Eastern Michigan Athletics
Athletics Showcased in EMU Alumni Awards Celebration
3/17/2022 12:08:00 PM | Men's Basketball, Men's Track & Field, General
The 2022 Alumni Awards will be held May 7, 2022 at 6 p.m.
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan University Department of Athletics will have a strong presence in the University's 61st Annual Alumni Awards Celebration scheduled for Saturday, May 7, at 6 p.m. The virtual celebration will take place at emich.edu/alumni and on the University YouTube Channel.
The group includes men's basketball standout Wendale Farrow (BS09, MA13), track & field scholar-athlete Dr. David N. Turner (BBA94), and Compliance Associate Michael Paciorek.
Farrow is one of two recipients of the Outstanding Young Alumni Award, which is presented to alumni whose achievements have been signified by personal honors bestowed upon them by their peers and who have demonstrated the worth of their education through their post-college achievements. Generally, recipients have been graduates of Eastern Michigan University for less than 10 years
As a community college transfer student and junior college All-American athlete, Farrow arrived at EMU in 2007 with a commitment to excellence inside and outside the classroom. Farrow, who graduated in 2009 with a Bachelor of Science in Communication, received EMU men's basketball's Scholar Athlete Award and was named an All-Academic District Award recipient by the National Association of Basketball Coaches.
After completing his undergraduate degree, he went on to pursue a Master of Arts in Higher Education and Student Affairs at EMU while serving as a graduate assistant for the men's basketball team. He completed his graduate degree in 2013 and went on to coach women's basketball at UCLA, Vanderbilt, and California-Berkeley. Currently, Farrow serves as the Assistant Women's Basketball Coach at the University of Southern California (USC). As a coach at the collegiate level, Farrow has helped recruit and develop 11 NCAA All-Americans, 14 all-conference athletes, five WNBA draft picks, and has appeared in four post-season tournaments.
In addition to his full-time role, Farrow serves as a board member for a California program called The City Eats, a non-profit organization dedicated to unifying the community through the mission of eradicating hunger amongst the inner-city homeless population. Each month, Farrow helps prepare and distribute balanced meals personally with love, care, and compassion.
Turner is one of two honorees for the Distinguished Alumni Award, which is given to alumni who have achieved extraordinary distinction in their chosen field, demonstrated unusual service to others, and maintained a continuing interest in Eastern Michigan University. Generally, recipients have been graduates of EMU for more than 25 years.
A track and field scholar-athlete, Turner graduated from EMU with a Bachelor of Business Administration in 1994. Since that time, his career has exemplified a commitment to excellence in both the professional field of human capital management and community service.
Currently, Dr. Turner serves as the Senior Vice President of Human Resources for MotorCity Casino Hotel focusing on employee and labor relations, talent acquisition and development, and maintaining a diverse and inclusive workforce. Before joining MotorCity Casino Hotel, he was the Vice President of Human Resources at EMU. While in this position, Dr. Turner demonstrated his passion and commitment to the university community by participating as a mentor, panelist, presenter, and guest lecturer for the Brotherhood Initiative; the College of Business Alumni Business Conference; the Young, Black and Successful program; the Eastern Michigan Student Chapter of SHRM; various College of Business courses; and as a member of Black Faculty and Staff Association and the Black Alumni Association.
Beyond his professional career, Dr. Turner's societal commitment has included volunteer, fundraiser, and advisory board roles for numerous organizations such as the American Lung Association, Soldiers Angels, Big Brothers Big Sisters, March of Dimes, Gleaners Food Bank, NPower Regional, and the Farmington Hills School Board as the first African American male President. He is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated, Iota Rho Lambda Chapter and was acknowledged by the Michigan Chronicle as a 2019 Men of Excellence honoree.
He holds a master's degree in Human Resources Management and Administration from Central Michigan University and a doctoral degree in Human Capital Management from Bellevue University. His professional affiliations include: Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), Detroit-SHRM (Immediate Past President), World at Work, National Association of African-Americans in Human Resources (NAAAHR), and Michigan College and University Professional Association for Human Resources (past President). Dr. Turner's professional certifications include: Certified Compensation Professional, Senior Certified Professional from the Society for Human Resources Management, and a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion certification from the University of South Florida.
Rounding out the list, Drs. Karen and Michael Paciorek earned the John W. Porter Distinguished Service Award.
This award is presented to individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to Eastern Michigan University or the Alumni Association of EMU. Recipients need not be graduates of Eastern Michigan University.
EMU Professors Emeriti, the Pacioreks are both distinguished teachers, scholars, and long-time EMU supporters who received their doctoral degrees at Vanderbilt University – Dr. Michael Paciorek in adapted physical education and Dr. Karen Paciorek in early childhood education.
In her 40-year career, Professor Karen Paciorek taught over 16,000 students, edited 40 academic publications, and was a frequent presenter at national and international conferences. She co-chaired EMU's Give Rise Faculty and Staff Campaign with her husband, and is a charter member of Women in Philanthropy at EMU. An elected member of the Northville Michigan School Board for nine years, she continues her commitment of service as Chair for the Wolverine Human Services Board of Directors and as a member of the EMU Foundation Board of Trustees.
In addition to his teaching and research as Professor of Physical Education at EMU, Dr. Michael Paciorek edited three editions of the Disability Sport and Recreation Resources manual, served as President of the Northville Public Schools Athletic Booster Club for five years, was a staff member of the 1992 United States Paralympic Team, and served as a board member of Michigan Special Olympics. Following 25 years of teaching, he moved to an administrative role as Faculty Compliance Associate in EMU's Athletic Department.
Both Drs. Michael and Karen Paciorek received lifetime achievement awards from, respectively, the Michigan Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance; and the Michigan Association for the Education of Young Children. Each was also honored with an Eastern Michigan University Alumni Association Teaching Excellence Award, a Ronald Collins Award for Outstanding Service to the University, and received the Association of Fundraising Professionals Distinguished Volunteer Award. Dr. Michael Paciorek additionally received a Distinguished Service Award from the National Consortium on Physical Education and Recreation for Individuals with Disabilities. In 2017, he and Dr. Karen Paciorek established the Karen Menke Paciorek Endowed Early Childhood Education Scholarship at EMU. The Karen Menke Paciorek Early Childhood Education Scholarship helps EMU students majoring in early childhood education that have a passion for the field of education of young children and show a strong commitment to early childhood education through previous work or volunteer experience with young children.
Visit emich.edu/alumni to learn more about the 61st Annual Alumni Awards Celebration.
The group includes men's basketball standout Wendale Farrow (BS09, MA13), track & field scholar-athlete Dr. David N. Turner (BBA94), and Compliance Associate Michael Paciorek.
Farrow is one of two recipients of the Outstanding Young Alumni Award, which is presented to alumni whose achievements have been signified by personal honors bestowed upon them by their peers and who have demonstrated the worth of their education through their post-college achievements. Generally, recipients have been graduates of Eastern Michigan University for less than 10 years
As a community college transfer student and junior college All-American athlete, Farrow arrived at EMU in 2007 with a commitment to excellence inside and outside the classroom. Farrow, who graduated in 2009 with a Bachelor of Science in Communication, received EMU men's basketball's Scholar Athlete Award and was named an All-Academic District Award recipient by the National Association of Basketball Coaches.
After completing his undergraduate degree, he went on to pursue a Master of Arts in Higher Education and Student Affairs at EMU while serving as a graduate assistant for the men's basketball team. He completed his graduate degree in 2013 and went on to coach women's basketball at UCLA, Vanderbilt, and California-Berkeley. Currently, Farrow serves as the Assistant Women's Basketball Coach at the University of Southern California (USC). As a coach at the collegiate level, Farrow has helped recruit and develop 11 NCAA All-Americans, 14 all-conference athletes, five WNBA draft picks, and has appeared in four post-season tournaments.
In addition to his full-time role, Farrow serves as a board member for a California program called The City Eats, a non-profit organization dedicated to unifying the community through the mission of eradicating hunger amongst the inner-city homeless population. Each month, Farrow helps prepare and distribute balanced meals personally with love, care, and compassion.
Turner is one of two honorees for the Distinguished Alumni Award, which is given to alumni who have achieved extraordinary distinction in their chosen field, demonstrated unusual service to others, and maintained a continuing interest in Eastern Michigan University. Generally, recipients have been graduates of EMU for more than 25 years.
A track and field scholar-athlete, Turner graduated from EMU with a Bachelor of Business Administration in 1994. Since that time, his career has exemplified a commitment to excellence in both the professional field of human capital management and community service.
Currently, Dr. Turner serves as the Senior Vice President of Human Resources for MotorCity Casino Hotel focusing on employee and labor relations, talent acquisition and development, and maintaining a diverse and inclusive workforce. Before joining MotorCity Casino Hotel, he was the Vice President of Human Resources at EMU. While in this position, Dr. Turner demonstrated his passion and commitment to the university community by participating as a mentor, panelist, presenter, and guest lecturer for the Brotherhood Initiative; the College of Business Alumni Business Conference; the Young, Black and Successful program; the Eastern Michigan Student Chapter of SHRM; various College of Business courses; and as a member of Black Faculty and Staff Association and the Black Alumni Association.
Beyond his professional career, Dr. Turner's societal commitment has included volunteer, fundraiser, and advisory board roles for numerous organizations such as the American Lung Association, Soldiers Angels, Big Brothers Big Sisters, March of Dimes, Gleaners Food Bank, NPower Regional, and the Farmington Hills School Board as the first African American male President. He is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated, Iota Rho Lambda Chapter and was acknowledged by the Michigan Chronicle as a 2019 Men of Excellence honoree.
He holds a master's degree in Human Resources Management and Administration from Central Michigan University and a doctoral degree in Human Capital Management from Bellevue University. His professional affiliations include: Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), Detroit-SHRM (Immediate Past President), World at Work, National Association of African-Americans in Human Resources (NAAAHR), and Michigan College and University Professional Association for Human Resources (past President). Dr. Turner's professional certifications include: Certified Compensation Professional, Senior Certified Professional from the Society for Human Resources Management, and a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion certification from the University of South Florida.
Rounding out the list, Drs. Karen and Michael Paciorek earned the John W. Porter Distinguished Service Award.
This award is presented to individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to Eastern Michigan University or the Alumni Association of EMU. Recipients need not be graduates of Eastern Michigan University.
EMU Professors Emeriti, the Pacioreks are both distinguished teachers, scholars, and long-time EMU supporters who received their doctoral degrees at Vanderbilt University – Dr. Michael Paciorek in adapted physical education and Dr. Karen Paciorek in early childhood education.
In her 40-year career, Professor Karen Paciorek taught over 16,000 students, edited 40 academic publications, and was a frequent presenter at national and international conferences. She co-chaired EMU's Give Rise Faculty and Staff Campaign with her husband, and is a charter member of Women in Philanthropy at EMU. An elected member of the Northville Michigan School Board for nine years, she continues her commitment of service as Chair for the Wolverine Human Services Board of Directors and as a member of the EMU Foundation Board of Trustees.
In addition to his teaching and research as Professor of Physical Education at EMU, Dr. Michael Paciorek edited three editions of the Disability Sport and Recreation Resources manual, served as President of the Northville Public Schools Athletic Booster Club for five years, was a staff member of the 1992 United States Paralympic Team, and served as a board member of Michigan Special Olympics. Following 25 years of teaching, he moved to an administrative role as Faculty Compliance Associate in EMU's Athletic Department.
Both Drs. Michael and Karen Paciorek received lifetime achievement awards from, respectively, the Michigan Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance; and the Michigan Association for the Education of Young Children. Each was also honored with an Eastern Michigan University Alumni Association Teaching Excellence Award, a Ronald Collins Award for Outstanding Service to the University, and received the Association of Fundraising Professionals Distinguished Volunteer Award. Dr. Michael Paciorek additionally received a Distinguished Service Award from the National Consortium on Physical Education and Recreation for Individuals with Disabilities. In 2017, he and Dr. Karen Paciorek established the Karen Menke Paciorek Endowed Early Childhood Education Scholarship at EMU. The Karen Menke Paciorek Early Childhood Education Scholarship helps EMU students majoring in early childhood education that have a passion for the field of education of young children and show a strong commitment to early childhood education through previous work or volunteer experience with young children.
Visit emich.edu/alumni to learn more about the 61st Annual Alumni Awards Celebration.
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