BROOKINGS – Jim Woster ’64 was honored with the Jerome J. Lohr Award for Volunteer Leadership in recognition of his involvement and support of the South Dakota State University Foundation.
The award was announced Oct. 4 in conjunction with the SDSU Foundation’s fall council of trustees meeting. The announcement was made by Jerry Lohr, one of SDSU’s largest benefactors and namesake of the university’s Jerome J. Lohr College of Engineering.
Woster has emceed hundreds of events for the university over the years, including the Foundation’s Donor Celebration and the Jackrabbit Athletic Scholarship Auction. He has also been honored as a Distinguished Alumni.
He and his wife, Penny, were honored with the naming of Woster Celebration Hall in the expanded Lohr Building. Woster Celebration Hall is the signature event space in the expanded facility that looks out to the university’s famed Coughlin Campanile.
The SDSU Foundation created the award in 1999 as a tribute to Lohr, who has actively served on the Foundation board without interruption since 1988. The award is designed to recognize an individual “who demonstrates exemplary volunteer leadership on behalf of the Foundation and outstanding philanthropic support of SDSU.” The award is not just about financial contributions, but significant contributions of time and expertise to the betterment of SDSU.
Lohr personally selects the winner, in consultation with Foundation staff and leadership. Woster is the first recipient who was not a board member. “If there is one person who deserves to be the exception to that rule, Jim Woster is that person,” Lohr said.
