Jackson College recognizes outstanding alumni, service award winners
May 1, 2024
Jackson College is pleased to recognize outstanding alumni and community members at the Jackson Honors Night celebration, recognizing recipients of the Dr. Ethelene Jones Crockett Distinguished Alumni Award, the Captain Zenneth A. Pond Emerging Alumni Award, and the Jackson College Distinguished Service Award.
2024 Dr. Ethelene Jones Crockett Distinguished Alumni Award
Mayor Daniel J. Mahoney ’22
Daniel J. Mahoney is a Jackson native who has served his community for more than a decade. A proud Jackson High graduate, he graduated from Jackson College in 2022 and attended Eastern Michigan University for business.
Mahoney serves as the mayor of the City of Jackson, elected in 2021 and 2023. He made his initial mark on Jackson’s southside 12 years ago founding the city’s “The Jackson Back 2 School Bash.” He commits his life to public service and launched Many Hands Community Services in 2019. The nonprofit facilitates the Back 2 School Bash, the African American Family Summit, and the Business Incubator program, The Launchpad.
Mahoney is a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., and a lifetime member of the NAACP. He served as president of the Jackson County Branch NAACP, chair of the Economic Development Committee, membership chair, chair of the Street Renaming Committee, graduate of the NAACP NextGen Program, and 2020 graduate of the Professional Development Academy’s High Performance Leadership program and co-founder/co-chair of the Racing 4 Equity group.
He also serves or has served on the Lifeways Board of Directors, Community Action Agency Board of Directors, Jackson County Landbank Authority, Jackson County Fair Board Vice Chair, Chairman of the Health and Human Services Committee, Michigan Association of Counties Health and Human Services Committee and Judicial Committee, FEMA Board, the City of Jackson’s Equity Commission, and the MLK Corridor Authority.
He also is a Case Manager for Access for All, a pre-apprenticeship readiness program. Formerly, Daniel worked at Jackson College as the African American Affinity Liaison and worked in the wireless technology industry.
He is married to wife, Semaj, and the couple have five daughters, Calvena, Sophia, Olivia, Cecilia, and Ila. The family are members of the United People Community Church.
2024 Captain Zenneth A. Pond Emerging Alumni Award
Emily Garcia Hoffman ’10
Emily Hoffman, a dedicated leader, business professional, and devoted mother, is making significant strides in Jackson and beyond. As the co-president of Garcia Laboratory, a renowned women and family-owned business recognized nationally by the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council, she plays a pivotal role in its success and growth. Alongside co-president Mary Garcia, Hoffman oversees operations that span 550 facilities across 40 states.
Born and raised in Jackson, her journey to leadership was not a straight path. After graduating from Jackson High School in 2008, she initially pursued higher education but soon found herself back in her hometown. She attended Jackson Community College from 2009-2010, then continued her education at Ball State University in Muncie, Ind., graduating Summa Cum Laude with honors from Ball State in 2013 with her bachelor’s degree. Hoffman joined Garcia Laboratory in 2014.
Driven by a passion for community engagement and mentorship, Hoffman has actively contributed to initiatives aimed at nurturing emerging leaders and fostering positive change. She was instrumental in establishing Jackson Young Professionals, a group dedicated to empowering young professionals and promoting diversity, local activism, and career development. Additionally, Emily’s involvement in the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Jackson planning committee underscores her commitment to cultivating future leaders. Her dedication extends beyond professional spheres, as she has served on the board of directors for the John George Home.
Despite her busy schedule, Emily finds fulfillment in her roles as a wife and mother. Married to Philip Hoffman, she is the proud mother of two young children, a 4-and-a-half-year-old son and a 2-year-old daughter.
Recognized as a recipient of the 30 and Under Award in 2015 and a graduate of prestigious leadership programs, her impact reverberates throughout the community.
2024 Distinguished Service Award
Martha Petry
Emeritus Professor Martha Petry served students, her profession, and her community during her distinguished career at Jackson College and continued her service on the Jackson College Foundation Board of Directors from 2016-2023. Originally from Portsmouth, Ohio, Petry began her career at Jackson College in 1979 as a dance instructor and soon became an adjunct instructor for English and Humanities. Becoming a full-time faculty member in 1991, she taught writing, humanities, children’s literature, creative writing, dance, poetry and drama, and the first-year seminar for honors students. In 2011, Martha was honored with Jackson College’s J. Ward Preston Outstanding Faculty Award, the highest award bestowed to a faculty member.
Throughout her career, Petry was a creative and energetic force for many initiatives. Petry was instrumental in helping students understand the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and its benefits. She guided Jackson College’s Alpha Rho Lambda chapter to rank among the top PTK chapters in the world and her student officers and members garnered numerous awards. While teaching in the Corrections Education Program, she helped open the door to PTK membership for incarcerated students.
Active in the community, she has judged the Jackson District Library Young Poets Contest and the Susan B. Anthony Awards high school and college essay contest and has been active in the League of Women Voters. Since her retirement, Petry was instrumental in researching and writing the Land Acknowledgement statement for acknowledgment for the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community in Minnesota. During COVID, she facilitated workshops on racial equity and justice, racial healing and communication tools for divided times. She currently serves on the Queen of Miraculous Medal Parish’s Justice Commission.
Martha is passionate about her poetry writing, her gardening, her three granddaughters and traveling. She has two sons: Eamon is an attorney and partner with a New York law firm, and Jeremiah is a pediatric cardiologist serving as a cardiology fellow at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
2024 Distinguished Service Award
Sam Barnes ’89
All he does – in his career, in his community, and at Jackson College – reflects Sam Barnes’ commitment to excellence.
After graduating from Hanover-Horton High School, Barnes attended Jackson Community College, then transferred to the University of Michigan to study mechanical engineering. The community college was accessible and affordable, and when he transferred to Michigan, he felt just as prepared as students who started at four-year institutions. He earned his BSME and an MBA with distinction from the University of Michigan. Grateful for his own positive experience, becoming a trustee was a way of giving back to the institution. A member of the College’s Board of Trustees for 15 years, he was the board’s chairperson from 2013 to 2022.
He considers the establishment of Jackson Preparatory and Early College (JPEC) one of the most significant accomplishments of his tenure on the board. This helped to improve dual enrollment opportunities for high school students, helping them to get ahead on a college credential and saving families money. Though it was controversial at the time, it was a key step forward.
Barnes has enjoyed a distinguished career in engineering, spending many years with Commonwealth Associates, Inc. of Jackson as chief operating officer and board member. Late in 2023, he relocated to Cleveland, Ohio to become president and chief executive officer of Middough Inc., an engineering design and consulting firm with offices throughout the Midwest.
In addition to serving the College, he belongs to the Cascades Lions Club and continues his membership with Lions Clubs International. He volunteered to share career information with the Explorers, served on the Jackson Symphony Orchestra board as the chair, served on the board of the Dahlem Conservancy Center as Jackson College representative, and served his country in the U.S. Army Reserves from 1986-’92. He is a lifetime member of the NAACP and is a registered professional engineer in three states.
He is married to wife, Rachel, and is the father of three children, all of whom have attended Jackson College. They have two grandchildren.
2024 Dr. George E. Potter Outstanding Student Award
Brayden Pearson ’24
Brayden Pearson’s journey at Jackson College testifies to his unwavering commitment to both academic and extracurricular excellence.
Originally from Fort Wayne, Ind., Pearson came to Jackson College to play basketball. As a two-year member of the team, Pearson seamlessly integrated sports into his life. Juggling practices, workouts and coursework meant finding balance, studying and getting the help he needed to perform well in class and on the court. Early on, he found the Center for Student Success a helpful place to work and study. He made use of tutors for help in challenging subjects. Drawn to the opportunity to help others, he became a tutor himself, lending his expertise in subjects like biology and earth science.
As a campus resident, Pearson stays up to date on college resources and happenings. After a basketball injury, he found help from the Oasis Center. Staff there helped him recognize his identity could be much more than sports. Pearson became deeply involved in campus life, serving as a Resident Assistant (RA) and as a Desk Assistant. He finds fulfillment in creating a welcoming environment, particularly for those adjusting to life away from home.
Supporting a young friend who was a dual enrolled student led him to become involved with the Jackson College Heritage Center. A key contributor to projects like the Roosevelt Stiger Memorial and the Aeroquip Project, his involvement and research of local history highlights his commitment to community engagement and collaboration. He is on the steering committee for the Center’s Tony Dungy Project, and through his unwavering dedication and leadership, Brayden will continue to positively impact both his college community and the broader cultural landscape, embodying the ideals of service and excellence. He received the Jackson College Heritage Center Outstanding Student Award and a Writing Fellows Merit Award.
Brayden is a part of TRIO Student Support Services. Maintaining his commitment to athletics, he’s earned Dean’s List recognition and completed two degrees and two certificates. He has an Associate in Business Administration and will add an Associate of Arts and Certificates in Business Administration and Business Management in 2024. He plans to continue his studies at Siena Heights University to complete a Bachelor of Business Administration degree.
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