Katherine Bogdanovich Loker, whose monetary gifts paid a large percentage of the cost of Loker Commons, was recently awarded the Harvard Medal for distinguished service to the University.

At a dinner for the Community on University Resources during spring break in Annenberg Hall, President Neil L. Rudenstine praised Loker's vision.

"It was far more than generosity," he said, according to the Harvard Gazette. "It was really imagination, because anyone who, four or five years ago, had looked at the upstairs and especially the downstairs of Memorial Hall might well have had some doubts as to what could possibly result from any amount of energy and time put into them."

"But it was her imagination that essentially said very early on, 'That sounds like just the right idea--and I'd like to help,'" Rudenstine continued.

In addition to her monetary donations, Loker has served on the Committee on University Resources Campaign Executive Committee and on the Visiting Committee to Harvard College.

The citation accompanying Loker's medal read: "Katherine Bogdanovich Loker, thoughtful friend and faithful member of the Harvard family, you have shaped the everyday life of our students and faculty by your perceptive and creative generosity."

When Rudenstine read the citation at the committee dinner on March 29, the crowd of about 300 rose and applauded, according to the Gazette.

The previous day, Rudenstine and Dean of the Faculty Jeremy R. Knowles introduced a plaque and Loker's portrait at the formal dedication of the commons.

The Harvard Medal was established in 1980 by the Harvard Alumni Association, which honors friends of the University who have provided distinguished service, according to the Gazette.

The University president normally presents three such medals on Commencement Day. Loker received her medal early to coincide with the celebration marking the completion of the renovations of Memorial Hall.

Alumni offer names for the committee's consideration and winners are selected by the Harvard Alumni Awards Committee