By James Irwin
Six alumni, including a longstanding George Washington University professor, will receive the Alumni Outstanding Service Award in April for their volunteer efforts that advance the mission of the institution.
The award—given to alumni volunteers for their contributions of time and service in support of university programs—and the Jane Lingo Alumni Outstanding Service Award—presented to a faculty or staff member who is a GW graduate—will be awarded at the 54th annual Alumni Outstanding Service Awards ceremony April 15.
“This is the university’s highest recognition of alumni who have displayed an exemplary commitment of service to the university,” said Jim Quinlan, B.A. ’00, vice president of awards for the GW Alumni Association Board of Directors. “One thing that’s common among us is how we use our time. An hour spent on behalf of the university is an hour spent away from family, friends, work, sleeping. It’s a tremendous amount of time, over many years, that these awardees have given for the greater good of the university.”
Scholastic Asia President Frank Wong, B.A. ’79, Graduate School of Education and Human Development Associate Professor Sylven Beck, Ed. D. ’81, and Board of Trustees member Allan From, B.B.A. ’72, are among the six honorees for 2015.
Sylven Beck, Ed. D. ’81
Dr. Beck, a professor of elementary education at GW for the past 35 years, is a member of the university’s Heritage Society. The Sylven Seid Beck Endowment, created in 1996 in her name, awards partial tuition coverage for master’s degree students in the elementary teacher education program.
Ken Chaletzky, B.B.A. ’71
The founder, president and CEO of Copy General, was advertising manager, business manager and production manager of The Hatchet during his undergraduate years. He currently serves on the Dean's Board of Advisors at the School of Business and on the board of Hatchet Publications Inc.
Laura Taddeucci Downs, B.A. ’92, M.A. ’95
A former varsity swimmer at GW, Ms. Downs held numerous positions as a GW employee, including director of Colonial Inauguration. She served as president of the GW Alumni Association from 2009 to 2011 and currently serves on the National Council on Education and Human Development.
Allan From, B.B.A. ’72
A member of the GW Board of Trustees, the GW Alumni Association Board of Directors and the university’s Athletic Advisory Council, Mr. From has served as a volunteer with the alumni, admissions and parent program since its inception, participating in more than 50 college fairs and hosting more than 15 events for admissions, the School of Business and the alumni association.
Howard Tischler, M.S. ’80
Mr. Tischler, who founded Intelius Corporation, a financial services and health care document management company that was at the forefront of electronic medical records, has served on the School of Engineering and Applied Science National Advisory Council since 2001. He was inducted into the SEAS Hall of Fame in 2012.
Frank Wong, B.A. ’79
A member of the Elliott School of International Affairs’ International Council, Mr. Wong has been instrumental in establishing GW’s presence in Asia, serving as chair of the Hong Kong Alumni Club and helping organize the university’s first GW Global Forum in the city.
