Junior Achievement of Southwestern Indiana Dedicates Dubois County Business Hall of Fame Exhibit at County Museum

Jasper - Wednesday evening, Junior Achievement of Southwestern Indiana dedicated a permanent Dubois County Business Hall of Fame exhibit to the Dubois County Museum.

Though Junior Achievement has been in the county since 1975, the Dubois Business Hall of Fame is a much more recent development, says Ruth Wilson, Regional Manager of Junior Achievement of Southwestern Indiana.

“In 2015, the advisory board here in Dubois County wanted to do a Business Hall of Fame event honoring laureates, community leaders, and the county to honor their successes and contributions to the county," Wilson said. "They wanted a permanent display to be able to display those monuments as well as some history with Junior Achievement."

Attendees of Wednesday evening's event, sponsored by Dentons-Bingham-Greenebaum, saw the exhibit become a reality. United Cabinet Foundation was the lead sponsor for the museum exhibit.

Adorning the exhibit walls are the pictures and biographies of previous inductees honored for business contributions in Dubois County. This year's inductees, Gilbert "Gib" Verkamp and the late Jerry Seger, will be inducted in a ceremony on Thursday, October 28th.

After a year without meeting face-to-face, being able to host an event in person is refreshing, said Marcia Forston, President of Junior Achievement of Southwestern Indiana.

“We miss being together, I mean, it’s just the human connection, feel the energy in here – you don’t feel that energy over a zoom call."

The year apart has been difficult for Junior Achievement members, and the students  that the organization supports.

“Kids need more support than ever before and there’s been a lot of isolation that’s gone on as a result of that, and that affects all of us," Forston said. "The research is showing that mentors and caring adults in a kid’s life can make a difference in that, and help to relieve, and that includes JA volunteers.”

Even during a turbulent past year, Junior Achievement in Dubois County is right on pace with last year's level of children supported.

“We want to be a solution provider for schools in the area. Last year I think we impacted, even during a pandemic year, we impacted over 3,000 students within Dubois County – and it looks like we’re going to be on track to do that this year as well.”

The exhibit was made possible by: United Cabinet Foundation, The Schwenk Family Foundation, Kimball International, Branded by Woods, Doug Bawel, Doug and Nancy Habig, Mr. Marc and Jeanne Campbell, the Dubois County Museum, Jasper Engines and Transmissions, Knies Flooring, Mark Hoffman, Mehringer Brothers Plastering, OFS, SERVUS!, Seufert Construction, 2 Sign Guys, Uebelhor TV, and Weyer Electric.

More information about Junior Achievement of Southwestern Indiana can be found at: https://swindiana.ja.org/