Tuesday, March 8, 2016
After requesting nominations from the public earlier this year, the Spokane Library Foundation has announced 18 finalists, three each in six categories, for the Spokane Citizen Hall of Fame's 2016 class of inductees. The new program of the Library Foundation was launched last year as a way to honor civic and business leaders contributing to Spokane's past and present. Tickets to the awards breakfast, on April 14, also benefit the Foundation's work to support the programs and services of the Spokane Public Library.
Out of the more than 130 nominations submitted, a committee chose three finalists for each category of the Hall of Fame, yet only one person from each of these groups will be officially inducted. Below is the list of finalists in their respective categories. We've also added identifying organizations and/or job titles after each name, as provided by Sarah Bain from the Spokane Library Foundation.
Arts and Letters
David Dutton, artistic director (Royal Fireworks Concert) and arts influencer
Jess Walter, bestselling author and INK Art Space co-founder
Jerrelene Williamson, local author and historian
Education
Patrick Jones, Spokane Community Indicators creator, executive director of the Institute for Public Policy & Economic Analysis at EWU
Carla Peperzak, local educator and Holocaust survivor
Tracy B. Walters, retired cross country/track coach, former director of Camp Reed
Economic Development and Business
Stacey Cowles, publisher of the Spokesman-Review and Cowles Co. president
Kerri Rodkey, director of SNAP
Walt Worthy, local developer and hotelier (Davenport Hotel; Grand)
Innovation and Leadership
Susan Ashe, executive director of the Health Sciences & Services Authority of Spokane (HSSA)
Rich Hadley, former president of Greater Spokane Incorporated (GSI)
Dr. Darin Neven, Community Court innovator and Providence physician
Public Service and Philanthropy
Jeanne Ager, founding executive director of the Inland Northwest Community Foundation
Ira Amstadter, owner of Express Employment Professionals and local philanthropist
Marvo Reguindin, general manager of INBA and local activist
Science Health and Medicine
Dr. Greg Belenky, research professor with Washington State University
Dr. Jacob Deakins, urgent care physician with Providence Health
Dr. Alan Hendrickson, Partners with Families & Children visionary
Tags: Spokane Citizen Hall of Fame , Spokane Public Library , Spokane Library Foundation , Arts & Culture , Image