Welcome to Marygrove Minute -- the e-newsletter with the latest information on Marygrove College. We hope you enjoyed the updates from last month and we look to you for feedback. Your input is essential to the success of this effort to stay connected with our friends. We look forward to hearing from you at dpuhl@marygrove.edu.

PRESIDENTIAL INAUGURATION IS SATURDAY, MAY 5
This is the inaugural year for Dr. David J. Fike, Marygrove’s 8th president, and the College is celebrating in several ways that support his inauguration theme.  “Urban Leadership: Expressions of Legacy, Commitment to Progress” speaks to the rich, 101-year academic history of the institution and its commitment to achieving its strategic mission of Urban Leadership.

Marygrove’s legacy is manifested in the lives and contributions to society of close to 30,000 graduates of its Bachelor’s and Master’s programs.Its future progress is rooted in its commitment to Urban Leadership: academic programs that prepare Marygrove students to take leadership roles in America’s urban centers as well as its role as an institutional leader in our own Detroit community.

Please plan to celebrate this momentous event in the history of Marygrove College and join us for all these remaining Inaugural Events:

Friday, April 20, 8:00 p.m.
Poet Marilyn Nelson; Contemporary American Authors Series; Madame Cadillac Building, Alumni Hall; free event.

Sunday, April 22, 4:00 p.m. 
"Sacred Traditions;" Marygrove College Chorale Concert; Liberal Arts Building, Sacred Heart Chapel; ticketed event.

Thursday, May 3 through May 15
Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) student degree show; opening reception, Thursday, May 3, 4:30 - 8:00 p.m. ; Liberal Arts Building, The Gallery; free event.

Saturday, May 5, 10:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

• Celebration of Mass and Missioning, 10:00 a.m., Liberal Arts Building, Sacred Heart Chapel
• Brunch, 11:30 a.m., Madame Cadillac Building, Main Dining Room
• Installation of the President, 1:30 p.m., Liberal Arts Building, Marygrove College Theatre
• Reception, 2:30 p.m., Madame Cadillac Building, Alumni Hall.

For more information, contact Renee Ahee at (313) 927-1446 or rahee@marygrove.edu.

WRITING AWARD WINNERS HONOR POET MARILYN NELSON
Marygrove welcomes renowned poet Marilyn Nelson for a reading and book signing on Friday, April 20 at 8:00 p.m. in the Madame Cadillac Building, Alumnae Hall.  Nelson’s appearance is free and open to the public.

In honor of the author, students participated in a writing contest.  Named for its original sponsors, former Marygrove Trustee Frederick P. Currier and his wife Amy McCombs, the contest encourages students’ own writing inspired by the author’s work, her life or writing style.

This year’s winners are Junior Mallory Draughn, an English major studying to be an elementary school teacher; Junior Paula Grogan, a Australian born English major studying to be an elementary school teacher; Senior Kerry Howell, an English major who will attend grad school to work on her teaching certificate; Senior Melanie Wallace, an English major and middle school teacher; Freshman Briana Williams, an English major; and Sophomore Rachel Willis, an English major and Spanish minor.  They will receive their monetary awards during a special dinner with Marilyn Nelson at 6 p.m. on April 20.

Nelson is the author of thirteen books of poetry, six of which are written for children. Her work has received two Pushcart Prizes, two Coretta Scott King Book Awards, a Newbery Honor Award, the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award, and the 1998 Poets’ Prize. Nelson is professor emerita of English at the University of Connecticut and the former poet laureate of the state of Connecticut.

Her major volumes include Mama’s Promises (1985), The Homeplace (1990), Magnificat (1994), The Fields of Praise: New and Selected Poems (1997), and The Cachoeira Tales and Other Poems (2005).

For more information, contact Laurie Kopack at lkopack@marygrove.edu or (313) 927-1383.

GREAT NEWS – CONTINUING ACCREDITATION RECOMMENDED FOR THE FULL 10 YEARS!
The visiting team from the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association left Marygrove College with some wonderful news last week.

At the exit interview held with President Fike, the Accreditation Steering Committee, the provost, deans, vice presidents and members of the Faculty Assembly, the visitors reported they will recommend that Marygrove College receive reaccreditation for a full 10 years. This is the maximum period possible.

In a dramatic presentation made on the morning of the 28th, visiting team chair Dr. David Wendler, vice president of academics at Martin Luther College in Minnesota, carefully went through the team’s conclusions about each of the five criteria. He particularly emphasized that the team found widespread support and practice of the College mission, a realistic understanding of our financial situation and solid plans for addressing it, and an extraordinary range of programs and services aimed at every constituency, from young to old.

The visiting team’s report will elaborate on their findings, and will make four suggestions for improvements. They will also require a follow-up progress report on finances and enrollment due to the Higher Learning Commission on September 1, 2010.

Besides Dr. Wendler, the visiting team consisted of Dr. Elizabeth Brent, former vice president for Student Development and Administration at Rockhurst University in Kansas City, MO; Dr. Barbara Gellman-Danley, president of Antioch University (McGregor), OH; Dr. Caroline Latta, distinguished professor of theater at Colombia College Chicago; and Dr. Dale Simmons, provost and vice president of Student Affairs at Judson College in Illinois.

Now the team’s recommendation must work its way through a variety of channels for review before it becomes final.

The first step is for Dr. Wendler to send President Fike a draft of the final report of the team’s recommendations for correction of factual errors. Once President Fike reviews the draft and makes the appropriate corrections, it goes back to Dr. Wendler for preparation of the final report for review by the Higher Learning Commission. That body will read the self study and the team’s report, and send its own recommendation on to the Accreditation Review Council, which in turn will make its recommendation to the Institutional Action Council of the Higher Learning Commission.

That group will make its own recommendation and send it along to the last stop for approval, the Board of Trustees of the Higher Learning Commission. Because the entire process takes six months, we won’t receive the official word until the fall.

But in the meantime, the visiting team’s report was very positive, and it was clear they enjoyed their stay at Marygrove immensely. They even autographed one of the "Accreditation Get It!" posters that have been displayed around campus. This will be framed and be put on display for all to appreciate.

We all feel very, very proud of having come together as an extended community and shown the visiting team an incredible display of competence, compassion and commitment!

MARYGROVE HONORS ITS BEST
At the March 25th Honors Convocation, Marygrove gave special recognition to students whose academic performance and service are exemplary.

Several students received scholarships, external recognition by Iota Gamma Alpha, Kappa Gamma Pi, National Dean’s List and Who’s Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities, and divisional awards.  Others were singled out for high honors.  Congratulations to all the honorees.  You’re the pride of Marygrove!

We pay special tribute to the following individuals for their High Honors and College-Wide Awards:

• Jay Biernat, Marie Louise DeMarco McLeod Scholarship (first year full-time student with the highest GPA)
• Marissa Byrd, Sr. John Clement Hungerman Scholarship (sophomore or junior who exemplifies Sr. Hungerman’s interests and ideals)
• Amy Pavlov, Shay Family Scholarship (returning Marygrove student who has exhibited academic and leadership excellence and high ethical standards of conduct)
• Debra Barash, St. Catherine Medal/Margaret DeSantis Scholarship (sophomore or junior for outstanding service to the College or with the best record for progressive achievement)
• Ernest Mavunga, Distinguished Student (outstanding graduating senior for academic excellence, leadership ability and service to the community)

MAKE PLANS TO TRAVEL WITH MARYGROVE ALUMNI IN 2008
Spain’s Classics
February 24 – March 5, 2008
Spain is a land of fiery excitement and wild, untamed beauty, steeped in romance, tradition and culture.  Widely known for flamenco music and dance, bullfights, fantastic beaches and sunshine, Spain also offers cultural cities filled with art and history and breathtaking scenery. 
Complete trip details

Spectacular South Africa: Culture and Nature in Harmony
March 27 – April 9, 2008
South Africa is an amazing and diverse land unrivaled in beauty and splendor.  Home to the famous “Big Five” (elephant, rhino, lion, buffalo and leopard), as well as a variety of other wildlife and rare plant species, this extraordinary land contains some of the world’s most astonishing creatures, remarkable landscapes and rich history.
Complete trip details
PHOTOS OF THINGS YOU WILL SEE IN SOUTH AFRICA

TEAMING UP FOR MONEY SMART WEEK, APRIL 20 - 29
Marygrove College, The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, Detroit Branch, and the Money Smart Advisory Council are again teaming up for Money Smart Week, April 20-29, 2007.  Money Smart Week is a joint effort to improve the economic literacy of the public, teaching them about basic banking, budgeting, credit and protecting their Identity.

The Main Dining Room at Marygrove will be the site of the 2nd Annual Youth Expo on Saturday, April 21, from 9:30 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.

Middle school students and their parents will learn about banking basics in a fun and stimulating environment. They'll have the chance to learn how to avoid becoming a victim of identity theft. Co-sponsored with the Michigan Council on Economic Education, the Youth Expo is free of charge. 

Also, Marygrove is partnering with Humana and Fifth Third Bank in an off-campus event: the 3rd Annual Senior Expo on Thursday, April 26, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Northwest Activity Center, 18100 Meyers in Detroit.  Seniors have particular needs and this expo will teach them how to safeguard their finances, how Medicare Part D and Advantage Plans work, how to access quality healthcare while preserving their financial resources, and how to protect themselves from identity theft. Free and open to all senior citizens, the expo includes a continental breakfast and lunch.

Registration is required for both events by calling (313) 927-1230.  For more information, contact Martha Rowland Soleau, (313) 927-1464 or mrowland@marygrove.edu.

MARYGROVE JOINS NAIA ATHLETIC CONFERENCE
The Marygrove Mustang Athletic Program will join the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) beginning with the 2007-2008 academic year.  NAIA is the oldest national athletic association and consists of nearly 300 member institutions from the U.S. and Canada.  We’ve been part of the 60-member United States Collegiate Athletic Association since the inception of our intercollegiate athletic program in 2002.

The NAIA is a more recognizable association among prospective student-athletes and their coaches.  The benefits of the new affiliation will be recruiting and exposure for the Mustang teams and for Marygrove in general.  Other in-state collegiate athletic programs such as Madonna University, Siena Heights and the University of Michigan-Dearborn are NAIA members.

“Having the NAIA brand behind our Mustang teams will greatly impact our program’s recruiting, game scheduling and the exposure our institution will receive,” said Dave Sichterman, director of Athletics, Wellness & Recreation. 

Marygrove must complete a year under NAIA provisional status.  The Mustangs plan to maintain our USCAA membership for the time being.  The next step for the Mustang Athletic Program will be to research possible conference affiliations, such as the NAIA’s Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference, which consists of seven in-state schools.

LAST CALL FOR 2007 DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARD NOMINATIONS!
The Marygrove College Distinguished Alumni Awards are honors bestowed by Marygrove College and the Marygrove College Alumni Association. These awards have been established to recognize and honor alumni who have distinguished themselves and their alma mater.

The Distinguished Alumni Awards celebrate the ideals of competence (the ability to understand and participate effectively in the promise of our evolving world), commitment (the capacity to care about and respect the worth and dignity of people), and compassion (the will to act responsibly based upon one’s beliefs and to contribute to the building of a more just and humane world), qualities that Marygrove has always tried to instill in its graduates.

The Distinguished Alumni Awards will be presented on Friday, September 14, 2007, at a special recognition event during Homecoming weekend.

Nominations are due no later than May 31, 2007.  The nomination form and criteria can be found in the winter edition of The Tower Times or by clicking here.

NEW INSTITUTE FOR ARTS INFUSED EDUCATION (IAIE) COURSES
The Institute for Arts Infused Education announces its second annual Summer Intensive titled Community Arts Partnerships: Modeling Innovative Methods in English Language Arts Education. The three-day intensive will offer SBCEUs for teachers and will include the following cultural arts organizations:

• Detroit Institute of Arts on the integration of visual arts
• Matrix Theatre Company on the integration of puppetry and theatre into English Language Arts (Open Court) curriculum. Matrix will also be working with students aged 8-11 on a project that intensive participants will observe.
• Michigan Opera Theatre will work with participants on music and composition and perform their social studies-integrated unit titled Nanabush, based on the Great Lakes Indian adventures of the popular character, Nanabush, who was sent to teach his people about the earth and all its beauty.

The program will also feature workshops on brain-based education and the multiple intelligences with Marygrove’s Department of Education, as well as new assessment concepts with the Institute for Arts Infused Education and SPEC Associates, a research and evaluation corporation located in Detroit.

Marygrove is planning to offer two new experimental courses beginning in fall of 2007 at both the graduate and undergraduate level that focus on arts infused education under the designation AIE:

• Fine Arts for the Classroom Teacher (344 and 544). This class will be a 3-credit hour, general education course and will be offered at least 2 semesters per year.
• Arts Infused Pedagogy for the Classroom Teacher (347 and 547). This will also be a 3-credit hour course and will be offered at least two semesters per year, but is part of the professional sequence for teachers.

These new experimental courses will align with the new standards for teacher preparation and will be taught by fine arts and education professionals from the field. The courses will have hands on experiences in all of the arts disciplines: music, dance, visual arts, and drama. Students will learn the basics of the art form and how to integrate them into other content areas such as math, science, social studies, and English language arts.    
Marygrove is on the leading edge of education in offering these innovative courses that will assist artists and educators in their chosen professions.

For more information about the intensive and the new courses, contact Mary Lou Greene, director, Institute for Arts Infused Education, (313) 927-1853, mgreene@marygrove.edu.

HELP RECRUIT STUDENTS TO MARYGROVE AND THEY RECEIVE SPECIAL BENEFITS!
Alumni who care about the future of their alma mater can help the Marygrove Alumni Recruiting Students (MARS) committee and the Office of Admissions by identifying potential Marygrove students for the Winter 2007 class. If you refer a student to Marygrove, he or she will have the $25 application fee waived and, if admitted and enrolled, a $250 gift card for books will be awarded to be used at the College Bookstore.

You can become a very important member of our staff as a volunteer alumni admissions representative by telling others of your experiences at Marygrove College. Do not discount the value of your experience as an opportunity to help people choose wisely about the future of their education.

Please use the Alumni-Referred Admission Application and feel free to make copies. If you know someone who would make a good addition to the Marygrove student community, give him or her an application to fill out and send in. Remember to include your name and graduation year in the “Referred by” line below so we know whom to thank! If you have questions, email info@marygrove.edu or call the Office of Admissions at (313) 927-1240. Thank you in advance for your continued support and commitment to Marygrove College.