Four Women Honored for Contributions and Achievement

The Utah State University Women’s Center Advisory Board honored four women with the 2007 Women Over 65 Achievement Award.

Kathleen McDonald Cardon, Louise Garff Hubbard, Georgia C. Lauritzen and Dorie Thorpe were honored at a ceremony and reception April 17 on the Utah State University campus.

 

The Women’s Center hosted its first Women Over 65 Achievement Award ceremony in 1986. The objective, stated then, was to counter negative stereotypes sometimes associated with aging. The award creates awareness of women who continue to lead very active and productive lives. The women are recognized for their past and ongoing achievements, and the commitment to community involvement in Cache Valley.

 

“Kathleen McDonald Cardon has been involved in serving women, infants and children for more than 17 years,” Cardon’s award citation reads. “She has a passion for assisting others — especially women — reach their individual potential. She is a compassionate, giving person who provides gentle support for all who need her help.”

 

Cardon received a bachelor’s degree from Brigham Young University, then took time to focus on family, raising her five children and providing a home to four addition children who lived with the family for extended periods. She returned to school, and completed her master’s degree in nutrition and food science at USU. She and her husband, Bartell, have lived in various areas around the country, and have traveled extensively. In 1986, Cardon served as a citizen ambassador to China as a guest of the China Medical Association as a consulting dietitian. She was invited to Latvia and Russia as part of Project Assist. She has visited more than 40 countries and lived in Israel for a year. She worked at the Bear River Health Department as a WIC public health nutritionist and as a supervisor.

 

Louise Garff Hubbard is a life-long resident of Cache Valley and earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Utah State University. She combined her studies with family life, raising four children. She is known as an educator and a supporter of the arts.

 

“Louise has always been curious and inquisitive and has spent her life making certain her family and those around her are surrounded by beauty,” a letter of nomination read. “She presents a fine role model for women — young and old — in Cache Valley, letting them know, based on her actions, that one woman can, indeed, make a difference in a community such as ours.”

 

Hubbard is known for her support of the arts in the Cache Valley community and beyond. She was co-founder and the first president of what is now known as the Alliance for the Varied Arts. Since 2000, she has held a seat on the Logan City Fine Arts Committee. And, for more than two decades, she taught in several capacities at Utah State University — on campus and for Extension — and at the Edith Bowen Laboratory School. She is an artist with several one woman shows to her credit, and she is a published as the author of the children’s book “Grandfather’s Gold Watch,” a work she also illustrated.

 

Georgia C. Lauritzen is a three-time graduate of Utah State University — with a bachelor’s degree, master’s and doctorate. She became an instructor, then assistant, associate and full professor at USU. She has been described as a USU Aggie through and through.

 

“Dr. Lauritzen is a dedicated educator and a true community servant,” her award citation reads. “She made significant contributions to Extension, USU and the people of Utah.”

 

Focusing on nutritional issues related to women’s health, Lauritzen authored numerous articles, videotapes, fact sheets, bulletins and a book chapter in “Culinary Arts and Sciences II: Global and National Perspectives.” She developed a Women’s Nutritional Issues course — taught at the undergraduate and graduate level at USU. Her research focused on women’s health issues related to osteoporosis, diabetes and folic acid. She earned the prestigious E.G. Peterson Extension Award and the College of Agriculture Distinguished Professor Award.

 

Dorie Thorpe has been actively involved in community activities and organizations. She graduated from Logan High School and continued her education at USU, and at the Logan School of Costume Design. She also attended various workshops in the business field, especially credit reporting. She began her professional life as a dress designer and maker with J.C. Penney and Cache Knitting Mills.

 

“Dorie Thorpe has influenced many people in the valley with her charm, determination, impeccable appearance and positive attitude,” her award citation reads.

 

Thorpe remained interested in the arts and creative endeavors, but her professional focus shifted to the business world and consumer finance. She began working for the USU Community Credit Union. At the beginning she was the first — and for a time — only worker at the credit union. She advanced, and was the manager for many years. She held leadership positions in the Utah Credit Union League, Credit Women International (Cache Valley Chapter). It is noted that Thorpe held every office in the Credit Women International from president to parliamentarian. In 1974 she was named the Outstanding Woman of the Year for the Logan chapter of the organization. She became the first woman to serve on the board of the Cache Valley Golf and Country Club, serving for three years with nine men. An active and accomplished golfer, she was the Ladies Club Champion at LG&CC for 10 years. Thorpe and her husband, the late Everett, became charter members of USU’s Old Main Society and remain strong supporters of the university and the Women’s Center.

 

For information on the Women Over 65 Achievement Awards, contact the Women’s Center at (435) 797-1728.

 

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