EMU Today

YPSILANTI – Eastern Michigan University will unleash McKenney Gallery’s newest exhibit titled, “Hamburgers for Breakfast: Food and the Student Experience” to showcase how access and attitudes about food have changed at EMU since the early 1900s. The exhibit opens on Wednesday, April 13, with a formal ribbon-cutting event at 3 p.m. at the historic McKenny Gallery, located at 878 Cross St. on EMU’s campus.

From concept development to exhibit execution and with only 12 weeks to spare, a group of EMU graduate students in the school’s historic preservation museum practice concentration was charged with creating an intellectually stimulating display for the gallery. Students were responsible for compiling research from the Eastern Michigan University Archives, developing messaging, designing the exhibit, and presenting it to the public. The project was led by Nancy Bryk, associate professor of Geography and Geology.

“It's a challenging race to the finish and this is an incomparable learning experience for our students,” said Bryk.  “We are so grateful that we were allowed to use this gallery and support with funding and lots of cheerleading.  We could not do this project without our partners in the Archives.” 

The exhibit will remain open for tours by appointment only until January of 2023. Appointments can be scheduled by contacting nbryk@emich.edu.

About Eastern Michigan University

Founded in 1849, Eastern is the second oldest public university in Michigan. It currently serves more than 15,000 students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, specialist, doctoral and certificate degrees in the arts, sciences and professions. In all, more than 300 majors, minors and concentrations are delivered through the University's Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business; Education; Engineering and Technology; Health and Human Services; and, its graduate school. EMU is regularly recognized by national publications for its excellence, diversity, and commitment to applied education. For more information about Eastern Michigan University, visit the University's website.