Current Students

University Ministry, Office of Equal Opportunity, the Women’s and Gender Studies Program and UDM Pride Club will gather for a short service in observance of Transgender Day of Remembrance on Thursday, Nov. 20 at 5 p.m.

The service will take place by the Peace Pole in Sacred Heart Square, just outside of the McNichols Campus Library on the McNichols Campus. All are welcome to attend.

Transgender Day of Remembrance began in 1999 to honor Rita Hester, a transgender woman killed in 1998. Since then, it has been observed annually to raise awareness of transphobia and the fatal violence that disproportionately affects transgender people, especially women of color.

Stop by the McNichols Campus Library to learn more about the history and experiences of transgender people through its Transgender Day of Remembrance book display and other resources.

Big papers, projects, and deadlines coming up? You don’t have to do it alone!

Join The Writing Center for Community Writing Hours with Dr. Hardy from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Nov. 21 on the first floor of the McNichols Campus Library. The help entails:

• Writing
• Support
• Accountability
• Community

The assistance will power you through your end-of-term assignments.

Detroit Mercy’s Emerging Leaders Program will host a Leadership Slam on Tuesday, Dec. 2, with two amazing alumni, who will share how their education, resilience and vision have shaped success.

This is a unique opportunity for students to gain valuable insights and be inspired to take bold steps on their own leadership journeys. All are welcome.

Slam 1 will take place from 2:30-3:45 p.m. with Slam 2 to follow at 4:30-5:45 p.m., both in the Health Professions Facility, Room 124.

Both alumni will be speaking in Slam 1 & Slam 2.

Meet our speakers:

• Angelo Vitale, J.D., General Counsel, Rocket Companies (Retired): Vitale provided strategic business and legal guidance throughout his career, serving as the first CEO of Rocket Central and EVP/general counsel of Rocket Mortgage, where he specialized in leasing, litigation and regulatory compliance.
• Michael Birney, B.B.A., CMO, I Natural Way: Birney drives business growth with advanced marketing tech, leveraging his experience as a former Google Growth Strategist and an ML Champion to apply teamwork and strategy for success.

For more information about this event, please contact Program Director Kathleen Zimmerman-Oster at zimmerka@udmercy.edu or 586-873-1743.

UDM students who have worked at the Detroit Mercy Libraries or Varsity News or volunteered with the Titan Equity Nourish Network (TENN), for at least one year — and plan to continue with these activities — may now apply for the Adia J. Palmer Memorial Scholarship. Students pursuing studies in Performing Arts or Communications are also encouraged to apply.

The scholarship is intended to help cover the costs of textbooks and lab fees at the University. The Detroit Mercy Libraries, Varsity News and TENN launched this scholarship in 2023, to honor Adia’s legacy of creativity, inspiration and elevation, as well as her desire to spread joy, peace and love to make the world a better place.

The deadline for applications for the 2025-2026 scholarship is Dec. 1.

While the number and dollar amount of this year’s scholarships is yet to be determined, awardees will be notified by mid-December 2025, and scholarships may be used as early as the 2026 Winter semester. Last year, six $500 scholarships were awarded to outstanding students who exemplified Adia’s legacy.

For more information about the scholarship or to apply, please visit: Adia J. Palmer Memorial Scholarship website.

Come out to support the community and cheer on the Titans at the Cans for Calihan game on Tuesday, Nov. 18 at 7 p.m., where Titan men’s basketball will host Eastern Michigan inside historic Calihan Hall.

Bring a canned food item and receive a free ticket to the game. Your donation helps local families while you enjoy an exciting matchup between Detroit Mercy and Eastern Michigan.

Don’t miss this chance to make a difference and root for the home team!

The Detroit Mercy Theatre Company announced auditions for its upcoming winter production of Poor Clare by Chiara Atik, directed by Kez Settle. Auditions will take place on Thursday, Nov. 20, from 7-10 p.m., at the new Detroit Mercy Black Box Theatre in the Lower Level of the Student Union on the McNichols Campus.

What to prepare/expect:

• One 60-second (or less) comedic or dramatic monologue from a contemporary playwright.
• Callbacks will take place immediately after auditions and will consist of cold readings from the script.

For more information, including roles available, please visit Detroit Mercy Theatre Company auditions.

Please email theatre@udmercy.edu with any questions.

Detroit Mercy students are eligible to access programming abroad at other Jesuit schools as part of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities (AJCU) Shared Partner Programming Abroad. UDM students are welcome to attend a virtual information session on Nov. 21 at 1 p.m. to learn how they could spend a summer, fall or winter semester abroad through Loyola’s Rome Center.

Eligible UDM students may qualify for tuition or program discounts through Loyola University Chicago’s (LUC’s) Rome Center, as well as scholarships offered through LUC.

At Loyola’s Rome Center, students don’t just study abroad, they live and learn in the heart of Rome. At the information session, students will learn about the following opportunities:

• Taking classes that may count toward your degree while exploring one of the world’s most historic cities.
• Gaining professional experience through internships. No Italian required.
• Earning credit through hands-on, experiential learning that brings your studies to life.

More details about life in Rome, course offerings and costs will be provided at the information session.

Contact Lara Wasner at wasnerle@udmercy.edu for more information about this session.

The International Services Office (ISO) will host Detroit Mercy’s annual International Night on Thursday, Nov. 20, from 5:30-7:30 p.m.

All UDM students, faculty and staff are welcome to the night, which is being hosted in the Student Union Ballroom. Come and celebrate our cultural diversity through food, entertainment and community.

Detroit Mercy Student Life is hosting the third installment of the Makers Series, a jewelry-making workshop, from 12-2 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 18, in the Student Union Lower Level.

All are welcome to drop in any time and Fer, from Cracks On the Shell Jewelry, will guide participants through hands-on techniques for crafting unique, sustainable jewelry from thrifted materials.

All the tools and materials will be provided, and you will construct a beautiful piece of jewelry to take home with you.

University Ministry will host a special time of prayer on Wednesday, Nov. 20, at 1:30 p.m. in the Holy Spirit Chapel, located in the Student Union, Lower Level.

Together, we will pray the Rosary, a traditional Catholic devotion, in support of Pope Leo XIV’s monthly intention for November: the prevention of suicide. This is a topic close to the hearts of many, and all members of the UDM community are welcome to share this moment of reflection and hope with Jesus and one another.

Rosary beads and “how-to” guides will be provided, so whether you’re familiar with the Rosary prayers or joining for the first time, you’ll be able to follow along and participate.