Five Iowa City residents and a downtown development group were honored this week for their support of the University of Iowa Museum of Art (UIMA). UI President Sally Mason and UI Museum of Art Executive Director Sean O’Harrow presented the awards at a reception held Wednesday, Sept. 18.

“I’m so impressed with how much these honorees’ contributions exemplify the spirit of the people for whom the awards are named,” Mason says. “Supporting and advancing the arts is a collective endeavor, a high pursuit that requires the time, talent, contributions, and vision of very special people from many walks of life. We thank the awardees for many years of service and support to the Museum of Art, without which we would not have the amazing museum and collection that we have enjoyed—and will continue to enjoy—for many decades.”

Honorees and their awards were:

• Debra Gabrielson Lee, the Elliott/Stanley Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Museum’s Permanent Collections Through Donations of Works of Art. Lee is a retired librarian who earned a bachelor of fine arts degree from the UI in 1973.

• James H. Burke, the Edwin Green Award for Outstanding Contributions Made Toward the Purchase of Works of Art. Burke is a retired art dealer and former editor for Harcourt Brace Publishing Company. He is a 1949 graduate of the UI and also holds a master’s degree in library science from Columbia University.

• Robert Fellows, the Webster and Gloria Gelman Award for Outstanding Service to the Museum Through Volunteer Involvement. Fellows is UI emeritus professor of physiology and biophysics. He has served on the UIMA Advisory Board since its inception and currently chairs its Nominating Committee.

• Chunghi Choo, the Frank Seiberling Award for Significant Faculty Contributions to the Museum. Choo is UI professor of art and artist in metal arts. Seiberling originally hired her in 1968 when he was director of the UI School of Art and Art History. She has been a tireless mentor for UI students and a vigorous supporter of the museum.

• Marc Moen and the Moen Group, the Ulfert Wilke Award for Significant Contributions Toward Museum Outreach. Moen and his group are Iowa City developers. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Iowa State University and graduated from the UI College of Law. Moen and his business partners have hosted numerous Museum of Art outreach events, notably the First Fridays, in their hotel Vetro in downtown Iowa City.