2004 DASA Winners

The Alumni Association of the University of Michigan is proud to announce the winners of the 2004 Distinguished Alumni Service Award:

John L. Henshaw, MPH'74
Laurence J. Kirshbaum, '66
Leslie Loomans, '66, MBA'73
Thomas G. Varbedian, '52, MD'56

The Alumni Association of the University of Michigan will honor the four recipients of the 2004 Distinguished Alumni Service Award during a ceremony at 5 p.m. on Thursday, October 7, in the Vandenberg Room of the Michigan League. The University community is invited to attend.

John L. Henshaw, MPH'74

In his convocation address to the University of Michigan School of Public Health class of 2002, John Henshaw told the graduates that they received "the best—the best education, the best role models, the best opportunities. Now I trust that you will do your best with it." It seems that John followed his own profound advice after earning his degree from the University of Michigan, not only in his professional career but also in his service to the University. He graduated with a master's degree in environmental health administration and industrial health in 1974 and went on to distinguish himself in his field. He currently serves as assistant secretary of labor for occupational safety and health, heading up the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Yet John invariably makes time for Michigan, the institution which gave him the best.

Terri Wright, former chair of the School of Public Health Alumni Society Board of Governors, comments that John "is a loyal alumnus who has shown deep and continued commitment to his alma mater." This commitment began when he graduated from the School of Public Health. In addition to being president of the U of M Club of St. Louis, he served several terms in various capacities on the School of Public Health Alumni Society Board of Governors. His work on the board helped the School of Public Health develop an identity campaign for school-wide print and electronic communications. Until he was appointed assistant secretary, John was also a member of the Dean's Advisory Committee, an organization that counsels the dean.

John also makes time to connect on a face-to-face level with members of the School of Public Health. In addition to speaking at the Public Health 2002 commencement (despite his busy schedule in the aftermath of September 11, 2001), John speaks at numerous School of Public Health classes and related events, mentors students for internships, and keeps in contact with School of Public Health faculty members.

Finally, John recognizes those at the School of Public Health who helped shape his career. He almost singlehandedly worked to establish a scholarship for U-M industrial hygiene students, named in honor of his faculty mentor, Ralph Smith.

John lives in Washington, DC, with his wife, and has four grown children and six grandchildren. As emeritus professor of industrial health Steven Levine says, John "is a credit to our University and to the nation." It is with great honor, pride and gratitude that the Alumni Association presents John L. Henshaw with the Distinguished Alumni Service Award.

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Laurence J. Kirshbaum, '66

Laurence J. Kirshbaum has had an illustrious career that's taken him far from Ann Arbor, but that doesn't prevent him from frequently returning to and giving back to the University of Michigan. After earning his bachelor's degree in English literature in 1966, he has gone on to establish a notable reputation in the publishing industry. As U-M professor of English Nicholas Delbanco puts it, "In the Ôtrade' he's widely honored, quoted; scarce a week goes by in The New York Times without [his] solicited opinion on a matter of commerce or art." Yet Larry, whose position as chairman and CEO of TimeWarner Book Group keeps him busy, is fervently dedicated to improving the University and its legacy.

Terrence McDonald, dean of the College of Literature, Science and the Arts, remarks that Larry is "an ardent and enthusiastic supporter of the University who contributes all that he has to enhance [it]." Indeed, Larry's service to U-M supports this claim. He served for 14 years as a member of the LSA Dean's Advisory Council, working to counsel five deans of the college. Larry helped mold the current Dean's Advisory Council, formerly known as the LSA Visiting Committee, by working with other members to articulate its purpose and redefine its potential for impacting the college leadership. Larry also currently serves as a member of the Dean's Honorary Committee, a group of former advisory council members, and as a member of the English Advisory Board, an organization that promotes strengthening ties among Michigan English graduates.

Nick Delbanco adds that "I can think of no one who more entirely merits whatever honor the University can bestow upon him for the present and the future; his is the very definition of Ôdistinguished service'É Time after time I've known him to go the extra mile on our institution's behalf." That extra mile is evident in all the ways Larry engages with the University beyond his membership on various committees. For example, Larry presented a seminar at a recent Michigan Book Publishing Workshop, an event dedicated to introducing U-M students to the publishing industry. He even opened his home in New York City for an MFA alumni event. Delbanco says that it "seemed to all of us attending a model of its kind—warm, open-handed, focused on the chance to help." Larry has even hired several Michigan students for internships and offered them jobs upon graduation, and many of them praise Larry and their workplace. Even Larry's office, heavily decorated with Michigan memorabilia, reflects his love of his alma mater.

Larry lives in Manhattan with his wife, Barbara, '66, whom he met while he was an undergraduate at U-M. They have two children and have recently welcomed their first grandchild, Benjamin Levy, into the world.

The Alumni Association is pleased to present to Laurence J. Kirshbaum the Distinguished Alumni Service Award for his loyalty and service to the University of Michigan.

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Leslie Loomans, '66, MBA'73

Leslie L. Loomans earned two degrees from the University of Michigan—his bachelor's degree in electrical engineering in 1966 and his master's of business administration in 1973. He went on to establish himself as a leader in his field, retiring as vice president and treasurer of DTE Energy in 2000. Les, who has lived in Ann Arbor since graduation, has made an effort to give back to the lively community that nurtured him throughout his education and his professional career.

Just a few weeks after graduation, Les went to work at Detroit Edison. However, he and his wife, Susan, '67, MBA,'81, (who were married the same day Les graduated from the University) never left Ann Arbor. "We always knew and enjoyed the University community. Our experience here wouldn't have been as rich without the University here," says Les. And so, Les has given back to that community tirelessly.

Les has served on the Engineering Alumni Society Board of Governors, working to expand and strengthen the society's activities. He was chair of the board in 2000 and 2001. Under his guidance, the board increased its alumni participation; today more than 70 engineering alumni across the country serve on the recruiting committee to call prospective students encouraging them to attend U-M. Les also helped establish two new committees while he was the chair: the fund-raising committee that focuses on how to increase alumni giving, and the Grads of the Last Decade committee, which aims to immediately involve recent graduates in the life of the college. James Fausone, the current chair of the board, remarks, "Les was a very steady influence on the society and showed great understanding and leadership."

During his tenure at DTE Energy, Les also became involved with the Minority Engineering Programs Office. From 1998 to 2002, Les was a member of the MEPO Industrial Cluster, a group of volunteers from industry and government who advise and support MEPO in its efforts to attract and retain minorities to the College of Engineering.

In addition to his numerous efforts with the College of Engineering, Les enjoys giving back to a community staple that he and his family have enjoyed over the years: the Matthaei Botanical Gardens. He is currently the vice chair of the Friends of the Matthaei Botanical Gardens Board. The group works to engage the community with the gardens, organizing programs, lectures, bus tours, volunteers, fund-raising efforts and more.

Stephen Director, dean of the College of Engineering, remarks "For his service, his counsel and his commitment to both the alumni and the students of the College of Engineering and the University, Les Loomans is certainly deserving of Michigan's appreciation and recognition."

Because of his work for the University, the Alumni Association proudly presents to Leslie L. Loomans the Distinguished Alumni Service Award.

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Dr. Thomas G. Varbedian, '52, MD'56

On the day he graduated from U-M Medical School, Dr. Thomas G. Varbedian, '52, MD'56, had tears in his eyes because he knew that after eight wonderful years in Ann Arbor, as he put it, "Now life begins." And what a life it has been. After doing his residency in ophthalmology at Wayne State University, he ran a private practice in Birmingham for 30 years. He was also the chief of ophthalmology at St. Joseph's-Pontiac Hospital for 14 years.

Tom so loved his time at U-M that he has worked tirelessly to give back to his alma mater and ensure that other Wolverines feel the same loyalty to Michigan. "My goal has been to make them aware that they're Michigan alumni forever. They owe a responsibility, some sort of loyalty to the school," he says.

And Tom has certainly shown that by example. He has been a guiding force behind the U-M Medical Center Alumni Society, the alumni organization for 18,000 U-M Medical School graduates, residents and fellows, for the past six years. He attends White Coat ceremonies to welcome incoming students and first-year student orientations each year, distributes study guides to students, attends Match Day, and constantly interacts with students on a one-on-one basis—and that's just a short list. "Not a day goes by when a Michigan medical student does not directly benefit from one of the Medical Center alumni programs Dr. Varbedian has worked so tirelessly to create," says Terry Platchek, the student council representative for the Medical School Class of 2005. Medical School Student Council President Vasu Divi adds, "I couldn't imagine anyone who is more dedicated to teaching students what it means to be a University of Michigan Medical School alumnus."

The list of Tom's contributions to Michigan is endless. He served as co-chair of his class reunion in 1996. He has worked to engage more alumni with the Medical School. He has hosted an educational program in his home in Bloomfield Hills. Tom and his late wife, Marilynn, also created two four-year scholarships for Michigan medical students. Anne A. Cooper, assistant director for the Office of Medical Development and Alumni Relations, says that "Tom sets a fine example for other alumni, modeling for them the virtue involving oneself in the work of the school and the lives of its students."

His energetic and friendly nature has been infectious around the Medical School. Medical School Dean Allen Lichter says that "Tom is in every way an exemplary alumnus—a man who realizes the role the University of Michigan played in making his life the success it has been, a man who is grateful for that contribution, and a man who has found numerous ways to return the favor."

The Alumni Association, in turn, is grateful to present Dr. Thomas G. Varbedian the Distinguished Alumni Service Award.