Dr. Edward J. Kormondy, a Tusculum College graduate of the Class of 1950 who led a distinguished career in higher education and who is an active member of the college's Board of Trustees, was honored with Tusculum's Distinguished Service Award at the annual President's Dinner at the college on May 16.

Kormondy was presented the award by Tusculum College President Dr. Dolphus E. Henry before a crowd of about 140 people. The Los Angeles resident, who travels to Tusculum several times a year for board functions, received a standing ovation.

The President's Dinner, which annually honors the college's major donors, was held in the Chalmer's Conference Center of the Niswonger Commons building. The Distinguished Service Award is given each year at the dinner to someone with a long history of outstanding and multi-faceted support of Tusculum College. The framed certificate, bearing the text of the award and the college's official gold seal, was presented to Kormondy as the final event of the dinner.

Kormondy, known as an eloquent speaker, was moved to tears and was unable to speak. Kormondy received a barrage of congratulations, handshakes, and embraces after the dinner's conclusion.

During the presentation, Dr. Henry read the text of the award, which read in part as follows: "An educator, leader, scientist, administrator, and communicator, Dr. Edward J. Kormondy sets a high standard. This multi-talented man has greatly contributed to the life and progress of Tusculum College from his days as a top Tusculum student through his current service on the College's Board of Trustees.

"After being graduated with highest honors from Tusculum College in 1950, Ed Kormondy went on to earn master's and doctoral degrees in zoology at the University of Michigan. He served with distinction at numerous colleges and universities as an educator and in administrative roles ranging from Dean, Provost, and Vice President for Academic Affairs. He also served as Interim President at the University of West Los Angeles School of Law.

"His outstanding contributions as Chancellor and Professor of Biology at the University of Hawaii at Hilo and at the University of Hawaii-West Oahu were recognized when the Board of Regents named him Chancellor Emeritus in 2000.

"A skillful craftsman of the written word, Ed Kormondy has written and edited numerous biology textbooks and publications. His communications skills further aided him in his service to numerous preestigious professional organizations.

"Ed Kormondy's achievements are too numerous to fully list. Among his many activities and attainments, he has represented the U.S. State Department in Poland and Hungary, studied higher education in China, and served some thirty institutions as a consultant in the life sciences.

"Ed Kormondy served as a Trustee of Tusculum College in the 1970s and resumed that role in the 1990s. He faithfully travels to Tusculum from his Los Angeles home for meetings of the Board, which he serves on the Academic Affairs Committee and the Student and Religious Life Committee.

"His devotion to Tusculum College was demonstrated anew in 2002 when he announced a major commitment to the Tusculum College Campaign for the Library.

"In 1997 Ed Kormondy was recognized for his illustrious career in higher education when Tusculum College conferred upon him an honorary Doctor of Science degree. Tonight, on the occasion of the President's Dinner, a grateful Tusculum College community is pleased to further honor Dr. Edward J. Kormondy by presenting him the Distinguished Service Award for 2003."

Kormondy is in his second term as a trustee of Tusculum College. He served previously from 1970 to 1972. His current term of service began in 1998.

Kormondy served professionally at University of Michigan as well as at Oberlin College, the University of Pittsburgh, The Evergreen State College, the University of Southern Maine, and California State University-Los Angeles in various capacities including dean, provost, and vice president for academic affairs. In the latter portion of his career he was chancellor and professor of biology at the University of Hawaii at Hilo and at the University of Hawaii-West Oahu. After retirement, he served as interim president of the University of West Los Angeles School of Law.

Before the award presentation, President Henry spoke briefly, thanking the Tusculum supporters present. "Your investment in our college has touched more lives than you can imagine," he said.

Henry recounted a bit of college history that illustrated how devotion to Tusculum College on the part of individuals has helped shape and improve the college over the years, and during one crisis period at the close of the 1980s, save it from probable closure. He also described numerous ways that Tusculum students have returned that support by giving service back to the community and even the world in past months.

Also addressing the group was Josh Quillen of Afton, who graduated earlier in the month. He described Tusculum as a college that allowed him to grow as a student and not become merely a number or statistic. He individually thanked several professors and administrators who have touched his life while at Tusculum.

Thomas Garland, chairman of the Board of Trustees, also brought greetings to the group during the dinner.