Schoolcraft President Dr. Conway A. Jeffress was named a winner of the Livonia Legacy Award by the Livonia Chamber of Commerce on Thursday, February 20, at the group’s annual Leadership and Awards Celebration.
The Livonia Legacy Award is a career achievement award generally given to someone who is retiring after many years of making outstanding contributions to the Livonia community.
Jeffress, who has served as president since July of 2001, announced earlier this year he is retiring.
“Schoolcraft College has evolved into a vital economic development engine for Livonia and Western Wayne County under Dr. Jeffress’ leadership over the past two decades,” said Dan West, President/CEO of the Livonia Chamber of Commerce. “His ingenuity, anticipation of trends, community relationships and strategic expansions has turned Schoolcraft College into a leading higher-education center that produces much-needed talent for our region’s workforce today and for years to come.”
Among many notable advancements during his tenure, Jeffress oversaw the development of several new buildings and programs, including the major reconstruction of Bradner Library, construction of VisTaTech Center, the Biomedical Technology Center, Public Safety Training Center, Academy Training Center, the Fire Tower, the Dome, the purchase of the former American Community Mutual Insurance building (now the Jeffress Center) and lastly the Manufacturing and Engineering Center.
Further, Schoolcraft College has forged important partnerships with several regional healthcare providers. This has led to a number of notable projects on the main campus that are underway or soon will be, including the St. Joe’s Mercy Elite Sports Center, the IHA and St. Joe’s Livonia Medical Center and the Health Sciences Center.
“I’m honored to accept the Livonia Legacy Award, it means a great deal to me personally,” Jeffress said. “Serving the community and helping students has been central to my mission at Schoolcraft College.”
Jeffress has been with the College for the majority of his career, also serving as the Vice President for Instruction and Student Services. Jeffress came to Schoolcraft College in 1982 from the Community College of Allegheny County in Pittsburgh, where he was Vice President of Strategic Planning.
Jeffress was honored with Bill Fried, a tax attorney with a decades-long record of volunteerism in Livonia. Both have been longtime members of the Livonia Rotary Club.