EMU Today

YPSILANTI  –  Eastern Michigan University’s Division of Academic and Student Affairs honored 10 staff members for their exemplary service during an awards ceremony in the Student Center ballroom. The event occurred during Excellence Week, a celebratory week that honors students, faculty, and staff achievements.

The award celebrates Eastern faculty and staff members supporting and furthering student engagement and success, institutional effectiveness, and service. The categories include community engagement and service, outstanding leadership, outstanding innovation, student engagement, and success.

“The success of EMU has always been in our ability to work across divisions and departments, coalesce teams, create programs, and solve institutional challenges,” said Rhonda Longworth, provost and executive vice president of academic and student affairs. “It is important to pause and honor all of those who contribute to the dynamism of EMU, and this event is designed to celebrate that.”

Each year, university staff is encouraged to submit a nomination for review by a campus-wide committee. There were 53 nominations received recognizing individuals from across campus. Of those, eight people were selected for awards.

The 2023 awardees are as follows:

Community Engagement and Service
Norbert Vance, instrumentation specialist, Physics and Astronomy
Melissa Peters, academic fieldwork coordinator, Occupational Therapy Program

Outstanding Leadership
Kevin Lawson, director, Student Center
Anthony Webster, director, TRIO Student Support Services

Outstanding Innovation
Michele Rich, administrative assistant, Dean of Students Office & Student Affairs
Jeffrey Bernstein, director, Bruce K. Nelson Faculty Development Center

Student Engagement and Success
David Evoy, school services coordinator, Social Work
Gregg Heinrichs, academic advisor, University Advising & Career Development Center

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.