Week of April 3rd, 2023

James Mowry has built strong connections through FIRST® Robotics and Saginaw Valley State University.

“I first learned about SVSU because my sister attended,” Mowry said. “And I first stepped foot on the campus during a state robotics competition in high school.”

A psychology major from Midland, Mowry got involved in the FIRST® programs during middle school, participating in the FIRST® Tech Challenge. He continued his involvement in high school, competing on Dow High’s FIRST® Robotics team 2619, “The Charge,” through all four years. His sister, Kiley Mowry, graduated from SVSU in April 2022 with a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering. She, too, participated in FIRST® Robotics during high school.

In addition to building skills like teamwork, leadership and competing under pressure, FIRST® Robotics helped open the door to college for Mowry, who received SVSU’s FIRST® Robotics Scholarship.

“The FIRST® Robotics Scholarship lets me focus a lot more on my studies,” Mowry said. “Because my family struggles financially, getting this scholarship has helped me a lot with being able to go to college. I’m grateful I could be the recipient of such a scholarship!”

SVSU will welcome approximately 9,000 visitors during the FIRST® Robotics Michigan State Championship, which begins Thursday, April 6 and runs through Saturday, April 8. Last year, the event generated more than $4 million in direct spending, according to the Great Lakes Bay Region Convention & Visitors Bureau.

The Department of Theatre will be showing their last production of the school year, “Urinetown,” next week (Wednesday, April 12 - Saturday, April 15)

Tickets can be purchased below or up to one hour at the box office before the show begins.

In a Gotham-like city, a terrible water shortage, caused by a 20-year drought, has led to a government-enforced ban on private toilets. The citizens must use public amenities, regulated by a single malevolent company that profits by charging admission for one of humanity's most basic needs. Amid the people, a hero decides that he's had enough and plans a revolution to lead them all to freedom!

Inspired by the works of Bertolt Brecht and Kurt Weill, Urinetown is a hilarious musical satire of the legal system, capitalism, social irresponsibility, populism, bureaucracy, corporate mismanagement, municipal politics and musical theatre itself! Hilariously funny and touchingly honest, Urinetown provides a fresh perspective on one of America's greatest art forms. Due to some mature subject matter, recommended age is 12+.

Roberts-Gilbertson Fellowship students partnered with the CAN Council of Saginaw and the Stewards of Children to offer a free certification for prevention and education on child abuse last Friday, March 31. There were 72 attendees who participated in this two-hour workshop.  

The Marshall M. Fredericks Sculpture Museum is holding a writing contest to hear your response to one of the Jacob Lawrence works. You can enter the contest by viewing all 22 artworks in the “Legend of John Brown” series in-person at the Museum or online. Use the artworks caption for inspiration to write about how the work relates to you or makes you feel. The top 2 responses chosen will receive gift certificates to the SVRC Marketplace in downtown Saginaw. The contest ends Thursday, April 20, responses can be dropped off at the Museum or emailed to mfsm@svsu.edu.  

Our women’s softball team will compete this Saturday, April 8 at 1 p.m. against Grand Valley State at home.  

If you have suggestions, comments, or something to share with us, please e-mail us at svsutoday@svsu.edu

SVSU does not discriminate based on race, religion, color, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical impairment, disability or veteran status in the provision of education, employment and other services.