Shirley J. Bryant has dedicated much of her life to serving her community. She's been an active member of Leadership Detroit, the Birmingham-Bloomfield Chamber of Commerce, Birmingham Youth Assistance, the Birmingham-Bloomfield Task Force on Race Relations and Ethnic Diversity, Orchards Children's Services and many other community groups. She's received numerous awards for her service, including Birmingham's "Woman of the Year" and the Women of Achievement Award from the Anti-Defamation League. Bryant received her master's degree from Eastern Michigan University and her bachelor's degree from the University of Florida. She worked for Birmingham Public Schools as a community education specialist, coordinator of community education and executive director of community relations until her retirement in 2005.

William J. Bushaw is a former middle-school teacher and high school principal. For several years, he directed the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA) program in Michigan. Following that, he served as chief academic officer and deputy superintendent at the Michigan Department of Education and as a director at Merit Network, Inc. Bushaw also served in the U.S. Navy, both on active duty and in the reserve, retiring in October 2000. Bushaw received his doctorate and bachelor's degree from the University of Michigan, and his master's degree from Eastern Michigan University. His professional interests center on education policy, student assessment, school evaluation and the deployment of technology in classrooms and schools. He is a strong advocate for public schooling.

Marvin H. McKinney has been active in education, mainly behind the scenes, for many years. He has worked as an educational consultant for institutions such as the Michigan Department of Education, the Kellogg Foundation and the Family Research Initiative at Michigan State University. In addition, he has served as the director of early childhood education for Ann Arbor Public Schools, the state coordinator of early childhood education for the Michigan Department of Education and the program director of youth and education for the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. McKinney has presented and published research on numerous issues, including family resources, children of low-income families, educating African-American children and child development. He received his doctorate from the University of Michigan and his bachelor's, master's and educational specialist degrees from Eastern Michigan University.

John Mahelm Berry Sill graduated from EMU in 1854, when it was known as Michigan State Normal School. He remained here as a professor of English language and literature until 1864. In addition, Sill served as superintendent of Detroit Public Schools, principal of the Detroit Female Seminary, principal of Michigan State Normal School, president of the Michigan State Teachers' Association and a regent at the University of Michigan. He was consul-general and U.S. minister resident at Seoul, Korea, under President Grover Cleveland from 1894-1897. He received the honorary degree of Master of Arts from the University of Michigan in 1870 and the degree of Master of Pedagogics from Michigan State Normal College in 1892. Sill died in Detroit in 1901.