Briar Cliff University Bestows Awards

SIOUX CITY, Iowa – Briar Cliff University will recognize three individuals with special honorary awards at the commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 17, 2008.

At the event, BCU President Beverly A. Wharton will bestow the Briar Cliff University Medal, the Presidential Distinguished Leadership Award and the Spirit of Saint Francis Award, while William T. Mangan, Ph.D., vice president for academic affairs, will provide the tribute to recipients.

This year’s Briar Cliff Medal goes to Marilyn Christiansen. Established by the Briar Cliff University Board of Trustees in 1973, the Briar Cliff University Medal recognizes human service by persons who have made great contributions to Briar Cliff or individuals whose contributions to education, religion or government have been significant.

"Marilyn has worked tirelessly to help others," said Mangan. "She does all of this because she loves people and because this is who she is."

At Briar Cliff, Christiansen has served on the Board of Trustees and was chairperson of the President's Leadership Council. She also has served on Boards for Easter Seals, Bishop Heelan High School, Catholic Charities and Siouxland Cares.

Christiansen was a member of the Catholic Schools of Sioux City Development Committee and was co-chairperson for the Catholic School System's Capital Campaign, known as "So Generations Might Know.”In the 1990’s, she was a member of the Mercy Auxiliary at the Mercy House in Des Moines, where she worked to fund programs to assist addicted mothers of young children.

She also worked on Mercy's POPS Program, which helps prepare children for surgery. Christiansen has been a volunteer at June E. Nylen Cancer Center and the Auxiliary at The Jackson Recovery Center for Women and Children. She has served on the Mercy Alliance for Women's Health and the Mercy Medical Center's Annual Gala committee. 

In 2000, she received the Leadership in Catholic Education Award at the Bishop's Dinner. In 2003, she received the Sign of Hope Award from Catholic Charities. In 2005, she received the Women Helping Women Award from Jackson Recovery Center.

Christiansen and her late husband, Russell, are the recipients of the prestigious Dr. George G. Spellman Annual Service Award from Mercy Medical Center.  She currently is a new board member for Jackson Recovery Center for Women and Children.

This year’s recipient of the Presidential Distinguished Leadership Award is Steven Meyer, M.D. Established to recognize distinguished service to Briar Cliff University that has resulted in significant achievement and advancement of the university’s philosophy, goals and programs, the Presidential Distinguished Leadership Award has been presented annually at commencement since 1982. 

"Dr. Meyer truly is a humanitarian," Mangan noted. "Through his work, he lives the mission of Briar Cliff University, which proclaims our commitment to a tradition of service, caring and openness to all."

Dr. Meyer holds a bachelor's degree from Iowa State University and a Medical degree from the University of Iowa. He is a Phi Beta Kappa and an orthopedic surgeon at CNOS in Dakota Dunes, SD.

In 1996, he undertook a mission trip to Tanzania, which had a profound impact on his life.  Subsequently in 1997, he organized a group to meet the spiritual, medical and educational needs of Tanzanians. In doing so, he founded STEMM, Siouxland Tanzania Educational and Medical Ministries. Since then, he has led groups of Siouxlanders to Tanzania twice annually.

While on mission trips to Tanzania, Dr. Meyer has performed surgeries on over 500 handicapped children to cure their deformities. He also has worked to improve the living conditions of more than 1.5 million orphans in Tanzania by providing a consistent supply of food, clothing, beds and bedding. STEMM also sends nearly 1,000 children to high school and college annually.

The 2008 recipient of the Spirit of St. Francis Award is Judith Lynch Welu, MFA, Ed.D. Briar Cliff University established this award in 2006 to honor individuals who exemplify the Franciscan spirit of service and caring for others through contributions to society and leading a value-centered life. 

"Judy has been a masterful teacher, scholar and mentor to countless Briar Cliff art majors," said Mangan.  "Over the years at Briar Cliff, she has instructed more than 2,500 students and has been a consistent champion of liberal education. Her influence on our liberal education curriculum can be seen to this very day." 

Professor of Art at Briar Cliff University, Welu came to Briar Cliff in 1963. During her tenure, she launched a major revision of the curriculum required for a bachelor's degree in art.  For many years while serving as the associate academic dean, she facilitated the development and implementation of Briar Cliff's graduate programs.  

Welu also helped establish three long-range faculty development documents known as "Looking Forward: 1986-1991,” “Century Blue: 1991-2001,” and “Blue Stem: 2002-2012.” Welu was awarded the Paul and Frances Duff Pursuit of Excellence Award in 1991, which recognizes outstanding service to Briar Cliff University by a member of the faculty, staff or administration. In 2002, she was the recipient of the Spiritus Franciscanus Award, which recognizes a person who imitates and reflects the values and lives of Saint Francis and Saint Clare.

Most recently, Welu presented the 2008 Commissioned Faculty Lecture entitled “The Making of Art: A Journey.”  Her own artwork has been displayed in art centers, galleries, private collections and art exhibits throughout the Midwest.

Briar Cliff University is a Catholic institution with an enrollment of more than 1,100 students from 26 states and four countries.  Students are educated in the Franciscan tradition of excellence in the liberal arts and career preparation in an environment of care and compassion. For more information, please visit www.briarcliff.edu.