Fred Hawkins, Jr. of Omaha and Charles Gardner of Hastings will be inducted into the Hastings College Pro Rege Society at the 13th annual dinner and induction ceremony at Lochland Country Club, Hastings, Neb., Thursday, April 23.

Membership in the Pro Rege Society is the highest non-academic recognition that Hastings College bestows. Criteria for selection may include, but is not limited to, extraordinary service to Hastings College, significant philanthropic contributions and/or unusual commitment to the college over an extended period of time.

The event begins at 6:30 p.m. and includes a dinner, tributes by the Hastings College Music Department and induction ceremony. Call (402) 461-7363 by Wed., April 15 to make reservations.

Hawkins, a 1972 business administration graduate of Hastings College, retired from the college’s Board of Trustees in October 2008 and was named an honorary trustee in recognition of his 18 years of service, 12 as vice-chairman of the Board. He is chief executive officer of Hawkins Construction Company, a firm in Omaha that provides general contracting, construction management and design-build services.

“Fred has worked tirelessly for the betterment of his alma mater and has given unselfishly of his time and his resources to advance its mission,” said Dr. Phillip Dudley, college president. “He is always among the first to step forward when he sees a need, and he has been extremely generous in his financial support of Hastings College.”

A civic leader in his community and state, Hawkins serves on the Board of Directors of the Nebraska Game and Parks Foundation and was a Governor of the Knights of Ak-Sar-Ben for 17 years.

Professor Emeritus Charles Gardner served 25 years as director of libraries at Hastings College. Upon his retirement in 1990, he was awarded the honorary degree, Doctor of Humane Letters, at the college’s commencement ceremony.

“Charlie provided excellent leadership in Perkins Library and was a careful but creative steward of the library’s resources,” Dudley said. “He is a strong advocate for the liberal arts and was twice selected by faculty and students to deliver the Invited Faculty Lecture.”

Gardner for nearly 20 years chaired the Personalized Program Board, which assists students in designing a personalized program of study. He was the first elected presiding officer of the Hastings College faculty from 1969 to 1971.