Media Relations
Press Release:
MEDIA CONTACT: Janette Robbins
561.297.4076,
jrobbi13@fau.edu
FAU Honors Outstanding Leaders at
2009 Talon Awards Ceremony
BOCA RATON,
FL (December 11, 2009) – Florida Atlantic
University recently held its 14th Talon Awards ceremony as part of
Homecoming 2009. Since 1997, the Talon Awards ceremony has
recognized outstanding leaders from the community, alumni
constituency, faculty and student body. Co-sponsored by the FAU
National Alumni Association (FAUNAA) and FAU Student Government,
this year’s event and reception were held at the Marleen
& Harold Forkas Alumni Center on the Boca Raton campus. Honored
that evening were David Gury, Thomas Workman ’71, Dr.
Nannetta Durnell-Uwechue and Megan Schroeder.
“Over
the years, the Talon Awards have become a University
tradition” said John F. Pritchett, FAU Interim President.
“This annual event provides a unique opportunity to bring
together students, alumni, faculty, staff and friends of the
University in celebration of those who have rendered outstanding
leadership and service to FAU.”
The
recipient of the 2009 President’s Talon Award was David Gury.
Providing outstanding service to the FAU University community, Gury
has served on several boards and on the governor’s review
panel of the centers of excellence grants that resulted in the $10
million grant to FAU to establish the Center of Excellence in
Biomedical and Marine Biotechnology in 2003. The FAU Board of
Trustees recognized his many contributions to the University by
presenting him with their service award in 2008. Gury’s
relationship with FAU has spanned more than 20 years. His wife,
Karen, is an alumna.
“I
am very proud to stand among past recipients of the
President’s Talon Award,” said Gury. “My own
involvement with FAU has been very personally fulfilling through
service on the dean’s advisory council of the Charles E.
Schmidt College of Science, the College of Business dean’s
executive council and the FAU Foundation, which I had the privilege
of chairing. I am grateful for this recognition from a University
which means so much to me and which has an immeasurable impact upon
our South Florida community and beyond.”
This
year’s recipient of the Alumni Talon Award was Thomas Workman
’71. Acknowledging leadership, achievement, community
involvement and loyalty to FAU and the FAUNAA, the Alumni Talon
Award is presented annually to a member of the alumni body.
Workman, who was selected from a strong field of contenders, is
president of Thomas Workman & Associates, Certified Public
Accountants. He has served in leadership capacities with the
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants the Florida
Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and on the boards of
several banks and various non-profit organizations. Workman’s
affinity for FAU is evidenced by the numerous leadership roles he
has accepted at the University. He is a former president of the
FAUNAA, has served as treasurer, finance committee chair and
executive committee member of the FAU Foundation Board, and
currently is an FAU Board of Trustees member. Workman is a major
benefactor of the Marleen & Harold Forkas Alumni Center; a
member of the Parliament of OWLS (the alumni honor society), the
Owl Club and the University Club; and was recognized as the 2008
Outstanding Alumnus by the School of Accounting in FAU’s
College of Business.
“What
a thrill to be honored by my alumni peers,” said Workman.
“It is a privilege to be a part of the excitement, growth and
development that characterize Florida Atlantic University. My
service to FAU is motivated by commitment and loyalty to my alma
mater. I am proud to be an Owl.”
Accepting
the 2009 Faculty Talon Award was Dr. Nannetta Durnell-Uwechue.
Chosen from a field of worthy candidates, Dr. Durnell-Uwechue
typifies excellence in teaching. An associate professor in the
School of Communication and Multimedia Studies in the Dorothy F.
Schmidt College of Arts and Letters, she views teaching as a
collaboration, an interactive event in which authority and
influence are shared. Durnell-Uwechue empowers her students,
equipping them with the skills they will need to realize their full
potential.
“I
am most appreciative for having had the opportunity to teach such a
myriad of students at FAU during the past 17 years,” said
Durnell-Uwechue. “I have learned from them, and I hope that
they have learned from me. This award gives me hope that my
students are all the better for having enrolled in my classes and
that the world will be better served by them.”
The
recipient of the 2009 Student Talon Award was Megan Schroeder.
Honored for her excellent leadership skills and meaningful service
to the University and the community at large, Schroeder is
currently a senior in FAU’s College of Education. An
elementary education major, she is already teaching full time
through FAU’s accelerated induction into teaching program.
Schroeder’s commitment to helping others and making a
difference are demonstrated by her involvement in such diverse
areas as FAU Student Government (currently, FAU’s Treasure
Coast governor); community organizations which provide support to
various groups, such as the homeless, U.S. military personnel and
children in need; and the Humane Society of the Treasure Coast.
Prior
to the Talon Awards presentation, 16 FAU graduates were inducted
into the Parliament of OWLS (Older, Wiser LeaderS). The
University’s alumni honor society, the Parliament of OWLS
recognizes and reunites outstanding alumni who are former student
leaders, past presidents of the FAUNAA, distinguished alumni of the
colleges and Alumni Hall of Fame members.
The
FAUNAA is a non-profit alumni organization that represents the more
than 110,000 FAU alumni. For more information about the FAUNAA,
contact alumni relations at 1-888-FAU-ALUM (328-2586).
- FAU -
About Florida Atlantic University:
Florida Atlantic University opened
its doors in 1964 as the fifth public university in Florida.
Today, the University serves more than 28,000 undergraduate and
graduate students on seven campuses. Building on its rich
tradition as a teaching university, with a world-class faculty,
FAU hosts ten colleges: College of Architecture, Urban
& Public Affairs, Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts &
Letters, the Charles E. Schmidt College of Biomedical Science,
the College of Business, the College of Education, the College of
Engineering & Computer Science, the Harriet L. Wilkes Honors
College, the Graduate College, the Christine E. Lynn College of
Nursing and the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science.
