By Cheryl Splain, KnoxPages.com reporter
MOUNT VERNON — Leadership, vision and commitment are but a few of the words used to describe Karen Buchwald Wright, winner of the 2016 Walter Rudin Award. The award was announced Thursday night at the Heritage Centre Association’s annual awards banquet.
The Walter Rudin Award is given to an individual who has contributed significantly to improving the city’s downtown. Wright’s support of education, business and the arts, along with her backing on projects such as the Mount Vernon Grand Hotel, Central Ohio Technical College, Kenyon College and Mount Vernon Nazarene University, are among the reasons cited in a video tribute for Wright winning the award.
“I think she deserves this Walter Rudin Award because of her vision and leadership in keeping the downtown viable,” said Jan Reynolds, director of the Ariel Foundation. “Karen’s passion is just part of her. What Karen Wright does is she builds communities.”
“Karen totally understands the principle of paying it forward,” said Pat Crow, development director for the Woodward Development Corp. and director of the Knox County Convention & Visitors Bureau.
“Karen has an ability and a vision of how we can make the core of our downtown a better place,” said Mayor Richard Mavis. He added that Wright is not only concerned with the city, she cares about the rest of the county as well.
The winner of the Walter Rudin Award is chosen by past award winners. First-Knox National Bank sponsored the award.
Other individuals and businesses received awards:
- Small Business of the Year, sponsored by WRP CPAs: Griffin Insurance. Other nominees included AAA, Alicie’s Action Figures and Shakti-Fit. “As a business, we are all committed to our community…it’s important to be involved,” said Michael Percy in accepting the award.
- Mid-Sized Business of the Year, sponsored by G.R. Smith Hardware: Athens Greek Restaurant. Other nominees included Elks Lodge, Kahrl & Company Insurance and The Alcove. “It’s nice to get recognized for doing something you really enjoy,” said restaurant manager Jeremiah Cline.
- Large Business of the Year, sponsored by Herald’s Appliances and Electronics: Central Ohio Technical College. Other nominees included Mid-Ohio Suzuki-Honda-Yamaha-Kawasaki, the Mount Vernon News and United Aggregates. “It is truly a privilege to serve Knox County and to contribute to the downtown,” said COTC President Bonnie Coe.
- Spirit of Heritage Award for volunteerism, sponsored by Ohio Rental: Mike Hillier. Other nominees included Paul Glass, Ann Laudeman and Steve Waers.
- Nonprofit of the Year, sponsored by Knox Community Hospital: MTV Arts. Other nominees included WNZR, YMCA and the Apostolic Christian Church.
- Community Pride, for helping make the downtown aesthetically pleasing, sponsored by Griffin Insurance: Williams Flowers. Other nominees included Creative Images, Woodward Development and Tru-Cut Landscaping.
- Centennial Award, for a long-standing business, sponsored by the Knox County Chamber of Commerce: the Knox County Chamber of Commerce. “With this being our centennial, how appropriate is that?” asked Carol Grubaugh, executive director of the chamber.
Award winners at the 2016 Heritage Centre Association awards banquet are, front row from left, Mike Hillier, Spirit of Heritage Award; Lori Amstutz, Williams Flowers, Community Pride Award; Bonnie Coe, Central Ohio Technical College, Large Business of the Year Award; and Terry Bumpus, Knox County Chamber of Commerce, Centennial Award. Standing, from left, are Jeremiah Cline, Athens Greek Restaurant, Mid-Sized Business of the Year Award; Ian Ernsberger, MTVArts, Nonprofit of the Year Award; Michael Percy, Griffin Insurance, Small Business of the Year Award; and Alex Wright, son of Walter Rudin Award winner Karen Buchwald Wright. KP Photo by Cheryl Splain.
Jeff Siegler of Heritage Ohio briefly addressed those attending the awards dinner. “It really is about the downtown, that place that gives us our identity,” he said, referring to the purpose behind the efforts of Heritage Ohio and the Ohio Main Street Program. “It’s our belief that if you improve the quality of life then everything else gets better, too.”
“We are all about the downtown and making it better,” agreed Norita Hissong, downtown manager for HCA, who served as emcee for the evening.
