MARK:
Thanks Mike, It is truly a privilege for my wife Willow and I to present the “Allen G. Blezek Friend of LEAD Award” tonight. The Nebraska LEAD Alumni Association presents this very prestigious award annually to an individual or organization that has a distinguished history of providing outstanding support to the Nebraska LEAD Program.
For several years, the Nebraska LEAD Alumni Association had talked about a way to recognize our friend and long time Nebraska LEAD Program Director, Dr. Allen Blezek for his many, many, years of outstanding and distinguished service to our program. We concluded that one of the highest tributes that we could pay to him would be to annually present an award in his honor to someone who has provided distinguished service and superior support to the program. So in 1999, the Nebraska LEAD Alumni Association presented the award to none other than Dr. Blezek. Since then, fourteen individuals and organizations have been recognized at this annual banquet. . . . And tonight that tradition continues with the presentation of this year’s Allen G. Blezek Friend of LEAD Award to. . . Dr. Ron Hanson.
Dr. Ron Hanson serves as the Neal E. Harlan Distinguished Professor of Agribusiness in the Department of Agricultural Economics at UNL. In addition to teaching over 800 students in his classes each academic year, he serves as faculty academic adviser to 90 Department majors for (CASNR) the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources. Ron has been a member of the UNL Academy of Distinguished Teachers for the past eight years. Professor Hanson has been recognized by the University Parents Association twenty-two times for his contributions to UNL students, the most recognition for any UNL faculty member. My wife and I fully understand this level of recognition. Let me share, 4 years ago with 3 sons as undergrads in the University of Nebraska system, our 4th baby had just received a D1 Volleyball scholarship to Coastal Carolina. We were thinking, yes, no tuition fees for the 4th one. However, she decided that she wanted to attend UNL and just be a regular student like her brothers. And wouldn’t you know it. Within days of that decision, a personal letter arrived from Dr. Hanson. I will paraphrase the letter but basically it said, Katie, UNL is a great choice. You might consider Ag Economics as a major and I would offer to be your advisor. Well, in 57 days from this evening, our daughter Katie will graduate with an Ag Economics Degree, and three minors, Animal Science, Entrepreneurship and International studies. On behalf of my wife and I, let me take this moment to personally say “thank you” for making a difference in her life.
Professor Hanson’s college teaching and student advising career of 40 years has earned a total of 29 University honors and national awards. He has received the John Deere Agribusiness Teaching Award of Excellence and was named the Outstanding Ag College Instructor for the Central Region by the North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture. Ron was the first University of Nebraska professor to receive the USDA Excellence in University Teaching Award from the U.S. Department of Agriculture which is the highest national teaching honor granted to a college professor in the area of agricultural and food sciences. The award selection was based on exemplary teaching, innovative methodology, demonstrated teaching scholarship, and service to students, the university community, and to their professional discipline.
His most distinguished career honor was being named the Nebraska Professor of the Year by the Carnegie Foundation and the Council for the Advancement and Support of Higher Education in Washington, DC. His most cherished honor was being named the University Educator of the Year by the Student Senate in 2008.
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Three decades ago, during the 1980’s when almost five times as many Nebraska banks failed as during the great depression, we were going through a rather tough time in our states agriculture sector. Dr Hanson counseled, supported and advised a number of farm families that appeared at his office door who didn’t know where else to turn. I can imagine many nights when the home phone would ring and Marylyn would simply say, “Yes, I will keep dinner warm and put the kids to bed”
Ron has been part of the Nebraska LEAD Program since the beginning. He has been a presenter at every LEAD Class seminar, both September and March except for only two times during this span of more than 32 years. His efforts have made a lasting impact on Nebraska LEAD Fellows as well as their families.
Dr. Hanson was raised on an Illinois family farm. He earned his undergraduate degree from Western Illinois University and received both his Masters and PhD graduate degrees from the University of Illinois. Before coming to UNL in 1974, Dr. Hanson was an Assistant Professor in the Department of Ag Industries at Southern Illinois University for two years. Ron and his wife Marilyn have been married 45 years. They have two children and four grandchildren.
LEAD class 32 and LEAD class 2, family and friends, University staff, LEAD alumni and all our guests, please join me in congratulating, welcoming and honoring the “2014 Allen G. Blezek Friend of LEAD Award” recipient — Dr. Ron Hanson!
Dr. Hanson could I ask you to come to the podium with you your lovely wife, Marilyn.
Dr. Hanson, it is my pleasure, on behalf of the Nebraska LEAD Alumni Association, to say thank you and to present you with the “Allen G. Blezek Friend of LEAD Award” for the year 2014. (Applause)
Marilyn, we know that behind every great man is a great woman, we know that every night he spent with us was a night not spent with you and the family. Please accept these flowers as a token of our appreciation for your support of your husband.