Dr. Will Atkinson recognized
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EVANSTON — For more than 20 years Dr. William “Will” Atkinson has served the Evanston community in varying volunteer leadership roles. This year, Atkinson is retiring from several of his extracurricular responsibilities and, as he does, he’s gaining well deserved recognition for the contributions he has made to the community.
Atkinson has been elected annually to the position of board chairman of the Evanston Parks and Recreation District Board since 1994. This year he is passing the mantle. To recognize and honor him for his contributions to the community, the staff of the Evanston Parks and Recreation District nominated their longtime leader for the Wyoming Recreation and Parks Association Individual Citation Award.
The award was formally presented to Atkinson at an Evanston Parks and Recreation District Board meeting.
“To pursue other life ambitions and goals” Dr. Atkinson has also stepped down from his position as chair of the Purple Sage Municipal Golf Course Advisory Board, said Parks and Rec director Jay Dee Nielsen. Atkinson has served on the golf course advisory board since it was created in 2000.
Atkinson demonstrated strong leadership skills as he led the nine member recreation board through years of handling budgets, employee personnel policies, audit requirements and capital improvement projects.
“Dr. Will Atkinson is a true volunteer who is actively involved in shaping the parks and recreation profession,” Nielsen said. “His leadership and sincere interest providing quality services and programs has made a significant contribution to the citizens of Evanston and the surrounding area.
Over the last two decades, when Atkinson hasn’t been in varying board meetings, he has been out on the golf course or at the gun range. In addition to his aforementioned volunteer roles, he has also served for 26 years as range master of the rec center’s indoor shooting range.
He has “worked with hundreds of youth and adults of all ages through the years” teaching the importance of gun safety said Nielsen.
