Many thanks to all who joined the American Foundation for the Blind in celebrating individuals who have made superb contributions to improving the lives of people who are blind or have low vision. For those of you who were unable to attend, the celebration was recorded, captioned, and ASL interpreted for you.
Mr. Rod Haneline and Dr. Michael Schermer were recognized for their stellar achievements with the presentation of the 2020 Migel Medal. Mr. Anthony R. Candela received the Stephen Garff Marriott Award, and this year's Corinne Kirchner Research Award was presented to the Institute of Movement Studies for Individuals with Visual Impairments (IMSVI) research team, represented by Dr. Lauren Lieberman. Learn more about these extraordinary honorees.
A Thank You Message From Dr. Michael Schermer
Dr. Schermer was unable to attend the ceremony due to a family emergency, but sent the following remarks:
Thanks to all those at AFB who put life in the organization and who sponsor these awards. I will say that this is an unexpected honor for me. It’s frosting on the cake. The cake is being able to provide some assistance that makes the lives of others just a little bit better. There is an aphorism about the teacher learning more from the students than the students learn from him or her, or better yet, the one that simply goes,” You get what you give.”
In June of 2019 my wife of 53 years suffered an acute dissection of her aorta. She survived emergency open heart surgery. This was just a few weeks before the California State Fair. I knew that for the first time in 30 years I would have to cancel this special day at the fair. Most years it is the best day of the year for me, it’s what I call “A party for the senses.” The word got out in the visually impaired community and of course everyone understood. Shortly after that I found a beautiful purple orchid on my desk. It was for my wife who was still in the hospital. The card simply said. “We are praying for your wife’s speedy recovery, Wanda and Angela.”
I thought the beautiful orchid was from Wanda one of the opticians in our office and Angela one of the optometrists. That was a strange pairing because those two had little contact at work. Later in the day when I mentioned this to my office manager she said, “No the orchids are from Wanda and Angela who go to the fair with you.” When I learned this I just burst with heartfelt emotions. These two women had never met my wife, they had their own challenges in life, yet they found a way to brighten my day and hers. Now every time I see an orchid I think of Wanda and Angela and more than that I think that this was just another unforeseen lesson for me in getting what I give.
I’ll cherish the Migel Medal.
Thank you again.
Video Transcript
Dr. Kirk Adams: Hello! Welcome, everyone. This is Dr. Kirk Adams, the President and CEO of the American Foundation for the Blind. It says "good afternoon" on my notes, but it is "good morning" for those of us on the West Coast. So thank you for joining us wherever you are. Much appreciated. This is our first ever AFB Virtual Awards Celebration, the Migel Medal, the Stephen Garff Marriott Award, and the Corinne Kirchner Research Award are all an integral aspect of the AFB Leadership Conference.
Last spring, when we had to pivot the conference to virtual format because of the pandemic, we also had to postpone our award ceremonies. And I'm delighted to be here today to keep this great tradition alive, honoring our leaders in the blindness fields for their amazing accomplishments. Unfortunately, we are sad to say that Dr. Schermer had a family emergency and is not able to join us today. We send him and his family our very best wishes.
Before we begin, a brief bit of housekeeping. I would like to thank our ASL interpreter and live captioner. For those who would like to use the live captioning feature, we will share the link in the chat window. I would also like to thank our friends at Bridge Multimedia for their work on producing this event. And of course our thanks to all our nominators, the Migel committee, our recipients, and Dr. Mike Bina, all of whom have been so gracious with their time.
Our program today will have me introducing each of the awards before inviting respective honorees to unmute themselves – always the task these days, to unmute, remember to unmute – to give an acceptance speech. And at the end, Dr. Bina will share some of the comments and congratulations we've received on behalf of our award recipients. Also, please feel free to share your notes in the chat and we will make sure the honorees receive them. For any of your friends, family, or colleagues who are unable to attend today's live celebration, I am happy to note that this session is being recorded and will be made available at AFB.ORG.
So, without further ado, let's begin with the Migel Medal. Sharing the screen with me right now should be an image of Rod Haneline's Migel Medal, which is stored in a wooden box with a black velvet inlay. For those of you who have never hefted a Migel Medal, it is substantial. On the left, there's a metal plate with lettering and braille, and on the right is the medal itself, which is a gold color and features a woman with wings holding a torch and the words "American Foundation for the Blind" along the edge.
The Migel Medal lunchen is always one of our Leadership Conference highlights, and we are thrilled to lead this virtual celebration with this high honor. The Migel Medal was established in 1937 by M.C. Migel, the first chairperson of AFB, to honor those whose dedication and achievements have significantly improved the lives of people with vision loss. Today, it is the highest honor in the blindness field, and given to recognize those whose life's work has greatly improved services to people with vision loss on a national level. The medal is typically awarded to two recipients: one in the professional, and one in the volunteer arena.
Rod Haneline is the 2020 recipient in the professional category. Rod is a greatly respected and sought-after expert in dog guide programs, both nationally and internationally. He has spoken at numerous conferences, and has published regularly in journals and textbooks. As the Chief Programs and Services Officer at Leader Dogs, Rod has worked to empower clients at Leader Dogs with more than four decades of his expertise and ground-breaking approach to training. As a Certified Orientation and Mobility – I will be saying "O&M" henceforth – Specialist and guide dog mobility instructor, he has been credited with supporting the development and codification of curricula and training to improve access to dog guides for individuals who are Deafblind or with multiple disabilities.
I'm going to editorialize. When I had the privilege of serving as CEO of The Lighthouse for the Blind here in Seattle, we had a very robust Deafblind program, and Rod and his team were the go-to resource for dog guide training for people who are Deafblind. So much appreciated Rod, personally, professionally. Rod and his team also developed the Accelerated Mobility Program in which prospective dog guide recipients are paired with orientation O&M interns from various university programs for immediate skills evaluation and training. Rod's work has touched the lives of nearly half of Leader Dogs' more than 15,000 clients worldwide. So you can do the math: Half of 15,000. Sounds like over 7,000 people Rod has made a difference in their lives. On behalf of the American Foundation for the Blind, congratulations Rod! We welcome you now to unmute yourself and say a few words.
Rod Haneline: Thank you, Kirk, and thank you for all the participants that have taken the time today to be here. What a long tradition of recognition that the AFB has. I'm not only humbled but I'm greatly honored to be added to the list of individuals that have been awarded the Migel Medal. I'm proud to look at past recipients as well and see not only mentors, but I can count some of these extraordinary people as friends. Those friends and mentors is what has helped to shape the heightened spirit of collaboration that many of you as well as as myself have seen in the industry. It's been refreshing over the many years to see the changes within the dog guide industry to have a more cooperative existence with all service providers. And it's been a major win for our clients and the professionals that provide services.
I want to thank Sue Daniels and the team at Leader Dogs. This award is really for them. We don't operate in a vacuum as you know. The board leadership, many people at Leader Dogs had the faith, and were able to see the vision of what we needed to do to improve and expand our services over the years. I am personally still moved on a daily basis by the work that we do, not only at Leader Dogs, but as a community of service providers, and advocates that strive for a level playing field for everyone.
Leadership and effective movement for the best services for the consumer, as I already said, it doesn't happen in a vacuum. So I challenge each and every one of you that are present today to mentor those that are coming up, and support those leading the charge. Our work is not done, and each of us can contribute to a better world through a commitment and a focus to changes needed to create equal opportunity for all. The secret, in my opinion, for outstanding service provision and achievement is it's not always talent, but a special blend of passion and persistence, or what some folks would call "grit." So I challenge you to invest in passion, nurture passion, and display passion, and make passion for what we do your most powerful ally to effect change. With that, I say thank you, and I am very proud to be the recipient of the Migel Award.
Dr. Kirk Adams: Thank you, Rod. Congratulations again. And, now we'll turn to Dr. Michael Schermer. He is the 2020 Migel Medal recipient in the Volunteer Category. We should be sharing a screen now with a photo of Dr. Schermer's Migel Medal, which is identical to the medal given to Rod in appearance.
Dr. Schermer is an ophthalmologist with more than 40 years of experience who has been lauded for his people-first approach to his profession. He has served the Sacramento Society for the Blind for more than four decades as a board member, volunteer, and donor. In 1989, he established "A Party for the Senses" at the California State Fair for individuals who are blind or visually impaired to enjoy a day rich in socialization and sensory stimulation, and hopefully, lots of good State Fair food.
In 2009, he became involved in the United States Association for Blind Athletes (USABA) and assisted in developing a division for blind runners in the Sacramento Marathon. Dr. Schermer's leadership, advocacy, and determination led the University of California at Davis to raise more than $45 million in just 4 years for the construction of a new vision-care center on campus. His philanthropy at the Sacramento Society for the Blind, the USABA, and the Maryland School for the Blind, had transformative effects and touched the lives of thousands, as has his ophthalmologic volunteer work in Mexico, the Philippines, China, and Vietnam through SEE International (S-E-E), and the World Eye Foundation.
On behalf of the American Foundation for the Blind, we offer our heartfelt congratulations to Dr. Schermer. Because he could not be here with us today, Dr. Michael Bina has graciously agreed to accept the award on his behalf. Dr. Bina is the 2016 Migel Medal recipient, and served as the president of the Maryland School for the Blind until his retirement in 2018. Mike?
Dr. Michael Bina: Thank you, Kirk. I'm honored to accept the Migel Medal on Dr. Schermer's behalf in his unfortunate absence. When he was informed that he was a recipient, he was so absolutely pleased and honored in his typical humble way. I met Dr. Schermer at the 2016 Paralympics in Rio as a guest of USABA. I immediately recognized that he was a unique medical doctor, a stand-out beyond his medical expertise and surgical skills. He was literally a cheerleader and a champion for our lead athletes. I could tell how fortunate his patients were to have him as their ophthalmologist.
He asked one of the goal-ball athletes to throw a ball at him blindfolded on the floor. In spite of his being over the age of 70, he was adamant that he experienced the hard throw. Remember the goal ball is hard rubber, weighs 4 lbs and accelerates to 40 miles an hour. The first ball was a soft lob. Dr. Schermer politely challenged, "Come on, put some zip on it. Don't hold back; throw harder like you do in competition." The athlete obliged and Dr. Schermer took a hard blow to his gut. Fortunately, he got up, and we were all relieved. He smiled saying, "Thanks. Now I know what you go through in field each time you block the ball with your body." This illustrated for me Dr. Schermer's interest in understanding each patient's unique circumstances and perspective. Where his volunteering his time with USABA to Sacramento Association and his and his wife Shelley's generous philanthropy in his medical clinics around the world, Dr. Schermer is truly deserving of this recognition. And I know he would humbly accept this prestigious medal, sincerely thank AFB, and would accept it on behalf of not only his colleagues, patients, but especially his family and his wife Shelley. Thank you AFB.
Dr. Kirk Adams: Thank you, Mike. I will say one of the greatest privileges as President and CEO of AFB is to make the call letting people know they are being honored with the Migel Medal. Dr. Schermer was authentically and truly surprised, and pleased, and appreciative, so in his absence we wish him and his family the best. So thanks, Mike, for the comments. And for those of us who have been smacked with a goal ball, we'll take a moment of reflection on Dr. Schermer's experience.
So we are now going to shift to the Stephen Garff Marriott Award which honors a blind or visually impaired individual who has served as an extraordinary mentor or who has attained remarkable professional success. A photo of that award should be on the screen right now. This award is glass and it's cut to look like a star. The glass portion has lettering that rests on a wooden base that has a braille plate on the front.
The Marriott Award was established in honor of Stephen Garff Marriott, who lost his vision later in life, and served as an exemplary role model to others with vision loss. Stephen rose to the upper ranks at Marriott International through hard work and tenacity, and was known for being a talented executive, sales manager, and ambassador of the Marriott brand.
I'll just add that Stephen really was a pioneer in disability equity and inclusion at the corporate level, and really helped Marriott step into a leadership position there, so we thank him for his board service and his leadership in disability equity and inclusion. So I'm personally really pleased, and AFB is of course pleased, that Anthony R. Candela –– that sounds so formal – Tony is the 2020 recipient. For more than 40 years, Tony has dedicated himself to improving the lives of individuals who are blind, or who have low vision.
He was the founding director of the Department of Veterans' Affairs Blind Rehabilitation Center in Long Beach, California, Director of the Specialized Services Division for California Department of Rehabilitation, National Program Associate in Employment for AFB, Director of Employment Services for Lighthouse International, and for 17 years he served as a rehabilitation counselor, supervisor, and district manager for the New York State Commission for the Blind.
Now in retirement, Tony serves on the advisory board of the National Research and Training Center on Blindness and Low Vision, the NRTC, at Mississippi State University. And as an outreach coordinator and independent consultant for Benetech/Bookshare, I've got about 200 Bookshare books on the braille notetaker I'm using right now Tony, so thanks for that. We're also really lucky to have Tony working with us at AFB on several of our employment-related programs, Blind Leaders Development, notably. Tony remains involved in Blind Leadership Development and assisting individuals with vision loss interested in coding classes to overcome accessibility barriers. He's published an article in the Journal of Visual Impairment and Blindness (JVIB), which for those of you who don't know is AFB's peer-reviewed research journal. It's called Blind Coding Academies, it was in the July-August 2019 issue. He also recently published two books: a memoir and a science fiction novella. Really, science fiction novella? I am going to download that today, Tony! For all those reasons and more, Tony is an ideal choice for the Marriott Award. Congratulations, Tony. Now is the time for you to hit Alt-A and unmute yourself!
Anthony R. Candela: Thank you, Kirk. That is most appreciated. I'm glad I don't have to hold the award up. It weighs a lot, and it's the most gorgeous award I've ever received in my life. It's just physically gorgeous, and it means a lot to me. If you had asked me in 1977 when I commenced my career as a rehabilitation counselor and eventually a supervisor, and a manager, an administrator, if I had planned to make service to the blind my life's work, I'd have said yes. I was born visually impaired and become blind in my late 40's. My choice of rehabilitation counseling was somewhat by default. After all in the mid-1970s, it was known to be an accessible career, and many things were still not so easy to break into for blind people.
I had a great role model, had a lot of great role models. But the one I want to mention now is Carl Augusto, who's the former director and CEO of AFB, who was my counselor with the New York Commission for the Blind at the time I entered college in 1971.. I'm feeling older as the speech goes on. Actually, I thought I'd become a lawyer, another profession known to be accessible to the blind at the time, and one my father had espoused for me since I began elementary school. I was a good student. In fact, I graduated second in my class at a mainstream high school.
But one or two psychology courses in my freshman year took me down the path towards counseling, I earned a master's degree and even did some doctoral work after my career was underway. It was my pleasure to meet Stephen Garff Marriott at an AFB event around 20 years ago. This award in his name is one of the greatest honors I could ever receive. It signifies to me recognition by others of the value of a lifetime of work toward a single cause. In my case, that cause has been the quality of life, and especially employment of persons who are blind or partially sighted. But whatever your life's work, I can only hope that each and every one of you has a chance to pursue it for more than 40 years as I have done, to enjoy the work as I have done, and just maybe to do a few good things for your fellow human being. I have been so fortunate. Thank you.
Dr. Kirk Adams: Thanks Tony. It's been great working with you. I think I met you for the first time at the AFB offices in San Francisco. And it's been wonderful getting to know you, and you're always ready to come off the bench and pinch-hit when AFB calls, so we appreciate that immensely. So we now move to the Corinne Kirchner Research Award. The Kirchner Award honors those whose leadership and dedication illuminate the most pressing needs of people with vision loss through timely, innovative, and authoritative research.
Sharing the screen with me right now there should be an image of the award. It's a large metal plaque on a wooden frame. The metal plaque has raised lettering – and braille, of course. The 2020 recipients are the four members comprising the Institute of Movement Studies for Individuals with Visual Impairments. IMSVI I'm gonna say – someone can correct me if that is the wrong acronym pronunciation, but I'm going with it.
So the IMSVI research team, Dr. Lauren Lieberman, distinguished service professor at the college at Brockport, SUNY; Dr. Pamela Haibach-Beach, Professor at the College at Brockport, SUNY; Dr. Ali Brian, associate Professor at the University of South Carolina; and Dr. Melanie E. Perreault, Associate Professor at the College of Brockport. In 2018/2019, the team's research resulted in 17 vision-related scholarly articles in peer-reviewed journals. Two IMSVI team members helped co-author a book, Universal Design for Learning in Physical Education: Getting It Right From the Start. And contributed chapters to the Routledge Handbook of Visual Impairments.
I should tell you some of my stories about what they did. I was going to say to me–what they did did WITH me, physical education, when I was in elementary school. The IMSVI team also devised an innovative method to provide after school coaches with tips on how to coach students with visual impairments, leading a team to write, direct, film, edit, and publish online videos on how to teach youths with visual impairments to play after-school sports. Awesome.
The IMSVI team has reached across the globe and embraced cultures, through learning at teaching movement studies, having founded the International Society for Physical Activity for Individuals with Visual Impairments and Deafblindness. The IMSVI team provides opportunities for scholars to attend sports camps across the United States and in many other countries, where they can conduct single and multi-year research. The team's plethora of published scholarly work, educational curricula, and programming related to motor development, with a focus on people with a visual impairment, demonstrates that they're an invaluable asset to individuals with visual impairment, their families, and the professionals of the field of visual impairment and blindness. On behalf of the American Foundation for the Blind, congratulations team! Dr. Lauren Lieberman will be accepting on behalf of the IMSVI team. Lauren, please unmute yourself now to say a few words on behalf of your team.
Dr. Lauren Lieberman: Thank you to AFB and the awards committee for this amazing honor. Corinne Kirchner was a remarkable pioneer in the field. We also would like to thank Lou Tutt and Tristan Pierce who nominated the institute. And we want to thank Judy Berg for her unwavering support and encouragement of the institute over the years.
I share this wonderful honor, as Kirk said, with Dr. Pamela Haibach-Beach, Dr. Melanie E. Perreault, and Dr. Ali Brian. We all share a desire that I think many of you do as well: the desire to know. For example, to know the preferred guide-running technique for children who are blind. To know the most effective way to teach gross motor skills to children with CHARGE Syndrome. To know the benefit of running guide dogs for runners who are blind. To know how to improve balance of older adults who are blind. To know how the attitude of parents affects their children's motor skill development. Or to know the source of bullying in physical education for children with visual impairments.
We take all that we learn, and as Kirk said, we create intervention such as videos, validated assessments, curricula, tip sheets, and equipment, often with the help of the American Printing House for the Blind, Perkins School for the Blind, and the Lavelle Fund for the Blind, just to name a few. I think our dream is similar to everyone else's here. And by the way, I want to give a shout-out to Mike Bina. Some of you may know this, but Mike Bina started out as a physical educator, and he also has been President of the United States Association of Blind Athletes, among many other things like going to the Paralympics in Rio. And I could name more, but Mike's one of us as well.
So our dream again is similar to everyone else's here: to help this next generation of children with visual impairments and children who are Deafblind to exceed their potential in physical activity, motor skills, and in sports. Together, with all of our collaborators, we can continue to make a difference. Thank you so much again AFB, and congratulations to all the other award winners as well.
Dr. Kirk Adams: Congratulations. If we were all together, you-- at the Leadership Conference, you would be taking your first bite of dessert right now. Or we're going with a really fabulous creamy chocolate mousse with some fresh raspberries! Hope everyone enjoyed that. And congratulations to all the recipients, you do represent the best of our community, and you truly live with no limits. And that spirit of perseverance, innovation, and dedication to inclusion is an integral part of AFB, and you're all shining examples in your fields. I now invite Dr. Michael Bina back to unmute himself and read some of the congratulatory messages we've received for the recipients.
Dr. Michael Bina: Good afternoon, everyone. Today, it's my honor to read congratulatory messages addressed to our award recipients. First, the Migel Professional Medal. "Rod, I have witnessed your incredible leadership in our profession. You have worked nationally and internationally to successfully connect providers with quality program in O&M and assistive technology. Your work as a researcher and support of aspiring professionals in the O&M, guide dog, and veterinary industries is admirable. Rod, you are an exceptional mentor, advocate, and practitioner whose leadership in this field has transformatively and rightly been recognized with this Migel Medal. Congratulations, my friend. This is a well-deserved honor."
Rod Haneline: Thank you, Mike.
Dr. Michael Bina: Dr. Laura Bozeman, UMass, next. "Congratulations. As the President and Chief Executive Officer of Leader Dogs for the Blind, on behalf of the board, our organization, and its stakeholders, I would like to convey how proud we are of you receiving the Migel Medal. Over 40 years, you had a transformative and boundary-expanding presence in the guide dog and O&M industries. We are so pleased that you have chosen Leader Dog to begin, advance, and spend your illustrious career with us since 1978. As noted, your leadership continues to inspire those within our organization and beyond. Congratulations, Rod. - Susan M. Daniels, CEO, Leader Dogs for the Blind."
Another. "Congratulations on your recognition, Rod. I learned so much as an intern in the O&M program, which is a real stroke of genius. You deserve this award for that and all of your other meaningful work you have dedicated your life to. - All the best, Miguel Reyes, Blind & Vision Rehabilitation Services of Pittsburgh."
Another excerpt, "Over the years, Rod, you have been a mentor, friend, and confidante. I can never envision my life without Leader Dogs, and I owe all of this to you. Rod, I thank you so much for having the vision and foresight for bringing me into Leader Dogs family. Congratulations. - Lynn Gautreaux, Louisiana School for the Visually Impaired."
And now, congratulation messages to Dr. Michael Schermer, AFB Migel Volunteer Awardee. Dr. Schermer. "WOW! I am so proud of you. Your tireless work to improve the lives of visually impaired and blind people has been remarkable. I witnessed first hand your passion to give and yearning to maintain sight to all who were placed in your capable, compassionate hands. Your unwavering focus to walk alongside your patients is exemplary. Countless hours you have dedicated to volunteer work to improve their quality of life, mobility, and enjoyment. Whether through the work with the Sacramento Society for the Blind, USABA National Marathon Championships, for the California State Fair for over 25 years, caring for your blind patients in the practice, you have done it with skill, enthusiasm, and kindness. There are so many patients who have had the pleasure of receiving your care with regard–with your great respect, plus consider you a dear friend. What a gift you have, and priceless memories to treasure. Your generosity of time, talent, and philanthropy has no bounds. - Best always, Beryl."
Another. "Mazel tov on your commitment to helping people who are visually impaired live a fuller and richer life. Migel Medal is another piece of evidence of the kind, giving, and special compassionate person you are. You are a real Mensch, professionally and personally. Many congratulations. - Sharon L. Litsky."
From another colleague, "Throughout your career, you have dedicated your knowledge, skills, and support to those who are visually impaired. You're generous with your time, resources, and finances. You're rightly recognized—and are a true Mensch, (that is, person of the highest integrity and honor). - Dr. Michael Aptekar."
Another colleague writes, "It's been an honor and privilege working with you and your wife, Shelley, on the medical missions in Vietnam. I remember all the late and cold meals we had with the local people in a very small room, without air conditioning in the summertime. And that did not stop you from smiling all the time. Your kind and wonderful contributions have improved and restored vision for many unfortunate people who would still be blind today had you not been there for them. I remember in Saigon, your powerful message to soon-to-be ophthalmologists, especially from an ophthalmologist who traveled from the opposite side of the world, to remind them about their ophthalmologic Code of Ethics and their community and societal responsibility. - Sincerely, Ngoc Trinh."
Our next set of congratulatory messages are for the Stephen Garff Marriott Award. "Tony, I admire your tenacity and determination throughout your career. You were always supportive and instrumental in backing our transition services, and building a summer work experience program. You are always there, eager to assist, and help cut through the red tape and state bureaucracy. Tony, thank you, and here is to a well-deserved award. Well done. - Richard Rueda, American Printing House for the Blind.
From another. "Dear Tony, I want to offer my congratulations to you. This is a wonderful honor and recognition for all of your work. - Respectfully, Barbara Campbell, New York State Commission for the Blind."
Another congratulatory message. "Tony, congratulations. You are a true champion of employment of people who are blind or have low vision. Over your impressive 40-year career, you had an incredible impact serving as a mentor, role model, and collaborator, and establishing an impressive track record advancing employment, and self-sufficiency. I cannot think of anyone more dedicated, passionate, and deserving of recognition. Thank you for your leadership. Congratulations. - Warmest, and sincerest thanks, George Abbott, The Lighthouse For the Blind, Seattle." Congratulations, Tony.
Next, the Corinne Kirchner Research Award to Drs. Lieberman, Haibach-Beach, Brian, and Perreault. "Congratulations to your research team at the Institute of Movement Studies for Individuals with Vision Impairments. Thanks for your prolific research, publications, curricula, presentations, and collaborations with professionals across the globe, being a positive asset and a value to individuals of vision impairment, their families, and we professionals. - Respectfully, Tristan Pierce, American Printing House for the Blind."
Another letter, "Congratulations to Drs. Lieberman, Haibach-Beach, Brian, and Perreault—the research team. I was pleased to highly recommend your team and I am so incredibly pleased you are the recipient of the AFB 2020 Kirchner Research Award. - Respectfully, Louis McArthur "Tiptoe" Tutt, retired AER director," who, I might add, is also a former- but once a PE teacher, always a PE teacher.
So, to conclude to all of the awardees, we all offer our congratulations to you. And right now, all of the award winners, we would like to invite you back if we could on camera so we can capture screenshots of you individually, and as a group. So I see one, two, three, and Dr. Schermer's not here, so we have everyone. So once, now that we have you on the screen, I will say – like if we were in person, and I had my camera, and I would say "cheese," you know what to do! So, is everybody ready? One, two, say cheese!
Dr. Lauren Lieberman: Cheese!
Dr. Michael Bina: Click, click. I think we captured everyone. It's an impressive group of people, for sure. Now, back to you, Kirk. Thank you very much.
Dr. Kirk Adams: Thanks, Mike. Any day when you hear two different people refer to someone as a Mensch, that's a good day! So thank you, thanks to all of you for attending and sharing in the celebration with us. If you would like more information about the awards, please visit afb.org/2020awards. And I will recommend that you all visit afb.org regularly. We really look forward to when we are able to gather again in person. In the meantime, I hope you'll all join us for a series of events in 2021 in celebration of AFB's centennial. Not many organizations get to celebrate a centennial, and we're going to do it up right. So please be on the look-out for more announcements on that front. We'll leave you with a message from AFB: be well, goodbye for now, take good care.
