The Mother Flavia Dunn Award pays tribute to an individual who has, through long and faithful service, given outstanding support and encouragement to the university and its educational mission, and who has contributed unselfishly of time, energy and resources to the institution. The recipient is also honored for extraordinary support to civic, cultural and educational organizations and for consistent efforts, both professionally and personally, to extend and elevate educational opportunities for men and women regardless of age, race or religion. All are principles exemplified by the life of Mother Flavia Dunn, who urged the establishment in 1893 of Marylhurst University, and in whose memory this award is presented.

2012 Honoree: Tom Ruhl

Dr. Thomas Ruhl, a longtime regional education leader, founded Marylhurst University's two graduate programs in education — the Master of Arts in Teaching and the Master of Education — and chaired the university's education department until his untimely death in July 2011. He joined the Marylhurst faculty in September 2006 to create, in his words, not another graduate program in education, but a better one. Under his leadership, Marylhurst's Master of Arts in Teaching became a new model for helping aspiring teachers gain extensive practical experience; model the values of leadership, professionalism and service; specifically prepare to teach K-12 students who are not English speakers or have other barriers to success; and use state-of-the-art instructional technology, all thanks in great part to the strong curriculum Ruhl and his faculty developed and the relationships they built with local school districts.

In addition to guiding the education graduate program, Ruhl also served as chair of Marylhurst's University Faculty Council. Prior to coming to Marylhurst, Ruhl founded the Principals' Center at Lewis & Clark College's Graduate School of Education and designed the college's doctorate program in educational administration. He spent many years as a K-12 teacher, principal and district superintendent before entering higher education. He earned his bachelor's degree from Lewis & Clark and his Ph.D. from the University of Oregon.

Past Recipients

2011    Lajos Balogh
2007    Sisters of the Holy Names
2006    Stu and Molly Butler
2005    Steve Spence
2004    Fedele Bauccio
2003    Matt Day
2002    Joyce and Bill Furman
2001    Mary Clark
1998    Harry A. Merlo
1997    Mary DeMartini
1996    Veronica Ann Baxter, SNJM '50
1995    Robert G. Murray
1994    Marsha B. Congdon
1993    Mildred W. Whipple
1992    Maybelle (Middy) Clark Macdonald
1991    Maribeth W. Collins
1990    Imelda Rose John Condon '34
1989    Sam Wheeler
1988    Maurie D. Clark