Saginaw Intermediate School District (ISD) would like to recognize our Board of Education Trustee Ruth Ann Knapp on her recent University of Idaho Alumni Association Silver and Gold Award. "Congratulations to Trustee Knapp on receiving the well-deserved prestigious Gold and Silver Alumni Award from the University of Idaho. It is an honor to have such a dedicated and accomplished individual serving on the Saginaw ISD board, exemplifying the principles of servant leadership," said Saginaw ISD Superintendent Dr. Jeffrey Collier.
About the Silver and Gold Award
The Silver and Gold Award was created in 1982 and recognizes living alumni with a distinguished record of achievement and service in their specialized area of endeavor, thus bringing honor and recognition to the University. Awardees have a distinguished record of achievement and service, including career accomplishments; service to their career organizations; voluntary efforts in charitable causes; efforts that have improved the cultural, social, political, or economic well-being of society; prior recognition and honors; and artistic, innovative or technical accomplishments.
About Ruth Ann Knapp
Ruth Ann Knapp earned Music Education and Education degrees from the University of Idaho in 1966. After spending a summer at the National Music Camp in Interlochen, Michigan, she permanently moved to Michigan. The move triggered a career in Saginaw Public Schools that lasted over 40 years and continues to this day as a volunteer school board member and leader.
Ruth Ann wore many hats throughout her career. She served as K-12 Music Coordinator, Fine Arts Coordinator and was involved in the Saginaw Education Association. She has twice served the Michigan Music Education Association as President, founded its Archives and Government Relations Program, and worked with the Afro Academic Cultural, Technological, and Scientific Olympics while continuing classroom education.
Some of her former pupils include Draymond Green of the Golden State Warriors and professional football players--Lamarr Woodley, Ron Stanley, and Tory Humphreys.
Since her retirement from teaching in 2010, Ruth Ann continues to volunteer with the NAACP and served as 2nd Vice President and Education Chair. She is active with Michigan Scouting. She has served on her local school board, being elected as Treasurer and President, and is active as a board member of the Saginaw economic development organization. In 2022, Ruth Ann joined the Saginaw ISD Board (county-wide) that runs the Transitions Center and Millet Learning Center for special education students and many other programs and services to districts throughout the county. She was appointed by the governor to the State Fire Safety Board, representing the Michigan Association of School Boards.
She's been named the Administrator of the Year to the Michigan Youth Arts Festival, the Music Teacher of the Year and Award of Merit, Most Valued Member, and Saginaw Hero award of the NAACP of Saginaw and was named the Michigan State Music Teacher of the Year.
Ruth Ann demonstrates what being a Vandal means day in and day out in and out of a classroom: sharing a passion, understanding, and gift of music with countless students. The University of Idaho thanks Ruth for representing the Vandal Family in Michigan.
About the University of Idaho
The University of Idaho, home of the Vandals, is Idaho's land-grant, national research university. From its residential campus in Moscow, U of I serves the state of Idaho through educational centers in Boise, Coeur d'Alene, and Idaho Falls, nine research and Extension centers, plus Extension offices in 42 counties. Home to more than 11,000 students statewide, U of I is a leader in student-centered learning and excels at interdisciplinary research, service to businesses and communities, and advancing diversity, citizenship, and global outreach. U of I competes in the Big Sky Conference. Learn more at www.uidaho.edu.
About Saginaw ISD
Saginaw Intermediate School District (ISD) is an educational service agency that provides effective and innovative leadership, services, resources, and programs throughout Saginaw County. Saginaw ISD provides career and technical education, early childhood, finance, human resources, instruction, pupil accounting, special education, technology, and transportation services. In addition, Saginaw ISD operates multiple educational programs to meet the unique needs of students ages birth to 26 across Saginaw County, including: Hartley Outdoor Education Center, Head Start/Early Head Start and Great Start to Readiness Programs, Great Lakes Bay Early College, Saginaw County Juvenile Detention Center School, and Special Education Center Programs.
Saginaw ISD serves 12 local school districts, six public school academies, and 22 non-public schools, with a total enrollment of approximately 26,000 students. Public school districts supported include: Birch Run Area Schools, Bridgeport-Spaulding Community School District, Carrollton Public Schools, Chesaning Union Schools, Frankenmuth School District, Freeland Community School District, Hemlock Public School District, Merrill Community Schools, Saginaw Public School District, Saginaw Township Community Schools, St. Charles Community Schools, and Swan Valley School District.
Some information from this article was attained from a press release provided by the University of Idaho.