ANDERSON, Ind. — A longtime Anderson couple was honored Saturday at the annual Anderson University dinner for individual community efforts, according to Karen Roller.

Anderson University President James Edwards selected Glenn and Berney Falls for the 2009 William P. Riethmiller Community Partnership Award. The award is given each year to people in Anderson who have shown a dedication to Anderson’s community, Roller said.

Glenn Falls, 87, taught accounting at Anderson University for 35 years and has been a board member for several local businesses including the Anderson Banking Company and Pay Less Super Markets. Along the way, he helped many of his students work for and with those companies. Falls said Friday that, when he first started teaching at the university, Anderson residents didn’t feel a connection with the university.

“They thought of the college as, ‘Those folks over there on the hill,’ and I wanted to develop different feelings,” he said. “I had a feeling that the college should have a relationship with the whole city and more.”

Glenn Falls said his proudest accomplishment has been that many of his former students are still working with the businesses he worked to develop relationships with.

Berney Falls, 78, was a hospice nurse who worked with cancer patients throughout the country for about 15 years. After moving to Anderson and marrying Glenn Falls in 2002, Berney Falls has continued her home care for recently released cancer patients. She said she enjoys the one-to-one care, although it’s not the easiest job.

“I enjoy the fact that I could bring some comfort and love to the people that were dying,” she said. “I don’t enjoy death, but I enjoy loving them into the kingdom.”

Anderson University’s Henry Schwartz was also recognized at the dinner as the 2009 Madison County Medical Society Distinguished Scholar. The $5,000 award is given to an Anderson University student who plans to attend medical school and has demonstrated community service, Roller said.

“They believe that medicine is also about giving back to the community,” she said.

Schwartz said he intends to pursue family practice medicine. He is the vice president of the AU Pre-Professional Health Club, and was certified as an EMT this year.

The Anderson University dinner — a gathering of Anderson University fellows and sponsors — has been held for more than 25 years, Roller said. Entertainment was provided by a quartet led by Anderson University faculty member and pianist Ken Chan.

Contact Christina M. Wright, 640-4883, christina.wright@heraldbulletin.com.