December 2009 Annual Awards Dinner

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DAPA honored two University of Delaware graduate students and a local school teachers at its Annual Awards Dinner on December 3, 2009, at the Embassy Suites in Newark, Del. The Keynote speaker was Delaware Lt. Gov. Matt Denn.

Graceanna Enzinger, a Master of Public Administration student concentrating in nonprofit leadership and health policy and management, and Ted Patterson, who is working on an MA in urban and regional planning, shared the Outstanding Student Public Service Award and associated monetary prize. Dr. Jo Anne Deshon, a Christina School District elementary school teacher received DAPA’s Public Service Award.

DAPA councilmember Kathy Wian presented the student awards.  Having explained that this year the award was opened up to non-UD students, she asserted, “Both of these [UD] students were so outstanding that we selected them to share the award this year.”

Doug Tuttle, who chaired the DAPA Public Service Award committee, presented the award to Deshon and explained that, unlike the application process for the student awards, nominations were solicited for this award.  Deshon was nominated by DAPA president Julia O’Hanlon.

Tuttle said, “The fact is that our recipient this year, Jo Anne Deshon, has many associates and peers who think highly of her.  [DAPA] is just one of the organizations that have come together to honor Jo Anne.  We are recognizing Jo Anne for her contributions through 32 years in public education.” Doug went on to say, “A really salient award that Jo Anne has received is the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching, which is certainly noteworthy.”

Tuttle said that, over the years, “The Public Service Award hasn’t, for the most part, included recognition of people who are in public education, so I’m really pleased that [DAPA has] nominated and selected Jo Anne.  Because, quite frankly,” he insisted, “when you look at the number of hours involved, individuals in public education ought to be at the top of the list for consideration for this award.”

Lt. Gov. Matt Denn spoke about the struggle the state is having in two critical areas—employment and education.

The event was attended by about 40 people, comprising DAPA members and their guests.

photo of Kathy Wian   photo of student winners listening to Kath Wian
Kathy Wian introduces the co-winners of the Outstanding Student Public Service Award.
 		   Ted Patterson and Graceanna Enzinger listen as Kathy Wian talks about their accomplishments.
 
photo of Doug Tuttle   photo of Jo Anne Deshon being congratulated by Doug Tuttle
Doug Tuttle introduces the Public Service Award winner.   Public Service Award winner Jo Anne Deshon accepts congratulations from Doug Tuttle.
 
photo of award winners   photo of Lt. Gov. Matt Denn speaking
The award winners: Enzinger, Patterson, and Deshon   Lt. Gov. Matt Denn spoke at length about issues currently facing the state.
 
photo of Lt. Gov. Matt Denn meeting awardees   photo of group of DAPA members in attendance
After his talk, Lt. Gov. Matt Denn takes a moment to congratulate Ted Patterson, as Jo Anne Deshon, Kim Bodine, and Kathy Wian look on.   The event drew a big group of DAPA and ASPA members.

Thanks to Kevin Quinlan for taking the photos.