FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MARYGROVE COLLEGE OPENS CENTER FOR ECONOMIC EDUCATION

Detroit, MI, February 13, 2006 – Marygrove College today officially opened the Center for Economic Education (CEE), affiliated with the Michigan Council on Economic Education. This formal academic and administrative unit is established to promote economic literacy.

The CEE will work directly with teachers and students from all grade levels and academic fields, serve as a clearinghouse of available economic education materials, develop programs for teachers and the general public, research and develop materials on economic education, and assume the leadership role in developing comprehensive economic education programs in an effort to advance economic literacy.

The CEE will be housed in the Division of Continuing Education & Community Service. Martha R. Soleau, assistant dean of Continuing Education and adjunct instructor in Human Resource Management Master’s program, will be the Center Director.

The Michigan Council on Economic Education specifies that the Center Director be academically qualified as an economist or educator. For five years prior to coming to Marygrove in 2004, Ms. Soleau was a business economics instructor at the University of Michigan-Dearborn. She previously worked at the University of Detroit Mercy as director of the undergraduate business program and assistant professor of finance. She holds both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in economics from Wayne State University. She is a member of the Detroit Association for Business Economics.

Marygrove College becomes a member of a national network of colleges and universities though its affiliation with the Michigan Council on Economic Education. Ongoing funding for the Center’s programming will come from various sources, which will be identified by a collaborative effort of MCEE members, governmental agencies, non-profits and the business community.

Dr. David Fike, provost of Marygrove, said, “Throughout its history, Marygrove has been committed to education. Economic education is a perfect complement to our business, economics and education curriculum. We’re delighted to be partners with the Michigan Council on Economic Education in teaching both the teachers and the public the tools necessary to understand and manage finances, savings and investing.”

Marygrove College is a private liberal arts college located at 8425 W. McNichols Rd. in Detroit. More than 1,200 students attend classes in its undergraduate and graduate programs in education, business, human resource management, social justice, social work, science, theater, music, the fine arts and many others. Call 866-313-1927 or visit www.marygrove.edu.

# # #