Public Education Foundation honors Greenspun family

Monday, Sept. 25, 2000 | 11:49 a.m.

Sun publisher Barbara Greenspun and family were recognized Saturday for more than 50 years of contributing to public education in Southern Nevada at the Clark County Public Education Foundation's annual dinner.

Children in knickers and hats passed out Education Hero 2000 Special Edition newspapers highlighting contributions the Greenspuns have made to benefit children in Southern Nevada. Contributing writers included Sun executive editor Mike O'Callaghan, Sun assistant to the publisher Ruthe Deskin, political consultant Sig Rogich and UNLV President Carol Harter.

Rogich, president of the foundation and longtime friend of the Greenspuns, referred to the family as "heroes for us all."

The Greenspuns, for whom a middle school in Henderson is named, have contributed more than $1 million to the foundation since its inception, Executive Director Judi Steele said. The family has given to universities, health education, cultural programs and library programs, she said.

"This is a family that came to this community when it was in its infancy, recognized the value of education and quality of life, and made things happen," Steele said. "Hank and Barbara Greenspun have passed to their children and grandchildren the tradition of serving, giving and caring."

Nearly 600 people attended the event held at the Four Seasons hotel. The event also serves as a fund-raiser for the organization. Steele said more than $450,000 was raised.

The Clark County Public Education Foundation is a nonprofit, independent organization designed to mobilize the community to improve public education.

This is the fourth year the Hero Award has been presented. Past recipients include Gov. Kenny Guinn, who also was Clark County schools superintendent; Billy Vassiliadis, chief executive officer of political consulting and advertising firm R&R Partners; and John Goolsby, former president and chief executive officer of the Howard Hughes Corp.