The Cray-Seaberg Vision of Excellene Award was established in 2014 by the Board of Trustees of Atchison's historic Santa Fe Depot in recognition of outstanding community leadership exemplified by MGP Ingredients, Inc. Chariman Emeritus Cloud L. "Bud" Cray, his late wife Sally, former MGP Chairman and CEO Ladd Seaberg, his wife and current MGP Board Chairman Karen Seaberg, and other members of the Cray and Seaberg families.

The mission of the award is to honor individuals or families who demonstrate extraordinary foresight and commitment in helping create progressive opportunities for the betterment of the overall community. Recipients of this award are families who have long personified this mission by leading countless community enhancement initiatives.

These have included highly successful efforts to convert the Depot from a closed down railroad freight station into a popular center of activity for local inhabitants and tourists alike.

Upgraded with modern interior and exterior amenities while maintaining the building's historic intergrity, the renovated 138-year-old Depot is home to the Atchison Visitor's Information Center, and the Atchison County Historical Society Museum. The Depot hosts thousands of guests annually, along with community-oriented meetings, forums, seminars and other events of public interest.

Funds raised through the creation of the Cray-Seaberg Vision of Excellence Award go toward future improvements to the Depot, thus helping perpetuate a prominent symbol of the many Cray-Seaberg visionary endeavors that have so greatly benefitted Atchison and the surrounding area.

Please join us as we celebrate the visionary efforts and outstanding contributions of the Mize Family to the Atchison community.