SVSU Newsroom

Caren Crossen knows the profile of students typically selected for prestigious international scholarships.  As a rule, they are described as focused, driven high achievers, and usually they possess nearly unblemished academic transcripts.  As a Saginaw Valley State University freshman, Crossen did not fit the bill.

“I had no direction,” she conceded.  “I felt confused.”

Crossen had been a solid student at Millington High School, and she knew she needed to regain her focus, so she withdrew from SVSU for a year.  During that time, she found herself captivated by events in the Middle East; she began watching news coverage of the region with increasing frequency.  Then she started going online to learn more about the region.

When Crossen returned to SVSU, she took courses that examined Middle Eastern history and culture. “Then it happened,” she said. She had found her calling.  Crossen said her history professors encouraged and challenged her – “they were really influential”– and her courses in Arabic convinced her she could accomplish any academic pursuit.

After a few successful semesters, Crossen applied for the William Jefferson Clinton Scholarship, which includes the opportunity to study in the United Arab Emirates at the American University in Dubai for the fall 2010 semester.  The program takes just 30 students each year. Upon learning of her selection, she was overcome with glee.

“I found out at 11 p.m.,” Crossen recalled. “I started jumping up and down. I always wanted to go abroad, and I knew how hard I worked, but I didn’t think I had a chance.  I didn’t think they would want someone like me.”

She was wrong.  The selection committee indeed wanted Crossen and has made a habit of choosing SVSU students.  In recent years, Crystal Dillard (2008) and Lisa Maroni (2009) also earned Clinton scholarships.

Crossen has her sights set on graduate school to pursue a master’s degree or Ph.D. in history and is convinced the honor will influence future achievements.

“It gives me more motivation and self-confidence,” she said.  “I feel like I can do anything.”

The Saginaw Valley State University Alumni Association will host its 14th annual golf outing Monday, Aug. 2 at Apple Mountain golf course in Freeland.  Proceeds from the event are used to raise money for student scholarships through the SVSU Alumni Endowed Scholarship fund, as well as the men’s and women’s basketball programs.

The outing is a four-person scramble, beginning at 10 a.m. Lunch and dinner are included, and a silent auction follows the golf. Single entries are accepted; participants will be placed on a team.

The event is open to all SVSU alumni, friends and guests. The cost is $100 per person. Alumni Association members receive a $20 discount. Participants are asked to RSVP by Monday, July 26. To register or for more information, call the Alumni Relations office at (989) 964-4196 or e-mail alumni@svsu.edu.

Thursday, July 15; 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Delta, SVSU campuses

One hundred Saginaw middle school students will get a taste of college Thursday, July 15.  Students enrolled in summer school at Saginaw’s Ruben Daniels and Thompson middle schools will spend the day learning what it takes to get into college, and why they need to begin thinking about that before they reach high school.

The students also will receive campus tours at Saginaw Valley State University and Delta College.  Each institution is hosting 50 students, and previously did so on July 1.

A day camp for children with autism at Saginaw Valley State University is seeing considerable growth in its second year.  Camp Cardinal Kidz has expanded to 30 participants, up from 14 in 2009, and will include two four-week sessions instead of one.

Funded by grants from the Bay and Saginaw community foundations and the Great Lakes Bay Autism Center, the camp provides activities tailored for children with autism. Organizers hope to continue to grow the program, as the Autism Society of America states that 1 percent of children in the U.S. ages 3-17 have an autism spectrum disorder.

Participating children were identified through regional school districts. Each camp session is run by a team of five SVSU occupational therapy students and a supervising occupational therapist. The program gives children with autism a chance to interact with others, engage in group activities, and explore personal interests. It also provides the graduate students with an opportunity for field work to complement their classroom studies.

Camp Cardinal Kidz opened July 6.  It runs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays in July and August.

Saginaw Valley State University will hold an information session for its teacher certification program Tuesday, July 13 at 5 p.m. at SVSU’s Regional Education Center-Oakland, 201 W. Square Lake Road, Troy, 48098.

Presenters will provide details regarding SVSU’s traditional and accelerated teacher certification programs.  For more information, call (586) 749-0067 or e-mail  kahurt@svsu.edu .

Saginaw Valley State University will hold an information session for its teacher certification program Monday, July 12 at 5 p.m. at SVSUs Regional Education Center-Macomb, 30330 Hickey Road, 48051 in Chesterfield.

Presenters will provide details regarding SVSUs traditional and accelerated teacher certification programs.  For more information, call (586) 749-0067 or e-mail  kahurt@svsu.edu.

Some of the most creative and scholarly students at Saginaw Valley State University will receive financial support for their projects through SVSU’s Student Research and Creativity Institute. Six separate initiatives received awards, including a study of how to protect potatoes without pesticides, building a news network to highlight environmental activity, and studying cultural differences among the English and French populations in Quebec.

Any SVSU student may submit a proposal to receive financial support for research or other creative endeavors. Each student project is eligible to receive up to $10,000. All student submissions must be sponsored by an SVSU faculty or staff member. Students serve as the primary researcher, author or creative agent for each project but are guided by SVSU faculty and staff.  The following students were selected to receive funding for their projects:

•    Bethany Benson, a French major from Essexville, received $8,782 to fund travel and other expenses related to a research project investigating the cultural differences between Canadians of French and English heritage in Quebec City. Her findings may provide insight into how minority language groups can best integrate in a multicultural society. Benson’s plans include a 45-day trip to Quebec in July and August that will include language immersion, archival research and interviews with city officials regarding the recent celebration of Quebec’s 400th anniversary.

In his letter of support, Martin Arford, SVSU assistant professor of geography, wrote that Benson impressed him “with her professionalism and dedication which was way beyond that of an average undergraduate student.”

In another letter of support, Sara Beth Keough, SVSU assistant professor of geography, wrote that “one of the most creative aspects of this research project is the fact that it represents for Bethany a significant step outside her comfort zone. She proposes to travel independently, live with a French Canadian family, and gather information for her project on her own. While other students are often interested in places with which they are familiar, I was excited that Bethany is interested in studying a place that is new to her.”

•    Maegan Byer, a communication/multimedia graduate student from Bay City, was awarded $1,313 to study the rise in popularity of the audio cassette culture in the 1980s. During that time period, some consumers would record songs from the radio, leading to charges of piracy, long before file-sharing controversies arose in the 21st century. Creating “mix tapes” of a form of personal expression, especially to significant others, also flourished during the 1980s. Byer plans to travel to research libraries in the Midwest to examine these phenomena and their effect on popular culture.

In his letter of support, Rob Drew, SVSU professor of communication, wrote that Byer “has impressed me with her diligence and her openness to interesting ideas. She is truly engaged with issues in the field of communication, particularly media and cultural studies, and interested in exploring these issues in depth beyond course requirements.”

•    Sisters Julie and Lisa Luce, who are both professional and technical writing majors from Bay City, received $2,522 to develop a “Green News Network” to report on environmental news at SVSU. The funds would be used to purchase video equipment and build a Web site to capture and disseminate appropriate news material in video, print and online formats.  In addition to Julie and Lisa, up to five additional students would serve as reporters for the site.

In his letter of support, Bill Williamson, SVSU associate professor of English, wrote that “Given the transformation of journalism that we are witnessing in our culture right now, from print to digital media and from text to video formats, very few professionals possess both expertise and experience doing what this project proposes to do.”  He added, “This project is about positioning SVSU as a regional leader in the communication of science, technology and the environment.”

•    Timothy Pionk, a biology and psychology major from Bad Axe, received $1,006 for his study of procrastination in college students. He intends to build on previous research to identify the factors that influence procrastination, which could improve the design of future programs designed to reduce the behavior.

In her letter of support, Ranjana Dutta, SVSU professor of psychology, wrote that Pionk will be tackling “a cutting edge research question.” He and other students “are doing an excellent piece of research … addressing the confusion currently existing in the field of procrastination, where multiple similar sounding ‘typologies’ are floating around.”

•    Kristina Stilson, a pre-secondary education major from Morley, was awarded $3,000 for her research into natural methods of protecting potatoes from insects. She will study whether compounds from the Jerusalem artichoke will deter Colorado potato beetles from attacking potato crops and could serve as a substitute for toxic pesticides.

In her letter of support, Tami Sivy, SVSU assistant professor of chemistry, wrote that Stilson “is expanding on experiments that were conducted while she was in high school, and is excited and motivated to carry out this plan. She is asking some important and relevant questions about natural pest control.”

•    Jordan Vincent, a communication and marketing major from Manistee, received $1,276 to study how video game companies’ presentations at major industry events influence customer behavior, especially among “core” video game players who comprise a large market segment. He used those funds to travel to the Electronic Entertainment Expo in Los Angeles June 15-17 to survey attendees.

In his letter of support, Paul Teed, SVSU professor of history, wrote “I have gotten to         know Jordan well and can attest to his intelligence, organizational skills and determination to complete his work. It is also clear to me that Jordan’s project will find an audience both at student conferences around the country and in published form.”

Winning Student Research and Creativity Institute proposals were chosen through a competitive selection process. The selection committee includes at least one representative from each of SVSU’s five colleges. Marc Peretz, associate vice president for academic affairs, serves as coordinator of the program. Other current committee members are:
•    Joni Boye-Beaman, professor of sociology and assistant dean of the College of Arts and Behavioral Sciences
•    Brooks Byam, associate professor of mechanical engineering
•    Andrew Chubb, associate professor of chemistry
•    Daniel Cook, assistant professor of English
•    Jane Girdham, professor of music
•    Deborah Huntley, dean of the College of Science, Engineering and Technology
•    Josh Ode, assistant professor of kinesiology
•    Gretchen Owocki, professor of teacher education
•    Amy Pierce, associate professor of communication
•    Danilo Sirias, associate professor of management and marketing
•    Stephen Taber, associate professor of biology
•    Robert Tuttle, assistant professor of mechanical engineering

SVSU has committed $50,000 annually to fund outstanding student projects. For more information, visit http://www.svsu.edu/srci.

The Saginaw Valley State University Foundation has completed its “Promise for Tomorrow” fundraising campaign, collecting more than $23 million to provide enhanced opportunities for its students and faculty, as well as regional professionals. That total exceeds the goal of $20 million set when the campaign began in 2005.

“We are very fortunate to have so many good friends who supported this campaign, especially during a time of economic hardship for so many,” said Andy Bethune, executive director of the SVSU Foundation. “Their gifts are an investment and a vote of confidence in the future of this region, and we appreciate their commitment.”

The campaign attracted several major endowments, such as:
•    $3 million from Dr. E. Malcolm Field to create two new endowed chair positions: the Clifford Spicer Chair in Engineering, currently occupied by Alan Freed, who specializes in health and medical devices; and the Malcolm and Lois Field Chair in Health Science, soon to be occupied by Jeffrey Smith, who specializes in the study of brain injuries and the central nervous system. Both teach in the classroom and provide extraordinary research opportunities for students.
•    $2 million from the Herbert H. And Grace A. Dow Foundation to establish an Entrepreneurship Institute and endow an entrepreneur-in-residence position, currently occupied by Ken Kousky.
•    $1.5 million from the Rollin M. Gerstacker Foundation to establish the Gerstacker Fellowship, which provides leadership training to select K-12 educators.
•    $1.5 million from the Harvey Randall Wickes Foundation to establish the Braun Fellowship, a unique partnership where the Saginaw Community Foundation administers funds to recognize the exceptional accomplishments and potential of select SVSU faculty and staff.  It is named in honor of Ruth and Ted Braun of Saginaw.

The Great Lakes Bay Region is benefiting from the Entrepreneurship Institute, which has contributed to increased collaboration among a variety of business entities, in addition to enhancing opportunities for SVSU students. The Gerstacker Fellowship has served educators from Alpena to Auburn Hills, but the primary concentration have hailed from the region, and they credit their experiences with improved performance as school leaders, benefitting students in their respective districts.

At SVSU and throughout Michigan, assisting deserving students has never been more necessary. More than 50 new scholarships also were created through the campaign. In all, nearly $3 million in scholarship support was raised, much of it to help students with demonstrated financial need.

“In these times when SVSU is serving more students than ever – while state support continues to decline – it is critical for us to provide increased scholarship opportunities to make college affordable,” Bethune said.

The $23 million “Promise for Tomorrow” campaign is the largest in SVSU’s history. The “Campaign for Distinction” raised more than $13 million from 1997-99, and the “Creating the Future” campaign from 2000-02 exceeded $9.5 million.

Students at the Saginaw Career Complex have the opportunity to earn college credit at Saginaw Valley State University through a new articulation agreement developed by both schools. It marks the first time SVSU has entered into such an agreement with a high school.

The arrangement is an outgrowth of an $855,000 grant SVSU received in 2009 from The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and its Learning and Enrichment to Advance Diversity of Registered Nurses program.  Through 2012, up to 30 SVSU students (15 nursing and 15 pre-nursing) and 15 Saginaw Public Schools students will receive support each year to participate in mentoring, enrichment, and educational activities.

The articulation agreement was developed over the past year by faculty and staff from SVSU and SCC, based on a review of SCC courses that have content similar to some pre-professional courses offered at SVSU. It allows grant participants with a record of successful completion of selected nursing and health careers courses at SCC to enroll at SVSU with up to 4 hours of college credit.

Representatives of SVSU and Saginaw Public Schools will hold a signing ceremony to formalize the agreement Wednesday, June 23 at 2 p.m. in SVSU’s Pioneer Hall.

The Saginaw Valley State University Board of Control approved a budget for the 2011 fiscal year during its regular meeting Monday, June 14.  It includes a tuition increase of 5.9 percent for in-state undergraduate students.

“One of our long-term goals is to remain the most affordable public university in the state, and this budget once again reflects that,” said SVSU President Eric R. Gilbertson.

Under the spending plan, a Michigan undergraduate student taking 30 credits will pay $7,307 in tuition and mandatory fees for the upcoming academic year, up from $6,900 in 2009-10.  Taking the increase into account, SVSU’s tuition remains below the rates charged by its peers during the past academic year.

“Today’s action is necessary to serve our students and provide them the quality of education they deserve to receive,” Gilbertson added. “This budget takes a long-term view toward protecting the university now and for the future during these uncertain times.”

The budget includes an 8.5 percent increase in University-funded scholarships and financial aid to $9.7 million.

While the State of Michigan has yet to approve a budget for the 2011 fiscal year, SVSU has seen its state appropriation decline by more than $700 per student over the past decade.

SVSU also has undertaken a variety of cost-containment measures, such as energy efficiency initiatives.  Its utility costs are the lowest among Michigan universities, on a per square foot basis.  By participating in a consortium with other state universities, SVSU realizes annual savings in its property and liability insurance in excess of $340,000, compared to market rates.

In other action, the Board:
•    Amended the contracts with two previously authorized charter schools, Michigan Health Academy and Heart Academy. Both contracts are effective through June 30, 2011, provided satisfactory progress measures are met.
•    Confirmed board members of previously authorized charter schools.
•    Approved a revision to the student code of conduct.  Under the change, minimum published sanctions are not subject to appeal.
•    Granted promotions to 16 faculty members. Elevated to the rank of professor were: Hasan Al-Halees, mathematical sciences; Elson Boles, sociology; Mike Mosher, art/communication & multimedia; Anne Tap, education technology & development; Melissa Teed, history; William Welch, economics. Promoted to associate professor were: Martin Arford, geography; Margaret Borkowski, psychology; Fenobia Dallas, English; Stewart French, political science; Amy Hlavacek, mathematical sciences; Helene Lusa, educational leadership & services; Jeanne Malmberg, psychology; Margaret McCue-Enser, communication; Chris Surfield, economics; William Vautaw, mathematical sciences.
•    Appointed Armen Hratchian and Dr. Waheed Kabar, and reappointed Paul Chaffee, John Decker, Judy Zehnder-Keller, John Kunitzer, Kenneth LeCureux, Elyse Rogers, James VanSlembrouk, and Scott Walker to SVSU’s Board of Fellows, a community advisory board.
•    Appointed Dawn Domke Pumford and Odail Thorns Jr. to the Board of Directors of the Marshall M. Fredericks Sculpture Museum.
•    Extended SVSU’s operating agreements with Aramark, which provides dining services, and Barnes & Noble, which runs the bookstore. The Board previously approved capital projects that will result in an expansion of the primary cafeteria and a relocation of the bookstore.
•    Amended a property lease with St. Mary’s of Michigan, extending the agreement for up to three years through 2013. The hospital currently operates an adult care center north of the main campus that is used by academic programs such as occupational therapy.