Capitol internship endowment / Native American studies endowment /

Kulhavi thanked for ROTC support

New endowment assists future political leaders

Two political leaders who have influenced hundreds of former Central Michigan University political science students will continue to assist future students through an endowment in their names.

 

The William S. Ballenger III and Dr. William P. Browne Capitol Internship Program Endowment will benefit political science students interested in seeking internships within all branches of the state and federal government. The endowment will provide students with a stipend for transportation and other expenses related to the internship activities.

 

“Many students in the seminars that I taught showed interest in internship opportunities in Lansing, but did not know how to go about applying for and securing one,” Ballenger said. “It was hit-or-miss as to whether they would even be able to obtain a position, and I realized that there was nothing established at CMU to encourage and offer guidance and financial support to these students. It is my hope that this endowment will be an organized process of applying for and gaining opportunities to work in Michigan government.”

 

Ballenger, editor of “Inside Michigan Politics,” served as the Robert and Marjorie Griffin Endowed Chair in American Government at CMU from 2003-07. He is a former state representative and senator, director of the State Department of Licensing and Regulation, and a former state racing commissioner. He also served as deputy assistant secretary of the U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare in President Gerald R. Ford’s administration.

 

Browne taught political science at CMU for more than 30 years until he passed away in 2005 after a 12-year battle with chronic myelogenous leukemia. He was instrumental in establishing the master of public administration program and in placing political science students in internships throughout the country.

 

The Ballenger-Browne endowment was designed to support and enhance the internship placement efforts that Browne helped to establish.

 

Known as “Bill” by their students, Ballenger and Browne each had their own unique teaching styles, but focused on influencing and inspiring students.

 

CMU senior Andrew Leavitt said he left Ballenger’s political science seminar with a deep admiration for state government and a passion to work in politics.

 

“Bill was very relaxed and approachable,” said Leavitt, a political science major and Swartz Creek native. “He is so close to the state government scene and kept us well informed. I now want to stay in Michigan and make an impact in my state’s government.”

 

Jon Smalley, a 1985 CMU graduate, said Browne guided students toward a career path and spent as much time as was needed to work with them on their goals.

 

“I was fortunate to have Bill Browne show me what was possible,” said Smalley, owner of Lansing lobbying firm Muchmore Harrington Smalley & Associates. “It is my belief that without his influence, I would never have ended up in the position I now hold.”

 

The endowment was established through private gifts from family and friends, including Ballenger and Bill Browne’s wife, Linda. The endowment will continue to increase its support for internship stipends as future gifts are received through ongoing fundraising efforts by the college.

 

To request information about making a tax-deductible gift to support the William S. Ballenger III and Dr. William P. Browne Capitol Internship, please contact Lesa Smith, the college’s director of development, at lesa.smith@cmich.edu or 989.774.3354.

Return to top

 

---

Family endowment supports Native American studies

A $500,000 endowment in honor of late Central Michigan University alumni Rollie and Olga Denison will help to enhance the university’s Native American studies program.

 

The gift, from their children Spencer Denison, Daniel Denison and Diane Dahnke, was presented to the CMU Board of Trustees on Dec. 6. The funds will be used to support an endowed professorship in the College of Humanities and Social and Behavioral Sciences.

 

“We hope that this will be a catalyst for both the local Saginaw Chippewa community and the university community to get involved,” said Dan Denison. “Native American studies should be an area of interest, research and excellence at CMU so as to attract more Native American students and to ensure that all students graduate knowing more about the Saginaw Chippewa Tribe than just that it’s the name of the football team. This contribution also is a way to honor and preserve some of our parents’ legacy, and for us it’s a way to stay connected.”

 

Each year the endowment will bring in a scholar from another institution to teach courses and participate in related activities in order to strengthen core offerings in Native American studies at CMU.

 

“The visiting professor’s ideas are intended to inform, inspire and challenge our understanding of Native American issues,” said Mike Leto, vice president of development and alumni relations at CMU. “It’s a unique program with the potential to establish CMU as a thought leader in this area.”

 

Additionally, the endowment will provide for further understanding of the historical experiences, cultural traditions, innovations and political status of Indian people in the United States and Canada. Courses will discuss Native American ways of living, understanding the world, organizing societies, and the impact of invasion and colonization on American Indians.

 

“The Denisons were long time friends and supporters of both CMU and the individual members and culture of the local Tribe,” Leto said. “This endowment is a way to bring both of these passions into an endowment that will benefit students and our entire community.”

 

In order to create greater awareness for the need for endowed faculty, the university also announced that the CMU Faculty Endowment Matching Program will match the income from the family’s gift dollar for dollar.

 

“The Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan recognizes the Denison’s gift to CMU in honor of their parents, and it is with great respect that Rollie and Olga Denison are remembered for their contributions to the community,” said Joseph V. Sowmick, public relations director for the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan.

 

“This endowment fund will not only strengthen cultural awareness, but also will lend support to the Native American Studies offered at CMU. The Tribe is supportive of the Denison’s generous gift that will benefit not only CMU but the community as a whole,” Sowmick said.

 

The Denisons were greatly involved with CMU, the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe, the City of Mount Pleasant, the Mid-Michigan Art Reach program and many other community groups.

 

In addition to their endowed professorship, the Denison family has an established scholarship fund with CMU’s College of Business Administration. Also known for their love of Native art, the Denisons collected hundreds of tribal pieces that were donated to CMU’s Clarke Historical Library.

Return to top

 

---

John Kulhavi recognized for ROTC support

 

CMU president Michael Rao presented John Kulhavi, ’65, CMU Board of Trustees vice chairman, with a letter of appreciation from Major General Montague Winfield, commanding general of the United States Army Reserve Officer’s Training Corps Cadet Command, during a reception the evening before CMU’s football game against Army in October.

 

Winfield's letter thanks Kulhavi for his continuing support of the ROTC program at CMU and specifically his support of improvements made to the rifle range, which led to CMU’s cadets having the third highest Basic Rifle Marksmanship average of the 21 schools in the brigade.

Return to top

 

---