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The Candidates
On The Questions
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Please provide us with some
biographical information
about yourself.
Why are you running
for the OCC board?
OCC Candidates —Vote for two (6-year term)
Lawrence Dean Kohl
I reside in Farmington Hills with my wife, Susan, and two children. I grew up
in Bloomfield Hills where I attended Lahser High School. I then went to the
University of New Hampshire where I obtained a degree in business admin-
istration in 1978. After two years in the insurance business, I attended the De-
troit College of Law. Thereafter, I practiced law in Wyandotte. In 1990, I joined
the firm of Crowley, Olsman, Nolan and Berman in Royal Oak, where I have
been up to the present time. I am a member of the Oakland County Bar As-
sociation, State of Texas Bar and American Trial Lawyers Association. I pre-
viously served on the Wyandotte Downtown Development Authority. I have
participated in athletics most of my life and was named to the high school All-
American Soccer Team. I have coached Little League teams as well.
I have decided to run for the OCC board because I would like to take an ac-
tive role in the public affairs of Oakland County. I have lived in Oakland Coun-
ty most of my life, have witnessed its tremendous growth and would like to
participate in charting its course, through OCC, into the future. I am a trial
attorney and, as such, would bring a unique and beneficial blend of per-
spectives, skills and knowledge. O.C.C. has been plagued by disputes within
and without the institution in recent years. If elected, I would strive to avoid
the costly and demoralizing effects of litigation on OCC. I am, by nature, a per-
sonable individual who strives to resolve matters in a cooperative and con-
ciliatory, rather than confrontational, fashion. I would like to bring harmony
to the board.
Jan Mack
Resident of Waterford Township, married, mother of two children. Employed
at a property management firm privately owned by myself and my husband.
1994 OCC summa cum laude graduate with a liberal arts degree. Currently
attending Oakland University in pursuit of a BS in human resource and de-
velopment with a specialization in training and development management
with a double minor in labor relations and psychology. Recipient of many
awards at OCC including two-time winner of Board. of Trustees Academic Ex-
cellence Scholarship; nominated by Highland Lakes Campus president for the
prestigious Harry S. Truman Scholarship; nominated by faculty for All-Amer-
ican Team for Community, Technical and Junior Colleges. Volunteer work
performed on a regular basis working with people who are developmentally
disabled.
As a former student at OCC and currently at Oakland University, I am on the
receiving end of the policies that affect me, and I believe that I am in a unique
position to bring a new perspective into the policy-making apparatus. I want
to assist the college in working with other professionals and businesses in
the community that focus on more services in the community. OCC needs
to establish goodwill with the public, as they are the potential customers
and political allies. I would challenge the college to develop with communi-
ty, and increase awareness about the contributions and services provided by
OCC.
Sandra L. Ritter
I am a seventh-grade science teacher in Waterford, where I am a resident and
mother of two. I have served on the OCC board as chair, vice-chair, and chair,
chancellor's search. I have served as director of the state board for Commu-
nity and Junior Colleges, community college liaison, coordinator of Michigan
Adult Literacy Initiative and higher education consultant. Also, I have served
on the board of directors for the Association of Community College Trustees
and American Association of Community Colleges. I have been the recipient
of the Ensign International Trustee Leadership Award and Central Region
Trustee Leadership Award.
It is an honor to serve on the OCC Board of Trustees. It's a tough assignment
that requires a commitment of time, careful decision making and hard work.
I admire and respect the job OCC has done in educating and serving more
than 320,000 students in 32 years. I value OCC's focus on teaching and learn-
ing. I want to do what I can to make sure we keep that focus. What sets me
apart from other candidates is that I am an experienced board member with
a practical knowledge of community college law, parliamentary procedure,
federal and state legislation and academic and vocational-technical education.
My experience in public policy development is second to none. I will pro-
vide the experience, stability and continuity to keep the promises we made in
the millage campaign through planning and budgeting the community's dol-
lars prudent.
Thomas
P. Sullivan
Born in Detroit, Mich., in 1939.1 have been a resident of Oakland County since
1965, living in Pontiac, West Bloomfield and Oakland Township. l have also
been in general practice in the communities of Pontiac and Bloomfield Hills
since graduating from the University of Detroit Dental School in 1965. My wife
of 28 years, Gail, and I are parents of three children: Shawn, 26, Brian, 25,
and Bridget, 23. Professional activities include: served on the Oakland Den-
tal Society since 1974, including president; served on the Michigan Dental
Association; served on the American Dental Association. Also, I have been a
member of the Academy of General Dentistry; Detroit District Dental Society;
and Chicago Dental Society.
Personally, I have a daughter attending OCC finishing her prerequisites for den-
tal hygiene. She has had a positive learning experience with the help of some
outstanding faculty members, achieving her academic goals. Plus as an em-
ployer I have hired numerous dental hygienists from the OCC dental hygiene
program. As a parent taxpayer, I was upset at the friction between the board
and the prior chancellor. I feel that this dispute being aired in the public forum
portrayed a negative image of an outstanding community college. I have giv-
en to (the dental) profession for the past 22 years, being active on the county,
state and national levels. As a member of volunteer professional boards of
trustees, I am well aware of the commitment this would entail. I believe now is
the time for change on the board of trustees at OCC, with the addition of a per-
son with a positive vision for the future and common sense.
Jeanne Towar
Crain Communications vice president, Detroit Monthly publisher and found-
ed and directs Crain's Detroit Custom Publishing. Ten years' service on the
OCC Foundation Board, recently elected secretary. Honorary chair of OCC's
1996 Culinary Classic. Currently serving on the board and executive com-
mittee of HAVEN, chairing HAVEN's PR committee; Community Services
of Oakland board; advisory boards of the Salvation Army's Royal. Oak Citadel;
Stagecrafters; Boys and Girls Club of South Oakland; and Women's Eco-
nomic Club. Writes a weekly newspaper column which appears in The Mir-
ror. Five children, seven grandchildren, lifelong Michigan resident.
I have invested 10 years in OCC as a member of the OCC Foundation Board.
During the controversial dismissal of the previous chancellor, I was designat-
ed as the foundation's spokesperson to express its concerns to the board of
trustees. Even though I was not allowed to speak, attending the trustee board
meetings opened my eyes to the need for changes on the board. The college
is a $100,000,000 business and needs leadership that understands how to run
a business, spend taxpayers' dollars wisely and can interact with the business
community. I have served on several nonprofit boards and understand what
is required for such service. I want to further my commitment to OCC by bring-
ing my experience on other boards, my business management background and
my longtime interest and involvement with the college into service.
John Wangler
Age: 68; married, 3 children, 6 grandchildren; 25 years OCC professor, re-
tired. BA, MA, EdD - philosophy, psychology, education. 6 years, Berkley
School District; 3 years, University of Detroit, assistant dean; 3 years, build-
ing/design contractor. Resident, Bingham Farms.
I have spent 34 years of my life in teaching and as an administrator. The last 25
years were spent with OCC. The profession of education and OCC have been
good to me and I would like to give something back to the college. Furthermore,
the public embarrassment OCC endured last fall because of the firing of the for-
mer chancellor, without cause, has made me aware of the need to help restore,
not only our respectable reputation as an institution run by responsible persons,
but also the overall integrity of the board of trustees. With my educational back-
ground, my experience as an educator and, most of all, my genuine concern for
OCC, I am committing myself as a candidate for the board.
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