At the UIRA annual meeting then-President Deb Cobb presented the President’s Award to outgoing UIRA Treasurer David Fitzgerald. In her presentation, Deb said: “David Fitzgerald served four years as UIRA treasurer and was steadfast in his responsibilities in managing UIRA finances. He always provided wisdom and thoughtful advice in board meetings, and his gentle and capable guidance was greatly appreciated by his fellow board members. David retired from the University of Iowa in 2012. His sons and grandchildren live in Alaska.

“David graduated from Iowa State with a bachelor’s degree in landscape architecture in 1972. He returned to school and received his graduate degree in counselor education from the University of Iowa in 1979.

“Before retiring, David was a career and internship advisor at the UI Career Center. For 20 of those years, he was the facilitator of a collaboration between the U.S. Department of Labor Workforce Recruitment Program and students with disabilities. And one of his most treasured roles was serving as administrator and liaison for the Washington (D.C.) Center internship program for 20 years. He was recognized for his dedication and excellence and for always going above and beyond for his students.

“I can attest to that dedication in his service to UIRA. David Fitzgerald is one of the unsung heroes, who quietly does his job with excellence and compassion and who lifts others up in the process.”

The President’s Award is presented annually to a UIRA member who has gone above and beyond in service to UIRA. The recipient of the President’s Award is chosen by the UIRA president and honored at the UIRA annual meeting.