The Ann Arbor News recently featured Willow Run's annual Hall of Fame awardees. These
included alum Donald G. Stewart. Stewart played
football for EMU, became head coach at Willow
Run, then moved to Naples, Florida where he
teaches and coaches. He has been
named Southwest Florida's Coach of the Year six
times.
The Livonia Observer told the story of another
educator with an emphasis in physical education:
Taylor Elementary physical education teacher
Charles O'Loughlin, affectionately known as “Mr.
O.” Principal Andrea Oquist called O'Loughlin "an
amazing educator." "He combines kindness and
compassion with a consummate knowledge of his
craft. . . As a staff member, he exudes an
enthusiasm and collaborative nature amongst his
colleagues, which is contagious.”
Willow Run High School's yearbook, The
Paradigm, received a silver medal in a contest
sponsored by the Michigan Interscholastic Press
Association.
The yearbook was recognized for its theme, "Red,
White, and You," that chronicled the school's 60th
anniversary. Jennifer Thornsberry is a technology
teacher at Willow Run and teacher sponsor of the
yearbook.
Delores (Soderquist) Brehm, '52, and her husband, William, are donating $1 million to EMU to establish an endowed scholarship in special education. The first million-dollar scholarship endowment in EMU’s history is targeted at students preparing to be Special Education teachers. more on this
Alum Mike Flanagan will chair the Education Alliance for the next year as they focus on issues that affect all levels of education in Michigan. The Education Alliance is a nonprofit coalition of the leading parent, business and education associations in Michigan. It is committed to enhancing student achievement by working cooperatively to remove the obstacles to student success.
The following alumni notes are courtesy of the Eastern Edge .
Gordon Raymond '43, age 91, lives in St. Peters, MO. He taught at Mary Institute and St. Louis Country Day School.
Neil Collard '50 retired from teaching business education in 1986. He announces track and volleyball games at Marysville Public Schools.
James M. Garfield '51, '56, '68 is president of the Flora-Bama chapter of Michigan Retired School Personnel. He lives in Pensacola, FL.
Richard Slaker '51 is in the travel business after retiring from teaching, counseling, and being a school principal. He lives in CA.
Rosemary Williamson Townsend '54 retired to Florida after teaching around the world. She has recently traveled to Bulgaria, Brazil, and Mexico.
Florence Rowe '57 lives in Flushing Township. She spent nearly 50 years as a teacher.
Joan Hill '61 retired after a long career in teaching. Her last position was with developmentally challenged and disabled students at a St. Clair County charter school.
Fred Shaw '66, '75 is retiring after 33 years as a teacher and coach in the East China district.
Howard Webster '66, '69, chairs the special education department and supervises 15 special education teachers for the Clarkston Community Schools.
Barbara A. Brown '69 is retiring after 31 years of teaching, including 29 with the Chelsea Community Schools.
Sandra O'Key Richardson '69 retired after 26 years of teaching with the San Luis Coastal Unified Schools in CA.
Marv Dick '70, '74 is now superintendent for the Ida Public Schools.
Charlene Jacobsen '70, is an art teacher at Pleasant Ridge Elementary in Saline.
IN MEMORIAM
James Kappler, 67, died recently. According to the Ann Arbor News, he graduated from the University of Michigan then completed his master's degree at Eastern. Mr. Kappler was a teacher and principal at Grass Lake High School, then principal at Hartford High and at Manchester High School.
Vivian M. Mack Stevenson, 82, of Lansing died recently. After graduating from EMU and UM, she joined the faculty of the College of Education at Michigan State University, where she taught for 28 years.
