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Northwood University again honoring some of America's greatest minds, philanthropists

Published on 10/19/2009 4:45:06 PM
Northwood University's 2009 Distinguished Women ceremony will be Friday, Nov. 6 and Saturday, Nov. 7 at the Arizona Biltmore in Phoenix, Arizona.

Northwood University's 2009 Distinguished Women ceremony will be Friday, Nov. 6 and Saturday, Nov. 7 at the Arizona Biltmore in Phoenix, Arizona. The Distinguished Women's Forum and Luncheon will be 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6. Tickets are $75 and $100. The forum's topic is "Difficult Economy – Opportunity or Dead End?" during which a panel of five new Distinguished Women honorees will be moderated by past honoree Chris Meyers.

The Distinguished Women's Awards Gala will be at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7. Tickets are $250 and $1,000. Both events are at the Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa, 2400 E. Missouri Avenue in Phoenix, Arizona. RSVP by Oct. 28 to Karol Miller at 989-837-4137 or millerk@northwood.edu.

Questions regarding the events may be made to the Distinguished Women's office at 972-293-5492. Other Arizona Distinguished Women past honorees are Barbara McConnell Barrett, Linda Brock, Shirley Brooks, Laura R. Grafman, Nancy R. Joaquim, Priscilla S. Kuhn, Jane W. Norris and Lyn St. James.

2009 Distinguished Women Honorees

Claudia Waldmann Fry
Williamsburg, Michigan

An internationalist, linguist, and passionate traveler who grew up in Germany, studied and worked in France, and traveled widely, Claudia Waldmann Fry became part of the Northwood family 40 years ago. She added a NU BBA and KSU MBA to her European degrees, taught at Northwood, and organized Spring Break Minis in Mexico and Peru, founded an adventure travel group, provided expertise to foreign policy study, international causes and NU inter-national programs, and has endowed two Northwood scholarships for international students.

Sharon J. Harper
Peoria, Arizona

Sharon Harper is President and Chief Executive Officer of The Plaza Companies, a pre¬mier Arizona-based real estate development, investment, and management firm. The company was founded in the late 1970s and is nationally recognized for its innovative development of medical office and biotechnology facilities and senior living communities.

Samantha R. Landy
Henderson, Nevada

Founder and President of Christian Celebrity Luncheons in 1986. Keynote speaker, columnist, author of nine books (two Angel Award winners), host of international radio programs Psalms of Hope and Sixty Seconds for Savvy Singles. Community volunteer for women and youth issues.

Susan D. Nine
Bloomfield Hills, Michigan
                                                                                                                                            
Philanthropist who has spent much of the last 40 years helping her husband, Paul, operate his legal practice. Involved in nearly 40 charities throughout the years, with most of her service on boards of directors or trustees. Recipient of 37 awards, including the March of Dimes' Humanitarian of the Year.

Margie Traylor
Scottsdale, Arizona

As CEO and Co-founder of Sitewire, Margie Traylor's commitment to maintaining relationships with her clients and employees is among her most outstanding traits. Sincere compassion, entwined with an unparalleled dedication to the advancement and development of others, truly sets her apart from others in the business world.

Gail Warrior-Lawrence
Dallas, Texas
                                             
                                                                                                                                                                  
President & CEO, Warrior Group, a construction services company. Founder of Heart of a Warrior Charitable Foundation, an organization dedicated to the enrich¬ment of underserved children. Named 2009 Trailblazer - National Association of Women Business Owners, 2008 Top Women Entrepreneurs in North America -Enterprising Wom¬en, and 2008 Outstanding Minority Business Leader -Dallas Business Journal.

Sandra G. Yancey
Dallas, Texas

Founder & CEO of eWomenNetwork, producer of the GLOW Project and ABC radio show host. Awards include Excellence in Leadership from the Euro-American Women's Council, Athens Greece, Entrepreneur Star Award from Microsoft, Woman Advocate of the Year Award from Women's Regional Publishing, and American Hero by CNN. She is an impassioned philanthropist dedicated to helping women and girls succeed.

About the Northwood University Distinguished Women Award:
In 1970, the Northwood University board of trustees, under the inspiration of founders Dr. Arthur E. Turner and Dr. R. Gary Stauffer, established the Distinguished Women's Award to recognize the enormous contribution women make to communities, businesses, volunteer agencies and public and private sector services worldwide. The first ceremony was held in the St. Regis Hotel in Detroit, Michigan. The award honors women of outstanding achievement who represent the values the university espouses for its own graduates. It is awarded annually and never in absentia.

The ceremony has been held in various cities, bringing national recognition to the honorees and allowing individuals from many parts of the nation to participate. Friends and families of the awardees are joined by community leaders, business leaders and the many individuals, corporations and public and private entities who appreciate the significance of their contributions. Each year women who previously have received the award return to the ceremony to serve as sponsors to the incoming candidates and to celebrate friendships and accomplishments. Tickets are sold and sponsorships are sought in order to cover expenses. Any proceeds from the program will be used to benefit the students and enhance Northwood's three campuses.

The awards are given to draw attention to the accomplishments of productive individuals who illustrate high achievement in areas which are specific to Northwood's distinctive philosophy. This event creates an occasion to bring Northwood University to the attention of those who share an interest in its principles of higher education. These principles include a commitment to free enterprise, an arts and business partnership and global business management. Our women honorees serve as role models for our students and we encourage them to become involved with the University and our students in a variety of meaningful ways.

About Northwood University:
Northwood University is committed to the most personal attention to prepare students for success in their careers and in their communities; it promotes critical thinking skills and personal effectiveness, and the importance of ethics, individual freedom and responsibility.

Private, nonprofit and accredited, Northwood University specializes in managerial and entrepreneurial education at three full-service, residential campuses located in Southern Florida, mid-Michigan and Northern Texas. Adult Degree Programs are available in eight states with many course delivery options including online. The DeVos Graduate School offers full-time, evening and industry specific master's degree programs for entrepreneurs and executives in Michigan, Texas and Switzerland. The Alden B. Dow Creativity Center on the Midland, Michigan, campus specializes in creative thinking and innovation development. International education is offered through terms abroad and in Program Centers in Switzerland, China, Malaysia, Sri Lanka and Bahrain. Northwood University also operates the Margaret Chase Smith Library in Maine.

50 Years of Enterprise and Ethics
Northwood University is marking its 50-year anniversary. Founded in 1959, Northwood has grown to a national and international presence and is an influential advocate for free enterprise. Celebrations are planned across the country and around the world to commemorate the vision and success of Northwood University's founders, Drs. R. Gary Stauffer and Arthur Turner.