Welcome from the Dean

I hope that you will find this summer edition of Under Discussion of interest to you. It highlights several ways that our programs and faculty are making a difference in the lives of our students and many individuals outside of the CMU community.  

It also provides information about CMU’s current Griffin Endowed Chair in American Government, Bill Ballenger, and the success he has had in motivating students to become involved in the political process. We take great pride in the influence that this Endowed Chair has had on our students. The experience of testifying before a Michigan Senate Committee is a credit to our students and to the Endowed Chair.   

This newsletter also introduces you to one of our newest students, Kendra Marzinski. She is the first recipient of a new CHSBS student scholarship. I want to thank everyone who gave money to the college last year. Your generosity funded this scholarship, among other worthy efforts. In subsequent years, the college will be expanding these and other CHSBS scholarship opportunities.

Finally, the newsletter highlights some of the important features of our college: events and outside speakers, excellence in teaching, faculty research activities, and achievements and news from our alumni.

Events and speakers: While classroom learning is critical to our students’ success as academics and as informed citizens, a university also needs to broaden students’ perspectives by offering them access to experts who share with them their knowledge and different perspectives on contemporary issues facing our disciplines, our region, and the world. The college and its departments and centers are dedicated to bringing guest speakers to campus each semester to meet with students and host public forums.

Excellence in teaching: The college prides itself on offering excellence in teaching. When I speak with alumni, many share stories of how their lives were positively impacted by the efforts of their CMU instructors. The tradition of teachers helping students to learn continues within the college’s departments today. In addition to university teaching awards, the college has instituted its own Teaching Excellence Award in recognition of the importance the college places on teaching.

Faculty research: The faculty members of the College of Humanities and Social and Behavioral Sciences are among the finest faculty members in the university in terms of research and creative activities. This newsletter discusses several major grants that faculty members have received during the past year.

Alumni news and achievements: Many of our readers tell us that one of their favorite sections of the newsletter is learning more about our alumni. As a result, we are increasing the amount of space dedicated to alumni news. Please remember to keep us updated about important milestones in your lives, so that we may share your news with other alumni.

Sincerely,

Dean

College of Humanities

and Social and Behavioral Sciences