The 13th annual Awards and Recognition program was held Friday, April 11, in the Grand Tier Lounge of the Wharton Center. Dr. Lee June, vice-president for student affairs and services, opened the reception with a short history of OPHS, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. Emcee David Brieger kept the festivities on track and flowing with insightful comments and introductions to the various awards. Outstanding OPHS Alumnus awardee Dr. Len Sawisch offered a humor-filled reflection on the early years of OPHS as well as a commendation of how far the office and university have come in their commitment and advancement of people with disabilities.
Decker-Muns Friendship Memorial Scholarship recipients were: Nancy E. Clarke, Kathleen Ellis, Eileen Howe, Diane M. Lickfelt and Joel Lynch. Wilhelmina Muns presented the $1,100 scholarships.
Outstanding faculty awards were presented to: Dr. William Cote, Dr. Patricia Julius and Mr. Richard Hensh. Nominating students Erica Stark and Jennifer Stump presented the awards.
Pete Collman was presented with the Jack and Helen Shingleton Student Leadership Award for his outstanding involvement in disability awareness. Trustee Jack Shingleton presented the award, including a Spartan watch and blanket, to Collman.
Introduced for the first time this year were the new Spotlight on OPHS awards. Each award corresponds with a letter of the OPHS name: Opportunity, Perseverance, Harbinger and Service.
The Opportunity award, presented to Christopher Beal, honors a student who "creates a good chance for advancement or progress."
Brad Patterson received the Perseverance award for his "persistence in a state, enterprise or undertaking in spite of counterinfluences, opposition or discouragement."
The Harbinger award was given to Martha LaClave. It honors "one that pioneers or initiates a major change; one that presages or foreshadows what is to come."
Matthew Gerhardt received the Service award, in recognition of his "contribution to the welfare of others."
The office's highest award for a staff member, the Dorothy Millbrook Staff Award, went to Dee Dee Johnson, a secretary with the School of Journalism. Johnson was recognized for her overwhelming commitment to all students, but particularly students with disabilities. She was nominated by Erica Stark, who lauded Johnson's willingness to go above and beyond the call of duty with easing transitions and making assistance available.
The highest faculty award, the James B. Hamilton Award, was presented to Patricia Enos, former acting assistant vice president of student affairs and an assistant adjunct professor with the College of Education's educational administration program.
Volunteers who facilitate the OPHS program were also honored at the reception. Kris Reader, an independent volunteer, was honored for the countless number of hours she spent reading books on tape and one-on-one for students with print handicaps. Tower Guard, a sophomore honorary organization, was also recognized for its outstanding commitment to accessibility through reading services.
Outstanding Alumnus awardee Dr. Len Sawisch provided an entertaining and informative glimpse back into the early years of OPHS. Sawisch, a 1979 Ph.D. graduate in developmental psychology, showed his experience as a professional stand-up comedian as he highlighted some of the early rallies and "civic presence events" coordinated from the MSU campus. Erica Stark and her service dog, Ike, pose with Dr. William Cote and Dee Dee Johnson. Cote is an associate professor in the School of Journalism and was nominated by Stark for an Outstanding Faculty Award. Johnson, a secretary with the School of Journalism, was presented with the Dorothy Millbrook Staff Award.