Students of the Frederick Douglass International Academy Present on Cornelius Henderson, Michigan Graduate and Civil Engineer

DEARBORN, MI - In a prelude to the University of Michigan’s bicentennial celebrations, elementary and middle school students from the Frederick Douglass International Academy in Oak Park gave a fascinating, multi-media presentation on the life and achievements of Cornelius Henderson, the African American civil engineer and Michigan graduate who was instrumental in the building of the Ambassador Bridge and Detroit-Windsor tunnel.

Khamari Bell, Darnell Cobb-Spears, Micheal Chesser, Princezz Cobb-Spears, and Makayla Wadsworth crafted Henderson’s biography using an array of historical documents and photographs.  Their presentation on October 14th was well received by students, faculty, and staff from the Dearborn and Ann Arbor campuses as well as members of the community.

Forty-five people attended the bicentennial event in College of Education,
Health, and Human Services (CEHHS)

 Principal Rashid Faisal wrote and received the University of Michigan Bicentennial Activity Grant to bring the students to UM-Dearborn.  He explained how G.W. Whiting and Donna Y. Ford’s Scholar-Identity Model had served as the framework for the project.  A doctoral student in the College of Education, Health, and Human Services, Faisal engages students in original research to foster the development of their academic identities and to increase their preparedness for college.

CEHHS would like to thank Julie Anne Taylor, professor of education in the College of Education, Health, and Human Services (CEHHS), and Tabatha Brown, data coordinator at the Frederick Douglass International Academy, for helping coordinate this event.