EMU Today

YPSILANTI - On February 22nd, members of GameAbove advisory board presented, “The Player’s Journey” as part of the Honors College annual Star Lecture Series. Panelists included Eastern Michigan University alumni Earle B. Higgins, Brett Petersmark, Michael Bailey Smith, and Zach Wigal, who all share a passion for giving back to the institution.

In line with the Honors College’s annual theme, “Serious Play,” panelists shared their personal testimonies involving how playing on EMU teams impacted their lives. They also advised students on ways to achieve success in the world beyond EMU.

Higgins, EMU’s first All-American basketball player, who also played professionally for the Indiana Pacers, told students, “Make sure you get a mentor to guide you through the process.” He also talked about the importance of teamwork, advising the audience that, “you cannot do anything by yourself. To succeed, you have to work together.”

Petersmark and Smith discussed their experience playing football at EMU. Petersmark expressed how obstacles sometimes modify your path, and you find out later in life that was the best thing that ever happened. Smith added, “We played every down, every game like it was our last. You must figure out how to play the game no matter where you find yourself and what hardship you experience.”

In discussing his current philanthropic work with Gamers Outreach, which makes video games accessible to hospitalized children, Wigal emphasized the impact that play has on people’s lives. “High-quality play correlates with a high-quality life,” said Wigal. Since children in hospitals cannot play the kinds of sports that the panelists engaged in as children, Gamers Outreach makes video games available for pediatric patients, so they have access to play during their hospital stays, which often last for an extended time. Wigal, who founded the philanthropic organization because of his love for video games, asserted, “It’s important to find problems you care about solving and then develop the tenacity and determination to solve those problems and create solutions for others.”

Students enjoyed interacting with members of GameAbove and learning more about their commitment to EMU. After the lecture, Tatiana Worthy, a freshman Simulation Animation and Gaming major, commented, “I found the Star Lecture insightful. The speakers showed how play is an educational tool. Playing sports or developing video games allows you to develop important life skills, such as collaboration and resilience. The speakers also reminded us to rely on others and to believe in ourselves and our abilities.”

The Honors College at Eastern Michigan University offers six lectures through the Star Lecture Series each academic year. The theme for the program changes annually, and guest lecturers use personal or academic expertise to convey a message related to the theme. For more information about the Star Lecture Series, visit The Honors College at https://www.emich.edu/honors/index.php. To learn more about GameAbove’s initiatives and how the group is helping improve EMU, visit gameaboveemu.com.

About the Eastern Michigan University Honors College
The Honors College is home to many intellectually talented and motivated students and provides the intimacy of a small, liberal arts education within a large, comprehensive university. Honors students are offered educational and cultural experiences through challenging courses and extra-curricular activities that encourage scholarly curiosity, leadership, civic engagement, and diversity. The Honors College provides undergraduate students opportunities for a wide range of experiences that aid in developing students’ appreciation for creativity, the arts, sciences, critical issues facing contemporary society, and diversity among people and their cultures.

For more information about the Eastern Michigan University Honors College, visit the Honors College.

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.