Soccer injury led to other interests, senate presidency
Elizabeth Lyon
Issue date: 12/3/08 Section: Features
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Growing up in Linden, Mich., a small town near Flint, Atkinson thought only about sports during high school. Academics was not a priority.
Atkinson earned a soccer scholarship to the University of Michigan-Flint. But after suffering a fifth concussion, he was no longer able to play. The injuries forced him to reconsider his college plans.
Atkinson transferred to UDM. "I found out about UDM from my brother who graduated in 2006," he said.
As a sophomore, Atkinson became active in Student Senate, the campus student government, representing the College of Liberal Arts and Education (CLAE). Soon, he started the CLAE Council.
Atkinson drew attention quickly, receiving two Senator of the Month awards, a Student Leadership Award, the Most Promising Leader Award and, at the end of his sophomore year, Senator of the Year honors.
The senate body elected him to the executive board as vice president of mission and values, where he worked to restart Hunger Week, which had been discontinued.
He also organized a week of opportunity for students to complete service hours and help raise awareness of those less fortunate. (Now a combined effort known as Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week.)
Earlier this year, in April, UDM students elected Atkinson president.
A pre-law student who is on the dean's list, Atkinson looks forward to attending law school next fall, where he will study criminal law.
David Kutylowski, a UDM senior, has been Atkinson's good friend and suitemate for two years.
"Anthony is organized, motivated and has his priorities in line," he said.
As president, Atkinson leads regular meetings and fulfills many commitments, including monthly meetings with university President Gerard Stockhausen. He meets more frequently with Monica Williams, dean of students, and Aleczander Whitfield, assistant director of student life, as well as executive board members and the senate at large.
His general everyday responsibilities consist of overseeing all senate committees, acting as the voice of all students to administrators and helping provide guidance to organizations on campus.
He is also president of the President's Council and sits on the shared governance and strategic planning committees - and belongs to the Alpha Phi Omega service fraternity and the Phil Alpha Delta pre-law fraternity.
William Myles, student vice president of finance, has worked closely with Atkinson for the past three years.
"He keeps the senate meeting interesting and he keep us board members motivated…" Myles said. "He definitely was a pleasure to work with this year."
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