New Eckert Award Recipients Announced 

The annual Gerald and Susan Eckert Philanthropic Service Award ceremony held this month honored Lois Morgan ′54, M. Diane Koken ′72 and John K. Herr III. 

The presentation in the Eckert Art Gallery, located in the Winter Visual and Performing Arts Center, recognizes the recipients’ hard work and encourages others in service and philanthropic support. At the event, the recipients’ names were added to the award plaque outside the art gallery. 

Established in 2015, the Eckert Award is granted to those who demonstrate community leadership, service and philanthropy to advance the mission of higher education. Recipients are chosen based on recommendations from the Advancement Office, the University President, the Council of Trustees chair and the president of the Foundation.  Innovative ideas or practices assisting public higher education are also considered in the selection process.

The unusual aspect of the endowment is the recipient(s) direct the annual interest from the endowment to a University program of their choice.

About the Eckert Art Gallery
The Eckert Art Gallery was opened in 2012 with the mission to present diverse, dynamic and meaningful visual art experiences that inspire learners to grow intellectually and personally. Today, it is the University’s main exhibition space and seeks to feature nationally and internationally recognized artists to infuse the local and regional art community with new perspectives and exceptional visual art. 

Newest Exhibition at the Art Gallery
The gallery’s current display is “True Likeness,” an exhibition of contemporary portraits from diverse makers in various media, including video, painting, sculpture, printmaking, drawing and more. This collection will be displayed until Dec. 9, and guests are also encouraged to visit part of the display at Sykes Gallery in Breidenstine Hall.