School officials honored three University of Kansas art students Friday morning for their heroic efforts during a Kansas River rescue attempt last week.

Jason Hoffman, of Vassar; Nick Erker, of Wellington; and Andrew Baumann, of Adrian, Mo.; rescued and attempted to resuscitate an 80-year-old Lawrence man on April 27 after part of the Bowersock Dam gave way and swept him into the river. The fisherman, George Weber, died later that day at Lawrence Memorial Hospital.

On Friday morning, David Ambler, vice chancellor for student affairs, presented certificates signed by Chancellor Robert Hemenway to the three students in a surprise ceremony during their drawing class. The certificate thanked the men for their "courage and unselfish response to a water rescue victim."

Hoffman said he and about 20 classmates had used their class time that day to sketch scenes of the river east of the dam. Although he had noticed people fishing from the dam that morning, Hoffman said he didn't see the accident.

"I saw a guy who looked like he was swimming to shore," he said. "We could see a lot of people running around and then I saw him go under."

Hoffman said he and Erker ran up the river bank to see if they could help. When they came within 15 yards, Hoffman waded out into the water and took hold of Weber.

"I was able to walk out pretty far, but on the way back I must have taken a wrong turn because it got pretty deep," he said. "I'm a terrible swimmer."

Erker and Baumann performed CPR on Weber until a rescue team arrived. Weber was resuscitated at the scene but died Friday evening.

Hoffman said although he appreciated the recognition, he regretted that Weber didn't survive the accident.

"I wish he would have made it," he said. "That would have made all the difference."

Andrea Albright can be reached at (785) 295-1208 or aalbright@cjonline.com.