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Fall 2025 Newsletter

MCommons Burton Tower in the Fall

In this issue

Facts & Snacks Tip: New Seasonal Menu Items

Watch our video to discover new additions available on the Michigan Catering menu.

 

Save the Date: November Facts & Snacks

Facts and Snacks Logo

Join us for our next Facts & Snacks on November 13! This in-person gathering at the Michigan League will focus on key event planning and catering topics to support your daily work. It’s also a great opportunity to connect with colleagues.

The program begins at 8:30 a.m. and will run until 9:30 a.m. Enjoy complimentary food and beverages, generously provided by Destination Ann Arbor.

Didn’t receive your invite? RSVP today!

Celebrate with U-M for the Holidays

MCommons covered in snow from April 2024

 

Keep your funds on campus and celebrate by hosting your holiday party with University Unions! Not only does every event support U-M student initiatives within Student Life, but catering revenue from University Unions bookings goes right back into our campus community, too.

When it comes to venues, you have plenty of options. Choose from the historic Michigan Union and Michigan League on Central Campus or the convenient Pierpont Commons on North Campus. These venues can accommodate everything from small gatherings of five to large celebrations, making it easy to find the right fit for your event.

If you’d rather celebrate in a different location, Michigan Catering has you covered with catering service available across campus and even off-site. This flexible option makes it simple to enjoy delicious food wherever your group gathers.

To make your event even more special, Michigan Catering rolled out a new holiday menu with over 25 fresh seasonal offerings—from appetizers and salads to entrees and desserts. Some highlights include Goat Cheese Walnut & Raspberry Crostini, Peppercorn Crusted Sirloin, Potato Boulangère, Dulce de Leche Brownies, and an assortment of festive cookies.

Celebrate on campus, support Student Life, and enjoy great food and convenient service this holiday season!

Boost Your Workflow with AI

As we continue exploring the ever-growing world of artificial intelligence (AI), we want to highlight some handy tools to help you with your everyday tasks, research, and more!

  • U-M GPT lets you upload PDFs and image files, making it easy to work with your own documents and data. You can also pick from a variety of language models to fit whatever you’re working on.
  • Maizey is about digging into your content and pulling out insights. There’s now a conversational mode too—if you turn it on, Maizey will remember the context of your chats, so you get more relevant and helpful answers as you go.
  • Go Blue AI (our campus mobile app) just got some cool udpates: You’ll find even more details about university life, plus a new feature where you can ask about Ann Arbor campus bus routes.

In addition to our custom services, Google Gemini and NotebookLM are now available to all U-M students, faculty, and staff.

  • Gemini is a versatile generative AI assistant that can help with writing, brainstorming, and coming up with new ideas.
  • NotebookLM acts as a smart research partner, letting you upload documents and chat with the bot directly.

We hope you’ll take the time to check out these resources and discover new ways AI can help you elevate your events!

Wedding Recap: Shay & Emma Callewaert

Collage of Pictures from Shay and Emma Callewaert's Wedding

Couple: Emma & Shay Callewaert

Date: May 30, 2025

Reception Location: The Michigan Union (Cocktail hour in the Courtyard, Reception in the Pendleton Room)

Number of Guests: 80

How did you hear about us?

We personally sought out the University of Michigan as our wedding venue.

What made you choose U-M as your venue?

We selected the University of Michigan because Ann Arbor—and U-M in particular—has been the heart of our story together. We both attended U-M (Emma for both undergrad and grad school, Shay for undergrad), and we’ve continued to call Ann Arbor home. Our first date was on the trails at Matthaei Botanical Gardens, and it’s also where we got engaged, making it an incredibly meaningful place for us. Being a part of the U-M community has shaped our lives in many ways, and sharing this special place with our family and friends felt absolutely right. Celebrating our wedding at Matthaei and continuing the festivities at the beautiful Michigan Union truly brought our journey full circle.

What was the memorable moment from your wedding day?

One moment that stands out above all others was sitting together at our sweetheart table, looking out at our guests. Seeing friends and family from different chapters of our lives—laughing, celebrating, and sharing in our joy—was profoundly moving. We took a quiet moment to soak it all in, feeling both grateful and deeply loved. It’s a snapshot in our hearts that we’ll cherish forever.

Other details you’d like to share?

We are so incredibly grateful to the U-M team for making our wedding day absolutely seamless. A special thank you to Taylor Freed for her guidance and endless patience with our many questions, and to every staff member who helped make the day run perfectly. From those interacting directly with our guests to the behind-the-scenes team making sure every detail was just right, we felt so cared for and supported. We truly can’t thank you enough!

Partner Spotlight: Michigan Union Ticket Office

Did you know the Michigan Union is home to a dedicated ticket office located on the Ground Floor? The Michigan Union Ticket Office (MUTO) is the go-to resource for a wide variety of campus and community events. From rock concerts and virtual live-streamed events to comedy shows, graduation ceremonies, and guest speakers, MUTO handles ticketing for it all.

For those planning major university events in the upcoming year, MUTO is a great place to start. They provide ticketing services to U-M student organizations, departments, and even external groups, managing ticket sales both in-person and online. Tickets are available for events at venues including The Ark, Mendelssohn Theatre, Rackham Auditorium, Hill Auditorium, Power Center, and Crisler Center.

In addition to ticket sales, MUTO assists with event logistics, including on-site ticket scanning and access management. With flexible and expert support, MUTO helps make sure every event runs smoothly.

To learn more about how MUTO can support your next event, contact them at 734-763-8587 or muto-tix@umich.edu.

Fall Photos On Campus

The Duderstadt Center in the Fall

Fall brings out the best in Ann Arbor, turning campus into the perfect backdrop for your photos. Whether you’re taking new department headshots or capturing a quick moment on your way to work, there are plenty of scenic spots to choose from. Here are five of our favorites:

  1. The Diag: The heart of campus comes alive in fall, with open lawns framed by colorful tree-lined paths.
  2. Law Quad: Striking gothic architecture and vibrant leaves create a “Hogwarts-like” setting that’s perfect for photos.
  3. Hatcher Graduate Library (6th Floor): Enjoy sweeping, elevated views of campus foliage, especially over the Law Quad.
  4. North Campus: Expansive green spaces and wooded paths make this area especially photogenic in fall.
  5. Nichols Arboretum (The Arb): Winding trails and diverse trees create a kaleidoscope of fall colors.

Looking for even more locations or need help planning your next event? Conference & Event Services is here to help.

Contact us!

Commencement 2026: Canopy Reservations

Canopy Set Up in Front of the Rackham Graduate School

Imagine a commencement celebration where guests can relax, connect, and enjoy the occasion—rain or shine. Conference and Event Services (CES) makes this possible with our commencement canopies, designed for both comfort and convenience. Our spacious 60’x120′ tent comes fully equipped with tables, chairs, table coverings, and environmentally sustainable centerpieces, making your event planning simple and seamless.

But outdoor canopies aren’t just about convenience—they create a warm, inviting space that brings people together, boosts well-being with fresh air and natural light, and reduces the environmental impact compared to traditional indoor venues. Plus, you can count on protection from unpredictable spring weather.

Reservations are now open for 2026! For details on availability and pricing, contact Heather Beitler at hbeitler@umich.edu.

Staff Spotlight: Mike Hill

Headshot of Mike Hill

How many years have you been working at CES?

I’ve been with CES for the past three years, but before that, I worked with the department for six summers, starting after my sophomore year of college.

What is your favorite memory throughout working at CES?

One of my favorite memories is from my very first summer, during my first conference. I was stationed outside Weber’s Hotel early in the morning, helping coordinate bus transportation for attendees. Several colleagues were managing other hotels across Ann Arbor, and we kept our spirits up—despite the 6 a.m. start—with a continuous stream of hilarious group texts. The sense of camaraderie and teamwork made those early hours fly by and made me feel like I was truly part of a fun, supportive team.

A CES campus partner you couldn’t live without?

Quentin Fly, the Building Facilities Manager at Couzens and Alice Lloyd.

Roughly how many events will you assist with throughout the year?

As an English major, let’s just say I’m not even going to try to count that high!

Can you share a helpful event tip with our readers?

When planning a conference or summer program, it’s tempting to schedule back-to-back sessions and keep everyone busy. However, building in short buffer periods between events can make all the difference. For many attendees, connecting with others in their field is just as valuable as the sessions themselves. Buffer time not only helps people smoothly transition from one event to the next, but also creates space for informal networking and meaningful conversations.

U-M Transitioning Restaurant Purchases to PCard

Starting July 1, 2026, all restaurant purchases will transition from shortcode to PCard. This change will expand dining options, streamline payment processes, and enhance internal controls. Under the new model, U-M will discontinue shortcode ordering with restaurants that have a university-wide contract for dine-in, carry-out, and drop-off delivery services in the Ann Arbor area.

As part of this transition, the Travel Card will be renamed the Travel and Hosting Card to support departments that prefer a more restricted card option for their employees. Click here for more details and helpful resources.

Please note: Shortcodes will still be accepted for Michigan Catering orders, both during and after this transition. Whether you’re ordering in the Union, League, Pierpont Commons, Palmer Commons, or elsewhere, Michigan Catering remains available to serve U-M departments using your shortcode. Proceeds from Michigan Catering support student employment, services, and programs.

Order today, next month, or even in July… Michigan Catering is always here for you!

Featured Recipe

Chicken Cordon Bleu with Beurre Blanc Mustard Honey

Chicken Cordon Bleu with Beurre Blanc Mustard Honey

We’re excited to share a new favorite from Chef Jon Miller with the Pierpont culinary team. Created for the biannual Rolling Pin Catering Competition, this recipe is the result of Michigan Catering chefs experimenting with fresh ideas for upcoming menus. It quickly became a standout with our catering managers, and we think you’ll love serving this chef-inspired dish at your next gathering or enjoying it at home.

Yield: 10 servings

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

 

Beurre Blanc Mustard Honey

Ingredients

1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

1 tablespoon shallots, finely diced

Pinch of fresh thyme

Pinch of whole black peppercorns

½ cup heavy whipping cream

1 tablespoon unsalted butter, cubed

2 tablespoons honey

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

Pinch of kosher salt

Instructions

  1. In a small saucepan, combine apple cider vinegar, shallots, thyme, and peppercorns; reduce over medium heat until almost dry.
  2. Add the heavy cream and reduce the mixture by half.
  3. Emulsify the cubed butter into the reduction, whisking until smooth.
  4. Strain the sauce, then whisk in the honey and Dijon mustard. Season with a pinch of kosher salt.

 

Chicken Cordon Bleu

Ingredients

1 ⅓ cups pancetta, diced

⅓ cup yellow onion, diced

1 tablespoon garlic, minced

1 tablespoon dried whole thyme leaves

¾ pound boneless chicken breasts

Pinch of kosher salt

Pinch of ground black pepper

⅓ cup Beemster Gouda, diced

⅓ cup Swiss cheese, diced

1 cup all-purpose flour

4 whole eggs

1 cup panko bread crumbs

Instructions

  1. In a skillet over medium heat, cook pancetta until crispy. Add onion, garlic, and thyme; sauté until onion is translucent. Let the mixture cool.
  2. Pound the chicken breasts flat and season with salt and pepper.
  3. Place a scoop of the pancetta mixture, plus the Swiss and Gouda, in the center of each breast. Roll the chicken tightly into a cylinder, tucking in the ends. Freeze for at least one hour to help it hold its shape.
  4. Remove chicken from the freezer. Set up a breading station with separate bowls for flour, beaten eggs, and panko.
  5. Dredge each chicken roll first in flour, then dip in egg wash, then coat with panko bread crumbs.
  6. Fry the breaded chicken rolls in oil until golden brown. Finish in a 300°F oven until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
  7. Slice and serve with beurre blanc mustard honey.

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