Order tickets for the 2012 Topeka Business Hall of Fame Dinner

Topeka Business Hall of Fame

A Project of Junior Achievement of Kansas

2011 Topeka Business Hall of Fame Videos

SUMMARY

Junior Achievement of Kansas is offering the Topeka Business Hall of Fame. 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 Kansas, Inc.

Purpose

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.

Nomination Process

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.

Laureate Selection Criteria

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.

2012 Laureates: Arthur C. Capper, Dr. Robert Cotton, Mark Heitz, Mike and Bruce McPherson, Dr. Robert O'Neil.

2011 Laureates: Dr. Mark Morris, Dr. Kent Palmberg, Jerry McElroy, Ren Newcomer.

2010 Laureates: Charles Bennett, Tim Etzel, Linda Lee and Jim Parrish.

2009 Laureates: Sam Barham, Kent Garlinghouse, Maynard Oliverius and Nancy Perry.

2008 Laureates: Alonzo Harrison, Georgia Neese Gray, Kris Robbins, Oscar, Stan and John Stauffer.

2007 Laureates: Sister Loretto Marie Colwell, Harry Craig, Charles Marling and Rosa Mendoza.

2006 Laureates: Anderson Chandler, Jack Dicus, Howard Fricke and Balfour Jeffrey.

2005 Laureates: J.H. "Ham" Abrahams, Edwin Hughes, Frank Sabatini, Tom Schwartz and Bob Wheeler.

2004 Laureates: Cyrus K. Holliday, Velma Pollock, Henry Bubb, Dr. Jerry Farley, and Emery Fager.

2003 Laureates: Ruth Fink, Dean Ferrell, Louis Pozez and Lou Falley.

Follow this link for more information about the laureate selection criteria.

Selection Committee

The Board of Directors of Junior Achievement of Kansas will forward names received as nominees to an independent selection committee. The selection committee will determine the laureates.

2012 Selection Committee Members: Mary Turkington, Dean Ferrell, Jim Parrish, Ren Newcomer, Vince Frye, Jim Klausman.

2011 Selection Committee Members: Tim Etzel, Nancy Perry, John Stauffer, Sr., Vince Frye, Rick Wienckowski, John B. Dicus.

2010 Selection Committee Members: Ken Alexander, Vince Frye, Susan Garlinghouse, Roger Viola, Rick Wienckowski.

2009 Selection Committee Members: Jack Dicus, Vince Frye, Tom Miller, John Stauffer and Larry Robbins.

2008 Selection Committee Members: Jack Dicus, Howard Fricke, Vince Frye, Velma Pollock and Larry Robbins..

2007 Selection Committee Members: Jack Alexander, Jack Dicus, Dr. Jerry Farley, Nancy Perry and Velma Pollock.

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

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

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

2003 Selection Committee Members: John Knack, Harry Craig, Dr. Jerry Farley, Nancy Perry and Ed Carmona.

Announcement of Laureates

Laureates will be honored and announced at a special news media conference scheduled yearly in November.

Tribute Dinner

Laureates will be inducted at an inspiring black time Tribute Dinner to be held on March 1, 2012. 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.

Physical Hall of Fame

A portrait of each laureate will hang in the physical Business Hall of Fame, is housed by the Washburn School of Business at Henderson Hall at Washburn University.

Inspiration

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.

We are pleased to sponsor this Topeka tradition.

Additional Links of Interest

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Announcement of Laureates:
5 Joining Business Hall

2005 Business Hall of Fame Tribute Dinner:
Five leaders honored

2005 Biographies:
Hall honors leaders
John Hambleton "Ham" Abrahams - President's vision ensured growth
Edwin Hughes - Businessman called a Topeka pioneer
Frank Sabatini - Entrepreneur has formula for success
Tom Schwartz - Author shares business acumen

 

CJOnline Article About the JA Hall of Fame
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See 2003 Hall of Fame Laureates
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2004 Honorees feted at Gala
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About Junior Achievement of Kansas

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 2009-10 academic year, Junior Achievement of Kansas will work with more than 26,000 children in Kansas, including nearly 19,000 just in the Topeka area.