Honoring our supporters

The evening before commencement each year President Dow bestows a number of awards to people and organizations helping OIT reach its potential. Among these is the Greatest Service Award. As President Dow was undergoing treatment, she was unable to attend the event. However, she videotaped segments to honor award recipients.

Here are the awards that were presented and some photographs from the evening:

An Outstanding Government Partner Award was presented to the Crater Lake National Park Staff, specifically Chuck Lundy, Mac Brock and Marsha McCabe.

President Dow was chair of the Crater Lake Trust for two years. Her background in microbiology and love of the great outdoors brought synergy to her involvement with the Trust. A dream she long harbored in her heart was to provide educational opportunities for students, across the continuum, at the National Park.

This dream came to fruition last summer, when the Science and Learning Center was opened in the former Superintendent’s Cottage at the Park. OIT and Southern Oregon University each have a faculty member working at the Center to provide educational pursuits for students ranging from kindergartners to post-graduate studies.

Chuck, Mac and Marsha worked tirelessly to make this possible. Their love and dedication to the Park and willingness to embrace the possibility of partnership will serve to introduce thousands of new minds and hearts to the wonder of Crater Lake.

Chuck Lundy and Mac Brock of Crater Lake National Park receive their award from Provost and Acting President Dave Woodall.

OIT’s Outstanding Community Partner honor was bestowed upon John Dey.

John is co-chair, along with Nancy Wendt, for the capital campaign raising funds for the Oregon Center for Health Professions. For those of you not acquainted with this effort, the Center is the building being constructed south and west of here. It is the first new building to be constructed on campus in 20 years and will allow OIT to expand its allied health professions enrollment.

John has personally walked the legislative halls telling the story about the importance of this effort. His commitment and dedication to OIT is remarkable. John has been engaged in promoting economic development for the Klamath area for many years. He understands the role OIT plays in building a stable future for this community and the state.

John has also become personally acquainted with the students here. He and his wife, Nancy, have mentored OIT students. The students receive great benefit from these interactions, but this has also served to enhance John’s dedication to the university. John Dey and his family’s business – Harvest Ford – are longtime supporters and partners of OIT.

John Dey with Provost and Acting President Dave Woodall.

OIT’s Greatest Service Award is among the most prestigious honors bestowed by the university. Dick and Nancy Wendt have been tireless supporters of OIT; President Dow has said that the Wendts have provided her loyal friendship and valuable insight throughout her career here.

Established 60 years ago, this award is presented by the university to individuals or organizations that have made unique contributions of time, energy and personal resources towards the advancement of Oregon Institute of Technology.

Throughout the Wendts’ 50-year history in the Klamath area, they have invested of themselves into their local university. Dick currently serves on the President’s Advisory Council, and Nancy is a member of the Oregon Tech Foundation Board of Directors.

They have recently championed the construction of the Oregon Center for Health Professions. The philanthropic arm of their family business, The JELD-WEN Foundation, contributed a $3 million lead gift to the Center’s Prescription for Oregon fundraising campaign. The Wendts also personally contributed $3 million toward a matching fund to encourage gifts from other donors. Nancy serves as co-chair of the campaign, along with John Dey.

The Wendts are known for their quiet philanthropy, having supported numerous improvements and charities throughout the Klamath Basin and the nation. They are generous with their wealth and vision and are always prepared to put personal time and effort into the causes they support.
They established the Wendt Presidential Scholarship to help OIT students obtain financial assistance in pursuing education and have closely mentored students completing studies here.

OIT is proud to consider Dick and Nancy Wendt two of its greatest supporters. They set an example of gracious beneficence and hard work for the entire university community.

Provost and Acting President Dave Woodall with Dick and Nancy Wendt.

-- Valeree Lane in service to Martha Anne Dow