The 2009 Iowa Chinese Achievement Awards
On Dec. 12, 2009, the Chinese Association of Iowa’s Iowa Chinese Achievement Award Selection Committee selected the honorees for the 2009 Iowa Chinese Achievement Awards.
As a major community organization, Chinese Association of Iowa believes that it is essential to identify and honor "role models" who can inspire all of us, especially the younger generation.
With so many community events and programs, there has never been a more important time to recognize the contributions made by businesses, organizations and volunteers in communities across the State of Iowa and overseas who give their time and energy to support our community.
Previous award winners have all been excellent examples of the leadership and volunteer spirit celebrated through the awards. From the oldest member to the youngest, these individuals, businesses, organizations have demonstrated generosity and a strong commitment to improve the well-being of our communities through their leadership, volunteerism, and sacrifice.
Award Reception, New Year Dinner and Award Ceremony
With each award, The Chinese Association of Iowa publicly affirms present achievements, seeks to encourage further work on the part of the recipients, and hopes to motivate others to follow their lead in service to Iowa communities. The award ceremony will be held at the annual Iowa Chinese Achievement Awards Ceremony at the Indian Hill Junior High School Auditorium, Clive, Iowa, Saturday, 6:00-7:00pm, Feb. 13, 2010. The Ceremony will feature a keynote speaker. The reception and the New Year dinner (buffet type) for the award winners, their families, sponsors and community members will be at the Indian Hill Junior High School Cafeteria Area, Saturday, 4:00-5:45pm, Feb. 13, 2010. The ticket will be $25 for the award reception and New Year dinner. There will be no charge for the award ceremony.
Award Ceremony Keynote
The 2009 Iowa Chinese Achievement Awards Ceremony will feature a keynote speaker.
The 2009 Iowa Chinese Achievement Awards Honorees
Dr. David Jiajian Wang Award for Humanity
Eric Idehen, Wells Fargo
The Dr. David Jiajian Wang Award for Humanity is the Chinese Association of Iowa’s most prestigious honor. In the past, the association has select individuals or group among the top echelon of extraordinary contributors to society in our generation to recognize their distinguished humanity impact to the State of Iowa. Governor Robert Ray and Kemin Industries are the honorees since the award was established.
On August 17, 2002, Dr. David Jiajian Wang, a native of China’s Hainan Island and a dentist graduated from the University of Iowa College of Dentistry, sacrificed his life when he tried to save a boy at Lake Panorama, Panora.
In October 2002 Dr. David Wang received the Person of the Year from the Iowa Asian Alliance for his professional achievement, business development, his service to under- privileged people and his sacrifice for others. On August 17, 2003, a year after Dr. David Wang’s sacrifice, the Chinese Association of Iowa presented the Iowa Hero Award to Dr. David Wang’s mother and sister in recognition of their proud son and brother’s heroic actions for saving other’s life.
Five years after David Wang’s sacrificed his life for others, the Chinese Association of Iowa established the David Jiajian Wang Award for Humanity to honor his great achievement and sacrifice for State of Iowa communities. At the Chinese Association of Iowa’s 20th Anniversary celebration in 2007, this award was presented to Governor Robert D. Ray for his great contribution as the first governor who reached out and helped the humanitarian resettlement of the Southeast Asian people to Iowa after the Vietnam War in mid-1970’s.
Grace Wang, Dr. Jiajian Wang’s former wife, Cassie Wang, Dr. Jiajian Wang’s daughter, and the Iowa Secretary of State Michael Mauro co-presented the award to Governor Ray. Governor Ray’s visionary act of compassion established Iowa as a welcoming place for refugees and immigrants of Asian decent. Governor Ray also played a leading role in opening U.S. relation with China. In addition he initialized Iowa’s Sister States relationship with China’s Hebei Province in the early 1980’s.
Kemin Industries is the second honoree who received the David Jiajian Wang Award for Humanity.
Dr. Norman Borlaug “ethical kindness” has greatly impacted Kemin. Dr Borlaug had roots that are very similar to those of RW Nelson, Founder and CEO of Kemin.
The knowledge that Dr Borlaug imparted and the business practices of Kemin form the basis of good agricultural policies that makes this a reality for the family farmer in China, India, Mexico, and Thailand who grow marigolds under contract for Kemin as the key ingredient of our FloraGLO Lutein business. They manage their crop with out the use of pesticides and other chemicals that rob the ground of their nutrients, enabling them to grow flowers successfully year after year.
Kemin understands the importance of being an active member of the community in which we do business. Kemin now operate in over 60 countries, with manufacturing facilities in China, Singapore, Thailand, India, South Africa, Belgium, Brazil and the United States. Kemin make a commitment to hire staff at all levels from the president to the plant operator from local universities and communities.
In September 2009 RW and Mary Nelson traveled to Qin (chin) Chang Village of Ming Shan County in Sichuan Province, to dedicate the Kemin Hope School. After the 2008 earthquake, Kemin challenged their employees world wide to donate money to rebuild the school. Kemin Industries then matched those donations and as a result a new school in a two-story building with six classrooms, one multifunctional room and one office that will accommodate more than 300 students and 10 teachers was dedicated on September 2nd.
Mr. Nelson also presented six computers to the school which will be utilized for a computer literacy program.
Kemin Hope School reopened its doors to students and teachers in May 2009.
Locally, the Kemin staff has been active in Habitat for Humanity contributing to the building of several homes in the Des Moines area.
On Sept. 20, 2009 at Lake Panorama, Panora, Iowa, where, Dr. Wang sacrificed his life for others, Janet Nelson, the daughter of RW and Mary Nelson, received the Dr. David Jiajian Wang Award for Humanity from Grace Wang, Dr. Wang’s former wife, and Roger Hansen, the Committee Chair of the first annual David Wang Memorial ½ Marathon.
The Outstanding Contributor Award
Flying Tigers - The American Volunteer Group (AVG)
The Outstanding Contributor Award is dedicated to individuals and organizations that have made an extraordinary contribution to State of Iowa and beyond.
Person of the Year
Cyndi Chen, Des Moines
Person of the Year is dedicated to celebrating individuals for their distinguished involvement and contribution in the Iowa Chinese community.
The Corporate Leadership Award
Faegre & Benson LLP
The Corporate Leadership Award is dedicated to celebrating and recognizing corporations or individuals in the corporate sector who exemplify not only excellence in their profession, but also leadership and commitment in their respective communities, and to the existing corporate culture of diversity initiatives.
The Media Leadership Award
Erin Kiernan, WHOTV
The Media Leadership Award is designed for excellence in culture, lifestyle, arts, and in recognition of coverage that most accurately depicts immigration, immigrants, diversity, and international issues. Content designed to preserve and present cultural heritage in line with the challenges of the future; demonstrating valuable cultural assets clearly and informatively using state-of-the-art technology. It includes content which promotes, explains or documents international cultural activities or concepts. This award is dedicated to those who most effectively captured the essence of a major issue in global and local community diversity and conveyed it to a broad audience. This award recognizes the vital role played by the media in informing the public, as well as decision-makers, and seeks through this award to highlight the important contributions to understanding and action made by the winner of the award. Selection of the award recipient is based on the quality of the reporting as well as its wide reach among readers and viewers.
The Community Leadership Award
Will Zhang, Ankeny
The Community Leadership Award recognizes individuals and organizations whose leadership has made a significant impact in Iowa communities. The Community Leadership Awards showcase individual or organizational excellence in leadership as demonstrated by outstanding initiative, impact of work, and inspiration of others.
The Community Business of the Year
C & L Company
Community Business Awards is dedicated for companies that are helping to tackle deprivation and create sustainable, dynamic and inclusive communities. It is also for individuals whose leadership and commitment to responsible business has resulted in changes and improvements inside their own company and who have also inspired other organizations to take action.
Education Agency of the Year
Drake University Chinese Cultural Exchange Program
Education Agency of the Year is dedicated to the schools or school districts that have demonstrated exemplary practices or programs in one or more of the following areas:
- Curriculum development, staff development, or administrative practices to improve or provide more equitable educational opportunities for children and youth;
- Enhancement of communications within and among local school districts for ethnic groups;
- Promotion and development of state and regional delivery systems which bring about creative, efficient and effective education for diversity and international understanding.
Government Agency of the Year
Des Moines Police Department
Government Agency of the Year is to recognize the extraordinary work of municipal,
county, and state in the State of Iowa, those organizations that have provided the highest level of leadership; for projects and partnerships that raise the bar as to what is possible; for jurisdictions that provide a level of excellence, expertise and service in local government for all to emulate. They have demonstrated exemplary practices or programs in one or more of the following areas:
- Unique achievements in the creation and implementation of exemplary government programs or projects and exceptional public sector contributions for diversity and international exchanges.
- Cooperative efforts between local government jurisdictions or agencies and private or non-profit organizations resulting in positive changes in the community.
Non-profit Organization of the Year
Iowa Council for International Understanding
Non-profit Organization of the Year is dedicated to recognize nonprofit organizations committed to strategic planning and cultivating local cultural, education, business, and community development.
Volunteers of the Year
Bob Petersen, Des Moines
Jian Jin, Ames
Joy Tan, Johnston
Volunteers of the Year are dedicated for those who lead a life of volunteerism and making a difference in the communities in which they live and work. The nominations will be judged based on their involvement, impact to the organization and the value of their work to the community.
Artist of the Year
Grace Yang
Artist of the Year is open to all artists of all abilities from beginner to professional, youth to adults and is dedicated to the volunteer professional artists to work with the Chinese Association of Iowa to creatively communicate their social messages through art.
Cultural Ambassador of the Year
Bethany Allison
Cultural Ambassador of the Year is dedicated to an individual who with countless volunteer hours, commitment and willingness and has made a positive impact on the Iowa Chinese community cultural programs. Through their actions and goodwill this person truly embodies the ambassador spirit.
Youth Leadership Award
Mary Feng, Johnston
Youth Leadership Award is to honor extraordinary young people for their character and leadership. The award recognizes youth under 22 years of age on Jan. 1st, 2010 who strive to be their personal best, make a positive difference in their schools, youth groups, and communities, and show outstanding qualities in servant leadership
Youth of the Year
Lisa Thai, Windsor Heights
Vanessa Au, West Des Moines
Jasmine Au, West Des Moines
Jessica Au, West Des Moines
Youth of the Year recognizes the young people who serve and make a difference in our community, they will be honored for their selfless acts and character development. Youths who are attending or have attended a high school or secondary school or equivalent standard of school in any other educational establishment, must be under 19 years of age on Jan. 1st, 2010.
The Past Iowa Chinese Achievement Award Honorees
(2003-2008)
Dr. David Jiajian Wang Award for Humanity
Kemin Industries
Lifetime Achievement Award
Michael Earley, President of Bankers Trust
Person of the Year
Ashley Xing Lan, West Des Moines
The Outstanding Contributor Award
Shawn Johnson
The Corporate Leadership
RDG Planning and Design
The Media Leadership Award
China Tribune
The Community Leadership Award
Tim Melin, Iowa Realty
Community Business of the Year
Panda Garden, Ankeny
Education Agency of the Year
Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC)
Government Agency of the Year
City of Des Moines
Non-profit Organization of the Year
Iowa Chinese Language School
Volunteers of the Year
Wai Cheng, West Des Moines,
Tu Thai, Windsor Heights
Artist of the Year
Guolin Zhou
Cultural Ambassador of the Year
Don Walth, Eagle Claw Chinese Martial Art School;
West Des Moines Community School District
Youth Leadership Award
Alice Yang, Valley High School, West Des Moines
Youth of the Year
Alick Feng, Valley High School, West Des Moines
Ty Hennings, Roosevelt High School, Des Moines
Mary Feng, Johnston High School, Johnston
Kevin Hu, Johnston High School, Johnston
Stenstone Huang, Pella High School, Pella
Steven Huang, Walter Payton College Pre. High School, Chicago
Minmin Qin, Johnston High School, Johnston
Alice Pestotnik, Valley High School, West Des Moines
David Xu, Roosevelt High School, Des Moines
The 2007 Annual Iowa Chinese Award Honorees
Lifetime Achievement Award
RW Nelson, the Founder and Chairman of Kemin Industries
Person of the Year
Yongmei Zhou, West Des Moines
The Outstanding Contributor Award
Chow's Gymnastics & Dance Institute
State of Washington Former Governor Gary Locke
The Corporate Leadership
Nationwide
The Media Leadership Award
Iowa Public Television
The Community Leadership Award
See Rodari, Vice President of Bankers Trust
Iowa State University Chinese Students and Scholars Friendship Association
Community Business of the Year
Green Yoga House
Education Agency of the Year
Waukee Community School District
Government Agency of the Year
Iowa Department of Economic Development
Non-profit Organization of the Year
NAACP Des Moines Branch
Family of the Year
Family of Ke Wan, Liying Xu, and Dihao Wang, Urbandale
Volunteers of the Year
Feng Li, Urbandale,
Lance Mascaro, Des Moines,
Xiang Yang, Des Moines,
Artist of the Year
Joesten Zhou, Johnson.
Senior Citizen of the Year
Lianfang Xu, Johnston
Goodwill Ambassador of the Year
Lorna Davros, Executive Assistant of Des Moines City Mayor
Youth of the Year
Jingjing Han, Valley High School at West Des Moines
Kaite Hennings, Johnston High School
Wan Wang, Des Moines Christian School at Urbandale
Kevin Shi, Johnston High School
Alice Xu, Valley High School at West Des Moines
The Chinese Association of Iowa 20th Anniversary (1987-2007) Award Honorees
The David Jiajian Wang Award for Humanity
State of Iowa Governor Robert D. Ray
The David Lee Founder’s Award
G. David Hurd, Des Moines
The International Business Leadership Award
Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc.
The Leadership in Diversity Award
Bankers Trust Company
The Outstanding Media Award
Des Moines Register
The Chinese Community Contributor Award
Wei Du, West Des Moines
Grace Wang, Urbandale
Grace Yang, Des Moines
The 2006 Annual Iowa Chinese Award Honorees
Person of the Year
Helen Lee, West Des Moines
Outstanding Contributor Award
State of Iowa Governor Thomas Vilsack
The Corporate Leadership Award
Wells Fargo
Community Leadership Award
Hilda Wolle, West Des Moines
Educational Agency of the Year
Ankeny Community School District
Government Agency of the Year
Iowa Finance Authority
Non-profit Organization of the Year
Gift of Love International Adoptions, Inc.
Community Business of the Year
Community CPA and Associates, Inc.
Volunteers of the Year
Jian Gong, Ames
Shannon Haus, Ankney
Yong Huang, Des Moines
Binfang Li, Des Moines
Na Li, Ames
Goodwill Ambassador of the Year
Gil Caldwell III, Monroe
Family of the Year
The Ye Family (Tianxiang Ye, Jingwen Ming and Annie Ye), West Des Moines
Senior Citizens of the Year
Frank Affannato, Des Moines
Fuyi Qiao, West Des Moines
William Wei, Urbandale
Youth of the Year
Kimi Nelson, Dowling High School
Jean Xie, Ankeny High School
Kevin Zhou, Valley High School
Peige Zhou, Valley High School
The 2005 Annual Iowa Chinese Award Honorees
Person of the Year
Hugh Lu, Johnsoton
The Corporate Leadership Award
Dean Oestreich, President of Pioneer Hi-Bred International
Family of the Year
The Hofferber Family (Fred, Barb, Leeann, Kerry, and Colin), Des Moines
Volunteers of the Year
Lei Dong, Ames
Scott Yinzhi Zhao, Johnston
Youth of the Year
Justin Guan, Valley High School
Hanna Wolle, Valley High School
The 2004 Annual Iowa Chinese Award Honorees
Person of the Year
Frank Zhang, West Des Moines
The Corporate Leadership Award
Micheal Earley, President of Bankers Trust
Volunteers of the Year
Yulan Shen, Ames
Grace Yang, Des Moines
Youth of the Year
Annie Ye, Valley High School
The 2003 Annual Iowa Chinese Award Honorees
Persons of the Year
Dr. Jianlin Zhai and Xiaoyan Shen, West Des Moines
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