http://www.dri.edu
	Summer 2006

President’s medalists are pillars for DRI

Senator William Raggio shares some remarks upon accepting his President’s Medal.

In March, Sen. William Raggio, architect Tom Schoeman and KOLO-TV News Channel 8, represented by General Manager Matt James, were all awarded the DRI President’s Medal in recognition of their efforts on behalf of DRI and science education in Nevada.

Raggio is the state senate majority floor leader, and has held leadership posts on the Senate’s Finance and Education Committees and on the Interim Finance Committee and Legislative Commission.

Of Raggio, Wells said, “He’s a person who has provided a great deal of valuable guidance and advice to DRI in its efforts to tackle some of the most serious environmental challenges facing the state of Nevada.”

In addition to being an architect for some of DRI's beautiful buildings, Thomas Schoeman, pictured here with a student, became an informal ambassador for DRI and, in return, was thanked with a President's Medal.

Schoeman is chief executive officer of JMA Architecture Studios in Las Vegas. He began his relationship with DRI as an architect on several DRI building projects and has since shown great dedication to DRI.

“On his own he became an informal ambassador for DRI in the southern Nevada community, responding immediately when we recruited him to join our foundation,” said Wells. “In this role he has been invaluable to DRI through his community outreach efforts to familiarize southern Nevada with the institute and his professional advice in the planning and management of DRI’s continuing campus development projects.”

General Manager Matt James, left, accepts the President’s Medal on behalf of KOLO News Channel 8 from DRI President Stephen Wells.

DRI and KOLO-TV have worked together for nearly 20 years. The KOLO program “Live from Antarctica” allowed Washoe County students to talk to DRI scientists working in the Antarctic. In cooperation with DRI and the Washoe County School District, KOLO-TV currently sponsors an on-going science student of the month award, highlighting top science students in the district. The Science Student of the Month series is part of KOLO’s effort to reinforce the significance of academic achievement among today’s students. KOLO is also the media sponsor for DRI’s Golf Extravaganza and a past sponsor of the Nevada Medal program.

The DRI President’s Medal is given each year by DRI’s president to companies or individuals to acknowledge exceptional service or support of DRI and its mission. These medals are presented in lieu of honorary doctorates or similar forms of recognition awarded by teaching campuses of the Nevada System of Higher Education.