UDM Celebrate Spirit! ... and Grand Opening of new Student Fitness Center

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Sep 19, 2012, 07:00 ET

DETROIT, Sept. 19, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Each year, University of Detroit Mercy faculty, staff and students gather in Calihan Hall for the annual "Celebrate Spirit!" event. This longstanding tradition is a symbol of the beginning of the new academic year for students, faculty and staff and will include a worship service for all faiths, picnic lunch, student organization fair and grand opening of the UDM Student Fitness Center.

The event will take place on Thursday, Sept. 20, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. at Calihan Hall, led by Rev. John Staudenmaier, S.J., director, Office of Mission and Identity. Following the program, the University community will gather for the official grand opening of UDM's new Fitness Center (east of the Engineering building) at 1:00 p.m. with tours inside, a student organization fair with games and activities around the Fisher Fountain and a picnic lunch sponsored by Chrysler Group LLC.

"Celebrate Spirit!" gathers the entire University community together to rededicate everyone to UDM's mission, to renew friendships, and to welcome new friends. The yearly event is part of a religious tradition that dates back to the great European universities in the Middle Ages who celebrated the new school year.

The grand opening of the 40,000 square-foot Fitness Center features a two-court gymnasium for recreation and intramural sports such as basketball, volleyball, badminton and floor hockey; an elevated three-lane track; a group exercise room; men's and women's locker rooms and restrooms; a lobby and student lounge; and a convenient pit stop with healthy snacks. Visit the Student Fitness Center live cam at: http://www.udmercy.edu/fc/

This event's activities are open to the entire University of Detroit Mercy community. All are encouraged to attend.

The University of Detroit Mercy is Michigan's largest private Catholic University, with more than 100 academic majors and programs. Sponsored by the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits) and the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, the University has campuses located in downtown and northwest Detroit.

UDM is one of 28 Jesuit colleges and universities and the largest of 16 Mercy institutions of higher education in the United States. For the 12^th consecutive year, University of Detroit Mercy is listed in the top tier of Midwest Regional Universities in the 2013 edition of the U.S.News and World Report's "America's Best Colleges."

CONTACT: Gary D. Lichtman, Director of Media Relations, +1-313-993-1254

SOURCE University of Detroit Mercy