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News The Dana College Alumni Council is pleased to announce its selections for awards to be presented at this year’s Homecoming Many thanks to alumni from across the nation who nominated their fellow Vikings to be honored in this way. The nominations were outstanding, and continue to amaze the selection committee and the Council with the accomplishments that Dana alumni have made. Those nominees who were not chosen this year will be considered for next year’s awards. Two individuals are to be inducted into the Dana College Athletic Hall of Fame. Josie Barrow was a second team All-American softball player, four-time all conference, and 2006 Conference Player of the Year. She ranks in Dana’s top ten in at least ten pitching and offensive statistical categories. Our other inductee, Derek Fey, was a two time All-American for Dana in cross country and track (marathon) as part of the powerhouse distance teams coached by Jay Birmingham. Derek also went on later to win the Omaha Marathon. For the Distinguished Alumni Award, we have a husband-wife team (a Dana first) and another individual familiar to most alumni. Matt and Amanda (Buttry) Poulter were standout runners in cross country and track for the Vikings. Matt’s success in business has led him to start several businesses and help young Christian men do likewise. Together, he and Amanda manage a non-profit organization, Keaton’s Angel Homes, which supports orphanages for special needs children in India and Taiwan as well as other organizations around the globe supporting women with special needs children. Their organization is named after their own adopted special needs child who passed away at a very early age. Amanda also volunteers at a pro-life pregnancy clinic. For our other Distinguished Alumni Award, the Council asked Bob Coffey to step down from the nominations committee so that we could nominate him. While a student, Bob was involved in nearly a dozen organizations at Dana, including three sports. He recently retired from a career in marketing and as development director for the Washington County Community Foundation. He has spent most of his volunteer life in service to Dana College and its alumni as Booster Club president, Alumni Council member, Dana Regent, and is currently president of the Dana College Foundation. He has spent the last several years as a liaison between the alumni community and the Angels Share organization which is repurposing the Dana campus. Again, thank you for these inspirational nominations! We hope you will all plan to attend Homecoming on Saturday, October 1st, to reminisce, learn more about campus plans, and honor our fellow alumni! News Dana Foundation Selects 2022 Scholarship Winners The idea is to help students have a college experience similar to that of Dana. In most years the Foundation awards two $5,000.00 scholarships. This year it has awarded three. “We had three individuals who really stood out,” said Bob Coffey (’75), president of the Foundation. “And we could not separate them to pare it down to two. Thanks to the generosity of donors to our Scholarship Fund, we found enough money to award all three.” The Foundation board reviewed a record number of applications (22) that came from all across the mainland. Students are judged upon their academic preparation, connections to Dana, school and outside activities, jobs and volunteerism, special achievements, and an essay. “Every year we are impressed with the ambition and achievements of our applicants. It does the heart good to get a glimpse of what tomorrow’s leadership could be,” said Coffey. “It’s amazing to see how these young people see Dana through the tales of their parents and grandparents. They really get what the Dana experience was about, and want it for themselves. We wish every one of our applicants the best in their future ambitions.” The three students selected for the Legacy Scholarships are: Briana Gardner Brandon Dirks Mark Severtson EventsDouble Class Reunions Bring Alumni From Across the NationThe classes of 1970 and 1971 celebrated their 50th reunions together at the Blair Marina on Friday, October 1, the day before Homecoming. Covid issues forced a delay of the 1970 reunion, making the double reunion even more fun. Alumni came from across the country to gather, reminisce, and enjoy a meal together before receiving their treasured Venerable Vikings medallions. Alumni viewed a video created by Ron Hulsebus shortly after the college closed, drawing a few tears and broken hearts. Bob Coffey, president of the Dana College Foundation gave an update of how the campus is being repurposed to help people at risk for homelessness and provide opportunities for youth sports and activities. Former Professor Dorothy Kundel Olson and Coach Dale Lemon were also invited to reconnect with many of their former students. Hosts for the evening were Rod and Diane Christenson and Steve and Kathy Cook. Dana Homecoming Class of 1970 First Row Second Row Dana College Homecoming Class of 1971 Center Front Row Second Row Back Row | News Pictures from Homecoming 2021 are now available! NewsAlumni Award Winners: "Wish the World Was Like Dana" The Dana College Foundation and Alumni Association honored three alumni on Saturday, October 2, 2021 with traditional awards given at Homecoming...Distinguished Alumni and Athletic Hall of Fame. James Cloyd, Mark Esser, and Jason Isaacson were this year’s honorees. Click here to learn more. |
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