Faculty, Staff and Administrators

Faculty/Staff Announcements from Campus Connection

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• August 19: Five to be honored with Business Leadership Awards, Oct. 19

  Tuesday August 19, 2025
  

  Five College of Business Administration alumni will be celebrated on Sunday, Oct. 19, during the annual Business Leadership Awards.

  The event will begin with Mass at 10 a.m. in the St. Ignatius Chapel, followed by brunch and the awards ceremony at 11:15 a.m. at the É«×ۺϾþà Golf Club. Tickets are $60 each.

  The CBA recognizes exemplary leaders who demonstrate professional success, outstanding contributions to society and the embodiment of Jesuit and Mercy values. This year, three Lifetime Achievement recipients will be inducted into the College’s Hall of Honor with one alumna to be recognized as a Rising Star. The celebration will also debut the Brad Simmons Community Impact Award, named in honor of the late Brad Simmons ’79, ’84, longtime chair of the College’s Board of Advisors.

  Lifetime Achievement Award:

  • Teresa Thiele ’96, ’98, senior vice president for global purchasing, Stellantis
  • Crystal Windham ’02, executive director of global industrial design, General Motors
  • Greg Hamel ’86, director of global business strategy (retired), Ford Motor Company.

  Rising Star Award:

  • Ellyn Riebau ’16, ’17, finance director, StockX.

  Inaugural Brad Simmons Community Impact Award:

  • Norman L. Schmitt, Jr. ’70, ’75, trustee of Schmitt Investment Company, LLC.

  

• August 18: New leadership academy launching at UDM; Sign-up now

  Monday August 18, 2025
  

  The Office of the Provost announced the inaugural UDM Leadership Academy, a new professional development series for staff, administrators and department chairs at the University.

  Led by Professor and Coordinator of the Leadership Minor Don DiPaolo, the program will offer monthly Friday afternoon sessions (October-April) focused on building skills, enhancing competencies and fostering a culture of excellence at É«×ۺϾþà Mercy.

  The Academy’s objective is to:

  • Provide leadership skills training and enhancement.
  • Build leadership competencies and capacities for both seasoned leaders and those new to leadership roles.
  • Foster a culture of leadership excellence and distinction at UDM.

  The inaugural class is limited to 35 spots, and interested participants must apply by Friday, Aug. 29. Supervisor approval is required for permission.

  Participants will meet monthly on Friday from 12-5 p.m. in the College of Health Professions Building, Room 124, on the McNichols Campus, beginning with lunch each session. The dates are: Oct. 17, Nov. 14, Jan. 9, Feb. 6, March 6, April 3.

  

• August 17: UDM Street Fest set for Saturday, Sept. 6

  Sunday August 17, 2025
  

  University of É«×ۺϾþà Mercy, in partnership with the É«×ۺϾþà Month of Design Festival, and in collaboration with Gesu and Live6 Alliance, is hosting UDM Street Fest on Saturday, Sept. 6.

  The free event is set to run from 12-8 p.m. and is part of the Six Mile Street Fest. All are welcome.

  UDM’s part in the event will be located on the lawn at the entrance of the McNichols Campus. It will feature sustainability exercises, crafts, workshops, children’s activities, food, vendors and much more.

  The UDM Street Fest is being co-sponsored by University Ministry, Office of Mission Integration, Titan Equity Nourish Network, Student Life, University Recreation, É«×ۺϾþà Collaborative Design Center (DCDC) and Titan Athletics.

  

• August 17: Celebrate Spirit! launches new school year, Sept. 11

  Sunday August 17, 2025
  

  Celebrate Spirit! is the official kickoff to the new academic year and a University-wide celebration that welcomes our entire community of students, staff, faculty, and administrators. All are welcome!

  The celebration is set for Thursday, Sept. 11 inside the Student Fitness Center. The Mass of the Holy Spirit begins at 11:30 a.m.Ìý

  The celebration includes a Catholic Mass, and individuals from all faith traditions are warmly invited to participate or observe in a manner that feels comfortable to them.

  The guest homilist for Celebrate Spirit! is Karl J. Kiser, S.J. The event is hosted by the College of Business Administration, University Libraries, the Student Success Center, University Ministry, and Mission Integration. All are invited to wear red, orange, or yellow as part of the event.

  A lunch and reception will be provided in the Fountain Lounge & Terrace of the Student Union from 12:45-2 p.m.

  Celebrate Spirit! is open to all members of the É«×ۺϾþà Mercy community no matter their religious affiliation.

  Celebrate Spirit! 2025 invites the É«×ۺϾþà Mercy community to reflect on “Sustaining a Spirit of Hope” as this academic year’s theme along with our new University core values. Amid global and personal challenges and uncertainty, we are reminded that hope is not just a feeling but a daily practice — nurtured through community and grounded in discernment.

  Full information.

  

• August 15: Group fitness instructors needed

  Friday August 15, 2025
  

  The Student Fitness Center is seeking enthusiastic individuals to help expand group fitness offerings. This is a great opportunity to share your passion, build community and help others stay active.

  If you’re interested in leading a recurring class, hosting a one-time event or want to learn more, contact Chris Richardson at the Student Fitness Center at crichar4@udmercy.edu.

  

• August 11: Accompany new Titans on half-day service, Aug. 20-21

  Monday August 11, 2025
  

  É«×ۺϾþà Mercy’s Institute for Leadership and Service invites all UDM faculty and staff to consider accompanying incoming first-year McNichols Campus students in the half-day of service that they do as part of their orientation program.

  The schedule runs from 8:15 a.m. for breakfast to 1 p.m. for lunch Wednesday and Thursday, Aug. 20-21.

  Half of the first-year students do service Wednesday and the other half Thursday during the orientation program, also called Prologues, Transitions, and Viewpoints (PTV). É«×ۺϾþà Mercy staff and faculty can choose the day that fits best in their schedule, with some going both days. You do not need to bring anything special — just your desire to accompany new students in this part of their introduction to É«×ۺϾþà Mercy’s mission.

  Most of the service groups this year will be clearing overgrown lots in the neighborhoods surrounding the McNichols Campus in Palmer Park. Some groups will be working at one of two schools (Gesu or Palmer Park Prep Academy) and at two youth empowerment sites run by Brilliant É«×ۺϾþÃ. Other groups will also assist in the gardens that are affiliated with the Titan Equity Nourish Network (TENN).

  If interested, please contact Sr. Karen Dunville, RSM, at dunvilmk@udmercy.edu or by phone at 248-880-5061.

  Full schedule for each day:

  • 8:15 a.m. — Breakfast
  • 8:25 a.m. — Orientation at pre-reflection
  • 9 a.m. — Departure for service sites
  • 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. — Work at sites
  • 12-12:30 p.m. — Reflection on the experience at sites
  • 12:30 p.m. — Head back to McNichols Campus for lunch

• August 11: President’s Convocation slated for Aug. 19 on McNichols Campus

  Monday August 11, 2025
  

  É«×ۺϾþà Mercy faculty, staff and administrators from all campuses are invited to attend the annual Tuesday, Aug. 19 to officially open the 2025-26 academic year.

  The day at the Student Fitness Center begins with breakfast from 8:30-9:45 a.m., follows with the program from 9:45-11:30 a.m.Ìýand concludes with a picnic lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

  The University’s new core values will be highlighted during the program, as well as plans for the University’s upcoming 150th anniversary for the 2026-27 year.

  Updates on key initiatives, such as the implementation of the Strategic Plan, Comprehensive Campaign Planning, Campus Improvement Master Plan and more, will also be shared.

  President’s Convocation is an important event that welcomes new community members and allows colleagues to reconnect before the new academic year begins. Please share this with any new employees who may not yet be on the employee listserv.

  All attendees may also receive an updated headshot photo taken by a professional photographer, anytime from the start of breakfast (8:30 a.m.) until 1 p.m. Wear your best swag or professional attire for the photo, which will be made available in early September. Check Campus Connection for further details.