4 Jefferson Awards finalists named

The 2013 Toledo-area Jefferson Awards finalists are, from left: Dean Ludwig, Joan Durgin, Laneta Goings, and Tony Siebeneck.

Four finalists for the Jefferson Awards were named today at a breakfast ceremony at Parkway Place in Maumee.

The four area regional winners -- Joan Durgin, Laneta Goings, Dean Ludwig, and Tony Siebeneck -- were selected from 14 finalists and 61 nominees. Other finalists included: Lee Armstrong, Linda Bayer, Dr. Jim Bingle, Richard Buchholz, Ford Cauffiel, Jim Gildea, Joan Gordon, Dawn Hall, Richard LaValley, Jr., and Jack Truhaft. 

Ms. Durgin is the founder of the Polly Fox Academy for pregnant teenagers; Ms. Goings and most recently helped launch Books 4 Buddies, which collects new and gently used books to be given to disadvantaged youth in the area; Mr. Ludwig is the founder of the University of Toledo's Center for Family Business, and Mr. Siebeneck established Feed Lucas County Children, Inc.

The nomination packets of the four will be sent to a national committee to be judged. The committee will choose one of the finalists to represent the region in the national competition, which will take place in Washington later this year. The American Institute for Public Service has awarded the Jefferson Awards for Public Service prize since 1972.

St. Ursula Academy was also chosen to represent the Toledo region in Washington, D.C., for the Youth Jefferson Awards/Students In Action program. Thirty-one high schools competed for the nomination this year.

The event was sponsored by The Blade, Buckeye CableSystem, WGTV 13abc, Leadership Toledo, The Andersons and Waterford Bank.