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 help us stay connected with our friends. We look forward to hearing from you at dpuhl@marygrove.edu.

THE TRADITION CONTINUES...
After years at other venues, commencement ceremonies will once again be held on the Marygrove campus!  Like many alums from year’s past, the class of ’08 will stand in front of the Liberal Arts Building and receive their degrees.  The big date this year is Saturday, May 10.  But what do you remember about your own graduation day?  Take a look at these graduation photos from the Marygrove archives.  They’re sure to bring back fond memories.

URBAN LEADERSHIP: TEACHER TRAVEL SEMINARS
Teacher Travel Seminars are designed to connect the powerful experiences of study/travel to the classroom. By experiencing the sites where world-altering decisions are made and engaging in learning and dialogue, the seminars enrich the lives and education of current and future teachers. We have created two opportunities for you to continue your intellectual growth through Teacher Travel Seminars.

European Capitals and the European Union (EU) - Heidelberg, Strasbourg, Brussels, Paris and London
June 22 - July 3, 2009 (dates subject to change)
Approximate cost $5,000
6 SB-CEU Michigan
Professors Ellis Ivory and Dena Scher will lead this seminar’s exploration of the policies and policy-making of the European Union.  Our visits to European institutions, including the Council of Europe, the European Parliament (Strasbourg) and the European Commission (Brussels), will increase your understanding of the dynamics of cultural and political integration. With the background from this course, you can bring back to your students a critical look at European Union politics and the challenges ahead.

Eastern Europe and the Legacy of the Holocaust - Amsterdam, Berlin, Krakow, Prague, Vienna, Salzburg and Munich
July 6 - July 20, 2009 (dates subject to change)
Approximate cost $6,000
9 SB-CEU Michigan
Study of the Holocaust is not limited to a particular religion, but has important lessons and parallels in the study of racism and discrimination. While visiting sites in Germany and Poland, we will engage in dialogue on the cause and effect of hate witnessed during the Holocaust as well as the modern day parallels of ethnic genocide seen throughout the world. Professors Tom Klug and Dena Scher will facilitate connecting the powerful emotional experiences of Holocaust study into continued teaching about the Holocaust and conditions which breed neo-fascism.

More information:

• Approximate cost for each travel seminar includes air travel from Detroit to Europe, travel within Europe, lodging, daily European breakfast, instructional materials, local guides and instructors. Not included: meals other than specified in itinerary, gratuities for European guide
• Qualified participants: Degreed teachers, current graduate students and Marygrove alumni. Accompanying companion may be accommodated at the discretion of the group leaders.
• Fulfills 6 - 9 SBCEU in Michigan
• Limited to 20 participants

For more information, contact Dr. Dena Scher at (313) 927-1303 or dscher@marygrove.edu

REGIONAL ALUMNI EVENTS: ON THE ROAD WITH PRESIDENT FIKE
Over the next several months, Dr. David Fike will share his vision for Marygrove College at alumni events around the country.  Two exciting events have been scheduled with more to come.  If you are interested in hosting an event in your area or in attending one of the events listed below, please contact Diane Puhl, director of Alumni Relations at (313) 927-1443 or dpuhl@marygrove.edu.

Northport, Michigan
Saturday, May 31, 2008
12:30 – 3:30 p.m.
Alumni and guests will enjoy lunch with President Fike at Stubbs Sweetwater Grill, followed by a reception at Joppich’s Bay Street Gallery.  Joppich’s Bay Street Gallery is owned by Edee LaFramboise Joppich ’53, renowned artist and recipient of the 2005 Marygrove College Distinguished Alumna Award.

Bedford, Massachusetts
Saturday, August 9, 2008
12:30 – 3:00 p.m.
Alumni and guests will join President Fike for lunch and stimulating conversation at the home of alumna Therese Bluhm ’56.  Therese is an avid gardener and as a result of her passion, her home is featured on the prestigious Bedford garden tour.

THE MAGIC FLUTE AT MARYGROVE
Something exciting is taking place at Marygrove this spring: a collaboration between the Music Department and the Arbor Opera Theater on an updated version of Mozart’s timeless opera The Magic Flute.  College faculty and students and professional singers will perform the opera, which will be sung in English and set in the old J.L. Hudson Building in downtown Detroit during the early 1960’s.  This “modernized” version is sure to bring back many memories for Detroiters as they watch various mannequins come to life and relate to the age-old story of good triumphing over evil.

The opera will be performed Friday, May 16 and Saturday, 17 at 8:00 p.m. and Sunday, May 18 at 3:00 p.m.  Tickets are $15 and $20, and are available through the Business Office at (313) 927-1229.

There is an Opening Night Benefit for the May 16 performance. Tickets are $50, and include the performance and an afterglow in the art gallery catered by Zingerman's. Tickets are available through the Music Department at (313) 927-1433.

Note: There will be a vintage clothing contest.  Come in your most amazing clothing from the 1950’s and 1960’s for a chance to win a fabulous prize!

For more information, please call Dr. Joanne Rickards Clark, Music Department Chair at (313) 927-1255.

MEET STUDENT CARL FARRINGTON, JR.
Career Goal: I want to go to law school at Harvard and practice civil rights law. I want to take a hands-on approach when I come back to Detroit - I want to start a nonprofit for at-risk youth and run for political office.

Special Interests: VP Honors Program, VP Student Government, interning for Congressman John Conyers.

Hometown: Detroit.

I came to Marygrove because:  I love the administration and the faculty!  To my surprise, the faculty personally cares about your well being.  They want to see you succeed.  You don’t see that at a lot of other colleges.  My sociology professor knew that I loved politics and she arranged for my internship in Michigan Congressman John Conyers’ office.  Then, President Dr. David Fike overheard me talking about leadership and he personally arranged for me to get a Center for Progressive Leadership Fellowship!

Advice:  If you want a great college experience at a more community, family-type environment, Marygrove College is for you.  If you want a challenge, too, Marygrove College has great academics.  Just being in a smaller school, people know you and notice you. 

EXPLORE THE WORLD WITH MARYGROVE ALUMNI!
Beijing City Stay
October 14 - 22, 2008
9 days & 15 meals
Deposit deadline – May 15, 2008
$2,049 - Includes roundtrip air from Detroit, hotel transfers and departure taxes.
Experience the best of Beijing, home of the 2008 Summer Olympics, while spending each night of our tour in one of the city’s finest hotels.  We’ll visit Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City, the Summer Palace, the Temple of Heaven and The Great Wall.  We’ll also experience ancient Beijing on a rickshaw tour, have a traditional Chinese dinner with a local family in their home and attend the Peking Opera.

Splendors of the Nile
March 11 - 22, 2009
12 days & 22 meals
Deposit deadline – September 11, 2008
$3,449 - Includes roundtrip air from Detroit, hotel transfers and departure taxes.
Step back in time and explore thousands of years of history, legend and lore as we view the timeless wonders of Egypt.  Discover the world of the ancient Egyptians as we visit the incomparable sites of the pharaohs – Memphis and Sakkara, the Pyramids of Giza, Luxor and Karnak temples, the tombs on the West Bank and ancient Thebes.  Cruise along the legendary Nile River, pass colonnaded temples, and stop at the temples of Edfu and Kom Ombo, situated at the crossroads of ancient caravan routes.  We’ll learn about ancient Egyptian history during lectures in Cairo and on board the cruise from our Egyptologist/National Guide who will accompany us throughout your journey.

Alumni-sponsored travel is open to all alumni, family and friends of Marygrove College.  To view the full itinerary for these trips, please visit www.marygrove.edu/alumni/travel.  Special accommodations can be made for people who need a departure city other than Detroit.  If you have questions or need more information, contact Diane Puhl, director of Alumni Relations, at (313) 927-1443 or dpuhl@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 upcoming year. If you refer a student to Marygrove, they will have the $25 application fee waived, and if they are admitted and enroll, they will get a $250 gift card for books 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. Your experience is valuable in helping young people make wise choices about 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. 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.

(Chinese Dragon Boat Racing photo courtesy of Mr. Wabu http://www.flickr.com/photos/oxborrow/160760414/)