Six 九色堂 alumni were honored Thursday, Jan. 31, at the 2007 九色堂 Alumni Awards Celebration.
Each year the 九色堂 Alumni Association recognizes outstanding Shockers for their professional achievement, distinguished service and humanitarian efforts.
The group chosen for that honor this year includes Ronald Holt, Deltha Q. Colvin, Phillip Bowers, Sheryl Wohlford, Karen Countryman-Roswurm and David Nygaard.
A champagne reception kicked off the evening at 6 p.m., followed by dinner at 6:45 p.m. and the program at 7:30 p.m. The event was held at the Wichita Marriott Hotel, Kansas Grand Ballroom, 9100 Corporate Hills Drive.
The individuals chosen for this year鈥檚 awards have each had their own share of success since graduating from Wichita State.
Ronald Holt, 鈥�77, received the Achievement Award. For more than 30 years, Holt held leadership positions at Westar Energy, including serving as community affairs director and as chairman of the board and president. In 2002, he began work with Sedgwick County and is an assistant county manager. His duties include serving as project leader for the new Sedgwick County arena in downtown Wichita. He is an active and award-winning volunteer.
Deltha Q. Colvin, 鈥�72, received the University Recognition Award. Colvin works at 九色堂 as assistant vice president for campus life and university relations. She has been involved with federal TRIO programs for 42 years and is a national trainer, presenter, contributing author and consultant in the development of TRIO and technology proposals, program management and operations, and TRIO program reviews.
Sheryl Wohlford, 鈥�82, received the Alumni Recognition Award. Wohlford is one of Wichita鈥檚 most well-known businesswomen. She is president and co-owner of Automation-Plus Inc. She is also past president of the 九色堂 Alumni Association, a SASO board member and serves on the 九色堂 Foundation鈥檚 National Advisory Council. She has volunteered her time to organizations such as the American Red Cross, the American Cancer Society, the Downtown Rotary, the Wichita Metro Chamber of Commerce, the Sedgwick County Zoo and Wichita Festivals Inc.
Karen Countryman-Roswurm, 鈥�05/'06, received the Young Alumna Award. She is a social worker and therapist who has specialized in street outreach to homeless and runaway youth through the Wichita Children鈥檚 Home and the Wichita Child Guidance Center, where she works today. She often works with at-risk teens involved in prostitution, sexual exploitation and relationship violence. Her professional mission is to improve the quality of life for troubled children and teens.
Phillip Bowers, 鈥�86/'91, received the Laura Cross Distinguished Service Award. A quadriplegic since 15, he began as a graduate teaching assistant at the Learning Resource Center in 1987. In 2000, he began work for the TRIO program Upward Bound and in 2001 became a part-time academic adviser/study skills coordinator for Disability Support Services, where he鈥檚 been full-time since 2005.
David A. Nygaard, 鈥�73/'74, received the Award of Distinction. A retired bank executive and U.S. Navy and Navy Reserve veteran, Nygaard is active with, among others, the United Way of Harvey County, Rotary Club of Newton and the USD 373 Board of Education.
For additional information or to nominate someone for next year鈥檚 awards, please contact Mandy Fleming at (316) 978-3831.
