Saginaw Valley State University

Saginaw Valley State University student actors and vocalists will summon the spirit of the season - along with the comedy and comforts of 1960s- and '70s-era Christmas TV specials - during the Department of Theatre's 9th annual holiday-themed production.

Students from across the state came together in Ann Arbor this past weekend to discuss how they are helping their college fight back against violence on campuses.

SVSU sends students and faculty to present at regional sports medicine conference Saginaw Valley State University student Taylor Taraski's study on the mobility of Division II football players won high praise at a recent regional sports medicine conference. On Friday, Nov. 10, Taraski was among the four exercise science students that traveled to Grand Rapids to present at the two-day Midwest Regional Chapter of the American College of Sports Medicine. Of the 670 people that attended, this Oxford native won the award for Outstanding Undergraduate Poster Presentation with her presentation "Movement Deficiencies in Division II Male Football Athletes as it Relates to Class and Position." Jeremy Knous, associate professor of kinesiology at SVSU, mentored Taraski on this project. The study involved examining 43 student-athletes by measuring their physical performance during a number of exercises. The project concluded that identifying deficiencies in physical performances would allow for the utilization of training protocol aimed at enhancing performance. Three other SVSU exercise science majors presented their own projects at the conference as well, under the guidance of Meghan Baruth, assistant professor of health sciences; Samantha Deere, assistant professor of kinesiology; and Becca Schlaff, associate professor of kinesiology. Kiersten Mead, from Saginaw, discussed her work entitled "Care Provider Physical Activity and Nutrition Discussions According To BMI." Anya Odabasic, from Midland, outlined her research on the "Patterns of Sedentary Behavior in Pregnant Women." Ashlyn Swafford, from Tekonsha, presented her work, "Examining Relationships Between Pregnancy Symptoms and Gestational Weight Gain."

On Friday, Nov. 10, four Saginaw Valley State University students traveled to Grand Rapids to present at the two-day Midwest Regional Chapter of the American College of Sports Medicine.

Saginaw Valley State University's nationally-ranked undergraduate moot court program continued its success at the American Moot Court Association regional tournament in Ohio at the University of Akron College of Law Nov. 17-18.

Acting as teams of two attorneys, students in a moot court competition are tasked with arguing a hypothetical case. They are judged based on the clarity of their argument, their public speaking skills, their ability to answer questions, and how well they know the law and the case.

Saginaw Valley State University's Percussion Ensemble and Valley Steel, a steel drum band, will perform in concert Tuesday, Nov. 28 at 7:30 p.m. in the Rhea Miller Recital Hall. The SVSU musicians will be joined by the Heritage High School band. The SVSU Percussion Ensemble, directed by Patrick Fitzgibbon, SVSU drumline coach, and Valley Steel, directed by Brandon Haskett, SVSU associate professor of music, will showcase the collective talents of 16 students as they present eighteen through twentieth century pieces. The groups will perform pieces composed by celebrated musicians such as George Hamilton Green, Johann Sebastian Bach, William Schinstine, Dave Longfellow and Matt Dudack. Admission to the concert is free of charge. For more information, please visit svsu.edu/music or call 989-964-4159.

SVSU senior cornerback Ryan Verhelst was named the GLIAC Football Defensive Player of the Week following his performance in the team's 14-9 victory over regionally-ranked Tiffin University on Saturday, Oct. 28. Verhelst, who is a junior eligibility-wise but went through the senior day pregame ceremony, had a huge game in his final outing at Wickes Stadium. He recorded a career-high nine tackles in SVSU's 14-9 home victory over regionally-ranked Tiffin University on Saturday. Verhelst had two interceptions and a pass breakup as well, stopping two key Tiffin drives in SVSU territory, including one late in the fourth quarter when the Dragons were driving. Verhelst now has five interceptions for the season, which is tops in the GLIAC. Saginaw Valley hits the road for the final two games of the 2017 season, beginning on Saturday (Nov. 5) at Northwood University for the annual Axe Bowl game. Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m. at Northwood's Hantz Stadium. @svsu_football | #svsufb | @SVSUAthletics | #GoSVSU --- www.svsucardinals.com ---

The Saginaw Valley State University Wind Ensemble will perform a recital Wednesday, Nov. 29 at 7:30 p.m. in the Rhea Miller Recital Hall. The group will perform highly acclaimed works by nineteenth and twentieth century composers such as "Lincolnshire Posy," by Percy Grainger; "O Magnum Mysterium," a responsorial chant, by Morten Lauridsen; "Tower Music," a lyrical, chorale style piece meant to reflect the eleventh century European tradition of watch tower performances, by Alan Hovhaness; and "Amparito Roca," by Jaime Texidor. Norman Wika, SVSU assistant professor of music, will conduct the 22-student ensemble. The recital also will feature five guest artists. The concert is free and open to the public. For more information about this recital, please visit svsu.edu/music or call 989-964-4159.

Fifteen seniors in the Medical Laboratory Science Program at Saginaw Valley State University attended the Coagulation Symposium on Thursday, Oct. 12 in Plymouth, Mich. The event featured several different speakers who delved into topics relating to "Value-Based Hemostasis Education for the Clinical Laboratory."

Three SVSU students received the inaugural FIRST Robotics Scholarship.

Three students received the inaugural FIRST Robotics Scholarship.

Saginaw Valley State University students elected Mikaela Ashton, a senior management major from Grayling; and Mitchell Kennedy, a senior accounting major from Bad Axe, as the university's 2017 Homecoming queen and king. Ashton and Kennedy were crowned Saturday, Oct. 14 during the halftime festivities at SVSU's football game against Ferris State University.

Three students received Saginaw Valley State University's FIRST Robotics Scholarship, a renewable $4,000 scholarship offered to students who have been involved in the FIRST Robotics competition circuit.

Fifteen seniors in the Medical Laboratory Science Program at Saginaw Valley State University attended the Coagulation Symposium on Thursday, Oct. 12 in Plymouth. The event featured several different speakers who delved into topics relating to "Value-Based Hemostasis Education for the Clinical Laboratory."

The Saginaw Valley State University forensics team earned a first-place finish during a Michigan Intercollegiate Speech League competition at Oakland Community College Friday, Sept. 22.

Saginaw Valley State University soared into new territory this October with the theatre department's first production with an all-female cast, "Decision Height."

A Saginaw Valley State University senior was one of 60 students in the nation to receive a prestigious scholarship given to undergraduates passionate about communications in the public policy industry. Dan Wunderlich was named a 2017 recipient of the $1,000 Media Fellows scholarship, provided by the Washington Media Scholars Foundation. The nonprofit organization offers opportunities for college students interested in public policy-related communication. He recently finished a communications-based internship working in the Washington, D.C. office of U.S. Rep. Dave Trott, a Republican representing Michigan's 11th congressional district. The region covers communities including Wunderlich's hometown of Troy. Wunderlich spent the summer helping the office draft media releases and speeches on the congressman's behalf. "I love trying to take a situation and turning that into a message that can connect with people," he said. "That's where I get my fun out of it: creating those messages." Erik Trump, SVSU professor of political science, has witnessed Wunderlich's enthusiasm for expressing his thoughts and helping others. "He is an exceptionally skilled communicator, a creative thinker, an extraordinarily self-directed individual, and a genuinely kind and thoughtful person," Trump said. Wunderlich's internship put him in the same rooms with some of the nation's most influential leaders including Vice President Mike Pence and Speaker of the House of Representatives Paul Ryan. The experience also reinforced his desire to seek a job in public policy. Wunderlich plans to pursue a professional career as a political communications director - preferably at an office in the nation's capital - after he graduates from SVSU with a bachelor's degree in May 2018. Wunderlich said he first fell in love with communications while attending a Troy High School class that he initially signed up for because he anticipated it would be "an easy A." Instead, the teacher exposed him to the joys and importance of communicating. "I firmly believe, no matter what your industry, communicating is a central part of everything you accomplish," he said. "Communication runs the world." His professor said Wunderlich has shown the ability to relate well to others. "Dan is a two-way communicator," Trump said, "someone who very effectively modified his speech and body language to put other people at ease. In the classroom setting, he listens carefully to other students' ideas and responds positively and civilly, even when he holds a different position." Wunderlich is determined to demonstrate to the Washington Media Scholars Foundation that their faith in him is justified. "I believe in a strong return on investment, and I want to be a great return on their investment," he said.

Cameron Pratt didn't need a math equation to discover his professional trajectory. But the math didn't hurt. The Howell native discovered his love for accounting during his sophomore year at Saginaw Valley State University, where he enrolled in an introduction to financial accounting course. He spent much of his remaining time at SVSU capitalizing on opportunities that empowered him to grow and take on new challenges. After graduating from the institution in May 2017, Pratt's dedication and hard work will pay off when he begins a full-time job working in the accounting department at The Dow Chemical Company in June.

Jenni Putz enjoys a challenge. Her research record is extraordinary for an undergraduate, and one of those research interests resulted from challenging herself to step outside of her comfort zone. Far outside. Her first experience on a plane came in 2015 on a trip all the way to India, and the flight included hitting bad pockets of air turbulence. "It was really interesting," the Lapeer native said, a hint of sarcastic humor in her tone. "And when we got to India, it was quite the culture shock. Quite the culture shock."

"I like to stay positive and keep a positive outlook on life." Sarah Tennyson's optimism at first might seem odd coming from someone once kept alive by a feeding tube, she admitted. In her world, though, there is plenty to celebrate, and her celebration grew more jubilant recently when the Saginaw Township native joined more than 1,000 of her Saginaw Valley State University student peers who participated in the May 2017 commencement ceremonies. Tennyson, 30, has two classes still to complete, but participated in the May ceremony, which she found fitting. She always imagined celebrating her accomplishment in the mellow comforts of springtime. It was a fantasy that pre-dated her brush with a disease that nearly prevented her from living to see such a day at all.

One shift. That is all it took for Iridian Juarez to leave an impression in SVSU President Don Bachand's office so strong that it led Mary Kowaleski, the president's executive assistant, into a figurative tug-of-war for more of Juarez's time. A social work major from Detroit, Juarez was working in SVSU's Academic Affairs office when she filled a shift one day in Bachand's office. Shortly thereafter, Kowaleski was inquiring on how to get her back for more. A deal was struck where Juarez would split her time between Academic Affairs and Bachand's office, where she communicated regularly with top university officials and other guests of the president.

Inspired by a love of math and science, Saginaw Valley State University new alumna Heather Harvey decided on a nursing career when she was in high school. "Nursing always seemed like the right fit," she said. "For me, the end goal would probably be a pediatric nurse because I've always loved kids. My mom runs a daycare out of her house so I grew up with kids. I was always just surrounded by them."

As a future accounting asset to The Dow Chemical Company, Kevin Finley crossed the graduation stage in May 2017 with excitement and a firm sense of purpose after five years at Saginaw Valley State University. The Flint native has replaced childhood scars with an ever-present smile, having learned many valuable lessons inside and outside the classroom.

Mackenzie Allen arrived at Saginaw Valley State University with her sights set on an academic path that would lead her to a profession helping bodies heal. The Saginaw Township native departs with her aspirations confirmed and her prospects bright thanks to a community-minded commitment to hands-on education.

On the day Mallory Rivard walked across the stage at Saginaw Valley State University's May 2017 commencement ceremonies, she already had one foot set in her future career: inspiring young minds as a classroom teacher. After four years at SVSU, Rivard said that graduation was bittersweet. She doesn't plan to stray too far from home, though, after accepting a full-time teaching position at Bay City Public Schools.

Less than a year after a roadway crash claimed his left leg - and nearly his life - Alex Fullerton was where he belonged: back at full speed behind the wheel of an Indy-style car he helped build. His perseverance comes naturally. Fullerton passed a finish line of sorts in May 2017 when he graduated from Saginaw Valley State University with a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering. The feat was one of several accomplishments the Onaway native earned since the lure of a collegiate race car program convinced him to enroll at the university in fall 2012.

More than 1,900 students from Saginaw Valley State University earned a spot on the winter 2017 semester Deans' List.

There were more than 500 students from Saginaw Valley State University whose determination and commitment to academic excellence earned them a spot on the winter 2017 semester President's List.

Alec Ward has a gift for solving math problems, and he wants to share that talent with others. "No question, he has been one of our best students ever," said Amy Hlavacek, associate professor of mathematics. "He's already great at teaching others math." And so it only makes sense to Hlavacek that her pupil from Almont would pursue a career empowering others to become strong math students.