Distinguished Individuals Receive Recognition
William Penn University
Oskaloosa, Iowa – Robert W. Ask, Carol Bates, and the John and Alice (Jones) Davis family are the 2011 William Penn University Alumni Hall of Fame Inductees. Their commitment and achievements will be honored Friday, October 28 at the 6:00 p.m. Recognition Banquet in the Musco Technology Center (MTC).
The Distinguished Career Award is given to an individual based on distinguished and meritorious achievement in career and life. Candidates for this award are alumni of William Penn University or Nebraska Central College. This year’s recipient is Ottumwa native, Robert W. Ask. Following his graduation from Ottumwa High School, Ask journeyed up the road to William Penn (College) where he met his wife, Marilyn. After graduating, Ask began a 43-year career of teaching American History and Government and coaching football. While teaching and coaching, Ask also completed his MA at the University of Iowa. His educational career developed to include writing curriculum for the University of Iowa, evaluating various Iowa high school Social Studies curriculums, and teaching as an adjunct professor. Through all of this, Ask didn’t forget his alma mater. Three of his and Marilyn’s four children graduated from William Penn. Ask served on the Board of Trustees from 1977-80 and was the president of the William Penn Alumni Association.
The Distinguished Service Award is bestowed upon an individual whose life of service has been exemplary. This honor extends to those who embody the William Penn commitment to community and humanitarian service. This year’s recipient will be presented posthumously to long-time Oskaloosa resident, Carol Bates. Bates and her husband, Joe, came to Oskaloosa shortly after their marriage in 1973. They worked together in the ownership and operation of Bates Funeral Chapel. Bates was an involved member of the St. Mary’s Church where she served on the Parish Council and the Cemetery Association. She became a member of the Board of Advisors at William Penn and where she served from 1996-2010. Bates also devoted 12 years of service on the William Penn Board of Trustees. Her service to the community has reached countless people and organizations including the Oskaloosa Chamber and Development Group, Habitat for Humanity, the United Way of Mahaska County, and numerous others. Her passing on July 11, 2010 has been felt by the abundant friends she made through her intricate community involvement.
The Torch Award was initiated during the 1972 Parent’s Weekend as a way of honoring alumni and non-alumni parents who have shown exceptional commitment to William Penn specifically through an alumni family of at least two generations. It can also be awarded to non-alumni parents, all of whose children have attended William Penn University. The John and Alice Davis family has been involved with Quaker education since the early 1900’s. Alice graduated from William Penn in 1940. She and John had five sons: Steve, Don, Dave, Phil, and Paul. Steve graduated from Penn in 1967; his daughter, Lisa, began taking classes at William Penn in 2009. Paul’s wife, Adora, graduated from William Penn in 1976. Don’s sons began another generation of Jones-Davis family members joining the William Penn family with Sid graduating in ‘92, Kip in ‘95, Kip’s wife, Carrie in ‘96, and Ben in’98. John served on the Board of Trustees from 1949-54.
William Penn University is honored to recognize Robert W. Ask as the 2011 Distinguished Career recipient, Carol Bates as the 2011 Distinguished Service Award recipient, and John and Alice (Jones) Davis and their family as the 2011 Torch Award recipients.
