Edition No. 67
Arts and Culture
Remembering Anne Parsons, former president and CEO of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra.
Community and Family
The Elephant of Belfast author to speak at The War Memorial.
American Democracy
Two challenges facing Michigan’s public universities.
Remembering Anne Parsons, former president and CEO of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra
On Tuesday, March 29, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra announced the passing of DSO President Emeritus Anne Parsons late Monday evening, following a courageous battle with cancer. Parsons, served as President and CEO of the DSO for more than 17 years, from July 2004 to December 20, 2021. Plans by the DSO to celebrate Anne Parsons’ life and legacy are forthcoming.
Before retiring last year, Parsons was the longest-serving executive leader in the DSO’s modern era, and prior to coming to Detroit was general manager of the New York City Ballet. She helped guide the DSO to fiscal stability, along with global acclaim for a series of pioneering digital initiatives after taking the reins in 2004.
Following her appointment at the DSO, Parsons instilled a culture of resilience and financial stability and grew the audience and donor base, all while successfully navigating local and national economic downturns and a global pandemic. Under her leadership, the DSO posted nine consecutive operating surpluses from 2013 to 2021. Parsons was also responsible for bringing two new music directors to Detroit—Leonard Slatkin in 2007 and Jader Bignamini in 2020—and returning the orchestra to national and international prominence through touring and webcasts.
To read more about Ann Parsons’ respected leadership in the orchestra world, visit the link below.
The Elephant of Belfast author to speak at The War Memorial
Inspired by a true story, a novelist is set to give readers greater insight into the tale of events that took place in Northern Ireland during World War II.
S. Kirk Walsh will speak about her debut book, The Elephant of Belfast, April 7 beginning at 7 p.m. at The War Memorial (TWM.) The book was published by Counterpoint Press in 2021. A paperback version will be released April 5.
The event takes place at TWM’s historic Alger House in Grosse Pointe Farms. Walsh will present on her research for the historical novel, why she wrote it, her creative processes, take questions from the audience and sign books.
“I had heard about Denise Austin who inspired the main character of the book, Hettie Quin,” Walsh said. “She is called the elephant angel and it’s a story of a young woman taking care of an elephant during the bombings by the Germans on the city of Belfast.”
Inspired by the true story of Austin, Walsh deftly renders the changing relationship between Quin and her young charge, and their growing dependence on each other for survival and solace.
The Elephant of Belfast tells the tender and harrowing story of a young female zookeeper and the elephant, and what they endure together during the German blitz of Belfast. The novel speaks the tragedy of the times, but also to the ongoing sectarian tensions that still exist in Northern Ireland today.
Growing up in metro Detroit, Walsh said she is looking forward to coming back to TWM and getting a chance to celebrate the book in-person.
“I always knew I wanted to write about Ireland because of my family's connection and this story took me to Northern Ireland,” she said. “It presented a compelling narrative.”
Walsh is a novelist, an editor, and a teacher based in Austin, Texas. The novel has generated praise from The New Yorker, The Christian Science Monitor, and others as well as being selected for several top reading lists.
Book bundle options are $18 for paperback and $24 for hardcover. Bundle options include a copy of “The Elephant of Belfast,” book signing at the event, and a copy of the reading and discussion guide for book clubs from Counterpoint Publishing.
General admission is free but does not include a copy of the book. To purchase tickets, visit www.warmemorial.org/speakers/skirkwalsh. Pre-registration is required.
Two Challenges Facing Michigan’s Public Universities
This week, we call your attention to two recent articles about our state’s public universities from BridgeMICHIGAN. The first explores steep enrollment declines at Central Michigan University while the second argues that Michigan no longer adequately funds its public universities.
“Central Michigan University blames ‘complacency’ for enrollment dive,”
BridgeMICHIGAN, March 29, 2022
In the first article, Bridge’s Isabel Lohman and Mike Wilkinson looked at Central Michigan University’s 43% drop in enrollment from 27,114 students in fall 2012 to 15,465 students in fall 2021. They were careful to note, however, that, “Central is not the only Michigan university facing declines. Eastern Michigan’s fall 2021 numbers are down 34 percent since 2012, and Ferris State, Saginaw Valley and Lake Superior State are all down 29 percent, the data shows.”
According to Jennifer DeHaemers, CMU’s Vice President of student recruitment, her strategy for reversing enrollment declines includes a more aggressive will take a “sales and marketing.” But, according to the article, DeHaemers “does not anticipate CMU will return to 2012 enrollment levels” and believes, “we just need to get to the right size for this institution where we can best serve students.”
“Opinion: Michigan is dead last in Midwest in college funding. That must change,”
BridgeMICHIGAN, February 25, 2022
“Over the past 20 years, the equivalent of nearly $1 billion has been erased from state funding to universities.”
Writing in BridgeMICHIGAN, Grand Valley State University President Philomena Mantella did not mince words, “When it comes to public investment in public higher education in the Great Lakes states, Michigan is dead last. Last in state appropriations per capita for its public universities. Last in inflationary increases. Last in state-funded scholarships. Last when compared to Michigan’s regional neighbors.”
In President Mantella’s view, declining funding levels for Michigan’s public universities have reduced college affordability and undermined our state’s ability to compete for new, future-oriented jobs and investment.
Inspired Thoughts is a collection of highly curated content that embraces the spirit and purpose of The War Memorial: arts and culture, community enrichment, leadership, and patriotism.
Derived from the notion that learning from others is the key to success, Inspired Thoughts is meant to shine a light on those making a difference in the world around them. This collection features artists, poets, writers, architects, and every thought leader in-between. Inspired Thoughts is the strongest reflection of what The War Memorial stands for, and what we aim to be.
The content featured on Inspired Thoughts is curated by War Memorial leadership — we also look forward to featuring special guest curators in the near future. If you are interested in providing content for Inspired Thoughts, please email our Communications team at dmurphy@warmemorial.org.