Contact: Dave Groves
(248) 370-2759
groves@oakland.edu
For Immediate Release
Monday, Oct. 19, 2009
Oakland University to honor distinguished alumni and supporters
Rochester, Mich. – Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson and Oakland University Board of Trustees Chair Jackie Long are among a group of distinguished individuals who will be honored during the Oakland University Alumni Association’s 2009 Alumni Awards Banquet.
This 15th annual event will recognize OU graduates who have achieved remarkable success in business, community service, volunteerism and other endeavors, as well as those who have not graduated from OU, but demonstrated outstanding support of the university.
Long, a 1981 graduate of the School of Nursing, will receive this year’s Distinguished Alumni Service Award, the highest honor awarded to alumni.
Patterson and DTE Energy Company Senior Vice President Ron May will receive Honorary Alumni Awards for their service to the university. Other award recipients include:
• Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award – Butzel Long Attorney Beth Gotthelf and Dr. Kenneth McMillan, director of medical services for Kola Health Outreach Program
• The Odyssey Award – NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory Investigation Scientist Kevin Grazier and Dr. Paul McGhee, founder and president of The Laughter Remedy
• The Spirit Award – Cindy Thieme, Detroit director of Conde Nast Media Group, and retired Detroit Public Schools principal Jonathan Crawford
The 2009 Alumni Awards Banquet will take place on Saturday, Nov. 7, in the Oakland Center banquet rooms. Those seeking more information on the event or who wish to reserve a table should contact Bris Villanueva at (248) 364-6137 or
villanu2@oakland.edu.
