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Show By Paul Garcia features editor I The Signpost Motivation is a funny thing, while some wait for the right opportunity to come along, others, such as Weber Slate University senior Antonio Ortiz have to make things happen. Ortiz will graduate from WSU with a Bachelors of Integrated Studies and is currently the battalion commander for WSU's ROTC cadets. Ortiz's life may seem like it was mapped out, but it wasn't. In 1977, a seven-year-old Ortiz and his family illegally immigrated to the United States from Mexico. "It was a family of 8 and my dad pretty much disappeared from our lives," Ortiz said. "It was a matter of survival and my mom just felt that this was the only way she could provide for us." The Ortiz family worked in migrant family camps picking fruit, and Ortiz eventually settled in Winter Haven Fla. were he graduated from high school and it was there a counselor suggested that Ortiz investigate the armed forces. "I wasn't too sure what I wanted to do," Ortiz said. Ortiz felt that he came to America to work, not get educated, but then he realized that the military could ofTer him a future. He wanted to join. After two years, he received his legal permit to be in . America, and joined U.S. Army in 1 99 1 during Operation Desert Storm. Ortiz's family questioned his decision because they heard reports in Mexico that those who weren't natural born American citizens were being sent to the front line. "My family was really was against me joining," Ortiz said. "I felt in- Dedication By Heather Wheatley asst. features editor The Signpost Weber State University will award three individuals, who dedicated their careers to learning and community, honorary degrees. Nominations for honorary degree recipients are made by community members, students and WSU faculty. The names are then submitted to the president's office for final approval. Helen J. James Helen J. James retired last year after 29 years of developing students and WSU as a chemistry professor. Her primary focus was helping students understand chemistry, a subject which requires complex formulas and symbols to "show" its concepts. She coauthored several publications dealing with chemical education and the use of learning cycles. She also coauthored freshman laboratory manuals that have been used at WSU for the past 20 years. James was recognized as the Presidential Distinguished Professor in 1 984, received the 1 993 Lowe Teaching Award and the 1999 Spencer L. Seager Science Teaching Award. James has also supported students financially through the estab- debted to thiscountry. I felt that everything we have or everything that we are back in Mexico is because of the U.S.," Ortiz said. Ortiz has brothers here who help support the rest of the family who went back to Mexico. "I felt it was a repayment to join the military. If I ever die while serving the nation, it will be repayment for everything that this country has done for us." Ortiz actively served in the Army for nine years and worked his way up from a medic to a Licensed Practical Nurse and in 1997 he became a United States citizen. Ortiz was offered the opportunity to pursue a degree so he put his military career on hold. Although he wanted to finish his education, his said that it took a dare to get him to go to school. While stationed in Dugway, Utah, Ortiz worked with a person who belittled others. This person told Ortiz and the others that they were stupid, and that he was going to take college courses and become a doctor. "I was in charge of this guy, and he said, 'you know what, you're telling everyone to go to school and you're not, what kind of mentorship is that?' For me, he was telling the truth," Ortiz said. When Ortiz came to WSU, self-mouvation helped him get through the army, helped him work at the Ogden clinic, and participate in the National Guard all while becoming a family man. According to Major Matt Garner, Ortiz brings motivation to the ROTC program where he is responsible for motivating and leading 95 cadets."What he brings to the program is the extreme desire to succeed, a strong work ethic and the ability to motivate others," Garner said. And Ortiz's wife, Eugenia, agreed. to education earns three honorary degrees WwW.M..y.rr-.,V.K.5 ll It . I Dr. Helen James is one of three recipients for an honorary degree for her dedication to helping students achieve success in chemistry. lishment of the Chemistry Faculty Scholarship at WSU and has continued to donate annually to this endowment fund. James has also helped student-athletes achieve their degrees. James was the first female faculty member in the College of Sciences at WSU. James used her leadership skills as the interim dean of the College of Science in 1987-88, the chair of the Chemistry Department from 1993-99, a participant on the athletic board and the campus screening committee. She developed the first curriculum policy manual as chair of the curriculum committee. In the Ogden community, she I i f j t:i z I 1 . ' i: , - .x I 47' - s $ - y at X s ; x j ... - !i w , '"-i ' a . i r ' X 1 . I .... ..::: - V i I - J ' ) T ' ' " Antonio Ortiz (above) is assisting with one of the ROTC's final physical training sessions. As battalion commander he is responsible for 95 cadets. This will be one of the last pt sessions Ortiz will be helping with because he will graduate this month.' "He has the spirit, he is a strong and enthusiastic person. He is very good at getting people motivated," Eugenia said. "Whenever I go to the gym to run one mile, he always gets me going and I end up running four miles." Motivation has placed him in the classroom by way of scholarships. Antonio credits WSU scholarship supervisor Charlotte Argyle for helping him.'- "She would always council me," he said. But before Antonio came to Argyle for guidance, Argyle and Antonio's paths crossed in a history of Mexico class. Argyle said that she was served as the chair of the board of directors of the Weber State Credit Union from 1989-2000. She was active at the First Presbyterian Church as elder and deacon. She also contributed her time as president of Chapter M of the P.E.O. Sisterhood, an organization that supports women in achieving higher education.Following retirement, James returned to her family home in Nebraska City, Neb. to enjoy the simplicity of quilting and the benefits of a home garden. John P. Kotter Another recipient, John P. Kotter, has not directly influenced - ----J impressed by his desire to learn more. As she got to know him, she was also impressed about how he helped others. "He has an obvious dedication to give others around him an education. He is always bringing friends by to help them apply for scholarships," Argyle said In fact, as soon as Antonio graduates, his wife will resume her education at WSU. When they got married, Eugenia stopped going to dental school and got a job. "She made it possible for me to go to school," Antonio said. And Eugenia is ready to attend school. WSU, but his theories and books have influenced many students and leaders in the community. He is widely known for his talent for speaking and writing about leadership and change. At the age of 33, Kotter was given tenure and full professorship at the Harvard Business School, his alma mater. He was one of the youngest people in the history of the university to receive such honor. Kotter is the author of 1 1 books on leadership, change, growth and performance. He also has an educational CD-ROM based on his book "Leading Change." His novels are printed in over 70 foreign language editions. His next book on navigating change is scheduled for Spring of 2002. The "Harvard Business Review" has sold more reprints of issues that have contained Kotters articles than any of the other distinguished authors who have graced the publication with their experience. He currently lives in Cambridge, Mass. and Ashland, NJ. with his family. Ezekiel R. Dumke, Jr. The third recipient, Ezekiel R. Dumke, Jr., attended Weber College in 1946, but has continued serving the campus both personally and as a board member of the Dr. Ezekiel R. and Edna Wattis Dumke Foundation and the Katherine W. Dumke "He really wants me to finish school, he is very supportive of that," Eugenia said. Antonio is now ready to become active again in the army and hopes to be a physician assistant or attend medical school. "I am really proud. I'm not saying this just because I'm his wife," Eugenia said. "If I knew him from the outside, I would want to have his spirit and courage. I think to myself, 'how can you get all of this out of one person?' he does everything right" You can reach reporter Paul Garcia by calling 626-7621. and Ezekiel R. Dumke, Jr. Foundation. They have supported technology in the John B. Goddard School of Business & Economics, the College of Health Professions, and the College of Arts and Humanities. Dumke is also active in the Salt Lake City and the University of Utah Hospital community. His support and participation span a variety of fields. He is a recipient of the 1 977-78 Utah Tourism Award, the 1984 Tourism Achievement Award from the Utah Governors Conference on Tourism, a University of Utah honorary Doctors Degree, the 1989 Distinguished Alumni Award, the 1 987 Outstanding Community Service Award from the University of Utah Graduate School of Business and the honorary Life Membership Award from the Conference of National Park Concessionaires. Dumke and his wife, Katherine, live in Salt Lake City where they can enjoy skiing on the Rocky Mountain slopes, golf and work. All three recipients share a love for learning and continue to share their experience with the community around them. Giving back to the community that gave first is the greatest reward of all. Now, James, Kotter and Dumke are being honored for it. You can reach reporter Heather Wheatley at 626-7621. |