By Samantha Skovran, media relations assistant
Three Oakland University students have been recognized by the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) Foundation for achieving a combined $6,000 in scholarships for the 2012-13 school year.
Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) students Christina Stackhouse-Lockard, Chelsea Salkeld and Stella Amuwha each have received awards because of their academic excellence and achievements as part of the ASSE.
ASSE announced the winners this summer, which included Stackhouse-Lockard with the Liberty Mutual Scholarship, Salkeld with the BCSP Rick P. Callor Techniciantrechnologist Supervisory Scholarship, and Amuwha with the Blacks in Safety Engineering Scholarship.
“I was really excited when I found out I won,” said Amuwha. “I was jumping up and down screaming.”
Salkeld added, “It was a rush of happiness and relief, earning this scholarship gave me some extra financial assistance.”
Seniors Salkeld and Amuwha both served as executive staff for Oakland’s ASSE chapter. Salkeld was the historian for the fall 2011 semester and secretary for the winter 2012 semester. Amuwha contributed as the treasurer. Additionally, Stackhouse-Lockard participated as the executive assistant for the 2011-12 school year.
All three winners have had successes at Oakland because of their hard work and support from OU faculty and staff.
“Dr. Charles McGlothlin is the person that originally told me about the scholarship award program,” explained Salkeld. “He was supportive in my application and wrote me an amazing letter of recommendation for it.”
Amuwha spoke similarly about her OSH instructors and advisors.
“When I first came to Oakland I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do, but then I met supportive professors like Dr. Darryl Hill and the program director, Charles McGlothlin, who really listen to me and give the advice I needed to succeed. After a few classes I was hooked, and now I’m sure this is what I want to do with my life.”
As each of these students worked through the OSH program, they have compiled many achievements and opportunities to move on to careers within the field.
Salkeld is currently working as a Safety Intern for General Motors in Tonawanda, New York. After graduating this upcoming December, she hopes to get her Credited Safety Professional certification, and then continue on to graduate school to further her education.
Stackhouse-Lockard has earned several awards from ASSE and OSH throughout her time at Oakland, and will use these achievements to help boost her goals after graduation.
Also graduating in December, Amuwha hopes to enter a career specializing in natural gas or manufacturing. This past June, her article about construction safety and the effect of scheduling was published, and in combination with earning this scholarship, Amuwha said she feels motivated.
“I have four kids and I want to be the best example for them. It is encouraging to know that I am being recognized for something I have worked so hard to do. That if you set your heart to something, you can make it happen.”
ASSE is the global organization that works to advance the technical, scientific, managerial and ethical knowledge and skills of Safety Health and Environment officials. It is committed to protecting people, property and the environment.
Each year, the ASSE foundation awards more than $100,000 in scholarships to deserving students. For more information about ASSE and its scholarship foundation visit
asse.org.
To learn more about Oakland’s Occupational Safety and Health program visit
oakland.edu/shs/osh.
