From the Lawrence Daily Journal-World for Nov. 15, 1987:

“My kids have kidded me that I can’t win the big one,” joked Don Green, Conger-Gabel distinguished professor of chemical and petroleum engineering, as he was presented with the HOPE award during halftime at the Kansas-Oklahoma State football game. Green had reached finalist status seven times during his 23 years at Kansas University before winning the Honor for Outstanding Progressive Educator award, given annually by KU’s senior class. Green said that just having been nominated multiple times was an honor in itself but admitted that he was “surprised and tickled and excited, certainly” to finally win. He added that the field of engineering was “an excellent discipline for someone to go into” and that he viewed teaching as “bringing young people — junior colleagues — along. This is a time for young people when great changes are occurring in their lives — they’re maturing and developing their professional skills — I enjoy just being involved in the process.”