By Dick Mason

Observer Staff Writer

Two Union County leaders of vision and inspiration are being saluted by Eastern Oregon University.

Dixie Lund and Danae Yurgel have each received Eastern's 2002 Women of Courage and Vision awards. The awards were presented Friday at Loso Hall during a celebration of International Women's Day.

Lund is being recognized for her work as dean of EOU's division of continuing education. Yurgel is being saluted for the work she has done over the past decade as an advocate for women and children in Union County.

Lund is completing her 30th year at EOU and has been with its Division of Distance Education for 23 years. She has been the division's dean since 1994.

Lund was moved by the honor.

"I am incredibly grateful. I never aspired to be in the position I am in,'' Lund said.

Under Lund's leadership, enrollment in Eastern's distance education program has increased by about 30 percent each of the last three years.

Lund credits support from her family and a "remarkable staff'' for the program's success.

Joe Hart, EOU's distance learning coordinator, said that Lund has a special ability to get staff to work as a team and bring out the best of its talents. Hart said Lund also has a remarkable work ethic.

"She is emotionally involved; she really cares and this shows. This inspires people,'' Hart said.

Hart said Lund inspires with her vision.

"She has a sense of looking forward to something meaningful and vibrant,'' Hart said.

Much of the work Yurgel has done as an advocate for women and children has been done while working with Shelter from the Storm, a domestic violence shelter.

Cherie Kausler, an Eastern Oregon Head Start teacher, spoke highly of the work Yurgel has done.

"Supporting families in crisis is hard, but her commitment was amazing,'' Kausler said.

In 1992 Yurgel and her husband, David Tift, opened a martial arts and movement center called Takemusukai.

While accepting the award Yurgel said the award is a salute to many in Union County.

"No accomplishment ever happens in a vacuum,'' she said.

"I am accepting this award on behalf of all women and girls in Union County for what we can accomplish together.''

Kausler said that the extent that Yurgel has helped people is remarkable.

"In the decade I have known Danae, I have witnessed countless acts of kindness, courage and vision on her part,'' Kausler said.

She recalled that there were times when Yurgel has taught classes after getting almost no sleep the night before because she had been up manning the Shelter's hot line.

"The lessons that I have learned from Danae are invaluable. By remaining consistent in her vision, Danae has modeled kindness, strength, courage and advocacy,'' Kausler said.