Introduction and History

By Ruthie Flowers

In 1991, the students and alumni of Wayne State University's College of Lifelong Learning Interdisciplinary Studies Program (*WSU-CLL/ISP) formed a student governing board called the Student Organization for Renaissance Education of Adult Learners (S.O.R.E.A.L.). Its founding members, Antonetta Johnson-Gardner, Marian Y. Livsey, and David Baxter, recognized the need for CLL students to have representation at University-wide activities and events. Its goals were "to promote pride and academic excellence among its adult learners and to foster the spirit of the renaissance learner." Because of competing interests of family, community, and work, student participation dwindled from little to no extracurricular campus activities for the next seven years.

During 1997, students began to show a renewed interest in the revitalization of the student governing board. In response, the Associate Director of ISP, Student Services, Howard Finley chaired a committee that consisted of Dr. Robert Carter, Dean of CLL, Derrick White, ISP Program Coordinator, Antonetta Johnson-Gardner, ISP Administrative Assistant, and Ruthie Flowers, CLL Student Council Representative. Ruthie Flowers was appointed Acting President by the committee to start the process of reestablishing a new student governing board.

In January 1998, the new student governing board was formed and its members voted to rename the student organization, College of Lifelong Learning Student Senate. Immediately following, it was officially registered as a new student organization with the Wayne State University Student Center and Program Activities Office. The CLL Student Senate worked to promote the interests of students and faculty, enhance the image of adult and continuing education, improve student retention, and encourage superior scholastic achievement, service, and leadership. It remained active through 1998-99.

After another year's hiatus, beginning 2001, a new group of students once again took on the challenge of another CLL Student Senate revival. They too had recognized that a sustained vehicle for building a sense of community among nontraditional students is vital in the continuation of superior academic success. These newly energized groups of students have kept the CLL Student Senate active longer than any other, and they remain active to this day. Following is a list of CLL Student Senate outstanding contributions from 1991 to the present.

* NOTE: The College of Lifelong Learning (CLL) closed October 20, 2002. Interdisciplinary Studies Program was renamed the “Department of Interdisciplinary Studies” in the College of Urban, Labor and Metropolitan Affairs.

STUDENTS’ OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTIONS TO CAMPUS LIFE
SERVICE, SCHOLARSHIP, AND LEADERSHIP

1991 The establishment of the Student Organization for Renaissance Education of Adult Learners (S.O.R.E.A.L.)
Champion Student Lead Organizers – Marian Y. Livsey and David Baxter
Facilitator – Antonetta Johnson-Gardner

1997-98 Established the College of Lifelong Learning Student Senate
Champion Student Lead Organizer & CLL Student Senate Acting President, Ruthie Flowers
Facilitator – Howard Finley, Associate Director, ISP Student Services

Established the Theta Xi Chapter of Alpha Sigma Lambda National Honor Society
Champion Student Lead Organizer and Facilitator – Ruthie Flowers

Ruthie Flowers was the first student from the College of Lifelong Learning Interdisciplinary Studies Program to be elected to "Who's Who Among Students in American Universities & Colleges” in recognition of outstanding merit and accomplishment as a student at Wayne State University in December 1998.

1998-99 CLL Student Senate Officers: Albert Briscoe, Jr., President, Deborah Stewart, President-Elect, Marilyn Corbitt, Treasurer, and Diana Bailey, Secretary

CLL Student Senate sponsored a university - wide Christmas food and clothing drive.
Champion Student Lead Organizer – Albert Briscoe, Jr.,
Facilitator – Ruthie Flowers

Albert Briscoe, Jr. was the first student from CLL’s ISP to be inducted into the prestigious David Mackenzie Honor Society at Wayne State University in December 1999. This Society recognizes those graduating students who have made outstanding contributions to the University in the areas of student leadership, scholarship, and service. Albert was also nominated and interviewed for the highly distinguished Howard A. Donnelly Leadership Award at Wayne State University. This very prestigious award is given to the man and woman completing their undergraduate degree in May who are judged as having made the most outstanding contributions to the University. These contributions may be in the areas of student activities, service and leadership, and are consistent with high scholarship.

2000 Establishment of CLL - ISP Dean's List
Champion Student Lead Organizer – Albert Briscoe, Jr., CLL Student Senate President, 1999-2000
Facilitator – Dr. Stuart Henry, CLL Associate Dean & ISP Director

2001-02 CLL Student Senate Officers: Barbara Flis, President, Doris Pailen, President-Elect, Joe Pardlowe, Treasurer, and Robert Jones, Secretary
Barbara E. Flis was the first female student from CLL/ISP to be inducted into the prestigious David Mackenzie Honor Society in May 2002. At the same time, Barb was a strong contender for the highly distinguished Howard Donnelly Award. She was also elected to “Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities & Colleges” in recognition of outstanding merit and accomplishment as a student at Wayne State University in 2002.

CLL Student Senate sponsored a university-wide activity, called "True Colors." The purpose was to unite students and faculty in a game of fun and laughter while exploring the "true colors" of individual personalities.
Guest Speaker – Jacque Martin-Downs
Champion Student Lead Organizer & Facilitator – Barbara E. Flis

CLL Student Senate web site was designed and maintained by Luann Brennan, a CLL
Student Senate board member and acting secretary in the absence of the elected secretary. Luanne was elected to “Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities & Colleges” in recognition of outstanding merit and accomplishment as a student at Wayne State University in 2002.

2002-03 CLL Student Senate Officers: Doris Pailen, President, President-Elect, Cheryl Ford-Walk, Vacant, Treasurer position, and Jacqueline Jones, Secretary

Commemorative Recognition Ceremony & Farewell to the College of Lifelong
Learning
Champion Student Lead Organizer – Doris Pailen

The purpose of the commemoration, according to Doris Pailen, is “to [offer] appropriate recognition and closure to the College of Lifelong Learning, to acknowledge those who have been instrumental in its extraordinary success, and to say thank you.” Shirley Freeman, a summa cum laude graduate from Wayne State University with a Master of Fine Arts with a major in sculpture, is the designer of the sculpture that “will memorialize what CLL has meant historically to it students, alumni, [and] . . . university community-at-large.”

10-20-02