Category Archives: Community Engagement

Dr. Kenneth Waltzer to Present Public Lecture

The departments of Political Science and Africana Studies, with the support of the Office of the CAS Dean, presents “The Turn Towards Testimony and What Can Be Learned in Holocaust Studies,” a lecture by Dr. Kenneth Waltzer. The lecture will be held Wednesday, November 12th, from 5:30-7:30pm in French Hall 111. This lecture is free and open to the public.

MSU Professor Kenneth Waltzer. Kenneth Waltzer is professor of history at James Madison College of Michigan State University and the former director of MSU’s Jewish Studies Program. He has had a long career at MSU as a scholar-teacher, winning the State of Michigan Teaching Excellence Award and the Mid-Michigan Alumni Quality in Teaching Award, and he has served as Dean and Associate Dean of James Madison College and as Director of Integrative Studies in the Arts and Humanities at MSU.

He is co-author of The American Identity Explorer: Immigration and Migration CD Rom (1999, 2002) and is currently completing a book on The Rescue of Children and Youths at Buchenwald. He research work at Buchenwald has resulted in a full length feature documentary, Kinderblock 66, in the naming of two former prisoners as Righteous Among the Nations, and in the discovery and outing of a Holocaust memoir fraud, Angel at the Fence.

Trained as an American immigration historian, Professor Waltzer employs similar methods, drawing on testimonies and camp documents, to enter the Nazi concentration camp universe and explore the social history of life beyond extremity. In 2011-12, Professor Waltzer served as the Myron and Margaret Weingarden Visiting Professor at the University of Michigan-Flint.

For more information on this event, please contact the Department of Political Science at 810-762-3470.

History and Music Students Find New Knowledge with Nagata Shachu

HIS_Mus_drums On Friday, October 10th, the Toronto-based group Nagata Shachu will be performing at the UM-Flint Theatre. This group has toured worldwide, with performances in their native Canada, the United States, and Italy.

According to the UM-Flint History Department: “While rooted in the folk drumming traditions of Japan, this ensemble’s principal aim is to rejuvenate this ancient art form by producing innovative and exciting music that seeks to create a new voice for the taiko. . .Their playing is the combination of unbounded spirit and passion with the highest levels of musicianship and discipline. The result is an unforgettable experience that is both powerful in expression and heartfelt in its sincerity. Featuring an arsenal of taiko, bamboo flutes, the three-stringed shamisen, and an array of gongs, cymbals, shakers, and wood blocks, Nagata Shachu will take you on a musical journey beyond all borders.”

The group is being brought to campus by the History Department as part of a series of events related to their Wyatt Exploration Program. Each year, the Wyatt program focuses on a specific cultural or historical theme or topic. A department expert will plan and organize the events for the year. “Featuring affiliated course offerings, special extra-curricular events on campus, and a competition to participate in a university-funded student travel expedition, the Wyatt Exploration Program will enrich and deepen our understanding of the world and its history.” The 2014-2015 Wyatt Program is “Japan: Its History and People.” Other campus activities this year include a lecture series and a film series. History students involved in the Wyatt Program will be on hand for the October 10th Nagata Shachu performance, helping to facilitate a smooth production.

Nagata Shachu will not just be providing an amazing musical experience for audience members, or deepened cultural understanding for the Wyatt participants. UM-Flint Music Department students will be attending a workshop with the performers on Friday afternoon, learning more about the instruments that will be played on stage. When asked about this unique opportunity for his students, Music Department chair Brian DiBlassio said, “Taiko drumming is a deeply artistic and cultural form of music. By participating in the workshop given by Nagata Shucha before the concert, select UM-Flint students will have the rare opportunity to experience a taste of this authentic tradition firsthand. The Department of Music is grateful to share in this event made possible by the Department of History.”

The Nagata Shachu performance is open to the public. Tickets are $5 and available through the History Department Office (260 French Hall) and at the time of the event. Doors to the UM-Flint Theatre open at 6:30pm, the performance starts at 7pm. For more information, contact the History Department at 810-762-3366, email [email protected], or visit their website.

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Anthropology Students Participate in Archaeological Test Excavations

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In April of 2014, Flint resident David Henry made an amazing discovery while using a metal detector on some property not far from the UM-Flint campus. He brought his find to the Archaeology & Biological Anthropology Laboratory at the UM-Flint for consultation. He met with Dr. Beverly Smith, Associate Professor and Honors Advisor of Anthropology, and she “determined the artifact to be a likely bracelet (based on size) and likely of trade silver probably dating to the 18th century. The artifact [had] designs reminiscent of traditional Algonquin origins.”

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On Friday, September 26th, Smith returned to the site of the find with over 15 of her UM-Flint students, recruited from two of her courses: Introduction to Archaeology and Historical Archaeology. Their plan was to map and make limited excavations to assess the location of Henry’s discovery. The excavations will help to determine whether the artifact was original to the place or whether it was brought from elsewhere. Discoveries on the property could have an impact on future use of the land and would help create “understanding of the potential for properties to contain deposits important for reconstructing the precontact and historic period of the city/region.”

The students who participated were Stephanie Grant, Monica Wiggins, Thomas Steele, Rhonda Banks, Daniel Conner, Tyler Legato, Sarah Dyszlewski, Kaitlyn Maitland, Amber Judd, Krystal Starr Perry, Katye Reed, Kami Misch, Guillermo Barillas, Jonathon Henneberry, Heather Inman, Emily Brender, and Mark Miller.

The students’ findings will be reported to several groups, including the Stockton House Museum, the Saginaw Chippewa Tribe, the Genesee County Land Bank, and the State Archaeologist office.

To avoid destroying other possible archaeological remains, the Stockton House Museum has requested Smith and her students return in the spring to test some areas on their front lawn before a cannon is installed.

For more information on the Anthropology Department, please visit their website or contact Dr. Smith at [email protected].

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Family Math Night 2014

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The Mathematics Department of the University of Michigan-Flint is hosting a Family Math Night on Thursday, November 6th, in the University Center Michigan Rooms at the University of Michigan – Flint.  The fun begins at 6:00 pm and lasts until 8:00 pm.

Family Math Night is an opportunity for children and their parents to have fun together with math. Various activities, such as puzzles and games, will be scattered around the room.  Each activity takes a few minutes and children will have a chance to try quite a few different ones.  The emphasis is not on numerical computation, but rather on such things as estimation, patterns, spatial and geometrical perception, and hands-on activities.  No special knowledge or previous experience is necessary.

The event is open to the public and math resources, door prizes, pizza, and refreshments will provided at no charge.  For refreshment purposes, advance registration is encouraged (if possible), and can be done by leaving a message at 810-762-3244 indicating the number of people planning to attend.

For more information: email Laura McLeman at [email protected] or visit the Math Department website.

Philosophy Department Announces Lecture Series


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The Philosophy Department of UM-Flint has announced the first event in its Visiting Lecture Series.

On Thursday, October 16th, Dr. Hilde Lindemann, member of the Philosophy Department at Michigan State University, will present her lecture “Struggling to Catch Up: Families, Identities, and Narrative Care.”

Families perform many morally valuable functions for their own members, not the least of which is providing care when they are ill or injured. I argue that a second family function–that of sustaining their members’ personal identities–is deeply implicated in that care. After explaining the narrative nature of identity maintenance, I discuss three cases where family caregivers must find the right stories to repair the identity of one of their own: where the identity has been repudiated, where the identity lies at the limits of responsibility, and where the patient has lost her second nature. As I examine these cases, I argue that if health care professionals recognize and respect this familial caring labor, they can do a better job of providing the patient with their own form of care.

Her lecture will be held from 5:30-7:30pm in 302 Murchie Science Building.

The second lecture in the series will feature Dr. David Shoemaker. He will be presenting “Psychopathic Responsibility: From Anger to Disdain” on November 20th.

To learn more about the Philosophy Department and their Visiting Lecture Series, visit the department website or email the department chair, Stevens Wandmacher at [email protected].

CAS and DEEP Programs

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The dust is settling from the first rush of back-to-school. Among those who headed to the classroom after the Labor Day holiday were scores of students who attend classes at the Lapeer County ISD Education and Technology Center building in Attica, Mich. Some of these participate in the Dual Enrollment Education Partnerships, or DEEP program, offered by Lapeer County ISD and UM-Flint. This program allows capable and interested high school students to take college-level courses and earn college credits. These credits are applicable to four-year degree programs at UM-Flint, and potentially to other institutions.

In addition to offering extra challenges to high school students, the DEEP program encourages enrollment in college after high school and retention in college courses after the first year. According to a study by the University of Iowa’s College of Education, “dual enrollment students who completed 20 or more credits in the first year of college were 28% (p<.01) more likely to persist through the second year in college than were students who did not complete dual enrollment courses.” A major finding of the study was that participation in dual enrollment “indicated statistically significant impacts upon studets’ academic momentum.” The study also indicated positive trends for dual enrollment students completing their degrees in less than average time.

For the 2014-2015 academic year, Lapeer’s ISD is offering two programs: Pre-Engineering and Medical Careers Acceleration. Each consists of four courses, two in the fall semester and two in the winter semester. Enrollment is limited to 30 students in each of the programs. At the end of this academic year, students who have completed both semesters will have earned 13 college credits.

The Medical Careers Acceleration Program (MCAP) is jointly managed by UM-Flint’s College of Arts & Sciences (CAS) and the School of Health Professions & Studies (SHPS). Courses for Pre-Engineering are managed by the Computer Science, Engineering, and Physics (CSEP) Department of CAS.

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This year’s curriculum for MCAP includes BIO 113: Principles of Biology, HCR 206: Health Sciences Applications, BIO 328: Genetics, and PHL 168: Philosophy of Bioethics. The Pre-Engineering classes are CSC 101: Fluency with Information Technology and Computing, EGR 165: Computer Aided Design, CSC 175: Problem Solving and Programming I, and EGR 102: Introduction to Engineering.

The courses selected for inclusion in the Lapeer ISD DEEP program are considered by faculty to be desirable because they will help students develop a stronger academic foundation in the profession being studied and accustom students to the rigors of college-level work.

The Lapeer ISD DEEP program is just one of several for UM-Flint faculty involvement. Another example is just around the corner from the university at Powers Catholic High School. There, students can participate in two separate 12-credit Humanities Programs. The Senior Humanities Program includes ENG 111: College Rhetoric, COM 210: Introduction to Public Speaking, ENG 112: Critical Writing and Reading, and ARH 112: History of Renaissance to Modern Art. The Junior Humanities Program includes ENG 213: American Ethnic Literature, PHL 202: Intro to Logic, ENG 111: College Rhetoric, and HIS 114: Twentieth Century World History.

Sites also exist within the Lapeer Community Schools, Livingston County Schools, and Utica Community Schools. More DEEP program locations are being considered.

For more information on UM-Flint’s DEEP program, please visit their website.

View a video from one of UM-Flint’s DEEP sites in Davison, Mich:

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jFF6Kv5hJ1w&feature=youtube_gdata[/youtube]

 

 

UM-Flint Alumni, Student, Professor Publish Book on Michigan’s Civil War History

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Two University of Michigan-Flint alumni, one student, and a faculty member are among the members of the iMichigan Productions (iMP) team that has independently published The American Civil War Years: The Michigan Experience (The Reenactors’ Telling).

UM-Flint’s representatives on the team are distinguished alumnus Michael J. Thorp, Flint author and broadcaster; multiple UM-Flint degree-earning alumnus Rodney W. Brown, Flint-based director of iMP’s public television series on the same subject; senior art major and book designer Shekinah Tapplin of Clio who designs under the name Shekinah Shazaam; and Communications faculty member Donna Ullrich of Perrinton, who edited the project. Tapplin’s work on the book was supported by a UM-Flint Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (UROP) grant.

The 136-page book features full-color photographs of American Civil War reenactors as their actions tell the stories of going off to war, camp life, battles, and surrender. The photography of Wayne Dabney of Ann Arbor and Leon C. Collins of Grand Blanc is featured.

The book focuses on Michigan’s role in the Civil War and its many contributions to the war effort. It highlights African-Americans and Native Americans who fought for the Union cause along with the rest of Michigan’s 90,000 soldiers. Michigan’s troops included specialized regiments of sharpshooters and engineers and at least 68 Michigan soldiers received the Medal of Honor for gallantry on the battlefield. The book demonstrates the roles of women both in battle and in society, and covers the politics of the times. The photos throughout the book were taken in Michigan, by Michigan photographers.

Says UM-Flint Art major Shekinah Tapplin on being involved in the project, “All in all, I’ve had an excellent experience working on these books for Donna and the rest of iMichigan Productions. Editorial Design and Photography are my favorite aspects of design and I am very fortunate to gain experience with them while I’m still in school.”

When asked to detail her involvement she said, “Basically, I was the designer for this pictorial representation of reenactors showcasing Michigan’s involvement in the Civil War. I participated in weekly meetings with iMichigan Production’s team to hear their feedback on each new version of the book I had. The team also helped a great deal with narrowing down specific images, storytelling, and the overall flow of the book. I also designed a few promotional flyers to help spread the word about this book.”

The book features a Foreword by noted Michigan historian John Gibney of Ann Arbor, and Introduction and Epilogue by Thorp. In addition, it offers a bounty of resources about Michigan’s Civil War history to encourage learning activities and day trips for families and classrooms alike.

The book evolved out of iMichigan Productions’ (iMP) hour-long living history television special that aired throughout the state on public television stations in 2011 and 2012.

All proceeds of the book stay in Michigan, paying Michigan media artists and supporting iMP educational projects. It is available at Amazon.com. iMichigan Productions of Flint is a 501(c)3 educational multi-media production company.

Tapplin is also designing a companion coloring book for children: “For the coloring book currently underway, I was given a collection of the same photographs from the main book, but was instructed to simplify them into black-and-white line images in order to form coloring pages. For this companion project, I am not only the Graphic Designer, but also the Photo Editor. This involves a bit more detailed work, but it will be worthwhile in the end to help educate children about history in a fun way.”

For more information on the book, contact Donna Ullrich of UM-Flint’s Communications Department. Visit iMichigan Productions to learn more about their Civil War work.

[btn text=”Listen to Donna Ullrich on Michigan Radio’s Stateside” tcolor=#000 bcolor=ffcb05 link=”http://michiganradio.org/post/new-book-explores-civil-war-reenactments-michigan”]

 

UM-Flint Faculty Member Receives $5,000 Grant for Media Project

Congratulations to Donna Ullrich from the Communications and Visual Arts Department of UM-Flint, who was recently awarded $5,000 from the Community Foundation of Greater Flint for her Flint Youth Media Project blog!

The goals of the project are two-fold: First, to reach and engage Genesee area youth interested in media arts by launching a youth blog where they can showcase their own creative media productions and engage with other interested peers. Second, to use the data generated by this blog to gauge the interest of area youth in the media arts, communication, journalism, and to identify how the Flint Youth Media Project (FYMP) can best reach this population with programming and serve it as students prepare for college and careers.

In addition to giving students a platform to showcase their creative talents, the project will be addressing key discrepancies between the “media” produced by students in their casual photography, video, and writing as they engage with various social media outlets, and the skills that are actually needed in a career or post-secondary education.

By having peer-to-peer interactions in the Blog project, and access to experienced professionals and educators, students will enhance and learn skills and also begin to understand the processes of collaborative creation and teamwork. This will both improve their own work and give them a glimpse of the processes needed for real-world media production.

The blog is one of five programs envisioned by the Flint Youth Media Project. Other programs include youth summer media/film camps held at UM-Flint that will help students capture, focus, and develop their skills; a youth film festival that would include a series of filmmaking workshops throughout the school year; a Flint Community Schools Media Center; and an after school media program for students interested in broadcast, film, and digital production.

All of the programs, and the project as a whole, hold underlying themes of engaging the students in their local communities, improving media education, and building a youth media community. The blog will be the first step of the project.

Team members for the project include award-winning television producer Rodney W. Brown; Leon Collins, who brings a lifetime of experience including serving as the director of telecommunications for WFUM TV 28 PBS and multiple teaching and advisory positions at a variety of educational institutions; and Michael J. Thorp, longtime broadcaster, writer, and producer at WJRT-TV12 and EMMY-winner.

The project director, Donna Ullrich, has 32 years of media teaching experience and 35 years as a successful communications professional.

UM-Flint Faculty & Students Join FYT in “Alice In Wonderland”

aliceinwonderlandA substantial number of UM-Flint faculty members and students will be working professionally on a production of Alice in Wonderland at the Flint Youth Theatre, opening August 8th:

William Irwin (UM-Flint Theatre Professor & Chair) is playing the Mad Hatter and the White Knight.
Jessica Wilkowski (BS Design & Technology) is the Scenic Paint Charge.
Adam Dill (UMF Theatre Costume Shop Manager & Lecturer) is the production’s Costume Designer.
Kendra Babcock and Ashley Kok (BS Theatre Design & Technology) are assisting the costume designer.
Cat Boss (BS Theatre Design & Technology alum) is also assisting the costume designer.
Jodie Maier (BA Theatre Performance) is an assistant to the director.
Sam Richardson (UM-Flint Theatre Lecturer) is directing.
Matt Coggins (BA Theatre Performance) is playing the White Rabbit.
Elsa Harchick (BFA Theatre Performance Alum) is playing the Narrator.
Deidre Baker (BA Theatre Performance Alum) is playing the Queen of Hearts.

Says Bill Irwin, Theatre Department Chair, “We deeply value the alliance we have with Flint Youth Theatre and we look forward to building upon it.”

The Flint Youth Theatre is located at 1220 E. Kearsley St., Flint, MI. Performances run from August 8th through August 17th:

• Friday, August 8 at 7:30pm
• Saturday, August 9 at 2:30pm
• Saturday, August 9 at 7:30pm
• Sunday, August 10 at 2:30pm*
• Thursday, August 14 at 2:30pm
• Friday, August 15 at 2:30pm
• Friday, August 15 at 7:30pm*
• Saturday, August 16 at 2:30pm*
• Saturday, August 16 at 7:30pm
• Sunday, August 17 at 2:30pm
*A conversation with the creative team will follow this performance.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit the performance website.

Visit the UM-Flint Department of Theatre & Dance page to learn more about their course offerings and Fall 2014 Performance Schedule.

UM-Flint Students Play Mariachi

This spring, UM-Flint Music Department Chair Brian DiBlassio, presented a unique opportunity to some of his students: to expand their repertoires by learning to play mariachi music. The offer arose out of a need for music to complement the existing dance programs of El Ballet Folklórico Estudiantil, a local non-profit group focused on teaching traditional Mexican culture and arts.

Their experiences so far have been much more than learning a new style of play. They have been learning new instruments, new ways to interact with their audience, and also to teach mariachi to others. They have performed in schools, at the grand opening of the Flint Farmer’s Market, and at the Flint Hispanic Tech Center. At the end of June they traveled to Las Vegas, Nevada, to participate in a conference workshop on mariachi for music educators.

Sue Quintanilla, Director of the group, is passionate about ensuring that Hispanic culture is represented in positive and accessible ways, “Without programs such as ours, Hispanic youth are overlooked and their vibrant, cultural heritage is ignored. When youth are taught methods for positive expression through the arts, and shown that their heritage has value, their self-esteem is elevated. The results are positive role models and active citizens of our community.”

Nathan Cross, one of the UM-Flint students, is excited about the experience. Beyond the fun of playing new music, he discussed the value of learning teaching and rehearsal skills, gaining cultural knowledge, and getting to better know his fellow musicians. When asked to discuss the experience, he said, “I learn more about mariachi music at every rehearsal. With classical music, there is a certain formality and etiquette when attending a performance. Mariachi music is much more relaxed and personal. Our audience typically sings and dances along with us. This style of music also embodies the community and that is what is wonderful about it.” He found particular value in attending the Las Vegas conference. “We learned beginning methods for playing every instrument in the typical mariachi ensemble. The instructors worked closely with each participant to ensure we were playing in the traditional style and using the proper technique. I took this opportunity to talk to other educators who attended the conference. There were teachers from all around the US, so this was an excellent chance to start building a network.”

Another of the students, Kaleigh Taylor, describes being both surprised and intrigued at the possibility of playing in a mariachi ensemble. “Never in a million years I would have expected to, but it has turned out to be a wonderful decision. Having been a classical musician for the past 13 years of my life, mariachi has added a whole new dimension to my musical world. It has taught me to come out of my ‘musical shell’ a bit.” She also found the Las Vegas trip to be “an amazing experience all around.” All participants of the conference experimented with several instruments, learning the basics of each. “I, myself, chose guitar and vihuela (a small, stringed instrument similar to guitar that’s indigenous to Mexico). I had so much fun learning the vihuela that I came home with one! There was just something about it that clicked and I decided to buy one and start learning it. The instructors were all outstanding musicians and it was evident their love for mariachi. Watching all of them perform together really inspired me and I’m thankful that I was given the opportunity to become involved in all of this.” In addition to her new instrument, Kaleigh has gained lesson students and is also assisting in teaching a beginner mariachi ensemble.

Desmond Sheppard echoed his classmates’ feelings on the value of learning mariachi and the experience of the educators’ conference. He has also found great pleasure in the outreach opportunities he’s been afforded, “At present I teach guitarron, piano, and ensemble work for El Ballet Folklórico Estudiantil. The ability to demonstrate not only the joy of music (which is so evident whenever the kids grab their instruments and play through a song or an exercise that they’ve really worked at) but also the culture of a people who are ever more becoming a large part of the modern face of the US is, well, amazing to me.” The lessons learned at the conference are already paying off when it comes to his teaching, “The seminar in Vegas, if nothing else… empowered me to improve my own skills for the sake of the students that I teach and for the appropriate representation of the culture that the music comes from.”

Even as the students are grateful for the experience of expanding their musical, teaching, and outreach horizons, Sue Quintanilla is equally grateful for their participation, which has allowed her programs to expand. Through their efforts and the financial support of the Ruth Mott Foundation and the Stella & Frederick Loeb Charitable Trust, El Ballet Folklórico Estudiantil will continue to teach cultural awareness and enrich lives across the state.


For more information on El Ballet Folklórico Estudiantil, visit their website. To learn about the Music Department of UM-Flint, visit www.umflint.edu/music.