Campus in Focus: Beginnings and endings

March 9, 2026

See recent photos highlighting activities — like Senior Nights, career-focused events and staff celebrations — at UM-Dearborn.

UM-Dearborn hockey players, all wearing uniforms, meet with their coach in the locker room.
The Men’s Ice Hockey team celebrates after winning the Feb. 13 Senior Night game against Cleary University, 3-2. Junior defenseman Noah Szmagaj was named Player of the Game after scoring the winning goal — the goal was Szmagaj’s first of the season.

As one season ends, another begins. 

In February, university photographer Matthew Stephens covered events that honored incoming and former employees, encouraged students to explore career paths and celebrated the firsts and lasts of student-athletes. He also captured a moving image of Men’s Ice Hockey Head Coach Chris Haltinner, who is stepping down after 13 years of dedication to the program.

A male flies a paper airplane as a part of Engineering Week.
College of Engineering and Computer Science student Hadi Oussaili tests a paper airplane for distance in the Institute for Advanced Vehicle Systems during a Feb. 27 event celebrating National Engineers Week, which honors the contributions current and future engineers make to society. Other events included a relay race, a design challenge, dodgeball and an alumni networking event.
A male basketball player jumps up with the basketball and reaches the basketball hoop rim.
UM-Dearborn Men’s Basketball forward Lozell Kearney, a sophomore, scores on a breakaway against Northwestern Ohio on Feb. 21, which was Senior Night. The team defeated Northwestern Ohio 88-83 at home.
Two women holding flowers hug each other on the sidelines at the UM-Dearborn women's basketball game.
UM-Dearborn Women’s Basketball senior Mila Brown hugs Team Manager Latrice Savage during Senior Night introductions on Feb. 21. The team lost its final home game to Northwestern Ohio, 54-49.
Two men talk about potentially working at the company Tenneco during a recent Career Fair on campus.
CECS student Ali Almulaiki speaks with a representative from Tenneco during the Spring Career Fair on Feb. 20 at the Renick University Center. Hosted by Career Services, employers in attendance included AAA, DTE Energy, Rocket Companies, Roush and Texas Instruments.
Three female hockey players hug on the ice after a goal is scored.
UM-Dearborn Women’s Ice Hockey senior Andi Evers, left, and sophomore Megan Kosempel, right, hug senior Taylor Spence, center. The team defeated Lawrence Tech 6-0 on Feb. 14’s Senior Night.
A UM-Dearborn Women's Ice Hockey member smiles and gives her team members hi-fives after scoring a goal.
UM-Dearborn Women’s Ice Hockey forward Kerrigan Kennedy, a first-year student, celebrates after scoring her first career goal Feb. 14.
Two males — a coach and a UM-Dearborn men's ice hockey member embrace after a winning game. The coach has tears in his eyes because it was his last game coaching the team after 13 years.
Junior defenseman Noah Szmagaj gives UM-Dearborn Men’s Ice Hockey Head Coach Chris Haltinner a kiss on the cheek following the team’s 3-2 win against Cleary University on Feb. 13. After 13 years coaching the team, it was Haltinner’s last game. He is stepping down to spend more time at home with his young children.
A woman laughs with happy tears in her eyes during the premiere of a documentary film that was created by UM-Dearborn students.
Former UM-Dearborn Chancellor Blenda J. Wilson laughs as she watches the premiere of “Best in Class: Blenda J. Wilson, Jon Onye Lockard and the Portrait that Connected Them” on Feb. 11 in the RUC. Wilson, who now lives in New Jersey, hadn’t been back to UM-Dearborn for decades and it was her first time seeing her official chancellor portrait, which was painted 30 years earlier by Lockard. “Best in Class” sheds light on two outspoken advocates for equity in education — Wilson and Lockard — and the way the portrait brings them together. Wilson led UM-Dearborn from 1988 to 1992. She was the first woman to head a four-year public university in Michigan.
A man wearing a public safety officer uniform smiles as his police badge is pinned on his vest.
New officer Leroy Huelsenbeck smiles as his wife pins on his badge during the UM-Dearborn Public Safety swear-in ceremony on Feb. 11. Huelsenbeck, along with Joe Marsh, Jevon Sims, Steven Pierce and Julian Morgan, took part in the ceremony as the newest members of the department.
Athletics Career Services College of Engineering and Computer Science Public Safety (Police) Campus Life

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