Contact: Carrie Blewitt
Qorvis Communications
(202) 683-3216
cblewitt@qorvis.com

The Horatio Alger Association Announces 2012 Award Recipients
Norman Vincent Peale Award Recipient is Washington Companies Founder Dennis R. Washington

WASHINGTON, D.C. – November 2, 2011 – The board of directors of the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans, Inc., is pleased to announce the Horatio Alger Award Recipients for 2012. The 12 outstanding individuals who have accomplished remarkable achievements through hard work, self-reliance and perseverance are:

Wanda M. Austin, President and CEO, The Aerospace Corporation
James H. Clark, Founder, Silicon Graphics, Inc.; Founder, Netscape Communications Corporation
Foster Stephen Friess, Founder and Retired Chairman, Friess Associates LLC
Kenneth G. Langone, Founder, President & CEO, Invemed Associates, LLC
Howard M. Meyers, Chairman and CEO, Quexco Incorporated
Robert G. Miller, CEO, Albertson's, LLC
John A. Moran, Retired Chairman, Dyson-Kissner-Moran Corporation
Brian Mulroney, Former Prime Minister of Canada; Partner, Norton Rose OR (International Award Recipient–Canada)
Greg P. Renker, Co-Founder & Co-Chairman, Guthy-Renker
V. Prem Watsa, Chairman and CEO, Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited (International Award Recipient–Canada)
John H. Weiland, President, Chief Operating Officer and Director, C.R. Bard, Inc.
Clarence L. Werner, Founder and Chairman Emeritus, Werner Enterprises, Inc.

“We are proud to announce the twelve members of the Horatio Alger Class of 2012. These remarkable individuals represent the Horatio Alger Association’s ideals and support our mission of giving back,” said Tony Novelly, president and CEO, Horatio Alger Association. “These new members will also be part of our 65th anniversary celebration.”

Members of the association are those who have been honored with the Horatio Alger Award. Recipients are dedicated community leaders who demonstrate initiative and commitment to excellence, illustrated by extraordinary achievements accomplished through honesty, hard work, self-reliance and perseverance. Potential members must have a strong commitment to assisting those less fortunate and be willing to contribute to the mission of providing scholarships for younger generations.

During the awards ceremony next April, the 2012 Norman Vincent Peale Award will be presented to the Washington Companies Founder, Dennis R. Washington. The Norman Vincent Peale Award is the association’s top honor. It is annually conferred on a member who has made exceptional humanitarian contributions to society, who has been an active participant in the association, and who continues to exhibit courage, tenacity and integrity in the face of great challenges. The award is named in honor of Dr. Peale, who was an outstanding leader of the association for more than 40 years. 

The 2012 recipient, Dennis R. Washington was born in Spokane, Washington. He learned his strong work ethic and moral standards from his hard-working parents and grandparents. Washington has his own Horatio Alger story of inspiration and success. Facing childhood polio and other adversities, Washington’s work ethic and unwavering motivation helped him become vice president of the largest construction company in Montana by age 26. Later, he created his own construction company, which grew to be one of the largest in the nation. Dennis and his wife and Life Partner, Phyllis believe in the power of education and helping young people in need reach their dreams, and have given a great deal of time and support to the association and other charities. The Washington’s created the first graduate scholarship program for the association, the Dennis R. Washington Achievement Scholarship, for Horatio Alger Scholars seeking a graduate degree. They also fund the Horatio Alger Montana Scholarship Program for undergraduates.

The new members will be inducted next spring in Washington, D.C., at the Horatio Alger Awards Induction Ceremonies. Festivities will take place April 12-14, 2012, and will include three days of meetings and celebrations in some of the nation’s most historic buildings. The Horatio Alger National Scholars, remarkable high school seniors, are also formally honored during the gathering. Members of the press who have questions may contact Carrie Blewitt with Qorvis Communications at (202) 683-3216.

About the Horatio Alger Association:
Founded in 1947, the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans continues to fulfill its mission of honoring the achievements of outstanding individuals in our society who have succeeded in spite of adversity and of encouraging young people to pursue their dreams through higher education. The Horatio Alger Association offers three annual scholarship programs: the National Scholarship Program, state scholarship programs, and graduate grants. The association will have awarded more than $87 million in scholarships through 2012 to deserving young people determined to earn college degrees. The association is a Combined Federal Campaign participant; # 77062. For more information, please visit www.horatioalger.org

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