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

Air date: 11/2/25

[00:28:16]

With Professors Matt Mio, Beth Oljar, Dan Maggio, Erin Bell, Heather Hill, Stephen Manning and Dave Chow.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Air date: 10/26/25

[00:28:40]

For this week’s episode, we’re enjoying some ATP memories from October 2024.  Host Matt Mio is joined by Professors Mara Livezey, Erin Bell, Jim Tubbs, Beth Oljar, Dan Maggio and Dave Chow.

ATP 2608 transcript

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Air date: 10/19/25

[00:28:47]

Host Matt Mio is joined by Professors Heather Hill, Jim Tubbs, Beth Oljar, Danielle Maxwell, Stephen Manning, Dan Maggio and Dave Chow.

ATP 2607 transcript

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Air date: 10/12/25

[00:28:44]

With Professors Matt Mio, Danielle Maxwell, Dan Maggio, Beth Oljar, Jim Tubbs, Heather Hill, Stephen Manning and Dave Chow

atp 2606 transcript

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Air date: 10/5/25

[00:28:15]

This week’s episode features the first half of our show recorded at Detroit Mercy Homecoming 2025 at the McNichols Campus Library.  Host Matt Mio is joined by Professors Heather Hill, Stephen Manning, Jim Tubbs, Danielle Maxwell, Brian Curtis, Erin Bell and Dave Chow.

ATP Ep. 2605 – transcript

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Detroit Mercy held its annual Ethics Bowl on Halloween with Ethical Estrogen, a five-woman team made up of Abbey Klaft (Biology), Liv Peterson (English), Erin Flynn (Business Administration), Allison Fluker (Business Administration) and Mia Hubbell (Psychology) going undefeated during the event to claim first place.

Guardians of Integrity, comprised of Elijah Wilson (Political Science), Kristina Federov (Engineering), Jasmine Hunley (Engineering), Thomas Simasko (Political Science) and Unique Taylor (Business Administration), placed second.

The returning champions, Tomato Sandwiches, a team of Isabelle Francis (Political Science and Cybersecurity), Kelsie Shammami (Political Science) and Kaleb Smith (Political Science) finished in third place. Honorable mention was the squad of Chris Davis (Philosophy), Klara Karkookly (Philosophy) and Gowana Mancill (Criminal Justice). Thanks to all who took part in the event!

Students are invited to join the Center for Career & Professional Development (CCPD) and the National Career Development Association in celebration of National Career Development month in November. This year’s theme is “The Evolution of Work: Careers in the Past, Present and Future.”

Several events will be offered throughout the month of November to help students understand current employment trends and how to prepare for their future careers.

Students can attend one or more of the following events to celebrate National Career Development month:

• Enterprise Mobility virtual office hours: Monday, Nov. 3, from 12-2 p.m., virtual on Zoom
• Practice interviews with CCPD and professional recruiters: Tuesday-Thursday, Nov. 4-6, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. (pre-registration required), Student Union, Lower Level, Room 86
• Job Search Strategies for International Students: Tuesday, Nov. 11, from 1-2 p.m., Engineering Building, Room 134
• Negotiating your Salary & Benefits Workshop: Tuesday, Nov. 11, from 1-2 p.m., Student Union, Lower Level, Room 86
• Ponder the Possibilities: Careers in Technology: Wednesday, Nov. 12, from 12:30-2 p.m., Student Union, Fountain Lounge
• Confident Conversations: Succeeding in Interviews with Ease: Monday, Nov. 17, 12:45-1:30 p.m., Student Union, Room 201
• Money Management, presented by Alliance Catholic Credit Union: Tuesday, Nov. 18, 12:45-1:45 p.m., Student Union, Room 206

For questions, please contact careerlink@udmercy.edu or 313-993-1017.

Students are encouraged to pre-register through their Handshake accounts.

Register here.

The Titan Equity Nourish Network (TENN) and the Physician Assistant Program are hosting a month-long food drive this November to support our local community, especially as changes to SNAP benefits increase the need for support.

We are collecting non-perishable and dry food items all month long.

Drop-off Location as follows:

• College of Health Professions
• Student Union Lower Level Lobby
• Fitness Center Lobby
• Library (drop-off begins after Nov. 17)
• SACD Main Office

No items to bring? You can still help. Monetary donations are being accepted via Venmo @William-Beaumont-1 and will be used to purchase food items for families in need. For any questions or want to get involved, email mannincp@udmercy.edu.

Learn the basics of self-defense in this free, interactive course, led by a personal safety and martial arts expert, on Thursday, Nov. 13, from 4-5:30 p.m. in the Group Activities Room of the Whitty Student Fitness Center. All students and employees are welcome.

Studies show that self-defense courses improve confidence and reduce women’s vulnerability to violence. Focused on situational awareness, personal assertiveness and verbal and physical strategies for keeping yourself safe, this course teaches self-defense techniques in a fun, empowering environment.

The event is sponsored by the Office of Equal Opportunity and the Women’s and Gender Studies Program at Detroit Mercy.

With any questions, please email Megan Novell, executive director of the UDM Office of Equal Opportunity, at novellme@udmercy.edu.

In honor of Detroit Mercy’s 150th anniversary, the University will host The Best of Spain: In the Footsteps of St. Ignatius, a remarkable 10-day travel experience from Nov. 2-11, 2026.

Join fellow members of the Detroit Mercy community to explore Spain’s rich cultural heritage and Ignatian history, with stops in Madrid, Barcelona, San Sebastian and many other inspiring locations.

For more information, contact Peggy Pattison at pattisma@udmercy.edu.

A fresh adaptation of a Shakespearean classic, Twelfth Night, opens Detroit Mercy Theatre Company’s 55th season and celebrates the company’s return to University of Detroit Mercy’s McNichols Campus with the opening of the new Detroit Mercy Black Box Theatre.

Six performances will run in back-to-back weekends, Friday through Sunday, Nov. 7-16.

Twelfth Night, by William Shakespeare and adapted by Marc Palmieri, follows twins Viola and Sebastian, separated by a shipwreck and stranded on the peculiar land of Illyria. Disguising herself as a young man, Viola finds employment in the service of the noble Duke Orsino, only to fall hopelessly in love with him. But Orsino has his sights set on the enigmatic Countess Olivia and enlists Viola—unaware of her identity—to carry his amorous pleas. In an unexpected twist, Olivia finds herself smitten with the disguised Viola instead.

“Shakespeare is always relevant to today’s world, which is why his plays have remained with us for so long,” said Andrew Papa, chair of the Department of Performing Arts. “Not only that, Twelfth Night is one of his best comedies, and it’s in times like these that comedies are just the reprieve the world needs.”

This production marks the debut of the new Detroit Mercy Black Box Theatre on UDM’s McNichols Campus. This modern performance space will give students the opportunity to develop their craft and share their work with audiences, while also providing a welcoming place for cultural and artistic events that will benefit both the campus and the wider community.

“After more than a decade away, Detroit Mercy Theatre Company is thrilled to be returning home to McNichols Campus,” said Sarah Hawkins Rusk, managing director of DMTC and director of Twelfth Night. “Our new theatre will be a dynamic hub for creativity on campus, offering students a professional-caliber space to learn and grow.”

Joining the students on stage for this celebratory production are chair Andrew Papa and UDM alumni Peter Prouty ’00 and Kaelyn Johnson ’22. “As an actor in the show, it’s refreshing to perform alongside our eager students and our stellar alumni,” Papa said. “Getting the opportunity to perform with our students and some of our top alumni has been an incomparable experience, and I look forward to bringing this text to life in our brand-new, permanent home for the arts at University of Detroit Mercy.”

The DMTC Ticket Office is open Tuesday-Thursday 10 a.m.- 2 p.m., with tickets being available for purchase anytime online. Individual tickets are $25 for adults, $18 for seniors and Detroit Mercy faculty, staff and alumni, and $10 for veterans and students (ages 4-college). Discounts are available for groups of 10 or more. To schedule your group, contact Sarah Rusk at 313-993-3273.

SPECIAL ENGAGEMENTS

• Nov. 7: Friends and Family Night. Sponsored by Thomas E. Page ’71, ’76. This performance is invitation only.
• Nov. 8: Celebration of the Grand Opening of the Detroit Mercy Black Box Theatre. This performance is invitation only.
• Nov. 9: College of Humanities, Arts & Social Sciences (CHASS) & University of Detroit Mercy at the Theatre. Free tickets for students, faculty and staff of University of Detroit Mercy with valid I.D. A talkback following the performance led by a CHASS faculty member is presented as a part of the Detroit Theatre Discussion Project.
• Nov. 14: High School Night. Free tickets and talkback with student cast and crew following the performance for high school students and their families. Call 313-993-3270 or email theatre@udmercy.edu for details and reservations.
• Nov. 15: Community Night. $10 ticket for all patrons.
• Nov. 16: Closing Night

Get tickets here.

The Office of the Registrar invites you to join an upcoming session introducing Degree Works, the University’s new degree audit and academic planning platform from 12:45-2 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 18. The session will take place in Engineering, Room 220.

The office will share updates on the status of our current audit system, explain why Detroit Mercy is transitioning to Degree Works, and highlight the benefits this new technology will bring to faculty, advisors and students.

Degree Works will provide real-time degree progress tracking, intuitive “what if” tools and simplified pathways for verifying program completion — all designed to enhance advising accuracy and support student services.

The Hive, a student-run pantry whose goal is to help food-insecure UDM students, will be opening in its new space in Reno Hall, Room 143, on Wednesday, Nov. 5 at 5 p.m. From that date forward, it will be open as follows:

• Tuesdays from 1-5 p.m.
• Wednesdays from 5-9 p.m.
• Thursdays from 1-5 p.m.

Any currently enrolled student in need of assistance may visit the pantry once every two weeks and may take up to 12 grocery or hygiene items per visit.

For more details, please contact thehive@udmercy.edu or visit The Hive website.

Compete to be the most sustainable student organization or group on campus and win a pizza party with Titan Equity Nourish Network’s (TENN) Autumn compost competition on Wednesday, Nov. 5.

TENN will be collecting compostable material on from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., in the mini lot between the Health Professions Facility and Commerce & Finance Building. Pumpkins, eggshells, bread and lots of other items may be composted. See complete list what can be composted.

For more information and to get your compost kit, please contact TENN by email at tenn@udmercy.edu.

All Detroit Mercy students are invited to attend an evening of professional and personal development at the Student Alumni Leadership Council (SALC) Annual Student Etiquette Dinner. This event is set for Thursday, Nov. 13 from 6-8 p.m. in The Loft, located in the Student Union.

Business attire is encouraged.

This year, alumni from the Women of Stellantis will present as well as lead roundtable discussions regarding the following topics:

• Developing your personal elevator speech
• The art of negotiation
• How to say no in the workplace

Please RSVP by Friday, Nov. 7.

Complete registration here.

Detroit Mercy’s School of Architecture and Community Development (SACD) invites the campus community, architecture professionals and anyone interested in international work and entrepreneurship to attend an upcoming lecture featuring Marisol González, principal of M-G Estudio and faculty member at Tec de Monterrey, Mexico.

The lecture, titled “Things I Wish I Knew Before Becoming an Architect: Reflections and Practice,” will take place on Friday, Nov. 7, at 2 p.m. in the Warren Loranger Architecture Building Exhibition Space. This lecture is free and open to the public.

González will share insights from her journey as both educator and practitioner, offering valuable perspectives on navigating the transition from academic study to professional practice. Her talk will explore the intersection of architecture, entrepreneurship and international collaboration.

This visit is part of an ongoing teaching collaboration between Detroit Mercy and Tec de Monterrey’s architecture program. González will be accompanied by architecture students from Tec de Monterrey, furthering the institutions’ commitment to cross-cultural educational exchange.

For more information, contact Associate Professor of Architecture & Community Development Tadd Heidgerken at heidgetw@udmercy.edu.

The 2025 Safety Street trick-or-treat and Movies at Mercy event was a great success and would not be possible without the candy donations and involvement from students and staff from Detroit Mercy. More than 150 children from the local community and their families were able to enjoy trick-or-treating and so much more in a safe environment.

The Office of the Registrar won the departmental candy donation contest by donating a total of 61 pounds, Kappa Beta Gamma won the student candy donation contest by donating more 16 pounds and the Society of Women Engineers won the facade decorating competition with a rendering of a dragon.

This event is only possible with collaboration from the campus community. Thank you to everyone who participated in creating a fun Halloween event for our community.

Students, faculty and staff are invited to stop by the new Center for Career & Professional Development (CCPD) office for an Open House on Thursday, Nov. 20, from 12-2 p.m. The CCPD is now located in the Student Union, Lower Level, Room 86.

Come meet our team, tour the new office space and learn about the career development resources we offer to students. Snacks and giveaways will be available.

During the Open House, CCPD also invites you to donate to the Professional Clothing Closet. The office is seeking clean, gently used or new men’s professional clothing to re-stock the Professional Clothing Closet.

The clothing closet needs men’s pants, blazers, collared shirts, ties, suits and dress shoes. Due to space limitations, we ask that donations be kept to a maximum of five items per person.

Donations will be accepted from Nov. 20 through Dec. 12.

As Detroit Mercy approaches its 150th anniversary, the University stands at a powerful inflection point — not only to celebrate its legacy but to re-imagine how different groups of actors can represent and amplify a new brand.

The University’s strength has always existed in Community with a capital C: students who serve, faculty who inspire, alumni who lead and neighbors who believe in the institution’s promise. Yet, while these stories abound, they are not always told in a unified, intentional or visible way. In addition, there are some negative legacy stereotypes which have yet to be put to bed.

The Marketing & Communications Department, in consultation with GreenHouse::Innovation, will convene a fall 2025 Marketing Research Roundtable to close that gap by co-creating a shared understanding of what it means to “be Detroit Mercy” — and to empower every participant to act as a storyteller, advocate and ambassador in respective circles of influence.

We will hold a roundtable session on Tuesday, Nov. 11, from 8:15 a.m. to 1 p.m., in the Student Union, Room 201, on the McNichols Campus. We are seeking a total of 25 full-time employees to participate in this half-day session.

A continental breakfast will be available starting at 8:15, as well as a boxed lunch from Subway at noon. Participants should expect and plan to attend the entirety of the session and freely contribute their thoughts, ideas and suggestions.

If you are interested in attending, please email your confirmation erwingj@udmercy.edu by Nov. 5. Please note that we will stop taking registrations once we hit 25 attendees.

For more information about the branding effort and/or to leave suggestions and comments, please visit our New Brand for the Future website today.

Attracta Kelly, OP, a prominent member of the Adrian Dominican Sisters, known for her work as an immigration attorney and director of their Immigration Assistance Office, will be the guest speaker at a special Carney Latin American Solidarity Archive (CLASA) event on Wednesday, Nov. 5, from 4:30-6 p.m. in the Briggs Building, Room 317.

All are welcome to attend to this free event.

Sr. Attracta will provide an overview of immigration law with a focus on recent legislation, orders and practices related to immigration. She’ll also explore how Church teachings inform her work and share her efforts to help alleviate the suffering and problems associated with border crossings.

A former Prioress of the Adrian Dominican Congregation, Sr. Attracta has a history of community organization, including efforts to integrate schools, assemble discussion groups and address basic needs in marginalized communities. She also advocates for immigrant rights and climate action and was awarded the Thomas More Award by the Catholic Lawyers Guild. Sr. Attracta earned her Juris Doctor from Catholic University of America in 1996. She then worked for the Jesuit Refugee Service in Dublin and other places.

For more information, please contact CLASA Director Gail Presbey at 313-993-1124 or presbegm@udmercy.edu.

University of Detroit Mercy’s Office of Academic Affairs will host the annual Faculty Recognition event at 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 7, in the Student Union Ballroom on the McNichols Campus.

This year, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Pamela Zarkowski will honor:

• Professor of Civil, Architectural & Environmental Engineering Alexa Rihana-Abdallah of the College of Engineering & Science who will receive the 2025 Faculty Excellence Award.
• Associate Professor of Psychology and Director of Master of Arts Program in Clinical Psychology Lee R. Eshelman of the College of Humanities, Arts & Social Sciences who will receive the 2025 Faculty Achievement Award.

The event begins with drinks and refreshments at 6 p.m. with dinner at 6:45 p.m. The award ceremony will follow dinner.

Register by Oct. 31.

Detroit Mercy’s International Services Office (ISO) invites faculty and staff to open their homes this Thanksgiving by hosting an international student for dinner.

Many of our international students are eager to experience American Thanksgiving traditions in a home setting. This is a wonderful opportunity to share your holiday, learn about different cultures and create lasting memories. Past participants have described the experience as deeply rewarding.

If interested in participating, please complete the survey below by Friday, Nov. 7. Hosts should receive their student matches and guest details by Friday, Nov. 15.

For any questions, please contact Alison Roberts at robertad1@udmercy.edu.

Sign up here.

Stacy Gnall, Detroit Mercy’s poet-in-residence and adjunct instructor of English, recently had four poems from her third book manuscript accepted for publication–two in TriQuarterly and two in New Letters.

“Eve” and “Unstockinged” can be read online in TriQuarterly.

“What She Was Wearing” and “Tapestry of Boy with Horse in Quicksand” can be read in print issue of New Letters.

Celebrate Halloween with the Detroit Mercy Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and the Titans at this frightfully fun event on Friday, Oct. 31 in the Titan Field parking lot.

All are invited to a spooktacular evening of Trunk or Treating from 5-6 p.m.

Then, stick around for the UDM men’s soccer game at 6 p.m. at Titan Field and show your spirit for the Titans as they take on Purdue Fort Wayne.

Costumes are encouraged. There will be a costume contest, so bring your best Halloween look and show off your fang-tastic creativity.

Bring your friends, grab some candy and enjoy Halloween, Titan-style!

Detroit Mercy’s Institute for Leadership and Service is offering an opportunity Monday, Nov. 3 from 3:30-4:45 p.m. to improve our connections with the community partners in the Community Engaged Learning program, by hosting a community forum. The event will take place in the Hall of Fame area of Calihan Hall on the McNichols Campus.

The centerpiece of the event will be a panel discussion in which two faculty members and two representatives from community organizations (Pope Francis Center and Brilliant Detroit) will each share their perspectives on the benefits and challenges of Community Engaged Learning partnerships.

Fifteen other strong agency partners are invited, and time will be provided for networking.

If you are interested in attending, please contact Fr. Tim Hipskind at hipskijt@udmercy.edu.

A one-hour roundtable discussion focusing on stress awareness and mental health will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 19, from 12-1 p.m. in the Commerce & Finance Building, Room 138.

This session will offer space to share experiences, learn coping strategies and connect with others across the UDM community.

Students, faculty and staff are all welcome. Bring your lunch or enjoy provided snacks as we share strategies to stay grounded and connected.

This event is sponsored by the College of Health Professions, Inclusive Excellence, FRAD and Student Engagement.

Hady Srour, associate professor in Detroit Mercy’s School of Optometry, has been named to Hour Detroit‘s Top Docs List of 2025.

This November, join University Ministry and the Muslim Student Association in making a meaningful impact in the Detroit community by helping to distribute turkeys and essential food items to Detroit families in need.

This service immersion event takes place on Saturday, Nov. 22 from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Students will meet at the Mercy Gathering Place in Shiple Hall and be transported by school van to the Islamic Center of Detroit (14350 Tireman Ave, Detroit, MI 48228).

As a volunteer, you’ll help distribute food and share in a purposeful experience that strengthens bonds with our Detroit community.

Student volunteers will enjoy a complimentary meal following the service portion of the event while engaging in conversations about mindfulness, gratitude and the importance of community resources.

Sign up here.

The College of Health Professions is hosting a special event to celebrate the Detroit Mercy Physician Assistant (PA) program and recognize the incredible contributions of our PA students, faculty and alumni. The event is set for Monday, Nov. 3, from 5-7 p.m. in the Health Professions Facility, Room 124.

Enjoy complimentary food and beverages, explore the STAR Center through guided tours and connect with the vibrant PA community.

RSVP here.

University of Detroit Mercy’s Physician Assistant (PA) Program was recently recognized as the top PA program in the United States.

The Physician Assistant Education Association (PAEA) honored the UDM PA Program with its 2025 Excellence in PA Education Award. It is one of the highest national recognitions in the field.

Read more!

Students, get ready for next semester at One-Stop Advising Day. Faculty and advisors will be available to help plan your courses, review program requirements and map out your academic goals.

This event takes place on Wednesday, Oct. 29, from 1-4 p.m. in the Briggs Building, Room 117.

Whether you’re exploring new programs or finalizing your degree plan, this is the perfect opportunity to get personalized, one-on-one guidance.

For questions, please contact Assistant Dean for Student Academic Affairs Kiantee Rupert-Jones at rupertkn@udmercy.edu.

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 third 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 invites 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.

Stop by Detroit Mercy’s Writing Center for a meet and greet from 1-2 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 28 and discover how we can support your success. The Writing Center is located in the Briggs Building, Room 131.

This is a great opportunity to chat with our team, learn about the resources we offer and find out how we can help you with your writing goals, all while you enjoy some free drinks and snacks.

A thought-provoking lecture entitled “Consulting with Hospital Ethics Committees” will be presented by Assistant Professor Jennifer McCurdy, Center for Bioethics and Social Justice, Michigan State University College of Human Medicine.

The lecture is set for 7-8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 29 inside the Chemistry Building, Room 114, on the McNichols Campus.

As part of the Your Health Lecture Series, this talk, co-hosted by University of Detroit Mercy and Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, will explore the vital role that hospital ethics committees play in guiding complex patient care decisions. McCurdy will discuss how these committees function, the ethical challenges they address and their impact on patients, families and healthcare teams.

This event is free and open to the public. All students, faculty and staff are welcome to attend.

More information and registration.

The 2025 Bruttell Endowment for Social Ethics presents “Black Freedom, Religious Excitement and the Invention of a Public Health Crisis,” a lecture by Judith Weisenfeld, the Agate Brown and George L. Collard Professor of Religion at Princeton University.

This event will take place on Wednesday, Oct. 29, at 6:30 p.m., in the Architecture Exhibition Space, inside the Loranger Architecture Building. The talk is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be available.

Weisenfeld will examine the rise of mental institutions as public institutions in the late 19th Century and the increasing prominence of a racialized understanding of “religious excitement” as a public health crisis that served as justification for the institutionalization of the formerly enslaved and their descendants.

Weisenfeld’s research and teaching focus on African American religious history, religion and race, and religion in modern American culture. She is the author most recently of Black Religion in the Madhouse: Race and American Psychiatry in Slavery’s Wake and New World A-Coming: Black Religion and Racial Identity during the Great Migration, which was awarded the 2017 Albert J. Raboteau Prize for the Best Book in Africana Religions. She is also the director of The Crossroads Project: Black Religious Histories, Cultures, and Communities, which is funded by the Henry Luce Foundation and supported by Princeton’s Center for Culture, Society and Religion.

For any questions, please contact Chair of the Department of Religious Studies Todd Hibbard at hibbarja@udmercy.edu.

The event is co-sponsored by University of Detroit Mercy College of Humanities, Arts & Social Sciences, the African American Studies Program and the Department of Religious Studies.

Register here.

Writing Center Director and Adjunct Instructor Erin Bell presented a talk titled “Rethinking Writing Center Design in the Age of AI” at the Conference on Community Writing hosted at Wayne State University.

Join Titan Equity Nourish Network (TENN) in celebrating our community at the third annual community meal on Thursday, Oct. 30, from 5-7 p.m. in the Fountain Lounge inside the Student Union. All are welcome to come together to share a meal, connect and celebrate what makes our community so special.

Volunteer Chef Bob from RóBear Culinary will be preparing a delicious meal for all to share.

This event is free, but please help us plan and ensure there’s plenty of food, by registering using the link below.

For any questions, please email tenn@udmercy.edu.

Register here.

Dean of the College of Humanities, Arts & Social Sciences Jocelyn Boryczka joined Tia Graham on WDET 101.9’s The Metro to discuss Detroit Mercy’s new Black Box Theatre, the production of Twelfth Night and the theatre’s connection with the Live6 community.

Listen to full interview here.

For the first time ever, Student Life, the Campus Activity Board (CAB), and the School of Architecture & Community Development (SACD) are combining forces to put on a premier community festival here on the McNichols Campus.

Safety Street trick-or-treating itself has been going on at UDM for more than 30 years. Safety Street begins at 4:15 p.m. in Lot F by the main entrance of the McNichols Campus. But this year, the Safety Street festivities will be immediately followed by SACD’s ‘Movies at Mercy’ event.

At 7:15 p.m., SACD will be screening in retro-style ‘drive-in’ the 2025 live action film How to Train Your Dragon. SACD students have specially prepared furniture for everyone to relax on as they enjoy the movie.

For more information on facade decoration and candy collections, head to Raftr, the UDM app. There are monetary prizes for best facade and most candy donated. Feel free to reach out to hisnersj@udmercy.edu if you have any questions. We hope you can participate in one or all sides of this fantastic event!

To volunteer for the event, click here.

The start of the Titan basketball seasons are upon us, with the Detroit Mercy men’s basketball squad debuting at Calihan Hall on Friday, Oct. 24.

Coach Mark Montgomery and the Titans unofficially start the 2025-26 season at 7 p.m. in an exhibition against Grand Valley State.

The Titans return a number of players from last season and will look to begin the season on a bright note. Detroit Mercy will also play at Wayne State on Thursday, Oct. 30 (5 p.m.) against Central State in the inaugural Horatio Williams Foundation Hoops & Culture Event.

Their season officially opens Nov. 3 (at UIC) and Nov. 7 (at Notre Dame).

The first regular season home game for the Titans is Nov. 11 against Cleary at 7 p.m. inside of Calihan Hall.

Biology major and Literature minor Sam Abedi wrote about the recent Homecoming reading by Michigan Poet Laureate Melba Joyce Boyd, the first poetry reading in the University’s brand new Black Box Theatre! The piece appears in Between the Pages, the English Department’s digital magazine.

Read full story here.

Students are invited to a special Halloween season screening of the classic horror film Scream (1996) on Thursday, Oct. 23, at 8 p.m. in the Student Union Ballroom on the McNichols Campus.

Admission:

• $2 entry fee (cash only)
• Free candy provided

Snacks and beverages available for purchase (cash only):

• Hot cocoa: $1
• Cookies: $2
• Popcorn: $1

This is a great opportunity to enjoy a spooky evening with friends, treats and a cult-favorite film. Proceeds will benefit TENN and future Business students. For questions or additional information, please contact noeljc@udmercy.edu.

Reserve your spot.

Titan Equity Nourish Network (TENN) is hosting a fun and interactive culinary workshop led by Chef Jessica Mitchell on Tuesday, Nov. 4 from 4:30-5:30 p.m. in the Lower Level of the Student Union. Learn how to make delicious, dorm-friendly banana mug cakes that are low waste and perfect for cozy evenings.

Come early as supplies are limited.

This hands-on event is a great way to explore sustainable snacking while picking up a new recipe you can easily prepare in your dorm.

Detroit Mercy’s English Department will welcome poet and alumnus Cal Freeman for a reading from his new book, The Weather of Our Names, on Thursday, Oct. 23, at 12:45 p.m., in the Bargman Room, second floor of the McNichols Campus Library.

This event is free and open to the public. Books will be available for purchase.

Chicago Review of Books recently praised The Weather of Our Names: “Cal Freeman is the type of poet whose precision is surgical, but whose scope is more like NASA’s Terra satellite. Capable of capturing the finite details of a moment in relation to the broader societal context, Freeman’s newest book, The Weather of Our Names, seamlessly weaves hyper-specific environments with deep understanding of memory, place and self.”

Help Titan Equity Nourish Network TENN prepare and run its third annual community meal, which takes place Thursday, Oct. 30. Please consider volunteering for any of the following dates/shifts:

• Oct. 28: Help Chef Bob prepare dishes for the meal. Volunteers are needed for multiple shifts between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. The cooking day will be held at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, located at 16100 Lawton St., Detroit, MI 48221.
• Oct. 29: Help set up tables for the event from 3-4 p.m. in the Student Union Fountain Lounge.
• Oct. 30: Multiple shifts available from 4-7 p.m. helping with set-up, during the event and clean-up in the Student Union Fountain Lounge.

Volunteers may sign up for more than one shift.

If you have any questions, please email Chelsea Manning at mannincp@udmercy.edu.

Sign up here.

The English Department is excited to announce the winners of this year’s Magnetic Poetry Contest and would like to thank all who wrote (stuck?) a poem. Many excellent submissions were received. Special thanks to Stacy Gnall and Michael Lauchlan for serving as judges.

You can read the winning poems on Between the Pages. (And the magnets remain—keep on composing!)

Winners are as follows:

• 1st Place: Ashlee Jones: Somewhere In Between
• 2nd Place: Liberty Stevens: My Old Cowboy
• 3rd Place: Ayshah Khalid: Drunk in Love
• Honorable Mention: Allena Williams: The Call
• Honorable Mention: Isabella Goolsby: No Good Political Movement

Read winning poems here.

The Women’s and Gender Studies Program will host the annual Feminist Scholarship Colloquium on Tuesday, Oct. 21 from 3:30-5 p.m. in the William C. Young Boardroom, located on the second floor of the Student Union. All are welcome.

Presenters will share the diverse ways that sex, gender, sexuality and related issues inform their research and teaching.

Presenters from across the University will include:

• Ceara O’Leary, professor of practice of Architecture
• Julia Belian, associate professor, School of Law
• Lee Eshelman, associate professor of Psychology
• Maha Ahmad, associate professor, School of Dentistry

Refreshments will be provided.

It may be fall, but it is also the best time to sow some seeds.

“Grow a Tree” has returned to the Seed Library. The Seed Library, located in the lobby of the McNichols Campus Library, offers five different species:

• Red Oak
• Scarlet Oak
• Pin Oak
• Swamp White Oak
• Ginkgo

A selection of native wildflower seeds is also available.

Starting a tree from seed is fun and easier than you think. Swing by the library to check them out!

Each year, Detroit Mercy conducts a Day of Giving, which provides an opportunity for Titans around the world — alumni, community members, parents, friends, faculty, staff and students — to join together and show support for UDM.

In 2025, the Day of Giving will be Tuesday, Dec. 2 (National Giving Tuesday).

This will be a 24-hour event to raise money for areas and projects around the University through our crowdfunding platform. It will be primarily promoted through social media, texts and student-to-alumni emails.

We are in the process of collecting campaigns to include on this day.

If you have a project/campaign you want to have included, please complete the campaign worksheet form with your project description and goal. In order to have enough time to build out the platforms for each campaign, the campaign worksheet form for each campaign must be completed and submitted by Nov. 14.

If you would like more information or a presentation about Day of Giving, please contact Director of Annual Giving Judy Wernette at wernetjm@udmercy.edu.

Titans, the University recently earned No. 36 in the Wall Street Journal/College Pulse rankings for ‘America’s Best Colleges’ in 2026.

Show your Titan pride of the high national rankings by downloading the images below and including them in your email signature. To add:

• Download by right-clicking or control-click and save the images below;
• Click the settings ‘sprocket’ icon up in the top right corner of Microsoft Outlook;
• Click on Account, and then Signature;
• Paste the graphic or select the picture icon and upload into your signature;
• Adjust sizing, and then hit save at the bottom.

Note: When adjusting sizing of graphics in signature, please don’t make larger than the current dimensions.

College of Humanities, Arts & Social Sciences (CHASS) Dean Jocelyn Boryczka invites all students to attend the CHASS Student Town Hall, an open discussion about college updates, new initiatives and the issues that matter most to our CHASS community.

This event takes place on Tuesday, Oct. 21, at 12:45-2 p.m. in the Briggs Building, Room 105.

Your feedback helps guide future priorities — come share your ideas and help strengthen the CHASS experience for everyone.

Sign up here.

The Emerging Leaders Program empowers students to discover and develop their leadership potential through involvement in events, activities and programs centered around learning, leadership, spirituality and service — both on campus and in the community.

Students can stop by Room 118 in the Commerce & Finance Building on Thursday, Oct. 16 and/or Thursday, Oct. 30 from 12:45-1:45 p.m. to learn more about the Emerging Leaders Program requirements directly from the program coordinators.

All Detroit Mercy students have the opportunity to experience and live the University Mission and to exhibit leadership on campus in both formal and informal ways for the common good.

For any questions, please email elp@udmercy.edu.

During the month of November, the Catholic Church remembers family and friends who have died. The month highlights this tradition with two feast days, All Saints Day and All Souls Day during the first two days of November.

Detroit Mercy joins this celebration with an annual Mass of Remembrance on the first Sunday of November — November 2 at 4 p.m. in the St. Ignatius Chapel on the McNichols Campus.

All are welcome to join us as we remember all those who have gone before us and remain in our hearts.

Please complete the registration form below to have your loved one’s name added to the list and to RSVP.

Register for Mass of Remembrance.

All are welcome to an evening in support of Honduran women at 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 27 in the Health Professions Facility (CHP), Room 124, on the McNichols Campus.

Speakers will share news on a project to address women’s needs–the purchase and renovation of a new headquarters in San Pedro Sula, which will expand the capacity of Foro de Mujeres (The Women’s Forum).

Many Honduran women dream of staying in their home country, but the recurring threats of domestic violence and femicide often force them to flee. Foro de Mujeres is group of women who have come together to change that narrative by creating a community of mutual support, safety and solidarity.

The organization was founded by the Associates of the Sisters of Mercy, who “respond to the Gospel call to holiness by engaging in the spiritual and corporal works of Mercy, deepening their spirituality, partnering in prayer and action with the sisters and responding in their own personal lives to the critical needs of our time–care of Earth, anti-racism advocacy, justice for women, justice for immigrants and nonviolence.”

At the event, you’ll enjoy authentic Honduran snacks and drinks and have the opportunity to support this important work through donations and by purchasing handicrafts made by women in the Honduran community.

This event is co-sponsored by Detroit Mercy’s Titan Dreamers and Women’s & Gender Studies.