Map An icon of Houston Democratic politics whose passionate oratory hushed the entire Texas House and inspired a Republican to promise to vote with him — but whose realism coached that Republican A Democrat who wielded an unusual amount of power in the Republican-controlled Legislature whose conviction was described as his superpower but who hugged his political opponents after heated debates A mentor and leader committed to bringing people together and advocating on behalf of his constituents earning him recognition as the “conscience of the House.” With these tributes, state lawmakers formally honored former U.S. Rep. Sylvester Turner on Thursday as his casket lay in state in the Texas House chamber adding to a wave of homages to the longtime public servant ahead of his funeral on Saturday Turner, who died last week had served in the Texas House for nearly three decades before becoming mayor of Houston from 2016 to 2024 leading the city through several natural disasters He was elected to Congress last year after his predecessor and political ally, former U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, died in office from pancreatic cancer Turner was two months into his first term representing Texas’ 18th Congressional District “He set the example to me and so many others of what a true public servant ought to be,” House Speaker Dustin Burrows adding that he and Turner likely disagreed on most policy issues “But the passion he brought to the issues taught me what it means to stand up for your district by putting your constituents first.” he heard Turner give a speech in the chamber and the House floor went uncharacteristically quiet He went up to Turner afterward to say that he was convinced Turner instead advised him to stick with his party After giving a speech during a tense floor debate “Congressman Turner was known to go up to his colleagues and give them a hug reminding them that their disagreement was policy-based and not personal and that he will always respect someone as long as they were standing up to their district,” Burrows said I can only hope that each of us lives up to the standard that he set.” Though most of the two dozen or so lawmakers in the chamber during Turner’s memorial were Democrats other leading Republicans also gave heartfelt tributes that emphasized bipartisanship and highlighted their personal friendships with the mainstay of Houston Democratic politics Rep. Todd Hunter who was in the same freshman class as Turner in 1989 held up a framed photo of them taken shortly after Turner won his first mayoral race He remembered Turner as wanting people in the Legislature to work together Former House Speaker Tom Craddick recalled a trip he took to Africa with Turner whom he described as “totally afraid of the animals” and subsisting entirely off a diet of peri-peri chicken over two weeks “There’s no one in this chamber who could advocate more for his constituency than Sylvester,” Craddick said The invocation of Turner’s bipartisanship and collegiality came amid a long-polarized political climate in Texas and across the nation Lawmakers already this legislative session have had fraught debates over policy areas such as school vouchers and a proposal to overhaul the bail system in addition to culture war issues like transgender rights and diversity lawmakers honored Turner and his willingness to hear other perspectives despite his convictions “He centered those people in all of the work that he did, and he not only lifted people up, but he brought people together,” Rep. Joe Moody “Political stripes were of no concern to him.” Turner maintained outsized influence in the Texas House for a Democrat in the Republican-dominated Legislature He spent nearly 20 years on the budget-writing House Appropriations Committee and he served for over a decade on two of the House’s most powerful committees: State Affairs “He was a statesman whose very presence commanded attention and whose words carried both the weight of his wisdom and his conviction,” said former Rep. Helen Giddings who was Turner’s desk mate and office suite mate “Dennis’ background as an innovative entrepreneur and collaborative leader will serve the ECE community and the College well when he leads the ECE Division as Chair,” said Karen A “I look forward to working with him in this new capacity.” Several of his patented innovations have been licensed by ARM Ltd a global semiconductor and software design company which has shipped more than 50M units based on his research For his accomplishments as an innovator, he has received the U-M Distinguished Innovator Award, CoE Innovation Excellence Award, Semiconductor Research Corporation Inventor Recognition Award, and he is a Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors Sylvester is an accomplished leader, having served as Interim Chair of ECE prior to his recent sabbatical. He previously served as Senior Associate Chair under former ECE Chair Mingyan Liu, and he founded the Michigan Integrated Circuits Laboratory (MICL) He is the Editor-in-Chief of the IEEE Journal of Solid-State Circuits and was elected to serve on the IEEE Solid-State Circuits Society Administration Committee.  “Dennis’s expertise and experience will serve the community well and take ECE to new heights,” said Liu who is now the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs for the College of Engineering “I look forward to hearing many exciting things from ECE in the coming months and years!” Sylvester has taught five different courses in the areas of digital integrated circuits and VLSI Design both at the undergraduate and graduate level and co-authored the book Statistical Analysis and Optimization for VLSI: Timing and Power Awards that acknowledge his teaching excellence include the College of Engineering (CoE) Education Excellence Award the Ruth and Joel Spira Outstanding Teaching Award He has also served as an IEEE Solid-State Circuits Society Distinguished Lecturer Sylvester is known to be a consummate team player In addition to his work with long-time collaborator David Blaauw he was a member of three unique teams that earned the College of Engineering Ted Kennedy Family Team Excellence Award He looks forward to bringing this spirit of collaboration to his role as Chair To learn more about ECE’s new Chair, read this Q&A with Dennis Sylvester “I’m very excited to dive into this new role,” said Sylvester “ECE is experiencing a surge in interest from students at all levels providing added momentum to an already very active and innovative group of faculty and students.  My door will be open to the entire ECE community and I welcome your input and ideas to continually evolve and improve ECE.” He has been recognized by the ACM/IEEE Design Automation Conference and the IEEE International Solid-State Circuits Conference (ISSCC) for being a prolific and collaborative author Sixteen of his 575+ publications have received best paper nominations or awards in Electrical Engineering from the University of California at Berkeley where his dissertation was recognized with the David before joining the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at Michigan in 2000 Sylvester’s appointment concludes a national search