Gurnee Park District director receives WIU alumnus award
Submitted by the Gurnee Park District
Scott Crowe, CPRE, director of recreation at the Gurnee Park District, is the recipient of the Jim Berousek Distinguished Alumnus Award from Western Illinois University.
The award was created by the WIU Recreation Park and Tourism Administration Department Alumni in honor of Jim Berousek, a 1974 graduate of the department who rose through the ranks of the industry to become the director of parks and recreation at the Wood Dale Park District. Sadly, he passed away in 1989 just short of his 38th birthday.
The Distinguished Alumnus Award seeks to keep Berousek's legacy alive by recognizing a WIU Alumnus who exemplifies the traits, dedication and service illustrated through Berousek's short but effective career to the university, community and profession.
"I am honored and humbled that other alumni in the field felt that I was worthy of this award," Crowe said. "I was truly surprised when my name was announced as the recipient of the award this year."
Crowe graduated from WIU in 1999 with a bachelor of science in recreation park and tourism administration with a minor in business management. He has been involved with WIU on and off for about 18 years.
"I've presented at their RPTA Professional Development Conference three times, met with faculty on different roundtable and task forces as well as communicate with them a few times a year," Crowe said.
Gurnee Park District is proud of the hard work and dedication Crowe demonstrates daily at the park district and in the community.
"The faculty at WIU, my colleagues and the staff at Gurnee Park District did a great job surprising me with this award. I am proud to be working in a field that is so fun and rewarding. I am thankful to the faculty at WIU, their alumni and the staff at GPD that I have the great pleasure and opportunity of working with every day. While I did not personally know Jim Berousek, I am honored to carry on the legacy of his life through this award," Crowe said.
To learn more about Crowe and his team, visit www.GurneeParkDistrict.com.
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