Spring Break
Alumni reflect on their past
Six former Panthers receive Distinguished Alumni Award during ceremony Saturday
Doug Graham/Staff Reporter
Issue date: 10/20/08 Section: News
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"I've struggled more with what to say tonight more than any other speech I've given. ... How do you encapsulate a 45-year relationship?" Claar said.
Claar and five other alumni received the award at the EIU Alumni Awards dinner Saturday.
Kenneth Damann Jr., class of 1966, quoted a phrase by Jonathon Swift that has guided him throughout his amazing career as an award-winning researcher in the field of agriculture.
"Whoever makes two ears of corn, or two blades of grass to grow where only one grew before, deserves better of mankind, and does more essential service to his country than the whole race of politicians put together," he said.
Journalist Ted Gregory, a recent Pulitzer Prize winner who graduated in 1981, talked about The Daily Eastern News and how it was a great beginning for him.
Barbara Hundley, class of 1965 and 1969, spoke of the amazing differences in Eastern women's athletics from her era to that of modern Eastern.
Members of the volleyball teams were not given letters for their varsity jackets while their male counterparts were.
Daryll D. Fletcher, class of 1975 and 1976, spoke of growing up with his mother and grandparents in a lower income house and how Eastern was his opportunity.
"(Eastern) helped me understand that there is a better life out there and that if I worked hard enough, I could get a piece of it," Fletcher said. "God bless Charlie-town, God bless America and God bless Eastern Illinois University."
Anthony Pleasant was the recipient of the Outstanding Young Alumnus award, which is granted to alumni who graduated in the previous five years.
"I'd like to thank everyone in this room because this award has so much to do with them and so little to do with me," Pleasant said.
Pleasant graduated in 2006.
Last year's recipient was Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo.
There were two Distinguished Educator Awards given out as well.
One of which was granted to John Marsaglia, the principal of Pleasant Plains Middle School, and the other to Dorothy Bennet, who was introduced by Gary Kling, the president of the EIU Alumni Association.
"It has been said that teachers have the ability to unlock hidden talent in their students," Kling said. "Dorothy has done this for thousands of children and among those thousand, my own."
The Louis V. Hencken Alumni Service Award was awarded to Jim Erdmann of the class of 1959. Erdmann has been a volunteer for the athletic department for decades, whether it is managing the clock at football and basketball games, or running the department's Spring Fling event four out of the last six years he has been there.
"After 48 years of marriage, my wife still says that she is my second wife and EIU is my first," Erdmann said to laughs and applause.
Doug Graham can be reached at 581-7942 or at dennewsdesk@gmail.com.
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