Michigan Academy of Science, Arts, and Letters

2024 Conference — Held at Lawrence Technological University, March 8, 2024.

Who We Are

The Michigan Academy is a professional academic organization with the mission of supporting research and disseminating knowledge through annual meetings and publishing a quarterly journal of outstanding papers in the sciences, humanities and social sciences.  The Academy is a nonprofit 501 (c) 3 organization housed at Alma College.

Our primary activities revolve around two key initiatives: the organization of an annual regional academic conference and the publication of our interdisciplinary academic journal, the Michigan Academician. This conference, typically hosted by one of our member institutions each March, serves as a dynamic hub for intellectual exchange and collaboration. Together, these initiatives embody our commitment to fostering academic excellence and knowledge within the region.

Each year a different one of our member institutions hosts our annual, regional, multi-disciplinary, conference. The conference date is determined by the host institution and is always on a Friday, usually in March.

About Us

About Us

Established in 1894, is one the oldest state academies. Housed at Alma College, the Academy is an IRS designated 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization that is distinct among scholarly organizations for the range of disciplines (over 30) offered.

History and Constitution

History and Constitution

History
The Michigan Academy of Science, Arts, and Letters has a stated mission to “disseminate research and diffuse knowledge.” The organization met yearly in Lansing, East Lansing or Ann Arbor, with the stated purpose of reading and discussing scientific papers and “to forward the scientific [study of the] resources of the state… . ” Charter members regularly advised the State of Michigan on matters ranging from conservation and the preservation of natural species to map making.

In 1921, the Academy became “The Michigan Academy of Science, Arts, and Letters,” and within months, the Academy blossomed with several new sections devoted to humanities disciplines and the organization took on the interdisciplinary character that it retains to this day. (Note: only two other state academies include the humanities disciplines.)

Today, the Academy is located at Alma College and is funded primarily from individual and institutional membership fees. Conference registration fees, journal subscriptions and royalties also provide financial support. In 1998, the Academy received a small endowment from Judge Avern Cohn for a prize for the most outstanding paper presented on the topic of law and public policy.

Constitution
Michigan Academy’s Constitution was most recently updated and ratified in September 2005.

Executive Comitee

Executive Comitee

President
Bhubanjyoti Bhattacharya, Lawrence Technological University

President-Elect
Diedre Hennebury, University of Michigan

Past President
Arlene Weismantel, Michigan State University Libraries

Treasurer
Aleksandra Kuzmanov, Lawrence Technological University

Secretary
Shannon Timmons, Lawrence Technological University


Alma College Representative

Michael Selmon, Alma College

Academician Co-Editors

Mary Theresa Bonhage-Freund – Alma College, retired
Alice Horning –Oakland University, retired
David Dornbos – Calvin University

Members-at-Large

Term ending September 2024

Maureen Thum – University of Michigan – Flint
Aby Tehranipour – Eastern Michigan University
Veronika Drake – Saginaw Valley State University
Marty Raymond, Eastern Michigan University
Derek Drake – University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire

Term ending September 2025

Diane Baclawski – Michigan State University, retired
Deirdre Hennebury – University of Michigan
Reem Abou-samra, University of Detroit Mercy
Fred Sunderman, Saginaw Valley State University
Aleksandra Kuzmanov, Lawrence Technological University

Term ending September 2025

Gary Lange, Saginaw Valley State University
Prathim Maya Dora-Laskey, Alma College
Bhubanjyoti Bhattacharya, Lawrence Technological University
Robert McTyre, Spring Arbor University
Eric Washington, Calvin University

Contact Us

The Academy operates with a part time staff. We will respond to emails and phone calls as staff time allows. Thank you for your patience.

Director

Jessie DeHaan
Phone: (989) 463-7969
Fax: (989) 463-7970
michiganacademy@alma.edu

Donations payable to:

Michigan Academy
Alma College
614 W. Superior St.
Alma, MI 48801