Corrections_Today_November_December_2019

2019 E.R. Cass Award Banquet

Everybody knows their names ACA awards the E.R. Cass Award to two dedicated corrections professionals O n the evening of Aug. 6, the 149 th ACA Congress of Correction held its most prestigious event in the Sheraton Grand

Ballroom — the presentation of the annual E.R. Cass Correctional Achievement Award. This award has been presented at each Congress of Correction since 1962 and is given to the men and women in corrections who go above and beyond to improve the field. Their tireless dedication has led to new correctional practices and procedures, and for that, ACA honored Dr. Mary L. Livers, Ph.D. and J. David Donahue for their hard work. The evening began with the President’s Recep- tion hosted by new ACA President Gary C. Mohr. After some time mingling and dining on fine hors d’oeuvres, the banquet hall opened, bringing in all the ticket-holding attendees in for a delicious din- ner. After the ACA executive committee entered to the theme song from “Cheers” and past E.R. Cass award recipients were recognized, the banquet was underway. Following dinner, both Dr. Livers and Donahue were introduced, with their correc- tional achievements and histories read before the audience. Donahue, the Senior Vice President and President, GEO Secure Services, was the first to give his speech after receiving the award, thanking his family, friends and mentors in the audience. “As I look around the room, what an inspiration you all are to me,” Donahue said. “The leaders assembled here tonight are bold visionaries who never shy away from challenges, seek out oppor- tunities when presented and by those actions have

J. David Donahue (above) and Dr. Mary L. Livers accept the E.R. Cass Correctional Achievement Award with Victoria Meyers and ACA President Gary C. Mohr.

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