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Trent honored with Distinguished Citizen Award : Happe, Rimer receive Great Expectations awards

By Sam Brattain The Herald Bulletin The Herald Bulletin Thu Oct 27, 2011, 11:31 PM EDT

ANDERSON, Ind. — If he could do his life over, Keith Trent said he would have stayed in Boy Scouts so his mother could have seen him earn his Eagle Scout badge.

“As I got older I developed other interests and quit the Scouts,” he said.

Nonetheless, Trent was honored Thursday night by the Boy Scouts of America with the 2011 Distinguished Citizen Award, which recognizes community involvement and leadership in Madison County.

Trent, vice president and chief foundation officer for Community Hospital, was recognized for his involvement in several not-for-profits such as United Way, Leadership Academy of Madison County and Character Counts of Madison County.

“Sorry, Mom, I didn’t make Eagle Scout. Maybe this is second best,” he said.

Upon accepting the award, Trent said he is a “huge proponent” of giving recognition, whether it be a longtime employee or someone who gives back to the community.

“I hope when you leave here, you feel recognized because you’ve been a part of my life,” Trent said.

Joe Royer, who emceed the dinner at Madison Park Church of God, held up an apron that had sewn on it the letters “D” “M” and “O.”

“They stand for ‘dish machine operator.’ After our Wednesday night dinners here at the church, Keith is back there doing dishes,” Royer said.

Also honored during the award dinner were Madison County Circuit Court Judge David Happe, and CN Marketing and Design CEO Tammy Rimer. Both received Great Expectations Awards, which is presented by the Madison County Young Professionals Group (MCYPG) and recognizes community involvement from those under age 40.

Happe thanked the organization for reminding him there are young people working to make Anderson a better place.

“As a judge I get to see a lot of young people come in front of me, usually for bad decisions. Thanks for reminding me of the other half, who see value in their opportunities,” he said.

Rimer said that since moving to Anderson in 2007 she’s become “rooted” in the community through her work with the Madison County Chamber of Commerce and the MCYPG.

“We need to change the attitude, and start having great expectations for Madison County,” she said.

Royer said the dinner raised $8,600 for the Boy Scouts of America.

Contact Sam Brattain: 640-4883, sam.brattain@heraldbulletin.com