Tim Kane Wins Prestigious Award

SALISBURY, MD -- Tim Kane, 21, a geography/geosciences major who graduated this spring from Salisbury University, was the recipient of the prestigious Four-Way Test Award from the Rotary Club of Salisbury recently. Kane, the 40th winner of this annual honor that recognizes outstanding community service, is the youngest person to ever receive the award.

The Four-Way Test is the motto of Rotary, an international service organization, and asks the following of the things "we think, say or do: 1) Is it the truth?; 2) Is it fair to all concerned?; 3) Will it build goodwill and better friendships?; and 4) Will it be beneficial to all concerned."

Kane was recognized primarily for his heroic contributions to the citizens of New York City and the nation following the September 11 World Trade Center tragedy. Following a summer internship with the Office of Emergency Management in New York City, Kane was asked by NYC officials to return to assist the OEM in the aftermath of 9/11. He went willingly, and with the blessing of his parents, University professors Fran and Mary Kane, and SU faculty and administrators. He worked countless hours in the next two weeks trying to alleviate the communication and transportation chaos caused by the devastation of the Twin Towers.

Tim Kane "makes all Maryland proud," said The (Baltimore) Sun in a Sunday editorial following the tragedy.

The Rotary Club of Salisbury, founded in 1920, is believed to be the oldest service club on Delmarva. Past recipients of the Four-Way Test Award include Virginia Layfield, W. Paul Martin, Sister Mary Elizabeth, Sam Seidel and Avery Hall. Active Rotarians are not eligible for the award.

One of the most widely printed and quoted statements of business ethics in the world is the Rotary Four-Way Test. Created by Rotarian Herbert J. Taylor in 1932 as a way to save his Chicago-based Club Aluminum Co., which was facing Depression-caused financial difficulties, the Four-Way Test was adopted by Rotary in 1943 and has been translated into more than 100 languages.

Kane begins full-time employment with the OEM in New York in June.