Our Board
The Board of Directors serves an advisory group to guide the Union in development activities. This group is currently in the forming stage. The focus will be to assist in establishing projects to be funded via development funds and strategizing as how to maximize development initiatives.
Antoine Brantley
Antoine is currently a senior in the college of LSA where he studies a combination of microbiology and sociology. He plans to do graduate work at a school of public health for epidemiology. He is very active in PULSE, a public health organization on campus whose members act as health resources for other students in the residence halls as well as across campus. He also currently works in the Union as part of the setup crew. As a member of MUBR he plans to make the Union one of the most celebrated and spirited organizations on campus.
Eric Carpenter
Eric graduated from the college of Architecture and Design, and currently resides in West Bloomfield, Michigan. He owns a firm called “Art Rhythms Ltd.” The company consists of representatives from two great manufacturers of the Mid West. These two companies make casual furniture that ranges from patio, garden, artifacts and accessories. They sell to garden retailers and casual furniture stores. Between the 1970’s and 1980’s, they manufactured a fabulous line of patented furniture that was completely made out of different densities of polyurethane.
Personal Testimonial about the Michigan Union: My love of the Michigan Union started in 1957 my freshman year. I lived two blocks from the Union in a boarding house. The Architecture and Design school was two blocks away as well, and so I literally lived in the Union. I studied, won and lost a lot of snooker and pool games, socialized, and worked at the Soda Shoppe as a Soda Jerk. I met my first real girlfriend at a memorable Union dining room event. The end of my Union experience as a student was topped off by participating in the first co-ed union opera of the Broadway hit Brigadoon. Being an Architecture and Design student, I always marveled at the architectural environment of our Union. Its feeling of immortality still puts a lump in my throat every time I cross its threshold.
Henry Gusky
Henry graduated from UM in 1961 with a Bachelors in Business Administration, received his J.D. in 1964 from Case Western Reserve University and currently resides in Pittsburgh, PA. One of the two founding partners of the Pittsburgh law firm, Blumling & Gusky, LLP, Henry concentrates his practice in the fields of real estate, maritime/admiralty, business transactions, corporate law and gaming. In 1990, Henry prepared the development agreement for the country’s first riverboat gaming development, which opened April 1, 1991 in Davenport, Iowa. He was named a Pennsylvania Super Lawyer for 2006 by a poll conducted by Law & Politics and published in the Philadelphia magazine and Pennsylvania Super Lawyers magazine.
Personal Testimonial about the Michigan Union: I have very fond memories of the Michigan Union since I lived at West Quad – Michigan House, my freshman year (1957-58). I not only ate many of my meals at the Union where I had my first Vernor’s Ginger Ale, met my best friends there, had many dates and meetings there, but also used the passage way through the two buildings, rather than going outside. I studied on the second floor, when I was not shooting pool or snooker in the room across from the study room. (I also caught up with a lot of missing sleep in the overstuffed chairs in the study room). On Fall Saturdays when Michigan played away, I was always on the ticker tape getting the latest football scores. My father and brother stayed at the Hotel in the Union when they visited my freshman year. I continue to use my University of Michigan, Life Member Medallion NO 46641 on my keychain.
When I returned to Michigan for my senior year in September, 1960, I was very interested in the forthcoming presidential election. I joined a small group of students who worked for John F. Kennedy’s election. However, most of my friends who were democrats supported Lyndon B. Johnson and my republican friends supported Stuart Symington, the “Missouri Compromise”. Very few students that I knew supported Nixon.
On Thursday afternoon, October 13, 1960 all of my friends and I watched the Pirates beat the Yankees 10 to 9, in the seventh game of the World Series. Were all at the Union and were reminded that that John F. Kennedy was coming to the campus that evening and was going to speak at the Union.
My friends and I who worked for Kennedy arrived at the Michigan Union that night, but had to wait until Friday morning, October 14th, to hear JFK speak, at about 2:00am. His speech was terrific and for the first time he proposed, if elected, the formation of a Peace Corp. This speech was the origination of the Peace Corp. After JFK concluded his speech, he talked to all of us and we also met some of his staff that accompanied him. I don’t remember being hindered by any security.
It was one of my greatest days at Michigan; since I watched with pleasure the hated Yankees lose the World Series to our beloved Pirates and heard in person, a fantastic visionary talk about becoming the next President of the U.S. and forming a Peace Corp. Also, meeting John F. Kennedy after his speech was a great thrill. I have personally met and talked to many Presidents since then (Ford, Carter, Reagan and Clinton) but nothing was as exciting as being with JFK that night at the Michigan Union. What a wonderful experience it has been to have utilized the many benefits the Union offered.
Erika Frankel
Erika Frankel is Vice-Chair of MUBR and is a junior in LS&A Program.
She is a double major in Political Science and Sociology and is thinking about a possible future in law. She is involved in other organizations on campus such as College Democrats and also works as a receptionist at a law firm as well as at the Ann Arbor Country Club.
Erika enjoys her spending time with friends and family and watching as well as playing various sports.
Go blue!
Ryan Hindmarsh
Ryan graduated from UM in 1995 with a BA in Japanese and a BA in Communications. He taught English in Senda, Japan and worked as an Account Representative for a Japanese Trading Company and a Japanese Switch Supplier Company. He currently works as a Biological Product Specialist for a vaccine company and resides in Harper Woods, MI.
Personal Testimonial about the Michigan Union: The Union served not only as my place of employment for three years, it was also my home. No other place could provide a social and academic environment like the Union could. From quiet places to study, eateries to gather in, and rooms to hold events, the Union was truly a place for all to come and reflect on all that the University had to offer.
Alan Knaus
Alan is a 1966 graduate with a BSE in Industrial Engineering who retired from the Ford Motor Company in February 2007 after 40 years of service. His area of specialization was computer systems and was most recently credited for championing the introduction of VMare to Ford. Alan resides in Ann Arbor, MI.
Personal Testimonial about the Michigan Union: I have many fond memories of the Michigan Union from my college days. I went to the Michigan Union Grill (MUG) whenever the food in West Quad was bad. I played pool and used the sports facilities. I walked through it every day as the shortest route from Adams House to campus. I had study dates in the MUG although we didn't actually do much studying. I was proud of the fact the President Kennedy announced the Peace Corps on the front steps and that Johnny Weismueller (aka Tarzan) set swimming world records in the pool. It is an historic place and has a very special feel to it whenever I'm there, a little bit like visiting the Gettysburg battlefield. All in all a very special place for me and an important part of my college experience.
James Low
Jim received three degrees from UM (1965 BA; 1971 MBA and a 1977 PhD.) He is currently on the Business Faculty at Wayne State University and is consulted as a business problem solver and as an organizational development specialist. He resides in Saline, MI.
Perry Morton
Perry Morton is a 1961 graduate from UM and currently works as the Managing Director of Baldwin & Clarke Corporate Finance, Inc. in Boston, MA. Perry served as the Chair of the Michigan Union Board and was actively involved in many student organizations including the Programming Board and Michigama. One of Perry’s favorite moments was JFK’s speech on The Union's steps.
Susan Pile
Originally from Perrysburg, Ohio, Susan received a BS in Elementary Education from Miami University (Ohio). Following that she worked for two years as a consultant for her sorority while attending graduate school. She received a masters in Elementary Education from Indiana University – Indianapolis and masters in Higher Education Administration from the University of Illinois. Following her graduate work, Susan worked as a Program Advisor and Assistant Director for Student Programs and Activities at the Illini Union at the University of Illinois for five years. Susan joined the University Unions team in 2004 as the Director of Arts & Programs. In October 2007, Susan was named interim Director of the Michigan Union while continuing to lead the Arts and Programs team.
Personal Testimonial about the Michigan Union: I love being a part of the Michigan tradition that is the Michigan Union. I love walking through the halls and hearing different languages spoken, seeing students engage with each through student organizations, eating with friends, and studying to achieve their academic goals. I love the constant activity – whether it’s a career fair, a concert, or even a controversial speaker. Ultimately the Union is bringing people from all backgrounds together to create shared, meaningful experiences.
Michelle Robertson
Michelle is a 1994 graduate with a BS degree in Mathematical Sciences. Her background is in Marketing were she has worked for various companies such as Primavera Systems, Informix Software and Mortgage Industry Advisory Corporation. She began her career as a Senior Business Analyst for Morgan Stanley Dean Witter. She currently resides in Easton, PA. Michelle worked in the Michigan Union in Event Services as a Student Building Manager.
Personal Testimonial about the Michigan Union: During my college years, the Michigan Union was literally my home away from home!
Many of my hours were spent working as a Building Manager. As part of the job, I often spent long hours there during the holidays when the building was closed (holiday overtime pay as a student was hard to pass up!). I have very fond memories of walking the big, quiet floors on Thanksgiving and Christmas. On my last night as a Building Manager, I found myself welling up with pride and sentiment as I locked up my "second" home for the final time.
When I wasn't working, I was studying (or sleeping) in an available conference room, catching a game on the big screen TV in the U-Club, eating in the MUG, buying books in the bookstore, or working on my umpteenth paper in the computer lab. I also served on the Michigan Union Board of Representatives, which was a great opportunity to see behind the scenes of a building that I loved.
I now reside out of state, and whenever I come home, I always make it a point to visit my "second" collegiate home. I will forever have a soft spot for the Michigan Union, and the incredible people I met during my time there.
Paul Schissler
Paul is a 1975 graduate from LS&A and has served for the past 18 years as an Alumni Representative to the Michigan Union Board of Representatives. In his real life, he serves as a Manufacturers’ Representative for various metal finishing machinery manufacturers, serving automotive, aerospace, medical implant, die-casting, stamping, forging, screw machine, coating, plating, government, military, and other industries. Paul resides in Chelsea, MI.
Personal Testimonial about the Michigan Union: During my undergraduate years at Michigan I studied, ate, worked, slept, partied, shot pool, went bowling, danced, performed, attending meetings, lectures, and on Friday afternoons, went to Happy Hour at the UClub with friends, faculty, and administrators. Since then I have attended many meetings, (MUBR and others) taken my Michigan kids (two, so far) to lunch at the UClub, etc. I have the Michigan Union in my volunteer blood and have really enjoyed being a part of the planning and growth and change that is our ongoing mission to serve.
Bob Yecke
Bob currently serves as the Assistant Director-University Unions. Prior to this he spent 14 years as Director-Michigan League; 15 years in various student affairs/business affairs positions at the University of Michigan-Flint; 6 years in the Student Union at Kansas State University and 1 year in the Student Union at Northeastern Oklahoma State University. Bob currently resides in Flint, MI.
Personal Testimony about the Michigan Union - Having worked on the Ann Arbor campus for 15 years, I have learned and embraced the rich history the Michigan Union has on campus and strive to keep the Michigan Union current and as a center for activities on campus as it serves our students, faculty, staff, alumni and other guests.
