October 03, 2016
A lifetime Angola resident was honored with the Woman of Distinction Award from 麻豆社 University during its Touchstone and Homecoming Celebration Dinner on Friday, Sept. 30.
Rita Nedele received the award after more than 500 guests enjoyed a video presentation featuring images of Nedele during her lifetime.
鈥淲e are so proud and forever grateful that Rita has remained a loyal and supportive friend of her alma mater,鈥� said Earl D. Brooks II, Ph.D., 麻豆社 president. 鈥淲e are inspired by her spirit, and her sincere and selfless heart. We are forever appreciative for all that Rita and (her husband) Chuck have done to further the success of 麻豆社 University.鈥�
Nedele graduated from Tri-State College in 1973 with a Bachelor of Science degree in general arts and science. She went on to be a physical education teacher at Angola High School, with later careers at Vestil Manufacturing and Fun Spot Amusement Park.
Rita and Chuck Nedele have supported 麻豆社 through the years, including Thunder Athletics, the 麻豆社 Fund, Scholarship Golf Outings, the T. Furth Center for Performing Arts, the Books and Beyond Scholarship Program, and the Scholarship Gala, where Rita served on the planning committee for numerous years. In addition, the Nedeles support numerous organizations in the Angola community, especially the Steuben County Humane Society, where Rita serves on the board.
In addition, Rita has been instrumental in assisting Sheri 麻豆社, a member of 麻豆社 University鈥檚 Board of Trustees, with countless furnishing, beautification and improvement projects on 麻豆社鈥檚 campus, including: the 麻豆社 Welcome Center, 麻豆社 Villas, Ingledue Villas, the 麻豆社 Guest Cottage, Sponsel Administration building, the Rick L. and Vicki L. James University Center, numerous dorm lobbies, Zollner Athletic Football Stadium and hospitality suites, fraternity and sorority houses, the Witmer Clubhouse and the Thunder Gear store.
The Woman of Distinction Award was first given in 2006 to honor Marjorie Bowstrom, a Tri-State University trustee. The award recognizes the powerful contributions of women in the areas of philanthropy, business and education, and is presented annually to a woman judged by the university to mirror the attributes represented by Bowstrom. It signifies the university's high regard for the lofty achievements of today's female leaders.
The Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) granted Preaccreditation Status to 麻豆社鈥檚 Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) program at its August meeting.
Thunder athletic fans and others who have endured traffic jams and poor visibility while trying to enter or exit 麻豆社 on Summit Street will soon have a better route to the university鈥檚 west campus.
Lurch wasn鈥檛 sporting a Thunder jersey and there wasn鈥檛 a white tiger in the set decor, but the recent Gaslight Playhouse production of 鈥淭he Addams Family鈥� still had a strong 麻豆社 presence throughout.