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

Air date: 9/8/24

[00:28:48]

Host Matt Mio is joined in the studio by Professors Beth Oljar, Stephen Manning, Dan Maggio, Dave Chow and special guest: Professor Danielle Maxwell from the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Air date: 9/1/24

[00:28:43]

On this week’s episode, we’re sharing the second half of an Ask The Professor show recorded at the Detroit Historical Museum

ATP 2452 transcript

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Air date: 8/25/24

[00:28:24]

Recorded before a live audience at the Detroit Historical Museum.

With Professors Matt Mio, Beth Oljar, Heather Hill, Dan Maggio, Erin Bell, Jim Tubbs, Jason Roche and Dave Chow.

ATP 2451 transcript

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Air date: 8/18/24

[00:28:05]

On this week’s episode, we travel back to September 2008.  With Professors Kathy Bush, Dan Maggio, Jeffe Boats and Roy Finkenbine.

ATP 2450 transcript

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Air date: 8/11/24

[00:28:02]

This week’s episode is a rebroadcast of an Ask The Professor program recorded in February 2008.   With Professors Kathy Bush, Dan Maggio, Beth Oljar and Roy Finkenbine.

ATP 2449 transcript

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Join us for a hands-on workshop: Exploring the Benefits of Aeroponics Gardens on Sept. 25 from 12:30-2 p.m. in the College of Health Professions, Room 158 (Maureen Fay Room).

This interactive workshop is open to everyone, regardless of experience, and offers a fantastic opportunity to dive into the innovative world of aeroponics gardening. Aeroponics is a soilless growing method that uses air and mist to nourish plants, and it offers numerous benefits for sustainability, space-saving and plant growth efficiency.

During this workshop you will:

• Learn about the fundamental benefits of aeroponics gardening.
• Participate in planting.
• Explore various growing mediums and equipment used in this technique.
• Gain inspiration to explore and adopt aeroponics gardening for personal or professional use.

This workshop is a great way to get practical, hands-on experience with cutting-edge gardening techniques while also learning how to contribute to more sustainable practices.

Please don’t hesitate to bring your curiosity and enthusiasm!

Register Here!

The 2024 Wellness Expo will take place on Thursday, Oct. 3 from 12-2 p.m. in the Student Union Ballroom. The expo is free for all students and employees.

Many local wellness vendors will be present, such as Skin Bar, who will be giving out skin care products, and Healthy Eats with Dee, who will be distributing free healthy juice.

Raffles, snacks, and fun activities will be provided! In addition, we will have our favorite guests back, the therapy dogs!

Also, secifically for employees, we will have all UDM benefit companies there and free blood pressure readings!

We look forward to seeing you there.

The 2024-25 academic year at University of Detroit Mercy (UDM) is off to a record-breaking start with the largest first-year class in more than 30 years and a ranking that puts it among the top 50 universities in the country.

The 2025 Wall Street Journal/College Pulse ranking has put UDM at No. 43 in the nation, nine places higher than it ranked the University last year.

“This is a great day for our students, the University and the city of Detroit,” said UDM President Donald B. Taylor. “With these rankings, UDM is now in the top 1% of 4,300 higher education campuses in the country,” he added.

The Wall Street Journal/College Pulse rankings are based on social mobility, which rewards universities with the highest proportion of students coming from lower-income families and maintain high graduation rates; salary impact, which lists schools in order of their impact on graduates’ salaries in relation to the cost of attending; and student experience, based on a survey of more than 110,000 college students at 500 of the nation’s best universities.

UDM’s ranking was derived after being placed:

• 39 in social mobility, an increase of nine spots from 2024 rankings.
• 44 in best salaries, an increase of 21 spots from 2024 rankings (previously titled Salary Impact).
• 91 in best value, a new category for 2025.

The 2025 ranking also makes UDM:

• The second-highest ranked university in Michigan.
• The top ranked Catholic university in the state.
• The No. 2 Catholic university in the Midwest.
• The sixth-highest ranking Catholic university in the United States.
• The fifth ranked university among all Association of Jesuit Colleges & Universities in the country.
• The highest-ranked Mercy institution.

Last year’s ranking at No. 52 created increased interest in the University and led, in part, to a record first-year class this fall of 655 students on its McNichols Campus. That is an 18.7% increase over last year’s record of 552. It is the largest incoming class since 1990 when Detroit Mercy was formed from the consolidation of University of Detroit and Mercy College of Detroit.

“When we looked at the data, we saw a major increase in applications dating from the day The Wall Street Journal announced its rankings last year,” said Debbie Stieffel, vice president for Enrollment Management & Student Affairs.

For current students, this new rank speaks to what they’ve known about UDM for years.

“I’m grateful to be continuing my education at an institution that, time and time again, has proved itself to be one of the best places in the country for gaining an education and a degree,” said Hisham Almadani, a third-year Communication Studies student. “I look forward to graduating with my Bachelor of Arts next year, and I’m excited to apply everything I learned at Detroit Mercy into my professional career.”

Last year, the University had a record number of applications and is once again on pace to set a new record for the 2025-26 academic year.

Approximately 86 percent of the 2024-25 first-year class hails from Michigan. It also includes students from 20 states and nine countries including Lebanon, India, South Korea, Ukraine and Vietnam. Fifty percent of students in the incoming class are the first in their family to attend university.

“We are honored that so many of tomorrow’s leaders have entrusted us with their college education,” Taylor said. “It shows young people are looking for the life-changing education we offer at Detroit Mercy, and they trust us to deliver it.”

With this record class and student retention above the national average for last year’s first-year class, UDM is on target for an overall enrollment of more than 5,700 this academic year; last year’s enrollment was 5,528. Final enrollment figures for this year will not be available until mid-September.

There are several reasons for the large boost in first-year enrollment, according to Stieffel.

“One of the biggest draws was our new Titan Edge program, which offers free tuition to first-year students who are eligible for the maximum federal Pell Grant and the Michigan Achievement Scholarship, and is renewable for up to four years,” she said.

On top of the national rankings and the Titan Edge, “these enrollment numbers are the result of a lot of hard work by all University employees. Recruitment is everybody’s job and there is a great deal of pride in our programming, mission and special location in the heart of Detroit,” Stieffel added.

Detroit Mercy earned a great deal of news coverage last year. In April, UDM opened the Detroit Mercy Eye Institute at its Novi Campus. Also in April, the University hosted U.S. Sen. and Detroit Mercy alumnus Gary Peters and National Cyber Director Harry Coker Jr. to observe the groundbreaking work by UDM’s Vehicle Cyber Engineering Program. The U.S. Department of defense has provided the University more than $1.6 million in grants to establish the Metro Detroit Regional Vehicle Cybersecurity Institute.

In other news, the U.S. Department of Energy provided a multi-million dollar grant for a project in which the University and its students will work with local nonprofits to support energy efficiency.

The University also had a record-breaking fundraising year, with donors supporting UDM with more than $25 million in gifts that provide scholarships and faculty and programmatic support.

A portion of one donor’s gift has been used to refresh the campus with new signs and large artwork commissioned by local Detroit artists.

“There is a great buzz about the University,” Taylor said. “People are finally hearing what we’ve been saying all along: University of Detroit Mercy is a great national University.”

Detroit Mercy’s annual student organization fair, Titan Fest, is nearly here!

Enjoy food, games, music, face painting, and meeting all of UDM’s amazing student organizations on Friday, Sept. 6 from 3-5:30 p.m. Join us outside of the Student Union near the McNichols Campus fountain.

The first 500 students to check-in will receive a new Titan Fest t-shirt!

If you represent a student organization, make sure that your group has reserved their table on Detroit Mercy Live.

Detroit Mercy’s Marketing and Communications team (MarCom) has recently updated the University’s identity guidelines and style manual to help breathe a little more flexibility. You can find these updates here: https://www.udmercy.edu/faculty-staff/marcom/brand/

Some of the key highlights for these updates include the following:

• Guidelines and style are updated in accordance with a review of best practices at other AJCU institutions.
• MarCom has differentiated between internal and external audiences within the new guidelines in several key spots to help communicate that flexibility and to stress the importance of working in partnership to achieve the objectives of colleges, departments, MarCom and UDM while still maintaining consistency with the UDM brand family.
• MarCom has updated our mix of colors and denoted best accessibility practices to help staff understand the importance of visual communications and impact it can have on accessibility.

When planning your next project, be sure to include MarCom at the onset. Doing so will ensure brand consistency and help create stronger partnerships that will yield greater results while avoiding pitfalls.

In addition, MarCom is planning some Ask MarCom events, at which people can drop by with questions and get answers from a member of our team. We hope you will encourage people in your department and colleges who create communications to take advantage of these opportunities. Look for dates, times, and locations in an upcoming edition of Campus Connection.

Until then, please remember that we are available to answer questions. Reach out to MarCom@udmercy.edu or call 313-993-1254.

Brand/Visual Identity.

Please join the University community for the tree dedication to honor the memory of Chaka Hughes. The ceremony is set for Wednesday, Sept. 25 at 4 p.m. Chaka’s tree is located outside of the Student Union main entrance (near Kassab Mall).

There will be a gathering to remember Chaka as a cherished friend/colleague and a positive presence that touched many lives. After a blessing of the tree, all are welcome to share a story or memory.

Have you ever wanted to bike the streets of Detroit after dark?

Sign up for the annual Midnight Bike Ride on Friday, Sept. 13. On-site registration begins at 7 p.m. in the Student Union, and the ride begins promptly at 8 p.m. from the McNichols Campus. Be a part of this University tradition.

The bike tour includes rest stops to point out places of interest and a hot dog break at Detroit’s famous Lafayette Coney Island. Participants may purchase items at the stop at their own expense. After the 20-mile trip, the cyclists should return to campus around 12 a.m. on Saturday.

Here’s the breakdown:

• Students – If you have your own bike, the ride is free! (T-shirts are $5)
• Bike rental for students – $5 (limited availability)
• Faculty, staff, and members of the community are welcome to join the tour  – $25 (includes a T-shirt)

Register online today!

The official welcoming event to the new school year for the University community Celebrate Spirit! is set for Tuesday, Sept. 10 inside of the Student Fitness Center. The Mass of the Holy Spirit begins at 11:30 a.m.

The presider for Celebrate Spirit! is Vice President for Mission Integration Fr. Charles Oduke and the guest homilist is Marilyn Lacey, RSM. The event is hosted by University Ministry, Mission Integration, and the College for Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences.

All are invited to wear red, orange or yellow as part of the event. Following Mass at 11:30 a.m., a free lunch will be provided in the Fountain Lounge of the Student Union at 1 p.m. Click here to volunteer at Celebrate Spirit!

This year’s theme is Radical Hospitality inspired by the charism and values of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas and Society of Jesus. Radical hospitality involves three steps — remembering, welcoming and belonging — that get to the root of membership as the practice of welcoming yourself and others by remembering that we belong to a global community and the totality of being.

Full information.

Get a jump start on volunteer hours in the new semester by signing up for Detroit Mercy’s Titan Equity Nourish Network (TENN)‘s bi-weekly Monday deliveries from 3-5 p.m. or weekly Friday deliveries from 10 a.m. to noon.

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

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

Sign-up for Mondays.

Sign-up for Fridays.

The Titans men’s basketball team is holding open tryouts and also looking for student managers for this upcoming season.

Tryouts will be held on Monday, Sept. 9 at 6 p.m. in Calihan Hall. Potential student-athletes must be full-time students and in good academic standing, and also be available for practice and games.

Potential student managers should have previous basketball experience and will travel with the team. If you want to build your resume and network in the pursuit of a future coaching career, this might be a great fit.

For more information on each, please contact men’s basketball assistant coach Collyn Richardson at crichar@udmercy.edu.

The African American Studies Program‘s first Six Mile Meetup of the 2024-25 school year is set for Tuesday, Sept. 17 from 12:45-2 p.m. at Whatcha Wanna Eat, located west of the McNichols Campus at 10635 W. McNichols Road. All are welcome!

The meetups offer anyone interested a chance to explore the surrounding neighborhood of UDM, support local black-owned businesses and meet African American Studies Program faculty and students.

RSVP to reserve a spot!

University of Detroit Mercy will host the 2024 NAMI Walk Sept. 21 on the McNichols Campus.

Some 2,000 supporters of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) 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.

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 first 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.”

Students, staff, administration and faculty are creating teams to participate in the event, that begins at 8 a.m. with registration and ends at 11 a.m. after a walk around the University’s McNichols Campus. Participants receive special Detroit Mercy swag.

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

Learn more and register online.

Voting rights and privileges will take center stage in a talk from presenter Fr. Patrick Dorsey, S.J., on Saturday, Sept. 14 at 9 a.m. inside of the College of Health Professions, Room 124. The event is free and open to all those who wish to join!

During the talk, attendees will peruse the history of the rights and privileges of voters in the U.S. through the lens of Catholic Social Teaching. This will be followed up with discernment questions to consider when voting in November. In the spirit of St. Ignatius, the time together is designed to be one of discernment and not for debate or discussion. All slides and links will be available to those who wish to receive them.

Throughout the history of the United States, voting rights laws have been amended to include people of color, people with language barriers, and people with gender differences. Poll taxes have been eliminated, and the age of eligible voters has been lowered, to name a few. The most recent amendment in 2009 improved access to voting for military personnel and voters living outside of the U.S.

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has aligned the church with the same principles of the United States government by writing the seven themes of Catholic Social Teaching. In essence, the Bishop’s document summarizes a holistic perspective of what the U.S. government established as law.

Sign-up here!

Detroit Mercy’s University Recreation has something for everyone this school year with its intramural sports programming.

Sports leagues and tournaments are offered to all UDM students, faculty and staff, and provide the opportunity to compete against one another throughout the academic year for intramural championship prizes.

URec strives to have a diverse selection of programming available to students and employees. Fall 2024 intramural programming includes sand volleyball, soccer, indoor volleyball, flag football, badminton and basketball. The leagues are FREE for all.

Please contact URec Assistant Director Allen Seales at sealesv@udmercy.edu or 313-993-1781 with any questions, comments or concerns.

Register now!

Join a moderated conversation with award-winning journalist Nargis Hakim Rahman entitled “Building Community Power Through Journalism.” Through her role as the civics reporter and producer for local NPR affiliate WDET and several community-based projects, Rahman creates media to give Muslims and other marginalized groups a voice in the press.

This conversation will take place on Tuesday, Sept. 24 at 5 p.m. in the Student Union Ballroom on the McNichols Campus. All are welcome!

Rahman has been a fellow at International Women’s Media Foundation and the South Asian American Digital Archive. Her work has appeared in Huffington Post, NPR, YES Magazine!, Haute Hijab, Tostada Magazine, Eater, Model D, Detroiter Magazine, The Muslim Observer, Brown Girl Magazine, Metro Detroit Mommy and more.

This event is organized by the Islamic Studies Program and co-sponsored by the Office of the Dean, College of Humanities, Arts & Social Sciences; Department of Communications; Women’s and Gender Studies Program; and Department of Religious Studies.

The New Beginnings Retreat, set for Saturday, Sept. 22, is an opportunity to meet new people, forge relationships and reflect on your early experiences of college. Join University Ministry at Kensington Metropark in nearby Milford from Saturday through Sunday, Sept. 23.

Designed for first-year and transfer students, the retreat is focused around themes of transition, you’ll hear stories from upper-class students, engage with peers in small group discussions, reflect on hopes and expectations, and have plenty of time for rest and recreation.

The retreat is reflective in nature, but is not oriented towards any particular faith tradition. We hope that you join us!

With any questions, please contact University Ministry at ministry@udmercy.edu or 313-993-1560.

More info/Sign-up!

University Minister for Faith Formation Anna Lawler is looking for people who are interested in spiritual direction and companionship. Spiritual direction is the practice of being with person(s) as they attempt to deepen their relationship with the divine or to learn and grow in their personal spirituality. A spiritual director offers guidance, companionship and support to the directee as they navigate their spiritual journey.

There are limited spots for this opportunity, but the Busy Persons Retreat offered later in the fall has spiritual direction as a component so there will be future opportunities.

If you are interested in trying spiritual direction for the first time, looking for a new spiritual director or are ready to make a new commitment on your spiritual journey, please submit your interest below.

Submit here.

Relax your mind and body. Join UDM’s Yoga Club for free weekly yoga classes every Tuesday at 6 p.m. in the Group Fitness Room in the Fitness Center.

Classes begin Sept. 10 and run until Nov. 11. All are welcome!

Learn more about traveling to India with Detroit Mercy through an information sessions on Tuesday, Sept. 17 at 12:45 p.m. in the Briggs Building, Room 105.

Students will learn more about the trip dates, costs, and grant opportunities during this meeting.

Visit United Nations Educations, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage sites in the cities of Delhi, Jaipur and Agra including a visit to the famous Taj Mahal.

Join us for a panel discussion exploring the rise of White Christian nationalism and its potential impact on the 2024 election.

This event will be co-sponsored by University of Detroit Mercy, Michigan Coalition for Human Rights and Gesu Church. The event will take place on Tuesday, Sept. 17 at 7:00 p.m. in the Ford Life Sciences Building, Room 113, and will shed light on a critical dynamic in United States politics today.

Panelists include Chair and Professor of Religious Studies Todd Hibbard and Professor Saeed Kahn of Wayne State University Department of Classical and Modern Languages, Literatures and Cultures.

Earn prizes through the English Department‘s Magnetic Poetry Contest early in the school year! All Detroit Mercy students, 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 Friday, Sept. 13. Winning students will receive cash prizes — $75 and a magnetic poetry kit for first place, $50 for second place and $25 for third place. Winning employees will receive much glory.

Please be sure to submit an image of your poem that is vertically oriented. Each individual may submit a maximum of three poems.

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!

Join Detroit Mercy Law and the legal community in celebrating the 112th annual Red Mass at noon Tuesday, Sept. 17 inside of Ss. Peter & Paul Church at the Riverfront Campus.

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

This year’s Red Mass will be celebrated by Archbishop Allen H. Vigneron, Archdiocese of Detroit. Fr. Joe Daunts, S.J., will serve as the Homilist. The Honorable Michael J. Riordan ’90, Michigan Court of Appeals, will lead the Renewal of the Lawyer’s Oath of Commitment.

A luncheon reception immediately follows the service in the atrium of Detroit Mercy Law.

RSVP here.

The third annual Road to Championship fundraiser, which directly benefits Titan Athletics, is scheduled for 6-9 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 10 at The Corner Ballpark in Detroit. The event will feature special guest appearances, door prizes, and unique “experience” auction items.

Tickets cost $125 each and can be purchased online. Please RSVP and register by Sept. 10.

Cocktails and appetizers will be served and attendees will be able to meet and greet with Titan coaches and others.

Fundraising efforts will go directly to Detroit Mercy Athletics as the department seeks to enhance the experience of our student-athletes for years to come.

For more information, please contact Dan Kennedy ’89 at dkennedy@flexngate.com or 248-842-7859.

RSVP online!

Five College of Business Administration alumni will be honored during the annual Business Leadership Awards on Sunday, Oct. 13.

The event begins 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 $50 each and can be purchased online until Sept. 23.

CBA annually recognizes exemplary individuals who demonstrate professional success, outstanding contributions to society and embodiment of the Jesuit and Mercy values. This year’s honorees include two lifetime achievers, who will be inducted to CBA’s Hall of Honor, and three rising stars.

Lifetime Achievement Award recipients:

• David R. Fitch ’79, ’83, senior vice president (retired), Chemical Bank
• Jeffrey T. Antaya ’80, ’87, partner & chief marketing officer (retired), Plante Moran

Rising Star Award recipient:

• Gabriela Santiago-Romero ’15, councilmember, City of Detroit
• Travis Spencer ’11, ’15, head of supplier diversity, Ford Motor Company
• Nicole Fitch ’18, ’19, operational risk associate, Goldman Sachs

Purchase tickets online.

All Detroit Mercy staff and faculty will receive a free UDM tumbler when attending Thursday’s 3 p.m. women’s soccer match between the Titans and Chicago State from Titan Field.

For more information, please contact Samantha Cyrus at cyrusse@udmercy.edu.

University Ministry is hosting a special Mass to celebrate the feast day of St. Phoebe. Gather with us for Mass and fellowship with snacks following the service on Tuesday, Sept. 3 at 12:45 p.m. in the St. Ignatius Chapel.

All are welcome!

In the Letter to the Romans, St. Paul commends Phoebe to the church in Rome, introduces her as a deacon (diakonos) of the church at Cenchreae, and asks that they “receive her in the Lord” (Romans 16:1-2a).

Join us as we come together with Catholic communities in celebrating St. Phoebe during the month of September while honoring women’s gifts to the Church in the lead-up to the General Assembly of the Synod.

CNN contributor Ryan Mack, a financial expert and economic commentator, is the first speaker in the Charlton Center for Responsible Investing (CCRI)’s Finance Seminar series for 2024-25, set for Thursday, Sept. 5 at noon in the Fountain Lounge of the Student Union.

Mack, a popular presenter in the Center’s ongoing Financial Literacy and Investing webinars, will make his first in-person appearance and will share insight and provide financial advice to students on the timely topic: Planning for a Healthy Financial Future.

The first 30 students in attendance will receive a $10 gift card. Light refreshments will be provided. Students are encouraged to register in advance by emailing Dawna Edwards-Rodgers at edwarddj1@udmercy.edu.

The CCRI promotes financial literacy and through academic excellence and experiential training, educates and trains students desiring a career as an investment professional. For more information about the Center, contact Edwards-Rodgers by email or at 313-993-3259.

Come out to Detroit Mercy’s Thank A Donor Day for food, fun, games and prizes!

Thank A Donor Day takes place on Tuesday, Sept. 24 from 12:30-2 p.m. in the Fountain Lounge in the Student Union.

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

• Test your Detroit Mercy trivia knowledge while taking a spin on the prize wheel
• Participate in fun games to earn Detroit Mercy swag
• Write thank you notes to Detroit Mercy donors in the McNichols Campus Library or Fountain Lounge of the Student Union and receive a free lunch
• A scavenger hunt to find one of Tommy Titan’s teddy bears wearing Detroit Mercy Titans swag
• Participate in a video or photo shoot to thank alumni for their donations and enter into a drawing for a Visa gift card

For more information regarding the event, please visit www.udmercy.edu/giving/thankadonor.

Students can also earn service hours by helping out with the event. For more information, please contact Sonya Reyna at 313-993-1540 or reynasv@udmercy.edu. It’s easy to sign up, just click on the link below!

Volunteer Here.

Join the Titan Equity Nourish Network (TENN) in helping our community partner Pastor Banks set up the Student Union Ballroom before his trifecta celebration!

Volunteer to earn service hours during multiple shifts on Thursday, Sept. 5 beginning at noon.

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

Sign-up here!

Join the Center for Practice & Research in Management & Ethics (PRIME) for “A Personal and Professional Perspective on Civil Rights,” featuring Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) Commissioner Kalpana Kotagal, who will share her insights from a career dedicated to supporting workers and championing diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility.

This event will take place at on Oct. 23 at 5:30 p.m. in the Student Union Ballroom on the McNichols Campus. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain valuable knowledge and learn from a respected leader in the field.

This event is free & open to the public with advanced registration.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Reserve your spot here!

Detroit Mercy’s School of Architecture and Community Development (SACD) and the Consulate of Italy in Detroit are co-hosting a multinational exhibition and panel discussion as part of the 2024 Detroit Month of Design.

The panel discussion is Wednesday, Sept. 4 with the reception from 4:30-5:30 p.m. and the panel discussion following from 5:30-7 p.m. The exhibit hours are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Tuesday, Sept. 3 through Friday, Sept. 6. Both are inside the Loranger Architecture Building on the McNichols Campus.

The exhibition and special panel discussion will highlight the Dedalo Minosse International Prize for Commissioning a Building, which is a competition presented by ALA Assoarchitetti and Regione del Veneto, Italy. The distinctive Prize, founded in 1997, has had a long connection with Detroit, as SACD’s Detroit Collaborative Design Center won the Prize in 2001 and 2011. Dean Dan Pitera has also served on the project selection team since 2014.

This biannual event has the mission to uplift the “Client” as a potential protagonist in the architectural design and construction process. The competition founders believe that special attention should be given to the dynamic collaborative work required the architect and the client, supported by the constructors and governmental agencies.

The exhibit is composted of highlights of the top prize winners of the latest edition of the awards, which includes the Marlon Blackwell designed Early Childhood Center on Marygrove’s Campus on McNichols Road. Approximately 20 architects and designers are exhibited with projects from across the globe. The panel discussion will feature Blackwell or Marlon Blackwell Architects, Marcella Gabbiani, the Director of the Dedalo Minosse Prize, and Marco Mani of Guicciardini and Magni Architects, one of the other winning architects.

Join fellow students on Thursdays during dead hour from 12:45-2 p.m. for a chance to grow in your faith with your peers. There will be activities, reflection and snacks!

The first event is set for Thursday, Sept. 5, with everyone gathering in the University Ministry office or in the Mercy Gathering Place, located in Shiple Hall just to the right of the lobby.

This is an opportunity for students to gather together with their peers and our Jesuit Volunteer to spend time in prayer, reflection, conversation all while enjoying some yummy snacks!

October 15, 5:30 p.m.
McNichols Library, Bargman Room 

Come to campus and hear from author Maisy Card.  Maisy Card is the author of the novel These Ghosts Are Family, which won an American Book Award, the 2021 OCM Bocas Prize in fiction and was a finalist for the PEN/Hemingway Award for Debut Novel, The Center for Fiction First Novel Prize, and the LA Times Art Seidenbaum Award for First Fiction. Join us for a reading from her work and a discussion led by Jazmin Ortavia Cooper.

• Please register your attendance
• Find more on her book.

Sponsored by By Detroit Mercy African American Studies Program and the English Department

Maurice Greenia, Jr. ’76 (a.k.a. Maugré), a longtime McNichols Campus Library assistant, poet, Detroit-based multi-media artist and avid filmgoer delved into his personal collection of Detroit Film Theatre (DFT) memorabilia in order to celebrate the DFT’s 50th anniversary. The result is Detroit and the Movies, this summer’s exhibit at the McNichols Campus Library, which runs through early September.

The multi-faceted exhibit focuses on the Detroit Film Theatre at the Detroit Institute of Arts, as well as work from local artists. Among the artifacts on display – from an era long before e-tickets – are an oversized DFT “membership card,” photographs, postcards and programming guides dating back to 1974. Think outside the mainstream: foreign films, classic and restored films, silent films, independent films, animation.

In addition to theatre-specific memorabilia, a small art exhibition features the work of Jennifer Gariepy, Gazine Greenia, Mary Fortuna, Jim Puntigam, Jack Johnson, Miriam Marcus, Roger Hayes and other local artists.

Both exhibits are part of Greenia’s ongoing annual summer exhibition series on the cultural history of Detroit, a series he started in 2014 that has over the years highlighted the city’s visual arts scene, poetry, street art and music.

Stop by the Library to meet Maugré and see this unique display before it ends as he likes to remove and add pieces to the exhibit every few weeks, pulling from his own vast collections. In other words, what you saw last week may not be there the next!

For more information on what’s showing next at the Detroit Film Theatre, visit the theatre’s website.

You can also check out the Archive Research Center’s online Maurice Greenia, Jr. Collections to learn more about his unique artistic interpretation of Detroit.

Professor of History and Department Co-chair Roy Finkenbine‘s essay “Caesar (November 1774)” was published online in Freedom Seekers: Stories of Black Liberation in the American Revolutionary Era and Beyond, a growing collection of short stories of enslaved people who attempted to seize their own freedom.

Finkenbine’s essay follows an enslaved Virginian named Caesar, who took his freedom in 1774, finding sanctuary among the Shawnees and becoming a warrior in the fight of Indigenous peoples to hold on to the Ohio country.

ReBUILDetroit has formed three Learning Communities to engage faculty and staff in exploring ideas about the following topics:

• Inclusive Teaching
• Identity and Identity Formation of Minoritized Groups (in Higher Education)
• Science, Technology and Race

If you want to learn more about these topics in relation to building community, curriculum implementation, enhancing your pedagogical practice, book study or rich discussion and examination, then consider joining a learning community group. Groups are open to all disciplines and departments!

For more information about the topics and groups and how to join the Learning Communities, please contact the following conveners, respectively:

• For Inclusive Teaching: Marwa Abdul Latif at abdellmk@udmercy.edu or Liz Roberts-Kirchhoff at robkires@udmercy.edu.
• For Identity and Identity Formation of Minoritized Groups (in Higher Education): Hiba Assi at assihi@udmercy.edu.
• For Science, Technology and Race: Prasad Venugopal at venugoep@udmercy.edu or Jahzara Mayes at mayesjm@udmercy.edu.

October 15, 5:30 p.m.
McNichols Library, Bargman Room 

Come to campus and hear from author Maisy Card.  Maisy Card is the author of the novel These Ghosts Are Family, which won an American Book Award, the 2021 OCM Bocas Prize in fiction and was a finalist for the PEN/Hemingway Award for Debut Novel, The Center for Fiction First Novel Prize, and the LA Times Art Seidenbaum Award for First Fiction. Join us for a reading from her work and a discussion led by Jazmin Ortavia Cooper.

• Please register your attendance
• Find more on her book.

Sponsored by By Detroit Mercy African American Studies Program and the English Department

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.

Explore the diverse recreational opportunities offered by the University Recreation department with the inaugural RecFest from 4-7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 27 inside of the Student Fitness Center.

The interactive event features food, giveaways, activities, music, and much more! The first 100 attendees will receive free food, a free RecFest shirt, free smoothies and other free giveaways.

RecFest will also feature a food truck, dunk tank, Photo Booth, raffle prizes, Esports trailer, obstacle course, sports inflatables, bubble soccer, tennis clinic, fitness demos and challenges and more.

Schedule for the Back Court:

• 4-5 p.m. — Pickleball open play
• 5-6 p.m. — Badminton open play
• 6-7 p.m. — Women’s volleyball clinic

Schedule for the Front Court:

• 4-5 p.m. — Free throw/3-point competition
• 5-6 p.m. — Dodgeball open play
• 6-7 p.m. — Men’s volleyball clinic

University Ministry is hosting a fun kick-off event to start the new academic year.

Stop by the Fountain Terrace on Thursday, Aug. 29 from 12:45-2 p.m. to tie-dye shirts, do crafts, learn about University Ministry and enjoy some yummy tacos!

This is a great opportunity to meet the staff of University Ministry and get connected with other students.

All are welcome!

Join Detroit Mercy Theatre Company at the Theatre Welcome Party on Wednesday, Aug. 28 from 4-6 p.m. in Room 164 of Reno Hall.

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.

Email Sarah Rusk at hawkinsk@udmercy.edu with questions.

All Detroit Mercy students are welcome to audition for Detroit Mercy Theatre Company’s fall 2024 productions on Tuesday, Sept. 3 at 7 p.m. in Room 164 of Reno Hall.

No experience is required to audition. Those interested are required to prepare two contrasting monologues that are each 60-90 seconds in length. A student’s total audition should not exceed three minutes.

DMTC’s fall productions include Witch; Ripped, a TheatreLab staged reading; and The Adventure of the Italian Nobleman, a live radio play to be performed during UDM’s Homecoming.

More information can be found on DMTC’s website.

Contact DMTC at theatre@udmercy.edu or 313-993-3270 with questions.

New for the 2024-25 school year, Metz is offering a $7 all-you-can-eat deal for breakfast, lunch and dinner in the Titan Dining Room exclusively for Detroit Mercy faculty and staff. To get the deal, all you need to do is show your UDM employee ID at the register!

Also new is the ReNew program, which is a reusable container that you can use while buying your to-go meal. For a one-time fee of $7, a green reusable container will be issued for your use. Enjoy your food and return the container to Dining Services for a new one (or a placeholder token until your next meal). Thanks for helping to shrink our waste footprint!

Lastly, a forever PSA, if you eat in any Metz dining facility (The Bookmark, Titan Dining Room, the Loft, The Pitstop), buy Munch Money! You’re given 10% more money when you purchase. Thank you and happy dining!

Chair and Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry Matthew Mio has been elected Chair of American Chemical Society Division of Chemical Education Examinations Institute Board of Trustees for 2025-28.

The Board oversees the fiduciary responsibilities of the ACS Exams Institute, which develops and maintains chemical education assessments for the ACS. Mio previously served the past three years on the board of trustees for the ACS.

Welcome, Class of 2028!

University of Detroit Mercy welcomed Titan freshmen to the McNichols Campus beginning with Shiple Hall move-in day Aug. 20. The new Titans had a busy week participating in First-year Convocation, Prologues, Transitions and Viewpoints (PTV), community service, meeting new classmates, taking part in an organization fair and more.

Prior to new students arriving to UDM, the President’s Convocation was held Aug. 19, welcoming new faculty and employees and providing updates to the University community.

Stay tuned for more on PTV and the first day of classes Monday, Aug. 26.

For full coverage of move-in day (video below), First-year Convocation, PTV and more, visit UDM’s social media channels!

Associate Professor and Chair of English Mary-Catherine Harrison published “The Koh-i-Noor Diamond and Dinah Mulock Craik’s Fantasy of Consensual Colonization” in the Nineteenth Century Gender Studies journal.

Read the article here.

Help make Detroit Mercy’s Homecoming a success by volunteering on Sept. 28.

Homecoming weekend is not possible without the entire UDM community coming together and helping. If you are interested in volunteering at this year’s event, please email Director for Alumni Relations Peggy Pattison at pattisma@udmercy.edu.

President Donald Taylor visited with new Detroit Mercy students inside of the Engineering Building on the McNichols Campus this week!

Included in the photo (front row, kneeling) are the new International Orientation Leaders for 2024-25 (from left to right):

• Sai Rithesh Thokala (graduate, Applied Data Analytics)
• Rajiv Satish (graduate, Applied Data Analytics)
• Kammie Enriquez (undergraduate, Economics)
• Gabriel Prajwal Raj (graduate, Applied Data Analytics)

CETL’s Assistant Director for Educational Development Erin Bell presented at the 20th annual Teaching and Learning Conference Program Divergent Teaching: Empathy, Rigor, and Beyond at Elon University.

Bell’s presentation was titled, “Community-Based Writing to Ward off the Over-Use of AI.”

The College of Health Professions & McAuley School of Nursing are accepting abstract submissions for its inaugural research symposium, which i

Students, faculty, alumni and clinical partners can submit abstracts for podium or poster presentations at the symposium, which is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 28 from 12-4 p.m. and is part of the University’s Homecoming celebration.

Abstracts must be submitted by Aug. 30, should be no more than 300 words and can focus on the following healthcare-related themes: safety and quality of care; healthcare innovations and leadership; social responsibility; and health, wellness and community engagement. Individuals whose abstracts are selected for the symposium will be notified by Sept. 10.

Learn more and submit an abstract on the symposium’s webpage.