Marissa Bueche, of Saginaw, and new SVSU fellowship program aim to improve perception of Saginaw

2015 Apr 1

Marissa Bueche, a Heritage High School graduate, is among eight Saginaw Valley State University students involved in a new fellowship program hoping to improve the perception of Saginaw.

Bueche, a nursing major, and the other members of the inaugural class of SVSU's Richard V. Wolohan Fellowship in Leadership and Service -- all graduates of Saginaw County high schools -- began meeting in fall 2014. They have spoken with leaders in Saginaw and Washington, D.C., and now have begun planning a campaign aimed at bolstering their home community's image.

Natalie Schneider, a sophomore business management major and member of the fellowship, said she wants those associated with the community -- whether they are lifelong residents or students living in the region during their college years -- to speak with pride about Saginaw.

"One of the things you notice about other states is, if you're from Texas, people will say, 'Yes, I'm from Texas, and proud of it,'" said Schneider, a 2013 Heritage High School graduate. "Unfortunately, we don't see that enough in Saginaw. We want to show people that there are a lot of things going on in Saginaw, and right now, it's thriving."

She pointed to recent commercial development in Saginaw's downtown district and the many events planned across the county as reasons to feel excited about the community.

Schneider said students with the Wolohan Fellowship are in the early stages of planning a YouTube video series that would highlight some of Saginaw's most attractive events for the traditional college-aged demographic. The group would also use social media to promote positive aspects of Saginaw. The students may also organize a bus tour of the community for SVSU's incoming freshmen in the fall.

One of the fellowship's advisors is Josh Ode, a Saginaw native and SVSU's assistant dean for the College of Health and Human Services. He said one of the most beneficial aspects of the fellowship is that its students are from the community.

"They are Saginaw, in so many ways," Ode said. "They have a unique passion for our region, and they want to give back and do what they can to make it a better place. It's really a pleasure to see a group of young adults who care so much about this place."

Ode said it was the students' ideas -- not the advisors' idea -- to pursue such a campaign.

"This group is very independent," said Ode, who serves as co-advisor with Bryan Crainer, SVSU associate dean for Student Life and Leadership Programs.

"They are really taking charge here."

Schneider said the students were inspired to pursue the campaign in part after spending months meeting with community stakeholders.

During SVSU's spring break in March, the fellowship members traveled to Washington, D.C. to visit U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow, and Congressmen Dan Kildee and John Moolenaar.

The group also has met with Saginaw City Manager Tim Morales, Saginaw County Chamber of Commerce President/CEO Bob Van Deventer, Saginaw Police Chief Robert Ruth and Saginaw Township Police Chief Don Pussehl, as well as representatives from the Saginaw County Department of Public Health and the Saginaw Basin Land Conservancy.

The Wolohan Family Foundation established the Wolohan Fellowship in the fall. The inaugural class consists of students from Saginaw County and of varying class standing at the university.

Students selected for the group can remain with the fellowship throughout their entire SVSU academic experience. New members are selected annually.