Detroit Mercy Campus Connection

November 7, 2017

This week on campus

Tuesday, Nov. 7

  • The Detroit Prevention & Awareness in the Community is offering a free self-defense class taught by two Texas police officers. This is a comprehensive course that allows students/participants to get to know how to defend themselves in situations of sexual assault or violence. Join in the class from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Student Union Ballroom. RSVP online.
  • Detroit Mercy Law will partner with the J. Reuben Clark Law Society Detroit Chapter and the Michigan Catholic Conference to host an Interfaith Religious Freedom Conference. This event welcomes people of all faiths to explore civic and legal challenges to religious freedom, and practical measures that may be taken to support religious freedom in daily life. Read the full story online and see the event page. Though the event is free, registration is still required.

Wednesday, Nov. 8

  • Do you have questions about career paths, professional development, networking, or life after college? Sit down with a Detroit Mercy alumni mentor for just 30 minutes in the Presidents’ Dining Room. Registration is required. Click here to view available times.
  • Find out more information about Detroit Mercy’s Civil Rights Movement travel course at an information session from 2:30 to 4 p.m. in Room 138 of the Commerce & Finance Building. This year's Civil Rights Movement travel course is scheduled for May 13-20, 2018. See the event page for more information.
  • All Detroit Mercy students, faculty and staff are invited to join the National Society of Leadership and Success for a broadcast featuring author, motivational speaker and marketing consultant Simon Sinek from 7 to 8 p.m. in the Student Union Ballroom.

Thursday, Nov. 9

  • University Ministry will offer an orientation event for service and immersion trips from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Grounds Coffeehaus. University Ministry trips provide experiences of direct service rooted in relationship. They offer students the opportunity to work for the common good, encounter new realities and reflect on their experiences in the context of a diverse community.

Friday, Nov. 10

  • The Veterans Days ceremony will recognize the contributions and sacrifices of those who defend freedom in the armed forces. As a Military Friendly School, Detroit Mercy is proud to honor all who have served in active duty with the Veterans Day program. Join us from 1 to 1:45 p.m. in the Student Union Ballroom. There will be a special Veteran's Day Mass from noon to 1 p.m. in the Commerce & Finance Building's St. Ignatius Chapel.

Saturday, Nov. 11

  • To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Detroit riot/rebellion in 1967, Detroit Mercy Law will host a housing symposium over a three-day period, beginning on Saturday, entitled HUD's Past, Present and Future. The symposium will bring together the public, scholars and community experts to evaluate the impact of HUD (U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development) and propose expansions or alternatives to make HUD more effective in the future. See the event page for registration and more information.

Next week on campus

Monday, Nov. 13

  • As part of its 2017-18 Lecture Series, Detroit Mercy School of Architecture (SOA) welcomes Billie Faircloth of Kieran Timberlake at 5:30 p.m. in the Warren Loranger Architecture Building's Genevieve Fisk Loranger Architecture Center. This event is free and open to the public.

Tuesday, Nov. 14

  • Campus Ministry, the McNichols Campus Library and The Writing Center invite all faculty, staff, administrators and students to take a few moments out of your day to relax, reflect and refresh your mind and body with an intentional set of non-sectarian practices during dead hour in the first floor Library Conference Room.
  • The Center for Career and Professional Development will host an information session on the importance of professionalism in the workforce during dead hour in Room 165 of Reno Hall. Registration is required; see the event page for more information.

Wednesday, Nov. 15

  • Join Assistant Professor of Political Science Alex Zamalin from 1 to 2 p.m. in Room 208, second floor of the Student Union, to discuss his book, Struggle on Their Minds: The Political Thought of African American Resistance. See the event page for more information.
  • Do you have what it takes to become a ping pong champion? Sign up today for the Intramural Sport tournament and show us your skills at 6 p.m. in the Student Fitness Center.

Thursday, Nov. 16

  • The Center for Career and Professional Development will host its advanced workshop course in resume building during dead hour in Room 165 of Reno Hall. Registration is required; see the event page for more information.
  • The Pre-PA Club have partnered with Chem Club, Bio Club and Detroit Mercy Campus Kitchen to host Inspired Kids Camp during dead hour in the Student Union Ballroom. Children from local Detroit grade schools will participate in activities that promote healthy activities, prevent bullying and encourage good lifestyle choices. All are welcome to attend.
  • Are you a commuter at Detroit Mercy? Student Life Office is hosting an open forum for all commuters from 3 to 4:15 p.m. in the Student Fitness Center on the McNichols Campus. This is a chance for you, as a commuter, to let Detroit Mercy faculty and staff know what you want to see to help improve your experience as a student on campus.

Friday, Nov. 17

  • The Detroit Mercy-sponsored Live6 Alliance will host its next installment of the community dialogue series, Speakeasy, on Friday, Nov. 17 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Detroit Sip. Speakeasy will open a discussion on the relationship between the University and the surrounding community and how we can collectively strengthen the bond and continue to move this neighborhood forward, together. For more information, see the event page.

Saturday, Nov. 18

  • University Ministry's next Discover the D experience will be to a Hindu temple in Detroit, followed by lunch, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. All are welcome to attend; sign-up in person at the Ministry Office across from the Bookstore in the Student Union. See the event page for more information.

Celebrating Diwali on campus

Thanks to everyone who came out to celebrate the Diwali, the festival of lights, with the Indian Student Association on campus last week. The performances were full of energy and the food was delectable!

Thanks to everyone who came out to celebrate the Diwali, the festival of lights, with the Indian Student Association on campus last week. The performances were full of energy and the food was delectable!

Clash of the Titans is live!

Clash of the Titans crowdfunding campaign

Detroit Mercy Titan athletic programs hit the ground running, as the Clash of the Titans crowdfunding campaign launched this morning. Check out the competition launch page, watch the videos, and consider donating to support your favorite team! Read more about the competition online and be sure to stay tuned now through Dec. 5 to see which team reigns supreme; the winning athletic program will receive an additional $5,000 added to the amount of money raised. Go Titans!

Another successful Ethics Bowl

Congratulations to all the participating teams in the 2017 Detroit Mercy Ethics Bowl, with a special congrats to the winning team:

Congratulations to all the participating teams in the 2017 Detroit Mercy Ethics Bowl, with a special congrats to the winning team: "Fantastic Four + One." Team members included Hector Castiglioni (finance); Shawn Spezia (accounting/finance); Angelo DiPonio (business administration); Paola Ramirez (finance); and Jarod Hoekstra (business administration). These Titans advance to the regional Ethics Bowl competition on Saturday, Nov. 18 at Oakland University.

Students take study break for games

Game Night in the Library

The McNichols Campus Library hosted a game night last Friday for students to take a break from their classwork and unwind. The smell of pizza and the sound of video games and VR experiences filled the lobby.

Get your tickets for Theatre Company's A Bright Room Called Day

A Bright Room Called Day poster

The Theatre Company of University of Detroit Mercy presents Tony Kushner's acclaimed drama A Bright Room Called Day. Performances will occur at The Marlene Boll Theatre at the Boll Family YMCA, 1401 Broadway Street, in downtown Detroit. A Bright Room Called Day examines unstable times in concert with alternative ideologies.

A Bright Room Called Day will have performances at 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 10, 11, 17, and 18 and 3 p.m. on Nov. 12 and 19. Tickets can be purchased online at DetroitMercyArts.com or over the phone at 313-993-3270. See the news release for more information and be sure to visit the The Theatre Company website and follow us on social media to stay up-to-date on performances, tickets and more.

Stay healthy and earn prizes with Resolution Ramp Up

As the days get shorter and the holidays approach, food portions get bigger and fitness is not usually a priority until January. Rather than wait, all faculty, staff, administrators and students are invited to join Resolution Ramp Up at the Student Fitness Center, running through Dec 1. Practice healthy habits and earn raffle tickets to win a duffle bag filled with all kinds of great gifts.

Whether you’re taking fitness classes, participating in Intramural Sports, or just like to lift, you can earn raffle tickets for doing the things you love to do! Sign up today at the Fitness Center. The winner will be drawn on Monday, Dec. 4.

University welcomes Chinese cohort

Chinese Cohort Orientation group posing in downtown Detroit

Detroit Mercy is so happy to welcome a great group of students from China to study this year at the University! Watch the video highlighting some of their first experiences as Titans!

Midwest CISSE named CyberPatriot Center for Excellence

The Air Force Association's CyberPatriot Program Office announced that the Midwest CISSE Chapter (MCISSE) has just been designated as its newest CyberPatriot Center for Excellence. University of Detroit Mercy is the lead institution for the MCISSE coalition. Read the full story here.

Alum brings unique message to Detroit Mercy Law

During a world tour to promote his new book, international human rights attorney Eric Sirotkin (pictured center) recently returned to his alma mater to share his unique perspective on the role of a lawyer

During a world tour to promote his new book, international human rights attorney Eric Sirotkin (pictured center) recently returned to his alma mater to share his unique perspective on the role of a lawyer. "Law is a healing art," Sirotkin explained to a room full of students and staff — the same room he used to "learn … and sometimes fall asleep in" nearly four decades ago. Read the full story online.

New externship and new scholarship with Detroit Mercy Law

Starting in Winter 2018, University of Detroit Mercy School of Law will offer students a sports law externship with Eastern Michigan University's NCAA Compliance Office. Externs will gain practical experience in the areas of sports law and intercollegiate athletic administration. Read the full story online.

Detroit Mercy Law has also partnered with City Year AmeriCorps, a national service organization, to create the City Year National Service Scholarship. Detroit Mercy Law will offer a minimum 25 percent tuition scholarship (or its equivalent) to City Year AmeriCorps members, alumni and employees admitted to the School of Law. Read the full story online.

Guy Consolmagno, S.J., speaks at JAFD event

Jesuit Alumni and Friends of Detroit hosted the Director of the Vatican Observatory Guy J. Consolmagno, S.J.

Jesuit Alumni and Friends of Detroit hosted the Director of the Vatican Observatory Guy J. Consolmagno, S.J., Oct. 13, at the Detroit Athletic Club. Brother Consolmagno delivered remarks about "why we do science" and the intersection of science with faith. He also answered questions from the sold-out audience. Watch the video online.

Thumbs Up!

Professor of Chemistry & Biochemistry Mark Benvenuto co-edited the ACS Symposium Series book (currently e-book), Elements Old and New: Discoveries, Developments, Challenges, and Environmental Implications. Several Detroit faculty, including Benvenuto, Associate Professor of Chemistry & Biochemistry Prasad Venugopal and Associate Professor of Mathematics, Computer Science & Software Engineering Dawn Archey, were credited with chapters in the book as well.

Professor of Business Administration Michael Bernacchi was quoted in the Benzinga article, "2017 World Series provides unique advertising opportunity for auto industry," Oct. 26.

The Journal of Family Theory & Review, edited by Professor of Psychology Libby Blume, received the Alexis Walker Award in recognition of the best family science paper published in a Wiley journal for the article, "Queer Theory, Intersectionality, and LBGT-Parent Families: Transformative Critical Pedagogy in Family Theory."

Professors of History Roy E. Finkenbine and Greg Sumner were highlighted in the November issue of Hour Detroit Magazine for their work with last year's southern Civil Rights Movement travel course.

Adjunct Professor of History Ken Grant presented, "The 95 Theses: Martin Luther's Challenge to the Medieval Penitential System," to the Detroit Metro-Area Historians' Collegium Fall Meeting at the Detroit Historical Museum, Nov. 3.

Adjunct Professor of Music and University Minister Daniel Greig's recent composition, "A Cloud of Witnesses," will premiere at the Gospel Music Celebration on Friday, Nov. 10 at 7:30 p.m. at St. Mary of the Hills, 2675 John R Road in Rochester Hills. Greig will also conduct the first half of the concert, which features more 100 singers and a 25-piece orchestra plus rhythm section. This event is free and open to the public. Click here for more information. Greig's song, "Hear My Prayer," was also recently published by Hal Leonard Corporation. Listen to a demo of the song here.

Associate Professor of Education and former Detroit Deputy Mayor Isaiah McKinnon was highlighted in the Grosse Pointe News article, "Understanding our differences by listening," Nov. 2.

Campus Connection is available online at www.udmercy.edu/campus_connection/. To submit news and information for publication in a future issue of Campus Connection, please visit www.udmercy.edu/campus_connection/forms/submit.jsp.

More University news and event information is available online at www.udmercy.edu/about/events.