Awards

Home › Alumni › Awards

Alumni Achievement

Each year during Homecoming & Family Weekend, alumni are recognized for their professional achievements, service to �鶹��ýӳ�� and contributions to society. The list of previous recipients is available below.

Distinguished Alumna/us Award

The Distinguished Alumna/us Award is presented to an alumna/us who has made a significant contribution to society in his or her career. Basis for selection includes career advancement and related service to others, significant honors in one’s field, and commitment to the College.

2025- Steven S. “Doc” Savage ’72

Doc is a retired executive with more than 45 years of leadership experience across military and defense industries. A 1972 graduate of �鶹��ýӳ�� with a Bachelor of Science in Biology, he also earned a Master of Science in Human Resources Management from Golden Gate University and completed advanced military studies at the Air War College and Marine Corps Command and Staff College. During his 27-year career in the United States Air Force, Savage rose to the rank of Colonel, commanding four units worldwide and overseeing up to 5,000 personnel. He managed more than $20 billion in classified and operational programs for the Pentagon and the Secretary of Defense. Following his military service, he joined Northrop Grumman Corporation as Director of Business Development for Air Force Programs, where he led strategic initiatives valued at over $80 billion. A four-year letterman in both basketball and baseball at �鶹��ýӳ��, Savage remains deeply committed to his alma mater. He established the Steven S. Savage Endowed Athletic Scholarship, served on the Board of Trustees, and helped create the Senator Nation Endowed Athletic Fund—continuing his legacy of leadership, service, and loyalty to �鶹��ýӳ��.

Previous Award Recipients

2024	Cindy Stinger ’81
2023	Nicolaas P. Pronk ’86
2022	G. Marion Brady ’49
2021	Dr. Bijan J. Goodarzi ’77
2019	Mr. David E. Clapp ’65
2018	Mr. Reginald “Reggie” Owens Sr. ’83
2017	Mr. Richard C. Seybolt, ’63
2016	Ms. Barbara Porter, ’76
2015	Mr. Mike Ross, ’61
2014	Dr. George M. Lauderbaugh, ’67
2013	Dr. Virginia “Ginger” Bowman Rich, ’74
2012	Dr. Romeo A. Vidone, ’52
2011	Mr. Jim B. Lloyd, ’61
2010	Dr. Robert G. Smith, ’65
2009	Mr. Phil S. Inglee, ’59
2008	Mr. Eric J. Nilsen, ’82
2007	Ms. Susan Colussy, ’67
2006	Mr. A. Bryant Applegate, ’77
2005	Mr. Peter H. Dougherty, ’75
2004	Dr. Donald H. Slocum, ’51
2003	Dr. Ronald A. Rollins, Sr., ’57
2002	Mr. Wendell M. Cramer, ’59
2001	Brig. Gen. Robert Murdock, USAF, ’69
2000	Lt. Col. Michael G. Dakes, USAF (Ret.), ’59
1999	The Rev. Dr. Neil Irons, ’58
1998	The Honorable Charles N. Clevert, ’69
1997	Mr. J. Keith Hiser, ’55
1996	Dr. Joseph Fry, ’69
1995	Dr. Gloria Marquette Payne, ’43
1994	Dr. John French, ’48
1993	Mrs. Elizabeth Guye Kittle, ’47
1992	Dr. H. Thomas Mullis, ’65
1991	Mrs. Peggy Talbott Wagner, ’52
1990	The Rev. Richard L. Huggins,’60
1989	Dr. E. C. “Gene” Sidwell, ’25
1988	Dr. Nicholas A. Pace, ’55
1987	Dr. Margaret Purdum Goddin, ’50
1986	The Rev. Dr. Russell D. Burns, ’51
1985	Mr. James K. Marstiller, ’40
1984	Mrs. Willetta Goddin Hinkle, ’45 and Mr. Howard H. Wolfe, ’36
1983	Mr. Gary W. North, ’62
1982	Mr. P.B. “Sol” Kampf, ’47
1981	Mr. Henry A. Rutherford Jr., ’31 and Dr. Kenneth J. Anderson, ’59
1980	The Rev. Dr. Felix Gear, ’22, The Rev. C. Newman Faulconer, ’31, Mrs. Claire Fiorentino, ’49, Mr. Vernon B. Harris, ’20, Mr. Nicholas Hahon, ’48, Mr. Calvin Morgan, ’65, Miss May L. Wilt, ’16, Dr. Sam R. Hoover, ’30, Dr. Mary Virginia Moore, ’40, and Dr. George Pappas, ’56
1979	Mr. Stuart Johnson, ’06, Mr. James D. Phillips, ’57, Mr. Harry Whetsell, ’18, Miss D. Mildred Beaty R.N., ’56, Dr. Stephen V. Montgomery, ’71, and Dr. David L. Kurtz, ’63
1978	Mr. James W. Wallace, ’33
1977	Mr. Carl G. Beard II, ’51
1976	Mr. Harry L. Shelton, ’34
1975	Ms. Leonidas K. Lovenstein, ’22
1974	Dr. Robert N. Brown, ’30
1973	Dr. Eva G. Goddin Cutright, ’15
1972	Mr. Hubert T. Marshall, ’26
1971	Dr. Ellis C. MacDougall, ’50
1970	Judge Robert E. Maxwell, ’46
1969	Mr. Earl K. Lyons, ’47
1968	Mr. H. Dale Ridgeway, ’41
1967	Mr. Edgar Smith, ’13
1966	Mr. Robert A. Allen, ’36
1965	Dr. N. Bayard Green, ’26
1964	Ms. Anna J. Parmesano, ’19
1963	Dr. Robert P. Irons, ’42
1962	Dr. Nelson S. Knaggs, ’29
1961	Dr. Rowland C. Hansford, ’33 and Dr. Lindsey J. Phares, ’36
1960	Mr. Roy A. Delauder, ’41 and Dr. Irl C. Schoonover, ’30
1959	Mr. Vernon B. Harris, ’20 and Mr. Harness P. Mullennex, ’14

Tower Award

The Tower Award is presented to an alumna/us for outstanding commitment and service to the College and its alumni programs. This award recognizes alumni who have gone above and beyond for the College. Basis for selection includes volunteering of time, talent and/or funds in support of the numerous student and alumni programs the College offers.

2025- William W. Nuttall III ’70

A 1970 graduate of �鶹��ýӳ�� with a B.A. In Business, William Nuttall has built a remarkable career spanning athletics, broadcasting, business, and service. He also holds a master’s degree in Adult Education from Florida International University. As a standout soccer player, Nuttall earned First Team Junior College All-American honors in 1967 and First Team NSCAA All-American honors in 1970. A key member of �鶹��ýӳ��’s 1968 and 1970 NAIA National Championship teams, he went on to play five years professionally, followed by four years each as a college and professional coach, and five years in soccer administration. His career highlight came as General Manager of U.S. Soccer National Teams when the U.S. Women won the 1991 World Cup and the Men competed in the 1994 World Cup. A pioneer in sports broadcasting, he called the first soccer match ever televised on ESPN in 1979 and went on to commentate more than 35 games. In business, he held leadership roles with Mitre, Patrick, Diadora, and Golden Viking Sports.

A six-time Hall of Fame inductee, Nuttall has served �鶹��ýӳ�� as a Trustee for 12 years, including two as Chair, helping raise over $1.6 million for campus athletic initiatives.

Previous Award Recipients

2024	Kathryn Dunbar Ramsdell ’74
2023	Kimberly M. Farry ’85
2022	Louis W. Stark ’76
2021	Karen Kober Brown ’84
2019	Mrs. Deborah A. Larkin ’11
2018	Ms. Maribeth “Beth” Headley Robenolt, ’82
2017	Robin White Rybczynski, ’86
2016	Paul Stirrup, ’60
2015	Ms. Karen Harmeier Berner, ’64
2014	Dr. William L. Turner Jr., ’72
2013	Finish the Field Committee
2012	Mr. Fred Fincken, ’62
2011	Mrs. Debbie Payne Fragale, ’81
2010	Dr. Frank M. Mele, ’58
2009	Mr. Clifford E. Marstiller, ’80
2008	Ms. Laura Constantine, ’81
2007	Mr. H. Flint Engleman II, ’90
2006	Mr. Gary Horvath, ’62
2005	Mr. W. Miles Runner, ’59
2004	Mr. Lawrence B. Hunt, ’67
2003	Mr. Robert Beckwith, ’67
2002	Mr. Tharon Jack, ’61
2001	Mr. John Whitman, ’50
2000	Mr. Robert Craig, ’49
1999	Mr. James Bialek, ’74
1998	Dr. Blaine Steensland, ’72
1997	Mr. Gary W. North, ’62
1996	Dr. Robert Rector, ’42
1995	Dr. Andrew Johanson Jr., ’64
1994	Mr. Ray Luce III, ’65
1993	Mr. Peter Dougherty, ’75
1992	Mr. Earl Rodeheavor, ’38
1991	Dr. George Morgan Jr., ’61
1990	Ms. Nancy Evans-Bennett, ’66
1989	The Rev. Dr. Jean Humason Henderson, ’64
1988	Mr. Robert Livingston, ’61
1987	Dr. Michael DiMario, ’60
1986	Mrs. Dorothy Blake Lutz
1985	Mr. Charles Potter II, ’68

Outstanding Young Alumna/us Award

The Outstanding Young Alumna/us Award is presented to a young alumnus who graduated within the last 10 years and shows promise in his or her profession and loyalty and commitment to the College. Basis for selection includes professional achievements and honors, community service/service to others, and commitment to the College.

2025- Ethan White ’15

Ethan White is a proud graduate of �鶹��ýӳ��, where he earned a degree with a dual focus in Marketing and Finance and a minor in Mathematics. His strong academic foundation at �鶹��ýӳ�� set the stage for a career defined by strategic leadership and operational excellence. Ethan began his career at Sinclair as a Financial Analyst in FP&A, specializing in budgeting and forecasting. He soon advanced to Senior Analyst in Corporate Development, serving as an internal consultant on key strategic initiatives. His ability to navigate complex business challenges and foster collaboration across teams led to his appointment as Chief of Staff to the Chief Operating Officer. Today, Ethan serves as Vice President, Chief of Staff at Sinclair. In this role, he leads company-wide sales transformation efforts, manages operations for four markets as a Group Manager, and continues to drive alignment and execution across the C-suite. Ethan’s accomplishments reflect the values of �鶹��ýӳ��— integrity, initiative, and innovation—and stand as a testament to the impact of a �鶹��ýӳ�� education on emerging leaders in the business world.

Previous Award Recipients

2024	Robin Stillwater ’13 and ’14
2023	Makeia R. Jonese ’18
2022	Houston Darling ’14
2021	Amber D. Vineyard ’10
2019	Ms. Madalyn M. Humphrey ’17
2018	Ms. Kaia Kater-Hurst, ’16
2017	Ms. Kathryn R. Owsianiecki Hartmann, ’08
2016	Dr. Katie MacGregor, ’08
2015	Mr. Michael J. Knox, ’08
2014	Mr. Cory A. Toth, ’06
2013	Mr. Joel Richardson, ’10
2012	Mr. Wesley Withrow, ’04
2011	Mr. Lonnie L. Martin, ’02
2010	Mr. Aaron Seth Taylor, ’00
2009	Ms. Gail M. Rasor, ’02
2008	Mr. Curtis L. Metten, ’00
2007	Mr. Nathaniel Bonnell, ’03
2006	Mr. Scot McKenzie, ’96
2005	Ms. Kimberly G. Morris, ’96
2004	Mr. Scott D. Goddard, ’96
2003	Mr. Richard W. Shryock Jr., ’93
2002	Mr. Douglas A. Homer, ’93
2001	Mr. Kevin Yokum, ’93
2000	Mrs. Janet Slaugenhaupt Toth, ’93
1999	Mr. Richard Campbell, ’93
1998	Mr. H. Flint Engleman II, ’90
1997	Dr. Jeffrey S. Trump, ’88
1995	Mr. Mitchell Ellisen, ’86
1994	Dr. Gary Gregg II, ’90
1993	Mr. Barry Greene, ’83
1992	Mr. Joseph V. DiCesare, ’88
1991	Mr. Craig Deemer, ’82
1990	Dr. Jannette Abell Pepper, ’80
1989	Mr. Hugh Baird, ’83
1988	Mr. Andrew McCorkle, ’79
1987	Ms. Melissa Hambrick Luce, ’83
1986	Mr. Mark Caldwell, ’80

Professional Achievement Award

The Professional Achievement Award is presented to an alumna/us who has achieved individual success, accomplishment and made contributions to their profession while still advancing in their careers. Basis for selection includes professional achievement and commitment to the College.

2025- Gary J. “Joey” VanDevender ’05

Dr. Joey VanDevender is a seasoned higher education leader with more than 20 years of experience advancing student success, enrollment strategy, and global education initiatives. He currently serves as Assistant Dean of Enrollment Management and Graduate Programs at Wayne State University’s Mike Ilitch School of Business in Detroit, Michigan, where he leads strategic efforts to recruit, enroll, and support a diverse population of students. Dr. VanDevender earned his Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Higher Education Leadership from Wilmington University, a Master of Science in Integrated Marketing Communications from West Virginia University, and a Bachelor of Science in International Management and International Marketing from �鶹��ýӳ��.

Throughout his career, he has built a reputation for innovative, student-centered leadership and a deep commitment to access and inclusion. His international outreach has taken him to China, the United Arab Emirates, and India, where he forged partnerships that expand educational opportunities for students around the world. Guided by the belief that education is transformative, Dr. VanDevender continues to empower students and institutions alike to reach new heights of achievement and purpose.

Crystal Mace Award

Considered the College’s most prestigious award, the Crystal Mace Award is presented in recognition of transformational leadership, service and/or character, and of unparalleled gifts of time, talent and/or treasure.

Previous Award Recipients

2022	Joyce Butler McKee Allen
2019	Dr. June B. Myles
2017	Dr. Gloria M. Payne

Alumni Volunteer Award

The Alumni Volunteer Award is presented to an individual for unusual and distinguished volunteer service to the College and community. This is not an annual award.

2024 – Dana Marzolf ‘81

As a child, Dana always loved the library, and in 6^th grade she became a helper at her elementary school in Pittsburgh. After high school, Dana began working at the main branch of the Carnegie Library in Pittsburgh and with the City and Allegheny County bookmobiles. In 1974, Dana and her family moved to Elkins, where she began taking classes at �鶹��ýӳ��, graduating with a major in Religion and Philosophy and a minor in Sociology. Following her retirement from Prince of Peace Presbyterian Church in Crofton, Maryland as Director of Christian Education, Dana returned to Elkins and began volunteering for Booth Library. She has archived thousands of photos and related articles to preserve the history of �鶹��ýӳ��. Dana shares that it has been no small task but that she has enjoyed the work and discovering interesting historical facts about the College, Senators Davis and Elkins, and the City of Elkins as well.

Previous Award Recipients

2023	Amanda Yeargan Monroe ’02

Senators Community Service Award

The Senators Community Service Award is presented to an alumna/us in recognition of service to the community which resulted in significant impact. This is not an annual award.

2025- Alexander J. Torres ’13

Born in Arlington, Virginia, Alex was raised by his mother and older sister, who instilled in him compassion, resilience, and a drive to serve others. At Washington-Lee High School, he developed leadership skills through church involvement and extracurricular activities, while his lifelong love of soccer—both as a player and coach—shaped his teamwork and mentoring spirit. At �鶹��ýӳ��, Alex majored in Criminology and emerged as a campus leader. Elected President of the Student Government Association, he worked to strengthen collaboration among students, faculty, and staff. He also served as a Student Ambassador and spent two years as a mentor in the Naylor Learning Center, supporting peers in their academic success. After graduating in 2013, Alex moved to Austin, Texas, where he tutored at-risk high school students before serving three years in northern Colombia with the U.S. Peace Corps as an English teacher and trainer. Since returning to Austin, he has continued empowering youth through programs that build social, emotional, and critical-thinking skills. Guided by the values he gained at �鶹��ýӳ��, Alex remains committed to service, leadership, and helping others reach their full potential.

Previous Award Recipients

2021	David Cutlip ’77
2019	Dr. Andy Johanson ’63
2017	Peter Ullnan ’49

Who will you nominate?

�鶹��ýӳ�� traditionally honors three alumni during Homecoming Weekend. The three awards given are Distinguished Alumna/us Award, Tower Award, and Outstanding Young Alumna/us Award.