FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 7, 2019, 10:00 a.m.
Contact: Jason Hogue, Director of Marketing and Communications, 402-872-2429
Peru, Nebraska - Larry Green was awarded the Distinguished Service award winner. Green was honored
during Peru State's Spring Commencement on May 4.
The Distinguished Service Award was established by the Nebraska State College System
(NSCS) Board of Trustees. It authorizes each college to nominate a graduate or someone
who has made significant contribution to the College or to an alumnus who has achieved
distinction and recognition in his or her field. Green was nominated by President
Dan Hanson and approved by the NSCS Board of Trustees.
Hanson said, “I was privileged to notify Larry last fall that he was receiving this
award, but, unfortunately, he passed away in January."
Larry Green
Hanson recognized members of Green’s family in attendance and presented Green's Distinguished
Service Award to Green's sister and Peru State College faculty member, Dr. Judith
Grotrian.
Grotrian stated, “This college meant so much to Larry. He appreciated earning his
business degree here and being a men’s basketball player during his time at Peru State.”
She continued to say, “He valued education and wanted any student to have the opportunity
to go to college. That is why he asked our parents, Jim and Mavis Green, several years
ago if they would like to give a donation to the Peru State Foundation and have a
scholarship in their name, the James G. and Mavis Green Scholarship.”
Grotrian concluded, “'Each life is a book – not to be read – but rather a story to
be written.' Thank you, Larry, for sharing your story.”
Dr. Judy Grotrian accepting the Distinguished Service Award on behalf of her brother, the late Larry Green.
Green was an integral part of Peru State during his lifetime. He graduated from the
college in 1971 with a bachelor's degree in Business Administration was was on the
basketball team. In 2002, he joined the Foundation Board of Directors. He served on
the Foundation's Executive Committee from 2005 to 2008, and became the Chairman of
the Foundation in 2015.
Larry and his wife Sue made significant donations to the James G. and Mavis Green
Scholarship and to renovate the theater/performing arts center. The Green Family Auditorium
in the newly renovated Performing Arts Center recognizes the contributions of Larry
and many other members of the extended Green family.
After Green graduated, he ascended the ranks of Constar International and became the
Senior Vice President. Constar at the time was the largest provider of polyethylene
terephthalate plastic containers in the world.
He then moved on to become the President of Fortune 500 company, Ball Corporation.
During his time there, the sales for the Ball Plastic Container Operations division
rose from $300 million to $3 billion.
The Green family, from left to right: Gene and Rita (Green) Neddenriep; Nancy (Green) Hawley; Mary Jane Green; Charles and Dr. Judy (Green) Grotrian; Sue Green; Dr. Sheri Grotrian with Ian Ryan; Michel and Jay Grotrian; and Mary Ellen (Green) Jennings.
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Thomas Veleba contributed to this release.