The Alumni Association of the University of Michigan is proud to announce the winners of the 2005 Distinguished Alumni Service Award:

Richard E. Balzhiser, '55, MSE'56, PhD'61
Avern Cohn, JD'49
Richard A. English, MA'61, MSW'64, PhD'70
Gerald R. Ford, '35, HLLD'74
Paul Hillegonds, '71
Janet Netzer Neary, '54

Richard E. Balzhiser, '55, MSE'56, PhD'61

Richard Balzhiser is a Wolverine for life: He earned his bachelor's degree in chemical engineering in 1955, stayed to complete his master's degree in nuclear engineering, received his doctorate in chemical engineering in 1961, and then served as a faculty member and chair of the chemical engineering department for a number of years. In addition to his academic success at Michigan, Dick donned the Maize and Blue on the football field. He was an Academic All-American fullback for two of his undergraduate years. The love for his alma mater has been evident ever since.

“Dick has been a dedicated and respected alumnus, and his commitment continues today,” says former engineering Dean Stephen Director. “Dick speaks highly of being a Michigan alumnus and, among other influences, credits the University of Michigan College of Engineering professors for his success in academics, athletics and community service, and in his professional career.”

To that end, Dick's service has centered around his loyalty to the College of Engineering. From 1985 to 1992, Dick served as a member of the school's National Advisory Committee. Ronald Larson, current chair of the chemical engineering department, says, “He has been a real source of pride to us and continues to serve us as a faithful member of the external advisory committee, on which he has served for at least 10 years.”

To celebrate his 50th class anniversary, Dick is not only attending the Engineering Class of 1955 reunion, but also helping to organize it. He is co-chair of the 1955 Emeritus Reunion Committee, leading the way in organizing reunion events and raising funds for the Emeritus Class Gift.

After serving as a faculty member in the College of Engineering, Dick left Ann Arbor after he was selected by President Lyndon Johnson for the White House Fellows program. From 1971 to 1973, he was assistant director in the White House Office of Science and Technology. He then joined the Electric Power Research Institute, of which he was named president in 1988. And though he's physically far from the University, his loyalty has never wavered. As James Wilkes, U-M professor emeritus of chemical engineering, puts it, “In spite of living in California, we believe that his heart still belongs to Michigan.”

With affection and gratitude, we present Richard Balzhiser with the 2005 Distinguished Alumni Service Award.

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Avern Cohn, JD’49

Judge Avern Cohn graduated from the University of Michigan Law School in 1949, following in the footsteps of his father, Irwin Cohn, JD’17. Since then, Avern has gone on to build a prominent career in the legal profession. In 1979, Avern was appointed a district judge for the United States District Court, Eastern District of Michigan, by President Jimmy Carter. He took senior status in October of 1999. Despite his enormous professional responsibilities, Avern has always made time for the University of Michigan. As U-M Vice President and General Counsel Marvin Krislov puts it, “Judge Cohn is a person who has given back to Michigan in many ways.”

His contributions include talking with and supporting students in various forums. In 2004 Avern addressed law students on judicial clerkships and the process for becoming a judge. This past March, he served as one of three sitting judges who presided at the finals of the 81st Annual Campbell Moot Court Competition at the Law School.

“To get a sitting judge to come back and be a judge at the Law School is an unbelievably important experience for the students and a real giving of Judge Cohn’s time and expertise,” said Saul Green, past chairman of the Alumni Association board of directors. “It’s so important when law students can have contact with and access to people who have actually practiced and been involved in the profession.”

But student interaction is just one part of Avern’s service to the University. He also has served as a volunteer speaker for numerous Law School events. In 1996, he delivered the Sixth Annual Davis, Markert, Nickerson Lecture on Academic and Intellectual Freedom. He also was a panelist for the Law School Conference on Judicial Review in 2003.

Avern’s generous donations to the University and Law School over the years have resulted in several gift funds, including the Irwin I. Cohn Professorship in Law.

But perhaps Avern’s greatest contribution to the University of Michigan is his longstanding support and unbiased analysis of the institution. “He cares deeply about his alma mater; he has a great love for the institution, but he also is able to be critical of it. He is loyal to the institution—he’s a loyal critic,” said Krislov. “He identifies with the institution, but he is not unafraid to point out when the University should be doing something differently.”

Thus, the Alumni Association is grateful to Judge Avern Cohn for his service to the University of Michigan. We are proud to bestow upon him the Distinguished Alumni Service Award.

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Richard A. English, MA'61, MSW'64, PhD'70

Richard A. English has had an illustrious career as an alumnus of the University of Michigan School of Social Work. It was his service in Flint's Urban League in 1959 and in Operation Crossroads Africa (a precursor of the Peace Corps) where he was stationed in Ghana in 1960 that sparked an interest to provide service to the community through social work. These experiences were influential in opening his eyes to effective models of community development and empowerment.

Following his doctoral program at the University of Michigan, Richard served in various faculty and administrative positions during his 20-year tenure at the University. The positions included faculty member and assistant dean of the School of Social Work, chairman of the Joint Doctoral Program in Social Work and Social Science, and associate vice president for academic affairs—the first African American to serve in that capacity. As an associate vice president, Richard was responsible for undergraduate admissions, specialized libraries and the U-M Museum of Art. He also taught his first course on black American families at U-M in the 1970s.

Following his career at the University, Richard was dean and professor of social work at the Howard University School of Social Work from 1985 to 2003. During his deanship, the School of Social Work was nationally ranked. He also established three major centers, enhanced the school's research program and extramural funding. Richard now serves as provost and chief academic officer of Howard University. “Even with the responsibilities of his position as dean at Howard, he was a vital member of the [U-M] School of Social Work's National Solicitation Team during the early 1990s,” said Paula Allen-Meares, U-M dean for the School of Social Work.

As the dean for Howard University, he found his greatest joys to be mentoring young Howard University faculty, including “shamelessly recommending visits to Ann Arbor!” The time at Howard “has been enriching, but Michigan taught me everything I know,” says Richard. It was his experience at the University that provided him with “wonderful experiences that permitted me to get to know the University I loved dearly and the opportunity to work with fine human beings.”

A loyal and committed alumnus of the University of Michigan School of Social Work, Richard has received a number of awards for his professional leadership, service and scholarship. These awards include the 1997 Presidential Award for Excellence in Social Work Education from the National Association of Social Workers, The Whitney Youth Young Jr. Scholar at Western Michigan University School of Social Work in 1987 and the Distinguished Service Award from the National Association of Black Social Workers.

Because of his work for the University, the Alumni Association proudly presents to Richard A. English the Distinguished Alumni Service Award.

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President Gerald R. Ford, ’35, ’74 Honorary JD

President Gerald Ford, the 38th president of the United States, is the only University of Michigan alumnus to have held this country's highest office. Throughout his distinguished career and service to the nation, President Ford has remained a loyal graduate and ardent supporter of the University of Michigan.

Born in Omaha, Nebraska, and raised in Grand Rapids, Michigan, President Ford came to the University in 1931. Majoring in economics and political science, he worked several part-time jobs to supplement his scholarship. A gifted athlete, Ford played on the national championship football teams in 1932 and 1933 and was voted Michigan's most valuable player in 1934.

“It was a great experience for me to be here for four years. I have always been proud—very, very proud—of my association with the University. When people ask me where I went to college, I say 'Go Blue!'” he says. His love for the University runs so deep that the Gerald R. Ford Library is housed on U-M's North Campus.

But that's not all. President Ford has been instrumental in elevating the University's status, raising funds and establishing the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy. From 1986 to 1988, President Ford was the honorary chairman of the Campaign for Michigan, and he and his wife, Betty Ford, HLLD'74, serve as honorary chairs of the current Michigan Difference campaign. Paul O'Neill, deputy director of the Office of Management and Budget during President Ford's administration, remarks, “I think his experience when he was at Michigan—the sense of the education that he got and the grounding—is real. He really enjoys being able to give back and to encourage other people to give back.”

The University of Michigan's public policy school is named after him, and President Ford has worked tirelessly for the benefit of the school. “President Ford is as excited about the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy as anything I've ever seen,” says Michigan Difference honorary co-chair J. Ira Harris, '59, and longtime friend of President Ford. “His love for Michigan is unabated. To him, to have this school created and named for him is something he can't stop talking about … While he's had many things named after him, I believe this is certainly one of the most important in his heart.”

President Ford and his wife returned to campus in November 2004 for the groundbreaking ceremony of Joan and Sanford Weill Hall, the Ford School's first true home on campus. President Ford's efforts helped make this hall a reality. His role as chair of the Ford School's campaign has been instrumental to its success. “He's made the difference between having it succeed and not succeed,” says Margaret Ann Riecker, the chair of the Ford School's $35 million campaign.

We are honored to present President Gerald Ford with the 2005 Distinguished Alumni Service Award.

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Paul Hillegonds, ’71

Paul C. Hillegonds, a minister's son, was called a man of “absolute integrity” by former Michigan Governor John Engler. Although Paul thought about entering the clergy, he was drawn to the political arena. And after graduating from the University of Michigan in 1971, Paul traveled to Washington, DC, and became a legislative assistant and chief of staff to US Representative Philip Ruppe.

Later, Paul went on to represent the 88th district for the state of Michigan and has become an invaluable supporter of the University and its alumni. Distinguishing himself as an outstanding leader in the public and private sectors, “Paul embodies a true public leader and a model alumnus of the University,” says University of Michigan's Vice President for Government Relations Cynthia Wilbanks, who has worked with Paul the last 10 years during his terms in the Michigan House of Representatives. Paul has been an exemplary promoter of the University of Michigan throughout his legislative career and continues to do so today in his role as Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs and Communications at DTE Energy Company.

In 1995, Paul provided the University of Michigan with guidance and support to overcome a very difficult and challenging legislature. Paul was instrumental in helping then-University President James Duderstadt implement a strategy to regain important funding for the University. Then a member of the leadership in the House of Representatives, Paul was a key adviser to the president and members of the University's administration during this turbulent time.

More recently, Paul has participated in a leadership capacity to advise the University and others on strategies that would be effective in preserving affirmative action programs in the state of Michigan. “He is especially mindful about the University's role in fighting admissions cases to the Supreme Court and is an important ally in what may become the next battleground,” adds Wilbanks.

While serving as State Representative for the 88th district, Paul was the recipient of many awards and recognitions, including being selected as one of the 10 Outstanding Legislators of the Year by the National Republicatn Legislators Association and being named Public Official of the Year by Governing Magazine. He served as the co-speaker and speaker of the 87th and 88th legislative sessions as well as the Republican Caucus Leader for five consecutive terms.

Bob Emerson, the 27th district state senator of Michigan, credits Paul for consistently standing by the University of Michigan and advocating for it on its behalf throughout the appropriations process. “[Paul's] deep pride in his connection with the University is evident in the way he serves as an ambassador of the school.”

The Alumni Association is pleased to present to Paul C. Hillegonds the Distinguished Alumni Service Award for his loyalty and service to the University of Michigan.

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Janet Netzer Neary, ’54

Janet Netzer Neary is “a tireless volunteer and tremendous friend of LSA as well as the University of Michigan,” says Edie Goldenberg, a professor of political science and former dean of the College of LSA.

Janet has served the University of Michigan in a number of capacities prior to and after graduating from the University with a major in political science in 1954. As a student, she served on student government where she was an organizer on student/university issues that dealt with academic freedom and discrimination in housing off campus and was a member of Pi Beta Phi.

Janet's leadership and talents in serving others through her work on behalf of the College of LSA, including serving as a member of the College’s Visiting Committee from 1994 to 1997, have not gone unnoticed. The college has been able to do wonderful things with the financial support from Janet and her husband, Bob. The Robert D. and Janet E. Neary Endowment, established in 1995, provides financial support for teaching excellence and out-of-state student scholarships at the college. Their gift to the Michigan Difference Campaign will continue to support these programs and the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program.

She also has spearheaded efforts to encourage alumni across the nation to help the University. These activities include a “volunteer grassroots efforts” to reconnect alumni from the Class of 1954 for their 50th reunion. The committee was comprised of alumni from the Class of 1954 from Washington, DC, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Florida, Texas, Michigan and Missouri. Janet and her committee members asked everyone from their class to support the Michigan Difference Campaign with a class reunion gift. They secured commitments from more than 50 percent of the class which opened the doors to donor prospects. As a result of her efforts, LSA “was able to update the records of over 50 alumni. In many cases we didn't have email addresses,” says Terrance McDonald, dean of the College of LSA.

“Janet is not a newcomer to volunteer service to the college or in her community,” adds McDonald. She serves as a member of the Dean's Honorary Committee, an active emeritus group of former members. She also is serving on the LSA Campaign Leadership Committee. Janet and her husband, Bob, are members of the Cleveland Major Gifts Committee.

Robert Ginn, a 2001 DASA recipient, credits Janet for supporting and leading fund-raising activities for the University. He adds, “Janet's reputation in the northeast Ohio community among not only U-M people, but also the total community, is unexcelled. She is an outstanding example of U-M's tradition of leadership.” Janet also is and has been actively involved in board roles for several Cleveland nonprofit social service and arts organizations.

It is with great honor, pride and gratitude that the Alumni Association presents Janet Netzer Neary with the Distinguished Alumni Service Award.