Having written an article for each issue of Tapestry for the past three plus years, I have decided to use a somewhat different format for this issue. As CLAE alumni, all of you are familiar with quizzes and examinations.

In an effort to inform alumni about some of the "great things" going on in your former College, a quiz about a few of the newsworthy and noteworthy events in our College follows. Unlike the quizzes you took during your years in our College, I have furnished the answers for each question.

1. What CLAE faculty member's short story "Riding the Doghouse" has been selected for inclusion in the 2007 edition of Best American Short Stores?

Randy DaVita an adjunct faculty member in English. Stephen King is editor of the work and praised DaVita as "a promising writer" in the Sept. 30 New York Times Book Review.

2. What clinic provides "no cost" counseling services to the largest number of substance abusers and other individuals needing counseling in Southeast Michigan?

The Counseling Clinic housed in Reno Hall. A true "no cost" clinic, the faculty in this department spearhead fund raising to purchase bus passes for those clients with no access to transportation. The clinic served over 250 clients in its initial year of operation. A significant number of their clients are under court order to receive treatment.

3. What local newspaper is preparing to publish online?

Varsity News, UDM's student newspaper housed in the new Neal Shine Media Center in Briggs Building. We are hopeful that the electronic edition will be of interest to alumni and allow alumni to be better informed about what is happening in the University and the various colleges.

4.What department in the College will be hosting a Fulbright Visiting Scholar beginning this winter semester?

The Department of Philosophy. Professor Oriare Nyarwath from the University of Nairobi, Kenya will be teaching as well as delivering lectures and be involved in other events on campus (see story). His primary area of interest is sage philosophy.

5. The University has offered a number of certificate programs over the years. More recently, the University began to offer minors. Which departments in the College offer minors?

English – one in literature and one in creative writing, Philosophy, and Psychology. Several additional minors in CLAE departments are under consideration as well.

6. The Neal Shine Varsity News support group has recently successfully completed fund raising to establish the Neal Shine Media Center. What is their next fund-raising goal?

To raise funds to support stipends for key Varsity News student staffers, and to establish a scholarship endowment for majors in the Department of Communication Studies.

7. What CLAE alumnus was recently awarded the Ignatian Alumni Achievement Award?

Renown novelist and English Department graduate Elmore Leonard '50 (see news release).

8. What CLAE alumnus is featured in the current online version of U.S.News & World Report?

See answer to number 7 above. The U.S.News & World Report article "Q&A with Novelist Elmore Leonard" (see it at usnews.com) describes Elmore as "a master of page turners."

9. What CLAE alumni recently funded an endowed lecture for the Department of Religious Studies?

Drs. Ralph and Barbara Cushing (both received the M.A. in Religious Studies). The initial Ralph and Barbara Cushing Endowed Lecture will be delivered on March 19, 2008 by Dr. Gary Dorrien, endowed chair and professor of Religion at Columbia University. All alumni are cordially invited to attend.  Read about the Cushings and the upcoming lecture.

10. What CLAE department received a national award from the American Counseling Association?

The Department of Counseling and Addiction Studies Program received the National Program Excellence Award from the International Association of Offender and Addictions Counseling, a division of the America Counseling Association.

Additionally, the Counseling program was selected as the annual recipient of Lahaska Press' Community Cares award and donation for the work of the Counseling Clinic in meeting the needs of marginalized individuals.

11. Jennifer Dafoe was recently appointed "Director of Development" for CLAE. Where is she located and how can you contact her?

Jen, who loves to meet and greet alumni, is in Briggs Building, Room 134 and can be reached at 313-993-1429 or by e-mail at dafoejm@udmercy.edu. If you are on campus or in the neighborhood, stop by to see her. She is located next to the Starbucks Café and has been known to offer free coffee to alumni.

Charles E. Marske
Dean, College of Liberal Arts & Education