Peru State College will recognize Paul and Arlene Fell and Clarence “Butch” and Janet “Dobey” Haws as their 2025 recipients of the institution’s Distinguished Service Award.
Both couples currently reside in Lincoln, Neb.
The award is conferred upon outstanding individuals who have made a significant contribution to Peru State College or to alumni who have achieved distinction and recognition which reflects favorably upon the College and the Nebraska State College System. It is considered Peru State’s highest honor.
The awards will be presented at the College’s commencement exercises on Saturday, May 10, at 10 a.m. Commencement is held in the Al Wheeler Activity Center. The public is invited to attend.
Paul and Arlene Fell
Paul Fell came to Peru State from Worcester, Mass., to major in art and play football for the Bobcats, while Arlene Borcher arrived on campus from nearby Steinauer, Neb., after graduating from Lewiston High. The 1967 PSC graduates completed degrees respectively in art education and home economics education.
Afterward they both taught at high schools in Michigan and Auburn, during which time they each earned master’s degrees from the former Kearney State College. They returned to Peru State as faculty members, Arlene in 1974 and Paul a year later, where they remained until 1984.
At that time Paul joined the Lincoln Journal-Star as newsroom artist and editorial cartoonist. He went on to win several awards for his work, including the Global Media Award for cartoons on world population issues. His self-syndicated editorial cartoons are still appearing in many newspapers across Nebraska.
Paul’s editorial cartoons have won several awards and appear regularly in national publications. He is in demand as a speaker and draws caricatures at conventions, trade shows and receptions. His editorial cartoons are syndicated throughout North America by Artizans Syndicate and worldwide by CartoonStock. He creates a weekly cartoon for the Nebraska Press Association which is distributed statewide.
In addition, he has produced cartoon books over the years, including several popular projects in collaboration with the late Nebraska humorist Roger Welsch, and solo works including “True Nebraskans” and “HuskerNutz.”
During her student days at Peru State, Arlene was president of the Home Economics Club for two years, and a member of the college chapter of the Nebraska State Education Association and the National Education Association.
When the couple moved to Lincoln in 1984, Arlene followed her interest in tailoring and clothing. She managed alterations departments at Miller and Paine, Dillard’s and Von Maur while operating an in-home alterations business.
Later she established her own alterations shop in Lincoln’s College View neighborhood for ten years.
Together, the Fells served as the co-chairs of Peru State’s National Alumni Association Board of Directors for many years and regularly volunteer on campus for various events. They served as co-chairs for the successful Project ROAR fundraising campaign for the Peru State College Foundation and are members of the College’s Football Booster Club board.
In addition to their generous donations to the Foundation for capital projects, the Fells have a scholarship which is given to a junior or above who is active in a campus organization and/or is an athlete making an impact in a varsity sport.
Butch and Dobey Haws
Clarence W. “Butch” and Janet “Dobey” Falter Haws both proudly grew up in Falls City, Neb., and are graduates of Falls City High School.
Butch continued his education at Peru State and graduated in 1969 with a degree in industrial education, where he was active in the industrial arts honorary Epsilon Pi Tau. Dobey, a graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, also took summer courses at Peru State. They note the excellent education they received during their Bobcat years greatly enhanced their professional careers.
Lincoln has been their home for the past 56 years. After military service and 13 years of teaching for the Lincoln Public Schools, Butch started a manufacturing company which, until his retirement in 2012, did business internationally for 32 years.
For 40 years, Dobey specialized in elementary physical education for LPS.
Since their retirement, the couple has been involved in volunteer and philanthropic projects in Peru, Falls City, and Lincoln. Ten years ago, they were instrumental in opening the John Philip Falter Museum in Falls City. The museum highlights work by the world-renowned illustrator, a cousin of Dobey’s. For their efforts, they were recognized in 2016 as the EDGE Investors of the Year in Falls City.
The Haws have been long-time supporters of the Peru State College Foundation and its capital campaign projects including the Oak Bowl football stadium renovation, Performing Arts Center, Project ROAR, the campus entrance project, and a host of individual groups and/or activities. The Haws Family Lobby in the renovated Performing Arts Center is named for them.
In addition, they are members and contributors to the Nebraska State Historical Society Foundation, The Richardson Foundation, and the Library and Community Foundation of Richardson County.
