Week of November 11, 2024
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SVSU hires Michigan native Boehm as next provost
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Saginaw Valley State University has hired a noted historian, author, and academic leader to serve as its next provost and vice president for Academic Affairs. Lisa Krissoff Boehm will join SVSU in January 2025.
“I am thrilled to be returning to Michigan and embarking on this next chapter of my professional adventure,” Boehm said. “I am committed to the type of institution that SVSU is, a regional public university that is committed to the success of its students and the state. I was highly impressed by the energetic students and dedicated faculty and staff I met during my visit to campus during the interview process.”
Boehm comes to SVSU from Bridgewater State University in Massachusetts, where she has been dean of the College of Graduate Studies since 2017. She also held an appointment as professor of history and American studies. Prior to Bridgewater State, Boehm served as the founding dean of the School of Arts and Sciences at Manhattanville College in New York state.
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Gardner Elected to Membership in the American Antiquarian Society
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Eric Gardner, professor of English and chair of the English Department at Saginaw Valley State University, has been elected to membership in the American Antiquarian Society (AAS), a national research library and community of learners dedicated to discovering and sharing a deeper understanding of the American past.
Gardner joins a distinguished roster of members including a range of prominent scholars, artists, writers and librarians elected for their achievements in academic and public life. Since the Society’s founding in 1812, 14 U.S. presidents, more than 75 Pulitzer Prize winners, and diverse Guggenheim and MacArthur award winners have been elected to membership. Only 12 other Michigan residents are current members. According to AAS President Scott Casper, Gardner was recognized for his “field-changing scholarship in Black print culture.”
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Celebrate Graduating Students
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All faculty and staff are invited to celebrate with graduating students to make their achievement feel special!
Two commencement ceremonies will be held on Saturday, Dec. 14. The first ceremony, at 10:00 a.m., will celebrate graduates from the colleges of Arts & Behavioral Science, Business, and Science, Engineering & Technology. The colleges of Education and Health & Human Services will be celebrated at 2:30 p.m.
If you volunteer at one or both ceremonies you will receive a complimentary lunch and an exclusive SVSU shirt to wear at the ceremony.
Faculty and staff are also invited to present graduating family members with their diploma cover. Register to do so here.
Commencement is one of the busiest days on campus, and your participation can help it run smoothly.
If you have any questions about graduation or Commencement, contact the Alumni Relations Office.
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Students Recognized for Public Speaking
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With a speech that focused on the prevalence of misinformation and disinformation, Nimnan Wuyep won the 35th Sims Public Speaking Competition at SVSU, which took place on Friday, Nov. 8. This is the second time Wuyep, an international studies major from Nigeria, captured the top spot. He has competed in the annual event three times, taking first place in 2021 and second place in 2023.
In all, 25 students made persuasive speeches, vying for one of the six finalist positions. Those six students competed in the final round of competition, with trophies and monetary prizes going to the top three finishers.
The names of the six finalists and the titles of their presentations follow:
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- Nimnan Wuyep, an international studies major from Nigeria: “Think Before You Speak, Listen or Click” — 1st place
- Brianna Steffen, an elementary education major from Macomb: “Shortage in Teachers” — 2nd place
- Emily Drzewicki, of Bay City: “Deepfake Pornography Devastates Women” — 3rd place
- Reid Goodrich, a pre-general business major from St. John’s: college acceptance/rejection/SAT – SAT shouldn’t be required for college/problem with standardized tests
- Lauren Potvin, a political science major from Bay City: “Abolishment of the ‘pink tax’ and reproductive poverty
- Madelyn Scott, a graphic design major from Coleman: “Improving Accessibilty”
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SVSU Grad Named ‘Michigan Superintendent of the Year’
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Matthew Schmidt, superintendent of Bangor Township Schools, has earned the prestigious title of “Michigan Superintendent of the Year” from the Michigan Association of Superintendents & Administrators. Schmidt completed the specialist in education program at SVSU in 2013, and he was a member of the Gerstacker Fellowship Program in 2010.
As Michigan’s 2025 Superintendent of the Year, Schmidt is now in the running for the national Superintendent of the Year award from the American Association of School Administrators.
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Ongoing and Upcoming Events
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- Monday, Nov. 11-Friday, Nov. 15: International Education Week with daily events and activities
- Wednesday, Nov. 13: Barstow Excellence in Teaching Humanities Seminar, “Pox, Populism and Politics” with guest lecturer Robert D. Johnston, 7 p.m., Rhea Miller Recital Hall
- Thursday, Nov. 14: Book talk with Carlos Ramet, "The Quiet Limit of the World," 4-5 p.m., Roberta R. Allen Reading Room, Zahnow Library; refreshments will be provided
- Thursday, Nov. 14: 2024 Distinguished Alumni Celebration, 6-8 p.m., SVSU Banquet Rooms
- Monday, Nov. 18-Friday, December 13: Fall BFA Exhibition, University Art Gallery; reception on Thursday, Dec. 5
- Wednesday, Nov. 20: “The Economy After the Election” with guest speaker Martin Lavelle, presented by the SVSU Economics Department, 5-6 p.m., Curtiss Hall Seminar Rooms F&G
- Wednesday, Nov. 20-Sunday, Nov. 24: “Night Witches” presented by the SVSU Theatre Department, 7:30 p.m. Wed.-Sat., 3:00 p.m. Sun., Malcolm Field Theatre for the Performing Arts
- Thursday, Nov. 21: Insect-A-Palooza, presented by the Biology Department, 2-5 p.m., Groening Commons
- Friday, Nov. 22: Rhea Miller Concert Series: Robert McDonald, piano, 7:30 p.m., Rhea Miller Recital Hall
- Wednesday, Dec. 4: Kwanzaa celebration, hosted by the Black studies program, Office of Multicultural Student Affairs, Office of Diversity Programs and the Organization of Black Unity, 4:30-6 p.m., Alumni Lounge
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Cross Country at NCAA DII Midwest Region Championships
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The Saginaw Valley State University cross country teams competed in the NCAA Division II Midwest Region Championships on Saturday, Nov. 9. The Cardinal men scored 171 points to place 4th while the women tallied 305 points for 10th.
The men’s team earned an at-large bid to the national championships on Saturday, Nov. 23 in Sacramento, California. This is the third straight season the men’s team has qualified for the championships.
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Cardinals at Home and on the Road
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Men's basketball hosts Grace Christian at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 15, and the University of Indiana at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 17.
Women’s basketball hosts Hillsdale at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 15.
Volleyball hosts Michigan Tech at 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 15. The team hosts Northern Michigan at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 16.
Men’s soccer plays Purdue Northwest in the GLIAC semifinal at 8 p.m. in Arlington Heights, Illinois.
Women’s soccer plays Grand Valley in a GLIAC semifinal Friday, Nov. 15 at 11 a.m. in Marquette. Michigan.
Football hosts the Michigan Tech Huskies during Senior Day on Saturday, Nov. 16, at 1 p.m.
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If you have suggestions, comments or something to share with us, please e-mail svsutoday@svsu.edu
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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.
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