Dr. Fred Slete with family following awards presentation. Photos by, and courtesy of, Dottie Karkheck, Jackson College.
Jackson College presented awards and hosted a celebratory dinner at the annual Dr. Ethelene Jones Crockett Distinguished Alumni and Jackson College Distinguished Service Award Reception on April 25. At the end of each traditional academic year, Jackson College recognizes local leaders who are making an impact in their community and at the College.
The Dr. Ethelene Jones Crockett Distinguished Alumni Award was presented to Dr. Frederic Slete, class of 1978. The Crockett award honors an alumnus who has gone above and beyond in their career and community. It is named in honor of the 1934 Jackson Junior College graduate who went on to become Michigan’s first African-American obstetrician/gynecologist who was the director of the Crittenton Hospital clinics, headed the health care committee of New Detroit, Inc., and organized neighborhood health programs. Dr. Crockett was also the first woman in the 74-year history of the Christmas Seal Campaign to be president.
Dr. Slete has been making people smile in Jackson for more than 30 years! Whether it is his career or his community, this dentist gives his best each day. Serving patients in private practice since 1983, Slete has established himself at the local, state and national levels of his profession. With a personal belief that all professionals share a responsibility to be part of the success, vitality and growth of the community where they work, he is active in the local area. Slete has served the Jackson Hosts Lions Club, the Jackson Chamber of Commerce, Jackson Citizens for Economic Growth, Blackman Township Land Development Finance Authority (LDFA) Board, Jackson Community College Alumni Association, and the Jackson College Foundation Board of Directors.
“I am honored, humbled and thankful to have been chosen for this award,” he said. “To be selected is quite an honor, “ Slete said.
The Distinguished Service Award recipient this year is Senator Mike Shirkey. This award recognizes an individual or individuals who demonstrate exemplary service to both the community and to the College. Honorees are selected for their care and concern, beyond self, for the welfare and educational advancement of this community that has been expressed, in part, through the College. It is the highest honor given by the College to our committed and involved community leaders, one similar to that of an honorary doctorate bestowed by universities.
Senator Shirkey, Clark Lake Republican, has served Michigan’s 16th Senate District since 2014. Shirkey’s Republican colleagues elected him to serve as Senate majority leader for his second term, beginning January 2019.
Prior to joining the Senate, Shirkey served four years in the Michigan House of Representatives, representing the 65th District. Shirkey is the founder and owner of Orbitform, an engineering company that manufactures equipment for a wide range of industries and applications. Locally, Shirkey served on the Columbia Central School Board in the 1980s and 1990s. He also is the past board chair of Allegiance Health System.
Shirkey has supported Jackson College in Lansing. “Jackson College has grown exponentially in the last several years. Their impact on the economic comeback is not one we can ignore. They train students to join the workforce and become extremely valuable members of our society,” Shirkey said.
Dr. Jonathan Curtis ’10 receives the first-ever Second Lt. Zenneth Pond Soaring Young Alumni Award, honoring excellence and leadership in an alumnus aged 35 and younger.
The Second Lieutenant Zenneth A. Pond Soaring Young Alumni Award was created in honor of Jackson Junior College (JJC) alumni Zenneth Arthur Pond who dreamed of flying and became the first JJC student to receive his pilot’s license in the Civilian Pilot Training Course. In 1941, Pond enlisted in the Marines and later found a home as a “Bulldog” of Squadron VMF-223. In 1942, the Bulldogs became the first squadron to base out of Guadalcanal. After achieving the status of “fighter ACE,” Pond’s aircraft disappeared in a dogfight and was never seen again. Pond received a posthumous promotion to captain and the Navy Cross.
Dr. Curtis has demonstrated those qualities admirably in his young career. He operates his own practice in Chelsea, Curtis Chiropractic, managing everything from patient care to day-to-day operations. He loves what he does because he loves to help people.
Caring for his community, Curtis serves on the Board of Directors of the Chelsea Chamber of Commerce an ambassador for the Chelsea Chamber and previous ambassador of the Jackson Chamber of Commerce.
“When I learned that I had been recognized with the Zenneth Pond Soaring Young Alumni Award, I was humbly honored,” Curtis said. “I personally know so many great young Jackson College alumni and with this honor, I hope to inspire and continue to be a positive role model in our community.”
All three were recognized at the annual Dr. Ethelene Jones Crockett Distinguished Alumni and Jackson College Distinguished Service Award Reception on Thursday, April 25.
Dr. Curtis and Family.
Mike Shirkey with Jackson College President Dr. Dan Phelan and Jackson College Trustee Phil Hoffman.