SYLER WINS WOMANCARE AWARD

Cape Girardeau native Georganne Penzel Syler was named the 1996 winner of St. Francis Medical Center's Womancare Award Friday.

"Anybody that excels has to have a wonderful support system," said Syler, an assistant professor of human environmental studies at Southeast Missouri State University.

Syler said her family and the community have been very supportive of her teaching and community work.

"All these things have made it possible to do the things that I love most, and that is teach and work with young people," she said.

Syler taught home economics in the Jackson public school system before signing on as a graduate assistant at Southeast in 1978. She was made an assistant professor in 1992, and in 1993 received the Outstanding Teacher Award for her department.

"Her love for education has been throughout her career," said Marilyn Cortis, ambulatory services co-leader for St. Francis Medical Center and presenter of the award.

Cortis said Syler "always has a very warm, friendly smile, and she's always genuinely glad to see you."

Syler has published in national journals and has presented programs locally and nationally on nutrition and dietetic.

She and her husband Bill are active members of the First Presbyterian Church in Cape Girardeau. She served as a deacon and will become an elder in the coming months.

Her work in the community includes organizing the Meal A Month program and working with Habitat for Humanity and Meals on Wheels, as well as donating school supplies for underprivileged children.

Syler, who lives in Cape Girardeau, attended Cape Girardeau Public Schools and earned her bachelor's and master's degrees at Southeast Missouri State University. She recently earned her doctorate in community health from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale.

Syler is the sixth recipient of the Womancare Award. Previous recipients are astronaut Linda Godwin, international opera singer Judith Faris, Cape Girardeau businesswoman Judith Wilferth, local journalist Judith Crow, Southeast Missouri State University Regent Patricia Washington and Jean Bell-Mosley, a columnist for the Southeast Missourian.