Most college students, if they’re lucky, won’t step foot in a courtroom during their time in school; but for Ellie Yacks, luck looks a bit different.

Yacks is a political science and English double major on a pre-law track, and as the president of EMU Mock Trial, she spends her weekends and time outside of class rehearsing for fake court cases.

Mock Trial and Moot Court are two parts of one student organization at Eastern Michigan University ideal for anyone looking for a chance to improve their speaking, preparation and performance skills.

For pre-law students like Yacks, however, it goes beyond the technical skills of practice and competition. Mock Trial is a run-through for her future career.

“It’s the best opportunity to get that experience,” Yacks said. “There’s no way you can know what a courtroom is like unless you’re in one.”

Students in Mock Trial and Moot Court participate in yearly civil or criminal cases set in a fictional place with fictional laws and legal precedents. 

Teams are split into prosecution and defense and members play either an attorney or a witness. Attorneys give opening and closing statements, question witnesses, and raise and challenge objections. Witnesses play a character and give testimony based on their character profile.

Professor of political science and advisor to the Mock Trial and Moot Court program, Barry Pyle, PhD, helped start the teams at EMU in 2001 and 2013. He emphasized how the extracurriculars provide skills to students for an ever evolving world and tough job market.

“The world is moving much faster than the world of education,” Pyle said. “Students who are going to be successful in life have to be adaptive.”

That real-time adaptation was pivotal for Grant Clark, social media and recruitment manager for Mock Trial and Moot Court.

“A lot of this you talk about it for a while, and it just seems theoretical, but then you’re in the courtroom and you try it for the first time,” Clark said. “It was a little horrifying at first.”

The supportive community of the Mock Trial teams encouraged camaraderie, growth and reflection.

“We’re a very serious organization, there’s no way around that,” Clark said. “But we can also be a very fun organization.”

Read the full Eastern Echo Article here.

When Eastern Michigan University senior Sherry Young isn’t working as a full-time nurse, she’s spreading love with her gospel music. Balancing her demanding career and academic life with her passion for music, Young won Praise and Worship CD of the Year and Special Event CD of the Year at the 2024 Rhythm of Gospel Music Awards for her instrumental flute album, “Solid Rock.” 

“I am so humbled to receive these awards,” said Young. “I’ve worked on my music for so long, and I am so grateful for everyone who has supported me. I hope people can walk away from my music feeling uplifted.

Young’s love for music started from childhood, singing every song she heard on television. With continued interest, she quickly found her love for the flute. When her pastor allowed her to play her music in church, the rest was history. 

Young’s album was submitted to The Rhythm Of Gospel Music Awards Show, an annual event with various showcases, choir competitions, pageants, and achievement galas, bringing in over 3,500 annual tourists, churches, civic groups, and families to celebrate various genres of gospel. An online vote determines the winners of each category. 

Beyond her two wins, Young’s album was nominated for four other awards, including:

• Inspirational Song of the Year

• Contemporary Christian Music Song of the Year

• Instrumental Artist of the Year 

• Producer of the Year, produced by Chris Alkazian

Young has studied at Eastern for eight years, attending part-time to get her bachelor of music degree in music performance. Young chose Eastern after studying privately under EMU professor Penelope Fischer. 

Young hopes to emphasize the love she has felt from Eastern’s staff as she approaches her final semester. “I would like to thank Eastern’s music department for everything they do to help students. Every faculty and staff member I’ve met has inspired me.”

Read the full EMU Today article.

A new oral history archive at Eastern Michigan University (EMU) features 33 interviews with women journalists from across the globe who reported on the COVID-19 pandemic at its peak. From May to September of last year, EMU Associate Professor of Journalism Dr. You Li conducted and compiled over 30 hours of interviews for the archive, entitled "Collective Memory of Women Journalists in COVID-19." The collection details how the unique challenges interviewees faced ultimately led to significant contributions to the field of journalism.

"Even though we all experienced COVID, political, economic, and cultural factors added to the complexity and differences between communities handling COVID," Li says. "Part of the reason I wanted to do this archive was to raise awareness among the public about how journalistic storytelling comes together, and what it takes to produce news in the middle of a global health crisis."

While pandemic-specific challenges such as quarantining and being unable to communicate with sources in person were brought up by many of those interviewed for the collection, Li explains that several reporters faced regional and cultural challenges as well. She recounts stories told by journalists in Europe who "were only allowed outside one hour per day to walk their dogs or to go to the pharmacy" at the peak of the pandemic, and others from South Asia and India who were fighting against misinformation perpetuated by their local governments. The pandemic also forced many journalists to work remotely. Some interviewees recalled being burnt out or worried about how they would support their families.

"Many issues that these journalists brought up existed before COVID, but COVID amplified the issues, which hit them all at once," Li says. "Their sense of responsibility while being minimally supported or compensated is just remarkable."

Read the full Concentrate article.

Listen to the Michigan Public story.

Meet Michael (Class of 2014 Communication & Theatre Arts) and Josie Herman (Class of 2014 Theatre Arts), a dynamic married duo and Webby-honored fiction podcast team who have captivated audiences worldwide with over 1.3 million, downloads across 150 different countries. Their journey began at Eastern Michigan University (EMU), where their shared passion for photography, film, and theater brought them together in the vibrant Theatre Arts Department. Both born and raised in Michigan, Michael and Josie are proud members of the Southeastern Michigan theater scene.

Michael and Josie's story is a classic enemies-to-lovers tale. They first crossed paths in room 103 of the Judy Sturgis-Hill building (formerly known as Quirk), where their professor, Dr. Pirooz, praised their assignments as perfect examples.

"We instantly gave each other a glare from across the classroom; and from then on, we were academic rivals constantly trying to outdo each other in our academics and professional work," Josie recalls.

Over time, their competitive spirit turned into a close friendship and eventually blossomed into love. They were married on July 11, 2020, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Dexter, Michigan.

The Hermans were drawn to EMU by their shared dream of pursuing a life in the arts, despite not knowing where to start. "At EMU, we had the chance to audition for the EMU Theatre Scholarship Program from the moment we stepped in the door and we were immediately swept in by the warmth and grace the professors shared with their students," Michael shares. The stunning productions by the Entertainment Design and Technology Department also played a significant role in their decision. At EMU, they found an environment that nurtured their artistic talents and helped them grow as individuals and professionals.

Michael and Josie fondly recall their time at EMU, filled with deep intellectual conversations, late-night rehearsals, and opportunities to explore their artistic voices. "We especially loved our time doing LAB Bill shows. These were student-led productions that gave students the chance to act, write, and direct a show themselves," says Josie. Another highlight was the Halloween production "Dead Gallery," where they delved into horror theater and genre storytelling.

One professor who had a profound impact on the Hermans is Joseph Zettelmaier. "We both had him for his playwriting class and his teachings have been transcendent in our careers," Michael explains. "He inspired us to follow our wildest imaginations, especially when it comes to working with high-concept and genre art."

The abundance of theater opportunities at EMU prepared the Hermans for their future careers. They participated in various productions, learning what it takes to bring a show to life. "We were both able to work back-to-back in shows throughout our time at EMU. And we truly learned what it takes to make a show ready for the public," Josie notes. This experience instilled in them a scrappy artist spirit, empowering them to create and share their art long after graduation.

Read the full profile from EMU Alumni.

Dr. Joey Quiñones, the 2024-25 McAndless Distinguished Professor Chair in the Humanities, invites community members to join them in exploring the places, people, and stories that define Eastern Michigan University. The year-long Marking Place project will include discussions, interactive assignments, public lectures, an ekphrastic poetry reading, exhibitions and use of the new Windgate Arts Complex on our north campus.

Dr. Quiñones began the Marking Place project with a study of the existing sculptures and public spaces on the EMU campus to consider ways students can open dialogues and offer multiple narratives through art. “In the past decade, there has been substantial discussion on the role of statues, monuments, and memorials, and how they reflect (or don’t reflect) the people, histories, and events of a place,” says Dr. Quiñones. The Marking Place project invites students from all disciplines to consider: “What do we as a community need to remember? How do we honor multiple histories in a public space? And, what are alternatives to the idea of 'the monument'?" 

The Marking Place project will include three major public events. 

• On Thursday, October 24, Professor Quiñones will deliver a keynote lecture entitled "Marking Place: Art, Artists, and Monumentality." The lecture will take place 5:00 – 6:15 p.m. in Halle Library Auditorium. 

• In January, the University Gallery in the Student Center will host a juried exhibit of works by EMU students that will explore themes of memory and commemoration. Events will include an opening reception January 9th, and an ekphrastic poetry reading. 

• In April, two sculptures created by EMU and Cranbrook School of Arts MFA students will be temporarily installed on the EMU campus.

Dr. Quiñones is a nationally recognized artist and scholar and the Head of Fiber at Cranbrook Academy of Art. Their mixed media sculptures focus broadly on issues of race, class, gender and sexuality, and recent work specifically examines how narratives of the domestic, family, and womanhood are complicated by a history of slavery, stolen labor, and racism. As a queer Black artist, Quiñones has a distinctive vantage point from which to probe these consequential issues, and indeed reflects the ideals of the CAS position on diversity, equity, and inclusion. While Quiñones’s work has achieved impressive recognition in the art world, we are excited by how their work and engagement at EMU will impact our uniquely diverse student body. 

Quiñones' Marking Place project will investigate local monuments and sculptures as a way of exploring multiple narratives – a direct reflection of EMU’s commitment “to more fully account for the contributions or counter-narratives of previously neglected or marginalized groups."

Additional event details will be posted on the McAndless webpage.

Eastern Michigan University will host a dedication ceremony for the new Windgate Arts Complex on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024, at 4 p.m. in the Chris Kaufman Critique Atrium. This invitation-only event will celebrate the Windgate Foundation's $3.4 million contribution, pivotal in funding the cutting-edge facility.  At the same time, this event honors the many private large donations made by friends of EMU’s School of Art and Design.  The ceremony will feature a ribbon-cutting ceremony, guided tours, and remarks from University leaders. 

“We are incredibly grateful for the Windgate Foundation's generous contribution to the Windgate Arts Complex," said EMU President James Smith. "Their support not only strengthens our commitment to providing top-tier arts education but also ensures that our students have access to cutting-edge facilities that inspire creativity and innovation."

The new Windgate Arts Complex as it neared completion in the spring.

The 23,000 sq. ft. facility on the northwest corner of campus houses various art programs such as ceramics, sculpture, digital fabrication, and furniture design, offering students fresh resources in a state-of-the-art environment.

“The Windgate Arts Complex is for faculty, staff, and students—present and future—who will be inspired by this new facility and want to return time and again to practice their crafts, work alongside fellow artisans, and design new works of art in studios that were built for these very purposes,” said EMU Professor and Director of the School of Art and Design Sandra Murchison.

The Complex will also welcome students of all ages and skill sets to enhance partnerships with organizations such as the Riverside Arts Center in offering summer workshops to Washtenaw County residents. Teachers from across the state will also be able to participate in a summer institute led by EMU Art Education faculty to refresh and expand their skills in the studios.

Student talent on display

In addition to the new facilities, the ceremony will showcase a student-designed bench that will be a permanent feature in the Christopher Kaufman Critique Atrium. EMU student Leah Popyk, winner of the Student Furniture Design Challenge sponsored by GameAbove, created the sleek, bent-wood bench with an integrated concrete table. Her design was selected for its creativity, functionality, and seamless integration with the building’s architecture.

“Leah’s design is a testament to our students' incredible talent and vision, and it’s exciting to see their work become part of the permanent landscape of the Windgate Arts Complex,” said Chris Kaufman, an EMU advisory board member.

Popyk and her classmates produced ten benches based on her design. The project was a hands-on learning experience in Professor John DeHoog’s Furniture Design winter 2024 class that aligns with EMU’s strategic plan of promoting student success and engagement in real-world applications of their studies.

The new Windgate Arts Complex, completed in just 15 months, represents EMU’s forward-thinking approach to art education, providing a collaborative environment for students to develop their skills across multiple disciplines.

Read the full EMU Today article.

Preparing students for careers after graduation has always been among the most important aspirations of a college education, but in recent years those efforts have taken on increased urgency. Employers today are not just looking for the credentials of a four-year university degree. They are also looking for experience in the field. Historically, student internships have been an excellent way to gain that kind of valuable experience. But unfortunately, paid internships—especially for Liberal Arts majors—have been hard to come by.

EMU’s Department of English Language and Literature recently has launched an effort to remedy that problem. This past spring, the English majors were offered the opportunity to apply for a new program called “The Marcia Dalbey Intern Fellowship.” Funded by a generous gift from former English Department Head and Emerita Faculty, Dr. Marcia Dalbey, the program is designed to pay students who secure otherwise non-paying summer internships in the career field of their choice. The English Department awarded four 6-week “Marcia Dalbey Intern Fellowships” at the end of the Winter 2024 semester. Students who received funding found employment in a range of occupations, including a publishing firm, a non-profit community service organization, the policy department of a local board of education office, and a large public library. Both students and employers reported outstanding experiences. 

Dr. Dalbey was also impressed with the results of the program and has committed to funding the program again for the 2024-25 academic year. English majors will be invited to apply for a fellowship this January and awards will be made in April 2025. 

See the Department of English website (https://www.emich.edu/english/) or contact Department Head Dr. Joseph Csicsila (jcsicsila@emich.edu) for details about “The Marcia Dalbey Intern Fellowship.”

Ethics Bowl is a national competition that emphasizes thoughtful, charitable dialogue, ethical reasoning, and civil disagreement rather than adversarial debate and "winning." EMU Philosophy has long been involved with Ethics Bowl at the high school level, but this semester will be the first time they have fielded a team at the undergraduate level.

Philosophy professors Kris Phillips and Peter Higgins will coach the team. They are looking to field a team of thoughtful students interested in competing in the regional competition this November in Indianapolis, and all EMU students are welcome to join! 

Drs. Higgins and Phillips are hosting an initial informational meeting Wednesday, September 18th at 5:00p in Pray-Harrold 702G.

RSVP Link here.

Eastern Michigan University will host one of the most iconic vocal groups of the 1960s, The Temptations, during a special halftime performance with the EMU Marching Band on Oct. 12 at Rynearson Stadium. To get the party rolling, limited meet and greet/photo opportunity tickets are now available, along with a chance to win a once-in-a-lifetime family experience.

The Temptations originated in Detroit during the 1960s. After signing with Motown Records, the group helped to completely re-shape the music industry with their unique harmonies and style. In 2022, Detroit native and Theatre Arts alum (2011) Jawan M. Jackson joined the world-famous group, creating another special tie to Eastern Michigan University. 

“The EMU Marching Band is sponsoring an experience that doubles down on its mission to support the local community,” said J. Nick Smith, associate director of bands and director of athletic bands at Eastern. “With that vision in mind, EMU is offering an opportunity to meet the legendary Temptations and have a professional photo taken and sent to them to post on social media, share with family and friends, and cherish forever.”

Read the full EMU Today Article.

Upshur Institute for Civic Education is hosting events to celebrate Constitution week.

• Celebrate Constitution Week and Promote Civil Discourse at EMU:

  • Join Southeast Michigan Journalists Nolan Finley and Stephen Henderson as they discuss the significance of civility in discussions, especially during election years, and the importance of learning to listen to different perspectives. The conversation promises to be insightful and thought-provoking, highlighting the value of civil discourse and understanding diverse viewpoints.

  • Thursday, September 19 3:30-4:30pm

  • Student Center Auditorium at Eastern Michigan University

  • LBC credit available

• Celebrate Constitution Day: Join Sphere Education Initiatives and the Upshur Institute for Civic Education at Eastern Michigan University:

  • Constitutional Conversations: Fostering Viewpoint-Diverse Civil Discourse in Your Classroom

    • Discover and explore strategies to build a culture and practice for facilitating meaningful and equitable conversations through iewpoint-diverse civil discourse. They will share strategies to manage the conversation along with student-centered content that connects them to founding constitutional principles. By engaging in civil discourse that invokes curiosity and diversity of viewpoints, you can bring down the temperature of polarization and empower today's students to be successful citizens and leaders tomorrow.

SURFACE AS FORM

Open now in University Gallery

• Featuring Margeaux Claude, Andrea Gill, Gail Kendall, Diana Pancioli, Susanne Stephenson, and Patti Warashina

• The newest exhibition Surface as Form showcases female artists with direct and historical links connecting them to Eastern Michigan University and to each other.  The women included represent relationships that span generations, and institutions.  Their work and research binds some of the pillars of craft research in the United States to our University. Each artist engages with surfaces to wrap, build, and define the form, unfolding the boundless possibilities of surfaces on clay. 

• Open August 26 through October 21 in the University Gallery on the second floor of the Student Center. Public Reception September 19th from 4:30pm to 6:30pm

The New(ish) Faculty Show 2024

Open now in Ford Gallery

• Featuring Danny Baskin, Margeaux Claude, Ryan English, and Drew Thomas

• This exhibition features the varied works of faculty who are new to the School of Art and Design within the last three years. Including craft practices, digital creations, and even an interactive video game piece, the exhibit showcases new faces and new ideas 

• In Ford Gallery on the first floor of Ford Hall 

• September 3 to October 4 

• Public Reception September 26 from 4:30pm to 6:30pm

BREAK THE ICE: A ZINE SHOW

Student run Intermedia Gallery Group (or IGG) to host first exhibit of the season

• The first show of the season sets the tone for what is to come. Explore a dynamic collection of zines that will grow and transform over time. This unique display offers somethingfresh and new each visit, as zines are continuously added. Reflecting the spontaneous and collaborative spirit of our group. 

• Show runs from Sept 12th to 26th

• Reception to be held September 12th at 5pm in the Student Gallery on the second floor of the student center

For more information, visit the EMU Galleries Website.

"I was 54 in December 1995 when I graduated cum laude from EMU. My favorite subjects were anthropology and art. I enjoyed my classes at Eastern because, as a returning student, it felt comfortable in that setting where there were older students. Though the first day of classes was a little embarrassing because when I stepped in the classroom students already there stopped talking thinking I was the teacher! They relaxed when I sat down among them.

I especially enjoyed art classes taught by Mr. Washington and Barry Avedon.  Anthropology courses by Karen Sinclair and Barbara Bilge were favorites. In later years, I was happy to make a charitable gift annuity to EMU."