Chamber of Commerce to accept nominations for award

By Morgan Conklin
Summer Reporter

The Greater Lafayette Chamber of Commerce is taking nominations for the Marquis de Lafayette Award.

The award, started in 1985, honors a resident or organization in Lafayette who has offered contributions to the city and helped to improve the quality of life for area residents.

Lisa Kochert, vice president of the Chamber of Commerce, said, "The people who receive the award usually have made a significant contribution continually; they believe in or highly support the community over a period of years."

Last year there were 13 nominations for worthy recipients, but Kochert said there is no average number of nominations. "It varies from year to year," she said. "If there has been a significant change in the community, there may be more votes."

Past winners include, among others, Habitat for Humanity and The Greater Lafayette Community Foundation.

Doug Taylor, executive director of Habitat for Humanity, said when they received the award in the ‘80s they were a new organization. "We did back then what we do now," he said. "Our mission is to build simple, decent, affordable housing."

He said that being an active part of the community could qualify a resident or organization for the award. "I don’t think it is anything you really seek out. You do what you do, and it is an honor to have received the award."

To nominate a resident or organization, go to the Chamber of Commerce where you can pick up a form, which includes writing a 300-word essay. Nominations must be submitted by Aug. 24, 2001.

The presentation of the award will be 6 p.m. Sept. 24, at the Purdue Memorial Union, where the winner will receive a bronze statuette of Marquis de Lafayette — the man for whom the city is named.