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Three to Receive UW Distinguished Alumni Awards

October 7, 2009
Woman and two men
Marcia Dale, J. Kenneth Kennedy and Duane Woodard are the University of Wyoming's 2009 Distinguished Alumni.

Three University of Wyoming graduates will receive Distinguished Alumni Awards during UW Homecoming Saturday, Oct. 10.

The 2009 recipients are former dean of the UW Fay W. Whitney School of Nursing Marcia Lyn Bradley Dale (B.S.N. '60), former engineer and land surveyor J. Kenneth Kennedy (B.S.C.E. '48), and attorney and former Colorado Attorney General Duane Woodard (B.A. '63).

They will attend several Homecoming activities, ride in the parade Saturday, Oct. 10, and be recognized during the Cowboys' football game against New Mexico at noon.

Dale has been a fixture in the Wyoming nursing community for decades. Beginning as an instructor at the UW School of Nursing in 1961, she rose through the ranks and retired as its dean in 2003. The UW School of Nursing named her Distinguished Alumna in 1985, and she was inducted into the American Academy of Nursing in 1993. She also served on the Wyoming State Board of Nursing for seven years, including three years as president.

After graduating from UW, Dale received her M.N. in medical/surgical nursing education from the University of Washington in 1961, and an Ed.D. in leadership in nursing education from the University of Northern Colorado in 1981.

Kennedy was born and raised as a wheat farmer, an occupation he continues to this day. His conservation practices led the Wyoming Game and Fish Department to name him Landowner of the Year, the Platte County Natural Resources district to name his as Cooperator of the Year, and Pheasants Forever magazine to feature his farm in an issue highlighting outstanding conservation practices.

After receiving his degree in civil engineering from UW, he served as Wheatland's city engineer and Platte County's county engineer before starting his own company, Kennedy Engineering, in 1965. He served as president of the Wyoming Engineering Society in 1978, and in 2006 the society named him Outstanding Engineer. The UW College of Engineering Tau Beta Pi honor society named him Wyoming's Eminent Engineer in 1982.

In addition to farming and engineering work, Kennedy has devoted much time to Wyoming public education. He served on the Platte County School District No. 1 school board for 13 years and was president of the Wyoming School Board association. He was given the "School Bell" award for his contribution to education in Wyoming.

A Natrona County High School graduate, Woodard's international studies degree from UW led to his J.D. from the University of Oklahoma in 1967. After high school graduation, Woodard joined the U.S. Marine Corps until he was honorably discharged in 1959.

During Woodard's two terms as Colorado Attorney General beginning in 1982, he was part of the joint effort to settle water rights issues between Colorado and its Native American citizens. Woodard was appointed to and served the Department of Justice, National Environmental Council from 1984-1990, serving as chairman from 1986-1987.

In 1988, the Environmental Protection Agency presented Woodard the Award for Excellence in Criminal Prosecution for his leadership in enforcing environmental protection laws. He was also part of President-elect Ronald Reagan's transition team.

Woodard has continued his involvement with UW with service on the American Heritage Center Advisory Board, the College of Arts and Sciences Board of Visitors, the UW Foundation Board of Directors and a life membership with the UWAA. The UW College of Arts and Sciences named him Outstanding Alumnus in 2000.

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