Featuring 2024 Global Impact Awards
LANSING, Michigan - August 20, 2024 - The Lansing Regional Sister Cities Commission is pleased to announce its 2024 Global Impact Awards. They will be presented at its 30th Anniversary Celebration of Global Diversity during an evening gala at 6 p.m. on September 14, 2024 at the Lansing Center in Downtown Lansing. The theme is “A Celebration of Global Diversity.” The event will feature cultural music, food, artifacts, a global fashion show and authentic entertainment from their sister cities and other cities around the globe. Over the past three decades, Lansing Regional Sister Cities Commission’s relationships around the world have served as pillars of friendship, cultural exchange, and mutual understanding. Invited guests will include ambassadors, consuls general, officials from our sister cities, congressional delegations and other officials from the US government. The Lansing Regional Sister Cities Commission’s 30th Anniversary will be co-chaired by Commissioner Chris Holman, founder and CEO of Michigan Business Network and Commissioner Dr. Maxine Hankins Cain, President. The Lansing Regional Sister Cities Commission’s 30th Anniversary will be an evening filled with music, dance, delicious cuisine, awards and heartfelt conversations.
Global Impact Drs. Chi Global Humanitarian Service Award - Dr. Won O. Song
Dr. Won O. Song, professor emeritus of Michigan State University, moved to Lansing, Michigan in 1984 enjoying her academic career as a teacher, researcher and outreach faculty at ranks of an assistant, associate, and full professor in the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition. Dr. Won O. Song was an associate dean and acting dean in the College of Human Ecology before her retirement in 2022. Dr. Won O. Song published over 150 papers and made over 300 presentations. One of Dr. Won O. Song’s long-term involvement has been with the Lansing Regional Sister Cities Commission. Since 2006, Dr. Won O. Song has been programming Lansing-Asan (a sister city) student exchange programs for middle and high school students. These programs involved local high schools and Michigan State University for educational programming and accommodations over the past 18 years. Over 750 students from Asan visited Lansing, Michigan and over 100 students from Lansing, Michigan visited Asan through the program. These two-way exchange programs have been very positive in enhancing the global understanding of diverse cultures, languages and education, which aligns well with LRSCC’s mission. In the summer of 2024, Dr. Won O. Song and teacher Heather Peterson, led a group of Lansing Eastern and Holt High school student delegates to the Asan International Youth Exchange Camp held in Asan. All had life-changing international experiences with peers from Hungary, Vietnam, Indonesia, Kenya, China, and Korea.
Global Impact Educational Excellence Award - Dr. Eugene L. Cain
Dr. Eugene Cain, a native of Birmingham, Alabama, resides in Lansing, Michigan. He is a 1965 graduate of Talladega College. Dr. Cain received his masters and doctoral degrees in education administration from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. Currently retired after spending 50 years in education, Dr. Cain is a much sought- after consultant and lecturer on African-Centered education, urban education and strategies to improve educational outcomes for African American children. He is known nationally for his leadership in improving achievement performance among poor and minority children. Additionally, he was recognized as an exemplary inner city classroom teacher in Philip Sterling’s book, The Real Teachers. During Dr. Cain’s tenure as an educator, he served in many different capacities: classroom teacher, curriculum director, university instructor for undergraduate and graduate students, member on various advisory boards, school principal, local school superintendent, and assistant superintendent for the Michigan Department of Education. He also served as Southeast Regional Development Vice President for Edison Schools, the nation’s largest manager of public schools. Additionally, Dr. Cain has served as a writer and reviewer for several major textbook companies, co-chair for Lansing’s United Negro College Fund Drive, Vice President of the Lansing, Michigan NAACP, advisory Board member for Wayne State University College of Education and the University of Michigan (Dearborn Campus), past chairman of the Clemson University based National Dropout Prevention Network, an organization that he was instrumental in organizing, and President of the Talladega College National Alumni Association. Dr. Cain has received many accolades and awards, too numerous to mention. However, in July 2005 and August 2014, Lansing, Michigan mayors, Tony Benevedes and Virg Bernero respectively, proclaimed “Dr. Eugene Cain Day” in Lansing for his outstanding leadership and commitment to excellence in education. He received Lansing’s Black Child and Family Institute’s “Soaring Beyond Excellence” award and has been honored with resolutions from the Michigan Legislature on five different occasions and one from the U.S. House of Representatives.
Global Impact Foreign Direct Investment Award - ATESTEO North America
ATESTEO North America is a subsidiary of ATESTEO Group, a Germany-based testing services provider for automotive drivetrains. The company began serving the e-mobility industry in 2008 and provides testing services for hybrid and fully electrified auto drivetrains and components. ATESTEO North America was established in 2022 to better serve existing and future customers in the U.S.
Global Impact In Memoriam - Family of Jack Davis
Jack Davis grew up in Lansing, attended Lansing Eastern High School, and was a devoted Quaker. Jack attended the University of Wisconsin where he met Susan Sheaffer, his future wife. He then served in the U.S. Army before attending Harvard Law School. The couple married in 1964 and raised their two children, Gregory and Jennifer, in Jack’s beloved Lansing area. Jack was an avid runner, tennis player, golfer, skier, and cyclist. Jack and Susan loved to take their kids on trips, where the family adopted his “move and learn” approach, rarely staying in one place for long. In addition, Jack served on several international delegations to advise government leaders on trade and tax matters for the development of a free market economy. As empty nesters, the couple ventured to such exotic locations as Australia/New Zealand, Bhutan, Brazil, China, Cuba, Egypt, India, Israel, Japan, Morocco, Russia, South Africa, and Central and Southeast Asia. Visiting New York City to see Broadway shows, dining at the 21 Club and frequenting bookstores was one of Jack’s favorite traditions. His love of Lansing and travel made serving with the Lansing Regional Sister Cities Commission a natural choice that he found very rewarding. Jack built his career at Loomis Law Firm becoming one of Lansing’s most respected attorneys as well as a friend and trusted ally for many clients. Jack gave back to the community he loved and devoted considerable time to making mid-Michigan a stronger region. Jack, whose zest for life was unmatched, is missed every day by his family.
Global Impact Community Service Award - Dr. Nino Rodriguez
Dr. Nino Rodríguez was elected to the Board of Education in November, 2009. Dr. Rodríguez served as Deputy Superintendent from 1999-2001, when he retired from the District after 30 years. He began his tenure with the Lansing School District in 1971 as a counselor at C.W. Junior High School and moved through the ranks, working in numerous positions such as Assistant Principal at both Gardner Junior High and Eastern High School. Dr. Rodríguez is most known for his time as the Pattengill Middle School Principal from 1984 to 1994. He also served as Director of Student Services and Director of Curriculum and Staff Development. Specific accomplishments at Pattengill included development of the clustered teaching approach which is still used throughout the district to this day, and implementation of guidelines from the Youth Violence Prevention Coalition, which fostered a new era in community and student relations in the district. In addition to his years with the Lansing School District, Dr. Rodríguez also served as Associate Director of the Julian Samora Research Institute at Michigan State University, and was appointed to serve the remainder of a term on the Lansing City Council. He taught Spanish at Michigan State University. He is currently the publisher of Adelante Forward magazine. He served the community through positions on the Otto Community Health Center Advisory Board, the Mayor’s Drug Free Youth Task Force, Lansing’s Chicano Advisory Committee, Sister Cities Commission and is presently serving on the Ingham County Board of Health. Dr. Rodríguez believes in giving children a good foundation for life through education, and he has demonstrated a tremendous empathy and love for children. Dr. Rodríguez has been married to his beautiful wife, Margarita, for 44 years and together they have two beautiful and successful daughters who are products of the Lansing School District, and three grandchildren.
Barbara Roberts Mason Lifetime Achievement Award
United States Senator Debbie Stabenow “Made in Michigan” through and through, U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow continues to lead on public policy and improve the lives of the people of Michigan and Americans across our country. Her leadership is characterized by an unrivaled work ethic, the ability to build bipartisan coalitions to get things done, and a commitment to public service that has set the standard for constituent service. Throughout her years in public service, she has blazed trails and opened doors for women and girls. Among her many “firsts” – she was the first woman elected to the United States Senate from Michigan. As the author of two landmark programs that are transforming the health of our Great Lakes, there is no greater champion for our Great Lakes, natural resources, and Michigan way of life. Senator Stabenow has persistently focused on making things in America and bringing jobs home. Because of her leadership, Michigan is well-positioned as a global leader in the clean energy economy. She knows that we can’t have a strong economy unless we make things and grow things. As Chairwoman of the powerful Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, her work continues to shape our nation’s food and farm policy, impacting generations to come. Senator Stabenow helped write the Affordable Care Act and has passed major reforms to bring down the cost of prescription drugs. Her bipartisan Excellence in Mental Health and Addiction Treatment Act is transforming the way we deliver high-quality community behavioral health services in America. Because of her leadership, we are now going to be funding health care above the neck the same as health care below the neck. From child nutrition, to school-based health clinics, to children’s healthcare, Senator Stabenow is also a national leader on children’s health.
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