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December 11, 2019

SVSU to collaborate on restoration effort to preserve historic Saginaw mansion

A collaboration between historical preservationists and the Saginaw Valley State University-operated Saginaw Community Writing Center aims to raise awareness and money for transforming one of Saginaw’s most iconic homes into a multi-use community space.

SVSU's Saginaw Community Writing Center, the Saginaw Art Museum and the group preserving the historic Charles Lee Mansion structure in Saginaw will host a poetry slam contest — with cash prizes to the top three winners — Thursday, Dec. 12, from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Charles Lee Mansion site at 633 S. Washington in Saginaw. The poetry contest coincides with an open house at the mansion from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. the same day.

While there is no cost to attend either event, a free-will donation will be held to support the renovation of Charles Lee Mansion.

Built by lumber baron Charles Lee in the late 1800s, the historic site was saved from demolition in 2018 when Ann Arbor Builders, Inc. agreed to a development deal with the City of Saginaw, which owned the property. The preservation effort involves restoring the mansion and creating within it a community meeting space and a shop selling Saginaw-centric items.

Helen Raica-Klotz, co-director of SVSU's Saginaw Community Writing Center, took a tour of Charles Lee Mansion and immediately wanted to collaborate.

“Saginaw is a city that’s rich with history, and I think that any community writing center needs to work to recognize and honor the history of that particular community, as well as the efforts of individuals who are trying to improve the region as a whole,” she said.

Alex Mixter, the project manager for the Lee Mansion Restoration Project, has indicated he wants the site to serve as a "front door to Saginaw" for visitors.

“Alex and all the volunteers that have worked at the Lee Mansion have done a marvelous job over the years of fundraising, of putting in time and labor to preserve this space,” Raica-Klotz said. “For us to come and celebrate through a poetry reading — particularly in Saginaw itself — is a really nice way of supporting their work.”

To learn more about the restoration project or to donate to the Lee Mansion Restoration Project, go to www.patronicity.com/lee.

The Saginaw Community Writing Center is operated by SVSU staff and student tutors, who help residents with writing-based activities during scheduled sessions throughout the Saginaw community. The community writing center was established in part through a partnership with the Saginaw Community Foundation.

December 11, 2019

SVSU student named to fellowship program for nation's top collegiate journalists

With a drive to keep a community informed and a talented way with words, Saginaw Valley State University senior Kaitlyn Farley earned a spot in a program designed to develop some of the nation’s top college journalists.

The Warren native was selected to the National Newspaper Association Foundation's News Fellows Program. The opportunity will send her to a paid-for community journalism workshop in Washington, D.C. from March 18-21.

“I’ve never flown before,” she said. “I’m excited about the whole experience.”

During the workshop, Farley and her peers will work with veteran journalists to develop skills that allow community newspaper reporters to pursue hot button issues impacting readers. Farley — a double major in history as well as professional and technical writing — also will learn more about reporting in politics as part of the National Newspaper Association Foundation program. It's an opportunity that will connect her with lawmakers and legislative staff working in Congress.

Jodi McFarland Friedman, the staff adviser for the SVSU student newspaper where Farley serves as editor-in-chief, said Farley's spirit of determination is reflected in the quality of journalism she produces.

“When a student is on fire for the free flow of information, speaking truth to power and journalism that shines a light on her campus, it shows,” said Friedman, the former editor of The Saginaw News. “These qualities shine in Kaitlyn Farley.”

A first-generation college student in her family, Farley during her freshman year began writing stories about SVSU-hosted musical performances for the student newspaper, The Valley Vanguard. It was her first-ever journalistic endeavor. Informed by her own experiences as a musician — she even played bassoon for a short time with the SVSU Concert Band — Farley approached each assignment with a desire to bring an expertise and authenticity to the publication’s coverage of musical performances.

“I knew the jargon for music, and so I liked bringing that kind of writing to The Vanguard,” she said.

Farley’s pursuit of authentic coverage helped elevate her from niche writer to newsroom leader. As a sophomore, she earned a spot as editor of the arts and entertainment section. By her junior year, she was named editor-in-chief, a role she retained as a senior.

With an ambition to diversify her reporter portfolio, Farley has ventured outside of music journalism. Her byline often has appeared on The Vanguard’s front page, sometimes attached to the publication’s most in-depth reporting about news items impacting her campus readers. Her growing savvy for investigative journalism inspired her to share those experiences with her staff, passing along lessons learned about reporting tactics including how best to file a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request.

“We know a lot more about journalism this year than we did last year,” she said of her staff of 23 students.

Farley’s fondness for the newsroom environment extends beyond her growing love of journalism. She said her staff’s camaraderie makes for a fun, relaxed atmosphere that offsets the seriousness sometimes associated with reporting. To lighten the mood, the group attends movies and visits cider mills together. In The Vanguard newsroom, Farley and her co-workers pause weekend production shifts to feed an office betta fish they named Gil Finley.

“We say he’s our HR rep,” Farley said, jokingly.

Friedman said she was impressed with Farley’s ability to excel as both a journalist and a leader — all while seeking a university education.

“Having been a first-generation college student myself, I can relate to the drive, passion and self-direction that pursuing a college degree in those circumstances requires,” Friedman said.

“Kaitlyn’s college career is self-financed through well-earned scholarships and many side jobs. She juggles the demands of multiple employers, a full course load and The Vanguard with aplomb. It isn’t, but she makes it look easy.”

The 2020 winter semester will be Farley’s last at The Vanguard and SVSU. She anticipates earning her bachelor’s degree in May. She recently accepted a reporter internship position with The Saginaw News/MLive for next summer. She plans eventually to chase a full-time job in journalism or another industry that could benefit from her writing skills and leadership abilities.

December 6, 2019

SVSU staff, faculty art highlighted in Midland Center for the Arts exhibition

Saginaw Valley State University staff and faculty members are showcased as part of a Midland Center for the Arts art exhibition open to the public now until early January.

The exhibition — which also features artwork from faculty from Delta College and Mott Community College — was organized in part by Tisch M. Lewis, coordinator of the SVSU University Art Gallery, along with museum staff.

“My goal was to highlight the hard-working artists from SVSU, Delta College and Mott Community College, as they are normally seen as educators first,” Lewis said.

The exhibition ends Sunday, Jan. 5. Admission costs $10 for adults, $7 for individuals aged 4 to 14, and free for children under the age of 4. For more information about tickets and the museum, go to https://www.mcfta.org.

Art displayed in the exhibition includes ceramics, photography, paintings, sculptures, and printmaking, among other mediums.

“The works vary in style and content, varying from social justice issues to mere appreciation of the media the artist works in,” said Lewis, whose work also is displayed in the exhibition.

Among the other SVSU staff and faculty members on display at the Midland Center for the Arts exhibition are the following:

• Tamar Aldrich, an adjunct faculty member with the SVSU Department of Art

• Sherri Archer, an adjunct faculty member with the SVSU Department of Art

• Shaun E. Bangert, professor of art

• Sanford Buchalter, an adjunct faculty member with the SVSU Department of Art

• Thomas Canale, professor of art

• Sara Brooks Clark, studio art technician

• Phillip Hanson, lecturer of art

• J. Blake Johnson, professor of art

• Hideki Kihata, professor of art

• David J. Littell, an adjunct faculty member with the SVSU Department of Art

• Michael Mosher, professor of art/communication and multimedia

• Andrea Ondish, curator of education at SVSU’s Marshall M. Fredericks Sculpture Museum

December 5, 2019

SVSU students display exceptional representation at Model United Nations Conference

Two Saginaw Valley State University students’ enthusiasm for international diplomacy earned them an award at a recent conference and an opportunity to advance to international competition. 

The Saginaw Valley Model United Nations club represented Sri Lanka during the 12th American Model United Nations Conference in Chicago Nov. 23-26.

Model United Nations is an organization for students with an active interest in international affairs, policy and diplomacy. Through participation in simulations and regional/national conferences members gain valuable skills in research, communication, and conflict resolution.

Kone’ Bowman, a political science major from Pontiac, and Joseph Shepherd, a political science major from Harper Woods, won the award for Exceptional Representation for the General Assembly Third Committee as Sri Lanka. As part of the Third Committee, Bowman and Shepherd represented Sri Lanka on topics such as the promotion and protection of the rights of children and rights of indigenous peoples.

Stewart French, SVSU associate professor of political science and team adviser, said that winning the Exceptional Representation award was remarkable and speaks to the students' preparation.

“This is one of the larger committees, and accomplishing this with such a small country is quite impressive,” French said.

French said the university's Model U.N. club has cumulatively won over 40 awards in 12 years at national and international conferences.

At the most recent conference, SVSU students competed against their peers representing 110 countries from 77 schools from around the world, including the University of Chicago, University of Arizona, Purdue University, University of Minnesota and University of Wisconsin among others.

The SVSU team will travel to Toronto in February to compete at the North American Model United Nations Conference.

December 3, 2019

Community leader, alumnus to serve as SVSU commencement speaker

Saginaw Valley State University graduates will hear from one of the institution’s most generous alumni during December commencement exercises.

Scott L. Carmona will offer words of support and inspiration at the two ceremonies, Friday, Dec. 13 at 7 p.m., and Saturday, Dec. 14 at 11 a.m. Both ceremonies are held in O’Neill Arena of SVSU's Ryder Center.

Carmona completed his eight-year term on SVSU’s Board of Control in July. He committed to be the lead donor for the fundraising campaign to support the building addition for the SVSU College of Business now named for him; his generosity and philanthropy also include granting over 25 scholarships annually. The $25 million building addition for the Scott L. Carmona College of Business will open during the 2020 winter semester.

After the 2019 fall semester concludes later this month, 511 SVSU students are expected to complete degree requirements. Of those, 425 students are expected to complete bachelor’s degrees and 86 are expected to receive master’s or other advanced degrees. In total, 453 individuals have indicated they plan to don regalia and participate in the commencement ceremonies Dec. 13-14.

The Friday gathering will honor graduates from the Crystal M. Lange College of Health & Human Services; and the Scott L. Carmona College of Business. The Saturday ceremony will recognize graduates from the College of Arts & Behavioral Sciences; the College of Education; and the College of Science, Engineering & Technology.

Carmona’s first time being recognized at an SVSU commencement ceremony came in 1981, when the Bay City native was a graduate being honored for receiving a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. His son, Ryan, completed a bachelor's degree in finance in 2008.

While still attending classes at SVSU, Scott Carmona began planting the seeds of his entrepreneurial career. In the late 1970s, he developed a swimming pool maintenance company. By his senior year, he was contracted to perform service work for Coca-Cola USA.

The opportunity allowed him to create a small business that specialized in repairing and re-manufacturing dispensing equipment used in restaurants across the nation. Carmona's company, National Equipment Refurbishers Inc., found success, employing up to 50 people at one point.

Fifteen years later, he sold the business to create and develop other companies, largely in the commercial real estate and automotive aftermarket distribution industries. His business interests eventually reached beyond Michigan. He developed businesses in states such as Texas, New Hampshire and Florida, where he developed an industrial park in the 2000s.

Today, Carmona is the principal owner of Sunrise National Distributors Inc., a Bay City-based distributor of automotive aftermarket products. He owns and manages several real estate developments in Michigan and Florida. He also has remained active in community organizations including the Bay County Growth Alliance, the Dow Bay Area Family YMCA and the McLaren Bay Special Care Hospital board of directors.

When the 38,500-square-foot expansion for the Scott L. Carmona College of Business opens next year, the facility will house state-of-the-art technology as well as classrooms, faculty offices and office space for business programs. Planners say the new space will provide an inviting environment for business leaders and successful alumni to visit campus, benefit from the resources, and work with the next generation of business students studying at the campus.

November 27, 2019

SVSU to host training for women interested in running for political office

In an effort to break down barriers to women’s political leadership, Saginaw Valley State University on Friday, Dec. 6 will host a free training session aimed at empowering women interested in public service or elected office.

Elect Her is a free, one-day, nonpartisan training for women on how to run for political office. The session will feature a panel of elected officials from the Great Lakes Bay Region including Bay City Mayor Kathleen Newsham and Saginaw Mayor Pro Tem Brenda Moore, as well as members of the business community such as Kelly Hall, Consumers Energy vice president and deputy general counsel.

The session will examine issues participants care about, train them on how to map out election support networks, and provide simulations that sharpen their skills on how best to build support among potential constituents.

The training is scheduled Dec. 6 from 12:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. in SVSU’s Gilbertson Hall, room GN 202. The training is open to the public.

“SVSU prides itself on empowering the next generation of community leaders,” said Donald J. Bachand, the university’s president. “We are excited to host Elect Her, and appreciate the support our community partners are providing to make this an experience that impacts women in our region.”

Among the organizations sponsoring Elect Her are Consumers Energy, Delta College and the YWCA Great Lakes Bay Region.

“We regularly encourage our students to become educated and informed about the political process, then to get involved and participate," said Jean Goodnow, Delta College’s president. “We hope that, by sponsoring this training, even more young people in our region will think about becoming an elected office holder.”

Moira Branigan, CEO of the YWCA Great Lakes Bay Region, said Elect Her was vital to supporting a diverse political electorate.

“Women are underrepresented in elected offices locally and nationally, and the way we change this trend is to encourage and educate women about how to run for office,” Branigan said. “We’re excited to be a part of Elect Her and to see more women on the ballot in 2020.”

Hall said she was looking forward to empowering tomorrow's female leaders.

“Consumers Energy is committed to Michigan’s prosperity, which is advanced by giving everyone equal opportunity to pursue elected leadership positions,” she said. “I’m excited, personally, to be part of Elect Her and to hear from some of the next generation of our state’s leaders.”

Elect Her was developed with the American Association of University Women. Since 2009, more than 300 Elect Her trainings have been hosted at 118 schools in 40 states and four countries for more than 9,500 college students.

The RSVP deadline for this free training is Friday, Nov. 29. Individuals can RSVP at ElectHerGLBR@gmail.com.

For more information about the event, contact John Kaczynski, SVSU director of governmental affairs, at 989-964-7481 or at jlkaczyn@svsu.edu.

November 26, 2019

SVSU holiday production to showcase diverse cast of performers

Saginaw Valley State University student dancers, actors, and vocalists will perform together on stage to celebrate the holiday season in “Home For The Holidays: A Holiday Variety Show!”

The SVSU Department of Theatre's 11th annual holiday-themed production is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. performances Wednesday through Friday, Dec. 4-6, in SVSU’s Malcolm Field Theatre for Performing Arts.

This year’s show will feature a meta theme, answering the question relatives sometimes ask performing arts college students during holiday gatherings: “What are you going to do with your music or theatre degree?”

Along with the show’s cast, the Cardinal Singers — the chamber vocal ensemble at SVSU — will perform. They will be joined by Kevin Cole, SVSU’s visiting artist in musical theatre. Cole is internationally recognized for being a leading expert in the music of the late pianist and composer George Gershwin and has been lauded by The Chicago Tribune as “the best Gershwin pianist in the country.”

Karla Kash will direct the production. The SVSU assistant professor of theatre was excited by the opportunity to collaborate with so many different types of artists and student performers.

“I got to choose how I wanted to tell our story and decide on what numbers we wanted in the show,” Kash said.

She said audiences should expect to be entertained, have a great time, and feel nostalgic and excited about the holiday season.

For more information or to order tickets, contact the SVSU Box Office at (989) 964-4261 or go to www.etix.com/ticket/v/14187.

November 26, 2019

Senior first student in SVSU history to advance to moot court nationals three times

Work ethic and determination helped Lindsey Mead advance far as a moot court competitor; now the Saginaw Valley State University student hopes experience will give her the best chance yet to become a national champion.

The English major from Saginaw in January will become the first student in the 10-year history of SVSU’s top-ranked moot court program to advance three times to the American Moot Court Association national championship tournament.

“I’m very excited,” said Mead, who will advance to the championship tournament with her SVSU teammate Justin Weller, a political science major from Bay City.

They advanced to the national tournament after a fifth-place finish in the regional tournament hosted by SVSU Nov. 22-23.

The twosome also competed together during the national championship in January 2019. Mead went to the final tournament with a different teammate in 2018.

Acting as teams of two attorneys, students competing in moot court tournaments are tasked with arguing both sides of hypothetical legal cases based on real-life courtroom battles. The competition is judged based on the clarity of the students' argument, their public speaking skills, their ability to answer questions, and how well they know the law and the case.

Last year, Mead and Weller advanced to the round of 32 at the 80-team national tournament. This year, Mead will set her sights higher.

“I’m looking to go beyond what we did last year now that we’re both veterans of the program,” Mead said. “We’ve been reading our arguments together since May.”

Each year, the American Moot Court Association presents a new hypothetical legal case for its competitors to approach. This year’s scenario involves examining the Fourth and Sixth Amendment rights of defendants and witnesses in a hypothetical human trafficking case.

Mead said she felt confident as the national tournament approaches in part because of her respect for the abilities of her teammate.

"I'm so grateful to have Justin by my side," Mead said of Weller. "He is incredibly intelligent, humble, hard-working, and deserving of this moot court success, too."

Besides experience together, Mead and Weller will carry another advantage into the championship scheduled next year in Baton Rouge: They will be accompanied by four classmates from SVSU’s moot court program, which is ranked No. 17 in the nation.

Last week, two tandems from SVSU’s moot court program advanced to the nationals after a strong regional contest performance. Those students include the team of Ashley French, a political science major from Bay City, and Joshua High, an accounting major from Traverse City; as well as Justine Brabaw, a political science major from Breckenridge, and Erik Byron, a political science major from Birch Run.

Mead said the three SVSU teams can help each other prepare better to face the nation's top competitors. Last year, Mead and Weller were the only SVSU team in the final tournament.

“Being able to argue these cases against my classmates will be very helpful,” Mead said. “You can bounce ideas off each other.”

Mead’s latest berth in the national tournament arrived the same week she submitted applications to law schools. The senior hopes one day to work as an appellate court attorney.

Mead stays busy outside of moot court and classes. She was selected in 2018 as a member of the SVSU Roberts Fellowship Program, a leadership development initiative for SVSU students. She also serves in a leadership role with the university’s Alternative Breaks program, which sends students to volunteer for nonprofits during the academic year’s holiday recesses.

November 21, 2019

SVSU recognizes distinguished alumni from diverse industries

Military veterans, business leaders, and coaches were among the eight individuals whose accomplishments and dedication to excellence were recognized by Saginaw Valley State University’s Alumni Association.

The group selected five individuals to receive its annual Distinguished Alumni award — one for each of SVSU's academic colleges. They are as follows:

• Ricky Brown for College of Arts & Behavioral Sciences
• Jill Dralle for the College of Science, Engineering & Technology
• Jean LaClair for the College of Education
• Mary Kay Smith for the Crystal M. Lange College of Health & Human Services
• Greg Wischmeyer for the Scott L. Carmona College of Business

Three other honorees received recognition by the SVSU Alumni Association. Tony Goble received the Veteran Alumni award. Darrin Flowers and Emily Short both received Young Alumnus awards.

The group was honored during a ceremony at SVSU earlier this month. To watch videos featuring recipients, go to https://bit.ly/37wkUir.

Biographies of each recipient are as follows, along with a video feature for each:

Ricky Brown

Brown received his bachelor’s degree in speech from SVSU in 1985 and later earned a master’s degree from Central Michigan University in 1991. As director of Multicultural Student Initiatives at Kettering University, Brown has traveled across the U.S., Mexico, Puerto Rico, Jamaica, and the Caribbean islands to help African-American, Hispanic and Native American students in the STEM fields. He also received Kettering’s first-ever “Pillar of Excellence Award,” the highest honor a staff member can receive.

Jill Dralle

Dralle earned her bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from SVSU in 1993. Dralle — whose maiden name is Jill Schafsnitz — is the COO of Saginaw County’s largest employer, Nexteer Automotive. She serves on the board of directors for Saginaw Community Foundation. Dralle was recognized by Great Lakes Bay Magazine with its Business Executive Award for female leaders in 2013. In 2014, she was honored by Inforum with an Inner Circle Award.

Jean LaClair

LaClair graduated from SVSU in 1990 with a bachelor’s degree in physical and health education. LaClair works for Bronson Community Schools as assistant principal, athletic director, and head volleyball coach. She received numerous awards from regional and national associations for her work as an athletic administrator and volleyball coach. She is one of the most successful volleyball coaches in Michigan, ranking fifth in the state for all-time wins in an entire career.

Mary Kay Smith

Smith is the director of the Learning and Assessment Center at Michigan State University. She earned her bachelor’s degree in nursing from SVSU in 1985. Smith serves as chair of accreditation for the International Society of Simulation in Healthcare (SSH) and the Quality Assurance Chair for the American Heart Association Great Lakes Emergency Cardiovascular Care Committee.

Greg Wischmeyer

Wischmeyer served in the U.S. Army from 1975-78, receiving an honorable discharge as a sergeant. He used the G.I. Bill to attend Delta College and SVSU, where received his bachelor’s degree in management in 1984. Since 2010, Greg has served as president and CEO of Neighborhood Mortgage Solutions. He has been involved in the Frankenmuth Chamber of Commerce for the past 12 years and is a member of the Michigan Credit Union League Mid-Michigan Chapter.

Tony Goble

After lettering in baseball and graduating from SVSU in 1989 with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, Goble enlisted in the U.S. airborne infantry in 1991. He is still serving and has reached the highest level of technical and tactical expertise as a chief warrant officer 5 and serves as command chief warrant officer. He has spent over 25 years working as a Green Beret and was deployed nine times in Iraq, Afghanistan and Syria. Some of Goble's significant awards include the Bronze Star Medal (five awards), Meritorious Service Medal (three awards), Army Achievement Medal (three awards), Good Conduct Medal (three awards), Army Commendation Medal, as well as National Defense Medal with two Campaign Stars. 

Darrin Flowers

Flowers works at University of Detroit Jesuit as a 7th and 8th grade social studies instructor, moderator of the Black Awareness Society of Education (B.A.S.E.), 7th and 8th grade track coach, and high school bowling coach. As a coach, Flowers won a Catholic Youth Organization Track Championship, and a Division I State Championship for bowling in 2014. He was voted Division I Coach of the Year in 2015-16. Flowers received a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from SVSU in 2007.

Emily Short

Short works as a project manager at Spicer Group. She has implemented innovative strategies to address surface water pollution in Ingham, Berrien and Manistee counties as well as other communities in Michigan. Short also mentors young undergraduate students to provide them with better choices for their career path and serves as a role model for high school students in the community of St. Johns. She received a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from SVSU in 2016.

November 20, 2019

Four SVSU students headed to moot court national tourney; more could qualify after upcoming contest

Through determination and hard work, Saginaw Valley State University’s top-ranked moot court program will continue its decade-long streak sending competitors to a national championship.

After an impressive performance at a tournament in Cleveland last weekend, four students already have qualified for the American Moot Court Association national competition in Baton Rouge in January. An SVSU-hosted regional contest next weekend could result in even more students qualifying.

Acting as teams of two attorneys, students competing in moot court tournaments are tasked with arguing both sides of hypothetical legal cases based on real-life courtroom battles. The competition is judged based on the clarity of the students' argument, their public speaking skills, their ability to answer questions, and how well they know the law and the case.

SVSU’s moot court program placed second and fourth during a regional tournament hosted at Cleveland-Marshall College of Law from Nov. 15-16. The strong showing resulted in national tournament qualifications by four students from two SVSU teams: The pairings of Ashley French and Joshua High as well as Justine Brabaw and Erik Byron.

"SVSU moot court students excel in this competition because of the incredible amount of hard work they put into preparing for the competition,” said Julie Keil, the SVSU associate professor of political science who serves as the team’s co-adviser.

“All four of these students met weekly over the summer and did a three-day camp to help prepare them for the competition. They're talented, but success comes from hard work and commitment — not just talent."

The Cleveland tournament marked the first time two SVSU moot court teams were among the teams in a tournament’s semifinal round.

Two SVSU students also placed in the top 10 in the tournament’s individual competition for the orator’s award: Brabaw received eighth place and Byron earned tenth place.

French is a political science major from Bay City. High is an accounting major from Traverse City. Brabaw is a political science major from Breckenridge. Byron is a political science major from Birch Run.

SVSU will host the American Moot Court Association's Great Lakes Regional tournament this Friday and Saturday, Nov. 22-23, when 36 teams from the Midwest will compete. SVSU will be represented by six teams there.

The outcome could result in SVSU sending more students to the 80-team national tournament scheduled Jan. 17-18 at Southern University Law Center. 

SVSU’s moot court program is ranked No. 17 nationally by the American Moot Court Association in part because of the university’s long tradition of representation at the final tournament. At least one SVSU team has qualified for the nationals each year since the moot court team was established in 2010.

The program was founded by Keil. She is assisted by co-adviser Amy Hendrickson, associate professor of law, along with alumni of the program.