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For Immediate Release
October 6, 2003
NEBRASKA WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY HONORS ALUMNI,
DONORS AT HOMECOMING WEEKEND
LINCOLN, Neb. — Eight Nebraska Wesleyan University
alumni have been honored for their professional achievement and
loyalty to the University.
The honors were presented during “Celebrating
Excellence,” the all-reunion dinner held October 3 as part
of the University’s annual homecoming and alumni weekend activities.
The “Young Alumni Achievement Award”
recipients are Brenda Bence of Bankok
Thailand, Tyre McDowell of Lincoln, and Charles
Jackman of Greenbelt, Md.
Bence (’83) is the founder
of BDA International, which provides marketing training and consulting
to multinational corporations. Bence’s first international
experience was through a summer work exchange program arranged by
Nebraska Wesleyan University.
McDowell (’96) is the executive
director of the Lighthouse, a safe harbor for Lincoln youth. McDowell
oversaw a $52,000 renovation of the Lighthouse facility. He currently
serves on the boards of the EducationQuest Foundation, Clyde Malone
Community Center, and the Nebraska Coalition on Juvenile Justice.
Jackman (’72) is a
resident research associate for the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
in Greenbelt, Md. He has authored over 80 journal publications and
published nearly 40 papers, some of which have been presented to
United Nations’ policymakers. He serves as the lead project
scientist for the Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite.
Gary Bates (’67) of Atlantic
Beach, N.Y., formerly of Ashland, has received the “Alumni
Achievement Award.” Bates is the creator of the Christina
Mazzitelli Memorial Art Gallery for the Lawrence public schools
in New York. He serves in many organizations including the University
Council for Art Education at Columbia University, the New York State
Art Teachers Association, and the Art Supervisors Association of
Long Island.
The 2003 “Young Alumni Loyalty Award”
was presented to Reagan Wright Rosenberg
(’98) of Lincoln. Rosenberg, who is currently pursuing a doctorate
in school psychology from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, was
responsible for leading a Wesleyan alumni survey project and was
the co-developer of the “Wesleyan After Work” event
series.
Thomas Bassett (’67) of
Lincoln was awarded the “Alumni Loyalty Award.”
Bassett is the executive director of the Nebraska Dental Association.
He is the co-founder and past president of the Nebraska Wesleyan
Athletic Booster Club and a key fundraiser for Wesleyan’s
new track.
The “Alumni Humanitarian Award”
was presented to Gerald Henderson. Henderson,
who died in 2002, was Lincoln’s first human rights commission
director. He developed a citywide affirmative action program and
helped to educate the community about the true meaning of desegregation
within the schools and neighborhoods. His wife, Josephine, still
resides in Lincoln.
This year’s “Distinguished Alumnus
Award” was presented to Larry Ruth
(’67) of Lincoln. Ruth is a partner with William J. Mueller
in the Ruth & Mueller law firm, one of the most extensive lobbying/government
relations firms in Nebraska. He has served as president of Wesleyan’s
Alumni Association, the Board of Trustees, and adjunct professor
of political science.
The Abel Foundation was named the
2003 “Corporate Citizenship Award” winner.
The award honors and recognizes organizations for their commitment
to the community through the support of Nebraska Wesleyan University.
Twelve individuals and one corporation were inducted
into the Cornerstone Society, which honors individuals,
corporations, and foundations whose total gifts to the university
exceed $1 million. The following people were honored: B. Keith and
Norma Heuerman of Phillips, Vivian Nolte of Hiawatha, Kan., Ervin
H. Jr., and Carolyn N. Unvert of Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif., D.
Lloyd and Katherine Wilson of Cozad, Willis D. and Joyce L. Heim
of Naples, Fla., Keith J. and Judith R. Maurer of Tampa, Fla., James
Jr. and Susan Stuart of Lincoln, and Helen Gildersleeve, Glen L.
and Grace D. Hefner, Gladys Marquardt, Osborne Nickerson, and Marion
and Marian Weary, who are all deceased. The Peter Kiewit Foundation
was also inducted into the Cornerstone Society.
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