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Don Beaton to receive Distinguished Alumni Award
May 5, 2005 | |||||
KOKOMO, Ind.—The Indiana University Kokomo Alumni Association (IUKAA) will present its 2005 Distinguished Alumni Award to Don Beaton of Kokomo during the campus' May 10 Commencement.
A record 529 candidates for degrees will be recognized that day in the joint graduation exercises of Indiana University Kokomo and Purdue University College of Technology Kokomo. The outdoor ceremony starts at 10:30 a.m.; visit www.iuk.edu/alumni for more information. Beaton earned an Associate of General Studies degree in 1985 and a Bachelor of General Studies in 1987, both at IU Kokomo, and completed a master's degree in social work through IUPUI in 1989. Beaton serves on the IU Kokomo Chancellor's Advisory Board. Active in IUKAA since 1985, he has worked on the Membership and Legislative committees. Like Beaton, Rita Bagby is a former IUKAA president and longtime board member. She praised Beaton as an enthusiastic participant in numerous alumni projects. “He has walked in parades on hot summer afternoons, untangled Christmas tree lights for decorating Alumni Hall, and spent many evenings at planning sessions,” Bagby said. “I congratulate him for this well-deserved recognition from his fellow alumni.” Senior Vice President of the IU Alumni Association (IUAA) John D. Hobson got to know Beaton when the latter represented the IUKAA board on the IUAA Executive Council for several years. “He is a very loyal and dedicated alumni volunteer leader,” Hobson said of Beaton. “In recognition of his outstanding service, Don was awarded the prestigious IU Alumni Association President's Award in 1997, the highest honor bestowed on an alumni volunteer.” Keeping state legislators aware of IU's programs and funding needs is the work of Hoosiers for Higher Education (HHE). Since the program's founding, Beaton has been involved as a Community Captain. “HHE can always depend on Don Beaton to know the political climate in north central Indiana,” said Kirk White, HHE director from 2000–2004. “Don knows why higher education is important for Indiana and does all he can to spread the message.” Born and raised in Newark, N.J., Beaton left high school before graduation to join the U.S. Navy. Trained as a radio operator, he spent two years on the U.S.S. Murray. After his discharge from the Navy, Beaton entered the U.S. Air Force. He served as both a ground and airborne radio operator, and later as a communications instructor and superintendent, while stationed at bases throughout the United States and overseas. He earned the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal, and the Air Force Commendation Medal. He retired from the military in 1982 as a Senior Master Sergeant. From 1982–84, Don and his wife, Gail, owned and operated The Sewing Bee, a Kokomo needlecraft store. “When the store closed, Beaton began taking classes at IU Kokomo in General Studies. He completed a Master of Social Work through IUPUI in 1989 and acquired post-graduate credentials from the Academy of Certified Social Workers (National Association of Social Workers). He holds Indiana licenses as a clinical social worker and mental health counselor. From 1989–1999, Beaton worked as a private mental health practitioner and a field instructor for the IUPUI School of Social Work. He followed a personal interest in working with veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. Later, Beaton performed private contract work in home health and with Head Start, for which he created a fathers program. Six years ago, Beaton began teaching social work at IU Kokomo as an adjunct faculty member. Rick Aniskiewicz, Ph. D., chairman of the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, said Beaton's work experience “adds an applied and experiential dimension to his teaching. “Don is highly regarded by students who find him knowledgeable, interesting, helpful, and challenging,” Aniskiewicz said. Beaton is a tireless volunteer with numerous community organizations, including the Howard County Vietnam Veterans Organization; Pontiac Oakland Club International, Hoosier Chapter; Grissom Air Museum; and the Automotive Heritage Museum in Kokomo's Johanning Civic Center. When visitors tour the museum's collection of vintage vehicles, their guide is generally either Beaton or his good friend Don Wright. Beaton and Wright have both served as past presidents of the Pioneer Auto Club and organizers and judges for numerous vintage auto shows, road tours, and parade appearances. “Don and Gail are always willing to help out with whatever needs to be done,” Wright said. “You couldn't ask for better people.” The only time the Beatons can't spare time for an auto club function is when an IU activity falls on the same date. IU always comes first for Beaton, according to Wright.
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