Alumni Awards 2015
The Buena Vista University National Alumni Association honored individuals and couples for their service to the University and to their communities at a special luncheon and at half-time of the Homecoming game on Oct. 10.
The Buena Vista University National Alumni Association honored individuals and couples for their service to the University and to their communities at a special luncheon and at half-time of the Homecoming game on Oct. 10.
Those who were honored are:
Shawna Lode, Class of 1996, of Johnston, is the recipient of the 2015 Keith Briscoe Alumni Award. The award is named in honor of BVU's 16th President, who led the campus from 1974 to 1995 and recognizes recent graduates for their past student achievements and present career success.
Lode graduated from BVU with a degree in mass communication and received a master's degree in communication leadership from Drake University. She is the director of the Iowa Tourism Office of the Iowa Economic Development Authority, previously the Iowa Department of Economic Development.
Lode is involved with the University as a loyal supporter of BVU, serving six years on the BVU National Alumni Association Board of Directors, and by regularly returning to campus to speak with classes and be involved with career-prep events. She is married to James Myers and they have two sons, Rowen and Paxton.
Bradley Kain and his wife, Deanna (Reichter) Kain, both Class of 1988, of Grimes are the recipients of the 2015 John Fisher Alumni Award. Established in 1970 and named in honor of the University's 14th president, the John Fisher Award recognizes BVU graduates who possess a consistent and persevering dedication to the qualities for which the University stands.
Brad and Dee graduated from BV with degrees in accounting and minors in management information systems. In 1994, they founded K&R Consulting Group, Inc., which sells and provides support for small business software, where Brad is president and Dee is vice president. They have triplet sons, Justin, Austin, and Travis, who recently started college.
The couple have been past participants in the Career Symposium and are members of the Order of the Arch and donors to the Estelle Siebens Science Center and the Dr. Wayne Higley Endowed Scholarship in Accounting. Dee served on the BVU National Alumni Association Board of Directors from 1991-97.
Dr. Richard Lampe, Class of 1969, and his wife, Maxine (Warntjes) Lampe, Class of 1966, of Storm Lake, are the recipients of the 2015 Henry Olson Distinguished Service Alumni Award. This award is the highest honor presented by the BVU Alumni Association. The award is named in honor of the University's 13th president and recognizes former students who have made significant contributions to society and/or the University and for their exceptional effort, dedication and self-sacrifice in service to others.
Richard graduated from BV with a degree in biology and received his master's degree from the University of Kansas and his Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota. Maxine received her degree in elementary education from BV and a master's degree from Drake University.
Richard is professor emeritus of biology for BVU, where he taught from 1976 until his retirement in 2015. Maxine is a retired principal of Alta Elementary/Middle School. They have two children and five grandchildren.
Richard served in a number of leadership and administrative capacities at BVU and received the John Fisher Alumni Award in 1991. Maxine served on the BVU National Alumni Association Board of Directors from 1992-95 and the advisory council for the School of Education. The couple established the Lampe Life-Long Learning Endowed Scholarship in honor of Elwood and Verna Lampe, which supports non-traditional age students at BVU.
Harry and Molly Stine of Adel are the recipients of the 2015 Wendell Halverson Outstanding Friend Award. The award is named in honor of BVU's 15th president and recognizes individuals who, although not alumni of the University, have demonstrated a commitment to Buena Vista University and its students.
Harry Stine graduated from McPherson College in 1963 and is the president and founder of Stine Seed Company, which employs nearly 400 people in 16 states and is the largest privately-owned seed company and the fourth largest seed company overall in the United States. His wife, Molly, is originally from Cherokee and plays an integral role in the planning, collection, and analysis of Stine Seed's research data. The couple's family includes four children, all of whom have some role in Stine Seeds, and eight grandchildren.
The Stine Foundation, specifically Harry and Molly Stine, have been very supportive of the BVU School of Science's student engagement program of research activities for students on and off campus, the BVU Scholars Day program, and construction of the Estelle Siebens Science Center. Most recently, the Stines made a $2.7 million gift to establish the Stine Endowed Chair to promote, support, and expand high-impact educational practices and enriched learning opportunities for students in the BVU School of Science.