Upper Iowa University honors 8 alumni during Homecoming
FAYETTE, Iowa (October 10, 2012) — Upper Iowa University honored eight alumni for their achievements during the annual Alumni Banquet over Homecoming weekend.
A committee of faculty and staff from across the University selected the award winners, based on their service to the University, their community, their country and their accomplishments.
"Upper Iowa University has some 30,000 alumni around the world who are successful in their careers and who give selflessly of their time, money and talents," said Dr. Richard Patrick, acting UIU president and selection committee member. "We are proud to honor these individuals as outstanding representatives of our alumni and as role models for our current students. The board, the faculty and the staff are honored to count them among UIU graduates."
Receiving the award for "emerging alumni" was Narthreza Putri of Malaysia. Graduating from UIU in 2004, Putri was given in honor of her advancing career in international business management. Putri works in the maritime and international trading industries in Malaysia, both for the government and serving as a director for private companies, such as Talasco Dagang Sdn. Bhd. and Syarikat Hanuman Sdn. Bhd. Putri accepted her award via Skype during the banquet.
Benjamin Cooper, class of 1998, and Angie (Kimball) Joseph, class of 1982, each were honored for their service to country. After launching a career with Nextel, Cooper joined the Navy in 2001. Based at Whidbey Island in Washington State, Cooper has served several tours and recently graduated from the "Top Gun" program. He is currently deployed overseas. Joseph was in the ROTC program at Upper Iowa as a student and chose the military as her career. She entered the Army after commencement and has served for 30 years. Joseph was a battalion commander and was promoted to colonel in 2004. A mother of two, she honors her own mother by presenting a UIU scholarship in her name annually.
UIU honored Leota Didier, class of 1943, presenting her with the alumni award for service to community. She was recognized for her commitment to the town of DuBois, Wyo., (population 990). Didier has led initiatives to build a library, open an opportunity shop, establish a children's after-school center and create a community center for the town. In addition her efforts support the Big Horn Museum. Didier has managed camps for underprivileged children for more than 40 years.
Honored for service to the University was Roger Bowen, class of 1955. Bowen was on the UIU staff from 1956 to 1978, including two stints as the University registrar. He is also the co-author of the book, "University Company C," which chronicles the UIU students who formed and fought as a regiment during the Civil War. He is a long-time supporter of the University and the Alumni Office.
Recipients of the alumni award for professional accomplishments were Teri (Vanderheiden) Salmons and Dr. Jamie Bunn. Salmons, class of 1976, has worked in the classroom since earning her degree in education. In 2007 while teaching third grade at Rockburn Elementary in Eldridge, Md., she received the Howard County Agnes Meyer Outstanding Teacher of the Year Award from the Washington Post Company Educational Foundation. The award cited her care, creativity, compassion, patience and "sense of magic." Bunn, class of 1992, continued his education to become a veterinarian after graduating from UIU. He began his professional career in Flint, Mich., where he was named the Genessee County Veterinarian of the Year. In 2001, he relocated to the Des Moines area where he purchased a clinic in Waukee. He is also active in professional organizations and in his community.
About Upper Iowa University
Founded in 1857, Upper Iowa University is a private, not-for-profit university providing undergraduate and graduate degree programs and leadership development opportunities to about 6,200 students–nationally and internationally–at its Fayette campus and learning centers worldwide. Upper Iowa University is a recognized innovator in offering accredited, quality programs through flexible, multiple delivery systems, including online and independent study. For more information, visit www.uiu.edu.
Contact:
Monica Bayer Heaton
Executive Director of Communications and Marketing
Phone: 563-425-5773
Cell: 515-291-2070
heatonm@uiu.edu