A professional basketball executive, a distinguished scientist and a nationally-known magician will become the newest members of the West Virginia University Alumni Associations Academy of Distinguished Alumni during induction ceremonies at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 8, at Erickson Alumni Center.
“This years class is a rich blend of alumni representing excellence in business and administration, science and research, and the performing arts,”said Association Executive Director Steve Douglas. They are: Rod Thorn,Dr. Jennie C. Hunter-CeveraandMichael Ammar.
Rod Thorn
Thorn, an All-American on the WVU mens basketball team in the early 1960s, was drafted into the NBA in 1963. He joined the NBA with a few academic hours outstanding and later completed his degree at the University of Washington in Seattle. WVU awarded him a Regents Bachelors of Arts degree in 2000.
After eight years in the NBA and stints as a professional basketball coach and general manager, he became the NBA s executive vice-president of basketball operations in 1985. In 2000, he assumed his current position as president and general manager of the New Jersey Nets. In 1992, Thorn was inducted into the WVU Sports Hall of Fame. Last year, he was named the NBA s Executive of the Year by Sporting News. Thorn, born in Weirton and raised in Princeton, is a member of the WVU Board of Governors. He resides in Rye, N.Y.
Dr. Jennie C. Hunter-Cevera
Hunter-Cevera, a native of Monessen, Pa., received both bachelors and masters degrees from WVU , in biology and microbiology respectively, before earning a doctorate in microbiology from RutgersUniversity in 1978.
She has served as head of the Center for Environmental Biotechnology at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, as project manager for the California Institute of Food and Agriculture, and as a research scientist and director for a number of commercial biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies. In 1999, she was appointed president of the University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute. Recently, Dr. Hunter-Ceveras dedication to the solution of practical problems led her to establish the Appalachian Center for Ethnobotanical Studies in collaboration with WVU and FrostburgState. This center will integrate modern molecular biology with indigenous knowledge of the plants of the Appalachian Mountains.
In 1995, Hunter-Cevera was elected to the AmericanAcademy of Microbiology and in 1999 was named the Nath Lecturer at WVU .
Michael Ammar
Ammar, a native of Logan, received a bachelors degree in business administration from WVU in 1978.
Today, he is recognized worldwide as one of the greatest living performers of magic. In 1982, Ammar became only the second American in the 45-year history of Lausanne, Switzerlands World Congress of Magic to win the gold medal in close-up magic.
By 1990, the Academy of Magical Arts in Hollywood had awarded him its Oscar equivalent in all six separate categories, the maximum number of voted awards for which he is eligible. In 1999, Magic Magazine listed Ammar as one of the most influential magicians of the 20th century. At George W. Bushs presidential inaugural banquet, he performed and coordinated all magic talent.
Currently, Ammar is on a 100-city U.S. lecture tour, marking the 100th anniversary of the Society of American Magicians.
The Academy of Distinguished Alumni brings special recognition to WVU graduates who have made exceptional achievements and contributions to mankind. Past recipients include Jerry West, member of the National Basketball Association Hall of Fame; pro football Hall of Famer Sam Huff; best-selling author Stephen Coontz; actor David Selby; and Pulitzer Prize-winning journalists George Esper and Terry Wimmer.
“This years additions will continue to honor our tradition of excellence at West VirginiaUniversity,”Douglas said.”We are extremely pleased these outstanding graduates are members of the University family.”
The WVU Alumni Association, chartered in 1873, represents more than 145,000 university graduates residing in every county in West Virginia, every state in the union and approximately 60 foreign nations. With nearly 100 registered chapters and constituent groups, the Associations 26,000 dues-paying members support Homecoming Weekend, the WVU Academy of Distinguished Alumni and dozens of other social and philanthropic programs.