The 49th annual Alumni Awards Dinner, honoring eight Eastern Michigan University alumni, took place Saturday at the Ypsilanti Marriott at Eagle Crest.
The featured alumni awards are chosen after nominations are cast by peers and colleagues, and reviewed by the board of the Alumni Association.
The Eastern Alumni Association is led by a 24-member board of directors. It has chapters in Michigan, as well as other states, assisting alumni in bettering their careers, areas of study and lives altogether.
Alumni Achievement awards were given to members who have shown success in their chosen field and have kept close ties to EMU. Three successful ’90s graduates were granted this award.
Dara Munson, a ’96 graduate, is now the president and CEO of the Big Brother Big Sister program in Metro Detroit. Munson also volunteers with children in financial and social need.
Molly Luempert-Coy graduated in ’91 and ’92. Coy was honored for her work with DTE as a regional relations manager.
Leon Stanley-Clark Jr., also received the award. He graduated in ’95. He was vice president of Prestige Automotive group, and was honored for his award posthumously.
The Dr. John W. Porter Distinguished Service Award was given to two alumni who have been assets to the EMU community. The nominees for this award do not need to be previous students of EMU.
Laurence Smith is an emeritus member of the EMU Board of Trustees and emeritus vice president of marketing and student affairs at Eastern.
Ralph Pasola graduated in ’71, ’77 and ’86. He started volunteering at Eastern under Porter, and has earned praise from several departments within the university.
The Distinguished Alumnus/Alumna award is given to people who strive in their field, show interest in the well being of others and their community and have invested interest in EMU.
George L. Cogar, Ph.D. graduated in ’74 and ’77. He is a psychologist who specializes in starting programs to aid female Vietnam veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.
Maureen E. Thomas, ‘81, is emeritus director of Habitat For Humanity: Detroit and an executive consultant in legal management for Building Materials Holding Corporation.
Robert Skandalaris graduated in ‘76 and is founder and chairman of Quantum Ventures, as well as founding sponsor for Blessing Basket, an organization to help poverty-stricken families in currently developing countries.
These eight alumni were featured as well as the 2009 alumni chapter of the year, at the dinner.
