District 303 Names Distinguished Alumni Award Winners

Three former St. Charles school district students were named as recipients of District 303's .

The 2012 award winners are Edward Anderson, Capt. Caroline Olinger, and Jeff Surges. They will be honored at the Greater St. Charles Education Foundation’s Night of Jazz event on Feb 11 at the St. Charles Country Club.

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The following biographical information was provided by District 303:

Edward Anderson graduated from St. Charles High School in 1934. He joined Burgess-Norton Manufacturing in 1942 and was named President in 1970. He retired as President in 1983 after 41 years of service. Anderson was very involved in his community serving on the Board of Directors of Delnor-Community Hospital for thirty-nine years.  He also served as a director of the St. Charles Savings and Loan and the Hotel Baker Living Center. Anderson passed away in 2009. 

Capt. Caroline M. Olinger graduated from St. Charles High School in 1979. Olinger received her commission through the Navy ROTC program in May 1984. In January of 2009, she took the helm as Commanding Officer, Training Support Center, Great Lakes, and Illinois. In April of 2011, she assumed her current position as Chief of Staff, Naval Service Training Command. Her awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit with Gold Star, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, two Navy Meritorious Service Medals, Navy Commendation Medal with three gold stars, Navy Achievement Medal, Military Unit Commendation with one bronze star, National Defense Medal with one bronze star, Overseas Deployment Ribbon and the Marksman (Pistol) Ribbon.

Jeff Surges graduated from St. Charles High School in 1985 and is the Chief Executive Officer of Merge Health Care Inc.  As CEO, Surges oversees a company which had revenues of $140 million in 2010 and employed over 900 people and is a nationally recognized leader in the healthcare information technology field. Surges lives in Naperville with his wife and three children.

The award is given to former students who have "demonstrated a high level of achievement in their field of endeavor or in their contributions to their community," according to a district news release. Nominations are taken from the public.

To buy tickets for the Night of Jazz event, visit www.stceducation.com or email jazzevent17@gmail.com.