You can make a difference in the lives of our students by making an annual gift to University of Detroit Mercy. Annual contributions to the University allow us to channel resources where they are most needed including:

• Scholarship Support
• Academic Programs
• Service Learning
• Facilities Enhancements

UDM’s mission is based on providing a student-centered education within an urban context following the traditions of the Jesuits and Sisters of Mercy. With your help, the same traditions of excellence will continue to shape our current students, just as they helped those who came before them.

Ongoing support from our alumni and friends influences our ability to create an environment that allows UDM students to grow and become well rounded individuals who will be leaders in their professions and communities.

To give today, visit www.udmercy.edu/giving.

UDM alumni were  invited to join the Jesuits as they unveiled two new initiatives in the Detroit area, one for young adults, and another for all Jesuit institution alumni in the region.

Faith in the D programming launched Tuesday, April 9 with a presentation and networking reception at Ss. Peter & Paul Jesuit Church in Detroit. Chris Lowney, former director at JP Morgan & Co., internationally-known speaker and author, addressed a whole-life strategy that connects our deepest beliefs and values with what we do everyday at work, at home, to live with a “mighty purpose” that uplifts and stretches us. Afterwards, guests attended a networking reception, catered by Opus One.

View the photos from the Faith in the D launch and like on Facebook.

Fr. Gary Wright, S.J.

Chris Lowney

The University of Detroit Mercy is excited to collaborate with Fr. Gary Wright, S.J. on a new program called Faith in the D. UDM alumni are invited to join the Jesuits as they unveil two new initiatives in the Detroit area, one for young adults, and another for all Jesuit institution alumni in the region.

Faith in the D programming will launch on Tuesday, April 9 with a presentation and networking reception beginning at 6 p.m. at Ss. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Detroit. Come hear Chris Lowney, former director at JP Morgan & Co., internationally-known speaker and author, address a whole-life strategy that connects our deepest beliefs and values with what we do everyday at work, at home, to live with a “mighty purpose” that uplifts and stretches us. Afterwards, all are welcome to attend a networking reception, catered by Opus One.

To learn more about Fr. Gary Wright, S.J.’s ministry in Detroit, visit the event page, or like Faith in the D on Facebook.

Message from the President:

On behalf of the University of Detroit Mercy community, I want to express our prayerful wishes and appreciation for Pope Francis as he begins his solemn ministry as Bishop of Rome, Successor of Peter and Vicar of Christ for the Universal Church.

We are especially pleased that Pope Francis is a member of the Society of Jesus (The Jesuits). He is well known for his commitment to social justice and his compassion for the poor.

Throughout the University community, we will be praying for him and for the Catholic Church as he guides the Church and its people in the coming years.

As we rejoice in the election of the Catholic Church's new Pope, let us express our confidence and trust in Jesus Christ, who has guided the Cardinals in this important selection.

Antoine M. Garibaldi, Ph.D.
President, University of Detroit Mercy

Join us for the keynote!

The College of Business Administration will host its Alumni Week, March 18-22. All are welcome to join us for the keynote panel discussion titled, “Diversity Creates Business Value,” on Tuesday, March 19 from 1-2 p.m. on the McNichols Campus in the Student Center. 

The panel moderator is Marilyn French Hubbard, Ph.D. ’75, the former vice president and chief university officer for the Henry Ford Health Systems and founder of the National Association of Black Women Entrepreneurs. The panel participants include Ina Fernandez ’74, managing partner of Liberty Capital Management; Feras Shammami ’97, ’99, ’01, vice president, JP Morgan Chase Bank; and Jean-Paul Meutcheho ’98, director of corporate sustainability at Global Advanced Metals. For more information, see the press release.

Your Detroit Titans men’s basketball team secured a #2 seed in the Horizon League Tournament. Youngstown beat Loyola on Tuesday, March 5, advancing to the second round to challenge Wright St. on Friday, March 8. The winner of that game will then play the Titans on Saturday, March 9 at Valparaiso.

Visit http://www.horizonleague.org/mens-basketball.html to download your men’s basketball Horizon League Championship bracket and follow the Titans! To order tickets, contact the Titan Ticket Office by calling 313-993-1700.

The Titans finished the season 20-11 overall and 12-4 in conference play.

The Detroit Titan women’s basketball team is seeded #4 in the Horizon League and will begin tournament play on Monday, March 11.

UDM alumni and students attended a lecture and book signing by renowned writers Elmore Leonard ’50 and son Peter Leonard on Wednesday, February 27 at 6 p.m. in the Chemistry Building Lecture Hall on the McNichols Campus. The 6 p.m. lecture included a Q&A followed by a book signing and refreshments. The lecture was the keynote for the College of Liberal Arts & Education Alumni Week.

Elmore Leonard studied Philosophy and English at U of D and earned his degree in 1950. In 1997 Leonard was awarded an honorary degree from UDM, Doctor of Human Letters. Leonard was also awarded the UDM Alumni Achievement Award in 2007.  He has written 45 novels. His most recent work includes working as the executive producer for the television show Justified, which is based on his novel “Fire in the Hole”. Similar to his father, Peter Leonard is a successful writer and has written six novels.

Celebrate Valentine’s Day with friends who care about hunger and homelessness in our Community. Join us for the Empty Bowls Soup Supper and Concert to benefit Campus Kitchen, a partnership between the University of Detroit Mercy and U of D Jesuit High School, on Sunday, February 10, 2013 from 4-6 p.m. at the Iroquois Club in Bloomfield Hills.

UDM Campus Kitchen’s mission is to distribute leftover cafeteria food to senior citizens and shelters in the community who need food. It is a student run organization that trains students to manage and operate anti-hunger non-profit organizations.

RSVP by emailing Norm and Cathy Schmitt, cdschmitt@mac.com or nschmitt@schmittllc.com.

Thank you to all of our loyal alumni and friends who made a gift to the University of Detroit Mercy before December 31.

Your gift makes the seasons brighter at UDM and helps support our mission of educating men and women for others while inspiring our students in their pursuit of academic excellence.

From all of the faculty, staff and current students launching the 2013 Winter Semester, Happy New Year!

There is no greater joy than the joy that comes from giving freely to others. That is what makes this time of year special. As you think about the gifts you will give to family and friends, we ask you consider one more gift, a gift to the students of University of Detroit Mercy.

Your gift to UDM students supports our mission of educating men and women for others and inspires our students in their pursuit of academic excellence. To ensure your gift is made by December 31, visit us online at https://udmercy.edu/donate.

On behalf of the entire UDM community, Merry Christmas and a joyful New Year!

UDM is very excited to announce the distribution of the 2012 Alumni Print Directory. The 2012 University of Detroit Mercy Print Directory shipped to buyers on Friday, November 16!

Alumni print directories typically take about one year to complete. The process begins with the data updates, followed by proofing, formatting, more proofing and finally - printing!

If you purchased a directory and have questions about your flight voucher or bill, please contact PCI Customer Support at 1-800-395-4724. For other questions, please contact the UDM Office of Alumni Relations at 313-993-1540. For basic project information, visit the FAQ page.

UDM is very excited to announce the distribution of the 2012 Alumni Print Directory. The yearlong project will be coming to close within the coming weeks. We expect directories to be in the mail by mid-November!

Alumni print directories typically take about one year to complete. The process begins with the data updates, followed by proofing, formatting, more proofing and finally -  printing!

Throughout the past year, UDM alumni received postcards, emails and phone calls requesting they update their information for inclusion in the UDM 2012 Print Directory. Thank you to those of you who updated your information!

If you purchased a directory and have questions about your flight voucher or bill, please contact PCI Customer Support at 1-800-395-4724. For other questions, please contact the UDM Office of Alumni Relations at 313-993-1540. For basic project information, visit the FAQ page.

For the 12^th consecutive year the University of Detroit Mercy is ranked in the top tier of U.S.News & World Report’s “Best Colleges”. The 2013 edition ranks UDM number 20 in the Midwest region, up ten positions in two years.

U.S. News & World Report also placed the College of Engineering & Science’s (CES) undergraduate engineering program in the top 100 undergraduate engineering programs nationwide.  Through a combination of academic rigor, hands-on experience, and direct faculty student engagement, UDM engineering graduates are highly sought out by industry and graduate programs with over 95 percent placed within six months after graduating.

On behalf of the entire University of Detroit Mercy community, thank you for your support.  During the University’s 2012 fiscal year nearly 9,000 donors contributed more than 9 million dollars to help us fulfill our mission of educating men and women in the Jesuit and Mercy traditions of excellence in education, social justice and service for others.

In acknowledgement of loyalty and commitment of all our donors, we are pleased to provide our annual Donor Recognition Report, and Scholarship Donor Reports for you.

We are going mobile! Check out the new UDM Online Community mobile site on your smart phone. The mobile version of our Community site is designed with our alumni and your needs in mind.  The mobile site features an online giving page, our complete alumni event calendar and event registration pages.

What other pages would you like to see converted to our mobile site? Let us know by emailing udmgrad@udmercy.edu.

Linda Small, after 30 plus years of service to the University of Detroit Mercy and the UDM Alumni Association, retired on Friday, June 29.

We thank her for hard work and dedication and wish her the best during her retirement. Alumni are welcome to join us for a reception honoring Linda Small on Wednesday, August 15, 2012 at 6:00 p.m. in Lansing-Reilly Hall.

To register, visit community.udmercy.edu/small.

We did it and yoU were the Difference Makers!

Thanks to the 120 donors who supported the Great Donate we were able to raise $40,490 dollars in 36 hours, surpassing our goal! 

We could not have done it without the support of our loyal alumni and friends.  Thank U!

Annual gifts to the University of Detroit Mercy not only impact the lives of our current students, they are also an investment in the future. We seek to provide UDM students with an education based on the Jesuit and Mercy traditions that will prepare them to become leaders and active members of our global community.

June 30 is our fiscal year end! If you have not already, make your gift TODAY. Visit www.udmercy.edu/donate to impact the lives of currnet UDM students.

The Great Donate is a 36-hour giving initiative that provides an opportunity for people to show their support of the colleges, schools and programs at the University of Detroit Mercy.

As alumni and friends of the University, we are asking you to show your pride in your alma mater by making a gift to support the University as a whole (The Fund for UDM) or to a program in the University that means the most to you.

Our goal is to raise $36,000 to support scholarships, academics, facilities, athletics and everything in between. The Great Donate begins Thursday, June 21 at 5:30 a.m. EST and will end on Friday, June 22 at 5:30 p.m. EST.

Have you already made your annual gift to the University this year? You can still help us reach our goal by using your social media account to spread the word.

Sister Mary Justine Sabourin, RSM died on June 13, 2012 at McAuley Center, Farmington Hills.  She was 101  years of age and had been a Sister of Mercy for 85 years.  She joined the Sisters of Mercy in Grand Rapids on August 28, 1927.  She made perpetual vows at Mt. Mercy Motherhouse on August 15, 1933.

Sister Mary Justine is fondly remembered as a gracious lady, a scholar, writer and leader. Her many gifts were generously shared with her religious community, her students and colleagues.  She was also a deeply prayerful woman who relied on God’s loving wisdom as she carried out her responsibilities. 

Farewell services  include a welcoming prayer ceremony at McAuley Center on  June 14, 2012 at 3:00 p.m., a Scripture/remembrance vigil that evening at 7:00 p.m. and the Mass of Resurrection on Friday, June 15 at 10:30 a.m. in McAuley’s Sacred Heart Chapel.  Burial will follow in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Southfield. McCabe Funeral Home, Farmington Hills, is in charge of arrangements.   Memorials may be made to the Sisters of Mercy Ministry Fund, 29000 Eleven Mile Road, Farmington Hills, MI 48336. Read the complete obituary.

The annual McNichols Campus commencement ceremony was held on Saturday, May 12 at 1:30 p.m. in Calihan Hall. Eduardo M. Ochoa assistant secretary for Postsecondary Education, U.S. Department of Education, was the the keynote speaker, and honorary degree recipient.  The Baccalaureate Mass started the day of academic celebration at 10 a.m. in Gesu Catholic Church.

UDM School of Law commencement ceremony was Friday, May 11 at 5 p.m., and the UDM School of Dentistry held its commencement on Sunday, May 13 at 10:30 a.m. Both the Law and Dental ceremonies were also in Calihan Hall on the McNichols Campus.

For information about the keynote speakers, visit the press release.

Photo Galleries: McNichols Campus | School of Law | School of Dentistry.

The University of Detroit Mercy extends deepest condolences to the family of

R. MICHAEL CANJAR
Professor of Mathematics,Computer Science and Software Engineering
College of Engineering and Science

who entered eternal life
Monday, May 7, 2012

Visitation: Thursday, May 10, 2012, 2:00 - 9:00PM
Fred Wood Funeral Home, 36100 Five Mile Rd, Livonia, MI 48154, (734) 464-8060

Funeral: Friday, May 11, 2012
Visitation at 10:30 a.m, Funeral at 11:00 a.m.
Memorial Church of Christ, 35475 5 Mile Rd, Livonia, MI  48154, (734) 464-6722 

Memorials may be made to the University of Detroit Mercy's Canjar-Weisfeld Union Memorial Fund or the Skaff-Canjar Scholarship Fund.

Construction is well under way for Phase I of the Student Fitness Center, one of the University of Detroit Mercy's most ambitious construction projects in recent history.

Located on the McNichols Campus on the east side of the Engineering Building, the 40,000 square-foot multi-purpose center will nurture a vibrant collegial and residential environment.  The Student Fitness Center will respond not only to students' physical health but also to their emotional, intellectual, and social development, thus fulfilling our mission of creating a student-centered learning environment for our students.

To learn more about this project and to make gift online, go to www.udmercy.edu/giving/fitnesscenter.

University of Detroit Mercy is pleased to announce the Inauguration of Antoine M. Garibaldi, Ph.D. as the University’s 25th president on Friday, April 13, 2012.

Inauguration events:

April 7-15, 2012
Community Engagement Opportunities

April 13, 2012 - Inauguration Day

10:30 a.m.  – Inaugural Mass, Gesu Church

Noon – Luncheon, McNichols Campus, Student Center

1:45 p.m. – Installation Ceremony, McNichols Campus, Calihan Hall

6 p.m. – Inaugural Gala, The Westin Book Cadillac Hotel  

For information about the installation of our 25^th president, visit the inauguration web site http://www.udmercy.edu/inauguration/

Second-seeded Kansas topped our Detroit men’s basketball team 65-50 in the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament at CenturyLink Center on Friday, March 16. The Titans’ 2011-2012 season ends at 22-14 overall.

Kansas (28-6) survived an early scare as the lead changed hands 10 times and the score was tied eight times in the first half.

The Titan women ended their year at 20-14, their first 20 win season since going 23-7 in 1997. It was also the first postseason appearance in the WNIT and the program’s first postseason since making the NCAA Tournament in 2007.

The Titan women lost to Toledo on Friday, March 16, 59-49. The game featured nine ties and seven lead changes.

It was a great weekend for UDM Titan basketball as the men’s basketball team learned its NCAA Tournament bracket and the women’s basketball team received an automatic bid to the WNIT. This marks the first time in school history that both teams will be playing in post-season basketball.

The men’s basketball team will play #2 Kansas in the 2nd round of the NCAA tournament in Omaha, NE this Friday, March 16. Tip-off is 9:57 p.m. EST. With a win, the Titans advance to the next round on Sunday, March 18.

For ticket information, contact the Detroit Titan ticket office by calling 313-993-1700.

Visit www.Detroittitans.com for additional information on all of the excitement.

University of Detroit Mercy is pleased to announce the Inauguration of Antoine M. Garibaldi, Ph.D. as the University’s 25th president on Friday, April 13, 2012.

Inauguration events:

10:30 a.m.  – Inaugural Mass, Gesu Church

Noon – Luncheon, McNichols Campus, Student Center

1:45 p.m. – Installation Ceremony, McNichols Campus, Calihan Hall

6 p.m. – Inaugural Gala, The Westin Book Cadillac Hotel  

For information about the installation of our 25^th president, visit the inauguration web site http://www.udmercy.edu/inauguration/

Join fellow UDM alumni for the Alumni Tailgate and Chili Cookoff on Sunday, February 12!

The day begins with Mass at 10 a.m. in the St. Ignatius Chapel in C&F. The Tailgate will follow at 11:00 a.m. in the Engineering Building Highbay.

Taste the Chili prepared by the College and School Alumni Board Presidents and cast your vote for your favorite.

The Titan men's basketball team challenges Green Bay at 1:00 p.m. in Calihan Hall. The Chili Cookoff winner will be announced during the basketball game.

Learn more and register today!

View the RSVP list!

Thank you to Liberty Mutual for helping to sponsor this fun UDM alumni event.      

Help cheer your Detroit Titans to victory. Don't miss out on these special ticket prices.

All UDM alumni may take advantage of a special discount offer this Saturday, Jan. 21, as the Titan Basketball teams take on Wright State. For only $10, all alumni will receive a game ticket, hot dog, and fountain pop! Just show your UDM Alumni Association card at any ticket window to redeem this special offer! The men’s team plays at 12 Noon, with the women’s game following at 3 p.m.

Saturday, Feb 4: Detroit vs. Butler,  Tip-off noon in Hinkle Fieldhouse.

Purchase tickets for $10 per person by phoning the Butler ticket office at 317-940-9390.

All game times are in EST.         

As the Titan men’s basketball team hits the road in January and February, make sure to take advantage of the alumni group ticket prices offered by their Horizon League opponents.

Saturday, Jan.  14: Detroit v. Milwaukee, Tip-off 8:00 p.m. at U.S. Cellular Arena.

Purchase tickets for $10 per person ($5 tickets also available) by phoning the UWM ticket office at 414-229-4403.

Saturday, Feb 4: Detroit vs. Butler,  Tip-off noon in Hinkle Fieldhouse.

Purchase tickets for $10 per person by phoning the Butler ticket office at 317-940-9390.

All game times are in EST.         

The University of Detroit Mercy
extends deepest condolences to the friends and family of
 
Fr. George Lundy, S.J.
former Academic Vice President and Provost of UDM (1995-2000)
 
who entered eternal life
Monday, December 19, 2011
 
Details on the Funeral Service to follow in January.

Detroit honored a legend and treated a raucous crowd to a victory with a 69-63 win over St. John's at "Dick Vitale Court" at Calihan Hall Monday night.  The court was named after Detroit's former head coach and athletic director in a pre-game dedication ceremony.

Take a listen to Dick Vitale reminiscing about his time at the University and how much he thanks the University for giving him a chance.

http://www.wjr.net/FlashPlayer/default.asp?SPID=38702&ID=2347789

University Ministry offers multiple service trips throughout the academic year: Alternative Winter Break (AWB) January 1-8, Alternative Spring Break (ASB) March 3-10, and the International Service Experience (ISE) in May. UDM has been organizing service trips since 1989.

All of these trips provide students an opportunity to see the world in a different light, while offering service to those less fortunate. Participation gives students and colleagues a chance to live the charisms of the Sisters of Mercy and the Society of Jesus. Students live the Jesuit goal of education of being "men and women for others" and the Mercy tradition of "compassionate service to those in need."

To learn more about the great things UDM students are doing. visit http://www.udmercy.edu/ministry/serve/immersion/index.htm.

University Ministry is coordinating a trip to the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) on Friday, December 2, at 6:00 p.m.  to view “Rembrandt and the Face of Jesus”. Students, staff, faculty, and alumni are encouraged to join and view exquisite paintings and enter more deeply into the Advent season.

To learn more about the exhibition, visit the DIA website.

Tickets for the guided tour of the Rembrandt exhibit are $16 and can be purchased by calling 1.866.342.8497.

The Detroit Titan men’s basketball team will challenge Ashland on Saturday, November 5, at 7 p.m. in Calihan Hall, their second and final exhibition game. Watch Detroit’s own Horizon League preseason player of the year, Ray McCallum, and teammates Chase Simon and Eli Holman, who were voted on the Preseason All-Horizon League First Team prepare for a competitive season.

The Titans kick-off their regular season against Lake Erie on Friday, November 11, at 7 p.m. in Calihan Hall.

Visit www.detroittitans.com for complete men’s and women’s basketball schedules.

A new building, developed for our students, brings great opportunities and great possibilities to UDM. The historic groundbreaking of the 40,000 square-foot Student Fitness Center took place Thursday, Sept. 22 on the McNichols Campus.

Watch video of the groundbreaking ceremony

The new Fitness Center will be positioned on the east side of the Engineering Building and will echo the collegiate Spanish architectural themes featured on the University’s heritage buildings.

The new multi-purpose center will nurture a vibrant collegial environment that enables students to experience university life at its fullest.

View rendering (PDF)

The prestige of UDM's engineering programs has been a century in the making. September 2011 launches the celebration of the Engineering Centennial. A series of social events, educational meetings and special presentations to reflect on the achievements and focus on the future will run throughout the year.

Save the date for the Centennial Gala on Friday, September 30 at the Henry Ford Museum.

For more information on events and how get involved, visit the Centennial page.

Make sure to take a look at the history of engineering at the University!

A new building, developed for our students, brings great opportunities and great possibilities to UDM. The University will embark on one of the most ambitious goals of its recent history with the construction of a 40,000 square-foot Student Fitness Center on the McNichols Campus. The new multi-purpose center will nurture a vibrant collegial and residential environment that enables students to experience university life to its fullest.

The new Fitness Center will be positioned on the east side of the Engineering Building and will echo the collegiate Spanish architectural themes featured on the University’s heritage buildings.

Check out the renderings (jpg)!

The University’s first engineering class was offered on Oct. 2, 1911. Since then, the College has awarded more than 13,000 engineering degrees in 17 different undergraduate and graduate programs.

We invite you to help celebrate the Engineering Centennial beginning in September 2011, with a series of social events, educational meetings and special presentations to reflect on the college’s achievements and focus on the future.

Save the date for the Engineering Centennial Gala on Friday, Sept. 30, 2011. For information about events and sponsorship opportunities, visit the Centennial web page.

Professor Will Wittig has been named dean of the School of Architecture. Wittig has been full-time faculty at University of Detroit Mercy since 2001. He has served as co-director of the Master’s of Community Development and director of the Master’s of Architecture Program.

Wittig is a registered architect, whose areas of expertise include community-based urban development, material research, design-build methods and ecological design. He is a United States Green Building Council LEED accredited professional as well as a member of the American Institute of Architects.

For more information, read the press release.

The annual McNichols Campus commencement ceremony is Saturday, May 14. The day begins with the 9 a.m. Baccalaureate Mass at Gesu Church. A continental breakfast will follow in the Fisher Fountain area. The Procession to Calihan Hall begins at 12:40 p.m. with the ceremony beginning at 1:30 p.m. UDM will honor David C. Stone, an attorney and chairperson of Bodman's Business Practice Group, with an honorary degree. Reverend Richard Malloy, S.J., vice president of University Ministries at University of Scranton, will serve as the keynote speaker.

UDM School of Law will hold its commencement on Friday, May 13 at 5 p.m., and UDM School of Dentistry will hold its commencement on Sunday, May 15 at 10:30 a.m.

Read more on this as well as Engineering Summer Camps, and Dean Vogel stepping down as Dean of the School of Architecture in this month's eConnect.

Golden Reunion

Classes of 1961, 1956,1951, 1946, 1941, don't miss your chance to participate in your Golden Reunion activities!

U.S. News and World Report’s “Best Graduate Schools 2012” listed the University of Detroit Mercy’s Nurse Anesthesia program as the 11th best in the country.

The UDM program boasts a 100 percent employment rate for its graduates and is known for its instruction as well as its clinical training. Read the press release for more information and a complete listing of rankings.

Also Titan 10 Beer Tasting Event. Read more in this month's e-Connect.

Notable speakers on campus

UDM is pleased to invite alumni and friends to attend several complimentary lectures from auto industry leaders on the McNichols Campus during March. The complete listing of lectures is below. To reserve your place, visit the registration page. For questions, please call 313-993-1540.

Wednesday, March 16 – 9:00-10:00 a.m.
The New GM
Mark Reuss – President, GM North America
Engineering High Bay
Sponsored by College of Engineering & Science and College of Liberal Arts & Education

Tuesday, March 22 – 1:00-2:00 p.m.
Driving Change
Laura Soave MBA '00 – Head of Fiat Brand, North America
Fountain Lounge, Student Center
Sponsored by College of Business Administration and CBA Alumni Board

More eConnect

UDM names first lay president

On Friday, Nov. 12, the University of Detroit Mercy Board of Trustees named Antoine M. Garibaldi as the University's new president. Garibaldi, who is currently president of Gannon University in Erie, Pa., will assume the position July 1, 2011, to become UDM's first lay president.  Read more in the December eConnect.