Two Heartland Center trainees were awarded scholarships at the 46th Annual Iowa Governor’s Safety & Health Conference on November 2, 2017. Darrin Thompson, a PhD student in the Occupational Epidemiology training program, received the Jack Beno Scholarship. Shaunae Alex, an MS student in the Industrial Hygiene training program, received the Bill Dickinson Scholarship. Iowa State University student Ria Gasaway also received an Iowa Occupational Safety & Health Advisory Council Scholarship. The three students received a combined $7,500 in support and recognition of of their educational progress and achievements. The Heartland Center is always proud to see our students honored for their scholastic excellence.
This story is included in the Winter 2017 edition of the Heartland Center’s Quarterly Occupational Health & Safety Newsletter.
Further information from the 46th Annual Iowa Governor’s Safety Conference brochure:
About Jack Beno
When Jack Beno, age 60, lost a long battle with cancer in 1997, the safety world lost a truly inspirational leader. His ideas, guidance and tenacity contributed greatly to the many successes of the Iowa Governor’s Safety Conference and to workplace safety and health throughout Iowa.
Jack was appointed to the Occupational Safety and Health Advisory Council in 1979 after accepting a position at Iowa State University. Jack’s former students continually speak of the profound impact he had on their education and life experiences, and will never forget him or the lessons they learned.
The Jack Beno Scholarship Foundation was established in 1998 to provide scholarships for safety-related education in Iowa colleges. In honor of his memory, many former colleagues, friends, and students have made a contribution to support this cause.
About Bill Dickinson
Bill Dickinson served the State of Iowa through his work with the Iowa-Illinois Safety Council, ASSE, and Nationwide Insurance. His work with the council often overlapped with the Governor’s Safety Conference, as he spoke and provided expert speakers on many topics.
Bill Dickinson and Bruce McCann were instrumental in the establishment of the ASSE golf outing that has funded much of the Jack Beno Scholarship fund. More importantly, Bill was constantly mentoring safety professionals throughout the state, encouraging them to excel in their work. Bill and Jack met on a number of occasions to discuss many safety issues affecting the state and the nation.
Gary Higbee captured the spirit and thoughts of many other EHS professionals and colleagues best, stating, “Both men (Jack Beno and Bill Dickinson) were men of honor and stature; I was fortunate to be their friend.”