Focus EMU Online: People

Former Eastern Michigan University professor Bernard O'Connor, a Roman Catholic priest who left the University in July 2004 for a position at the Vatican, has recently been in the news as a media consultant.

Father Bernie O'Connor, or "Father Bernie" as he is called, was interviewed on MSNBC's "Connected Coast to Coast" April 7, to discuss events following the death of Pope John Paul II and other issues facing the Catholic Church. Ronald Reagan and Monica Crowley were the hosts of the show.

O'Connor

O'Connor is currently serving as a member or "adviser" to the Eastern Churches, which include countries such as Egypt, Syria, Iran and Jordan. His responsibilities include helping the eastern regions of the Catholic Church communicate with one another and working with various governments on human rights concerns.

During his 10 years at Eastern Michigan, O'Connor taught political science; served as assistant dean of the College of Arts and Sciences; counseled EMU students and staff, and was the ROTC chaplain.

A native of Nova Scotia, O'Connor was ordained a Catholic priest in 1977. He earned a doctorate in systematic theology from the Gregorian University in 1986 and a law degree from the University of Tennessee in 1994.

His numerous honors include the EMU Gold Medallion Award in 2004, the Award for Excellence in Innovative Teaching from the Center for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning in 2003, and Michigan Professor of the Year in 1999 and 2001.

He has United Nations' certifications in peace support operations, international humanitarian law, and peacekeeping and international conflict resolution. He has also written the book, "Pope John Paul II: Papal Diplomacy and the Culture of Peace."

Howard Cash, founder and president of Gene Codes Corp. of Ann Arbor, was presented Eastern Michigan University's College of Business 2005 Merlanti Ethics Best Practices Award.

The award was presented to Cash at the COB's annual awards banquet April 1.

CASH-ING IN: Howard Cash (left), founder and
president of Gene Codes Corp. in Ann Arbor,
accepts the 2005 Merlanti Ethics Best Practices
Award at the College of Business's annual
awards banquet April 1.

"We had outstanding candidates this year and the decision was a challenge," said John Waltman, director of the Merlanti Ethics Program at EMU. "What tipped the scale was Cash's strong ethical leadership at Gene Codes Corporation, his positive modeling of corporate social responsibility and his clear sense of humility."

Gene Codes Corp. is an international bioinformatics firm specializing in research software for DNA sequencing and analysis.

Cash and his company put a major project on hold in order to assist with the identification of the victims of Sept. 11. While the original contract with New York was for $10 million, Cash billed only for real hours and expenses for a lower total.

"We made a decision early on not to try to profiteer on this project," Cash said in an interview with Bio-Tech magazine. "If, in the process, we had brought some comfort to these hundreds of families but in the end we had lost the company, I would still have thought we had made a good investment and the right decision," said Cash.

"Most ethical dilemmas are not a choice between right and wrong, but rather a choice that has to be made between two meritorious arguments. For the World Trade Center project, we allocated nearly 100 percent of our technical staff to developing the tools used to identify the remains of those killed so that they could be returned to their families," Cash said.

Gene Codes Corp. was founded in 1988 and developed a computer program, which helps scientists identify and map all human genes.

The award is part of the Ernest and Jeanne Merlanti Ethics Initiative, which was established in December 2001. The initiative was created to help with the pressing need for expanded business ethics training. The initiative is named for Ernest and Jeanne Merlanti, of Ann Arbor, area business leaders and entrepreneurs. The Merlantis founded Personnel Systems, Inc. in 1970, to help resolve problems other companies faced in hiring quality employees, including the need to screen resumes and interview and qualify candidates.

Michael McGuire, professor of music and coordinator of the music therapy program at Eastern Michigan University, was recently honored for his outstanding professional contributions by the American Music Therapy Association-Great Lakes Region.

McGuire, of Ypsilanti Township, was presented with the association's Honorary Life Member Award March 5 at the Great Lakes Regional Conference in Milwaukee.

McGuire

"It is quite personally fulfilling and humbling to have my contributions to music therapy acknowledged by peers and colleagues in my professional organization," said McGuire, who was presented with a plaque for distinguished service to the profession. "This honor has touched me deeply, and caused me to look at my work in a totally new light."

Music therapy is the specialized use of music by credentialed professionals to develop individualized treatment and interventions for clients with social, communication, emotional, physical and cognitive needs, said McGuire, who has been coordinator of EMU's program since 1983.

Under McGuire's direction, EMU's music therapy program became one of only 67 in the country to receive full accreditation by the American Music Therapy Association. Approximately 95 percent of EMU music therapy graduates pass their board certification exam, compared to the 75-percent national pass rate.

McGuire is active in state, regional and national music therapy organizations. He currently serves as chairman of the board of directors for the Certification Board for Music Therapists. He also has served as a member and chair of the national ethics and standards committees.

Eastern Michigan University recently earned a 2005 Healthy Workplace Award (gold) from the Washtenaw County Public Health Department.

EMU was one of only five local businesses or organizations that received a plaque April 6, during the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners meeting at the Washtenaw County administrative building in Ann Arbor.

"This award recognizes that the well-being of our employees is paramount to the successful operation of the University and that a commitment to wellness is a commitment to the development of our workforce," said Ellen Gold, director of EMU's University Health Services. " Although there is much more to be done, receiving this reward reinforces that we are taking positive steps in supporting our employees to improve their health and we are appreciative of the recognition."

This second annual award, which was presented as part of National Public Health Week, April 4-8, recognizes employers who have shown a commitment to their employees' health, well being and quality of life by implementing health promotion and wellness programs at the worksite.

Throughout last year, EMU encouraged wellness in various campus communications, through the Employee Wellness Committee and in campus-wide programs such as the Wellness Walkers, The Great Smoke-Out, Weight Watchers and the Ergonomics Fair.

Judges from the Washtenaw County Public Health Department evaluated the applications on various criteria, including workplace strategies, initiatives, communications, environment, organizational strategy and program evaluation.

"We always strive to make the campus a healthier place. We applied this year for the first time and jumped to the gold level. Next year, we'll go for the platinum," said Eric Ward, wellness coordinator at EMU's Snow Health Center.

The platinum winners met at least six categories and emphasized collecting data and evaluating the impact of the health initiatives on the bottom line. Gold winners fulfilled a minimum of five categories while silver awardees satisfied at least four areas.

Eastern Michigan University's men's and women's swimming teams were both honored by the College Swimming Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) for their academic performances on the Academic All-American list for the fall 2004 semester. EMU's women's team had the highest GPA in the nation, compiling a mark of 3.56 as a team. The men's squad had an overall 3.2 GPA, which ranked eighth nationally.

Ryan Coleman, a standout on EMU's women's basketball team, has been recognized as a Kodak/Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) All-America Team Honorable Mention selection for the 2004-05 season. A selection committee representing each of the eight WBCA geographical regions made the announcement April 2.

IN THE LANE: Ryan Coleman, a
member of the EMU women's
basketball team, was recently
named an honorable mention
All-American by
Kodak/Women's Basketball
Coaches Association.

Coleman joins Stephanie Smiley (1999-2002) as the only other EMU player ever to receive this honor. Coleman was one of 48 finalists from which the committee selected 10 of the top women's basketball players in the nation to be honored as All-Americans, while the rest of the finalists received honorable mention accolades.

The senior led the Eagles in points (17.9 per game), three-pointers made (68), defensive rebounds (150), steals (2.6 per game), blocks (0.77 per game) and minutes (34.7 per game). The Detroit native was among the conference leaders in scoring, field goal percentage, rebounds, free-throw percentage, blocks, steals and assists.

A starter in every game this season, and since coming to Eastern Michigan in 2002, Coleman scored in double figures in 30 games in 2004-05, including three double-doubles and the MAC's only triple-double of the year. Earlier this season, Coleman became just the third player in EMU women's basketball history to record 1,000 points, 500 rebounds and 200 assists in her career. This season, she was named the Tournament MVP at the Eagle Classic, USF Roundball Classic and at the Missouri Tiger State Farm Classic. Coleman also was named MAC West Player of the Week five-times in 2004-05.

Eric Namesnick, EMU's assistant men's swimming and diving coach, has been named to the USA Swimming coaching staff for the 2005 World University Games in Izmir, Turkey, Aug. 11-21. Namesnik was a two-time silver medalist in the 400-meter IM, competing at both the Barcelona and Atlanta Olympic Games. Namesnik also was ranked #1 in the world in the 400-meter IM during 1991 and 1993. During his career, he lowered the American record for the 400-meter IM four times. From the 1992 Olympics until spring 1994, Namesnik finished no lower than second in the event. In 1993, Namesnik was a finalist for the United States Olympic Committee Sportsman of the Year.

Kimberly Smith-Ensign and Elizabeth ("Betsy") Spayd, both seniors in the EMU Music Therapy Program, have been awarded scholarships from the Michigan Federated Music Clubs. Spayd, of Sandusky, Ohio, will receive $500, while Smith-Ensign, of Ann Arbor, will receive $250.

"I can't tell you how pleased I am that EMU music therapy students have once again won scholarships from the Michigan Federated Music Clubs," said Michael McGuire, program coordinator for music therapy. "The federation has been a strong supporter — actually, a phenomenal one — of EMU students for several years. In some years, the members of the scholarship committee have provided additional money so that more than one highly deserving EMU student could receive a reward."

Criteria for the awards include: dedication to their work in music therapy, musical skills, academic achievement and financial need, said McGuire.

Melanie Myers, a lecturer in the School of Engineering Technology's construction management program, was recently honored with the National Association of Women in Construction's (NAWIC) Outstanding Woman in Construction Award by the organization's Lansing chapter. This is the highest honor bestowed by the organization and is awarded for accomplishments made in the construction industry and contributions made to the Lansing chapter. Myers received an individual plaque and a traveling plaque.