EMU Today

YPSILANTI — Eastern Michigan University will premiere the 60th Annual Alumni Awards on Saturday, May 15, 2021. The 2021 awards ceremony, which will air at 6 p.m. on the alumni awards website, carries on a tradition of recognizing outstanding EMU alumni who have elevated themselves both professionally and within their communities.

The Office for Alumni Relations guided by the Alumni Association Board of Directors and the Recognition, Awards and Scholarship Committee will highlight 11 award recipients from both 2020 and 2021. The virtual event is open to all alumni, donors, and friends of the EMU community.

“Though this year has been unlike one we have ever seen before, I am so excited to finally celebrate these outstanding EMU alumni,” says Mia Milton, Interim Executive Director of Alumni Relations and Engagement. “They are a phenomenal representation of our University and community, and we are so proud of their accomplishments.”

This year’s master of ceremonies is FOX2 News anchor and reporter and alumnus, Josh Landon, who earned a Bachelor of Science from EMU in 2006. Josh started his broadcasting career in Lansing, Michigan as a reporter, and then later worked for a number of stations in Florida, Virginia, and Wisconsin prior to returning to Michigan. Milton says, “Josh Landon is such a recognizable and well respected journalist in the community and is a true ambassador for EMU. It made sense for him to be a special part of this virtual celebration.”

EMU will honor nine total alumni in three different categories as well as bestow the John W. Porter Distinguished Service Award to two deserving individuals:

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.

Farah Harb (MBA12) Global Education Analyst, Ford Motor Co. Fund & Community Services

Jasmine A. Lee (BS09) Director of Inclusive Excellence and Initiatives for Identity, Inclusion & Belonging, University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC)

Zach Wigal (BBA16) Founder, Gamers Outreach and Gamers for Giving Fundraiser

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.

Kevin N. Alschuler, Ph.D. (MS06, PHD10) Associate Professor and Attending Psychologist, University of Washington School of Medicine

Dr. Derrick R. Coleman (BS96, MA01) Superintendent, River Rouge School District

Christina Miller (MS02) Nutrition Outreach Manager, United Dairy Industry of Michigan

Chad Newton (BS97, MS11) Chief Executive Officer, Wayne County Airport Authority

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.

Carrie J. Clark (BS89) Director of IT Project Management Office, IT Service Management, and EPIC Testing, Henry Ford Health System

Bynarozell (Byna) Elliott (BBA92) Head of Advancing Black Pathways, J.P. Morgan Chase and Company

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.

Gregory A. Peoples Emeritus Dean of Students and University Ombudsman, Eastern Michigan University

Bette Warren Emeritus Associate Vice President for Academic Programming

Learn more about all of the Alumni Award recipients by visiting the official Alumni Awards webpage here. Tune in on EMU’s official YouTube channel, or by visiting the official Alumni Awards webpage.

About Eastern Michigan University

Founded in 1849, Eastern is the second oldest public university in Michigan. It currently serves more than 16,000 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.