Story 38 - Stuart Award
James Stuart, Sr. is credited as the earliest investor in our program’s history. According to history, when Dr. William Hall approached Mr. Stuart about his idea for developing potential in young people, Mr. Stuart encouraged him to proceed. He predicted that “it might take a long time, maybe 20 years to see if this idea works.” 75 years later, NHRI continues to benefit from Mr. Stuart’s generosity, vision and leadership.
Announced at the 20th Anniversary, the 1969 Annual Meeting, the Board of Trustees created the Stuart Award to honor James Stuart, Sr., Lincoln businessman and civic leader who was instrumental in the founding of NHRI. Each year, the Stuart Award is presented to a graduating senior mentor who exemplifies outstanding leadership.
James Stuart, Sr. was also the recipient of the first Talent Plus/William E. Hall Distinguished Alumni Award in 2003.
We are grateful to the generations of Stuart family members who have shared their time, talent and treasure to develop leaders since 1949.
1970 - Connie Clifton Rath
1971 - Robert Starck
1972 - Roger Sawatzke
1973 - Mary Jo Hrdy Kaczzmarek
1974 - Debbie Patton Christenson
1975 - Barb Eaton Jensen
1976 - Rick Goble
1977 - Lewis May
1978 - Kathy Sigrist
1979 - Julie Romohr Sparks
1980 - Michael Phillips
1981 - Kathy Dodge-Clay
1982 - David Ditman
1983 - John Wells
1984 - Frank (Chip) Winter, III
1985 - Laura Williams Nielsen
1986 - Jill Kirchner Manchester
1987 - Mark Davidson
Stuart Award Honorees
1988 - Elizabeth Snyder Neid
1989 - Seth Gruber
1990 - Julie McPheeters Gamble
1991 - Sarah Kirklin Pacchetti
1992 - Jennifer Andersen Olgimueller
1993 - Jill Lorenz Goodrich
1994 - Ryan Beckman
1995 - Brett West
1996 - Scott Appelwick
1997 - Jody Ryan
1998 - Shalyse Washburn
1999 - Daniel Dittman
2000 - Andrew Mattox
2001 - Garrett Pohlman
2002 - Geoffrey Reno
2003 - John Meuret
2004 - Kayla Geschke
2005 - Heather Hubert Berg
2006 - Josh Egley
2007 - Sean Golden
2008 - Karen Philabaun
2009 - Megan Black
2010 - David Painter
2011 - Robin Easterly Schroeder
2012 - Niki Barnes
2013 - Chance Solem-Pfeifer
2014 - Grant Fehr
2015 - Anna Ehler
2016 - Tanner Nelson
2017 - Leah Abebe
2018 - Taylor Lofdahl
2019 - Cassidy Taladay
2020 - Connor Eksi
2021 - An Dang
2022 - Tori Pedersen
2023 - Bhagya Pushkaran
2024 - Ryan Kenney