Creativity is an urge, I believe, and one we’re all born with. This urge can get directed in different ways, from cooking to construction to creating a business. In some people, this urge is expressed through art. Regardless of the way it’s expressed, however, what can’t be denied is its need for expression. Often the form of expression is part of the creativity itself. Maurice Greenia, Jr. responds to this creative urge in various ways: from writing, to drawing, to...
The university is expanding the services of the Student Success Center on the third floor of the library. As part of the expansion, the Dowling Marine Historical Collection will temporarily be put into storage until new space can be made available in the Archives on level 2A. Some of the material will be in storage, but the model ships that are in the collection will still be available to view. You will still have access to the online material on...
The Black Abolitionist archive features a portrait of Anthony Burns on the Digital Archives page. While not an abolitionist himself, Burns’ experience played a prominent role in the direction of abolition during the turbulent years of the mid-1800s. His experience, occurring soon after the publication of Uncle Tom’s Cabin, offered a turning point for public sentiment regarding the plight of the slave. Wikipedia tells us that Anthony Burns was born into slavery in Virginia on May 31, 1834 (slavery was...
If you walk through campus during the summer it may look pretty deserted, however, there is plenty of activity going on everywhere else. The University of Detroit Mercy offers a number of summer programs for all ages in all areas from preschool to college age students. If you just type in “summer” in the search box on the UDM home page you will find a host of programs listed such as: ...
At the base of the University of Detroit Mercy clock tower is a memorial to the students and alumni that gave the ultimate sacrifice in World War I in their service of their country. The Tower was dedicated in 1927. For full description see the Varsity News, October 12, 1927....
Last week the University of Detroit Mercy sent off its latest set of graduates to their next phase of their lives. It wasn’t that long ago when commencement ceremonies were held a bit later in the year and graduates had to follow more compulsory rules to graduate. Check out the notice in the Varsity News, May 8, 1939: Up until 1966, commencement ceremonies were held a month later in June instead of early May like it is now. This changed...
At every commencement, the university invites alumni back for their 50th year reunion. Here is just a sampling of some of the events they would have experienced as students at the University of Detroit and Mercy College of Detroit. For UD students, some of the memories will include the Spring Carnivals and maybe being in the class taught by Mrs J.O. Smith, now better known at the novelist Joyce Carol Oates. There are the well known personalities that would be...
Bacari Alexander played two seasons at the University of Detroit Mercy and graduated from the university in 1999. He went on to play with the Harlem Globetrotters for a couple of years and then moved to assistant coaching at University of Detroit Mercy, Ohio, Western Michigan University and University of Michigan. He was named Head Coach at the University of Detroit Mercy in April 2016. He is...
On Friday, April 12, 1861, at 4:30 a.m., Confederate batteries opened fire, firing for 34 straight hours, on Fort Sumter. In the Black Abolitionist Archive there is a short article from the Weekly Anglo-African, April 20, 1861, that might be of interest to see how it was reported by the African American newspaper of that time....
Roman Gribbs (1925-2016), a much respected former mayor of the city of Detroit and judge for the Michigan Court of Appeals, was also a very active as a student and alumnus at the University of Detroit. As a student, he was President of Student Council, Vice-President Alpha Sigma Nu, national Jesuit honor society, Blue Key member, Senior Delegate for National Federation of Catholic College Students, Sophomore Class President and received the Delta Sigma Pi gold pin scholarship award which is...
