Monday, July 1, 2024 – The Clinton Hometown Pride committee has selected seven individuals to be inducted into the fourth class of the Clinton County Walk of Fame. The induction ceremony for the Clinton County Walk of Fame will be held on Sunday, September 22, 2024, at the Eagle Point Lodge from 4pm -7pm.
Nominations for the Walk of Fame were accepted from January through March 1st with final selections made on March 31st. Individuals could be nominated in one or more of the following categories: Professional Achievement, Fine Arts, Military, Athletics, and Humanitarian Acts. Evaluation of the nominees was conducted by members of the Nomination Committee with selection criteria including nominees’ achievements, impact on Clinton, and their ties to Clinton County.
Inductees include Louise Laurent (Humanitarian), Kenneth Ploen (Athletics), David Sivright (Professional Achievement), Glenn Drowns (Humanitarian), Shauna Greene (Athletics), Vince Jetter (Humanitarian), and Allen Paulson (Professional Achievement).
The Clinton County Walk of Fame project was created by the Clinton Hometown Pride Committee to offer both residents and visitors an interesting and innovative way to showcase and appreciate the many historic individuals who planted their roots in Clinton County. The Committee also hopes that the Walk of Fame will be inspirational, encouraging others to make a difference and to shed a positive light on Clinton County through their achievements.
The induction ceremony for the Clinton County Walk of Fame will be held on Sunday, September 22, 2024, at the Eagle Point Lodge from 4pm -7pm.
About the Inductees:
Louise Laurent-
Louise Laurent has been a cornerstone of the Clinton, Iowa community for over four decades, beginning her career as the third employee at CustomPak and later becoming deeply involved with the Kiwanis Club of Clinton in the early 1990s. Her tireless dedication has made her instrumental in organizing and supporting numerous community events, including the Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast, the YWCA’s Caring Tree, Clinton Symphony of Lights, and the Community Easter Egg Hunt. Beyond her active participation, Louise is a founding board member of The Sawmill Museum and has been a key organizer behind many of these initiatives. Her generous contributions extend to both time and financial support, impacting countless school children through Kiwanis-driven drives. Recognized with the Liberty Bell in 2017 for her community service by the Clinton County Bar Association, Louise continues to exemplify dedication and leadership in fostering a stronger, more vibrant community in Clinton.
Kenneth Ploen-
Kenneth “Ken” Ploen, born on June 3, 1935, in Lost Nation, Iowa, was a celebrated athlete and sports icon. He attended Clinton High School, where he excelled in football, track and field, and basketball, earning all-state honors before graduating in 1953. At the University of Iowa, Ken became the starting quarterback in 1956, leading the Hawkeyes to their first Big Ten Conference Championship in 35 years and securing a victory in the 1957 Rose Bowl, where he was named MVP. Known for his versatility, Ken also played a pivotal defensive role. He went on to a distinguished 11-year career in the Canadian Football League (CFL) with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, achieving multiple Grey Cup victories and earning accolades as a CFL All-Star. After retiring from football, Ken served as a respected color commentator for CFL games. His legacy was further honored with inductions into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame (1975), the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame & Museum (1987), the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame (1997), and the Iowa Sports Hall of Fame (2002). Ken Ploen passed away on February 13, 2024, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, leaving a lasting impact on sports history and the communities he touched.
David Sivright-
David Sivright has been an integral part of the Clinton community for over five decades, leaving a profound impact through his diverse roles as a lawyer, judge, philanthropist, and volunteer. Beginning his legal career at the Shaff, Van Scoy, Sivright, & Kross law firm in 1969, he practiced for over 30 years before his appointment to the Fourth District Court, where he presided from 1992 until his retirement in 2012. Beyond his judicial duties, David dedicated himself to enhancing Clinton’s quality of life as a leading philanthropist, contributing his time and resources to numerous nonprofit organizations. His leadership roles included serving on boards such as the Showboat Theater, YWCA, Grow Clinton, and the Clinton County Development Association. David’s efforts transformed the Showboat Theater from a volunteer group into a professional venue, elevating Clinton’s cultural scene. Recognized for his commitment to community service, he also volunteered extensively with the Clinton Swim Team, earning accolades as the “Swim Official of the Year” in 2002 and 2007. Throughout his career, David Sivright tirelessly promoted and enriched Clinton through his talents and dedication across educational, civic, legal, and business sectors, leaving a legacy of service and excellence
Glenn Drowns-
Glenn Drowns, known as one of the foremost folk seed savers and plant breeders of our time, resides southeast of Calamus, Iowa, where he has spent over 35 years dedicated to conserving genetic diversity in agriculture. On his 40-acre farm in Clinton County, purchased in 1988, Drowns and his wife Linda cultivate more than 2,500 varieties of heirloom vegetables, grains, and flowers through their Sand Hill Preservation Center. Their efforts have rescued over 675 endangered plant species from extinction, emphasizing the importance of genetic preservation and educating others about agricultural diversity. Beyond farming, Drowns maintains a diverse collection of heirloom poultry and manages a successful mail-order seed and chick business. His lifelong commitment to conservation and education extends to his role as an inspiring science teacher at Calamus-Wheatland Community School District for nearly 40 years. Recognized for his achievements, Drowns received the “significant achievement” award from the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy in 1999 and will be honored with the 2024 Oberholtzer Award for conservation leadership by the Nahant Marsh Education Center.
Shauna Greene-
Shauna Green, born on October 31, 1979, in Clinton, Iowa, is a distinguished American basketball coach currently leading the University of Illinois women’s basketball team. A standout athlete from Clinton High School, Shauna excelled in multiple sports, notably basketball and volleyball, where she still holds top-five records in kills and blocks. Her roots in Clinton shaped her career profoundly, where she credits her upbringing for her success in coaching. Before joining Illinois, Shauna achieved remarkable success during her six-year tenure as head coach at the University of Dayton, winning five Atlantic 10 regular-season championships and leading the Flyers to four NCAA Tournament appearances. Shauna’s coaching journey began at Loras College, followed by assistant coaching roles at Northwestern University and Providence College. She graduated from Canisius College in 2002, where she remains the all-time leading scorer in women’s basketball history and was inducted into the Canisius College Sports Hall of Fame in 2012. Alongside her coaching career, Shauna earned a master’s degree in physical education from Loras College. She resides in Illinois with her husband Andy and their son Matteo, while her parents Dave and Ann Geronzin continue to live in Clinton, Iowa.
Vince Jetter-
Vince Jetter born in 1944, honored as the namesake of the Vince Jetter Community Center, left a legacy of community service and advocacy before his passing in 2006. His extensive involvement spanned initiatives such as Habitat for Humanity, Voices of Diversity, and chronicling local black history. He was instrumental in founding a community nonviolence organization and organizing events like the wild game dinner at Bethel AME Church. Vince’s commitment to numerous organizations, including the Clinton Substance Abuse Council, NAACP, and 4-H Club, reflected his dedication to improving the Clinton community. His impact resonates through the Vince Jetter Community Center, established in 1992, and continues to serve as a testament to his profound influence on fostering unity and social progress in Clinton, Iowa.
Allen Paulson-
Allen Eugene Paulson (April 22, 1922 – July 19, 2000) was a renowned American businessman, racehorse owner/breeder, and philanthropist, born in Clinton, Iowa. Rising from humble beginnings, Paulson started working independently at 13, eventually supporting himself through odd jobs until he moved to California in 1937. After serving in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II and gaining engineering knowledge at the University of West Virginia, Paulson returned to TWA as a flight engineer and later commercial pilot. His entrepreneurial spirit led him to establish a successful business selling surplus airplane parts, eventually founding Gulfstream Aerospace, which became the world’s largest manufacturer of private jets. In 1985, Paulson sold Gulfstream to Chrysler for $637 million, marking a significant milestone in aviation history. Beyond aviation, Paulson excelled in thoroughbred horse racing, notably with his horse “Cigar,” and contributed generously to philanthropic causes, including the construction of the Allen E. Paulson Stadium at Georgia Southern University. Allen Paulson’s legacy is celebrated with numerous awards, including the Harmon Trophy and induction into the Georgia Aviation Hall of Fame, reflecting his enduring impact on both aviation and sports.
Contact Information for details and purchase of tickets:
Matthew Parbs
Vice President of Economic & Community Development- Grow Clinton
563-242-5702
mparbs@growclinton.com
website: thesawmillmuseum.org/ccwof.
Clinton, IA – Monday, July 1, 2024