The four-week summer enrichment program for ReBUILDetroit scholars from Marygrove College, Wayne County Community College District (WCCCD) and the University of Detroit Mercy (UDM) concludes with a reception for scholars and parents on Friday, July 31.
Administrators from the three institutions share their remarks on the intense summer program and ReBUILDetroit experience.
Dr. Gary Kuleck, co-principle investigator from UDM, acknowledges the scholars for their hard work and completing the exciting and exhausting program. “This is the first step in your academic career. There will be many small steps forward and it will not happen over night,” says Kuleck. “Remember you are not alone in this journey. You have an extended support network around you.”
In congratulating the scholars and their parents, President Dr. Antoine Garibaldi from UDM is excited about the program. “This will have a profound change to the way we teach undergraduates at all of our institutions,” says Garibaldi. “If this is successful, we will be a model for the nation in biomedical education.”
President Dr. James Birge from Marygrove College echoes the transformation message. “You are the pioneers. The individuals that will ask the questions and do the research,” says Birge. “The work will be hard but you will persevere. Don’t give up. We are depending on you.”
Derek Johnson, District Executive Vice Chancellor and College Counsel from WCCCD is excited to see the spectacular work the scholars accomplished this summer. “WCCCD will receive significant enhancements to our facilities from this grant,” says Johnson. “All of our students will benefit from ReBUILDetroit.”
Student core director, Dr. Steven Chang, applauds the scholars on a successful program and uses the opportunity to teach a final lesson. “Never forget that you were chosen and you chose,” says Chang. “You were chosen to make a difference for Detroit. You chose to be brave and share the truth.”
“You all have exceeded our expectations. This is exactly what we hoped,” says Chang.
See photographs from the reception.
Left to right: Derek Johnson, Madeleine Reardon, Dr. James Birge, Dr. Antoine Garibaldi