Campus Life

Black History Month
Each year during February, student affairs, the history department, and ad hoc student committees sponsor an array of activities to celebrate African-American culture and history. Events include art exhibits, family celebrations, a vendor’s fair, lecture sessions, a film series, recognition ceremonies and colloquia.

College-Community Forum
During the second semester of the academic year, the education division brings a recognized national figure to campus to speak to the concerns of parents and educators at Marygrove and in the larger community.

Concerts
Every year, the music department offers two major concerts by the Marygrove College Chorale and Chamber Singers. In addition, there are a number of faculty and student recitals throughout the year. In the Fall, a nationally known artist comes to campus
to serve as clinician for the music department’s high school choral workshop. Previous guest artists have included Moses Hogan, internationally known composer and director of the Moses Hogan Chorale, and Margaret Hillis, founder and director of the Chicago Symphony Chorus.

Contemporary American Authors Lecture Series
Since 1989, capacity crowds have filled Alumnae Hall to hear such well known writers as Gloria Naylor, Mary Helen Washington, John Edgar Wideman, Paule Marshall, Sherley Anne Williams, Octavia Butler, Jamaica Kincaid, Rita Dove, Ernest Gaines, Merle Collins, Lucille Clifton, Toi Derricotte, Edwidge Danticat and Edward P. Jones. In addition to giving a public lecture or reading, the featured speaker meets with Marygrove students in a small seminar session. During the weekend of the lecture series, the College honors student writers as well as the guest author at an event hosted by the president.

Fall Festival/Spirit Day
Held at mid-term each fall, the Fall Festival brings together students, faculty, staff, and administrators for food and games. Marygrove “spirit clothing” is the attire and fun is the agenda.

Native American Festival
This event, typically held during the month of November, celebrates the rich traditions of the Native American community. Song, storytelling, dances in the four traditional styles and authentic foods comprise this event. Traders (vendors) come to show and sell their handmade dolls, art, clothing and jewelry. This event is typically open to the public.

International Festival
Held in April, the International Festival helps to bring the school year to a close with excitement and celebration. An enormous range of cultures is celebrated through a taste fest, performances, displays, speakers and colorful decorations.

Honors Convocation
In March, the faculty and administration gather in formal academic attire to recognize those students who have distinguished themselves in academic performance, leadership, or service to the College. Attended by family and friends as well as other students, the Honors Convocation is a welcome chance for departments and programs to honor their most gifted, persevering, and generous students.

Leadership Recognition Banquet
The Leadership Recognition Banquet is an opportunity to honor those students, faculty, and staff who have served in a leadership or service capacity either on campus or in the community. This annual event recognizes outstanding achievement and service in the following categories: college work study, student leadership, student organization advisement, student organization/club, living the college mission, and service to the community. As a Marygrove student, you are invited to join the Student Affairs Division and the campus community each spring to acknowledge our leaders.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Celebration
The Martin Luther King, Jr., celebration is one of the most inspirational events on campus during the academic year. A ritual that has come to be the symbolic beginning of the second semester, the celebration brings together Marygrove’s best student speakers, dancers, and musicians along with faculty, staff, students, members of the board of trustees, and guests from the wider civic community.

Opening Mass — Welcome Ceremony for New and Returning Students
Each year, the Marygrove community welcomes its newest members during a September convocation in the chapel. Featuring music, dance, and ritual, the incorporation ceremony will introduce you to the people of the College.

Performing Arts Opportunities
Dance Detroit, Marygrove’s resident company, produces major concerts each year, featuring both classical works and original choreography. As a Marygrove student, you are welcome to audition for any performing music group sponsored by the music department. More than 30 programs and recitals are given annually on campus. The Marygrove College Chorale and Chamber Singers give numerous concerts for the pleasure of the Marygrove community and the general public. The Chorale and Chamber Singers have made two European tours, a tour of the former Soviet Union and other tours in the United States and Canada. The Chorale distinguished itself by winning the Church Music Choral Festival held in Limerick, Ireland. The music department, in conjunction with the dance and art departments, also stages musical productions.

Student Publications
The Marygrove College Student Handbook is your guide to student life on campus and also provides you with important information on College policies and procedures. The Handbook includes an academic calendar and planner, which is updated
and distributed every year.

Each academic year, the Marygrove English Department produces The Maxis Review,
a publication which includes student fiction, poetry and translations. The Art Department produces an annual Marygrove Art Magazine, which includes works by current art majors.
Marygrove’s Office of Institutional Advancement publishes Marygrove Matters, an on-campus bi-monthly publication, distributed to students, faculty and staff during the academic year. Institutional Advancement also produces The Tower Times (for alumni), Alumni Matters (for Master in the Art of Teaching alumni), Contact, (for alumni, parents, students, friends, trustees, corporation and foundation benefactors), and the College’s Annual Report.

Women’s History Celebration
In honor of Women’s History Month, the Marygrove community celebrates with activities such as displays, luncheons, and distinguished women guest speakers from the Detroit area.
Campus Life