Each year Northwest Nazarene University honors an individual or organization whose goals are to enrich, support, and enhance the local Nampa community. This year the 2015 Eugene Emerson Award was presented to Don Brandt at the annual NNU President’s Dinner. 

Being active in the community has long been important to Brandt. He is president of the Brandt Agency, a real estate firm that has played an important part in the development of Idaho's Boise Valley since 1963. He was twice designated Realtor of the Year by the Nampa Board of Realtors. 

He is the chairman of the John H. and Orah I. Brandt Foundation. The Brandt Foundation is a leading force for philanthropy in the local community. As chairman of the foundation, Brandt ensures that the philanthropic legacy of the Brandt family continues to improve the quality of life for Nampa residents. 

Brandt and his siblings recently announced a gift to the city of Nampa of 26 acres at the intersection of Cherry Lane and Franklin; the property will be used to develop a park in the memory of their mother. In addition, Brandt has donated space to LOVE, Inc., and Brandt was named the Volunteer of the Century by The Salvation Army.

Service to his community defines Brandt, as reflected in his service as the past chairman and member of The Salvation Army Advisory Board, past campaign chairman and president of the Nampa and Canyon Area United Way, and director and past chairman of the Nampa Shelter Foundation. He is a past member of the Canyon County Planning and Zoning Commission and past chairman of several Nampa Chamber of Commerce committees. He is a lifelong member of the Church of Christ. 

With regard to NNU, Brandt has served as a connection between the university and community in several ways. Brandt was involved in finalizing the lead gift for the building of NNU’s Brandt Center, a campus and community landmark. He serves on the Board of Trustees of the NNU Foundation and is a member of the Investment Committee, which guides the management of NNU’s endowment assets. In that role, Brandt has facilitated and brought to the Foundation wise investment opportunities that ensure the future of the endowment. The Brandt Foundation hosts events at the Brandt Center every year, bringing members of the community on campus and helping to create lasting connections with many community stakeholders. 

NNU President Joel Pearsall describes Brandt's role this way: “For as long as I can remember, Don has been willing to stand alongside Northwest Nazarene University to guide us, to advise us, and to provide a loving reflection back to us so that we might better see ourselves. We greatly respect his wise and firm counsel, and we know well that when Don speaks to us, we must listen and hear what he says. His mark on the university is indelible.” 

The Eugene Emerson Award was established in 1985 to acknowledge the spirit of cooperation that exists between the Treasure Valley and the university. The award was named for NNU founder Eugene Emerson, a Nampa businessman who also established a lumber company and later sold it to Windsor Lloyd of Lloyd Lumber Company. The award honors those who have contributed significantly to fostering that cooperation, and by so doing, draw attention to the mutual benefit gained by both the community and the university.

--Northwest Nazarene University