Findlay, Ohio, Aug. 20, 2003 — DeBow Freed, Ph.D., president of The University of Findlay, was the keynote speaker for the 38th Annual Education Appreciation Breakfast Aug. 19 at Urbanski’s on Manor Hill.
The event honored 19 different individuals from throughout Hancock County with Outstanding Educator Awards and recognized the 100 new educators in the county this academic year.
Freed began his remarks by noting that 36 of the 100 new educators introduced at the breakfast have attended or are attending The University of Findlay. In a similar fashion, seven of the 19 outstanding educators have attended or taught at The University of Findlay.
“These figures are extraordinarily high for a single college or university. They are a good testimony to the benefits of having a vibrant institution in our midst that is dedicated to serving the needs of students and has an outstanding College of Education,” he remarked.
Freed encouraged the audience by stating, “Teaching and learning are fundamentals that help us live lives of satisfaction and contribution. Literature is filled with discussion of means by which man has searched for fulfillment and has striven for that excellence that he is uniquely fitted to achieve. Attitude, perspective and desire are all important. Knowledge is critical.”
In congratulating the honorees, Freed challenged the educators to set the pace that others can emulate. “Education in a broader sense enriches our lives and serves to uplift the human spirit. A very important part of education is to soften the edges of individual selfishness, to achieve the real notion that the greatest satisfaction is in giving, not in getting. It helps us transform the Biblical phrases of ‘faith, hope and love’ into guideposts for daily living. It also helps us realize that service to others is truly one of the highest callings of mankind,” he said.
The Outstanding Educator Award recipient from The University of Findlay was Ben Sapp, who earned both is bachelor’s and master’s degrees from UF. He is deputy director of the Mazza Museum and an instructor of education.
