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Eastern Michigan University
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Eastern Michigan University is a comprehensive, co-educational public university located in Ypsilanti, Michigan. The university is governed by an eight-member Board of Regents, who are appointed by the Governor of Michigan for eight-year terms. The school belongs to the Mid-American Conference and was re-accredited by the North Central Association in 2001. Currently, EMU comprises five colleges: Arts & Sciences, Business, Education, Health & Human Services, Technology and a Graduate School.
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Encyclopedia
Eastern Michigan University is a comprehensive, co-educational public university located in Ypsilanti, Michigan. The university is governed by an eight-member Board of Regents, who are appointed by the Governor of Michigan for eight-year terms. The school belongs to the Mid-American Conference and was re-accredited by the North Central Association in 2001. Currently, EMU comprises five colleges: Arts & Sciences, Business, Education, Health & Human Services, Technology and a Graduate School. Since 1991 its mascot has been the Eastern Eagle.
History
It was founded in 1849 as Michigan State Normal School, the first in Michigan and the first normal school created outside the original 13 colonies. Michigan created a state educational system modeled on that of Germany. The normal schools were to train teachers for common schools, which were being established rapidly in new towns in the state. In 1899, it became the Michigan State Normal College when it created the first four-year curriculum for a normal college in the nation. With the additions of departments, it became Eastern Michigan College in 1956, and finally Eastern Michigan University in 1959. Education, Arts and Sciences and the Graduate School were the first three colleges in the newly created university. Several major expansions followed shortly afterward, including the addition of the College of Business in 1964, the College of Health and Human Services in 1975 and the College of Technology in 1980. More recently, extended programs were added such as Continuing Education, the Centers for Corporate Training, the World College and numerous community-focused institutes.
Physically, the campus has grown with the construction of the Terrestrial and Aquatic Research Facility (1998), the Convocation Center (1998), the Bruce T. Halle Library (1998), the John W. Porter College of Education Building (1999), the Everett L. Marshall College of Health and Human Services Building (2000), the Village residence hall (2001) and University House (2003). A new Student Center opened in 2006.
Total student population averages about 23,000, of whom roughly 5,000 are graduate students. Most programs are undergraduate or master's level, although the university has doctoral programs in Educational Leadership, Technology, and Psychology. Susan W. Martin, Ph.D., took office as EMU's twenty-second president on July 7, 2008. Her predecessor, John Fallon III, Ph.D., was fired on July 15, 2007 following a unanimous vote by the Board of Regents in the wake of widespread criticism of his handling of issues around the murder of student Laura Dickinson.
EMU presidents
Adonijah Strong Welch, 1851-1865
David Porter Mayhew, 1865-1870
Charles FitzRoy Bellows, 1870-1871
Joseph Estabrook, 1871-1880
Malcolm MacVicar, 1880-1881
Daniel Putnam, 1880-1886 (non-contiguous)
Edwin Willits, 1883-1885
John Mayhelm Barry Sill, 1886-1893
Richard Gause Boone, 1893-1899
Elmer A. Lyman, 1900-1902
Lewis Henry Jones, 1903-1911
Charles McKenny, 1912-1933
John M. Munson, 1933-1948
Eugene B. Elliott, 1948-1965
Harold E. Sponberg, 1965-1974
James Brickley, 1974-1978
John W. Porter, 1979-1989
William E. Shelton, 1989-2000
Samuel A. Kirkpatrick, 2001-2004
Craig D. Willis, 2004-2005
John A. Fallon, III, 2005-2007
Susan Martin, 2008-present
Campus
EMU is located in Ypsilanti, a city west of Detroit and eight miles (13 km) east of Ann Arbor. Detroit Metro Airport is a fifteen minute drive from campus. The school is a culturally diverse learning and teaching community set in a small city environment, amid a major metropolitan area. Students, attracted by the school's atmosphere and location, come not only from the Metro Detroit area, but from the entirety of the state of Michigan; EMU is well known nationally and internationally as well. The university's site is composed of an academic and athletic campus spread across , with 122 buildings.
Like all colleges and universities in the United States, under the Crime Awareness and Campus Security Act (1990), EMU reports its on-campus crime statistics to the Michigan State Police and publishes the numbers on the website. Ypsilanti crime rates can be compared to other cities using website.
The EMU campus includes several buildings with sculpture by Corrado Parducci.
Academic profile
Enrollment, 2006-2007
- Undergraduate: 18,245
- Graduate: 4,729
- Total university: 22,974
Ethnicity (non-foreign nationals)
Gender
Geographic distribution
- Michigan resident: 89%
- Number of states represented: 50
- Number of countries represented: 73
Participation
- Fraternities or sororities: 4%
- A club or organization: 73%
- Sports (including intramural): 50%
Academic profile (freshmen class of 2005)
- Average GPA: 3.09
- Average ACT Score: 21.16
- Average SAT Score: 1032
College jobs
- Part-time employment (on or off campus): 70%
Student life
While Eastern Michigan University is mainly a commuter campus, the school provides countless co-curricular opportunities. Students work with volunteer organizations such as Habitat for Humanity both during the school year and on breaks. The Greek system provides several fraternities and sororities that students can join, many of which have houses within walking distance of campus. Other clubs include the Muslim Student Organization, Phi Theta Kappa, and the LGBTA (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender/Transsexual Association). EMU's co-curricular staff also works to provide fun trips for the students; in the past, they have included a weekend train trip to Chicago and a bus trip to Detroit's Second City Comedy Club.
Student life blends easily with off-campus activities as well. EMU's campus is within walking distance of Depot Town, Ypsilanti's historical shop area where students go for ice cream, games of pool, and live music. Washtenaw Avenue, the main street that runs along the south end of the campus, holds several coffee shops and restaurants where students study, eat, and listen to (or take part in) live performances. The Tower Inn, for instance, is less than a five-minute walk from Pray-Harrold, and is owned by a married couple who are both Eastern Michigan alums.
Journalism
The Eastern Echo, EMU's independent student newspaper, is published three times a week during the fall and winter semesters and once a week during the spring semester. The paper won eight awards in the 2005 Division 1 Michigan Collegiate Press Association contest, including second place in the general excellence category. The newspaper, which is funded through advertising revenue, is not under the editorial control of the university. It also publishes content online at http://www.easternecho.com.
Also part of the EMU Student Media Office is Cellar Roots, the school's student-run literary and fine arts magazine. Cellar Roots celebrated its 35th anniversary in 2006 with a week of events that highlighted the history of the publication. Cellar Roots is a five time winner of the National Pacemaker award for design, an award often equated with the Pulitzer Prize for the college level, as well numerous other awards.
Recently (Dec. 2007), a group of former students also started a magazine called emYOU! The Magazine (). It caters to Eastern students as well as the Ypsilanti community. The magazine is a monthly publication.
Music
The school song "Our Pledge" was written by Edward Bowles and was arranged for the marching band by Thomas Tyra. The melody of "Eagles Fight Song" was written by Larry Livingston and arranged for marching band by Thomas Tyra. The percussion parts were written by Whitney Prince. "Go Green" was written by Thomas Tyra.
Marching and basketball bands
The Eastern Michigan University Marching Band, nicknamed "The Pride of the Peninsula", was first formed in 1924. Notable past leaders of the EMU band program include Mitch Osadchuk (1956 - 1964), Thomas Tyra (1964 - 1977), Max Plank (1979 - 2002) and Scott Boerma (2002 - 2007). The University Bands are presently directed by Dr. Mary K. Schneider (the Wind Symphony) and Professor John Zastoupil (the Symphonic Band and Marching Band). The band plays both Go Green and the Eagles Fight Song for pregame at football games, and after every game and rehearsal the marching band sings Our Pledge. Other major parts of the pregame performance include the tunnel entrance and "The Floating E".
The EMU Marching Band also provides a wide variety of half time entertainment throughout the season. In recent years, The EMUMB has traveled with the football team to The University of Michigan, Michigan State University, and Ford Field in Detroit. The EMU Marching Band has also performed at venues such as The Pontiac Silverdome and Rich Stadium in Buffalo, NY. In 2008, The EMUMB performed in America's Thanksgiving Day Parade in Detroit, MI.
The Eastern Michigan University Basketball Band is directed by the two graduate assistants of the band. Unlike the marching band which is made up of all brass and woodwinds, the Basketball Band's instrumentation is strictly "Brass and Sax". The Basketball Band travels with the basketball teams during the MAC tournament or the NCAA tournament.
"Our Pledge" lyrics
Eastern, sacred alma mater,
To your name we shall be true.
Ever marching on to victory,
We'll stand by to see you through.
Softly floating on the breeze
Verdant green with white of snow.
This our banner we will carry
In our hearts, where e'er we go.
Eastern Eagles Fight Song lyrics
The main Eastern Michigan University fight song is the "Eagles Fight Song":
Eastern Eagles hats off to you
Fight, fight, fight for old E-M-U
Look to the sky,
The Eagles will fly,
The bravest we'll defy
Rah! Rah! Rah
Hold that line for old green and white
Sons and daughters show your might
So FIGHT! (fight!) FIGHT! (fight!) for old E-M-U and vic-tor-ry
Go Green lyrics
"Go Green" is the Eastern Michigan University Spirit Song.
Go Green, roll up the score
Go Green, let's get some more
Raise a cheer for old green and white
Let's show them we came here to fight
Go Green, vic'try we'll claim
Go Green, let's win this game
We'll always fight for old E-M-U
Come on and let's go Green!
Kappa Phi Alpha
One of Eastern Michigan Universities oldest Greek Letter Fraternities, Kappa Phi Alpha was founded by Dimon H. Roberts in 1902 on EMU's Campus. The Kappa Phi Alpha chapter is the only chapter of this organization in the world. Occupying the same house since the early 50's - 122 N. Normal St. the Kappas have for over 100 years been an active and contributing member of the greek system. The Kappa Phi Alpha colors are Royal Morgan and Gold, and the official flower is the American Beauty Rose.
In February 2009, the fraternity made headlines for an alleged rape occurring in their house. 12 members of the organization were forced to turn over DNA samples to local authorities as part of the investigation. The case is still pending.
Updated 2/25/2009 The woman involved in this incident has recanted her story and stated that the sexual contact may have been consensual. She also has admitted to bringing the alcohol to the party. Apparently the fraternity was not serving any alcohol at the party. This development provides needed clarity to this un fortunate incident.
Alpha Sigma Tau
Alpha Sigma Tau, a national sorority, was founded at Eastern Michigan University on November 4, 1899. Alpha Sigma Tau is a member of the National Panhellenic Conference. After more than a century, AST remains active at EMU as the Alpha Chapter.
Alpha Sigma Tau's colors are emerald green and gold. Its national symbol is the anchor, its jewel is the pearl, and its flower is the yellow rose.
Library
The Bruce T. Halle Library is a state-of-the-art four-story facility. It is the sole library on campus and is within a ten-minute walk of all of the school's residence halls. It includes computer labs, study spaces, the Holman Learning Center (which provides free tutoring), a distance-learning classroom, the Faculty Development Center, the ICT Help Desk, a multi-media area, a theater, an auditorium, the University archives, the carillon tower and the Paradox Cafe. It houses one of the largest collections of children's literature in the United States. The building has full wireless connectivity, as well as an automated retrieval system (the ARC) capable of housing 1 million items. While the most-used books are still on shelves, the majority of the school's books are stored within this system, which runs several stories underneath the library itself.
Bruce Halle was the head of the Discount Tire Company, and has been a major benefactor.
Forensics
EMU is home to one of the nation's most successful Forensics (competitive speech) teams. The EMU Forensics team, currently ranked 9th in the nation, has the distinction of being the only program in the country to place in the top 10 at every NFA national championship since they began in 1971. The EMU forensics team has won 10 team national championships and 66 individual national championships. With 33 out of a possible 35 state championships, the team is the foremost forensics competitive team in the state of Michigan. This reputation has been enhanced by the fact that EMU competitors have won over 200 individual state champions.
Student safety on campus
Eastern Michigan's administration claims their college has one of the lowest overall crime rates in the nation.
The picture to the right shows an art building that still stands on EMU's campus. Much of the building needed to be rebuilt. The telescope was also replaced, and students were able to view the Halle Comet's path in the late 1990s.
Controversies
Nicknames
Since the 1991 season, Eastern Michigan University athletic teams have gone by the nickname "Eagles."
EMU originally went by the nicknames "Normalites" and "Men from Ypsi" and various other titles down through the years before "Hurons" was adopted in 1929.
The "Hurons" first came into being as the result of a contest sponsored by the Men's Union in 1929. On Oct. 31 of that year, a three-person committee, composed of Dr. Clyde Ford, Dr. Elmer Lyman and Professor Bert Peet, selected the name "Hurons" from the many entries in the contest.
The name was submitted by two students, Gretchen Borst and George Hanner. The runner-up name in that contest was Pioneers.
EMU began investigating the appropriateness of its Huron Indian logo after the Michigan Department of Civil Rights issued a report in October 1988 suggesting that all schools using such logos drop them. The report indicated that the use of Native American names, logos and mascots for athletic teams promoted racial stereotypes. At that time, four colleges, 62 high schools and 33 junior high/middle schools in Michigan used Native American logos or names, including Mid-American Conference rival Central Michigan University. CMU did not, however, change their nickname from the Chippewas.
The EMU Board of Regents voted to replace the Huron name with Eagles, taken from three recommendations from a committee charged with supplying a new nickname. The other two final names submitted were Green Hornets and Express.
The Eagles name was officially adopted on May 22, 1991, when the EMU Board of Regents voted to replace the existing Huron nickname and logo with the new one. During the 1991 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament, announcer Brent Musburger talked about the controversy and referred to the team on-air as the "No-Names."
The controversy over the nickname continues to this day, as many former students and faculty were angered that a unique name like Hurons was replaced by a common name like Eagles, especially for reasons of political correctness. Some alumni have even refused to donate money to the school until the name Hurons is restored. A group called continues to try to bring back the name, and claims to have the support of Chief Leaford Bearskin of the Wyandot Tribe of Oklahoma and former Grand Chief Max Gros-Louis of the Huron-Wendat Nation of Quebec.
Laura Dickinson murder
On December 15, 2006, EMU student Laura Dickinson's body was found in her dorm room at Hill Hall. EMU issued a statement the next day that foul play was not suspected, but EMU student Orange Amir Taylor III was arrested February 23, 2007 and charged with her rape and murder. Many Eastern Michigan students were especially skeptical of their university's compliance with the law because of this delay. According to police reports, the investigation was regarded as a homicide; however, this was denied and only officially announced on the day of Taylor's arrest. His arrest happened to be the first day students could not withdraw from classes and housing for a full refund. A subsequent investigation by Detroit law firm Butzel Long found that EMU had violated the Clery Act by not notifying students and named Vice President of Student Affairs, Jim Vick, as the main source of the cover-up. The report led the investigation of many high-level administrators.
The nationally reported scandal resulted in the firing of President John A. Fallon by the Board of Regents. He was notified of the unanimous vote of the Board to fire him by a letter sent to his home on July 15, 2007. Although no formal reason for the termination was given, his dismissal was considered by many to be a direct result of his role in the cover-up of the on-campus homicide. Eastern Michigan's Faculty Association President supported the Board's decision.
At a special meeting called by the Board of Regents on Monday, July 16, 2007, the separation of President John Fallon was officially announced along with the separation of Jim Vick, Vice President for Student Affairs and Cindy Hall, Director of Public Safety and Chief of Police. A letter of discipline was placed in University Counsel Kenneth McKanders' file. It was also announced that Donald Loppnow, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, would be appointed Executive Vice President and in this role serve as Acting President until an Interim President is selected.
As of July 3, 2007 the Department of Education report relating to the Clery Act violations has been released to the public. It states, "Several findings of noncompliance were discovered during the review which the Department [of Education] considers to be serious violations of the Clery Act." The result of this report has yet to be seen. EMU released the executive summary of its response to the DOE report on July 27, 2007. In June 2008, the university announced that it had agreed to pay a fine of $350,000 for the violations of the Clery Act.
On December 13, 2007, EMU settled with the family and estate of Laura Dickinson for $2.5 million. The settlement does not include any admission of liability by EMU.
On April 7, 2008, a jury convicted Orange Taylor III of first-degree murder, assault with intent to commit sexual penetration, home invasion, and theft charges. He was sentenced to life imprisonment on May 7, 2008.
Athletics
Eastern Michigan athletic teams have been successful on a national level, winning three NCAA Division II national championships and 13 NAIA Division I national championships in five different sports (baseball, men's cross country, men's swimming and diving, men's indoor track and field, and men's outdoor track and field).
EMU has also been NCAA Division I national runner-up twice: in 1940, the men's cross country team finished second to Indiana University at the national meet hosted by Michigan State University; then, on June 19, 1976, after finishing in sixth place the year before, the baseball team was defeated by the University of Arizona in the final game of the College World Series at Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium in Omaha, Nebraska. Eastern Michigan remains the last northern school to make to the NCAA Division I baseball championship game.
Eastern's men's basketball team has appeared in four NCAA Division I tournaments, and have a 3-4 record, tied for third best among Michigan colleges. In the 1996 Men's Basketball Tournament, Eastern Michigan defeated the Duke Blue Devils in the opening round; it would be the Blue Devils' last first- or second-round defeat until 2007, when they were upended by VCU in the opening round.
The Eagles have the most MAC championships in a single sport, 26, in men's swimming and diving (1978, 1980-1996, 1998, 2000-2005, and 2007).
The 2006-2007 season was a successful one for Eastern Michigan, as they won an EMU and Mid-American Conference record eight conference titles: Men's Cross Country, Men's Swimming And Diving, Women's Swimming And Diving, Softball, Men's Indoor Track, Women's Gymnastics, Men's Golf and Men's Outdoor Track. This beat the school's previous record of five titles as well as the previous MAC record of six.
Traditionally, Eastern's football teams have struggled, and the program has had problems attracting fans, partially due to their proximity to the powerful University of Michigan just seven miles (11 km) away. After reaching a low point with a 27-game losing streak that was finally snapped in 1982, EMU started to become competitive. In 1987, EMU won its first Mid-American Conference title then defeated 17 1/2-point favorite San Jose State in the California Bowl. The 1988 and 1989 teams each finished in second place in the conference and ended the most successful stretch of football in school history with its fourth straight winning season.
Since being renamed as "Eagles" (cynics have suggested the new nickname has put a "hex" on the team) the football teams have returned to mediocrity, with just one winning season (1995). Despite the expansion of Rynearson Stadium to 30,000 seats, drawing fans continues to be a problem: NCAA rules state that in order to stay in Division I-A for football, each team must attract an average of 15,000 fans per game. During a 1-11 season in 2006, Eastern's EMU Foundation purchased 5,000 tickets for local high school students to curb this threat to their status. EMU has also played one home game a year at Ford Field in downtown Detroit annually since 2004 in the "Collegiate Clash", where they have hosted Central Michigan University (2004), Western Michigan University (2005), the United States Naval Academy (2006), and Northwestern University on October 19, 2007. This appearance in Detroit is beneficial to their average attendance, as it usually gets around 25,000 fans. EMU often plays home games at night, so they won't interfere with U of M home games on the same day. Also, in recent years they have scheduled games on Thursday and Friday nights, which boosts student attendance (EMU is a majority commuter school, and even those who stay in the dorms often go home over weekends).
EMU was a member of the Illinois Intercollegiate Athletic Conference from 1950-1961.
Other information
Notable alumni
* Nagarjuna Akkineni, famous Indian actor
Law & Order, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit) Thomas Galasso -- American Film Actor George Gervin -- retired hall of Famer of the NBA Glenn Goerke -- Former president/chancellor of the University of Houston, University of Houston–Clear Lake, University of Houston–Victoria, and Indiana University East Josh Goldstein -- Real estate developer Ryan Goleski -- professional baseball player, most recently with the Akron Aeros Bruce Halle -- philanthropist and founder of Discount Tire Company Marlon Hauser -- American Musician, best known for rock group Siddhartha Stan Heath -- Head basketball coach, formerly with Arkansas and now with South Florida John Heffron -- winner of NBC's Last Comic Standing 2 in 2004 Freman Hendrix -- former chief of staff and deputy mayor of Detroit under former Mayor Dennis Archer and was a 2005 mayoral candidate in Detroit John Hieftje -- Mayor of Ann Arbor, Michigan since 2000 Earl Higgins, NBA player for the Indiana Pacers Chris Hoiles, Former baseball player for the Baltimore Orioles. 1989-1998. William Jackson -- Television analyst for Comcast SportsNet Chicago. Sheryl James -- winner of the 1991 Pulitzer Prize for Feature Writing Mark Jefferson -- geographer, most notable for drawing up the maps accompanying the Treaty of Versailles, and has a classroom building named after him on campus. Colin Jex, Retired pro soccer player Detroit Neon and Safari 1994-1997, Goalkeeper, EMU Men's soccer 1988-1990. Hayes Jones -- Tokyo Olympics 110 meter hurdles Gold Medalist Earl Jones -- 1984 Los Angeles Olympics 800 meters Bronze Medalist Ella Joyce -- American stage actress Edward Knight -- American composer Keith Krygielski -- American scientist Grant Long -- retired NBA player Harvey Marlatt, NBA player for the Detroit Pistons Eduardo Maruri, Chairman of the Barcelona Sporting Club soccer team from Ecuador. Former President of the Guayaquil Chamber of Commerce, founder of the UNO political movement. Assembly member of the Ecuadorian Constituent Assembly. Greg Mathis, Judge and later TV personality of Judge Mathis fame Winsor McCay -- pioneering cartoonist Patrick McInnis, president of Quicken Loans Kennedy McIntosh, 1970s NBA player for the Chicago Bulls and the Seattle Supersonics Paul McMullen -- 1996 Olympics track star Rupert Mongler -- Creator of the Ball Point Pen Michael G. Morris -- President and CEO of American Electric Power Jamie Nieto -- 2004 Olympics track star Ken Paczas, Sports Journalist for MiSports Magazine Jo Anne Paul -- radio/television news anchor Jereme Perry -- plays Defensive Back for Cleveland Browns Bob Parks --EMU track coach, coached several track Olympians Charles E. Potter -- U.S. Senator from Michigan Carl D. Pursell -- U.S. Congressman from Michigan Geoff Radke -- Leader in the Recreational Vehicle Industry Charles E. Ramsey, Head Basketball Coach, Eastern Michigan University Jon Reece -- American Author and Poet Gary Reed -- Comic book writer Chris Roberson -- NFL player, currently with the Jacksonville Jaguars Dean Rockwell -- Olympic team wrestling coach, 1964, and World War II Normandy D-Day invasion hero Jack Roush -- CEO, and owner of Roush Racing NASCAR and Chairman of the Board of Roush Enterprises Charles Edward St. John — Astronomer. Faris Abdullah Sanabani -- Yemeni magazine, newspaper and book publisher L. J. Shelton, Miami Dolphins offensive tackle Jonathan Shaw -- Emergency Manager - City of Detroit Rodney E. Slater -- U.S. Secretary of Transportation under President Bill Clinton Greg C. Smith -- Executive Vice President and President, The Americas of Ford Motor Company David Snyder -- News Anchor for WCJB-TV 20 News in Gainesville, FL. Joseph Sobran--Libertarian, author and syndicated collumnist Larry Soderquist -- Corporate and Securities law expert, author, and Vanderbilt professor Barry Stokes -- NFL player, currently with the New England Patriots Bob Sutton -- NFL Defensive Coordinator, currently with the New York Jets Carl Thomas, basketball player for several NBA teams - current assistant coach for men's basketball team Charles Thomas, basketball player for the Detroit Pistons Larry Warren, hospital administration executive Kevin Walter -- NFL player, currently with the Houston Texans Bob Welch -- former Major League Baseball player, 2-time All-Star, Cy Young Award winner (1990), and best-selling author
Notable faculty
- Robert Citino -- American author, professor of history, and in 2007 announced as the highest ranking professor in the Nation on Ratemyprofessor.com
- Loren D. Estleman -- American author
- Anthony Iannaccone, conductor, composer and professor of music
- John W Mills -- British sculptor (visiting professor 1970-1971)
- Tracie Morris -- American poet and literature professor
- Heather Neff -- American poet, author and literature professor
- Barry Pyle -- American political scientist and professor
- Edward Sidlow -- American scholar of United States Congress
- Fatos Tarifa -- Albanian diplomat
See also
External links
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