1. Here is a section of an official Letter of Recommendation I was kindly given a copy of from Dr. Brian Murphy, the
Founder and former Director of the Honors College at Oakland University, Professor Emeritus, and Playwright. He
has been known for hosting meet-ups on Opera and one club specifically for The Beatles. He attended Oxford; I
recall his effort in forging the same type of close mentorships developed in collegiate culture in England.
"I can very strongly recommend Zanna Pillars be admitted to your program. There is plenty of evidence as to her
scholastic achievements and intellectual promise. I would like to give you a slightly different picture of, or
perspective on, her.
Early one Fall semester, I was presiding - as I had ever since 1985 - at a moderately extravagant dinner to welcome
the entering class of the Honors College. I was always rather "pumped" on these occasions and gave my own
"motivational" speech: I played Lennon's "Imagine" and an excerpt from Beethoven's last piano sonata; I quoted
from William Blake, Milan Kundera, etc., etc.
This speech (and the dinner) had always gone over well; but even so, I was startled to see a student, after the
dinner, approach me with tears in her eyes, saying that she had always believed college could be like this, that
there was a place that really was dedicated to beauty, the life of the mind, human development. Well! I had rarely
ever gone over so decisively as this!
That student proved to be Zanna. Obviously, her work in the sciences has given her a solid foundation. She is also
a lover of literature. She is a gifted poet, musician, and singer. Lest anything be lacking, she has also been a
committed social and political activist...
...she is one of the most inspiring students I have ever known in my 35-year career at Oakland University."
One other mentor kindly provided me with an open Letter of Recommendation: Dr. Barry Winkler, who heads the
Kresge Eye Research Institute in Michigan:
"Throughout Zanna's undergraduate career we have had a close relationship - one of mentor and student; I know
her well. I would rank Zanna in the top 1% of all the undergraduates in the sciences that I have known in my 34
years at this university. She really is an amazing talent.
Zanna has an enormous passion for research. She has worked in several colleagues' laboratories. Her
experimental effort in Molecular Biology was the backbone of a superb Honor's College Senior Thesis - in fact, her
thesis was the best I have seen in many years...
Zanna doesn't just participate, rather she leads with enthusiasm. Everything Zanna does is with enthusiasm.
... Zanna has desire, passion, and commitment. Moreover, Zanna is a delightful woman. She is easy to get along
with and she is compassionate. Moreover, Zanna speaks up, and when she does, everyone listens."
I hope these personal recommendations give you a view of who I am from the perspectives of mentors in diverse
fields of study.
Updated Letters of Recommendation Spring 2016

2. Dr. Tom Gest, Anatomy Professor (Chair) at University of Michigan Medical School commenting on one of my
speeches at The medical school's Anatomical Donations Memorial Service:
"Zanna, your talk today was simply brilliant. You have a real gift - thanks for sharing it."
I also developed Open Source Medical Education Curriculum for the University of Michigan's program to teach
physicians in other countries by creating free access teaching materials. Our first pilot program was tested in
Ghana. Dr. Gest worked to approve my curriculum. Please see this link:
https://open.umich.edu/education/med/m1musculo-fall2007
I would be glad to forward copies of any of the Anatomical Donations Memorial Service speeches, as I consented
to deliver one each of three years.