Eastern Michigan University announces 57th Annual Alumni Award winners

Group achieves excellence in careers and civic involvement after flourishing during student days at Eastern

YPSILANTI – An Emmy award-winning TV producer, a city council member, a former Team USA athlete, a fighter for social justice, a health-care executive and an NFL athletic trainer have been selected as honorees for the 57th annual Eastern Michigan University Alumni Awards.

The 2018 awards ceremony, scheduled for Saturday, May 19 in the EMU Student Center, carries on a tradition of recognizing outstanding EMU alumni who have distinguished themselves in their respective professional fields and within their communities. The Office for Alumni Relations, guided by the Alumni Association Board and Awards and Recognition Committee, has presented the Alumni Awards for more than 50 years and has honored more than 400 recipients.

“Every year, I am amazed at our award recipients and the contributions they have made professionally and personally,” said Jill Hunsberger, associate vice president of EMU Advancement. “These individuals embody the spirit of EMU and are a true inspiration to our current students.”

EMU will honor six winners in three different categories:

Distinguished Alumni Award

Sally Young headshotSally Young – Bachelor of Science in family life education, 1972. Honorary Doctor of Arts, 2015. Currently, Young is a television producer for “Modern Family” on ABC.

Sally Young had Hollywood in her sights as she pursued her undergraduate degree at EMU. After graduating in 1972, the native Michigander tried her hand at an advertising agency in Detroit for three years before making the move to California. She has worked as a producer/unit production manager for Showtime, HBO, NBC Universal and as a line producer/production manager for USA Network, among others.

She is best known, however, for her work on the Emmy-Award winning TV show “Modern Family,” which was recently renewed for a 10th season on ABC. Young has been with the show since the beginning and won an Emmy in 2014 for Producer of an Outstanding Comedy Series.

During Young’s days at EMU, she was involved in student government and worked as staff photographer and writer for the Eastern Echo. This marks Young’s second EMU Alumni Award, as she was honored as an Outstanding Young Alumni in 1978. She resides in Manhattan Beach, Calif.

P.T. Muldoon headshotP.T. Muldoon – Bachelor of Science in English, American literature and language, 1985. He is the vice president of operations and engineering for Electronics Remanufacturing Co., LLC, based in Walled Lake, Mich.

Patrick T. Muldoon’s athletic career, during which he won letters in indoor and outdoor track, eventually led him to a spot on the USA Weightlifting Team from 1987-1988. After succeeding in sports, Muldoon went on to make an impact in the business world throughout 25 years of progressive product development and brand marketing experience. He has remained engaged with EMU Athletics as a member of E-Club Letterwinners and serving on the Champions Building Advisory Board. Muldoon and his wife, Bobbie, live in Onsted, Mich.

Outstanding Young Alumni

Nicole Brown headshotNicole Brown – Bachelor of Science in communication, 2011. Currently, Brown is a program supervisor for Starfish Family Services, with locations in southeast Michigan, and serves as mayor pro-tem for the city of Ypsilanti.

In November of 2014, Nicole Brown’s life changed dramatically when at 26 she became one of the youngest Ypsilanti City Council members. Brown is a longtime Ypsilanti resident and chose her hometown college, graduating from Eastern with a Bachelor of Science in communication in 2011.

Jose Gabriel Galinato – Bachelor of Science in nursing, 2010. Galinato is currently the Regional Coordinator for Nursing Excellence, Policy and Procedure, Saint Joseph Mercy Health System.José Galinato

As a student in the College of Health and Human Services, Jose Galinato was highly engaged in campus organizations such as student government, the Student Nurses Association, honors society and was a Presidential Scholar. As a young alumnus, Galinato has continued that level of effort and excellence in his work at the Saint Joseph Mercy Health System. He also holds a master’s degree in nursing business and health systems from University of Michigan. He resides in Saline.

Alumni Achievement Award

Eric Brown headshotEric Brown – Bachelor of Science in health administration, 2003. Brown is a Human Resources Generalist at Detroit Thermal Systems, LLC.

Eric Brown has worked at Blue Cross Blue Shield and Ford Motor Co. as well as honing his talents as a radio talk show personality who often focuses on issues of social justice. He is actively engaged in EMU’s Black Alumni Association. He has also served on the alumni association board as a member and as president. Brown lives in Canton, Mich., with his wife, Latara.

Craig Voll, Jr. – Bachelor of Science in sports medicine, 1993. Master of science in sports medicine, 1998. Currently, Voll is the sports medicine manager for Franciscan Health Sports Medicine in Lafayette, Ind.Craig Voll Jr headshot

Dr. Craig Voll’s distinguished career in sports medicine started during his time at EMU, when he worked as a graduate assistant athletic trainer for the football team. In 1993, he graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in sports medicine and returned to Eastern to earn his Master of Science in 1998. His talents took him to the NFL, where he served as intern athletic trainer with the Cleveland Browns for three years and then with the Baltimore Ravens for one year. Voll earned his Ph.D. from Purdue University in 2015 in West Lafayette, Ind., where he now lives with his spouse, Corry.

The 57th Annual Alumni Awards are set for Saturday, May 19 from 5:30-9:30 p.m. in the Student Center Ballroom, 900 Oakwood St., Ypsilanti, MI 48197. Tickets are $55 for individuals and $400 for a table of eight. For more information, contact the Alumni Relations Office at 734-487-0250.

To reserve tickets, please visit the event ticket website.

About Eastern Michigan University

Founded in 1849, Eastern is the second oldest university in Michigan. It currently serves 20,000 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; Health and Human Services; Technology, 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.

March 09, 2018

Written by:
Austen Smith

Media Contact:
Geoff Larcom
glarcom@emich.edu
734-487-4400