The seven recipients of the Days of '47 annual Pioneers of Progress Awards will be honored Thursday.
The award, presented annually since 1995, goes to Utahns who have
demonstrated "the pioneer legacy of industry and integrity and whose
work benefits present and future generations."
The recipients are:
Business and enterprise — Harris Simmons, president and chief executive officer of Zions
Bancorporation, has been at the helm since 1990. Institutional Investor
magazine named Simmons one of America's best CEOs, and Utah Business
magazine named him one of the 100 most influential people in the state.
He has twice chaired the Zoo, Arts and Parks (ZAP) Reauthorization
Campaigns for Salt Lake County and has chaired the Shelter-the-Homeless
Committee since the Salt Lake Community Shelter opened in 1988.
Sportsmanship and athletics —
Larry Gelwix is a volunteer coach of Highland Rugby, training young men
on more than just sports. "It's not about rugby, it's about young men,"
Gelwix said to Pioneers of Progress. "It's not about building a
championship team, it's about building championship boys." Statistics
show Gelwix has done both: 379-9 win-loss record and 17 USA Rugby
National High School Championships.
Historic and creative arts —
Arnold Friberg has been commended worldwide for his prolific work in
religious and patriotic artwork. Among his signature works are his
paintings on the movie "The Ten Commandments," "The Prayer at Valley
Forge" and the 12 paintings in the missionary Book of Mormon.
Education, health and humanitarian assistance —
Susan Carter Robinson reaches out to underprivileged children, giving
them glasses, medical supplies and toys. She volunteered for a decade
at Toys for Tots and Festival of Trees, two charities that benefit
needy children. She has also become the contemporary Santa among the
Havai Supai tribe, traveling by helicopter with gifts to children
living at the bottom of the Grand Canyon.
Scientific and technology development —
Dr. Anne Osborn Poelman, a distinguished professor of radiology at the
University of Utah School of Medicine, has written several best-selling
medical books. She is cited for her work in neuroradiology, a
subspecialty of diagnostic radiology of the nervous system. Poelman
co-founded Amirsys Inc., a publisher of medical-reference tools and
helped develop STATdx, a diagnostic online tool that gives radiologists
quick access to updated reference material, including images and more.
Posthumous Legacy Award — President James E. and Ruth Faust will be honored for their service to
church and community. The late President Faust was a lawyer prior to
his call in 1972 as a general authority of The Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter-day Saints. In 1962, he was elected president of the Utah Bar
Association, and he served a term as a Democratic state representative
in 1949.
Ruth Faust was a supportive wife and mother, "reaching out to
anyone who came across her path," said Janna Coombs, the Fausts'
daughter.
The awards will presented at a banquet at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Little America Hotel in Salt Lake City.