Media Contact:
Hilary Ortmann
Director, Events and Administration
The Robert D. and Billie Ray Center at Drake University
hilary.ortmann@drake.edu
T: 515-305-0219
DES MOINES, Iowa (July 29, 2024) – The Robert D. and Billie Ray Center at Drake University will host the 2024 Iowa Character Awards on Friday, Aug. 2, at Prairie Meadows Event Center. Twelve Iowa individuals and groups will be recognized for their exceptional character, including Marta Codina, Dan Marburger (posthumously), Jean Berger, Katie Hoover, Iowa League of Heroes, and Dallas Center-Grimes Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
An Iowa Character Awards primetime special featuring the 2024 award recipients will air on Fox affiliate stations during the following dates and times:
- Fox 28 (Cedar Rapids) on Wednesday, Aug. 7, from 8-9 p.m.
- Fox 17 (Des Moines) on Wednesday, Aug. 7, from 8-9 p.m.
The Iowa Character Awards special will also be posted at IowaCharacterAwards.org.
Marta Codina will receive the Robert D. and Billie Ray Pillar of Character Award. Marta Codina joined The Robert D. and Billie Ray Center’s National Advisory Council in 2011 and served as chair in 2021-2022. A native of Cuba, Marta came to the United States as a refugee in the early 1960s with her parents. Her passion is “making a difference” through leadership development and diversity, equity, and inclusion. For nearly 15 years, Marta has been an integral part of The Ray Center’s mission to improve civility through character development and ethical leadership. Marta’s leadership was instrumental in the transition of Character Counts! in Iowa to The Robert D. and Billie Ray Center at Drake University along with the acquisition of the global CHARACTER COUNTS! initiative. Marta has served on the Greater Des Moines Partnership Board/Executive Committee, Central Iowa Community Foundation, Drake University Board of Trustees, and as a co-chair of the Junior Achievement of Central Iowa board. Marta recently led an important community initiative to strategize solutions for racial inequities in the Des Moines Metro, the DSM 4 Equity Task Force. She is a 2021 recipient of the Des Moines Business Record’s Women of Influence award.
Dan Marburger will posthumously receive the Character Champion Award. Dan Marburger became the associate principal at Perry High School in 1995. In 1997, he was awarded the role of principal where he served proudly for 27 years. Dan impacted the lives of thousands of students and staff members, ensuring each became a knowledgeable, skilled, and productive citizen of character. During his time at Perry High School, Dan developed numerous initiatives, including “High Schools that Work,” Project CRISS (Creating Independence through Student Owned Strategies), Data-Driven Leadership, Outcomes-Based Education, and Forty Developmental Assets. Dan worked with high school guidance counselors to ensure that all students had rigorous curriculum to meet their needs in high school and beyond, and he expanded college credit courses at DMACC Perry VanKirk Career Academy. He worked to develop a school resource officer program, an alternative school program, an at-risk program, and a Mentors of Violence Prevention (MVP) student leadership program at Perry High School. Dan believed all students deserve access to high-quality education and supported each student who walked through his halls. He felt that everyone had value and purpose. Dan saved numerous lives during an active shooter event on Jan. 4, 2024, at Perry High School. His selflessness that day is perhaps the biggest example of Dan’s character and his love for his students and the Perry community.
Jean Berger will receive the Jim Hallihan Pursuing Victory with Honor Award. Jean Berger was appointed to serve as the executive director of the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union (IGHSAU) in 2016 and served until her retirement in 2024. Jean has been passionate about positively impacting Iowa girls by offering character development opportunities through athletics. She has championed IGHSAU initiatives in partnership with The Ray Center, including the CHARACTER COUNTS! Coach of the Year Award and Empowering the Iowa Girl Today to Lead Tomorrow curricular resource. Jean’s professional career has been dedicated to developing good character through athletics. Prior to her role with IGHSAU, Jean served as the Interim Director of Athletics at the University of Northern Iowa (UNI) and was the direct supervisor for five Panther sports: women’s basketball, softball, tennis, soccer, and volleyball. Before UNI, Jean spent 17 years in various leadership roles with Drake University Athletics.
Katie Hoover will receive the Educator of Character Award. Katie Hoover is a special education teacher at Hillside Elementary School in West Des Moines and is known to all as a fierce advocate for those with special needs. Katie has started and continues to run many programs in her community for people with special needs. The Circle of Friends, a school initiative started by Katie, pairs special needs students with their peers to foster friendship, inclusion, and understanding. Katie also founded Club 515, a social program for young adults with special needs. Club 515 provides opportunities to socialize, engage, and form lasting friendships. Katie is also the founder and driving force behind Camp Champs, a summer day camp for kids in special education. Camp Champs keeps students engaged in math, reading, play, and weekly outings. Additionally, Katie runs after-school programs at her school, volunteers with The Hope Foundation, and much more.
The Iowa League of Heroes will receive the Organization of Character Award. The Iowa League of Heroes is a nonprofit organization comprised of a dedicated group of volunteers who donate their time and resources to children throughout Iowa fighting many different medical battles. League volunteers dress as a variety of superheroes, bringing comfort to children in need and giving kids an authentic superhero experience each time they put on their suits. The superheroes routinely volunteer their time at local community events or fundraisers, helping to raise money for organizations such as the Special Olympics or the Easter Seals. League superheroes have also been spotted at many local police or fire department events, supporting local kids through events like Shop with a Cop or Cop on a Rooftop.
The Dallas Center-Grimes Fellowship of Christian Athletes (DCG FCA) will receive the Student Organization of Character Award. The DCG FCA chapter has grown into a thriving, student-driven outreach group over the twenty years since its inception. The group now regularly welcomes 100-200 students to its meetings and promotes events, outreach programs, and partnerships that positively impact school culture and student character growth. DCG FCA implemented a Character Coach initiative nearly ten years ago, in which the group sends out a trained volunteer to work with athletes and coaches to develop their character and leadership skills. The Character Coaches assist coaches and athletes in creating an atmosphere of trust, caring, and moral character within the respective teams.
The Ray Center annually recognizes Iowans who show the Six Pillars of CHARACTER COUNTS!: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and good citizenship. Since 2005, the organization has recognized more than 200 Iowans for showing good character.
The 2024 Iowa Character Awards are presented by Hy-Vee, FOX 17, Prairie Meadows, and Murphy Enterprizes. For a complete list of 2024 Iowa Character Award recipients or to submit a 2025 nomination, visit IowaCharacterAwards.org.
The Ray Center helps create strong, vibrant communities that value positive, healthy relationships and respectful behavior.?
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