East Lansing Resident John Metzler to be Honored by Peace Education Center

East Lansing resident John Metzler is being honored by the Peace Education Center (PEC) at its Saturday, June 10, annual meeting.

Metzler, who serves on the PEC board, is receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award for his efforts to promote peace, according to an email from PEC board member Tom Oswald. Metzler previously worked as an assistant professor for the Michigan State University (MSU) African Studies Center.

“This position encouraged and provided opportunities to work with students and Michigan educators in the promotion of global understanding, including the importance of understanding systemic and structural impediments to social, economic justice and peace,” Oswald explained in an email.

While at MSU, Metzler was an inaugural faculty member of the Peace and Justice Undergraduate minor at MSU. The program studies the interconnectivity of peace and justice and Metzler stayed involved in it until his 2019 retirement, Oswald said.

Additionally, Metzler serves as the Vice President for Global Education for the Greater Lansing United Nations Association and on the board of MSU’s Linking All Types of Teachers to International Cross-cultural Education.

The PEC’s annual meeting is a chance to celebrate the work of the center and honor individuals. (Photo from PEC Facebook site)

Additionally, Peacemaker of the Year Awards will be presented to Ody Norkin for providing medical supplies to Ukraine and Willye Bryan, who founded the Justice League of Greater Lansing and is involved in a reparations program, according to Oswald’s email.

Four high school students will also be recognized for receiving the Tom Schneider Award for work in their communities. These students – Avery Blair of Okemos High School, Isabella Grass of Grand Ledge High School, Katelyn Ryals of Bath High School and Colin Schelb also of Bath High School – were selected by a PEC committee based on essays and letters of recommendations verifying their efforts.

Saturday’s meeting will be at the University United Methodist Church on Harrison Road from 4-6 p.m. The event is a potluck dinner, so attendees are encouraged to bring a dish. More information can be found on the PEC’s website.