From the Heights—Summer 2017 Campus News

SHU’s Online Program Ranked First in Michigan, Tied for 24th Nationally

SHU’s Online Learning Program was ranked as the first in Michigan among all institutions by the U.S. News and World Report. SHU also was ranked nationally for the fourth consecutive year, finishing tied for 24th among all public and private institutions. SHU has offered online bachelor’s degree completion programs in selected majors since 2004. U.S. News and World Report’s methodology included student engagement, faculty credentials and training, peer reputation and student services and technology to determine the rankings. The publication released its 2017 Best Online Bachelor’s Programs rankings Jan. 10.

Frost Publishes New Book

SHU Associate Professor of History Julieanna Frost, Ph.D., had her new book published, “Chemo Fashion Fridays: One Woman’s Breast Cancer Journey.” This work is a photo essay of her chemotherapy journey, and includes funny stories and poems to inspire hope for others fighting breast cancer. It is available on Amazon.

‘Finding Your Roots’ Event Part of Black History Month

The Ethnic and Gender Studies Institute and Black History Month at Siena Heights presented “Finding Your Roots: Tracing Family History” Feb. 20 at Cotton Brewing Co. in Adrian. Debra Middleton discussed how to use traditional research methods as well as cutting-edge technologies to uncover and preserve your family history, and will share inspirational stories from her own journey in African-American genealogy. She is a member of the Afro-American Historical Genealogical Society and is a staff member at the University of Toledo.

SHU Students, Faculty Members Play a Role in “Hockey—the Musical!”

By Arthur Gwoszdz, Student Writer

Mitch Albom’s original production of “Hockey—The Musical!” had a distinct Siena Heights presence this summer. The show returned to Detroit’s City Theatre inside Hockeytown Café, with SHU musical theater students J.J. Hoss (right, middle) and Patrick Wallace joining the musical’s cast. Also, SHU Assistant Professor of Theater Daniel Walker was the lighting designer for the show.

The production, which premiered last summer directed by Peter Albom, was very successful, said Walker.

“After a successful run last summer, they are going to remount it. This year, they put out the word that they were casting, so I made a phone call and said, ‘I think I have a couple of guys and a couple of women, would you want to see them?’” added Walker, who said the producers were doing their last days of auditions in Detroit before heading to New York. “So, the very next day, I sent them Patrick and J.J. (The producers) said, ‘we will fit them in for 15 minutes and see them since we know you,’ and they kept them for the whole day. They ended up going to New York and still hired our guys.”

Siena Startups

Ashlee Trempus ’15 co-founded the startup company SignOn, which is a “virtual immersion program” that connects the hearing and deaf communities through authentic learning interactions.

Recent Graduates Follow Their Passions to Create New Businesses

Editor’s Note: From time to time, Reflections Magazine will highlight entrepreneurial alumni who have recently started business ventures within the past year. This article spotlights Ashlee Trempus ’15 and Kenneth DeGraaf ’16.

Ashlee Trempus ’15: SignOn

As a sign language interpreter, Ashlee Trempus ’15 is used to face-to-face contact with the deaf community in helping them communicate with the world around them.

When she graduated from SHU’s Lansing campus with a bachelor’s degree in multidisciplinary studies, she decided to bring that face-to-face concept to the Internet. Trempus co-founded the start-up company SignOn, which is a “virtual immersion program” that connects the hearing and deaf communities through authentic learning interactions.

Trempus said she got the idea when an illness slowed her ability to complete her required hours of interaction she needed for her interpreter certification.

“I became homebound,” she said. “I was unable to travel.”