Contact:
Amy Smit
Amy.smit@drake.edu
515-229-9327

Andrew Genz receives 2022 Iowa Character Award

DES MOINES (August 4, 2022) – The Robert D. and Billie Ray Center at Drake University hosted the 2022 Iowa Character Awards on Friday, July 29, at Prairie Meadows Event Center. Twelve Iowa individuals and groups were recognized for their exceptional character, including Andrew Genz from Muscatine.

An Iowa Character Awards primetime special featuring the 2022 award recipients will air on Fox affiliate stations during the following dates and times:

  • Fox 17 (Des Moines) on Tuesday, August 9 from 8-9 p.m.
  • Fox 28 (Cedar Rapids) on Friday, August 12 from 6-7 p.m.
  • Fox 44 (Sioux City) on Saturday, August 13 from 5-6 p.m.

The Iowa Character Awards special will also be posted at IowaCharacterAwards.org.

Andrew Genz received the Educator of Character Award. As a high school teacher, Andrew Genz positively impacts students and his community by being positive, upbeat, and committed to creating a thriving, happy school culture. As an instructional coach, Andrew works with school staff to find solutions to their challenges. He wants students and colleagues to be treated with respect and provided with the tools they need for success. Andrew takes the initiative to engage students in character education. For example, he began “Classy Fridays” and “One Letter Better” to teach students about character and encourage them to strive for academic success. Amy Underbakke nominated Andrew. She says, “Mr. Genz has demonstrated time and time again the Six Pillars of Character. He goes above and beyond to help our students and staff.”

The Ray Center annually recognizes Iowans who show the Six Pillars of CHARACTER COUNTS!: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and good citizenship. Since 2005, the organization has recognized more than 150 Iowans for showing good character.

The 2022 Iowa Character Awards are presented by Hy-Vee, FOX 17, Prairie Meadows, Murphy Enterprizes, and Alliant Energy. For a complete list of 2022 Iowa Character Award recipients or to submit a 2023 nomination, visit IowaCharacterAwards.org.

The Ray Center helps create strong, vibrant communities that value positive, healthy relationships and respectful behavior. Through public awareness and esources

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