‘Three Amigos’ earn service citations
By Dirk Mcbratney, ESU Media Relations
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Roger Heineken, Gilbert Rodriguez and Harry Stephens, Emporia community members and long-time colleagues and friends who laughingly refer to themselves as the “Three Amigos,” were selected as the 2008 recipients of the University Service Citation from among a strong field of nominations.
Created in 1980 by the ESU Alumni Association, the intent of the University Service Citation is to recognize unique and significant service to Emporia State University. Individuals chosen for this award are moved to service by a deep concern for and loyalty to ESU. Their efforts extend beyond their official duties, often performed without expectation of compensation, and previous recipients have included staff, faculty, alumni, and friends of ESU. Nominations for the award are made annually by a selection committee made up of four representatives from the ESU Alumni Association Board of Directors, three faculty members, and one ESU Foundation Trustee, with oversight on the final decision by the ESU Alumni Association Board of Directors.
The three will be recognized at the 2008 Alumni Awards Banquet on Oct. 24, during Homecoming festivities. To reserve a seat at the reception and dinner, call 620-341-5440 or e-mail alumni@emporia.edu.
As they prepare for the Homecoming recognition, all three reflected on their service to ESU.
Roger Heineken
BFA 1978, art
Roger Heineken currently serves as an administrative officer in the Memorial Union. He has sponsored the Phi Delta Theta fraternity, along with the Hispanic American Leadership Organization, Union Activities Council, and more. His artistic talents have been widely displayed on campus, including murals, displays, and décor, and the ESU Athletic Hall of Honor medal.
Heineken conceived the Phi Delta Theta Pole Sit in 1986, which has raised more than $55,000 for SOS. He has served on the Emporia City Commission and the Emporia Recreation Commission, and as president of the Lyon County Historical Society and the Learning Connection of the Flint Hills.
About the award, Heineken says that he does feel honored by it, but that the award is more useful as a tool for him to encourage others to get engaged. “It reminds everyone that you can make a difference,” said Heineken. This is just one way that ESU, to Heineken, “encourages support and service, both in faculty and students and, by extension, staff. It’s important to model civic engagement for students,” he said.
His most rewarding personal accomplishments have come from this very sort of modeling in his work with Phi Delta Theta. “A quality fraternity experience can intensify a workshop in community,” said Heineken. “It gives people a lot of skills to apply their degree in their career.” Heineken currently works with the William Allen White Community Partnership, supporting the W. A. White House State Historic Site, and with the Emporia Eastside Community Group and its Eastside Memorial Park project. He is also involved with the WAW Community Partnership.
“More people, Kansans in particular, need to learn more about [White’s] life and contribution” — a contribution often considered the greatest in Kansas history, he said.
“He was writing about domestic violence in 1906, long before the suffrage movement … writing about race relations in 1920,” said Heineken. “I’ve never been disappointed in his leadership and boosterism. I would like to see him become a household name again.”
Gilbert Rodriguez
Gilbert Rodriguez has given 34 years to ESU as a maintenance worker, groundskeeper, and painter, and was formerly acknowledged with the 2005 Presidential Award for Distinguished Service to Diversity. Rodriguez loves speaking to potential students about ESU and makes a point of wearing ESU spirit apparel. Rodriguez has a knack for raising money for ESU scholarships and is a strong representative of the university. “I just like to get involved, help students and the community,” said Rodriguez.
That service can be quite direct and time-consuming—Rodriguez has even served as a liaison to ESU’s international students in adapting to the Emporia environment and in transportation. A third-degree black belt, he has taught karate classes for 30 years on campus.
Rodriguez is a founding member of the Emporia Brown Express Athletic Club, a nationally ranked fast-pitch softball team that sponsors the annual Super Custom Car Show, now in its 11th year. “We focus mostly on scholarships,” said Rodriguez, explaining that the organization has wide ties and involvement, from the Salvation Army to Miss Kansas, but always centers on promoting ESU.
“Even though we stopped playing ball, we can still contribute. “The car show’s proceeds support local charities, and with Rodriguez’ help it has raised $4,500 since 2004. Presently he is organizing the Festival of Trees for December. Efforts like this exhibit a commitment to “draw interest” and “put Emporia on the map,” he said.
About the award, Rodriguez said that he is “happy, pleased, and honored. It’s a big honor for me,” said Rodriguez, who has family coming in from out of state to see the award ceremony. Rodriguez emphasized that “Emporia State will always be a part of my life,” and stressed the value of the ESU community. “There are a lot of good people here,” said Rodriguez. “The people here inspire me.”
Harry Stephens
BA 1965, biology, and MS 1972, counselor education
Harry Stephens has served ESU for almost four decades, most notably as the vice-president for student affairs for 11 years. As vice president, he coordinated the development of the new Student Recreation Center and the Center for Early Childhood Education (formerly the Child Development Center). He is a strong advocate for ESU, remaining active in campus Greek affairs and the Sigma Tau Gamma fraternity, demonstrating enthusiasm and reaching out to young people while financially supporting student scholarships. After serving as a Kansas state senator, Stephens taught graduate classes and served as the Greek alumni liaison. As an active member of the community, he serves on the Humane Society and Emporia Granada Theatre boards, is an officer of Emporia Sunrise Rotary, and more.
Stephens came to ESU “thinking that I would be here a couple of years,” but ESU opportunities and experiences changed his mind. “It’s been a great experience to work with students and faculty through the years. And I’ve grown to appreciate the wonderful opportunities,” said Stephens, referring to activities both for him as a faculty member and for the students he guided and advised.
“A university adds a great deal to student lives — I believe in the university experience.” Stephens found being a part of that process exciting work. “You get to know the leaders, and the ones who are struggling,” said Stephens. “Working with individual students and groups, watching groups grow in strength, watching individuals mature in careers and in family, was a real positive experience.”
Stephens’ proudest achievements are in his work with the Student Recreation Center and the Child Development Center, projects that met real needs in the ESU community. On the recreation center, Stephens recalled that a group of students were concerned, so he took them on a tour of campus recreation centers, identifying needs and standards. The insight they learned from others, Stephens emphasized, allowed tough decisions — like omitting expensive showers and locker rooms, requested by faculty but not used by most students. “They just go home to shower,” Stephens explained. “And it’s the student recreation center.” The Child Development Center, similarly, followed the model of the industry at the time, providing a service that was not unusual but was sorely missed at ESU.
Stephens is proud to receive the award. “It’s an outstanding award, and I’ve known many people who have received it in the past,” said Stephens. “I’m humbled. I’m very proud to be on that list.”
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