Annual OU awards banquet honors distinguished alumni

By Eric Reikowski, media relations assistant

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 on Saturday, Nov. 7.

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 have demonstrated outstanding support of the university.

“The successes and achievements of our award recipients this year are truly inspirational,” said Adrienne Bass, director of Alumni Relations at OU. “Each recipient has made a difference in the lives of others.”

Long, a 1981 graduate of the School of Nursing, will receive this year’s Distinguished Alumni Service Award, the highest honor awarded to alumni, in recognition of peerless volunteer leadership in service to OU or its alumni association.

Patterson and DTE Energy Company Senior Vice President Ron May will receive Honorary Alumni Awards for their service to the university.

Additionally, Butzel Long Attorney Beth Gotthelf, CAS ‘80 and Dr. Kenneth McMillan, CAS ’72, director of medical services for Kola Health Outreach Program will receive this year’s Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award recognizing outstanding professional achievement or contribution to the community.

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory Investigation Scientist Kevin Grazier, CAS ‘87 and Dr. Paul McGhee, CAS ’63, founder and president of The Laughter Remedy are the 2009 winners of the Odyssey award honoring alumni whose lives exemplify Oakland’s motto to “seek virtue and knowledge."

Cindy Thieme, SBA ’94, Detroit director of Conde Nast Media Group, and retired Detroit Public Schools principal Jonathan Crawford SEHS ’76 each will be honored with the Spirit Award recognizing exemplary volunteer service to the university.