News From the College of Arts and Behavioral Sciences
November 3, 2025
SVSU professor to speak on consequential figure in poetry, abolitionist movement
Saginaw Valley State University English professor and Midland resident Eric Gardner will speak about his latest book, “Frances Ellen Watkins Harper’s Civil War and Reconstruction,” during two events this month.
October 9, 2025
SVSU Theatre reboots a robot revolution with “R.U.R.: An AI Musical Melodrama”
Saginaw Valley State University’s Department of Theatre will bring together human creativity and artificial intelligence with “R.U.R.: An AI Musical Melodrama,” running Wednesday, Oct. 15 through Sunday, Oct. 19, in the Malcolm Field Theatre for Performing Arts.
September 26, 2025
SVSU professor’s book shines light on prominent African American writer
In his new book, Saginaw Valley State University English professor Eric Gardner explores Black activism during and after the Civil War through the lens of an African American writer. “Frances Ellen Watkins Harper’s Civil War and Reconstruction,” published by Oxford University Press, is the result of extensive archival research, including documents that were previously unrecovered.
August 25, 2025
SVSU moot court program rises to No. 4 in U.S.
Demonstrating remarkable skill in written and oral arguments before a mock supreme court, Saginaw Valley State University’s moot court program has catapulted to a fourth-place overall ranking among undergraduate moot court teams in the United States.
August 12, 2025
SVSU professor appointed to national moot court association board
A standout faculty member from Saginaw Valley State University is deepening his professional commitment and connections through service on a national board. Kevin G. Lorentz II, assistant professor of political science, recently took a seat on the American Moot Court Association (AMCA) Board of Governors.
May 21, 2025
SVSU selects music professor and faculty leader as dean of the College of Arts & Behavioral Sciences
Saginaw Valley State University has appointed Brandon Haskett to serve as dean of the College of Arts and Behavioral Sciences, effective July 1.
February 17, 2025
SVSU Theatre to stage ‘Women Who Weave’
Saginaw Valley State University’s theatre department presents “Women Who Weave,” a play that draws on Greek mythology to present heroism as a choice vs. a destiny. The show runs Wednesday-Saturday, Feb. 19-22, at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 23, at 3 p.m. All performances will be held in SVSU’s Malcolm Field Theatre for the Performing Arts.
November 19, 2024
Students recognized for public speaking
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.
November 18, 2024
SVSU presents play about forgotten women of World War II
Saginaw Valley State University is shedding light on an often-forgotten part of World War II with the Theatre Department’s production of “The Night Witches” from Wednesday, Nov. 20-Sunday, Nov. 24.
November 11, 2024
Eric Gardner Elected to Membership in the American Antiquarian Society
Eric Gardner, 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.
September 24, 2024
SVSU associate dean to publish novel
Carlos Ramet, associate dean of SVSU’s College of Arts and Behavioral Sciences, will publish his first novel on Tuesday, Sept. 24. “The Quiet Limit of the World” will be released by RIZE Press, which specializes in publishing works by minority writers.
July 10, 2024
SVSU adds graduate certificate program in strategic organizational communication
Saginaw Valley State University has created a new graduate certificate program in strategic organizational communication. The program begins in the fall 2024 semester.
April 23, 2024
Nearly 900 SVSU students to participate in commencement
Saginaw Valley State University will hold commencement exercises on Saturday, May 11, at 10 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
April 23, 2024
SVSU students to present research in two showcase events
Saginaw Valley State University students will cap off the academic year with two events designed to recognize and celebrate their work. On Friday, April 26, SVSU will host the SE&T Symposium and the SVSU Student Showcase. Both events are open to the public, and there is no charge to attend.
April 22, 2024
SVSU students excel in national speech tournaments
At the end of two days of intense competition at the National Speech Championship at the University of Illinois at Chicago on March 23 and 24, the team achieved a university first, breaking the top 10 to finish at No. 7.