Alumni Association Honors Two at Alumni Awards Luncheon, May 31

The East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania Alumni Association will hold its annual Alumni Day Awards Luncheon on Saturday, May 31, 2008 as part of the university's Alumni Day activities. Two achievement awards will be presented to ESU graduates for their outstanding life achievements and volunteer service.

The Helen G. Brown '37 Honor Award, will be presented to Mr. Peter Henning, a 1963 graduate from Port Orange, Fla., and the Conrad "Skip" Idukas '67 Service Award will be given to Mrs. Jean Eden, a 1972 graduate from East Stroudsburg, Pa.

Henning, the senior vice president of television production for World Triathlon Corporation, was selected for this honor base on his extraordinary accomplishments in life which have brought honor to the university and pride to alumni.

While Henning's work has been associated with the World Series, the Iditarod, Tour de France and the Ironman World Championships, he began his professional career as an educator teaching junior high school in Levittown, Pa. He later followed in his father's footsteps and became a freelance cameraman, covering the war in Southeast Asia and the capturing the events surrounding the fall of Saigon to the North Vietnamese.

Henning's journalistic pursuits led him to work for major news networks ABC, CBS, and NBC for more than 39 years, traveling internationally to cover major news events such as 16 Olympic Games (from Munich to Sydney) and telecasts of the Ironman from locations around the world. In addition to being a cameraman, Henning became the producer, director or photographer. He has been involved in more than 25 segments of the CBS show "60 Minutes," one of which was shot in Afghanistan in 1987 and recently became the basis for the book and motion picture, "Charlie Wilson's War." During his career, his efforts produced 15 Emmy Awards, the highest honor in his profession.

Henning is married to his wife, Donna, for 20 years. The couple has two daughters and three grandchildren.

Eden, an Alumni Association Board Member since 1995, is being recognized for her significant contributions to the university and the Alumni Association through exceptional volunteer service. She is chair of the Alumni Association's volunteer committee and has led efforts to recruit alumni participants for Monroe County's annual United Way Day of Caring and other Pocono area events for ESU graduates.
Eden's infectious "can do" attitude and tireless efforts are well-known throughout the community. Her leadership in Monroe County has included: president, East Stroudsburg Planning Commission; chair, Children & Youth Advisory Board; president of the board of directors, Pocono Services for Families and Children/Head Start; president, the American Association of University Women; state chair for community participation and president, Monroe County Pennsylvania Association of School Retirees (PASR).

Currently, Eden serves as vice president, League of Women Voters of Monroe County, and committee chair for member benefits and services, Monroe PASR. She is a member of the Great Books Discussion Group for Eastern Monroe Public Library, the Monroe County Historical Association Board of Directors, ESU's Society for the Arts Board of Directors, Monroe County Community Services Administrative Board of Directors, and the American Association of University Women. She is also an active member of her church.

Eden has been recognized by the PA State House of Representatives, Monroe PASR and Monroe County Commissioners for community service. Pocono Services for Family and Children has named their community service award in her honor.

Eden was the wife of former ESU Professor Emeritus and Alumni Board President, Bill Eden '51, and has three daughters, Jaynellen Mannix, Jody Ackerman of and Katie Heller.

The Alumni Day Awards Luncheon will take place from noon to 1:30 p.m. in the Keystone Room at ESU. Cost to attend the luncheon is $12 per person and free to members of the ESU Class of 1958. Reservations may be made by calling Carleen in the Alumni Office at 570-422-3533.