William Penn University Honors Rees Family with Torch Award
William Penn University
Family to be inducted into William Penn University Hall of Fame
(OSKALOOSA, Iowa) – For three generations, the Rees family has chosen William Penn University. It all began in 1962, when Mary Phillips graduated from William Penn University with a degree in education, ready to take on the world of teaching. Since that time, Mary (now Mary Phillips Rees) and her husband, Harry, have been loyal supporters of the University with three generations of Rees family graduates from William Penn, and another generation on the way.
Following his mother, William (Bill) came to William Penn in 1963 and graduated in 1968 with an education degree in Industrial Arts. After college, Bill went into the Army and served as a crypto-technician for the military. After completing his military service, he came back to the area to raise a family. A teaching position was open that was the right calling for Bill and he taught Industrial Arts at Sigourney for 31 years. During that time he also earned his Master’s degree from Northern Missouri State University.
For their continued loyalty and support of William Penn, William Penn University is pleased to announce Harry and Mary Phillips Rees as the recipients of the 2017 Torch Award.
The Torch Award was initiated during the 1972 Parents’ Weekend as a way of acknowledging and honoring alumni and non-alumni parents who have shown exceptional commitment to William Penn University. Each year, the Torch Award is given to an alumni family of at least two generations; or to non-alumni parents, all whose children have attended William Penn University. Consideration is also given to the interest and loyalty shown by the recipient family in the programs and ideals of the University.
William Penn will honor the family of Harry and Mary Phillips Rees at the 2017 Alumni Recognition Banquet held during homecoming week. Harry and Mary will be inducted into William Penn’s Hall of Fame and receive their award on Friday, September 29, in the Musco Technology Center (MTC). Registration begins at 5:30 p.m. and the event itself is from 6–8:00 p.m.
To read more about the Torch Award and the Rees family, visit: https://www.wmpenn.edu/alumni/hall-of-fame/
