Contact: Jason Wanlass jwanlass@weber.edu (801) 626-6347
WSU announces honorary degree recipients
Monday, April 12, 1999
OGDEN, Utah - Weber State University's Board of Trustees has selected four individuals who will be awarded honorary degrees at the university's 113th commencement May 6 at 5:40 p.m. in the Dee Events Center.
The recipients are: Alan L. Nye and Velma Saunders of Ogden; Fred S. Ball and Gordon B. Hinckley of Salt Lake City.
FRED S. BALL
Ball is senior vice president of Zions Bank and vice president of the Wagner Corporation. He previously served as president of the Salt Lake Area Chamber of Commerce for 25 years. While with the chamber, he was instrumental in bringing the Utah Jazz to Salt Lake City and helped win the 2002 Olympic Winter Games. The WSU alumnus and former student-body president, served eight years on the university's Board of Trustees including two years as chairman. He holds degrees from the University of Utah and Stanford Graduate School of Business. An active supporter of civic organizations, Ball has served as an advisor to: Ballet West, Pioneer Theater Company, Economic Development Corporation of Utah, Salt Lake City Convention and Visitors
Bureau and the Salt Lake Buzz. He currently serves on boards for KSL Television and Newsradio 1160, Sundance Film Festival, ZCMI Department Stores, Utah Symphony and the American Red Cross. Ball has been awarded honorary titles with the Utah National Guard, Salt Lake City Police Department and Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office.
ALAN L. NYE
Nye is chief executive officer of the Fred M. Nye Company, Nye Realty and Hurst Realty & Mercantile Company, all in Ogden. His 35-year career in the retail-clothing industry is highlighted by service as president of several organizations including: the Utah Retail Merchants Association, Ogden Rotary Club, Ogden Chamber of Commerce, Weber Industrial Development Corporation and Ogden Symphony Guild. Additionally, he has served on boards for Key Bank and Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Utah. Nye's economic-development efforts have helped establish several business ventures including the Weber Industrial Park and Ogden City Mall. A member of the advisory board for WSU's John B. Goddard School of Business & Economics, he holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Colorado and a master's degree from Columbia University in New York.
VELMA SAUNDERS
Saunders holds a bachelor's degree from Western Baptist College in Kansas City, Mo. An active community leader, the 89-year-old has served as a county employee for more than three decades. She currently works as a receptionist in the Weber County Commissioners Office. Her volunteer efforts span several decades and include positions on the boards of: the American Cancer Society, Ogden's Civil Defense Committee, Weber County Council on Aging, Ogden School District, Weber County Mental Health Department, Children's Aid Society, March of Dimes, American Red Cross and the United Way. She also was the motivating force behind the establishment of the Marshall White Center in Ogden. Saunders has received community-service awards from several businesses and organizations including: the Utah House of Representatives, Hill Air Force Base, Weber County Retired Volunteer Program, Utah Division of Aging and Adult Services and KUTV Channel 2. She also was named one of Utah's heroes by the Freedom Foundation.
GORDON B. HINCKLEY
President Hinckley, who will give the commencement address, is the 15th president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He assumed this office in 1995 after serving 14 years as a counselor in the First Presidency, the top governing body of the 10-million member church. He also served in the organization's Quorum of the Twelve Apostles for 20 years. His 60-year ecclesiastic career began when he was called to the Sunday School General Board in 1937. Hinckley went on to serve as the organization's public communications director for 20 years, followed by seven years as executive secretary of the General Missionary Committee. A successful writer, producer and public speaker, Hinckley is the author of numerous books and has been featured in several interviews with national media including: the "New York Times," "Los Angeles Times," "60 Minutes" and "Larry King Live." He holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Utah as well as numerous honorary doctorates.
| Additional Contact(s): | Marsha Richter, commencement chairwoman |
| mrichter@weber.edu | |
| (801) 626-6573 |