Gay Johnson, CEHHS Winter 2017 Chancellor's Medallion Recipient

Gay Johnson

Gay Johnson, a College of Education, Health, and Human Services student, was one of the five new graduates who were recognized as Chancellor's Medallion recipients during the UM-Dearborn's commencement ceremony on April 30, 2017. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in healthy policy studies and a minor in women's and gender studies. She graduated with High Distinction.

Gay transferred to UM-Dearborn as part of the Honors Transfer Innovators program, and during her education years at CEHHS, she was on the Dean's List as a part-time student for Fall 2013/Winter 2014 and Fall 2014/Winter 2015 and was named a 2014 UM-Dearborn Difference Maker.

"I wanted to inspire others to reach their goals and fulfill their dreams as I aimed to do regardless of my age. My desire to pursue an education was something I desired to achieve", said Gay.

She chose Health Policy studies as her major because her father experienced many health challenges and "I wanted to know what policies were in place so he could receive the best possible care", she said. "I chose UM-Dearborn, because I would receive a quality education while enhancing my employment opportunities."

Gay was a very active student leader. She was the chair of Women in Learning and Leadership (WILL), vice president of communications for the campus chapter of the American Association of University Women (AAUW), and served as a site leader for the annual MLK Day of Service. She is also a member of the National Society of Leadership and Success, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, and was inducted into the Alpha Sigma Lambda Honor Society.

Now she plans to use her acquired skills to advance her career at Delta Airlines and in the future, Gay also plans to open a long-term shelter for homeless people. "Homelessness is a huge issue which needs to be addressed more often", she concluded.

Winter 2017 UM-Dearborn Chancellor's Medallion Recipients and
Student speaker (from left): Brandon Lee (CECS), Jamie Jeffries (CASL),
Kevin Landwehr (COB), Gay Johnson (CEHHS), Victor Jimenez (Student
Speaker-CASL) and Nic Jones (CASL)

CEHHS graduates honored during UM-Dearborn commencement ceremony

Freda Shatara was honored with
the Chancellor's Medallion Award
(Photo by Millard Berry)

DEARBORN, MI - On Saturday December 19th, the University of Michigan-Dearborn conferred more than 750 degrees during the two Fall 2015 commencement ceremonies and recognized five students as Chancellor’s Medallion recipients. During the day long events special honors were placed on two of the graduates from the College of Education, Health and Human Services.  Freda Shatara who received the Chancellor’s Medallion Award and Shéma Aman who was the speaker during the morning ceremony.

 Freda Shatara was honored with the Chancellor’s Medallion Award in recognition of her strong academic record, quality of character, intellect and integrity. She has earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in education with a focus in early childhood and mathematics studies. She earned University Honors from 2012-2015 and UM-Dearborn Honors in 2015. She was named a James B. Angell Scholar in 2014 and 2015 and earned placement on the Dean’s List five times.

Shéma Aman, appointed as the speaker during the morning ceremony, graduated with a Master of Education degree with an endorsement in Reading Specialist K-12. In December 2010, she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in language arts from UM-Dearborn’s College of Education, Health, and Human Services, graduating with Distinction and earning placement on the college’s Dean’s List twice. She returned to UM-Dearborn in Fall 2014 to earn her graduate degree while serving as a sixth and seventh grade language arts teacher.

Shéma Aman was the speaker
during the morning ceremony
(Photo by Millard Berry)

Saturday was also a day for celebrating a milestone as UM-Dearborn graduated its 50,000th graduate. “UM-Dearborn has prepared students who are making a difference and having an impact in the community, nation and world for 56 years. As we celebrate today’s milestone, we celebrate all of our outstanding graduates.”- Chancellor Daniel Little said.

Michigan Supreme Court Justice Richard Bernstein addressed graduates during the ceremony and he told graduates that life experiences—good and bad—will come to define them.

"For it is through the struggle and the challenge and the difficulty that you will come to do what is hard, but achieve what is great,” Bernstein said. “We must celebrate the idea there will always be chapters—chapters of pain, struggle and difficulty. But it is only through those chapters that you can find the chapters of hope, the chapters of joy and the chapters of ultimate triumph. So today, let us celebrate.”

The College of Education, Health and Human Services celebrates indeed its graduates and feels proud of them. Congratulations to you and your families. Well done!

Dean Janosky congratulates CEHHS graduate Randa Abdallah
(Photo by Millard Berry)

Read the full stories at The Reporter