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| Virinder Moudgil, vice president for Academic Affairs and provost, and Mary Beth Snyder, vice president for Student Affairs, present the 2008 Googasian Award to Jean Ann Miller. |
By Rebecca Wyatt Thomas, OU Web Writer
Each year, the Phyllis Law Googasian Award is presented by the Oakland University chapter of the American Council on Education Network for Women Leaders to a woman who demonstrates extraordinary service to the university community and commitment to the positive growth, development and advancement of women at OU. This year, Jean Ann Miller, director of the Center for Student Activities and Leadership Development, was selected to receive the honor.
The annual luncheon celebration was attended by Phyllis Law Googasian, trustee emerita. The award was named in her honor for her commitment to OU and her dedication to the advancement of women.
“The recipients of this award are not only successful in their own careers, but they mentor the careers of others,” said Virinder Moudgil, vice president for Academic Affairs and provost.
Moudgil and Mary Beth Snyder, vice president for Student Affairs, nominated Miller for the award. The idea came after the V.I.P. Student Leader Reunion in October 2007.
“There were hundreds of former student leaders and about 80 percent of the former students who walked through the door said ‘I came because I wanted to see Jean Ann Miller,’” Snyder said. “She has maintained relationships with hundreds and hundreds of alumni in the same way professors would in academics.”
In her 20 years at Oakland University, Miller has spent much time behind the scenes of campus events and activities, but Snyder said she encourages students she comes in contact with to try something new and inspires them. Snyder said Miler was an early, strong supporter of the Rape Aggression Defense program, the Gender and Sexuality Center and brings many female lecturers and speakers to campus to influence and inspire OU students.
Miller thanked many people during her acceptance speech, including her parents, siblings and mentors, including Eleanor Reynolds, assistant vice president of Student Affairs, whom she dedicated her Googasian Award to. She also thanked the OU students.
“The students—they are the reason why I come to work every day with a smile on my face and in my heart,” Miller said.
Miller said there are many people who have left an impression on her, professionally and personally, and she said she hopes she can do the same for others.
“The women of OU really rock. We live, laugh, love and lead together. We live hard and we play hard,” Miller said.
Each year, the Phyllis Law Googasian Award is presented by the Oakland University chapter of the American Council on Education Network for Women Leaders to a woman who demonstrates extraordinary service to the university community and commitment to the positive growth, development and advancement of women at OU. This year, Jean Ann Miller, director of the Center for Student Activities and Leadership Development, was selected to receive the honor.