Nov. 2, 2004 issue

Eastern Michigan University has grown on me; it's a big part of my life. I remember playing tennis on the courts as a kid and walking all over campus to see my mom. My mother worked for EMU for 23 years as a secretary and became a supervisor in the recycling department at the physical plant.

I graduated from Ypsilanti High School, with honors, and started college here. Eventually, I wanted to work and go to school part-time. And EMU's willingness to hire people with disabilities is what keeps me here. I'm deaf but, with my hearing aid, I can hear. I'm one out of only a handful of deaf people with a commercial driver's license, and EMU paid for it. So I'm really proud of that.

I started at EMU in January 1984 as a custodian and worked my way up the ranks to shipping and receiving. So, I've seen a tremendous amount of change at EMU. Mostly everything is positive for me on campus. I have a lot of friends here and I take pride in helping people in any way I can.

I've been performing magic shows for EMU's Family Day for six years; I like to entertain people. My finest hour at Eastern was at Family Day 2002. I performed a magic show and there were about 400-500 people cheering and applauding. I feel life is a magical experience, so it's something I'll never forget.

 

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