Last modified: Tuesday, June 1, 2004
Five to receive IU's highest alumni award
Presented during Cream & Crimson Weekend
EDITORS: For more information about IU's Cream and Crimson Weekend activities, contact the IU Alumni Association at 812-855-4822 or go to its Web site at https://alumni.indiana.edu. Print-quality photos are available from IU Media Relations, using the links associated with each photo below. Call George Vlahakis at 812-855-0846 if you need assistance.
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Indiana University will honor five persons with its Distinguished Alumni Service Award at a recognition luncheon Sunday (June 20) in Alumni Hall of the Indiana Memorial Union. The honor is IU's highest award that can only be given to an alumna or alumnus.
The recipients are George H. Atkinson, a senior adviser in the U.S. State Department, from Washington, D.C.; S. Henry Bundles Jr., founder of the Center for Leadership Development, from Indianapolis; Robert H. Everitt, executive vice president of FirstTrust, Indiana Bank, from Indianapolis; David R. Frick, executive vice president and chief legal and administrative officer of Anthem Insurance Cos., also from Indianapolis; and Peggy G. Miller, president of South Dakota State University in Brookings, S.D.
The five DASA recipients will receive their awards during IU's Cream and Crimson Weekend in Bloomington. They were chosen for services and achievements in their fields of endeavor and significant contributions to university, community, state or nation. With the addition of these recipients, IU has honored 273 alumni since the award's inception in 1953.
Following are individual bios for each award recipient:
George H. Atkinson
Since earning his doctorate at IU Bloomington in 1971, George H. Atkinson has forged a distinguished academic career in research, teaching and international service.
One of his distinguishing marks is his unusually effective service to his research community. This has culminated in his present position as science and technology adviser to the U.S. secretary of state. His close relationship with the European Union has been invaluable to decision makers and diplomats on issues that have emerged or are on the horizon, involving the direction science is heading.
Atkinson has held several research positions and professorships. He began his teaching career at Syracuse University as an assistant professor in 1973. In 1983, he became chairman of the Department of Chemistry at the University of Arizona. In 1992, he became president and chief executive officer of the Innovative Lasers Corp. and continues to serve in that capacity. That same year, he also was selected by students to receive the University of Arizona's Five Star Teaching Award as an outstanding teacher. He earned a bachelor of science degree from Eckerd College in Florida.
S. Henry Bundles Jr.
S. Henry Bundles Jr. has been a highly successful civic leader, businessman and entrepreneur for more than a half century. He was the driving force in the founding of the Center for Leadership Development, an organization dedicated to the development of minority youth in Indianapolis. Today, it prepares more than 2,000 high school students annually for college and success.
A 1948 IU graduate with a degree in journalism, Bundles was a founding member who championed the creation of the IU Neal-Marshall Alumni Club, and he continues to be active with the group. As an entrepreneur, his business vision has had a positive effect on minorities. Under his leadership, Summit Laboratories became one of the nation's top developers and manufacturers of ethnic hair products.
In 1999, he was inducted as a member of the Hall of Fame in the American Health and Beauty Aids Institute for his pioneering and visionary accomplishments in the industry. In retirement, he continues to plan and implement training workshops and seminars to assist in minority business endeavors.
Robert H. Everitt
Robert H. Everitt is a classic example of an alumnus serving his university and his community. His involvement with university activities began shortly after he graduated from IU with an undergraduate degree in business in 1961 and continues to this day. He also earned a law degree from IU in 1965.
A life member of the IU Alumni Association, Everitt has had leadership roles with the Indianapolis Alumni Club, the Woodburn Guild, the IU School of Law-Indianapolis Alumni Association, the IU School of Medicine Dean's Council and planned giving campaign, and the Executive Council of the Alumni Association.
His civic involvement parallels his alumni activities. His resume would suggest that Everitt has never refused a request of service from his community, his state, his public schools or his church. In almost every activity, he has been involved for several years starting as a committee member and ultimately becoming the leader of the group.
His service has been recognized with many awards, including the IU School of Law-Indianapolis Distinguished Alumni Service Award; the IUPUI Maynard K. Hine Medal; the IU School of Medicine Otis Bowen, M.D., Distinguished Leadership Award; the IU Alumni Club of Indianapolis Distinguished Alumni Award; and, finally, the IU Alumni Association President's Award.
Although he gave of his time freely, his professional career never faltered as he has risen in the banking industry to a top position of responsibility. He has been a vice president and trust officer or counsel at NBD Bank and since 1998 has been executive vice president and trust counsel at FirstTrust, First Indiana Bank, Indianapolis.
David R. Frick
David R. Frick has always been a leader. Starting with his college days, Frick has been involved in activities. He was student body president, a member of the Student Foundation, and a member of the Board of Aeons. He graduated from IU in 1966 with high honors. It was a natural progression for him to continue with this practice after college.
Frick's civic activities have touched almost all of Indianapolis. He served as deputy mayor of Indianapolis from 1977 to 1982 and was a partner in the Indianapolis law firm of Baker & Daniels. He played a key role in the redevelopment of the Indianapolis downtown and was the chief negotiator to keep the Indiana Pacers in town and to bring the Indianapolis Colts to the city. Since 1995, he has been executive vice president and chief legal and administrative officer of Anthem Insurance Cos.
Frick has been active in IU alumni affairs, serving as president of the College of Arts and Sciences Alumni Association and as a member of the Kelley School of Business Dean's Advisory Group and the IUPUI Board of Advisors. He has received numerous other honors from IU. He earned a law degree from Harvard University.
Peggy Gordon Elliott Miller
In addition to a distinguished career that has taken her from a high school teacher's position to the presidencies of institutions of higher education, Peggy Gordon Elliott Miller has made a profound contribution to many organizations that enrich the quality of life.
Miller, who earned a doctorate in education from IU in 1975, taught at Horace Mann High School in Gary, Ind., from 1959 to 1964. In 1971, she began a long association with the IU Northwest campus as an instructor, director of professional development, ACE Fellow in Administration and special assistant to the chancellor. In 1982, she was named assistant chancellor; in 1983, she was named acting chancellor; and in 1984, she was named chancellor. She led the IU Northwest campus until 1992.
She left IU Northwest to become president of the University of Akron, a position she held until 1996. That year, she became a senior fellow at the American Association of State Colleges and Universities in Washington, D.C., and in 1997, she became acting vice president for AASCU's academic and international programs. Since 1998, she has led South Dakota State University. The IU Northwest campus awarded her its Distinguished Alumni Award, as did the University of Akron.
Miller holds degrees from Transylvania University, Northwestern University and Chungman National University in South Korea.
