Nobel Laureate donates to hall

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By Bobbi Mlynar (Contact)

Saturday, April 12, 2008

An Emporia State University student has secured a Nobel Laureate in economics as a supporter in a fundraising campaign to benefit the National Teachers Hall of Fame at ESU.

According to information from Glen Strickland, NTHC director of public relations, Kelly Rippel of Topeka met and had lunch with Harry Markowitz during a spring break visit to San Diego. Markowitz is adjunct professor of finance at the Rady School of Management, University of California San Diego. In 1990, he was one of three U.S. economists who shared the Nobel Prize.

The interaction during spring break brought a check from Markowitz, as well as an agreement that he will be a national spokesperson for the Hall and its “One in a Million — Teachers Who Make a Difference” campaign.

Rippel “took the initiative to send letters to people and companies in the area so that he might make personal contact while there,” Strickland said of the San Diego trip.

Rippel is one of 18 students who are working on marketing the Hall as part of their studies in the Cases and Campaigns course this semester at ESU. The goal is to increase national awareness of the NTHF and its fundraising campaign.

In his letter to Hall officials, Markowitz wrote, “Enclosed is a contribution somewhat in excess of the $1.00 suggested in your brochure. I hope many others contribute to your great cause in proportion to their means. Teachers, along with parents, are the principal conveyors of the knowledge and values of our society.”

The campaign asks that everyone who has ever been influenced positively by a teacher to donate $1, or more, in his or her honor.

Donations may be sent to: The National Teachers Hall of Fame, ESU — Campus Box 4017, 1200 Commercial St., Emporia KS 66801.