JOHN GLENN HONORED AS `FRIEND OF UNIVERSITY'

If it weren't for Southeast Missouri State University, the winner of the 1995 Friend of the University Award joked, "I would probably still be grubbing sprouts on a farm in Puxico."

John W. Glenn, a 1952 Southeast graduate and a California business leader, received the award Saturday at the annual Copper Dome Society Breakfast.

The Southeast Missouri State University Foundation gives the award annually to recognize "a very select group of individuals who have supported Southeast Missouri State University in a very special way," said Dr. Bill Atchley, acting president of the university.

The award, which is the university foundation's highest honor, was created in 1983 and is presented annually during Homecoming.

Atchley credited Glenn with substantial support for scholarships and funding for the Aleen Vogel Wehking Alumni Center and the new Robert A. Dempster Hall. The auditorium in the new Dempster Hall will be named in honor of Glenn and his wife, Betty Jo, who also attended Southeast, Atchley said.

Glenn also has been a strong supporter of development in Puxico, providing considerable financial support for the city's public library, senior citizens group, the United Methodist Church and low-cost housing. He also has been a supporter of Children's Hospital of Oakland, Fremont Senior Citizens Center and the Hayward Senior Citizens Center in California.

Dr. Robert W. Foster, executive director of the university foundation, said Glenn is "an ideal choice for many reasons. He represents such a positive role model for our students."

Foster said Glenn started out with "a good mind and a strong work ethic and little else," and combined that with his education to achieve great success.

Glenn said that after he graduated from high school he had no idea what to do next until a friend suggested he attend the university. He graduated with a business degree when there were two professors in the business department and about 1,500 students enrolled, he said.

"If it were not for this school, there are many, many thousands of students in Southeast Missouri like myself who would not have had the opportunity to enjoy the better things in life," he said.

Glenn founded the John Glenn Adjusters and Administrators Corp., which has offices in Oakland, San Jose, San Rafael and Los Angeles. The corporation does a major share of its claims work for major transportation companies throughout California and for the Golden Gate Bridge.

Glenn was elected to the San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District Board of Directors in 1974, and was elected president of the board in 1981 and 1988. He retired undefeated from the BART board in December.

He was one of the organizers in 1984 of the Civic Bank of Commerce in Oakland, Pleasant Hill, San Leandro and Fremont. The bank now has assets of more than $250 million. Glenn has served continuously on its board of directors and is currently the chairman of its audit committee.

On receiving the award, a commemorative clock, Glenn said, "You couldn't give an award that I would love better. I love clocks. My favorite hobby is making clocks."

C. Michael Dambach, chairman of the university foundation, reported Saturday morning that the foundation had received more than $2.5 million in contributions in the 1994-95 fiscal year. The Copper Dome Society has reached an "all-time record" membership of more than 3,000, and the Southeast Athletic Booster Club has topped the 1,000-member mark again, Dambach said.

In addition, he said, the Horizon Club, which consists of planned gifts to the university, is nearing the $10 million mark in estate assets.