Dear Alumni,

Finkenbine

We have a lot of good news to share in CLAE.

We recently received a significant planned gift from the estate of the late Dr. Catherine Caraher '53, '62. Dr. Caraher served this College as professor and chair of History and associate dean in a career that spanned nearly three decades.  Many faculty, staff, and alumni still remember her fondly. Her gift will allow much-needed facilities improvements to the Briggs Building, as well as scholarships to help undergraduate and graduate students to attend UDM. Dr. Caraher's gift will allow her legacy to live on in CLAE in perpetuity. (See an obituary of Dr. Caraher.)

We began the fall semester with substantial year-to-year growth in several of our degree programs. Most notable were enrollment increases in the undergraduate program in Legal Administration and in the graduate program in Financial Economics. CLAE experienced an overall rise in graduate enrollment.

We added one new full-time faculty member to our roster this fall. Michael DiGiovanni '70, '72, a long-time economic analyst with GM, joined the Economics Department as an Instructor. He had been an Executive-in-Residence in the department for the past two years.

The Teacher Education program has worked hard over the past few years to grow its quality and reputation. This is starting to pay dividends. In August, the Michigan Department of Education raised the program's ranking to Satisfactory, a significant improvement over the past two years. In October, word was received that the program had received the maximum accreditation of five years from the Teacher Education Accreditation Council – the first time the program has been accredited. In addition, a new minor in Education has been approved for students who aren't seeking teacher certification but need to train individuals in the course of their work – such as training in corporate settings, human resources, zoos, museums, and other cultural institutions. Beginning in January, the program will begin offering master's degrees in Educational Administration and Curriculum and Instruction at the Macomb University Center and the Wayne County Community College District University Center.

The Religious Studies Department and affiliated programs are undergoing expansion and development. Plans are underway to increase programming, resources, and enrollment in Catholic Studies. Undergraduate minors in Religious Studies and Islamic Studies have just been approved. The department is currently exploring ways to rejuvenate the former program in Jewish Studies. All of this, plus several excellent faculty hires in recent years make Religious Studies an exciting place to be.

Many other exciting things are happening in CLAE.

Why not come back and visit CLAE – whether by attending a Theatre Company performance, auditing a class (which alumni can do for free), or just dropping by to say hello. We look forward to your visit.

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