Reflection
From orientation to commencement, the University Unions serve as the center of campus life. This year, our historic halls and vibrant spaces have witnessed countless moments of action and achievement from our diverse community. From the late-night UMix events filling the Unions with social connections to the engaging speakers inspiring students and faculty, we are proud of the moments this year has brought. Join us as we journey through the milestones and memories that have made this year truly unforgettable, affirming our commitment to cultivating community and belonging through our programs, spaces and services.
Fall 2023
Welcome to Michigan
University Unions plays a pivotal role in welcoming new students by co-leading the Welcome to Michigan program with the Office of New Student Programs. By hosting an array of events, the Unions created engaging opportunities for incoming students to connect, socialize, and start to create their Michigan Experience. UU staff, along with a few hundred volunteers from across campus, answered questions at Info Stations, hosted energizing programs, and oriented students to student organizations and campus resources in addition to supporting move-in and orientation programs.
University Unions is used to navigating the unexpected, but no one could have anticipated a campus-wide internet outage for the first three days of class. The AskMe! Info stations, coordinated by Campus Information, were well positioned across campus to assist students. Paper copies of the course schedule were quickly printed, and additional staff volunteered to cover expanded shifts at the Info Stations. UU staff and student employees got very creative to ensure our spaces and services were still able to support students.
The energy continues as Fall on campus brings exciting events, new opportunities and crisp Michigan air. From hosting game day celebrations on the Michigan Union front lawn to UMix Late Night at Pierpont Commons, University Unions is a center of many events and programs during the semester.
Following a Request for Proposal process that included student representatives from our advisory boards and student employees, Qdoba Mexican Eats® was selected to join the food offerings on the Michigan Union ground floor. They opened with much excitement on September 18, 2023.
In partnership with Conference and Event Services, University Unions staff members were able to tour The Big House and its event facilities. Starting with a view from the indoor suites to running a few yards on the field, it was a great way to spend a beautiful September afternoon and learn about campus facilities.
Thank you to our generous donors, Alan and Heidi Jesiel! Through their gift, the University Unions Forever Go Blue! Scholarship Fund was launched. We celebrated their lifelong support for Michigan and our students by naming a room in their honor.
Halloween is always a fun time of year for students, and through several events, the Center for Campus Involvement provides opportunities for students to safely enjoy the festivities. A new event, Haunted Pierpont, featured food, games, giveaways and music for students to enjoy on north campus.
A key CCI event during the academic year is UMix - a late night event featuring games, crafts, food and performances that is hosted in the Union spaces. Thankful for UMix celebrated the spirit of giving with stress-relieving activities and snacks as students began preparing for the end of the semester.
Fall Highlights
Winter 2024
Kicking off the winter semester with a National Football Championship, Winter 2024 was full of celebrations of talent and discovering new interests.
Though the Rose Bowl occurred during the semester break, hundreds of students gathered in the Michigan Union Courtyard and South Lounge to watch the Wolverines in the National Championship game on January 8, 2024. Students cheered the Wolverines on to victory with their 34-13 win over the Washington Huskies. Once the team made their way back to Ann Arbor, the trophy was displayed at the Michigan Union.
Students seeking to learn about student organizations and find their community within Michigan filled the Michigan Union and Pierpont Commons for the annual Winterfest Student Org Fair held during the first week of classes. Hundreds of student organizations tabled and met with students looking to get involved.
In celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King's legacy and in partnership with the Office of Academic Multicultural Initiatives, the Center for Campus Involvement hosted A Beautiful Symphony Community art exhibit and reception. Featuring community and student artists, the event focused on themes of harmony, transformation, peace and connection.
A four month project to replace the Michigan League’s only public elevator finished in March 2024. The $1.2 million project included a new interior cab, new elevator machine room, and entirely new mechanical infrastructure. The Inn at the Michigan League was closed during the elevator project which allowed for some improvements to the 21 room hotel. The refresh included new guest room and hallway carpet, a new breakfast nook, painting, and new bathroom fixtures.
From Women's History Month to Earth Day, the winter semester is full of celebrations that honored our campus community and featured a number of events and exhibits across the University Unions spaces. Contributing to the near 18,000 events hosted by Conference and Event Services, winter is a bustling time throughout campus.
In the News
Spring/Summer 2024
With the end of the academic year, numerous ceremonies, banquets and celebrations are held throughout our spaces that provide opportunities for reflection and campus traditions. Our spaces are where many notable experts from around the world enrich the campus community.
Students, staff and community members gathered in the Michigan Union front lawn on April 8 to view the solar eclipse. Resulting in near darkness, individuals enjoyed a beautiful spring day witnessing history.
The University Unions Scholarship Banquet held in April celebrated student accomplishments and our donors. Over $30,000 was awarded to 11 student employees and student leaders who are contributing in remarkable ways to enrich University Unions and the campus community. Congratulations to the following scholarship recipients:
- Mary Kinley Scholarship: Chris Pallares (Conference & Event Services)
- Patricia Lawson Scholarship: Jaylynn Von Feldt (Campus Information)
- Ethel McCormick Scholarship: Mopelola Adigun (Campus Information), Jace DeRosia (Inn at the Michigan League), Sophia Ferrigno (Inn at the Michigan League), Langston Harris (UU Operations) & Christine Nguyen (Inn at the Michigan League)
- John and Carol Munn Student Betterness Scholarship: Amy Douglas (University Activities Center) & Ian Paglia (Pierpont Commons Board of Representatives)
- University Unions Forever Go Blue! Scholarship: Raymond Tran (Center for Campus Involvement) & Zander Mulawka (University Unions Operations)
Among many annual commencement celebrations, Lavender Graduation hosted by the Spectrum Center honors LGBTQIA2S+ graduates and allies at the University of Michigan. The Michigan Union's Rogel Ballroom creates the landscape for this beautiful ceremony each spring.
Commencement
Just as the Welcome to Michigan program serves as an important celebratory “opening” for the fall semester, Commencement is the celebratory “closing” of the academic year. UU provides important leadership to a number of commencement related initiatives. This includes ticketing many ceremonies through the Michigan Union Ticket Office, regalia sales and rentals through Barnes & Noble, and the many year end celebrations and ceremonies that occur in our spaces, and even a special canopy set up on Ingalls Mall. University Unions provide a dignified and well-organized environment where graduates and their families gather to celebrate outstanding achievement.
With an increased presence of student activism on campus this spring, University Unions became a key resource and partner in ensuring both activism and commencement activities could continue. Many staff members volunteered time and their expertise to ensure a successful commencement from staffing events across campus to adjusting quickly when needs arose.
Awards & Recognition
Outstanding Student Employee Awards
- Customer Service: James Hackworth (CES - Summer) and Fiona McCole (League Operations)
- Maize Cranium: Anish Sundaram (CIC) and Ellie Rogers (CES)
- Michigan Difference: Yuki Takahashi (Palmer Commons) and Tushar Mittal (CCI)
- New Wolverine: Meilian Wu (Inn at Michigan League)
- True Blue: Grace Dirig (Pierpont Commons), Nancy Chen (CIC) and Stella Fiorini (MUTO)
Outstanding Staff Awards
- Partnership: Abe Hughes and Dave Marshall (DPSS)
- Impact: Caroline Clark (CES)
- Cultivating Community: Kaila Sell (CCI) and Melanie Pizzulo (Palmer Commons) and Hope Amayo (CCI)
- M-Power: Mike Decker (UU Operations)
- Excellence: Stephanie Beld-Steichen (UU)
Service Awards
- 5 years: Kaila Sell and Frederick Mooney
- 10 years: Xavier Wilson
- 20 years: Susan Pile
- 35 years: Sue Schaefgen
Inaugural Student Life Celebration Values in Action
- Adaptability Award - Dr. Nicholas Smith
Professional Association Leadership Association of College Unions International (ACUI)
- Susan Pile, elected to the Board of Trustees
- Dr. Nicholas Smith, selected to serve on the Education Council
- Stephanie Beld-Steichen, selected to serve on the Region VI conference planning team
- Julie Wagner, selected to serve on the 2025 Annual Conference Program Team