The award honors someone who has performed extraordinary public service on a sustained basis for the Central Texas community.
Since it was first awarded in 1991, the honor has been bestowed on deserving citizens 11 times, the last in 2007 when Cynthia Russell, longtime volunteer for Churches Touching Lives for Christ in Temple, was the recipient.
Anyone in the Telegram or Herald circulation areas may submit a nomination.
Its recipients personify the qualities of the late Frank W. Mayborn, former owner and publisher of the Telegram and the Herald and owner of KCEN-TV.
Nominations will be accepted through Sept. 22 and can be mailed to the Telegram at 10 S. Third St., Temple, TX 76501, or to Box 6114, Temple 76503, or they can be dropped off at the Telegram’s Third Street offices.
A committee appointed by the company’s board of directors will evaluate the nominations.
Sue Mayborn, editor and publisher of the Telegram and Herald and owner of KCEN-TV, established the award in 1991.
“The award recognizes civic and humanitarian service at the highest level and honors individuals who enrich the lives of many through selfless service,” she said.
The man for whom the award was named, Frank W. Mayborn, came to Temple in 1929. He died in 1987, after a lifetime dedicated to the betterment of this region. He was a communications pioneer, a philanthropist and civic leader whose contributions are still having a positive impact on Central Texas.
Mayborn and his War Projects Committee were instrumental in bringing Fort Hood to Bell County and the Veterans Hospital to Temple, as well as Draughon-Miller Municipal Airport.
During World War II, he enlisted in the Army as a private and rose to the rank of major, serving in the European Theater where he was awarded the Bronze Star medal. He served on the staff of Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower as a public information officer in the office of Supreme Headquarters, Allied Expeditionary Forces (SHAEF). Prior to his tour of duty in Europe, he was the first public relations officer at Fort Hood.
His service to the military continued long after his discharge, and for that service he was awarded the Creighton W. Abrams Medal for significant civilian contributions to the Army.
In Austin and in Washington, D.C., Mayborn worked to advance the interests of Central Texas and was proud of helping secure a long-term fresh-water supply for the area.
Those eligible for nomination must live in Central Texas and must have made a significant contribution to public service in this region. The contribution must be humanitarian or civic in nature and should be something the nominee has done for the greatest number of people.
The nomination should include a detailed description of the activities that make him or her a candidate worthy of consideration.
