EASTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY EMU HOME Jan. 11, 2005 Volume 52, No. 18 FOCU Featured EMU's Ward honored with Purple Heart for injuries suffered in Iraq Articles Some 20 bullets ricocheted throughout the ambushed Chevy Suburban, hitting all three of its occupants. As pedestrians jumped out of its way, the non-armored vehicle rammed a barrier and went over the wall of SS-gallon drums. 'JEMU's Ward honored The driver was hit in the with Purple Heart for neck, a reporter took a injuries suffered in Iraq bullet in her back and Maj. :JMLK Day Celebration Stephen Ward caught honors King with 25 shrapnel in the right side events of his face and right hand JGov. Granholm appoints during an attack in Mosul, Sidlik, Wilbanks as new Iraq. Miraculously, all EMU regents three returned to work ::JPresident Willis that same day. announces two appointments; one That was Jan. 19, 2004. reassignment :JHistory of pinball Almost one year later, machines; SO-year homage to EMU's Ward, Eastern Michigan University Eagle Battalion permanent art collection executive officer and highlight Ford Gallery's winter lineup assistant professor in the FOR HONOR IN ACTIQN : Maj. Stephen Ward, Eastern department of military :::Coatings Research Michigan University Eagle Battalion executive officer Institute gets additional science, received a Purple and an assistant professor in the department of Heart. Col. James Coates, federal funds to help military science, proudly displays the Purple Heart he 9th Brigade Commander, Army, Navy protect was awarded. Ward, a civil engineer for the U.S. Army presented the medal surfaces of vehicles and Corps of Engineers, was wounded during an incident ships during a ceremony Jan. 10 in Mosul, Iraq, in January 2004. :::Regents approve 25 new at University House. staff appointments 'JPhoto: EMU graduates The Purple Heart is awarded, in the name of the president of the United States, to any are all smiles at winter member of the Armed Forces who has been wounded or killed. commencement :::January service More on this story... anniversaries :::By the numbers ::JBriefs .... J.Jobsline :::Why I teach at Eastern FOCU�,WJ] Michigan University EASTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY EMU HOME ' .. ' i Cover Story "' I '\'« eug Some 20 bullets ricocheted throughout the ambushed Chevy Suburban, hitting all three of its occupants. As pedestrians jumped out of its way, the non-armored vehicle rammed a barrier and went over the wall of SS-gallon drums. Jan. 11, 2005 issue The driver was hit in the neck, a reporter took a bullet in her back and EMU's Ward honored with Maj. Stephen Ward caught shrapnel in the right side of his face and right Purple Heart for injuries hand during an attack in Mosul, Iraq. Miraculously, all three returned to suffered in Iraq work that same day. That was Jan. 19, 2004. By Carol Anderson Almost one year later, Ward, Eastern Michigan University Eagle Battalion -·--- executive officer FOCUJLiJ] and an assistant professor in the department of military science, received a Purple Heart. Maj. Clifford Buttram, EMU department head of military sicence, presented the medal during a DECORATED PROFESSOR: Maj. Stephen Ward, ceremony Jan. Eastern Michigan University Eagle Battalion 10 at University executive officer and an assistant professor in the House. department of military science, displays a Purple The Purple Heart Heart he was awarded for being wounded during is awarded , in an incident in Mosul, Iraq, in January 2004. the name of the president of the United States, to any member of the Armed Forces who has been wounded or killed. "The Purple Heart is a sign of how lucky I was to survive that violent act and how fortunate I am to be an American," Ward said. "It's a sign of thankfulness and a reminder of the many things we have as Americans, such as freedom and many of the things we take for granted in everyday life." Ward, 37, a civil engineer for the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, was in Iraq leading a team of civilian engineers known as the Forward Engineering Support Team (FEST). The group was building a bridge between the cities of Irbil and Mosul. Ward, along with his driver and an embedded reporter, was in the lead of a three-vehicle convoy that was traveling to the engineering site when the attack occurred. "It was like a Hollywood movie. Our vehicle was going so fast. People on the street were scattering everywhere," said Ward, who explained that, during the escape, the other two vehicles took only a few rounds. "They (the attackers) wanted to take out the lead vehicle." When Ward realized they were under attack, the first thing he did was throw the reporter to the floor. The reporter was unaware that she had taken a bullet between her vest and back that barely penetrated the skin, but was very near her spine. A bullet had already gone through her camera, Ward said. Next, Ward said he put a compress on the driver's neck. The vest took the bullet and the shrapnel exploded in the neck guard of the vest, saving the driver from a serious head wound. As for himself, Ward said he didn't know he was hit. ''The shrapnel was so hot I didn't feel anything at the time. Afterwards, I had tiny pieces of metal coming out of my skin," said Ward, who described how today there are hardly any tell-tale scars on his hand or face. "At the time, I thought this (getting wounded) was no big deal. But, as I had time to reflect and rewind the scenario, I realize how lucky I was to survive," he said. "I knew that someone was looking out for me and that you can be gone in a moment. Life is so fragile." That encounter also has changed his view of everyday annoyances, such as traffic. In Iraq, six lanes would go down to two and, if he were trapped in between two vehicles, he would back up right over a vehicle to escape. While at EMU, Ward will be leading a more sedate lifestyle. He is teaching "Introduction to Leadership Development" and is assistant head of the military science department. His hometown is Bozeman, Mont., but Ward has been reassigned to EMU from the Army Corp of Engineers in Seattle, wash. Ward has a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from Montana State University and a master's degree in civil engineering from the University of Colorado. Ward and his wife, Mercedes, live in Milan with their one-year-old daughter and three-year-old son. "I'm thankful every day for my wife and two kids. It's wonderful coming home to them," he said. F.ASTERN MICHIGAN UN IVERSlTY EMU HOME Feature "The Struggle Continues ... " is the theme of the 2005 celebration of Martin Luther King Day at Eastern Michigan University. The campus celebration, Jan. 11, 2005 issue now in its 18th year, runs Jan. 12-17 with many events occurring MLK Day Celebration throughout campus. honors King with 25 events Keynote speaker Bishop Vashti McKenzie, the first female bishop elected in the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church, highlights the celebration. By Carol Anderson McKenzie will deliver remarks at the President's Luncheon, scheduled for noon in the Lakeshore Ballroom at the Ypsilanti Marriott at Eagle Crest. The keynote address follows at 3 p.m. in Pease Auditorium. Admission is free. On July 11, 2000, McKenzie was elected a bishop of AME, the oldest African­ American denomination in the United States. That post covers 200 churches and 10,000 members in Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique and Swaziland in southeast Africa. In 2004, she became president of the Council of Bishops. Her book, "Not Without a Struggle," analyzes female leadership in four different cultures and religions. It also offers leadership counsel specifically for African- American women and includes 10 leadership commandments for women. She also has written "Strength in the Struggle: Leadership Development for Women" (The Pilgrim Press, 2001) and "Journey to the Well" (Viking Penguin, 2002). KING SPEAKER: Bishop Vashti McKenzie, the first "EMU honors Dr. King by taking this female bishop elected in opportunity to reflect upon issues such as the African Methodist justice, equality and reconciliation," said Episcopal (AME) Church, Jessica "Decky" Alexander, co-chair of is the keynote speaker for EMU's MLK celebration committee and EMU'S MLK Day Celebration assistant professor in communications and Jan. 17. theatre arts. "Many of our sessions explore the struggle that accompanies sacrifice - struggles of race, culture identity, community and civility - and it does so through performance, discussion and lectures." In addition to the actual MLK Day celebration, there are other related events leading up to MLK Day. The MLK schedule, which includes 25 events, starts Jan. 12 and is as follows: \Nednesday,Jan. 12 African-American Scholars and Philosophers and the Drive Toward Educational Opportunity: Practical Lessons for Change, noon-1 p.m., Porter Building. This discussion is based upon Dr. King's philosophy that ignorance is the greatest impediment to resolving problems. It explores the impact of Booker T. Washington, W.E.B. Dubois, George Washington Carver and others on education for the dominant and the disposed in the U.S. Carolyn Carter and Thomas Gwaltney, both from the department of teacher education, are the presenters. Does the Struggle Continue?, 7-9 p.m., Walton-Putnam Lounge. This discussion centers on the civil rights movement and is sponsored by the NAACP, Black Student Union and the Center for Multicultural Affairs. Contact Shetina Jones at [email protected] or Keith Jason at [email protected]. Thursday, Jan. 13 Reunite the People, Rekindle the Torch, 7 p.m.-1 a.m., McKenny Union Ballroom.