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Apr 5th, 2010
CSN Foundation selects 2010 Legacy of Achievement award recipients
For Immediate Release:
LAS VEGAS, — The College of Southern Nevada Foundation will recognize exceptional community leaders at its annual Legacy of Achievement Gala on April 24 at the M Resort. Recipients, each of whom will have an endowed scholarship at CSN established in her or his name, are selected based on the impact of their contributions locally, statewide and nationally.
This year’s Legacy of Achievement honorees are:

David Dahan | Dahan is the chief executive officer at Orgill Singer & Associates and has worked in the insurance industry for a quarter century. Dahan is the immediate past-president of the Henderson Chamber of Commerce and also the past president of the Las Vegas Jewish Federation. A 38-year resident of the Las Vegas Valley, he has received numerous awards for his community service and business acumen. His scholarship will be awarded to CSN nursing students to honor his deceased wife, a 26-year nursing veteran in Southern Nevada.

Theron and Naomi Goynes | Theron retired as a principal and Naomi a vice-principal in the Clark County School District, following decades of service. Naomi Goynes worked as a teacher, principal and high school dean during her 36-year career with the district, where she instilled self-esteem and character in students and developed programs to inhibit gang behaviors and drug abuse. Apart from his work in education, Theron Goynes served as a North Las Vegas City councilman for 20 years, 12 of which were spent as mayor pro-temp. On September 18, 1981, he officially became the first elected African American in Nevada history to head a government body when he chaired a council meeting in the absence of the mayor. He has been recognized hundreds of times since for contributions to the community. A North Las Vegas elementary school has been named in the couple’s honor.

Ray Norvell | Norvell serves as the executive vice president of Wirtz Beverage Nevada. A former CSN Foundation trustee, Norvell has been a long-time supporter of the college, providing generous gifts of wine, liquor and beer at fundraising events. Wirtz has three scholarship programs at CSN, one which provides awards to hospitality students, one which helps CSN graduates earn a bachelor’s degree in hospitality at UNLV and one dedicated to help Wirtz employees’ children attend CSN. In addition, the company has been a sponsor of the CSN culinary competition team, which continually wins the state championship each year, and provided seed money and expertise to initiate a sommelier program at CSN.

Maria Teresa “Maite” Salazar | Salazar is president of Salazar Communications, a bilingual and bicultural marketing, business development and public relations agency. She’s the founding president of Toastmasters en Español, Nevada’s only Spanish-language Toastmasters Club. A host-mother of a CSN international student, she is a fervent supporter of youth initiatives and serves as chair of the Governor’s Workforce Investment Board Youth Council.

Al Whalen and Jeanne Russo-Whalen | Whalen is president of The Whalen Group, a financial management company, and his wife, Jeanne Russo-Whalen, worked for CSN as director of data processing and admissions for eight years, helping thousands of students register each year. Both are emeritus trustees of the CSN Foundation Board of Trustees, supporting the institution since 1995. A 2002 CSN honorary degree recipient, Whalen is also responsible for securing the largest single gift given to CSN from a private individual donor – in excess of $2.2 million.

“Our Foundation is pleased to recognize these individuals and the contributions each of them has made to build and strengthen our vibrant Southern Nevada community,” said Robbie Graham, chairwoman of the CSN Foundation Board of Trustees. “Future community leaders will benefit from the educational opportunities afforded by scholarships created in each Legacy of Achievement recipient’s name.”

This is the fifth annual Legacy of Achievement Award celebration. This event has raised more than $1 million in scholarships and program funding for students attending CSN.

The 2010 presenting sponsor is M Resort. Premier sponsors include Freeman, which will provide audio visual equipment and professional lighting at the event, and the Las Vegas Hospitality Association, which is hosting the silent auction.

Table sponsorships, congratulatory journal ads and tickets for the event are available now through April 15 from the CSN Foundation office. For more information about the Legacy of Achievement awards, please call 702-651-7301.

About the Company:
CSN Foundation:
The CSN Foundation is a non-profit organization led by community volunteers. The Foundation is dedicated to provide resources to support students and programs at the College of Southern Nevada. Founded in 1982, the CSN Foundation has provided donations of cash and equipment to build classrooms, laboratories, auditoriums and academic buildings. The Foundation recently funded over $1 million for new scholarships and programs at the college and is working with the Engelstad Family Foundation to build 18,000 square feet of classroom and faculty space at the Ralph & Betty Engelstad School of Health Sciences. The new space will house a benchmark cardio-respiratory education center.

CSN:
Founded in 1971 and educating thousands of students a semester, the College of Southern Nevada (www.csn.edu) is the state’s largest and most ethnically diverse higher education institution. CSN offers more than 200 degree and certificate options in more than 130 areas of study, including 25 degree and certificate programs available entirely online. Students create flexible, personalized schedules including day, evening and weekend classes taught on three main campuses and multiple locations throughout Southern Nevada. CSN — Your future starts here.

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