2018 Distinguished Alumni Nomination Form
The Colorado Mesa University Alumni Association is seeking nominations for the 2018 Distinguished Alumni Award. If you know of an alumna or alumnus, either from Grand Junction Junior College, Mesa College or Mesa State College, who should be recognized for her or his accomplishments in the areas outlined below, please complete and return this form with supporting documentation. You need not be an alumna or alumnus of Colorado Mesa University to make a nomination. The nominated alumna or alumnus may be living or deceased.
Distinguished Alumni Awards will be presented during the Homecoming celebrations fall of 2018.
Deadline for nominations is March 30, 2018. Nominations not selected will be considered for two additional years. Nominations may be re-submitted after the third year. Additional supporting documents will be accepted prior to the nomination deadline for that year. Current Alumni Association Board Members are not eligible to receive the award.
Nomination procedure: 1. Complete and return this form with attachments to Alumni Association prior to deadline 2. Attach TWO separate letters of recommendation from people other than the nominator
Please see pages 5-7, LORs from: Kendra Tomsic, Amy Donaldson and Susan Sheehan Qualifications for nomination are: 1. Graduated or last attended Mesa State, Western Colorado Community College, Mesa (Junior) College or Grand Junction Junior College during or before 2007; 2. Distinguished themselves in their professional career or; 3. Distinguished themselves in service to their community or nation or, 4. Been recognized by the professional community for leadership abilities or as a role model, and 5. Is not currently serving on the CMU Alumni Association Board of Directors or previously received the award.
Please return to: Colorado Mesa University Alumni Association Distinguished Alumni Nomination Committee 1100 North Avenue Grand Junction, CO 81501-3122 Telephone: (970)248-1525 E-mail to [email protected]
Name of Nominee (include maiden name if applicable)___Kathy______Howa ______
Address:______244 West Chloe Way
City, State, Zip:___Midvale,______Utah 84047
Phone:______801-971-0754 E-mail:[email protected]______
Year of graduation or years of attendance:______1980-1982______
Major/field of study:______Physical Education
Name, address and phone number of person making this nomination (if nominating oneself, mark this portion of the form ‘self’): Your Name:__Cathy______Josey Phone:___754-779-9639______Address:______3625 Sahara Springs Blvd City, State, Zip:__Pompano______Beach, FL 33069 E-mail:[email protected]
2018 Distinguished Alumni Nomination Form – Page 1 Updated 12.4.18 1 Provide a brief description of the nominee’s professional career and their professional accomplishments. (You may attach sheets or complete this form)
Please see pages 8-9 for Kathy Howa's Professional Career and Accomplishments
In your words, how has the nominee’s professional career and his/her accomplishments brought distinction to them and qualify them for recognition as a Distinguished Alumnus of CMU? (You may attach sheets or complete this form)
Please see pages 10-12 for my submission related to Kathy Howa's Professional Career Highlights
2018 Distinguished Alumni Nomination Form – Page 2 Updated 12.4.18 2 Provide a brief description of the nominee’s service to their community or nation. (You may attach sheets or complete this form)
Please see pages 13-21 for Kathy Howa's Service to the Community
In your words, how has the nominee’s service to their community or nation brought distinction to them and qualify them for recognition as a Distinguished Alumnus of CMU? (You may attach sheets or complete this form)
Please see pages 22-24 for my submission related to Kathy Howa's Service to the Community
2018 Distinguished Alumni Nomination Form – Page 3 Updated 12.4.18 3 Please make any additional comments about the nominee regarding their worthiness to receive the Distinguished Alumnus Award, not covered in the previous sections. (You may attach sheets or complete this form)
Throughout her life Kathy Howa has had a positive influence on those around her. She has a winning attitude and life philosophy. She has been an exceptional teacher and a coach. She has been a loyal and trusted friend. She is devoted to her family and her community. She has been a role model. She is a pillar of strength to those in need. She is someone who understands the importance of “giving back”. She has devoted her life to serving youth. She has changed lives and impacted communities. She is a person of uncommon goodness and decency. I am honored to have shared a small part of Kathy’s life. She is most certainly deserving of being a “CMU Distinguished Alumni” and I am hopeful that you will bestow upon her this tremendous honor in 2018.
For department use only
Date received:______Received by:______Were two (2) letters of recommendation attached?______Describe any other attachments:______
2018 Distinguished Alumni Nomination Form – Page 4 Updated 12.4.18 4 5 February 27, 2018
Colorado Mesa University Distinguished Alumni Award Committee
To whom it may concern:
I am writing regarding one of the great women in our education and athletic communities - Kathy Howa.
I met Ms. Howa when I was assigned to cover softball for the Deseret News 24 years ago. I was immediately impressed with how she worked with the student athletes to help them balance extremely demanding school work loads with the challenges of developing skills, and maybe more importantly, a love of sport that will help them in countless ways throughout their lives. I saw her exhibit patience, affection and talent in teaching the game she loved to the students lucky enough to enter her world.
My opinion of Ms. Howa has always been high, but I gained a deep and lasting respect - and frankly awe - when she turned a personal tragedy into a community triumph. While still undergoing treatment for breast cancer, Ms. Howa enlisted her softball team, as well as two others, in raising money for breast cancer research, as well as education. In starting what is now known as Swing For Life, Ms. Howa has touched countless lives and probably helped save countless others.
I have interviewed those who've participated in the Swing For Life effort, and can tell you that, from high school students to professional athletes, they are forever changed. I have talked to young women who better understand what it means to be healthy, and that their personal efforts can save their own lives. I have written about those for whom the organization has raised money and understand at a very deep level the impact this program has had on those whose lives have been touched by cancer. I have seen first-hand as people affiliated and involved in the effort gain awareness of the disease and an understanding, as well as a compassion, for those who suffer, both directly and indirectly.
There really are not words for me to describe the kind of admiration I have for Ms. Howa. She has changed lives; she has saved lives; and every single day, she improves the lives of her students and athletes. She is a talented athlete who learned to pass on her love of the game, as well as the many life lessons sports offer. And maybe most importantly, she showed all of us, even those of us born without athletic ability, that one person can change the world - one swing at a time.
I commend you for considering her for the 2018 Distinguished Alumni Award at Colorado Mesa. She is not only worthy of recognition, she continues to bring honor and hope to all of those associated with her and her programs.
Sincerely,
Amy Donaldson Deseret News, Sports writer/Columnist 30 E. 100 South SLC, UT 84110
6 7
KATHY HOWA EDUCATION, PROFESSIONAL CAREER AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Education ❖ University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah Bachelor of Science, College of Health (Major in Physical Education) - 1984 ❖ Mesa College (Colorado Mesa University), Grand Junction, Colorado (Major in Physical Education) - 1982 ❖ College of Eastern Utah (USU Eastern), Price, Utah Associate of Science - 1980 ❖ Hillcrest High School, Midvale, Utah - Graduated 1978 Rowland Hall-St. Mark’s School - Physical Educator and Coach - 1993-Present ❖ Rowland Hall-St. Mark’s School, Middle School Girls Softball Coach 2004 –present (Taylorsville League Champs 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2011, 2013) ❖ Rowland Hall-St. Mark’s School, Head High School Softball Coach 1996 – present ❖ Rowland Hall-St. Mark’s School, Middle School Girls Basketball Coach, 1994 – present (Conference Champions 1999, 2003, 2004, 2008, 2009, 2014, 2015) (Tournament Champions 1998, 2003, 2004, 2008, 2014, 2015) (Qualified for State 12 of 19 seasons) ❖ Rowland Hall-St. Mark’s School, Assistant High School Volleyball Coach 1994 – present ❖ Rowland Hall-St. Mark’s School, Physical Education Instructor, Grades 6-12, 1993-present ❖ Rowland Hall-St. Mark’s School Frosh/Soph High School Girls Basketball Coach Softball Coaches Association President, 1999-2008 ❖ Worked with the UHSAA on softball changes while in office, including the change to the yellow ball and changing the contest limitations rule regarding tournaments for softball ❖ Started the Annual Senior All Star Softball Game Judge Memorial Catholic High School - Coach, 1994 - 1996 ❖ Judge Memorial Catholic High School, Assistant Varsity/Head JV Softball Coach 1994-1996 Hillcrest High School - Coach, 1983 - 1996 ❖ Hillcrest High School, Assistant Varsity/Head JV Softball Coach 1990-1991, 1992-1993
8 ❖ Hillcrest High School Assistant Varsity/Head JV Girls Basketball Coach 1984-1986 ❖ Hillcrest High School, Head Sophomore Volleyball Coach 1984-1986 ❖ Hillcrest High School, Head Sophomore Girls Basketball Coach 1983-1984 Pleasant Grove High School - 1995 ❖ Pleasant Grove High School, Assistant Varsity/Head JV Softball Coach 1995 Palisade High School - 1980 - 1981 ❖ Palisade High School, Palisade, Colorado, Head JV Girls Basketball Coach, 1980-81 Awards, Honors, Distinctions ❖ Coach of Nationally Ranked Softball Teams – eight years ❖ Listed by Salt Lake City's Deseret News as one of "15 Utahns Who Made Us Love Sports” in 2015 ❖ Utah High School Activities Association Distinguished Service Award, 2014 ❖ Utah YWCA Outstanding Achievement Award, 2013 ❖ Inducted into the Utah Softball Hall of Fame as an Athlete and Coach, 2012 ❖ Rowland Hall Sumner Faculty Award, 2004 ❖ National Federation of State High School Associations State and Sectional Coach of the Year, 2002 ❖ Utah High School Softball Coaches Association Coach of the Year, 2000 and 2002 Swing for Life Foundation Co-Founder & President, 2002-present ❖ The Foundation’s goal is to raise $50,000 annually for breast cancer research. ❖ 100% of Swing for Life’s proceeds are donated to the Huntsman Cancer Foundation, with the funds directed to research. ❖ Swing for Life educates youth in the communities it touches, teaching them to give back to their communities, while instilling in them the knowledge that early awareness saves lives. ❖ Swing for Life is an All-Volunteer Foundation.
9 March 8, 2018
Re: Kathy Howa Nomination for CMU Distinguished Alumni
Kathy Howa Professional Career
To Members of the CMU Distinguished Alumni Nomination Committee:
I had the great pleasure and honor of being both a classmate and a teammate of Kathy Howa, while we both attended Colorado Mesa University (known as “Mesa College” at the time) from 1980-1982. Kathy was a tremendously gifted and versatile athlete and was a standout on the softball and volleyball teams. She was also a person of great integrity, high intelligence and excellent humor – in addition to being a natural leader. For one person to possess all of these impressive skills, personality and character traits is pretty amazing – but Kathy also possessed the one thing that took her to an even higher plain, in my eyes…she had a wonderful, warm, loving heart. At just 20 years of age, Kathy had already matured into truly high-quality human being. I knew it at the time and I am reminded of it again, all these years later – as I have come to know more about the beautiful, meaningful life that she has lived.
Kathy and I played together on the Mesa Softball Team. We were both pitchers, so we were definitely competitive with one another, but our desire to win drove us toward a collaboration for the common good. Together with our teammates and coaches, we managed to do great things in the two years we attended and played for Mesa – winning one RMAC championship and qualifying for the NAIA National Softball Tournament in 80-81, as well as 81-82. The team was excited and proud to have helped turn what had been a floundering softball program into a winning program, virtually overnight. Over the two years we were at Mesa, Kathy and I developed a great respect and admiration for each other, which spilled into our lives off the field. We were more than teammates…we were friends. It is a friendship I cherished greatly at the time and one which grew over the course of our Mesa years. However, as often happens when people leave college and go their separate ways – Kathy back to Midvale, Utah and myself starting a new life in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, we lost touch. The years went by. The decades went by. Then, through the power of Facebook a few years back, Kathy and I reconnected. I’ve also reconnected with several of our former teammates and our Head Coach, Bonnie Koch, which brings me an enormous amount of joy! But, Kathy…just like all those years ago, stood out as a unique and individual force. I reviewed her Facebook Timeline and took in the events and milestones of her life with great admiration. We began to communicate back and forth, getting reacquainted. I quickly began to realize that Kathy had led quite an incredible, exemplary life.
It was no surprise to me that Kathy had dedicated her professional life to the field of education, particularly physical education and athletics. However, as the details of her life began to emerge it became clear to me that she was truly special. First, I was delighted to learn that upon graduating from college, Kathy started her professional career at the very High School she had graduated from. Going home, which they say you can never do – is exactly what Kathy did. She returned to her roots and became a coach in multiple sports for Hillcrest High School, where she had once played years earlier. She continued to coach various sports at Hillcrest through 1993.
Kathy continued her career, when she joined the staff at Rowland Hall – St. Mark’s School in 1993. Kathy has been a stand-out physical education instructor and coach at Rowland Hall – St. Mark’s School for twenty-five years. This life-long dedication to the school and to the students / athletes it serves is both remarkable and commendable.
Over the course of her distinguished, professional career there have been many testaments to her professional excellence. Below are but a few of the honors she has achieved in her remarkable career.
• As President of the Utah High School Softball Coaches Association, from 1999-2008, Kathy was instrumental in initiating the annual senior all-star softball game, providing young, talented female athletes a level of parity with their male counterparts participating in High School baseball around the country. • Over the course of her career, Kathy’s sports teams have been nationally ranked in eight of those years. • Kathy was honored by the Utah High School Softball Coaches Association as Coach of the Year in 2000 and 2002. • In 2002, Kathy was honored by the National Federation of State High School Associations as the State and Sectional Coach of the Year. • In 2004, Kathy earned the prestigious Rowland Hall Sumner Faculty Award. The award is given each year to outstanding faculty members in each division, who have demonstrated a love for teaching and excellence in their field. • Kathy was inducted into the Utah Softball Hall of Fame as an Athlete and Coach in 2012. • In 2013, Kathy was honored with the Utah YWCA Outstanding Achievement Award. • Kathy earned the Utah High School Activities Association Distinguished Service Award in 2014 • In 2015, Kathy was listed by Salt Lake City's Deseret News as one of "15 Utahns Who Made Us Love Sports” in 2015.
You can find out much more about Kathy’s professional teaching and coaching career on pages 8-9, in the document titled “Kathy Howa Education, Professional Career and Accomplishments”.
I have read about the awards and accolades that Kathy has earned as a teacher and coach at Rowland Hall – St. Mark’s School. I have reviewed her impressive Professional Biography. She is certainly a standout educator and coach and her students / players clearly love her and are inspired by her. Her colleagues put her on a pedestal and she has consistently delivered excellence in her chosen professional field. These things are obvious. It is also clear that Kathy Howa is a dedicated professional, who is passionate about her work and committed to leaving a legacy that will continue to inspire those she has touched - long after she hangs up her cap and sneakers.
But Kathy’s story doesn’t end here. Not even close. It actually just begins here, because what Kathy has done in the area of philanthropy and community service elevates her to a level of distinction few people have the passion and drive to attain.
My submission (in my own words) related to Kathy Howa’s Service to the Community is located on pages 22-24.
Nomination Submitted by:
Cathy L. Josey CMU (“Mesa College”) Class of 1982 [email protected] 754-779-9639
KATHY HOWA SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY
Swing for Life Foundation Co-Founder & President, 2002-present ❖ The Foundation’s Goal is to Raise $50,000 Annually for Breast Cancer Research. ❖ 100% of Swing for Life’s Proceeds are Donated to the Huntsman Cancer Foundation, with the Funds Directed to Cancer Research. ❖ Swing for Life Educates Youth in the Communities it Touches, Teaching Them to Give Back to their Communities, While Instilling in Them the Knowledge That Early Awareness Saves Lives. ❖ Swing for Life is an All-Volunteer Foundation. ❖ Swing for Life Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/swingforlifeslc/ ❖ Huntsman Cancer Institute Web Page: http://www.huntsmancancer.org/about/annual-reports/past-reports/2011-annual- report/huntsman-cancer-foundation/swing-for-life.php
Community Service Awards and Honors ❖ Swing for Life Recognized as one of 25 Finalists for the 2015 Div. II Award of Excellence for Colorado Mesa University's Swing for Life event. ❖ Huntsman Cancer Foundation Super Hero, 2011 ❖ Huntsman Cancer Foundation named a new room in the hospital after the Swing for Life Foundation. “The Swing for Life Patient Education Room”, 2011 ❖ Swing for Life Region 14 Foundation Outstanding Achievement Award for Community Service, 2005
History of Swing for Life:
On August 24, 2002, Rowland Hall-St. Mark's softball coach (and Colorado Mesa University Alumna) Kathy Howa was diagnosed with breast cancer. On Sept 3, she had a surgical lumpectomy with a lymph node dissection. On September 28, 2002, she began eight treatments of chemotherapy every three weeks, followed by 35 treatments of radiation. In an effort to assist in research on the disease and to better understand it herself, Kathy chose to participate in two medical studies. One was a sentinel node study where they performed tests to identify where the cancer traveled first. The other study was to determine if taking a bone strengthener would help keep the cancer from entering the bones. It turned out that Kathy was getting the placebo, but in any case, the studies did not provide her a level of encouragement.
While Kathy was receiving radiation treatment, Kendra Tomsic, Rowland Hall Athletic Director, along with the softball athletes at Rowland Hall decided to help rally together to do something to help her fight back. They encouraged two other high schools to participate and together, they held their first “hit –a- thon”. Each player gathered pledges from their friends and families and then at their respective softball practices, hit 100 pitches. Each pitch they hit earned them a donation. Through their collective efforts, the initial hit-a-thon raised an astounding $12,000!
13 The event was a rousing success, having brought everyone involved so much joy and raising so much money for breast cancer research…all while providing a much-needed distraction for Kathy. It was immediately decided that the hit- a-thon would become an annual event. As the idea was further developed and as more and more people got behind it, the hit- a- thon transitioned into a full-blown softball tournament. Over the years, the event continued to develop and attract the involvement of more and more schools, athletes, coaches and teams until it became clear that it had become a major endeavor, with enormous potential to raise money for breast cancer research. Thus, in 2007, “Swing for Life” was formally created and trademarked. In 2008 it became a 501 C 3 organization. Kathy Howa Today, Swing for Life offers events in all sports. The foundation has grown from its modest roots in Utah into a national foundation, supported by the community service efforts of student-athletes in high schools and colleges throughout the United States.
The Swing for Life Foundation has raised over $l.2 million dollars to date, with all proceeds being donated to the Huntsman Cancer Foundation, located in Salt Lake City, Utah. All funds raised are directed towards breast cancer research.
Through the foundation, participating youth have felt the enrichment that comes with using their athletic skills to give back to the community, while coming to understand how gratifying it can be to participate in something bigger than themselves.
Over the years Swing for Life has also created an expanded benefit to many of the athletes, who have been involved with the foundation. The Salt Lake Tribune, through its “Difference Maker” scholarship program has awarded college scholarships to many Swing for Life volunteers, rewarding their hard work and dedication to community service.
Additionally, Swing for Life has taken on the role as educator for many of the coaches, who have participated in the foundation, providing guidance to them on how to put on successful charitable events in their own communities.
The Swing for Life team has also traveled school-to-school, meeting with athletes across the state of Utah, often visiting with each of the football, volleyball, softball, soccer, basketball and baseball teams. These one-on-one sessions with the teams are an excellent forum to educate the athletes and coaches on Swing for Life and the mission of the foundation, while offering them opportunities to get involved in community service.
Over the years Swing for Life has also been very fortunate to be embraced by Utah’s professional sports teams, including the Utah Jazz, Utah Grizzlies and the Salt Lake Bee’s. These relationships have proven to be mutually beneficial and have resulted in the foundation achieving a higher profile in the community. The foundation has been gratified to work with these professional teams, who have provided so much support through their participation in community service and other fundraising events.
14 Swing For Life / Kathy Howa - In the News
❖ April 2016 – “Swing for Life teaches players to care about more than scores and stats”: https://www.deseretnews.com/article/865652504/Swing-for-Life-teaches-players-to-care- about-more-than-scores-and-stats.html?pg=all#x5moUkpbTR2ExDrv.01
❖ Feb 2016 – “Kathy Howa one of '15 Utahns Who Made Us Love Sports in 2015”: https://www.rowlandhall.org/page.cfm?p=3696&newsid=1508&ncat=41,42,39,36,40,32,34,31 ,35,30,33
❖ Jan 2016 – “Breast Cancer Awareness Shirts On Sale Saturday”: http://www.cmumavericks.com/news/2016/1/14/MBB_0114164839.aspx
❖ Dec 2015 - Deseret News “15 Utahns who made us love sports in 2015” https://www.deseretnews.com/top/3538/7/Kathy-Howa-Rowland-Hall-high-school- softball.html
❖ Oct 2015 – “Mavs Roll Over Black Hills”: https://www.onenewspage.us/video/20151004/3387402/Mavs-Roll-Over-Black-Hills.htm
❖ May 2015 – “PACK THE PARK PINK”: http://www.milb.com/content/page.jsp?ymd=20110420&content_id=18022886&sid=t561&vk ey=tickets ❖ May 2015 – “Swing For Life: Kathy Howa Beats Down Cancer”: http://www.cottonwoodholladayjournal.com/2015/05/01/71451/swing-for-life-kathy-howa- beats-down-cancer
❖ May 2015 - ABC4 Utah “Swing for Life Tournament to Benefit Breast Cancer Research” (Includes Video): http://www.good4utah.com/news/local-news/swing-for-life-tournament-to-benefit-breast- cancer-research/446942020
❖ April 2015 – “Swing for Life Tournament will honor real superheroes”: https://www.deseretnews.com/article/865626897/Swing-for-Life-Tournament-will-honor- real-superheroes.html
❖ Dec 2014 – “CMU FINALIST FOR NATIONAL HONOR”: http://www.cmumavericks.com/news/2014/12/16/GEN_1216144600.aspx?path=disc_golf
❖ Oct 2014 – “Football fundraiser helps fight cancer in honor of player’s mother”: http://fox13now.com/2014/10/15/football-game-features-fundraiser-in-honor-of-player- who-lost-mother-to-cancer/comment-page-1/
❖ Oct 2014 – “COLORADO MESA ATHLETICS HOST ‘BREAST CANCER AWARENESS WEEKEND”: http://1230espn.com/colorado-mesa-athletics-host-breast-cancer-awareness-weekend/
❖ May 2014 – “Amy Donaldson: Softball tournament lets prep players participate in something greater than the game”: https://www.deseretnews.com/article/865602426/Amy-Donaldson-Softball-tournament-lets- prep-players-participate-in-something-greater-than-the- game.html?pg=all#TpyLLub9E7sSOBSX.01
❖ May 2014 - Swing For Life softball tournament raises money for cancer research (VIDEO): http://archive.sltrib.com/article.php?id=57898845&itype=cmsid
15 ❖ April 2013 – “Amy Donaldson: Rowland Hall softball coach Kathy Howa leads major effort to eradicate cancer”: https://www.deseretnews.com/article/865578739/Amy-Donaldson-Rowland-Hall-softball- coach-Kathy-Howa-leads-major-effort-to-eradicate-cancer.html?pg=all
❖ April 2013 – “High school softball: Swing for Life surpasses $1 million in cancer research donations at 11th-annual event”: https://www.deseretnews.com/article/865579123/High-school-softball-Swing-for-Life- surpasses-1-million-in-cancer-research-donations-at.html
❖ April 2013 – “Swing for Life Set for April 26, 27 -- Show Your Support for Breast Cancer Research”: https://www.rowlandhall.org/page.cfm?p=4253&newsid=389&ncat=9,14,12,10,5,6,11,1,13,28, 2,3,23,7,8,15,19,18,21,4,20
❖ Feb 2013 – “PINK IN THE PAINT IS SATURDAY”: http://kool1079.com/pink-in-the-paint-is-saturday/
❖ Feb 2013 – “Mavs stomp Black Hills, Chadron”: http://thecrite.com/home/2013/02/10/mavs-stomp-black-hills-chadron/
❖ Feb 2013 – “HELP THE BRUINS AND SWING FOR LIFE FOUNDATION FIGHT BREAST CANCER, SPECIAL SIGNED 'SHOOT PINK' BASKETBALL AVAILABLE FOR AUCTION!”: http://www.slccbruins.com/news/2013/2/6/BB_0206132939.aspx?path=baseball
❖ October 2012 – “Lady Bruins ‘Dig Pink’ to support the fight against breast cancer”: http://www.globeslcc.com/2012/10/04/lady-bruins-dig-pink-to-support-the-fight-against- breast-cancer/
❖ April 2012 – “Swing For Life softball fundraiser coming up April 27 and 28”: http://archive.sltrib.com/article.php?id=53949824&itype=CMSID
❖ Oct 2011 – “GRIZZLIES HOST SIXTH ANNUAL PINK IN THE RINK ON SATURDAY” https://www.echl.com/grizzlies-host-sixth-annual-pink-in-the-rink-on-saturday
❖ May 2011 – “Swing for Hope fundraiser fights breast cancer”: https://voicesofutah.wordpress.com/2011/03/17/swing-for-hope/
❖ Nov 2011 – “Baseball player helps a breast cancer cause in Salt Lake City”: https://unewswriting.wordpress.com/2011/11/15/baseball-player-helps-a-breast-cancer- cause-in-salt-lake-city/
❖ May 2011 – “Swing for Life raises money for Payson student with cancer”: https://www.heraldextra.com/news/local/south/payson/swing-for-life-raises-money-for- payson-student-with-cancer/article_7bcaf197-f993-5a55-905e-b8f51fc19131.html
❖ April 2011 – “High school athletes fighting cancer one swing at a time”: https://www.ksl.com/index.php?sid=15351534&nid=148&page=1#2
❖ Sept 2010 – “VOLLEYBALL TEAM TO DIG FOR A CURE”: https://weberstatesports.com/news/2010/9/28/205002892.aspx?path=wvball
16 ❖ June 2010 – “Swing for Life raises money for research through sports”: http://www.icatholic.org/article/swing-for-life-raises-money-for-research-through-sports- 653720
❖ April 2009 - "Taking a bat to breast cancer one swing at a time.": http://youthvoices.net/discussion/taking-bat-breast-cancer-one-swing-time
❖ April 2007 - “Swing for Life Tournament Raises Money for Breast Cancer Research”: https://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=1086937
17 PHOTO MANTAGE OF KATHY HOWA AND SWING FOR LIFE CHARITY EVENTS
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20 COLORADO MESA UNIVERSITY - SWING FOR LIFE CHARITY EVENTS
21 March 8, 2018
Re: Kathy Howa Nomination for CMU Distinguished Alumni
Kathy Howa Service to the Community
To Members of the CMU Distinguished Alumni Nomination Committee:
I start this section of my submission with Kathy Howa’s own words. She has written that “one of the greatest lessons and gifts I have learned is, life is not to be taken for granted! Live each day with no regrets and enjoy the sunshine, because none of us know what our future brings.”
What Kathy was reflecting upon when she wrote those words was the profound personal experience, which drove her to pen the next chapter in her own life story. A period of time, which overlapped with her professional life. In August of 2002, Kathy was diagnosed with breast cancer. It must have been devastating for her and her family to hear this terrible news and I’m sure it was. But Kathy did what she has always done throughout her life – she faced down her opposition with a dedication, commitment and strategy to beat it. She immediately underwent a lumpectomy, followed by six months of chemotherapy and three months of radiation treatments. During this period Kathy continued to work and - buoyed by the love and support of her family, friends, colleagues, students and players - missed only 13 days. Her students / players began to honor her by wearing pink ribbons, vowing to wear them until she had won her fight against this insidious disease. This effort by her students and players became the seed from which, over time - has grown a sprawling grove of support, charity and community service.
To honor and support Kathy, as well as the countless others battling breast cancer, Kathy and her students set out to raise money for breast cancer research. Together they organized what they called a “Hit-a-Thon”. For this event, the participating softball players solicited pledges from their friends, families and fellow students, which they would then earn by hitting 100 pitches. With multiple schools participating in this first charity event – their combined efforts raised over $12,000. These funds were donated to the Susan G. Komen Foundation. The event gave an emotional lift to all who participated and provided a much-needed distraction for Kathy, as she dealt with her regiment of cancer treatments. Due to its success, the Hit-a-Thon became an annual fundraising event. Between the years of 2002 - 2006, the event attracted the participation of ever more schools, students and volunteers. Each year they raised an impressive sum of money and a total of $125,000 was donated to the Susan G. Komen Foundation.
During this period, fortunately Kathy regained her health and remained cancer-free. But this is where the story gets even more compelling. Reflecting on the community support and financial successes of the prior years - Kathy’s leadership and passion fueled her to take this modest fundraising concept to a whole new level. In 2007, she created the non-profit foundation “Swing for Life”. Aptly named, the foundation came out swinging and hasn’t stopped since! Together with co-founder, Kendra Tomsic, Kathy and her community of student-athlete volunteers set out on a mission to raise more than $50,000 per year and to ensure that the funds would be earmarked specifically towards breast cancer research. Shortly thereafter, they partnered with the Huntsman Cancer Foundation in Salt Lake City, Utah and together they have proven to be a powerful one-two punch in the fight against breast cancer.
Kathy’s efforts, through the Swing for Life Foundation have made me an extremely proud friend, as well as a supporter. You can find out much more about the evolution of Swing for Life on pages 13-21, in the document titled “Kathy Howa Service to the Community”. However, even the highlights are powerful and awe inspiring. It is the part of Kathy’s story that moved me from being a loving and admiring friend – to being a highly motivated supporter, committed to gathering the facts of her life and to compiling a package worthy of her life’s work. It is why I am so honored to present Kathy Howa’s life story - in nomination for the CMU Distinguished Alumni Honor.
With Swing for Life, Kathy created a foundation that started modestly in her own small town of Midvale, Utah with a few local schools and a handful of volunteers. Over the sixteen years since its inception, Swing for Life has become a widely recognized program involving High Schools and Colleges, as well as hundreds of youth volunteers / participants across the country. The efforts of the foundation serve to activate local communities, teach breast cancer awareness, support individuals touched by the disease and raise much-needed funds for breast cancer research, all while instilling in its young volunteers a sense of unity, common purpose and philanthropy.
A great source of pride for Kathy has also been the fact that several Swing for Life high school volunteers have been rewarded with college scholarships as a result of their participation. This has strongly reinforced in them the value of dedication to community service.
A crowning achievement for Kathy came in 2011 when the Huntsman Cancer Foundation named a new room in the hospital after the Swing for Life Foundation. The room is called “The Swing for Life Patient Education Room”. This must have been an emotional and highly gratifying day for Kathy and the entire Swing for Life volunteer community. Their labor of love had been transformed into a physical space within the hospital that will continue to give back to the community for generations to come.
Kathy has also never forgotten her roots. As the efforts of the Swing for Life Foundation expanded in 2009, Kathy reached out to Kristin Mort, former softball coach and now an administrator in the athletics department at Colorado Mesa University. Since then they have worked together on fundraising efforts involving the various sports teams at CMU. There have been Swing for Life Softball Games - played on the very field (now beautifully revamped!) that Kathy and I so proudly represented the Mavericks back in 1980-82! Kathy is now invited annually, as the guest of honor when CMU hosts their “Strike Out Cancer” softball games, with all proceeds being donated to the Swing for Life Foundation. This fundraising commitment with CMU has developed from one softball game into a variety of annual sporting events, dedicated to raising funds for Swing for Life. In a true collaboration of hearts, the CMU volleyball, soccer, basketball and football teams at CMU have each hosted “pink” games to raise funds for Swing for Life. For the past ten years Kathy has traveled back to Grand Junction, CO to personally oversee the annual fundraising events and to cheer on her beloved Mavericks. It has become a lasting partnership and collaboration, which has provided great financial support to the Foundation.
Over the years, Kathy has evolved Swing for Life, by expanding its activities and events into all sports. She has expanded its reach from a small town in Utah to multiple states across the country. She has drawn the involvement of the professional sports teams in Utah, including the Utah Jazz, the Utah Grizzlies and the Salt Lake Bees, who have held many fundraising events in support of Swing for Life. The Foundation and its activities have also attracted immense media coverage, which has helped increase the exposure and ultimately the success of each of its events. An impressive list of news articles can be located on pages 15-17, within the document titled “Kathy Howa Service to the Community”.
So much of what Kathy and the Swing for Life Foundation have accomplished since 2007 is impressive and monumental. Not the least of these accomplishments is the total funds raised to date. In the ten years since its inception (through 2017) the Swing for Life Foundation has raised more than $1.2 million for breast cancer research – and there is no end in sight. Kathy’s efforts continue - with a burning passion. Many 2018 events are in full swing (so to speak) and my sense is that as long as Kathy Howa is walking and breathing, Swing for Life will be positively impacting communities and raising money for breast cancer research – right up to the moment this terrible disease is finally eradicated.
For her lifetime of achievement in both her professional career and for her service to the community, it is my great honor to nominate Ms. Kathy Howa for recognition as 2018 CMU Distinguished Alumni.
I close with another message from Kathy, herself – with words written many years ago, at the beginning of her journey in the fight against breast cancer.
“My message to others who battle this ugly disease; don’t let the beast win! Most of us don’t have to. Get in, detect early and fight like a giant with the best of attitude. I think pink every day! Nobody plans on getting this handed to them in their life, but take these lemons and make “Pink Lemonade”.” ~ Kathy Howa, President & Co-Founder of Swing for Life
Nomination Submitted by:
Cathy L. Josey CMU (“Mesa College”) Class of 1982 [email protected] 754-779-9639