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2009 Distinguished Alumni

Larina Kase, M.B.A. ’02,Psy.D.’03,  a professional public speaker and author, is the College Outstanding Alumni Award winner from the School of Professional Psychology. 

She is a recognized expert in peak performance, anxiety and stress management, leadership, and entrepreneurship.

Dr. Kase has a doctorate in psychology and masters in business administration, and her unique approach is regularly seen in media such as Inc., Entrepreneur, SELF and on national TV and radio. She is the author or coauthor of 7 books including The New York Times bestseller, The Confident Speaker. She has helped hundreds of entrepreneurs and executives from companies such as Verizon, Intel, Morgan Stanley, & Ernst & Young.

Based in Philadelphia, PA, Dr. Kase has provided motivational keynotes and seminars for various organizations across North America. Meeting planners and audience members call her presentations "energizing", "inspirational", "useful and helpful", "humorous", and "enjoyable".  

La Pearl Logan Winfrey, Ph.D., professor and associate dean for clinical training in the School of Professional Psychology, nominated Kase for the College Outstanding Alumni Award.  Winfrey said Kase "was a fabulous student – good critical thinker, very organized.  She could juggle multiple balls with ease".

2008 Outstanding Alumni

LaMaurice H. Gardner, Psy.D. ’88, is the College Outstanding Alumni Award winner from the School of Professional Psychology. He is a fully licensed clinical psychologist at the John Dingell VA Medical Center in Detroit, Michigan, maintains a part-time clinical private practice in Southfield, Michigan, and is a Reserve/Lt. Deputy for the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office.

Dr. Gardner is a crisis negotiator, tactical officer, and department psychologist for several local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies; and he has been trained in critical incident stress debriefing, hostage negotiations, and special weapons and tactics. Gardner’s areas of clinical expertise include suicide intervention, psychopathology, post-traumatic stress disorder, critical incident stress debriefing, hostage negotiations, substance abuse treatment, and school or workplace violence.

In addition to his clinical and law enforcement work, Gardner is an adjunct faculty member of the Oakland and Macomb Police Academies, and has lectured to law enforcement agencies both around the country and internationally. Along with his Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Wright State, Gardner holds a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from Wayne State University.

2007 Outstanding Alumni

Janet L. Cummings, Psy.D. ‘92