Alumni Awards

Honoring our

SUSTAINERS

Alumni awards celebrate those committed to uplifting CMU

Each year, CMU recognizes alumni and friends who have made significant contributions of their time, talent or financial resources to help advance and bring positive recognition to Central Michigan University. This year’s honorees were celebrated at the annual alumni awards banquet in September.

Robert Wuerfel

Honorary Alumni Award

Bob Wuerfel is an avid supporter of CMU and bleeds maroon and gold despite being a graduate of Hope College. All three of his children earned prestigious Centralis Scholarships and were part of the CMU Honors Program community. He continuously promotes the integrity and value of the university in his local community of Holland, Michigan, and in his professional networks. Wuerfel has supported CMU for many years. His contributions have benefited many students and departments including the Honors program, the CMU food pantry, Grawn Hall renovations, and the recently established endowed Lighthouse scholarship benefitting CMU Honors Program students. Wuerfel donates to these programs to show his gratitude for the education CMU gave his children, while also demonstrating philanthropic values through his support of the university.

Nicole Rowlett, ’13

Alumni Service Recognition Award

Nicole Rowlett is a diversity sourcing associate in campus recruiting at JPMorgan Chase & Co., and she is the co-lead for the diversity, equity and inclusion committee for Delta Phi Epsilon International Sorority. In her leadership role with The Parallel Agency, Rowlett works to advance equity, access and belonging within fraternities and sororities. The organization has worked with more than 40 colleges and universities and touched more than 16,000 students. She has also volunteered over 1,200 hours with organizations including Big Brothers Big Sisters, Girls Inc. and the Diversity Organization. To show her continued support for CMU, Rowlett assists undergraduate students with resume review to improve and enhance their job search. She has mentored countless graduates working in new careers and assisted them in leadership development. >

Bill Kanine, ’82, ’19

Dick Enberg Alumni Commitment Award

Bill Kanine graduated from Central in 1982 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, and in 2019 he was awarded an honorary doctorate in commercial science. Kanine and his wife, Carla Kanine, have continued to support the university in many ways with their time, talent and financial contributions. Kanine is the founder and managing partner of William R. Kanine P.C., a certified public accounting firm serving Petoskey and surrounding areas. He is currently chair of the Central Michigan University Marcy Weston Hall of Fame, a member of the university’s investment committee and a member of the Advancement Board. He is a former member of CMU’s Board of Trustees, where he served eight years, including two years as chair. The Kanines have supported the Chippewa Champions Center, the Baseball/Softball Turf Project, the CMU College of Medicine and the Chippewa Athletic Fund.

The Allen Foundation

Corporate Partner Alumni Award

The Allen Foundation is a privately owned family foundation based in

Midland. William Allen Webster established the foundation in 1975 to provide people with nutritional information to alleviate malnutrition.

Through its grants, the foundation helps provide resources for nonprofit projects and programs that primarily benefit human nutrition in the areas of health, education, training and research.

In 2018, the foundation contributed $500,000 toward the creation of the

Allen Foundation Inc. Culinary Nutrition Center in Wightman Hall. This facility provides students with hands-on nutrition and dietetics learning within a clean, modern lab with professionalgrade equipment. Over the past year, the Allen Foundation partnered with CMU Alumni Relations to host virtual cooking classes, providing an exceptional experience to alumni while virtually showcasing the updated space and providing an opportunity for alumni to support the Culinary Nutrition Program.

Nick Krzyzaniak, ’86, ’16

Distinguished Alumni Award

Nick Krzyzaniak graduated magna cum laude from CMU in 1986 with a double major in business administration and political science. He earned his master’s degree from Columbia University in executive coaching and was awarded an honorary doctorate in commercial science from CMU in 2016. As the 1986 baseball team captain, two-time academic ALL MAC first team, and three-time member of MAC Championship baseball teams, Krzyzaniak was destined for great leadership. Upon graduation, he worked at General Mills, Inc., for five years, holding seven roles progressing into a management position before starting a 27-year career at Danone company, best known for its essential dairy and plant-based products.

Following his retirement in 2017, he founded KZ and Associates LLC, providing leadership training to Fortune 500 executives. Krzyzaniak serves on multiple boards including the CMU Advancement Board, where he continues to show the true meaning of being a CMU Chippewa through his hard work and innovative skills.

Bethany Childs, ’22

Future Alumni Leader Award

Bethany Childs has been a multifaceted, active student leader at CMU. After her professional internship, she will earn her bachelor’s degree in December from the Recreation, Parks and Leisure Services Department. Childs was president of the Association of Recreation and Event Professionals, and she has been on the Dean’s List since Fall 2019. She is a member of the Michigan Recreation and Parks Association (mParks) and volunteered at the 2022 mParks conference. She took on the role of social media and registration chair for the RPL Summer Job Fair, connecting with companies, vendors and CMU alumni across Michigan. Childs is a member of the National Intramural and Recreation Sports Association, a regular volunteer for the CMU Gus Macker 3-on-3 basketball tournament, and an event coordinator for CMU’s 2021 Homecoming. •