To see how dear Nebraska Wesleyan University is to Turan Odabasi ’91, you need look no further than his wedding photos; he married his wife Cynthia on campus.

Odabasi became an active alumnus immediately upon his graduation. From 1992 to 1996 he served as the Class of 1991 representative to the University. In 1993 and 1994 he was involved in planning Homecoming. He spoke on panels for NWU’s Career Week in 1995 and 2006. In 1998, Turan served as a member of the Alumni Association Review Board. That group helped form the Alumni Association Executive Council on which Odabasi served until 2004.

As a member of the Alumni Awards and Recognition Committee, Odabasi helped select recipients for awards like the one he is receiving now. Knowing the kind of people who have accepted this award before him compounds the honor for Odabasi.

When asked why he’s kept such strong ties to the University, Odabasi recites part of the Phi Kappa Tau creed: “I shall be loyal to my college and my chapter and keep strong my ties to them that I may ever retain the spirit of youth.”

Turan and Cynthia have two daughters: Cassie, 18, and Rachel 4. He works at the University of Nebraska as associate general counsel and patent attorney.