News Archive

Roy Finkenbine speaks at the podium while Ilyon Woo stands next to him during Love Stories from the Underground Railroad in February 2024.

The Black Abolitionist Archive lives in University of Detroit Mercy’s McNichols Campus Library as a testament to the enduring struggle against slavery and the pursuit of freedom.

An aerial image of the Briggs Building (and other buildings on the McNichols Campus), which is home to the College of Liberal Arts & Education

The Full-time Accelerated Social Work Transfer (FAST) option is the first of its kind in Michigan, featuring three consecutive semesters of seven-week modules and intersession courses that can be taken online, in-person or through a hybrid method.

Justin Williams stands at the front of a classroom during a class.

Justin Williams, associate professor of History and director of the African American Studies Program at Detroit Mercy, talks about Black History Month and the many ways it can be recognized.

Two photographs from DMTC’s production of Photograph 51 are combined into one image. On the left, an actress holds an image in her hand while she and an actor look at it. On the right, four actors gather behind a table filled with science materials as they have a discussion.

Detroit Mercy Theatre Company (DMTC) presents the Michigan premiere of Photograph 51 by Anna Ziegler, a captivating and thought-provoking play that tells the story of unsung scientific hero Rosalind Franklin, at the Marlene Boll Theatre inside Detroit's Boll Family YMCA from Feb. 9-18.

Two groups of three students look at their psychology books while instructors/faculty stand behind them and offer assistance.

Detroit Mercy's Ignite Scholarship, provides qualified students with significant financial assistance for the three-year program which prepares individuals to become master’s-level psychological practitioners or to pursue additional graduate study.

Jeremiah Steen speaks at a podium.

Senior Communications major Jeremiah Steen received the Spirit of Hope Award from Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan Community Service Commission for his commitment to volunteerism, service or philanthropy.

A professor stands and talks to three students sitting in a business classroom. Other students sit in chairs nearby.

Detroit Mercy ranks No. 455 out of 4,500 colleges and universities nationwide for salary earned over the 40-year length of a career according to research published by the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce in 2022.

An outdoor photo of the McNichols Campus on a sunny day with students walking on campus amongst trees, buildings and a clock tower.

Detroit Mercy was ranked among the top national universities by U.S. News & World Report for a fifth year in a row, earning a No. 185 rank in the National Universities category.

College name to change in fall 2024

In fall 2024, the College of Liberal Arts & Education (CLAE) will be renamed the College of Humanities, Arts & Social Sciences (CHASS). This change signals the College’s transformative approach to teaching and learning that meets students where they are and takes them to where they want to be. Approved by CLAE faculty, the President’s Council and the Board of Trustees, the new name emerged from a year-long process guided by a committed task force of faculty, staff, students and alumni who held focus groups, engaged in discussions and conducted surveys at the College and University levels.

Students and others during the 2022 Bioneers conference, working outside on logs.

Detroit Mercy will host the 18th annual Great Lakes Bioneers Detroit Conference on Thursday and Friday, Oct. 12-13. The theme of this year’s conference is “Revolution from the Heart of Nature: Take Action in Detroit.”

Michigan's Poet Laureate Nandi Comer to read her work at UDM

Michigan Poet Laureate Nandi Comer will read her work and engage in dialogue about craft and culture with Detroit poet Brittany Rogers at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 12 at University of Detroit Mercy.

An outdoor photo on the McNichols Campus, featuring students sitting on benches, the Memorial clock tower, water fountain, trees, flowers and buildings during a sunny summer day.

Detroit Mercy was ranked No. 52 nationally and second in Michigan, according to results released Sept. 6 by WSJ/College Pulse. UDM was the third-highest ranked Jesuit university and only Mercy institution ranked.

Shakesha Alexander '19 talks to someone at the Pup Culture Lab's grand opening.

Shakesha Alexander ’19 uses her love for animals to support the mental health and well-being of local students and staff as director of animal-assisted interventions for the River Rouge School District.

Two photos of students outdoors, on the left two students push carts past the Shiple Hall sign and on the right, three students wearing red University of Detroit Mercy t-shirts pose and smile in front of a colorful brick wall.

Students from Detroit Mercy's largest freshman class on the McNichols Campus in 14 years participated in Prologues, Transitions and Viewpoints (PTV) during the final part of orientation, Aug. 22-25.

A graphic featuring the text 2023 Alumni Achievement Awards, with photos of the seven winners and their names below.

Each year, Detroit Mercy honors an alumnus from each of its seven schools or colleges for the way they have excelled in their professions and demonstrated leadership and service to the larger community.

Roughly 100 people sit on the Student Union plaza steps outside on the McNichols Campus of University of Detroit Mercy.

Detroit Mercy and General Motors joined forces to host the GM Student Corps/UDM College Experience event on July 11. In its 11th year, this transformative program offered nearly 100 students from 14 high schools in southeast Michigan "a day in the life of a college student."

top exterior of supreme court building

As many of you know, the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn affirmative action on June 29, 2023, will have a significant impact on institutions of higher education throughout our country. We pray for all of our friends and member institutions who will experience an array of challenges due to this decision, but most importantly for all students who will be directly affected by the court’s actions.

A graphic features Antoine Davis dribbling a basketball on a court. Text reads, Signed, Antoine Davis, Portland Trail Blazers, Exh. 10 Contract. Logos on the graphic feature Detroit Mercy Titans, Portland Trail Blazers and NBA. Photos on the left and right of the graphic also are of Davis, one hugging his father and the other shooting a basketball and wearing a red No. 0 Detroit Mercy jersey.

Former Titan men's basketball standout Antoine Davis officially made the next step in his basketball journey, signing a free-agent contract with the Portland Trail Blazers of the NBA on Friday.

play sport and spirit

In March, Patrick Kelly, S.J. ’83 published “Play, Sport, and Spirit,” reflecting on what’s lost when the element of play is marginalized in sports.

Students sit inside of a classroom and listen to a teacher who sits on a higher chair, with three television screens around them.

For more than a decade, the Leadership minor has been an important part of the college education for hundreds of UDM graduates. More than 500 students are enrolled in the minor each semester.

Graduates walk outdoors on the McNichols Campus near the Jesus statue.

More than 1,000 graduates participated in four ceremonies during 2023 Commencement at University of Detroit Mercy on Friday and Saturday, May 12-13.

Four people wearing graduation regalia are pictured inside of Calihan Hall during a ceremony. One person claps and another stands at attention next to him. A University of Detroit Mercy red banner is draped over a podium.

The Vivere ex Missione awards are presented annually to four graduating students whose time at University of Detroit Mercy was marked by leadership, service and scholarship.

UDM faculty receive 2023-24 Fulbright awards

Associate Professor of Biology Stokes S. Baker and Professor of Philosophy Gail Presbey received awards from the Fulbright Program to study abroad.

Event organizer Sajay Rai, second from left, poses with the first place team of Mark Formosa, left, JP Martin and Preston Duller for a photograph.

Students from University of Detroit Mercy won first, second and third place in the ninth annual Detroit Chapter ISACA Cybersecurity Scholarship Case Competition.

Kara Wolfbauer stands on the Buysse Ballpark field in front of a scoreboard, trees and McNichols Campus buildings on a sunny day.

Kara Wolfbauer isn’t going to remember every detail of her college experience, however, Detroit Mercy's Class of 2023 Valedictorian will remember exactly how the University made her feel.

An aerial photograph of UDM's McNichols Campus.

For the fourth consecutive year, Detroit Mercy's graduate programs have ranked among the nation’s best.

College of Liberal Arts & Education logo with Detroit Mercy Seal

The College of Liberal Arts & Education is pleased to honor our students for their academic excellence, service and leadership.

Antoine Davis speaks from a podium indoors at left, with sitting people behind him. President Donald Taylor, left and Antoine Davis stand next to a large banner reading 'Men's Basketball, Antoine Davis, 0' with another frame holding a picture of Davis, a basketball net and a plaque with his name on it. Davis wears a Titans #0 jersey and holds up his hand, waving.

Following the final men's basketball regular-season game Feb. 25, the Titan Athletic Department held a jersey retirement ceremony for standout student-athlete Antoine Davis at Calihan Hall.

miao headshot

Miao Qian, who teaches graduate and undergraduate courses in developmental psychology at Detroit Mercy, is one of "Diverse: Issues in Higher Education’s" 2023 emerging scholars.

castillo, rekdak and giannelli head shots

Poetry readings will take place virtually on the third Thursday of January, February and March at 6:30 p.m. via Zoom. They are free and open to the public.

An aerial shot of Detroit Mercy's McNichols Campus, featuring the clocktower and downtown Detroit in the distance.

The Ignite Scholarship for Clinical Psychology master’s program students will help address the growing needs for mental health clinicians. Learn more about this significant scholarship by attending our Jan. 19, 2023, virtual program information session from 6–7 p.m.

Christmas greetings from University of Detroit Mercy

Detroit Mercy wishes everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy Holiday season! Find University closure hours here.

Two pictures of Phil Cousineau, the right one of him smiling outdoors and the left a photo of him sitting next to a sign saying Global Spirit.

Phil Cousineau has used his education from the University to carve a unique and fascinating niche in the world and led him on a multi-disciplinary career since he graduated in 1974.

DT outside with  students

Donald B. Taylor, Ph.D., will be inaugurated as University of Detroit Mercy's 26th president Friday, March 24 at 3 p.m. in Calihan Hall on the McNichols Campus.

Two group photos, with nine people on the left indoors and 15 people on the right, many wearing masks.

Detroit Mercy faculty were members of a group that traveled to Brazil this past summer as part of the Fulbright-Hays program, a grant funded by the U.S. Department of Education and Bureau of Cultural Affairs.

A Happy Thanksgiving graphic with a cartoon turkey on it, as well as the University of Detroit Mercy logo at the top.

Detroit Mercy wishes everyone a happy Thanksgiving! The University will be closed Thursday, Nov. 24 through Sunday, Nov. 27 in observation of the holiday.

students cst

In Computer Animation and Voice Acting, students in the Communications Studies and Theatre programs work together to create animated films using Adobe Character Animator. They’re tasked with handling a variety of steps in developing a short film, from scriptwriting to directing to producing to editing. 

Two people sit in chairs at a large table, with several computer screens. Name tags on the front read, Filippo Grandi, UNHC and Patrick Kelly, SJ, University of Detroit Mercy

Patrick Kelly, S.J. ’83 has long been invested in sports, from playing them to writing and teaching about them. Recently, he took his passion to a higher calling as he was part of an international summit on sports and accessibility at the Vatican from Sept. 29-30.

roche filming

Students in Detroit Mercy’s Communications Studies program have honed their filmmaking skills by telling the stories of local baseball history for a new documentary. 

Stacy Gnall, left, and Tyehimba Jess

Stacy Gnall and Tyehimba Jess will be on the McNichols Campus during October to read from their award-winning poetry works.

More than three dozen people stand and kneel outside on the McNichols Campus with buildings, trees and a new sculpture in the background. Some shirts read Detroit Mercy, as well as Ambassadors.

Alumnus Thomas Page ’71, ’76 recently commissioned a sculpture to honor and reflect the University’s Jesuit and Mercy foundations, traditions and values while paying homage to the institution’s bright future. An unveiling of this sculpture will take place during the University’s Homecoming.

Detroit Mercy’s new accelerated Bachelor of Social Work option aimed at community college transfer students

The Full-time Accelerated Social Work Transfer (FAST) option is the first of its kind in Michigan and allows community college transfer students to earn their Bachelor of Social Work in approximately one year starting summer 2023.

Artwork for three DMTC productions, including Airness, Believe in Yourself, Pride and Prejudice, Believe in Love and Unheard Voices, Afro-Brazilian Diaspora, Believe in Hope.

The Detroit Mercy Theatre Company (DMTC) and University of Detroit Mercy's Department of Performing Arts is please to announce its 2022-23 season entitled "Believe," featuring three mainstage works to be performed at The Marlene Boll Theatre in downtown Detroit.

Juan Carlos Flores

University of Detroit Mercy Professor Juan Carlos Flores is the recipient of a $295,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) to create the first critical edition of writings by 13th Century philosopher Henry of Ghent.

Two people pack Amazon boxes that sit on a table indoors.

Rev. Deidric Tupper, pastor of New Faith Temple Church of God in Christ and CEO of the New Faith Temple Community Development Corp., alongside his wife Natasha Tupper, founder of The Polished Institute, have dedicated their lives to the service of others.

Image on the left features colorfully painted buildings and children playing in Cuba. On the right, members of the trip smile for the camera in Cuba.

Detroit Mercy students find more similarities than differences during the University's short-term study abroad program to Cuba.

Boryczka named new dean of College of Liberal Arts & Education

University of Detroit Mercy announces the appointment of Jocelyn M. Boryczka as the new dean of Detroit Mercy’s College of Liberal Arts & Education. Her appointment begins Aug. 1.

2022 Commencement

The College of Liberal Arts & Education congratulates the Titan Class of 2022!

Mehar Soni sits smiling next to a piano inside of the St. Ignatius Chapel.

Mehar Soni's love for literature, blossoming from her grandmother reading to her as a child, fueled the Detroit Mercy Class of 2022 valedictorian's dentistry dreams.

Student dedicates himself to being a man for others, encourages others to do the same

Detroit Mercy junior Jeremiah Steen knows there's more to life than just himself and wants to have a positive impact on people and the city of Detroit.