Jianna Hair (left) and Peter Halabu (right) received the 2007 Matilda R. Wilson and Alfred G. Wilson Awards and Nerissa Brown (center) was awarded the Human Relations Award during the April 4 Board of Trustees meeting.

Jianna Hair and Peter Halabu received the 2007 Matilda R. and Alfred G. Wilson Awards and Nerissa Brown received the Human Relations Award during the April 4 meeting of the Board of Trustees. The students were selected for the awards based on their service and achievements as Oakland University students.

Established in 1965, the Wilson Awards are presented annually to an OU senior man and woman who have achieved academic excellence and made significant contributions to campus life, the community and society in general. The Human Relations Award, which was established in 1990, is presented annually to a graduating senior who has fostered interracial understanding and harmony and in recognition of the institutional priority attached to these goals. Recipients must demonstrate commitment to social justice and multicultural understanding.

Jianna Hair
2007 Matilda R. Wilson Award Recipient
An English major and member of The Honors College, Hair completed an Honors College thesis on Herman Melville, the cultural Other and post-colonial theory; and research on advancement placement pedagogy titles, “Advanced Placement Programs: Are They Really the Apple in the College Admissions’ Eye?”

Hair was recognized for her hard work and dedication through the Oakland University Talented Scholars Award, the OU Alumni Association Working Student Scholarship, the Handleman Scholarship and the J. Alfred Jones Memorial Scholarship.

Through service as president of Sigma Tau Delta-English Honors Society, participating in the Golden Key International Honour Society and the Student Michigan Education Association, Hair demonstrated leadership and commitment. She also served as an English, Spanish and writing tutor in the Academic Skills Center, as a writing consultant in the Writing Center and as a tutor and academic assistant with Project Upward Bound.

Peter Halabu
2007 Alfred G. Wilson Award Recipient
Halabu, an English major and member of The Honors College, has been active in academics and student affairs activities. His Honors College thesis on Dysteopian Literary Presentations of Religion, examined such works as “Utopia,” “1984” and “Brave New World.”

Halabu has been an advocate on campus and raised awareness of local, state, national and global community issues as an attendee of OU’s Student Congress meetings, throught debates in The Oakland Post student newspaper, panel discussions, presentations and talks.

Also at OU, Halabu is the current president of the St. John Fisher Catholic Newman Group, past president of the Swing and Salsa Club, former public relations officer of the Phi Alpha Delta Pre-Law Society, an active member of the Chaldean-American Student Association, Students for Life, Chess Club and College Bowl. Halabu is also the current president and assistant captain of Oakland's club dodgeball team.

Nerissa Brown
2007 Human Relations Award Recipient

A human resource development major and minoring in training and development, Brown has proven herself as a leader on campus, holding the positions of vice president for the Human Resource Development Honor and Professional Society, secretary for the National Honour Society and secretary for the National Society of Black Engineers.

In addition, she has distinguished herself as an untiring and conscientious student committed to increasing unity and understanding among diverse cultures. Brown was recognized as a Keeper of the Dream recipient. She has participated in many activities including serving as a coordinator and secretary for Diverse Voices, a resident assistant, an admissions ambassador for the Office of Admissions and Orientation, and an Orientation Group Leader through the Office of New Student Programs.

Brown also has served as a member of the Legislative and Multicultural Affairs Committee, the Future Alumni Network, Circle of Sisterhood, One Body Prayer Organization and the Gospel Choir of Oakland University.

An active member of the community, Brown has served as a volunteer for the Greater Apostolic Faith Temple, participating in the annual church clean-up day, youth department and kitchen ministry.

In addition to being honored at the board meeting, Hair, Halabu and Brown will be honored during OU’s spring commencement ceremonies Saturday, May 5.