Issue link: http://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/517095
4 centralight spring '15 Click here to view video. CMU dance and cheer teams have impressive national showing The CMU dance and cheer teams excelled on the national stage during their 2015 seasons. CMU's dancers placed sixth at the National Dance Alliance Collegiate National Championships in Daytona Beach, Florida, and the Chippewa cheerleaders posted a pair of outstanding finishes at the Universal Cheerleaders Association College Nationals in Orlando. "There are women who have worked extremely hard to get the program to this place," says dance team coach Amy Bunting. "I'm grateful for the investment that every member has put in over the past 15 years and before that to get this program to where it is. "This team did an exceptional job of utilizing their talent and their teamwork." CMU finished ahead of several big-name schools, including Florida State and South Carolina. "We're very proud to put Central in the ranks of these schools," Bunting says. CMU was ninth in the all-girl division and 15th in the co-ed division at the Cheerleading College Nationals in January. It marked the first time CMU placed in both divisions. "Just making the finals is an accomplishment," coach Nicky Van says. "To have two teams that are competing against the country's best and making the finals was an achievement in and of itself. I am ridiculously proud." • CMU Today Conference helps build successful women leaders in Michigan The Michigan Women's Commission brought its 2015 "Young Women Strong Leaders" conference to CMU this spring. More than 140 college students from across the state converged on the Bovee University Center to hear speakers presenting on topics ranging from personal branding and social change to entrepreneurial innovation and leadership. The conference is designed to provide skill development and mentoring opportunities to prepare students for success in their professional lives. Melanie Brown, deputy director for communications and external affairs for the State of Michigan Department of Talent and Economic Development, was the keynote speaker, and First Lady Elizabeth Ross delivered the opening remarks. • 'Duke of Juke' marks 30 years of broadcasting on WCMU Robert Barclay, known as the "Duke of Juke," proudly marked the 30th anniversary broadcast of his iconic weekly WCMU radio program "The Juke Joint" on April 5. Since 1985, Barclay has volunteered to spin the best of the best and the lesser-known tunes from the artists whose blues helped shape today's music across all genres. The show airs 8-11 p.m. Sundays on WCMU. You can listen online at wcmu.org and find archives of the program at wcmu.org/radio/theJukeJoint. If Barclay's name sounds familiar, it's because he also spent more than 30 years as a CMU photographer. • 4 centralight spring '15 Robert Barclay interviews B.B. King, 1999