2006 - 2007 MERIT AWARD RECIPIENTS

JULIE HEITZMAN MARLIN - CLASS OF 1967

While at EC, Julie Heitzman Marlin was a Humanities Divisional major. Following graduation, she earned a master of arts degree with emphasis in church drama from Methodist Theological School in Delaware, Ohio.

Heitzman Marlin has been a prolific writer, especially drama for use in churches. Her experience with cancer led her to write 2000's Living Room: A Visitor's Guide to Hell and Heaven, a courageous statement of faith i n the face of adversity. The book also chronicles the loss of both parents in a single-car accident. Investigating the unusual accident, she and her brother, Jack, began to suspect the accident had occurred because of premature airbag deployment. Due to their research, changes were made in the way airbags are installed in the warnings about their use - making us all safer today.

Heitzman Marlin is married to the Rev. Dr. Thomas Marlin and has one daughter, Mariah.

LINDA PUTBACK-BEAN - CLASS OF 1972

Linda Putback-Bean majored in physical education at EC and garnered experience in the Occupational Therapy department at OSF Saint Francis (then-St. Francis Hospital).

While working in Houston, she was offered a job at a prosthetics company and soon made history. She successfully fit a myoelectric hand on an infant, countering the prevailing belief that children couldn't learn to use this type of prosthetic device until they were about 10 years old. This meant that hundreds of young children could now be fitted with life-like prostheses instead of hooks.

As a result of this innovation, Putback-Bean was featured in Life Magazine and on many television programs. During her career, she has worked with organizations to help provide prosthetics for children whose families could not afford them, often doing so pro bono.

She is married to Ken Bean, has one daughter, Kelcey, and two grandchildren.