Northern Kentucky University announced Thursday that it will present the 18th annual Lincoln Award to Edwin and Carole Rigaud, The Honorable S. Arthur and Louise Spiegel and Paul Chellgren on Wednesday, April 22, in the NKU Student Union Ballroom.
In 1992, the Office of the President of NKU established the Lincoln Award to honor residents or former residents of Kentucky, Ohio and Indiana who exemplify the qualities of outstanding citizenship, notable achievement and distinguished service in their professions and contributions to the Northern Kentucky or Greater Cincinnati community.
Edwin and Carole Rigaud moved to Greater Cincinnati from New Orleans, La., in 1965 when he joined Procter & Gamble to begin a career in research, progressing to the level of vice president. In 1996, Edwin took a leave of absence to start one of Cincinnati’s most ambitious projects – the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center. Before long, he accepted the role of president of the center and worked tirelessly to open the center and advance the messages of freedom and justice in the world. When he retired from P&G in 2001, Edwin received a presidential appointment to the national Museum & Library Services Board and he is trustee emeritus of the National Conference for Community and Justice.
Carole is a member of the College of Mount St. Joseph Board of Trustees. She brought to Cincinnati her background as an activist for civil rights and her character as a generous, outgoing individual who believes that one effects change by getting involved. She has been a dedicated volunteer throughout her life, particularly helping children and families. She has helped raise over $10 million for charitable and arts organizations.
The Honorable S. Arthur Spiegel is a United States senior district judge. He also serves as a trustee of Lighthouse Youth Services, a multiservice agency providing social services to children, youth and families in south eastern Ohio. He has also served on the board of the National Conference of Christians & Jews. Judge Spiegel has served on the Roundtable of the Black Lawyers Association of Cincinnati and Cincinnati Bar Association. He regularly meets with students of local high schools regarding the role of the courts in our society.
Louise Spiegel is a trustee of Applied Information Resources, a non-profit public policy research and community information organization dedicated to citizen education on public issues. She has also served on the board of Dohn Community High School, a charter school in Cincinnati serving at-risk adolescents. Louise serves as a member, trustee or founder of the Cincinnati Human Relations Commission, Citizens for Civic Renewal, Cincinnatus Association, COMPASS regional planning commission, Woman’s City Club, Urban Appalachian Council and Community Shares of Greater Cincinnati.
Paul Chellgren is the former CEO and chairman of Ashland, Inc. He is a member of the governing board of the Greater Cincinnati Foundation and a trustee of the Anthem Foundation of Ohio. Chellgren is trustee emeritus of the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts. In addition to his service at NKU, where he has both taught and served on a number of university boards such as the NKU Shaping Dreams Campaign Cabinet, NKU Foundation Board and NKU Haile/US Bank College of Business MBA Advisory Board, Chellgren is also a trustee of Centre College. He is also a volunteer for the American Friends of the University College of Oxford.
This year marks the first time the Lincoln Award ceremony will be held on NKU’s campus. The event will begin with a reception at 6:30 p.m., followed by dinner at 7:15 p.m. and the award ceremony. Tickets are $50 per person and black tie is optional.
For additional information, call (859) 572-5199.
