Outstanding Citizens of the Year

Just this last Thursday, Spencer and I attended an event honoring Les and Linda, (my in-laws) as Orem's Outstanding Citizens of the Year. My oldest niece Rayanne was kind enough to babysit the boys for us so we could enjoy the evening with out fits and messy diapers. It was a great night- the food was delicious and the speeches were thoughtful. Spencer's parents weren't honored until after all the other recipients had been awarded. Spencer and I were quite proud to see his parents contributions and services recognized and honored. They're a fabulous couple.
Below is a picture that was taken of them from Orem's local paper, The Daily Herald. I've also pasted in the following article that was written about the event.


Friday, October 26, 2007
Local individuals, businesses honored

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Grace Leong - DAILY HERALD
Les and Linda Campbell named Outstanding Citizens of the Year
Les Campbell and his wife, Linda, were pleasantly surprised when they discovered they were to receive the Arthur V. Watkins Outstanding Citizens award for 2007. But their joy turned to pride when they found one of Les' former students, Tom Macdonald, was also honored as Businessman of the Year at the Provo-Orem Chamber of Commerce's annual Watkins business and public service awards ceremony on Thursday evening.

"He really does deserve that award," said Les Campbell of Macdonald, who was his former seminary student at Orem High School. "When he came into the position as CEO for Canyon Park Technology, their office occupancy went from 50 percent to more than 90 percent. Now isn't that business savvy? I've also been on the Commission for Economic Development board with him, and he has a very bright mind and a quick delightful sense of humor. Maybe that's what got him into trouble with me."

Campbell, who has taught more than 5,000 students in his teaching career of more than 40 years at Orem schools including Mountainview High, Orem High and Orem Junior, recalled he once threw Macdonald out of his seminary class for misbehavior.

"He was 14 years old then. We laugh about it now," Campbell said. Les retired from the LDS Church Education System in 2005 and currently serves at the Mt. Timpanogos Temple, the Missionary Training Center and as a religious instructor at the Seville Retirement Center.

Campbell, who is currently completing his second term on the Orem City Council, and his wife, Linda, who serves as house manager for the SCERA Center for the Arts, were among those who actively supported passing the CARE tax or Cultural Arts and Recreation Enrichment tax in Orem, so more funding will be available for cultural arts and recreation. He is a member of the International Wood Collectors' Society and an avid wood collector and carver.

"We feel that cultural arts is critical to the development of the inner soul. Often, the arts aren't at the forefront like sports, and I love them both," Linda said.

She has 12 years of service on the Alpine School District Board of Education. She was key club advisor at Independence High School and also taught at the American Heritage School in Pleasant Grove. She has served on local and state boards, commissions and in various women's organizations.

The public service awards are named for Sen. Arthur V. Watkins and honor local business owners and community leaders. Watkins, who was elected a district judge in 1928, served as U.S. senator for Utah for 12 years. He was instrumental in securing funding for the Central Utah Project, which brought water to the Wasatch Front. He was a Utah County resident for much of his life and played a key role in establishing the SCERA Center.