<< BackUE Alumni Association Presents Annual Awards at Founders Day 2010
Three alumni where honored for their achievements and service to UE as part of UE’s 156th Founders Day on Sunday, February 14, 2010: Tom Southwood ’81 – Edie Bates Volunteer Service Award, Len Devaisher ’98 – Young Alumnus Award, and Rose Mays ’67 was awarded the Distinguished Alumna Award. G. Richard Eykamp was named the Samuel Orr Honoroary Alumnus Award recipient. Please read below their outstanding bios.
Thomas L. Southwood ‘81
Recipient of the Edie Bates Volunteer Service Award
Tom Southwood has been an active volunteer for his alma mater for a number of years and is a strong supporter of its mission. His volunteer involvement ranges from the University’s President’s Club Executive Committee, Planned Giving Advisory Council, Evansville Regional Campaign Committee, 2009 Greek Reunion Committee, John Collins Moore Society and Purple Aces Club. Tom is a mentor and panel presenter to students and UE parents and has been an active volunteer with the local chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon
G. Richard Eykamp
Recipient of the Samuel Orr Honorary Alumnus Award
Although a Purdue University graduate, Dick Eykamp has been a long-time friend and supporter of the University of Evansville. Dick and his wife, Rita, are iconic “Community Citizens”. Recipients of their generosity include the Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra, Evansville Museum, Evansville Day School, Victory Theatre Restoration Project, and the Boy Scouts of America. The University of Evansville is grateful for their recent gift of Eykamp Hall within the new student center. Dick’s gifts of talent and financial support, and his love for the UE, make him a deserving recipient of the Samuel Orr honorary Alumnus Award.
Len Devaisher ’98
Recipient of the Young Alumnus Award
Throughout his career as a student at UE, Len earned many honors including the Guthrie May Outstanding Senior Male for class of 1998 as well as the University of Evansville Vision Award. His life after graduation has lived up to the great promise he showed as a student. While managing a successful career in banking at Old National Bank, Len has grown as an active community citizen and spiritual leader. Since 1995 he has held various pastoral positions within the United Methodist Church, including the Interim Director of Religious Life at UE during 2003-2004. He will soon assume the role of COO of Young Life Africa and will be moving with his family to Tanzania.
Dr. Rose M. Mays ‘67
Recipient of the Distinguished Alumna Award
Dr. Rose M. Mays has had a long, distinguished career in nursing and higher education. She recently retired as professor of nursing and associate dean for community and international affairs from Indiana University School of Nursing, Indianapolis. She taught pediatric nursing in IU’s graduate nursing programs and conducted research on health promotion for vulnerable adolescents. Rose serves her community as the chair of the board of the Challenge Foundation, a charter school, and is a member of a number of service organizations, such as the Indianapolis Chapter of Links, National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, and Chi Eta Phi Nursing Sorority. In 2002 Mays received the Tony and Mary Hulman Preventive Medicine and Public Health Award for her efforts to improve health care to the underserved. Earlier last month she was honored as the Rosa Parks Trailblazer Award for her work as a champion of diversity. She has well served her University as a trustee since 1992 and in leadership roles within the UE African American Alumni. She and her husband, William Mays, have endowed three funds: The Rose and William Mays Endowed Professional Development Fund for Nursing, Dr. Rose M. Mays Endowed Scholarship and William G. and Rose M. Mays Martin Luther King, Jr. Lectureship.
For more information regarding the UE Alumni Association Awards visit http://www.evansville.edu/alumniassociation/awards.cfm
Nominations for Alumni Awards are accepted year round by the Office of Alumni and Parent Relations.