The Horatio Alger Association Announces Award Recipients for 2011

Norman Vincent Peale Award Recipient is Dore Energy Corporation President William J. Dore

WASHINGTON, Nov. 29, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- The board of directors of the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans, Inc., is pleased to announce the Horatio Alger Award Recipients for 2011. The 11 outstanding individuals who have accomplished remarkable achievements through hard work, self-reliance and perseverance are:

Roger Eugene Ailes, Chairman and CEO, FOX News Channel and Chairman, Fox Television Stations Group

Anousheh Ansari, Co-Founder and CEO, Prodea Systems, Inc. and Spaceflight Participant, Russian Space Program

Michael R. Bloomberg, Mayor, City of New York and Founder and Owner, Bloomberg, L.P.

Frederic V. Malek, Founder and Chairman, Thayer Capital Partners

Harry S. Patten, Founder, Chairman and CEO, National Land Partners, LLC and Inland Management

Josue "Joe" Robles, Jr., President and Chief Executive Officer, United Services Automobile Association (USAA)

James E. "Jim" Rohr, Chairman and CEO, PNC Financial Services Group (PNC Bank)

Glenn Stearns, Chairman and Owner, Stearns Corporation

Byron David Trott, Managing Partner and Chief Investment Officer, BDT Capital Partners, LLC

Rick Waugh, President, Chief Executive Officer and Director, Scotiabank (International Award Recipient–Canada)

Herbert A. Wertheim, Chairman and CEO, Brain Power, Inc., Chairman, Dr. Herbert and Nicole Wertheim Family Foundation, Founding Chairman, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine Florida International University

"We are proud to announce the Horatio Alger Class of 2011, as each individual represents the values and ideals that we uphold at the Horatio Alger Association," said Tony Novelly, president and CEO, Horatio Alger Association. "We are honored that these individuals will contribute to our continued growth in an economic time when youth need our assistance more than ever."

Members of the association are those who have been honored with the Horatio Alger Award. Recipients are dedicated community leaders who demonstrate initiative and commitment to excellence – illustrated by extraordinary achievements accomplished through honesty, hard work, self-reliance and perseverance over adversity. Potential members must have a strong commitment to assisting those less fortunate and be willing to contribute to the mission of providing scholarships for younger generations.

During the awards ceremony in April 2011, the 2011 Norman Vincent Peale Award will be presented to Dore Energy Corporation President, William J. Dore. The Norman Vincent Peale Award is annually conferred on an association member who has made exceptional humanitarian contributions to society, who has been an active participant in the association, and who continues to exhibit courage, tenacity and integrity in the face of great challenges. The award is named in honor of Dr. Peale, who was an outstanding leader of the association for more than 40 years.  

Dore was born and raised in Louisiana. He learned his strong work ethic and moral standards from his hard-working parents and grandparents. The Dores moved often and wherever they lived, Dore worked. In high school, Dore's athletic ability won him five scholarship offers to universities. He chose McNeese University in Lake Charles, Louisiana, where he pursued a degree in education. While in college, Dore had many jobs and worked hard to support himself. As a senior he was named Most Outstanding Student Teacher. Dore went back to school and earned a master's degree. After many jobs in New Orleans, Dore bought a small rental company. Dore doubled business every year for six to eight years. His business, which became Global Industries, Ltd., went from being a small diving company in the Gulf of Mexico to an international corporation.

Dore says his Horatio Alger Award is one of the greatest honors he has ever received. "To be recognized in this way and to be associated with the individuals who preceded me is humbling…It also brings with it a commitment that I will never forget the road from which I have come, and brings with it an obligation to help young people burdened by adversities similar to mine."

The new members will be inducted next spring in Washington, D.C., at the Horatio Alger Awards Induction Ceremonies. Festivities will take place April 7-9, 2011, and will include three days of meetings and celebrations in some of the nation's most historic buildings. The Horatio Alger National Scholars, remarkable high school seniors, are also formally honored during the three-day gathering.

About The Horatio Alger Association

Founded in 1947, the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans continues to fulfill its mission of honoring the achievements of outstanding individuals in our society who have succeeded in spite of adversity and of encouraging young people to pursue their dreams through higher education. The Horatio Alger Association offers three annual scholarship programs: the National Scholarship Program, state scholarship programs, and graduate grants. The association will have awarded more than $87 million in scholarships through 2012 to at-risk students determined to earn college degrees. The association is a Combined Federal Campaign participant; # 77062. For more information, please visit www.horatioalger.org

SOURCE Horatio Alger Association