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December 11, 2017

Inclusion advocate from Dow to keynote regional MLK event at SVSU

An advocate for creating a more diverse and inclusive workplace globally will serve as the keynote speaker during the ninth annual Great Lakes Bay Regional Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration at Saginaw Valley State University.

Karen S. Carter, the chief inclusion officer for The Dow Chemical Company, will deliver her address Wednesday, Jan. 24, at 7 p.m. in the Malcolm Field Theatre for Performing Arts. The event is free and open to the public.

As Dow's first chief inclusion officer, Carter is tasked with driving Dow into the forefront of global industries that integrate diversity and inclusion as a key element of the company’s growth strategy.

Carter has more than 20 years of experience with Dow. She previously held the position of North America commercial vice president of Dow packaging and specialty plastics. In that role, Carter was a member of the global business leadership team responsible for the profits of a division of Dow worth more than $18.4 billion in sales. She was responsible for developing and driving business strategy.

Active in a number of community-minded organizations, Carter is a member of the Board of Directors for Kids' Meals, a Houston-based nonprofit organization that delivers free, healthy meals to children in need. She also remains an active member of The Links, Inc., a nonprofit that serves the Houston community by providing educational, civic and intercultural activities.

For her innovative leadership contributions, Carter was profiled by the website fortyover40.com on its Forty Women to Watch Over 40 list in 2014. Her work has been published in the Journal of the American Health Information Management Association and featured in The Huffington Post, as well as MORE Magazine.

Carter completed a bachelor's degree in marketing at Howard University and a master's degree in international business at DePaul University.

She joins a prestigious list of keynote speakers featured during the Martin Luther King Jr. Regional Celebration at SVSU, most recently  former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder in 2017.

In addition to Carter's keynote address, the program will include the presentation of regional scholarship awards by the Bay Area, Midland Area and Saginaw community foundations to high school seniors who have embodied Martin Luther King's ideals.

Officials also will announce the winners of the Drum Major Award at the event, which recognizes people whose community involvement in the Great Lakes Bay Region serves to advance King's vision.

The event is sponsored in part by Dow; the Bay Area, Midland Area and Saginaw County chambers of commerce; the Bay Area, Midland Area and Saginaw community foundations; local chapters of the NAACP; Delta College; SVSU and many others. A full list of sponsors is available online at www.svsu.edu/mlk.

For more information about the event, please contact SVSU's Office of Diversity Programs at (989) 964-4068.

December 7, 2017

SVSU students showcase senior projects at engineering symposium

Saginaw Valley State University will host its annual fall Engineering Symposium Friday, Dec. 8.

During the event, 29 mechanical engineering students will demonstrate their practical problem-solving abilities as shown through their senior projects. All SVSU mechanical engineering majors are required to collaborate with outside clients or university organizations as part of the senior projects.

Eight teams of students took on the task of prototype production and technological engineering for their designated client. The regional organizations and manufacturers being represented are B&P Littleford, the Bay Port Chamber of Commerce, Huhtamaki Group, Inspire Outcomes LLC, Kremin Inc., Nexteer Automotive, and SVSU's Boutell Memorial Greenhouse.

The Engineering Symposium will begin with poster presentations in SVSU’s Pioneer Hall from 10 a.m. to noon when the SVSU engineering students will be available to discuss their projects with attendees. The event is free and open to the public.

December 7, 2017

At SVSU, local high school students donating, wrapping gifts for Saginaw nonprofits

At SVSU, local high school students donating, wrapping gifts for Saginaw nonprofits

Friday, Dec. 8, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Curtiss Hall banquet rooms, SVSU

More than 90 local high school students with Saginaw Valley State University's Great Lakes Bay Regional Youth Leadership Institute will wrap gifts collected to benefit two nonprofits.

Each year, the institute – an SVSU-housed leadership development initiative for high school students in the Bay, Midland and Saginaw counties – chooses local organizations to support. This year's participants chose to support The Emmaus House as well as Restoration Community Outreach, both based in Saginaw.

The Emmaus House is a nonprofit that provides shelter and services to help transition women released from incarceration. Restoration Community Outreach supports homeless men.

Great Lakes Bay Regional Youth Leadership Institute members will gift-wrap items collected to donate to clients supported by both nonprofit organizations. The wrapping session is scheduled Friday, Dec. 8, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in SVSU's Curtiss Hall banquet rooms.

They expect to collect and wrap gifts such as clothing, reading material, activity books, gift cards and toiletries.

For more information, contact SVSU's Office of Diversity Programs at (989) 964-4068.

December 7, 2017

Dow community engagement leader to deliver SVSU commencement address this month

The director of Global Citizenship for The Dow Chemical Company will speak to graduates of a university nationally recognized for community engagement during Commencement exercises at Saginaw Valley State University. Rob Vallentine will deliver the keynote address to SVSU's newest graduates.

Vallentine, who serves as both the director of Global Citizenship for Dow as well as president and executive director of The Dow Chemical Company Foundation, will speak at both of SVSU's commencement ceremonies this month. The first event is scheduled Friday, Dec. 15 at 7:30 p.m. and the second ceremony is set for Saturday, Dec. 16 at 11 a.m., both in O'Neill Arena of the Ryder Center.

Commencement exercises for graduates in the colleges of Business & Management and Health & Human Services will be held Friday evening. Students completing degrees in the colleges of Arts & Behavioral Sciences; Education; and Science, Engineering & Technology will take part in the ceremony scheduled for Saturday morning.

The graduating class consists of 639 students who are expected to complete degrees, including 570 individuals who have indicated that they intend to don regalia and march in the ceremonies. The class includes 520 who will receive bachelor's degrees, and 119 who will receive master's or education specialist degrees.

As is tradition, SVSU President Don Bachand will congratulate each graduate as he or she crosses the stage.                                           

Vallentine is responsible for corporate engagement with Dow stakeholders at the global, regional and local levels. He drives business decisions at the intersection of sustainability, innovation and citizenship while utilizing Dow's capabilities to achieve business and social impact. 

He works closely with Dow's Foundation Board of Directors to provide strategic direction on the company's philanthropic priorities around the world. A number of those community-minded endeavors have benefited SVSU initiatives to promote STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) education for both college-level and K-12 students. Most recently, the foundation partnered with the university in June to create a program where SVSU prepares K-12 students to serve as leaders and "chief science officers" in their schools.

In addition, Vallentine manages a team responsible for public affairs strategies and programs at Dow's 50 sites in North America.

Throughout the 30 years he has been at Dow, Vallentine has been committed to weaving together the personal and the professional to change the world for the better. He believes that a harmonious balance of life, work and community service is the key to "doing good and doing well," and is at the heart of good business. Through his leadership of the company's global citizenship activities, Vallentine helps people find their purpose and then share that purpose to contribute to society.

Actively involved in community service, Vallentine currently serves on the boards of directors for the Council of Michigan Foundations, the Great Lakes Bay Regional Alliance and the Chemical Educational Foundation.  He also serves as a community director at Chemical Bank. Vallentine previously served in board positions for the United Way of Midland County, the Delta College Foundation, and Hidden Harvest.

Vallentine completed a bachelor's degree in marketing at Southeast Missouri State University and a Master of Business Administration at Drake University. He and his wife Nancy have four children and reside in Midland.

In 2015, SVSU received the Community Engagement classification from the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, a distinction achieved by only 7 percent of U.S. colleges and universities. By their senior year, 84 percent of students have engaged with community employers and agencies in internships, field placements or some other component of their academic preparation.

November 30, 2017

Elementary students to engage in computer code activities at SVSU

Elementary students to engage in computer code activities at SVSU

Friday, Dec. 1,9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

SVSU computer labs and Marshall M. Fredericks Sculpture Museum 

Saginaw Valley State University faculty and students will engage about 100 elementary school students in learning computer programming.

As part of the globally-observed Hour of Code initiative - aimed at increasing interest as well as diversity in computer science - fourth graders will participate in computer code-related activities Friday, Dec. 1 on SVSU's campus.

Two classes of students from Big Rock Elementary in Chesaning and Martin G. Atkins Elementary from the Bridgeport-Spaulding Community School District will participate.

George Corser, SVSU assistant professor of computer science and information systems, and SVSU computer science and information systems students will guide the elementary school students through the process of writing a computer program using programming language. Those sessions will take place in the Doan Science East building (rooms SE 136 and SE 145).

In addition to writing code, students from the participating schools will tour the Marshall Fredericks Sculpture Museum at SVSU. At the museum, students also will craft necklaces using beads that spell out the participant's name in computer code language.

The Hour of Code event is a global movement that reaches students in over 180 countries. Friday's event will mark the third consecutive year SVSU has participated in Hour of Code activities.

November 29, 2017

SVSU’s Heileman receives national award for empowering student health educators

A national organization dedicated to promoting healthy and safe college campuses has honored Cortney Heileman of Saginaw Valley State University for her commitment to empower SVSU students to help their peers make healthy decisions.

Heileman, program coordinator and assistant director of Student Wellness Programs, received the 2017 Outstanding Advisor Award from the BACCHUS Initiatives of NASPA at the organization’s national assembly in Denver Nov. 18. She leads a team of 27 peer health educators at SVSU, students who are trained to educate their peers on a variety of topics including alcohol, tobacco and other drugs; sexual responsibility; environmental sustainability; and sexual assault prevention.

SVSU student Jenna Smith, a nursing major from Mayville and a current peer health educator, nominated Heileman for the honor.

“Cortney does a lot to empower all of us,” Smith said. “She leaves notes of encouragement and praise around our office for all of us. She is always willing to help when we need it whether it be in our personal or academic worlds, or with an event we're doing on campus for our students. Every day any of us are around Cortney is a day she makes all of us want to be the best versions of ourselves.”

Another SVSU student, Charles Ferens, a psychology major from Saginaw and a peer health educator, was invited to present a program at the national assembly.  His presentation, “My [Green] Campus,” highlighted a multitude of ways that peer health educators from around the nation can take steps to create environmentally-friendly initiatives on their respective campuses. Ferens focused on the implementation and impact of employing recycling bins in classrooms within academic halls.

Smith said her experience working with Heileman will benefit her in her career.

“She has challenged me because she knew I was capable, even though at the time I was worried I would end up letting her down. Cortney is always there to provide different possibilities and approaches for how to go about things whether it be conflict resolution, improvising, or problem solving. She has inspired me to make a difference on SVSU's campus and in the world each and every day whether it be big or small.” 

A 2011 graduate of SVSU, Heileman has overseen the Peer Health Education program since her return to campus in 2015.

NASPA is the leading association for the advancement, health, and sustainability of the student affairs profession. It serves a full range of professionals who provide programs, experiences, and services that cultivate student learning and success in concert with the mission of our colleges and universities. Established in 1918 and founded in 1919, NASPA is comprised of over 15,000 members in all 50 states, 25 countries, and eight U.S. Territories.

November 22, 2017

SVSU holiday play to evoke variety show spirit of Christmas past

Saginaw Valley State University student actors and vocalists will summon the spirit of the season — along with the comedy and comforts of 1960s- and ‘70s-era Christmas TV specials — during the Department of Theatre's 9^th annual holiday-themed production.

Audiences can enjoy “’Tis The Season: A Christmas Variety Show” at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday, Nov. 29-30, in SVSU’s Malcolm Field Theatre for Performing Arts. Tickets are $13 for the public, and $10 for attendees 60 and older.

The university’s Department of Theatre will showcase both theatrical and musical performances — all set on a stage decorated with brilliant colors, twinkling lights and all the sights and sounds associated with the holiday season. The production is aimed at evoking classic Christmastime TV specials such as “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” and “Frosty the Snowman.”

“The show is also reminiscent of the Andy Williams Christmas shows and a variety show such as The Osmonds,” said David Rzeszutek, SVSU associate professor of theatre and co-director of the production.“This family-friendly event is a great way to gather the family and help kick start the holiday season.”

Ric Roberts, professor of theatre, will direct along with Rzeszutek.

For more information or to order tickets, contact the Box Office at (989) 964-4261 or purchase tickets online at http://purchase.tickets.com/buy/TicketPurchase?organ_val=22481&schedule=list

November 22, 2017

SVSU welcomes internationally published poet for reading

UPDATE: Due to illness, the poetry reading featuring Tarfia Faizullah has been canceled. Organizers hope to reschedule her appearance at a later date.

Saginaw Valley State University will welcome award-winning poet Tarfia Faizullah to campus for its Voices in the Valley series. She is scheduled to read selections of her work Thursday, Nov. 30 at 5 p.m. in Founders Hall.‌

Published throughout the United States and abroad, Faizullah's work has been translated in five different languages, included Chinese, Bengali, and Spanish. Author of "Registers of Illuminated Villages" and "Seam," her work has been featured in the Smithsonian and The Rubin Museum of Art.

Faziullah’s first book, “Seam” (2014), won the Crab Orchard Series in Poetry First Book Award. Her honors and awards also include an Associated Writers Program Intro Journals Award, a Dorothy Sargent Rosenberg Prize, a Copper Nickel Poetry Prize, a Ploughshares’Cohen Award, and a Bread Loaf Writers’ Conference Margaret Bridgman Scholarship in Poetry. Faziullah also has served as the editor of seven different literary magazines and journals.

Faizullah currently serves as the Nicholas Delbanco Visiting Professor in Poetry at the University of Michigan. She completed a Master of Fine Arts in creative writing at Virginia Commonwealth University.

Sponsored by the Department of English, the “Voices in the Valley” series brings creative writers and other speakers to SVSU to share their artistic voices with students, faculty and the community. Admission is free of charge.

For more information on this event, contact Arra Ross, SVSU assistant professor of English, at aross1@svsu.edu or 964-4032.

November 21, 2017

SVSU recognized nationally for outstanding support for military-affiliated students

Saginaw Valley State University has been recognized for creating a supportive environment for students affiliated with the military.

SVSU received the Military Times Best: Colleges 2018 distinction, formerly known as the Best for Vets: Colleges rankings.

"Of the hundreds of schools that applied, fewer than half received the Military Times Best: Colleges designation this year," said George Altman, the Military Times editor in charge of the rankings. "Only the best made the cut."

Military Times bases its rankings on a survey of each institution's services along with data from the U.S. departments of Defense, Education, and Veterans Affairs. Decisive factors include university culture, academic outcomes, student support, academic policies, and cost and financial aid.

SVSU was ranked No. 108 among 4-year institutions that earned the designation. More than 600 higher education institutions participated in this year's survey.

Bethany Alford, director of SVSU's Military Student Affairs office, said the recognition reflects the quality attention SVSU devotes to students who are active service members, veterans or family members of military-affiliated individuals.

"As veterans ourselves, we know what the transition is like from the military to higher education and we want to help," said Alford, a former member of the U.S. Navy who now serves in the U.S. Navy Reserves.

"These designations are recognizing SVSU's unwavering commitment to our military students. It is not just a label. It is seeing the value in the experiences and leadership they bring to campus. It is providing them resources. It is a commitment to ensuring student success. It is offering them ways to engage on campus and in the community."

The rankings are published in the Military Times magazine and available online here: https://www.militarytimes.com/education-transition/rankings/2017/11/20/218-schools-make-military-times-best-colleges-2018-rankings/

November 21, 2017

SVSU students shine at moot court competition, qualify for national tournament

Saginaw Valley State University's nationally-ranked undergraduate moot court program continued its success at the American Moot Court Association regional tournament in Ohio at the University of Akron College of Law November 17-18.

Jrew Brickel, a criminal justice major from Midland, and Lindsey Mead, an English literature major from Saginaw, competed as a team following months of determined study and preparation. They bested tandems from the University of Maryland, the University of Wooster and others, to finish third at the regional and qualify for the national tournament in Dallas January 19-20.

In addition, Mead and Brickel each received awards for their oratory skills. Mead was awarded third place and Brickel finished tenth among the 40 students competing in the oratory contest.

Acting as teams of two attorneys, students in a moot court competition are tasked with arguing a hypothetical case. They are judged based on the clarity of their argument, their public speaking skills, their ability to answer questions, and how well they know the law and the case.

Since being formed in 2009, SVSU's moot court program has seen at least one team of students advance to the national tournament each year. SVSU’s team is currently ranked No. 24 in the nation. (http://www.acmamootcourt.org/top-programs-in-intercollegiate-moot-court) More than 350 colleges and universities currently field undergraduate moot court teams. Julie Keil, assistant professor of political science and a former attorney, serves as SVSU’s moot court advisor.

SVSU also had teams compete the preceding weekend in Chicago, and all SVSU teams advanced to the second day of the competition. The first-year team of McKenzie Stone, a business management major from Prescott and Sara Bedrosian, a criminal justice major from Corunna, advanced to the quarterfinals. The team of Jacquob Littlejohn, a political science major from Auburn, and Nora Lipetzky, a political science major from Palos Heights, Illinois, made it to the top 16. 

For more information about the American Moot Court Association, please visit http://www.acmamootcourt.org/.