3 to receive Alumni Achievement awards

Three University of Nebraska-Lincoln graduates will receive Alumni Achievement Awards from the Nebraska Alumni Association May 9 during the All-University Celebration and Salute to Alumni Achievement at the Nebraska Champions Club.

The 2008 recipients of the award, which recognize service to one's community, state and nation, are:

Robert Orlando Epp, '50, who has devoted much time as a volunteer helping disadvantaged and oppressed people in Central and South America and in the Caribbean since his retirement from farming in 1981. A native of Henderson, he spent eight months with Witness for Peace in Nicaragua as a volunteer ambulance driver during the 1988 civil war and served as an official election observer in El Salvador in 1994. With Pastors for Peace, Epp has participated in caravans from the United States to Nicaragua, Cuba, El Salvador and Mexico, transporting food and medical supplies. He helped construct and rebuild homes destroyed by Hurricane Juana and used his degree in dairy science to teach courses in animal husbandry. As a member of the Christian Peacemaker team, he has participated in unarmed interventions attempting to reduce violence against the local populations in militarized areas.

Robert W. Farran, '73, director of the Los Angeles County Southwest Special Education Local Plan Area since 1989. During his tenure, he has established a Parent-Professional Partnership, a Family Resource Center and other family support projects. Farran also has served as a speech and language therapist, teacher, principal and consultant and is a professor at California State University, Northridge, where he instructs graduate students majoring in education. Before moving into administration, he worked diligently with the teachers union at the local, state and national level, and he continues as an advocate for special education services by serving on task forces. Farran is a recipient of the Access Award of the Los Angeles County Commission on Disability and was honored by the Council for Exceptional Children in 2001.

Diane Miller Frost, '77, '82, superintendent of schools for Asheboro, N.C., serving 4,507 students. She also is the vice-chairperson for the Piedmont Triad Education Consortium and was named the Piedmont Triad Superintendent of the Year for 2007 -- an award presented annually to a superintendent in one of the 15 school districts based on leadership for learning, communication skills, professionalism and community involvement. Frost is vice chairman of the North Carolina High School Athletic Association and serves as a U.S. regional representative for education. Last year her community presented her with the "Athena" award for civic and volunteer efforts. She has served as president of the Asheboro Chamber of Commerce and works with annual fund-raising efforts for the Asheboro Zoo. Frost was the first female drum major for the UNL marching band.

Reservations for the All-University Celebration and Salute to Alumni Achievement may be made by calling the Nebraska Alumni Association, (888) 353-1874 or (402) 472-4250. The cost is $25 per person and the deadline for registrations is April 30.