News Release
UDM President to Appear on MSNBC Education Special
University of Detroit Mercy President Antoine M. Garibaldi will participate in MSNBC's "A Stronger America: Making the Grade," a live two-hour discussion on strengthening America through education, from the Detroit School of Arts, on Sunday, Aug. 14 from noon until 2 p.m. ET. The special will be broadcasted live throughout America.
Recognized as a national scholar in higher education, Garibaldi’s career spans more than 35 years as a tenured professor, accomplished researcher and educational administrator.
He will discuss opportunities for higher education with actor, comedian and filmmaker Robert Townsend and Executive Director of the Detroit Parents Network Sharlonda Buckman.
"All barriers to improving our nation, whether they be economic, geographic or otherwise, must be eliminated," said Yvette Miley, Vice President and Executive Editor, MSNBC. "We must find ways to give all of our students, no matter their backgrounds, the same opportunities to have a quality education. MSNBC believes in providing the platform for these important discussions, which ultimately lead to solutions that help build a stronger America."
The W. K. Kellogg Foundation, an organization that strengthens communities in order to provide vulnerable children and families with better opportunities, is a sponsor of the program.
In advance of the two-hour special on August 14, MSNBC will air 3-4 education-related segments each day across its various platforms. MSNBC's "A Stronger America: Making the Grade" special comes to Detroit with the cooperation of Detroit Public Schools, a district undergoing historic change to transform a system that leaders say have been failing too many of its students. The district has implemented a five-year academic plan, where students are seeing a more rigorous academic curriculum in every school, and has expanded its process to authorize additional high-performing charter schools, including five that will be open this fall.
"Making the Grade" will be on location in Detroit inside the Detroit School of the Arts, a high-performing school where students have access to top visual arts, music, dance, drama and other programs in a comprehensive college-prep setting located on the grounds of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. The town hall special will include an audience of nearly 800 students and teachers from across the Detroit area.
“Making the Grade" will be broadcast in front of a live studio audience at Detroit School of Arts. If you’d like to be a part of the audience, you can register for entry at www.MakingTheGradeDetroit.com
Release date: August 02, 2011
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