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Draft:Cecilia Rokusek

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Cecilia F. Rokusek Ed.D., M.Sc., RDN (born June 27, 1953) is the President of the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library (NCSML) in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Early Life and Education

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Cecilia F. Rokusek was born in Tabor, South Dakota, into a family of Czech immigrants.[1] She has always been proud of her ancestry and actively communicates both in Czech and Slovak.

Career

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Cecilia Rokusek received her undergraduate education from Mount Marty University[2] in 1975. At the University of Nebraska in Lincoln, Dr. Rokusek completed graduate studies in human nutrition and in 1983 completed her doctorate in higher education administration at the University of South Dakota.[3] In the following 35 years she held top academic and administrative positions at several colleges and universities in the states of Illinois, Minnesota and Florida and prior to joining NCSML she served as Provost & CEO of Larkin University in Miami. She specialized in medical staff education, primary care and family medicine, geriatrics, and Alzheimer's disease research. For many years, she also lectured on senior healthcare financing and crisis management, and continuing healthcare education.[4] She also served as Honorary Consul of Slovakia in Florida for 12 years.[5] In 2018 she was appointed president of the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library (NCSML) in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Under her leadership the NCSML has been designated a Smithsonian Affiliate, joining a national network of museums, educational institutions and cultural organizations in sharing the resources of the Smithsonian Institution.[6] September 27, 2024 Dr. Rokusek unveiled the Buresh Immigration Clock Tower,[7] housing the first-ever astronomical clock in US, which honors the Czech and Slovak immigrants who settled in the United States in the late 19th century, in the presence of Czech President Petr Pavel and his Slovak counterpart, Peter Pellegrini in Cedar Rapids.[8][9][10][11]

Awards and Recognition

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In 2019, Cecilia Rokusek received the Woodrow Wilson Award for leadership in diplomacy and significantly contributing to developing Slovak-American relations, presented by the Slovak Ambassador to the US.[12]

In 2022 Cecilia Rokusek received the Crystal Heart of Gold. The award is given by the Czech Center in New York and recognizes Dr. Rokusek and the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library for supporting Czech culture in the American Midwest.[13]

In 2022, Dr. Rokusek received the prestigious 2022 Gratias Agit Award at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic.[14][15][16]

On her 70th birthday she was recognized for her excellent work and personal dedication, including as the Honorary Consul in Florida, by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Slovak Republic Miroslav Wlachovský on June 27, 2023.[17]

Personal life

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Cecilia Rokusek is married to Robert J Petrik[14]

References

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  1. ^ "Welcome Back:Tabor And Area Celebrate Return Of Czech Days". Yankton Daily Press & Dakotan. Jun 18, 2021.
  2. ^ "NCSML board names Cecilia Rokusek next President and CEO". July 20, 2018.
  3. ^ "Cecilia F. Rokusek, Ed.D., R.D." (PDF).
  4. ^ "Dr Cecilia Rokusek".
  5. ^ "Directory of Consulates" (PDF).
  6. ^ "The NCSML Announces Smithsonian Affiliation". Feb 2019.
  7. ^ "Cedar Rapids astronomical clock draws Czech and Slovak presidents for dedication, marks new tourism landmark". Corridor Business Journal. September 30, 2024.
  8. ^ "First-ever astronomical clock in US unveiled in Cedar Rapids". Radio Prague International.
  9. ^ "Czech Village Clock Tower in Cedar Rapids preparing for its close-up". The Gazette. September 1, 2024.
  10. ^ "Czech and Slovak Presidents visit C.R. for Buresh Immigration Clock Tower dedication". The Gazette. September 27, 2024.
  11. ^ "Pavel v Iowě spustil orloj, "národní" figurky doprovází Smetana či Dvořák Zdroj: https://www.idnes.cz/zpravy/zahranicni/pavel-s-pellegrinim-v-iowe-spustili-orloj-inspirovany-tim-prazskym.A240928_091920_zahranicni_vank". iDNES. September 28, 2024. {{cite news}}: External link in |title= (help)
  12. ^ "Cecilia Rokusek receives Woodrow Wilson Award from the Slovak Republic". National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library. 12 December 2018.
  13. ^ "Dr. Cecilia Rokusek Receives Crystal Heart of Gold" (PDF). MOST. 32 (2): 2. Fall 2022.
  14. ^ a b "Czech Republic honors leader of Cedar Rapids museum". The Gazette. November 11, 2022.
  15. ^ ""I was in tears when I got the news": Gratias Agit awards presented". Radio Prague International. October 19, 2022.
  16. ^ "My Češi se umíme radovat z mála, ale komunismus nás nenaučil dávat, říká šéfka českého muzea v USA". DenikN. April 13, 2024.
  17. ^ "Friends of Slovakia's Board Member Cecilia Rokusek Recognized for her Excellent Work by the Slovak Minister of Foreign Affairs Miroslav Wlachovský". Friends of Slovakia. June 28, 2023.