ESC

Schoolcraft College’s 57^th annual Commencement, scheduled for 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 7, in the St. Joe’s Mercy Elite Sports Center (ESC) on the main campus, will be open to a new era.

That’s because this will be the first Commencement at ESC that will welcome guests. Last year’s graduation ceremony was open to students only due to health-related precautions.

“We’re pleased to welcome guests to this year’s Commencement,” said Dr. Glenn Cerny, President of Schoolcraft College. “Graduates share with us how important the support from family members and friends has been during their journey, so it’s our privilege to once again have their guests here in person to share in their great day.”

This year’s keynote speaker is Marina Shoemaker, the Director of Global Diversity and Inclusion Strategies DEI External Partnerships for General Motors.

“It’s our honor to have such a distinguished speaker,” Dr. Cerny said. “Marina has been a great friend to Schoolcraft College over the years, willingly lending her expertise to important initiatives, including helping incorporate a DEI component into our STARS DEI leadership program and serving as a co-chair of our Foundation’s Vision 2025 campaign.”

More than 900 applications for graduation were received by Student Records, with nearly 400 students signed up to participate in Commencement.

Skills Certificates, Certificates, Associate degrees, Bachelor of Science degrees and Post-Associate degrees will be awarded. In addition, the College will confer Honorary Degrees and recognize a Distinguished Alumni during Commencement.

The Student Reflection will be delivered by Catreese Qualls, whose many accomplishments and contributions to Schoolcraft College include:

2021/2022 Division III International Vice President, Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society
Michigan All-Academic Team Silver Scholar
Coca-Cola Scholar
STARS DEI mentor
Oberndorf Scholar
Kehrl Communications Arts Scholar

Ozzy the ocelot mascot — You can meet Ozzy, the new Schoolcraft College mascot, at Commencement.

Ozzy, the new Schoolcraft College mascot, will make its official debut and will be available for photos, including in a new 360-degree photo booth where users can instantly share their photos. (Maximum of four people in the photo booth.)

Traditional photo booths also will be available. Students can upload their photos on their social channels and use the hashtags #OcelotPride and #OcelotGrad.

Doors open at 12 p.m. Students are asked to arrive by 1 p.m.

A livestream will be available.

Supporting youth sports events brings visitors to campus

Schoolcraft College, recognizing its role to be a positive force in the community and support activities for young people, will open its sports facilities for two exciting events this spring and summer.

First, this weekend, the St. Joe’s Mercy Elite Sports Center (ESC), the St. Joe’s Sports Dome and the main gym in the Physical Education building will be sites of the “Mizuno Motor City Madness” volleyball tournament.

Then later this summer, the St. Joe’s Sports Dome and the College’s soccer field will be host to the “Special Olympics Unified Cup 2022 presented by Toyota” soccer event.

Sports Center front of building — Photo 1

“We are extremely pleased and proud to welcome these hard-working athletes and their dedicated families and friends to our campus to compete in our outstanding sports and recreation facilities,” said Dr. Glenn Cerny, President of Schoolcraft College. “In addition to providing transformative educational opportunities, we also want to be a good neighbor and actively support positive events in Livonia and Metro Detroit.”

Mizuno Motor City Madness will be this Saturday and Sunday, April 23 and 24. More than 500 teams, from ages 12-under to 18-under, from around the country and Canada are expected. The event is presented by Michigan Elite Volleyball Academy, which calls the ESC its home in the western suburbs.

The 75,000-square-foot facility has been a hub of activity for students, community members and youth sports since opening in October 2020. The ESC includes eight volleyball courts; a 1/7-mile track; a practice field for the Michigan Wolves Soccer Club; brand-new classrooms and equipment for Schoolcraft College’s Movement Science program; the MercyElite sports performance and training center; and the Elite Market & Smoothie Bar.

The volleyball courts also can be configured for pickleball, an increasingly popular sport that many community and Fitness Center members play regularly, especially during the winter.

Unified Cup coming this summer

Schoolcraft College will welcome the Special Olympics Unified Cup 2022 presented by Toyota starting Sunday, July 31. A total of 24 teams from around the world, ages 16-21, are expected to compete. This event will show the world how the power of sport builds and shapes a diverse community that unites and empowers people of all abilities, from all backgrounds. Teams include athletes with and without intellectual disabilities playing together.

“We encourage everyone to come to our beautiful campus, learn more about what Schoolcraft College offers and enjoy these great events,” Dr. Cerny said.