Eastern Michigan Athletics
Jack Brusewitz Earns the Distinguished Alumni Award
7/15/2026 11:54:00 AM | Men's Basketball, E-Club
He will be honored at a ceremony Friday, Oct. 16, 2026
More Information
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) — Each day, Eastern Michigan University's more than 190,000 alumni make a tremendous impact across the globe — stimulating local economies, volunteering in communities and mentoring the next generation of changemakers. This year, EMU is proud to recognize four standout individuals as recipients of the 65th annual Alumni Awards.
They will be honored at a ceremony on Friday, October 16, 2026. The invitation-only event is part of the week of homecoming festivities.
Distinguished Alumni Award: Jack Brusewitz (BBA '82)
The Distinguished Alumni Award honors EMU grads who have achieved extraordinary success in their fields, shown exceptional service to others and stayed connected to the university.
Jack Brusewitz (BBA '82) has taken "don't be a stranger" to new heights at EMU. He serves on the Board of Advisors to GameAbove, is an emeritus trustee with the EMU Foundation and is a member of the EMU Heritage Foundation. Brusewitz is a successful businessman who previously served as an executive with ENGIE North America, NORESCO and Aquasight. Today, he is an independent contractor with Big Dog Solutions Group, LLC.
Brusewitz has been honored with the Ron Oestrike Distinguished Service Award and the Catholic League Coaches Association's Athlete of the Year award and is an EMU E-Club letterwinner, All-MAC basketball selection and EMU Hall of Fame inductee.
Graduate of the Last Decade Alumni Award: Ebony R. Cochran (BBA '17)
The Graduate of the Last Decade Alumni Award honors EMU grads from the past 10 years who are already making waves in their careers, catching the attention of their peers and proving just how far their degree can take them.
Ebony R. Cochran (BBA '17) is certainly no exception. She wears many professional hats, including senior consultant at Blackwood Credit Services, founder and lead consultant at Debt Survivor LLC, and most recently, founder of the Detroit Wealth Club. The Detroit Wealth Club is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing financial literacy and entrepreneurship in Detroit's underserved communities.
Additionally, Cochran was the first Black woman in Michigan to own a Little Caesars franchise and was recently featured in the Michigan Chronicle's 40 Under 40 Awards.
Alumni Achievement Award: Jennifer A. Ingram (BS '12)
The Alumni Achievement Award honors EMU grads who have excelled in their careers, shown the true value of their degree and stayed connected to the university.
Jennifer A. Ingram (BS '12) may now live more than 2,300 miles from EMU, but if you listen carefully, you can probably hear her chanting "Go Green!" from Bay Point, California, where she resides. Ingram held various healthcare leadership roles before transitioning into real estate and wealth management. She served as the inaugural vice president of community values, impact and innovation at MidPen Housing Corporation, and is the founder and CEO of both the real estate development firm 3011 Whitney LLC and Calibrated Lens, an educational and cultural initiative dedicated to reclaiming history, representation and wealth through currency.
Outside of work, Ingram serves on several volunteer boards. She has received accolades including the 40 Under 40 recognition from Color Magazine and Top 50 Women Leaders in San Francisco from Women We Admire.
The Dr. John W. Porter Distinguished Service Award: Jerry Robbins
The Dr. John W. Porter Distinguished Service Award honors individuals for their outstanding contributions to Eastern Michigan University or the Alumni Association.
Jerry Robbins spent more than a decade at the helm of EMU's College of Education, serving as dean from 1991 to 2004 — the longest-serving dean in the college's history. Following that, he spent a year as a voluntary special assistant to the provost.
Robbins may have left his post at Eastern in 2005, but his commitment to the community remains steady. Over the years, he has served as a mentor to the seven deans who followed him in the College of Education and is actively engaged in Kappa Delta Pi, the international honor society in education. Robbins has won several accolades, including the William C. Bagley Award for Leadership Excellence from Kappa Delta Pi.
65th Annual Alumni Awards
Please join the EMU Office for Alumni Engagement and the EMU Alumni Association in congratulating these changemaking individuals and all nominated individuals. Eastern Michigan University is proud to be home to thousands of alumni making a significant impact on society.
About Eastern Michigan University
Founded in 1849, Eastern Michigan University is the second-oldest public university in Michigan. It currently serves more than 12,000 students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, specialist, doctoral, and certificate degrees in the arts, sciences, and professions. More than 300 majors, minors, and concentrations are offered through the University's Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business; Education; Engineering and Technology; Health and Human Services; and its Graduate School. EMU is nationally recognized for its excellence, diversity, and commitment to applied education. With a strong focus on career readiness, the University equips students with the skills, experiences, and professional networks needed to thrive in today's workforce. Through hands-on learning, industry partnerships, and personalized support, EMU prepares graduates to launch meaningful careers and make an impact in their communities.
Visit the University's rankings and points of pride websites to learn more. For additional information about Eastern Michigan University, visit the University's website. To stay up to date on University news, activities and announcements, visit EMU Today.
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) — Each day, Eastern Michigan University's more than 190,000 alumni make a tremendous impact across the globe — stimulating local economies, volunteering in communities and mentoring the next generation of changemakers. This year, EMU is proud to recognize four standout individuals as recipients of the 65th annual Alumni Awards.
They will be honored at a ceremony on Friday, October 16, 2026. The invitation-only event is part of the week of homecoming festivities.
Distinguished Alumni Award: Jack Brusewitz (BBA '82)
The Distinguished Alumni Award honors EMU grads who have achieved extraordinary success in their fields, shown exceptional service to others and stayed connected to the university.
Jack Brusewitz (BBA '82) has taken "don't be a stranger" to new heights at EMU. He serves on the Board of Advisors to GameAbove, is an emeritus trustee with the EMU Foundation and is a member of the EMU Heritage Foundation. Brusewitz is a successful businessman who previously served as an executive with ENGIE North America, NORESCO and Aquasight. Today, he is an independent contractor with Big Dog Solutions Group, LLC.
Brusewitz has been honored with the Ron Oestrike Distinguished Service Award and the Catholic League Coaches Association's Athlete of the Year award and is an EMU E-Club letterwinner, All-MAC basketball selection and EMU Hall of Fame inductee.
Graduate of the Last Decade Alumni Award: Ebony R. Cochran (BBA '17)
The Graduate of the Last Decade Alumni Award honors EMU grads from the past 10 years who are already making waves in their careers, catching the attention of their peers and proving just how far their degree can take them.
Ebony R. Cochran (BBA '17) is certainly no exception. She wears many professional hats, including senior consultant at Blackwood Credit Services, founder and lead consultant at Debt Survivor LLC, and most recently, founder of the Detroit Wealth Club. The Detroit Wealth Club is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing financial literacy and entrepreneurship in Detroit's underserved communities.
Additionally, Cochran was the first Black woman in Michigan to own a Little Caesars franchise and was recently featured in the Michigan Chronicle's 40 Under 40 Awards.
Alumni Achievement Award: Jennifer A. Ingram (BS '12)
The Alumni Achievement Award honors EMU grads who have excelled in their careers, shown the true value of their degree and stayed connected to the university.
Jennifer A. Ingram (BS '12) may now live more than 2,300 miles from EMU, but if you listen carefully, you can probably hear her chanting "Go Green!" from Bay Point, California, where she resides. Ingram held various healthcare leadership roles before transitioning into real estate and wealth management. She served as the inaugural vice president of community values, impact and innovation at MidPen Housing Corporation, and is the founder and CEO of both the real estate development firm 3011 Whitney LLC and Calibrated Lens, an educational and cultural initiative dedicated to reclaiming history, representation and wealth through currency.
Outside of work, Ingram serves on several volunteer boards. She has received accolades including the 40 Under 40 recognition from Color Magazine and Top 50 Women Leaders in San Francisco from Women We Admire.
The Dr. John W. Porter Distinguished Service Award: Jerry Robbins
The Dr. John W. Porter Distinguished Service Award honors individuals for their outstanding contributions to Eastern Michigan University or the Alumni Association.
Jerry Robbins spent more than a decade at the helm of EMU's College of Education, serving as dean from 1991 to 2004 — the longest-serving dean in the college's history. Following that, he spent a year as a voluntary special assistant to the provost.
Robbins may have left his post at Eastern in 2005, but his commitment to the community remains steady. Over the years, he has served as a mentor to the seven deans who followed him in the College of Education and is actively engaged in Kappa Delta Pi, the international honor society in education. Robbins has won several accolades, including the William C. Bagley Award for Leadership Excellence from Kappa Delta Pi.
65th Annual Alumni Awards
Please join the EMU Office for Alumni Engagement and the EMU Alumni Association in congratulating these changemaking individuals and all nominated individuals. Eastern Michigan University is proud to be home to thousands of alumni making a significant impact on society.
About Eastern Michigan University
Founded in 1849, Eastern Michigan University is the second-oldest public university in Michigan. It currently serves more than 12,000 students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, specialist, doctoral, and certificate degrees in the arts, sciences, and professions. More than 300 majors, minors, and concentrations are offered through the University's Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business; Education; Engineering and Technology; Health and Human Services; and its Graduate School. EMU is nationally recognized for its excellence, diversity, and commitment to applied education. With a strong focus on career readiness, the University equips students with the skills, experiences, and professional networks needed to thrive in today's workforce. Through hands-on learning, industry partnerships, and personalized support, EMU prepares graduates to launch meaningful careers and make an impact in their communities.
Visit the University's rankings and points of pride websites to learn more. For additional information about Eastern Michigan University, visit the University's website. To stay up to date on University news, activities and announcements, visit EMU Today.
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