Alumni Volunteer Awards

Lafayette honors outstanding service to the Alumni Association and the College at the annual Volunteer Awards ceremony. Below are the awards with a listing of the most recent recipients.

Alumni Association Awards

Joseph E. Bell ’28 Alumni Distinguished Service Award

Presented to a member of the alumni community who has given distinguished service to the College or the Association. Upon his retirement in 1968 as Alumni Secretary, the award was named for Joseph E. Bell ’28.

2023: Heidi Hanson ’91
2022: Tracy Hagert Sutka ’82 P’17
2021: James R. Fisher ’77 P’07’10’11
2020: Laurie Samet ’79
2019: John H. Pierce ’81
2018: Michael A. Weisburger ’82
2017: Susan B. Carras ’76

George Washington Kidd Class of 1836 Award

Presented to a member of the alumni community who has earned distinction in their career without regard to service to the College. This award is named for Lafayette’s first graduate, George Washington Kidd, Class of 1836.

2023: Daniel Revers ’84
2022: Jeffrey Acopian ’75 P’19
2021: Kelly Cesare Coffey ’87
2020: Joseph (Rick) Godwin Jr. ’81
2019: Cornelia B. Marakovits ’88
2018: William P. Hayes ’71
2017: Fran Mustaro ’72

Clifton P. Mayfield ’09 Outstanding Young Alumni Award

Presented to a member or members of one of the 15 latest classes in recognition of outstanding service to the College or Association.

2023: Ryan Benjamin ’10
2022: Matthew Pagano ’09
2021: Ian A. N. Stone ’10
2020: Heather Finn Slugaski ’09
2019: Matthew K. Grandon ’12
2018: Kelly B. Nguyen ’06
2017: Lauren A. Steinitz ’08

George T. Woodring 1919 Service Award

Recognizes the achievements of a long-term Alumni Association volunteer whose service is both dedicated and effective.

2023: Betsy Huston Fadem ’76
2022: Quincy Miller ’97
2021: Mark Suffredini ’93
2020 Frank Campbell ’74
2019: Norbert F. Smith’59
2018: Lisa J. Kassel ’79
2017: Patricia Winkler Schor ’82

George T. Woodring 1919 Volunteer of the-Year Award

Recognizes an Alumni Association volunteer for outstanding leadership during the previous year.

2023: Meg Rodriguez ’84, Hon. Paula A. Roscioli ’87
2022: William Gaberlavage ’90
2021: Renae Schneck Tesauro ’82
2020: Jonathan Ellis ’98
2019: John J. Fistner ’00
2018: Todd E. Wiltshire ’86
2017: Glenn Erb Grube ’57

William E. Greenip Jr. ’44 Award

Recognizes a currently active alumni chapter officer based on voluntary service achievements “over and above” the faithful carrying out of regular officer assignments. It honors the memory of William E. Greenip ’44, former Alumni Association Secretary.

2023: Frances Schulz ’04
2022: Sara Kreisel ’07
2021: Daniella L. Colon ’10
2020: John L. Squarcia ’69 G’22
2019: Matthew J. Pagano ’09
2018: Kenneth E. Kligge ’00
2017: William J. Starr ’76

Daniel L. Golden ’34 Faculty Service Award

Recognizes faculty members for distinguished volunteer service to Lafayette College through the Alumni Association and its organized alumni activities.

2023: Elaine Stomber ’89
2022: Rexford Ahene
2021: No Recipient
2020: Robert Mattison
2019: Seo-Hyun Park
2018: Mary A. Armstrong
2017: Jennifer W. Kelly

Alumni Association Student Volunteer Service Award

Recognizes a current student who through volunteer efforts in the broader community beyond the College, has demonstrated compassion, energy and ingenuity in serving others.

2023: Johnathan Cresson ’24
2022: Tyler Osipower ’24
2021: Alix Golden Talkow ’22
2020: Alexander Klee Wetzler ’21
2019: No Recipient
2018: Lauren N. Steinitz ‘19
2017: Sara Hayet ’18

Alumni Association Special Commendation

The Alumni Association periodically chooses to honor, with a special award, a member or members of the Lafayette community illustrating loyal commitment in supporting the goals of the College and Alumni Association.

2022: David Glasser ’06 and Ingrid Warner Whitley ’11
2020 and 2021: No Recipient
2019: Kathryn Kerge ’94, Lucy Maher Regan ’94 and Mara Weinstein Friedman ’94
2018: Charles Snyder ’78
2017: Michael Moroney ’83

Alumni Chapter of the Year Award

Presented to the regional alumni chapter that successfully hosted a diverse array of chapter events, while cultivating the chapter’s leadership and promoting area alumni participation.

2023: Washington D.C.
2022: Denver
2021: No Recipient
2020: Washington D.C.
2019: New York City
2018: Phoenix
2017: Philadelphia

Chapter Event Chairperson of the Year Award

Recognizes an individual who exudes leadership in the planning and execution of regional events, showing commitment to promoting a diverse array of offerings for the alumni, parents and friends of Lafayette College.

2023: Samantha Chavin ’16
2022: Alan Raisman ’10
2021: Bruce B. Pastorini ’75
2020: Alexandra DeAngelis Waychoff ’06
2019: Rebecca McIver ’15
2018: Paul J. Russoniello ’74
2017: Cynthia Sabo ’78

Hughes Correspondent Award

Recognizes an effective writer who exercises leadership throughout the column, unifying classmates in support of the College.

2023: Christopher Wain ’73
2022: Christopher Wain ’73
2021: Sharon Tchon Gruet ’81
2020: Meri Lee Newby ’91
2019: Mara Friedman ’94
2018: Nancy Telliho ’83 and Anne Marie Weeks ’83
2017: Norbert F. Smith ’59
2016: Marshall J. Gluck ’65
2015: Sara Davis Bowman ’07

Gateway Career Center Awards

Lois and Neil Gagnon Award for Distinguished Service

Recognizes an alumna or alumnus for distinguished service to the Career Services Office in assisting Lafayette students in career exploration.

2023: Asela “Zilla” Gunawardana ’96
2022: Melanie Ruderman ’14
2021: Christina A. Seckar ’96
2020: Hon. Paula A. Roscioli ’87
2019: Robert Goldstein ’80
2018: Charles F. Smith Jr. ’85
2017: Benny Crapanzano ’97
2016: Brandon M. Troup 95, Janet Acculto O’Brien ’94
2015: Michael C. McDonough ’79

Distinguished Externship Commitment Award

Recognizes an externship host with 25 years of service.

2021: Dr. Davie Albala ’78

Externship Commitment Award

Recognizes externship hosts with ten years of participation.

2023: Wendy Parker Sussman ’93
2022: Judge Richard Hughes ’83, Jacob Ruggles ’01, Kaitlyn Reilley ’11
2021: Rachel T. Fischer ’07
2020: Dr. Robert Bailey ’76, Sandra Ballard P’14, Dr. Kenneth Chavin ’83, Dr. Rob Coombs ’95, Darin Hettich ’88, Dr. Herbert Ingraham’82, Dr. Lawrence Livornese ’81, Jeremy Noll ’07, Dr. Edward Suczewski P’09, Dr. David Targan ’95, Mitchell Winter ’79
2019: Leeann Bonaventura ’98, Jodi Morgan Katz ’97, Jason Mills ’09, Laurie Samet ’79 and Deborah Wetreich ’81
2018: Paula A. Roscioli ’87 and Steven Shankman ’77
2017: Claudine Lilien ’90, David Goldberg ’11

Annual Fund Awards

Joseph T. Losee ’94 Award

Presented to the reunion year class achieving the highest Lafayette College Fund total.

2023: Class of 1963
2022: Class of 1987
2021: Sharon Tchon Gruet ’81
2020: Michael H. LeWitt ’70
2019: David Schwager ’84
2018: S. Robert Beane Jr. ’58
2017: Class of 1977 – Michael Saffer

Lafayette College Fund Award

Honors the non-reunion class achieving the highest Lafayette College Fund total.

2023: Class of 1980
2022: Class of 1984
2021: Lisa J. Kassel ’79 and Laurie B. Samet ’79
2020: David Schwager ’84
2019: Sharon Tuchon Gruet ’81
2018: Class of 1979 Laurie B. Samet ’79 and Lisa J. Kassel ’79
2017: Class of 1979 Laurie B. Samet ’79

Julius Naab 1919 Award

For the 50-Plus Club class with the highest rate of participation.

2023: Class of 1957
2022: Class of 1957
2021: Glenn Erb Grube ’57
2020:Glenn Erb Grube ’57
2019: Glenn Erb Grube ’57
2018:Class of 1957 Glenn Erb Grube
2017: Class of 1957 – Glenn Erb Grube

Ernest G. Smith ’94 Award

Honors the class achieving the highest percentage of participation from the 11th through the 50th alumni class.

2023: Class of 1973
2022: Class of 1977
2021: Paul H. Dimmick ’71
2020: Paul Dimmick ’71
2019: David Fraser ’69 and Abram Bluestein ’69
2018: Class of 1968 – David Reif and Richard Groff
2017: Class of 1967 – Chris Cathcart

Robert Whitmer 1885 Award

Presented to the young alumni class achieving the highest percentage of participation.

2023: Class of 2018
2022: Class of 2016
2021: Amanda Hilton Whitbred ’11 and Christina L. Hunt ’11
2020: Scott Bradley ’16
2019: Alec Golini ’14
2018: Class of 2013 – Taylor Dougherty and Lucas Simpson
2017: Class of 2012 – Matt Grandon

ADMISSIONS AWARDS

New AAR of the Year Award

Recognizes a first year AAR who has, during that initial period, served the College with extraordinary enthusiasm, commitment and skill.

2023: No recipient
2022 : No recipient
2021: Samantha DeMarse ’20
2020: Emily Lynch ’18 Joe Pannullo ’14, Miriam Swartz ’18
2019: Rachel Tenney ’18
2018: Gregory J. Ly ’16
2017: Catherine “Cathy” Hilton ’74

Barry McCarty AAR of the Year Award

Recognizes an individual who, during the past year, has represented the College through the AAR program with outstanding dedication, reliability and sensitivity; he or she has creatively and effectively introduced the “Spirit of Lafayette” to prospective students, their parents, and others interested in the College. This award is named after Barry W. McCarty, former dean of enrollment services.

2023: Karen Pompanella ’88
2022: Matthew Pagano ’09
2021: Mira van Roon Brand ’92
2020: Jennifer Klein ’98
2019: Jodie Obernesser ’89
2018: Eugene M. Weitz ’83
2017: Scott Spitzer ’73

AAR Geographic Outreach Award

Recognizes an AAR member, whose dedication and effectiveness during a period of a year or more who has significantly improved Lafayette’s image and student recruitment potential in an area outside the College’s traditional tri-state area.

2023: No recipient
2022: No recipient
2021: Rebecca C. McIver ’15 and Karen E. M. Kennedy ’08
2020: Richard Beltram ’73, Jeff Purdon ’83
2019: W. Anthony Ruegger ’82
2018: Leonard J. Conte ’71
2017: Margaret “Meg” Watters Rodriguez ’84

William G. Wilson Distinguished Service Award

This is the highest honor that can be bestowed for service to Lafayette through the AAR program. The recipient will have served with sustained distinction, effectively performing all expected duties during a period of several years or more. In addition, he or she will have demonstrated initiative and creativity, and will have inspired others through leadership and example.

2023: Margy Lovelette ’82
2022: Patricia Cook ’75
2021: Lisa J. Kassel ’79 P’13
2020: Glenn Erb Grube ’57, Harold Hartman ’56
2019: Tracy Hagert Sutka ’90
2018: Henry D. Ryder ’67
2017: David Taschler ’75

PREVIOUS RECIPIENTS AND Retired Awards

A number of awards are no longer given annually. Access the Historical Volunteer Awards List to view these volunteer honorees.