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.

HAVE A SEAT RETURNS THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 8!
Due to its popularity and success of the past two years, Marygrove College will again host Have A Seat … and more!

Chair Auction and Strolling Dinner on Thursday, November 8, 2007. The occasion commemorates the founding of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in 1845, as well as the founding of Marygrove in 1927, which they continue to sponsor.

Internationally renowned artist and designer Dominic Pangborn and his wife Delia have graciously agreed to serve as Honorary Co-Chairs for this year’s event. Mr. Pangborn will also donate original works of art for the auction.

This exciting fundraiser will feature the work of local and national artists who have transformed vintage Marygrove chairs and other items into collectible works of art. Artists include Charles McGee, Gilda Snowden, Nora Chapa Mendoza, Shirley Woodson, and many more. Auction items will include such non-chair items as paintings, sculptures, gift certificates and other non-art related items.

If you are interested in sponsoring the event, donating an item or gift certificate from your place of business or attending the event, please contact Maureen Leonard at mleonard@marygrove.edu or (313) 927-1308.  Your support will help Marygrove College turn today’s students into tomorrow’s urban leaders.

LESLIE MURPHY WILL GIVE BUSINESS LECTURE OCTOBER 3: “VIEWS FROM THE TIGHTROPE”
Plante & Moran’s Group Managing Partner Leslie Murphy will keynote the Marygrove College Annual Business Lecture on Wednesday, October 3, 2007.  The presentation will take place in the Denk Chapman Hall of the Madame Cadillac Building from 7 to 9:30 p.m. This event is free and open to the public. 

A noted speaker throughout the country on the CPA profession, corporate governance and regulatory issues, as well as culture and work/life initiatives in CPA firms and corporate America, Ms. Murphy will share her “Views from the Tightrope.” She has consistently used her leadership skills to effect positive change at her firm, within the accounting profession and in the realm of community service.  She co-founded the firm’s Personal Tightrope Action Committee, whose groundbreaking policy recommendations helped to gain Plante & Moran a place on FORTUNE magazine’s “100 Best Companies to Work For” list for the past nine years.

At P&M, the nation’s 11th largest public accounting and management consulting firm, Ms. Murphy has responsibility for oversight of the Litigation, Valuation and Forensic Services group, Large Corporate Services and the P&M network of affiliated firms.  She is the Immediate Past Chair of the Board of Directors of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), which represents approximately 330,000 CPAs and affiliate members.

She is widely recognized for her community and professional contributions, among them: The “Outstanding Visionary” Award of the Michigan Association of CPAs in September 2005; one of the “Top 100 Most Influential Practitioners for 2005” by CPA magazine; one of the “Top 100 Most Influential People for 2005 by Accounting Today and one of Business Finance's "2006 Influencers:  60 Authoritative Voices."

For more information, visit the Marygrove website or contact Jane Hammang-Buhl, chair of the Business and Computer Information Systems Department, at (313) 927-1465 or jhammangbuhl@marygrove.edu.

MUSTANG MEN AND WOMEN GET READY FOR ’07; SIGN FOUR FRESHMEN
Four freshmen players have signed letters of intent to play for the ‘07-‘08 Mustangs. Josh Whalen from Taylor’s Kennedy High School; Rob McCarty from Lincoln High in Warren, Shane Averitt from Armada High and Robert Jones from John Glenn High in Westland will don the green and gold during the upcoming season.

Marygrove College begins its first year in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics, which has not gone unnoticed by high school players. Coach Dave Sichterman said, “Marygrove’s move to the NAIA is a great recruiting tool for the College. It is a prestigious organization that high school coaches and players recognize for its commitment to academics, athleticism, diversity and character. Today, the NAIA sponsors 23 collegiate championships in 13 sports for its nearly 300 member institutions throughout the United States and Canada.

“Josh, Rob, Shane and Robert are looking forward to competing against higher division college teams in the NAIA,” said Coach Dave.

Marygrove also fields a Mustangs women’s basketball squad. The Lady Mustangs look forward to the upcoming season, having won 16 games last year, the most ever in Mustang women’s basketball history. They finished 3rd place in the USCAA Tournament at the end of last season.

Having alumni, students and friends attend the home games and cheer for the home team is one of the greatest boosters of Mustang spirit. At home, the men’s and women’s teams usually play about an hour apart. Home games are played at U of D Jesuit High School, 8400 S. Cambridge, Detroit, MI 48221, between W. 7 Mile Road and W. Outer Drive.

Future editions of The Tower Times and the monthly e-newsletter Marygrove Minute will print the schedule as it becomes available. You can also go online to www.marygrove.edu/athletics to find schedule updates for the games, which begin in October.

Come on out and be Green and Gold. Show your support for the Mustangs.

HOMECOMING 2007
Marygrove College will welcome its alumni back home when it celebrates Homecoming 2007 the week of September 10-16.  This annual opportunity to renew acquaintances and make new friends will induct the Class of 1957 into the Fifty-Year Club and will recognize the contributions of six Distinguished Alumni and one Distinguished Alumna of the Future.  Suzanne Fleming, IHM ’57; Lana Cavalier Cowell ’64, Lynne O’Loughlin DeGrande Hackathorn ’67, Elizabeth Burns, MD ’72; Victoria Jones ’76; and Armando Cavazos ’99 have all exemplified the Marygrove ideas of competence, compassion and commitment to be deserving of the Distinguished Alumni Award.  Amy Pavlov ’08 will receive the Distinguished Alumni of Tomorrow Award.  As an honors student and active member of the student body, Amy holds great promise to uphold the Marygrove ideas as she proceeds through her career and her life.

The schedule below gives you all the details.  Please plan on joining us for Homecoming 2007.

Monday, September 10
6th Annual Alumni and Friends Golf Scramble
11:00 a.m. •  St. John’s Golf and Conference Center
Plymouth, MI

Tuesday, September 11
6th Annual Alumni Green and Gold Basketball Game
7:00-9:00 p.m. •  U of D Jesuit High School
8400 S. Cambridge, Detroit
Come to play or come to cheer! Whether you were on a team during your college years or not, ALL alumni are invited to play. Current Marygrove Mustang players will coach, referee and keep score.
 
Wednesday, September 12      
Poetry Reading
7:30-9:00 p.m. •  Denk Chapman Hall
Some of Marygrove’s finest writers share their work. Enjoy an evening of reading and discussion of original poetry written by alumni, current students and faculty.

Friday, September 14
Distinguished Alumni Awards Ceremony and Reception
7:00-10:30 p.m. •  Marygrove College Theatre
and Denk Chapman Hall
The Marygrove College Distinguished Alumni Awards were established to recognize and honor alumni of distinction. These awards celebrate Marygrove’s ideals of competence, commitment and compassion.   All alumni are invited to attend the award ceremony in the theatre and then enjoy refreshments, conversation and live music at the reception that follows in Denk Chapman Hall.  The 2007 Distinguished Alumni and Distinguished Alumni of Tomorrow Award recipients are:
1. Suzanne Fleming, IHM ’57
2. Lana Cavalier Cowell ’64
3. Lynne O’Loughlin Hackathorn ’67
4. Elizabeth A. Burns ’72
5. Victoria E. Jones ’76
6. Armando Cavazos ’99
7. Amy Pavlov ’08

Saturday, September 15
Registration and Continental Breakfast
8:30-9:30 a.m. •  Madame Cadillac Hall

Mass
10:00-11:00 a.m. •  Sacred Heart Chapel
Presider: Fr. Norm Dickson, S.J.
An alumni choir, under the direction of alumnus Tom Zerafa ’91, will sing at this mass and you are invited to join them.

Class/Group Pictures               
11:00 a.m.-12:15 p.m. •  Liberal Arts Building
Pictures will be taken of classes whose graduation year ends in 2 or 7 (1952, 1957, etc.) and of groups from the 80s through present.

Lunch
12:30-2:00 p.m. •  Alumnae Hall

Alumni Musical Celebration
2:30-4:00 p.m. •  Sacred Heart Chapel
This performance will showcase the musical talents of Marygrove College alumni, students and faculty.  Confirmed performers include Rose Carmel Burgess, IHM ’52, Timothy Loszewski ’92, Anthony McGlaun, Mary Callaghan Lynch ’76, Mary Walton ’89 and ’97, Megan Higle ’07, Hamilton Moore ’08, Carole Stuart ’59 and the Marygrove Handbell Ensemble under the direction of Joanne Rickards Clark.

Sunday, September 16
Golden Jubilee Celebration Mass honoring the Class of 1957
11:00 a.m.-Noon •  Sacred Heart Chapel

Sunday, September 16
Brunch and Induction of the Class of 1957 in the Fifty-Year Club and recognition of those who graduated prior to 1957
12:00-2:00 p.m. •  Main Dining Room
To register or for more information, go to www.marygrove.edu/alumni/homecoming or contact Sr. Marianne Gaynor ’72 at (313) 927-1572 or mgaynor@marygrove.edu.

APPOINTMENT OF NEW VP OF INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO URBAN LEADERSHIP
Barbara Hill joined Marygrove College on August 20 as the new vice president for Institutional Advancement. She had been President and CEO of the Michigan Women’s Foundation since November 2003.

She has more than 25 years of local and national experience in the areas of women’s philanthropy and social change.  As a self-described feminist, Hill is an active community leader and advocate for policies that impact the lives of women and girls.
 
Prior to joining the MWF staff, Hill was a member of the Board of Trustees for nine years; as an officer; a member of the grants allocation committees; and chair of the nominating committee.  Often described as a drum major for social change, MWF founder Mary Jo Pulte says that Hill consistently shares the importance of strategic growth and has helped corporate and foundation leaders realize that communities cannot grow and prosper without a collaborative funding approach.
 
Hill has also served as a consultant for the Girl Scouts of the USA and the national office of YWCA of the USA as well as CEO of the Girl Scouts of Mitten Bay, the YWCA of Metropolitan Detroit and the Women’s Business Initiative in Milwaukee, WI.  She has also worked as a consultant with the $100 million, federally-funded Detroit Empowerment Zone Development Corporation. Actively involved in her community, she serves on the board of several statewide and grassroots organizations. Hill is a member of the board of trustees of Olivet College, Olivet, MI.

She has a Bachelor of Science degree from Kentucky State University and a Master’s in Social Work from Washington University in St. Louis, MO.
 
President David Fike said, “Barb Hill is well respected in the community and has a long track record of community involvement. She shares Marygrove’s strategic vision of Urban Leadership. We know that she will be successful in helping us carry our message to old and new friends of the College.”

“I’m thrilled to be affiliated with Marygrove! I look forward to this opportunity to advance an institution with the strong legacy of commitment to the city and to students that Marygrove has had since 1927,” she said.

Hill replaces Jo Ann Cusmano, who has served the College in many valuable roles including dean of Continuing Education. Cusmano will fill the newly created position of vice president for Strategic Initiatives. She will facilitate the three major Urban Leadership initiatives adopted by Marygrove: leadership curriculum, economic development of the Marygrove neighborhood and institutionalizing the Institute for Detroit Studies.

MARYGROVE COLLEGE RECEIVES SKILLMAN FOUNDATION GRANT TO OPERATE GOOD SCHOOLS RESOURCE CENTER
Marygrove College has received a grant of $700,000 from The Skillman Foundation to support the Good Schools Center at the College during the 2007-2008 academic year.  Marygrove had been the site of the Good Schools Resource Center from 2003 through 2007.

As part of the Good Schools: Making the Grade Initiative, the Good Schools Center at Marygrove will identify best practices of high performing schools in the city of Detroit, support their further improvement and disseminate information about these schools as a catalyst for educational change and improvement. 

Marygrove will manage the application and review process including site visits to K-12 schools in Detroit that are deemed by The Skillman Foundation to be high performing, improving, emerging or aspiring good schools.  Marygrove will also share the best practices of good schools to educators and to the broader community.

Created in 1960, The Skillman Foundation is a private philanthropy whose chief aim is to help develop good schools and good neighborhoods for children. Though grants are made throughout Southeast Michigan, most grants are directed at six Detroit neighborhoods – Southwest Detroit comprised of Vernor and Chadsey-Condon, Brightmoor, Osborn, Central and Cody/Rouge – and toward innovative and successful schools throughout the city of Detroit.

Dr. Kurt Smith, dean of Professional Studies, said, “Marygrove College is pleased to be able to continue our work with Detroit school teachers and administrators to improve the quality of education for Detroit’s children.  Marygrove has a successful track record of training future teachers and principals through our bachelor’s and master’s degree programs.  We’re also delighted that The Skillman Foundation continues to be confident in our ability to help the schools effect positive change.”

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.