University of Detroit Jesuit High School and Academy
Encyclopedia
The University of Detroit Jesuit High School and Academy, (commonly referred to as U of D Jesuit, The High or U of D) founded in 1877, is one of two Jesuit
high schools in the city of Detroit, Michigan
(Loyola High School being the other). Located in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Detroit
, the school is rooted in the Ignatian
tradition of intellectually and spiritually developing men who use their acquired and natural talents to serve God's will. With the exception of female staff members, U of D Jesuit is an all boys school, and in addition to the high school, operates an academy for young men in grades seven and eight. The school's mascot is the Cub; similarly, its athletic teams are the Cubs. The school colors are Maroon and White. Black is sometimes used as an alternate color for athletic uniforms.
, and by the school's 100th anniversary in 1977, the lay to Jesuit ratio stood at nearly 3 to 2. In 2007 the school celebrated its 130 year anniversary, making it the oldest Catholic high school in the city of Detroit. The school's history, mission, and successes were highlighted by Time (magazine)
in its November 9, 2009 issue.
. At the high school level, students take four years of both English and Theology; three years of a foreign language (Chinese, Latin or Spanish), with the fourth year as an elective; three years of mathematics, with the fourth year as an elective; three years of social studies, with the fourth year as an elective; and three years of science, with the fourth year as an elective.
French was offered as a language at U of D Jesuit, but was discontinued in 2008 due to a lack of student interest. In its place, Chinese is now offered due to a higher demand by incoming students.
Students may also take advanced placement (AP) courses in American History their sophomore year; government or Modern European History their junior or senior years; and Spanish, Latin, English, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics or Biology their senior year.
Theology classes consist of Introduction to U of D Jesuit and Hebrew Scriptures freshman year; Christian Scriptures and Sacraments & Church History sophomore year; Morality and World Religions junior year; and Social Justice and Marriage & Family senior year.
Social studies classes consist of World History freshman year, U.S. history or AP U.S. history sophomore year; and government, or an AP class junior year (see above). Juniors may also elect to take African American History, Economics, Sociology, Michigan History, and American Society since 1945. Seniors may take the same courses, plus Psychology.
In mathematics, freshman take Algebra I unless placed into a higher level; sophomores take Algebra II/Trigonometry, unless placed into a higher level; and juniors take Geometry, unless placed into a higher level. Seniors may take Pre-Calculus, Calculus, Trigonometry, Analytical Math, Statistics and AP calculus.
In science, freshman either take Physical Science or Biology; sophomores take Biology, Honors Chemistry or Chemistry (for those who took Biology as freshmen); juniors take Chemistry, Physics, Honors Physics, Applied Chemistry, or Honors Chemistry. In addition to the above AP science classes, seniors can take Honors BioChemistry; Forensic Science or Anatomy & Physiology.
Other classes: Freshman take Physical Education/Health; sophomores take 21st Century Media and Culture or Computer Applications.
General electives include supervised study, band or art for freshmen and sophomores; and band, art, acting, music appreciation, debate, computer applications, computer web design, AP Computer Science, Physical Education Health 1 and Physical Education Health 2 for juniors and seniors.
Seventh grade students take classes in Mathematics, Language Arts, English, Social Studies, Art, Computer Applications, Faith in Jesus, Biology, and Physical education.
Eighth grade students take classes in Mathematics (Algebra or Pre-Algebra depending on the student's mathematics score on the entrance exam), Religion (Life in the Church), Integrated Science, English, Language Arts, Latin (which may be substituted if the student plays in the school band), Social Studies (World Geography), and physical education.
In keeping with their dedication towards the betterment of the local community, seniors are required to spend their Wednesday mornings at a designated service project site of their choice among the designated areas.
The school has a reputation for academic excellence with 99-100% of seniors attending college each year. Since 1955, U of D Jesuit has had a total of 745 National Merit Semi-Finalists and National Achievement Semi-Finalists, including 16 for the class of 2009. In 2011, over $17.9 million was awarded in higher education scholarships to graduating seniors.
The school has been continually rated above public schools and other Catholic private schools in Michigan.
, who had come to Detroit from Cincinnati on May 8, 1870. The Second Hundred Years records that Borgess had determined that the city needed a Catholic College for young men. Borgess was finally successful in this endeavor in the winter of 1876-1877, when the Jesuits, acting through the provincial at St. Louis
, Fr. Thomas O'Neill, S.J., agreed to found a school.
Originally located at the Trowbridge Mansion on Jefferson Avenue, in 1890, the school moved across the street to Dowling Hall, a more spacious facility, able to better accommodate the influx of students. The demand for better accommodations led to the building of a new school located at 8400 S. Cambridge, near Seven Mile Road in 1931. According to The Second Hundred Years, a historical text written about the school to celebrate its centennial anniversary, work on the new school building began in late 1930, although news that the school would move to what was then the city's edge had been circulating since 1923. Classes at the new campus were supposed to begin on September 9, 1931, but a polio epidemic kept all schools in the Detroit area closed for a few weeks. The first classes were held at 8400 S. Cambridge on Wednesday, September 23, 1931.
Although U of D Jesuit has remained at 8400 Cambridge since 1931, the campus has undergone several physical changes since then. In 1950, the school built a new gymnasium, the largest in Detroit at the time, according to The Second Hundred Years. In 1992 a science center was built along with labs and departmental office space through the efforts of then-president Fr. Malcolm Carron S.J..
In 2001, as reported in The Michigan Chronicle (Suburban Edition), December 5–11, 2001, the school celebrated the completion of a $25 million fund-raising campaign, "Reclaiming the Future." Funds raised in that campaign paid for renovations and expansions to the campus, including restoration of the original chapel (which had been converted to a library in 1968 due to the requirements of Vatican II); construction of an addition to the building that included several new classrooms, a spacious art room and two new gymnasiums. Other funds from the campaign were used for faculty endowment and student financial aid scholarships. The "Reclaiming the Future" campaign was orchestrated by the school's then-president, Fr. Timothy Shannon S.J.
In 2005, after the closing of several Metro Detroit
Catholic schools, University of Detroit Jesuit stated that it would waive its transfer rules for juniors coming from the closed schools, and accept students who have 3.0 or higher grade point averages.
On April 6, 2006, U of D Jesuit started the public phase of a $22 million endowment campaign called "For the Greater Good", which is designed to support tuition assistance, faculty salary compensation, and other means of strengthening the school's core mission. In a March 29 April 4, 2006 Michigan Chronicle article, the school's president, Fr. Karl Kiser, defined the school's core mission as providing a quality education in a value-centered, and Christ-centered environment. Kiser also said it involves recruiting and retaining the best teachers in Southeast Michigan.
Kiser told the Michigan Chronicle that the "Reclaiming the Future" campaign had been about U of D Jesuit's body; "For the Greater Good" was about its heart and soul.
CBS Sports play-by-play announcer Gus Johnson
, a 1985 graduate, served as emcee of the April 6 event, which also paid tribute to 20 former teachers, according to an article in the Michigan Chronicle's May 3–9, 2006 edition. Johnson told assembled students and alumni that having a chance to "come home and speak to my family," was the most special moment of his career. Johnson defined his "family" in this context as the teachers that affected and changed his life.
According to the Michigan Chronicle article, the $22 million endowment campaign seeks to raise $10 million each to help maintain the school's faculty; and to continue to provide tuition assistance. The remaining $2 million will go toward physical improvements to the campus. The article also reported that the public phase of the campaign was expected to run two to three years. Kiser's goal was for it to be a two-year effort.
Although U of D Jesuit was originally called the Detroit College, the register of students, which contains both the birth date and registration date, shows that the students were of high school age and younger. Students were placed according to their ability and background as well as their age. In fact, the youngest students were 9 years old, and college level classes weren't added until 1879, according to The Second Hundred Years. The first class of high school students were graduated into college courses, and in time, a separate college, the University of Detroit (now the University of Detroit Mercy
, following the 1990 merger with Mercy College) broke off from the original school, both physically and legally.
and compete in the Detroit Catholic League with Brother Rice High School
, Detroit Catholic Central High School
, St. Mary's Preparatory
and De La Salle Collegiate High School
as their primary rivals.
The soccer team won the Michigan state championship in 2001 and was runner up in 1998; the Lacrosse team was the state runner up in 2005, 2008, and 2009 and reached the state semi-finals in 2007 and 2010; and in 2006, the Baseball team was also a state finalist. A swimmer - Tony Wahl- has won the state championship in the 100 yd. butterfly two years in a row, and in 2007 set the state D1 record for the 200 IM, in which he was also the state champion. In 1929, the golf team won the state championship, the first state title for U of D. The cross country team won its fifth straight regional trophy in 2006, and the track team won the Michigan state championship in 1993, the Detroit Catholic High School League
A - B champions in 2006 for its fifth consecutive title and they also won their seventh consecutive regional trophy that same year. In 2005 the Hockey team advanced all the way to the Frozen Four and in 2010, they were the number one academic team in Michigan for the fifth consecutive year as well as MHSAA Regional Champions. The tennis team has been a state finalist in 2002, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011. The ski team also advanced to the state championship placing 8th in 2002, 8th in 2004 and 9th in 2006.
team earned the highest possible school award - the "Outstanding School" award - at North American Invitational Model United Nations
(NAIMUN) held in Washington, DC. The school has a Show Choir
, which has competed in the State Festival for years. In 2005, The Show Choir earned a "1" rating at the State Level. The U of D Quiz Bowl team made it to the 2008 state quarter finals. The school regularly helps out in the local community, participating in many different service activities from food delivery to landscape cleanup.
We're full of fight
Here's to our colors
of Maroon and White
Fight!, fight!, fight!
Here's to all the fellows
Loyal they'll be
Singing the battle song
of U of D!
Society of Jesus
The Society of Jesus is a Catholic male religious order that follows the teachings of the Catholic Church. The members are called Jesuits, and are also known colloquially as "God's Army" and as "The Company," these being references to founder Ignatius of Loyola's military background and a...
high schools in the city of Detroit, Michigan
Detroit, Michigan
Detroit is the major city among the primary cultural, financial, and transportation centers in the Metro Detroit area, a region of 5.2 million people. As the seat of Wayne County, the city of Detroit is the largest city in the U.S. state of Michigan and serves as a major port on the Detroit River...
(Loyola High School being the other). Located in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Detroit
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Detroit
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Detroit is an archdiocese of the Latin Rite of the Catholic Church covering the Michigan counties of Lapeer, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, St. Clair, and Wayne...
, the school is rooted in the Ignatian
Ignatius of Loyola
Ignatius of Loyola was a Spanish knight from a Basque noble family, hermit, priest since 1537, and theologian, who founded the Society of Jesus and was its first Superior General. Ignatius emerged as a religious leader during the Counter-Reformation...
tradition of intellectually and spiritually developing men who use their acquired and natural talents to serve God's will. With the exception of female staff members, U of D Jesuit is an all boys school, and in addition to the high school, operates an academy for young men in grades seven and eight. The school's mascot is the Cub; similarly, its athletic teams are the Cubs. The school colors are Maroon and White. Black is sometimes used as an alternate color for athletic uniforms.
Jesuit education
The school bases its academics on the teachings of the Society of Jesus, better known as the Jesuits. Students are taught to be "Men for Others", and by the time of graduation, the school aims to instill in its seniors five key values. Ideally, a student should be open to growth, intellectually competent, loving, religious, and committed to doing justice. Approximately 500 Jesuits have taught at U of D Jesuit since the school's founding in 1877, though today there are fewer Jesuits] than lay faculty, all the faculty works to teach these values to every student. As related in The Second Hundred Years, by Fr. P Joseph Keller, S.J., et al., a chronicle of U of D Jesuit's first century, lay faculty first joined the staff during World War IWorld War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, and by the school's 100th anniversary in 1977, the lay to Jesuit ratio stood at nearly 3 to 2. In 2007 the school celebrated its 130 year anniversary, making it the oldest Catholic high school in the city of Detroit. The school's history, mission, and successes were highlighted by Time (magazine)
Time (magazine)
Time is an American news magazine. A European edition is published from London. Time Europe covers the Middle East, Africa and, since 2003, Latin America. An Asian edition is based in Hong Kong...
in its November 9, 2009 issue.
Academics
U of D Jesuit is a University-preparatory schoolUniversity-preparatory school
A university-preparatory school or college-preparatory school is a secondary school, usually private, designed to prepare students for a college or university education...
. At the high school level, students take four years of both English and Theology; three years of a foreign language (Chinese, Latin or Spanish), with the fourth year as an elective; three years of mathematics, with the fourth year as an elective; three years of social studies, with the fourth year as an elective; and three years of science, with the fourth year as an elective.
French was offered as a language at U of D Jesuit, but was discontinued in 2008 due to a lack of student interest. In its place, Chinese is now offered due to a higher demand by incoming students.
Students may also take advanced placement (AP) courses in American History their sophomore year; government or Modern European History their junior or senior years; and Spanish, Latin, English, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics or Biology their senior year.
Theology classes consist of Introduction to U of D Jesuit and Hebrew Scriptures freshman year; Christian Scriptures and Sacraments & Church History sophomore year; Morality and World Religions junior year; and Social Justice and Marriage & Family senior year.
Social studies classes consist of World History freshman year, U.S. history or AP U.S. history sophomore year; and government, or an AP class junior year (see above). Juniors may also elect to take African American History, Economics, Sociology, Michigan History, and American Society since 1945. Seniors may take the same courses, plus Psychology.
In mathematics, freshman take Algebra I unless placed into a higher level; sophomores take Algebra II/Trigonometry, unless placed into a higher level; and juniors take Geometry, unless placed into a higher level. Seniors may take Pre-Calculus, Calculus, Trigonometry, Analytical Math, Statistics and AP calculus.
In science, freshman either take Physical Science or Biology; sophomores take Biology, Honors Chemistry or Chemistry (for those who took Biology as freshmen); juniors take Chemistry, Physics, Honors Physics, Applied Chemistry, or Honors Chemistry. In addition to the above AP science classes, seniors can take Honors BioChemistry; Forensic Science or Anatomy & Physiology.
Other classes: Freshman take Physical Education/Health; sophomores take 21st Century Media and Culture or Computer Applications.
General electives include supervised study, band or art for freshmen and sophomores; and band, art, acting, music appreciation, debate, computer applications, computer web design, AP Computer Science, Physical Education Health 1 and Physical Education Health 2 for juniors and seniors.
Seventh grade students take classes in Mathematics, Language Arts, English, Social Studies, Art, Computer Applications, Faith in Jesus, Biology, and Physical education.
Eighth grade students take classes in Mathematics (Algebra or Pre-Algebra depending on the student's mathematics score on the entrance exam), Religion (Life in the Church), Integrated Science, English, Language Arts, Latin (which may be substituted if the student plays in the school band), Social Studies (World Geography), and physical education.
In keeping with their dedication towards the betterment of the local community, seniors are required to spend their Wednesday mornings at a designated service project site of their choice among the designated areas.
The school has a reputation for academic excellence with 99-100% of seniors attending college each year. Since 1955, U of D Jesuit has had a total of 745 National Merit Semi-Finalists and National Achievement Semi-Finalists, including 16 for the class of 2009. In 2011, over $17.9 million was awarded in higher education scholarships to graduating seniors.
The school has been continually rated above public schools and other Catholic private schools in Michigan.
History and Location
U of D Jesuit, originally known as Detroit College, was founded in 1877 by Bishop Caspar Henry BorgessCaspar Henry Borgess
Caspar Henry Borgess was the second Roman Catholic bishop of Detroit, Michigan.He was born in Hanover, Germany, and emigrated to the United States as a child. He completed his classical and theological studies at St. Xavier's College in Cincinnati and St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Philadelphia...
, who had come to Detroit from Cincinnati on May 8, 1870. The Second Hundred Years records that Borgess had determined that the city needed a Catholic College for young men. Borgess was finally successful in this endeavor in the winter of 1876-1877, when the Jesuits, acting through the provincial at St. Louis
St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St...
, Fr. Thomas O'Neill, S.J., agreed to found a school.
Originally located at the Trowbridge Mansion on Jefferson Avenue, in 1890, the school moved across the street to Dowling Hall, a more spacious facility, able to better accommodate the influx of students. The demand for better accommodations led to the building of a new school located at 8400 S. Cambridge, near Seven Mile Road in 1931. According to The Second Hundred Years, a historical text written about the school to celebrate its centennial anniversary, work on the new school building began in late 1930, although news that the school would move to what was then the city's edge had been circulating since 1923. Classes at the new campus were supposed to begin on September 9, 1931, but a polio epidemic kept all schools in the Detroit area closed for a few weeks. The first classes were held at 8400 S. Cambridge on Wednesday, September 23, 1931.
Although U of D Jesuit has remained at 8400 Cambridge since 1931, the campus has undergone several physical changes since then. In 1950, the school built a new gymnasium, the largest in Detroit at the time, according to The Second Hundred Years. In 1992 a science center was built along with labs and departmental office space through the efforts of then-president Fr. Malcolm Carron S.J..
In 2001, as reported in The Michigan Chronicle (Suburban Edition), December 5–11, 2001, the school celebrated the completion of a $25 million fund-raising campaign, "Reclaiming the Future." Funds raised in that campaign paid for renovations and expansions to the campus, including restoration of the original chapel (which had been converted to a library in 1968 due to the requirements of Vatican II); construction of an addition to the building that included several new classrooms, a spacious art room and two new gymnasiums. Other funds from the campaign were used for faculty endowment and student financial aid scholarships. The "Reclaiming the Future" campaign was orchestrated by the school's then-president, Fr. Timothy Shannon S.J.
In 2005, after the closing of several Metro Detroit
Metro Detroit
The Detroit metropolitan area, often referred to as Metro Detroit, is the metropolitan area located in Southeast Michigan centered on the city of Detroit which shares an international border with Windsor, Ontario. The Detroit metropolitan area is the second largest U.S. metropolitan area...
Catholic schools, University of Detroit Jesuit stated that it would waive its transfer rules for juniors coming from the closed schools, and accept students who have 3.0 or higher grade point averages.
On April 6, 2006, U of D Jesuit started the public phase of a $22 million endowment campaign called "For the Greater Good", which is designed to support tuition assistance, faculty salary compensation, and other means of strengthening the school's core mission. In a March 29 April 4, 2006 Michigan Chronicle article, the school's president, Fr. Karl Kiser, defined the school's core mission as providing a quality education in a value-centered, and Christ-centered environment. Kiser also said it involves recruiting and retaining the best teachers in Southeast Michigan.
Kiser told the Michigan Chronicle that the "Reclaiming the Future" campaign had been about U of D Jesuit's body; "For the Greater Good" was about its heart and soul.
CBS Sports play-by-play announcer Gus Johnson
Gus Johnson (sportscaster)
Augustus Cornelius "Gus" Johnson, Jr. is an American sportscaster. Formerly employed by CBS Sports, he currently calls play-by-play for Fox Sports, Showtime, the Big Ten Network and EA Sports.-Education:...
, a 1985 graduate, served as emcee of the April 6 event, which also paid tribute to 20 former teachers, according to an article in the Michigan Chronicle's May 3–9, 2006 edition. Johnson told assembled students and alumni that having a chance to "come home and speak to my family," was the most special moment of his career. Johnson defined his "family" in this context as the teachers that affected and changed his life.
According to the Michigan Chronicle article, the $22 million endowment campaign seeks to raise $10 million each to help maintain the school's faculty; and to continue to provide tuition assistance. The remaining $2 million will go toward physical improvements to the campus. The article also reported that the public phase of the campaign was expected to run two to three years. Kiser's goal was for it to be a two-year effort.
Although U of D Jesuit was originally called the Detroit College, the register of students, which contains both the birth date and registration date, shows that the students were of high school age and younger. Students were placed according to their ability and background as well as their age. In fact, the youngest students were 9 years old, and college level classes weren't added until 1879, according to The Second Hundred Years. The first class of high school students were graduated into college courses, and in time, a separate college, the University of Detroit (now the University of Detroit Mercy
University of Detroit Mercy
University of Detroit Mercy is a private, Roman Catholic co-educational university in Detroit, Michigan, United States, affiliated with the Society of Jesus and the Sisters of Mercy. Antoine M. Garibaldi is the president. With origins dating from 1877, it is the largest Roman Catholic university...
, following the 1990 merger with Mercy College) broke off from the original school, both physically and legally.
Sports
The Cubs are a member of the Michigan High School Athletic AssociationMichigan High School Athletic Association
-About:The Michigan High School Athletic Association is a service organization for high school sports in Michigan and is headquartered in East Lansing...
and compete in the Detroit Catholic League with Brother Rice High School
Brother Rice High School (Michigan)
Brother Rice High School is a Roman Catholic all-boys non-residential college prep school with approximately 700 students located in Bloomfield Township, Michigan . Until 1993 its address was in neighboring Birmingham, Michigan's postal district. In 1993 the U.S...
, Detroit Catholic Central High School
Detroit Catholic Central High School
Detroit Catholic Central High School is a private, Catholic, all-male, college preparatory high school in Novi, Michigan. Founded in 1928 in Detroit, Michigan by the Archdiocese of Detroit, the school is operated by the Congregation of St. Basil...
, St. Mary's Preparatory
St. Mary's Preparatory
St. Mary's Preparatory is a Catholic secondary school in Orchard Lake Village, Michigan.-Overview:St. Mary's was founded in 1885 on Detroit's east side by Rev. Joseph Dabrowski as a school for Polish-American boys to train for the priesthood...
and De La Salle Collegiate High School
De La Salle Collegiate High School
De La Salle Collegiate High School is an all-boys Catholic high school run by the De La Salle Christian Brothers. Founded in 1926, the school was located on the east side of Detroit before moving to its current location in Warren, Michigan in 1982. The school is dedicated to the Catholic education...
as their primary rivals.
The soccer team won the Michigan state championship in 2001 and was runner up in 1998; the Lacrosse team was the state runner up in 2005, 2008, and 2009 and reached the state semi-finals in 2007 and 2010; and in 2006, the Baseball team was also a state finalist. A swimmer - Tony Wahl- has won the state championship in the 100 yd. butterfly two years in a row, and in 2007 set the state D1 record for the 200 IM, in which he was also the state champion. In 1929, the golf team won the state championship, the first state title for U of D. The cross country team won its fifth straight regional trophy in 2006, and the track team won the Michigan state championship in 1993, the Detroit Catholic High School League
Catholic League (U.S.)
The Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights, often shortened to the Catholic League, is an American Catholic anti-defamation and civil rights organization...
A - B champions in 2006 for its fifth consecutive title and they also won their seventh consecutive regional trophy that same year. In 2005 the Hockey team advanced all the way to the Frozen Four and in 2010, they were the number one academic team in Michigan for the fifth consecutive year as well as MHSAA Regional Champions. The tennis team has been a state finalist in 2002, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011. The ski team also advanced to the state championship placing 8th in 2002, 8th in 2004 and 9th in 2006.
School Spirit
U of D has also been noted for their large school spirit. Each year the Student Senate designs a shirt for the student section for their fall and winter sports. Due to U of D's commuter population, high numbers of fans are also known to attend away games around the Detroit area. U of D is credited with having the largest student section at sports games, either home or away, in the Metro area. They were also recognized in 2005 by local television show "State Champs!" for their spirit. Students are often crammed into bleachers with matching "spirit shirts" cheering for their fellow classmates.Other activities
Starting in 2004, the FIRST Robotics team has competed in the state tournament. In 2009, the First Robotics team, The RoboCubs, qualified and competed in the First World Championship in Atlanta. From 1987-2002, the Model United NationsModel United Nations
Model United Nations is an academic simulation of the United Nations that aims to educate participants about current events, topics in international relations, diplomacy and the United Nations agenda....
team earned the highest possible school award - the "Outstanding School" award - at North American Invitational Model United Nations
North American Invitational Model United Nations
The North American Invitational Model United Nations, or NAIMUN, is one of the oldest Model UN simulations for high school students in North America. Since 1963, the conference has been a forum in which a dynamic range of young students come from around the world to seek, through discussion,...
(NAIMUN) held in Washington, DC. The school has a Show Choir
Show choir
A show choir is a group of people who combine choral singing with dance movements, sometimes within the context of a specific idea or story.-History:...
, which has competed in the State Festival for years. In 2005, The Show Choir earned a "1" rating at the State Level. The U of D Quiz Bowl team made it to the 2008 state quarter finals. The school regularly helps out in the local community, participating in many different service activities from food delivery to landscape cleanup.
Fight Song
Here's to U of D High SchoolWe're full of fight
Here's to our colors
of Maroon and White
Fight!, fight!, fight!
Here's to all the fellows
Loyal they'll be
Singing the battle song
of U of D!
Notable alumni
- 1905 - Louis C. RabautLouis C. RabautLouis Charles Rabaut was politician from the U.S. state of Michigan. He was a Democratic congressman representing Michigan's 14th congressional district from 1935 to 1947, and from 1949 to 1961...
: Former U.S. Congressman - 1917 - George D. O'BrienGeorge D. O'BrienGeorge Donoghue O’Brien was a politician from the U.S. state of Michigan who served as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives....
: Former U.S. Congressman - 1919 - George MurphyGeorge MurphyGeorge Lloyd Murphy was an American dancer, actor, and politician.-Life and career:He was born in New Haven, Connecticut of Irish Catholic extraction, the son of Michael Charles "Mike" Murphy, athletic trainer and coach, and Nora Long. He was educated at Peddie School, Trinity-Pawling School, and...
: Dancer, movie star, and former U.S. Senator - 1934 - Andy FarkasAndy FarkasAndrew Geza Farkas was an American football fullback in the National Football League for the Washington Redskins and the Detroit Lions.-Early life:Farkas was born in Clay Center, Ohio of Hungarian origins, and attended St...
: running backRunning backA running back is a gridiron football position, who is typically lined up in the offensive backfield. The primary roles of a running back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback for a rushing play, to catch passes from out of the backfield, and to block.There are usually one or two running...
for the Washington RedskinsWashington RedskinsThe Washington Redskins are a professional American football team and members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team plays at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, while its headquarters and training facility are at Redskin Park in Ashburn,...
and Detroit LionsDetroit LionsThe Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League , and play their home games at Ford Field in Downtown Detroit.Originally based in Portsmouth, Ohio and... - 1934 - Thomas G. Kavanagh: Former Michigan Supreme CourtMichigan Supreme CourtThe Michigan Supreme Court is the highest court in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is known as Michigan's "court of last resort" and consists of seven justices who are elected to eight-year terms. Candidates are nominated by political parties and are elected on a nonpartisan ballot...
Chief Justice - 1938 - John McCabeJohn McCabe (writer)John McCabe , born John Charles McCabe III, was a Shakespearean scholar and author, whose first book was the authorized biography of Laurel and Hardy....
: Author and biographer - 1943 - Elmore LeonardElmore LeonardElmore John Leonard Jr. , better known as Elmore Leonard, is an American novelist and screenwriter. His earliest published novels in the 1950s were westerns, but Leonard went on to specialize in crime fiction and suspense thrillers, many of which have been adapted into motion pictures.Among his...
: novelist and screenwriterScreenwriterScreenwriters or scriptwriters or scenario writers are people who write/create the short or feature-length screenplays from which mass media such as films, television programs, Comics or video games are based.-Profession:... - 1943 - James G. O'HaraJames G. O'HaraJames Grant O'Hara was a soldier and politician from the U.S. state of Michigan, serving as U.S. Representative from 1959 to 1977.-Early life:...
: former Congressman from Detroit - 1943 - Frank LauterburFrank LauterburFrancis X. Lauterbur is a former American football player and coach. He served as the head coach at the University of Toledo from 1963 to 1970 and at the University of Iowa from 1971 to 1973, compiling a career college football record of 52–60–3...
: Football coach, University of ToledoUniversity of ToledoThe University of Toledo is a public university in Toledo, Ohio, United States. The Carnegie Foundation classified the university as "Doctoral/Research Extensive."-National recognition:... - 1945 - Manuel MorounManuel MorounManuel "Matty" Moroun is an American businessman of Lebanese descent and the owner of CenTra, Inc., the holding company which controls the Ambassador Bridge. The former is significant as it is the only private ownership of a border crossing between the United States and Canada. He bought the...
: Billionaire transportation magnate - 1955 - Bruce MaherBruce MaherBruce David Maher is a former American football safety in the National Football League for the Detroit Lions and New York Giants. He played college football at the University of Detroit Mercy and was drafted in the 15th round of the 1959 NFL Draft....
: former Detroit LionsDetroit LionsThe Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League , and play their home games at Ford Field in Downtown Detroit.Originally based in Portsmouth, Ohio and...
and New York GiantsNew York GiantsThe New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
safety - 1958 - Michael CavanaghMichael CavanaghMichael F. Cavanagh is a justice on the Michigan Supreme Court.-References:...
: Michigan Supreme CourtMichigan Supreme CourtThe Michigan Supreme Court is the highest court in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is known as Michigan's "court of last resort" and consists of seven justices who are elected to eight-year terms. Candidates are nominated by political parties and are elected on a nonpartisan ballot...
Justice - 1958 - L. Brooks PattersonL. Brooks PattersonLewis Brooks Patterson is serving his fifth term as County Executive of Oakland County, Michigan. Patterson has been a major figure in Michigan politics for more than three decades, noted for his populist conservatism.- Education :...
: Oakland County, MichiganOakland County, Michigan-Demographics:As of the 2010 Census, there were 1,202,362 people, 471,115 households, and 315,175 families residing in the county. The population density as of the 2000 census was 1,369 people per square mile . There were 492,006 housing units at an average density of 564 per square mile...
executiveCounty executiveA county executive is the head of the executive branch of government in a county. This position is common in the United States.The executive may be an elected or an appointed position... - 1959 - Michael MoriartyMichael MoriartyMichael Moriarty is an American-Canadian actor of stage and screen, and a jazz musician. He played Benjamin Stone for four seasons on the TV series Law & Order.-Early life:...
: Golden Globe, Tony, and Emmy Award winning actor - 1961 - Michael C. Parks: Pulitzer Prize Winning Journalist, Editor of L. A. Times, Director of U.S.C. Annenberg School
- 1963 - James Wiser: University of San FranciscoUniversity of San FranciscoThe University of San Francisco , is a private, Jesuit/Catholic university located in San Francisco, California. Founded in 1855, USF was established as the first university in San Francisco. It is the second oldest institution for higher learning in California and the tenth-oldest university of...
ProvostProvost (education)A provost is the senior academic administrator at many institutions of higher education in the United States, Canada and Australia, the equivalent of a pro-vice-chancellor at some institutions in the United Kingdom and Ireland.... - 1966 - Lawrence JosephLawrence JosephLawrence Joseph is an American poet, writer, essayist, critic, lawyer, and professor of law.-Life:Joseph's grandparents, Lebanese Maronite and Syrian Melkite Eastern Catholics, were among the first Arab Americans to emigrate to Detroit, where both Joseph's parents were born...
: poetPoetA poet is a person who writes poetry. A poet's work can be literal, meaning that his work is derived from a specific event, or metaphorical, meaning that his work can take on many meanings and forms. Poets have existed since antiquity, in nearly all languages, and have produced works that vary... - 1968 - Richard TarnasRichard TarnasRichard Theodore Tarnas, Jr. is a philosopher and cultural historian known for his 1991 book The Passion of the Western Mind: Understanding the Ideas That Have Shaped Our World View and Cosmos and Psyche: Intimations of a New World View, published in 2006...
: Author of The Passion of the Western Mind - 1968 - Rod Gillum: General MotorsGeneral MotorsGeneral Motors Company , commonly known as GM, formerly incorporated as General Motors Corporation, is an American multinational automotive corporation headquartered in Detroit, Michigan and the world's second-largest automaker in 2010...
Vice President for Corporate Responsibility - 1970 - William KovacicWilliam KovacicWilliam Evan Kovacic served as a Commissioner of the Federal Trade Commission from January 4, 2006 to October 3, 2011. President George W. Bush designated him to serve as FTC Chairman on March 30, 2008. President Barack H. Obama designated Jon Leibowitz as Chairman on March 2, 2009, replacing Kovacic...
: member of the Federal Trade CommissionFederal Trade CommissionThe Federal Trade Commission is an independent agency of the United States government, established in 1914 by the Federal Trade Commission Act... - 1970 - Br. Guy ConsolmagnoGuy ConsolmagnoBrother Guy J. Consolmagno, SJ , is an American research astronomer and planetary scientist at the Vatican Observatory.-Life:...
: S.J.Society of JesusThe Society of Jesus is a Catholic male religious order that follows the teachings of the Catholic Church. The members are called Jesuits, and are also known colloquially as "God's Army" and as "The Company," these being references to founder Ignatius of Loyola's military background and a...
- Jesuit Astronomer - 1977 - Otis Brawley, MD; Chief Medical Officer, American Cancer SocietyAmerican Cancer SocietyThe American Cancer Society is the "nationwide community-based voluntary health organization" dedicated, in their own words, "to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives, and diminishing suffering from cancer, through research, education, advocacy, and...
- 1980 - Walter Booker, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Sponsors for Educational Opportunity
- 1981 - Scott PerryScott Perry (basketball)Scott Perry was head basketball coach of the Eastern Kentucky Colonels from 1997 to 2000. His overall record at Eastern was 19-61, with 12-42 in Ohio Valley Conference play. He currently works for the Detroit Pistons as Vice President of Basketball Operations....
: Detroit PistonsDetroit PistonsThe Detroit Pistons are a franchise of the National Basketball Association based in Auburn Hills, Michigan. The team's home arena is The Palace of Auburn Hills. It was originally founded in Fort Wayne, Indiana as the Fort Wayne Pistons as a member of the National Basketball League in 1941, where...
Vice President of Basketball Operations - 1981 - Keith EllisonKeith Ellison (politician)Keith Maurice Ellison is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2007. He is a member of the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party. The district centers on Minneapolis. He was re-elected in 2010. Ellison is a co-chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus.He is the first Muslim to be elected to the...
: MinnesotaMinnesotaMinnesota is a U.S. state located in the Midwestern United States. The twelfth largest state of the U.S., it is the twenty-first most populous, with 5.3 million residents. Minnesota was carved out of the eastern half of the Minnesota Territory and admitted to the Union as the thirty-second state...
congressman (first MuslimMuslimA Muslim, also spelled Moslem, is an adherent of Islam, a monotheistic, Abrahamic religion based on the Quran, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God as revealed to prophet Muhammad. "Muslim" is the Arabic term for "submitter" .Muslims believe that God is one and incomparable...
[convert] elected to the United States CongressUnited States CongressThe United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Congress meets in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C....
) - 1984 - Christopher Whitfield: CEO Batswadi Pharmaceuticals South AfricaSouth AfricaThe Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
- 1985 - Gus JohnsonGus Johnson (sportscaster)Augustus Cornelius "Gus" Johnson, Jr. is an American sportscaster. Formerly employed by CBS Sports, he currently calls play-by-play for Fox Sports, Showtime, the Big Ten Network and EA Sports.-Education:...
: sportscasterSportscasterIn sports broadcasting, a commentator gives a running commentary of a game or event in real time, usually during a live broadcast. The comments are normally a voiceover, with the sounds of the action and spectators also heard in the background. In the case of television commentary, the commentator... - 1987 - Daniel Varner & Michael Tenbusch: co-founders of Think Detroit
- 1988 - Stephen Henderson: Editorial Page Editor, Detroit Free PressDetroit Free PressThe Detroit Free Press is the largest daily newspaper in Detroit, Michigan, USA. The Sunday edition is entitled the Sunday Free Press. It is sometimes informally referred to as the "Freep"...
- 1990 - Ron Rice: former Detroit LionsDetroit LionsThe Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League , and play their home games at Ford Field in Downtown Detroit.Originally based in Portsmouth, Ohio and...
safety - 1991 - Tupac Hunter: State Senator - Michigan.
- 1991 - Bill McConico: State Representative - Michigan.
- 1991 - Mike Jackson - Former U of M Men's Basketball Assistant Coach; Current Purdue Men's Basketball Assistant Coach
- 1992 - Mike Miller: Head of Google AdWorks, Ann Arbor.
- 1994 - David GreweDavid GreweDavid Grewe is the former head baseball coach at Michigan State University and current assistant baseball coach at Louisiana State University, both of the United States.-Education and playing career:...
: Former Michigan State head baseball coach; current associate head coach of LSU. - 2002 - Geoff PopeGeoff Pope (American football)Geoffrey "Geoff" Pope is an American football cornerback who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 2007. He played college football at Howard....
: NFL cornerback for the Cincinnati BengalsCincinnati BengalsThe Cincinnati Bengals are a professional football team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the AFC's North Division in the National Football League . The Bengals began play in 1968 as an expansion team in the American Football League , and joined the NFL in 1970 in the AFL-NFL...
and Super BowlSuper BowlThe Super Bowl is the championship game of the National Football League , the highest level of professional American football in the United States, culminating a season that begins in the late summer of the previous calendar year. The Super Bowl uses Roman numerals to identify each game, rather...
champion - 2005 - Connor BarwinConnor BarwinConnor Barwin is an American football linebacker for the Houston Texans of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Texans in the second round of the 2009 NFL Draft. He played college football at Cincinnati.-Early years:...
: NFL defensive end; drafted by Houston Texans in the second round of the 2009 NFL Draft2009 NFL DraftThe 2009 NFL Draft was the seventy-fourth annual meeting of National Football League franchises to select newly eligible football players. The draft took place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on April 25 and 26, 2009. The draft consisted of two rounds on the first day starting at 4:00... - 2009 - Daniel Fields: Shortstop, picked 6th round of the 2009 MLB Draft for the Detroit Tigers