Ron & Kathy Assaf
The Annual Walk of Recognition
Presented by the Boca Raton Historical Society, added four new stars this year: Ron & Kathy Assaf, Millicent Duvall, Mary Harrison, and Elaine Wold. All of these individuals have demonstrated a significant long-term commitment to serving in the interest of Boca Raton and they have enriched the lives of our citizens. Ron and Kathy Assaf have given over three decades of service and contributions to our community. Their contributions to education have helped provide buildings at both the university and secondary level and their leadership on the boards of these institutions has provided lasting direction to these institutions. Currently, Mr. Assaf is Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Nova Southeastern University and a member of the Board of Trustees
at Boca Raton Community Hospital. Their endowment of the Ronald and Kathleen Assaf Center for Nursing Excellence at the Boca Raton Community Hospital will help recruit, train and retain critically needed nurses for our community. Their Foundation will continue to financially support local civic and charitable organizations.Millicent Duvall has given of her time and expertise to numerous
educational institutions and music organizations. She has held educational leadership positions with the City of Boca Raton, local public schools, and the Chamber’s Golden Bell Foundation. Millicent was the founding Chairman of the Board of the Youth Orchestra of Palm Beach County, where she is currently a board member; she is also a member of the Board of Directors of the Boca Raton Philharmonic Symphonia. She has also been active in the Junior League of Boca Raton as well as numerous other organizations which serve the community.Mary Harrison has been a significant force in the hospice movement in Palm Beach County and Boca Raton for over 30 years. She was a co-founder of Hospice of Boca Raton in 1978, and she later served as Chair of the Board of Directors.
Currently, Mary serves as Chair of the Hospice by the Sea Foundation. Ms. Harrison’s generous philanthropic contributions and tireless efforts have impacted and changed the lives of thousands of families in Boca Raton.Elaine Wold has resided in Boca Raton for more than 50 years and she has contributed to the Boca Raton community through her volunteer efforts and through her foundation. Elaine has established a scholarship at Lynn University for Palm Beach County students and has also underwritten the Keith C. Wold Foundation for the Development of Theatre Arts. She recently gave $6 million to establish the Keith C. And Elaine Johnson Wold Performing Arts Center at Lynn University. Elaine also generously supports the Boca Raton Historical Society, Boca Raton Community Hospital, Centre for the Arts at Mizner Park, Junior League of Boca Raton, and the Christine E. Lynn School of Nursing at FAU.Instituted in 1997, the Walk of Recognition award has been presented to 59 deserving members of the community. Each inductee’s name is inscribed in a stunning black granite plaque, which is set into a commemorative monument featuring the mission of the program beneath the Mizner statue in Royal Palm Place.A cornerstone of the community and supporter of numerous organizations in the area, Marta Batmasian originally conceived of the award which has become an annual community program organized and maintained by the Boca Raton Historical Society. The plaques are underwritten by Marta Batmasian as part of her commitment to her community.
