Rhea Eckel Clark Citizenship Award

The Rhea Eckel Clark Citizenship Award was established in 1985 in memory of Rhea Eckel Clark, one of the founders of the Central New York Regional Planning and Development Board.

This award is dedicated to the spirit and memory of the late Rhea Eckel Clark, one of the founders of the CNY RPDB. Mrs. Clark distinguished herself throughout her career by working to help improve the quality of life in Central New York by addressing issues of regional significance such as education, health care, community revitalization, environmental protection, and social justice.

Mrs. Clark spent three terms as chairperson of the CNY RPDB from 1967-1969. During this period she helped to direct the agency through its formative stages and initiated work on a range of comprehensive planning issues confronting the Central New York community.

In addition to her work with the CNY RPDB, Mrs. Clark was president of Cazenovia College from April 1957 to March 1971. She was also named director of the American Management Association for a three-year period beginning in 1968. Upon retiring from her presidency of Cazenovia College, Mrs. Clark headed Governor Rockefeller's State Commission of the Aging.

Before coming to Cazenovia College, Mrs. Clark spent eight years with the New York University School of Education as assistant to the dean and consultant for community education and development. Previously, Mrs. Clark was executive secretary for New York State Citizens Council, Inc., and in 1949, she served in Germany as a visiting consultant to the U.S. Army of Occupation Program. During her lifetime, Mrs. Clark received a number of honors including the 14th Colgate Civics Awards presented to area men and women "who have exemplified, by their own generous service, the principle of democracy in action." Mrs. Rhea Eckel was married to Dr. Wesley C. Clark. Dr. Wesley Clark was dean of the Syracuse University School of Journalism for more than 20 years.

Criteria

The recipient of this award must:

• Provide strong regional leadership;
• Help implement programs that have improved the quality of life in CNY; and
• Support efforts that foster intergovernmental cooperation and civic participation.

Mary Anne Messinger, CNY RPDB's 2009 REC Award Recipient

Mary Anne Messinger (left) receives the CNY RPDB's Rhea Eckel Clark Citizenship Award from Board Chairwoman Kathleen Rapp at the Board's 2009 Annual Meeting

Mary Ann Messinger was named the recipient of the 24th annual Rhea Eckel Clark Citizenship Award at the Central New York Regional Planning and Development Board’s annual meeting that was held on December 16, 2009.

Ms. Messinger was born in Syracuse and is a life resident of the Bridgeport community in Madison County. Ms. Messinger received a Bachelor of History degree from Trinity College in Washington, DC, and a Master of Human Resource Management from Chapman University in Orange, California, and began her professional career in Central New York working as a teacher in the Chittenango School District. During this time, she organized a number of community volunteer groups to help supplement the District’s staff resources. Ultimately this work led to Ms. Messinger being elected to a seat on the Chittenango Board of Education where she served for many years, several as its Chairperson.

Her work in the education field included several terms of office as a member of the Central New York School Board Association during which time she was honored with the Association’s President’s Award and Dedicated Service Award. Ms. Messinger also spent time working in close association with the NYS School Board’s Association, where she traveled around the State to conduct seminars and training sessions on school board policy and board superintendent relationships and responsibilities.

In addition to her work in the field of education, Ms. Messinger became immersed in community planning issues first in the Town of Sullivan and then as a member of the Madison County Planning Board. This community service work led to her appointment as a member of the CNY RPDB, where she has served for many years including several terms as Chairperson. During this period, she also served on the board of directors and as chairperson of the NYS Association of Regional Councils. Ms. Messinger continues to serve as a member of the CNY RPDB and currently serves as Chair of the CNY Enterprise Development Corporation, a non-profit organization established by the CNY RPDB to manage a regional small business loan program in Central New York.

Past Recipients