The English Channel The English Channel Volume 17 Issue 2 Spring 2017 | Page 32

In Celebration
Judd Family Achievement Award 2017:
Brian Connery
Given annually since 1996, the Judd Family Achievement Award honors a faculty
member (including tenured, untenured, and special instructor faculty) in the English
Department for excellence in teaching, scholarship, and/or service. The Judd Award
grew out of a strong relationship between Randy Judd and his wife, Pat, and Oak-
land University. Both Randy and Pat were students of Professor Emerita Joan
Rosen, and both served as tutors in the Writing Center. When the opportunity arose,
Professor Rosen and Randy worked to create an award that would recognize out-
standing faculty service, and this valued tradition was born.
At the final Department meeting of the
year, Natalie Cole set forth the following
motion:
"Emeritus" comes from the Latin root
"emereri, " meaning "to earn one's dis-
charge through service." The form
"emeritus," most fittingly for the pro-
fessor we honor today, came into usage
in the mid-eighteenth century.
It is my distinct pleasure to nominate
Professor Brian Connery for the well-
deserved title "Professor Emeritus."
Thus it is that this year, Professor Connery was not only the recipient of
the Judd Family Achievement Award, but was also unanimously voted by
the department to the title of Professor Emeritus .
Connery may have retired from the classroom, but along with his
Emeritus status at Oakland University, the effect of his teachings on the
countless students he has inspired and the colleagues he has mentored (or
simply shared a coffee and great conversation with) will always be felt.
Which is why we all extend our heartfelt congratulations & best wishes to
Professor Emeritus Brian Connery!
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