Northern Michigan University alumnus John Ziemba, who earned a Master of Arts in Education (MAE) in educational administration/supervision in 2004, has received the 2023 Distinguished Alumni Award from Bay College in Escanaba. He has been teaching in Manistique for 24 years, and is most well-known for being an MHSAA official for baseball, softball and volleyball.
Ziemba is also a lead mentor for The Junkyard Dawgs FIRST Robotics team. He has volunteered in his community through involvement with Scouting, M.A.Y.S. soccer, and as an assistant fire chief for Hiawatha Township.
“This honor from Bay is greatly appreciated and I hope that I am worthy of the accolades,” Ziemba said in a press release.
An Escanaba native, Ziemba earned an associate of science degree from Bay in 1996. He then transferred to Central Michigan University. where he earned a bachelor of science in education with a major in chemistry and a minor in physics and math. Ziemba continued his education at NMU.
“Bay College's Alumni Association is pleased to honor John as the 2023 Alumnus of the Year," said Advancement Services Manager Vicki DeGrand. "His qualifications and outstanding leadership skills made him the perfect candidate, and Bay College is excited to have him as a guest speaker at next year's commencement.”
Bay's Distinguished Alumni Award was established in 1999 by the Alumni Association to annually recognize an outstanding graduate who has contributed to their career, the community, and the college. The award selection process focuses on the following criteria: education, leadership, service to the college and/or community, honors and awards, and distinction in the nominee's career field.