Deb Duren and Mandy Martin, who were recognized this week for their accomplishments in and contributions to women's athletics.
Deb's award: She IS our mentor of the year. Every year.
Deb Duren, our very own Athletic Director and Vice President of Student Services, has been named Mentor of the Year by the Women's Intersport Network (WIN) for Columbia. This award is presented to a woman who has demonstrated a strong commitment to sports and young women within the past year, by giving support, encouragement, time, resources, knowledge and advice.
That's Deb.
Deb received the award at the organization's annual awards banquet on Thursday. It recognizes her contributions to Stephens and to women athletes as a PE instructor, collegiate volleyball coach, Dean of Students, Athletic Director and Vice Presidnent for Student Services.
Among her achievements:
Deb singlehandedly saved Stephens' NCAA Division III programs in the mid-1980s and then facilitated our move to the NAIA, adding cross-country and softball. She was then responsible for our acceptance into the American Midwest Conference (which nominated her for the Athletic Director of the Year). In her nomination for the WIN award, associate AD Dane Pavolvich captured Deb's commitment and talents exactly:
"As an educator, administrator and athletic director at Stephens College, Deb has truly been successful in impacting students' lives...She embodies the "student centered" approach we take at Stephens because she empowers, equips and enables our studentes to be women of distinction...She is a source of wisdom and patience for anyone who might enter her office."
Including me.
I always say that Deb is my 'true north' when it comes to our priorities and our values: students first. Always.
It's wonderful to see that the rest of the world recognizes her achievements, too.
And speaking of students, one of our wonderful Stephens students was also a star at the WIN Awards. Each year, the organization selects an athlete as its WINner's Choice in recognition of outstanding performance and contributions to women's athletics.
This year, for the first time since the awards were established in 1999, that honor went to a Stephens student: Mandy Martin, one of our Equestrian students and a world champion.
Mandy started riding at the age of 13 and came to Stephens because of our outstanding program. In 2009, Mandy won the Championship title in the Five-Gated World Championships -- the highest honor an amateur can receive in the Saddlebred industry.
Mandy is also the Reserve World Champion, and the winner of the Adult Equitation Class and the Reserve UPHA Adult Equitation Championshp at the All-American Horse Classic.
In other words, Mandy is a national champion -- and a Stephens woman -- through and through.
Congratulations to Deb and Mandy for their achievements, their contributions, and their honors.
We are so proud.
Deb definitely deserves this!! GO Deb!
Posted by: Jacquie | 02/22/2010 at 11:40 AM