JARS v52n4 - ARS Honors
ARS Honors
Gordon Wylie
Eugene, Oregon
Plant exploration, new hybrids, rhododendron history, great gardens, cultural information, companion plants and so on; these are the subjects we look forward to finding among the pages every three months as a fresh issue of our favorite publication about our favorite plant genus arrives - the Journal ARS . In fact, this periodical is no doubt a primary reason for many continuing as one of our nearly six thousand members. The subject of this article, though not engaging in the same fashion as discovery of a splendid new species, is nevertheless significant to all and one frequently the object of ardent attention. That subject is the vehicle by which we recognize extraordinary individual contributions to the genus Rhododendron and the Society, generally referred to as honors.
The basis for bestowing honors and for plant awards/ratings is found in Article X of the American Rhododendron Society Bylaws, which provides the "...(Society) Board shall establish policies and procedures..."The policy and process for honors, which have undergone several reviews and changes over the years, are found in Policies of the Board (POB) sections 9.5.1 through 9.5.10. This short explanation will discuss some highlights from those sections. Different provisions control the rarely awarded Pioneer Achievement Award, and are found at POB 9.17.
Honors are divided into four categories named: (1) Citation for Service/Award of Merit, (2) Bronze Medal, (3) Silver Medal and (4) Gold Medal. Citations for Service or Awards of Merit may be granted by either chapters or the Society and the recipient does not have to be an ARS member. Also, these honors may be awarded to an individual, group, or organization. Medals are awarded to individuals and the recipient must be a member of the American Rhododendron Society. The Bronze Medal may only be bestowed by local chapters, while the Silver Medal and Gold Medal are restricted to award by the Society as a whole.
ARS medals are often mistakenly compared to sporting or other events where gold means best, silver is second and bronze third. Rather, with our medals, the distinction rests on the geographic area of contribution by the honoree. Indeed, former ARS president and long time Honors Committee Chairman Austin Kennell often remarked a Bronze Medal was the best sign of accomplishment because it was given by one's closest associates with every opportunity to observe the efforts expended. The Bronze Medal is for outstanding contributions to a chapter which may include outside activities consistent with Society goals. The Silver Medal is for efforts having a regional impact; that is, an area clearly larger than a chapter but not necessarily western or eastern North America or some other defined unit. Finally, the Gold Medal recognizes outstanding contributions having a national or international impact.
Petitions for Silver Medals or Gold Medals must be in the hands of the Honors Committee chairman by no later than December 15 of each year. They must be submitted through a district director, and it is wise to enlist the assistance of a director early in the process. The committee with the difficult task of reviewing these applications consists of a chairman appointed by the ARS president and five other members chosen by the chair who are geographically representative and generally knowledgeable of the Society and its objectives. Only the chairman's identity (who does not vote on petitions) is known; that of the voting members of the committee is kept strictly confidential to shield them from inappropriate contacts or pressures. The chairman serves as a facilitator between the committee, general members and the ARS Board, and is responsible for sending favorable recommendations to the Society's president by February 15 of each year so they may be acted upon in time for presentation at our annual convention. Currently, Ed Egan is in his eighth year as chairman of the sensitive and demanding endeavor. These comments are not intended as an exhaustive review of the requirements and process for awards, and the full POB is required reading for those undertaking to seek recognition for one believed a potential recipient of any award. In fact, success depends in part on how well that task is understood and accomplished, particularly as to Gold Medals and Silver Medals. The full text of the POB is available from any district director or Society officer. Even though not exciting in the same way as reading about a new and hardy hybrid in lovely shades of pastel, it may some day become the subject of a different sort of passion as you advance the cause for a worthy award candidate!
| Silver and Gold Medal Recipients | ||
|---|---|---|
1952 |
Claude Sersanous Portland, Ore. |
Gold |
1953 |
Joseph Gable Stewartstown, Pa. |
Gold |
1954 |
Joseph Rock Seattle, Wash. |
Gold |
1957 |
Endre Ostbo Seattle, Wash. |
Gold |
1959 |
Guy Nearing Ramsey, N.J. |
Gold |
1960 |
Del James Eugene, Ore. |
Gold |
" |
George Grace Portland, Ore. |
Gold |
1961 |
John Wister Swarthmore, Pa. |
Gold |
1962 |
Mrs. A.C.U. Berry Portland, Ore. |
Gold |
1963 |
Halfdan Lem Seattle, Wash. |
Gold |
" |
Clement Bowers Main, N.Y. |
Gold |
" |
Paul Vossberg Westbury, N.Y. |
Gold |
" |
Rudolph Henny Brooks, Ore. |
Gold |
1964 |
Herbert Ihrig Seattle, Wash. |
Gold |
" |
Ben Lancaster Camas, Wash. |
Gold |
" |
Frederick P. Lee Bethesda, Md. |
Gold |
1965 |
Rocco Cappelli Portland, Ore. |
Silver |
" |
Henry Skinner Washington, D.C. |
Gold |
" |
David G. Leach Brookville, Pa. |
Gold |
1966 |
John Henny Brooks, Ore. |
Gold |
" |
Ted & Mary Grieg Royston, B.C., Canada |
Gold |
" |
Ben Nelson Suquamish, Wash. |
Gold |
1967 |
J.R. Brooks Asheville, N.C. |
Gold |
" |
Cecil Smith Aurora, Ore. |
Gold |
1968 |
Paul J. Bowman Fort Bragg, Calif. |
Gold |
" |
Carl Phetteplace Eugene, Ore. |
Gold |
" |
Howard Slonecker Portland, Ore. |
Gold |
1969 |
J.H. Clarke Long Beach, Wash. |
Gold |
1970 |
Mrs. Robert Berry Aberdeen, Wash. |
Gold |
" |
Evelyn Jack Vancouver, B.C., Canada |
Gold |
" |
Robert Ticknor Canby, Ore. |
Gold |
" |
Koichiro Wada Yokohama, Japan |
Gold |
1971 |
Edward B. Dunn Seattle, Wash. |
Gold |
1972 |
Donald McClure Seattle, Wash. |
Gold |
" |
Maurice Sumner San Francisco, Calif. |
Gold |
1973 |
Thomas Wheeldon Richmond, Va. |
Gold |
" |
A.M. Shamarello Euclid, Ohio |
Gold |
" |
P.H. Brydon Salem, Ore. |
Gold |
1974 |
James Caperci Seattle, Wash. |
Gold |
1975 |
Ruth Hansen Portland, Ore. |
Gold |
" |
Gustave A.L. Mehlquist Storrs, Conn. |
Gold |
" |
Wm. Whitney Brinnon, Wash. |
Gold |
" |
H.H. Davidian Edinburgh, Scotland |
Silver |
" |
Marie Grula Philadelphia, Pa. |
Silver |
1976 |
Alfred S. Martin Philadelphia, Pa. |
Gold |
" |
Ted Van Veen Portland, Ore. |
Gold |
" |
Ernest H. Yelton Rutherford, N.C. |
Silver |
1977 |
Frank Mossman Vancouver, Wash. |
Gold |
" |
August Kehr Hendersonville, N.C. |
Gold |
1978 |
Gordon Jones Oyster Bay, N.Y. |
Gold |
" |
Hermann Sleumer Germany |
Gold |
" |
Sidney V. Burns Muttontown, N.Y. |
Silver |
1979 |
Orlando Pride Butler, Pa. |
Gold |
" |
Helmer Larson Tacoma, Wash. |
Gold |
" |
George Ring Fairfax, Va. |
Silver |
" |
Thomas Koenig Ashbury Park, N.J. |
Silver |
1980 |
Edmund V. Mezitt Hopkinton, Mass. |
Gold |
" |
Britt M. Smith Kent, Wash. |
Gold |
" |
Robert D. Gartrell Wyckoff, N.J. |
Silver |
1981 |
Ed Parker Astoria, Ore. |
Gold |
" |
Lawrence J. Pierce Seattle, Wash. |
Gold |
" |
Everett Farwell Woodside, Calif. |
Silver |
" |
Velma & Charles Haag Brevard, N.C. |
Silver |
1982 |
Hideo Suzuki Japan |
Gold |
" |
Gertrude S. Wister Swarthmore, Pa. |
Gold |
" |
Peter E. Girard, Sr. Geneva, Ohio |
Silver |
1983 |
Fred C. Galle Pine Mountain, Ga. |
Gold |
1984 |
John P. Evans Oakland, Calif. |
Gold |
" |
H. Furman Cantrell Piedmont, S.C. |
Silver |
1985 |
Edwin C. Brockenbrough Bellevue, Wash. |
Silver |
" |
Robert L. Badger Kent, Wash. |
Silver |
1986 |
Weldon E. Delp Harrisville, Pa. |
Gold |
1987 |
(none) |
|
1988 |
David Goheen Camas, Wash. |
Gold |
" |
Sandra McDonald Hampton, Va. |
Silver |
1989 |
Warren Berg Port Ludlow, Wash. |
Gold |
" |
Harold Greer Eugene, Ore. |
Gold |
" |
Harold Johnson Surrey, B.C., Canada |
Silver |
1990 |
Frank Doleshy Edmonds, Wash. |
Gold |
" |
Polly Hill Vineyard Haven, Mass. |
Gold |
" |
E. White Smith Tacoma, Wash. |
Silver |
1991 |
Raymond C. Huey Eugene, Ore. |
Silver |
" |
Don Kellam Charlotte, N.C. |
Gold |
" |
Herbert Spady Salem, Ore. |
Gold |
1992 |
J. Judson Brooks Sewickley, Pa. |
Silver |
" |
John C. Cowles Wellesley, Mass. |
Silver |
1993 |
Peter Cox Perth, Scotland |
Gold |
" |
H.H. Davidian Edinburgh, Scotland |
Gold |
" |
Parker Smith Sebastopol, Calif. |
Silver |
1994 |
Bruce Briggs Olympia, Wash. |
Gold |
" |
Edward W. Collins Hendersonville, N.C. |
Silver |
1995 |
Wilbur C. Anderson Mount Vernon, Wash. |
Gold |
" |
Homer Salley Danville, Ky. |
Gold |
" |
Bob Rhodes Galbriola Island, B.C. |
Silver |
1996 |
David F. Chamberlain Edinburgh, Scotland |
Gold |
" |
Hans Hachmann Holstein, Germany |
Gold |
" |
John Basford Aberdeenshire, Scotland |
Silver |
" |
Gert Forum Petersen Vaerloese, Denmark |
Silver |
1997 |
Henry A. Schannen Princeton, N.J. |
Gold |
" |
Ken & Dot Gibson Tofino, B.C., Canada |
Silver |
" |
Lynn Watts Bellevue, Wash. |
Silver |
1998 |
A. Richard Brooks Concord, Mass. |
Gold |
" |
Richard M. Steele Bayport, N.S. Canada |
Gold |
" |
Sophia Maitland Grimsby, Ont., Canada |
Silver |
" |
June Sinclair Port Ludlow, Wash. |
Silver |
