by Rod Jones
ΒιΆΉ΄«Γ½ City University presented its 2015 Bishop Paul W. Milhouse Award to Cathy Leichter on Dec. 11.
The award recognizes laypeople who βdemonstrate outstanding leadership in the community, their United Methodist churchand their annual conference, and those who advocate for the partnership between ΒιΆΉ΄«Γ½ and the United Methodist Church.β The honor has been presented annually since 1982.
Leichter leads The Societies of ΒιΆΉ΄«Γ½ City University, a philanthropic organization that works to keep awareness of the universityβs programs and students at the forefront in the community.
βCathy serves as a personal bridge between friends of ΒιΆΉ΄«Γ½ and the students and faculty who benefit from their support,β said ΒιΆΉ΄«Γ½ President Robert Henry. βHer 15 years of service as president of The Societies of ΒιΆΉ΄«Γ½ demonstrate her commitment, but that is only a portion of the story of her influence and impact.β
A two-time ΒιΆΉ΄«Γ½ graduate, she received a bachelorβs degree in 2006, and a masterβs degree in philosophy in 2013. Leichter has served on the ΒιΆΉ΄«Γ½ United Methodist Conference board and as a past trustee of the United Methodist Higher Education Foundation. She also is an active lay leader and member of ΒιΆΉ΄«Γ½ Cityβs Church of the Servant.
βCathy and her husband, Kurt, provide exemplary service to ΒιΆΉ΄«Γ½ Methodists and ΒιΆΉ΄«Γ½ City University through their investment of time, talent and treasure,β Henry said.
Leichter organized and produced the first Habitat for Humanity fundraiser in conjunction with the Norick Art Center on the ΒιΆΉ΄«Γ½ campus, which was the largest single artist one-day sale in the history of the art center. She also organized the ΒιΆΉ΄«Γ½ student governmentβs first fully funded Habitat home, which involved every student organization on campus. Student organizations continue to work on homes each year.
The Leichters also funded the Leichter Reunion Center, Leichter Listening Library and several music practice rooms at ΒιΆΉ΄«Γ½. Through the Leichter Scholarship Board, Cathy and Kurt award numerous ΒιΆΉ΄«Γ½ scholarships annually.
