Historians earn awards, recognition from GVSU Kutsche Office

Three historians earned honors from the Kutsche Office of Local History during the annual Local History Roundtable March 26 at the Grand Rapids Public Library.

H. Sook Wilkinson, of Bloomfield Hills, received the second Gordon Olson Lifetime Contributions to Local History award. The award is named for Olson, former Grand Rapids city historian. Criteria for receiving the Olson award includes contributions to local history that give voice to diverse communities.

Finalists for the award were Cindy Laug and Lori Shusta.

A Korean adoptee herself, Wilkinson has written several books on the experiences of adoptees, including “Birth is More than Once: The Inner World of Adopted Korean Children” and “After the Morning Calm: Reflections of Korean Adoptees.” Another book, “Asian Americans in Michigan: Voices from the Midwest,” will be released this month.

Wilkinson has chaired the Governor’s Advisory Council on Asian Pacific American Affairs as well as the new Michigan Pacific American Affairs Commission. She also serves on the Board of Trustees for Northern Michigan University.

Laug is the administrative assistant for the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Grand Valley. She is well-known for her work in women’s history, and has researched and brought to light stories of Michigan citizens like Etta Smith Wilson, Grand Rapids first women journalist.

Shusta has collected and preserved histories of Native Americans and the archives at the Grand Valley American Indian Lodge, where she works. She has also advocated for Native American history through a wide range of projects across the region.

Visit the Kutsche Office of Local History’s website at www.gvsu.edu/kutsche.