Northern Arizona University

Feature Story

In 1932, the student body adopted the copper axe as the symbol for Lumberjack sports.  In 1933, the student government of NAU adopted the tradition of awarding small gold axe pins to recognize outstanding academic achievement and distinguished service to the University and greater community. The 45 Gold Axe awardees were selected from an applicant pool of nearly 250 students with four students receiving the distinguished President's Prize, considered the highest student recognition from the university. Six students were recognized as Distinguished Seniors (photo) by the Office of Alumni Relations.

One student was honored with the Joseph C. and Marie M. Rolle Award for Excellence.  This scholarship program was started by the Rolle children in honor of their parents’ many years of service to Northern Arizona University and recognizes academic excellence with distinguished community involvement.  Deanna Peterson is this year’s award recipient. She is a junior majoring in Dental Hygiene with a minor in Biology and expects to graduate in May 2012. She maintains a 4.0 GPA and is looking to continue her education with a master’s degree. Her goal is to serve the underprivileged population who would not have access to care otherwise.

Foundation News

Under the new agreement between NAU Ventures and the Northern Arizona Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology (NACET), NAU Ventures will provide intellectual property consultative and marketing services to NAU through a subcontract agreement with NACET. NAU Ventures will also provide access to patent counsel, hold equity positions beneficially for the university, and help bring private funding to the table to commercialize the university’s intellectual property.

Committee Updates

The Committee on Directors has invited three qualified people to visit the Foundation Board Meeting in May. These prospective board directors have all expressed interest in serving on the Board of Directors. The Committee on Directors is pleased to introduce:

David Falck

Executive Vice President, General Counsel & Secretary with Pinnacle West Capital Corporation and Arizona Public Service Company, Phoenix, AZ

He is responsible for overseeing all facets of the company’s legal affairs as well as the company’s state and federal Public Affairs groups.

Jeanette Garretty, Parent – Chair of the Parents’ Leadership Council

Vice President and Senior Private Client Advisor at Wells Fargo Private Bank

Palo Alto, CA

Jeanette specializes in the financial and estate planning needs of high net worth individuals in the Silicon Valley.

Larry West, BS – Journalism 1975

Chief Executive Officer with Meridian Bank, Scottsdale, AZ

Larry retired as Vice Chairman and Regional Executive for Retail Banking from Bank One, Arizona in 2004.

Making A Difference

The John and Sophie Ottens Foundation continues its amazing support of Northern Arizona University. Established in 1998, the John and Sophie Ottens Foundation is dedicated to improving the health of Native Americans in Northern Arizona and the Four Corners states. Their contribution of over $329,000 this year brings their cumulative giving to in excess of $5,200,000.

It is to the credit of John and Sophie Ottens that they readily accepted that "health" includes physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health. To this end, the Foundation has consistently partnered with Northern Arizona University to support programs that make a real difference to the health of Native Americans. The Ottens’ vision, generosity, and commitment to Native American education and health promotion have helped create steady, positive change in Native communities.

John and Sophie Ottens retired to Sedona, Arizona in the late 1980’s. They enjoyed traveling to reservation communities, but were dismayed by the poverty and lack of health services in some areas. They formed the John and Sophie Ottens Foundation to build capacity in Native American communities and improve access to health services and health education programs. Sophie Ottens passed away in October of 2000, and John Ottens in June 2001.

Henry and Jeanne Hooper, current Board Members and longtime friends of the Ottens, have continued the legacy of John and Sophie by providing leadership for the Foundation since 2001. They take a "hands-on" approach to grant making, visiting with grantees, students, and program staff to see first hand the impacts the Foundation has on the communities they serve.

Events

Gold Axe and Distinguished Senior Awards Program – April 19

The spring semester Gold Axe and Distinguished Senior Awards program was held April 19 in the High Country Conference Center in Flagstaff.  This event is held each semester to recognize academic achievements of outstanding students.  The program is hosted by the Office of Alumni Relations in partnership with Student Services and Associated Students of NAU.  Some 45 Gold Axe pins were presented to deserving students and six leaders received Distinguished Senior Awards.

Prescott Area Outreach Reception – April 29

The Alumni Office is coordinating a local outreach event in cooperation with the President’s Office.  Douglas and Marilyn Wall are hosting the reception at their Stoneridge home in Prescott Valley on Friday, April 29, from 3:30 - 5:30 p.m.  Dr. Wall is a former member of the Arizona Board of Regents and a strong supporter of NAU-Yavapai’s new center and academic programs in Prescott Valley.  He received an Honorary Doctorate of Law degree from NAU in 1995, and the Wall Aquatic Center on the Mountain Campus is named in his honor.  The April 29 reception will include area alumni, donors and friends as well as other local community leaders.  President Haeger will provide an update and discuss the university’s latest initiatives.  The Alumni Board will meet the following day, Saturday, at the Prescott Valley Library adjacent to NAU-Yavapai.

Del Mar Racetrack returns to the Alumni Event Line-up – July 30

More details to come later, but mark your calendars for Saturday, July 30, to attend NAU’s best southern California outreach event scheduled at Del Mar Racetrack.  This event has been hosted numerous times in past years by the Alumni Office.  After a hiatus of several years it is back on this summer’s schedule.  Always a fun day of racing, reconnecting with old acquaintances and making new friends, Del Mar consistently proves to be a trifecta experience.

Denver ChopHouse is on the NAU Menu – August 4

Always well attended and enjoyed by Denver area alumni, friends and donors, this year’s event is scheduled for Thursday evening, August 4, at the Denver ChopHouse & Brewery.  Watch future issues of the NAU Foundation Board Newsletter for more information as the date approaches for this fun summer gathering.