Pioneers of progress to be recognized

The seven recipients of the Days of '47 annual Pioneers of Progress Awards will be honored Thursday.

      The award, presented annually since 1995, goes to Utahns who have

demonstrated "the pioneer legacy of industry and integrity and whose

work benefits present and future generations."

      The recipients are:

      Business and enterprise — Harris Simmons, president and chief executive officer of Zions

Bancorporation, has been at the helm since 1990. Institutional Investor

magazine named Simmons one of America's best CEOs, and Utah Business

magazine named him one of the 100 most influential people in the state.

He has twice chaired the Zoo, Arts and Parks (ZAP) Reauthorization

Campaigns for Salt Lake County and has chaired the Shelter-the-Homeless

Committee since the Salt Lake Community Shelter opened in 1988.

     Sportsmanship and athletics —

Larry Gelwix is a volunteer coach of Highland Rugby, training young men

on more than just sports. "It's not about rugby, it's about young men,"

Gelwix said to Pioneers of Progress. "It's not about building a

championship team, it's about building championship boys." Statistics

show Gelwix has done both: 379-9 win-loss record and 17 USA Rugby

National High School Championships.

     Historic and creative arts —

Arnold Friberg has been commended worldwide for his prolific work in

religious and patriotic artwork. Among his signature works are his

paintings on the movie "The Ten Commandments," "The Prayer at Valley

Forge" and the 12 paintings in the missionary Book of Mormon.