SVSU TODAY

Week of September 13, 2026

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SVSU's new Center for Community Engagement and Experiential Learning invites the campus community to celebrate the opening of two new spaces on Wednesday, Sept. 23.

Join colleagues and the community for the SVSU Priority Health Fitness Court(R) Studio ribbon-cutting at 4:30 p.m. Learn about this free outdoor exercise space and see demonstrations of the different workout stations. The Fitness Court is located west of Bachand Hall, near the head of the outdoor recreation trail. Parking is in lot H.

A grand opening celebration for the new Center for Community Engagement and Experiential Learning follows at 5 p.m. in Gilbertson Hall (GN103). The event will include self-tours of the space, breakout sessions about CCEEL initiatives and the unveiling of an original mural created by two-time SVSU graduate David Young. Light refreshments will be served.

To help SVSU unify as Cardinals, all faculty and staff must update their branded SVSU communication elements with SVSU’s official registered trademarks and approved branded templates. These updates will help students, families and the community to see one clear and consistent SVSU with every point of contact.

Visit the Creative Hub at svsu.edu/creativehub to find approved branded templates for your email signatures, business cards and name tags. Updating your branded SVSU communication elements is a first important step to achieve greater campus consistency.

Need help? Call to schedule an appointment and a University Communications team member will visit your office to help your team update your branded SVSU communication elements. Call 989.964.4039

Marcia Ditmyer, professor of public health, will present the Thomas and Hilda Rush Distinguished Lectureship on Thursday, Sept. 24, at 6 p.m. in the Rhea Miller Recital Hall. In her presentation, “From Dormancy to Delivery: Trust, Growth and the Alignment of Systems,” Ditmyer will explore what it takes to move unrealized
potential into meaningful impact. Drawing on insights from neuroscience, leadership, public health and the science
of human performance, she will examine how trust, growth and aligned systems shape outcomes across education, health care and communities.

The SVSU Support Staff Association, Faculty Association and Police Association are hosting a Pack the Pantry initiative to help stock our on-campus food pantry.

To make it more convenient to donate, there are several boxes around campus where you can drop off food and hygiene products. You can also schedule a pickup by using this request form.

Pack the Pantry runs through Wednesday, Sept. 30.

Questions can be directed to Kathleen Chantaca-Kubczak  or Allison Meyers. 

Suggested donations include:

Join the Malcolm Field Biomedical Science Research Institute for the next Cardinals RISE Talk Series on Thursday, Sept. 24, from noon to 1 p.m. in BA 272 (Bachand Hall).

Ken Luzynski, assistant professor of biology, will present “Mozzie Monitoring in the Mitten: Departmental Efforts in Researching the Biology of Mosquito-borne Diseases,” exploring the history and public health impact of mosquito-borne diseases in the Saginaw Bay region. He will highlight SVSU’s efforts to establish a mosquito monitoring program in collaboration with regional Mosquito Control Commissions and how the program engages biology students in hands-on larval research examining regional vector-host dynamics. 

The Cardinals RISE Talk Series gives faculty, staff and students a chance to share innovative work, exchange ideas and build interdisciplinary connections.

Cardinal athletes have started strong in fall contests. Among the standout performances:

Men's cross country captured first place in the 8K race at the George Dales Invite hosted by Western Michigan in Kalamazoo on Friday, Sept. 18. The Cardinal women placed fourth in the collegiate 6K, the best showing of all the D2 squads.

Men's soccer bested Davenport 6-0 in the GLIAC opener on Wednesday, Sept. 16. Matty Telfer recorded a hat trick and added an assist for a seven-point afternoon, while Jo Bédard scored twice and had an assist as well.

The women's soccer team completed a perfect trip through the Upper Peninsula with a 2-0 victory over Northern Michigan University on Sunday, Sept. 13. The victory marked SVSU's first road win over Northern Michigan and its first sweep of the Upper Peninsula road trip since 2019.

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

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