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Alumni Award Nominations
The Alumni Association proudly recognizes the achievements of distinguished alumni, friends and students of Marshall University by presenting awards at its annual Alumni Awards Banquet. Past honorees have included outstanding educators, successful business people, prominent scientists, sports and entertainment personalities and ordinary people with extraordinary devotion to Marshall.
YOU can be a part of Marshall’s biggest night of the year! Submit an online nomination today to recommend an outstanding member of the Marshall University family for an alumni award.
NATIONAL AWARDS
Distinguished Alumnus/Alumna: The Distinguished Alumnus/Alumna Award recognizes Marshall alumni for extraordinary distinction and success in a career field and who has demonstrated exception and sustained community leadership. The award recipient should have achieved state, regional, or national recognition. Preference will be given to those who, while enrolled at Marshall, were active participants in the life of the university.
Distinguished Service to Marshall University: The Distinguished Service to Marshall University Award recognizes alumni for their loyal and unselfish service to Marshall University. The award recipient should have directly contributed to the advancement of Marshall through service and/or philanthropy This award is NOT limited to alumni of Marshall University.
Outstanding Community Achievement: The Outstanding Community Achievement Award recognizes unselfish and extensive service by alumni to their community, country or society. The award recipient should have contributed exceptional service to their communities and performed on a volunteer basis or through professional involvement.
Distinguished Young Alumnus/Alumna: The Young Alumnus/Alumna Award recognizes established and future leaders among Marshall University’s young alumni. The nominee must have graduated within the past ten years, be less than 40 years of age, attained a level of distinction in their chosen field of work, demonstrated a commitment to the service of others and to the university and shown the potential for future leadership/distinction. Preference will be given to those who, while enrolled at Marshall, were active participants in the life of the university.
CHAPTER AWARDS
Chapter President of the Year: Awarded to a current chapter president for outstanding leadership.
Chapter of the Year: Awarded to an outstanding alumni chapter for their contributions in fundraising, membership growth, activities and dedication to Marshall University.
Emerging Chapter of the Year: Awarded to up-and-coming alumni chapters for their contributions in fundraising, membership growth, activities and dedication to Marshall University.
Chapter Excellence in Fellowship & Support: Awarded to an alumni chapter that has gone above and beyond to foster relationships in their community and with the Marshall Family.
Chapter Excellence in Mentoring: Awarded to an alumni chapter that excels at mentoring current Marshall students.
Chapter Excellence in Scholarships: Awarded to an alumni chapter that devotes its resources to creating or expanding scholarship opportunities.
Chapter Excellence in Student Recruitment: Awarded to an alumni chapter that works to increase the number of high school graduates in their area to attend Marshall.
FACULTY AWARDS
Dr. Carolyn B. Hunter Faculty Service Award: Established to recognize contributions and to provide incentives for continued service from faculty to the community, the university and students in their respective fields.
STUDENT AWARDS
Nate Ruffin Award: Scholarship awarded by the Marshall University Black Alumni Association to an outstanding student at Marshall.
Janis Winkfield Award: Scholarship awarded by the Marshall University Black Alumni Association to an outstanding student at Marshall.
Fran Jackson Award: Scholarship awarded by the Marshall University Black Alumni Association to an outstanding student at Marshall.
COLLEGE AWARDS
Awards of Distinction: Each year, the deans from each of the colleges at Marshall University select a special recipient to represent their college as their Award of Distinction at the Alumni Awards Banquet.
Contact Us
Alumni Award Nominations
MUAA
519 John Marshall Drive
Huntington, WV 25703
alumni@marshall.edu
Showcasing the very best of Marshall University!
Each year, we recognize and celebrate alumni who especially embody the spirit of Marshall University and demonstrate the best of Marshall through the highest levels of achievement and service.
These alumni represent Marshall through their achievements in their professions, communities and in giving back to the university through their time, talent and treasure. Marshall University is a special place, but it is made that way through the passion and excellence of our alumni community around the world.
GO HERD!
Resources for Nominators
The Alumni Association thanks you for taking the time and effort to nominate an alum, student, faculty or staff member for one of our Alumni Awards. Please read the steps below prior to making your submission to ensure your application presents your nominee at their best.
- Review our award descriptions and evaluate criteria to decide which award your candidate best fits.
- Check to see if your candidate has already received the Alumni Award for which you are nominating them. Previous winners are listed on the page linked below. Once a candidate receives an award they are not eligible to be nominated for the same award again.
- Consider reaching out to your nominee to inform them that you are nominating them for an award. Enlist the help of your nominee in identifying people who might be willing to provide a letter of support for their nomination. This step is particularly helpful if you are nominating a candidate that you don’t know well but has demonstrated success in their industry, community or at Marshall University.
Note: This step is at the discretion of the nominator. Many other nominators in the past have elected not to share with their nominee that they are nominating them for an award. If you feel you know your candidate well and already have a list of people that you can reach out to for letters of support, then this may not be a necessary step for you. - Each nomination should include letters of recommendation and supporting documents. Supporting documents can include media articles, other awards or achievements (personal and/or professional), professional accomplishments in industry or community, etc. We have found the quality of the recommendation, not the quantity is of more importance in strengthening a nomination. Send all supporting documentation to alumni@marshall.edu.
- Reach out to all contacts who you would like to write letters of recommendation and provide at least two weeks for them to write those letters and send to you for submission. Letters of recommendation should address award criteria and the ways in which your nominee meets them.
- Write your primary nominator letter of support and ensure it clearly speaks to any items you think might not be conveyed in the letters of recommendation and supporting documentation. This is a great place to explain how your candidate has made specific contributions or has had an impact on Marshall in particular.
- Gather all supporting documents and letters of recommendation prior to the submission deadline of January 1. Once the nomination is formally submitted, it is not possible to make changes. Please make sure you have clearly reviewed all submission criteria and your application has been thoroughly checked before you submit!
- Submit your nomination.
Past Awardees - National Awards
2024
Dr. James M. Lester
2023
Bill Noe
Randi Ward
2022
Brad D. Smith
2019
David Allie
2018
Bob Lang
Marilyn Johnson
2017
Jeffrey Porter
2016
Lester Hicks
2015
Anthony Crutchfield
2014
Eric George
2013
Dr. David Wiley
2012
Jeffrey S. Sandy
2011
James Farley
2010
Gregory Hale
2009
Joe Gillette
2008
Beth McVey
2007
Mike Bartrum
2006
Troy Brown
J. Mark McVey
2005
Robert F. Cosmai
2004
Sean Callebs
William Willis
2003
Mel Cottone
Ellen Mosley-Thompson
Lonnie Thompson
2002
C. Carwood Lipton
Paul W. Ambrose
Kathy Eddy
2001
Nathaniel Ruffin
Joseph Johns
2000
None
1999
Donald L. Blankenship
1998
Robert L. Pruett
1997
Burl Osborne
1996
Robert C. Byrd
1995
Matthew Reese
1994
Ronald Allen
1993
Lewis Carroll
1992
James F. Madison
1991
Lawrence E. Bruce Jr.
1990
M. Wilson Tabor
1989
John R. Karickhoff
1988
Morris D. Busby
1987
John C. Fiedler
1986
Richard O. Curry
Verna Kaye LeMasters Gibson
1985
Howard Bay
A. Dixon Callihan
1984
Victor Anthony Politano
Thomas W. Dunfee
1983
Johnnie H. Corns
David W. Stallings
Albin G. Wheeler
1982
Virginia Thabet Habeeb
1981
Alfred George Duba
1980
Harry Lyle Pardue
1979
Charles J. Gould Jr.
1978
Joseph D. Duffey
1977
John D. (Jack) Maurice
1976
William E. Hatfield
Soupy Sales
1975
William R. (Sonny) Allen
1974
Alfred R. Neumann
Gaynell Pauley Sehon
1973
Marvin L. Stone
J. Ben Robinson
1972
None
1971
James O. Porter
1970
Ernest F. Leaberry
1969
Harry F. Moate Jr.
Charles A. (Carl) Hoffman
1968
John Deaver Drinko
1967
Robert E. Yancey
Orin E. Atkins
David A. Foard Jr.
1966
James Comstock
L. Marie White
Jane Whitley Mittendorf
1965
Charles V. Kelly
1964
Joseph Silverman
C.O. (Pete) Wilson
1963
Raymond Brewster
1962
Frank E. Hanshaw Sr.
Lucy McKnight Fitch
1961
William A. (Buck) Thompson
Mack Hugh Brooks
Mildred Stafford Ritter
Mary Catherine Cundiff Boggs
2024
Joel M. “Woody” Woodrum
2023
Randy Dunfee
2022
Alys Smith
2019
Mike Kirtner
2018
Homer Preece
Terry Deppner Hardin
2017
Red Dawson
2016
Michael Sellards
2015
Elizabeth Murray
2014
Charles Lanham
2013
James P. Summers
2012
No Award Given
2011
Richard Slater
2010
Janis Winkfield
Shelba Pew
2009
Robert Walker
John McHaffie
2008
Mark George
2007
Sarah Denman
2006
Jeffery Porter
James E. Gibson
2005
Robert Plymale
Bob Brammer
2004
Gary White
Joeseph Williams
2003
Nick J. Rahall II
2002
Jack Lengyel
Edward H. Greene
2001
Deborah Novak
James “Buck” Harless
2000
No Award Given
1999
Ralph Denver May
1998
Betty Sue Haden Kiinzer
1997
Wilbur E. Myers
1996
David E. Haden
1995
Robert B. Hayes
1994
Erland P. “Ernie” Stevens Jr.
1993
Carole Allen Vickers
1992
John P. Ward
1991
Phillip E. Cline
1990
Elizabeth McDowell Lewis
1989
Robert C. Saunders
1988
Parker L. Ward Jr.
1987
Sam E. Clagg
1986
Richard G. Miller Jr.
1985
No Award Given
1984
No Award Given
1983
C. I Thornburg
1982
Owen Keith Taylor
1981
Harry Wolfe Jr.
1980
Joseph Walter Hunnicutt III
1979
Charles H. Moffat
1978
W. Donald Morris
1977
James Michael Maroney
1976
John L. (Patsy) Jefferson Jr.
1975
Ruth Thompson Jones
1974
Arch A. Moore
W. Page Pitt
1973
Winfield C. John
J. Leroy Caudill
Dolores (Dee) White Caudill
Albert C. Esposito
1972
Curtis F. Baxter
1971
John J. Goff
1970
No Award Given
1969
George Van Zandt
1968
James A. Hickman
Everett N. Roush III
Elias J. Sahadi
2024
Holly Mount
2023
Mendy Aluise
2022
William Joseph Kehoe
Kathy Burns
2019
Frankie Nowlin
2018
Frank Jones
Donna Harbour
2017
George Smailes
Brandy Barkey Sweeney
2016
Lea Ann Parsley
2015
Missy Browning
2014
Karen Williams
2013
Lt. Col. Kenneth L. Hale
2012
B. Scott Miller
2011
Samuel Moore
2010
Tiney McComb
2009
Robert Melott
2008
Jeff St. Clair
2007
Dan M. Butcher
2006
Barbara P. Guyer
2005
Sylvia Ridgeway
Sally Love
2004
William Smith
Vickie Pullins
Jaqueline Frazier
2003
Marie Redd
David Akers
2002
Laura Darby
2001
Linda M Turner
Willard F. Daniels, Jr.
2000
No Award Given
1999
Edward Handy Maier
1998
Charles Edward “Skip” Turner
1997
Eulalia “Feet” Francisco Magann
1996
William A. Dodson Jr.
1995
Betty Lovett Spencer
1994
Margaret “Peggy” Neel Fox
1993
Charles D. Wise
1992
David Kirk
1991
Marian M. Korczowski
1990
Robert P. Alexander
1989
Robert H.C. Kay
Roberta Shinn Emerson
1988
A. Michael Perry
1987
Richard D. Jackson
1986
No Award Given
1985
Caryl Sue Toth
1984
No Award Given
1983
No Award Given
1982
Dorothy Nell Moore
Robert A. Anderson
1981
Joesph A. Slash
Margaret H. Zolinsky Zolen
1980
James Lee Farley
Bert Edward McCormick
1979
John F. Santrock Jr.
H. Russell Troutman
1978
Beatrice Nelson Orr
1977
Eugene Hill Brown
Charles C. Lanham
1976
William E. Blevins
1975
Robert E. Fleming
Bertha Steinbach Filson
1974
W. Ray McCoy
Walter E. Brewer
2024
Kyle D. Powers
2023
Christopher Taylor
2022
Jeff McKay
2019
Jennifer Owen
2018
Jordan Richardson
2017
Griffin McElroy
2016
No award
2015
No award
2014
James Lester
2013
Jacob Hill
2012
No award
2011
Christopher Sizemore
2010
Justin Blankenship
2009
Paul Douglas Martin Jr.
2008
Jennifer Pritt
2007
Matthew G. White
Past Awardees - Other Awards
2024
Laurie Martin
Mid-Ohio Valley Chapter
2024
Southern Coalfields Chapter
2023
Mid-Ohio Valley Chapter
Southern Coalfields Chapter
2022
Southern Coalfields Chapter
2021
Mid-Ohio Valley Chapter
2020
Mid-Ohio Valley Chapter
2019
Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Chapter
2018
Mid-Ohio Valley Chapter
2017
Mid-Ohio Valley Chapter
2016
Mid-Ohio Valley Chapter
2015
Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Chapter
2014
Mid-Ohio Valley Chapter
2013
Atlanta, Georgia Club
2012
River Cities Club
2011
River Cities Club
2010
Lincoln County Friends of Marshall Alub
2009
Atlanta, Georgia Club
2008
Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Club
2007
Boone County Club
2006
River Cities Club
2005
Boone County Club
2004
Jackson County Club
2003
Boone County Club
2002
Tampa/St. Petersburg Club
2001
Northeast Ohio Club
Atlanta, Georgia Club
2000
Greater Kanawha Valley Club
1999
Atlanta, Georgia Club
1998
Richmond Club
1997
Jacksonville Club
1996
Atlanta, Georgia Club
1995
Richmond Chapter
1994
Jacksonville Chapter
1993
n/a
1992
Greater Kanawha Valley Chapter
1991
Logan Chapter
Central Ohio Chapter
2024
Marshall University Alumni Greater Annapolis Area Chapter
2023
N/A
2022
Eastern Panhandle Alumni Chapter
2021
N/A
2020
N/A
2019
Capitol Chapter
2024
Marshall University 75 Family Alumni Chapter
2024
Society of Yeager Scholars Alumni Chapter
2024
Mid-Ohio Valley Chapter
2024
Southern Coalfields Chapter
2024
Josh Meredith (CAM)
Beth “Buffy” Hammers (COB)
Hazel Shrader (COEPD)
Dr. William P. Marley (COHP)
Alicia Cunningham (CECS)
William Dodson (COLA)
Dr. Thomas Lemke (COS)
Dr. Larry D. Dial Jr. (SOM)
Dr. Jordan Sheppard (SOP)
2023
Sassa Wilkes (CAM)
C. Zachary Meyers (COB)
Lucianne Call (COEPD)
Denise Hogsett (COHP)
Adam Weible (CECS)
Dr. Janine Janosky (COLA)
Jody Ogle (COS)
Dr. Robert J. Cure (SOM)
Dr. Sarah Dunaway (SOP)
2022
Brandon McCoy (CAM)
Bruce Felder (COB)
Barbara Guyer (COEPD)
Lee Ann Brammer (COHP)
David Casto (CECS)
Kathryn Gutzwiller (COLA)
Steve Beckelhimer (COS)
Robert A. Hess (SOM)
David Collins III (SOP)
2019
Harvey Austin (CAM)
Isabelle Rogner (COB)
Steve & Mary Beckelhimer (COEPD)
Jennifer Wells (COHP)
Robert Doeffinger (CITE)
James Bailes (COLA)
Leslie Hicks (COS)
C. Douglas Phillips (SOM)
Tyler Clay (SOP)
2018
Marlayna Maynard (CAM)
Diana Sole Walko (COB)
Frank Blackwell (COEPD)
Kathryn Chezik (COHP)
Gary Ray (CITE)
Ancella Radford Bickley (COLA)
Sheri Lemons (COS)
Bobby Miller (SOM)
Elizabeth Canterbury (SOP)
2017
Rex Repass (CAM)
Mark Morgan (COB)
Bill Smith (COEPD)
Dan Garrett (COHP)
Ron Gilkerson (CITE)
Bobby Nelson (COLA)
Matt Rohrbach (COS)
Mark Studeny (SOM)
Dlilah Navarro (SOP)
2016
Justin McElroy (CAM)
Norman Mosrie (COB)
Kathy D’Antoni (COEPD)
Diane Faulconer (COHP)
Toney Stroud (CITE)
John Burke (COLA)
Sydnee McElroy (COS)
Joseph E. Evans (SOM)
2015
William “Bill” Bissett (CAM)
David Helmer (COB)
Danny Fulks (COEPD)
Joy Pelfrey (COHP)
Dewey Bocook (CITE)
Carter Seaton (COLA)
George White (COS)
Charles Clements (SOM)
2014
William Campbell & Leslie Petteys (CAM)
John C. Burris (COB)
Charles R. Shuff (COEPD)
Kelly Levy (COHP)
Charles Neighborgall (CITE)
Aubrey King (COLA)
R. Mark Hatfield (SOM)
2013
Michael K. Paxton (COFA)
Phyllis Arnold (COB)
Margaret Pace (COEPD)
Marty Blenko (COHP)
Paul Mattox (CITE)
Charlie & Norma Carroll (COLA)
Ron Stollings (SOM)
Dixie Billhemier (GRAD)
Todd Marcum (SOJMC)
Gary Ellis (COS)
2012
Roger Simmons (COLA)
C. Donald & Sandra Soto-Hatfield (COFA)
Carolyn Smith (COEPD)
Douglas R. Hardman (CITE)
Paul L. Hill (COS)
Joanne Tomblin (SOJMC)
Rebecca Goodwin (GRAD)
Kevin W. Yingling (SOM)
John & Donna Underwood (MUF)
Michael W. Gerber (COB)