University of Michigan-Flint to present Bobby Crim with Honorary Degree

The founder of one of Flint's major annual events will be recognized by the University of Michigan for his many contributions to the community.

The U-M Board of Regents has approved the awarding of a Doctor of Laws honorary degree to Bobby Crim. The presentation will be held at the Spring Commencement, May 3, 2009 at the Perani Arena and Event Center.

Crim, who came to Michigan from his childhood in Missouri, has worked at General Motors, served in the Navy in the Korean War, and graduated from the University of Michigan-Flint, where he earned his bachelor's degree and the first C.S. Mott Scholarship. He was elected four times as the Speaker of the House and helped to pass legislation benefiting teachers.

In 1977, the first Crim Race took place after he was inspired to establish a foot race to raise money for the Special Olympics. It hosted 700 runners. Thirty years later, "The Crim" has grown into a festival of races with over 16,000 participants, including world-class runners from around the globe. As this enterprise grew in size, Crim expanded it to create the Crim Fitness Foundation, which has positioned Flint as a Center of Excellence in health and fitness. In 2007, The Crim Foundation partnered with the Governor's Council on Fitness and Physical Education for the purpose of encouraging Flint to evolve into a community that promotes active living in a safe environment.

Bobby Crim has been widely recognized for his energy and efforts to advance physical fitness, and recently was presented with the Vern Seefeldt Lifetime Achievement Award by the Governor's Council on Physical Fitness. Among his many other honors, he has been named Special Olympics Volunteer of the Year, and for his many contributions to the greater Flint community, was presented with the Distinguished Alumnus Award by the University of Michigan-Flint.