Week of December 11, 2023

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

As we prepare for our winter break, President and Mrs. Grant wish everyone a joyous holiday season. 

Saginaw Valley State University will host the 15th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Regional Celebration, Wednesday, Jan. 17 at 7 p.m.

Melissa Harris-Perry, the Maya Angelou Presidential Chair in the Department of Politics and International Affairs and the Department of Women, Gender and Sexuality at Wake Forest University, will deliver the keynote address at the event. Harris-Perry is an award-winning author, sought-after public speaker and accomplished media professional whose areas of expertise encompass various facets of politics as well as public opinion and religion.

In addition to the keynote address, the event will feature the presentation of MLK Scholarship awards by the Bay Area, Midland Area and Saginaw community foundations to high school seniors who have embodied Martin Luther King Jr.’s ideals. Officials also will announce the winners of the Drum Major Awards, which recognize members of the Great Lakes Bay Region who advance King’s vision through their community involvement.

This year, 6,889 students have chosen to attend SVSU. We pride ourselves on offering students outstanding educational opportunities at the best tuition value among the state colleges and universities. Still, more than 65% of SVSU undergraduate students have financial need based on their FAFSA information.

Your tax-deductible gift to the SVSU Foundation can help these students stay in college and on track to earning their degrees. Scholarships are also a powerful recruitment tool. When SVSU employees lend their financial support to scholarships and student programs, we aren't only providing opportunities for our students to succeed, we are also demonstrating your belief in SVSU's mission and contributing to the ongoing strength and vitality of our university.

When we all invest in our students, we help Cardinals stand out!

The SVSU Foundation is a separate 501(c)3 charitable organization that exists solely to support the educational mission of SVSU, including students, programs and facilities. Gifts to the SVSU Foundation are tax-deductible as allowed by law. Circumstances vary; consult with your tax advisor.

Congratulations to Adam Coughlin, SVSU professor of kinesiology, who has earned the rank of “fellow” of the American College of Sports Medicine. “Fellow” status is the most prestigious distinction within the governing professional body for kinesiology.

Earning the status of fellow demonstrates Coughlin's expertise and high standards of professional development, and it benefits students who work with him. His research will be accepted for presentation at major conferences. Student work that Coughlin submits also will be accepted, and he can sponsor student research for acceptance to conferences, even without serving as a co-author.

The next regular meeting of the SVSU Board of Control will be held Friday, Dec. 15, beginning at 1:30 p.m. in Wickes Hall, room 350. The campus community is invited to attend the meeting.

CORRECTION: Last week's edition of SVSU Today stated that SVSU will present its production of "Burning Bluebeard" on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024 as part of the Kennedy Center Regional College Theatre Festival Region 3.

The performance will be held on Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024, at 7:30 p.m. at the Capitol Theatre in Flint.

SVSU employees who rent a vehicle with their procurement card (P-card) are eligible for the Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver provided by PNC (the bank linked to P-cards).Additional insurance from the rental company is always an option, but not necessary. 

If your rented vehicle is damaged or stolen, you must report it to PNC's benefit administrator no later than 45 days from the date of incident for coverage to apply. You can reach the benefit administrator at 1-800-348-8472.

If you ever have any questions or find yourself in a compromised situation regarding the insurance/coverage of your rental vehicle, please contact Felicia McDonald, SVSU director of risk management, at 989-964-6101 or fsmcdona@svsu.edu. 

Note: In the event of rental vehicle damages/theft, please always obtain photos, if possible, and a police report. 

SVSU linebacker Micah Cretsinger continues to earn accolades. This week he was named a first team All-American by the Associated Press.

The SVSU men’s basketball team will play an exhibition game at Butler University on Friday, Dec. 15 that will be broadcast on the Big East Network starting at 7 p.m. The women’s basketball team travels to Eastern Michigan University on Friday, Dec. 29 for a game that will be carried on ESPN+.

In addition, the men’s team plays two home non-conference games in O’Neill Arena in the Ryder Center against Hillsdale College at 1 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 19, and McMaster College at 3 p.m., Friday, Dec. 29. 

CMU's future doctors, SVSU's future nurses train together in simulation

Midland Co. adults encouraged to take survey about mental health services

If you have suggestions, comments or something to share with us, please e-mail 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.