The Lake Forest College Athletic Department, in conjunction with the Forester Athletic Network (F.A.N. Club), will present the 2016 Forester Impact Award to Paula Dau '58 at the Athletic Recognition Ceremony during Homecoming Weekend on Saturday, October 8, 2016. She will be honored for her loyal support, voluntary contributions, and deep commitment to sustaining the Foresters' Tradition of Excellence.
A 1958 graduate of Lake Forest College, Paula was elected Homecoming Queen in 1956, was a member of the chi Omega sorority, and was actively involved with choir and theatre. She orchestrated the College's first modern dance group on campus, served as a director of variety shows for two years, and participated in multiple school plays.
Throughout her undergraduate career, Paula worked in costuming, make-up, and design, but found that she excelled in acting. She was awarded Outstanding Supporting Actress in 1957 for her role in "Charlie's Aunt" and the following year, received the Best Actress Award for her performance in "Tea Sympathy".
Over the years, Paula has been instrumental in the success of Forester Athletics through both her active leadership as an Alumni Board member and her continual commitment and dedication as a volunteer at campus wide events. She became a life-time Alumni Board member in 2001 and has helped foster and maintain relationships with alumni, parents, and friends, and has served as a knowledgeable resource to help with student recruitment and career networking.
Under Paula's direction, she initiated a project to honor retired faculty with commemorative plaques in the Donnelly Library. The display honors over 70 faculty for their service to the College dating back to her undergraduate years. Paula also orchestrated the Great Teacher Award, which is also displayed in the library. Her estate planning will leave a fund to perpetuate the awards.
"Paula has been my go-to person for everything. I'm always calling her" commented Lake Forest College Senior Director of Alumni and Community Suzanne Nyren. "Paula volunteers her time every year to help with registration at Homecoming, and is always there to help with Residence Hall Move-In Day, cap and gown pick-up, matriculation, gallery openings, and Lyrica Concert Series."
As Paula herself commented, "I feel very honored to receive this award. I was taken off guard when I found out I was selected. I enjoy the student body and, of course love the College. It also goes hand in hand that I would support Mike (husband, Coach Mike Dau) and his program and be over at the athletic facility as much as I can be to see many of the games."
Outside of her Alumni Board responsibilities, Paula works with her husband, Mike Dau, as the assistant handball coach. Coach Dau noted, "Whenever the team travels, Paula travels with us. She maintains our travel schedule, wake-up calls, does the laundry every night, and then invariably will turn around and drive one of the vans home the next day...she can never do enough."
Additionally, Paula helps Coach Dau coordinate the annual Junior Handball Camp with scheduling, hosting campers at their home, and ensuring all campers' needs are met both physically and mentally. "I have a soft shoulder to lean on", says Paula. "I'm the surrogate mom and help the kids with emergencies so that it would relieve Coach from having to do all those things."
Still a fan of the Foresters, Paula continues to give generously of her time, energy, and resources. In addition to volunteering to work at athletic contests, serving as a resource to the Athletic Department staff, and supporting various fundraising initiatives, she is a faithful member of the F.A.N. Club, an annual donor in the golf outing, and a regular in the stands at home athletic and alumni contests and events.
"Paula Dau is an incredibly special part of our Forester community" commented Lake Forest College Director of Athletics Jackie Slaats. As an alumna, she has and continues to generate incredible good will and support for the College and Forester Athletics and as our assistant handball coach, she has and continues to serve a pivotal role as the program's "team mom." I honestly can't think of a more caring, generous, and spirited Forester. From her days as Homecoming queen to today, Paula Dau has been a Forester cheerleader - like no other - and I personally can't thank her enough for all she's done or love her more than I do."
Additionally, Paula's dedication across campus and in the community was felt through several philanthropic initiatives. Among them is the annual Day of Service, when Lake Forest College students, faculty, staff and alumni volunteer their Saturday to give back to the community and North Chicago Community. She has also been involved with the North Chicago Community Partners Programs, designed to achieve community improvements in nearby North Chicago public schools. Further, during the summer of 2008, she served as an unofficial chaperone for a group of students traveling to China. Paula was awarded the Alumni Distinguished Service Award in 2008 for her outstanding service and dedication to Lake Forest College.
The Forester Impact Award honors individuals who have made a significant impact on athletics at Lake Forest College through their loyal support and whose consistent and meritorious commitment has contributed to the success of Forester Athletics. More specifically, the Forester Impact Award is one of two Forester Athletic Network (F.A.N. Club) Appreciation Awards, the Golden Whistle Award being the other, that recognizes and honors members of the Forester community who, over a significant number of years, have actively supported athletics at Lake Forest College through their service, dedication, and commitment and, who by giving of themselves, have demonstrated the extraordinary spirit and pride associated with Forester Athletics and its Tradition of Excellence.
Paula Dau joins award winners Karen Hermann (2014) and Spike Gummere (2015).
Lake Forest College Athletic Department, in conjunction with the Forester Athletic Network (F.A.N. Club), will present the 2016 Forester Impact Award to Paula Dau '58 at the Athletic Recognition Ceremony during Homecoming Weekend on Saturday, October 8, 2016. She will be honored for her loyal support, voluntary contributions, and deep commitment to sustaining the Foresters' Tradition of Excellence.
A 1958 graduate of Lake Forest College, Paula was elected Homecoming Queen in 1956, was a member of the Alpha Psi Omega sorority, and was actively involved with choir and theatre. She orchestrated the College's first modern dance group on campus, served as a director of variety shows for two years, and participated in multiple school plays.
Throughout her undergraduate career, Paula worked in costuming, make-up, and design, but found that she excelled in acting. She was awarded Outstanding Supporting Actress in 1957 for her role in "Charlie's Aunt" and the following year, received the Best Actress Award for her performance in "Tea Sympathy".
Over the years, Paula has been instrumental in the success of Forester Athletics through both her active leadership as an Alumni Board member and her continual commitment and dedication as a volunteer at campus wide events. She became a life-time Alumni Board member in 2001 and has helped foster and maintain relationships with alumni, parents, and friends, and has served as a knowledgeable resource to help with student recruitment and career networking.
"Paula has been my go-to person for everything. I'm always calling her" commented Lake Forest College Senior Director of Alumni and Community Suzanne Nyren. "Paula volunteers her time every year to help with registration at Homecoming, and is always there to help with Residence Hall Move-In Day, cap and gown pick-up, matriculation, gallery openings, and Lyrica Concert Series."
As Paula herself commented, "I feel very honored to receive this award. I was taken off guard when I found out I was selected. I enjoy the student body and, of course love the College. It also goes hand in hand that I would support Mike (husband, Coach Mike Dau) and his program and be over at the athletic facility as much as I can be to see many of the games."
Outside of her Alumni Board responsibilities, Paula works with her husband, Mike Dau, as the assistant handball coach. Coach Dau noted, "Whenever the team travels, Paula travels with us. She maintains our travel schedule, wake-up calls, does the laundry every night, and then invariably will turn around and drive one of the vans home the next day...she can never do enough."
Additionally, Paula helps Coach Dau coordinate the annual Junior Handball Camp with scheduling, hosting campers at their home, and ensuring all campers' needs are met both physically and mentally. "I have a soft shoulder to lean on", says Paula. "I'm the surrogate mom and help the kids with emergencies so that it would relieve Coach from having to do all those things."
Still a fan of the Foresters, Paula continues to give generously of her time, energy, and resources. In addition to volunteering to work at athletic contests, serving as a resource to the Athletic Department staff, and supporting various fundraising initiatives, she is a faithful member of the F.A.N. Club, an annual donor in the golf outing, and a regular in the stands at home athletic and alumni contests and events.
"Paula Dau is an incredibly special part of our Forester community" commented Lake Forest College Director of Athletics Jackie Slaats. As an alumna, she has and continues to generate incredible good will and support for the College and Forester Athletics and as our assistant handball coach, she has and continues to serve a pivotal role as the program's "team mom." I honestly can't think of a more caring, generous, and spirited Forester. From her days as Homecoming queen to today, Paula Dau has been a Forester cheerleader - like no other - and I personally can't thank her enough for all she's done or love her more than I do."
Additionally, Paula's dedication across campus and in the community was felt through several philanthropic initiatives. Among them is the annual Day of Service, when Lake Forest College students, faculty, staff and alumni volunteer their Saturday to give back to the community and North Chicago Community. She has also been involved with the North Chicago Community Partners Programs, designed to achieve community improvements in nearby North Chicago public schools.
The Forester Impact Award honors individuals who have made a significant impact on athletics at Lake Forest College through their loyal support and whose consistent and meritorious commitment has contributed to the success of Forester Athletics. More specifically, the Forester Impact Award is one of two Forester Athletic Network (F.A.N. Club) Appreciation Awards, the Golden Whistle Award being the other, that recognizes and honors members of the Forester community who, over a significant number of years, have actively supported athletics at Lake Forest College through their service, dedication, and commitment and, who by giving of themselves, have demonstrated the extraordinary spirit and pride associated with Forester Athletics and its Tradition of Excellence.
Paula Dau joins award winners Karen Hermann (2014) and Spike Gummere (2015).