News Release
University of Detroit Mercy honors Elmore Leonard and Thomas G. Denomme
Elmore Leonard '50 and Thomas G. Denomme '61 will be honored at the University of Detroit Mercy's Ignatian Circle Dinner on Friday, September 28, 2007 at 5:30 p.m. in the Fountain Lounge of the Student Center Building, McNichols Campus. A mass will precede the dinner at 4:30 p.m.
UDM President Gerard L. Stockhausen, S.J., Ph.D., will present the awards to the special alumni for their contributions to the University and the community.
Elmore Leonard '50, an internationally acclaimed author, is the recipient of University of Detroit Mercy's Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award. He is recognized for his five decades of written work, encompassing 43 novels as well as screenplays and short stories.
Leonard earned his bachelor's degree at the University of Detroit in 1950, majoring in English and Philosophy. While still in college, he joined Campbell-Ewald advertising agency and shortly after began writing western novels and short stories. From 1951 to 1961, he published 30 short stories and five novels; his novel, Hombre, was selected as the best western of all time by the Western Writers of America in 1961. As westerns became less popular, he turned to writing educational and industrial films during the 1960s. He then began to write crime novels. His "breakout" best seller came with the publication of Glitz in 1985. Each of his following novels has been a national best seller. In 2006, he completed Elmore Leonard's 10 Rules for Writing as a guide to the writing process.
Leonard's work is admired for his originality, dialogue and research that provide depth and plausibility to story lines and characters. He has been referred to as the "Dickens of Detroit" for his portrayals of people from the city.
In 1992, the Mystery Writers of America honored Leonard with the Grand Master Award, which is awarded "only to individuals who, by a lifetime of achievement have proven themselves preeminent in the craft of mystery and dedicated to the advancement of the genre." He has received numerous other awards, including the Mystery Writers of America Edgar Allen Poe Award for LaBrava in 1983 and the International Association of Crime Writers' North American Hammett Prize for Maximum Bob in 1991. A number of his novels have been made into movies, including Get Shorty, Out of Sight and Be Cool. Earlier this month, the film 3:10 to Yuma opened in the number one spot in North America. The remake of the classic 1957 western was based on one of his short stories.
In the late 1970s, Leonard gave the University his collection of personal correspondence, rough drafts and manuscripts detailing the first 20 years of his career. The material was categorized and catalogued, resulting in the Elmore Leonard Collection housed in UDM's McNichols Campus Library. The Collection serves as a learning tool for students, writers and scholars worldwide.
Leonard has also given presentations to classes and groups at the University over the years, sharing insights into his writing. In 1998, UDM awarded Leonard an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree in recognition of his lifelong achievements as an author and for his contributions to the field of modern fiction.
Thomas G. Denomme '61, former Vice Chairman and Chief Administrative Officer of Chrysler Corporation, is the recipient of University of Detroit Mercy's Founders Award. He is recognized for his support of higher education in the tradition of UDM's Jesuit and Mercy founders.
A Detroit native, Denomme earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing from University of Detroit in 1961. Following graduation, he began his long career in the automotive industry at Ford Motor Company. After 20 years of automotive finance, product planning, marketing and business planning at Ford, he joined Chrysler Corporation in 1980. During his tenure at Chrysler he held a number of leadership positions, including Vice President for Corporate Strategic Planning, Executive Vice President for Corporate Staff Group, Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer. He served as a director of Chrysler Corporation from 1993 through 1997, and Vice Chairman and Chief Administrative Officer from 1994 until he retired in December 1997.
Denomme has served on a number of civic and corporate boards and organizations, including Mount Carmel Hospital Divisional Board, the Greater Detroit Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, Detroit Investment Fund, the Congressional Economic Leadership Institute, The Parade Company Foundation, the Michigan Gaming Control Board and the Masco Corporation Board of Directors.
From 1982 to 2003, Denomme served on the University's Board of Trustees and was Board Chair from 1992 to 1996. As Board Chair, Denomme provided perspectives on financial and business-related issues, integrating Board strategies with the spirit of the University's mission. Denomme provided leadership during a critical time in UDM's history in the years following its 1990 consolidation. He assisted UDM's leadership in confronting the financial and competitive challenges in higher education during the 1990s and helped to convene the "Commission on the Future" to establish priorities and a plan for UDM's future.
His support of UDM has remained strong both during and following his Board tenure. He truly reflects the University's mission and vision as a graduate who leads and serves his community, and especially, his alma mater.
Release date: September 17, 2007
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