The Wayne State University Board of Governors elected officers and honored former governors for their distinguished service during its Jan. 29 meeting.

Paul Massaron and Jacquelin Washington, both of whom were elected to eight-year terms in 2001, received unanimous votes from their colleagues to serve as chair and vice chair respectively.

A longtime labor and union advocate, Massaron is a self-employed consultant on community redevelopment, labor education programs, governmental relations and political campaigns.

During a career spanning more than 35 years, he has held several top administrative positions with the United Auto Workers (UAW), participating in national negotiations with the Big Three automakers, directing educational programs and managing legislative and political action efforts concerning the Michigan legislature and executive branch.

Washington, retired President and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Southeast Michigan, has distinguished herself as a community advocate serving on the boards of several non-profit organizations. She was the first African-American elected to serve as president of the national NOW-Legal Defense and Education Fund which litigates and educates on issues related to discrimination against women in employment and education. She was inducted into the Michigan Women's Hall of Fame for her advocacy on behalf of women.

Also receiving unanimous votes to one-year terms as 2003 board officers were John L. Davis and Julie H. Miller.

Davis, re-elected treasurer of the board, has been an administrative officer to the Board of Governors since 1993. He is senior vice president of finance and administration at Wayne State.

Miller, re-elected secretary to the board, has been an administrative officer to the Board of Governors since 2001. She is secretary of the university and executive assistant to the president.

Departing Board of Governors Chair Leon Atchison and Vice Chair John Kelly, were honored by their colleagues for distinguished service to the board. Both received citations of appreciation and were named governors emeriti. Endowed scholarship funds were created in their names.

Atchison, a lifelong Detroiter, was first elected to the board in 1970 and served over three decades, receiving the distinction of longer service than any other governor in the university's history. He is credited with assisting in the creation of the College of Urban, Labor and Metropolitan Affairs (CULMA).

In recognition of his years of service and extraordinary contributions to Wayne State University, the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges (AGB) presented its Distinguished Service Award in Trusteeship to Atchison. The award is given annually to recognize the 50,000 men and women who volunteer their time to serve on boards of the nation's colleges and universities.

Currently, Atchison is vice president of human resources and public affairs at UltiMed HMO of Michigan.

Kelly, elected to the board in 1999, previously served in the Michigan Senate, representing the 1st District in Wayne County from 1978-94, when he retired to run for the U.S. Senate. Currently, he is vice president and general counsel for the Detroit Medical Center and an assistant professor of political science at Oakland University. He also has taught at Wayne State and at the University of Detroit Mercy.

Wayne State University is a premier institution of higher education offering more than 350 academic programs through 13 schools and colleges to more than 31,000 students in metropolitan Detroit.

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