Neal to be named 2011 distinguished alumnus
September 9, 2011
907-474-7902
9/8/11
The University of Alaska Fairbanks Alumni Association will honor the President of Kiwanis International Sylvester Neal with the 2011 Distinguished Alumnus Award.
Neal will receive the award Sept. 23 during the annual alumni awards luncheon at the Princess Riverside Lodge. The event is part of the UAF Alumni Association's annual reunion, scheduled for Sept. 22 – 24.
Neal, the sixth of nine children, was born and raised near Austin, Texas. In 1978, he graduated from UAF with an associate degree in police administration and in 1983 with a bachelor’s degree in justice.
Neal’s career has been marked by his service as a member of the Kiwanis Club. During his tenure at Kiwanis Club of Fairbanks, Neal served as club secretary, club president and lieutenant governor of the Alaska Yukon. He is currently a member of Kiwanis Club of The Valley in Auburn, Wash. He served as governor of the Pacific Northwest District for Kiwanis in 2002-03 and then quickly ascended the Kiwanis International ranks, serving as trustee, vice president and president-elect. In June 2010, at the 95th Annual Kiwanis International Convention in Las Vegas, Neal was elected president of the 600,000-member Kiwanis International organization. Kiwanis International is a service club founded in 1915 that serves children and youths through activities that promote health, education, leadership and service.
The Distinguished Alumnus Award was first given in 1962 and recognizes service to UAF, business or professional accomplishments and distinguished human service.
The association will also honor seven other alumni during the awards luncheon.
The 2011 Alumni Achievement Awards for Business and Professional Excellence will go to Anchorage businesswoman and UA Foundation board member Jo Michalski,' 76, and co-owner of Kohler, Schmitt & Hutchison, CPAs, Garry Hutchison, '75 .
The Alumni Achievement Award for University Support will go to director of the UAF Graduate School and Interdisciplinary Programs Laura Bender, ’80 and ’82, and Tony Gasbarro, ’79, director of the UAF Peace Corps International Master’s Program.
The Alumni Achievement Award for Community Support will be awarded to Acoustic Adventures co-owner Trudy Heffernan, '87, and UAF Athletic Hall of Fame member and high school teacher Milo Griffin, ‘70.
The William R. Cashen Service Award will be presented to UAF staff member and alumni volunteer Barbara Day. The award recognizes outstanding service to the alumni association.
Doug Colp, ‘40, founder of University of Alaska’s Mineral and Petroleum Technology associate-degree program, will be the recipient of the Lenhart J.H. Grothe Resource Award. The Grothe Award posthumously honors an alumnus for contributions in the resource, mining or agricultural fields.
The Awards Luncheon is just one of many activities scheduled as part of the 2011 alumni reunion. Other events include the chancellor’s welcome reception, alumni night at The Pub, the UAF Athletics Hall Of Fame Brunch and the lighting of the Starvation Gulch bonfires. For a full schedule and to register or to purchase luncheon tickets, visit www.uaf.edu/alumni/reunion/ or call 907-474-7081. The deadline to reserve a seat at the luncheon is 5 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 20.
ADDITIONAL CONTACTS: Joe Hayes, UAF Alumni Association director, at 907-474-7081 or via email at uaf-alumni@alaska.edu.
ON THE WEB: www.uaf.edu/alumni/reunion/
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