Hello alumni! I want to offer a follow-up to my GOLD Mine profile of Aurora Harris. Her blog is an interesting extension of her profile. I was intrigued by the variety of topics discussed on her blog from the perspective of a poet, activist and EMU scholar. Harris is received her MA in Social Foundations of Education, with a concentration in Cultural Studies, from EMU in 2009.
“My blog is both personal and educational for educators and students and illustrates history, culture, identity, issues with race, gender, etc.” says Harris. The depth of this blog is extremely intriguing and features diverse ideas. Man, graduates of the last decade sure know how to write a good blog.
Dara Walker (BS09) discusses her transition from EMU to Syracuse University. She emphasizes the importance of becoming a purpose-oriented scholar.
Prior to graduating from Eastern in 2009 with a B.S. in African-American Studies, I was not sure if my experiences had prepared me to successfully complete my first year of Syracuse University’s Pan-African Studies (PAS) Master’s program. During my four-year tenure at EMU, I found a strong community of scholars, activists, and friends in the Department of African-American Studies, the Center for Multicultural Affairs, the Honors College, the EMU Black Alumni Association, the McNair Scholars Program, Phi Sigma Pi, and the Bruce T. Halle Library. They (EMU) provided me with the knowledge and skills necessary to work in my community as a scholar and leader.
Dara Walker (BS09)
As an SU graduate student, I have the opportunity to work with communities beyond the university walls to creatively merge scholarship and activism. From organizing campus and community events for Harriet Washington, the author of Medical Apartheid: The Dark History of Medical Experimentation on Black Americans from Colonial Times to the Present to conducting independent research that explores the pedagogical value of Hip Hop in secondary education, I have the chance to explore the importance of purpose-driven research beyond theory.
Now, I have reached the stage of my program where the master’s thesis is my central academic priority. Through oral history interviews, my thesis research will explore the personal and political experiences of individuals who were Detroit high school student activists during the Black Power Movement; particularly how their work strengthened and emboldened the Black Power Movement’s goals for quality education through student activism within school walls. With the research funding provided by Syracuse University and Wayne State University’s Walter P. Reuther Library, I have the opportunity to conduct field research for this work.
Written by: Dara Walker
If you would like to be a guest blogger, contact Dan at dmathis@emich.edu – Share your story!
Hope you have enjoyed reading the stories of GOLD alumni. This blog is a small portion of the evolving GOLD program and I want to offer a preview of a new opportunity to be an involved EMU alumnus.
Beginning in the fall,the GOLD Council, a selective group of recent graduates who support the Office for Alumni Relations, will begin developing and implementing recent graduate programming (defined broadly). The GOLD Council utilizes the principle “choose your level of involvement” – as it will seldom involve regularly scheduled meetings. It is designed to develop a recent alumni community through involvement that fits their schedule.
Centered on the concept of “action-projects,” the organization will set its own agenda while considering the values of Eastern Michigan University and the needs of Graduates of the Last Decade.
Look out for GOLD Council applications in August! In the mean time, if you would like to learn more send me an e-mail: dmathis@emich.edu.
This is simply a preview of one of the opportunities to serve EMU that will appear in the next few months. Expect developing programs for families and graduate students, as well as more integrated social media outreach.
Nicole Collier graduated from EMU in 2007 with a BS in Electronic Media and Film Studies and a second BS in Comprehensive Communication and Theatre Arts. The Lansing, MI native came to EMU because it was close enough to home that she could go back at any time yet just far enough away where she could have her own life. “I wanted a place that I would be able to find out who I was on my own.”
Right now Collier is a Morning Reporter on Six News this Morning on WLNS-TV, which is the CBS affiliate channel in Lansing, MI. Breaking into the television news field is a very daunting task that requires a lot of hard work “I invested in myself. I studied, I immersed myself in my program at school, I did internships, obviously I earned a degree, and I took an extreme vested interest in myself and making sure that I stayed motivated to keep trying until I landed a job in news,” Collier stated.
Before she was approved to be a daily reporter from the WLNS news director, Collier was a WLNS morning show writer and editor. “I worked the graveyard shift 2 am-8am,” she said, “and I did this for months and months without ever setting foot on air.”
Though Collier originally came to EMU with hopes of becoming a kindergarten teacher, her mind was changed after her Intro to Telecommunications class. “EMU helped me find and cultivate my love for television news and broadcast,” Collier said, “The CTA Department is extremely talented and helpful.”
During her time at EMU, Collier encountered many professors, but her favorite was definitely Dr. Geoff Hammill. Collier appreciated the fact that he was constantly pushing her to be a better student and journalist overall. “He is an excellent teacher. He made me think and he always kept me engaged in class,” She said, “He saw something in me that actually helped me make the decision to really pursue news.” Dr. Hammill personal mentor to Collier and they are still in contact. “I just can’t say enough good things about him,” she said.
Reflecting on her favorite class was more difficult to Collier than naming her favorite professor. “That’s a hard one,” she said “Especially because all the classes related to my major I loved!” Collier eventually decided her favorite courses were Theory and Criticism of Television and Acting for Television and Film. “Theory and Criticism because we learned so much about television and why things that we see on TV are the way they are.” said Collier, “Everything is there for a reason.” In the Acting for Television and Film course Collier felt like she was in her zone. “You have the chance to be someone else.” she said, “You were able to test your depth as a person and see what you could make yourself or others believe. It was just fun.”
EMU also provided Collier with the opportunity to be involved with E-TV as the anchor for E News Weekly for two years. “Being involved with that gave me a small taste of what it would be like, and gave me the opportunity to meet some awesome friends and contacts that I have been able to call on since entering the business,” she said.
As an alumni Collier has an interest in making sure she is informed about the progress EMU is making. She has a special interest in the CTA department. “My life would be so different had I not been blessed with the opportunity to be involved in that program. I would love to help out and give back in any way that I could,” said Collier. One way Collier is reaching out is by giving current students advice. Check out the video below that features Collier’s encouraging words, recorded exclusively for us from the WLNS News 6 Studio.
On June 17, 2010, EMU hosted a Jamaican style “Lunch by the Lake” at the Student Center. For $3 you can choose lunch options including Jamaican jerk, plain chicken or vegetarian tofu patties, with a tropical tossed salad, rice with red beans, cookies and drink. So I decided to go and give you guys an inside look while putting our new Flip Video camera to work and enjoying some great food. Check out the video I made below…
The continuing search for alumni blogs led us to Cathy Walker, who received her BS ’00 in Elementary Education- Social Studies from EMU. Cathy, who is currently a North Carolina elementary teacher, has both a website and blog to provide information that would benefit teachers and share advice.
Her website gives a tour and outline of how she runs her class, a schedule of events, curriculum and tools for teachers. The blog focuses more on scholastic reading and literature. On the blog, Cathy gives elaborate reviews of books geared toward elementary readers.
Both of these sites are important particularly for EMU students because one our biggest departments on campus is the Department of Teacher Education. EMU fast facts states “One out of every four teachers in Michigan has at least one degree from EMU; nationally, 1 percent of the national educational workforce has a degree from EMU, which was a charter member of the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education.”
Brandon Jessup (BBA05) shares his thoughts on how EMU made a difference in his life:
“If it wasn’t for EMU…” is a thought I’ve been having often lately. We all know the pursuit of higher education is tough. College introduces us to life and the obstacles we will face as students and young adults. College challenges vary; if its not academics, its finances, and when its neither of those the weight of the challenge, whatever it may be, can be a huge burden for a young student. I graduated from Eastern Michigan University in 2005 with my BBA in Computer Information Systems with a minor in Labor Studies. EMU prepared me for leadership in my community, in business and within myself.
I transferred to EMU in 2000. I found a college campus with a very active student life and even more vocal students. In my second year at EMU, the world had been shaken at its core from the terrorist attacks on 9/11. The next day, the local chapter of the NAACP, the department of African-American studies and other faculty, staff and student organizations held a program called “What’s going on?”. This campus-led program inspired me to get involved and to give back. No longer did I simply focus on my professional advancement and development. I began to focus on my community, my environment how I could contribute to their advancement. EMU empowered me as a leader. Faculty and staff such as Dr. Judy Sturgis-Hill, Dr. Melvin Peters, past Vice-President of Student Affairs Jim Vick, Dr. Whitney Harris, current Ombudsman Gregory Peoples, Denise Tanguay, Dr. Ronald Woods, Dr. Heather Neff and others challenged my perception of diversity, community service and higher education; building my ability to adapt, inspire and explore.
Eastern Michigan University has always maintained a strong community presence and it’s powered by the students. As a student leader at EMU, I advocated for students and the University, studied in a world class learning environment and helped shape the culture at EMU. Initatives for living, breathing community documents such as the EMU Campus Creed were led by students just like me. The principles, education and knowledge gained at EMU has continued to carry me today. Since my graduation, I have traveled across the country and around the globe as a community leader. I am founder and chairman of an urban public policy think tank, Michigan Forward. “If it wasn’t for EMU…” making a difference in me then, I definitely would not be a difference maker today.
I have recently joined Dan in his quest for blogs created by Graduates of the Last Decade and I found one. Jamie Favreau graduated from EMU in 2008 with her Bachelors in Communication Technology. Jamie’s blog features a variety of topics but 2 that stand out most are sports and social media.
Jamie writes “What is technology doing for us today? Are we basically using it to have contact with the people we want or to avoid contact all together?” Those are very thought provoking questions on a blog with an array of intriguing topics.
Jamie describes herself as an “easy going single woman that is blogging about life, Red Wings, and anything that interests me. I love my Red Wings, hanging out, concerts, musicals, theatre, web 2.0, and anything fun.”
Check out Jamie’s blog and show your support of EMU Alumni. Also, If you are involved social media (creating videos, writing a blog etc.) and would like to share, let us know! We are here to get your message out.
Though he originally came to EMU because of a girl, Joseph Stromski II stayed because he loved the people and the campus. “Yeah she ended up going somewhere else,” the Antwerp, OH native said “but I fell in love at Fast Track.”
Stromski received a BS in Public Relations and a second BS in Journalism from EMU in 2009. “Eastern has provided me with opportunities that I couldn’t get anywhere else,” When reflecting on his experiences at EMU Stromski said “I really appreciate the small class settings because I was able to connect and solidify more relationships with students and professors.”
For those very reasons one particular class stood out in his memory. “I loved the experience of my digital journalism class [With Dr. Christine Tracy], everyone really got to know each other and I still keep in touch with most of them,” said Stromski.
Stromski also encountered many great professors at EMU. I can’t really narrow it down because there were so many good ones,” he said. He then listed Kenneth Shiskowski , Marty Shichtman Joseph Csicsila, Carol Schlagheck, Lolita Cummings-Carson, Jim Pinson and the aforementioned Christine Tracy.
EMU also granted Stromski exposure to other opportunities. During his time at EMU Stromski was the Director of Communications for Student Government and the College Life Section Editor of emYou! the magazine. “The magazine was a big part of my life, it really jumpstarted my writing career” Stromski said. He was also a member of The Public Relations Student Society of America and Delta Tau Delta Fraternity Theta Xi Chapter.
When asked about his future plans Stromski’s response was rather modest. “Ideally I just want to be successful in something I like to do,” he said “I don’t need a million dollars, but that would be nice but as long as I’m physically, mentally and emotionally healthy I am good.”
Among other things Stromski has going on in his life, a big part will be upcoming marriage this summer. Although he is taking big steps in life Stromski has spoke of his plans and to give back and be involved in helping EMU’s future. “I really want to keep in contact with students and be seen around campus because I like it here,” he said “I also want to make sure I attend big events like Homecoming to support EMU”
In closing, Stromski gave some advice for current EMU students:
“For all students I would say make a friend in each class and join a student org. It will make a ridiculous difference in your experience. For those in the journalism and public relations majors make sure you write every day and always smile when you meet new people.”
Joseph Stromski also has a blog, show your support for fellow alumni and check it out: jstromsk.wordpress.com
EMU Young Alumni 