Doylestown Rotary honors community members for 2013

Honoree – Health Care:

Kevin A. Cody

Kevin A. Cody spent his entire professional career in various aspects of health care. His academic appointments include Professor of Physical Therapy and Director of Graduate Studies at Temple University, Professor and Chairman of Physical Therapy and Dean of the College of Health Sciences at The University of the Sciences (formally known as the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science). On retirement he was awarded Professor Emeritus status. He is the author of nineteen articles and professional presentations. He received his A.B. degree from Fordham University and his M.A. and PH. D degrees from New York University. He began his professional career as a physical therapist at the New York State Rehabilitation Hospital treating polio patients. Subsequently, he served as an Associate Research Scientist and Assistant Project Director in prosthetic research at New York University’s College of Engineering and Science and as Senior Research Scientist and Project Manager at the Krusen Research Center (Temple University) in Philadelphia. His previous community activities included service as a member of the board of directors of Foundations Behavioral Health, and as a member of the Allocations Committee of United Way and as an instructor in adult literacy with VITA. He presently serves as a patient advocate in the pharmacy assist program at the Ann Silverman Community Health Clinic. Kevin and his late wife have five children, twelve grandchildren and one great-grandchild. He lives in Doylestown.

Honoree – Community:

Liz Biester

Liz Biester Graduated from Hastings-on-Hudson High School in Hastings, N.Y. and Smith College in Northampton, Mass, where she majored in history. She moved to PA after marrying Edward Biester after college and is the proud parent of four adult children Ann, Edward III, James and David and nine grandchildren. Liz has been active in the Bucks County community for most of her adult life. She served as a leader of her children’s Parent Teacher Organization and a Girl Scout leader. She also served on the Board of Directors for the Melinda Cox Library Board and Chair of the Education Committee for Georgetown Civic Association. Liz also served as President of Welcome House Adoption Agency and was active in the merger of Welcome House with the Pearl S. Buck Foundation. She served as Vice President of the Foundation Board after the merger and as Program Board Chair of Welcome House at Pearl S. Buck International many years later. Liz also served as President of the New Hope League of Women Voters, Chair of the Bucks County League of Women Voters, and on the Board of Directors of NOVA. Presently, Liz is a member of the Tohickon Garden Club and an Emeritus Board Member at NOVA and Pearl S. Buck International.

 

Honoree – Business:

Deborah Albus Wagner

Deborah Albus Wagner is a successful entrepreneur and President of The Graphic Edge Marketing Design Agency in Doylestown, Pa. Her career spans 32 years in the Bucks County, Pa area. As a graduate of Moore College of Art trained in illustration, her expertise includes but is not limited to packaging, spiral labels, fine art, logos and branding, business cards, brochures, advertising marketing packages, web design and more. Not to mention the newest technology for smart phones and mobile tools. She has also been a consulting specialist in spiral labeling throughout the eastern and central United States.Deborah is very active in the Central Bucks Chamber of Commerce, as a newly appointed Director on the Board of the Chamber, Co-Chair of Women in Business and Bucks Fever Spectacular, as an Ambassador for the Chamber and as a member on many of the various committees. Deborah is involved with helping today’s youth, as a member on the Central Bucks School District accreditation board and a judge for the advancement of student art and design competition. Her path as an avid volunteer in sports began with the youth and teens in our area. She was involved with Doylestown Athletic Association, Central Bucks Athletic Association and Central Bucks East High School girls and boys soccer teams.Deborah is an active Committee Woman for the Republican party and a past Executive Committee Woman. She finds time in her busy life to be a devoted wife to Tom, mother of 2 and caretaker for her Golden Retriever and West Highland White terrier. “I am happy helping the youth today knowing they will make a difference tomorrow.”

Honoree – Non-Profit:

Rodger C. Collins

Honoree – Education:

Dr. James J. Linksz

Jim Linksz served as third president of Bucks County Community College from 1992-2012. He presided over significant expansions of the college’s work, including new campus sites in Upper and Lower Bucks, extensive building additions at the Newtown campus, and expansion of Emergency Services education at the Doylestown site and Lower Bucks Training academy site in Bristol, as well as programming offered internationally. This same period also saw major expansions in use of technology in teaching as well as in highly regarded distance learning programs, and expanded work with business and industry clients. Jim also served three terms as President of the Council of Community College Presidents, as President of the PA Commission for Community Colleges, and as founding president of the PA Virtual Community College. He received numerous awards from a variety of local and national organizations over the course of his 45 year career in higher education. Jim received his AB from Dartmouth, and both MA and EdD from Columbia, in addition to attending Harvard’s Institute for Educational Management. Prior to coming to Bucks he served as chief academic officer at two community colleges. Jim’s community services interests include Pearl S. Buck International, The David Library of the American Revolution, the Bristol Riverside Theater, the Doylestown Presbyterian Church, a number of advisory board roles for the YWCA, St. Mary Hospital Foundation, Children’s Cultural Center, as well as service on several task teams convened by the county. Jim’s wife, Dr. Donna Linksz, retired recently as the Dean of Math and Science at the largest community college in Maryland. They have three married children and two grandchildren.