Aurora University honors Pomona's Donald Keepers during Homecoming Weekend

AURORA, IL (10/23/2012)(readMedia)-- Aurora University presented Donald Keepers, AU '56, with the Spirit Award during this year's Homecoming Weekend Centennial Alumni Dinner on October 5, 2012.

Donald is an alumnus who exemplifies the values and ideals of Aurora University. His commitment to citizenship and integrity has permeated his professional and personal life. His family and that of Orrin Roe Jenks, one of the early Presidents of Aurora College, were intertwined; thus his connections to the university run deep. A man of unquestioned integrity, his career has been rooted in a life of service.

Though it was a long way from his home in Seattle, Wash., joining the Aurora community was an obvious decision for Donald, for the Spartan spirit was already in his blood. His parents met and married while attending Mendota College, his brothers and sister attended Aurora College, and several nieces and nephews are AU graduates. His wife was also an Aurora student and her parents attended Mendota College. His college years were interrupted by a stint as a Navy seaman in the Far Eastern and Korean waters, but he returned to Aurora and graduated with the class of 1956.

After graduating from Aurora College, he received his Master of Divinity degree in 1959 from the Evangelical Theological Seminary. A model of the Aurora ideals of integrity and respect for every person, he served in the ministry of the Advent Christian Church for 22 years in Washington state, Oregon and California. He also served as a Funeral Director for 25 years in Pomona, Calif. In the 1960s he became the Regional Editor for the Advent Christian News, and in the 1970s, he was President of the Pomona Breakfast Lions Club.

Just glance at his photo albums to see his deep love for history and for his many family members who spent time at Mendota College and Aurora College. He developed a love of photography before coming to Aurora and honed his talent while living in Spartan Terrace, where he used the windowless bathroom for his darkroom. When President Stevens needed a photo taken, he was called to do the job. He played basketball as well, and still follows faithfully the Spartan basketball and football teams.

This loyal alumnus is a man of deep faith who says he became the person he is because of his AU experience. He discovered what mattered to him, and he and his bride Doreen built their lives around their personal beliefs. They were married for 56 years and raised two sons, John and Darrell, and a daughter Katie. His nieces remember well the many fun times with their aunt and uncle. They traveled to various campgrounds with them to babysit their cousins. Today there are five grandchildren and many precious memories of family visits to their generational beach home on the Hood Canal.

More than 50 years later, Donald has remained loyal to AU, supporting today's students, caring about faith and action, and maintaining interest in faculty and staff. He is proud of the time he spent at Aurora, which provided the opportunity for him to "pay it forward" as a father, minister, counselor, baseball coach and friend. For his Spartan Spirit, devotion and service to others, AU recognized Donald Keepers as this year's recipient of the Spirit Award.