Alumni, professors emerti celebrated at Parade of Honors

May 13, 2025

James Madison College celebrated the accomplishments of community members at the 2025 Parade of Honors in mid-April. For more than 30 years, the college has hosted a banquet that recognizes the academic and service achievements of its students from throughout the academic year.

This year’s event also recognized recent recipients of the Distinguished Alumni and Honorary Alumni Awards, which acknowledge alumni who have achieved prominence in their fields and those who have significantly contributed to the progress and development of the college. The JMC Alumni Association Board of Directors (AA BOD) sponsors both awards.

Board members Ewurama Appiagyei-Dankah (SRP ’18) and Kim Uhuru (PTCD ’97) were in attendance to present the awards.

 

Distinguished Alumni Award Recipients

Judge Thomas P. Boyd (’85) was appointed judge in Michigan’s 55th District Court in 2005, where he served for 15 years. He took the position of State Court Administrator in 2020. The AA BOD recognized Boyd’s dedication to improving the administration of justice and serving the people of Michigan, along with his efforts to ensure fair, efficient and accessible justice for all.

Bryan Newland (’03) was recognized for his commitment to public service, exemplified by the five years he spent as Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs within the U.S. Department of the Interior. The award celebrated Newland’s dedication to improving the lives of Indigenous people across the U.S., along with his accomplishments in law, tribal governance, public policy and federal service.

Rocky Beckett (IR ’86) retired from his position as Director of Development at JMC in 2024, after dedicating nearly 25 years of service to the college. Beyond his primary focus of securing private funding and other resources for the college, the AA BOD celebrated Beckett’s work fostering professional and personal relationships across generations of students, faculty, staff and alumni.

 

Honorary Alumni Award Recipients

Julia Grant is a Professor Emeritus of Social Policy and History at JMC and a former associate dean. The award celebrated Grant’s outstanding teaching of social relations and policy, curricular innovation and dedication to generations of Madison students. It also recognized her contributions as associate dean and as a trailblazing scholar of education and childhood in the U.S.

Rod Phillips is a Professor Emeritus of Humanities, Culture and Writing at JMC. The AA BOD acknowledged Phillips’ impact on the Madison community, citing the transformative impact he had on the lives of countless students. They noted his passion for “Madhouses” (a longstanding JMC tradition that showcased creative expression within the college), marathon book readings and the appearance of his dog, Aldo, at office hours as some of the ways he helped shape community at JMC.

Constance Hunt is a Professor Emeritus of Social Relations and Policy who dedicated more than 30 years of teaching and scholarship to JMC. The AA BOD recognized Hunt’s principled teaching style, dedication to the field of political theory and leadership within the college. They also noted the connections she made with students, which often extended well past graduation.

The JMCAA is currently seeking nominations for both awards. Submit your nominations via Google Forms.