Briar Cliff University Media Announcement

SIOUX CITY, Iowa – Briar Cliff University will recognize five individuals with special honorary awards at BCU’s 79^th commencement, Saturday, May 15, 2010, at the Orpheum Theatre in Sioux City.

At the ceremony, Beverly A. Wharton, BCU president, will bestow the Briar Cliff University Medal, the Presidential Distinguished Leadership Award and the Spirit of Saint Francis Award.

Recipients of the 2010 Briar Cliff Medal are Jim Yanney, Do Yanney (posthumous) and Charese Yanney. Established in 1973 by Briar Cliff’s board of trustees, 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.

Michael L. Bennett is this year’s recipient of the Presidential Distinguished Leadership Award. The Presidential Distinguished Leadership Award recognizes distinguished service to the University that has resulted in significant achievement and advancement of Briar Cliff’s philosophy, goals and programs.

The 2010 recipient of the Spirit of St. Francis Award is Sister M. Arnold Staudt, OSF, assistant professor of music at Briar Cliff. 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.

Longtime Sioux City businessman Jim Yanney is the owner of Guarantee Roofing and Siding Co. In addition to running the family business for more than 61 years, Mr. Yanney has been very active in the community. He cofounded the Sioux City Better Business Bureau and became the national director of Iowa Aiding Leukemia Children for Saint Jude Hospital. A lifelong supporter of the United Way, he has been chairperson for the United Way campaign and served on many United Way agency boards, including the former Siouxland Y and Mary Treglia.

For the last 20 years, Mr. Yanney has been on the Orpheum Preservation board and was instrumental in purchasing the building, and then raising funds for refurbishing the Orpheum Theatre. Today, he is on the Sioux City Art Center Board of Trustees, where has done much to advance appreciation of the arts in Siouxland, including being a major contributor in fundraising for the Art Center Blockbuster Series.

Charese Yanney is a partner in Guarantee Roofing and Siding Co., a business started by her grandfather, Ferris Skaff, in 1962. She serves on the Sioux City Symphony, St. Luke’s Regional Medical Center and Vision Iowa. Ms. Yanney is the vice chairperson of the Iowa Association of Business and Industry Board of Directors. Previously, she has served on many boards, including the Siouxland Chamber of Commerce, Siouxland Initiative, Tax Research Conference, Missouri River Historic Development, Sioux City Art Center, United Way of Siouxland and Friends of KWIT Radio. She is the recipient of the Briar Cliff Alumni Association Appreciation Award and was recognized by Briar Cliff as a Distinguished President’s Leadership Council Leader.

In 2005, Ms. Yanney and her mother, Do Yanney, were instrumental in forming the Briar Cliff Sister Muriel Ford Circle of Mentors, an organization that provides leadership and professional mentoring opportunities for female students at BCU. The mother and daughter team co-founded the United Way Women’s Power Lunch and Women United. Mrs. Yanney, who passed away in 2008, authored several business etiquette books, including “Winning Impressions: Business Etiquette.” During her lifetime, she also was involved in the Sioux City Symphony, Sioux City Art Center, YWCA and PTA.

“Jim, Charese and the late Do Yanney have selflessly and tirelessly given of themselves to the community, our local and state governments and to Briar Cliff,” said President Wharton. “Their faithful service and commitment to higher causes have served as shining examples for us and a testimony to their love for humanity.”

From April 2001 to April 2010, Bennett served as president and CEO of Terra Industries, Inc., Sioux City. He began his tenure at Terra in 1973 as an operator at the company's Port Neal plant. For the last 36 years, he has held a number of leadership positions, including executive vice president and chief operating officer. He was named "Most Valuable Boss" by Forbes.com and awarded the W. Edwards Deming Entrepreneurial Excellence Award by the Siouxland Chamber of Commerce.

Bennett has had many influential industry and community responsibilities, including serving on the board of directors of Alliant Energy, The Fertilizer Institute, Agribusiness Association of Iowa and Siouxland Chamber of Commerce, among others. Bennett serves on the Siouxland Heritage Foundation board, among many other non-profit boards. He is an avid supporter of the Annual Terra Charity Golf Classic, which benefits the Boys and Girls Home of Siouxland, the Council on Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence and the Ronald McDonald House. Previously, he was on the National Association of Manufacturers board.

“A gifted leader, Mike’s strength resides in his ability to motivate people to do their very best at all times,” said Wharton. “His care for the individual and his contributions to the Siouxland community have created a legacy for generations to come.”

During her 31-year tenure at Briar Cliff, Sister Arnold has taught a variety of music history and music appreciation courses, guitar, piano, and organ students. Her performance schedule has consisted of campus and community organ recitals, liturgies and special events, including weekly liturgies at Saint Boniface Church in Sioux City.

She regularly plays the piano for residents at Holy Spirit Retirement Home and PRIME Living housing complex in Downtown Sioux City. Sister Arnold is a member of the American Guild of Organists and the Sioux City Liturgy Commission and has written a number of hymns and organ pieces.

Previously, she was at Remsen-Saint Mary’s Schools, Remsen, Iowa, for 13 years, where she taught elementary and high school classes and served as the parish organist. She also taught for a number of years in Eastern Iowa.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in music from Briar Cliff. She studied at DePaul University in Chicago, before pursuing a master’s degree in organ from the University of Iowa, where she also completed postgraduate work. The McCoy-Arnold athletic training center on the BCU campus is in part named for Sister Arnold in honor of her dedication to athletics and student-athletes at Briar Cliff.

“Sister Arnold has not only been an inspiring musician and teacher, touching the lives of countless students, she has played an instrumental role in the lives of many people throughout the Diocese of Sioux City.” President Wharton said. “Her contributions to the Diocese and her dedication to Briar Cliff serve as hallmarks of her faithfulness to her vocation as a Sister of Saint Francis.”

Enrollment at Briar Cliff University is over 1,100 students from 28 states. Students are educated in the Franciscan tradition of excellence in the liberal arts and career preparation in an environment of care, compassion and openness to all. For more information, please visit www.briarcliff.edu.