Alumni Awards
Alumni Awards
Recognizing Alumni Achievements
Award recipients are selected by the Executive Committee of Alumni Council from nomination forms submitted by alumni and friends of Bethany. Nominations must be submitted each year and must include a letter of recommendation, and any supporting documentation such as press releases, social media posts, or letters of recommendation from co-workers or community members. Finalists will be recognized at the annual Alumni Awards Celebration during Homecoming Weekend.
The 2026 alumni award nomination deadline has passed.
DISTINGUISHED ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS
| 2025 – Tim Keating ’75 2024 – David Eugene McConahy ‘87 2024 – Elizabeth Wells McIlvain ‘77 2022 – Dr. Michael Hynes ‘94 2022 – Ralph Shaaya ‘74 2022 – Richie Siconolfi ‘72 2021 – Cheryl Ryan Harshman ’74, Rick Jackson ’78, Stephen Ruben ’70 2020 – Mark Bado ’87 2019 – Kurt G. Franck ’78, Journalism 2018 – Peter Jensen ’81 2018 – Dr. Edward Phillips Polack ’67 2017 – Dr. Dean Haubrich ’64, Thomas Miller ’77 2016 – Salvatore Marranca ’68 2015 – Dr. Elizabeth Flanagan ’74, Education 2014 – Dr. Cheryl Mitchell ’76, Chemistry 2013 – Kaye (Gorenflo) Hearn ’72, Law 2012 – Dr. Kathleen Downey ’75, Medicine 2011 – Dr. W. Blair Geho ’60, Medicine 2011 – Steffanie D. (Jones) Lewis ’58, Law 2010 – Chad Barnett ’96, Education 2007 – William Allen ’62, Religion/Ministry 2007 – Sandra Block ’81, Journalism 2006 – Kathy (Porter) Fuller ’87, Education 2006 – Steven McKinley ’73, Military Service 2005 – Meta Michaelsen Downes ’58, Education 2005 – Mark Melson ’72, Fine Arts 2004 – Donald Megerle ’69, Higher Education/Coaching 2004 – Gary Winterstein ’85, Military Service 2003 – John Bertram ’67, Public Health 2003 – Scott Prouty ’82, Music 2002 – Adrian Melott ’68, Physics and Astronomy 2002 – Jennifer Riggs ’68, Religion 2001 – John Schriver ’59, Medicine 2001 – Gerald Pifer ’61, Medicine 2000 – George Albee ’43, Psychology 2000 – Donald Arnold ’57, Chemistry 1999 – Bonnie J. Monte ’76, Arts Management 1999 – William Somplatsky- Jarman ’69, Religious/Environmental Relations 1998 – Philip W. Hall ’48, Medicine 1997 – Arthur B. Keys Jr. ’67, International Humanitarian Development 1997 – Bonnie (Bowman) Thurston ’74, Religion 1997 – William A. Wyman ’64, Music 1996 – K. Robert Orr ’75, Journalism 1996 – Margaret A. Wissman ’77, Veterinary Medicine 1995 – Marion G. Burns ’45, Youth Services 1995 – John E. Niederhuber ’60, Medicine 1994 – Marjorie (Hunter) Copenhaver ’44, Business 1994 – W. Marc Harshman ’73, Literature 1994 – Harry G. Lang ’69, Education 1993 – John H. Keppel ’43, Ministry 1993 – Earl W. Lindveit ’50, Science 1993 – John N. McLaughlin ’53, Business 1992 – Edward O. Elsasser ’42, Education 1992 – Dorothy (Daniel) France ’50. Ministry 1991 – Donald H. Cloudsley ’48, Library Administration 1991 – G. Malcom Cottington ’50, Medicine 1991 – Robert Goin ’59, Athletic Administration 1991 – Nathan S. Smith ’55, Ministry 1990 – David Cortes ’76, Ministry 1990 – Scarlett L. Foster ’79, Business Communication 1990 – Dorothy and Joe Funk ’40, Public Service 1990 – Jeffrey L. Seglin ’78, Journalism 1990 – David S. Sims ’75, Sports Communication 1989 – Kenneth B. Armitage ’49, Biological Research 1989 – John C. Erskine ’39, Government Service 1989 – Raymond B. McClain ’58, Education 1988 – N. Vernon Blankenship ’50, Ministry 1988 – Robert A. Hurford ’50, Business |
1987 – Anthony Furman ’57, Communications 1987 – Donald Wagenheim ’62, Business 1986 – Milton S. Carlin ’36, Journalism 1986 – Emerson G. Hess ’36, Law and Business 1985 – Paul A. Kohl ’74, Science 1984 – Charles L. Perry ’59, International Affairs 1984 – William J. Nottingham ’49, Ministry 1983 – Lawrence A. Caliguiri ’55, Science and Medicine 1983 – Malcolm W. Rush ’32, Business 1982 – Albert L. Filoni ’64, Architecture 1982 – Noel Wical ’32, Communications 1981 – Eleanor Steindorf Johnson ’31, Medicine 1981 – James W. Lenhart ’34, Religion 1981 – William E. Lewellen ’48, Business 1981 – Darrell K. Wolfe ’41, Communication 1980 – Esther McCandless ’44, Science 1980 – Charles A. McKee ’55, Education 1980 – Robert S. Tuck ’22, Religion 1979 – Robert F. Cory ‘34, Business 1979 – Emerson Heilman ‘54, Business 1979 – E. Morton Miller ‘29, Education 1979 – Dwight E. Stevenson ‘29, Religion 1978 – Ray S. Musgrave ‘33, Science 1978 – D. Glenn Rose ‘52, Education 1978 – W. Elbert Starn ‘28, Church Services 1977 – Harold G. Elsam ‘23, Church Services 1977 – E. Russell McGregor ‘52, Education 1977 – James H. Ott ‘68, Business and Industry 1976 – R. Harrison Bolen ‘65, Church Services 1976 – David A. Butz ‘60, Business and Industry 1976 – Emily K. Jones ‘27, Education 1975 – Panos D. Bardis ‘50, Education 1975 – D. Robert Beard ‘49, Business and Industry 1975 – Harold R. Watkins ‘50, Church Services 1974 – Thomas Buergenthal ‘57, Law 1974 – Marjorie H. Buckholz ‘35, Education 1974 – Frank Donics ‘47, Business 1974 – Helen (Pierce) Elbin ‘28, Arts 1974 – William Boyd Grove ‘51, Ministry 1974 – Francis J. Love ‘24, Government 1974 – Ben E. Lusk ‘67, Journalism 1974 – Dorothy A. Porter ‘50, Medicine 1973 – John E. Carrigan ‘34, Government Service 1973 – Donald D. Cover ‘38, Church Service 1973 – Harold C. Doster ‘53, Education 1973 – Robert B. Golbey ‘43, National Science 1973 – Frank J. Leach ‘50, Business and Industry 1972 – Carl C. Francis ‘23, Education 1971 – Paul L. Bruhn ‘33, Business 1970 – Barbara G. Schutt ‘42, Medicine 1969 – Victor J. Herbert Sr. ‘40, Business 1968 – Raymond L. Henthorne ‘36, Education 1967 – Beatrice (Kane) McLain ‘26, International Education 1966 – The Family of William and Virginia Erskine ‘04: Ruth ‘28, Hugh ‘30, William ‘31, John ‘39, Mildred ‘42, Public Service; 1966 – Stanton C. Crawford ‘18, ‘40, Education 1965 – Raymond K. Sheline ‘43, Chemistry 1964 – Alfred R. Bone ‘28, Business 1963 – Eugene Miller ‘47, Journalism 1962 – Edward J. Green ‘30, Business 1960 – A. Dale Fiers ‘29, Religion 1959 – W. Arthur Rush ‘29, Entertainment 1958 – J. Park McCullen ‘17, Medicine |
ALUMNUS OF THE YEAR AWARD
This award was established by the Office of the President to recognize alumni who have demonstrated loyalty to the College and exceptional achievement throughout their lives, both professionally and in service to the community.
- 2015 – Sven de Jong ’95
- 2014 – Elizabeth (Sweeney) Athol ’82
- 2013 – Jeffrey Flick ’82
- 2012 – Marc B. Chernenko ’78
- 2012 – Joyce Dumbaugh Chernenko ’78
- 2011 – Dr. Rodney B. Hurl ’52
- 2010 – George Davis ’78
COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD
Given periodically to recognize alumni who demonstrate significant leadership and service to their region or community.
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2025 – Major Gary R. “Craig” Wagner ’85 |
1999 – Dr. Stephen D. Ratcliffe ’74 1998 – Jan (Campbell) Gazard ’72 1996 – Mario DiPaolo ’51 1995 – James H. Paige III ’82 1993 – Andrea J. Rock ’78 1990 – Joseph W. Mayernick ’72 1988 – Arthur M. Read II ’68 1987 – John S. Cluss ’37 1985 – Albert Kuti ’38 1983 – John G. Patterson ’38 1982 – Roberta (Chantler) Holt ’32 1979 – Layton Horner ’37 1977 – Elmer L. Jackson ’27 1976 – Nicholas Winowich ’49 1975 – H. Ray Zimmerman ’38 1974 – Forrest H. Kirkpatrick ’27 1973 – Donald E. Lewis ’33 |
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE TO ALMA MATER
The highest recognition award given to one recipient annually for alumni involvement, volunteer service and support to Bethany.
| 2024 – Georgiana N. Riley ’71 2024 – Robert F. Riley, Jr. ’67 2020 – John Somsky ’71 2019 – Paul Chewning ’75 2015 – Douglas Miller ’77 2014 – George Manahan ’83 2012 – Sharon Bogarad ’76 2010 – Ken Bado ’77 2008 – Linda Comins ’77 2007 – Ruth Caine ’64 2006 – Archie Pollock ’55 2005 – Joyce Dumbaugh Chernenko ’78 2004 – Neil Christman ’55 2002 – James F. Companion ’63 2001 – Gene C. Valentine ’72 2000 – Robert McCann ’80 1998 – Sally (Schreiver) Bado ’50 1997 – Linda D. Lewis ’61 1996 – Ann (Wilkin) Trombadore ’51 1995 – Ann (Cochran) Preston ’56 1994 – Donald R. Ford ’53 1993 – Joseph M. Sakach ’58 1992 – Forrest H. Kirkpatrick ’27 1991 – Dale S. Laughner ’51 1990 – Richard J. Meess ’50 1989 – S. Kenneth Schonberg ’61 1988 – Robert ’34 Cory 1988 – Katherine (Smith) ’36 Cory 1987 – John R. Taylor ’44 1986 – Helen Louise McGuffie ’36 1985 – Joseph M. Kurey ’62 1984 – William F. Porter ’40 |
1983 – Robert Lee Martin ’40 1981 – Luta M. Gordon ’31 1980 – William R. Hoag ’50 1979 – A. Dale Fiers ’29 1978 – Robert A Sandercox ’54 1977 – Rodney B. Hurl ’52 1976 – Wilbur H Cramblet Jr. ’42 1975 – Nancy (Tomasek) Ratcliffe ’44 1974 – Virgil L. Elliott ’28 1974 – Frank Green ’02 1974 – Helen (Tinsley) Haushalter ’07 1974 – John M. Lewis ’16 1973 – Edwin F. Schulz ’51 1972 – Paul E. Schaefer ’26 1971 – Charles D. Bell ’45 1970 – James Lee Collins ’49 1969 – Wilbur H. Cramblet Jr. ’42 1968 – Michael J. Kasarda ’31 1967 – Forrest Allen Pruitt Jr. ’32 1966 – M. Jane (Carfer) Theobald ’33 1966 – John Marshall ’02 1965 – John S. Cluss ’37 1964 – Malcolm W. Rush ’32 1963 – John E. Costello ’40 1962 – Josephine (Sheets) Wickerham ’36 1961 – E. Kenneth Resseger ’33 1960 – Wilbur H. Cramblet ’10 1959 – R. Richard Renner ’17 1958 – Maynard Patton ’16 |
JAMES E. ALLISON AWARD FOR TEACHING EXCELLENCE
Presented periodically to a Bethany faculty member. Nominees need not be alumni.
| 2025 – Dr. Lisa M. Reilly 2019 – Harald Menz 2007 – John T. Burns 2006 – Katherine Shelek-Furbee 2005 – Michael P. Mihalyo Jr. 2004 – W. Randolph Cooey ’64 2002 – Kenneth L. Morgan ’71 2001 – Wallace B. Neel 1999 – T. Gale Thompson 1998 – Robyn R. Cole 1996 – Gary H. Kappel ’74 1995 – Stanley L. Becker 1994 – Albert R. Buckelew Jr. 1993 – John D. Davis 1992 – John U. Davis ’56 1991 – Lynn F. Adkins |
1990 – Gary E. Larson 1989 – Anthony L. Mitch 1988 – Pauline R. Nelson 1987 – John H. Hull 1986 – David J. Judy 1985 – James E. Allison ’62 1984 – James W. Carty Jr. 1983 – William L. Young ’47 1982 – John R. Taylor ’44 1981 – Larry E. Grimes ’64 1980 – Robert E. Myers ’54 1979 – John D. Draper 1978 – Richard B. Kenney 1977 – Helen Lousie McGuffie ’36 |
OUTSTANDING SERVICE TO BETHANY COLLEGE
Awarded periodically to non-alumni who have made outstanding contributions to the mission, goals and programs of Bethany College through volunteer service or financial support.
2006 – Jeanne Cobb
2005 – Evelyn Casey Steen
2003 – Thomas P. Johnson Jr.
2002 – George Miller
2001 – Suzi Cummins
1996 – Elizabeth B. Vannelle
1993 – Joanne F. Sykes
1992 – Ruth L. Westlake
1987 – John S. Cunningham
1984 – Darline B. Nicholson
ROBERT A. SANDERCOX AWARD
Created by the Alumni Council in 1997 to honor Robert A. Sandercox ’54 for his outstanding dedication and contributions to the College, the award is to be presented only on rare occasions to the select few who demonstrate a level of commitment to Bethany and the educational community that is not easily rivaled.
2020 – Scarlett Foster ’79
2016 – Dr. Larry Grimes ’64
2013 – William Kiefer ’71
1998 – Charles D. Bell ’45
1997 – Robert A. Sandercox ’54
ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME
To be eligible, nominees must have graduated 10 years prior to the current year and must have shown significant contributions to athletics, to their profession or community and to the College. Those selected are honored at the Athletic Hall of Fame Banquet. Submit your nomination!
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