AARP Announces Gift to Franklin Pierce College
November 19, 2001
Rindge, NH - At a gala dinner in Washington last week, the American Association of Retired Persons announced a gift of $100,000 to Franklin Pierce College. The gift has been bestowed in honor of Horace B. Deets, who is retiring as Executive Director of AARP. Mr. Deets is credited with bringing the organization to its now-recognized prominence, both nationally and internationally, as an advocate on issues affecting older citizens.
The award from AARP has been designated for the College's new Marlin Fitzwater Center for Communication and for two endowed scholarships.
"Franklin Pierce University
is both privileged and delighted to honor one of the country's most influential leaders, a person who has dedicated his life to advancing the cause of others," said Dr. George J. Hagerty, President of Franklin Pierce College. Hagerty went on to explain that a classroom in the new Fitzwater Center will be dedicated in Mr. Deets' name. "It is the most prominent classroom in the new facility," said Hagerty. "It overlooks the College's campus with a striking view of Mt. Monadnock. More importantly, the classroom will contain the latest in instructional technology that is so crucial to today's learning environment."
In addition to the classroom named in his honor, two endowed scholarships will be established at Franklin Pierce. "What better way to perpetuate the legacy of someone who has devoted a lifetime to issues essential to the common good for all generations of Americans," said Hagerty. The scholarships will be awarded to talented students of need based on criteria set by Mr. Deets, explained Hagerty.
Mr. Deets is best known as one of the most respected and influential advocates in Washington. He began his work with AARP in 1975 and became Executive Director in 1988. He serves on the boards of the Leadership Conference for Civil Rights, the Alliance for Health Care Reform, HelpAge International, and the Andrus Gerontology Center Board of Councilors. In 1996 he served on the Policy Committee for the White House Conference on Aging. Honored with many awards and recognition, Deets is one of ten recipients of the Champions of Diversity Award given by Working Mother Magazine. He received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from Franklin Pierce University
at its 2001 Commencement.
Prior to his work with AARP, Deets served on the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Washington Hospital Center's project on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse.
Last week's testimonial dinner for Mr. Deets was in the beautiful National Building Museum and attended by 600 invited guests. President Hagerty and Christopher J. Flynn, Chairman of the College's Board of Trustees, with his wife, Dorcey, represented the Franklin Pierce community. Among those invited to toast Mr. Deets and his accomplishments were Marion Wright Eddleman, Executive Director of the Children's Defense Fund, television's Norman Lear, and Newt Gingrich, former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives.
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