INDIANA CHAPTER
DINFOS ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
P.O. BOX 26925
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA 46226-9001
(317) 546-1743   -   E-mail:  jrubak@aol.com

 

The Defense Information Schools Hall of Fame induction and Distinguished Service Awards Ceremonies was held on June 17, 2006 at Primo’s Banquet and Conference Center, Ft. Benjamin Harrison, Indianapolis, Indiana.

Thirty seven people attended the celebration to include several who came from out of town.

LTC Tom Conrad, USA-Ret, served as the Master of Ceremonies. The evening began with the Pledge of Allegiance led by Tom Conrad followed by an Invocation by Colonel John Christy, USA-ret. Each one of the guests was then asked to introduce himself/herself.

After the dinner, Dr. Jack Rubak introduced the guest speaker, Colonel Hiram Bell, the DINFOS Commandant. Colonel Bell spoke on “The Effect of Iraq on Military Public Affairs.” He discussed his recent visits to Iraq, and how DINFOS has adapted to the changing world of public affairs. Instruction conducted at various sites outside the schoolhouse has expanded. He gave a very interesting and informative presentation.

Colonel Bell then mentioned that his second tour of duty as Commandant of DINFOS would soon be over, and Navy Captain Warren C. Graham will replace him.

The Awards Ceremonies began. An Honorable Recognition Certificate was awarded to Tommy Tompkins in absentia. Tommy was DINFOS graduate and upon his retirement from the Navy, he became an instructor in the Journalism Department. The next to receive an award was Dick Cassin, a DINFOS graduate, who served as an instructor in the Broadcasting Department upon his retirement from the Air Force. Dick received a Distinguished Service Award.

Colonel Bell then presented the Hall of Fame Plaque to Hal Glassman, a former Army Sergeant Major and DINFOS graduate, for the significant contributions he has made to the field of military and civilian public affairs. He was the twelfth person to receive this coveted award.

Hal Glasssman spoke to the audience and thanked the Nominating Committee for selecting him to be in the DINFOS Hall of Fame.

And, last but not least, Dr. Rubak acknowledged those persons who worked behind the scenes to make the evening possible. Kudos went to the Hall of Fame Nomination Committee – Tom Conrad, Frank Tilton and Mike Davis – who made a thorough and fair review of each one of the Hall of Fame nomination packages submitted and came up with their evaluations and recommendations for the evening’s awards. Also, thanks went to each member of the Executive Council (Tom Conrad, Bob Foster, Mike Davis and Helen Stritt ) for giving their time and effort in preparing for the evening’s Celebration. Special thanks went to Bob Foster and Mike Davis for preparing the Hall of Fame Program. Bob could not attend, but for his splendid work in keeping the DINFOS website up-to-date a “Certificate of Recognition” for his professionalism was issued and sent to him.

Dr. Rubak also presented a Plaque to Ms. Helen Stritt, Secretary of the DINFOS Alumni Association, in grateful appreciation for her extraordinary dedication and assistance provided to the Defense Information School’s Alumni Association from its inception in 1989 to the present time.

In turn, Jack Rubak received a standing ovation from all of those present when Tom Conrad mentioned Jack’s untiring efforts, as President, in keeping the DINFOS Alumni Association alive and well.

Jack Rubak concluded the evening by reading letters of regards from former Commandants and alumni.

Respectfully submitted: