University of Michigan - Flint

There can be no greater testament to the inherent value of a university than the quality of the alumni that it produces. At the University of Michigan-Flint our alumni are out greatest source of pride. University of Michigan-Flint graduates make extraordinary contributions each day to society and the world in which we live.

Over 200 UM-Flint alumni, community leaders, family and friends joined together to honor three of the university’s most well thought-of graduates. The Honorable Archie L. Hayman, David Zick, and Kay Kelly were honored at the 2007 Distinguished Alumni Awards in May.

Distinguished Alumni Award

This award is presented to an individual who has earned regional an/or international recognition by significant accomplishments in business or professional career and/or significant human service to community, state, or nation.

Recipient: The Honorable Archie L. Hayman ’81 BBA
All judges are deemed “the honorable” but not all judges are as deserving of the distinction as Genesee County 7^th Circuit Court Judge Archie L. Hayman.

Born and raised in Flint, Judge Hayman has been an honorable tomato picker, ice cream cart pusher, newspaper delivery boy, fast food employee, shoe store assistant manager, GM worker, student, lawyer, father, friend and more. He credits his family, his friends and the city of Flint for instilling in him the work ethic, humility, success, understanding and honor he exudes today.

Archie was born into a working class family on Flint’s north side. His mother was a nurse’s aid at the old St. Joseph Hospital. His father worked 38 years at GM – without missing a single day.

In addition to infusing an appreciation for hard work into their son, the Hayman’s also made sure he developed an appreciation for people. “I was exposed to all types of people growing up,” said Hayman. “It really broadened my perspective. I realized at a young age that we are all basically in the same boat. Whether you’re white, black, Hispanic, whatever, we all come from working families. We all have the same basic problems and issues.”

One issue for working families was (and is) affording the cost of higher education. “I started at GM right out of high school in 1974, working on the line,” said Hayman. “I took advantage of the tuition reimbursement benefit program under the GM contract, enrolled at Mott, and earned a 2-year associates degree in mathematics.”

After Mott, Archie enrolled at the University of Michigan Flint. Because he continued to work 50 hours per week while in school, he had to develop a personalized method for efficient and effective study. “I always read the chapters before class. Then I outlined each chapter – definitions, dates and important facts – in spiral notebooks for each class. Then I would take the notebooks to work. Work actually helped me focus.” Archie graduated UM-Flint with a Bachelor of Business Administration.

However, since his early youth, Archie wanted to be a lawyer – he admits Perry Mason made a big impression on him. With that goal in mind, he customized his curriculum at both Mott and UM-Flint. “I wanted to develop an analytical mind. Classes like math, business, philosophy, logic, writing, English, learning to speak – all the things I thought would help me think like a lawyer.”

The strategy paid off. Archie earned a full-ride scholarship to Detroit College of Law. “I knew my education was first-class, because when I got to law school I was competing with students from all over the country – students who went to Stanford, the University of Chicago, Harvard, you name it; they were all at our law school. The education I had obtained at Mott and UM-Flint was comparable. I was on the honor role. I was one of the top students in my class.”

Even more impressive is the fact that Archie continued working nearly 50 hours each week at GM while attending, studying and driving back and forth from law school. His personalized approaches to studying became even more streamlined – and sleep even scarcer.

Archie finished his three years at Detroit College of Law, and passed the Michigan Bar exam on his first attempt. He set up a private practice in Flint, but had to continue to work at GM until his client base and caseload were large enough support his young family. He practiced law during the day and worked at GM at night. After about three and a half years as a lawyer moonlighting in the factory, he finally retired from GM after 11 years and became a fulltime lawyer.

Archie practiced law in Flint for 10 years before another passion came calling. “I thought I could better help my community as a judge,” said Hayman. “Judges make decisions that can really impact people’s lives. I had the opportunity to become a judge in the 68^th District Court, and did. A year and a half after that I was appointed to the Genesee County Circuit Court by Governor Engler.”

Judge Hayman has sat on the Circuit Court bench for nearly 11 exemplary years now. A year and a half ago he was appointed Chief Judge of the 7^th Circuit Court.

His years in the courtroom and as an engaged Flint citizen have forced Judge Hayman to examine some of the community’s most pressing issues. According to Hayman, chief among these is the deterioration of the family unit. “I think if we can find a way to build strong families, we would see a lot of problems go away,” said Hayman. “Maybe we have to broaden our view of what a family is. A family may not be comprised of a husband and a wife and their children living in a house together. Maybe a family is a church, school, and friends. No matter what, the interests of those in the family, especially the children, need to be cherished just the same. We all have an interest in seeing every child in this community reach their full potential. If we don’t, what we often find is that child then becomes a problem in the community, and it’s not just the family’s problem – it’s a problem for all of us. They could be breaking into your home. We have to look at it from the standpoint that we are all together in this. We are one community.”

Judge Hayman sees the University of Michigan–Flint playing a critical role in the effort to strengthen families and ensuring that every child has the opportunity to reach his or her full potential. “If we have any chance of rebuilding this community, I think it’s going to be through education. The University of Michigan–Flint is going to be central to that, along with the other institutions of higher learning that we have in the city. We hear Governor Granholm talk about ‘Cool Cities’ and trying to find a way to retain our youth and our talent. Not only that, giving people the chance to lift themselves out of poverty. UM-Flint provides that. I think I am a good example of that. If UM-Flint hadn’t been here, I probably would not be where I am today. I had to work. I had to work here. I couldn’t go out of state for four years. UM-Flint understood that.”

Judge Hayman’s appreciation for the opportunities the city of Flint afforded him goes well beyond kind words for this hometown. His gratitude is displayed by his every action, every deed, every day. “I would encourage young people who have grown up in this community to not leave their community. That’s one of the things I believed in. Because of everything I felt I had been given, at UM-Flint, Mott, the people who helped and encouraged me, I felt I should give what I could back to the community. Whatever talents I honed here I would employ here, because I had been given so much by so many people who also lived here and worked to make their community better. That’s how communities work. That’s how communities develop. It’s easy to take your talents and run off somewhere they aren’t as needed. Besides, home is special.”

Past Recipient: Former State Representative Bobby Crim

Recipient: David Zick ’73 BAS
David G. Zick is an alumnus who has maintained his connection to the University of Michigan-Flint.

As one of thirteen children, Zick worked to earn scholarships so he could attend college. Through his hard work, Zick received his Physics degree from UM-Flint in 1973. He spent a few years teaching, before deciding to enter the insurance business. In 1986, Zick founded Group Associates, Inc. which specializes in the management of group benefits programs.

Zick often recalls an inspiring speech by Joe Roberson, former interim Chancellor of UM-Flint. During those remarks, Roberson told Zick it was always important to give back. And that is exactly what Zick has done.

Zick and his wife Francine serve as co-chairs of the University of Michigan-Flint Capital Campaign. In addition, Zick is a long time member of the Chancellor’s Citizen’s Advisory Committee, as well as the Dean’s Advisory Committee in the College of Arts and Sciences. Whenever he is called upon to serve, Zick does with enthusiasm.

Never forgetting the value of scholarships to his education, Zick makes it a priority to help fund the education of many University of Michigan-Flint students. He has established scholarships at UM-Flint, as well as made research funds available to help undergraduate students to work closely with faculty on projects.

Zick sets a high standard for service to the University of Michigan-Flint, and truly embodies the phrase, “I am UM-Flint.”

Past Recipient: Rob Jewell

Recipient: Kay Kelly ’81 BA
Known for her optimistic, can-do attitude, Kay Kelly works to improve the community through a variety of service projects. Kelly is the director for the Kearsley Park Project, working to improve the park and provide cultural entertainment for local residents. If that wasn’t enough, Kelly also serves on several committees including the Flint Planning Commission’s Downtown Improvement Committee; Façade, MSHDA and the Community Foundation of Greater Flint. She is a past president of Keeping Genesee County Beautiful. Kelly is also a member of the Community Cultural Planning Facilitation Team of the Greater Flint Area Community Plan.

An actress at heart, Kelly worked in New York where she appeared in Off Broadway plays, did numerous national radio commercials and even had a reoccurring role on the soap opera “Guiding Light.” Kelly is a very accomplished actress with credits such as “Born Yesterday”, “You Can’t Take it with You”, “Love Letters” and the one woman show “Shirley Valentine.”

Kelly has brought her acting and production skills back to Flint, and she works with local theater groups. As part of her transformation of Kearsley Park, Kelly created the annual “Shakespeare in the Park” event at Kearsley Park. She is hard at work with her company of actors on “The Twelfth Knight” which premieres in June 2007.

Combining her love of theatre along with her willingness to help others, Kay recently created the Kay Sampson Kelly Merit Scholarship for Theatre students at the University of Michigan-Flint.

Through her dedication to time, talent and service to the community, Kay Kelly has truly enhanced this community through her hard work, dedication and spirit.

Past Recipient: Greg Gaines

This event truly shows the impact UM-Flint alumni are making here at home and around the world. Thank you for your time and helping to honor the leaders and best!

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