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State honors Rozelle for promoting organ donations

April 20, 2007

KALAMAZOO-- Michigan Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land honored a popular Western Michigan University professor April 10 for his selfless work in promoting organ donation.

Land presented David Rozelle, associate professor of accountancy, with a Shining Star award, which is bestowed on those who demonstrate exemplary donation efforts. Rozelle, a 37-year employee of WMU, also is a heart transplant recipient.

Rozelle was honored in February with WMU's 2007 Distinguished Service Award, in part because of his work in promoting organ donations.

"David is a credit to his university, community and state," Land said. "He teaches his students not only to be successful accountants, but caring citizens as well. With David's guidance and encouragement, Western is a leading institution in promoting the cause of organ donation. The future is brighter for many people in need of transplants because of the example David sets and the commitment he displays."

Following his heart transplant in 2001, Rozelle returned to work and began promoting donation. He encouraged the Beta Alpha Psi accounting fraternity to promote donation on campus and in the Kalamazoo area.

In 2005, the WMU chapter of Beta Alpha Psi recruited nearly 830 people to join the Organ Donor Registry during a four-week competition, more than any other university. The past two years, it signed up a total of more than 1,600 registrants.

WMU Interim President Diether H. Haenicke joined Land in recognizing Rozelle's accomplishments.

"David Rozelle is more than an outstanding educator," Haenicke said. "He's a man of character and compassion who actively engages his students on a personal level. David gives his time so that others can understand the importance of organ donation. His tireless work has moved many people to take this lifesaving action. I know the entire WMU family shares my pride in David. He truly is an inspiration."

More than 3,100 Michigan residents are awaiting lifesaving transplants. Nationwide, more than 95,000 Americans are in need.

Media contact: Thom Myers, (269) 387-8400, thom.myers@wmich.edu

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