[Press Release] : Three Inducted In Missouri Parks Hall of Fame

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
Contact: Jan Neitzert, MPRA, 573-636-3828 
Tammy Miller, Columbia Parks and Recreation, 874-7465



JEFFERSON CITY, MO - Three individuals with strong ties to Columbia
were selected for induction into the second class of the Missouri
Recreation and Parks Hall of Fame.  The presentation took place during
the 2010 Missouri Park and Recreation Association’s annual conference
held at Tan-Tar-A Resort in Osage Beach, Mo held earlier in March.
 
            Richard L.Green, Glenn A. Gillespie and C. Randal Vessell
were recognized for their extensive efforts on behalf of the parks and
recreation profession.  
 
            Green served as Director for Columbia’s Parks and
Recreation Department for 30 years until his retirement in 1998.  During
this time, he was instrumental in overseeing Columbia’s significant
growth, including a doubling of the number of parks, acquisition of
federal monies and in earning the National Park and Recreation’s Gold
Medal Award for Excellence in 1984.  He also guided legislative efforts
in enabling a local option ½ cent sales tax for funding local parks and
recreation services.  This has resulted in well over 100 cities and
counties approving tax initiatives generating over two billion dollars
for parks and recreation services in Missouri.  
 
            Dr. Glenn Gillespie was a professor at the University of
Missouri-Columbia, and went on to serve as Chairman of the Department of
Recreation and Park Administration, and later as Assistant Dean of the
College of Public and Community Services.  Gillespie was especially
skilled in economics, research and political action.  He worked
tirelessly at the local, state and national levels to promote the
success of students, professionals and outdoor initiatives.
 
            Randy Vessell also served at the University of
Missouri-Columbia, first as an Assistant Professor for over 31 years
until his retirement in 1992.  He was named chair of the Department in
1992, where he administered a nationally accredited academic department
offering both undergraduate and graduate degrees along with significant
missions for teaching, research and outreach.  He had great impact on
the recognition of therapeutic recreation and advocacy of enhanced
funding sources.  As a mentor to thousands of students, he also received
numerous awards for his dedication to the parks and recreation
profession.
 
            All three of these men were active in the Missouri Park and
Recreation Association, advocating for professionalism among all
practitioners and the value of the services provided to Missouri
citizens.  They were among seven individuals recognized for
“outstanding, unique, lasting and extraordinary contributions to the
recreation and parks movement in Missouri.”  
 
            Richard Green and Randy Vessell were present to receive
their awards.  Dr. Gillespie, who passed away in 2007, was represented
by his family.  The awards are on display at the Missouri Park and
Recreation office, located in the Musco Lighting Building in Jefferson
City.  For additional information, go to www.mopark.org (
http://www.mopark.org/ ). 

 
-30-
 
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Archived press releases can be viewed online at: 
http://www.gocolumbiamo.com/ParksandRec/About_Us/news_releases.php
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