Cornell College honors alumni and friends who have made significant contributions to the life of the college and to society. Awards are presented annually at Homecoming Convocation as well as other select events throughout the year. Learn how to nominate a fellow alum for one of these prestigious annual awards.
Distinguished Achievement Award
The Distinguished Achievement Award is the highest joint honor awarded by the Alumni Association and the college, and is given out annually during Homecoming Convocation to one to three alumni. The Distinguished Achievement Award is based on outstanding generosity and/or service to the college, outstanding participation in community and civic affairs, and/or distinguished achievement in one's field of endeavor.
2025 Award Winner
Dorothy Vawter '75
Dorothy Vawter ’75—renowned researcher, educator, and pioneering leader in the field of bioethics—received the 2025 Distinguished Achievement Award during Homecoming Weekend. It’s the highest honor awarded by the Alumni Association and the college.
“I came to treasure the many ways Cornell’s bucolic, close-knit campus supported my growth, stretching, and learning,” she said upon reflecting on her Cornell experience.
Margaret Carter, ex '27 Robert P. Howard '27 Norma Kofahl Manson '43 William C. Kreger '48
1975
Forrest Werling '27 Richard Tims '34 Charles Warden '41 Joanne Day Soper '44
1974
Dr. Ronald E. Scantlebury '23 Gerald L. Hill '27 James E. Taylor '40 Maryann Mahaffey '46
1973
Raymond J. Reitzel '12 Burton L. L'Connor '31 Karl A. Weber '37
1972
Marjorie Medary '12 Raymond W. Houston '22 Louis R. Maxwell '22 Archie Carter '33
1971
Ortha M. Lane '17 Carl E. Haymond, ex '18 Frank S. Endicott '27
1970
Vernon M. Vance '20 Stephen M. Reynolds '29 Jere W. Annis '30
1969
Charles R. Fordyce '25 W. Donald Rugg '36 John E. Countryman '25 J. Richard Wessling '37
1968
Alfred D. Wilkinson '25 Paul K. Scott '29 Dr. Howard W. Schneider '40
1967
Ruth Bowen '17 Kirby G. Cook '30 Gordon Jonson '34 Robert W. Smith '35
1966
Arrola Bush Cole DuBridge '21 Dr. Lee B. DuBridge '22 Col. Lloyd C. Dean '26 Carl Kouba '30 Paul Clayton '35
1965
Bess H. Medary '15 John R. Coulson '22 Arthur F. Janssen '29
1964
Carles R. Pollock '10 Ashley A. Foard '32 William B. Reynolds '34
1963
Oscar F. Litterer '29 Marjorie Holmes Schmieler '31 John V. N. Granger '41
1962
Arthur Esgate '09 George W. Whittaker '23 John E. Countryman '25 Joseph Kaselow '34
1961
Lloyd O. Appleton '28 Richard J. Blakinger '46
1960
Russell D. Cole '21
1959
Earl Elijah '10 Charles Hedges '12 Dewey Hoadley '20
1958
C. O. Pauley '01 Harry Harrison, ex '04 J. Clyde Ryan '15 Jean Listerbarger Humphrey '51
Leadership and Service Award
The Leadership and Service Award is presented annually by the Alumni Association and the college to one to three alumni at Homecoming Convocation. Leadership and Service Award recipients have demonstrated outstanding leadership in their careers or professions, their work has contributed to the betterment of their community and its citizens, and/or their commitment to the college has made a particular impact or remained strong for many years.
2025 Award Winner
Sheila Kruse Boyce '85
Cornell College’s Alumni Association Board of Directors awarded Sheila Kruse Boyce ’85 with the 2025 Leadership and Service Award in recognition of her extraordinary commitment to Cornell College and her community. Boyce’s 32 years of service as class agent for the Class of 1985 exemplify the ideals of leadership, dedication, and lifelong engagement that the award celebrates.
Rob was honored for his outstanding contributions to the field of criminal justice and his enduring commitment to Cornell College. His career, centered on supporting individuals directly impacted by the criminal legal system, exemplifies the values of service, advocacy, and leadership celebrated by this award.
Flora Shriver Bowers '63 Kenneth Patterson '83 John Toussaint '78
2017
Michael Bellito '72 Frederick Holtz '86 Craig Vickstrom '92
2016
Jack Sunderlage '61 James Haley '71 Allan Ruter '76 Ben Miller '86
2015
Ann Ruby Hemken '54 Duane Carlson '55 Robert McLennan '65 Andrea Herrera '85
2014
Ralph “Chris” Christoffersen '59 Christine Larsen '83 Nicholas Even '84
Young Alumni Achievement Award
The Young Alumni Achievement Award is presented by the Alumni Association and the college during Homecoming Convocation to one to two alumni annually who have celebrated their 15th class reunion or less. The recipients have demonstrated leadership in their professions, a commitment to service, and/or a substantial commitment to the college.
2025 Award Winner
Kahn Branch ’16
Cornell College awarded Kahn Branch ’16 with the Young Alumni Achievement Award for his exceptional service and unwavering commitment to youth development and advocacy during Homecoming Weekend 2025. This award recognizes Cornellians who have made significant contributions early in their careers.
As Branch has said, “My dedication to service started at Cornell College, and since then I have tried to live my life by giving to others however I can.”
TaSheena Cunningham‑Rimmer '06 Nakyda Dean '08 Lindsay Bachman '11
2019
Will Widmer '04
2018
Eric Sudol '03
2017
Brittany Atchinson Horn '10
2015
David Lienemann '05
2014
Harper Reed '01 Derek Johnson '04
2012
Tahllee Baynard '97
2011
Mikelle Wortman '10
2010
Barron Bremner '96
2008
Jason Kolowski '98
2007
Terrance Goeldner '97
2005
Tim Devine '92
2004
Matt Weiss '99
2002
Kathleen Braddy '92
Honorary Alumni Award
Honorary alumni status is a tribute award given periodically by the Alumni Association and the college to friends of the college to formally express gratitude for years of loyalty and service. It is also given routinely to faculty members, upon retirement, as well as to select staff members, upon retirement, for their years of leadership and service to the college.
Honorary Alumni Award Recipients
Year
Recipient(s)
2022
Maxine Urheim Gwen Schimek‑Tischler
2018
Suzette Astley Carol Enns Steve DeVries Ellen Whale
2017
Lyle Lichty
2016
Thomas Koehn Joseph Molleur William Stoll
2015
Carol Lacy‑Salazar Alfrieta Monagan Robin Reid
2014
Sally Farrington Clute Bob Childers
2013
Craig Allin Don Chamberlain Rick Elliot Trude Elliot Gayle Luck
2012
Diane Crowder Doug Hanson
2011
Jim Baty Jonathan Brand Rachelle LaBarge Ed Sauter
2010
Lora Baltes Robert Black Jim Brown Charles Connell Denise Hanna‑Bennett Sheri Hotz Robert Sutherland
2009
Robert P. Dana Jake Krob Galen Lacey Dyan Smith
2008
Judith Penn David Loebsack Lisa White Jackie Stewart
2007
Chris Carlson Richard Peterson
2006
Joan Benson Ellen Garvin Robyn Hepker Bob Hoyt Richard Martin James Stout Charles Vernoff
2005
Barbara Christiansen Paul Garvin Marilyn McConnell Dennis Damon Moore
2004
David Hanson Ginger Hanson Ken Kraft Jacqui Swanson Gordon Urquhart
2003
Carol Drendel
2002
Carey Downs Gibson Truman Jordan Richard Peters
2001
Ed Hill Richard Jacob David Lyon
1996
Gladys Albaugh Addison Ault Donald Cell Paul Christiansen Thomas Church Linda Crocker Harlan D. Graber John Hue Dolores Sue Lifson Hugh Lifson Jo Lowenberg Larry Root Kay Schirm Sherrty Strong Richard Thomas Velva Zirkelbach
1995
Betsy Luce Peter Paul Luce
1994
Katrina Garner Leslie H. Garner, Jr.
1993
Barron Bremner Diane Conklin
1992
Edward Glassmeyer Carole Ringer Sally Stiles
1989
Edna Anderson William A. Deskin
1987
Evelyn Grummon C. William Heywood Francis Pray
1986
Geneva Meers Zella Rowley Shirley Thumm
1985
Patricia Strickland Walter F. Stromer Marilyn Tiedemann
1984
Cecil F. Dam Paul M. Maaske Janice Majors David Marker Cynthia Marker Thomas
1983
Ann Winslow
1982
Merle Coulson Helen Dryden F. Alan DuVal William Linneman Anna Olinger
1981
Laura Calhoun Betty Meyer James Shutt Jean Shutt Bonnie Stoll Carroll Stoll Viola Walrath
1980
Harry Gaarde Joy Morton Beverly Moser Smitty Neal Willard Neal Mary Stambaugh
Honorary Degree
Honorary degrees are presented at the discretion of the President’s Office and upon approval by the Board of Trustees. The Honorary Degree is reserved for a select group of nominees who have distinguished themselves in their field.
Honorary Degree Recipients
Year
Recipient(s)
2008
Dr. Herbert E. Hendriks '40
2003
John Mark Dean '58 Judge David R. Hanson
2000
Richard Small '50
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