Eastern Michigan University Alumnus Lt
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R VISITED An Alumni Publication of News & Events for EMU Alumni emich.edu/alumni Spring, 2019 Alumnus, hoops legend lends a helping hand By Jeff Samoray zine named him the top power forward in Michigan, while the Detroit Free Press made him an While growing up on Detroit’s honorable-mention All-Metro east side near McNichols Road selection. and I-75, Marvin Skipper (BS11) Scouts also noted Skipper’s on- dreamed of pursuing a better court performance. That’s when life for his family by playing his dreams took hold. basketball professionally. Al- “I had aspirations of playing though health issues ended those in the NBA,” says Skipper, who ambitions, Skipper has made an turns 30 in May. “I felt I had TRUE HERO impact on more people than he the talent to make it. Then I’d could ever have imagined. become the meal ticket for my Lt. Col. Charles S. Kettles (MS79) is pictured in Washington, D.C. when he received his Congressional Medal of Life wasn’t easy for Skipper, family. I wanted to help them get Honor. Kettles passed away in January, 2019, at 89. U.S. Army Photos by Sgt. Alicia Brand who acted as man of the house out of the ‘hood and find a better for his sister and single mom in life.” a neighborhood, where drugs, He took a step toward that goal Remembering Medal of Honor crime and poverty are the status by signing a letter of intent in quo. Basketball became his es- November 2006 to play for EMU. cape from street life. Then-Eagles Head Basketball recipient Charles S. Kettles At 6-foot-9 and 240 pounds, Coach Charles Ramsey, who Skipper excelled in the sport for By Geoff Larcom began scouting Skipper when he Detroit Pershing High School. was in the 8th grade, said he’d In 2006, Prep Spotlight Maga- bring “added size and strength to Eastern Michigan University alumnus Lt. Col. Charles Kettles, a Vietnam war hero who received Please see ‘HAND’ on Page 3 the military’s highest distinction, The Medal of Honor, has passed away. He was 89. Kettles, who distinguished himself in heroic combat operations in Vietnam, also has a deep history with Eastern, which named its Military and Veterans Service Center after him in 2016. In awarding Kettles the Medal Honor in 2016, President Barack Obama noted his courage and valor in saving the lives of 40 soldiers and four of Kettles receives the Congressional Medal of Honor from President Barack Obama in 2016. U.S. Army Photos by his own crew members on May 15, 1967, during Sgt. Alicia Brand fierce fighting near Duc Pho, Vietnam. Kettles, a helicopter pilot, repeatedly flew into a so grateful for his profound contributions to our valley to save soldiers who were under heavy fire. country as well as his deep history with Eastern Later, Kettles earned a master’s degree at East- Michigan University,” said President James Smith. ern Michigan’s College of Technology, teaching “Lt. Col. Kettles’ actions in Vietnam were excep- students there while developing the University’s tional in terms of his bravery, his focus and his Aviation Management program. sense of duty. He stands as an inspiration to all of Marvin Skipper (BS11) has found a way to give back to his childhood “We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing Please see ‘HERO’ on Page 2 of Lt. Col. Charles Kettles, and will always remain neighborhood after a heart condition kept him from his NBA dreams. Alumna infuses preservation with new energy By Jeff Samoray PAID Sarah Marsom (MS13) is NONPROFIT US POSTAGE US POSTAGE PERMIT#792 Historic preservation in leading the way for a new generation of historical ROYAL OAK, MI 48068 OAK, ROYAL the United States isn’t exactly preservationists. new. Activists have been pre- serving historically significant structures and places since the 1930s. The federal gov- ernment began designating historic districts in the 1960s. WHAT’S EMU launched its highly re- garded Historic Preservation INSIDE program—one of the largest graduate programs of its kind Find out who has been in the nation—in 1979. named a 2019 Alumni While protecting historic Award recipient Kim Jones talks assets remains a challenge (the Pg. 2 about Black Alumni Save the date for National Trust for Historic Association Homecoming! Pg. 2 Pg. 4 Please see ‘ENERGY’ on Page 3 EMU Office for Alumni Relations EMU Office for 234 McKenny Hall MI 48197 Ypsilanti, Spring, 2019 Revisited | emich.edu/alumni Page 2 2019 Alumni Award recipients announced Spring, 2019 ‘Revisited’ is a publication of This year’s honorees for EMU will honor six alumni in investment to the U.S. in 1970, he joined the Eastern Michigan University’s Eastern Michigan University’s three different categories as well strategy for Michigan Air National Guard, Office for Alumni Relations. 58th annual Alumni Awards as bestow the John W. Porter over 20 years. where he was promoted to major All rights reserved. represent an impressive cross Distinguished Service Award: He is currently general, and worked for General The views presented here are section of industry leaders from Senior Vice Motors as a corporate pilot and not necessarily those of the editor Broadway theatre, aviation, Young Alumni Award President and director of flight operations. nor reflective of the policies of journalism, technology, finance, In just a few short years after Private Wealth Scott Frush Eastern Michigan University or sports medicine and higher graduating Investment BBA94 Dr. Marisa the Office for Alumni Relations. education. from EMU, Manager at A. Colston, The 2019 awards ceremony, Jawan M. Citizens Bank, where he devel- PhD, ATC, is Alumni Relations/ scheduled for Saturday, May 18, Jackson has ops, communicates and executes an industry Advancement staff: in the EMU Student Center, car- made a big- tailored investment strategies for leader in sports Jill Hunsberger ries on a tradition of recognizing time splash high net worth clients. medicine, Marisa Colston Assistant Vice President of outstanding EMU alumni who on Broadway Jawan Jackson athletic training BS88, MS90 Advancement have distinguished themselves for his por- BS11 Amalie and teaching. in their respective professional trayal of The Nash is the She earned a PhD in Educa- Mia Milton (BS96, MS12) fields and within their commu- Temptations’ Melvin Franklin in executive tion-Exercise Science/Kinesi- Director of Engagement & nities. The Office for Alumni “Motown: The Musical.” Jackson editor for local ology from the University of Marketing, Alumni Relations Relations, guided by the Alumni also has a number of TV and news for the Tennessee-Knoxville. She is now Association Board and Awards film credits. USA TODAY a Professor of Graduate Ath- Jessica Nietrzeba (MS08) and Recognition Committee, has Network. She letic Training, and Department Amalie Nash Director of Engagement & presented the Alumni Awards Terry Kay- also coordi- BS98, MS03 Head for Health and Human Outreach, Alumni Relations for more than 50 years and has ser graduated nates political Performance at the University of honored more than 400 recipi- from EMU coverage for the network in con- Tennessee-Chattanooga. Austen Smith (BS03) ents. magna cum junction with the USA TODAY Director of Advancement “We continue to be astonished laude looking politics team, which has taken John W. Porter Distin- Communications by the contributions our award to start his her from the Iowa caucuses to guished Service Award recipients have made person- career in the the political conventions to USA Glenna Terry Kayser Caroline Eidt (BFA18) ally and professionally,” says dynamic and BS12, MS14 TODAY on Election Night. Frank Miller Graphic Designer Jill Hunsberger, vice president growing field retired in 2013, for EMU Advancement. “They of GIS technology. Kayser is Distinguished Alumni leaving an Contact the Editor: exemplify the true spirit of EMU currently Leader of Engineering Award outstanding 444A McKenny Hall and we are so proud of their Capital Close-out at NiSource, Maj. Gen. legacy at East- Ypsilanti, MI 48197 accomplishments.” where he manages a team of 11 William A. ern Michigan Glenna Frank [email protected] This year’s head of ceremonies engineering and GIS profes- Henderson University – a Miller 734-487-6640 will be Eastern alumna Dara sionals mapping underground (BS64) flew place that she Munson (BS96), who is current- natural gas lines. over 125 com- called home for over 40 years. Let’s be Social! ly the CEO of the Chicago Child bat missions William Henderson During that time, Miller served Facebook.com/emualumnirelations Care Society and has led an Alumni Achievement Award from 1968 to BS64 in numerous capacities, includ- Twitter: @emualumnirelations outstanding career in nonprofit Scott Frush, CFA, CFP, MBA, 1969 in the ing Student Affairs, Campus Instagram: @emualumnirelations leadership. has been a leader in finance and Vietnam War. Upon returning Life, Diversity and many more. Please take a moment to fill out our online survey We hope you enjoy your com- Spotlight: plimentary copy of ‘Revisited,” a publication dedicated to Eastern EMU Black Alumni Association Michigan University’s alumni, donors, supporters and friends. Since 1984, Eastern Michigan’s Black thanks to a generous donation from Judge We would appreciate it if you Alumni Association (EMUBA) has sup- Greg Mathis (BS82) who is a retired Michi- took a moment to fill out an ported hundreds of students through their gan District Court judge but is best known online survey that will inspire scholarships, mentorship and support. for the “Judge Mathis” courtroom reality programming that is beneficial, The EMUBA has not only been a driving TV show. Judge Mathis is also a longtime fun and exciting to over 30,000 force on campus but also by coordinating member of EMUBA.