SVSU TODAY

Week of May 19, 2025

If you have suggestions, comments or something to share with us, please e-mail svsutoday@svsu.edu

View previous issues of SVSU Today

Brandon Haskett, professor of music, has been tapped to serve as dean of the College of Arts and Behavioral Sciences, effective July 1. He will succeed Marc Peretz, who will retire June 30.

Haskett joined the SVSU music faculty in 2011. He served as department chair from 2018 to 2021, followed by four years as president of the SVSU Faculty Association, representing some 250 SVSU professors.

“I have a passion for our student-centered mission and look forward to working with faculty to provide our students with opportunities to make their dreams a reality,” said Haskett. “We must continue to utilize our faculty members' expertise to prepare students for tomorrow's challenges and opportunities. We will look creatively and strategically at opportunities that broaden our students' experiences, connect them with the wider community and provide opportunities to innovate in their fields.”

An interdisciplinary poet and sound artist has been selected as the winner of the 2025 Theodore Roethke Memorial Poetry Prize from Saginaw Valley State University.

A trio of judges selected LaTasha N. Nevada Diggs for her collection “Village” (Coffee House Press, 2023). She is invited to the SVSU campus in March 2026 to accept the award, which includes a $15,000 cash prize, during the triennial Theodore Roethke Poetry & Arts Festival.

Saginaw Valley State University’s dance team successfully defended its national title, winning the D-II Pom Performance at the Dance Team Union College Classic National Championship. The competition was held in Orlando from April 12-13.

The team competes annually in this competition, and the members enhancs their skills at the DTU College Summer Camp. Throughout the year, the team performs at all home football and basketball games, proudly supporting other SVSU sports.

The Saginaw Valley cheer team made program history, earning a second place finish in the D2 Intermediate Small Coed Division at the 2025 NCA College Nationals, stepping up from their third place finish in the same category in 2024. 

This was the seventh year the team competed at the annual national championship competition. To compete at this level, the team practices throughout the year, cheers at home varsity football and basketball games and attends the NCA Summer Camp. 

Saginaw Valley State University has been recognized for its efforts to encourage students to register and vote, earning the designation of a Voter Friendly Campus by Fair Elections Center’s Campus Vote Project and NASPA. SVSU is one of 272 campuses in 39 states and the District of Columbia to earn the designation for the 2025-2026. 

The SVSU Support Staff Association came to the aid of their own, holding a silent auction to benefit the family of Patricia Altergott. Patricia, who had worked as an administrative records assistant, passed away in March. Her husband, John, is a member of SVSU's custodial staff.

"Thank you to everyone for their time and dedication to helping a fellow coworker and family member," said Laken London, the Support Staff Association's philanthropy chair. "It warms my heart to see our Cardinal Community come together as one."

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

Showcase our refreshed Cardinal logo in your communications! Updated logos are available in the Creative Hub; navigate to the Brand Standards section to download full logo sets.

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

The Saginaw Valley State University softball team has advanced to the final rounds of the 2025 NCAA Division II softball championship in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The team (seeded No. 5) is up against No. 4 North Georgia in a game that began at 1:30 today (Thursday, May 22). If the Cardinals win, they will meet the No. 1 seed UT Tyler for game two Friday, May 22, at noon.

Three members of the SVSU baseball program have been selected to the Division II Conference Commissioners Association All-Midwest Region teams. Relief pitcher Jake Shelagowski and outfielder Lucas Mead earned spots on the First Team; starting pitcher JJ Arbini was named to the Second Team.

The SVSU men's basketball program has a new head coach. Chris Fowler comes to the Cardinals from Western Michigan University, where he served as the associate head coach. Fowler, the ninth head coach in the program's history, began his duties on May 9.

If you have suggestions, comments or something to share with us, please e-mail svsutoday@svsu.edu

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.