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May 14, 2018

Seats aboard 2019 Eastern European-bound guided tour, cruise offered by SVSU organization

Individuals aged 50 and over are invited aboard a Saginaw Valley State University organization-sponsored 15-day guided cruise and tour across the Adriatic Sea and Eastern Europe next winter.

SVSU’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI), which offers educational programs and trips to its membership of individuals aged 50 and over, will sponsor the overseas trek from Feb. 26 to March 12, 2019. Individuals who are not members of OLLI are invited on the trip, which includes a boat cruise and land-bound tours to historic and scenic sites across Bosnia, Croatia, Herzegovina and Montenegro.

“This is a very unique opportunity that not everyone is going to have on their bucket list — but they should,” said Shelley Wegner, associate director of OLLI. “There is so much to see. So much natural beauty and history.”

To prime those individuals unfamiliar with the region and its history, OLLI this week will invite an expert to speak on the topic at SVSU. Mindy Morgan, an associate professor of anthropology at Michigan State University, will visit SVSU Wednesday, May 16, at 5 p.m. in Curtiss Hall, room 129. She will discuss the language, culture, cuisine and geography of Croatia and the Dalmatian Coast region. Wegner encouraged individuals considering the trip to attend Morgan’s talk, which is free and open to the public.

While typically only members are able to attend OLLI-sponsored trips, the unique destination of Eastern Europe led OLLI leaders to offer the opportunity to anyone over 50.

Tickets range from $4,585 to $4,885, which includes costs relating to travel, lodging, and most meals. Cancellation insurance is available.

The trip plan includes spots for 50 people. Once overseas, the travelers will split into two guided tour groups of 25 people.

“Even though it is a group tour, we want to keep it small enough that it will be an intimate experience for all involved,” Wegner said.

The trip will begin when the group departs from SVSU to Detroit Metropolitan Airport for an overnight flight to Zagreb, Croatia. Upon arrival, the group will meet with the guided tour director and stay one night in a hotel before boarding the cruise ship on the Adriatic Sea the following morning.

Once the cruise sets sail, the vessel will dock at various spots along the western coasts of Montenegro and Croatia, where members will view sites such as the waterfalls and canyons of the Krka National Park as well as the historical monument of the Imperial Palace of the Roman Emperor Diocletian.

After spending 11 nights aboard the ship and exploring several countries, the last two nights of the vacation will be spent in a hotel in Istria, Croatia.

“There is plenty of time built into the schedule for people to explore on their own,” said Wegner. “Whether it’s shopping or taking in the local sites, there is free time and you don’t always have to do what’s on the itinerary.”

OLLI leaders said the trip will involve walking up to three miles and include between six to eight hours of activity daily.

OLLI organized the trip through Grand Circle Travel, a Boston-based travel agency.

Those interested in learning more can visit the OLLI office at SVSU in Curtiss Hall, room 111, or contact the office at (989) 964-4475 or olli@svsu.edu. Detailed print brochures for the trip are available.

May 14, 2018

SVSU engineering students take on new challenge, design Mars robot for NASA competition

A team of 12 senior engineering and computer science students at Saginaw Valley State University have designed a robot prototype that would be capable of mining a simulated surface of the planet Mars. Next week, they will see how their design stacks up against the nation’s best.

NASA will host its ninth annual Robotics Mining Competition at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida May 14-18. This is the first year SVSU students will be among the 55 U.S. colleges and universities to compete.

The SVSU Robotics Club tested their creative and problem-solving abilities over the past year. Electrical engineering students took the reins on building the mechanical and electrical system for the robot while computer science students involved worked on the navigation system for the robot.

“We wanted the project to challenge us,” said Connor Peil, an electrical engineering major from Bay City. “The ability to mine on Mars is a useful resource to help in understanding that terrain. That's the first step to any sort of future colonization - making sure you're even adaptable. That's mainly what our project overviews.”

A year in the making, the robot employs the belt-mining method in which buckets attached to the belt are rotated in order to continuously dig up material. Equipped with situational-awareness sensors, the robot is capable of navigating a simulated Mars-like surface.

The students worked closely with Rajani Muraleedharan, associate professor of electrical and computer engineering and advisor to the SVSU Robotics Club. She empowered students across majors to participate in the design and construction of the robot.                                           

To qualify for the contest, Muraleedharan and the team put together a technical paper detailing their ideas for the project and how those ideas would be executed. A video demonstration of the prototype was also submitted.

“The purpose of the competition is to try to utilize universities and student minds to come up with new technology ideas,”  said Eric King, an electrical engineering major from Woodhaven. “In a way, NASA is outsourcing the ideas in order to find what works best.”

The competition will ask teams to mine gravel which simulates the icy rocky material found on the surface of Mars. A $5,000 scholarship will be offered as the grand prize during the competition with several other prizes available.

“Ultimately, what they're looking for is design ideas,” King said. “There can be a winner but they might not necessarily have the technology that transfers to what NASA would use so it's really about innovation - you're trying to get NASA to consider a design that you came up with.”

The team was assisted by several donors including StoneQuest; Joel Kiss, SVSU assistant director of campus facilities; the SVSU Foundation; the SVSU Electrical and Computer Engineer Department; Frank Hall, dean of the College of Science Engineering & Technology; Darlene Seegert, administrative secretary; as well as a number of other supporters. 

For more information about the NASA Robotics Mining Competition, visit www.nasa.gov/offices/education/centers/kennedy/technology/nasarmc.html.

May 11, 2018

SVSU adds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in public health

The Saginaw Valley State University Board of Control approved two new degree programs during the Board’s regular meeting Friday, May 11, adding a bachelor’s degree in public health and a master’s degree in public health to the SVSU curriculum.

“We expect both the bachelor’s and the master’s degree programs to be very popular with students,” said Deborah Huntley, provost and vice president for academic affairs. “Many of our students have a genuine interest to serve others and serve their communities, and these degrees will provide additional avenues for them to do so.

“Regional employers have told us that there is considerable demand in the public health field, so we expect good job prospects for graduates of these programs.”

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects nationwide job growth of 16 percent for health educators and 9 percent job growth for epidemiologists through 2026.

SVSU faculty ratified the new degree programs in public health on February 22. SVSU will begin enrolling new students for these programs for the fall 2018 semester.

The Board also approved spending up to $3 million on a variety of energy conservation projects. Once fully implemented, SVSU expects to see more than $500,000 in annual utility savings.

Examples of future projects approved include upgrades to heating and cooling systems, and moving to LED lighting for building interiors.

In other action, the Board:

•                     Passed a resolution to congratulate the 2017-18 men’s track and field team, which qualified for the NCAA Division II championships.

•                     Elected Board officers for 2018-19: Jenee Velasquez, chair; John Kunitzer, vice chair, Dennis Durco, secretary; and Vicki Rupp, treasurer. Each will continue the officer role held for 2017-18.

•                     Passed a resolution to grant undergraduate and graduate degrees.

•                     Granted emeritus status to Charles Pelzer, who served on the SVSU biology faculty for 46 years.

•                     Reauthorized four public school academies: Branch Line School, Pontiac Academy for Excellence, Saginaw Preparatory Academy and Waterford Montessori Academy.

•                     Approved a revised easement with Consumers Energy.

•                     Reappointed accounting firm Andrews Hooper Pavlik to serve as university auditors.

•                     Established the Board’s meeting schedule for 2018-19.

May 11, 2018

SVSU honors alumnus, family for lead gift to College of Business campaign

Late nights, early mornings, a determined spirit and a supportive family carried Scott Carmona to success as a businessman starting in the late 1970s. Back then, the Bay City native – who married his wife Nancy at age 19 – was pursuing an education at Saginaw Valley State University, using wages earned operating small business ventures built with sweat equity.

Forty years later, some things have changed for Carmona. Other things have not. His tenacious work ethic turned fledgling entrepreneurial experiments into prosperous business enterprises that grew along the I-75 corridor, even as far south as Florida. Despite his far-reaching interests, though, he never forgot his roots in the Great Lakes Bay Region or the role his alma mater played in providing an educational foundation for his success.

Carmona and his family have pledged the lead gift for the fundraising campaign for SVSU's business school. The SVSU Board of Control approved naming the college the Scott L. Carmona College of Business & Management at the Board’s May 11 meeting. (Carmona is a member of the Board; he abstained from the vote.)

"I am thrilled to have this academic college named in honor of my family," Carmona said. "This is an honor, since my family is from the Great Lakes Bay Region, and we have SVSU alumni in our family and businesses, and we embrace that entrepreneurial spirit."

Carmona is the 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. A member of the SVSU Board of Control since 2011, Carmona and his family have contributed financially to SVSU scholarship funds and academic ventures.

Carmona's entrepreneurial acumen, philanthropic vigor and tireless work ethic represent a shining example for students enrolled in the business college, said Donald Bachand, SVSU president.

"Scott and his family showed great determination and creative thinking to build successful businesses, and they continue to work hard for the successes still in front of them," Bachand said. "We thank the Carmona family for their outstanding generosity and committed support of our students and our university.

"Their story resonates with so many of our students who are driven to complete their degrees, even as they juggle work and family demands themselves. I hope our students find inspiration in the Carmona family's story, and we are proud to have the Carmona name forever associated with our institution."

Andy Bethune, executive director of the SVSU Foundation, said the Carmona family's gift is a statement that will positively affect the region for generations.

"We are grateful to the Carmonas for their generous support of our College of Business & Management campaign," Bethune said. "Their commitment is a major step forward in the growth and development of the college, and sets the tone for the importance of private philanthropy and the long-term success of our institution and the region we serve."

While the College of Business & Management has been a part of SVSU since 1972, the legacy of Carmona and his family is being attached during a turning point in its history. A $25 million, 38,500-square-foot building expansion – expected to open in January 2020 – will house the academic college's classrooms, faculty offices and business programs. Those elements are spread across SVSU's campus today.

The new space will include state-of-the-art technology such as analytics labs and a Bloomberg Trading Room, which tracks stock data in real time. Planners say the upgrades will provide hands-on learning opportunities for students while also encouraging members of the business community to visit campus and engage with students.

Carmona said his family is excited to invest in the project.

"With the success of this university's alumni and how they have spread SVSU's influence across the world, we decided we wanted to support the continued success of future generations of students from here," he said. "This expansion will give students a leg up in the business world. We want to help future generations find success."

Carmona knows the value of an SVSU education. He completed a bachelor's degree in engineering in 1981 and his son, Ryan, received a bachelor's degree in finance in 2008. Shannan Weston, the current president of Sunrise National Distributors Inc., started with the company as an intern, completing a bachelor's degree and an M.B.A. at SVSU as she climbed the ranks.

Carmona learned persistence from his father, who emigrated to the U.S. from Egypt at age 17. While attending SVSU in the late 1970s, the just-married Carmona made ends meet at first by developing a swimming pool maintenance company. It was a gritty job that required him start his days early. During his senior year, he was contracted to perform service work for Coca-Cola USA. The new opportunity led him to create a small business that specialized in repairing and remanufacturing dispensing equipment used in restaurants across the country.

"I would show up at Coca-Cola's office in Dearborn – with my shirt still dirty from working on pools – to pick up equipment to work on," he said. "I was driving all over the place, sometimes waking up at 4 in the morning and working throughout the night."

Carmona's company, National Equipment Refurbishers Inc., flourished, employing up to 50 people at one point. After 15 years, he sold the business to create and develop other companies, largely in the commercial real estate and automotive aftermarket distribution industries. Over the decades, he also pursued business interests outside of Michigan, including Texas, New Hampshire and Florida, where he developed an industrial park in the 2000s.

The entrepreneurial spirit remains strong in Carmona, who would rather talk about new opportunities than reflect on past accomplishments.

"It's hard for me to look back, because I'm always looking forward and asking, ‘What are we going to do tomorrow?,'" he said. "It's the same with education. The exploration for education is endless. Let's always look ahead and learn something new."

For SVSU and its College of Business and Management, the vision for its future is clearer thanks to the generosity of a family who is helping future generations of business professionals.

May 11, 2018

Graduating SVSU student to pursue medical degree and fulfill military service

A strong desire to serve and outstanding performance in the classroom will see one Saginaw Valley State University student take an unorthodox route to earn his Doctor of Medicine degree through a commission in the U.S. military.

Freeland native Phillip Markey came to SVSU with a passion for the sciences. The son of an engineer and a science teacher, Markey spent his high school years actively exploring his interests in the field.

“In high school, the more I learned about chemistry, the more I started to really enjoy it,” Markey said. “Then, when I had A.P. biology my senior year, I just wanted to see how the two fields would relate.”

Markey has long had an interest in military service.

“Back in high school, I thought about enlisting in the Army right after I graduated,” he said.

After talking to his family about the decision, he was motivated to earn his degree and then re-visit the option of serving in the military. While at SVSU, he volunteered at the Aleda E. Lutz Veterans Affairs Medical Center; that reinforced his interest in serving his country.

Markey passed the rigorous screening process to be admitted to the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in Bethesda, Maryland to pursue his M.D. this fall. He will be the third generation within his family to serve in the U.S. military.

“Here I am now, joining the military and I realize that SVSU helped get me to this point,” Markey said. “This is what I've wanted to do for most of my life and the guidance I've received here really helped push me toward this goal. I'm excited to see what's next.”

Markey was active on campus and in the surrounding community during his four years at SVSU. A member of Phi Delta Epsilon, a pre-medical fraternity on campus, and the Health Professions Association, he remained engaged with students and professionals in the medical field. A college co-op student at The Dow Chemical Company, Markey had the opportunity to work in biochemical research while there.

His status in the Honors Program also meant that Markey would need to pursue an area of research relating to the field of biochemistry. Working with Jason Scott, associate professor of biology, Markey conducted research relating to liver health and cardiovascular disease and how diet plays a role in the development of heart disease.

“It was clear when Phillip came into my lab that he wasn't an ordinary student,” Scott said. “He was, and is, very intelligent and passionate about the medical sciences. He was a very quick study in the lab, quickly gaining knowledge and proficiency in the research area and with the laboratory techniques.

“Phillip has all of the qualities and skills needed to become a successful medical student and physician and I am confident he will become a valued member of the Uniformed Services and medical community.”

Upon the completion of Army basic training this summer, Markey will be a commissioned officer holding the rank of second lieutenant. He will also complete his residency at one of nine Army hospitals across the U.S. and Germany.

“I would really love to travel more,” Markey said. “The first year or two of school are going to be very book-heavy, but after that, I start my clinical rotations, so I would have the opportunity to do a six-week rotation in D.C., a six-week rotation in Hawaii, a six-week rotation in Germany, which is really exciting.”

Already an experienced traveler, Markey participated in an SVSU study abroad trip that took him to Ireland, Scotland, and England. 

“Being in the Honors Program gives me a stipend for study abroad,” Markey said. “That – together with a study abroad scholarship – allowed me to spend a week and a half in Ireland hopping from Galway, to Sligo, to Knocknarea, and ending up in Dublin."

Markey also visited Edinburgh and London while abroad.  “It was one of the most incredible experiences of my life,” he said.

Markey will graduate from SVSU with a degree in biochemistry. He will be joined by the 1,083 individuals expected to graduate from the university this month. Commencement exercises for graduates in the colleges of Business & Management and Health & Human Services Friday, May 11 at 7:30 p.m. Students completing degrees in the colleges of Arts & Behavioral Sciences, Education, and Science, Engineering & Technology will take part in the ceremony scheduled for Saturday, May 12 at 11 a.m. Each ceremony will be held in O'Neill Arena of the Ryder Center.

May 11, 2018

Graduating SVSU student shines in internship, earns job with Dow accounting department

Mallory Fisher has wrapped up her last round of final exams and is about to pack her bags for her  job in Texas. Within weeks, she will begin a full-time position in The Dow Chemical Company’s Finance Development Program for Accountants in Houston, where she spent time as an intern last summer.

A Midland native, Fisher began her journey at SVSU in 2014; she graduates Friday, May 11. She quickly became an active member of the campus community and earned a number of accolades during her time as a student. Most recently, she was named the Outstanding Accounting Student Representative by SVSU's chapter of the Institute of Management Accountants.

“Honestly, being singled out by such an outstanding organization for work in my field was the perfect bookend to my time as a Cardinal,” Fisher said. “These past four years have been filled with endless studying and self-motivation to succeed in the field of accounting.”

Fisher parlayed that self-motivation into a position with Dow as part of their college co-op program in 2015. As a tax department co-op, she had the opportunity to travel to Lake Jackson, Texas in May 2017 to participate in a summer internship with Dow's Texas Operations Controllers.

There, Fisher was actively involved in several projects that would span the length of her 12-week internship including one that required her to analyze data that would then be used by the Texas site controller and the vice president of Gulf Stream operations to make management decisions for the Dow sites in Texas.

Lowell McLaughlin, associate director of Dow Chemical's department of U.S. State and Local and Canadian Property Tax, spoke highly of Fisher’s attitude and aptitude.

“Mallory has been a standout college co-op and intern at Dow,” said McLaughlin, Fisher's supervisor. “She has a great work ethic and positive 'can do' attitude that has allowed her to grow and flourish in her roles.”

Fisher explained that it was the support of McLaughlin and the Dow team based in Midland that gave her the confidence to take such a huge step in her life.

“Moving 1,400 miles from my family, friends, coworkers and community was a huge step for me, personally and professionally,” Fisher said. “When Dow asked me if I would be willing to work in Texas, I immediately knew that this was a perfect opportunity to be daring, challenge myself, and step outside my comfort zone.”

Her professors noticed the difference. Betsy Pierce, assistant professor of accounting and faculty advisor to Beta Gamma Sigma, feels confident Fisher is headed down the right path as she continues to gain momentum in her career trajectory.

“After her internship last summer, she came back completely energized and excited about the idea that she might be able to go back to Houston for a full-time job,” Pierce said. “As it turns out, that's exactly where she's going. It's just so clear to me that she has a true love for working in the corporate field and we couldn't be more excited for her.”

Fisher is among the 1,083 individuals expected to graduate from the university this month. She will participate in Commencement exercises for graduates in the colleges of Business & Management and Health & Human Services Friday, May 11 at 7:30 p.m. Students completing degrees in the colleges of Arts & Behavioral Sciences, Education, and Science, Engineering & Technology will take part in the ceremony scheduled for Saturday, May 12 at 11 a.m. Each ceremony will be held in O'Neill Arena of the Ryder Center.

Drive and determination were not limited to Fisher’s work with Dow. She is the outgoing president of SVSU’s chapter of Beta Gamma Sigma, the international honor society recognizing those who have achieved academic excellence in business-related programs, and the outgoing vice president of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars. Fisher also completed Cardinal Business Edge, a program that aims to strengthen the business and leadership skills of a select group of high-performing incoming freshmen.

Fisher hopes to inspire others to step out of their comfort zones to find success. She recently was invited to co-host the College of Business and Management's Best in Business Awards Night, and thought back to the days when such an opportunity might have passed her by.

“During my freshman year, I admittedly hated public speaking,” Fisher said. “I remember my professor told me that, as an effective communicator, I'd be invited to speak frequently because people know that I have something important to say. Co-hosting the awards ceremony in front of my professors, administrators, mentors, local business leaders, and my peers was such a great example of how much I've grown as a Cardinal and a businesswoman.”

As Fisher embarks upon her professional career, one goal remains at the forefront:

“I like being known as the girl who always has a smile on her face and finds joy in life,” Fisher said. “That's the person I strive to be in and out of work.”

May 9, 2018

SVSU student receives outstanding senior in French award

Kelsey Hyde started his undergraduate career at SVSU studying science and graduated with a chemical physics degree in 2015. Now he is completing a second bachelor’s degree, this time in French, earning accolades for his impressive dedication to his current field of study.
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A Grand Blanc native, Hyde recently received an Outstanding Senior in French Award from the American Association of Teachers of French. The award goes to those who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to the study of French through their academic achievements and participation in related extracurricular activities.

Julie Foss, associate professor of modern foreign languages and advisor to SVSU's French Club, nominated Hyde for the award.

“Kelsey's language proficiency and intercultural competence have grown tremendously during his time in the program,” Foss said. “He started in Intermediate French classes, and has since progressed from being able to communicate in a limited number of contexts about a limited number of topics to being able to use French to express himself in nuanced and sophisticated ways at a level that would permit him to use his language skills professionally.”

Hyde will pursue a master's degree in speech-language pathology this fall at Eastern Michigan University with an assistantship in their writing center.

Feeling it was important to follow his interests in language studies the second time around, Hyde now feels confident that this route is the right one.

“Initially, I chose the hard sciences route,” Hyde said. “I don't think I was necessarily listening to myself and asking myself who I wanted to be.”

After taking French 111 in his early years at SVSU, however, Hyde had re-discovered a passion.

“I took two years of French in my first two years of high school but I wasn't able to start studying the subject again until college,” Hyde said. “I started to fall in love with language and linguistics and started to wonder how I could translate abilities in these fields to help others.”

Hyde has studied abroad twice, investing his summers in intensive language training at both the Université Laval in Québec and La Sorbonne in Paris.

An active member of SVSU's campus community, Hyde worked in the Writing Center and previously served as the vice president of the French Club.

Hyde credits Foss and Ann De Corte, an adjunct instructor at SVSU, for helping to guide him as he struggled to find a career field that was right for him.

“Without their guidance and encouragement, I'd probably be looking at a lifelong position that would have made me unhappy,” Hyde said. “They opened my mind to something I was truly passionate about. Language and proper communication opens so many doors, which excites me greatly.”

May 8, 2018

SVSU Cardinal Formula Racing Team overcomes obstacles in advance of international competition

Students on the Saginaw Valley State University Cardinal Formula Racing team have been burning the midnight oil to get their Indy-style race car ready to compete in the Formula Society of Automotive Engineers (FSAE) Collegiate Design Series May 9-12 at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Michigan.

The annual competition features the top college racing programs from around the world; this year’s field features 116 teams. 

This year’s SVSU squad has been hard at work overcoming last-minute challenges. The team worked late Monday night – past 1 a.m. – and were back in the Carmona Family Performance Racing Lab by 7 a.m. Tuesday morning to replace an engine on the car and get a new back up engine ready for competition.

“There was a problem with our first engine,” said team co-captain Kameron Carey, a mechanical engineering major from Saginaw. “We have had professionals look at it, and even they can't figure out what is wrong with it. We have another engine – a backup – that we swapped in Sunday night. We just have to chug along.”

Carey and his teammates are committed to upholding SVSU’s proud tradition of doing more than chugging along. Each of the past three years, SVSU has recorded the highest finish among exclusively undergraduate programs, including last year when the team placed 45^th overall, ahead of schools such as Michigan Tech, Penn State and Purdue.

Cardinal Formula Racing has placed in the top 20 four times overall: 6th place in 2002, 8th in 2005, 14th in 2008 and 18th in 2010. Twice SVSU built the fastest college race car in the world, winning the acceleration category in 2008 and 2014; the 2017 team posted the 6^th fastest time.

Despite the late setback, Carey remains optimistic about this year's team, due to their willingness to work together and their individual knowledge.

“Compared to last year's team, we have more overall know-how with this year's group,” he said. “We still have a young team, but there is a lot of experience among us. This year, we have a better understanding of everything.”

Students gain valuable practical experience that supplements what they learn in the classroom, including how to respond to difficult situations.

“The more you put into the team, the more you get out of it,” Carey said.

The team benefits from the guidance of Brooks Byam, SVSU professor of mechanical engineering, who has served as the team's advisor for 20 years. He was the 2013 recipient of the Carroll Smith Mentor's Cup from the Society of Automotive Engineers, the top honor given to faculty who advise college formula racing programs.

For more information on SVSU's Cardinal Formula Racing program, please visit www.svsu.edu/cardinalformularacing/.

For more information about the FSAE Collegiate Design Series competition, visit www.sae.org/attend/student-events/formula-sae-michigan/

May 2, 2018

SVSU student newspaper a top 3 finalist for best college newspaper award

The hard-working journalists of Saginaw Valley State University’s student newspaper, The Valley Vanguard, have earned high praise for their writing, photography and design, and have been judged to be among the state’s best college newspapers.

The Michigan Press Association, an organization with a membership of more than 300 media organizations, named The Valley Vanguard a top three finalist for its 2017 College Publication of the Year Award. The paper competes in the Better Newspaper Contest Division II category, which represents higher education institutions publishing on a weekly basis.

Connor Doyle, the publication's editor-in-chief for the past two academic years, said the recognition was a credit to his staff's journalistic acumen. With a passion for telling SVSU's story to the campus community and the ability to work within the fast-paced environment of a newsroom, the Vanguard staff was able to operate at an award-winning level, he said.

“I am very proud of our staff and the amount of work that went into last year's publication,” said Doyle, a Midland native with a double major in finance and economics. “We made a big step this year, and it makes me very excited for next year.”

The Vanguard staff will learn whether the newspaper placed first, second or third during the 2018 Michigan Press Association Annual Convention May 10 in Lansing. Several staff members earned individual awards, as well.

Kyle Will, a graphic design major from Rockwood, received the first-place award for best sports photo. Steven Bryant, a history major from Bay City, was awarded a second-place honor of best writer. Doyle won a second place award for best news story, and Dylan Powell, a communication major from Owendale, received a second-place award for best column/review.

The second-place award for best non-front page design was awarded to Doyle; Josh Sampson, a political science major from Auburn; and Will. Doyle, Sampson, and Will also earned third place for the best front page award. Sampson received honorable mention in the best writer category.

The Valley Vanguard creates a weekly print edition while operating a website and social media accounts that keep students updated on breaking news. Reporters cover campus topics and issues relating to SVSU through news stories, opinion pieces, reviews and – among Doyle's favorite elements of the publication – feature profiles.

“When we do feature stories, you get an opportunity to tell some really cool stories that would normally not reach the student body,” Doyle said. “I have personally enjoyed the connections I have made with students, faculty and administration by telling their stories.”

To read The Valley Vanguard online, visit www.valleyvanguardonline.com.

May 2, 2018

SVSU to help brighten downtown Bay City with new murals

Downtown Bay City will receive new colorful murals just in time for summer. Saginaw Valley State University students have produced 10 painted panels depicting notables from the history of Bay City.

The murals are being installed on the exterior of the Bayshire Building at the corner of Saginaw and 4th Streets in Bay City. A public dedication event is scheduled for Wednesday, May 2 at 2 p.m.

The project is funded by the Bay City Downtown Management Board; the Studio23 Art Center assisted with coordination. 

“Community murals are the highest form of painting in our time,” said Mike Mosher, SVSU professor of art/communication and multimedia, “because they probe the question: how can art and democracy interact and progress together?”

The subject matter for the murals was inspired by an informative talk to Mosher’s SVSU art class, community murals, during the winter by Eric Jylha, a retired broadcaster and noted Bay City historian.

The panels depict Civil War soldiers, fire rescue, local athletes and eccentrics, lumber industries, and rock music associated with the city are all honored in creative contemporary interpretations by SVSU art students. Visitors are likely to notice pop music star Madonna, a Bay City native, leading the Tall Ships.

The nine SVSU students who created the murals are: Zainab Al Mahdi, Nyesha Clark, Eric Kroczaleski, Jocelyn Lewis, Matthew Massey, Carly Peil, Anna Slavin, Breonna Smith and Kyle Will. Each student designed and produced an individual panel, as did Mosher.

The SVSU art department is committed to providing students with opportunities in community art research. SVSU students have produced a number of murals that can be seen in Saginaw, Bay City and Midland. For more information, and to view examples of past murals, visit www.svsu.edu/care.