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2003 CAMWS Award
for Special Service

Marilyn Brusherd

Marilyn Brusherd has served the Classics community in Illinois admirably. She describes herself as a "slave for the classics". Included in her many activities are: editor of the publication of the Illinois Classical Conference (ICC), The Augur; assistant at Certamen matches; creator and presenter of slide shows illustrating classical themes; assistant at Illinois Junior Classical League-North (IJCL-N) state conventions; encourager; problem solver. She has done all this while she works as an employee of the U.S. Federal Government in a position that has no direct ties to education in the classics.

Marilyn has been editor-in-chief of the award-winning Augur , the publication of ICC. Under her guidance the Augur has increased in scope, transforming from a mere recorder of Illinois events towards being a dynamic communication tool in our state including important dates, issues, visions and initiatives from Illinois as well as other states. She has continually encouraged and assisted classicists in Illinois to work together and to broaden their horizons.
Marilyn readily gives of her time and money to travel to various sites in the Chicago area to lend her assistance to certamen matches. Sometimes she serves as a reader, as a scorer, as a timer, or as a tabulator. Always aware of her interest in furthering the love of learning Latin, she is ready, willing, and eager to help relieve the teachers of odious tasks so they can be more involved with their students and have a more enjoyable, well-run event.

Several years ago some of the members of ICC learned that Marilyn had an interest in the influence of the classics in various areas of the city of Chicago, so they mentioned that it would be beneficial to have a slide show to present to the students. Marilyn happily photographed some additional sites and compiled the slides she had into a presentation: Mythology in Chicago Architecture. She also developed two additional slide shows using slides she took on vacations: Vergil and Horace, and Classical Influence on the Architecture of Washington D.C. Not only has she made these available for use by ICC members, but she has also volunteered to come to the school to do the presentations and answer any questions. She has illustrated very dramatically to the students and teachers her love of learning, her love of giving, and her love of sharing the classics with others.

Another instance of her giving of time and energy is the work she has willingly donated to the Illinois Junior Classical League-North. She has assisted in the behind-the-scenes organizing that is such a vital part of the growth of any organization. Her skills of discernment have greatly enhanced the decision making that have increased the scope and the effectiveness of this organization. For several years she has been the Art Chairman for the Illinois Junior Classical League-North annual convention. Further, she has stepped in as mentor to a student who needed a sponsor so he could participate in IJCL-N activities even though she has no direct ties with any educational institution. As she says, she has worked as a "slave" at the state conventions, helping behind the scenes so that the convention could run smoothly. To do this, she has worked as organizer, tabulator, judge, reader, proctor, presenter, bearer --- whatever needed to be done.

Also, Marilyn intuitively senses when a leader may need support. She has often quietly said to a person who seemed to need assistance in a busy moment, "Tell me what you need.' Every organization should be so blessed as to have someone who so willingly gives of her time and energy.

Marilyn Brusherd, over the 15 years of her involvement with classical associations, has illustrated to all of the members of Illinois Classical Conference and Illinois Junior Classical League the true spirit of giving of oneself for the good of the whole. Because of her enthusiasm, encouragement, and energy she has shown herself to be a true friend of the classics, helping ICC and IJCL fulfill their potential. Marilyn has long exemplified the qualities of true service to the classics and is most worthy of special recognition by the Classical Association of the Middle West and South.

2003 CAMWS Award
for Special Service

Dr. William J. Collis

In 1981 Dr. William J. Collis and his wife Constance Collis, of Lexington, Kentucky, a respected, now-retired, ophthalmologist) and Connie (an artist and homemaker), both Greek-Americans, began the Hellenic Ideals Program, based on their deep conviction that the ideals of classical Hellenic society are critical foundations of civic life in modern democratic society and that living exemplars of those ideals ought to be publicly honored as inspirations to their fellow citizens. Each fall, an honoree from central Kentucky who best exemplifies ancient Greek ideals is presented to the community at a ceremony that includes an address by a distinguished speaker, who offers some particular insight into the world of classical Greece, and a musical presentation by the best of the Lexington-area musical community. The program takes place at Transylvania University in Lexington, the first university west of the Alleghenies.

Recipients of the award over the years have included authors, philanthropists who support education, two former mayors of Lexington, the conductor of the Lexington Philharmonic Orchestra, two leaders in local historic preservation, eminent teachers of medicine and history, prominent public servants in state and local educational administration, outstanding civic leaders, and the like. The 2002 recipient was Professor Everett McCorvey, who has brought the University of Kentucky's Opera Theatre program to national prominence.

Among the distinguished speakers are names that will be familiar to CAMS members: Rick Newton of Kent State University in 1987, Judith Hallett in 1994, Wesley Paine (director of the Nashville Parthenon) in 1995, John Shumaker in 1996. In 2001John Svarlien of Transylvania spoke, and in 2002 Robert Rabel. Twice and very successfully the "speakers" were professional impersonators of Thomas Jefferson and James Madison presenting the political philosophies of those leaders.

Originally the Collises funded the entire ceremony and associated hospitality themselves, but some ten years ago they established a foundation at Transylvania and invited other interested persons also to contribute to keeping the Hellenic Ideals Program going. Financially it is now self-supporting. The administration of the Program has been a democratic procedure from the start: each year's recipient is chosen by a selection committee, and the program arrangements and speaker selection are handled by an executive committee (on which I have sat for about ten years). The Collises have been committed to outreach beyond the community ceremony itself (as if that weren't already outreach!) and have graciously arranged for the Lexington universities to have speakers of particular interest address classes during their visit to Lexington for the Program. Most recently the Program is turning its attention to ensuring that secondary and college students are among its audience with their teachers.

For more than twenty years the Collises have been living out their commitment to upholding ancient Greek ideals--one of which is the importance of recognizing people who do that very thing. on each year's program they list the ideals they honor: the worth of the individual; freedom; democracy; truth; the pursuit of beauty; ethical standards; and the study of writing, gymnastics, philosophy, music, and painting. Lexington and central Kentucky are the better for it, and that result is exactly what the Collises have wanted to achieve. CAMWS is proud to acknowledge their efforts!

--Michele Valerie Ronnick, Chair, Steering Committee on Awards and Scholarships