College to honor outstanding alumni at Homecoming event

On Friday, Oct. 5, the Western Michigan University College of Health and Human Services will host a reception and program to honor and recognize 12 alumni and induct them into the Outstanding Alumni Academy. The event, which is part of the college's 2012 Homecoming celebration, will begin at 4 p.m. and will take place in Room 4010 of the Health and Human Services Building.

The public is invited, and those who would like to attend are asked to reserve at mywmu.com/chhshomecoming or by calling (269) 387-2663 by Sept. 28. Parking for guests will be free in Lot 104, adjacent to the Health and Human Services Building.

The following WMU College of Health and Human Services outstanding alumni will be honored:

  • Blindness and low vision studies: Duane R. Geruschat, Ph.D., Director of Research, Maryland School for the Blind (M.A. Orientation and Mobility, 1976) 
  • Gerontology: Ellen Page-Robin, Ph.D., Emerita, CHHS Community Health Program (Honorary)
  • Integrataive holistic health and wellness: Charlene Brown, Counselor Supervisor, Rinehart Institute (Graduate Certificate, 1991)
  • B.S. in Interdisciplinary Health Services: Dorothy Bennett, R.N., M.B.A., Director of Nursing and Clinical Support Services, WMU School of Medicine Clinics (B.A. Health Studies, 2002)
  • Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Health Sciences: Janice Long, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Wellstar School of Nursing (Ph.D., 2008)
  • Occupational therapy: Theodore King, II, Ph.D., Professor and Chair, Rehabilitation Sciences Department, Concordia University, Wisconsin (M.O.T., 1978); Amy Wagenfeld, Ph.D., Therapeutic Design Consultant, (B.S.O.T., 1984); Casey Pawell, Occupational Therapist, Kalamazoo Regional Educational Service Agency (B.S.O.T., 2003; M.O.T., 2006)
  • Physician assistant: Susan Hicks, D.O., Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine with West Michigan OB/Gyn (B.S., Medicine, 1981)
  • School of Social Work: Dale Hein, retired, Director, Kalamazoo County Health and Community Services Department and Project Manager, Kalamazoo County Transportation Authority (M.S.W., 1983)
  • Specialty Program in Alcohol and Drug Abuse: Gregory A. Blevins, Ph.D., Professor and Chair, Addictions Studies, Governors State University (Graduate Certificate,  1975)
     
  • Speech pathology and audiology: Jackson Roush, Ph.D., Professor and Director, Division of Speech and Hearing Sciences, University of North Carolina School of Medicine (B.S. Communication Disorders, 1975;  M.A. Audiology, 1976)

These alumni join 68 other College of Health and Human Services graduates honored as outstanding alumni since 2002.

"We are proud of our alumni and grateful for their achievements and contributions in health care and human service," states Dean Earlie M. Washington. "They are an inspiration to current students and faculty, representing excellence in their fields and the effectiveness of our teaching-learning efforts over the years."