Five modern-day pioneers are being honored as Pioneers of Progress Award recipients for 2001 by the Days of '47 board of directors.
"These worthy individuals represent pioneers in the truest sense of the word," said Alan Layton, president of the Days of '47.
A gala banquet at the new Grand America Hotel Friday, July 20, at 7 p.m. will honor the recipients, who come from a variety of fields.
Mario Capecchi, who is a professor and researcher at the University of Utah's Eccles Institute of Human Genetics, will receive a an award for scientific and technology development. His work with altering and replacing genes in mice has had a tremendous impact on understanding human genetic diseases such as cystic fibrosis and muscular dystrophy.
Erlend Peterson, dean of the Division of Admissions and Records at Brigham Young University, is receiving the pioneer award in business, education, health and welfare. He established a lecture series at BYU in which he has persuaded many ambassadors, high ranking officials and media from outside the United States to visit Utah. As a result, many misconceptions have been corrected and lasting ties have been formed.
Lee Groberg, owner of a film production company named Groberg Communications, is being named a pioneer in historic and creative arts. Among other things, he has produced two highly acclaimed documentaries, "Trail of Hope: The Story of the Mormon Trail" and "American Prophet: The Story of Joseph Smith," in cooperation with PBS. Both documentaries have received national awards.
William Allen Spencer, a highly decorated Army officer and world-class biathlete, is receiving his pioneer award in sportsmanship and athletics. He was the shooting coach of the U.S. Olympic team in 1976, 1980 and 1992, and he also competed numerous times in the Summer World Championships.
Eugene Jelesnik is being honored in the posthumous legacy category. He was born Shurachka "Shura" Zheleznykov in 1914 in southern Ukraine. His mother and aunt fled war conditions and came to the United States in 1925. As a violinist, he moved in the finest music circles and brought international talent to Salt Lake City. He resurrected the Salt Lake Philharmonic Orchestra and in 1947 began a long association with the Days of '47 when he introduced his "Pops" concerts, which he directed until 1993. He died Feb. 16, 1999.