SVSU TODAY

Week of February 5, 2024

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Mamie Thorns, associate vice president and chief diversity officer for diversity, equity, and inclusion, was recognized with a Diamond Award in the category of academic leadership: excellence in higher education (diversity, equity and inclusion), by the Not Alone Foundation (NAF). Thorns accepted the award during a ceremony at Morehouse College on January 27.

The Diamond Awards honors individuals in the entertainment, corporate and creative industries for their professional accomplishments and contributions to society.

The Not Alone Foundation works to increase awareness and prevention of kidney disease and to enhance the quality of life of those suffering from kidney disease. NAF provides educational and medical resources and financial assistance for kidney disease patients and their families.

All faculty, staff and students are invited to participate in open forums to learn more about the upcoming site visit from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). The HLC peer review visit is an important step in our commitment to continuous improvement and excellence in higher education. 

The open forums are your opportunity to learn what to expect during the peer review visit in April and why it is important. Your participation and engagement will be invaluable in ensuring a comprehensive understanding across our community. 

There will be two open forums. The first will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 14, from 9-10 a.m. in the Curtiss Hall Seminar Rooms. The second will take place on Tuesday, March 12, from 4:30-5:30 p.m. in the Seminar Rooms.

Dawn Hinton, associate vice president for academic affairs, will deliver a Black History Month keynote address at the University of Michigan-Flint on Thursday, Feb. 22. Hinton, a Flint native and UM-Flint graduate, will give her  speech, “Building Resilient Communities: Navigating Unity in Times of Distress,” during the school’s keynote event, which runs from 5:30-7 p.m. on the UM-Flint campus.    

Do you ever find yourself involved in a difficult or confusing interaction and wonder why your colleague, student or supervisor just doesn’t seem to understand what you are trying to say? If so, this courageous conversation will help you better understand how to resolve your differences through communication.

Dayna Harper, executive director of the Community Resolution Center, will facilitate this training, addressing the characteristics of a good communicator and helping participants identify “good conflict." Participants will have the opportunity to examine, through active participation, the pros and cons of various styles of conflict and conflict resolution. 

Participants may attend one of two sessions will be held on Friday, Feb. 16, from 10-11 a.m. or from 1-2 p.m.

Feb. 13:  Book Discussion with Andrew Liveris
Former chairman and CEO of Dow Andrew Liveris will discuss his latest book, “Leading Through Disruption: A Changemaker’s Guide to Twenty-First Century Leadership,” on Tuesday, Feb. 13, from 1-2 p.m., in the Rhea Miller Recital Hall. Complimentary copies of the book will be available, and a book signing will follow the discussion. This event is free and open to the public. Register here.

Feb. 13: An Evening With David Rosenthal: Stories From The Road
David Rosenthal, musical director and keyboardist for Billy Joel, will share musical selections and reflections from his 40-year career working with Joel and other notable artists, such as Elton John, Bruce Springsteen, Rainbow, Whitesnake, Alicia Keys, and more. The event takes place Tuesday, Feb. 13, at 7:30 p.m. in the Rhea Miller Recital Hall. This event is free and open to the public. Register at svsu.edu/david.

Feb. 21: Thomas and Hilda Rush Distinguished Lectureship
Danilo Sirias, professor of management, will present “Integrating Theory and Application: Exploring the Thinking Process of the Theory of Constraints for Effective System Improvement” for the Thomas and Hilda Rush Distinguished Lectureship on Wednesday, Feb. 21, at 6:30 p.m. in the Rhea Miller Recital Hall. It is free and open to the public.  

Feb. 21-25: 'Noises Off'
The SVSU theatre department presents the farce “Noises Off.” Performances run Wednesday, Feb. 21-Saturday, Feb. 24 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 25 at 3 p.m. in the Malcolm Field Theatre for Performing Arts. For more information, visit svsu.edu/theatre/showschedule. 

March 19-20: SVSU Oppor2nity Days
Support scholarships that will help Cardinals stay in school and on track to graduation!

If you typically support SVSU students with a payroll deduction gift during the day of giving initiative, you may want to make a gift now to take advantage of more pay periods.

You can find more events by navigating to Events & Calendars in the blue left-hand navigation in the MySVSU portal.

Show your Red Pride at SVSU Night at the Detroit Red Wings! Bring your friends and family to cheer on the Red Wings against the Florida Panthers on Saturday, March 2, at 3 p.m. With each ticket purchased, you’ll receive an exclusive co-branded Cardinal and Red Wings jersey and a opportunity to be part of a group photo on the ice following the game.

Want a ride to the game? Sign up for round-trip bus transportation from campus. If you're among the first 100 people, you'll snag a seat on the bus.

The Office of Alumni Relations invites Cardinals to join with other community members for an SVSU volunteer day at Underground Railroad (https://undergroundrailroadinc.org/) on Wednesday, March 13, from 4-7 p.m.

The Underground Railroad's mission is to empower survivors of domestic violence, stalking, sexual assault and human slavery and create a culture of safety and respect in the community. The SVSU alumni relations office is hosting a group that will help in the store for several hours on March 13!

SVSU women’s track and field recently hosted the W-C-W Tri-Meet, finishing third in the team standings. Ciera Weber, a student in the Master of Public Administration program, set a new SVSU record in the pole vault. Several other members of the team posted personal bests at the meet.

SVSU head football coach Ryan Brady announced the 2024 signees for college football's National Signing Day on Wednesday, Feb. 7 in a special broadcast alongside J.J. Boehm, executive director of University Communications. The Cardinals welcomed 31 student-athletes to the football program.

The women's track and field team will compete in the Grand Valley State Big Meet on Saturday, Feb. 10. 

Swimming and diving will is competing in the GLIAC Championships through Monday, Feb. 12.

Women's basketball hosts Grand Valley State University Saturday, Feb. 10 at 1 p.m. in O'Neill Arena.

Men's basketball hosts GVSU at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 10.

Women's tennis meets Cornerstone at 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 10 at the Midland Tennis Center.  

For the full schedule of athletic events, visit https://svsucardinals.com/composite.

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UM-Flint alum to make keynote Black History Month speech at college

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