Lincoln College names Steve Foster as Honorary Alumnus for 2008

[April 25, 2008]  In the last 25 years of his watch, Lincoln College security officer Steve Foster has influenced too many students to mention. It was those former students who recommended to the college administration his nomination as 2008 recipient of the Honorary Alumnus Award. The award will be presented Saturday at the awards dinner during the college's alumni reunion.

Foster grew up in Lincoln and attended Adams and Central elementary schools, Lincoln Junior High, and graduated from Lincoln Community High School in 1973. While growing up in Lincoln, when many of Foster's peers were delivering papers, he had an opportunity to work for Ed and Laverta Pelc at the Radio Lab & TV store in downtown Lincoln. Whether it was delivering product or sales and service, Foster always worked with a dedicated spirit.

Beginning in August of 1979, he was the second generation in his family to work for Lincoln College. He continued the family tradition begun by Joe and Mary Foster, now deceased, who both were employed by the college.

Steve Foster was named the chief of security during the tenure of Dr. Jack Nutt as college president. Foster stated that one of his most memorable moments was during the annual commencement ceremonies, when the college president would lead the procession into the gymnasium. Foster would shake his hand, and in return Dr. Nutt would reply, "Job well done!" Foster said that moment was a moment of pride for him, and the gesture and words became a ritual. "I felt that I was presenting the current graduating class safe and secure back to Dr. Nutt," he said.

During the daytime Foster also works for the Logan County Sheriff's Department, where he is the physical plant manger.

Additional alumni of Lincoln College will be honored during the ceremony. On-air personalities David Koehler ('62) from WBNS-TV in Columbus, Ohio, and Deborah Lea Rowe ('79) of Chicago's WLS radio will be presented with Alumni Achievement awards for communications, and Bill Laudert ('58) will be honored with the Alumni Achievement Award for public service.

[Text from file received from Lincoln College]