EMU Today

YPSILANTI -- Eastern Michigan University continues its tradition of recognizing outstanding graduates who have demonstrated excellence within their professional careers and respective communities. In celebration of their achievements, the University hosted the 62nd Annual Alumni Awards on Friday, Oct. 6. in the George Gervin GameAbove Convocation Center.

The Office of Alumni and Donor Engagement in partnership with the Alumni Association Board of Directors and the Recognition, Awards, and Scholarship Committee, celebrated four deserving award recipients for 2023 during a private invitation-only reception.

As the four recipients were welcomed back to campus during EMU’s Paint it Green Homecoming celebration, they were also recognized during the EMU Homecoming Football game.

“This year’s Alumni Award recipients represent the best of Eastern Michigan University,” said Kelly Quilter, assistant vice president for advancement, alumni, and donor engagement. “We were proud to honor their accomplishments during Homecoming.”

The Outstanding Young Alumni Award is presented to alumni whose achievements have been signified by personal honors bestowed upon them by their peers and who have demonstrated the worth of their education through their post-college achievements. Generally, recipients have been graduates of EMU for less than 10 years and/or are less than 35 years of age. This year’s recipient was Chaz Stewart-Bunting. 

After graduating from EMU, Chaz began working with Jonathan Adler in the local Soho Flagship stores and quickly ascended from assistant to lead of client-facing design services. Chaz’s natural flair in design caught the attention of Jonathan Adler’s corporate offices in New York City, where he currently resides.

The Alumni Achievement Award is given to alumni who have achieved distinction in their chosen field, clearly demonstrated the value of their college education, and maintained a continuing interest in Eastern Michigan University. Generally, recipients have been graduates of EMU for 10 to 25 years. This year’s recipient was Brian James Egen.

Since 1992, Brian James Egen has worked at The Henry Ford, where he started his career as a program development officer. Since then, Brian has been able to achieve many accolades in his production work at The Henry Ford, such as serving as the production coordinator for CBS’s Emmy Winning Series, “The Henry Ford’s Innovation Nation with Mo Rocca,” and winning the Pure Michigan® Governor's Award for Innovative Marketing in Tourism for Monroe County Museum millage marketing campaign called, "A Vision for a New Decade."

The Distinguished Alumni Award is given to alumni who have achieved extraordinary distinction in their chosen field, demonstrated exceptional service to others, and maintained a continuing interest in Eastern Michigan University. Generally, recipients have been graduates of EMU for more than 25 years. This year’s recipient was the Hon. Daniel Opperman.

Judge Opperman has been impacting EMU for over 34 years and shows continued involvement and support for student engagement initiatives, scholarship support programs, and the advancement of the College of Arts and Sciences. Opperman has been instrumental in supporting university programs such as the new Center for Civil Rights & Social Justice and the Opperman Graduate Fellowships in History.

The Dr. John W. Porter Distinguished Service Award is presented to individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to Eastern Michigan University or the EMU Alumni Association. Recipients need not be graduates of Eastern Michigan University. This year’s recipient was Dr. Linda Pritchard.

In her tenure at EMU, Dr. Linda Pritchard served as a Professor of History, Department Head for Women’s and Gender Studies, and Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. Dr. Pritchard has an extensive history of facilitating change at EMU, building the Women and Gender Studies Department, fundraising for Women in Philanthropy, and planning activities in the local community.

For more information on the Eastern Michigan University Alumni Awards, please visit emich.edu/alumni or contact Matt Mortier.

About Eastern Michigan University
Founded in 1849, Eastern is the second oldest public university in Michigan. It currently serves more than 14,000 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. National publications regularly recognize EMU for its excellence, diversity, and commitment to applied education. Visit the University’s rankings and points of pride websites to learn more. For more information about Eastern Michigan University, visit the University's website. To stay up to date on University news, activities and announcements, visit EMU Today.