EMU Today

YPSILANTI – Former First Lady Sue Snyder, who created a campus sexual assault grant program and hosted summits on various campuses in Michigan, was honored with a special resolution Thursday (Feb. 7, 2019) by the Eastern Michigan University Board of Regents.

Snyder, who served as First Lady during her husband Rick’s tenure as governor from 2011 to 2019, held a summit at Eastern in fall of 2017 entitled “Inform. Empower. Prevent. Let’s End Campus Sexual Assault.”

The day-long summit was part of Snyder’s ongoing campaign to inform communities, empower individuals and ultimately bring an end to campus sexual assault.

Eastern was also awarded several grants, totaling more than $105,000, as a part of Snyder’s sexual assault prevention initiative.

The resolution reads as follows:

WHEREAS, former First Lady Sue Snyder has worked with steadfast dedication to support the health, safety, and wellness of Michigan’s women, children, and students, to ensure they have the best foundation possible as they move forward in their lives; and,

WHEREAS, believing that Michigan could become a visionary leader in the fight against campus sexual assault, she partnered with the Michigan State Police to create the Campus Sexual Assault Grant Program and launched the “Inform. Empower. Prevent” initiative; and,

WHEREAS, Eastern Michigan University proudly welcomed former First Lady Sue Snyder to campus for the third annual summit, to facilitate meaningful conversations and collaboration, and encourage innovative approaches in the fight against sexual assault; and,

WHEREAS, as a passionate advocate for the program, she has brought together university representatives, law enforcement officials, students, and national experts to build a network of professionals who are determined to ensure that all Michigan campuses are safe, inspirational places of learning.

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Eastern Michigan University Board of Regents expresses its appreciation to former First Lady Sue Snyder for her extraordinary commitment to the issue of campus sexual assault awareness and prevention, and thanks her for her dedicated service to the State of Michigan.

About Eastern Michigan University

Founded in 1849, Eastern is the second oldest public university in Michigan. It currently serves more than 19,000 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.