11/3/2009

As the newest inductee into the Salina Business Hall of Fame, Jack Vanier thought he was expected to make a long speech.
“But I’m not going to do that,” he said.
Instead, the owner of Western Star Ag Resources and local philanthropist spoke for less than a minute.
“I’m deeply honored just to be involved in this process today,” he said. “I don’t think I deserve to be on the same page as these (other) recipients.”
Vanier was the only living honoree to receive a Hall of Fame plaque, given to him Wednesday during a luncheon at the Ramada Hotel and Convention Center, 1616 W. Crawford.
The induction ceremony also included remarks by Kirk Schulz, president of Kansas State University, who recognized the humanitarian and philanthropic contributions of Vanier and his wife, Donna, to their community and to his university.
“They’ve been terrific supporters of K-State,” he said. “It’s dramatic to see the impact these individuals have had in Salina.”
Other 2009 Hall of Fame selections included Winfield W. Watson, owner of Watson, Durand-Kasper Wholesale Grocery Company; Whitley Austin, editor and publisher of the Salina Journal from 1949 to 1975; and Verla Nesbitt Joscelyn, former owner of the Pepsi-Cola Bottling Company at 604 N. Ninth. Joscelyn is the first woman to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.
This is the fifth class to be inducted into the Salina Business Hall of Fame, established in 2005 by the Salina Area Chamber of Commerce to recognize and honor Salina business leaders past and present who have made extraordinary contributions to the community.
Read more about the Hall of Fame inductees in Wednesday's Salina Journal.