Tarleton professor named “Lion of the Year”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Aug. 27, 2009

STEPHENVILLE, TEXAS—Tarleton State University professors are already well known for their dedication to students, but some go far above the call of duty by making a difference in the lives of those beyond the scope of the university.

Judye Cadle, an assistant professor in the accounting, finance and economic department, is one such person. The Stephenville Lions Club recently named Cadle “Lion of the Year.” She joined the club in November 2007 and was elected treasurer in June 2008.

“I was invited to a Lions Club meeting where I discovered a group of good, caring individuals who have fun while serving the community, state and the world,” Cadle said. “Serving as treasurer, I very quickly learned about the club’s activities and was happy to be able to use my professional skills to further their goals.”

The club, a chapter of the International Lions Club, was founded in 1922 with 11 members. The group has since become well known for its commitment to the community.

“In 1925, Helen Keller challenged all Lions to become ‘Knights of the Blind’,” Cadle said. “Ever since that day, sight and hearing loss prevention and treatment have been major objectives of all Lions Clubs.”

One of the Stephenville chapter’s programs, Kidsight, involved the club purchasing PhotoScreener cameras that were used to detect vision problems in more than 1,000 Head Start, preschool and kindergarten children.

“The club provides free eye exams and glasses to local children whose families have financial needs and collects eye glasses that can be recycled and distributed to vision impaired persons locally and internationally,” Cadle said.

Cadle encourages everyone to donate their used eyeglasses by dropping them into the yellow, mailbox-shaped receptacles in front of H-E-B and Wal-Mart.

The group also sponsors Lions Day Camp at Tarleton for children with physical disabilities and insulin dependent diabetes and is a strong supporter of the Texas Lions Camp in Kerrville, a residential camping facility for children with physical disabilities, type 1 diabetes and cancer.

For more information about the Stephenville Lions Club, visit www.stephenvillelions.com. More information about the International Lions Club can be found at www.lionsclub.org.

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