Members of the Keene community came together at the Keene Chamber of Commerce’s 29^th Annual Awards Banquet on Thursday evening, October 27. Each year the Keene Chamber of Commerce recognizes individuals making a positive impact in the Keene community. Southwestern Adventist University honorees for this year included Dr. Paulino Santos-Andino as Educator of the Year, Mr. Ellis Hainey as the winner of the Pioneer Award, and Mr. Jerry Becker as Citizen of the Year.

The Educator of the Year award honors one who demonstrates excellence in the classroom and goes the extra mile by being involved in students' lives beyond the classroom. Southwestern Adventist University educators and administrators agreed Kinesiology Associate Professor Dr. Paulino Santos-Andino fit that description.

For the Pioneer award, members of the Keene Chamber of Commerce recognized Southwestern Adventist University’s Ellis Hainey, an engineer in the Plant Engineering Department, for his extensive contributions over time and his continued influence that helps make Keene what it is today.

Mr. Jerry Becker, volunteer observatory manager of Southwestern Adventist University’s Thomsen Observatory, was called forward to receive the final award of the evening, Citizen of the Year. He was named as this year’s model citizen who continuously gives dedicated and extensive service to individuals, organizations, and the community.

Dr. Donna Berkner, vice president for academic administration, represented Southwestern Adventist University at the awards banquet. “It was an honor to join friends of Southwestern, Dr. Paulino Santos-Andino, Ellis Hainey, and Jerry Becker, who received well-deserved awards. We are proud that they are partners and team members with Southwestern Adventist University,” she said.