Competitive Speakers Stand Out
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SVSU students stood out at the National Speech Championship Tournament in Nashville Saturday and Sunday, March 21-22. Eight Cardinals competed in 15 events, contributing to an 11th place finish overall.
Two students qualified as national finalists. Cody Power placed 5th in the Communication Analysis category, and Ava Cannon placed 6th in After Dinner Speaking.
Cal Baur was named a national semifinalist in the Program Oral Interpretation category.
National quarterfinalists include:
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- Emily Drzewicki — Persuasive Speaking
- Nicole Yapp — Prose & Persuasive Speaking
- McKenzie Shagena — Impromptu & Extemporaneous Speaking
- Hannah Schalk — Dramatic Interpretation
- Cody Power — Dramatic Interpretation
- Lexy Andres — Impromptu & Informative Speaking
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Yapp also was featured in the Novice Showcase in the Program Oral Interpretation category.
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Kinesiology Students Shine
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SVSU kinesiology students represented well at the 2026 Michigan American College of Sports Medicine Conference in Gaylord on March 19-20. Eight students attended the event along with Adam Coughlin, professor of kinesiology, and Gena Guerin, assistant professor of kinesiology. For the first time in 25 years, the SVSU team won the prestigious Exercise Physiology Jeopardy Competition. Joe Moran, Riley Messing, and Elijah Theisen won in the final Jeopardy round besting nine other schools. Nathan Levinson presented “Fitness and Non-Motor Symptoms in a Parkinson’s Disease Group Exercise Class.” Both he and Evan Vasicek conducted a 16-week research project on individuals with Parkinson’s Disease to examine the effect of a group exercise intervention, called PWR!Moves, on motor and non-motor symptoms.
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Foss Honored by Language Organization
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Julie Foss, professor of modern foreign languages, has received the Founders Award from Central States Conference on the Teaching of Foreign Languages. She accepted the award at the organization's conference in Chicago on March 13.
The Founders Award was established by Central States in 1986 and is awarded annually to an individual or group from the language teaching profession who exemplifies:
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- excellence in the promotion of language learning and international studies
- leadership in the language teaching profession as exemplified by the founders of Central States
- strong ties with one or more of the fourteen Central States
- professional dedication and enthusiasm
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The Cardinal Community Stepped Up
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Thanks to the generosity of the Cardinal community, Oppor2nity Days 2026 set a new record! Friends, employees and alumni of SVSU once again demonstrated their commitment to student success, contributing over $208,000 during the two-day fundraising event.
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- $208,000+ raised
- 137 SVSU employees gave $63,396
- 10 university priority initiatives highlighted
- 63 funds supported across campus
- $100,000+ in matching & challenge gifts
- 30 Ambassadors spread the word
- 65 student callers engaged in outreach
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“I continue to be impressed by the generosity of the Cardinal community, particularly our on-campus community,” said Brian Brunner, vice president for development. “The support we received will have an extraordinary impact on our students.”
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Students to Present Their Work
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The students of ART480 invite the campus to their curated exhibition at Big Rock Coffee & Events in Chesaning. The exhibition will take place Tuesday, March 31, through Saturday, April 11. A reception will be held on Friday, April 10, from 6-8 p.m., where artists will be available to discuss their works.
This exhibition will feature a variety of media including painting, drawing, graphic design, ceramics, and photography. With art created by David Andres, Jaden Gross, Alex Lorenz, Quinn Navilynn, Faith Schuyler and Rachel Wiercinski.
The show is free and open to the public. Big Rock Coffee & Events is located at 226 W Broad St., Chesaning. More information at https://www.bigrock.coffee/events or call 989-323-2192.
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Field/Spicer Lecture to Address Change
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Shankar Vedantam, host and creator of NPR’s “Hidden Brain,” will visit SVSU as part of the 2026-26 University Lecture Season.
Vedantam will present “The Challenge of Change” at 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 8, in the Rhea Miller Recital Hall. The event is free and open to the public, but tickets are required.
In the lecture, Vedantam will explore why humans — despite intelligence and ingenuity — often struggle to change behaviors, habits and systems, even when change is necessary for success. Drawing on research from neuroscience and psychology, the talk will examine how unconscious thinking shapes decisions and how individuals and organizations can overcome resistance to change.
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- SVSU Athletics Easter Egg Hunt — Saturday, April 4: A ticket to the SVSU baseball game vs. Davenport is required to participate; free for kids through 8th grade; 11 a.m., SVSU Outdoor Athletic Complex; tickets here
- Field/Spicer Lecture — Wednesday, April 8: Shankar Vedantam, “The Challenge of Change,” 6 p.m., Rhea Miller Recital Hall
- Rachel Darr Memorial 5K Color Walk/Run — Saturday, April 11: 9 a.m., $20 registration
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Cardinal Named GLIAC Field Athlete of the Year
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Saginaw Valley State University sophomore Sawyer Moloy added another honor to his resume this indoor season, with the GLIAC Men's Indoor Field Athlete of the Year honor.
Moloy had a consistent sophomore campaign, finishing in the top three in seven of his eight appearances in the high jump event, including four wins. He is the first men’s athlete to earn the honor since Sam Black in 2021.
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Weber Named Midwest Region Assistant Coach of the Year
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The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association named SVSU’s Ciera Weber the 2026 Men's Field Assistant Coach of the Year. Weber is SVSU’s track and field assistant coach. Award winners were determined by a vote of USTFCCCA member coaches following the conclusion of the 2026 NCAA DII Track and Field Indoor Championships.
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SVSU does not discriminate based on race, religion, color, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical impairment, disability or veteran status in the provision of education, employment and other services.
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