Jay P. Wagner Honored As Iowan of the Day

DES MOINES, IA (08/05/2010)(readMedia)-- In honor of the contributions made by the late Jay P. Wagner to the state of Iowa, the Blue Ribbon Foundation and Cookies Food Products are please to present him with a special Iowan of the Day award. This award recognizes Wagner's dedication and his love for his home state.

"This award has never been presented posthumously, but Jay's nomination was so compelling, we felt that he was well-deserving of being selected as an 'Iowan of the Day'," said John Putney, Executive Director of the Blue Ribbon Foundation.

The late Jay P. Wagner embodied the truest form of Iowa pride. A man filled with passion for every aspect of the state of Iowa, Wagner's pride radiated through his journalistic career. Wagner served as a reporter and editor for the Des Moines Register and as the Editor of The Iowan magazine. Additionally, he created the Iowa Commerce and DSM magazines as well as other specialty publications.

"Jay had spent his whole life in Iowa, living an Iowa life, writing about the people he loved as family, regardless of whether they'd ever even met," said CeCelia C. Ibson, Wagner's wife and nominator.

Wagner will be recognized on Thursday, August 12 at the Iowa State Fair. The Blue Ribbon Foundation will have a special presentation on that day at 2:30 p.m. on the Anne and Bill Riley Stage.

Founded in 1997, the Iowan of the Day program allows the Blue Ribbon Foundation to recognize Iowa's shining stars. The program continues to honor individuals from across the state each year who have made a difference in others' lives while upholding characteristics associated with Iowa-dependability, integrity, hard work and sense of community.

The Blue Ribbon Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization. Since its inception in 1993, the Foundation has generated over $80 million for renovations and improvements to the Iowa State Fairgrounds.