Familiar spaces, new names in the University Center

Ask a Central Michigan University student about some of their favorite places on campus, and they might tell you about their favorite study space in the Park Library, the quiet corner of the Greenhouse they love to visit in winter, or the tables near the pond in Fabiano Garden.

There’s a good chance they will tell you about the place they go for support and community on the lower level of the Bovee University Center. They’ll tell you about a door that’s always open, a gathering place they meet up with friends and mentors, and the people who know them – not only by their name, but by their story.  

Along the main corridor of the first floor is a group of offices and community spaces dedicated to helping every student find community, feel seen and heard, and connect with others. And, this year, those very familiar, comfortable spaces have been gifted new names in honor of people who supported their work. 

The Susie Drake Center for Student Identity and Development

Students enter through the Susie Drake Center for Student Identity and Development, named for an endowment established this year in honor of the life and legacy of Susie Drake. 

“Susie was a leader in the ways she showed up for others every day, wrapping community members with love,” said Shawna Patterson-Stephens, vice president of University Engagement and Student Affairs. “She possessed a natural ability to identify, encourage and develop the potential of others. Susie nurtured future leaders and was generous with her time and compassion – she made sure people did not ‘fall through the cracks’ when they were navigating difficult circumstances. Naming the CSID after Susie is fitting, as it is a space driven by love and making certain we have filled every gap before a crack can grow large enough to fall through”

The Drake Center will provide space for students to explore identity, strengthen their confidence, and develop their leadership capacity. The space houses numerous student support offices, as well as meeting rooms and casual gathering spaces.

The Kathrine Lorenz Center for Student Pride and Advocacy

Once inside the Drake Center, students may wander into the Kathrine Lorenz Center for Student Pride and Advocacy, named for an alumna who has made inclusivity, access and opportunity priorities in her personal and professional life. Her work has had a particularly positive impact on individuals who are members of and advocates for the LGBTQIA2S+ community. 

Lorenz, who currently serves as chief legal officer at DTE Energy, earned a bachelor’s degree in political science at CMU before going on to pursue her law degree. While at CMU, she got involved with student groups focused on promoting positive change, and she has continued to advocate for inclusion, including serving on the board of the Michigan Roundtable for Just Communities.

Following graduation, Lorenz established the Lorenz Family Inclusion Award at CMU, which provides a scholarship to students who demonstrate a commitment to LGBT+ equality, inclusion and equity, and to fostering an inclusive campus community through their campus and community involvement and advocacy. 

The James Span, Jr. Center for Excellence and Achievement

Students looking to engage in intercultural exploration, finding mentors, or seeking community might head into the James Span, Jr. Center for Excellence and Achievement. Formerly known as the Multicultural Academic Student Services Office, the newly renamed Span Center offers a wide range of mentoring programs and annual cultural programming.

The Center was named in honor of James Span, Jr., who served as the executive director of the MASS Office and whose legacy of mentoring and encouragement for students had a lasting impact on thousands of CMU students. 

“Mr. Span was an influential mentor throughout my student journey at CMU,” said Emma Massey, assistant director of Mentoring Initiatives in the Span Center. “From summers in the office during IMPACT season, to freshly navigating grad school, and every interaction between, one of the mini lessons I will always carry from him is the importance of purpose and intentionality.”

Span, who joined the CMU community in 2005, believed strongly in the power of mentoring in higher education and worked on numerous mentoring initiatives at CMU, including IMPACT and the First-Gen Council. And, over the course of his nearly 20 years at CMU, Span personally mentored hundreds of students and young professionals. He passed in November 2024 at the age of 51.

“Whenever sharing a new idea or initiative, James would challenge me to think beyond the immediate need and consider its sustainability and long-term impact of future students,” said Alfred Harper, III, assistant director of Multicultural Student Education in the Span Center. “Because of this, I approach the work with a focus on creating opportunities and support systems that will continue to serve students long after they are implemented. This taught me that change is not just about meeting today’s need but about building something that can evolve and benefit future generations.”

Cool new signs and good vibes

“Signs throughout the Bovee University Center are already updated to reflect the new names, and digital and print materials for the offices will also be updated over the next few months,” Patterson-Stephens said.

“Our goal is to establish numerous spaces on campus where students can find community, fully engage in university life, while feeling comfortable bringing their whole selves to every environment they encounter,” Patterson-Stephens said. “We want to provide as many opportunities as possible for students to develop the sense of belonging that will support them through their CMU journey.”