Hello Everyone!!!

I hope everyone is enthused and motivated during this last month and a half of school. Advising is going on this week! For prospective students who don’t know about it, advising is when you meet with a professor or dean that is assigned to you. They help you figure out what classes you should take the next semester. If they notice you are struggling in a class, they will suggest resources that can help you bring up your grades (such as the Learning Center in the library).

Advising has been very beneficial to me, especially when I wasn’t sure what classes I should be taking. An important thing about advising is that you can’t solely rely on your advisor to help you pick classes, you need to meet them halfway and discuss what you need (maybe you can only handle four classes this semester instead of six, let them know that!)

That’s one of the many things I like about UDM; I’m not on my own or left in the dark when it comes to what classes I should be taking and what’s best for me each semester.

Have a great day, all!

Lori E. Allan

3^rd Yeard

Digital Media Studies + Creative Writing

Visit Day:

Hi Everyone..

I know that everyone is excited for spring break!

I am spending mine in Auburn Hills, Michigan at my Grandmother’s house. I will also be getting some quality time in with my older sister. I have spent the last two spring breaks in Panama City, Florida with Campus Crusade for Christ.

I hope everyone has a wonderful break. I have been extra busy with midterms and final projects. I hope everyone has been enjoying the sunshine and lack of snow (despite the rain today!) Don’t forget to convert your meals to flex dollars after break. I have been running out, spending it all at Subway!

Best,

Lori E. Allan

3^rd Year

DMS + Creative Writing

Hey Everyone!

                The UDM Titans are the 3rd place seed in the Horizon League tournament.  They defeated Youngstown State to take the seed, and they just defeated 10^th place seed Loyola to advance farther in the tournament.  I love this time of year with all the college basketball.  The Month of March has become synonymous with college basketball madness.  There is definitely a lot of it here at UDM, for the men’s basketball team.  It’s pretty cool because the Titans are starting to get national attention.  Here is a recap of the game against Youngstown State.

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio– Detroit clinched the third seed in the upcoming Horizon League tournament with a 76-74 win at Youngstown State Saturday afternoon at the Beeghly Center in the regular season finale for both teams. The Titans will play host to tenth-seeded Loyola on Tuesday night at Calihan Hall in the first round of the tourney.

YSU (15-14, 10-8 Horizon) will fall to the sixth seed in the tournament and will host the seven seed, Green Bay. Both teams were playing for the opportunity to nab the third seed in a jumbled Horizon League ladder.  Detroit (18-13, 11-7) seized the opportunity thanks to a balanced scoring attack that featured five players in double figures led by 18 from senior Chase Simon. Leading by two in the final ten seconds, Detroit got a slam by senior Eli Holman to push the lead to four and all but seal the deal. 

Kendrick Perry made a pair from the line and Ray McCallum was quickly fouled with 3.3 remaining.  McCallum missed the front end of the bonus opportunity but the rebound was deflected out of bounds and the Titans held on for the win.  Way to go TITANS!

Glenn Oppenlander

Civil Engineering

Freshman

Hi Everyone!

                I really appreciate the fact that UDM offers so many opportunities to learn about the school, and all the programs that it offers.  I originally came here for the Physician Assistant program, but I switched majors and am becoming a Civil Engineer.  The reason I came to UDM was because they offered both programs that I was interested in.  I am still debating on becoming a PA and fortunately for me almost all my classes can transfer.  It’s really awesome that I can go to the Life Science’s building and just ask an advisor about the PA program.  I did not schedule an appointment and they allowed me to see the advisor right away.  At other Universities, you have to schedule an appointment, and it may be a while until you see the advisor.  That is one of the reasons why I really love UDM.  There are other people that want to come here for the amazing programs.  This is an excerpt from the UDM website that shows how intrigued people are by the programs offered here.

Transfer/Graduate Open House

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Student Center, Fountain Lounge, 5:30pm-7:30pm EDT

University of Detroit Mercy will host a Transfer/Graduate Open House in the Student Center Fountain Lounge on the McNichols Campus, 4001 W. McNichols Road, Detroit. Students will be given the opportunity to meet with University advisers representing over 60 academic programs, have their questions answered about the University and academic life as well as financial aid.

On-site admission will be offered to students seeking an undergraduate degree. Students interested in on-site admission will need to complete an application for admission prior to the event at www.udmercy.edu/apply and bring student copies of transcripts from all schools previously attended.

Glenn Oppenlander

Civil Engineering

Freshman

Hey Everyone!

This Saturday is a pretty big day.  It is the last Visit Day of the year, so there will be a lot going on, and many high school students will be contemplating about becoming a UDM Titan.  Also, the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) are doing the pouring for the concrete canoe.

There is a challenge among different schools in the state to compete with their, concrete canoes, and race them.  Concrete Canoe is exactly what it sounds like, it’s a canoe made out of concrete.  I think the concept is pretty crazy and awesome at the same time.  Like come on, who makes a canoe out of concrete?!  Well I guess Engineers do.  That is why for the past few months the members of ASCE have been working extremely hard on this project.  They have made different concrete samples and are using the one that works the best.   First, they had to create the molds out of Styrofoam to pour the concrete into.  That was a very long and somewhat difficult process.  Then, they had to sand it down to make it smooth for both molds.  And now, they finally get to do the pouring of the concrete.  There were many other processes that went into creating the concrete canoe, but those were the main points of it.

By the way, for anyone who is interested in pouring concrete, you should definitely stop by the Engineering High Bay to help out.  Anybody who wants to help out can.  You do not have to be an Engineer, so I highly encourage whoever is reading this to help out.  The pouring is going to start this Saturday at 1:00 pm and will go on for a couple of hours.  Well, I know that I’m going to be there so  you all should come.

Glenn Oppenlander

Civil Engineering

Freshman

What is that one thing about a school that lets you know it is the school for you?

This Saturday, UDM is having a Visit Day. Visit Day is a day where prospective high school students are invited to come and see what UDM is about. It is basically a day where UDM says:

“This is who we are..”

“This is what we are about…”

“This is what we offer…”

“These are our programs…”

“And here are some current students, staff, and parents to answer any questions you may have…”

I think Visit Days are amazing and they always have a really good turnout of students. My job is to take photos of the event, but parents and students ask me questions that I love to answer. I had a parent ask me how I liked the school so far and I got to be honest. I love it. There is nothing more that I could ask for. They are allowing me to pursue something I love and I get a $20,000 scholarship every year for being valedictorian One parent sat down and a minute later found me and asked if I lived on campus. I do live on campus and I love the convenience. When you stay on campus, you get the full college experience.

I didn’t get a chance to attend a Visit Day when I was in high school but I did come for a tour of campus in winter of my senior year and I got a chance to tour the architecture building, see a studio and speak with a professor. I went to Advanced Technology Academy in Dearborn and my engineering class would come to UDM for many field trips because the UDM always had programs and events going on for high school students. I personally think my teacher just wanted to get out of school – we never complained because we benefited from his eagerness!

I hope everyone is having a good day. Make sure to check out the UDM Admissions Facebook page to see the photos form Visit Day and check out the rest of the page and ask any questions you may have!http://www.facebook.com/udmadmissions

To make a reservation for an Open House or an individual visit email UDM admissions at admissions.events@udmercy.edu or call 800-635-5020

Quote of the day:

“We want great things for you.” –University of Detroit Mercy

Lori E. Allan

3rd Year Student

Digital Media and creative Writing

Hey Everyone!

UDM professors are really fair, and understanding.  I had knee surgery last Thursday and each of my professors emailed me my assignments, quizzes that I missed, and they let me know what to go over for the upcoming quizzes and tests.  They even were happy to know that my surgery went well, and they all wished me a speedy recovery.  I really felt like I mattered to them.  You do not get that at many other universities.  I am sure professors at other institutions are kind, but you don’t have the personal relationship with them as much as you do here at UDM.

Almost all of my professors know my name, and what I am majoring in.  I think it’s pretty cool that they know that much about me.  I’ve talked to all of my professors after class for help in homework or confusion on a certain topic, and each time they stayed after as long as possible until I understood what was wrong.  My Physics professor, Dr. Hillebrand, actually worked with my father at Ford Motor Company in the 90’s, so he and my dad know each other well and he enjoys teaching me Physics.  UDM has a lot of great professors, and I have enjoyed every one I have had.

Glenn Oppenlander II

Civil Engineering

Freshman

Hi Everyone!!!

I just wanted to wish everyone a good week. Subway is now on campus and I know everyone has been enjoying that. I have at least two foot-long subs a day. So good!  The line isn’t as bad as it was the first week and the service is quick.

One thing I like about UDM is its simplicity. It is just enough. I feel like I have everything I need here. I can’t get over how amazing my professors are. It is encouraging to have them expect you to do well in their class and do what they can to make sure that you do.

The most important thing is to be happy about your major and to be comfortable with the University’s community. I find that here. I get homesick often, but it is all worth it in the end. I’m getting a quality education and there is always something new going on here.

Here is a silly photo of me outside of the school of architecture during the first snow fall:

Lori E. Allan

3^rd year

DMS + Creative Writing

Hey Everyone!

The weather out right now is insane.  It is January 31^st, and it’s pushing 60 degrees outside.  It feels as if I could walk around the campus in shorts.  I really don’t mind the nice warm weather.  I’m kind of sick of the freezing cold, so summer can come any time now.

Well, I finally went to my first UDM men’s basketball game.  I brought some of my friends to the game that don’t go here.  I think it’s pretty cool that I get 4 free tickets to all of the games.   Not many schools that I know offer that.  They enjoyed the experience and really got into the game.  The Titans were up by 15 at one point during the game, but in the closing minutes they were tied.  But, the Titans held tough and ended up pulling through with a win.  With that win, the Titans improved to 12-11 on the season.  They are one of the better teams in their conference.

I have been seeing this flyer all around campus.  It’s called “Dogman’s Last Stand” and it’s a play that the UDM theatre company is putting on.  I actually did not even know UDM had theatre until I saw those flyers.  It sounds pretty interesting, and I might go see it.

UDM Theatre Company unleashes “Dogman’s Last Stand”

The ‘dog bites paperboy’ scenario is merely a starting point for the UDM Theatre Company production of Rick Cleveland’s Dogman’s Last Stand. Running for six performances, February 3, 4, 5, 10, 11, and 12 at the Marygrove Theatre (8425 W McNichols Rd, Detroit, MI), Dogman’s Last Stand flays the concept of preconceived notions and invites us to consider that everything is not as it appears.

Living in a mid-western steel town, Dogman Thompson (Joel Mitchell) is a laid off factory worker with a murky past, who must defend the honor of his canine companion after a run-in with a local punk and paperboy. Set in a gritty town with even grittier characters, Dogman’s Last Stand is the accumulation of an afternoon of suspense, reflection and revelation.

Centered on Dogman’s front porch, he waits and wonders with his friends about the fate of his accused canine, John Wayne. Written by Golden Globe and Emmy Award-winning writer Rick Cleveland, Dogman’s Last Stand contains intense adult language and is only appropriate for individuals overthe age of 16.

Glenn Oppenlander

Civil Engineering

Freshman

Hey Everyone!!

The Super Bowl has almost become a religious holiday for people in the U.S.  Everyone watches the game even if they don’t like football.  Baseball may be the nation’s pastime, but football is the king of sports here in America.  Those of you who are reading this are probably asking yourself, “Why is this guy talking about the Super Bowl? How does that have anything to do with UDM?” Well, Michael Bernacchi, a Marketing Professor here at UDM, has had an annual event talking about the effectiveness of Super Bowl ads for the last 27 years!  It’s pretty interesting how advertising works.

UDM Marketing Professor Hosts 26th Annual Super Bowl Ad Nauseum
“Since 1985, University of Detroit Mercy Marketing Professor Michael Bernacchi has hosted his “Super Bowl Ad Nauseum,” which discusses the effectiveness of the advertisements during the Super Bowl. The annual event will be held Monday, February 6, 2012 at noon in the Student Center Ballroom on the McNichols Campus. The event will also be streaming live on http://www.mistreamnet.org.

Bernacchi tells his students to pay attention to the commercials during the Super Bowl, which is where the real game is being played. He explains how the Super Bowl is a huge moment for the advertising world, since a lot of business occurs during the commercial breaks. During the Ad Nauseum event, Bernacchi discusses advertising and what students should be aware of when watching the commercials.

In conjunction with his discussion, Bernacchi also teaches a variety of Marketing classes at UDM, and is co-founder of the web site, “America’s Marketing High School,” found at americasmarketinghighschool.org, with Paul Galbenski of Oakland County Schools and Immersive Engineering. Both Bernacchi and Galbenski developed marketing and advertising course work related to the Super Bowl for high school teachers to use throughout the nation, which can be found on the web site.

The Ad Nauseum event gets larger every year with more students interested in the concept of spending millions on ads for such a short period of time and if the ads are really effective. Mike Bernacchi states, “Students are talking about the game, why not have them learn about the business behind the messages”. This year the Super bowl will spend close to $3 million for a 30 second advertisement spot.

A community service project has been added to the Ad Nauseum discussion this year. UDM is asking every teacher and student in attendance to “Tackle Hunger” by bringing 2-4 cans to the event. The items will be collected at the Ad Nauseam event, in the lobby of the ballroom from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. These items will be donated to Kids Against Hunger and distributed throughout Metro Detroit.

This year, students from Oakland Schools Technical Campus, Avondale High School, Hamtramck High School, Southfield Lathrup High School and Waterford Mott High School plan to attend the event. Those schools that are unable to attend will still be able to view the Super Bowl lecture on the program’s web site and vote for the most effective ad spots.”  That’s pretty sweet isn’t it.  That’s one of the many interesting things here at UDM.

Glenn Oppenlander

Civil Engineering

Freshman