By Jane R. Elgass
When it rains, it pours, it has been said, and that sentiment was likley echoed June 24 by organizers of the Recognition and Awards Program of the Association of Black Professionals and Administrators (ABPA).
Geared up June 24 to hear a keynote presentation by Sen. Jackie Vaughn III, recognize 145 African Americans on campus who were promoted in the past year, and present major awards to three staff and one faculty member, organizers found themselves without the keynoter and the three of the four individuals slated to receive major awards, all absent due to professional and personal commitments.
Nonetheless, the show went on.
Henry Johnson, senior consultant for the Alumni Association, stood in for Vaughn, and colleagues accepted awards presented to Billy J. Evans, Susan Fisher-George and Jacqueline Muldrow.
Also honored—unexpectedly, but in attendance—was Jacina M. Davis, assistant to the vice provost for minority affairs. She was recognized for “dedicated service to and leadership of the ABPA” during her term as president.
In her opening remarks, Davis noted that those being honored had “gone the extra mile to be the very best, were determined to achieve and give their best.
“You have an obligation to reach back and share with others as role models and mentors,” she said. “You have to join with others and the ABPA to create a work environment that makes winners of everyone on campus.”
Evans received the ABPA Outstanding Public Service Award, his citation noting that he “has distinguished himself in the University of Michigan community of scholars by providing continuous and dedicated leadership for the recruitment, education and retention of students into science by serving as a model researcher, adviser and confidante to students, staff and faculty colleagues. Although his area of specialty is chemistry,” the citation added, “he continues to operate across disciplines to assist students in meeting career objectives and creating an achievement profile to assist them in improving or increasing their talents.”
Evans initiated the Scholarly Research Program for Urban/Minority High School Students in 1980. The program “has served as a nationally recognized method for ‘catapulting’ Black students into research careers in science and medicine,” the citation stated. Nationally, 75 percent of the Black champions in the Westinghouse Science Talent Search of Washington, D.C., participated in the program.
Fisher-George, a financial aid counselor in the Office of Financial Aid, received the ABPA Career Service Award for her “consistent record of dedication to enhancing the academic and university environment in a productive manner.”
“Everyone in the Financial Aid Office knows that Susan is one of the most competent and knowledgeable counselors in the Financial Aid Office,” her citation noted. “She is a dedicated and efficient counselor who serves as a liaison for all single-parent students. She consistently goes beyond the call of duty to assist these students. When you walk into her office, on one side you see a box full of toys for the children of the students she serves, and on the other wall is a floor-to-ceiling display of accolades and thank you cards from the students she has assisted over the years. Susan,” the citation concluded, “has truly been a champion for a truly challenged population here at the University of Michigan—the single-parent student.”
APBA’s High Achievement Award went to Jacqueline A. Muldrow, an administrative manager in Human Resource and Development (HRD).
Muldrow, with the University for 13 years, started as a medical secretary and “has exhibited leadership skills, competence, intelligence and courage to move forward and move others with her,” her citation noted. “In her free time, she is involved with helping young minorities stay ahead of the job search competition by offering resume clinics to high school graduates.”
With HRD for the past five years, Muldrow has served as budget analyst, workshop coordinator, trainer and supervisor. “Most notable,” the citation stated, “is the initiative and energy she has demonstrated by implementing a strategic new accounting system to assist with budget management, and streamlining the HRD catalog process with a system that has improved accuracy and its overall appearance.
“Her initiative, dedication and hard work have resulted in a new leadership role with increased authority, visibility and autonomy. She takes her position very seriously and is dedicated to doing the best job possible, not only for herself, but for the University as well.”
Names of the 145 individuals who were promoted in the past year were read, and those in attendance received certificates recognizing their accomplishments.
