Junior Achievement of Northeast Kansas is offering the Topeka Business Hall of Fame, presented by The Topeka Capital-Journal. The proceeds raised from the Annual Business Hall of Fame will help fund the business and economic education of Topeka's youth through innovative programs offered by Junior Achievement of Northeast Kansas, Inc.

Follow this link for comments at CJOnline from the Junior Achievement of Northeast Kansas Board Chairman, Harry Craig III.

The Purpose and intent of the Annual Topeka Business Hall of Fame event is to honor prominent business leaders who have made extraordinary contributions to Topeka, earned the respect of the local community and called attention to the Free Enterprise System and to its value to our country and citizens in shaping our local way of life. Individuals inducted into the Hall of Fame have demonstrated business excellence, are courageous thinkers, have vision, are innovative and inspiring leaders and are community minded. They have worked to lead our community to a better, higher level.

An independent selection committee will select four laureates using the selection criteria as a guide. The selection committee will consist of individuals who have themselves have excelled and could be selected as laureates.

A detailed selection criteria follows. To be considered as a Hall of Fame Laureate, an individual's record of business achievement must demonstrate excellence in the following general categories; business excellence; entrepreneurial spirit, courageous thinking and action; inspiring leadership; community impact; positive role model; enduring accomplishments; local influence; and the field of work must fall within the area of business. Hall of Fame Laureates are individuals whose work has moved the Topeka community in a better, stronger direction. Both posthumous and living leaders can be honored. The Laureates selected in 2003 were Ruth Fink, Dean Ferrell, Louis Pozez and Lou Falley.

Follow this link for more information about the Laureate Selection Criteria.

The Board of Directors of Junior Achievement of Northeast Kansas will forward names received as nominees to an independent selection committee. The selection committee will determine the laureates. Selection committee members for the 2003 Topeka Business Hall of Fame were: John Knack, Harry Craig, Dr. Jerry Farley, Nancy Perry and Ed Carmona.

2006 Selection Committee Members are: Maynard Oliverius, Frank Sabatini, Bob Wheeler, Velma Pollock and Jack Alexander.

2005 Selection Committee Members were: Harry Craig, Alonzo Harrison, Dean Ferrell, Mary Turkington and Sam Stauffer.

2004 Selection Committee Members were: Harry Craig, Maynard Oliverius, Alonzo Harrison, Rudy Wrenick, and Chandler Moenius.

Laureates will be honored and announced at a special news media conference tentatively set for Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2006 at the Ramada Inn.

Laureates will be inducted at an inspiring black tie Tribute Dinner on Thursday, January 20, 2005 at the Maner Conference Center. The evening will begin with an exclusive cocktail reception for the guests of honor and event sponsors. The dinner attended by 400 community members will follow this. A highlight of the evening will be an impressive presentation of the four esteemed Topeka leaders as they are introduced by representatives from business and recognized in Tribute Videos.

A portrait of each laureate will hang in the physical Business Hall of Fame, which is currently housed in the Hall of Business Leaders at the Topeka Capital-Journal. There is also be a web-site for a virtual Hall of Fame.

By honoring these esteemed leaders, we hope to encourage and inspire young people to make a career in business and contribute to their communities as those persons inducted into the Hall of Fame have done.

In a time in which nations compete with brainpower, there is great concern about the readiness of our future workforce. Will the leaders of tomorrow have the skills necessary to help America stay on top in an ever-changing economy?

Junior Achievement is proud to address this critical issue by ensuring that every child in America has a fundamental understanding of the free enterprise system by providing economic education programs to students in kindergarten through twelfth grade classrooms. By participating in these types of programs, students are able to develop the desire to stay in school, have a positive attitude toward work and appreciate lifelong learning, and become prepared for a future of success and leadership. Volunteers from local businesses bring JA's real world economic lessons into classrooms, serve as role models, share their working lives, and help students gain a new sense of self-esteem, respect for others and understanding of how to turn challenges into opportunities. During the 2004-05 academic year, Junior Achievement of Northeast Kansas worked with nearly 17,000 children in Northeast Kansas.