Rick and Trude Elliott, 2013 Honorary Alumni Awards

Rick and Trude, your generosity and dedication to the Mount Vernon and Cornell College community have provided Cornell students a welcoming atmosphere where they can thrive and grow. Rick, your many years of service as mayor and involvement in the Mount Vernon Lions Club, and Trude, your role as co-owner of Elliott’s Uptown Fitness, Dance Arts Iowa, and chair of the Mount Vernon Festival Chocolate Stroll are significant contributions to our community, but it took a true act of courage for you to purchase, renovate, and turn the old Mount Vernon middle school building into The First Street Community Center. The faith you placed in the Mount Vernon community to embrace your investment speaks both to the responsiveness of the community and to your strength as leaders.

Your service and constant volunteer hours rise above and beyond responsible citizenship as your contributions help to keep our economy and community connections strong, shaping our town as a place where people can feel secure, cared for, and connected, greatly enhancing the quality of life for both those residing in Mount Vernon and at Cornell College.

Cornell College wishes to acknowledge your commitment to Mount Vernon because as you have strengthened the town, you have also strengthened the college. You have welcomed our students into the First Street Community Center with the lending library, the gym usage for athletic teams, and space for our theatre department to create projects. Your work in Mount Vernon is an example of the ideals and aspirations of the liberal arts education, and will certainly inspire Cornell students to engage in their hometown communities around the United States and around the world.

Rick and Trude, you are now official members of the Cornell alumni family. In recognition of your community leadership in Mount Vernon, the Alumni Association of Cornell College proclaims you as honorary alumni.