CHRISTENSEN RECEIVES COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD

Dana College bestowed its College-Community Service Award to Vaughn Christensen during Commencement, Saturday, May 22. The College-Community Service Award is the highest non-academic honor Dana gives.

Christensen is a 1953 graduate of Dana College. Originally from Minden, Neb., he has taught, counseled and coached for many schools. In 1960, he received his master’s degree in counseling from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. In the early ’80s, he worked at Dana as an assistant director of admissions and financial aid director. For the last 19 years, Christensen has been the owner and operator of Vaughn Christensen Specialty Advertising in Blair.

“What made it easy for us to choose Vaughn as our College-Community Service Award recipient this year is that he never stops giving,” said Dr. Myrvin Christopherson, president. “He could have walked away from Dana when he left to go into business for himself. Instead, he and his wife, Clarice, have been among the most faithful fans at Dana athletic events, concerts, plays and anything else that happens at Dana.”

Besides Dana, Christensen gives greatly of his time and money to several Blair organizations including First Lutheran Church, Lions Club, Washington County Recycling Center, Blair Area Chamber of Commerce, Blair High School, Washington County Food Pantry, Blair Rescue Squad, Blair Fire Department, Boy Scouts and the Red Cross.

“You have to feel a need or a want to help others — to give something back that you’ve been given,” Christensen said. “Involvement helps not only others, but ourselves.”

Christopherson invited Christensen's wife, Clarice, to the platform when the award was presented. The three Christensen children — Joy, Scott and Jill — were also present. Like their mother and father, they all attended Dana.

Christensen said he believes the relationship between Dana and Blair has never been better. While he gives credit to the hard work of Christopherson and his wife, Anne, Christopherson said much of the credit goes to community-minded people like Christensen.

“I’m sure he’d give the credit to others, but I’d say a key reason (for the improved relationship) is people like Vaughn Christensen in the community building bridges and promoting understanding between our fine city and the college,” Christopherson said. “I can honestly say I know of no one I’d rather have representing Dana and Blair than Vaughn Christensen.”

Dana College is a place where all students actively participate. They make things happen — in their own lives and in the lives of others. Through a highly supportive faculty and campus community, Dana students develop interpersonal skills, leadership abilities, and other important values and knowledge as they make choices about their future. Dana’s outstanding academic programs in business, education, music and social work, among others, ensure that students have the knowledge, skills and experience necessary to pursue challenging careers or placement in graduate school.

Dana College is a private, liberal arts institution in Blair, Neb. To learn more, visit www.dana.edu.

Dana College: Develop talents, Take charge, Build a future — We’re with you all the way.

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For more information contact:

Sarah Cavanah
Communications Coordinator
Dana College
(402) 426-7216
scavanah@dana.edu