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. Nominations submitted after the Council’s deadline announced each spring will not be considered. Finalists will be recognized at the annual Alumni Awards Celebration during Homecoming Weekend.
Award Nominees
The Alumni Council will recognize selected alumni award nominees leading up to Homecoming, and the respective award winners will not be announced until the Alumni Celebration during Homecoming Weekend. Please read through each award descriptions below to nominate candidates for the intended categories.
- Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award
Awardees are recognized for achievements and contributions to their profession or field. - Distinguished Service to Alma Mater
The highest recognition award given to one recipient annually for alumni involvement, volunteer service and support to Bethany. - Community Service 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. - 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. - James E. Allison Award for Teaching Excellence
Presented periodically to a Bethany faculty member. Nominees need not be alumni. - 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.
*Not every award is given to an alum each year.
*Current members of the Board of Trustees and Alumni Council are not eligible for nomination.
Nomination Form
DISTINGUISHED ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS
| 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.
| 2022 – Roy Austin ‘66 2022 – Frank Calabrese ’70 2021 – Megan Tarbett ’00 2020 – Reverend Amos Acree ’69 2019 – Lynn Menzel Inlow ’70 2018 – R. Darryl Ponton ’68 2017 – Lee Smedley ’72 2017 – Dean Sparks ’75 2016 – Dr. Nick Sarap ’63 2016 – Nancy Sarap ’63 2016 – Dayna Snell ’87 2015 – Rev. Dr. Robert Perry ’69 2014 – Donald Wells ’43 2011 – Rev. Dennis Sparks ’71 2010 – D. Gail Frankle ’77 2008 – David Jolliffe ’74 2007 – Logan Hassig ’70 2005 – Robert Chambers ’60 2005 – Charlotte (Myers) ’61 Chambers 2003 – Scott King ’94 2002 – Charles E. Schwertfeger ’71 2000 – Bruce Robeson ’56 |
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.
| 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.
| 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
ALUMNI WALL OF FAME
Enshrined on the walls of Bethany College are the names of her most distinguished sons and daughters. Their extraordinary influence and stature in their discipline, profession or field of human service at the international, national or state levels reflect the enduring high honor and excellence of the College.
The Bethany Alumni Wall of Fame is dedicated to challenging students to achieve greatness in their chosen discipline, profession or field of service; to perpetuate the renown of Bethany College and the achievements of her alumni; and to encourage all to seek and gain high purpose and attainment in life.
The concept of this memorial was expressed by Forrest H. Kirkpatrick ’27, for the purpose of inspiring Bethany students to emulate the attainments of their Alma Mater’s most eminent alumni.
| Class of 1868 – George T. Oliver, Industrialist, US Senate Class of 1890 – Edgar O. Lovett, Founding President, Rice University Class of 1944 – Esther L. McCandless, Biology Researcher, Professor Class of 1886 – Herbert L. Willett, Biblical Scholar, Professor Class of 1918 – Stanton C. Crawford, Chancellor, University of Pittsburgh Class of 1939 – John C. Erskine, Government Service, Educator Class of 1929 – A. Dale Fiers, Religion Class of 1945 – James R. Schuyler, Pulitzer Prize Author Class of 1905 – Henry A. Procter, Member, British Parliament Class of 1919 – George M. Sutton, Ornithologist, Bird Artist Class of 1852 – Archibald W. Campbell, Newspaper Editor, Publisher Class of 1874 – Archibald McLean, President of Bethany College, Religion Class of 1923 – Mae Yoho Ward, Educator, Religion Class of 1923 – Carl C. Francis, Medical Researcher, Writer Class of 1873 – J. Beauchamp Clark, Speaker of the House, US House Class of 1875 – Mark M. Cochran, Industrialist Class of 1877 – Joseph R. Lamar, US Supreme Court Justice Class of 1940 – Kenneth W. Underwood, Author, Educator, Social Ethics Class of 1876 – W. H. Woolery President of Bethany College Class of 1942 – Barbara G. Schutt, Nursing Professor, Administrator |
Class of 1917 – Malcolm L. Norment, Missionary, Leprosy Clinic Founder Class of 1927 – DeLoris M. Stevenson, Braillist, Researcher, Writer Class of 1902 – John Marshall, Deputy US Attorney General Class of 1929 – Dwight E. Stevenson, Author, Educator, Religion Class of 1908 – W. K. Woolery, Educator, Historian, Bethany College Class of 1897 – John P. Sala, Religion Class of 1910– Wilbur H. Cramblet Sr., President of Bethany College Class of 1924 – Francis J. Love, US House Class of 1934 – John E. Carrigan, WV Senate, Supreme Court Justice Class of 1869 – Earl W. Oglebay, Industrialist Banker Class of 1889 – William R. Warren, Author, Editor, Religion Class of 1891 – Charles H. Irvin, Business and Industry Class of 1910 – Bert R. Johnson, Religion Class of 1876 – Benjamin B. Odell, US House, NY Governor Class of 1916 – Caroline Gordon, Author Class of 1917 – R. Richard Renner, Physician, Hospital Founder Class of 1906 – Lorne W. Barclay, Executive, Boy Scouts of America Class of 1926 – Edgar L. Warren, Government Service, Mediator Class of 1892 – William H. Hanna, Religion, Missionary Class of 1927 – Forrest H. Kirkpatrick, Educator, Industrialist, Philanthropist |
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 during Homecoming weekend.
GREEK NOMINATION FORM
To nominate alumni for the Greek Hall of Fame Award, please fill out this form.
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