Distinguished Service Award
The Distinguished Service Award is presented annually to an alumnus/a or friend in recognition of his/her personal commitment to the ideals and objectives of the Stetson University Alumni Association and dedicated service and advancement of the goals of the University.
2012Sarah "Sally" Mathewes Sartain Jane
Sarah Mathewes Sartain Jane, BA '62 (Russian Studies and Sociology), of Fort Myers, Fla., has lived a distinguished life helping others through years of community engagement and advocacy as well as supporting her alma mater. Her extensive professional career includes holding librarian positions in Virginia and Florida, and serving as Head of the Collections Development for the Lee County (Florida) Library. She served on the adjunct faculty with the University of South Florida's School of Library & Information Science. She served professionally on the Reference and User Services Association (R.U.S.A.) Standards and Guidelines Committee. For more than 50 years, Sally served as a member of local, state and national professional organizations, held several offices in those organizations, lobbied in Tallahassee and wrote numerous book reviews for local and national publications. The Southwest Florida Library Network presented her with the Library Advocate of the Year Award. The Sartain-Jane Conference Room at the Meadows Alumni House honors the memory of both of her late husbands. She served Stetson on the Alumni Board of Directors, first completing her husband's term upon his death, and then two terms of her own. She serves on the Southwest Florida Hatter Scramble committee, the annual golf tournament that generates scholarship funds for Stetson students. She served on the Student Recruitment committee as South Florida regional chair, in addition to working college fairs with the Admission Office and off-to-school parties for current and prospective students. Most recently, she served on the Class of 1962 Reunion Committee and is a member of the College of Arts & Sciences Board of Advisors. |
2011Betty Drees Johnson
After holding several positions and moving up through the ranks, Betty was named Library Director in 2002. She has developed and led fundraising efforts for the library that resulted in more than $1.8 million in contributions, including several endowments. Under Betty's leadership, the library acquired alumnus E. Clay Shaw's personal papers from his 13 terms in the U. S. Congress, as well as the political and Vietnam War memorabilia of alumnus and former U.S. Sen. Max Cleland. Holding bachelor's and master's degrees in History from Stetson University, and a master's degree in Library Service from Columbia University, Betty's research and professional interests center on collection development, budgeting and inter-library cooperation. In 2006, she was awarded the first Florida Library Association Lifetime Achievement Award. A philanthropist in every sense of the word, Betty has given generously to her alma mater, supporting scholarships, the library, and a variety of programs. Her service to Stetson University over the years has included numerous committee appointments, as well as three terms on the Faculty Senate. Beyond Stetson, Betty is very active in the League of Women Voters, and has held top positions in numerous regional and national professional organizations. Betty and her late husband, History Professor Evans C. Johnson, were advocates for incorporating the arts into the lives and education of children. She was one of the founders of the Cultural Arts Center in DeLand, and in 2010 was awarded the Community Volunteer Award by the Florida Association for Arts in Education. The Evans C. and Betty Drees Johnson Children's Art Center opened at the Museum of Florida Arts in August 2010. |
