[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 126 (Tuesday, October 1, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Page S9710]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         IN RECOGNITION OF MARYGROVE COLLEGE'S 75TH ANNIVERSARY

 Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, I would like to extend my 
congratulations to Marygrove College in Detroit on the celebration of 
its 75th anniversary.
  For the last three-quarters of a century, Marygrove College has 
offered a strong liberal arts education to students from a wide-variety 
of backgrounds. Marygrove was originally founded in 1846 as St. Mary 
Academy in Monroe, MI, by the Sister, Servants of the Immaculate Heart 
of Mary. The school was originally designed to teach young women and 
girls. The gates of Marygrove College opened in September 1927 to 
welcome 287 students through its doors. Today, 6,000 students 
crisscross its metropolitan Detroit campus to take advantage of a 
quality and diverse education.
  The college offers associate's, bachelor's, and master's degrees in 
54 areas of study. The courses range from arts, music, and social work 
to radiology and science. Taking into account the fact that the average 
undergraduate student is 33 years old and the average graduate student 
is 36, Marygrove offers a special opportunity for students to advance 
their education within a schedule built around their established lives. 
Without an educational opportunity like Marygrove's, many people might 
choose not to pursue their education because they believe they are too 
busy or too entrenched in their ``normal'' lives.
  Marygrove's importance to Detroit is enhanced by its contributions to 
the arts community. The school enriches Detroit's cultural scene 
through its extensive art, dance, and music programs. The school 
regularly sponsors exhibits in its beautiful art gallery as well as 
frequent recitals and concerts for the public. Two years ago, Marygrove 
became the home of Detroit's 80-year-old Institute of Music and Dance.
  Along with the celebrations for its 75-year anniversary, Marygrove 
will open its newly-renovated 400-seat theater in November. In addition 
to a more dancer-friendly surface, the theater will contain a new 
multipurpose room for rehearsals and dance classes. The facility will 
have new acoustical systems, new house and theatrical lighting, better 
dressing room facilities, and better lines of sight from the balcony 
seats. The reopening of this theater, once used by the native 
Michigander, Madonna, will provide a new chance for developing and 
pursuing performing arts opportunities in Detroit.
  I am sure that my Senate colleagues join me in congratulating the 
staff, teachers, and students of Marygrove College on its 75 years of 
educational accomplishments. Best of luck to Marygrove on the next 
75.

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