The Truth Staff
The University of Toledo held its annual Multicultural Graduation on Thursday April 27and among the 230 students from around the various undergraduate and graduate colleges on campus who donned their caps and gowns for the ceremonies was Suzette Cowell, CEO and treasurer of the Toledo Urban Federal Credit Union. Cowell received an honorary doctorate of Public Service.
“It means the world to me,” said Cowell. “It’s such an honor for the university to award an Honorary Doctorate of Public Service for serving my community and others. I hope to be a role model for not only multicultural students but for all students.”
Cowell earned her doctorate because of her longtime service at the helm of the credit union, the variety of her overall community service and her educational achievements. She has also recently been appointed as an advisor to the Federal Reserve Board of Governors, Cleveland Regional Bank.
As busy as Cowell is, she has found the time to return to college and take classes all while guiding the credit union, which she founded 26 years ago, to its current significant place in the community – over 5,000 members and a critical part in the revitalization of Dorr Street.
The multicultural graduation is a way for UToledo to bring together students of various cultural identities and give them a sense of belonging at such a critical time in their lives.
