Buena Vista University to Honor Nine on Founders Day

August 26, 2014

Buena Vista University will hold its 37th annual Founders' Day memorial service on Saturday, Sept. 6 to honor nine deceased individuals who have served the institution as faculty, staff, trustees, alumni, friends and benefactors.

"Throughout Buena Vista University's 123-year history, the outstanding educational experience our students have received has been possible thanks to the contributions and support of many individuals who believed in the future of this institution," said BVU President Fred Moore. "Those who we will honor at this year's Founders' Day have played an important role in that legacy."

Inaugurated in September 1978, Founders' Day has become an annual memorial service that has honored approximately 200 individuals through 2013. The service, led by Rev. Ken Meissner, university chaplain, begins at 11 a.m. at Schaller Memorial Chapel and is open for the public to attend.

Those being recognized this year are:

Dr. Frank Affannato, Des Moines, was an associate professor of education at Buena Vista from 1982 to 1995 and was honored with emeritus status upon his retirement. He served for two years in the U.S. Army and came to Iowa in 1962 to further his education. He earned a bachelor's degree from Graceland College and a master's and PhD from the University of Iowa. He also taught science at Lamoni High School for 11 years. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge in Kellerton, Lamoni City Council, the Neighborhood Revitalization Board, and Drake Park Neighborhood Association in Des Moines, as well as the International Lion's Club. While at BVU, Frank and his wife established the Fine Arts Ceramic Award. He is survived by his wife of 26 years, Cyndi Chen. Frank passed away on March 24, 2014.

Lois Bright, West Des Moines, was a Buena Vista University benefactor. She grew up in Clio and moved to Des Moines in 1929. She worked at the Rollins Hosiery Mill for 12 years, and upon leaving the job, she became active in her church and the community. The Bright Foundation was established by Lois and her husband, Dale, to provide support for a wide variety of causes which serve young people. Dale passed away Aug. 14, 1996, at 86 years old, and Lois took over as president and director of the foundation. Lois established the H. Dale and Lois Bright Scholarship at Buena Vista University in March 1997. She enjoyed many hobbies, including flower arranging, sewing, playing bridge and golf, traveling, and spending time with her large extended family. Lois passed away on Oct. 26, 2013.

Dr. Donald Cox, Ankeny, taught at Buena Vista University (1965-75), served on the Board of Trustees (1968-72), and was a benefactor, establishing the Don and Mildred Cox Restricted Scholarship. He was born in Marathon and graduated from Buena Vista in 1949. He also attended the University of South Dakota and Dayton University where he earned his PhD. Donald was involved in the Lake City School District, was a professor at the University of South Dakota and associate professor of education at Buena Vista University, and retired as the State Superintendent of Education for the State of Iowa. Donald also served in the U.S. Army from 1942 to 1946. He was a member of Highland Park American Legion, West Des Moines Kiwanis Club, and Ankeny First United Methodist Church, and he received the John Fisher Alumni Award in 1970. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mildred in 2012. Donald passed away on May 13, 2014.

Rudolph "Rudy" Fleege, Baldwin, Michigan, was the associate director of facilities management at Buena Vista University. He was born in Chicago, Illinois, and worked at BVU from 1992 to 2007. In 2007, Rudy was awarded with the Education for Service Award for his dedication and commitment as a role model for the Buena Vista University community. After retiring from the university, he moved to the Baldwin area in 2010 where he enjoyed hunting, fishing, being in the Michigan outdoors, and reading. Rudy passed away on Aug. 5, 2013.

Leonard Hoeft, Edina, Minnesota, was a Buena Vista University benefactor. He was born in Carpentersville, Illinois, and attended the College of William and Mary where he took accelerated courses in engineering. He served in the U.S. Army from 1942-1945, and after his military service, Leonard finished his college studies at the University of Illinois with a degree in commerce. He was President/Chief Executive Officer at Wm. H. Ziegler for 19 years and was a respected leader in the construction industry. He and his wife gave generously to many non-profit and educational institutions, including two major capital projects at BVU. He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Mary Lou Hoeft. Leonard passed away on Oct. 30, 2013.

Dr. John Madsen, Rock Island, Illinois, was an associate professor of business and corporate communication at Buena Vista from 1973 to 2002 and was honored with emeritus status and Order of Cumberland and Tollefson upon his retirement. He was born in Finlayson, Minnesota, and received his bachelor's and master's degrees from University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and a PhD from the University of Kansas. John was a Wythe Laureate and taught in the areas of speech communication, journalism, and business during his career at BVU. He was instrumental in the development of the mass communication program (now digital media) and the corporate communication program, and he was an important leader in the early years of the Harold Walter Siebens School of Business. Upon his retirement from BVU, John taught at St. Ambrose University in Davenport until his death. He and his wife, Sandra, were joined in marriage on June 18, 1966. John passed away on May 28, 2014.

Dr. Robert Meinhard, Winona, Minnesota, was a Buena Vista University alumnus and benefactor. He was born in Storm Lake and graduated from Hayes Consolidated School. He continued his education with a bachelor's degree in history and education from Buena Vista College in 1940, a master's degree from the University of Iowa, and a doctorate in education from Montana State University. He taught and coached 7th and 8th grades in Cumberland, junior high school in Grinnell and Fort Dodge, history at Austin High School in Austin, Minnesota, and retired as a professor of history at Winona State University. In 1997, Robert and his wife established the Meinhard Endowed Scholarship at BVU to recognize and reward students for outstanding volunteer service to the University, their community, and church. He served on the BV Alumni Association board (1984-90) and received the John Fisher Alumni Award in 1990. Robert and his late wife, Iris, were joined in marriage on Aug. 23, 1942. Robert passed away on Aug. 26, 2013.

Dr. Steve Remington, Storm Lake, was a professor of marketing at Buena Vista University from 1999 to 2013 and was honored with emeritus status and Order of Cumberland and Tollefson upon his retirement. He was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Steve earned his bachelor's and master's degrees in technical theatre from Mankato State University, along with a master's degree in business. He completed a PhD in marketing from the University of Memphis and taught at the University of Louisiana in Lafayette for seven years before moving to Storm Lake in 1999 to teach at Buena Vista University. Steve was an active member of Buena Vista County Historical Society and helped coordinate living histories of Buena Vista County WWII veterans. He is survived by his wife, Sheila. Steve passed away on Oct. 12, 2013.

Irene Wagner, Ida Grove, was a Buena Vista alumnae and benefactor to the University. She was born in Peterson, and graduated from Brooke High School in 1934. She earned a two-year teaching degree from Buena Vista College in 1945 and taught in several one-room schoolhouses and K-12 schools, as well as coached girls' basketball. She and her husband owned and operated John's Super Valu grocery store in Ida Grove from 1949 to 1982. She participated in community theater, Horn Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, and was a member of the Order of Eastern Star and United Methodist Church. She also was an Alumni Board Member at Buena Vista University, a County Conservation Board member, and a senior Girl Scout leader. She established the Irene Wagner Endowed Scholarship at BVU in 1991 and was presented with the Henry Olson Alumni Award in 2000. She married her late husband, John Wagner, in 1946. Irene passed away on Oct. 23, 2013.