SVSU TODAY

Week of April 28, 2025

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Nearly 970 Saginaw Valley State University students soon will complete their degrees and celebrate the beginning of the next chapter of their lives. Many of those students will participate in commencement exercises on Saturday, May 10.

Graduates from the College of Arts and Behavioral Sciences, the Scott L. Carmona College of Business, and the College of Science, Engineering and Technology will be recognized in a ceremony beginning at 10 a.m. Graduates from the College of Education and the Crystal M. Lange College of Health and Human Services will participate in a ceremony at 2:30 p.m.

Both events will be held at SVSU’s Ryder Center and will be livestreamed. 

Alberta Lewis Lee, an SVSU graduate and executive vice president, chief people and culture officer for Rock Entertainment Group, will speak at both ceremonies. SVSU President George Grant Jr will confer on Lee an honorary Doctor of Humanities degree during the 10 a.m. ceremony.

Faculty and staff are invited to attend the next regular meeting of the Board of Control on Friday, May 9. The meeting will begin at 1:30 p.m. in Wickes Hall, room 350.

The board will take action on a resolution to grant undergraduate and graduate degrees as well as to grant an honorary degree to Alberta Lewis Lee. 

The meeting will be livestreamed.

For the second consecutive year, SVSU's competitive speech team captured first place in the limited entry division, President's Division 3, in the National Forensics Association (NFA) Championship Tournament. The tournament was held at Wayne State University April 17-21.

Nimnan Wuyep, a communication and international studies major from Jos, Nigeria, set multiple SVSU records. Not only did he advance to the final round of poetry and persuasion, placing fifth and sixth respectively, he also advanced to the semifinal round in prose and dramatic interpretation, as well as quarter finals in extemporaneous speaking. Overall, Wuyep placed 12th  in individual sweepstakes, the first time an SVSU student has earned this award. 

Emily Drzewicki, a communication and sociology major from Bay City, placed third in the novice final of persuasion. 

Riley Romer, an international studies and Spanish major from Macomb, advanced to the octa final round of extemporaneous speaking. 

Xsandrie Guimba, an exercise science major from Manila, Philippines, and Hannah Schalk, an elementary education major from Reese, contributed to the team award. 

Saginaw Valley State University and Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital have forged a partnership to strengthen the talent pool in Michigan.

Through this partnership, eligible employees of Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation can take advantage of a tuition scholarship when they enroll in undergraduate, graduate or certificate programs at SVSU. To further assist employees advancing their education, Mary Free Bed offers tuition reimbursement to qualifying employees.

Jennifer Ward, assistant professor of teacher education, has received a Fulbright Specialist Program award. She completed a two-week project at Cadi Ayyad University in Marrakesh, Morocco, on April 30.

SVSU's finance program has been awarded CFP® certification by the CFP Board. CFP Board partners with colleges and universities to register financial planning programs that train the next generation of competent, ethical CFP® professionals. 

Becoming a CFP Board Registered Program enhances a college’s credibility and attracts students interested in financial planning careers. It ensures the curriculum meets industry standards and prepares students directly for the CFP exam, increasing their job readiness and marketability. The designation also helps build employer partnerships and distinguishes the program in a competitive academic landscape.

Make your communications stand out! Check out the SVSU Creative Hub for resources and assets to help you create on-brand messages.

Promote your academic program! The Creative Hub offers templates you can use to create a standout academic program flyer. Check them out in Print Templates section of the hub. If you need assistance, contact University Communications.

Be sure to bookmark ucomm.svsu.edu for each access to all the tools and resources available. To request additional assistance, navigate to the Submit a Ticket section of the hub.

The Saginaw Valley State University track and field team claimed two conference titles on May 1, the second day of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) outdoor championships.

Sarah Gray was the GLIAC champion in the heptathlon after recording two first-place finishes in the final three events to total 4,235 points. Olivia Carpenter joined her on the podium in second with 3,996 points. 

Xavier Santiago claimed his first GLIAC title after winning the men's high jump at a height of 2.10m. GLIAC Indoor Champion, Sawyer Moloy, placed fifth in the event after clearing the bar at 2.05m.

Nick McArdle and Adam Thomas both made the podium in the 10k. McArdle was second with a 31:25.84 and Thomas third with a 31:28.17. 

The Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) announced the recipients and All-GLIAC teams on Wednesday, April 30. The Saginaw Valley State University softball team captured two conference specialty awards for the second consecutive season, with junior Macy Irelan named the Pitcher of the Year and head coach Ryan Schalk the Coach of the Year.

SVSU standout linebacker Micah Cretsinger will get his shot at making a National Football League (NFL) roster as he was invited to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Rookie Camp that runs from May 9-11.

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