Enjoy a decades worth of fantastic ATP broadcasts 24 hours a day, 365 days a year!

Air date: 9/14/25

[00:28:27]

With Professors Matt Mio, Beth Oljar, Dave Chow, Mara Livezey, Jim Tubbs, Danielle Maxwell,  Heather Hill, and Stephen Manning.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Air date: 9/7/25

[00:28:20]

It’s the beginning of a brand new season of Ask The Professor.  On this week’s episode, host Matt Mio is joined by Professors Heather Hill, Stephen Manning, Danielle Maxwell, Jim Tubbs, Mara Livezey, Beth Oljar and Dave Chow.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Air date: 8/31/25

We’re wrapping up our summer of Ask The Professor memories with an episode that takes us back to July of 1991.   Host Edwin DeWindt is joined by Professors George Pickering, Claire Crabtree, Sarah Gravelle and Hugh Culik.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Air date: 8/24/25

[00:28:44]

Ask The Professor memories from October 2017.   With Professors Matt Mio, Beth Oljar, Kendra Evans, Dave Koukal, Heather Hill and Dave Chow.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Air date: 8/17/25

[00:27:36]

Since the beginning of June, we’ve been sharing some episodes from the ATP archives that feature two of our Detroit Mercy faculty that just retired at the end of the 2024 – 2025 academic year, Professor Greg Sumner from the Department of History and Professor Dave Koukal from the Department of Philosophy.  On this week’s episode, we travel back in time for just a short distance to November 2017 when host Matt Mio was joined by Professors Heather Hill, Dave Koukal, Beth Oljar, Kendra Evans and Dave Chow.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

The Detroit Mercy School of Law Conviction Integrity Clinic will hold a discussion on wrongful convictions entitled “Unraveling Injustice: Insights from the Courtroom and the Wrongfully Convicted.”

The discussion will take place on Wednesday, Oct. 8, from 5-6:30 p.m. in the Riverfront Campus atrium.

To recognize Wrongful Conviction Day, Tony Isho and the stakeholders who pursued and secured his release will provide a candid conversation on the topic.

RSVP here.

Dean Nicholas Schroeck of Detroit Mercy Law was interviewed Sept. 10 by WXYZ/Channel 7 about the new online J.D. program launched this past week. Check out the full interview.

Dean of the College of Humanities, Arts & Social Sciences Jocelyn Boryczka was recently interviewed on MEA-TV & Radio, a media outlet that reaches all Arab American audiences with information on politics to medical subjects, to entertainment and sports, including national/international and local news. Boryczka discussed the impact of CHASS and how it can serve as an important educational resource for all of UDM’s Middle Eastern friends.

Watch the interview here.

Do you have questions about how to promote your organization or event? Do you want to create more effective fliers or digital slides? Maybe you wonder why Marketing & Communications won’t let you make up your own logo. If so, Ask MarCom is for you.

Representatives from the University MarCom team will answer questions outside the Student Union Ballroom on a drop-in basis from 12:30-2 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 17.

“MarCom is here to help you succeed in getting your message out,” said Ron Bernas, UDM’s director of Communications. “Though MarCom members are always available for conversations, we believe that everyone’s work gets stronger when they understand the whys and hows behind MarCom’s policies and procedures.”

MarCom is the University’s in-house strategic partner to help you reach out and influence alumni, prospective students, community and corporate customers.

The answers to many questions commonly asked of MarCom are always available on our webpages. A helpful list is below.

• General information about MarCom: https://www.udmercy.edu/faculty-staff/marcom/index.php
  • General policies about copyright, video captioning and others: https://www.udmercy.edu/faculty-staff/marcom/policies/index.php
  • Campus announcements, press releases, social media posts, Campus Connection posts and digital signage: https://www.udmercy.edu/faculty-staff/marcom/requests/announcements.php
  • Graphic design: https://www.udmercy.edu/faculty-staff/marcom/requests/communication.php
  • Brand Standards—please pay special attention to the approved identity guidelines: https://www.udmercy.edu/faculty-staff/marcom/brand/index.php
  • Web toolbox and requests for updates: https://www.udmercy.edu/faculty-staff/marcom/web/index.php
  • Photography requests: https://www.udmercy.edu/faculty-staff/marcom/requests/photographer.php
  • Rebranding ongoing work—look for updates on this site soon: https://www.udmercy.edu/faculty-staff/marcom/brand/rebrand.php
  • Website accessibility guidelines/federal requirements: https://www.udmercy.edu/faculty-staff/marcom/web/web-access-policy.php
  • Writing Style: https://www.udmercy.edu/faculty-staff/marcom/writing/index.php
  • Pre-branded flier and poster templates: https://www.udmercy.edu/faculty-staff/marcom/brand/downloads.php

As always, should you have questions, please speak with a MarCom colleague or email marcom@udmercy.edu.

Looking for a way to feel better connected with our neighbors? The Martin Park District Association invites all Detroit Mercy students, faculty and staff to participate in the annual Martin Park Walk on Saturday, Sept. 13, from 12-1:30 p.m.

This is a great opportunity to build community spirit, enjoy a refreshing walk and strengthen the bond between Detroit Mercy and our surrounding neighborhood.

Those interested in joining the Martin Park Walk will gather at noon at the pavilion behind Good Shepherd Lutheran Church located at 16100 Lawton Street in Detroit. From there, the group will walk through the neighborhood, learning about its rich history along the way. The walk will conclude by 1:30 p.m.

For more information, please contact Tim Hipskind at hipskijt@udmercy.edu, Chelsea Manning at mannincp@udmercy.edu or Shane Hisner at hisnersj@udmercy.edu.

Please Note: Prior to the Martin Park Walk, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church will be hosting its monthly community outreach. If you’re interested in lending a hand, please contact Pastor Blanton Banks at bboy10ppn@gmail.com for details.

Wondering if your AP, IB, dual enrollment or summer courses count for credit? Stop by the lower level of the Student Union on Tuesday, Sept. 16, from 12:30-4:30 p.m. to chat with the Registrar’s Office team. We’ll help you figure it out — and sweeten the deal with free candy while you’re there.

The entire Detroit Mercy community is invited to walk together to support mental health awareness at the upcoming NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Walk on Saturday, Sept. 20 on the McNichols Campus. The walk begins at 10 a.m. with registration starting at 9 a.m.

Unique UDM swag will be provided for the first 150 Detroit Mercy students, faculty, administrators and staff that register and participate in the walk.

The NAMI Walk is more than just a walk—it’s a powerful opportunity to:

• Show support for individuals and families impacted by mental illness.
• Raise awareness about the importance of mental health on campus and in our community.
• Take action to reduce stigma and advocate for resources that make a difference.

Some 2,000 supporters of the National Alliance on Mental Illness are expected to participate in a 5K walk on UDM’s campus to raise funds and awareness of the organization, which is dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness.

Titans, student organizations, residence hall floors, come together to champion mental health for all by creating or joining a team, raising money and walking together. Wear your Titan gear and comfortable shoes. If you cannot join the walk, support the Detroit Mercy Titans team or a student group. Participants receive special Detroit Mercy swag.

According to NAMI, one in five adults in the United States experience mental illness each year and nearly 1.5 million adults in Michigan has a mental health condition.

“This is very exciting for the University because it is the second time the walk has been held at Detroit Mercy,” said Dean of Students Monica Williams. “We are participating because too often mental health issues are not spoken about, and these walks are a way to open up discussions. It is the mission of this University to work within the community to help make it stronger for everybody.”

Supporters who want to participate but can’t attend the event can make a difference by supporting a team through making a donation.

Join or donate here.

All are welcome to join the Titan Equity Nourish Network (TENN) and Martin Park community in celebrating our bustling garden before the end of the season. Come for an afternoon of food, harvesting and community building on Tuesday, Sept. 16. This free event is set to begin at 5 p.m. at the garden located at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church.

The church is located at 16100 Lawton Street in Detroit.

To RSVP and for more information, please contact tenn@udmercy.edu.

Detroit Mercy students are invited to explore global issues and propose bold solutions with a chance to win cash prizes.

Students in good standing can participate in the College of Business Administration’s PRIME Center‘s Business Ethics & Sustainability Case Challenge, which focuses on the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.

Finalist teams will present before a panel of judges from the business community and receive cash prizes. The winning team will be sponsored to compete in the International Business Ethics & Sustainability Case Challenge (IBESCC) in April hosted by Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles.

The objective of this competition is for students to develop a plan in line with one or more of the United Nations’ sustainable development goals to address a real-world problem involving a business. Students will:

• Form a team of 3-5 students.
• Win cash prizes
• Prepare a report intended for senior leadership

Submission deadline is Dec. 1.

For more information, please contact Chair of Business Administration & Director of Undergraduate Business Programs Evan Peterson at petersea@udmercy.edu.

Associate Library Professor Jennifer Bowen has been named the Michigan Health Sciences Libraries Association’s Librarian of the Year for 2025. This career award is given in recognition of a librarian’s outstanding leadership and accomplishment in library service.

The Office of Mission Integration is hosting Mission Formation Retreats for 2025–26 on all campuses.

These half-day retreats are designed to create space for reflection, dialogue, and connection to the University of Detroit Mercy’s mission in ways that enrich both professional and personal life.

Each retreat provides time for participants to step back from daily routines and engage with colleagues across the University community, deepening our shared commitment to the values of our Jesuit and Mercy traditions. A light breakfast is served at all of the morning retreats, and a lunch is also served at all retreats.

Retreat Dates:

• Wednesday, Sept. 17, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. – Lansing-Reilly Hall (McNichols Campus)
• Friday, Oct. 17, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. – Lansing-Reilly Hall (McNichols Campus)
• Friday, Oct. 24, 1-4:30 p.m. – Novi Campus
• Wednesday, Nov. 12, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. – Corktown Campus
• Friday, Jan. 23, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. – Riverfront Campus
• Thursday, Jan. 29, 1-4:30 p.m. – Corktown Campus
• Thursday, March 19, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. – Lansing-Reilly Hall (McNichols Campus)
• Thursday, March 26, 1-4:30 p.m. – Lansing-Reilly Hall (McNichols Campus)
• Friday, April 17, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. – Riverfront Campus

Register to reserve your spot.

As Detroit Mercy’s Institute for Leadership and Service proceeds with the Community Engaged Learning (CEL) 2030 initiative, reflection has become crucial for successful CEL pedagogy. As a result, the Institute is dedicated to exploring different aspects of reflection.

Mike Martin, a Detroit Mercy alumnus and retired IBM consultant, who works closely with the Institute and assists with the CEL 2030 initiative, will host a session on Thursday, Sept. 18, at 9 a.m., to discuss possible reflection outcomes and explore how AI can enhance the approach to assessing reflection. Strategies for integrating reflection into CEL courses will also be explored.

Please contact Director of Service Learning Tim Hipskind at hipskijt@udmercy.edu regarding availability for in-person or virtual options.

A $2.22-million gift from Jonathan D. Rose (“Dr. Rose”) will help the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law launch a fully online juris doctor degree in fall 2026.

The Online J.D. Program (OJD) will be the first in Michigan and just the 21st in the nation. Applications for the four-year program are now being accepted at law.udmercy.edu. It has been accredited by the American Bar Association.

For UDM President Donald B. Taylor, this new program further enhances the University’s academic tradition of innovation and excellence.

“This is an extremely important gift by a very generous alumnus because it allows Detroit Mercy to make a difference in the lives of many students to come,” Taylor said. “Support for programs like this are crucial to preserving and building on the UDM brand of education, which continues to be recognized nationally for the quality of our offerings, commitment of faculty and staff and dedication to student success.”

Dean of Detroit Mercy Law Nicholas Schroeck agreed. “Detroit Mercy Law has long been a leader in innovation and increasing accessibility in legal education. From our earliest classes, we have welcomed students of all backgrounds, in a variety of innovative programs,” Schroeck said. “Building on our storied tradition in the heart of Detroit, our Online J.D. will allow us to reach people who have a passion for justice but currently lack the access to a legal education due to life circumstances or location.”

Detroit Mercy’s OJD can be completed fully online and will replace Detroit Mercy Law’s evening part-time residential program. Classes will be offered asynchronously for the most part, with some upper-level courses such as the award-winning clinics taught synchronously.

Enrollment in the program is capped at 25 for the first class, which begins in fall 2026. The cap will then increase each year until the fall of 2030, when it will reach a maximum of 45 students. Schroeck says there is a great deal of interest in the program already.

“Students in this program will receive the same impeccable legal education that Detroit Mercy Law is known for. We’re leaders in experiential education and not just teaching the law but teaching students how to be lawyers,” Schroeck said. “The Online J.D. will mirror our residential J.D. program, and I think that is why we have already started to see strong interest in the online program. Students know the high-quality education they will receive from Detroit Mercy Law, whether they’re physically on our campus or in our online classrooms.”

The $2.22-million donation, which is the largest gift given directly to the School of Law, came from Dr. Rose ’81, ’82 and will offset startup costs including instructional design, videography and faculty hiring.

“This is an important gift because it helps the University move forward on a project we have long been working on,” Schroeck said. “It’s forward-thinking Detroit Mercy supporters like Dr. Rose who are helping us spread the Detroit Mercy message of innovative educational opportunities across the country and making UDM a leader in higher ed.”

For Schroeck, this program has the potential to open doors to many who thought a career in law is not an option because it targets people who cannot attend law school during conventional hours and those who live too far from a law school campus to participate in person.

“An online program will allow us to reach a pool of, and provide a legal education to, a group of students in parts of Michigan that we have not traditionally been able to reach, such as non-traditional students in Northern, Central, and Western Michigan, and students in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, as well as out-of-state students,” Schroeck said.

He added that the typical online J.D. student is older than those of students in traditional law programs and brings years of experience in business, management, nonprofit and other fields.

For more information about the Detroit Mercy Online J.D. Program, including how to apply, visit law.udmercy.edu or call 313-596-0264.

Undergraduate and graduate students who would like to see their writing, photographs or visual art published should consider submitting their work to Detroit Mercy’s student art journal [sic], which is looking for poems, short stories, personal essays, photographs and other visual artwork for the 2025-26 issue.

[sic] offers $100 prizes for the best visual, poetry and fiction/prose submissions. The deadline for submissions is Friday, Oct. 10.

Please contact Associate Professor of English Rosemary Weatherston with any questions at weatherr@udmercy.edu.

Online submission and instructions.

Students have the option to enroll in a payment plan for their fall term tuition. Payment plans are available until Sept. 15.

To take advantage of a five-month payment option, sign up by Aug. 15.

For questions, contact the Student Accounting Office at studentaccounts@udmercy.edu, call Transact at 1-800-339-8131 Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. or visit studentsupport.transactcampus.com/hc/en-us.

Thank A Donor Day takes place Tuesday, Sept. 30, from 12:30-2 p.m. in the Fountain Lounge of the Student Union on the McNichols Campus.

Several activities are planned to educate students about how alumni and friends of Detroit Mercy enrich all aspects of the University. Students can:

• Write a thank-you note to a donor and receive a free lunch.
• Create a photo or video message to thank donors and be entered into a drawing for a $25 Visa gift card!
• Participate in fun games to test skill and UDM philanthropic knowledge and earn Detroit Mercy swag!
• Hunt for one of four plushies wearing Titans swag belonging to Tommy Titan on the McNichols Campus and choose which Detroit Mercy fund will receive a gift from an anonymous donor — and keep the plushie!
• Wear Detroit Mercy or Titan apparel for an extra chance to win prizes!

More information here.

Professor of History and Department Co-Chair Roy Finkenbine presented a paper on “The Robert Cromwell Rescue” at the 8th annual Michigan Underground Railroad Heritage gathering in Detroit on Sept. 6. The paper was sponsored by the Michigan Freedom Trail Commission. The forcible rescue of Cromwell, a freedom seeker from Missouri, from return to slavery played a significant role in the passage of the notorious Fugitive Slave Act of 1850.

Celebrate Spirit! is the official kickoff to the new academic year and a University-wide celebration that welcomes our entire community of students, staff, faculty and administrators. All are welcome!

The celebration is set for Thursday, Sept. 11 inside the Student Fitness Center. The Mass of the Holy Spirit begins at 11:30 a.m. 

The celebration includes a Catholic Mass, and individuals from all faith traditions are warmly invited to participate or observe in a manner that feels comfortable to them.

The guest homilist for Celebrate Spirit! is Karl J. Kiser, S.J. The event is hosted by the College of Business Administration, University Libraries, the Student Success Center, University Ministry and Mission Integration. All are invited to wear red, orange or yellow as part of the event.

A lunch and reception will be provided in the Fountain Lounge & Terrace of the Student Union from 12:45-2 p.m.

Celebrate Spirit! is open to all members of the Detroit Mercy community no matter their religious affiliation.

Click here to volunteer at Celebrate Spirit!

Celebrate Spirit! 2025 invites the Detroit Mercy community to reflect on “Sustaining a Spirit of Hope” as this academic year’s theme along with our new University core values. Amid global and personal challenges and uncertainty, we are reminded that hope is not just a feeling but a daily practice — nurtured through community and grounded in discernment.

Full information.

This fall’s first Creative Writing Collective (CWC) is set for Tuesday, Sept. 9. If you have an interest in creative writing, you won’t want to miss this gathering. All are invited, and no creative writing experience is necessary.

The following are the details for each CWC meeting this fall semester:

• Sept. 9 at 5:15 pm
  Topic: Ekphrasis
  Led by Professor Stacy Gnall
  Briggs Building, Room 202
• Oct. 22 at 5:15 p.m.
  Topic: 50th gathering of the CWC
  Led by Professor Rosemary Weatherston
  Location: Commerce & Finance Building, Room 138
• Nov. 13 at 5:15 p.m.
  Topic: Documentary Poetics
  Led by Professor Isaac Pickell
  Location: Briggs Building, Room 202

For questions or if you would like to be added to the CWC mailing list, please email english@udmercy.edu.

Detroit Mercy’s University Recreation invites all faculty and staff to take part in Titans on the Move: Walking Group — a new monthly wellness walk on campus designed to help you connect with colleagues, recharge during the workday and add some movement to your routine.

Program Benefits:

• Boosts midday energy and focus
• Fosters cross-department connections
• Supports overall well-being

September Walk Details:

Date: Tuesday, Sept. 9
Time: 12:45–1:45 p.m. (dead hour)
Meeting Location: Whitty Student Fitness Center Lobby
Walking Location: Outdoors around campus for 1 mile
Rain Plan: Indoor track
Cost: Free – Faculty and staff may join any month, no registration required
Theme: Titan Spirit Kickoff – Wear Detroit Mercy gear and show your Titan pride for Titan Tuesday!

Take a break, enjoy some fresh air and join your fellow Titans as we walk, connect and build community across campus.

Join the Teams group for more info.

All are invited to celebrate Founders Spirit Week with CLASA and discover the inspiring story of a courageous and compassionate Sister of Mercy who supports immigrant families.

JoAnn Persch, RSM, is the founder of Catherine’s Caring Cause. She will tell her story in her talk titled “Journeying Together: Exploring Mercy Values” on Monday, Sept. 22, at 1 p.m. inside the Health Professions Facility, Room 124.

Sr. JoAnn will reflect on her journey of compassion and service supporting immigrant families in need within her Chicago community. She shares her passion for “love in action,” which combines direct service with social change. Meeting and caring for torture survivors, she became involved with the Interfaith Center for Detained Immigrants and visited and counseled detainees in four centers and jails. When busloads of asylum seekers began to arrive in Chicago from Texas in June 2022, she (with the help of Sr. Pat Murphy, recently deceased) began taking in families and founded Catherine’s Caring Cause, which is now a 501(c)(3) organization that houses over 40 families. She’ll talk about how her faith sustains and guides her in this work of mercy.

Following the talk, Professor and Chair of the Department of Philosophy Gail Presbey and Professor of Physics Prasad Venugopal will join Sr. JoAnn at a roundtable discussion on the issue of immigration from the perspective of the Mercy social concerns.

For those who missed the 1 p.m. presentation, Sr. JoAnn will repeat her talk at 4 p.m. in Chemistry Building, Room 114.

With questions or for more information, please email Gail Presbey at presbegm@udmercy.edu.

Isaiah “Ike” McKinnon ’75, ’78, a retired Detroit Mercy professor, retired Detroit police chief and former deputy mayor of the City of Detroit, received the Order of St. Sylvester, which is one of five orders of knighthood awarded directly by the Pope. It is intended to honor laypeople who are actively involved in the life of the Church, particularly those who excel in their professional roles and artistic pursuits.

Right now, families in our community are making impossible choices between paying bills and buying groceries. September is Hunger Action Month — the perfect time to take action. Many Detroit families are struggling to put food on the table as food banks face rising costs and reduced federal support.

Titan Equity Nourish Network (TENN) is working for a more food-sovereign Detroit through student-led produce deliveries, urban gardening, composting and food waste education.

Your gift can make a real impact, and thanks to our partnership with Gleaners, we can stretch your donation further than retail prices:

• $14 provides one family with fresh proteins & dairy for the week: 1 pound of ground beef, 10 pounds of chicken leg quarters, 1 quart milk and 1 dozen eggs.
• $138 provides these essentials to 10 families.
• $830 provides them to 60 families.

These high-cost foods are often the hardest for families to afford — but they are essential for balanced, nutritious meals. Your support makes them possible.

Click here to take action now.

Detroit Mercy’s annual student organization fair is set for Friday, Sept. 5, from 3-5 p.m. at the Fisher Fountain outside the Student Union.

Explore all the unique and incredible student organizations the University has to offer and find the right fit for you while enjoying music, fair foods, face painters and more. Be one of the first 500 students to visit the Student Life tent and grab a new free T-shirt (sponsored by Alliance Catholic Credit Union).

Student organizations that still need to reserve their table may do so at the link below. Organizations MUST be registered before reserving their table.

For any questions, contact the Assistant Director of Student Life Emily Johnson at johnsoem6@udmercy.edu or 313-993-1593.

Reserve table here.

Tappy Guide is seeking Detroit Mercy student volunteers to support their mission of making communities more accessible and inclusive.

Tappy Guide is a smart city solution revolutionizing mobility and accessibility for people with disabilities and older adults. Their cutting-edge app connects people with disabilities and older adults to live human agents (Tappy guides) to assist them in navigating public spaces safely and confidently.

If you are looking for consistent and flexible volunteer opportunities, this could be the perfect fit! Tappy Guide needs volunteers to serve as agents guiding the public while the program runs seven days a week, morning until the evening.

To get involved or for more information, please email John at john@tappyguide.com.

Explore the city of Detroit after dark in Detroit Mercy’s 34th Annual Late Night Bike Ride. Join fellow students, staff, faculty and community members on Friday, Sept. 5 and travel by bicycle to discover all that Detroit has to offer.

Here’s the breakdown:

• Students: If you have your own bike, this is a FREE event. If you need to rent a bike, indicate on the form below and follow the link to receive a rental bike for just $5.
• Staff, faculty and community members: Registration is $20 — the same whether you need to rent a bike or not.
• Day-of check-in will begin at 7 p.m. in Kassab Mall on the McNichols Campus (the area between the Student Union and Holden Hall). There you’ll receive a free reflective Detroit Mercy lanyard and, if you registered for one, your rental bike. The Bike Ride will begin at 8 p.m. sharp.

The Route & The Ride

After cutting south on Hamilton Avenue, we’ll wend our way through the Boston-Edison Historical District and Detroit’s Midtown/Cass Corridor neighborhood before stopping at UDM’s Dentistry Campus in Southwest Detroit for a bathroom/water break. From there, we’ll head down Michigan Avenue, through Corktown and into downtown, where we’ll ride along the River Walk, swing past UDM’s Riverfront Campus on Jefferson Avenue, and make a pit stop at Lafayette Coney Island for a bite to eat.

On our way back, we’ll cruise back through Midtown/Cass Corridor, then take Hamilton Avenue north to Oakman Boulevard. Finally, we’ll roll through the Martin Park neighborhood and return to campus through the east gate at about 11:30-11:45 p.m.

Register here!

The first-ever Night with the Titans brought together more than 250 supporters of University Detroit Mercy and raised more than $110,000 for the University’s athletics programs.

The Sept. 2 event, held at the downtown Cambria Hotel, owned by Detroit Mercy alumnus and Board of Trustee member Christopher Kouza ’02, featured a VIP room, live music, dinner, drinks and a chance to mingle with some of the biggest sports personalities in the city.

A silent auction included signed memorabilia, vacation packages and entertainment experiences. All proceeds for the night will directly impact Titan athletics.

Michigan State head men’s basketball coach Tom Izzo was one of the headline speakers. Also in attendance were sports icons Justin Abdelkader, Dave Bing, Derrick Coleman, John Long and Isiah Thomas.

“It was an amazing show of true Titan support,” said Director of Athletics Robert C. Vowels Jr. “You can feel the love for the University, the love for the City of Detroit and just the overall energy that filled the evening was extraordinary. This was only the start. We need and we will build upon the momentum that the event generated for all of Titan athletics.”

Head men’s basketball coach Mark Montgomery praised the event, too.

“What an atmosphere,” Montgomery said. “I want to thank Coach Izzo for coming down and joining us. Thank you to all the sports legends who came. It was great to see everyone sit down, smile, and have a good time.

“Thank you to Christopher Kouza for helping us set this all up and hosting us at his great downtown luxury hotel. This is just the start of great things to come.”

Are you looking for consistent evening volunteer opportunities? SDM2 Project Education‘s tutoring program might be just for you! The program runs every Tuesday and Thursday from 4 to 6 p.m.

If you are interested in volunteering or would like more information, email Ms. Jackie at sdm2projectedu@gmail.com.

Start the year off strong by volunteering for Titan Equity Nourish Network (TENN) and get to know our wonderful neighbors. Produce deliveries start next week!

Get in on the action and sign up for bi-weekly Wednesday deliveries from 1:30-3 p.m. or weekly Friday deliveries from 10-11:45 a.m.

Join the fun and community building as TENN packs fresh produce and delivers it to the doors of the University’s neighbors.

With any questions, please email Chelsea Manning at mannincp@udmercy.edu.

Sign up for Wednesdays here.

Sign up for Fridays here.

Did you snap some great photos this summer or over the past year? As we head into the fall term, consider capturing those special moments for your submission to the 3rd annual Detroit Mercy Photography Contest!

The UDM Photography Contest is sponsored by the Office of Academic Affairs and the Center for Excellence in Teaching & Learning. The contest is open to all students enrolled in fall 2025, as well as all UDM employees across every campus.

Photography offers a mode of creative communication and a lens into the communities we inhabit and visit. Photographs can capture various moments and expressions, people, places and events. As such, the Office of Academic Affairs and Center for Excellence in Teaching & Learning would like to invite all Detroit Mercy community members to submit digital photographs for consideration as part of a special 2025 photography contest.

You can submit one photograph per category. First-place winners in each category will receive cash prizes and an enlarged, mounted copy of their winning photograph!

Be sure to visit the UDM photo contest page for some inspiration, contest rules, submission and release forms and to view the previous winners. The deadline for submissions is Nov. 2.

Current categories for submissions:

• Abstract/conceptual/manipulation – Images of unusual patterns, lighting or objects recognized for their design element (i.e., streaking light photos, mechanical structures, reflections in glass or metal, view from a strange angle). Images can be digitally enhanced or altered beyond the minor adjustments to create an entirely different photograph. Be creative. All images must be produced by the photographer (photos taken by someone else may not be used), and the finished entry must still appear to be a photograph – not an artistic impression, drawing or design.
• People – Photos of people, alone or in a group. Such pictures may be candid, humorous, journalistic or interpretative portraits where an emphasis placed on the person, not the environment. The main focus should be people. *
• Nature/scenic – Images or scenes of plant life, landscapes, seascapes, underwater, architectural and industrial scenes. Seasonal scenes that display a fundamental design or mood are also acceptable. The main focus should be nature/scenic.
• Dusk to dawn – Details the photographic imagery captured after the sun goes down. This includes but is not limited to starry skies, life under neon lights, streaking traffic lights, mother nature at night, scenic landscapes and cityscapes, film noir portraits, creative use of light and shadows. *
• Creatures (new category for 2025) – Images or scenes of animal life, wild creatures, insects, etc. (i.e., action shots of your pet, giraffes at the zoo, cows on a countryside, banana slugs in the forest). It may be a scenic environment, but the main focus should be the creature(s) or animal(s). *

*Appropriate and accepted image enhancement in these categories must be limited to minor adjustments such as contrast, exposure, cropping, HDR, dodge and burn.

CALL FOR JUDGES: If you are interested in serving as a judge for the 2025 photo contest, please send an email expressing your interest to photocontest@udmercy.edu for consideration. With any direct questions, also contact photocontest@udmercy.edu.

The photos of last year’s winners will be displayed in the Office of Academic Affairs for the 2025-2026 academic year. Please stop by in the President’s Suite if you would like to view them.

Submit your photos today.

Student editors are needed for the next issue of [sic], Detroit Mercy’s irreverent, profound and visually innovative student art journal, which is slated to start production during the fall 2025 semester.

[sic] publishes photography, graphic arts, poetry, fiction and prose, giving voice and vision to Detroit Mercy’s exceptionally creative student body.

Undergraduate students with a discerning eye or a good ear, an ability to work closely with writers and visual artists, and a stylish commitment to seeing the job through should complete an online application by Thursday, Sept. 25.

Please contact Associate Professor of English Rosemary Weatherston with any questions at weatherr@udmercy.edu.

Apply here.

Headshot photographs taken by MarCom’s photographer at President’s Convocation are now available for the University community to download.

The photos can be downloaded from this OneDrive folder. 

Want to use your headshot on your person page? After downloading it from the OneDrive folder, employees can submit the photograph and any additional updates through MarCom’s web request form by clicking “Create/Update a bio (person) page.” 

Person pages are biographies for employees who are in public facing positions such as full-time faculty at the University.

Titan Equity Nourish Network (TENN) is looking for volunteers to help prepare the new greenhouse space in the Ford Life Sciences building for the upcoming season! Assistance with cleaning and preparing the area for future planting is needed.

Please wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty and bring water and your positive energy.

Sign up here.

Faculty and staff pickleball has returned to the Michael & Gail Whitty Student Fitness Center this fall. The schedule for Aug./Sept. is as follows:

• Thursday, Aug. 28, 5:15-6:15 pm – Open Play
• Thursday, Sept. 4, 5:15-6:15 pm – Pickleball 101 Clinic
• Thursday, Sept. 11, 5:15-6:15 pm – Open Play
• Thursday, Sept. 18, 5:15-6:15 pm – Open Play
• Thursday, Sept. 25, 5:15-6:15 pm – Open Play
• Saturday, Sept. 27, 5-7 pm – Homecoming Clinic & Competition

The indoor sessions are for everyone, from seasoned players to those curious and wanting to try something new. It’s a great way to unwind, connect and have fun with the Detroit Mercy community. Paddles and balls are provided free of charge.

Participation is completely voluntary; no commitment is required. Just come as you are, and enjoy some friendly competition and Titan camaraderie. Feel free to bring along a colleague or invite one outside guest for a $5 fee at the front desk.

Want to see what pickleball is all about? Check out this quick intro on the sport. We hope to see you on the courts!

Join the group here.

Detroit Mercy Law and the legal community will celebrate the 113th annual Red Mass at noon Tuesday, Sept. 23, inside Ss. Peter & Paul Jesuit Church at the Riverfront Campus.

Red Mass is an occasion for judges, attorneys, civic leaders and law students of all faiths to come together and pray for blessings and strength in the coming year’s work.

This year’s Red Mass will be celebrated by Archbishop Edward J. Weisenburger of the Archdiocese of Detroit. The Honorable Shalina D. Kumar ’96 of the U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan, will lead the Renewal of the Lawyer’s Oath of Commitment.

A luncheon reception in the atrium at Detroit Mercy Law will immediately follow the service.

RSVP here.

All are invited to join the College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (CHASS) for an afternoon of fun, food and festivities to welcome students back to campus. This welcome bash is set for Thursday, Sept. 4 from 3-4:30 p.m. on the patio of the Briggs Building.

What to expect?

• Ballpark-style food
• Live music
• Raffles & prizes
• Games and activities
• Free CHASS swag
• A special announcement exclusive to attendees

This is the perfect opportunity to connect with fellow students and get to know CHASS faculty and staff.

Students, alumni, employees, family, fans and friends are all invited to join in the festivities at the University’s annual Homecoming, set for Sept. 26-27 on the McNichols Campus.

This two-day event offers something for everyone—from exciting games and tours to informative sessions and even tasty barbecue wings to enjoy throughout the day on Saturday.

Among the highlights are the annual bike tour of the historic areas surrounding the McNichols Campus, a pickleball clinic and competition, a taping of Detroit Mercy’s long-running show, “Ask the Professor” and a performance in the newly established Black Box Theatre in the Student Union.

Attendees can also cheer on men’s lacrosse alumni Titans at Titan Field as they take on the 2025-26 men’s lacrosse team in a friendly game at noon on Saturday.

The main event is the Fall Festival which is slated to begin at 4:30 p.m. It features laser tag, arts and crafts, bubble soccer, yard and casino games, food trucks, scavenger hunt and many more family friendly activities, all located inside or near the Student Fitness Center. After dusk, a bonfire will be lit to celebrate all Titan Athletic teams!

Also included in the weekend’s events and numerous reunions are the College of Health Professions Research Symposium, a Golden Jubilee reunion for the Class of 1975 and the presentation of 2025’s Alumni Achievement Spirit Award honorees.

Full Homecoming info!

Get ready for the ultimate campus kickoff event! RecFest 2025 is set for Tuesday, Aug. 26 from 3:30–5:30 p.m. at the Student Fitness Center.

This is your opportunity to discover the diverse recreational activities available through University Recreation.

This event features the following:

• Free food and drinks
• Giveaways and raffle prizes with live DJ
• Special guests and 20-plus vendors and campus/community partners
• Rock wall, obstacle course and fitness challenges
• Shoot-N-Shower challenge
• 4-way volleyball, spike ball, cornhole, fowling and more

Interactive schedule for the day is as follows:

• 3:30 p.m. — Block party check-in
• 4-4:45 p.m. — Open badminton
• 4:45-5:30 p.m. — Open pickleball
• 4:30-5:30 p.m. — Interactive demos
• 4:30-5:30 p.m. — Fitness challenges

Whether you’re into fitness, sports, free stuff or just meeting people, mark your calendars for RecFest.

Follow University Recreation on Instagram: @DetroitMercyRec

The Detroit Mercy Theatre Company will host a Welcome Party on Thursday, Aug. 28 from 4-6 p.m. on the porch of the Briggs Building.

Students can enjoy free food and fun games while learning about auditions and upcoming events in the Department of Performing Arts. Whether you’re a seasoned performer or a curious newcomer, all are welcome.

For more information, email theatre@udmercy.edu.

University of Detroit Mercy, in partnership with the Detroit Month of Design Festival, and in collaboration with Gesu and Live6 Alliance, is hosting UDM Street Fest on Saturday, Sept. 6.

The free event is set to run from 12-8 p.m. and is part of the Six Mile Street Fest. All are welcome.

UDM’s part in the event will be located on the lawn at the entrance of the McNichols Campus. It will feature sustainability exercises, crafts, workshops, children’s activities, food, vendors and much more.

The UDM Street Fest is being co-sponsored by University Ministry, Office of Mission Integration, Titan Equity Nourish Network, Student Life, University Recreation, Detroit Collaborative Design Center (DCDC) and Titan Athletics.

Earn prizes through the English Department‘s second annual Magnetic Poetry Contest. All Detroit Mercy students, alumni, staff, faculty and administrators are encouraged to create an original poem using the magnets on the second-floor lockers of the Briggs Building.

The deadline to submit an image of your finished poem is Saturday, Sept. 27. Winning poems may be published in the 33rd issue of [sic], UDM’s arts and literary magazine! Student winners will receive a magnetic poetry kit, plus fame and glory. See last year’s winners in [sic] here.

Each individual may submit a maximum of three poems. Photographs of poems must be vertically oriented.

For more information on the contest and to submit your poem, view the entry form here.

With any questions about the contest, please contact Poet-in-Residence Stacy Gnall at gnallsc@udmercy.edu.

Submit your poems here.

The College of Health Professions will hold its second annual Research Symposium on Saturday, Sept. 27. This enlightening day dedicated to transforming healthcare in Detroit will take place from 12-4 p.m. on the McNichols Campus and is part of the University’s Homecoming celebration.

Auditions for Detroit Mercy Theatre Company‘s fall season — a fresh adaptation of Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night” and the Homecoming Improv Show — will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 2 at 7 p.m. inside Reno Hall, Room 164. The auditions are open to all current students of Detroit Mercy, whether majoring in Theatre or not.

Those interested in auditioning should prepare one 90-second (or less) comedic monologue from a classical playwright, either Shakespeare or another such as Marlowe, Ben Johnson, etc. All auditioners will be asked to participate in a 20-minute improvisation session at the beginning of the audition.

Callbacks will immediately follow auditions and will consist of cold reads from the script.

Questions? Email theatre@udmercy.edu or call 313-993-3270.

Click here for more information.

Titan Athletics is welcoming back students during move-in weekend with free food at the men’s soccer home opener this Sunday, Aug. 24.

The Titans will host Mercyhurst University for a 1 p.m. kickoff at Titan Field on the McNichols Campus.

The first 100 students in attendance can visit the Titan tent for a free hot dog and pop or water.

McAuley School of Nursing BSN pre-licensure program from the Aquinas Campus celebrated every member of the 2025 graduating class (23 students) passing the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) on their first attempt.

While the Aquinas students have consistently scored above state and national averages on the NCLEX, this is the first time in the program’s 25-year history that they’ve achieved a 100% first-time pass rate on the test.

Detroit Mercy, Aquinas College and Trinity Health Grand Rapids have been in partnership for the entire 25-year history of UDM’s Aquinas Campus.

Five College of Business Administration alumni will be celebrated on Sunday, Oct. 19, during the annual Business Leadership Awards.

The event will begin with Mass at 10 a.m. in the St. Ignatius Chapel, followed by brunch and the awards ceremony at 11:15 a.m. at the Detroit Golf Club. Tickets are $60 each.

The CBA recognizes exemplary leaders who demonstrate professional success, outstanding contributions to society and the embodiment of Jesuit and Mercy values. This year, three Lifetime Achievement recipients will be inducted into the College’s Hall of Honor with one alumna to be recognized as a Rising Star. The celebration will also debut the Brad Simmons Community Impact Award, named in honor of the late Brad Simmons ’79, ’84, longtime chair of the College’s Board of Advisors.

Lifetime Achievement Award:

• Teresa Thiele ’96, ’98, senior vice president for global purchasing, Stellantis
• Crystal Windham ’02, executive director of global industrial design, General Motors
• Greg Hamel ’86, director of global business strategy (retired), Ford Motor Company.

Rising Star Award:

• Ellyn Riebau ’16, ’17, finance director, StockX.

Inaugural Brad Simmons Community Impact Award:

• Norman L. Schmitt, Jr. ’70, ’75, trustee of Schmitt Investment Company, LLC.

Purchase tickets here.

Detroit Mercy’s African American Studies Program will honor alumni, share important news about the future and enjoy a keynote lecture over food and refreshments on Wednesday, Oct. 8. The reception will begin at 6 p.m. in the Exhibition Space in the Warren Loranger Architecture Building on the McNichols Campus.

Amy Brandt ’01 is this year’s distinguished alumna honoree. Brandt works with teams of staff members across the Midwest within the Campus Ministry of Cru, focusing on cross-cultural growth, as they strive to share the gospel with students from diverse cultural backgrounds.

The Karen and Thomas Waters Keynote Lecture, entitled Memory as Freedom Practice: The Work of Arturo Schomburg, will be delivered by Vanessa K. Valdés.

Valdés is an independent scholar whose work focuses on literature, visual arts, performances and histories of Black peoples throughout the western hemisphere. An engaging speaker, she served as a professor at the City University of New York for 17 years. The author and editor of seven books, Valdés has written on literature by Black women in the United States, Cuba and Brazil as well as the field-defining biography of Arturo Schomburg, namesake of the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in New York City. She is the editor of the Afro-Latinx Futures series at the State University of New York Press and is the co-editor of the Global Black Writers in Translation series at Vanderbilt University Press.

Get tickets here.

University Recreation has something for everyone this school year with its intramural sports and fitness programming.

Sports leagues, tournaments and fitness programs are open to all UDM students, faculty and staff, offering opportunities for friendly competition throughout the academic year and intramural championship prizes.

URec provides a diverse range of programs for both students and employees. Fall 2025 intramural programming includes sand volleyball, soccer, indoor volleyball, flag football, ping pong and basketball. The leagues are FREE for all. Fitness programs include Titan Training, yoga, kickboxing and Student Go Move Challenge.

Please contact URec Assistant Director of Recreational Sports Allen Seales at sealesv@udmercy.edu or 313-993-1781 or Assistant Director of Fitness Chris Richardson at crichar4@udmercy.edu with any questions, comments or concerns.

Register now!

The Office of the Provost announced the inaugural UDM Leadership Academy, a new professional development series for staff, administrators and department chairs at the University.

Led by Professor and Coordinator of the Leadership Minor Don DiPaolo, the program will offer monthly Friday afternoon sessions (October-April) focused on building skills, enhancing competencies and fostering a culture of excellence at Detroit Mercy.

The Academy’s objective is to:

• Provide leadership skills training and enhancement.
• Build leadership competencies and capacities for both seasoned leaders and those new to leadership roles.
• Foster a culture of leadership excellence and distinction at UDM.

The inaugural class is limited to 35 spots, and interested participants must apply by Friday, Aug. 29. Supervisor approval is required for permission.

Participants will meet monthly on Friday from 12-5 p.m. in the College of Health Professions Building, Room 124, on the McNichols Campus, beginning with lunch each session. The dates are: Oct. 17, Nov. 14, Jan. 9, Feb. 6, March 6, April 3.

Apply here.

Titan Athletics and the women’s soccer team will assist students with their dorm decorating at the “Deck Out Your Dorm” game on Thursday, Aug. 28. The first 100 fans in attendance will receive a Titan Territory pennant to hang in their dorm rooms. Team schedule flyers are also available.

Come cheer on the Titans as they take on Bowling Green in a 7 p.m. kickoff from Titan Field on the McNichols Campus.