Interim Dean Roy Finkenbine

Dear Alumni,

Because of the search for and hiring of our new University president Antoine Garibaldi, the search for a provost and the transition to new deans in Architecture (Will Wittig) and Engineering & Science (forthcoming), I have been asked to extend my term as interim dean of CLAE to August 2013. Together with Associate Dean Heather Hill-Vasquez, I am pleased to help shepherd the College into what we believe will be an exciting future.

The present is equally exciting. With a new president, new construction projects beginning to take shape, and many new students at UDM, this is a time of enthusiasm in the College. A great deal of this enthusiasm stems from developments within the College itself.

Seven outstanding new faculty members have joined us in CLAE this academic year. These include Dionne Bennett (African American Studies/Sociology), Victoria Sepulveda (Counseling), Yu Peng Lin (Economics), Jiawen Wang (Education), J. Todd Hibbard (Religious Studies), and Sara Golomb and Erin Henze (both in Psychology). All already have their doctorates, all come from outstanding programs, and all are expected to make significant contributions to the future of the College. Bennett is the first externally-hired, full-time director of the African American Studies program in some time. Under her leadership, that program will have an opportunity to return to its former vibrancy and importance at UDM. On Oct. 25, the College hosted a reception to introduce her to the community and to commemorate the fortieth anniversary of African American/Black Studies at the University. The hiring of Golomb and Henze allows our School Psychology program to apply this month for accreditation from the National Association of School Psychologists. This will permit us to meet new State of Michigan standards and attract a greater number of applicants to the program. 

In addition, Robin Gembacz recently joined us as administrative assistant to the dean. Robin comes with a wealth of University-level staff experience gained at the University of Michigan and Concordia University.

Thanks to the efforts of UDM’s many Muslim alumni and friends, we are currently raising an endowment to support a permanent program and position in Islamic Studies. A significant amount has already been contributed and a Washington-based group has promised to match these and future contributions toward the endowment. Dr. Achmat Salie, an experienced teacher, curriculum developer, and fundraiser in Islamic Studies has been hired as program developer for the program, which is expected to begin offering classes in Fall 2012. This will complement current offerings in world religions in our Department of Religious Studies. A fundraising dinner for the program will be hosted at the Islamic House of Wisdom in Dearborn Heights at 6:00 p.m. on December 10. Those interested in attending may contact IslamicStudiesUDM@gmail.com  

The 2011-2012 academic year is well underway. CLAE is sponsoring a number of speakers, films, and other events. Read about them in this newsletter, and check the University events calendar online for details. The Theatre Company is celebrating its 41st season of existence with a schedule that includes Eleemosynary, Anatomy of Gray, Dogman’s Last Stand, and Autobahn. The latter will be performed on UDM’s McNichols Campus. The College Hall of Honor inducted seven outstanding alumni on Oct. 30, including Mrs. Bradley N. Crawford, Dr. Charles Lucas, Peter Neydon, Geraldine O’Grady-Pershing, Bishop Ricardo Ramirez, Father Robert Scullin and Michael Ware.

Many of you have inquired about auditing a class in CLAE. Alumni may audit classes at UDM at or below the level of the degree awarded to them by the University (bachelor’s, master’s, doctorate). The tuition is waived. To inquire about auditing a class in CLAE, contact Assistant Dean Pat Hall Thomas (313-993-3251). How about auditing a class at UDM this Winter term on Substance Abuse, Museum Education, African American History, Poetry, Adult Development and Aging, Paul and Revelation, Islam, or a host of other subjects? We would love to see you back on campus.

I'm excited about what will be happening in the College in the near future. And, I look forward to meeting many of you during this academic year.

Roy E. Finkenbine
Interim Dean, College of Liberal Arts & Education