E-Mail MyUNIverse eLearning A-Z Index Calendar Directory Contact Employment Visit UNI
Heritage Honours Awards
UNI Alumni Association Honors
The University of Northern Iowa Alumni Association congratulates the 2009 Heritage Honours Awards.
Bradley Block - Young Alumnus Award
Len Froyen-Alumni Service Award
Sally Frudden-Alumni Achievement Award
Guang Jin-Young Alumna Award
Bradley Block-Young Alumnus Award
Bradley Block came to the University of Northern Iowa to pursue a business degree and "wanted badly" to play football for the Panthers. Neither happened, but it all worked out anyway.
"All of the defensive back positions were covered, at least two-deep," said Block, who is originally from Humboldt.
He did, however, discover opportunity as UNI’s first four-year resident assistant and the entry point to his avocation, thanks to associate professor Lynn Brant’s physical geology class.
“He made geology interesting with his antics, humor and laid-back atmosphere," Block said. "My true passion was geared toward the outdoors and educating the public about our natural and cultural resources within park settings.” So, following graduation, he worked for four years for the Pocahontas County Conservation Board. In 1997, he moved to Custer, S.D., and eventually became the chief of interpretation at Custer State Park. Last October, Block joined Jewel Cave National Monument, home to the world’s second-longest cave, as chief of interpretation where he coordinates the interpretive and educational activities.
Block serves on the UNI Department of Earth Science Advisory Committee and provides seasonal employment listings to UNI students interested in natural history interpretation and biology. He also has conducted workshops for UNI students at regional conferences. For the past decade, he has presented evening programs to students visiting Custer State Park. Block is active on the national level, too, having served six years as regional director for the National Association for Interpretation-Region 5. He helped create a statewide Junior Naturalist program for children 7 to 12 years old; the program is now in its 12th year.
Active in his community, Brad volunteers as an instructor for the Custer County Hunter Safety course, is the assistant football coach for Custer High School and a leader for his son's Cub Scout pack.
“I prefer a busy lifestyle. By staying active with organizations and professional clubs, my friendship base has been extended across the country and with an amazing diversity of peers. From my observations, many people who give back enjoy the situation, work assignment, organizational position, club atmosphere, whatever it is. Some people who give back may know they are truly making a difference. Others give back to meet other people and continue their professional development. Still others give back for emotional therapy; doing something so different, that it cleans their mind. Combining all of these thoughts together explains my reasoning,” he said. “Life is short, so a person needs to do as much as possible.”
Bradley Block
Resides: Custer, South Dakota
Educational background: B.A. natural history interpretation, minor in earth science, UNI, 1993
Career: Federal Park Ranger for Jewel Cave National Monument (South Dakota), chief of interpretation
Family: wife, Cherri '92; children Logan and Darian
Visit Jewel Cave at http://www.nps.gov/jeca/
Len Froyen-Alumni Service Award
When Len Froyen was an undergraduate student at the University of Northern Iowa in the 1950s, he and his wife-to-be, Gail, spent many hours dancing in the Commons Ballroom. He never imagined that the place would hold significance some 50 years later as a venue in which to honor him for his service to the university.
“We never knew how a space used to bring us together would serve a similar purpose 50 years later,” said Froyen, who is originally from Clarion, Iowa.
As UNI emeritus professor of educational psychology and foundations, Froyen, cites four projects of which he is particularly proud: chairing his class's 40th reunion, the inaugural teacher education convocation, coordinating the Stadium Hall Reunion and spearheading the campaign to renovate the Lang Hall Auditorium.
In 1996, renovation plans for Lang Hall called for the "Old Aud" to be put to other uses, but a group of faculty and students petitioned the Board of Regents, State of Iowa, to save the historic space. It was an emotional issue. Froyen and Patricia Maxwell '58 spearheaded the Lang Hall Renovation Fund, and raised the needed $500,000.
“The auditorium is a historical space on campus where people came and gathered to talk about who we are, and it's where we invited other people to come and expand upon those ideas,” Froyen said. “We thought there needed to be some way beyond the space to identify this heritage. So the Lang Society was born; a collection of people who want to consolidate, preserve and enhance where this institution has been and where it is going.”
In 2004, Froyen and Don Adams '57 co-chaired the Stadium Hall Reunion. Between 1947 and 1961, more than 1,600 freshmen lived in Stadium Hall, the mezzanine level of O.R. Latham Stadium. The reunion was the first “affinity” reunion hosted by UNI.
“Len is one of the most intelligent people I've known. He is an outstanding leader and deeply committed to the University of Northern Iowa as well as the Cedar Falls community,” said Adams. “After retiring from his faculty position he has devoted countless hours to his church. I have worked with few people as thorough in preparation for meetings and events or in implementation of plans as Len. People love working with, and for, Len.”
Ordained as a deacon in the Catholic Church in 1989, Froyen serves St. Stephen's Catholic Center as an alumni liaison to UNI and is a member of the Catholic Student Association. He recently completed his second term on the UNI Alumni Association Board of Directors (he and Gail have been an Alumni Association Members since 1977); and a member of UNITE, the grassroots advocacy effort to ensure UNI remains a top priority of the Iowa General Assembly.
He also co-chaired the College Hill Arts Festival with Karen Mukai '67, M.A. '71 and '78, from 1995 to 2003.
“After retiring I wasn't sure what I wanted to get involved in, but I knew something would come along to pique my interest. I see giving back as part of my experience at the university. It's easy to get involved at UNI because I like the people,” Froyen said. “Service to me has its roots in gratitude. If you're grateful, it's not an obligation to serve but a desire.”
Leonard “Len” Froyen
Resides: Cedar Falls
Educational background: B.A., social science teaching, UNI 1957; M.A., Michigan State, 1958; Ed.D., Indiana University, 1970
Career: Began teaching at UNI's Malcolm Price Lab School in 1958; following his doctorate, he returned to UNI as instructor in the Department of Education in 1963; became head of the Department of Educational Psychology and Foundations in 1970; UNI emeritus professor of educational psychology and foundations, retired in 1994
Family: wife, Gail; son, Scott of Ankeny; daughter Barb of Urbandale; son, Brett of Cedar Falls, all UNI alumni. The Froyens have four grandchildren and two great-grandsons.
Sally Frudden-Alumni Achievement Award
In 2003, Sally Frudden was named Woman of the Year by the Charles City (Iowa) Chamber of Commerce.
If you look at her list of accomplishments, perhaps her award should be renamed "Woman of the Years." Since 1970, Frudden has generously worked to improve education, as well as worked on economic development and social issues.
She says her drive stems from a sturdy foundation of small-town midwestern values and beliefs.
“My passion for what I've done most likely results from growing up, marrying and raising children in Charles City where folks are pretty well connected to, and supportive of, each together,” said Sally, now living in Rockford, Ill.
Frudden has served on statewide boards and commissions, including the Iowa State Board of Education from 1993 to 2006; the Coordinating Council on Post High School Education; the Community College Coordinating Council; Reading Recovery to improve reading proficiency and student achievement; and the AEA Education Design Team.
At the University of Northern Iowa, Frudden served on the UNI Foundation Board, chaired the Long-Range Planning Committee, and helped with outreach and programs for in-service and continuing education.
“As a consummate advocate for education in Iowa, Sally Frudden has made a lasting impact on every level of education from preschool to college. She's also been a champion of education for special needs children,” said William Callahan, dean, UNI College of Education.
Her desire to help special needs children developed after her third child, Jim, born in 1966, was diagnosed with Down's Syndrome.
“My husband, Dan, and I worked with community support to improve care and education for special needs children in our county and two adjacent counties. The result was Comprehensive Systems Inc., that operated from Charles City. The program opened in January 1970 with the mission of serving the handicapped,” Frudden said.
Jim died just before Comprehensive Systems opened. Comprehensive Systems now offers homes and workshops in six Iowa communities.
“It seemed logical to go to UNI to be trained in special education so I could make further contributions to that emerging field,” she said.
Frudden also founded The Learning Center (TLC) in Charles City, a private, nonprofit early childhood education program.
“The most difficult and successful accomplishment was The Learning Center. We insisted this be more than a baby-sitting facility and that it embrace a recognized curriculum and have measurable objectives that supported our mission. We partnered with UNI; it was beneficial for both. The funding was difficult because high quality means greater cost. Yet, the community supported it, recognizing that good preschool programs are great economic tools.”
In 1994, when Charles City faced the loss of 3,000 jobs, Frudden co-chaired the Development Capital Campaign raising $500,000 for job creation and another $500,000 for a capital campaign. She served as president of the Charles City Area Development Corporation and on the board for North Iowa Venture Capital, a fund that invested in emerging businesses in Iowa.
Frudden also co-founded Charles City Citizens Against Child Abuse and is a founding member for Camp Courageous in Monticello, which provides camping experiences for children and adults with special needs.
She is equally dedicated to her alma mater. She and her late husband, Dan, made a leadership gift to the Freeburg Early Childhood Program and established the Frudden College of Education Endowment Fund for Excellence. In recognition of her service, UNI created the Sally J. Frudden Ethic of Caring Award, given annually to a faculty member who exemplifies the ethics of caring.
Of all her achievements, Frudden says the most gratifying is her family.
“I had a very successful marriage of more than 51 years and two children, Bill and Nancy, who give me every reason to love them and be proud of them,” she said.
Sarah “Sally” Carbaugh Frudden
Residing: Rockford, Ill.
Educational background: B.A., elementary education, UNI, 1955; M.A., special education, UNI, 1972; PhD, educational administration, Iowa State University, 1980.
Career: UNI assistant professor of education, 1972-1992; UNI student teaching coordinator for the Charles City area; emerita professor of education since 1992
Family: Daughter Nancy Jane Frudden Garry; son, Bill; grandchildren, Adam and Hannah.
Guang Jin-Young Alumna Award
Traveling thousands of miles from home to attend a college in a country far different from your own can be daunting—different culture, different language, different customs and different social mores.
Guang Jin knows how it feels. Twenty years ago, she came from Jiamusi, China, to the University of Northern Iowa to pursue graduate degrees in industrial technology. Breaking through the language and culture barriers seemed impossible at first.
“John Fecik was my adviser for both master and doctorate degrees. His patience helped me to get through a difficult time of overcoming language barriers and adapting to American culture,” said Jin. “Mohammed Fahmy, who served as department head for 20 years, shaped the department; he cares and encourages students to reach their potential. John Somervill's [former graduate school dean] judgment and ability to see people's potential helped me finish my education at UNI. These three made a great difference in my life and helped to lay a great foundation for my professional career at Deere.”
Knowing the difficulties she faced encouraged Jin to help students from China adapt to UNI. She guides students through the admissions process and serves as a liaison between their families and the UNI Office of International Admissions.
“She has used her contacts and her enthusiasm for UNI to encourage Chinese families to consider UNI. It's a big decision for a family to send their child to a school thousands of miles away from home,” said Kristi Marchesani, UNI international admissions assistant director. “She takes the students under her wing and makes sure they have a wonderful experience.”
Jin and her husband, Zifan “Frank” Ju D.I.T. '96, also have established funds to support students and faculty. The Dr. Guang Jin & Dr. Zifan Ju IT Faculty Development Fund will help faculty with professional development; the Dr. Guang Jin & Dr. Zifan Ju Faculty Excellence Award will honor outstanding faculty; and the Dr. Guang Jin & Dr. Zifan Ju Scholarship for Industrial Technology will assist students in any major in the Department of Industrial Technology.
“This level of financial commitment and generosity is rare among young alumni. It is much appreciated and reflects the sincere dedication toward UNI and the Department of Industrial Technology faculty and students,” Fahmy said.
“Guang is one of a kind. She knows what needs to happen and knows how to get things done,” Marchesani said.
Since graduating from UNI, Jin has worked at Deere & Co. in a number of leadership roles including quality management, project management, global supply management, operations management and manufacturing engineering.
“Guang is a respected leader. She has an open management style that brings out the best in people without compromising the core values of the business,” said Kris Einsweiler, drive train operations manager, John Deere Waterloo Works. “Her leadership values extend beyond her job. She maintains a strong community presence and remains involved in the UNI College of Natural Sciences and the Department of Industrial Technology. Guang helped facilitate a partnership between Cedar Falls High School and Jiamusi No. 1 High School.”
Jin, who also serves on the Department of Industrial Technology Advisory Board, conducts seminars and participates in classes to share her expertise with faculty and students.
“I believe the meaning of life is to make a positive difference and provide positive influences to society by providing services to the community and people. I often think about the help received. It's now my turn to help. I hope that I will be continuously blessed to be able to help more and more people and do as much as I can for UNI,” Jin said.
Dr. Guang Jin is global manufacturing engineering manager for the tractor platform at Deere & Company. Her experience includes key leadership roles in quality management, enterprise-wide ERP process/system implementation, operation management, global supply management and manufacturing engineering at Deere & Company. She serves as Advisory Board member for both UNI and the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology.