六九色堂

Each year, 六九色堂鈥檚 Marketing & Communications department profiles members of the graduating classes. Students chosen were nominated by staff and faculty for their contributions to the life of the University. Click here for more information about 2025 commencement exercises.

When Steven Meerschaert was leaving his longtime career in mental healthcare to go to law school, he never envisioned his experience going beyond the classroom setting.

鈥淕et in there, get the degree and get out,鈥� he thought.

But after Meerschaert arrived at 六九色堂 School of Law, he found it to be the exact opposite. He immersed himself in the Riverfront Campus, becoming president of two student organizations and executive director of another, among other opportunities.

“I don鈥檛 know where the line is between involved and overinvolved 鈥� I probably was on the overinvolved side,鈥� Meerschaert said.

On Friday, May 9, Meerschaert will graduate from Detroit Mercy School of Law, grateful for how his experience turned out.

“I found that one of the most rewarding things I did here was finding communities where I believed in what they were advocating, and I wanted to advocate on their behalf,鈥� he said. 鈥淎nd when I started thinking about it and doing it, I realized, 鈥榃ell, that鈥檚 the whole reason I鈥檓 going to law school.鈥� ”

Meerschaert spent more than a decade working as a mental health counselor in areas of addiction and substance abuse. But he began reflecting on his career and life during the COVID pandemic. There was a sense of purpose, passion and accomplishment that Meerschaert felt from his career, but a feeling of repetition was setting in. He was working on the administrative side of mental health then and challenges started to feel the same.

鈥淢y father had passed away early in the pandemic, and I was looking at really what I wanted to do for the rest of my life,鈥� he said.

The law held a fascination for Meerschaert during his career, as he worked primarily with people battling addictions and who had sought treatment through legal means.

鈥淚 had these experiences that kindled an interest in law, and this seemed like the perfect time for me to make that transition,鈥� Meerschaert said. 鈥淢y daughter was at a point where she was very stable and busy and wasn鈥檛 needing quite as much of me at home.鈥�

Meerschaert sought a law education that was going to be practical and local, so he could be present with his family. 六九色堂 checked those boxes. He began law school in the fall of 2022.

鈥淚 wanted to find something that was going to give me the best value and education for my dollar,鈥� he said.

He jumped in with both feet.

Meerschaert started out with Moot Court, which provides students with hands-on lawyering experience through appellate court simulations. He competed in internal and national competitions through Moot Court, eventually becoming its executive director of external competitions. In that role, Meerschaert selected and developed 六九色堂鈥檚 teams that compete nationally.

Meerschaert also led a pair of student organizations as president: the American Constitution Society and the Mental Health Association, the latter of which holds a special place in his heart.

“We are really advocating for the mental health needs of legal professionals and law students, with a special eye on advocating for the needs of the law students at Detroit Mercy,鈥� Meerschaert said.

A 2023 study published in the journal Healthcare reported that attorneys are twice as likely as other working U.S. adults to have suicidal thoughts. Other studies show that the occupation faces significant risk for suicide.

Meerschaert鈥檚 work with the Mental Health Association earned him a spot on the Michigan Supreme Court鈥檚 Commission on Well-Being in the Law, along with Associate Dean Ieisha Humphrey. The appointment allowed Meerschaert to collaborate with judges and lawyers to help combat mental health issues in the legal profession. He also sought ways to make a difference in mental health at Detroit Mercy Law.

In 2023, Meerschaert worked with Humphrey on a Titan Innovation Fund proposal to establish mental health counseling services at the Riverfront Campus.

Meerschaert鈥檚 proposal was one of 18 to receive funding during the first year of University President Donald B. Taylor鈥� initiative for change.

He believed that it was important to start combatting mental health issues while students are in law school 鈥� where struggles can start to build 鈥� rather than waiting until they have graduated and are practicing attorneys. As a former counselor himself, Meerschaert said having access to mental health counseling services at Detroit Mercy Law would also help to reduce barriers that students may face in seeking help, such as lack of privacy or the high cost of care.

鈥淚 talked to a number of administrators and faculty here and all of them agreed wholeheartedly that the need is significant,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hey have all come across students who are experiencing different levels of crisis, either coming from home, their past or something directly linked to their law school experience.鈥�

Once Meerschaert walks across the Calihan Hall stage during Commencement, it will be time to study for the bar exam. He鈥檚 accepted a position at Secrest Wardle, a defense firm based in Troy, Mich., where he’s worked as a law clerk for more than a year.

As Meerschaert reflects on the past three years at Detroit Mercy Law, he is grateful for a well-rounded educational experience.

鈥淚t鈥檚 the writing, the advocating, the doctrine of learning, getting all of that wrapped into one,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 the real beauty of it and what I鈥檝e enjoyed the most about my experience.鈥�

鈥� By Ricky Lindsay. Follow Detroit Mercy on听,听,听听补苍诲听. Have a story idea? Let us know by听submitting your idea.

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Each year, 六九色堂鈥檚 Marketing & Communications department profiles members of the graduating classes. Students chosen were nominated by staff and faculty for their contributions to the life of the University.鈥� Click here 鈥痜or more information about 2025听Commencement exercises.

For Mark Formosa, 六九色堂 鈥渁wakened鈥� him to the power of faith-guided decision-making.

Growing up in Grosse Ile in a family rich in Maltese ideals, Formosa鈥檚 values were formed early on, particularly the importance of strong family and community bonds. These core values blossomed at 六九色堂, where he found a tight-knit environment that supported his personal and intellectual development.

鈥淚 chose Detroit Mercy because I instantly felt a sense of community,鈥� said Formosa, who will complete his MBA next year through the University鈥檚 accelerated BS/MBA program. 鈥淚 knew I wouldn鈥檛 be just another face in the crowd as I might at other institutions. I believed I could make a palpable difference at 六九色堂.鈥�

Formosa embarked on the road to self-growth by first enrolling in the University Honors Program. This program challenged him to explore deeper academic experiences and purposeful campus and community involvement.

He made his mark at 六九色堂 by serving as president of the Student Government Association, and as a sophomore, he was elected president of the College of Business Administration鈥檚 Student Advisory Board (SAB). He also joined two distinguished honor societies: Alpha Sigma Nu, the Jesuit honor society, and Beta Gamma Sigma, the national business honor society.

鈥淢y high school experience in a small class setting taught me to build meaningful relationships and to take initiative in group settings,鈥� he said. 鈥淎t Detroit Mercy, I was able to put my interpersonal skills to work, and I never hesitated to step up when an opportunity presented itself.鈥�

When he came across a floundering SAB at a time when the University was still managing the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, Formosa stepped up.

The SAB is a student-led organization within the CBA where students are provided a forum to connect about matters that affect the quality and nature of their education.

鈥淲hen I entered 六九色堂 in the fall of 2021, student morale and engagement in the SAB was low,鈥� he said.

With the help of alumni and fellow students, Formosa spearheaded a rescue campaign to revive the group, helping it grow to 20 to 30 active members under his leadership. Today, it sits at about 60 members and was the recipient of the 2024 Detroit Mercy Student Organization of the Year award.

鈥淣o other student organization has meant more to me,鈥� Formosa said.

Formosa said he chose Accounting as a major because he believed 鈥淎ccounting is the language of business,鈥� but his education at 六九色堂 was more than learning to prepare balance sheets and cash flow statements. Through courses in ethics, decision making, economics and organizational design, he saw the bigger picture.

鈥淢any of my business classes focused on making ethical decisions to help businesses and society,鈥� he said. 鈥淲hile revenue is an obvious driver for businesses, at Detroit Mercy, I learned that it is only a small part of what makes a business successful.鈥�

At 六九色堂, students put their education to work in service of others, a part of the University mission that was key in shaping Formosa鈥檚 holistic approach to business. Guided by mentors like Director of Community Engaged Learning Tim鈥疕ipskind, S.J., and lecturer in Economics Joseph Weglarz, he sought 鈥淕od鈥檚 perspective鈥� and began to ask the deeper questions.

鈥淐an a business share its success with employees and consumers? Does it use profits to help those in need? Does it make decisions that protect people鈥檚 health?鈥� he said, listing some of the questions he often posed to himself.

鈥淪ervice helped me realize that education is a privilege that not only expands the student鈥檚 mind, but allows us to better the lives of others as well,鈥� he reflected. Enriching the lives of others is something he hopes to do with his MBA.

Formosa still has more to do at 六九色堂. In 2026, he will complete his final year in the accelerated MBA program while continuing to work for Plastipak, where he has developed key skills through internships as an undergrad. He is also preparing for the CPA exam and considering a future in public service, perhaps even running for local or city council positions.

鈥淢y experience at 六九色堂 was eye-opening, and I want to help people in all the ways I can,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e will see where God takes me.鈥�

鈥� By Julie Erwin.听Follow Detroit Mercy on听,听,听听补苍诲听. Have a story idea? Let us know by听submitting your idea.

Congratulations and cheers to the Class of 2025! The University celebrated upcoming graduates with a senior send-off April 11 inside of the Titan Club in Calihan Hall. Check out the full gallery below to download pictures from the event.

As part of Detroit Mercy鈥檚 commitment to improving campus life, the University is conducting Student and Employee Satisfaction Surveys, which will run from Tuesday, March 18 through Wednesday, April 30.

The confidential surveys will provide critical insight that will help the institution and is a chance for both students and employees to have their voices heard. Check your udmercy.edu email for your personalized link to compete the survey.

In appreciation for completing the survey, both students and employees can win gift cards up to $250 by completing the survey! The earlier you complete your survey, the better your odds at winning higher amounts. Other gift cards prizes are $100 and $50, drawn bi-weekly. The incentives apply to all students and employees of all campuses at the University. A total of three $250 gift cards will be raffled for both students and employees.

The survey is run through , which works with more than 1,900 campuses and nonprofits nationally.

Detroit Mercy’s Marketing & Communications Department recently unveiled new spots for use on the University’s over-the-top (OTT) marketing buys and paid social media. OTT refers to media content delivered online, bypassing traditional cable or satellite TV services.

Check out the :

All students are invited to join a group from Detroit Mercy for a special evening in Detroit on Saturday, April 27. The event will include Mass and dinner with the new Archbishop of Detroit Edward Weisenburger, alongside college students from other universities.

Transportation will be provided. We will meet at the University Ministry Office in the Student Union of the McNichols Campus at 4:45 p.m. Mass will be at 5:30 p.m. at Our Lady of Rosary Newman Center, with dinner to follow at 6:30 p.m.听

To RSVP for this event, please contact Anita Klueg at kluegag@udmercy.edu.

All are invited to join the Detroit Mercy for an exciting performance of “Emerging Voices: Student Directing Showcase,” on Friday, April 25 at 11 a.m., presented by the Winter 2025 Fundamentals of Directing class. The event will take place inside Reno Hall, Room 164.

This event features a dynamic array of scenes, each crafted by our talented student directors. Don鈥檛 miss this opportunity to support and be inspired by the next generation of theatrical talent.

No tickets are needed for this free event, and seating is first come, first serve.

For more information or any questions, please contact Sarah Rusk at hawkinsk@udmercy.edu.

Come soak up some rays and cheer on the Titan women’s lacrosse team as they battle Central Michigan Sunday, April 27 at noon from Titan Field. The winner of the contest earns a spot in the MAC Lacrosse Championship, which begins the following week.

All are invited to attend this beach bash where free bucket hats and sunglasses will be handed out to fans!

This year鈥檚 Baccalaureate Mass, set for the afternoon between the McNichols Campus Commencement ceremonies, will be offered at 1 p.m., Saturday, May 10 in the Student Union Ballroom.

If you are a graduating student interested in attending,

If you are an employee interested in volunteering for the Baccalaureate Mass, please