This year's recipients of the award are Ann and Lee Liberman.

The award, administered by the University and presented by Chancellor Mark S. Wrighton in a ceremony at Harbison House, is the gift of the late Jane Freund Harris and Whitney Harris.

Courtesy Photo

At the recent ceremony and presentation of the Jane and Whitney Harris Saint Louis Community Service Award are (from left) Whitney and Anna Harris; Joseph C. White, vice chairman of the board of Forest Park Forever; Ann and Lee Liberman; and James F. Mann, president and executive director of Forest Park Forever.

They established the award in 1999 to be given to a husband and wife who are dedicated to improving the St. Louis region. A $25,000 cash prize is then designated to the nonprofit organization of the couple's choice.

The Libermans' chosen charity is Forest Park Forever, an organization devoted to the preservation and continued enhancement of the park as a historic treasure and as a recreational and cultural center.

"Like the Harrises, the Libermans are renowned throughout the St. Louis community for their remarkable generosity, compassion and dedication," Wrighton said. "They exemplify the best qualities of service to their fellow citizens.

"During their life together, Jane and Whitney were shining examples of generosity to those in need in our community. Jane's legacy lives on in very tangible ways through this award."

Wrighton added, "I am personally grateful for the many contributions Ann and Lee Liberman have made to Washington University and to the greater St. Louis community."

The annual award program is open to all husband-and-wife couples in the metropolitan area, in accordance with Jane Harris' bequest.

William H. Danforth, chancellor emeritus, vice chairman of the Board of Trustees and outgoing chair of the selection committee, said: "Lee and Ann exemplify the very best of the best community boosters we have in St. Louis. They are revered as civic leaders and as champions of great causes."

At the ceremony, Wrighton presented the gift to Forest Park Forever on behalf of the Libermans.

On hand to help celebrate the Libermans lifelong commitment to community service were Whitney Harris and his wife, Anna, as well as his son and daughter-in-law, Eugene and Debbie Harris.

In addition to this community service award, Whitney Harris' generosity to the University spans decades and has supported a range of schools, departments, resources and scholarships, most notably for the School of Law and the libraries.

In 1981, Harris donated his collection of books and documents on the Third Reich to Olin Library; the collection is housed in the Jane and Whitney Harris Reading Room. Last year, Whitney and Anna Harris gave $2 million to the law school in support of the Institute for Global Legal Studies, which was recently renamed in his honor.

The Harrises are also Life Members of the William Greenleaf Eliot Society.

Undoubtedly, the Libermans must have found it difficult to choose one recipient among their many philanthropic associations. In addition to Forest Park Forever, both are actively involved in numerous civic, cultural, educational and artistic groups, including Opera Theatre of St. Louis, the Saint Louis Zoo Foundation, the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra, the Muny Opera, Edgewood Children's Center, the Wishing Well Foundation, Kids in the Middle, the Saint Louis Art Museum, Dance St. Louis, the Missouri Historical Society, March of Dimes, Mid-America Arts Alliance and Washington University.

Ann and Lee Liberman's contributions to the University are extensive and long-standing. Ann Liberman serves on the University's National Council for the School of Architecture. In addition, she has served on the Executive Committee for the Eliot Society.

Lee Liberman, who earned a master of liberal arts degree from Washington University and is working toward a doctorate, is past chairman and life trustee of the Board of Trustees. He has been an important force behind the success of the Campaign for Washington University and chairs the Board of Trustees' development committee.

In addition, he serves as chair of the School of Art National Council. In 2000, he received an honorary doctor of humanities degree from the University.

After graduating from Yale University with an engineering degree, Lee Liberman served in the U.S. Army Air Corps. In 1945, he began his long and distinguished career with Laclede Gas Co.

In 1974, he was named chief executive officer, and in 1976 he also was appointed chairman of the board, his title at the time of his retirement in 1994. Currently, he serves Laclede Gas as chairman emeritus.