Clarence Beckwith Distinguished Alumni Award: Clifton Turner

Clifton C. Turner was a mentor to the young people of the Flint area for more than 30 years as a teacher, coach and school administrator. While teaching in Flint, Clifton also served as a high school basketball and track coach. In 1976, he became the first African-American varsity head coach in any sport in Michigan, outside of the City of Detroit.

Named assistant principal at Flint Southwestern Academy in 1990, he later served as the director of Physical Education, Recreation, Youth Services, Athletics and Senior Citizens programs for Flint Community Schools. Clifton is retired from the Flint School district. 

He earned an associate’s degree from Benton Harbor Community College and Technical Institute, the predecessor of LMC. He graduated from Hillsdale College with a  Bachelor of Arts degree and later earned a Master of Arts in Education Administration from the University of Michigan.

A member of many civic and professional organizations, Clifton has received several honors, including induction into the Greater Flint Afro-American Hall of Fame in 2005.

Clifton Turner received the Clarence Beckwith Distinguished Alumni Award in 2007.