Alumnus Dick Nothstein of Palmerton, PA named 2011 Joe and Marie Rolle Spirit of NAU Award winner

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FLAGSTAFF, AZ (10/17/2011)(readMedia)-- Dick Nothstein, '59 BS and '63 MBA, of Palmerton, PA is being honored with the NAUAA Joe and Marie Rolle Spirit of NAU Award this year for his work on recognizing and honoring our country's veterans that are affiliated with the university. Nothstein and fellow alumnus John Clark, who is also being honored with the award, have worked for years with the university and its representatives to award medals of honor to alumni veterans as well as implement a new student veteran center on campus.

"Being selected for the Joe and Marie Rolle Spirit of NAU Award, in my mind, is probably the pinnacle of awards granted at NAU for Alumni. I really appreciate Marie Rolle considering me, and my co-awardee, John Clark, worthy of this honor. The Rolle Family has had a great influence on me, and tens of thousands of other Lumberjacks, both as a student and as a member of the NAU Alumni Board and the NAU community," says Nothstein.

"I'm thrilled to honor John and Dick," says Marie Rolle, who nominated the two for the award this year. "They both deserve it for the many things they've done for NAU over the years. They're amazing people."

For 54 years Nothstein has considered NAU his second home. While a student he was honored with the Gold Axe Award, a member of Blue Key, yearbook editor, vice president of the Class of '59, along with many other on-campus honors and activities. Nothstein's daughter, Kathi Rehrig, '85, followed in her dad's footsteps and also graduated from NAU.

Nothstein's distinguished career included coach, teacher, small business owner, and community leader in his hometown of Palmerton, Pennsylvania, where he served on many community councils and boards as well as supported Special Olympics and spearheaded the construction of a memorial to honor veterans. He served on the NAU Alumni Board from 2004-2011.

"My favorite memory of NAU is the fantastic friendships I made during my college years and NAU Alumni Board membership years," says Nothstein. "I have been lucky and proud to have served on the NAU Alumni Board. It gave me an opportunity to partially 'pay back' the institution that raised me to adulthood."

The NAU Alumni Association salutes Dick with the Joe and Marie Rolle Spirit of NAU Award.

"Dick's dedication to NAU and our veteran outreach program has been truly admirable and highly successful. He has consistently gone above and beyond to serve NAU Lumberjacks across the U.S. He has devoted his tremendous patriotic passion to help recognize our Lumberjack veterans and military personnel," says Neil Goodell, Director, NAU Alumni Relations.

Nothstein will be presented the award during halftime at the NAU Homecoming football game, Saturday, October 22, 2011 at the Walkup Skydome in Flagstaff.

About the award:

The NAUAA JOE AND MARIE ROLLE (Joe class of 1941 & 1950) Spirit of NAU Award. Joe was a member of Chain Gang, played basketball, and was both student body president and homecoming king. He was a member of the NAUAA Past President's Club and, together with wife Marie, received the Distinguished Alumni Couple Award in 1998. Joe was administrator for ASC/NAU for 36 years, with his last post as Dean of Student Services. Marie managed the NAU bookstore and worked in career placement. She is a graduate of the University of Arizona, where they met, and a longtime booster of her sorority, Gamma Phi Beta. Supporters of alumni scholarships and athletics, the Rolle family established the Joseph and Marie Rolle Award for Excellence. Joe passed away earlier this year. Marie resides in the Phoenix area.

Award Description: This award recognizes an alumna or alumnus who radiates the spirit of NAU. They should consistently show their support to the university, whether by attending all athletic events or staying involved with legislative matters or other efforts. This person's devotion to the university should be prominent and ongoing throughout his or her life.