At the winter 2004 commencement, College of Education alumnus Dean Rockwell was awarded an honorary doctorate. Rockwell graduated from Michigan State Normal College in 1935 and at age 92 still regularly attends university events. He served as a teacher and coach, including coaching the U.S. Greco-Roman wrestling team at the 1964 Olympics. Rockwell is probably best recognized for his distinguished career in the Navy and his pivotal contribution to the success of the D-Day invasion. In his book D-Day, June 6, 1944, Steven Ambrose wrote, “By using his courage and common sense, Lt. Dean Rockwell made the single most important command decision of any junior officer on D-Day.
Barb Carl was recently honored as Howell Public Schools’ Teacher of the Teacher. Carl has taught in Howell for 28 years, for the last 11 years as kindergarten teacher. Carl earned her master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Eastern Michigan University in 1981.
Ann Arbor News has recognized the volunteer work of alum May Ping Soo Hoo. She was particularly honored for her work with Food Gatherers. May Ping Soo Hoo formerly taught mathematics and German at Gabriel Richard High School.
IN MEMORIAM
Virginia May Smith died on December 17, 2004 at age 80. Smith was a graduate of Michigan State Normal College and was a teacher with the Ypsilanti Public Schools for many years.
