Findlay, Ohio, Dec. 8, 2000 – Donald E. and Monica Badertscher, Vernon E. and Regina R. Garner and Charles J. and Mariann D. Younger were named Distinguished Associates at “Applause,” the donor recognition reception held at The University of Findlay on Dec. 7.

Since 1975, the Distinguished Associates Award has been presented to members of the UF Associates who by their personal endeavors, financial support and leadership have brought distinction to The University of Findlay.

Donald E. and Monica Badertscher are honored for their longtime commitment to The University of Findlay.

A native of Rawson, Ohio, Don Badertscher served in the U.S. Army from 1955-57. He earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from then Findlay College in 1964.

In 1963, Don went to work for Kuss Corporation, where he was named president in 1972 and chairman of the board in 1979. In 1990, Don purchased the Vinyl Productions Division of Kuss Corporation and established DLM Plastics Corporation.

Don has been active with a variety of local organizations. He became a board member of the Findlay • Hancock County Chamber of Commerce in 1983 and was president of the Chamber in 1986. Don also spent three years as president of the Findlay Area Chamber Foundation Board.

Having become a board member of the Findlay Chapter of the American Red Cross in 1984, Don went on to serve as chairman of the board in 1988, 1989 and 1999. In 1990, he joined the Western Lake Erie Region Blood Services Board.

Since 1979, Don has been a member of Rotary International. He was named a board member of Junior Achievement in 1988 and served as president of that organization in 1993 and 1994. Also in 1994, he was honored with the National Junior Achievement Bronze Leadership Award.

Don has also been active with the Hope House, having served on the board since 1991 and as chairman in 1995. He was named to the board of Winebrenner Village in 1993 and has served as president of the Winebrenner Village board since 1994.

In 1995, Don was in charge of the corporate division of the campaign for the United Way of Hancock County. That organization honored him in 1999 with its Distinguished Volunteer Award. Don was also selected as an Olympic Torchbearer in 1996.

Don’s interest at The University of Findlay has involved work with the Curtain Raisers, an organization that supports SummerStock and the theatre program. Don has served on the Curtain Raisers advisory board since 1994 and is currently chairman of the group. The University of Findlay honored Don with the Distinguished Alumni Award in 1985.

Monica Badertscher was born in Milwaukee, Wis., and graduated from Findlay High School. She attended Bowling Green State University.

After the couple was married in 1961, Monica was a stay-at-home mother for 20 years and raised the couple’s three children, David, Elizabeth and Matthew.

Monica supported her husband’s business by working as his secretary at Kuss Corporation/DLM Plastics for 19 years.

She has been an important source of support for Don, assisting him in many of his volunteer activities.

Monica is passionate about writing and is currently working on three short stories.

Having retired this year, she now spends time with the couple’s five grandchildren, Lynnsey, Andrew, Sarah, Nick and Madelyn.

Vernon E. and Regina R. Garner are recognized for their many years of service to The University of Findlay.

A graduate of Rossford High School, Vern Garner was awarded an honorary doctorate from The University of Findlay in 1996. He is also a member of the UF Board of Trustees.

Vern is owner, president and chief executive officer of Garner Transportation Group, with terminals in Findlay and Greenville, S.C. Vern also owns Garner Brokerage, Garner Warehousing, Garner Contract Maintenance, A & A’s Leasing, A to Z’s Properties, Ltd., and A to Z’s Equipment, Ltd. He is a partner in Ohio Logistics of Findlay.

A member of the board of directors of the American Trucking Association, Vern currently serves the organization as second vice chairman and will serve as chairman in 2002-03. Vern is also chairman of the board of directors of the Ohio Trucking Association and is a member of the board of directors of the Toledo Trucking Association and the Truckload Carriers Association. He is also involved with the South Carolina Trucking Association and the Transportation Intermediaries Association.

Vern is an active member of his community, having served on the board of directors of Winebrenner Village and the Humane Society of Hancock County. He is also involved with the Findlay Rotary Club, Findlay • Hancock County Chamber of Commerce, United Way of Hancock County, BPOE Elks, Lima Traffic Club and the Greater Greenville Chamber of Commerce.

Vern is a member of the College First Church of God. He was honored in 1998 as Transportation Professional of the Year.

Jean Garner is a graduate of Portage High School in Wood County and has worked toward a business and finance degree at Bowling Green State University.

Having worked in the insurance and banking business, Jean served Garner Trucking, Inc., from 1960-83 in the areas of accounts receivables, accounts payables, payroll and customer service.

Jean has also been active in her community. She served as secretary of the Zonta Club of Findlay from 1976-77 and was president of the organization from 1981-83. Jean was also a volunteer with Findlay City Schools from 1965-70 and with Liberty-Benton Schools from 1970-82. In addition, she has volunteered with the Churches of God, General Conference, and is a member of the College First Church of God.

Vern and Jean are the parents of three children, Stephanie, Sherri and Shellene. They have five grandchildren, Amber, A.J., Zachery, Benjamin and Jonathan.

Charles J. and Mariann D. Younger are being honored for their years of dedication to The University of Findlay and its programs.

Chuck Younger is the retired executive vice president of Continental Cablevision, Inc.

A graduate of Eastern Illinois University with a bachelor of science in education degree, he began his career in the communication industry with the Illinois Bell Telephone Company where he served in various positions from 1956-67.

In 1967, Younger was appointed general manager of Continental Cablevision, Inc. During that time, he held positions as president, vice president and director of the Illinois-Indiana Cable Association.

In 1972, Younger was appointed vice president and general manager of Continental Cablevision of Ohio, Inc., responsible for franchises in 57 governmental entities serving more than 130,000 subscribers.

Younger was appointed executive vice president of Continental Cablevision, Inc., in 1988. He was responsible for operations in eight states, serving more than one million subscribers in 221 communities.

Younger is a past member of the board of directors for the National Cable Television Association. In addition, he is a past officer and director of the Ohio Cable Television Association, member of the Political Action Committee of the Ohio Cable Television Association, past member of the Ohio Arts Council Ad Hoc Committee on Cable Television and past member of the advisory board of WBGU-TV, a PBS affiliate in Bowling Green.

Locally, Younger has been involved with the Findlay Area Arts Council, Findlay • Hancock County Chamber of Commerce, United Way of Hancock County, Service Corps of Retired Executives of Small Business Administration, Family Service of Hancock County and the Council on Domestic Violence.

In 1997, Younger was awarded an honorary doctor of communications management degree from The University of Findlay. He served as the University’s Dana Chair Executive-In-Residence during the 1996-97 academic year. Younger was named a member of the UF Board of Trustees in October 2000.

Mariann Younger earned her bachelor’s degree in education from Eastern Illinois University. Her life has been dedicated to children and education.

While her husband was in the Army, Mariann was employed as the manager of the in-house nursery for employees’ children at the 5th Army Headquarters.

When the couple’s children were born, Mariann became a stay-at-home mother and started her involvement with volunteer activities at her children’s schools. She established a pre-school program at Vermont St. Methodist Church in Quincy, Ill. After chairing the committee for several years, she resigned and became a teacher for the program.

In 1972 when the family moved to Findlay, Mariann became active in the Wilson-Vance School PTO and chaired the library volunteers group. When her children moved on to middle school, Mariann became a Mini-Art Lady, which was her first experience in discussing art with children.

At the same time, she was hired as a home instruction tutor for Findlay and Hancock County Schools. This position led Mariann to become involved with the Juvenile Court where she became a child advocate and was responsible for planting the seeds for the Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) program that exists today.

Most of Mariann’s volunteer work with The University of Findlay has revolved around the Mazza Collection. She was one of the founders of the Mazza Enthusiasts and served that organization as secretary, treasurer, parliamentarian, vice-chairman and chairman. She has been a docent for the Mazza Collection Galleria for a number of years.

Mariann has been honored for her work in the community. She received the Rotary Club Service Above Self Award, honorable mention for the JC Penney Golden Rule Award and the Findlay Schools Educator of the Month Award.

The Youngers have four children, Stephen, Scott, Paul and Christopher, and nine grandchildren, Alejandro, Lucia, Martha, Lydia, Esther, Jacob, Anna, George and Anne.