|
Vol. 19, No. 3 - Summer 2003
Spring Recognition and Awards Celebration
 Overflow crowds, harmonica Rouser, and a good
dose of laughter
This year’s Alumni Society’s annual Spring Recognition and Awards
Celebration April 11 brought out a capacity crowd of more than 300,
filling the West Wing of the Campus Club of Coffman Memorial Union to
overflowing. In addition to the scholarships and Alumni Society
awards, the college was pleased to include presentation of the
prestigious University-level alumni award, the Outstanding Achievement
Award (OAA), to two exceptional alumni of the college. Regent Frank
Berman was on hand to present the OAAs.
 The college inaugurated a
new award this year, the William E. Gardner PreK–12 Outstanding
Educator Award, named in honor of the college’s retired dean and
professor, Bill Gardner. Highlights of the ceremony included a
“laughter exercise” led by Marilyn Sprague-Smith, Larry Wilson Award
winner and “certified laughter leader.” She had everyone on their feet
offering hearty ha-has to one another. Everyone was on their feet
again when Clifton French, one of the OAA recipients, came to the
podium to accept his award and surprised everyone by whipping out a
harmonica and tearing into The Rouser. The crowd joined in singing
with enthusiasm.
 Here is a listing of all the awards and
scholarships and the awardees: University of Minnesota
Outstanding Achievement Awards
This is the highest non-degree honor that can be bestowed on an
alumnus/a, and is granted by the University’s Board of Regents.
 Clifton E. French (M.Ed., ’49, recreation leadership; B.S., ’48)
Clif French served for seven years as the first director of recreation
for Edina, Minn. During his tenure, the city built a number of new
recreational facilities, including a golf course, hockey arena,
football and baseball fields, and a system of parks. French went on to
become the first superintendent for the Hennepin County Park Reserve
District. Under his leadership, the district’s park holdings grew from
400 to 25,000 acres, attracting two million visitors annually. French
retired in 1984 and he and his wife Joanne now live in Sedona, Ariz.
 Mary F. Heinen, CSJ (Ph.D., ’75, education)
Mary F. Heinen was instrumental in establishing the associate nursing
degree program at St. Mary’s Junior College and served as its first
director. She served in leadership positions with the Sisters of St.
Joseph of Carondelet, including several years as director of the St.
Paul Province. Currently, she is director of advocacy for the
Carondelet LifeCare Ministries, an organization providing health care
services to the poor and underinsured. Heinen has served on numerous
boards of directors, including the College of St. Catherine, St. Paul
Seminary at the College of St. Thomas, HealthEast Care System,
CommonBond Communities, and Catholic Charities.
 William E. Gardner PreK–12 Outstanding Educator Award
Kathy Huettl (B.A., ’72, English education) English teacher, Work
Opportunity Center (a Minneapolis alternative high school for at-risk
students). Thomas Scott (Ph.D., ’97, education) social studies teacher, Rosemount
High School.
 Gordon M. A. Mork Outstanding Educator Award
Florence Monsour (Ed.D., ’92, educational administration) professor of
teacher education and cochair of the Department of Teacher Education,
University of Wisconsin–River Falls.
 Larry Wilson Award
Marilyn Sprague-Smith (M.Ed., ’98, work, community, and family
education) principal and cofounder of Miracles and Magic, Inc.;
consultant, author, professional speaker, trainer, and certified
laughter leader.
 Robert H. Beck Faculty Teaching Award
Frances Lawrenz (Ph.D., ’74, education; M.A., ’71, education)
professor and chair of the Department of Educational Psychology.
 Distinguished International Alumni Award
Tong-In Wongsothorn (Ph.D., ’74; M.A., ’70, both degrees in
educational administration) president, Sukhothai Thammathirat Open
University, Thailand.
 University Council for Educational Administration Excellence in
Education Leadership Award
Kenneth Dragseth (Ph.D., ’80, education; M.A., ’72, educational
administration) superintendent, Edina Public Schools, and national
superintendent of the yea.r Advanced Study Student Scholarships
Daryl Parks, Ph.D. student, English education, and high school English
teacher, St. Paul Dawn Picklo, Ph.D. student, school psychology; pursuing minor in
program evaluation and certificate in disability policy Boris Volkov (M.A., ’00, comparative and international development
education) Ph.D. student, evaluation studies Larry Wilson Student Scholarships
Nooruddin Gangani, M.Ed. student, human resource development
Elizabeth Xue, M.A. student, evaluation studies
Initial Teacher Licensure Scholarships
Kathryn Jo Chartrand, M.Ed. student, applied kinesiology and physical
education Immanda Goetz, M.Ed. student, elementary education (specialization in
math, grades 6–8) Paul Sackaroff, M.Ed. student, English education |
