Jesuit philosophy has always been my moral compass. It guided my professional life as a teacher and later as a college administrator. U of D was always thoughtful toward students — an excellent model to follow during my career. Besides the regular academic curriculum, my peers and I were encouraged to be involved in university life. We worked on the yearbook and the great fund raising project , the Carnival. Friendships developed during those years (’49-’53) continue to be part of our lives today. I would hope that today’s students benefit from University of Detroit Mercy as much as we did.

—Edward Nussel ’53, College of Liberal Arts & Education

“I grew up around the University of Detroit, since our dad (Dr. Chuck Dause) was a professor, department chair then Assoc. Dean of Liberal Arts. We went to many of the home basketball games as kids watching future NBA players, coaches and commentators. Even though we lived only 25 minutes away, I chose to live on campus for my entire undergraduate time of U of D and loved it! The connection with my teacher/advisor, Cynthia Langham, was invaluable to my success as a student and opened multiple doors during and after graduation for experience and contacts in my field. She and I are still in contact today! She may not know the value and importance of networking with colleagues I come in contact with that she taught me; it has stayed with me into my professional career. Lifelong friendships were made on and around campus along with many life lessons learned while at U of D.

There is a huge advantage to alumni of such a close-knit school and community to stay in contact with one another and reach out to connect professionally.”

—Kathleen (Dause) Novetsky ’90 College of Liberal Arts & Education

“Let’s start with my father, William J. Giovan, Sr., a dentist. He told me once that he had made a generous contribution toward the construction of the Alumni Memorial Building, now known as Callahan Hall, because he never would have become a dentist, but for the University of Detroit Dental School, which was established just in time for him to be able to attend. He was a member of its first graduating class in 1935.

When I myself started as an undergraduate in 1954, similarly, it was the only affordable Catholic University I could attend. Besides giving me a quality education, U of D gave me the opportunity to participate in several extracurricular activities, and I spent all four years as a member of the fencing team, the U of D Players, and the debate team. I’m sure that all those facilities wouldn’t have been available to me at a smaller school, and I expect that the competition would have been a hindrance in a larger one.

I went on to a more or less successful career in the law. I doubt that all of this would have been possible had I gone to school elsewhere.”

—The Hon. William Giovan, Jr. ’58, College of Liberal Arts & Education