Six Utahns receive Pioneers of Progress Awards – Deseret News

Sarah Jane Weaver, Deseret News

Elder Robert D. Hales and his wife, Sister Mary Hales, after he was honored with one of the 2017 Pioneers of Progress Awards on July 13, 2017. The awards were presented as part of the annual Days of '47.

SALT LAKE CITY Days of '47 trustees honored six Utahns "who perpetuate a legacy of industry and integrity" during their annual banquet at which Pioneers of Progress awards are bestowed.

The awards honor Utahns nominated by the public whose lives and achievements commemorate principles of pioneering such as faith, courage, industry, integrity and sacrifice, and whose work benefits present and future generations.

The honorees on Thursday were:

Michelle Baker Science and technology

Baker is a biology professor and an associate of the Ecology Center at Utah State University. Baker's research focuses on water quality, and she is the director of iUTAH EPSCoR, a program aimed at strengthening Utah's water future. In addition to the Pioneers of Progress award, Baker also received the 2015 Governor's Medal for Excellence in science and technology.

Dell Loy Hansen Business and enterprise

Hansen is the founder and CEO of The Wasatch Group, a real estate agency in Salt Lake City. He is also the owner and chairman of Real Salt Lake, a major league soccer team. In addition, Hansen contributes to the Hansen Scholars Foundation, which offers scholarships to underprivileged students in Utah State University's Jon M. Huntsman School of Business. He also serves on Major League Soccer's board of governors and on the Utah Sports Commission board.

Kathleen Christy Education, health and humanitarian assistance

Christy has spent her life working in education and has served in many different positions, including a teacher, an equity specialist at the Utah State Office of Education, an elementary school principal and an assistant superintendent for the Salt Lake City School District. In addition, she currently serves on the Utah Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice, the Utah Foster Care Foundation board and the Discovery Gateway Children's Museum board.

Susan Allred Historic and creative arts

Allred is a costume designer who developed a passion for her profession during her time at Southern Utah University. Her designs have been featured in Utah Opera, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir PBS Christmas Show and the Mormon Miracle Pageant. In addition to the Pioneers of Progress award, Allred was also awarded with the Governor's Award for her contribution to the arts in 2015.

Donald Evan Moss Legacy Award

Moss was an owner and co-founder of Chuck-A-Rama restaurants. He received an accounting degree from the University of Utah, and served in the Utah and Idaho National Guard for six years. He was also active in a Rotary Club and has housed several foreign exchange students throughout his life. He died in 2010.

Elder Robert D. Hales President's Award

Elder Hales was Presiding Bishop of the LDS Church from April 1985 until called to his current position on the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in April 1994. He served in the U.S. Air Force as a fighter pilot, and graduated from the University of Utah with a bachelor's degree, and an MBA from Harvard University. Other church positions held by Elder Hales include bishop, branch president, high councilor, the Sunday School general presidency, assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve and as a member of the First Quorum of the Seventy.

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Six Utahns receive Pioneers of Progress Awards - Deseret News