alumni Class Notes


1960s Rochelle Balkam (BA61, MA73,


MS85) has retired after 52 years of teaching history–24 of which were at Eastern Michigan University.


Sally J. Labadie (BS63, MA70) retired after 50 years of working in education as a teacher, a principal and as an elementary


intern coordinator for Michigan State University.


Barbara J. Willis (BS65) has been honored as one of the 50 Michigan Chronicle Women of Excellence for actively engaging in making changes to improve Metro Detroit.


Edward M. Strazzini (BS66) has retired after 23 years of serving as an EMS helicopter pilot for Air Methods Corporation.


Marianne K. Martin (BS68) was awarded the Trailblazer Award by the Golden Crown Literary Society. She was also inducted into the 2013 Saints and Sinners Literary Festival Hall of Fame.


R.L. McNeely (BA68) retired as a professor emeritus at the Bader School of Social Welfare, University of Wisconsin. McNeely


continues to serve as a practicing attorney at Midwest Legal Center, LLC.


1970s


Jeanette C. Meyer (BS71, MA75) along with her husband, Thomas Meyer, was awarded the 2013 Musgrove Evans


Award. This award is given to individuals whose efforts have contributed to the quality of life in Tecumseh, Michigan and make the community a better place to live.


Wendy M. Baxter (BBA72) has been honored as one of the 50 Michigan Chronicle Women of Excellence for actively engaging in making changes to improve Metro Detroit.


Kristy Montee (BS72) has co-written a new crime fiction novel, “Heart of Ice.” This is the 12th novel of the Louis Kincaid series. Prior to writing mystery novels, Montee worked as a reporter for the Sun-Sentinel in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.


Gary R. Herron (BBA72) has released a book about the history of baseball in Albuquerque, N.M., titled, “Duke City Diamonds: Baseball in Albuquerque.”


Michael B. Torrey (BS72) has been elected to the National High School Athletic Coaches Association Hall of Fame. He also recently retired after 40 years of coaching swimming at Zeeland West High School.


Carla E. Sledge (BME73, MA82) has been honored as one of the 50 Michigan Chronicle Women of Excellence for actively engaging in making changes to improve Metro Detroit.


David E. Slusher (BS73, MA77) has retired from Columbia Central High School after 40 years of serving as a teacher, coach, administrator and ultimately, a principal.


Paula J. Sheldon (BME74) has released her third book titled, “You’re Hired.” It’s designed to help readers develop a mindset for success, regardless of their field or experience level.


Paula C. Snyder (BS74) has co- authored a novel in the “Contagious Optimism” book series. The book offers inspirational stories from around the globe.


Claudia J. Whitsitt (BS75, MA81) has written a novel titled, “The Wrong


Born to be an Eagle


Was your child born to be an Eagle? Babies (birth – 12 months) who are children or grandchil- dren of EMU alumni can receive a bib like the one shown above, by Olivia Madison Grayson born 11/17/2012, daughter of Shari Grayson (BS12). To request a bib, e-mail alumni.relations@emich. edu or call 734.487.0250.


Guy,” which is loosely based on The Michigan Murders–seven serial co-ed murders that occurred in Washtenaw County during 1967-1969.


Joseph J. Suriano (MS76) has retired after 35 years of serving as a Navy diving coach.


Susan P. Ward-Witkowski (BS76) has been appointed city attorney of Southfield.


Arthur L. Flitner (MA77) has received the Inland Marine Underwriters Association Excellence in Education Award.


Donald W. Mroz (MA78) has been promoted to president of Post University in Waterbury, Conn.


1980s Daniel J. McClory (BS81, MA82,


HPS10) has been appointed as Independent Director of MusclePharm Corporation. McClory is currently a director of Motion Picture Group Worldwide in Los Angeles, Calif., and serves on the USA Track & Field Foundation Board.


James F. Woods (BBA83) has been appointed as president of Hainbuch America Corporation Workholding Technology. Woods previously served as vice president of sales.


Wendy C. Rutter (BSN83) is part of a medical team that assists patients in Migori, Kenya. The team is dedicated to improving health conditions in the region.


Lynn M. Torossian (BBA83) has been named the president of Harper University Hospital and Huntzel Women’s Hospital.


John E. Dewitt (BBA84) has retired from the State of Michigan after more than 33 years of service.


Lisa R. Tennant (BFA85, MA91, MFA92) has released her first children’s picture book titled, “Min Min and the Magic Garden,” a tale that brings the journey of adoption to life.


Kam M. Lim (BS86, MS88) presented a keynote paper at the first Chicago International Conference on education back in June. He was also interviewed by WBEZ 91.5 FM’s Worldview.


Michael Lyon (BBA86) is the Vice President of Operations at Quicken Loans. Lyon has been with Quicken Loans since 1997 and leads a team of approximately 2,500 team members.


Carol S. Ross (BA86) has released a book titled, “Trudy,” a mystery novel


34 Eastern | FALL 2013


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