President John Keiser created the President’s Award for Western Life and Letters recognized people for their efforts and work focusing on the relationship between man and nature in American Life.
Recipients:
Elmer M. Keith, November 4, 1978
Keith was the first recipient of the award for his writing on western themes with nine published books such as “Sixguns” and “Shotguns,” and various articles, and for proposing a Western Studies Center. In addition to the award, a scholarship was created in Keith’s name for students who show talent in nature writing, horsemanship or marksmanship.
Morlan “Morley” W. Nelson, May 20, 1979
Nelson wrote about water, conservation, and birds of prey. Nelson wrote about water, conservation, and birds of prey. He was instrumental in creation legislation to establish the Birds of Prey Refuge. His passion for the training of falcons, hawks, and eagles led him to produce and direct movies and television documentaries on western life.
Ted Trueblood, January 1980
Trueblood wrote on fishing, showed leadership in conservation of wildlife and wildlife areas, served 20 years on the Idaho Wildlife Federation, had an active roll with wilderness preservation, and the Chairman of the River of No Return Wilderness Council. He had a scholarship in his name at Boise State and a room in the SUB.
Senator and Mrs. Len B. Jordan, October 10, 1981
Senator and Mrs. Len B Jordan were the first recipients to be given a joint award. Mrs. Jordan published five books about rural life in Idaho, active in newspaper reporting, being a university faculty member, and the first lady of Idaho. Senator Len B. Jordan excelled in resource management issues on reforestation, razing and water use in his writing, and his work on state, national, and international committees.
Rosalie Sorrels December 8, 1985
Sorrels wrote stories and songs that brought world wide interest in the west, the women of the west, history, folklore, and western sentiments.
Bethine C. Church and in memory of Senator Frank, Church October 1, 1988
Church had compelling eloquences which represented the natural beauty and wealth of Idaho and the need to perpetuate them, for appreciating and advocacy of precious resource in public service.
Cecil D. Andrus and Robert Redford, September 22, 1989
Andrus worked to assure appreciation and protection of the natural environments in Idaho and the american west, a legislator and governor and his use of land-use planning legislation, wild and scenic river protection. He helped set aside 100 million acres of land in Alaska for parks and to establish the World Center for Birds of Prey in Boise.
Redford created documentary films, was a member of the Environmental Defense Fund and the Natural Resources Defense Council. He supported critical environment legislation and played a central role in preventing a coal-fired power plant from being placed between five national parks in Southern Utah. He founded the Institute of Resource Management, triggered a worldwide education movement on global warming, and played an active role in Yosemite Institute and Navajo Education and Scholarship foundation.
Warren E. McCain, June 8, 1991
McCain contributed to the Albertson Library of one million dollars and held an role as a corporate citizenship in the community. The McCain Collection of Western Life was named after him in 1993.
Sources:
University Archives, President’s Records, RG5
Written by:
Annika Severts, spring 2018 intern