Award Winners' Bios
Alumni Achievement Award in Service
E. William "Bill" Laudert, Class of 1958
Bill Laudert completed his Associate’s Degree at Lincoln College in 1958. While at LC, participation in the Circle K community service group where he served as vice-president and treasurer stimulated his interest in community service. Upon graduation, Laudert postponed his marriage in order to serve his country by joining the Army where he served as a cryptographer in Vietnam for two years.
Upon returning home in 1961, Laudert married his wife, Mary Ann, and began work as a sales representative for Sony Corporation USA. In the early 70’s he moved to Wisconsin to work as a regional manager for Novi American. While living in Wisconsin he was active in the Moose organization and served as Governor in the Wisconsin Rapids Lodge as well as serving with the State Moose Association for three years. He assisted with raising money for area children’s hospitals and Mooseheart. Laudert also served as President of the Lions in Arkdale, Wisconsin and was named District governor of Lion’s International. Laudert was awarded the Melvin Jones Fellow for Humanitarian Services, which is the highest honor given by the Lions Club.
In 1995 Laudert retired to Florida where he is active in one of the seven largest American Legion Posts in the world. He continues to serve as Chaplain for the Frierson-Nichols American Legion Post 8 in Winter Haven, Florida. During his first year as chaplain, he won the runner-up award for the best chaplain in the State of Florida and in 2002, his Post’s religious program was named as the best in the state. In 2007 he was honored with the coveted award, Chapel of Four Chaplains Legion of Honor, which recognizes service to all people regardless of faith or race.
Laudert continues to forge a relationship between veterans and school children. On Veteran’s Day he gives a presentation at Denison Middle School teaching the value of those who have given their lives for freedom. He also continues to be active in other areas of community service. Lauder, along with his wife Mary Ann, has two adult children, four grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Alumni Achievement Award in Communications
Deborah Rowe, Class of 1979
Deborah Rowe started her journalism career at Lincoln College where she earned an Associate of Arts degree in 1979. She continued her education at Columbia University in Chicago where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Radio/TV Production. Her first job in the media world was at WBEE radio where she effectively helped her clients increase their business by gaining more customers. A challenging opportunity opened at the Office of Consumer Services where she was an administrator for the City of Chicago and served under three Mayors. She successfully managed two citywide programs, including the popular Farmer’s Market. Since 1994, she has been a trusted and recognized voice on WLS in Chicago. She has made several appearances on “Chicago Tonight” and CNN’s “Talk Back Live.” A seasoned and respected public speaker; she recently was the featured speaker for the LaLeche League International’s Annual Convention. In 2004 she was honored by the Illinois Broadcasters Association earning the Silver Circle Award for Best Team Coverage. She serves on the board of the Autism Society of Illinois and is an editorial board member for “The Chicago Daily Observer”.
Dave F. Koehler, Class of 1964
Dave Koehler, a native of Upper Sandusky, Ohio, earned an Associate in Arts degree from Lincoln College in 1962. He continued his education at The Ohio State University where he earned two degrees, one in Political Science and the other in History. During his collegiate career at OSU, he was active with The Ohio State University Marching Band, where he played bass drum and also served as a squad leader for two year. His passion for the Buckeyes, as well as The Best Damn Band in the land lives on today, as he co-serves as the voice of the band during game day. After earning his degrees, Dave taught for three years at Brookhaven High School in Columbus and later entered the news field working at WNRE Radio in Circleville, Ohio. Koehler’s television career began in Lima, continued to Toledo then to WTVF-TV in Nashville, Tennessee, where he worked as co-anchor and executive producer of the evening news. He replaced Oprah Winfrey in Nashville when she moved on to Baltimore in 1976. Koehler joined WBNS10TV News, Columbus’ CBS affiliate in July 1980, where he worked as the prime time news anchor until he retired in 2005. Koehler has covered a wide array of news stories in his career including coverage of the fall of the Berlin Wall, the Oklahoma City bombing and Senator John Glenn’s return to space. He has received numerous awards from community groups for his work with community affairs. He freely donated his time with public service projects which include co –anchoring 10TV’s annual food parade and helped co-anchor the Children’s Miracle Network Telethon for over 10 years.
Koehler’s dedication and commitment to news reporting earned him two Regional Emmy nominations and in 1996 he was awarded the Best Male Anchor of the Year in Large Markets by the National Academy of Television Journalists in Washington, D. C. In 2007, he was inducted into The Ohio Associated Press Broadcasters Associations’ Hall of Fame.
Honorary Alumni Achievement Award
Steve Foster, Student Services
Updated 4/22/08