It was an evening of high honors.
Besides being literally high up in the Rice-Eccles Stadium Tower, the Young Alumni Association’s Spring Awards Banquet honored more than 40 people Thursday evening for scholarship and service.
“We’re striving to foster positive relationships between students, the Alumni Association and with the greater community,” said Jeff Justice, member of the Young Alumni Association board.
Award recipients included faculty and staff members, 17 high school students, several U students and NFL defensive tackle Luther Elliss.
Elliss, a former Ute football star, was given the Par Excellence Award for his professional success, community service and commitment to the U.
“Every time I come here, I walk through the university. It’s amazing to see what’s been done with the stadium and it’s neat to see what’s been done on campus. It’s also nice to see the Utes ranked in the top 10,” Elliss said before the ceremony.
Seth Longhurst, a senior at Davis High School and an Alumni Scholar, said he was shocked by the dinner and said he had no idea what an honor it was to be invited.
People soon to be at the U, people currently here, people graduating and former Utes were all invited because the Alumni Association wants to recognize all the accomplished and talented individuals associated with the U, said Jeff Hilton, president of the association. Calvin Boardman, professor of finance in the David Eccles School of Business, was given the Faculty Community Service Award for his time spent on numerous committees at the U, in addition to the financial advising he offers to non profit service groups in the community.
Michelle Hawes, director of the conflict resolution certificate program in the department of communication, was given the outstanding adjunct faculty award for her work in conflict resolution.
David Hanscom, director of undergraduate studies for the School of Computing, was given the Faculty Philips and Miriam Perlman Award for his efforts to interest high school students in computing and recruit them to the U.
Annie Nebeker, associate dean of students, received the Staff Philips and Miriam Perlman Award for her strong advocacy of students and concern for their personal as well as academic needs.
Outstanding Senior Awards were given to graduating students from each college who were nominated by their dean for academic success and service contributions.
The money given as scholarships to award recipients was raised by the Young Alumni Association in a 5k run organized during Homecoming Week, as well as from selling athletic event ticket packages. “You don’t expect to see such enthusiasm from people who not so long ago were concerned about getting enough credits and finding a parking place,” interim president Lorris Betz said of the association.