Alumni Association chooses President’s award winners

The winners of the IU Alumni Association’s 2008 President’s award took unusual routes after their college days at IU were over. 

The eight recipients received the award for their courageous volunteer efforts in the IU community as well as in their own communities.

“One thing that all of these recipients have in common is their strong affinity for Indiana University,” said Mike Wright of the IUAA.

Keith Rogers, one of the award recipients, has been active in the IU community even while residing in Gilbert, Ariz., with his wife and six kids. He is also a minister at the Son Rise Faith Community Center, where he enjoys his daily work.

“It’s great dealing with people and building relationships,” Rogers said. “The relationships that you build are so important in life.”

A graduate of IU-Northwest, Rogers was told to give back at an early age.
“My parents taught me to give to the community because the community has given to you,” Rogers said.

While it might seem like Rogers has a lot to balance with six kids and many different activities, he has learned to prioritize his life.

“You have to know what’s important,” Rogers said. “I sometimes will have my family involved in an event that I’m doing.”

Like Rogers, award recipient James Rice also has a profession that requires him to build relationships with people every day. A former principal, teacher and coach at the Elkhart Community Schools and Penn-Harris-Madison School Corp., Rice currently works at the Elkhart Area Career Center as an assistant director. 

The IU-South Bend graduate served as a board member, vice president and president of the IU South Bend Alumni Association from 1999 to 2006. Even with all of these credentials, Rice was still humbled by the award.

“I was overwhelmed,” Rice said. “Speechless.”

Rice credits his earlier roots to what he has accomplished as an alumnus.

“The IU education program played a big part in my life,” Rice said. “It opened a lot of doors for me.”

Representing the IU community is something these eight alumni have done out of the motive of simply being a good citizen.

“A lot of times I have volunteered and it goes unnoticed, which is fine,” Rogers said. “I usually don’t expect anything in return.” 

This time Rogers received in return the most prestigious award that any IU alumni can obtain from the University.