TIMELINE of ACHIEVEMENT

Over the decades, the University of Michigan-Flint has educated some truly remarkable minds. Our graduates have gone on to make significant impacts in their careers, communities and the world at large. In their respective sectors of business, education, physics and mathematics, their educations have opened doors of achievement for these alumni and those they have inspired.

Laura Eastman

Class of 1958 | Elementary Education

After one year at Eastern Michigan, Laura returned home to attend Flint Junior College. She describes her classmates as motivated to get an education close to home. Opportunities in Flint at the time were abundant. Many students had good jobs that allowed them to pay for college. Of the faculty, Laura says, “I was so impressed with the teachers. They were very serious about wanting to help students . . . and challenged us in ways that we weren’t accustomed to. Staff and students were motivated and Ann Arbor was supportive. Everyone wanted Flint Junior College to succeed. It was like one big family.”

Michael J. Giacalone, Jr., MD

Class of 1968 | BA, History

Class of 1972 | MD, UM Ann Arbor

After completing his bachelor’s degree with distinction, Dr. Giacalone attended medical school at the University of Michigan, receiving his MD degree in 1972. He credits the University of Michigan-Flint for preparing him for a lifetime of challenges and opportunities as a physician and medical doctor. Currently chief medical officer at Hamilton Community Health Network in Flint, Michael was privileged to serve as a Navy doctor in Washington, D.C., and overseas with the U.S. Pacific Fleet. In November 1993, he was appointed assistant dean for clinical affairsexternal relations at the University of Michigan Medical School.

Among Dr. Giacalone’s treasured memories of UM-Flint is receiving the 1967 Student of the Year Award. Moreover, he shared the stage that year with U.S. Representative Donald W. Reigle, Jr., 1967 Alumnus of the Year. Asked what advice he would give someone thinking about enrolling at UM-Flint, Michael said, “It is a great experience – the best of the best!”

Donald G. Rockwell

Class of 1971 | BA, Physics

Class of 1976 | JD, UD Mercy, cum laude

Q. What do you get when you cross a gentleman and a science nerd?

“I love to think about the physical universe, and this comes from my undergraduate major in physics at the University of Michigan-Flint.”

A. A traditional, yet futuristic, perspective on the legal profession. Considered by many to be a throwback to the more formal days of the legal profession, Rockwell is a lawyer who genuinely respects the law, the courtroom, the decorum, the process, and his opponent. But he is also considered progressive, innovative, forward thinking, even scientific in his approach, which his friends, colleagues, and Rockwell himself say should not surprise anyone. “I love to think about the physical universe, and this comes from my undergraduate major in physics at the University of Michigan-Flint. What is important to me is the sense of true wonder when I contemplate these matters and how we, the human race, are just an infinitesimally small part of this great and interesting universe.”

Excerpts from "A Gentleman and a Scholar," an article written by Lynn Patrick Ingram from Michigan Bar Journal, October 2017.

Karen Cisowski Josey

Class of 1982 | BBA

Class of 1989 | MBA

Currently the senior business development director at Keyrus Life Science, a global contract research organization, Karen credits her MBA professors with preparing her to bring real world experiences to teams she has trained over the course of her career.

Among Karen’s many memories of UM-Flint are studying in the UCEN Loft; shopping at SmithBridgeman’s Department Store, located on Saginaw

Heidi M. Colby-Oizumi

Class of 1991 | BA, English

Class of 1996 | MA, International Affairs, GW

In her final year of college, Heidi participated in a three-week study tour to Egypt with her anthropology class. It changed her life! On the flight home, she made the decision to see more of the world. A few months post-graduation, Heidi moved to Sendai, Japan, to teach English. She stayed in Japan for three years and met her husband.

Heidi returned to the U.S. to attend graduate school at George Washington University on a fellowship and began an internship at the Department of State. Upon graduation, Heidi landed a job with the U.S. International Trade Commission –fulfilling a requirement of her fellowship that she enter public service – and has been there for the past 26 years. In her role as an international trade analyst, Heidi provides objective analysis of international trade issues to the President and Congress. Of her position, Heidi says, “I suppose it’s rare for someone to stay at a job for so long, but I can’t imagine a better fit. My work uses both my English degree (writing) and my international affairs background. It’s interesting, challenging, and always changing, and it’s given me the opportunity to travel to over a dozen countries, including places most people don’t get to see, such as Cuba and Mauritius.”

Street between Kearsley and First streets; and being mentored by UM-Flint’s Jazz Band Director, Dr. Vincent O’Keefe. “I wasn’t a music major and I wasn’t the best musician in the room, but Dr. O’Keefe taught me to believe that I was the best me I could be.” You can find Karen at the Big House playing trumpet on game days in the University of Michigan Alumni PEP Band!

Karen’s son, Nicholaus Josey, MD (Class of 2010), and daughter, Nichole Josey (Class of 2014, 2019) are also UM-Flint graduates.

“Although many miles from Flint now and years removed from the campus, I love attending D.C. alumni gatherings when they happen, and I feel incredibly lucky to have had such a wonderful experience at UM-Flint. Go Blue!”