WKU President Presents Diversity,
Other Special Awards

Bowling Green, Ky. - President Gary Ransdell presented special awards to five individuals Tuesday morning at Western Kentucky University's opening convocation in Van Meter Auditorium.

Diversity awards
Brian Moore, Heather Crawford and Stan England received the second annual President's Award for Diversity.

Moore, a Louisville senior and print journalism major, received the student diversity award for his efforts last spring as editor of the College Heights Herald. Under Moore's guidance, the student newspaper addressed diversity issues in story coverage and newsroom staffing.

Crawford, a residence hall director with the Department of Housing and Residence Life, received the employee diversity award for her work to promote diversity among faculty, staff and students. Crawford has worked with students to form two groups on campus, Alliance and the Outlet, to provide support and education for those facing lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender concerns.

Stan England, a WKU alumnus, received the community diversity award for his efforts to promote diversity in Bowling Green and Warren County. England, director of public relations and community service for Eagle Industries, serves as director of the War Memorial Boys and Girls Club and has worked with numerous community organizations.

Economic development award
Dr. George Vourvopoulos, founder of the Applied Physics Institute, received the first President's Award for Economic Development for his research on a pulse-neutron detection system.

The system, which analyzes the elemental composition of objects without seeing or touching the object, is nearing commercialization. The main research projects are in coal analysis, detection of explosives and detection of illicit drugs. Several federal agencies and the United Nations are interested in the device.

"The long-term benefits of your efforts will span the nation and indeed the world," Dr. Ransdell said. "Your work is bringing new business to Kentucky and generating jobs for this region."

Spirit of Western Award
Lee Robertson received the first Spirit of Western Award, which recognizes an individual who represents enthusiasm for Western, loyalty to the institution and principles of the Western experience and its motto "The Spirit Makes the Master."

Robertson, a 1950 graduate, is a special assistant to the vice president of Institutional Advancement. In his half-century of service to Western, Robertson was director of alumni relations for 25 years, golf coach for six years and director of the WKU-Glasgow campus.

"Perhaps Lee's unofficial capacity at Western can best be described as our number one ambassador," Dr. Ransdell said. "I can sum it up for you in Lee's own words: 'I love the place.' "

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-WKU-