Index of University Press Releases

Sept. 7, 2007

DWU alumni to be honored

MITCHELL – Dakota Wesleyan University will honor six alumni at a special recognition banquet during the annual homecoming celebration.

The Alumni Awards Banquet is set for 6:30 p.m., Friday, Sept. 28, in the Sherman Center. Seating is limited and reservations can be made by calling the university’s alumni office at (605) 995-2603. Homecoming runs Sept. 27-30.

	Alumnus of the Year Bob Parkinson, Glendale, Calif., graduated from DWU in 1933 and received an honorary doctorate from DWU in 1990. He worked in sales for 17 years and education 27 years before retiring. Bob remains active in his church, where he has held a variety of leadership positions.
	Outstanding Service to Alma Mater Keith Miller, Pierre, received his bachelor’s degree from DWU in 1947 and his graduate degree from the School of Banking at the University of Wisconsin. Before his retirement, Miller worked as an insurance and banking executive. He is a past DWU Alumni Board member.
	Outstanding Professional Achievement Brian Klock, Mitchell, received his bachelor’s degree from DWU in 1991. Klock’s business, Klock Werks, builds custom motorcycles and recently won the Discovery Channel’s Biker Build-Off Competition. His work has also been featured in a variety of national publications and events.
	Outstanding Educator Rick Melmer, Pierre, received his bachelor’s degree from DWU in 1979, his master’s degree from South Dakota State University and his doctorate from the University of Wyoming. Melmer currently serves as the secretary of education for the state of South Dakota and is a member of the DWU Board of Trustees.
	Humanitarian of the Year Naomi Hull, Lincoln, Neb., received her bachelor’s degree from DWU in 1952 and her master’s degree from the University of Nebraska. She has done extensive work in the field of pastoral care, including serving as a founding member of The Gathering Place, a family support center in Lincoln, Neb.
	Young Alumna of the Year Jeanene Sampson, Moville, Iowa, received her bachelor’s degree from DWU in 1996 and her master’s degree from the University of South Dakota in 2001. She currently is the head principal for grades nine through 12 for the Sioux City Public Schools.

For nomination information and forms for the 2008 DWU alumni awards, visit www.dwu.edu/alumni or contact the alumni office at alumni@dwu.edu or (605) 995-2603.