Foundation to honor Kohlfeld family for support to university

~ This marks the first time that a family has been honored with the annual award.

The Kohlfeld family of Cape Girardeau, which owns a beer distributorship, will receive the 2006 Friend of the University Award from the Southeast Missouri University Foundation.

Dr. Ken Dobbins, university president, will present the award at the annual President's Council dinner at the Show Me Center on Saturday.

The award recognizes those who support the university and its mission, plans and programs. It is the highest honor bestowed by the fund-raising foundation, school officials said.

This marks the first time that a family has been honored with the award. Leo Kohlfeld -- who founded Kohlfeld Distributing Inc. in Jackson -- and his sons, Mike and Mark Kohlfeld, will receive the award.

Mike Kohlfeld is president of the company; Mark Kohlfeld is vice president of sales.

The Kohlfelds have long supported the university, Dobbins said. They have helped sponsor athletic programs, student organizations and student events.

"They have shown an unrelenting dedication to all areas of the university," said Dobbins.

"The university has always been a major player in our community and my dad recognized that," said Mike Kohlfeld, president of Kohlfeld Distributing.

"He got involved with students, assisting them financially and with other kinds of support," Mike Kohlfeld said.

Both Mike and Mark Kohlfeld are graduates of Southeast.

The Kohlfelds have been major contributors to the university foundation and to university athletics.

"We're really big in sports," Mike Kohlfeld said. The Kohlfelds regularly sponsor Southeast coaches' shows on local radio and television stations.

Mike Kohlfeld serves on the executive committee of the booster club board of directors.

"This award is very unexpected," Mike Kohlfeld said. "When you give, you don't expect to get anything back. If you attach strings to it, it becomes self-serving."

mbliss@semissourian.com

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