Donald M. Currie 1918-2006

Donald M. Currie, a Michigan State Normal School graduate ('47) and member of the Michigan Education Hall of Fame, died in July at his home in Laguna Hills, Calif. He was 88.

His first teaching job was in a one-room schoolhouse in Saline, Mich. He later joined the faculty at EMU and served, successively, as an education instructor, director of alumni relations, director of placement and dean of students. (In 1981, he received a Distinguished Alumnus Award from the EMU Alumni Association.)

Currie joined Royal Oak (Mich.) Public Schools in 1958 as assistant superintendent. He was appointed superintendent in 1962, and held that position until 1973, when he left to become the executive director of the Michigan Association of School Administrators.

A century of living, learning
Two EMU alumni recently celebrated 100 years of life. Edna Roush ('33), a longtime EMU supporter and Michigan State Normal School (MSNC) graduate, turned 100 in October fall. The former elementary school teacher celebrated with friends and family at an event in Holland, Mich.

Mabel Fake ('26) turned 100 in April. She received 237 birthday cards. EMU helped celebrate by serving a cake at the Bruce T. Halle Library in her honor. Born in Canton Township, Fake came to MSNC to become a teacher. (Read more on Mabel's life)

Fleming lecture
A standing room-only crowd was on hand Oct. 20 as the Kellogg-Fleming Lecture Series got under way. The series, funded by a grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, honors the life's work – and passion for reading – of Thomas A. Fleming, a 1968 EMU graduate (master of arts) and 1992 "National Teacher of the Year." Three more events in the series are planned. (Read more on Fleming's life and the lecture series)

Top teacher
Cindy Hasselbring (B.S. '95, M.A. '01), a math teacher at Milan (Mich.) High School, received the 2005 Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching, the nation's highest honor for teaching in this field. She was awarded a $10,000 grant from the National Science Foundation. Only 100 teachers nationwide receive the award.