Eastern Michigan University Alumni and Current Munity Until After Graduation
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R VISITED An Alumni Publication of News & Events for EMU Alumni emich.edu/alumni Fall, 2018 Welcome to the first edition of ‘Revisited’ Dear fellow EMU construction trucks roll want to stop by the award-win- easy way to get engaged is to celebrating 146 years, and with Alumni, past me and the sounds ning EMU Student Center, head attend one of our Meet Up Mon- all of the events, activities and In 2017, I was se- of hammering steel echo south to check out the Strong day events happening through- opportunities on campus - there lected to become the through the buildings Hall project, the brand new out the fall and winter semesters. has never been a better time to president of Eastern on south campus. It EMU Energy Center and take Meet Up Mondays are designed revisit your alma mater! Michigan University’s continues to be an excit- some time to check out building to connect current students I look forward to meeting Alumni Association ing time as projects are updates to our colleges, residence with EMU alumni and practice many more of you, to hear your Board of Directors. By Matthew Mortier starting and completing halls and more! networking skills to develop, EMU stories, and to learn about It is an honor to rep- Alumni Association in every direction - the You should also consider get- build, and cultivate long lasting the achievements you’ve un- Board President resent the more than most noticeable being ting involved in one of the many relationships. Each month, EMU doubtedly accomplished in the 165,000 alumni who the much needed Strong events that take place on campus alumni are invited to attend, years since graduation. have graduated from EMU in its Hall renovation. If you have not every week. As alumni, you can engage with students and share As always and forever - Go 169-year history. found yourself back on campus play a key role in the continued advice. Green! As I write this letter to you, in some time, I encourage you to advancement of the institution This is a special year for your I am sitting and watching the come by. If it’s been awhile, you’ll and in the lives of students. An Alumni Association as we are -Matt Mortier (BBA09, MA12) Alumnus making a difference through art and community By Austen Smith Jermaine Curtis Dickerson (BA14) is a creative, talented and busy person. Whether he is working on client projects as a freelance graphic design artist, or leading programs and events for his non-profit Hero Nation or engag- ing with the local arts communi- ty, Dickerson maintains a hectic schedule. Such energy was cultivated during his days at Eastern Mich- igan University having recently graduated with a BA in Art. Since Bright Lights, Big Ambition that time, Dickerson has used his EMU education and experience Young Alumni collaborate to make award-winning films to create positive change with local youth through the power of art, comic books and, as he says, Jermaine Curtis Dickerson (BA14) By Jeff Samoray “We loved filmmaking as students and want to “nerd culture.” was commissioned to create a mural for the city of Ypsilanti, Mich., continue doing it,” says WSF President, Officer and founder Allie Romero (BS15). “Compared to Hol- in 2016. Photo by Austen Smith If there’s a group of resourceful filmmakers who Finding his way lywood, there aren’t a lot of filmmaking opportuni- could make a splash in the movie industry without Arriving as a stranger to EMU ties in Michigan. But we’re creating opportunities a minor in dance, Dickerson relying on the sway of Hollywood insiders, it’s WSF in 2009 as an arts major with for ourselves here. We want to make a difference on got involved with on-campus Productions. filmmaking as a whole and for filmmakers them- activities but didn’t learn about In just three years, the youthful team of about 20 selves.” Ypsilanti’s growing arts com- Eastern Michigan University alumni and current munity until after graduation. students is earning awards at local film competi- It started with a Facebook post He has since immersed himself tions and screenings at prestigious film festivals. Romero and nearly all the WSF team members in the community and culture To date, WSF (a shortened form of “Who Shot PAID first met as Electronic Media and Film Studies of the area. First,” their original company name) has released NONPROFIT US POSTAGE US POSTAGE PERMIT#792 majors at EMU. For an independent study project, “I was drawn to the people of six short films, which are gaining additional expo- ROYAL OAK, MI 48068 OAK, ROYAL Romero recreated an episode of the 1950s situation the community, the voice, the sure on social media. Now the team is raising the comedy “I Love Lucy” to demonstrate her film pro- drive, the heart,” he says. “I wit- bar, aiming to produce and release a feature-length duction skills. Many of her classmates contributed nessed people trying to rebuild film in the near future. and create new opportunities, Please see ‘Lights’ on Page 3 form collaborations and to really cultivate a safer and more powerful community especially within the creative fields.” WHAT’S Dickerson, who is a De- troit native but moved to Mt. INSIDE Clemens with his family when he was 12, landed a job at the Arm of Honor Alumni giving back to EMU Office of Academic Ser- Pg. 2 Alumna uses vice-Learning where he stayed EMU experience at Homecoming throughout college.There he Dept. of Homeland right around the Security corner! EMU Office for Alumni Relations EMU Office for 234 McKenny Hall MI 48197 Ypsilanti, Please see ‘Dickerson’ on Page 2 Pg. 4 Pg. 3 Fall, 2018 Revisited | emich.edu/alumni Page 2 Arm of Honor Alumni Chapter Fall, 2018 Men of Honor giving back to Eastern Michigan ‘Revisited’ is a publication of Eastern Michigan University’s By Austen Smith of philanthropy with a $5,000 Office for Alumni Relations. challenge grant to help two EMU All rights reserved. The Arm of Honor was once swimmers travel to time trials for The views presented here are a distinguished fraternal organi- the Summer Olympics. Then in not necessarily those of the editor zation on the campus of Eastern 2017, they made sizable gifts to nor reflective of the policies of Michigan University. The group the EMU Forensics and Debate Eastern Michigan University or has recruited future community Teams, the nascent Fermentation the Office for Alumni Relations. leaders, educators and athletes Science Program and Swoop’s many of whom are recognizable Food Pantry. More recently, Alumni Relations/ names on the marquees of build- Arms Alumni have made char- Advancement staff: ings scattered around campus itable gifts to the new athletics Jill Hunsberger – Rynearson, Olds and Jones to sports medicine facility and Road Assistant Vice President of name a few. to Completion programs. In the Advancement Starting around 2008, however, spring of this year, the Asso- the Arm organization became ciation donated $3,000 to the Mia Milton (BS96, MS12) unmoored from its traditions of BrotherHOOD and SisterHOOD Assistant Dir., Alumni Relations academic scholarship, honor and Initiatives – a University-wide & Communications integrity. The organization, and Arm of Honor Alumni Chapter members present a check to EMU to benefit collaborative support program the group’s longtime home at 602 the BrotherHOOD and SisterHOOD Initiatives. L-R: Kirk Profit (BS75), EMU focused on EMU students of President James M. Smith, Jill Hunsberger, Associate Vice President for color. Jessica Nietrzeba (MS08) Emmet Street in Ypsilanti, quite Advancement and Phil Riggio (BS71). Photo courtesy of Pat Barry Assistant Director, Advancement publicly came to a crashing halt Profit says within the last Activities, Alumni Relations when the University revoked the Athletics was one of several or- “We thought it had been several years Arm alumni have group’s charter and the Alumni ganizational pillars that sustained deteriorating for a while, but made great progress in restoring Austen Smith (BS03) Association evicted current ten- the Arm chapter through the it put us over the top when we the group’s reputation, and their Director of Advancement ants due to a series of police calls early 2000’s. Warning signs, how- saw that the house was a total main goal is to continue to be a Communications and bad behavior. ever, started to creep in around mess,” says Profit. “(The Alumni positive force for good within the But what could have been an 2008-2009, marked largely by an Association) made a decision that campus community. Caroline Eidt (BFA18) embarrassing end for an EMU eroding membership. Then in this isn’t who we are and we don’t “What the Arm chapter had Graphic Designer institution has turned into a 2010, membership dwindled to want the (current residents) to become in the eyes of the com- story of rebirth and rejuvenation, a point where it was no longer carry our name. So we decided munity was nothing that we ever Contact the Editor: thanks to the efforts of a few sustainable financially for the that day to boot them all out, sell wanted it to be,” says Profit. “So 444A McKenny Hall motivated alumni and a strong, Arm brothers currently living in the house and just be an alumni we had a choice to either burn Ypsilanti, MI 48197 collective desire to preserve the home, so they started seeking chapter.” our coats and all that kind of stuff [email protected] 125 years of Arm history and outside help to keep the house or start fresh and restore who we 734-487-6640 tradition.