The Distinguished Serve Award is bestowed upon an individual whose service has been exemplary. The honor extends beyond the circle of William Penn alumni to those who embody the William Penn commitment to community and humanitarian service. This year’s award is being presented to a couple whose service commitment allows their small community to move forward and grow with opportunities. Being an active participant in a community is a valuable component of small town living. Don and Diane (Hale) Lastovka are constantly in motion whether it is for their community or volunteering at William Penn.
Don and Diane moved to Brooklyn, Iowa in the summer of 2003. After a few months in town they were asked to join the Brooklyn Ruritan Club, which is a community service organization. The club raises money for projects or benefits, provides concessions or caterings for various events, and changes the flags at the Brooklyn flag display. Currently, the club is raising money to install two pickle ball courts in town, and organizing and raising the funds to bring The Wall That Heals (a ¾ scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C.) to Brooklyn. Over the years, Don has served as treasurer for two years, vice-president for four years, and president for four years. Diane spent many years as club secretary, a position which Don currently holds. At the district level, Don holds the office of treasurer and Diane holds the office of secretary.
One of the projects they chair for the Ruritan Club is the Big Hearts 4 Tiny Hands breakfast fundraiser. Big Hearts 4 Tiny Hands is a Poweshiek County group that supports families with babies in the NICU by providing support and financial assistance. Don and Diane manage a Brooklyn Raceway concession stand where they purchase and prepare the food and organize the workers, and they also work concessions at the What Cheer Flea Market of which Don is in charge of signing up club members to work. Lastly, they have taken the lead in the Ruritan Rising Senior program. The program allows chosen seniors at BGM Community School to receive a $500 scholarship in exchange for providing 25 community service hours with the club.
Both have been getting more involved with volunteering at WPU over the past several years. Some of the things they do include helping at graduation, grilling at alumni baseball and softball tailgates, helping to grill and serve food at parents’ weekend tailgates, organizing and grilling for a tailgate (along with WP alum Jim Kobus) at the Iowa Cubs alumni gathering, and stuffing envelopes for mailings. Don currently serves on the Alumni Council and is past chair of the Greek Alumni Advisory Council of which Diane is the current chair.
Don, a 1984 graduate of William Penn and a brother of Alpha Sigma Chi fraternity, retired from teaching in 2020 after 36 years in music education. In retirement he stays busy by playing guitar in the Sully Big Band and the cover band Late Shift. Don donates his time and musical talents by playing percussion and guitar with the Marion Community Concert and Jazz Bands (both under the direction of WP alum Dave Law), and either guitar or percussion in HLV Community School’s musicals. At BGM he volunteers his time by running the auditorium sound and lights for school concerts, musicals, plays, and dance recitals, and running the school’s track timing system for track meets.
Diane, a 1983 graduate of William Penn in home economics and a sister of Pi Gamma Xi sorority, retired from teaching in 2022. She stays busy sewing and making quilts many of which have been donated. During the pandemic, she sewed and sent face masks out to Greater Life which is an organization run by WP alumni Mike and Maria Westbrook. She has also donated quilts to Greater Life and Big Hearts 4 Tiny Hands. Another area where Diane volunteers her time is judging 4H projects at county fairs as well as the Iowa State Fair. Diane also helps run the track timing system for BGM’s track meets.
Don and Diane have two children. Sean lives in Granger, Iowa with his wife Alyssa, sons Xander and Jetsen, and daughters Breia and Caisley. He is a 2015 graduate of Grandview University where he majored in kinesiology and health promotion and played basketball. Kristin lives in Brooklyn with her husband Austin and son Beau. She is a 2016 graduate of William Penn University where she majored in business management and threw for the track & field team.
William Penn is honored to present the 2026 Distinguished Service Award to Don and Diane Lastovka.