FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JACK GOEKEN RECEIVES HONORARY DOCTORAL DEGREE
FROM LEWIS UNIVERISTY
NAPERVILLE, Ill. – May 16, 2005 – Goeken Group Corporation announced today that its Chairman and CEO, John D. “Jack” Goeken, received an honorary degree of Doctorate of Humanities from Lewis University in Romeoville, Ill., as part of its commencement ceremonies on Sunday, May 15th. This year’s honorees included local and national leaders of business and civic affairs.
"Mr. Goeken is a highly successful, creative entrepreneur and business executive who has been a visionary and pioneer in the communications industry," said Stuart G. Lang, Executive Director for the Campaign for Lewis University. "More than four decades after launching his career, he continues to develop new technologies and businesses. Lewis University is proud to count him among our honorary degree recipients."
“It is a privilege and honor to receive this prestigious award from Lewis University,” said Goeken. “I am proud to be recognized by an organization whose mission is guided by values – knowledge, fidelity, wisdom, justice and association – that I hold in high regard.”
Known worldwide as an innovative entrepreneur and
telecommunications pioneer, Goeken has been involved in the communication
industry for more than 40 years. In the 1960s, Goeken opened an office in Joliet, Ill., where he developed three worldwide companies as well as many other
businesses. In 1963, he founded Microwave Communications, Inc., also known as
MCI. The creation of MCI would subsequently lead to the break up of AT&T’s
long-distance monopoly. In the 1970s, Airfone, Inc., another company founded
by Goeken, made air-to-ground telephone communications possible. This company
was sold to GTE in 1986 and became GTE Airfone. Goeken also was the founder of
FTD Mercury Network, an electronic database company that processed orders for
the floral industry. In 1978, FTD Corporation introduced FTD Mercury Network
as a part of its operations.
Goeken has also received numerous awards and commendations for his innovations
and contributions to the communications industry. Some of these recognitions
have included Southern Illinois University’s Entrepreneur of the Year Award in
1987 and The Radio Club of America’s David Sarnoff Award in 1990. Business
Week magazine also named Goeken “Best Entrepreneur.” Goeken has also been
inducted into several of Halls of Fame.
Goeken has received an honorary degree of Doctor of Business Administration
from the University of New Hampshire, and an honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters from Drexel University in Philadelphia. He has addressed many audiences,
including U.S. and foreign governments, and
regulatory agencies.
Today, Goeken serves as the Chairman and CEO of the Goeken Group Corporation, a
company that creates health, safety, and security products and services. The
Goeken Group Companies include Global MED-NET and Global MED-NET International,
companies that can send an individual’s medical history to emergency rooms worldwide
within seconds after notification; Personal Guardian, a company that enables
individuals to request emergency help with a push of a button; and PolyBrite
International, headed by Carl Scianna, which manufactures LED lighting products
that are sold under the Westinghouse LED Lighting Systems brand. PolyBrite is
the only LED lighting company that possesses a patented polymer technology that
makes LEDs practical and flexible for lighting applications including indoor
and outdoor signage, retail displays, monument and menu boards, decorative
applications, and general illumination. LEDs produce the same illumination as
incandescent bulbs using 90 percent less energy, are unaffected by vibration or
heat, and are virtually maintenance free with a life expectancy of 50,000 to
100,000 hours. PolyBrite also provides personal safety products that make
individuals more visible in poor lighting conditions.
About Lewis University
A Catholic university sponsored by the De La Salle Christian
Brothers, Lewis University offers bachelor’s degrees in approximately 65
majors, accelerated degree completion options for working adults, a variety of
aviation programs and 14 graduate programs in eight fields. A new
Doctorate of Education (Ed.D.) in Educational Leadership for Teaching and
Learning will open this fall. More information is available via the Internet
at www.lewisu.edu.
About Goeken Group
Founded in 1995, the Goeken Group Corporation continues to develop products and services that are dedicated to the enhancement of personal health, safety and security. At the direction and under the leadership of Goeken Group Chairman and CEO, John D. "Jack" Goeken, the corporate mission remains… “The continual development of innovative solutions for the world's health, safety and security issues.” The Goeken Group Corporation, a state-of-the-art facility located in the Illinois Research and Development Corridor, just west of Chicago, is home to subsidiary companies - Global MED-NET, Global MED-NET International, Personal Guardian and PolyBrite International. More information is available via the Internet at www.goeken.com.
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