| June 12, 2009
CONTACT: Ward Mullens
ward.mullens@emich.edu
734.487.4400
|
Eastern Michigan University remembers many contributions of former regent, almunus Carl Pursell
YPSILANTI — Former Eastern Michigan University Regent and alumnus Carl D. Pursell died at his home June 11 after a long illness. He was 76.
Pursell, of Plymouth, was appointed to the EMU Board of Regents by former Governor John Engler in 1993. During his board tenure, Pursell served as the vice chair of the board and chair of the educational policy committee. He served on the board until December 1999.
In 1993, Pursell and his wife Peggy, also an EMU graduate, established two scholarships at EMU. One was an endowed scholarship in the College of Business to support students with an interest in entrepreneurship. The second was an endowed scholarship in the College of Arts and Sciences to benefit students from the social sciences, physical sciences and the arts.
In 2001, Pursell was inducted into the EMU College of Education Alumni Hall of Fame.
Pursell earned his bachelor degree from EMU in 1957 and a master’s degree in 1962.
He began his political career as a Wayne County Commissioner in 1969 and was a Michigan State Senator from 1970-76.
In 1976, Pursell was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, where he served for 16 years. While a member of Congress, he was the ranking Republican on the House Labor, Health and Human Services, Education Appropriation Subcommittee. He also served on the Energy and Water Development Appropriations Subcommittee.
Pursell is survived by his wife, two sons, a daughter and seven grandchildren.
Visitation is scheduled from 3-8 p.m. Sunday at Schrader-Howell Funeral Home, 280 S. Main St., Plymouth.
Funeral services are 1 p.m. Monday, June 15 at the funeral home. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery in Plymouth. Donations can be made to the Salvation Army, the Plymouth Veterans of Foreign Wars or to retire the national debt.
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