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Home Distinguished Alumni Awards Distinguished Alumni Award Winner

Distinguished Alumni Award

Myron & Jacqueline Blank

1990 Friend Award

Myron and Jacqueline Blank have been generous friends of the UI for years, vividly demonstrating their support in 1988 with a $1 million contribution to the College of Education. The gift endowed faculty chair in the Connie Belin National Center for Gifted Education, a resource center long supported by the Blanks.

Jacqueline Blank began a search ten years ago for programs that would meet the needs of Iowa's gifted students. In 1980, that search led to the creation of the Connie Belin Fellowship in Gifted Education. Through the fellowship program, teachers from around the state come to the UI for a summer session designed to help them work with exceptionally talented students. More than 300 Iowa teachers have participated in the program, which is recognized nationally.

The center is named for Connie Belin, a friend of the Blanks who died of cancer in 1980. Belin was a member of the Board of Regents, a friend of the UI, and a supporter of gifted education.

By endowing the Belin Center in 1988, the Blanks ensured that Iowa would continue to lead the nation in educating gifted students.

Myron Blank is chairman of Central States Theatre Corporation. Jacqueline Blank has served as director for a number of charitable organizations, among them Planned Parenthood, Des Moines Junior League, Goodwill Industries, and Des Moines Community Theatre.

In addition to their support of the UI, the Des Moines couple are well-known philanthropists whose generosity is legend in Iowa. They have been major contributors to Blank Memorial Children's Hospital in Des Moines, the Des Moines Art Center, and Simpson College in Indianola.

The Blanks are members of the UI Foundation's Presidents Club.

About Distinguished Alumni Awards

Since 1963, the University of Iowa has annually recognized accomplished alumni and friends with Distinguished Alumni Awards. Awards are presented in seven categories: Achievement, Service, Hickerson Recognition, Faculty, Staff, Recent Graduate, and Friend of the University.

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Top 10 Iowa Magazine Stories of 2018

With the start of a new year upon us, it's time to look back at your favorite University of Iowa stories from 2018. Here are Iowa Magazine's top 10 most-read articles of the year: The Nomadic Life (spring 2018) Hawkeye football favorite Paki O'Meara (10BA) finds ultimate freedom in backpacking around the world, taking photos that inspire a sense of wonder. PHOTO COURTESY PAKI O'MEARA Kinnick at 100 (summer 2018) This past summer marked two historically significant dates for Hawkeye fans: the 100th anniversary of the birth of Nile Kinnick (40BA), and the 75th anniversary of his tragic death. In memory of Iowa's favorite son, scholar, and Ironman, we look back on his life and legacy. Ahead of the Game (spring 2018) The Iowa football team becomes the first in the nation to equip the majority of its players with a state-of-the-art new helmet designed to improve player safety. PHOTO: MARK STASTNY Hollywood U (fall 2018) Alumni success in TV and film shines the spotlight on Iowa's? flourishing screenwriting program. ILLUSTRATION: FABIEN GILBERT / ARTISTIQUE INTERNATIONAL Mountain Roots (spring 2018) Nearly 80 years ago, an unlikely UI mountain-climbing club emerged from the cornfields of Iowa to become one of the most active in the world. Now the next generation of outdoorsmen continue in their Hawkeye family's footsteps. PHOTO COURTESY EBERT FAMILY The Secrets of Sleep (fall 2018) UI doctors and researchers work to shine light on the third of our lives we spend in the dark. Illustration: John Emigh Fry's Dream Team (fall 2018) FRYFest honors Hayden Fry's legendary 1983 coaching tree. PHOTO: UI ATHLETICS Going the Distance (spring 2018) UI-trained dentist Deb Carneol (92DDS) completes seven marathons on seven continents in seven days. PHOTO: MARK CONLON/WORLDMARATHONCHALLENGE.COM At 105, Our Oldest Hawkeye? (spring 2018) Catherine Shaw Shors (35BSC), who earned her business degree from Iowa more than eight decades ago, celebrated a milestone birthday in May. 1936 HAWKEYE YEARBOOK A Heroic Homecoming (spring 2018) Avengers: Infinity War director Joe Russo (92BA) receives a superhero's welcome at his alma mater. PHOTOS: Justin Torner

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