Findlay, Ohio, Dec. 10, 2003 – Gary and Cam Lea (Roberts ’67) Taylor and Nik and Betsy Pry were named Distinguished Associates at “Applause,” the donor recognition reception held at The University of Findlay on Dec. 9.
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.
Gary and Cam Lea (Roberts ’67) Taylor are being honored for their outstanding commitment to The University of Findlay and its programs.
Gary retired after 33 years of service with American Electric Power. During that time, he served for 12 years as financial secretary for the Utility Workers of America. He also served in the Navy from 1963-66, earning the Navy Unit Commendation, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal and Vietnam Service Medal.
A member of the National Rifle Association, Blanchard River Archaeology Club and Findlay Senior Golf League, Gary is also an election judge for Liberty Township for the Hancock County Board of Elections.
Gary is a graduate of Van Buren High School and attended Ohio Northern University and The Ohio State University.
Cam retired after 30 years of service as an educator, mostly in the Findlay City Schools. Currently, she is a Praxis III assessor with the Ohio Department of Education and a supervisor for sophomore and junior block programs and student teaching at UF.
A past member of a number of educational associations, Cam co-authored Project Schoolbell, a nationally recognized program for hands-on learning for children in an 1800s one-room school. For that effort, she received the Award of Achievement from the Ohio Association of Historical Societies and Museums in 1990. She also co-authored Hancock County Happenings, a program designed to allow third graders to experience what life was like from 1830-1940.
Cam was a finalist for the Findlay Rotary Club’s Golden Apple Award in 1993, received the Ashland Oil Company Golden Apple Achiever Award in 1994 and was honored with the UF Distinguished Alumni Award in 1999.
In addition, Cam is active in many organizations, including The University of Findlay Alumni Association, where she has served as president for the last seven years; Mazza Museum, where she has been a docent, artist liaison, Mazza Student Art Program coordinator and Mazza Enthusiasts member; Hancock County Historical Museum, where she has been an docent; and Delta Zeta National Sorority and Order of Eastern Star.
Gary and Cam are active members of the First Evangelical Lutheran Church and are co-founders of “Tales for Tanzania,” a project designed to get children’s books into the hands of children in Tanzania. In 2002-03, more than 1,000 books have been shipped to children of that country due to the efforts of the Taylors.
The couple has two children and four grandchildren. They live in Findlay.
Nik and Betsy Pry are honored for their longtime and faithful commitment to The University of Findlay.
A 1963 graduate of Ohio Wesleyan University, Nik went on to earn his MBA in 1965 and his juris doctorate in 1968, both from The Ohio State University.
Currently CEO of Pry Professional Group in Findlay, Nik has been extensively involved in his community. He is past president of the Findlay Rotary Club and was named to the Crestline Sports Hall of Fame in 1963. He is a member of the Blanchard Valley Health Center Board of Trustees, the Mazza Museum National Board of Visitors, Findlay YMCA Board of Directors and Community Development Foundation Investment Committee.
Betsy earned her bachelor’s degree from Ohio Wesleyan University in 1964 and her master of arts in education degree from The University of Findlay in 1997.
Also active in her community, Betsy is a charter member of the Findlay Service League. She has served as a board member for Blanchard Valley Health Association, Camp Fire Boys and Girls, Hancock Historical Museum and Family Services.
The Prys are members of First Presbyterian Church. They have a son and two grandchildren.
