Faculty, Staff and Administrators

Faculty/Staff Announcements from Campus Connection

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• September 14: Celebrate Spirit! launches new school year, Sept. 17

  Monday September 14, 2026
  

  

  Celebrate Spirit! is the official kickoff to the new academic year and a University-wide celebration that welcomes our entire community of students, staff, faculty and administrators.

  The celebration is set for Thursday, Sept. 17 in the Whitty Student Fitness Center. The 150th Jubilee Mass of the Holy Spirit begins at 11:30 a.m. 

  The celebration includes a Catholic Mass, and individuals from all faith traditions are warmly invited to participate or observe in a manner that feels comfortable to them.

  Celebrate Spirit! will be presided over by Archbishop Gabriele Giordano Caccia, STD, JCL, the Apostolic Nuncio (Vatican Ambassador) and Pope Leo XIV’s envoy to the United States. The event is hosted by University Ministry and Mission Integration. All are invited to wear red, orange or yellow as part of the event.

  A lunch and reception will be provided in the Fountain Lounge & Terrace of the Student Union at 1 p.m.

  Celebrate Spirit! is open to all members of the Detroit Mercy community no matter their religious affiliation.

  Click here to volunteer at Celebrate Spirit!

  Celebrate Spirit! 2026 invites the Detroit Mercy community to reflect on “Faith In Action” as this academic year’s theme as part of our 150th Celebration.

  Faith is not stagnant—it is active. It is not an individual proclamation or checklist—it is something that exists in community and in relationship. Just as God animates our lives, we are called to actively respond to God in all things. This active faith moves us to imagine a prophetic future for our community. In our Ignatian and Mercy traditions, faith-in-action requires discernment and imagination—Where are we headed? Where does the world call us to be?

  Learn more about Celebrate Spirit!

  

• September 14: Volunteer for ‘Thank a Donor Day’ on Tuesday, Sept. 22

  Monday September 14, 2026
  

  

  Students, looking for volunteering opportunities?

  Hand out prizes, help students with thank-you notes, run game stations, assist with thank you photos and videos, and more during ‘Thank a Donor Day,’ set for 12:30-2 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 22 in the Fountain Lounge of the Student Union.

  If you need volunteer hours as part of service requirements for your organizations, there is an opportunity to help out with the annual day on the McNichols Campus.

  The Annual Giving and Alumni Relations departments host the ‘Thank a Donor Day’ and will have several opportunities to volunteer.

  To learn more about the various opportunities and times available for you to fulfill your required hours, visit the link below!

  Volunteer at ‘Thank a Donor Day.’

  

• September 14: Discussion on Voting Rights Act set for Constitution Day, Sept. 17

  Monday September 14, 2026
  

  University of Detroit Mercy will recognize Constitution Day with a conversation on the Voting Rights Act on Thursday, Sept. 17 from 4-6 p.m. The annual event will be held in the Bargman Room, located on the second floor of the McNichols Campus Library.

  Professors Roy E. Finkenbine, Genevieve Myers and Yao Lin will discuss the history of African American voting rights and their denial, as well as campaign for and passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. They will also explore the content and impact of the Act and two Supreme Court opinions — Shelby v. Holder and Louisiana v. Callais — that have significantly limited its effect.

  UDM’s Constitution Day discussion is hosted by the Black Abolitionist Archive, the University’s History, Political Science and Pre-Law programs and the McNichols Campus Library.

• September 14: Student orgs can win big in Titan tailgate board contest

  Monday September 14, 2026
  

  

  Student organizations are invited to show their Titan spirit by participating in the Titan Tailgate Org Board Contest during the 2026 Homecoming Fall Festival.

  Decorate a board and help make this year’s Titan Tailgate bonfire bigger than ever on Saturday, Sept. 26, at 7 p.m., with the winning student organization to earn bragging rights and a $200 prize.

  Boards can be picked up from the Student Alumni Leadership Council in the Student Union, Room 270, and decorated boards must be returned to the same location by noon on Friday, Sept. 25.

  For more information, contact Alumni Relations Coordinator Arabelle Diake at arabeldm@udmercy.edu.

  Sign up here.

   

• September 14: Help name the STAR Center’s new manikins

  Monday September 14, 2026
  

  Adult (first photo) and birthing (second photo) simulators

  Students, the STAR Center needs help naming its newest team members–the adult and birthing simulators.

  Get creative with names that will become part of the STAR Center family.

  HERE’S HOW IT WORKS:

  • Take a good look at the new manikins.
  • Think of fun, creative and memorable names.
  • Enter your best name suggestion.
  • The winning names will be announced along with the big reveal of the newly named manikins.

  The student whose manikin name is selected will have the opportunity to take a photo with their newly named manikin and receive a special prize.

  The STAR Center is a state-of-the-art 5,000-square-foot center located on the second floor of the Health Professions Facility.

  Submit manikin names here.

• September 10: Course Program of Study open forum set for Sept. 16

  Thursday September 10, 2026
  

  An open forum on Course Program of Study (CPoS) is set for Tuesday, Sept. 16 from 12:50-1:50 p.m. inside of the Engineering Building, Room 220.

  Over the past few months, faculty have received updates about Course Program of Study and its implications for financial aid and enrollment status compliance, including potential impacts on advising. Because this has raised many questions, an open forum is being held during the open hour to address them directly.

  The session will begin with a brief recap of what CPoS is and why it exists, with the majority of the time reserved for questions from attendees.

  Faculty and staff who went to ensure a specific question is covered are encouraged to email it in advance to courseeligibility@udmercy.edu, though questions are also welcomed at the session itself.

  All are welcome. Thank you for your continued support of students through this transition.

• September 10: Join monthly Qigong, sound bath wellness sessions on McNichols Campus

  Thursday September 10, 2026
  

  

  Are you interested in reducing stress, improving your brain health and memory, while also enhancing your physical balance and stability?

  Join the Department of Social Work for monthly Qigong and sound bath inside of the Briggs Building on the McNichols Campus. The first session of the 2026-27 school year is set for Saturday, Sept. 19, with dates following on Oct. 24, Nov. 21 and Dec. 12. All are welcome to join.

  The sessions are being held in the conference room of the Briggs Building, Room 305, with each session beginning at 10 a.m. and lasting until 12:30 p.m. each Saturday. Please arrive no later than 9:50 a.m. prior to the start.

  Engage in the ancient medical practice of Qigong followed by a relaxing meditative sound bath. Participation is limited; RSVP is required to attend. Please contact Associate Professor of Social Work Janet Joiner at joinerjm@udmercy.edu to reserve your spot.