Take Five is a regular feature of Exemplar that introduces a member of the EMU Alumni Association Board of Directors. This issue, we speak with James Hogan (’92, ’98), a managing member at US Construction Design Services, LLC, based in Detroit.

Q: What is your happiest memory from your undergraduate years? Which memory have you tried to forget, but can’t?

A: Happiest memories: winning the All-Sports Trophy with the Arm of Honor in 1992; coffee with friend “Gum”; and duck hunting with Doc, Brad and Darryl. Memories to forget: waiting to see Dr. Bette White regarding an Arm of Honor issue and facing Dr. (John) Weeks after skipping his Contract Law class.

Q: What was your major and how many others did you go through before settling on the right one?

A: I came to Eastern Michigan as a pre-engineering student but changed after one semester to construction management. The faculty were experienced and personable teachers who cared about the students. There was great potential in the national industry for a fun, high-paying career.

Q: When you entered EMU as a freshman, the nickname was the Hurons. By the time you were a senior, it was the Eagles. Do you suffer any
lingering identity issues as a result?

A: When the decision was made, we were worried about it being a concern for the future of the University’s image. The selection of the Eagle nickname was hard to understand given how many other universities already were using it. I thought it should have been more unique.

Q: If you were president of EMU for a day, what would you do with your newfound power?

A: At the present time, I would leave it in the more than capable hands of Dr. Don Loppnow. But I would take the opportunity to assist the EMU Foundation in raising critical money for the University and specifically for the Dr. John A. Weeks Endowed Scholarship for the construction management program and an endowed professorship to take the program to the next level. I also would build a giant hammerhead shark bronze statue to be placed in front of Rynearson Stadium to celebrate over 100 years of tradition and history at Eastern Michigan.

Q: What’s your favorite piece of EMU gear (hat, shirt, etc.)?

A: My favorite piece of Eastern gear is an Arm of Honor vintage party T-shirt designed by J.A.C.